[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Tessitore] Savannah, Georgia,
well known for charming Southern hospitality,
but tonight it won't be warm and welcoming inside the ropes.
Friday Night SmackDown has arrived in the Garden City,
and a ready-to-roar crowd is settling inside at the Enmarket Arena
set to tear it up.
That's because a World Championship is on the line.
The Street Profits are here for a showdown.
The World Tag Team Champions have shown incredible grit lately.
Now back to full strength.
They're ready to take on their latest challenge.
There isn't a hotter tag team on Earth than Fraxiom.
Since arriving on SmackDown, they've won four straight.
Tonight, they battle for the championships.
Plus, Solo Sikoa has arrived here in Savannah
with the dangerous Jacob Fatu and new powerhouse edition JC Mateo,
and what a battle it'll be.
Fatu and JC teaming up against Rey Fénix and Jimmy Uso.
And Drew McIntyre set for his Steel Cage Match with Damian--
Damian Priest! Right on the spot!
[Barrett] Fight on sight has been the MO of these two
for the past couple of months.
Couldn't even wait 24 hours before they meet
at Saturday Night's Main Event tomorrow inside a cage.
I don't know if they're even gonna get that far.
[Tessitore] Finally, security breaks them up.
How much more can they give and take?
It's constant with Priest and McIntyre.
[Barrett chuckles]
♪ It's Tiffy Time ♪
♪ Drop, I'm going in Bass so loud, it's in my skin ♪
♪ Drop, I wanna see you drop Drop, drop, drop, drop ♪
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the WWE Women's Champion,
Tiffany Stratton!
[Tessitore] It is Tiffy Time here in what they call Low Country,
a week removed from another incredible title defense
and, Wade, this time she took it past the limit against Nia Jax.
[Barrett] Yeah, last Friday on SmackDown,
Tiffany Stratton connecting with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever,
and for the first time in history, her opponent Nia Jax kicking out
and then following it up with a super Annihilator,
but the resourceful champ managing to grab that bottom rope.
Panic mode now for Nia Jax grabbing a steel chair, but it backfired,
which allowed Stratton a take two.
She struck again, this time, sealing victory.
Tiffany Stratton continuing to turn heads with the gold.
[music fades out]
Savannah, Georgia.
[crowd cheers]
What time is it?
[crowd] Tiffy Time!
My, oh, my, how much can change in over a year.
This time last year I was walking into Money in the Bank
with all the hype in the world.
Some people thought I was in over my head and that I'd let the pressure get to me,
but here I am standing as your WWE Women's Champion.
[crowd cheers]
And along my way here, I've beaten some of the best.
On the Grandest Stage of Them All,
I beat Charlotte Flair.
[crowd boos]
And then last week, I kicked Nia Jax's face off.
[crowd cheers]
And in two weeks at Money in the Bank,
someone else is gonna have the same opportunity that I had,
and here's what I have to say to that person.
If you try cashing in on me, just know--
-["The Fury" plays] -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Alexa Bliss, the first woman to qualify for Money in the Bank.
[Barrett] The mysterious, the perplexing,
the multiple-time World Champion, Alexa Bliss,
who may be a little over two weeks away
from grabbing the Money in the Bank briefcase
and the contract held therein
which would make the pathway to winning yet another World Championship
incredibly easy for Miss Bliss.
[crowd cheers]
I don't think we've formally met.
I, too, am a former Women's Champion, former Miss Money in the Bank…
[crowd cheers]
Hi.
I'm Alexa.
[crowd cheers]
And you, Tiffany, I've had my eye on you.
You caught my eye when you beat Charlotte at WrestleMania,
and you know I actually felt bad for her,
but then I remembered you can't feel bad for a narcissist
who needs to call herself a queen.
I don't need any of that, but what I do need is that briefcase right there.
Because, Tiffy, is it okay if I call you Tiffy?
Tiffy, thank you.
You know it's business. It's not personal.
You know that. You cashed in on Nia Jax.
I did the same thing when I had the briefcase,
but the difference was I actually liked Nia,
and I don't know you.
So you better pray that I do not win that briefcase,
because if you think your rise to the top was quick,
just wait for that downfall.
["All Hail The Queen" plays]
[Tessitore] Well, Alexa just mentioned the name,
and look who's here.
♪ Bow down ♪
♪ All hail the Queen ♪
[Barrett] For many, the best female competitor on planet Earth,
and the statistics certainly support that.
[Tessitore] Fourteen times a World Champion.
[music fades out]
-Now, if… Now, if-- -[crowd boos]
Now, if there's one thing I'm known for, it's humility.
I might be the most humble 14-time World Champion
in the history of WWE.
Now, I wanted to come out here and humbly congratulate Tiffany Stratton
for beating me at WrestleMania.
Tiffany, sweetie, you're doing great, but it's not gonna last forever.
Now here's the thing, Savannah.
I've done everything there is to do in this business
except win Money in the Bank.
[crowd boos]
Now if that's the path I have to take, so be it.
So when I win Money in the Bank, and I cash in that briefcase,
not only am I going to take that title back…
I plan on taking back the spotlight.
Because here's the thing, when I want something,
I don't wait.
I just take it.
[crowd boos]
Char, you're low-key giving hypocrite.
I mean, weren't you the one saying that cashing in and winning the title
is the easy way out?
So, what you doing out here trying to qualify?
And to be honest, you two are a little…
vintage for me.
Y'all were the standard, and I'm the upgrade.
[crowd cheers]
And whether you two like it or not,
for as long as I am champion, it is always gonna be…
-Tiffy Time! -[crowd] Tiffy Time!
[Tessitore] Well, the champ setting the tone,
saying she's the upgrade as Bliss and Flair set their course
for Money in the Bank.
["Tiffy Time" playing]
[Barrett] Tiffany Stratton just growing in confidence week by--
["Time Of Arrival" playing]
[Tessitore] Oh, and it is time for Giulia's SmackDown debut.
[Barrett] The moment the world has been waiting for.
[Tessitore] A recent NXT Champ, fittingly nicknamed Beautiful Madness,
ready for the Triple Threat Match.
The Money in the Bank qualifier.
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is the Women's Money in the Bank qualifier
Triple Threat Match
and is scheduled for one fall.
Entering the ring from Tokyo, Japan,
Giulia!
[Tessitore] She's looking for a shot at gold.
That little moment with Tiffany and Giulia,
may be a spark that roars the flames of a raging championship match fire someday.
We got the qualifier coming up.
Giulia, huge acquisition by General Manager Nick Aldis
and of course Charlotte Flair.
They are ready to see who can get to Money in the Bank.
A sellout here in Savannah,
as we open up the action with Women's Money in the Bank qualifier.
-["The Visual" plays] -[crowd cheers]
[Nash] And their opponent, from Queens, New York,
she is the Women's United States Champion,
Zelina Vega!
[Tessitore] You believe it's already been a full month now
as the Women's United States Champion for Zelina Vega, Wade?
[Barrett] Yeah, it's been an incredible run for Zelina Vega.
Major hot streak handing L after L to Chelsea Green's Green Regime.
[Tessitore] That's right. She has.
[Barrett] Absolutely stunning. Fitting into the role of champion.
[Tessitore] A five-match win streak as she has silenced so many doubters
as well as all the Chelsea Green pledging allegiance sheeple.
[Tessitore] So, here we go.
Who will make it to the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match?
Saw Alexa Bliss…
[bell rings]
[Tessitore] …a little earlier.
She has punched her ticket there. We saw that a week ago.
Now, Wade, I want to ask you this as we continue the conversation
of Zelina Vega.
She has a title.
She's the US Champion,
so why the desire for Money in the Bank and mentality of taking on this challenge?
[Barrett] Two answers. Number one,
obviously you want to add some more gold,
but number two, if you have the briefcase, it prevents anybody else
from cashing in on you and your United States Championship.
Zelina Vega is turfed out early. Winning that briefcase for Vega
because of course you can cash in on any champion on any brand,
it's the ultimate form of defense for Zelina Vega.
[Tessitore] Oh, quick into it.
Charlotte and Vega trying to get off to a hot start here.
Giulia is the new arrival to SmackDown,
but of course she has been all over the world.
She has found success with so many promotions and travels.
A recent NXT Champion, and she goes by the moniker the Beautiful Madness, Wade.
[Barrett] Beautiful Madness.
It's a juxtaposition of this elegant package that is Giulia,
but she delivers such a fierce fighting style.
Highly apt nickname.
The early goings here, Giulia was keen on testing her mettle
against the very best in the form of Charlotte Flair.
[Tessitore] Kip-up after the fallaway slam,
and Charlotte just put an end to the early momentum of Zelina Vega.
[Barrett] Charlotte Flair's been getting the Dirty Dom treatment
from this Savannah audience.
Far from impressed with her career and her attitude.
[Tessitore] Giulia just pulls Charlotte Flair away and says,
"I'm gonna get some."
[Barrett] Giulia is the picture of calm composed confidence.
[Tessitore] Oh!
[Barrett] No fear whatsoever of Charlotte Flair.
Charlotte trying to play intimidator several times now.
[Tessitore] Trying to set that tone early on here
against the newest signee to SmackDown.
Giulia's success across Japan and indeed on NXT,
a brief foray over on Raw before a crafty move by GM Nick Aldis
to get her here on the Blue Brand and immediately putting the wood
to Charlotte Flair.
[Tessitore] Stretching her out and now letting her know who's in town.
[Barrett] There's a huge weight of expectation on the shoulders of Giulia,
but nothing that exceeds the kind of expectations that she puts on herself.
She's here to make moves in a hurry and get to the very top here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] In recent weeks, we've seen her on Raw,
making life a little miserable for Iyo Sky and Rhea Ripley,
and then a falling out with Roxanne Perez.
[Barrett] Roxanne Perez, who has already qualified
for the Money in the Bank matchup in a couple of weeks.
Can Giulia do the same here? She's got her work cut out for her.
[Tessitore] Now, doubling up against Vega, Giulia and Charlotte Flair.
Oh, but Vega gets the best of it!
Into the cover to find her way to Money in the Bank,
and Charlotte easily kicks out right on top of Giulia as well.
[Barrett] Vega is the ultimate underdog in the women's division.
Certainly not going to take a back step from anyone
regardless of how dismissive they may try and be.
[Tessitore] A big right forearm from Flair.
[Barrett] Regardless of your intent, that forearm and that boot
changes things in a hurry.
Flair now showing some dominance.
[Tessitore] Is she ever?
She's gonna head out to the floor to meet them.
[Barrett] Flair's been so dismissive
of pretty much every woman in the locker room
over the past several months.
[Tessitore] Vega!
Moonsault to the floor.
The US Champ in control here.
What you got?
You know who I am.
What you got?
You know who I am.
[Tessitore] These three women have only shared the ring once in their careers.
That was at the Royal Rumble that of course Charlotte won.
This, different stakes.
Women's Money in the Bank qualifier Triple Threat.
[Barrett] Well, Flair completely punking out the newcomer Giulia,
and she may live to regret that.
That has woken something up inside the Japanese superstar.
[Tessitore] Out to the apron.
[Barrett] Oh, cleaning the clock of Giulia.
Kicked right to the temple.
[Tessitore] And then walks right into the big boot of Zelina Vega.
Look at the strength of Flair.
[Barrett] Diminutive size of Zelina Vega did not help her there whatsoever.
-Wait a second. -[Tessitore] Giulia from the top rope.
Dropkicks Flair, and Vega takes the brunt of it as well.
Hooks the leg as Giulia was looking to advance to LA.
[Barrett] Yeah, nice technique there from Giulia.
[Tessitore] Here's another chance.
[Barrett] That's the problem. Spoiled for choice.
Who do you pick as your victim at this point?
Best off cleaning one person out of the ring
and focusing all of your attacks on the other.
[Tessitore] Here's Giulia.
Kick out by Flair.
[Barrett] Such a great display
of Giulia's blend of brawling and technical skills thus far.
What a statement it would be if she puts away Charlotte Flair.
[Tessitore] And driving that shoulder into Vega,
and now Flair senses it.
Gathering momentum here against Vega and Giulia.
Crossbody takes them both out.
[Barrett] Charlotte Flair just does momentum like no other.
-Wait a second. Reversal there. -[Tessitore] How about it, though?
Vega!
Could it be?
[Barrett] Torturous submission hold.
-Giulia knows full well the danger. -[Tessitore] Oh! Arrivederci Knee!
Into the cover. Hooks the leg.
Vega right into the kitchen of all.
Valiantly trying to stand up to Charlotte,
but Charlotte easily dismisses her.
[Barrett] Showing sheer dominance now,
the reason why this woman is the 14-time World Champion.
-That ability to dig deep. -[Tessitore] Oh, would you look at that?
[Barrett] As dismissive as it gets.
What a showing of dominance this would be to connect
and punch your ticket to Money in the Bank.
[Tessitore] And she may just do it. Two for one but, oh, no!
[Barrett] You can get a little greedy in this game,
even if you do have the caliber of Charlotte Flair.
[Tessitore] So wildly athletic and skilled, Wade.
[Barrett] Picture-perfect moonsault on two opponents,
but the double pin was simply a step too far.
[Tessitore] Oh, and will you look at this now.
[Barrett] Rings of Saturn now connecting middle of the ring,
and Charlotte Flair is in sheer agony.
[Tessitore] Just stretching her out, looking for the submission,
and now shoulders down! Shoulders down!
[Barrett] Managing to scramble away out of there.
Of course, no rope breaks in a match of this nature.
[Tessitore] Vega finds a way. The dropkick against both.
And now the 619.
[Barrett] Shades of mentor in the LWO, Rey Mysterio.
The inherent problem of a Triple Threat Match.
There is always a fresh opponent lurking.
Spear connects there to the gut of Giulia.
[Tessitore] Flair quick into the cover, hooks the leg,
and that left shoulder got up.
[Barrett] What an absolute scramble this matchup has turned into at this point.
Who has the most durability, who wants this badly enough?
[Tessitore] Women's Money in the Bank Triple Threat qualifier.
She's going for it.
-[Barrett] She's trying. She's trying. -[Tessitore] The roll up by Giulia!
[Barrett] Smart move by Giulia there
getting the hell out of that Figure 8 attempt.
[Tessitore] Right back to it.
-[Barrett] Second bite of the cherry. -[Tessitore] Can she lock it in?
[Tessitore] Meteora coming in from Vega.
[Barrett] Just as Flair was attempting to bridge
and increase that leverage on Giulia.
[Tessitore] Oh! Code Red! Code Red!
And Flair at the last possible second.
[Barrett] Yeah, expert timing because that was Vega
punching her ticket to Money in the Bank.
A last millisecond breakup.
[Tessitore] Sold out at Enmarket Arena here in Savannah
the night before Saturday Night's Main Event.
And this match will determine the next entrant
into the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
[Barrett] What a hot start here on SmackDown.
-[Tessitore] Vega. -[Barrett] Massive stakes, and here we go.
Vega once again.
[Tessitore] Tried to go for it again but instead eats a big boot from The Queen.
[Barrett] Flair is wobbled, but she's ready to put this one away for good.
[Tessitore] Can she arch it?
Figure 8 leg lock is in play.
[Barrett] Vega close to the tapping out!
[Tessitore] Look at this from Giulia!
[Barrett] Stomp right there to that knee of Flair
which has been surgically repaired.
[Tessitore] Meanwhile, Giulia…
Northern Lights Bomb!
-In her debut, a win to advance! -[bell rings]
["Time Of Arrival" plays]
[Nash] Here is your winner,
Giulia!
[Barrett] Well, we expected massive things from this woman,
but that result right there has well and truly put Giulia
on the map here on SmackDown.
It's taken one night to announce herself as a major player on the Blue Brand.
Giulia is now going to Money in the Bank.
[Tessitore] That Northern Lights Bomb.
Made her NXT debut eight months ago.
Her SmackDown debut right here, right now,
and her first Triple Threat in WWE lands her now with that group.
Women's Ladder Match, Money in the Bank will include Giulia.
Ever since we came to SmackDown last year,
we have turned this tag team division into the best on the planet.
We did that.
Yet the Street Profits, they hold the gold,
and every time we take a step forward,
I can feel the Motor City Machine Guns breathing down my neck.
Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, the only thing those two ever done
is piggyback off my friendship to get ahead in this company.
That's it.
They always like to tell everybody,
"We're your favorite tag team's favorite tag team."
Talk about a couple of egotistical sociopaths,
and as if that's not bad enough,
you get these young rookies like Fraxiom coming in, adding to the delusion.
Nathan Frazer going on social media, shouting from the mountaintops,
"Alex Shelley, he believed in me."
"Oh, Chris Sabin, you're my hero."
How pathetic.
You add Fraxiom to a long list of people trying to hold us back,
conspiring against DIY.
Last month we had in that brutal TLC,
one thing is for certain, something needs to change,
and that change begins tonight when I take on Chris Sabin one-on-one,
and I promise you this much.
When this entire story is done,
you are looking at your three-time WWE Tag Team Champions,
DIY.
[Tessitore] That was an intense Tommaso Ciampa.
["Raise Your Fist" plays]
♪ Raise your fist ♪
♪ Oh, let's go… ♪
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied by Alex Shelley,
from Detroit, Michigan,
weighing in at 202 pounds,
Chris Sabin!
[Tessitore] Rare sight for our eyes in singles action for Sabin.
He's up against Ciampa one-on-one next.
[sighs]
[groans]
Ladies stand down. There's absolutely 0% of a threat here.
-[crowd cheers] -[chuckles]
Zelina, it's amazing how you manage to be a champion and, yet, you're still a loser.
It's so cute. I don't know how you do it, honestly.
-Honestly. -[grunts]
[screaming, clamoring]
Look out!
[groans]
[clamoring continues]
Enough! Enough!
Everybody just calm down.
Zelina got even on Chelsea.
Now B-Fab and I, we gotta get our paws on the Stupid Hervice tonight!
Exactly.
-Tonight. -Right!
Sounds good to me. Let's do it.
-[Niven] What? -[crowd cheers]
-See ya! -[Green] No!
["It's Our Moment" plays]
[Barrett] They're not the Stupid Hervice. They're the Secret Hervice.
She got the name wrong.
[Tessitore] Aldis making things happen right away.
[Nash] And his opponent,
accompanied by Johnny Gargano,
from Boston, Massachusetts,
weighing in at 208 pounds,
Tommaso Ciampa!
[Tessitore] We mentioned the rare sight of Sabin in singles action.
Tommaso Ciampa hasn't had a singles match since November 22nd.
That was against Montez Ford.
And, Wade, his anger lately has been spiked
because of what's been happening in this division--
look at that glare he gives across to his rivals--
but also with what Fraxiom has been doing in the tag team division.
[Barrett] DIY were completely embarrassed by the loss to Fraxiom last week.
As veterans, they were outthought by their relative rookies, Fraxiom,
and then to make matters worse,
Motor City Machine Guns sticking their nose in DIY's business post-match.
Well, now it's gonna be punishment time for Chris Sabin.
[Tessitore] Not sticking their nose.
They're coming to the aid of those being attacked.
[Barrett] Who invited them?
Fraxiom can presumably look after themselves.
[Tessitore] So here we are. Ciampa and Sabin.
First time these two have ever gone one-on-one.
Of course, plenty of time sharing the ring
with some of the best tag team action we have seen in recent years.
[Barrett] You're absolutely right,
Obviously, Ciampa and Sabin of late have been tag specialists,
however, they have had major career success in the singles ranks too.
It's a question now about who can switch gears seamlessly,
hit the ground running back when you're fighting alone.
[Tessitore] How difficult is switching gears like that
when you're at the top of a division like this
that we know week in and week out is so competitive?
When you've been gunning for championships,
you've been retaining titles,
you've been battling back to try to reclaim gold,
how difficult is it to switch back to that singles mentality?
[Barrett] Yeah, usually it is really difficult.
However, the two in question in the ring right now are such veterans
at this and have such distinguished singles career,
and I'll pick out Ciampa who's a multiple time NXT Champion
in the singles game and such a dominant force
and clearly slipping back into old habits right from the off.
[Tessitore] Ciampa, two-time NXT Champion, two-times a WWE Tag Team Champion
with Johnny Gargano, DIY.
And Gargano, as he often does, making sure he's not too far away
from any of the action.
Big chop. I mean that thing is echoing all the way back to Atlanta.
[Barrett] Ciampa is out tonight with a point to prove.
Convinced GM Nick Aldis is heading up a conspiracy against DIY.
-[Tessitore] "Conspiracy." -[Barrett] Handing out opportunities
to the likes of Fraxiom and the Street Profits
and indeed the Motor City Machine Guns that should be destined for DIY.
[Tessitore] Fraxiom has won four straight matches,
including a non-title match against the World Champions
just a couple of weeks ago, and they earned the respect
of the Street Profits, and that Tag Team Championship Match
will be coming up a little later on.
[Barrett] Can't wait for that massive main event for this evening.
Gold on the line, but right now the turmoil
in the tag division continues unabated.
[Tessitore] Here comes Sabin.
He goes up and over, but Ciampa rolls back into the ring.
Oh, and then he throws the jacket, and the Willow's Bell DDT
put forth by Ciampa.
[Barrett] You can say what you want about the attitude of Tommaso Ciampa,
there is no higher in-ring IQ than the Sicilian Psychopath.
Pat yourself on the back. Tommaso Ciampa in full control.
[Tessitore] And that's what he does.
[Tessitore] Back here in Savannah, Georgia,
Chris Sabin and Tommaso Ciampa.
Four times they have met up to decide the Tag Team Titles.
Big sell out here at Enmarket Arena,
and now the eighth time they've shared the ring,
but the first time in singles action.
Of course, what a thrill it was to see them battle back in late April
in that all-time classic TLC match.
[Barrett] Yeah, well it has been all one-way traffic.
Until right about now, it's been the Tommaso Ciampa show.
But Chris Sabin, he had a slight window of opportunity,
and now he is really making it count.
[Tessitore] He's able to sweep the leg, but then when he came back offensively,
Ciampa able to stop that effort. Now, Sabin, here he goes right back at it.
[Barrett] Yeah, so much is made of that cruiserweight style of Chris Sabin,
but that was a technical master class there.
And now getting that second wind, and this is major danger
for Tommaso Ciampa.
[Tessitore] For the win.
Just able to get that shoulder up at the last possible second was Ciampa.
[Barrett] There's been a huge flurry of offense there from Chris Sabin,
but so much has been taken out of Sabin
thanks to that beating given to him by Ciampa.
He struggled to really follow it up and make it count.
[Tessitore] You see the concern on the face of Johnny Gargano
as Sabin tries to line him up for that kick along the apron,
but Ciampa fights back, and now toe-to-toe they go.
Out on the apron, exchanging chops and right hands.
[Barrett] Both men hurting in a big way.
Just look at the anguish on their faces. Now turning this into a war of attrition.
Who blinks first?
Oh, Ciampa's got him up on the apron.
Oh, man!
The hardest, stiffest part of the edge of the apron.
Hooks the leg for the win,
and somehow Chris Sabin gets that right shoulder up.
[Barrett] What a brain-scrambling landing this was for Chris Sabin,
and quite frankly, I'm astounded that he kicked out.
That was pure instinct from Sabin.
The lights are on, but nobody is home,
and Tommaso Ciampa can now pick Sabin apart at will.
And here we go, Joe Tess. A signature of Tommaso Ciampa.
[Tessitore] Unable on that first attempt.
As Sabin, able to gain control, parries that-- Oh.
[Barrett] Nasty dragon screw just as Tommaso Ciampa was attempting
that Fairy Tale Ending, and that knee may well be shredded.
[Tessitore] Sabin flying down with the DDT!
Sabin! What a turnaround.
[Barrett] So much leverage, so much momentum on that DDT.
Tommaso Ciampa now the one struggling.
This was after that apparent knee injury to Tommaso Ciampa.
Ciampa just about able to kick out.
I'm not sure if there's much left at all now
in the tank of Tommaso Ciampa and Sabin looking to go in for the kill.
[Tessitore] Sabin climbing up top.
Oh, and Johnny Gargano gets up on the apron.
[Barrett] He thinks it's a tag match.
[Tessitore] He's met by Alex Shelley to back him off,
and then the big boot comes in.
Here's the roll up.
Ciampa able to get free,
but out onto the floor as Sabin dodged it.
[Barrett] Sabin with that superior movement once again.
[Tessitore] Wow, crossbody taking out DIY.
[Barrett] I mean, imagine pulling off that move at the best of times,
let alone this deep into a matchup
where you have been beaten from pillar to post by Tommaso Ciampa.
What a competitor Chris Sabin truly is.
[crowd chants] This is awesome! This is awesome!
[Tessitore] Ciampa able to get to his feet now
and brings in the big chop.
[Barrett] This has to be so frustrating for Sabin.
Just when you know you should be closing in on victory,
you get a madman like Tommaso Ciampa and once again a nasty landing…
-[Tessitore] Oh! -[Barrett] …from Ciampa, yeah.
[Tessitore] I do not like the look of that at all.
-[Barrett] Knee buckled by the landing. -[Tessitore] I hate to see this.
As there is clear concern for Tommaso Ciampa.
[Barrett] Tell you right now, Ciampa had knee surgeries in the past,
and I think some-- Wait a second.
[Tessitore] Candice LeRae?
[Barrett] Just as the referee's back was turned.
-That's Johnny Gargano's wife. -[Tessitore] Candice LeRae is--
Wait a second!
He pulled down the knee pad and just came crashing in.
-[bell rings] -["It's Our Moment" plays]
[Nash] Here is your winner,
Tommaso Ciampa!
[Barrett] Well, "Something needs to change," said Tommaso Ciampa.
This appears to be the change they're alluding to.
Candice LeRae and DIY.
Axiom, Nathan Frazer, I know you guys are getting warm,
but you have had a meteoric rise here in WWE.
You made your debut a month ago on SmackDown.
You've been undefeated ever since.
How much pressure are you feeling on your shoulders
heading into the biggest match of your careers?
It's been a wild ride, Byron,
and I would be lying if I said this wasn't, like,
the biggest night of our entire lives, so…
Nathan, let's think about those nights driving back from NXT
when we were dreaming about an opportunity like this.
Tonight is the night we can become the WWE Tag Team Champions,
and, listen, I'm scared too.
Street Profits's one of the best tag teams in the world,
but tonight, they are nothing but a step on our path to greatness.
That's right, amigo.
And look, we heard what DIY had to say earlier,
but, mate, we're not concerned about what DIY are saying right now.
We're only concerned about one thing, that's the Street Profits,
and the fact that if we beat them again,
we can become WWE Tag Team Champions and make history.
And look, man, if we believe, if we're on the same page,
man, I put us up against every single tag team on the fricking planet right now.
Fraxiom, good luck tonight.
[Tessitore] Great confidence for Fraxiom. Title opportunity tonight.
And Shinsuke Nakamura, huge moment is ahead.
Wild matchup of styles.
Men's Money in the Bank qualifying Triple Threat next.
Plus, John Cena back in the ring tomorrow night and coming up,
a look at his controversial path since returning to WWE.
That's ahead.
[crowd chants] Let's go, Cena. Cena sucks.
Go ahead. Go ahead.
It's been the same damn noise for 25 years.
I've been the victim of an abusive relationship.
When I first got here, oh, you let me know really loud that you hated me.
[crowd] You suck!
I suck?
So what did I do?
I went and I changed myself, hoping that you would like me a little bit,
but then it wasn't enough.
So what did I do?
I worked hard like I always do, and I started to win.
Oh, I won a lot, and you hated it. It wasn't enough.
All you do is be hurtful,
and you take, and you only care about yourselves.
You don't wear this for support. You wear it to make you feel good.
You wear words like hustle, loyalty and respect.
I live them every day.
[Cole] John Cena is a 17-time World Champion.
I don't need you anymore.
I don't care about you, and you don't matter to me.
I am going to ruin wrestling for every fan,
for every wrestler…
for everyone.
I will be the last real champion in WWE.
And there is nothing you can do to stop me.
[Tessitore] John Cena,
self-proclaimed wrestling existential crisis,
but now it's about respect against R-Truth.
Tomorrow…
John Cena against R-Truth,
Saturday Night's Main Event from Tampa, Florida.
["Rise For The Night" plays]
[Tessitore] And tomorrow night, the final battle in the long-standing war
will it be with Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre.
The Steel Cage challenge that he put forth, and now it has come to this.
Tomorrow in Tampa--
-[Barrett] Oh, God. -[Tessitore] Oh, are you kidding me?
[Tessitore] They can't help themselves, Wade.
[Barrett] We've already had one fight this evening between these two.
This was supposed to be Priest coming out here, giving us some final words
ahead of his showdown inside the cage at tomorrow's Saturday Night's Main Event.
These two simply cannot keep their hands off one another.
We can't even get through
a simple introduction and ring walk for Damian Priest
the night before Saturday Night's Main Event.
They're going to be in a steel cage tomorrow,
and they can't even wait.
-[Barrett] Security-- -[Tessitore] Been like this all night.
[Barrett] …finally pouring out of here.
How the hell these two got loose in the first place
is the question I want to know.
[Tessitore] Now, finally, they contain them.
Finally, they take care of them.
Hey, hey. [speaks Spanish] Where are you going?
You're gonna go hide behind your phone?
No, no, no, it's wepa time.
Tomorrow, I send your ass to the hospital, but tonight I'm getting my pound of flesh.
-[Barrett] Oh, God. -[Tessitore] Oh!
Priest is breaking through security.
-[Barrett] Gonna break something else… -[Tessitore] Right back on the attack!
[Barrett] …right now in terms of McIntyre's body if he can.
[Tessitore] Oh, this is outrageous here in Savannah, Georgia.
[Barrett] Yeah, we've got referees and officials clearing out here too.
We may need even more than that. Two massive human beings, highly enraged.
This Steel Cage Match tomorrow cannot come soon enough.
[crowd chants] Let them fight! Let them fight!
[chattering]
Yo, Jacob, what's up, man? Let me talk to you real quick.
Hey, listen, big tag match tonight, okay?
JC and you on the same page as one--
Solo…
Let me talk to you real quick in private.
For what?
Anything you gotta say to me, you can say it in front of JC.
He's family.
What's on your mind?
What's on my mind?
The first thing on my mind is I don't trust you.
I don't know you. I don't like you.
And I damn sure don't like what you got going on, Solo.
You see, I didn't need y'all help at Backlash.
And at the end of the day, he ain't my blood,
and he damn sure ain't my family.
Okay. All right, hold on. Calm down.
Hey, listen, hey, that aggression right there?
That's what I'm talking about. That aggression, listen,
we need to take that, transfer it out there tonight
in the match against Rey Fénix and Big Brother Jimmy Uso.
Hmm? Speaking of Jim,
I know he's upset that Roman left, okay?
He's looking all sad, but you know who never left?
This guy.
Me, and I never will,
and I want Jimmy to come back,
but the only way we can do that is if you two work together as a family
and as one.
-Yadada-- -Nah, stop.
That's not it.
Plus, man, you're saying it wrong.
But I'll see you two out there tonight.
Yadadamean?
[crowd cheers]
Was I saying it wrong?
Did I say it--
I knew I said it wrong.
♪ Pledge your allegiance To Chelsea Green… ♪
[Barrett] Well, you and I have something in common with Solo Sikoa
'cause we can't say it correctly either, Joe.
[Tessitore] But it is fun to give it a try, isn't it?
-[Barrett chuckles] -["Hot Mess" playing]
♪ Yeah Hey, hey ♪
♪ I'm a hot mess… ♪
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied by Chelsea Green,
the team of Piper Niven and Alba Fyre,
The Secret Hervice!
[Tessitore] The very capable tag team of Alba Fyre and Piper Niven.
The Secret Hervice.
♪ But you can play If you wanna… ♪
[Tessitore] Going up against Michin and B-Fab.
This should be a really good one.
It's coming up next on Friday Night SmackDown.
A sellout here in Savannah.
♪ I'm pretty but powerful ♪
♪ They wanna know how it go… ♪
And that's why it's important to have friends, because when you don't,
there's no one there to lift you up when everything falls apart.
What'd you say?
I wasn't talking to you.
See ya at Money in the Bank.
Oh. Sorry.
-[Barrett] Ooh, that's gotta sting, huh? -[Tessitore] It was Giulia
who defeated Vega and Charlotte Flair in our qualifier earlier.
Secret Hervice is ready for action here.
Sold out Enmarket Arena here in Savannah, Georgia.
["I Am" plays]
♪ I am, I am, I am the one Ain't hard to see ♪
♪ Hard to see You know, you know ♪
♪ That she's that Beauty and that beast ♪
♪ I'm that beast ♪
♪ There is, there is no surrender No retreat ♪
♪ No retreat… ♪
[music fades out]
♪ I be fabulous ♪
["Count It Out" plays]
♪ I rise And they could never stop me ♪
♪ I be off the hinges They could never ever knock me ♪
♪ Try and copy That's all that they be doing ♪
♪ Hater blocking My shades… ♪
[Nash] And their opponents, making their way to the ring,
the team of Michin
and B-Fab!
[Tessitore] So Michin back in action after…
I thought she put forth a great effort in last week's
Money in the Bank qualifier
and B-Fab back out here for the first time since April 11th.
That's when she teamed up with Michin the last time,
and that was that rapid fire Gauntlet Match
to determine the number contenders,
and now here they are against the Secret Hervice.
Of course, the Secret Hervice, Wade, very capable, unique team of the strengths
of Alba Fyre and Piper Niven.
It's a pairing that came to be, surprisingly, when it was at the height
of Chelsea Green's somewhat delusion that her fame and status
-as the United States champion… -[Barrett] Delusion?
-What do you mean? -[Tessitore] Demanded…
-[Barrett] Have some respect! -[Tessitore] She demanded
this presidential-style security detail,
so that's how she came up with these two talented superstars pairing together.
[Barrett] Well, hats off to B-Fab, especially as a woman
who hasn't had too many opportunities,
but she's realized you've gotta break a few eggs to make an omelet,
and it's taken every scratch you can get right now,
but the Secret Hervice may be a step too far.
The senton by Piper.
[Barrett] Now what we have seen of B-Fab so far this year has actually been
incredibly impressive.
Great performances against top tier competitors
such as Naomi and Charlotte Flair.
[Tessitore] Driving those kicks right to the mid-section of B-Fab.
[Barrett] And it is part of the issue here,
and Chelsea Green knows it better than anybody.
There's a huge disparity in resume between B-Fab and the Secret Hervice.
The Secret Hervice both individually have been tag champs here in WWE,
albeit not as a duo.
But even prior to that they've got about 15-plus years of experience
competing in Japan, NXT--
-[Tessitore] Oh, boy. That knee. -[Barrett] …and of course, Europe.
After Piper Niven when the referee had his back turned,
was pulling on the hair and pinning the head of B-Fab
and then all of a sudden,
Alba Fyre comes in with a massive knee.
[Barrett] This is actually why Chelsea Green was smart enough
to hire these two into her regime.
The Green Team.
Right now B-Fab is fighting for dear life, scratching and clawing
for whatever she can get against the mean, moody, magnificent Piper Niven.
Yeah, what she's getting is a slam, lateral press and a two-count.
[Barrett] Completely ragdolling the body of B-Fab. Punches to the ear.
What a nasty piece of work Piper Niven is, and I love watching her perform.
This is not a nice industry. It's mean. It's nasty.
[Tessitore] This one, honestly.
[Barrett] Calls you mean and nasty.
I agree with that. Chelsea Green just nailed it.
-Joe Tess is meaner and nastier-- -[Tessitore] I need one of those…
[Barrett] …than any commentator I've ever had the misfortune of sitting with.
-Incredibly disrespectful. -[Tessitore muttering]
…trying to broadcast when she's around.
She just hovers and screams the entire time.
[Barrett] You shouldn't upset her then,
but right now B-Fab finally getting the tag.
-[Tessitore] Here comes Michin. -[Barrett] Michin, the menace.
Perfectly at home in tag matches, singles matches,
street fights, whatever.
If it moves, hit it.
[Tessitore] This is the exact surge of offense that they needed.
[Barrett] We already had one brawl in the hall earlier this evening,
but now Michin looking to make the Secret Hervice pay.
[Tessitore] She is explosive.
[Barrett] Michin is a woman with a massive resume in her own right,
although she's never won gold here in WWE.
It's only a matter of time.
[Tessitore] Michin with a real bounce in her step. That is for sure.
And Chelsea up on the apron. Oh, but look who's here.
Would you look who's here to even things up?
Zelina Vega with a big knee, right to the chin of Chelsea.
Zelina Vega, who had major problems behind the scenes
about 30 minutes ago,
and this one is completely coming off the rails.
B-Fab off the apron.
Two-count. Back in the center of the ring.
-[Barrett] Eat Defeat connects. -[Tessitore] Eat Defeat lands.
And now B-Fab looking to deliver
with that modified neckbreaker.
-[bell rings] -["Count It Out" plays]
♪ I rise And they could never stop me… ♪
[Nash] Here are your winners,
the team of Michin and B-Fab!
[Barrett] What a massive victory for B-Fab there
hitting the Fab-U-Lost Neckbreaker.
[Tessitore] I love that name for it! The Fab-U-Lost.
[Barrett] Well, that is B-Fab stepping up in a big way.
Major victory over the Secret Hervice.
Right now I'd like to welcome on in the WWE Tag Team Champions,
Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins, the Street Profits.
-Yeah. Yeah! -You see it? You see it? You see it?
Guys, guys, there's a belief out there that all the pressure
to win tonight is on you.
What?
Listen, Fraxiom's beaten you once.
If they pull it off again, you're gonna say goodbye to those Tag Team Titles.
Yo, look, fam, it's a big night for Fraxiom.
It's a big night for us.
Look, they got one up on us, and that's cool.
Props to them, but tonight it's about these.
This right here is Gucci. This right here is food on the table.
This ain't no friendly exhibition, and we gonna see under the lights
if the moment's too big for Fraxiom.
Oh! Oh, Fraxiom's on a roll.
Fraxiom's undefeated! Fraxiom's the best tag team in the world!
All lies, okay? 'Cause tonight, like you said,
we're gonna see if the moment's too big for 'em
'cause we're gonna walk out of Savannah, Georgia… Savannah, Georgia,
the same way we walked in.
Your WWE Tag Team…
Champions.
[Tessitore] Boy, things can quiet down real quickly when Fatu comes out, Wade.
["Samoan Destroyer" plays]
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied by Solo Sikoa,
the team of JC Mateo
and the United States Champion,
the Samoan Werewolf,
Jacob Fatu!
[Tessitore] And all with individual success recently.
Solo won his Money in the Bank qualifier.
Jacob defended his title at Backlash.
JC Mateo won in his debut a week ago,
now this will be his second match.
Fatu, JC against Jimmy Uso and Rey Fénix.
[Barrett] Trio of cold-hearted barbarians.
Let me just say this.
Angel, Berto, you're mi familia.
And, yes, like any other familia,
there's a lot of beautiful moments,
bonding moments.
But sometimes there's fighting. There's bickering.
I just know what we are capable of when we come together.
Another stupid pep talk.
This is not just another stupid pep talk, Berto.
This is business.
June 7th. Worlds Collide.
I got your attention now.
We will come together as the best this house has to offer
against the best they have to offer.
We have shown who we are, where we come from,
and what we're about across the globe.
[speaks Spanish]
[in English] And this…
This is an opportunity, unique, to stand victorious.
And this time in front…
of our people, and you know what?
I'll drink to that.
[Escobar sighs]
Trust me.
See the vision.
You want me to go for him?
Let him go.
Okay.
Soon he'll understand.
[both speak Spanish]
[Barrett] It's official.
Two weeks from tomorrow, a battle for supremacy
in the world of Lucha Libre
as the trio of Legado Del Fantasma
take on AAA's Psycho Clown, Pagano and El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.
Only at Worlds Collide.
Okay! Okay!
Hey, listen, uce.
Last week, it was me versus you, all right?
But tonight, it's me and you… [speaks Spanish]
-[in English] What you say? -Tonight, tonight…
-Best time ever. Ever! -Okay, let's go!
-We gonna do it. -Let's go!
Let's show these beautiful people in Georgia who we are.
[chuckles] I'm with it, uce.
[both speak Spanish]
Ánimo!
-["Born A King" plays] -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] From a Money in the Bank qualifier opposite each other
to the enthusiasm to team together now.
[Nash] And their opponents,
first, from San Francisco, California,
weighing in at 251 pounds,
Jimmy Uso!
[Tessitore] Now he's already familiar a bit with JC Mateo as part of Solo's plans
with what happened last week.
["Ánimo" plays]
[Nash] And his tag team partner,
from a Ecatepec, México,
weighing in at 182 pounds,
Rey Fénix!
[Tessitore] Wade, let's go back to last week
with that Money in the Bank qualifier that we have been citing.
[Barrett] Yeah, you mentioned these two opponents alongside Solo Sikoa too
with Jimmy closing in on victory.
Jacob Fatu acting a little interference, leaving Solo to take control.
Rey Fénix having other ideas, but once again more interference
allowed Solo Sikoa to Spike Rey Fénix.
Grabbed the victory and with it
a spot in the Money in the Bank Ladder Match two weeks from tomorrow.
[Tessitore] So now that unique pairing of Rey Fénix and Jimmy Uso
-against JC Mateo and Jacob Fatu. -[bell rings]
[Tessitore] And you got to give credit to Rey Fénix.
We've said this before, but really…
And you consider what he's in with tonight.
Now, the challenges he's always willing to take on since his arrival.
He's gotten the best of Legado Del Fantasma,
he took the 24-hour short notice WrestleMania assignment, did Rey Fénix,
and now in the mix here of, really, what could be some tense family business.
This is exactly what I'm talking about.
I mean, this is some family business right here.
[Barrett] Brothers Solo and Jimmy.
Solo made it clear earlier that he's fleshing out his new army,
of which JC Mateo is the most recent addition.
Clearly wants to get Jimmy Uso back in the fold.
Now this is the also fascinating bit, these two, they're not on the same page.
They're not even in the same library,
yet somehow they've got a tag together to take on Jimmy and Rey Fénix.
How the hell is that gonna work?
[Tessitore] Look at those stares at each other,
as JC Mateo tagged himself in.
[Barrett] Jacob Fatu said, "I don't like you, I don't trust you."
[Tessitore] "I don't know you."
[Barrett] "And you ain't family."
Well, somehow they've got to figure things out quickly.
It will be the ultimate man-management job if Solo Sikoa can somehow make this work.
[Tessitore] And look at what Fatu does right back,
he blind tags himself right in.
[Barrett] Well that look from Jacob Fatu would turn most men to stone,
but JC Mateo did not flinch.
[Tessitore] And now here comes Rey Fénix.
[Barrett] Superior movement from these two
against a duo who clearly don't want to be anywhere near one another.
[Tessitore] How about the assist with the hurricanrana from Big Jim?
[Barrett] Well, Big Jim is clearly a tag team specialist.
He can pick up and go with pretty much anyone on the roster.
Rey Fénix, no exception.
[Tessitore] They're lined up.
And now a chance to mow them down.
And a helping hand.
-[Barrett] What the hell was that? -[Tessitore] Oh, man. Oh, man!
[Barrett] It was a corkscrew plunger.
[Tessitore] Corkscrewing off the top rope, springboard!
The athleticism of Rey Fénix.
[Tessitore] Been a spectacular night in front of a sold-out crowd
here at the Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia.
Alongside Wade Barrett, I'm Joe Tessitore.
We are in the midst of intriguing tag team matchup.
Jimmy Uso trying to fight back right now.
He's teamed with Rey Fénix against Jacob Fatu
and the newest addition to SmackDown, the big powerhouse, JC Mateo,
who though has dynamic explosive qualities for a man with his body type.
Now during the break, let's show you what happened, Wade.
[Barrett] Yeah, once again, just sheer dominance from Jacob Fatu,
but Jimmy Uso fighting with everything he's got,
but this brief cohesion between Fatu and Mateo…
And watch this, as soon as that connected,
immediately sitting up and staring down Jacob Fatu was JC Mateo.
[Tessitore] And now Fatu with the hip attack.
[Barrett] Just put ego to one side for a second.
If you are Fatu, if you are JC Mateo, you must be impressed
by what you're seeing from your tag partner.
At least accept that.
You might not like the guy, you might not trust him, but you know he's damn good.
[Tessitore] Well, that was expressed early on by Jacob Fatu today,
when he turned to JC Mateo and said, "I don't know you. I don't trust you".
And early on that showed up in this tag team match
when they were blind tagging each other.
And then Solo Sikoa put his efforts to this.
Join me. Let's take over. Let's take over!
-[Barrett] The pitch continues. -[Tessitore] It does.
[Barrett] It's being rebuffed.
[Tessitore] Little brother to big brother,
saying, "Jimmy, you can come home if you want. This is family."
[Barrett] Jimmy's stuck between a rock and a hard place right now,
either accept Solo's offer or receive this.
[Tessitore] Oh, just the brutal hip attack.
And I swear, it's almost as if the ring moves six inches
every time he blasts into the corner.
[Barrett] Well, if the ring did move,
it was because Jimmy Uso's head hit the turnbuckle so hard it shifted it.
[Tessitore] Big Jim is desperate to make his way over to Rey Fénix.
[Barrett] This human battering ram.
JC Mateo showing every reason why Solo Sikoa
has unilaterally brought him into the fold here.
[Tessitore] And now the thick, powerful former Olympian, JC Mateo,
putting Jimmy Uso into that compromised position.
And Jimmy trying to stabilize himself and fight back.
[Barrett] He is completely desperate at this point,
but the übertalented Big Jim, he ain't gonna give up easily,
we've seen it time and time again from this man over the years.
[Tessitore] Can he break free?
Oh, he's putting together the offense though.
[Barrett] Boom, Uso in the wind,
and a little bit of daylight,
and there is a fresh man on the apron, in the form of Rey Fénix,
who feels the tides shifting, but needs the tag.
[Tessitore] A long time since Rey Fénix.
Can he get it? Yes!
Here comes Rey Fénix!
Right to the center of the ring against the Samoan Werewolf.
[Barrett] Absolute blistering start to the career of Rey Fénix,
but what a massive win it would be
to put away the United States Champ, Jacob Fatu here.
[Tessitore] The lightning fast, rapid-fire kick attack.
Fénix goes Adios Amigos,
and then brings it right to him with the hurricanrana,
and then baseball slides, before Fatu able to find him.
But, oh, the body control of Rey Fénix!
Poisonrana!
Lateral press. Hooks the leg.
[Barrett chuckles]
Oh, I could watch this guy move all night. Rey Fénix truly is something special.
But with that being said,
so is his opponent in the ring with him, Jacob Fatu.
[Tessitore] The speed, the skill, the explosive ways,
and the varied offense of Rey Fénix.
[Barrett] Carving out a path to greatness, week by week is Rey Fénix.
-[Barrett] Oh. -[Tessitore] Pop-up Samoan!
And just like that, Wade.
[Barrett] Rey Fénix is about to get dog walked.
That's just how dangerous this cold-hearted barbarian truly is.
[Tessitore] Jacob Fatu.
Fénix gets out of the way.
And the tag, and here comes JC Mateo.
[Barrett] Absolute earth mover of a human being.
So easy for him to throw Fénix around…
-[Tessitore] Fénix on his feet! -…but Fénix is so nimble.
[Barrett] Well, Big Jim's tagged in here.
[Tessitore] And delivers the kick.
And now up top.
Crossbody!
Oh, and Fatu breaks it up!
[Barrett] Thank goodness for teamwork, huh, Mateo?
-[crowd chants] This is awesome! -[Tessitore] Crowd is loving it.
Missile drop-kick sends Fatu out.
[Barrett] Oh, God, top-speed hit.
[Tessitore] Oh, but Fatu catches him.
Fatu catches him,
and sends him flying over our desk.
[Barrett] Oh, that was a horrible landing for Rey Fenix, who's down.
And now it's one-on-one, make that two-on-one.
Make that one-on-one.
[Tessitore] Spear!
Big Jim's got a big chance right now.
[Barrett] Big Jim going up top, doing what he does best, wait up.
[Tessitore] Solo Sikoa.
In the midst of Big Jim being in control.
And now Jacob Fatu…
He's going it. Rejects the offer.
-Mateo gets out of the way. -[Barrett] And will be that hesitation.
-[Barrett] Oh, here we go. -[Tessitore] Oh!
Tour of the Islands!
-[bell rings] -["Samoan Destroyer" plays]
[Nash] Here are your winners,
the team of Jacob Fatu
and JC Mateo!
[Barrett] Well, Big Jim had this matchup won,
it was the intervention of Solo Sikoa, that distraction,
that allowed JC Mateo to his feet,
and that Tour of the Islands maneuver is truly devastating.
[Tessitore] We've seen it in back-to-back weeks.
Solo had to work hard to get those two on the same page.
But in the end, just when Big Jim thought he had it in position…
it was JC Mateo,
and the Tour of the Islands finishing things off.
[Barrett] Brief truce between these two.
Success.
Very surprisingly, despite their differences,
JC Mateo and Jacob Fatu able to coexist--
Nah-nah!
[crowd cheers]
You gotta eighty-six that trash,
'cause we're standing in my locker room right now,
so let me talk to you.
[crowd] Yeah!
You want to talk about anything with those cross-eyed half wits,
let's talk about Solo Sikoa being in Money in the Bank.
Let's talk about the fact that he's got himself a first-class front row seat
to watching me monkey rip that case down off that ladder.
And what that means is if you think about it, the odds are against me.
It's one in six chances.
The odds are against everybody, but the odds have been against me
from the day I set foot in here,
and still I stand here, the man they call The Megastar.
-Yeah! -[crowd] Yeah!
But then I think about it,
and, you know, I'm gonna return to the city
that helped make me, Los Ang!
I'm gonna walk in the Money in the Bank,
and what I'm gonna do, is I'm gonna show up,
and I'm gonna show out, but before I get there I gotta walk through the darkness.
So what do I mean by that?
What I mean by that is tonight, in a little bit,
the lights are gonna turn out and out is gonna walk Aleister Black.
Then the lights are going to turn out a little bit later,
and out it's gonna walk Shinsuke Nakamura.
And through all that, the man who's gonna walk out and shine
a little light on a couple of guys who are living spooky season year round.
No, no, it's championship season
and what that means is this man has to go through two of you
on the job all day, every day, dropping BFTs on everybody,
which means one of you catching three the hard way,
as I hit it and quit it, moving on to Money in the Bank.
But with or without the case,
you've got to understand 24-hours a day, seven days a week,
I'm walking, talking, living, breathing, Money in the Bank with everybody saying…
-[crowd] LA Knight, yeah! -Yeah!
[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Well, Knight determined to take the next step.
And coming up next, we will hear from R-Truth,
ahead of the big match against John Cena at Saturday Night's Main Event.
R-Truth is coming up.
There are always the doubters when you get new arrivals.
But on the biggest stage, boy, Fraxiom,
look at what they have done in recent weeks.
And tonight, they get the golden opportunity,
WWE Tag Team Championship match.
The Street Profits against Fraxiom.
That is coming up a little later tonight for the gold.
["What's Up" plays]
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome R-Truth!
[Tessitore] The ageless R-Truth,
who has spent years referring to John Cena as his childhood hero.
You know what happened at Backlash when Truth stopped Randy
from punt kicking Cena, and then the post-show press conference
when Cena hit him with the Attitude Adjustment through a table,
and now R-Truth, the night before he faces John Cena
at Saturday Night's Main Event.
[crowd cheers]
Savannah, Georgia, make some noise!
[crowd cheers]
-What's up! -[crowd] What's up!
I'm gonna tell you what's up.
Everybody keep asking me,
how you gonna handle fighting your childhood hero, John Cena, tomorrow night?
But they don't get it.
I'm not fighting my childhood hero, John Cena, tomorrow night.
The man that I see now, the man that attacked me…
I don't recognize him.
But I've been thinking about my childhood hero, John Cena.
I couldn't figure out where it went wrong
or how I could have prevented this.
-Then I realized the problem. -[crowd] What?
-I said I realized the problem! -[crowd] What?
Power.
[crowd] What?
It's always power.
[crowd] What?
He used to call me his friend, his brother…
[crowd] What?
…but the more power and fame he got…
[crowd] What?
…the more disconnected he felt.
[crowd] What?
The text messages, less,
the replies slower, the phone calls stopped.
I felt like he was always annoyed with me,
because no matter what I did, it was wrong.
I blamed me.
Then I thought I did something to upset him,
or I was getting on his nerves,
but then I started talking to others
and they said and felt the same way I did.
John Cena isolated himself with power.
He was like that goblin fella on Lord of the Rings.
He became corrupted with all the power he gave himself.
That's you, John Cena. That's you!
Staring at your championship. Calling it your precious.
It's not the championship. It's your ego, dawg.
[crowd cheers]
You stop having fun,
and now you get mad when somebody else wanna have fun or have a good time.
I don't like who you've become, John.
I don't believe you're happy.
He's not happy.
You are the greatest of all time.
He the greatest of all times, y'all.
I don't know if I can bring you back, but I'm gonna try.
You're not gonna take my joy away from me, John Cena!
[crowd cheers]
You wanna ruin wrestling?
So if I wanna save wrestling, I gotta save you.
Now, I don't wanna have to put my hands on you…
but if I have to,
I will beat the ever living hustle, loyalty, respect right back in your ass!
[crowd cheers]
I'm gonna leave y'all with this.
I miss my hero. I can't deny it.
So Saturday, we say it again,
if Cena wins, we riot!
-What's up! -[crowd] What's up!
[Tessitore] Well, it's gonna be on tomorrow night in Tampa.
Gonna be fascinating to see Truth and Cena tomorrow,
but, Wade, there's a ton of intrigue also surrounding everything that has happened
with the newly-formed alliance, Seth Rollins, Bron Breakker, Paul Heyman,
and this week on Raw, it took another turn.
Yeah, shocking moments on Raw. Let's take you back there.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins and Bron Breakker, the power duo,
they do a number on Jey Uso, until old friend Sami Zayn arrives.
Sami Zayn had some backup in the form of CM Punk.
Pandemonium breaking out in the arena,
as these four gave us a little taste of their upcoming tag match
at Saturday Night's Main Event tomorrow,
the action going all over the arena,
as Punk and Zayn made a huge statement of intent.
[Tessitore] First time that Seth and Breakker have teamed up
since the shocking Raw after Mania.
First time Punk and Sami have been teammates since War Games.
Saturday Night's Main Event, live from Tampa.
["Root of All Evil" plays]
♪ No man is ever truly good No man is every truly evil ♪
♪ I do the things you never could ♪
♪ And we won't ever be equal ♪
[Tessitore] Aleister Black, has been impressive since returning.
Now a major opportunity to take a huge step forward.
Men's Money in the Bank qualifying triple threat.
LA Knight, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Aleister Black, next.
[Naomi] Undervalued, underappreciated, underestimated.
The old Naomi allowed herself to be taken advantage of.
I'm done with thanking people for the scraps they gave me.
Naomi took everything away from me.
She took my friendships, my title, and my health.
But not just that, she took my opportunity at the WWE Women's Championship.
[Jax] I only have one thing on my mind and it's the title,
and if anyone gets in my way, I show them no mercy.
Naomi and Jade Cargill got in my way.
I don't care about petty drama, but when somebody ruins my chances
at my championship, I'm gonna ruin their chances.
[Cargill] I refuse to let anyone take one more thing away from me,
and I'll be damned if it's Money in the Bank.
[Jax] Naomi might have been on my team before, but I don't trust her,
and I trust myself to win.
[Naomi] I'm taking my revenge.
I'm taking back all the times I allowed Nia Jax and Jade Cargill
to get the better of me.
Next week, Nia and Naomi, you better watch your back,
because the storm is coming.
I don't care who it is.
I'm going to annihilate everyone in my path until I get what I want.
I'm taking my victory and I'm taking that contract at Money…
In the…
Bank.
[Tessitore] That is next week, and it is going to be explosive.
I mean, just to think those three in the ring together,
let alone the stakes of it being Money in the Bank qualifier,
Jade with her fiercest rival Naomi and Nia Jax.
That's next week on SmackDown.
["Sinister Samurai" plays]
[Tessitore] Shinsuke Nakamura.
Very direct in setting his targets recently.
Two men specifically in direct line.
His constant pursuit of LA Knight, that hasn't faded
since Knight took the US Championship back in March.
And now Money in the Bank qualifier with Aleister Black in the mix as well.
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is a Money in the Bank
qualifier triple-threat match,
and is scheduled for one fall.
In the ring from Kyoto, Japan, weighing 220 pounds,
Shinsuke Nakamura!
["Welcome To LA" plays]
[crowd cheers]
[Nash] And their opponent making his way to the ring
from Los Angeles, California,
weighing in at 240 pounds,
-LA Knight! -[crowd] Yeah!
[Tessitore] Wade, he never stops.
LA Knight gave and took so much at Backlash,
jumped right back in last week with the powerful and explosive JC Mateo,
and now the high stakes of a Money in the Bank qualifying match.
[Barrett] Yeah, one of the biggest workloads of any superstar…
-[crowd] Yeah! -Yeah!
…over the past 12 months,
fatigue has to kick into the body at some point.
None of us are impervious to that,
and the two matches you just mentioned,
the Backlash match for the US title,
-and the match against JC Mateo. -[bell rings]
Well, guess what? LA Knight lost both of them.
Although he will never admit it,
I think signs of fatigue are starting to show at least in the results.
[Tessitore] Interesting to get your observation on that.
[Barrett] Immediately taking your eye off the ball
and getting jumped by Shinsuke Nakamura,
you cannot do that.
Look, I'll sing the praises of LA Knight all day long.
The man needs a vacation in my opinion.
[Tessitore] All three men taking aim right away.
You mentioned LA Knight,
this is already his 23rd match of this calendar year.
23 matches to this point.
That's the most in WWE.
[Barrett] It doesn't take much to fire LA Knight up,
especially with his perennial rival Shinsuke Nakamura, of course.
Trading the US title back and forth a couple of times over the past 12 months.
Now neither in possession,
which is why the briefcase hanging above this ring is all the more valuable.
[Tessitore] And now LA Knight and Aleister Black
are gonna get to know each other.
[crowd chanting] We want tables!
[Barrett] Pretty much been the Aleister Black versus
Miz or Carmelo Hayes show
for the past few weeks since Black's arrival,
now getting to test his mettle against a very different kind of superstar.
[Tessitore] And that is what he does best, the striking ability.
Oh, but the jumping neckbreaker by LA Knight!
[crowd chanting] Yeah, yeah, yeah!
The Megastar… Oh, he got tripped up by Shinsuke.
[Barrett] Yeah, easy to get ahead of yourself in a triple-threat match,
taking your eye off the one man who is out of the line of sight,
hiding in the shadows, waiting to pounce, the poison-minded Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Tessitore] Now, this week I've talked to you about some of the matches.
I wanted to get your opinion, and I said to you just the other day,
I find this stylistically, this matchup
in the midst of this Money in the Bank qualifying triple-threat match,
to really pique my interest, because of the striking ability.
The martial arts ability of both men.
And look it, they meet each other just like that,
kick for kick.
[Barrett] Yeah, "My Muay Thai is better than your Muay Thai,"
that is the opinion, and not only that, both are masters of psychological warfare,
you're right, they are eerily similar.
[Tessitore] Able to counter that right hand and come back in,
and then the pump knee from Aleister Black.
[Barrett] I gotta say Aleister Black is really the man of the two
with the momentum,
he's the relative newcomer to the SmackDown scene,
at least on his second coming here,
and it's showing in the early goings.
[Tessitore] Oh, and all of a sudden with cat-like quickness.
[Barrett] The Megaplex!
[Tessitore] LA Knight right back to business.
-[Barrett] Oh. -Oh, Shinsuke off that second rope.
That jumping knee.
And Nakamura in control.
[Tessitore] That is what is on the line,
the opportunity to go for the Money in the Bank briefcase.
The ladder matches will be coming your way
as we are in the midst of this men's qualifier.
Triple threat action with LA Knight,
Aleister Black, who kicks up, and Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Barrett] Yeah, with Shinsuke Nakamura focusing on LA Knight
for large parts here,
it's really been Aleister Black's opening.
[Tessitore] Off the springboard into the cover!
And coming in and staying alive is LA Knight.
[Barrett] Black truly is that otherworldly presence.
He calls himself the consequences this roster needs.
Well, those consequences are gonna be severe.
[Tessitore] Oh, he went for BFT.
-[Barrett] Oh! -[Tessitore] Went for Black Mass!
Every which way they're looking for it,
and then it's The Megastar who delivers!
Slamming down, hooks the leg to advance,
but pulling him right off of the cover was Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Barrett] The wrinkle in the arsenal of LA Knight there,
perhaps would have garnered victory.
[Tessitore] Oh, right into the steel steps.
[Barrett] Yeah, point of the steel steps,
right into that solar plexus of The Megastar,
and now has to be the time to put this one to bed.
You've got one man down and out, one man in the ring, at your mercy.
This is not the time for taunts,
this is the time for the heaviest of heavy artillery.
[Tessitore] He's just playing around now with Aleister Black is Shinsuke Nakamura,
and disrespecting and slapping the face,
and Black is gonna stand toe-to-toe with him.
The two strikers center of the ring.
[Barrett] Oh, you hear that connection?
How the hell
-is Aleister Black still standing? -[Tessitore] Spinning elbow!
[Tessitore] Head butt.
Back and forth they go.
Nakamura came running in, Black able to meet him, gets that knee up.
[Barrett] Just indefensible moves.
[Tessitore] You are seeing such skill between these two.
Oh, but Knight is back.
[Barrett] Knight looking to pounce on the hard work
of Shinsuke Nakamura there,
who has got Aleister Black completely rattled.
[Tessitore] That's exactly what he looks to do.
[Barrett] You have to do it in this kind of matchup,
but don't write Aleister Black off that easy. Wow!
[Tessitore] What a knee from Aleister Black.
[Barrett] Tiger knee to the point of the jaw,
crumbling The Megastar.
[Tessitore] And now the moonsault out onto the floor.
[Barrett] That was a nasty landing, perhaps just about catching Nakamura.
The Megastar got out of the way just in time.
Absorbing most of the impact on the knees was Aleister Black.
But wake up.
[Tessitore] Here he comes!
And this time gets the best of LA Knight,
but you can see him reaching for that left leg.
[Barrett] Yeah, it's a kamikaze style of attack.
First one did not connect great.
This second one did connect,
however, still an ugly landing for Aleister Black,
who's grabbing that left hamstring.
And is now struggling to get up to a vertical pace,
but with the briefcase on the line,
or at least qualification for the Money in the Bank ladder match,
fight through the pain barrier.
[Tessitore] Solo Sikoa qualified last week.
Who will join him in LA?
Megastar gets out of the way.
And now LA Knight in prime position.
-[Barrett] What do the people want? Yeah! -[crowd] LA Knight, yeah!
[Tessitore] Delivering the elbow.
Oh, but here comes Nakamura!
[Barrett] And LA Knight might be out cold here.
[Tessitore] Hooks the leg.
And grabs the rope at 2.9.
[Barrett] Now a rope break will not break a submission,
but in this kind of matchup, it certainly will break a pin.
Smart move by The Megastar, LA Knight.
[Tessitore] And now Nakamura, is he thinking about Kinshasa here?
Is he lining up Kinshasa here?
[Barrett] Caught just in the nick of time by Aleister Black,
incredible reaction speed,
but it might be for naught.
[Tessitore] He sends him right into that post.
What a thud on that right shoulder,
as Nakamura trying to complete the task at hand.
[Barrett] And Nakamura smells victory.
-[Tessitore] But instead, Black Mass! -[Barrett] Whoa!
[Tessitore] Black Mass by Black.
Oh, and LA Knight's gonna clean it up.
-[bell rings] -["Welcome To LA" plays]
[Nash] Here is your winner, LA Knight!
[crowd] Yeah!
[Barrett] Simply outmaneuvering the competition here,
and with Money in the Bank taking place in the city of LA,
who better than The Megastar to make some headlines
in his adopted hometown.
Nakamura going in for the kill.
Caught with a Black Mass.
But lying in wait to reap the benefits was LA Knight,
who has just punched his ticket two weeks from tomorrow,
he joins Solo Sikoa as the field starts to fill up.
[Tessitore] Just like he said he would.
Hey, man, I told you.
Man, it feels good to watch Aleister drop the ball. Come on.
You know what would have been even better than that?
If you were to listened to me and actually beat Aleister last week.
How many times do I have to take Black Mass
in order for you to listen to me?
Okay, Miz, I get it, man. My bad.
All right, look, I got good news.
Next week I'm in a qualifying match for Money in the Bank.
-I did that. -No, I did that.
Nick Aldis gave me the option to choose between you and me
to be in next week's qualifier for the Money in the Bank.
Now, as much as I think that I can win Money in the Bank
and successfully cash in once again, I chose you.
It is your time to shine,
but I hope you understand how important Money in the Bank truly is.
-Yeah. -It is the gateway to superstardom.
It took me to the WWE championship,
all the way to the main event of WrestleMania.
I'm not sure I would be exactly where I am if it wasn't for that contract.
I'm not sure if I would have been a two-time WWE champion.
That's how much I believe in your ability.
-And that's why I'm gonna win this match. -Exactly!
And who is gonna make sure that you walk out of Money in the Bank
with the 'dre around your neck and the briefcase in your hands?
-I am. -Yeah.
Who's gonna make sure that you are Mr. Money in the Bank?
I am.
And who is going to listen and execute the play exactly like I design it?
I am.
Exactly, because we are Melo Don't Miz,
and we are…
Awes… Him!
-[grunts] Let's go. -Come on.
[chuckles] I got this thing, man. Let's go.
[Tessitore] Miz is fired up.
Hey, still to come tonight, World Tag-Team Championship match.
Street Profits have wowed since winning back gold.
They had the thrilling conquest in Spain,
the TLC match that nobody's ever gonna forget.
And now the Street Profits, can they slow down Fraxiom?
That is coming up in moments. WWE Tag Team Championship match.
Plus, the world is ready to yeet.
Jey Uso will defend the World Heavyweight Championship
against Logan Paul.
The unique path we've traveled, to arrive at that,
we will get into it next.
[Tessitore] Glad you're with us from here in Savannah,
where the famous bench scenes from Forrest Gump were filmed,
and SmackDown is often like a box of chocolates.
You never know what you're gonna get.
Beautiful evening here in low country.
Sign of the night with this sellout crowd here at Enmarket Arena, Wade.
[Barrett] And it is red hot in Savannah and so is their sign game.
It is indeed Tiffy time, but it was Giulia's night earlier,
she has qualified for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match,
as did LA Knight.
Well, Randy Orton will be lying in wait for someone.
We all hear voices in our heads.
But congratulations, birthday number four.
[Cole] Main Event Jey Uso
has the WWE fans on their feet.
[McAfee] Every city yeeting with Jey Uso.
[commentator] I've never felt anything like this,
like the walls are moving.
This is nuts.
It's your time to create your own legacy, Uce.
Jey Uso wins the damn title!
[Jey] The World heavyweight champion is here in your city!
You people are so stupid.
You don't know greatness when it's standing right in front of you.
Man, I've done just about everything there is to do here in this industry,
except win a world title.
So, Jey Uso, you have something that I want!
[Jey] We gonna silence this noise.
Because he think after 15 years,
that I'm gonna just hand this over to some punk-ass YouTuber like Logan Paul.
Stop!
That title, I'm gonna take it from you.
So, Jey, enjoy it while you still can--
[Cole] Yeet! Super kick to Paul!
Jey, you are not fit to be a champion.
Logan Paul will be your new World Heavyweight Champion.
The World Champion with a superkick to Logan Paul!
Jey Uso defends his World Heavyweight Championship
against Logan Paul.
Will Jey Uso continue to get it done?
Four letters, one word!
[screams]
[crowd] Yeet!
[Tessitore] Yeah, and those yeets are gonna be roaring in Tampa.
Packed house.
The second defense of Jey's title.
Logan Paul, his first attempt to win the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Barrett] Get this, Joe, thing's just got even bigger,
-'cause just announced… -[Tessitore] Wow!
…after weeks of antagonism,
Zelina Vega defends her US title against the woman she dethroned,
Chelsea Green tomorrow night.
[Tessitore] And a month removed from Paul Heyman's betrayal of CM Punk.
Now, Punk teams with Sami Zayn.
They face off against Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker,
a dynamic tag team matchup on Saturday Night's Main Event.
[Barrett] As ugly and as violent as you like, gentlemen.
Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre get exactly what they wanted.
No limits inside a steel cage. Careful what you wish for.
[Tessitore] Plus, earlier tonight we heard from R-Truth,
and you know, yes, nontitle match,
but it carries a lot of meaning.
R-Truth out for respect.
The Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena against R-Truth.
That's exactly happens when we stick to the game plan
and we run whatever I draw up on the board, baby.
This is exactly how we're supposed to do it, all right?
Gentlemen, Jacob, JC, congratulations on your victory tonight.
I have some exciting news to share with you.
Next week on SmackDown is the final triple-threat qualifier
for the men's Money in the Bank.
And, Jacob, you're in. Good luck.
He's in. He's… He's in, man.
Hey, man, congratulations, man. We're both gonna be in it.
That means we're both gonna win because it's in the bag, man.
Hey, man, that's easy.
That's… [chuckles] …yeah.
I love you, Solo.
He ain't said that in like six months.
-You good with this? -I love you…
I'm good. We're gonna be all right.
We're gonna be all right. We're gonna take over.
[Tessitore] Wow, what Nick Aldis just did right there.
Jacob is in for qualifying next week.
But what we've got coming up next,
the WWE Tag Team Championship match.
Street Profits, Fraxiom, next.
[Tessitore] Been a great night of action from here in Savannah,
where Giulia, on her SmackDown debut has qualified for Money in the Bank.
[Barrett] Yeah, incredible performance from her,
shocking the world, taking out one champ and a 14-time world champ.
Congrats, Giulia.
[Tessitore] LA Knight, also, moments ago coming up with a victory
that will have him in LA on June 7th,
as he advances to Money in the Bank.
I read a quote the other day that said,
"the only consistent thing in life is change,"
and that really stuck with me,
because I know I try to smile through everything
but if I'm being transparent right now.
These past six months have been the most uncomfortable, difficult,
challenging, frustrating times of my career,
losing championships, losing friendships,
losing my first match at Mania, on top of that getting injured,
like it's been rough.
♪ I used to think that I was so strong ♪
♪ That I was just fine on my own ♪
And I'm not gonna lie,
sometimes I just wanna give up and just say, "Forget all of it,"
but what kind of example would I be for myself…
♪ I just know I have to change ♪
…if I let that define me?
♪ Only got myself to blame ♪
So yeah, I'm going through it.
But I'ma get through it.
I've been hit from every direction, but I'm still standing.
I'm healing here, and I'm healing here, and I'm gonna heal stronger and wiser,
so here's to a new beginning.
I've been through so many changes, and I still came out the person that I am today
so to rephrase that quote from earlier,
"The only consistent thing in life is change in me."
So I promise you this, my best is yet to come.
[Tessitore] The former Vols star's headed home.
We're up on Rocky Top as they like to sing,
next week in Knoxville, Tennessee.
We're thrilled to announce that the EST has an ETA.
Next Friday night.
Bianca Belair returns to SmackDown next week
on Rocky Top, Knoxville, Tennessee.
And the news that just came in. What an incredible triple threat.
Andrade, Carmelo Hayes and Jacob Fatu got word,
men's Money in the Bank, triple threat qualifier.
[Barrett] Can't wait for that one.
Get this, a three-way personal rivalry with massive stakes.
Money in the Bank qualifier, as Jade Cargill, Naomi and Nia Jax
compete to book their ticket to LA.
Oh, and by the way, the champ will be here next week
with a Saturday Night's Main Event fallout.
Plus, whatever his next move may be,
we will hear from John Cena, live on SmackDown
in Knoxville, Tennessee next week.
[Tessitore] Of course, tomorrow he's on Saturday Night's Main Event.
[theme music plays]
♪ Smashing them Cracking them ♪
♪ Body count tall We stacking them ♪
♪ Racking them to the maximum ♪
♪ Say it out loud We Fraxiom! ♪
♪ Smashing them ♪
♪ Streets of rage Is where we're from… ♪
[Tessitore] Well, you can't start hotter than Fraxiom's arrival to SmackDown.
They've topped Los Garza, Pretty Deadly, DIY,
most significantly, a nontitle match,
against a banged-up version of the Street Profits.
We'll get into that in a little bit,
but it has earned them this title shot, Wade.
[Barrett] Yeah, I'll take nothing away from Fraxiom,
but for me you should scratch that victory over the champs two weeks ago
from the record books.
I have no idea what GM Nick Aldis was doing even making that match.
You beat the Street Profits when they were nowhere near one-hundred percent,
then you didn't really beat the Street Profits.
That's my view on things.
But regardless, Fraxiom have managed to engineer themselves a massive opportunity
and now's the time to make it count.
["We Want Smoke" plays]
♪ Meet us here Right in the middle ♪
♪ We comin And poppin it off ♪
♪ Tonight is the night we deliver ♪
♪ And no we not takin no losses… ♪
[Tessitore] The champs are here.
Last month they had one of the most thrilling and taxing title defenses
that either of us has seen.
It was an all-time classic for the Street Profits,
as you see their golden resume.
That tables, ladders and chairs match to defend,
and now comes this against Fraxiom.
[Barrett] Yeah, some people have called that TLC match
the greatest non-PLE match in history.
I'll tell you four guys who will not view it that way,
that's the four guys, DIY and Motor City Machine Guns,
who were not victorious in the matchup, despite doing everything right.
But the Street Profits have ridden this wave of supremacy.
Since returning at the Royal Rumble, they have taken on all comers.
They have not been stopped when at full health,
and they look to put Fraxiom's win from two weeks ago
into some perspective this evening.
[Tessitore] Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins with championships in hand.
For the official introductions for this championship match,
here's the sensational Mark Nash.
[bell rings]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and it's for…
the WWE Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first, the challenger,
with a combined weight of 365 pounds.
Fraxiom!
[crowd cheers]
And their opponents with a combined weight of 492 pounds,
they are the WWE Tag Team Champions,
Angelo Dawkins, Montez Ford,
the Street Profits!
[crowd cheers]
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett with you here in Savannah, Georgia,
the Street Profits and Fraxiom, and that is what is on the line,
the WWE Tag Team Championship match in front of us here.
And, Wade, I want to get into the conversation
that you started analyzing
-as to dismissing what was accomplished… -[bell rings]
…by Fraxiom in defeating the Street Profits
back on May 9th, when, yes, indeed,
it was a banged-up version of the Street Profits,
coming off that TLC match two weeks prior.
[Barrett] Giant asterisk, you didn't really beat the Street Profits,
and here's… Far be it from me to play the grumpy, old man,
but I'm going to do it on this one solitary occasion.
I heard what Fraxiom said in the locker room earlier,
and I guarantee you, the Street Profits heard it too,
and I'll quote you here,
"The Profits are just a step on our path to greatness."
That to me is highly annoying.
I cannot imagine what it did to the Street Profits.
It is youthful exuberance, it is overconfident speaking,
and now the Street Profits are going to these two kids a lesson
and it's going to be painful.
[Tessitore] I understand exactly where you're coming from,
as you see Nathan Frazer coming to the fray against Angelo Dawkins.
However, I think the counter analysis is, yes, you want to dismiss that win,
but for them it's not dismissed,
because it brought them that level of confidence
and it takes confidence, and sometimes ignorance is bliss,
to pull things off like this.
[Barrett] Confidence is great,
but being divorced from reality is not a good thing whatsoever,
especially when you're in there with two big, powerful,
dangerous men who are proven champions…
[Tessitore] Look at this.
…and are looking to make you pay this evening.
[Tessitore] Angelo Dawkins trying to showcase that power
as Nathan Frazer tries to break free.
Oh, man, that size differential against Dawkins, who's 6'5'' and over 260.
[Barrett] Yeah, and let's face it,
Frazer can move faster than pretty much anyone I've ever seen in a ring,
but that movement, that speed is absolutely useless
when you hit a brick wall like Angelo Dawkins.
[Tessitore] Nathan Frazer, who trains in Iowa with Seth Rollins,
Black and Brave Wrestling Academy,
but also played four years of college soccer.
As Montez Ford, look it, getting right in their face.
[Barrett] Yeah, and it's looking like boys versus men right now.
It's looking like champions versus wannabes right from the off.
The Street Profits out here to make a mockery
of Fraxiom being the number one contenders.
[Tessitore] And boy, oh, boy, I mean, to your point,
what a difference when you see the ribs healed, the elbow healed, the knee healed
after the damage that was done in that TLC match.
You get the fullest version of the Street Profits now.
[Barrett] The Street Profits couldn't even breathe without wincing.
That was before the bell even rang in that match two weeks ago.
-Montez Ford had… -What chance did they have?
…he had his ribs wrapped up.
Angelo Dawkins was dealing with the left elbow as well as a knee injury.
[Barrett] I'll tell you right now, Street Profits didn't complain about it.
They got it, they went out here, they tried their best,
it simply wasn't good enough,
but now it's a different story,
and Nathan Frazer just looks like a man who was getting shredded in there
by a bigger, more dominant competitor.
Oh, wait.
Well, I'll tell you right now, Nathan Frazer isn't gonna stop ticking
and now got the fresh man in there.
[Tessitore] And this is exactly the revving pace
we're used to seeing from Fraxiom.
[Barrett] Yeah, Dawkins looking completely confused.
Tez had to get in there, not the legal man,
and this is part of the problem.
Fraxiom get a little of momentum, it's hard to stop them.
[Tessitore] Especially when they get the dive train going,
and it is on the tracks right now.
[Barrett] Well, they're human missiles taking out the champs,
trying to turn the tide in this one, and it's working.
[Tessitore] Here goes Nathan Frazer!
[crowd cheers]
[Barrett] Really feeding off that audience energy,
that has been the Fraxiom story over the past several weeks.
[Tessitore] Top-rope moonsault, Axiom!
The dive train
full steam ahead.
[Tessitore] Here in Savannah, sellout crowd,
and it is the Street Profits's first title defense since April 25th,
that all-time classic TLC match on SmackDown after WrestleMania 41,
and now Fraxiom enters the fray, having won four straight,
and gaining the respect of the Street Profits.
[Barrett] When you're on a hot streak, you really want to make it count,
because guess what, one loss tonight in a championship match
and all the hard work of the past four weeks,
all of that success, it gets thrown out the window,
you go back to the bottom of the pile
and you've got to work your way up once again.
Good luck doing that in this division.
[Tessitore] The former two-time NXT Tag Team Champions,
who have been off to a dynamic start since coming on board on SmackDown.
[Barrett] What a great job the Profits have done of slowing these two down.
It's been a fleeting moment of Fraxiom hitting that top gear.
Clearly the Profits have done their homework.
They know exactly what the threat is, and they've known exactly how to stop it.
[Tessitore] As Tez drives that shoulder in.
That really is the key in terms of the stylistic matchup
of who will have it on their terms.
When Frazer and Axiom go full speed, we saw the effect it can have,
but when the powerhouses and the athleticism of this team is in control,
this is exactly what you're getting.
[Barrett] Well, people always ask what's the best thing you can do in a match
and all you people assume it's hit your biggest moves, it's not.
The best thing you can do is take away whatever your opponent does best,
then you tear them apart.
[Tessitore] That's exactly what they've done, right, Wade?
[Barrett] Take away the speed of Fraxiom and what are they?
How good can they be?
[Tessitore] I think you're seeing it right here.
Axiom. Oh, he lands the big boot.
-[Barrett] Oh! -[Tessitore] Oh, wow, Axiom, flying DDT.
But can he get to his feet, Wade, and get to Nathan Frazer?
[Barrett] Slow them down, they still have some tricks up their sleeve,
but get the fresher man in.
As Axiom does this leaping DDT,
catching Angelo Dawkins unawares,
now has a clear path to a tag, and he gets there.
[Tessitore] And he rolls free, and here comes Nathan Frazer.
[Barrett] Talk about that top speed, there's nothing Tez can do about it now.
[Tessitore] He just follows Tez right in there,
and look at him run the ropes.
I mean, this is blazing.
He is a blur.
[Barrett] Comes to something when you're outmaneuvering Montez Ford,
one of the greatest movers we have here, and a fired up Nathan Frazer, wow!
[Tessitore] Unbelievable when he goes like this,
the running shooting star.
And Frazer in disbelief, and you can see the effect it has had on Tez.
[Barrett] Yeah, well, that's inexperience right there from Frazer.
I'll tell you right now you cannot afford a little blink there, a little shock.
The fact that someone's kicked out of one of your moves.
Well, guess what? You're in there with champions now. That's what they do.
[Tessitore] Able to get away from Angelo Dawkins's effort to--
[Barrett] Oh, what a move. That was brilliant by Frazer,
the fake out.
-[Barrett] Oh, so good! Oh, my God. -[Tessitore] Missile drop-kick.
[Barrett] That was amazing from Frazer.
It's so rare you see someone capable of pulling a fake out like that,
tricking Montez Ford, catching him unawares,
wasn't quite good enough for victory,
but Tez is wobbled here.
[Tessitore] And Tez is gonna tag in Big Dawk.
[Barrett] Needed that tag in a big way. Tez is scrambling right now.
[Tessitore] Frazer delivering right hand after right hand.
Now in a tough spot, and you know it's coming.
To retain.
[Barrett] Yeah, you're trying to pummel two big, powerful guys like the Profits,
it's gonna backfire.
Profits back in control.
[Tessitore] Taking you straight back into the action
of this thrilling WWE Tag Team Championship match.
The Street Profits looking to put away Fraxiom.
They have been red hot, winners of four straight matches
since joining SmackDown.
But these champions, these veterans, they have been in control.
Montez Ford in there against Axiom,
who's desperate to free himself of the beating he's been taking.
Trying to fight back in the center of the ring,
but Tez delivers a bigger right hand.
[Barrett] Yeah, trading shots with a bigger man like Montez Ford
is not the smartest move for Axiom.
[Tessitore] Look at this from Axiom. Can he rally his way back?
-[Barrett] Oh, wait a second. -[Tessitore] Look at this.
[Barrett] Rear-naked choke locked in.
[Tessitore] Submission is locked in by Axiom.
[Barrett] Well, writhing and wriggling out of that, Montez Ford
but back on it is Axiom.
[Tessitore] Dawkins was met by Nathan Frazer.
A guillotine choke, Frazer,
-that is not the legal man. -[Tessitore] Just to neutralize things.
[Barrett] The referee, I don't think is gonna give a decision either way
with all four men in the ring.
Keeping a close eye on all--
[Tessitore] Oh, Dawkins sends Frazer right over the top,
and that breaks the submission hold by Axiom.
[Barrett] Just smashing the pile there, real smart move there from Angelo Dawkins.
That is a high in-ring IQ when the pressure's on.
[Tessitore] That is what is on the line.
Those titles, those championships, WWE Tag Team Championship, the gold,
trying to be retained by the Street Profits.
Remember at the end of April they survived that all-time classic TLC match
and now taking on the hottest team in the biz, Nathan Frazer and Axiom.
[Barrett] All four men looking like they've been hit by a truck.
But Fraxiom believe they are here on a mission
that they must accomplish this evening, a mission to win gold,
a mission to shock the world,
and right now if you're a betting man, you're going with Nathan Frazer.
[Tessitore] Nathan Frazer with Tez in that compromised position
as he tries to fight his way out of it.
Just a few weeks ago they defeated them in a nontitle match
when the Street Profits were really banged up and damaged.
A much different version tonight.
Back to that top rope is Frazer.
[Barrett] Frazer just won't stay down.
How do you have that kind of athleticism this deep into a match?
And there's a tag, Joe.
[Tessitore] A third attempt.
And this time, the superplex.
[Barrett] Sailed through two shades of Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
-[Tessitore] Axiom's the legal man! -[Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] That close to winning the tag team championships.
[Barrett] You're stacking the offense,
and when you're a relatively inexperienced competitor at this level,
you may well have given it your best shot.
Double whammy, Golden Ratio, superkick connected to the jaw of Tez
amidst the other offense.
Where do you go from here?
[Tessitore] And now they're talking it over.
Where do they go from here?
How about you rev the engine to go flying…
Oh, no, another massive right hand from Dawk,
and then thudding into the steel steps.
Here's a roll up, to retain, to retain!
[Barrett] Angelo Dawkins was just one step ahead there lying in wait.
Taking out Frazer and now Axiom, I'm sorry, pal, thanks for coming.
Electric chair set, blockbuster lined up.
-And delivered! -[Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] The chance…
[Barrett, Tessitore scream]
[Tessitore] Off the top rope.
-[Barrett laughs] -Nathan Frazer saves it for Fraxiom.
[Barrett] Frazer, you absolute madman,
I've no idea how he covered that much distance that quickly.
Blockbuster.
Electric chair connects. The game's over.
We're already on a count of two,
but his feet weren't even on the top rope,
somehow getting there in a split second.
[Tessitore] After he had been smashed into the steel steps.
And now this crowd, a sold-out arena.
Here in Savannah, Georgia, they are giving them the respect that they have earned.
This is indeed awesome.
[Barrett] Dawkins has been cleaning house, but Axiom just won't stay down.
[Tessitore] Axiom, wait a minute, is he lining him up?
Has this got Spanish Fly potential?
-Their combo move it could be! -[Barrett] Oh, God.
[Tessitore] It could be!
[Barrett] Connects!
Phoenix Splash!
-Do we have new champs? -[Barrett screams]
[Tessitore] Oh, my!
Montez Ford broke it up, but then he got laid out himself.
[Barrett] Anything you can do, Frazer, I can do better.
Spanish Fly, this is the one, two whammy
that's got this duo, all of their success.
Perfect Phoenix Splash.
This is a victory. Oh, no, it's not.
Montez Ford has done that before, but this time,
instead of getting the best of Axiom, Axiom got the best of him,
and now all four men are laid out.
-[Barrett] Oh. -[Tessitore] Oh, come on.
[Barrett] Well, for once, I did not want to see this.
I did not want this match ending…
Referee potentially he's gonna… Wait a second.
[Tessitore] Oh, there's company! Motor City Machine Guns to meet DIY.
[Barrett] Thank goodness for the Machine Guns,
just in the nick of time.
We got a match. I want an ending here.
[Tessitore] I mean, we're in the midst of a great tag team championship match
that was nearly just interrupted by DIY,
but they move on with what's going on in the ring.
Here comes Tez.
Out and over to clear up the division.
This is the most insane division on planet Earth.
-Wait! -[Tessitore] Oh, he misses.
[Tessitore] He went for the splash again.
Spinebuster! Spinebuster, Big Dawk!
[Barrett] We need something big here, Street Profits.
Frazer does not want to stay down this evening.
Montez Ford after that massive collision on the outside, taking a beat--
[Tessitore] Tez is the legal man.
This could be from the heavens!
This could--
Wyatt Sicks!
[Barrett] They're back!
[Tessitore] Uncle Howdy dead center.
-And they're going after them. -[bell rings]
-[Barrett] They're back… -[Tessitore] Dexter Lumis!
…and they are wrecking shop.
Big Rowan, crossbody takes out two!
Nikki Cross is out there.
[Barrett] It's chaos and pandemonium out here.
[Tessitore] Candice LeRae is in her scope.
Can you believe this?
Tag team championship match that was a thriller.
All of a sudden, the arrival of the Wyatt Sicks!
As Gacy puts Lumis up and on…
And now Uncle Howdy.
These are four men who are completely defenseless.
They've been wiped out in this match,
and now the Wyatt Sicks are just taking them apart at will.
-[Tessitore] Howdy just taking out Frazer. -[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[Tessitore] They are back!
And they're not done.
Gargano's lined up, a kiss,
and Sister Abigail's delivered!
[crowd cheers]
["Shatter" plays]
-[Tessitore] Go, go, go. -My life for you! -[crowd chanting] This is awesome!