[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
♪ One, two, three, four ♪
[Tessitore] Welcome to Vegas, where this weekend history will be made.
The strip is pulsing with anticipation as fans from all over the world
have descended on Sin City for WrestleMania 41.
Allegiant Stadium is going to be record-breaking come Saturday afternoon,
when an NFL venue becomes the grandest stage of them all.
The WWE will never be the same after what happens there.
We are less than a mile away on the other side of I-15
at the famed T-Mobile Arena, where a hyped crowd has come
to experience the annual Night Before Mania edition of SmackDown.
And, oh, what a show they are ready for.
A year removed from finishing his story.
Now Cody Rhodes faces what he's described as a duty to save the sport.
In 48 hours he defends the undisputed championship against John Cena.
Tonight we will hear their final words before it all.
And we've got gold to be controlled.
The Motor City Machine Guns know what it feels like
to have the championships in their hands.
Tonight they can win them back.
But The Street Profits are proving they are the best versions
of themselves in recent months.
The WWE Tag Team champions are out to defend in Sin City.
And pulling up here to T-Mobile
-to start off this WrestleMania weekend… -Hey.
-…is Solo Sikoa. -[Solo laughs]
[Tessitore] And Tama Tonga.
The night before Jacob Fatu will fight for the US Championship
-and Solo finds himself in-- -[grunting]
-[Tessitore] Oh! -[crowd cheering]
-[screams] -[Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] I guess LA Knight is ready, Wade Barrett.
[Barrett] Fight fire with fire. That'll look nasty on the arm of Tama Tonga.
[crowd cheering]
[Tessitore] Look at this scene here inside T-Mobile Arena.
The final step on the road to WrestleMania.
We have arrived.
♪ Burn it down ♪
["The Vision" playing]
[crowd vocalizing "The Vision"]
[vocalizing continues]
♪ Burn it down ♪
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Tessitore] Seth Rollins, Wade, is one sleep away from the match
that will likely define the remainder of his career.
He started this week by stomping CM Punk and Roman Reigns into the ring
and now he closes it with his visit to Friday Night SmackDown.
[Barrett] Yeah, and will the fans be singing this very song
at the close of WrestleMania Saturday?
It's Seth "Freakin" Rollins who managed to drop both CM Punk and Roman Reigns
this past Monday on Raw with that stomp.
That will be his ticket to victory in the main event on WrestleMania Saturday.
[vocalizing continues]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd vocalizing "The Vision"]
Las Vegas!
It ain't Monday, it's Friday, but I think it still works.
Let's try it out.
Welcome to Friday Night Rollins.
Yeah! I'm your host for the night.
I am a visionary. I am a revolutionary.
-I am Seth… -"Freakin" Rollins.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk!
[chanting] OTC! OTC! OTC!
We'll get to the OTC in just a minute, but I'd like to start with that guy
whose name you were chanting first.
[chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
That's it.
That's the reason he came back to wrestling, right?
Because all of you chanted his name for 10 long years.
That's why he came back, right?
Except when CM Punk came back to the ring.
It wasn't a WWE ring.
So did he come back because you guys were chanting his name,
or did he come back because somebody wrote him a big fat check?
But you know, when he… when he burned that bridge
like he burned every other bridge,
he did finally come back to WWE after ten long years.
And was it because you guys chanted his name?
[crowd] No!
No,
it was because they wrote him another big fat check.
CM Punk likes to pretend…
[crowd chanting]
Tell me when I'm telling lies.
CM Punk loves to pretend that he came back for all of you.
CM Punk doesn't care about you. He doesn't care about WWE.
He's a liar.
He's a fraud. He's a coward.
And say what you will about Roman Reigns, Mr. OTC.
[crowd chanting] OTC! OTC! OTC!
The OTC, he doesn't even pretend to care about you guys.
He doesn't even pretend to care about WWE and you can believe that.
The OTC only cares about the OTC.
Roman Reigns is in the Roman Reigns business.
He's Mr. Private Jet, Mr. Limited Schedule,
Mr. Handpicked Opponent. Roman Reigns…
[crowd chanting] Roman, Roman Reigns!
Oh, yeah.
[chanting continues]
He loves that. He loves when you love him.
Roman Reigns knows nothing about sacrifice.
CM Punk knows nothing about sacrifice.
I know everything about sacrifice.
And funny enough, guys, this whole story between myself,
Roman Reigns, and CM Punk.
It started 12 years ago, and it started with Paul Heyman.
That's the truth.
Paul Heyman brought myself, Roman Reigns, and Dean Ambrose into WWE…
to be a shield for CM Punk.
And every single night, I sacrificed everything I had
in this ring to be that shield,
and did I get any of the credit?
Absolutely not, because everybody in the back,
wanted the cameras and the spotlight on Roman Reigns.
It was always about Roman Reigns.
Roman Reigns is going to be the next John Cena.
Roman Reigns is gonna be the next cash cow for WWE.
Look at Roman Reigns.
Put the spotlight on Roman Reigns and every single year this went along.
And in the background, after CM Punk had gone away,
taking his ball and went home,
I heard little echoes of CM Punk chants.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
Meanwhile, I was making every show,
I was in the ring every night sacrificing everything that I had.
And it all came to a head last year in the main event of WrestleMania
where my knee was hanging on by a thread.
My stepdad was at home dying of cancer,
but I made sure that I was there at the very end to be a shield
to make sure that Roman Reigns lost.
[crowd chanting] Thank you, Seth!
[crowd vocalizing "The Vision"]
This story between us started 12 years ago when Paul Heyman
brought myself and Roman into WWE.
And it ends tomorrow night
in the most important triple threat match in the history of this industry.
And I promise you I will do exactly
what I have done for the past 12 years.
I will lay it all on the line.
I will sacrifice everything that I have to make sure
that this business, this company, this industry moves forward
in the right direction.
That's not a prediction.
That's a spoiler.
[laughing]
[Tessitore] Oh, there was depth of reality as he delivered it
in the Punk Pipebomb position.
The story ends tomorrow, he says, Wade.
[Barrett] It was a glimpse into the fuel that is driving Seth Rollins
ahead of his triple threat match tomorrow, the main event of WrestleMania Saturday.
Rollins feels that he is the one that has done the heavy lifting in carrying
this industry to the elevated level it is at today, whereas his opponents,
Roman Reigns and CM Punk are merely here for the money and the glory.
We'll see if Seth "Freakin" Rollins can back those words up tomorrow night.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett with you.
You're going to be on the call this weekend with Pat and Cole,
and that is gonna be the headliner tomorrow night.
Yeah, let's take you through the cards of both WrestleMania Saturday
and WrestleMania Sunday.
Now as we just heard from Seth "Freakin" Rollins himself,
the main event of WrestleMania Saturday, three of the biggest names in history
are gonna meet.
It's the Tribal Chief Roman Reigns, Seth "Freakin" Rollins and CM Punk
with Paul Heyman in his corner.
They will collide in triple threat action.
And from best friends to mortal enemies, proceed with caution, Jade Cargill,
as you go up against the cutthroat, Naomi.
World Tag Team Championship clash, it is time for war as the War Raiders
put the gold on the line against everybody's least favorite Tag Team,
The "Boo" Day.
Now El Grande Americano is an insult to lucha libre.
That is according to the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio.
Well, those two are gonna square off in a fight for lucha supremacy.
That is tomorrow night.
And the United States Champ LA Knight, yeah!
He has the toughest test of his entire career.
He is gonna go up against the unstoppable savage, Jacob Fatu.
Again, WrestleMania Saturday.
Bitter, personal, unprofessional. This one has got it all.
WWE women's title on the line. It's Tiffany Stratton.
Defense against the 14-time champ, Charlotte Flair.
And The Ring General has been at his brutalest worst of late,
but that has perhaps galvanized Main Event Jey Uso,
who will look to do the unthinkable and yeet his way
to the World Heavyweight Championship tomorrow night.
That is your WrestleMania Saturday card.
[Tessitore] As for Sunday WrestleMania, WWE Women's Tag Team Championship,
Bayley and Lyra Valkyria made it through the gauntlet.
They face the champs Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez.
Then it's a Sin City street fight. Man, has this thing boiled up and over.
Damian Priest, Drew McIntyre, ready to go to war.
We got a Fatal 4-Way for the Intercontinental Championship.
Penta, Finn Bálor, "Dirty" Dom,
and the dogs are gonna be barking for Bron Breakker looking to defend.
Then it's AJ Styles and Logan Paul
before we get to the Women's World Championship triple threat match.
Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Iyo Sky trying to defend
the Women's World Championship on the line Sunday night from here in Vegas.
And the big one tops it all.
The Undisputed WWE Championship match,
The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes and John Cena.
Their final face off happens here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
There are few prizes in the industry like it.
Wade, the first André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal was held at WrestleMania 30,
and here we are these years later.
The beloved start to Mania weekend, the tradition, the newest arrival
who gets us started.
["Electro Animo" playing]
[bell dings]
[Nash] The following contest is the André The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
The match starts with all superstars in the ring.
When a superstar is tossed over the top rope and both feet hit the floor,
they are eliminated.
The last superstar standing in the ring will be declared the winner.
Introducing first from Ecatepec, Mexico,
weighing 182 pounds,
Rey Fenix.
Rey Fenix has instantly become a fan favorite.
The endless amount of artistic offense.
His third match since joining WWE.
Impressed us against Nathan Frazer, went to war with Berto,
and now gets this spotlight in the André The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
[Barrett] Made a massive impression since debuting a couple of weeks ago,
and what a moment it would be if he could win his first piece of hardware tonight.
[commentator] The Eighth Wonder of the World,
André the Giant.
[narrator] Larger than life.
[commentator] Look at the size of the Giant.
7'5''.
[narrator] Unmatched in power.
André the Giant towered over the competition
with a nearly 15-year undefeated streak.
Everywhere he went, people turned out to see him.
There was just something magical about him.
[narrator] The first ever inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame,
André holds the record for most battle royal victories in WWE history,
including a dominating performance at WrestleMania 2.
And in 2014, WWE established the André the Giant Battle Royal,
a yearly tradition that brings the same awe and excitement
that André himself brought to the ring.
Tonight, who will make their mark in history as the winner
of the André the Giant Battle Royal?
["Sinister Samurai" playing]
[Tessitore] A recent United States Champion, Shinsuke Nakamura.
Had a hard-fought title match with LA Knight,
found himself entangled in some other anger
surrounding Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest recently,
and now a chance here to reset things.
With a showing in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
[Barrett] Yeah, who needs a bell? Let's just start throwing fists, guys.
[Tessitore] I love it. Why not?
[Barrett] Well, I've just counted up about 26 superstars
in that ring right now, and I'll be honest with you, it's probably--
[Tessitore] Look at… Would you look at Carlito and R-Truth?
[Barrett] This is not the time for a pre-match snack, Truth.
[Tessitore chuckling] What are they doing?
Look at… Oh, and now Carlito turns right on Truth and gets after him.
And Truth sends out Carlito.
[Barrett] Oh, what a disaster.
Forget the apple, just don't… Try and stay in the damn ring.
[Tessitore] That ain't cool.
Now trying to get the best of Carmelo Hayes,
who gets behind R-Truth's neck there as they're out on the apron.
Dangerous position to be in.
Oh! The Miz!
With a kick to his former Championship Tag Team partner, Wade.
[Barrett] While saving his now Tag Team partner in Melo Don't Miz.
Real chemistry growing there. Uh-oh.
[Tessitore] Oh, Karrion Kross coming off that big Monday Night Raw battle he had…
He gets his hands right around the neck of The Miz.
[Barrett] Well, these two have some unfinished business
after they were feuding somewhat back in their Raw days until very recently.
[Tessitore] And the newly minted Tag Team, Melo Don't Miz,
teaming up on Karrion Kross as he's able to wrap his leg around that bottom rope.
[Barrett] Karrion Kross was competing last night in Bloodsport.
Got a major victory there.
-He has been trying his best to… -[Tessitore] Ooh!
…manipulate the mind of AJ Styles.
[Tessitore] Los Garza with teamwork, Wade.
[Barrett] Styles match up on WrestleMania Sunday against Logan Paul.
[Tessitore] Boy, this is nonstop action right from the start.
[Barrett] There's a lot of Tag Teams competing in this particular Battle Royal.
[Tessitore] How about it!
[Barrett] Well, Rey… Rey Fenix there dropping.
[Tessitore] A good start by Fenix… On the uppercut!
2-for-2 elimination on Los Garza for Rey Fenix,
and now Santos Escobar perhaps reminding him
of the respect that was paid a week ago after that performance,
and you could see the disdain in his face as he looked down at Angel and Berto.
[Barrett] Far from impressed with the results of Legado Del Fantasma
of late maybe looking to add to the ranks in the form of Rey Fenix.
I'm sure quite a few of our lucha groups would love to--
[Tessitore] Oh! Pretty Deadly.
Pretty Deadly showcasing great teamwork, Wade.
[Barrett] Yeah, this is simply nonstop.
Pretty Deadly looking to get back to the very top.
Were competing recently for tag gold.
Now attacking fellow Brit Tyler Bate, who's looking to make up for the lost time
after a long injury layoff of late.
[Tessitore] Grayson Waller sends them out and over. Simultaneously.
A-Town Down Under eliminating Pretty Deadly
from the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
[Barrett] Yeah, you've almost got zero chance of defending yourself
when there are this many bodies in the ring.
Need a little bit of luck
and ideally some eyes in the back of your head at times.
[Tessitore] Now A-Town Down again, but this time it backfires on them.
[Barrett] Once again we see all of our Tag Teams working in cahoots
to try and take out the rest of the field.
It's a smart strategy.
It simply can't work for all of them though.
Big strong boys!
[Tessitore] Tyler Bate. Remember both feet must hit the outside.
Trying to hang on for dear life and his survival.
Look at the power!
[Barrett] Kaiser!
[Tessitore] But Kaiser with that Shotgun Dropkick to the midsection,
and then just stands over his fallen prey.
[Barrett] Ludwig Kaiser was DMing me a little earlier,
telling me this is going to be a golden weekend for both him
and The Ring General Gunther, who's defending his title
against Jey Uso tomorrow on WrestleMania Saturday.
What a start this would be for the Imperium lads if they could pull this off.
[Tessitore] World Heavyweight Championship match.
Remember a big part of WrestleMania Saturday.
[Barrett] And the herd is starting to thin, yet we've still got at least
18 or so bodies left in that ring.
[Tessitore] Oh. On the near ropes right in front of us,
Ludwig Kaiser finds himself in trouble and one foot nearly hit the ground,
but able to pull himself back up on the apron and wrap that lower leg to secure.
[Barrett] And now you see the action starting to slow down.
The wear and tear building up on all of these athletes.
This really is an endurance event.
And now it's Santos Escobar who seems to be taking the bull by the horns
and once again interacting with Fenix.
[wrestler] I hate you so much!
[Tessitore] He just got the best of Andrade moments ago,
and now look at him, trying to buddy up with Rey Fenix.
We saw this a week ago as well.
[Barrett] Yeah, I'll tell you this, when you get a top start debuting,
there's a lot of anger, a lot of bitterness, a lot of jealousy,
-however… -[Tessitore] Oh!
Watch your back, Santos!
[Barrett] Yeah, there are no friends in lucha libre.
Santos Escobar should know that.
[Tessitore] One of the most celebrated luchadores in modern history
just eliminated Santos Escobar.
And now Otis using Tozawa as a weapon on the Airplane Spin.
[Barrett] Well, the 330-pound girthiest man in the match
who is perhaps due to that size the odds on favorite,
and now he's using tag partner Tozawa…
-[Tessitore] Human Missile, but caught. -…to his advantage.
[Tessitore] Creed Brothers.
[Barrett] Just built differently are those Creed Brothers,
and Tozawa turfed out by the massive Brutus Creed.
[Tessitore] Otis, looking to avenge that.
-Oh, and Otis! -[Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] All three over the top.
Otis eliminated, Julius eliminated, Brutus eliminated.
[Barrett] That was just a little overzealous there from Otis,
who had simply too much momentum behind that massive frame.
Well, let's tell it how it is, Joe Tess.
This is a bunch of guys who are pretty angry deep down,
that they have been left off the WrestleMania card
and a victory here is the ideal way to let management know,
"Hey, guys. You made a mistake.
Don't do this again this time next year at WrestleMania 42.
Make sure I'm on the card."
[Tessitore] But that's exactly what I love about it,
the hunger and intensity,
the all-out passion that's been on display instantly from the start.
Andrade takes care of things.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Austin Theory as he battles out of it.
And A-Town Down Under is eliminated.
[Barrett] Well, Andrade just a one-man wrecking crew tonight,
doing a hell of a job in there taking out A-Town Down Under on his own,
and now Chad Gable.
[Tessitore] He's surrounded.
[Barrett] By luchadores.
[Tessitore] Luchadores surrounding Chad Gable
and Rey Fenix gets the best of him.
[Barrett] What's their problem with Chad Gable, Joe?
[Tessitore] He's gone. The luchadores just got rid of Chad Gable.
They all spotted him in the center of the ring and they said attack.
[Barrett] Well, there's a lot of allegations about Chad Gable
being El Grande Americano,
and that was clearly the motivation for those luchadores,
a completely heinous allegation spread by people like Michael Cole and Rey Mysterio.
[Tessitore] Chad Gable being eliminated by Rey Fenix
as the rest of the gang started it.
Oh, and a big right hand from Karrion Kross.
He's using you. He's using you.
And the message sent by Kross, the man with the silver tongue,
and now Ray Fenix is gonna take his…
[Barrett] That is in fact Dragon Lee.
[Tessitore] Dragon Lee gonna take his shot.
[Barrett] Dropped by the massive Karrion Kross, The Devil You Know.
The Sin City hometown man could be a popular victor here in his hometown,
but don't write off Dragon Lee.
[Tessitore] Now Kross is in trouble and Dragon Lee does damage.
Shinsuke Nakamura hovering.
[Barrett] Sinister and menacing Japanese star
who has previously won the Royal Rumble in 2018.
Great experience for a match of this type. But Dragon Lee is simply too quick.
[Tessitore] Dragon Lee showing you the great athleticism as he lines him up.
Oh! But Shinsuke delivers.
[Barrett] Cleaning the clock of Dragon Lee,
who's about to get tossed out.
[Tessitore] And he's eliminated. Dragon Lee is eliminated.
[Barrett] And now we're starting to get a good idea of who potentially
is gonna lift that trophy.
Remember Bronson Reed, oh!
Ludwig Kaiser clinging on for dear life against his fellow European Pete Dunne.
[Tessitore] Grabbing Pete Dunne by the hair, by the neck.
Kaiser and Dunne. Remember both feet must touch.
Both men… Precarious situation right on the apron as he takes down,
and then, as he's wont to do, stomps on the hands.
Trying to get leverage against Kaiser, but Kaiser's smart to crawl
right under that bottom rope before delivering a kick.
[Barrett] So crafty and devious is Ludwig Kaiser.
Really has everything to be an absolute top star here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] Would you look at this from Pete Dunne
trying to create the necessary leverage to eliminate Ludwig Kaiser
and he does.
[Barrett] Superb from Pete Dunne, and Gunther must be distraught
at his man, Kaiser, being eliminated.
He still has a big job to do tomorrow night against Jey Uso.
[Dunne] Yeah!
[Barrett] Oh, Carmelo Hayes now!
-Almost out. Inches away from elimination. -[Tessitore] That was close.
He was mid-air bicycling.
[Barrett] Well, Pete Dunne is going on a tear here. He smells victory.
[Tessitore] Pete Dunne on the offensive attack.
[screams]
[Tessitore] Carmelo Hayes is bending back…
The joint manipulation in the midst of the Battle Royal.
[Barrett] Now Melo Don't Miz balanced precariously on the apron.
Pete Dunne looking to clean them both out and once again The Miz
has saved Carmelo Hayes. What a mentor--
[Tessitore] He was unselfish and it cost him.
[Barrett] It's rare for The Miz but he is eliminated.
Carmelo Hayes lives on.
He's got a big thank-you to say to The Miz after this one.
[Tessitore] And now Hayes and Pete Dunne. Lock Up.
And just like that. After Dunne went on a surge, Melo takes care of him.
[Barrett] You simply can't stand back and admire your handywork
in this kind of match.
Get away from those ropes as soon as you've eliminated someone,
and we are down to the final four.
Who is going to lift the André the Giant Memorial Trophy?
[Tessitore] Ray Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura, Andrade, and Carmelo Hayes.
[Barrett] Now remember this time last year it was big boy Bronson Reed
who lifted the trophy.
What a launchpad it was for him to go on an absolute tear
the rest of 2024 and devastate the entire locker room.
Who's gonna grab that opportunity this year?
[Tessitore] I agree with you. You can gather such career momentum
with a victory here tonight to start up WrestleMania weekend
here in Vegas as Shinsuke Nakamura looks to take hold of the situation here,
getting the best of Andrade.
And Shinsuke, look at him lineup that Kinshasa.
Yeah! Whoa.
[Tessitore] Andrade able to get out of the way and a big boot.
Oh! Andrade!
Up Top Dropkick, and Shinsuke is gone.
[Barrett] Unfathomable athleticism
from the lucha superstar Andrade.
[Tessitore] And then there were three, Wade.
Fenix, Melo, Andrade.
[Barrett] Three of the best movers we've got
in the entire company battling it out.
[Tessitore] Oh! Fenix nearly won it.
If he can loosen up those hands, but Melo able to secure his position
and comes on the attack.
[Barrett] It was just a lack of experience in this time of matchup there
from Rey Fenix who thought he had got the job done, but simply did not catch
the feet of Melo or Andrade on the floor. They live on.
For how much longer though?
[Tessitore] Hurricanrana as Andrade just slid over that bottom rope.
Remember top rope elimination, both feet.
Look at this athleticism by Fenix. What a dynamo he is.
[Barrett] That is simply unfair.
Pulling out moves like that. The roster is just not used to it.
As explosive and scintillating as you like.
[Tessitore] The explosive, acrobatic, high-flying, intense style of Rey Fenix.
[fan] Let's go, Melo.
Yeah!
[Tessitore] And here is Fenix.
[Tessitore, Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] He was going for Goodbye Amigo Springboard
and all of a sudden it's El Grande Americano.
El Grande Americano has just eliminated Rey Fenix.
[Barrett] Goodbye, amigo. Hello, Americano.
Well, Rey Fenix has been on a tear…
and what a shocking turn of events here.
[Tessitore] El Grande Americano came in out of nowhere
and Rey Fenix is eliminated.
It comes down to Carmelo Hayes and Andrade,
and remember in 2024 they had that sensational seven match series.
That is what is on the line.
[Barrett] Well, you have to think El Grande Americano was far from impressed
with a lack of sporting behavior of the luchadores in this match,
who threw out Chad Gable.
They ganged up on him.
Little payback there from El Grande Americano.
I'm impressed.
[Tessitore] Andrade was looking for The Message.
Hayes looks to counter, back and forth they go.
They have such familiarity with each other after what they went through in 2024.
Doubling up the clothesline.
Remember that great series was for the number one contender for the US title.
It was tied up 3-3 when it came down to a "seventh match,"
and LA Knight disrupted things.
They have had some of the great wars of the past year and they are delivering here
the night before Mania.
What a show by Carmelo Hayes and Andrade.
17,000 plus here at T-Mobile Arena.
[Barrett] Both men flattened out in the ring,
giving it everything they've got.
What an opportunity this is to set your compass
for the rest of 2025 by lifting this prestigious trophy,
undoubtedly using it as a launchpad for further greatness.
A lot on the line between these two.
[Tessitore] One of the most distinct trophies in the industry.
[Barrett] Two men now running on fumes desperate to lift this thing.
[Tessitore] Andrade seemingly in control, but Hayes looks to lock him up
and counter himself, and he does.
[Barrett] Suplex into a cut-up move completely dropping Andrade.
[Tessitore] Andrade looking for the win here.
Instead, both men find themselves on a second rope!
-And with that, we got a winner. -[bell rings]
["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
[Nash] Here is your winner
of the 2025 André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal,
Carmelo Hayes.
[Barrett] Well, the former first round draft pick of SmackDown
now really beginning to fulfill the promise that he has always had.
Carmelo Hayes clearly has magic in his boots, but take a look again,
this was the elimination of Rey Fenix
by El Grande Americano,
who clearly wanted to take out the new lucha superstar.
But this was the moment of glory for Carmelo Hayes, dumping out Andrade
and securing this prestigious trophy.
What a moment for Carmelo.
[Tessitore] It is a moment and it is well earned, and well deserved.
He has been through recent battles against the best in the biz,
and he's proved himself here tonight.
And there's a celebration by the new tag team, Melo Don't Miz.
[Barrett] That was a major assist from The Miz for Carmelo Hayes
on several occasions.
These two, the unfancied couple, have shown some real chemistry
of the past several weeks.
Congratulations, Carmelo Hayes.
[Tessitore] And it came with some headlines.
Chad Gable was eliminated by Rey Fenix
and then a shocking arrival of El Grande Americano,
who then eliminated Rey Fenix.
I don't know what you're implying with those eyebrows, Joe Tess.
-I am simply stating facts. -There is no proven link
between those two men.
Stop listening to nonsense mongers like Michael Cole.
Now, nonetheless, let's take everybody to what happened last week.
Of course, the future Hall of Famer on the attack again.
Stratton was celebrating a win against Roxanne Perez
when Charlotte Flair, beat the hell out of the Champ and some of our security guys.
That was up until a handsome commentator bravely prevented further damage.
Now I actually managed to have a sit down with Charlotte Flair a couple of days ago.
Let's take it to a snippet of that right now.
Well, things between you and Tiffany have certainly got personal of late.
There have been numerous verbal attacks, physical attacks.
-You don't say? -Yeah.
You in fact have even been sent home from an arena by management…
-Not the first time. -…which you then returned
and attacked Tiffany once again.
Tell us why things have got so ugly between the two of you.
[sniffles]
I don't love it.
We've moved past it.
Um.
I have a chip on my shoulder,
and if I really look deep into Tiffany,
I think she's got a chip on her shoulder, uh…
Like I said, I don't love it, but now people are really invested
in this WrestleMania match,
and if there's anything that matters most to me,
it's that people tune in to see Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania.
They're going to tune in to see Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton
on the biggest stage and…
This is how we got there.
But, um…
people are invested,
and I think at the end of the day, that's what this business is about.
Um, sometimes it can be insensitive, but, uh, that's how you…
how you get tough skin, that's how you make it.
[Tessitore] Well, the wait is over.
The heated conflicts that have defined the past few weeks
leading to this championship,
they get settled at WrestleMania tomorrow.
Tiffy Time meets one of the greatest of all time.
[Barrett] And we have got a lot to get through tonight on SmackDown
before we get anywhere near WrestleMania because the main event stars
of WrestleMania Sunday, WWE Champ Cody Rhodes
and the Challenger, John Cena, they're gonna meet tonight.
Face-to-face live on SmackDown, that's coming up later tonight.
Also later tonight, it is the WWE Tag Team Championship.
It'll be on the line as The Street Profits, the relatively new champs,
defend against the former champs Motor City Machine Guns right here
on SmackDown later this evening.
[Tessitore] Now we also have LA Knight tonight in action taken on Solo Sikoa.
But we have just learned that Tama Tonga has been taken to a local medical facility
for X-rays after that brutal attack you saw by LA Knight
back in the parking lot upon the arrival to this Friday Night SmackDown
prior to WrestleMania.
And look who's here, a superstar in every sense of the word, Rhea Ripley,
getting set for the triple threat.
We will hear from her.
♪ This is my brutality ♪
["Demon in Your Dreams" playing]
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed The demons in your dreams ♪
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed ♪
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome Rhea Ripley.
[Tessitore] Rhea Ripley sent a strong message out there recently
reminding Bianca Belair and the world that when she loses something
that she loves, she'll stop at nothing to get it back.
[Barrett] I'll tell you right now, Joe Tess, some superstars tend to crumble
in the biggest of spotlights.
Rhea Ripley does the opposite.
One of the greatest matches I've ever seen in my entire life.
Two years ago, WrestleMania 39, SoFi Stadium, Rhea Bloody Ripley
against the great Charlotte Flair. Who emerged victorious?
This woman, and she has simply continued to improve since then.
It is gonna take a similarly Herculean effort from Rhea Ripley
if she is gonna be victorious against her two great opponents,
the champ Iyo Sky and of course the incomparable Bianca Belair
in triple threat action at WrestleMania 41,
but if anyone can pull it off, Rhea Bloody Ripley can.
[Tessitore] All 17,000 here sense it. You feel it.
When she enters the arena, the air changes.
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed ♪
[song fades out]
Sunday, it marks my sixth WrestleMania.
Yeah, and each time I've walked into some sort of championship match, but…
Honestly, this one…
This one is probably the most important to me.
Because it's true, you know, I… I let myself get distracted
by Bianca Belair, and I… I lost my Women's World Championship
right before WrestleMania. That's my bad.
So you know, I could, I'm not going to, but I could be coming out here right now
to talk about the last few weeks.
Complain, moan, make excuses, but nah, I'm not gonna do that
because there's no point talking about the past anymore.
Sunday…
Sunday I get back what I want
and I do what I have to do.
Rhea Bloody Ripley is walking out of WrestleMania
your three-time Women's World Champion.
["Tokyo Shock" playing]
[Tessitore] I think the current champ clearly disagrees with that statement.
[Barrett] Yeah, this is a woman who has been disrespected and overlooked
too many times over the past few weeks by some clauses.
They've treated it as a foregone conclusion that WrestleMania 41
will be a crowning moment for either Rhea Bloody Ripley or Bianca Belair.
To those people, I say, "Are you absolutely insane?"
Iyo Sky is one of the greatest this industry has ever seen.
She is the reigning champ for a reason.
[Tessitore] And she wants something to say.
["Watch Me Shine" playing]
[Tessitore] She can't even get a word out before the EST music hits.
[Barrett] And once again to me, Joe, that is a level of disrespect.
[Tessitore] I agree.
[Barrett] At least 30 seconds on the microphone to let her thoughts out there.
It's a continuous thing when it comes to this trio.
[Tessitore] Of just dismissing Iyo Sky,
seeing her as nothing but a nuisance who's holding on to the prize
that they want to take.
And look at her face.
[Barrett] Now we mentioned Rhea Bloody Ripley,
here has to be said, Bianca Belair is another one who simply gets better
when it comes to performances at WrestleMania.
She has wowed us numerous times over the past several years,
and you know she's bringing her A game on WrestleMania Sunday.
So y'all two…
So y'all two thought y'all was gonna come on SmackDown,
drop my name, and I wasn't gonna show up?
No, I was definitely showing up tonight.
Yeah, I'm showing up tonight because tonight might actually be my last night
on SmackDown for a while because after WrestleMania,
I'm walking out as champion.
And after what y'all two done put me through,
I don't plan on letting it go anytime soon.
["Glow" playing]
[Tessitore] Are you kidding me? Rhea can't believe it.
Naomi?
Hey, B.
So you finally decided to show up to SmackDown
and you ain't gonna even try to talk to me?
I done filled up your voicemail box, been calling you like crazy, texting you,
and I know you got it 'cause it said delivered.
Does our friendship mean so little to you?
I ain't even wanna do this and have everybody in our business.
I wanted to handle it in private.
But since you wanna ignore me--
No, no, no, no. We-We-We not doing that, Naomi.
You know exactly… No, you know exactly why I'm not responding
because you know what you did.
And I said what I said and I meant it.
So we… we not… we're not doing this right now.
-We're not doing this right now. -You care about Jade that much, huh?
It's not even just about Jade.
She wasn't there for you like I was.
Tomorrow I'm gonna finish what I started with her.
-And after that-- -["A Storm Is Coming" playing]
[Barrett] You might not have to wait until tomorrow, Naomi.
Dressed up like a bad crime scene while Jade Cargill is about to commit
some heinous acts of her own.
[Tessitore] She says she wasn't there for you.
Well, she's here now, the Storm.
Proceed with caution?
She's not listening.
Jade Cargill, they're going at it tomorrow. Jade and Naomi.
And Naomi is gonna get away from that situation.
-You're gonna protect her? -I'm not!
-You wanna protect her? It's like that? -I'm not.
Over me? Over me?
I see what it's like.
Jade, this isn't about you. This is about me.
[Tessitore, Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] Naomi comes back in the ring and attacks from behind.
[Barrett] A cheap shot attack, and it was Bianca Belair caught
in the middle of everything
and this one has completely come off the rails.
[Tessitore] Bianca and Rhea brawling.
On the outside you have Jade and Naomi,
and meanwhile the champion stands back and says, "What is going on?"
[Barrett] Looking on completely perplexed at the chaos around her.
Uh-oh.
[Tessitore] Over the Moonsault down onto the floor!
-Everybody is wiped out by Iyo Sky. -[screams]
[Tessitore] And Bianca,
the keystone bridging both of these WrestleMania matches
but it's the current champ who refuses to accept
the continued dismissal and disrespect.
Iyo Sky points to the WrestleMania sign
as Naomi runs off.
It'll be Rhea, Bianca, Iyo, the Women's World Championship
triple threat, Sunday.
Ow. Oh.
[laughs] Oh, look who it is.
The new luchador.
What'd you last to the final three tonight before you lost?
Yeah, you had a good night though. Not as good as El Grande Americano.
Tell me, how did it feel to get eliminated by the great--
Hey, hey. Shut up!
And get more respect.
[speaking in Spanish]
El Grande Americana. [speaking in Spanish]
Don't talk to me about WrestleMania, and don't talk to me about El Grande.
El Grande Americano is gonna learn some real lucha libre at WrestleMania.
Rey, you don't tell me what he's gonna learn, and you're not the one teaching it.
Whoa, whoa. You're still in fight mode, Chad Gable. There's three of you guys.
There's three of us. Why don't we do a Six-Man Tag match tonight?
-[laughs] -Yes.
No, wait. I think they're serious. You guys wanna fight us?
-Oh? -That is a good idea, Rey.
-See you… See you there. -Let's do it.
I'm gonna go talk to Nick Aldis.
[Tessitore] Chad meeting up possibly with Rey, Dragon and Rey Fenix the night before
El Grande Americano is against Rey Mysterio?
[Barrett] Well, Chad Gable could do a real solid for El Grande Americano
by stuffing up Rey Mysterio tonight ahead of WrestleMania.
["Raise Your Fist" playing]
♪ Let's go ♪
[bell dings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it's for the WWE Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first, the challengers with a combined weight of 412 pounds,
Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin,
Motor City Machine Guns.
[Tessitore] Wade, it's already the sixth time this year that
the WWE Tag Team Championships will be contested.
The Street Profits looking to defend against the Motor City Machine Guns next.
[Barrett] Breaking news on this special WrestleMania SmackDown,
as we just saw a little tête-à-tête in the hallways here at SmackDown.
It's official for later on tonight. Six-Man Tag Team action
as American Made square off against the team of Dragon Lee, Rey Fenix
and the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio.
That is later tonight here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] Back on April 4th, Motor City Machine Guns won
a number one contenders match.
They defeated DIY.
A result that DIY are very bothered by
and that match, remember, had the Exposed Turnbuckle.
[Barrett] Highly controversial.
They have been convinced there has been a conspiracy against them ever since.
Some would also say it was just bad luck,
but right now we have at least some order in our tag division after months of chaos,
because here are our dominant champions.
[Nash] And their opponents, with a total combined weight of 492 pounds…
They are the WWE Tag Team Champions,
Angelo Dawkins, Montez Ford.
The Street Profits.
[Tessitore] Wade, I gotta tell you, I was getting a kick on social media
because the champs have been enjoying their status here in Vegas.
You look at their social media posts,
and it is exploding with a shopping spree here in Vegas.
Tez on social media saying Angelo is Gucci down to the socks here, but now,
of course, the only fashion that matters is holding the leather and precious metal
that they can wear around their waist.
[Barrett] I wish I had the kind of bank balance that I could go out
shopping with The Street Profits.
Unfortunately not, but I would like to party with them sometime.
Perhaps if they are victorious in this defense, we'll be…
Oh, here we go.
[Tessitore] Wasting no time, Sabin and Shelley.
[Barrett] So here's the deal between these teams, of course.
Go back in time, it was the Motor City Machine Guns
who previously held the titles.
Now they lost those titles.
They've had several opportunities to recapture them since,
but one in particular that the Royal Rumble was blown out of the water by
a sneak attack from The Street Profits,
so there is some real beef between these two teams.
Let alone just trying to capture the gold.
[Tessitore] Shelley and Sabin teaming up against Montez Ford.
See the synchronicity always plays a factor with Motor City Machine Guns.
An early cover and Tez with plenty left in him, of course.
[Barrett] And I'll tell you this about the Motor City Machine Guns,
they are two of the greatest Tag Team exponents the industry has ever seen.
Real veterans, top names.
However, they have simply been too nice
during their time here on SmackDown since arriving.
They have been taken advantage of and that hot start before the bell
from the Machine Guns tells me they may have turned a corner here.
[Tessitore] That's a great follow up by Tez.
Now Sabin and Tez.
Showcasing the dynamic athleticism that he always puts on display.
[Barrett] What I've been impressed with most since the return
of The Street Profits is they finally realized the size game.
We've seen all the flash in the past.
They are the biggest, strongest team in this deep division here on SmackDown,
and they've now figured out how to use that to their advantage.
The remaining teams haven't had an answer.
[Tessitore] Yeah, just like you see here in front of you
with the 6'5'', 260 pound Angelo Dawkins.
He is the powerhouse of these champions.
[Barrett] Make no mistake, Montez Ford is a power house in his own right.
[Tessitore] Oh, right to it!
[Barrett] Beautiful Blockbuster Doomsday Device.
[Tessitore] And the Blockbuster couldn't finish things off.
As Alex Shelley comes in for the save and Dawkins looks to clear him out,
but instead it's Shelley getting him to the outside.
He was looking for flight, but he ate a big thunderous right hand by Dawkins.
[Tessitore] Tremendous crowd here at T-Mobile.
The final step on the road to WrestleMania.
Over 17,000 have arrived.
Two weeks ago, Motor City Machine Guns defeated DIY to earn this shot
at the Championships, and now Alex Shelley gives them a chance
as Chris Sabin comes in high energy
delivering the big boot to Tez Ford
as Sabin looks to gather momentum as a one-man show
and delivers the big kick to Angelo Dawkins.
[Barrett] What a tremendous gear shift there for the Motor City Machine Guns
after several minutes of torturous offense in the direction of Alex Shelley.
Well, Chris Sabin has swung the pendulum back in the Motor City Machine Guns favor.
[Tessitore] And that Missile Dropkick now brings Alex Shelley into the fray.
And he comes charging into the corner against Tez Ford as Sabin goes up top,
lines him up and delivers again, trying to become champs again.
Lateral press and the kick out by Tez.
[Barrett] Just absolute masters at these double team moves.
That Dropkick Flatliner combination, almost enough to put the champs away
and grab gold for the Motor City Machine Guns.
Montez Ford has no clue where he's at right now,
and Angelo Dawkins is down.
This could be the moment for the Motor City Machine Guns
to regr… grab the gold.
[Tessitore] It could be right here.
As Shelley is lining him up, but instead Tez counters
and drives him right into his partner and delivers a big kick
and sends him out of the ring.
[Barrett] Such an arduous journey to win those tag titles.
The Profits are not gonna let go of them easily.
[Tessitore] No, they're not.
Look at the teamwork. This to retain the championship.
And the kickout as Sabin keeps them alive.
[Barrett] Just two absolute Tag Team perfectionists doing battle here.
You can see the years and years of chemistry and cohesion
that has gone into both of these teams.
It's like a chess match out there.
[Tessitore] It's a smart move by Sabin.
Tez off the top rope, able to roll out of it.
And Shelley. And now here comes that teamwork.
We've seen this before, the Facial.
They take the legs out and then they smash the face.
[Barrett] You get the sense that Tez overestimated his ability to outmaneuver
the Motor City Machine Guns, and he may well pay the price now.
Or going for that skull and bones perhaps.
[Tessitore] Boy, they were going for the skull and bones.
-The signature move… -[Barrett] Dawkins.
…but Dawkins sensed it and disrupted it.
[Barrett] Well, that's the big danger against the Motor City Machine Guns,
that is the one move you simply cannot allow yourselves to absorb.
-[Tessitore] Oh, Tez. Oh, Montez Ford! -[Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] Nobody like him.
-Yeah! -[Tessitore] Up and over
the entire corner.
-[Barrett] Oh! -[Tessitore] Johnny Gargano!
[bell rings]
Ciampa!
Well, DIY just disrupted this championship match
and they grab the championships.
[Barrett] Well, the former champs are convinced there is a conspiracy
against them.
They lost to the Motor City Machine Guns in controversial fashion
a couple of weeks ago and have been livid ever since.
And they are now apparently hijacking the tag gold.
[Tessitore] That is disgusting.
A couple of weeks ago, yes, there was an Exposed Turnbuckle.
Yes, Motor City Machine Guns earned their way here,
but to do that and disrupt a championship match…
I'm on my way. Have security meet me in the hallway.
Nicholas!
Um, I assume that you witnessed the travesty that was last week.
I witnessed the countout if that's what you mean.
That is what I mean. I have a complaint.
Oh, a complaint. Tell me something I don't know.
I have a formal complaint. Ladies, serve him.
[clears throat] Okay.
"Procedurally questionable"… [muttering]
Oh, and Nicholas, I assume you'll rectify the injustice that was said referee.
You know what, Chelsea? You're absolutely right.
There was an injustice last week, and it is time to take action.
In fact, the three of you are supposed to be
in a Six-Woman Tag Team match tonight.
Forget that, injustice. It's time to take action.
Zelina gets another match with you one-on-one tonight.
-Great idea. Thank you, Chelsea. -No.
-Standup champion. -No.
Oh, and one more thing, I really have to go, but, ladies, the Secret Hervice…
It's a singles match, so let's have wrestler singular in that singles match.
We don't need Secret Hervice at ringside. Thank you so much.
-No! -No, no, no.
[clamoring]
-You can't do that. -Get back here, Nicholas.
[Tessitore] You know, my appreciation for Nick Aldis grows by the week.
-[Barrett] You're biased. -[Tessitore] Thank you, Nick.
Well, it shocked the world at Elimination Chamber
and has now become a volcano ready to erupt here at WrestleMania,
John Cena's turncoat attack.
What's best for business now, face-to-face with Cody Rhodes one last time.
Oh, and The Viper is here.
Randy Orton. We know he's without a WrestleMania match.
Get ready for Randy Orton to join us next.
-Get the hell out of here. -Come on.
-Go, go. Let's get out of here. -Go, go.
-Go home. -Because we're saving this division.
[clamoring]
-Hand them over, boys. -No, no, no, no.
Hand them over. I'm not playing games tonight, boys.
Hand those belts over right now.
-You're holding us down. -You're not the champions.
-Hand them over. -They're ours.
[clamoring]
Settle down! Settle down right now.
Enough. Enough. Easy way or hard way, boys.
-Ours. -I'm sick of dealing with this.
Next week, these belts are getting hung above the ring
and they're gonna be on the line in a TLC match.
Oh, all right!
-Good. Good. -Hell yeah!
[clamoring]
[Tessitore] Oh, that's too good.
We got TLC next week in the tag team division with the belts on the line.
Kidding me?
["Voices" playing]
♪ You got your rules and your religion All designed to keep you safe ♪
♪ But when rules start getting broken… ♪
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome The Viper,
Randy Orton!
[Tessitore] Of course when Randy returned from his devastating injury.
The collision course for this WrestleMania was set
to be a showdown with KO.
But Kevin Owens's major injury news has him out of action, and now Randy's plans,
they've taken a hard left turn.
[Barrett] Yeah, we send our best to the prized fighter
as he continues his recovery.
But in the meantime, The Viper is heading into his 20th WrestleMania
and as things stand, he does not have a dance partner.
The truth is The Viper is ready to fight anybody at the showcase of the Immortals.
♪ All the doctors are disease And the preachers all are sinners ♪
♪ And the police just take the grease All you judges, you are guilty ♪
♪ All the bosses I will fire All you bankers will have losses ♪
♪ Politicians all are liars ♪
♪ I see darkness fallin' I hear voices callin' ♪
♪ I feel justice crawlin' I see faith has fallen ♪
♪ I hear voices in my head They counsel me, they understand
♪ They talk to me They talk to me ♪
[Tessitore] 17,000 plus here at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The night before WrestleMania 41,
just a couple hours before the Hall of Fame ceremony.
[Barrett] You just see the pain in the eyes
of The Viper Randy Orton as he looks up at that WrestleMania sign
knowing he may well miss it this year.
[Tessitore] Goes against the grain of what should be, in every way,
a Mania without Randy Orton.
Ladies and gents, as of now, I do not have an opponent for WrestleMania 41.
[crowd booing]
Now for the past few days, my wife and I,
we've been here, Vegas, done the appearances,
walked the strip, the hotel lobby, got to meet the WW universe.
Thousands of you have approached me.
I have seen it in your eyes. I have felt it in the air.
There is an excitement for this year's WrestleMania like none other.
My father was in the very first WrestleMania.
Twenty years later I debuted at the Garden.
My father got to witness that debut.
WrestleMania means something to me,
but my legacy has a lot to do with my longevity,
so there is no way in hell that I am sitting out this year's WrestleMania.
If I compete this weekend, it will be the 20th time
that I have competed at WrestleMania.
This WrestleMania means so much to me,
so I tell you what, this is what I'm gonna do, ladies and gentlemen.
I'm gonna throw this out to the universe.
I'm gonna let you decide.
Because I am gonna show up Sunday,
boots tied up, gear on, just the right amount of baby oil on my skin.
And I'm gonna be locked, loaded and ready to deliver for you, the WW universe,
'cause I'm not just doing this for myself.
I am doing it for you. I am doing it for my family.
I'm doing it for the boys in the back.
But as far as the boys in the back are concerned, check it out.
Anybody in the locker room wants to test their mettle,
I dare them to step up.
Anybody out on the strip, any one of you, if you own a pair of wrestling boots,
hell, if you just catch the wind that Randy Orton, the Legend Killer,
needs an opponent for WrestleMania 41, I challenge you to step up.
I will be there Sunday, Allegiant Stadium, in the ring, ready to go.
But know this, you will be met with… you will fall victim
to the three most dangerous letters in all of sports entertainment,
RKO.
[Barrett] Well, don't look at me, Joe Tess.
There is zero chance I would ever get in the ring with Randy Orton
with his eyes bulging out of his head, his veins popping,
all over that cranium.
Somebody is going to make a really bad decision
if they decide to take Randy Orton up on that offer.
[Tessitore] And now all you're going to hear is speculation as to who it will be.
Those three most dangerous letters, RKO.
-Speaking of dangerous-- -Debut?
No thank you.
Speaking of dangerous, I want to take you back to earlier today on the kickoff show
and what happened with Drew McIntyre.
Wow, what a moment it was.
…then Priest tried to go out on his own and succeed.
He doesn't know how to succeed without Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] Don't turn your back. Don't turn your back.
[Barrett] Yeah, well, this thing has been a powder keg for weeks.
Priest and McIntyre throwing hands on sight.
McAfee and Cole risking it all to try and separate those two,
but that of course will not be necessary when they face off on Sunday
in a Sin City street fight, but right now let's go over to Byron Saxton.
Joe, Wade, thank you guys very much.
I'm currently standing by with Damian Priest,
and, Damian, it's clear this whole situation with yourself
and Drew McIntyre has reached a boiling point.
Earlier on today on the kickoff show, you guys nearly--
Byron, I get you're trying to do your job here, man,
but I am so done answering questions about WrestleMania.
Right now I just wanna send a direct message to Drew McIntyre.
The same guy who didn't bother to show up to SmackDown tonight,
the same guy who's been trying to convince the world that he's some type of victim.
Drew, you are not a victim, man. Not yet.
You're mistaken if you think this is about me beating you in a match.
You're not ready for this fight. The world isn't ready for this violence.
You've tried really hard to paint me as some type of bad guy.
Good.
I'm gonna beat you so bad you're gonna wish you were future endeavored again.
At WrestleMania I'm bringing the punishment.
And I'm gonna bury you.
[Tessitore] Sin City Street Fight,
Priest and McIntyre is on WrestleMania Sunday.
[bell dings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Queens, New York,
Zelina Vega!
[Tessitore] The hopeful upstart Zelina Vega back for more against Chelsea Green.
She has her sights set on that US championship opportunity.
That's next.
[voices whispering]
Forgiveness.
[Tessitore] Zelina Vega, a week removed
from winning by count-out against Chelsea Green,
now has to prove herself right back in there again.
[hip-hop music playing]
♪ We don't play Nah, nah, we don't play ♪
[song fades out]
[Green] Pledge your allegiance to Chelsea Green.
[Tessitore] Oh, boy.
-[Barrett] Don't you start. -[Tessitore] What?
[Barrett] You caused enough trouble last week, Joe Tess.
[Tessitore] I did nothing.
Let me be… Let me be the first to say, the referee from last week
with his fast count should be tarred and feathered for that--
-[Tessitore] That is not-- -[Barrett] For putting our US champ…
[Tessitore] That is not what is being said around the industry.
[Barrett] …the distraction that was Joe Tess.
One of the least professional moments in the history--
[Tessitore] It was a well-paced ten count.
Chelsea Green had to use the services of Luca Crisofino this week
to file an appeal over last week's count-out.
-Don't even know that he has a law degree. -[Nash] And her opponent,
from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
She is the WWE Women's
United States Champion,
Chelsea Green!
[Tessitore] Chelsea Green, who suffered a non-title loss by count-out
because she was too busy complaining to this announce desk
when she forgot to get back in the ring by a simple count of ten.
-Ten. -[Barrett] She was complaining at you,
-Joe Tess. -[Tessitore] A count of ten.
[Barrett] Stop, already, before the match starts.
-You are distracting the champion. -[Tessitore] She's looking this way--
-Oh! Talk about distraction. -[bell dings]
She tried to pull off the same stunt she did a week ago
when she started off against Vega.
It didn't work out this time.
Well, Zelina Vega has been demanding an opportunity at the United States title
for weeks now, and a victory here would augment that.
[Tessitore] Oh, Chelsea trying to make quick work of her.
[Barrett] Well, this is Chelsea Green really entering championship mode.
-Get off the hair! -Watch me.
Far from commanding victory for Zelina Vega one week ago in that count out.
Feels like a long way away now as Vega is taking maximum punishment from the champ.
[Tessitore] Now Vega delivering the kick.
A little a drag.
Chelsea.
[Barrett] Tried her best to ride out that stomp.
Got enough for Vega to take her down
and then following it with some brutal shots to the kidney,
and now it's just ground and pound time.
[Tessitore] Yeah. There is no denying Chelsea Green--
[Barrett] Oh, saluting!
[Tessitore] Do not salute. Do not… Barr… Do not!
-I pledge allegiance to Chelsea Green. -[Tessitore] There's no pledging.
[Barrett] Say what you want about Chelsea Green.
She is an entertainment goddess.
[Tessitore] She has excellent in-ring skill.
She sends Vega hard into the barrier.
It's the constant complaining.
Nick Aldis knows exactly what I'm talking about.
[Barrett] Well, if people didn't mistreat Chelsea Green,
she would not have to complain.
[Tessitore] This is exactly what I'm talking about.
[Barrett] Well, the referee once again-- Charles Robinson, this week--
he was trying to fast count Chelsea Green once again.
She smartly got in and broke the count.
Now, don't act as a distraction to the champ.
[Tessitore] She comes flying in, and Vega sends her over into timekeeper.
[Barrett] Well, that was the referee distracting Chelsea…
-[Tessitore] Not at all! -…long enough for Zelina Vega to recover.
[stammers] They talk about the DIY conspiracy.
There is a Chelsea Green conspiracy.
[Tessitore] Again, Chelsea Green does this to herself.
[fan] Get back in, Chelsea!
[Tessitore] The constant complaining.
And now here is a potential ten count. Look at this.
And both participants rolling back into the ring this time.
Sizing each other up after, a week ago, going toe to toe.
[Barrett] And in a situation like this you simply cannot back the underdog Vega,
against a much more powerful athlete in Chelsea Green.
But those shots from Vega had a little extra stank on them.
[Tessitore] Oh, how about Zelina Vega?
Look at Zelina Vega.
And she's rallying against the US champion.
She has set her sights on a title opportunity,
but to earn it, this is the kind of performance she needs.
[Barrett] This would be a statement victory if Vega can pull it off.
Perhaps going for that 619, shades of her mentor, Rey Mysterio, denied.
[Tessitore] Green.
Come on!
[Barrett] And now frustration's starting to build with the champion
who really for much of this matchup has had it her own way
but has not been able to put Vega away.
[Tessitore] Oh, she's sizing her up, putting her up on top of the ropes,
as Green clearly with momentum right now.
[Barrett] Referee Charles Robinson once again distracting Chelsea Green
when she's trying her best to compete.
That's all she's doing, Joe.
[Tessitore] Oh, Vega fighting back, slamming down her head.
Zelina Vega, perhaps an opportunity. Oh, she's getting into position.
Are you kidding me? Zelina Vega, can she pull it off?
-[Barrett] Ooh! -[Tessitore] Oh!
Super Code Red. Can she do it?
Oh, that's a great win! That's a great win by Zelina Vega.
Here is your winner,
Zelina Vega!
[Barrett] Well, that was a scandal of every proportion, but with that victory,
Zelina Vega may well have earned herself a future championship opportunity.
[Tessitore] That was spectacular by Vega.
A week ago Cody Rhodes, he spoke to camera, told John Cena,
"I do my best work when I'm backed into a corner.
I don't flinch. I fight. I wrestle."
Well, this weekend they do just that for the undisputed championship,
and in just a few minutes, Cody will be face-to-face with John Cena.
The Megastar is here and in action against Solo Sikoa.
When we come back, it's LA Knight.
[Barrett] Yeah!
["Welcome To LA" plays]
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the WWE United States Champion,
LA Knight!
[crowd] Yeah!
[Tessitore] Now last week we were in the Pacific Northwest
and I think a lot of fans were Sleepless in Seattle after what they saw
and what happened to LA Knight.
He looked spectacular when he teamed up with Randy Orton
against Solo and Tama Tonga,
but the werewolf sighting that happened.
[Barrett] Yeah, after LA Knight pulled out the victory,
almost immediately Fatu struck,
and it was his usual brand of savagery the US champ took repeatedly
by the WrestleMania challenger Fatu, making it abundantly clear
that the Megastar's grip on the United States title is loosening by the day,
as we close in on their WrestleMania Saturday showdown.
The United States Championship will be on the line.
LA Knight, Jacob Fatu, tomorrow.
[music ends]
[crowd chanting] LA Knight! LA Knight!
Let me talk to you.
[crowd] Yeah!
I don't know if you just saw what was on the screen,
but with what happened last week, I call that inspiration.
Because week after week, Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga,
they like to use numbers, they like to use sneak attacks.
Well, if you want to sneak, then I got to sneak.
And sneaking to what I did.
So out of the… out of the equation is Tama Tonga and next on the list, Solo,
which means tomorrow at WrestleMania,
it's just me and it's Jacob Fatu.
Now, I understand Jacob Fatu is a force. The man's a monster.
He's destroyed everything in front of him.
Ain't never seen anything like him, right?
But, Jacob, you don't understand
because with that same energy I walked into this place,
turned the world upside down, stand here now,
the US champion, two times.
Most matches, most wins, and what that means is this is the title of titles.
We ain't never seen anything like you?
No, no, you ain't never seen anything like me.
So when you grabbed my title last week, I could be cliché and I could say
that's the closest you're ever gonna get to touching this US champ.
But I ain't a dummy.
I can look at you and I can see that someday, somewhere,
chances are you will be a champion.
Now whether that's the US champ or anything else,
I don't know, but the chances are.
And while I'm standing here in the city of chances, I ain't talking about chances.
I'm talking about guarantees, and the guarantee tonight
is that Solo Sikoa is about to come out here and eat one
and tomorrow night at WrestleMania,
Jacob Fatu, I guarantee, you will eat a BFT
courtesy of the man they call the Megastar with everybody saying…
[crowd] LA Knight!
-[crowd] Yeah! -Yeah!
["Taking It All" playing]
[Tessitore] But right now, here's the business at hand.
He says next on it.
[bell dings]
[Nash] Making his way to the ring,
please welcome Solo Sikoa.
[Tessitore] Oh, and making his way right into the right fist of LA Knight,
is Solo Sikoa, Wade.
[Barrett] Well, we saw what LA Knight did earlier tonight,
taking out Tama Tonga with that car door to the arm.
We're waiting on a full update on Tonga,
but clearly the Megastar LA Knight knows full well you have to fight fire with fire
when it comes to Solo Sikoa, but this may have backfired.
They are gonna do battle next.
[Tessitore] Back here in Vegas and let's remind you what happened earlier tonight.
When LA Knight arrived here at T-Mobile,
as he's out on the floor against Solo Sikoa,
it was LA Knight attacking Tama Tonga, smashing his arm with a car door,
and we can tell you that-- Oh!
Look at the lower back just being slammed.
I can tell you that Tama Tonga is at a local medical facility getting X-rays.
Meanwhile, Solo Sikoa is doing such damage to LA Knight.
Perhaps readying him, softening him up for Jacob Fatu tomorrow.
That will be one of the featured attractions at WrestleMania,
when LA Knight and Jacob Fatu meet for the US championship.
[Barrett] Look, victory is one thing in a match like this.
What is clearly far more important for Solo Sikoa here is taking a huge chunk
out of the champ before tomorrow.
One, two--
[Tessitore] Meanwhile, able to kick out and get that shoulder up was LA Knight.
[Barrett] And of course there have been major tensions
between Sikoa and Jacob Fatu of late.
This is the best possible way you can get back in Fatu's good graces.
[Tessitore] Oh, a great opportunity for LA Knight, with a neck breaker,
as it has been all Solo Sikoa to this point.
LA Knight said, "I took care of Tama. I'm gonna take care of Solo.
You're next on my list, and then it comes down to Jacob Fatu tomorrow."
But you question the judgment just 24 hours away
for Knight to take on a challenge like this, Wade.
[Barrett] Yeah, and the amount of damage that Knight has absorbed,
especially to the spine and now the midsection
by this street fighting champ from the island, Solo Sikoa,
who is doing his job to perfection this evening.
[Tessitore] And to consider what he's up against physically tomorrow,
the brutality, power, size of Fatu.
And I think dead-on in terms of Solo Sikoa's strategy.
Soften up LA Knight so that Jacob Fatu can finish the job.
[Barrett] This is just a completely remorseless effort from Solo Sikoa,
who is refinding that form that took him to the very top of the card in 2024.
And may well make the mission for Jacob Fatu tomorrow at WrestleMania Saturday
that much easier.
[Tessitore] Bringing all 250 plus pounds down on the midsection
of the Megastar, the US champion.
Oh, but a great move by Knight to get the knees up.
[Barrett] Well, it was that taunt from Solo Sikoa.
Mocking the Megastar, just gave LA Knight a small window to get those knees up,
and this may be a big problem for Solo Sikoa.
[Tessitore] But I think damage is already done…
been done to LA Knight for sure.
And now the Megastar, as he often does,
looking to rally back with a series of right hands.
Megastar's wobbling all over the place, fighting for survival
but now getting some momentum.
[Tessitore] Looking to line him up. Oh!
And look at the power, the rally off the DDT,
the explosiveness of LA Knight.
-Jacob Fatu! -[bell dings]
Jacob Fatu has interfered with his WrestleMania rival.
They will be fighting for the championship tomorrow and now Fatu is beating down
the champion less than 24 hours away from meeting him in the ring.
[Barrett] There was never… Oh, wait a second.
As the mugging commences, we may have a major equalizer
in the form of one big SOB!
[Tessitore] Braun Strowman to the rescue.
Double crossbody.
[Barrett] We haven't seen Strowman since he lost a couple of weeks ago
to Jacob Fatu in that Last Man Standing matchup that gave Fatu the number one--
[Aldis] Whoa, gentlemen, gentlemen, please.
It seems to me that Jacob Fatu doesn't want to wait until WrestleMania
and seeing as the rest of you can't keep your hands to yourselves,
Las Vegas, are you thinking what I'm thinking?
-[Barrett] Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
We're gonna have a tag team match and that's gonna start right now.
[Barrett] Oh, I'm all about it.
[Tessitore] Knight, Strowman. Solo and Fatu. Right now.
[Tessitore] Tomorrow LA Knight is going
to be defending his United States championship
against Jacob Fatu.
What version of him are we going to get though after what we have been watching
with Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu doing such damage to LA Knight?
[Barrett] Well, LA Knight is starting to look like a shadow of his former self.
And the punishment isn't over,
but finally there's daylight and there's a tantalizing tag inches away.
-There it is! -[Tessitore] And did he ever need
the Monster to arrive.
A tag team match that came out of left field
when Jacob Fatu interfered moments ago.
And now he goes flying out and hits the corner of our announce desk.
[Barrett] Well, the damage has already been done to LA Knight,
but now perhaps Jacob Fatu is getting a taste of that medicine.
[Tessitore] The express is rolling.
Oh, and he sends him right into the corner of the steel steps.
[Barrett] Trying to equalize some of that damage on the frame of Jacob Fatu,
match him up with LA Knight, his opponent tomorrow at WrestleMania.
What a huge favor this is for Braun Strowman towards the United States champ.
[Tessitore] Fatu with the elbow and then the super kick.
And he comes in against the big man.
He has been fearlessly attacking him for the better part of 2025.
[Barrett] Now, the issue is Braun Strowman just keeps coming back for more.
One, two…
[Tessitore] Able to get that shoulder up.
[Barrett] And just how frustrated must Braun Strowman be?
He lost his first ever Last Man Standing matchup to this man.
How quickly will he want to gain some vengeance for that loss?
It was a match we thought Braun Strowman was completely unbeatable in,
until the legend of Jacob Fatu grew before our eyes two weeks ago.
[Tessitore] By the way, you saw that documentary being advertised,
Becoming a Spectacle, the story of WrestleMania 9.
Cannot recommend it enough.
That was the first WrestleMania to ever be held here in Vegas,
and tomorrow will be the second.
We will see LA Knight and Jacob Fatu for the US championship.
[Barrett] Look at Braun Strowman, who's slowly fading
in that vice grip of Solo Sikoa,
doing his best to battle his way out, but out of the frying pan and into the fire.
You free up the fists of Solo Sikoa, you're getting one on the jaw,
it's that simple.
[Tessitore] As the Samoan Werewolf back in there against the Monster.
[Barrett] And there's an element of mind games going on
with LA Knight now who's stuck on the outside
having to look at the torture they're exacting on another human being.
More of this heading your way tomorrow night, LA Knight.
[Tessitore] LA Knight has gotten a good dose of it,
as Braun Strowman shows you a glimpse of power that tries to create a rally here,
deep in this tag team match.
[Barrett] Yeah, the problem with Jacob Fatu,
he simply doesn't stay down long at all, no matter what you throw at him.
But here is the tag.
[Tessitore] And here comes Knight and Solo.
[Barrett] And LA Knight has burnt off so much energy already in this one,
but still in pursuit of victory.
[Tessitore] Oh, man, oh, man!
He just launched him.
[Barrett] Jaw first onto our announce table.
-[Tessitore] Power slam. -[Barrett] Megastar has just hit top gear.
What do the people want?
[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
-[Tessitore] Weeping elbow. -One, two…
[Tessitore] Fatu somehow back to his feet to come in and make the save.
[Barrett] Flying Senton just in the nick of time. Wow!
Bounced out of the ring is Jacob Fatu by this absolute beast of a human being.
-Oh, God. -[Tessitore] Oh, boy.
Here comes the big man.
Oh, and he goes flying over our announce desk.
Braun Strowman is laid out, and there goes Fatu as well.
Meanwhile, back in the ring.
Looking for the Samoan spike.
But instead, BFT!
-Blunt Force Trauma! -[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell dings]
["Welcome To LA" playing]
[Nash] Here are your winners,
Braun Strowman and the United States Champion,
LA Knight!
[crowd] Yeah!
[Tessitore] LA Knight will look to defend tomorrow at WrestleMania.
What was taken out of him here, of course, also this weekend at WrestleMania.
It'll be Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair.
And our Wade Barrett was able to catch up with Tiffany Stratton.
Here's a sneak peek at that conversation you'll see
on the countdown show this weekend.
Well, you are someone who has risen to superstardom in record time.
You are learning on the job, and we had an interesting experience
a couple of weeks ago in an interview segment at the Allstate Arena in Chicago.
It was myself in ring with you and Charlotte.
It's created a ton of buzz around this match, perhaps for the wrong reasons,
because, to put it mildly, that interview went off the rails.
What happened there?
Um, I feel like over the last couple of weeks I felt bullied.
I felt taken advantage of.
During that split screen interview, I had a moment of insane discouragement.
I almost felt like I'm not cut out for this.
I'm not made for this.
It was a moment of panic for me,
but I used that feeling and I turned it into motivation,
and I went back to the drawing board,
and I did my research and I made sure that me and Charlotte face to face again,
I was gonna come prepared.
I felt my moment, and I came at her with a kill shot.
I played Charlotte Flair at her own game,
and I gave her a taste of her own medicine.
She doesn't have to like me.
She doesn't have to love me, but she damn sure does have to respect me now.
Given the level of animosity between the two of you
and of course the prize on the line being the WWE Women's Championship,
this feels like a must-win match for both women,
but what happens if Tiffy Time ends at WrestleMania 41?
Um, well, I'm just gonna go ahead and say that that's not gonna happen.
When the bell rings, I am fully aware that it's gonna be a fight.
Um, it's gonna be one of the hardest matches
that I'll probably ever have to go through.
I'm gonna channel that discouragement that I felt,
and I'm gonna turn it into motivation.
And I'm going to stand up to her. I'm standing up to a bully.
Like I said, I felt taken advantage of.
At WrestleMania, not only am I walking in as champion,
but I'm going to be walking out as champion.
Well, thank you, Tiffany.
This is one of the most hotly anticipated matches of the entire weekend
at WrestleMania 41.
Best of luck in your WWE Women's Championship
defense against Charlotte Flair.
-Thank you. -Thank you.
[Tessitore] Of course that'll be coming your way, Saturday night.
WrestleMania 41.
The WWE Women's Championship match.
Tiffany Stratton, you heard a very confident version
of Tiffany Stratton there against the future Hall of Famer,
the 14-time world champion, Charlotte Flair.
["Our World" plays]
[bell dings]
[Nash] The following contest is a six-man tag team match,
scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, the team of Dragon Lee
and WWE Hall of Famer, Rey Mysterio!
[Tessitore] Should be interesting to see what happens
against American Made and Chad Gable, next.
[entrance music playing]
[Tessitore] Well, earlier tonight, we saw Chad Gable surrounded
by many he will now be opposed to
and eliminated from the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
[Nash] And their opponents,
Julius Creed, Brutus Creed, and Chad Gable,
American Made!
[Tessitore] Chad Gable was eliminated by Rey Fenix in the Battle Royal,
and then there was this shocking arrival
of El Grande Americano, who eliminated Rey Fenix.
Keep in mind, Rey Mysterio is going to meet up with El Grande Americano tomorrow
on the WrestleMania Saturday card.
[Barrett] Yeah, well, Rey Mysterio
has really poisoned the well for poor Chad Gable.
When it comes to the locker room and all the lucha personalities
-we now have here on SmackDown… -[bell dings]
…accusing Chad Gable of putting on a mask and being El Grande Americano,
the most ridiculous thing I personally ever heard,
and I think Rey Mysterio may well get punished tonight by Chad Gable
which will do a massive favor for El Grande Americano tomorrow
at WrestleMania Saturday.
[Tessitore] Meanwhile, the guy who has quickly become a fan favorite
starts things off, and he's finding out just what you get
with the power of Brutus Creed.
And that is Rey Fenix. Dynamic effort by Fenix.
Hurricanrana. And quick into the cover.
And Brutus finds a way out.
But look at the speed and pace that Rey Fenix is setting here.
[Barrett] Yeah, I mean the eyeball test tells you
that pairing Brutus Creed and Rey Fenix is a huge mismatch,
but it's the athleticism, the speed of movement, the unpredictability of Fenix
that has really taken Brutus Creed down from the off.
And now Dragon Lee gets his chance to impress.
[Tessitore] Dragon Lee looks to take control here. Six-man tag team action.
[Barrett] Dragon Lee reminded everyone--
-Whoa! -[Tessitore] Wow!
[Barrett] Rey Mysterio told the world that this guy, Dragon Lee,
is the future of Lucha Libre, not so long ago.
We've had some great newcomers from that world of late,
but do not forget Dragon Lee.
He's every bit their equal.
[Tessitore] Look at this crossbody for the win
and coming in and making the save is Chad Gable then sends him right into the post.
[Barrett] Yeah, the rise of Lucha Libre here in WWE.
There's gonna be a learning curve for some of the other athletes
who are simply not used to that style.
And now Rey Mysterio with those crazy eyes staring down Chad Gable.
He's warped his own mind into believing that is El Grande Americano.
But taking his eye off the Creeds was a major error.
[Tessitore] And now pushing down Rey Fenix off the top rope
and then a German suplex on Dragon Lee
as Chad Gable right in the center of the ring.
Let's go. In your corner!
[Tessitore] He was getting away from Rey
and now American Made, all three corners.
The flying headbutts, American Made, getting the best of things here in Vegas.
[Tessitore] It's been an outrageously entertaining Friday Night SmackDown
here in Las Vegas, the night before WrestleMania 41.
As Chad Gable, who was eliminated earlier tonight
from the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal by Rey Fenix,
has been in complete control against Dragon Lee,
who's looking for an opportunity to rally back.
Look at the teamwork from American Made.
Everybody getting involved.
Brutus Ball off the top rope into the cover.
And coming in and making the save is Rey Fenix who eats a right hand
from Julius Creed.
[Barrett] And it's beginning to feel like a lost cause here
for this Lucha crew.
There have been a plethora of dirty tricks thrown their way by American Made.
It has been so effective that they may well now
be regretting demanding this matchup in the first place.
[Tessitore] That's what happens after all the heated exchanges backstage
after the battle royal.
Chad Gable climbing right up there with Dragon Lee.
[Barrett] Dragon Lee's done a hell of a job
trying to navigate his way out of this.
[Tessitore] He has all three of them hanging.
With the double stomp, tripled!
[Barrett] Well, that is about the first daylight Dragon Lee seen
after about seven straight minutes of abuse.
Now desperately clawing his way over to the relatively fresh Rey Fenix.
He's desperate to get there and he does.
And here comes the celebrated, widely accomplished luchador,
who has been a star in the making in his recent arrival to WWE.
[Barrett] Rey Fenix has set the world on fire thus far,
but if he pulls a victory here, it really will be something to shout about.
[Tessitore] Time and again you see things out of Fenix just like that.
As Julius is able to survive.
[Barrett] And it's just over two weeks since Rey Fenix debuted here in WWE.
[referee] One, two…
[Barrett] And he has completely dominated the conversation ever since,
but that shot to the gut will knock the stuffing out of anybody.
[Tessitore] Julius Creed, such an accomplished athlete,
the two-time All-American at Duke University.
[Barrett] Just unmatched physicality from someone who describes himself
as an in-ring savage.
And, Rey Fenix,
this is the welcome, you were certainly not waiting for.
[Tessitore] Boy, did he ever get sent into that corner.
His body went arching and flying.
[Barrett] And I don't know how well-adjusted Rey Fenix is
to competing twice in one night.
Once the body cools down after the first match,
it can be difficult to get going again, but Rey Fenix…
[Tessitore] Springboard! And Fenix stomps down on Julius.
[Barrett] And just no defenses whatsoever for these kind of attacks.
Nobody trains in the US to withstand this kind of abuse.
[Tessitore] Oh, stepping stone! Hurricanrana.
[Barrett] Don't care how quick your reactions are,
you are not stopping Rey Fenix.
[Tessitore] Catlike speed. Goodbye, amigo!
[Barrett] Tried it earlier tonight,
he was prevented but connected this time.
[Tessitore] Operation dragon!
Would you look at the pace these two are setting?
Rey Fenix up top.
Meteora!
-How about it? For the win! -One, two, three!
[Tessitore] Oh, they just cleared them out.
[Nash] Here are your winners,
the team of Dragon Lee,
Rey Mysterio and Rey Fenix!
[Barrett] Well, it looked like it was game over for the Lucha crew,
but that brilliance from Rey Fenix
combined with the fire of Dragon Lee
managed to pull out that victory when it looked like all was lost.
Hey, I'm excited for you. You ready to call WrestleMania here at this desk
with Pat McAfee and Michael Cole?
It's a dream come true. It's going to be a magical weekend.
Well, it's gonna be amazing.
The whole world is gonna be waiting to see this tug of war over the loyalty
and friendship of Paul Heyman and the reality check of Seth Rollins.
The names in the bright lights. That's what matters most.
Roman, Seth, Punk.
["Sail Into the Black" playing]
♪ We sail into the black ♪
[Rollins] Twelve years ago, we came down those stairs
to remake this company in our image.
♪ And all those memories ♪
♪ Left by design ♪
[Roman] We died a long time ago.
♪ And all those regrets you hold inside ♪
You messed up, and your biggest mistake is not understanding the danger
that's right in front of us.
[Punk] For two people, it's clearly personal.
For me, it's just business.
It's become simple math.
The two men who want to stand in my way, gotta go.
It's in there. You are a WrestleMania Main Eventer!
Thank you, but that's not the favor that I'm owed.
One favor.
I owe you a favor?
No, our Wiseman will owe me a favor.
At WrestleMania in my corner. Your Wiseman.
Tell him no.
No, my tribal chief, I can't do that.
♪ The black candle fades ♪
♪ Go disappear ♪
♪ Lost and forever broken ♪
♪ Shattered like glass ♪
♪ The scars and the sex ♪
♪ The lies and the fables we tell ♪
♪ And all we are ♪
♪ This fate is your choice ♪
♪ Rotting and curdled as milk ♪
[Punk] I brought you into this business.
I cannot wait to be the man that takes you both out of it.
There can be only one, and it's gotta be me.
[Reigns] Wiseman, how could you betray me?
♪ We sail into the black ♪
[song ends]
[Tessitore] Their complicated history has been fused together for years.
Tomorrow night it could all explode apart.
Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, CM Punk with Paul Heyman in his corner.
The WrestleMania night one Main Event, a triple threat from here in Vegas.
And when we come back, the record-seeking John Cena,
the Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes.
The final face off is next.
["Kingdom" plays]
[Rhodes] Wrestling has more than one royal family.
♪ Adrenaline, in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
-♪ Whoa ♪ -[crowd] ♪ Whoa ♪
♪ And my father said, when I was younger ♪
-♪ Hard times breed better men ♪ -♪ Better men ♪
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome, from Atlanta Georgia,
the Undisputed WWE Champion,
the American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Tessitore] A week removed from displaying all the versions through the years
of the WWE Championship and now holding on to the only one that matters.
The question is, will it still be Cody's when this weekend in Vegas ends?
♪ Hear the crowd, on their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
-♪ Whoa ♪ -[crowd] ♪ Whoa ♪
♪ And my father said, when I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ Better men ♪
[Barrett] The leading light of WWE.
QB1, the man who has the weight of the entire industry
on his shoulders this weekend
as he tries to protect the future of that championship
from an opponent in John Cena,
who seemingly wants to burn down everything to the ground.
♪ You tried to tell me what to do ♪
♪ I saw the door and kicked it down ♪
♪ I stepped right over and right through ♪
♪ And you can never stop me now ♪
♪ Bow ♪
♪ Now ♪
[song fades out]
[crowd cheering, booing]
["The Time Is Now" plays]
Oh, no.
[crowd chanting to music] John Cena sucks!
♪ Your time is up, my time is now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
♪ It's the franchise Boy, I'm shining now ♪
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
♪ In case you forgot, or fell off I'm still hot, knock your shell off ♪
♪ My money stack fat Plus I can't turn the swell off ♪
♪ The franchise, doin' big bi'ness I live this ♪
♪ It's automatic I win this ♪
♪ Oh, you hear those horns, you finished A soldier… ♪
[Barrett] The disrespect of this piece of garbage,
to not even let the champ get a word out.
Disrespect to the fan base that he has built over the past 20 years.
Disrespect to this entire industry.
John Cena has already tarnished his own legacy.
He now seemingly wants to go down in infamy as the man who will have
destroyed the future of the most important championship in history.
And he wants to do that Sunday night in the Main Event of WrestleMania.
[song fades out]
[crowd chanting] John Cena sucks!
Shut your mouth, kid.
This is gonna be my 20th WrestleMania, my 12th title match at WrestleMania.
I know just as well as anybody right around now you can get lost
in all the noise, all these voices.
There is one voice you should listen to,
and that's the one coming from the man looking at you in the eye.
Sunday is the last time I will ever compete in a WrestleMania ring.
No one has ever had the courage to end their career the way I have.
And there is nothing you could possibly do
to prepare to face a man who knows he's going to die.
What I'm doing is so unprecedented they don't think it's real.
They don't believe it.
They think I'm going to come back because everyone always comes crawling back.
There's no such thing as a wrestling retirement.
There's always one more match.
The reason there isn't a wrestling retirement
is 'cause every other wrestler is a scared, insecure loser.
Every other wrestler needs these people.
Needs these people to care about them,
to post about them, to talk about them,
because the second they get away from this,
they're left alone by themselves with their pathetic lives,
so they come crawling back as a shell of themselves.
I have love, joy, and worth in my life. I don't need a single damn one of you.
The only reason I'm here is to take
that away from you and all of you forever.
Don't say I didn't warn you because I did.
Last year when you won that championship,
everybody's raising you on their shoulder and giving you watches and stuff
and saying, "Good job, Champ."
When I had my moment alone with you, like a man to your face,
I didn't say, "Good job, Champ."
I said, "Every day you hold that, it gets heavier."
And Sunday it finally becomes too heavy for you to hold.
You will lose.
You will lose because you care about them.
You people do not write history.
Winners do.
I came out here tonight
because I wanted to share one more thing with you before Sunday.
When I won at Elimination Chamber,
I knew it would be impossible to beat you in a match at WrestleMania.
And then in one moment you changed all that.
You changed all that with what you said to The Rock.
You see, kid, The Rock just gave you a choice.
"Do you want to do what they think is right?
Or do you want to win?"
And in the moment you made your choice,
not only did I think I could beat you,
I realized, Sunday, you don't stand a chance.
And that night, all that was left for me to do was the one thing you couldn't.
Prove to them that they don't matter.
You see, all of this, all of this noise from them,
these people will always make up their own version of the truth they want to believe,
and when you stop caring about that and stop caring about them,
you can start accomplishing anything you want in life,
but you are too weak to understand that.
Sunday, in order to beat me, you are going to have to choose.
Do you do what they think is right?
Or do you win?
And, Cody, you are strong, you are tough, and you are driven,
but you are also scared, insecure and naive.
You say you wear this suit because you want to be somebody.
You have your tattoo because you want to be somebody.
You didn't need the tattoo or the suit,
'cause Sunday I'm gonna make you somebody.
Somebody who finally realizes that to become a winner,
you have to sever ties with all the losers in your life.
Or…
somebody who had a chance to be a real winner and blew it.
And in that very moment, you will realize that you are not the captain.
You are not the quarterback.
You're still just a kid in a man's world
who doesn't have the balls of the last real champion.
Okay, John, the noise and you always have to say something, right?
This crowd, how they feel about you.
This is who you fight for?
This? This matters to you?
You said in London… You said that you don't bury talent.
That you are talent.
Well, I know a graveyard of talent that would disagree with that statement,
but we're not talking about them, we're talking about WrestleMania.
Let me ask you a question, John.
Do you know… Do you know his name?
The one who handed you the microphone, you know his name?
No, no. You don't know her name either, do you?
And I'd wager if you walk backstage, you don't know any of those people either.
This is a different WWE, John, and when this was your WWE, I worshipped you.
They worshipped you.
But since the GOAT hasn't shown up since Elimination Chamber,
allow me to offer you a little perspective, okay?
You called me underwhelming.
Guess what? You're overrated.
You're overbearing, and more importantly, you're out of touch,
and you're out of time.
Your face is melting wax.
You got a stack of dimes for a neck, spindly-ass legs.
You're paler than Sting at Starrcade '97, and you're sanctimonious.
Sanctimonious comments about how I'm an errand boy
when the whole world watched you saunter on the Oscar stage butt-ass naked
for the people that you run errands for now.
And by God, John Cena,
it is 2025 and you still can't
wrestle.
[crowd chanting] You can't wrestle!
You can't wrestle!
Idiots.
[crowd chanting] Cody, Cody Rhodes! Cody, Cody Rhodes!
Cody, Cody Rhodes! Cody, Cody Rhodes!
They're just like you.
They don't know what they want,
and, Cody, on Sunday, to beat you, I don't have to wrestle.
Oh!
[Tessitore] Oh, Cena!
Oh, he tried to go AA, but instead…
Cross Rhodes!
The war of words just went physical.
["Kingdom" playing]
The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes,
with the Undisputed WWE Championship in his hand.
He has been making a message of fighting for the fans to save the industry.
To keep that championship.
For the present and future of sports entertainment.
WrestleMania Sunday,
it'll headline it all
and cap what is turning out to be a spectacular weekend in Vegas.
We have no further steps to take on this road to WrestleMania.
We have arrived, Wade. The final face off turned into this.
[Barrett] Well, what a statement from Cody Rhodes.
I don't have to wrestle.
[Barrett] Cheap shot from John Cena.
Well, we got a champ who was every bit ready for it and more.
Is this a window into the Main Event of WrestleMania Sunday
with the WWE Championship on the line?
One Cross Rhodes may be all it takes
to put away Cena for good in his final WrestleMania.
[Tessitore] It is coming your way.
WrestleMania 41, Sunday night will be the Undisputed WWE Championship match.
Now, Wade, let's tell everybody what they're in store for
tomorrow on night one.
[Barrett] WrestleMania Saturday, World Heavyweight Championship on the line
as the Ring General defends against Main Event, Jey Uso.
Will we have a stadium yeeting in unison for a new champ?
[Tessitore] The WWE Women's Championship.
This thing has gotten red hot. There have been personal attacks.
There have been honest conversations recently,
and tomorrow it is Tiffy Time against the future Hall of Famer.
Tiffany Stratton looks to defend against Charlotte Flair.
[Barrett] We had a war earlier tonight here on SmackDown.
A lot of damage absorbed by these two men, but the United States title will be
on the line tomorrow as LA Knight defends against the terrifying Jacob Fatu.
[Tessitore] And for Rey Mysterio, another WrestleMania,
but this one comes against the luchador who has burst onto the scene recently.
It is El Grande Americano against the Hall of Famer, Rey Mysterio.
[Barrett] We got ourselves a World Tag Team Championship clash
as The "Boo" Day, they suck,
well, they're challenging the champs, the War Raiders tomorrow
on WrestleMania Saturday.
[Tessitore] World Tag Team Championship clash tomorrow between those two.
Proceed with caution, says Naomi.
The storm is coming for Jade and Naomi, perhaps the most emotionally charged
of all the WrestleMania 41 matches.
[Barrett] Three of the biggest names,
three of the biggest egos, well, they're gonna compete in triple threat action
in the main event of WrestleMania Saturday.
Roman Reigns, Seth "Freakin" Rollins, and CM Punk with the Wiseman Paul Heyman
in his corner.
Who will be victorious in the main event tomorrow?
[Tessitore] Of course, moments ago, the face-to-face.
John Cena and Cody Rhodes.
As Cody was able to counter.
The Cross Rhodes was hit on Cena.
Cena's going for the record-breaking win Sunday night,
but Rhodes is determined to save pro wrestling.
There are just times in life that you know you have to take it all in
with your eyes wide open.
For all the fans from the hard cores to the casuals.
This right now in Vegas is that time.
This weekend in Sin City, it is must watch. It is can't miss.
It's the unthinkable now a reality,
this version of John Cena
against the hope for the current and future of the industry,
Cody Rhodes.
WrestleMania 41 comes your way tomorrow.
We'll see you there. your way tomorrow.