[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Tessitore] Friday Night SmackDown is in Bluegrass Country,
Lexington, Kentucky, where the best thoroughbreds are born to run.
Tonight, a vocal crowd has packed the big Rupp Arena
as the starting gate will open with big-name superstars
on a sprint down the stretch,
and the finish line is the King and the Queen of the Ring.
And look at the sheer star power that's assembled tonight.
Two Fatal 4-Ways on the men's side of the tournament.
The Viper Randy Orton, he's in with LA Knight, Aleister Black and Melo.
Then it's the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes
in another first-round tourney matchup.
His first match on SmackDown since early February
with Priest, Andrade, Shinsuke.
That's all tonight.
Plus, Queen of the Ring first round.
Jade Cargill and Nia Jax will once again find themselves tangling.
Michin, Piper Niven round it out.
And then this dynamic Fatal 4-Way to advance.
The headline-making Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss,
Chelsea Green and Candice LeRae involved as well.
Can the 14-time world champ, the Queen, be the Queen of the Ring?
-Plus, it's Fatu. -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] The United States Champion.
He left Money in the Bank with a shocking moment.
Jacob Fatu turned on Solo Sikoa.
Tonight, we hear from the Samoan Werewolf.
And she is the new Miss Money in the Bank.
Naomi, she conquered the ladders and now with contract in hand,
everyone better proceed with caution, as Naomi will join us live.
Over 11,900 inside Rupp Arena for Friday Night SmackDown,
as we say good evening, everybody.
Joe Tessitore as always with my partner Wade Barrett.
Are you psyched for these Fatal 4-Ways, my man?
Oh, the stakes are high. The drama is going to be even higher.
Not only the crowns up for grabs,
but don't forget a future championship opportunity at SummerSlam.
Bring them on.
That's right. We're just two weeks away.
It'll be the finals of King and Queen of the Ring at Night of Champions,
but the events and the results that just happened at Money in the Bank,
that has changed the way we view everything.
LA, Southern California fooled the West Coast where everybody is somebody.
-What a day here at the City of Angels… -The City of Angels, Hollywood.
And today, once again, the American epicenter of lucha libre.
The loudest, wildest, most passionate fans have traveled from around the globe.
What a historic day. You will see the new stars of AAA.
[Mysterio] The entire world can see… [speaks Spanish]
[in English] The one thing that I fell in love with as a kid.
The lucha libre!
I'll see you at Money in the Bank.
[Cole] You are looking live at the sold-out Intuit Dome.
Welcome to Money in the Bank.
The partnership here is so great.
This building is so incredible, the technology that is here,
the fan base that will come to these events.
[Cole] Naomi is Miss Money in the Bank!
[laughing]
I told you we would take it!
Nobody with gold in this division is safe.
[Cole] Becky Lynch wins the Intercontinental Championship.
Oh, my goodness. I am wonderful.
[McAfee] And Lyra's gotta pay up.
[Cole] Lyra Valkyria has had enough!
Which superstar will punch their ticket to a guaranteed world title opportunity?
I hate you!
Oh, my… [exclaims]
[Cole] Rollins for the second time in his career is…
-Mr. Money in the Bank! -Mr. Money in the Bank!
God! It is! It's R-Truth!
Yes! Truth!
[Cole] R-Truth returns to screw John Cena
and hand the victory to Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso.
-["The Time Is Now" plays] -[crowd cheers]
♪ Krrr, Amadou ♪
[crowd] ♪ John Cena sucks ♪
♪ John Cena sucks ♪
[Cena] ♪ Your time is up My time is now ♪
♪ You can't see me My time is now ♪
♪ It's the franchise, boy I'm shinin' now ♪
♪ You can't see me My time is now ♪
♪ In case you forgot Or fell off ♪
♪ I'm still hot Knock your shell off ♪
♪ My money stack fat Plus I can't turn the swell off ♪
♪ The franchise doin' big bi'ness I live this ♪
♪ It's automatic I win this ♪
♪ Oh, you hear those horns You finished… ♪
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the Undisputed WWE Champion,
John Cena!
♪ But they gone fishin' ♪
♪ With no bait Kid, your boy hold weight ♪
♪ I got my soul straight I brush your mouth like Colgate ♪
♪ In any weather, I'm never better Your boy's so hot ♪
♪ You'll never catch me In the next man's sweater ♪
♪ If they hate, let 'em hate I drop ya whole clan ♪
♪ Lay yo' ass down For the three-second tan ♪
♪ Your time is up My time is now… ♪
[Tessitore] The Never-Seen 17.
John Cena in the Kentucky Blue checkerboard
secretariat racing silk colors.
Time ticking down on his plan, as he says, to ruin wrestling.
We know what lies ahead.
He'll be defending against CM Punk, Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia.
[crowd booing]
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Cena! Cena sucks!
[chanting continues]
[crowd boos]
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the Greatest of All Time…
[crowd boos, cheers]
[Nash] …the Never-Seen 17,
gracing Lexington with his presence one last time!
He is the Last Real Champion,
John Cena!
[crowd boos, cheers]
[Tessitore] Well, he's figured out how to train ring announcer Mark Nash,
that's for sure.
[crowd chants] Let's go, Cena! Cena sucks!
Wrestling's Mount Rushmore…
is John Cena…
-John Cena… -[crowd cheers]
-…John Cena… -[crowd cheers, boos]
-…John Cena. -[crowd cheers, boos]
Yes, there have been great wrestlers.
Yes, there have been great talkers,
but no one in the past, certainly no one in the present,
and no one in the future is even comparable to me.
[crowd cheers, boos]
And the very reason I will always outmaneuver you
is not because I never give up, no.
It is because I'm smarter than you.
[crowd boos]
You can't see me.
[crowd cheers, boos]
You all want to be me.
[crowd boos]
And whether you're my opponent, whether you're watching at home
or mesmerized by me in this very arena,
[crowd cheers, boos]
I am always a thousand steps ahead of you because you are simply worried
about right here, right now,
when I won this moment right now over a year ago.
You see, I announced my retirement early so I could have six months
to scout my most likely opponents.
I knew anyone could enter the Rumble, so I entered.
And I also knew if I lost the Rumble,
I could use my seniority to guarantee a spot in the Elimination Chamber.
I also knew, in that chamber, Punk and Rollins would melt down,
giving me an easy win.
And on that night, Cody Rhodes's focus was on the Final Boss.
So all I had to do, seize the moment, shock the world,
and become an unpredictable opponent.
Then all I did was use Cody's obsession with being loved
and passion for the Grand Stage to guarantee myself a WrestleMania win.
I used your fanfare of a 25-year-old rivalry in Randy Orton's hometown
to lull him into a false sense of security.
I put R-Truth in the main event…
[crowd cheers, boos]
…so all of you would care, and you took the bait.
And while you wasted your time trying to save Truth,
I formed an alliance with Logan Paul,
making him no longer a threat and bought myself just enough time
to size up my next opponent in CM Punk.
[crowd cheers]
I used CM Punk's rebellious nature and sociopathic self-confidence
to back him into a corner where, now…
[crowd chants] CM Punk! CM Punk!
If CM Punk really wants to take this,
he has to admit to himself that he's a hypocrite.
[crowd boos]
And I don't have to worry about Mr. Money in the Bank.
Seth Rollins will never cash in on me holding this.
Seth Rollins wants me to leave with this
because then when he cashes in,
he is your only champion.
Do you get it now?
I am the Greatest of All Time for a reason.
[crowd boos]
Oh, come on.
While you've been busy using your pathetic brains whipping up fake stories,
whether or not I sold my soul,
all I do is simply put the math in my favor.
I win matches before they even start.
And in 25 years, I've crunched every number,
solved every puzzle and cracked every code,
and thank God I don't need your appreciation
because you won't realize how good I am until three years after I'm gone.
[crowd boos]
This is the greatest moment of your life and, to me,
you are simply just a mathematical equation.
[crowd boos]
And the math says that there will be no one
ever worthy enough to earn the right to hold this again.
[crowd boos]
-["Kingdom" plays] -[crowd cheers]
♪ Wrestling has more than one Royal family ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ Adrenaline In my soul ♪
♪ Every fight Out of control ♪
♪ Do it all To get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here About to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to Start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain Lights go up ♪
♪ I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
♪ And my father said When I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times Breed better men… ♪
[Tessitore] John Cena talking about Cody's obsession with being loved.
Well, look at this and listen to this reception here in Lexington.
He is loved, Wade.
[Barrett] The man who pinned John Cena a few short nights ago
at Money in the Bank,
albeit with a little help from his friend R-Truth.
The leading light of the industry in 2025, Mr. Cody Rhodes.
[Tessitore] Six days removed from teaming with Jey Uso
and hitting that Cross Rhodes in the pinfall victory
over Cena in that tag team match at Money in the Bank.
♪ Hear the crowd On their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to Start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain Lights go up ♪
♪ I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
♪ And my father said When I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times Breed better men ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain… ♪
[music fades out]
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] Cody! Cody!
-[Rhodes] Yeah! -[crowd cheers]
[grunts]
[crowd chants] Cody, Cody Rhodes!
Oh, man.
What… what did… what did… What did you just say?
You said you're a thousand steps ahead. You said you're so smart.
No, you're not just smart.
This guy's a genius.
[crowd cheers]
It's unfortunate that everything you have said has come to fruition.
You're right.
Seth and Punk, they melted down.
You're right. I was distracted by the Final Boss,
and I took my eyes off the prize.
You're right. You used Randy's home-field advantage against him.
You're right!
Mount Rushmore? Absolutely. Sure.
But here you are with this 25-year master plan,
and there's this parallel.
There's this… this variable that you didn't account for.
It's very simple.
You laid out your whole story since you've been back.
Twenty-five-year master plan, right?
Why didn't you include the simple fact that this past Saturday,
you were looking up at the lights,
and I pinned you in the center of this ring?
[crowd cheering, applauding]
I'm not part of your plan.
You're part of mine.
[crowd exclaims]
So, John Rushmore…
[crowd laughing]
…where does that leave you and I?
♪ I hear voices In my head… ♪
-[Barrett, chuckling] Oh! -[Tessitore] Oh!
♪ They understand ♪
♪ They talk to me… ♪
-["Voices" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Tessitore] Haven't seen Randy Orton in action in five weeks
when he came up short against Cena at Backlash in St. Louis.
[Barrett] Welcome back, Viper,
how appropriate, on a night where it's the King of the Ring tournament continuing.
The ring is filling up with WWE royalty.
♪ And loves to hate ♪
♪ I have a voice That has the knowledge ♪
♪ And the power To rule your fate… ♪
[music fades out]
[crowd] ♪ I hear voices crying ♪
♪ I see heroes dying ♪
♪ I taste blood that's drying… ♪
Anybody and everybody that had a pulse,
that saw you and I fight in St. Louis at Backlash,
saw that I had you beaten in this ring.
I had you down and out. I had you dead to rights.
I was about to remove your head from your shoulders until somebody…
somebody decided to come and save the day.
I realize now I have to do whatever it takes.
It doesn't matter what it is.
It doesn't matter who I have to go through to get number 15.
Even if it means being in the King of the Ring tournament,
I don't care who it is I have to go through.
Cody, I love you like a brother, and you know that.
I love you like a brother, and you know that.
But I have to put your ass down to get to that punk.
I will not hesitate to do it.
[crowd cheers]
♪ LA… ♪
-["Welcome to LA" plays] -[Barrett] Yes!
[Tessitore] The Megastar is arriving!
[Barrett] He's got a mic! He's gonna talk to us, Joe Tess!
[Tessitore] LA Knight came so close to grabbing that briefcase last week
and now wasting no time.
[music fades out]
-Let me talk to you. -[Barrett] Yes!
[crowd] Yeah!
You know, all week long,
I've heard the whole damn world say, "We want LA Knight."
[crowd] Yeah!
So I know what y'all want.
And I know for damn sure what none of y'all want,
and that's me walking down here.
[crowd] Yeah!
So why don't we take a walk?
[crowd] Yeah!
Because I understand what this is, defiantly as I walk down here,
I'm looking at the WWE establishment. I know that.
[crowd] Yeah!
I'm the sore thumb standing out here, and I like it that way, yeah!
[crowd] Yeah!
Well, you got to understand something.
See, Cena, you have this great little master plan of yours.
My God, you're a genius.
You did it all, but I know for damn sure your plans didn't include this man, yeah!
[crowd] Yeah!
So let's go ahead and throw that whole plan on its head,
because here's how it goes down, my man.
King of the Ring's right around the corner.
What that means is I got a shot at you, I got a shot at you,
all on the way to taking what's mine.
[crowd] Yeah!
And so if that means that,
unbreakable as I walk in there, I got to drop a Viper,
I got to drop a Nightmare, and if I got to drop a "genius"
balding **** John Cena,
I will be the WWE Champion with everybody saying…
[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah!
[Tessitore] Oh!
[crowd boos]
[Tessitore] And with that, Cena just says, "I've heard enough."
[Barrett] Well, the champion calls the shots in this game,
and John Cena has made it abundantly clear on this run
he will fight on his terms and his…
-Whoa! -[Tessitore] Oh!
From behind! R-Truth again on the attack!
[Barrett] Well, we saw a very different side of R-Truth's personality on Raw.
Gave himself a free haircut,
and he's giving John Cena, his former hero,
a beatdown to kick things off here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] Yeah, he said, "Put some respect on my name, Ron Killings."
Well, Ron Killings just delivered again.
R-Truth all over him.
[no audible dialogue]
[Barrett] You see no laughter whatsoever.
An irate John Cena screaming in the face of GM Nick Aldis demanding,
you would presume, some sort of action.
Well, welcome to SmackDown, John. This is not a safe environment.
[Tessitore] As you see the Viper Randy Orton,
the Megastar LA Knight.
They were just in an exchange moments ago with Cody Rhodes in there
as to who will take this very tournament, King of the Ring.
["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
♪ You want ya shot Then I guess you wait to next year ♪
♪ I'm at the top Get respect whiled I get feared ♪
♪ Who got a problem, huh? Tell 'em to step here ♪
♪ Cause I'm the greatest No arguing or debating… ♪
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following is a Fatal 4-Way first round match
in the King of the Ring tournament scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring,
from Boston, Massachusetts,
weighing in at 210 pounds,
he is the 2025 André the Giant Memorial Battle Royale winner,
Carmelo Hayes!
[Tessitore] You know, and since that Battle Royal win,
it's been an interesting past few months.
Hasn't been grabbing the Ws, but he's been looking really good.
Most recently, coming off a closely-contested Money in the Bank
qualifier with Andrade.
This is Melo's second time competing in the King of the Ring tourney.
[Barrett] Yeah, inching closer and closer to smashing through into that top bracket
here on SmackDown.
A victory in the King of the Ring tournament
would really push Melo's career over the edge.
[music stops]
["Root of All Evil" plays]
[crowd cheers]
♪ Oh, yeah ♪
♪ No man Is ever truly good ♪
♪ No man Is every truly evil ♪
♪ I do the things You never could… ♪
[Tessitore] Aleister Black is the fourth man in this first round
King of the Ring tournament Fatal 4-Way.
His return to the WWE has come with his signature striking attacks
being in absolute prime form.
Past couple of weeks, LA Knight knows that.
Carmelo Hayes knows that.
He's been matching skill with those two.
And here they are again with so much on the line.
The winner here advances to the semi-finals.
It'll all be decided…
Night of Champions from Saudi Arabia.
♪ 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 ♪
♪ 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… ♪
[music fades out]
[Tessitore] Fascinating matchup in terms of styles, isn't it, Wade?
[Barrett] Yeah, an absolute mix of pretty much everything.
My eye, of course, immediately drawn to the Viper, Randy Orton.
The man who was the runner-up in last year's King of the Ring tournament.
A very controversial ending to that match with Gunther over in Saudi Arabia.
Randy Orton's shoulders not down for the three-count,
but Gunther got the win.
Randy Orton will look to fix that this year.
[Tessitore] Yeah, that was the ref's discretion
in that finals of King of the Ring last year.
[Barrett] And it was terrible discretion, I might add.
It was clearly up in the air.
[Tessitore] Obviously, they were able to tangle later that summer.
It's great to have Randy back after what happened at Backlash
back on May 10th against John Cena.
[Barrett] Here's what I find interesting. Oh.
[Tessitore] That's a roll up.
Melo quickly trying to finish things off, and then he runs right into the Viper.
[Barrett] John Cena's made it clear. He's not handing out rematches.
He's got limited dates, limited defenses.
If anyone wants another crack at him, such as Randy Orton or Cody Rhodes,
he's gonna have to earn that crack the long way,
i.e., winning this tournament.
[Tessitore] Oh, would you look at Aleister Black
as he moonsaults his way out onto the floor right into Melo!
-[Barrett] Oh, almost a BFT now! -[Tessitore] Almost an RKO there!
The firepower is out early, and then a Black Mass attempt as well.
Fatal 4-Way, King of the Ring opening round.
[Tessitore] First round of the King of the Ring tournament is underway.
Fatal 4-Way rules. No DQs. No countouts.
The first to win by pinfall or submission will advance
to the Night of Champions.
Randy Orton, LA Knight, Aleister Black and Melo.
[crowd chants] Yeah! Yeah!
[Tessitore] You were there in LA, Wade, calling the action at Money in the Bank,
and LA Knight, there was a moment there on the ladder,
where I think everybody in the Intuit Dome felt Knight was gonna cash in right in LA.
[Barrett] That was after LA Knight had been attacked by Seth Rollins's crew
earlier in the matchup.
Still almost winning the thing but denied at the death.
Looking to go one better in the King of the Ring tournament now.
-[Barrett] Oh! -[Tessitore] Oh! How about that?
[Barrett] Tremendous reflexes there from Carmelo Hayes.
Just too much quick… Too--
[Tessitore] And then springboarding with the leg drop.
[Barrett] A backwards leap like that but still so precise.
Really does have gifts that most of the roster cannot comprehend,
does Carmelo Hayes.
[Tessitore] Again springboarding and coming back
on the attack of Aleister Black.
[Barrett] Feline abilities and from downtown,
here comes Carmelo!
[Tessitore] Flying out to the floor!
Carmelo Hayes is in control here
in this Fatal 4-Way King of the Ring first round,
but LA Knight cleans things up.
[Barrett] It's, again, the issue in getting excited too quickly
with your own performance.
Take your eye off the ball for a split second.
[Tessitore] And just slamming him into our new reinforced announce desk.
[crowd chanting] Yeah! Yeah!
[Tessitore] And guess who's here. Oh! Knight able to get away from it!
Aleister Black unable to do so!
The Viper smashing Aleister Black right on top of the announce desk.
[Barrett] We've got a bunch of smashed monitors,
and I'm sure the spine of Aleister Black must be pretty smashed up itself
after that impact.
[Tessitore] Meanwhile, back in the ring, LA Knight taking advantage against Melo.
[Barrett] Yeah, and that's the word. Advantage.
You have the advantage. It's one-on-one.
Two men down on the outside. You've gotta win it now.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome! This is awesome!
[Tessitore] As Melo trying to regain himself and fight back
while seated up on top of the corner.
[crowd boos]
[crowd] Yeah!
[crowd boos]
[crowd chanting] Yeah! Yeah!
[Tessitore] Back and forth they go.
[Barrett] Megastar looking to go big here while he has the moment.
Seize it!
[Tessitore] See Melo locking up.
Trying to defend against the superplex.
[Barrett] Battling with all his might, but wait up.
That's just too long for the Viper to stay down.
Back into the firefight with an effort of his own.
Nobody does it better.
[Tessitore] Randy Orton trying to take that position that Knight had.
Melo rakes the eyes, fights back,
but look at the step-up kick by Aleister Black.
[Barrett] Toe to the eyeball from Aleister Black.
So precise with those strikes.
[Tessitore] They looked to send Orton out of the ring,
but instead, he turns things around against the Viper, right into the post.
[Barrett] Now for a take two. The Megastar leaping skyward.
Melo equal to it.
[Tessitore] Gets sent back. Is he gonna fly from there?
Frog Splash! Melo for the win!
Oh! And coming in and making the save at the last possible minute
is Aleister Black.
[Tessitore] Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett with you ringside.
A compelling first round tournament of King of the Ring.
Fatal 4-Way is underway.
Winner here will advance to face Sami Zayn one-on-one in the semi-finals.
[Barrett] Bodies are flying left, right and center. Ooh!
[Tessitore] A Black Mass attempt on Orton, but he was able to hold on to the ropes.
And now the roll up.
[Barrett] Absolute volley of Muay Thai strikes from Aleister Black
on all three opponents. Wait up.
[crowd laughs]
[Tessitore] Megastar eats that big elbow.
[Barrett] Just exhaustion kicking in there for Aleister Black,
but denied again was Carmelo Hayes.
[Tessitore] Look at this strike sequence as well.
Various levels, kicks, punches, elbows.
Into the cover to try to advance
and a count of two before Melo kicks out.
[Barrett] Just nobody has figured out the kind of defenses you need
to stop these relentless attacks from Aleister Black.
It's a full body workout when this guy gets going.
[Tessitore] The speed at which they come.
It is nonstop as he is sizing up his rivals, but instead,
Randy delivers the two big blows.
[Barrett] Talk about the speed at which they come.
[Tessitore] Oh, scoop slam, Randy Orton!
And how about one for Knight?
Oh, Melo, you want some?
[Barrett] Oh, so much torque and momentum, and so much impact on the landing.
[crowd cheering]
[Tessitore] Oh, is he going double?
Are we draping DDT times two, Wade?
Randy Orton sensing victory cl…
-Oh! -[Tessitore] Oh, my!
LA Knight comes in with a jumping neckbreaker.
And just barely…
[Barrett] Well, the neckbreaker connected on Randy Orton,
and in the process, a double DDT.
Three for the price of one from the Megastar.
A brilliant move, and it's devastating for LA Knight fans on planet Earth
that that did not quite get the job done.
[Tessitore] Great scene here in Lexington, 11,922.
Million-dollar-plus gate in Lexington.
Highest-grossing WWE event here in history,
and they've got star power everywhere.
[Barrett] Every man going for his heaviest hitter here.
[Tessitore] BFT on Aleister Black!
[Barrett] Aleister Black tried his best to roll out of it.
I don't think he quite did.
[Tessitore] To win it! Oh, Melo at the last moment saves it.
Fatal 4-Way and Melo comes in to save it after the Megastar hit the BFT.
[Barrett] Saving his own chances in the match in the process.
One fall finishing it, of course.
Even if the pinfall is not on you, it's game over.
[Tessitore] Knight slams down Melo.
[Barrett] Resourceful.
Coming up with whatever he can, and with the ring cleared out
apart from Carmelo Hayes,
now is the time.
[Tessitore] He loves that leaping elbow when he's able to line it up.
-[crowd] LA Knight! Yeah! -[Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] Whoa!
Big Bronson Reed arrives!
[crowd barking]
-[Barrett] Well, LA Knight got a little-- -[Tessitore] Wait a minute!
The dogs are barking!
-[Barrett] Bron Breakker! -[Tessitore] Spear!
[Barrett] Bron Breakker was cost his spot in the King of the Ring tournament
by LA Knight on Raw a few days ago
after all the fallout from Money in the Bank,
and he's paid the price in return now.
[Tessitore] Melo says, "I'll take advantage."
Top rope-- Whoa!
Midair RKO! Midair RKO! And it was on top of LA Knight!
-[crowd cheers] -[bell rings]
♪ I hear voices In my head… ♪
[Nash] Here is your winner,
the Viper,
Randy Orton!
[Tessitore] Bronson Reed, Bron Breakker, Melo went up for the splash,
but in the end, RKO!
[Barrett] Well, last year's losing finalist gets a chance to progress through
to the semi-final.
This is where LA Knight thought he had it won.
Bronson Reed showing up shortly followed by Bron Breakker.
A little payback from Monday.
Carmelo Hayes going big,
but out of nowhere, the Viper catches Hayes,
and LA Knight, who was effectively a dead body
at this point after that Bron Breakker Spear.
Gets the victory, and now we get the bracket.
[Tessitore] The Viper is on to the semi-finals.
That starts the course for a chance to avenge last year's controversy, Wade,
that you cited in the King of the Ring finals when he lost to Gunther.
[Barrett] Orton takes on Sami Zayn, who qualified on Raw.
They will be contesting that semi-final right here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] And still to come tonight, remember the American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes, returns to SmackDown. In-ring action.
As well is our Queen of the Ring Fatal 4-Ways.
Jade Cargill, Michin, Piper Niven, Nia Jax all battle,
then it's a Alexa Bliss, Chelsea Green, Candice LeRae
and the incomparable Charlotte Flair.
Two women's Fatal 4-Ways.
Lexington, Kentucky,
the United States Champion is here.
Hell, the United States Champion is America's most wanted,
and I'm coming live and direct inside the Rupp Arena.
Yadadamean?
[Tessitore] We da-you-mean, Fatu! We da-you-mean!
He's next.
[Tessitore] Lexington, Kentucky, home to the Blue Bloods
of college basketball,
of course, the Wildcats, eight-time NCAA champions,
and the horse capital of the world.
And in terms of WWE,
the fifth SmackDown arrival to the famed Rupp Arena.
Hosted one PLE back in the day, Backlash.
John Cena defended against Triple H and Edge in a Triple Threat.
What a start we had here with moments ago, Randy Orton hitting the RKO
and coming up the victor in the first round of King of the Ring.
["Samoan Destroyer" plays]
[crowd cheers]
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the United States Champion,
the Samoan Werewolf,
Jacob Fatu!
[Tessitore] They love him.
Wade, last week,
we all heard Solo Sikoa backstage saying he could control Jacob Fatu,
saying, "All gas, no brains."
Well, you were on the call at Money in the Bank
with the resulting action because Jacob himself heard that as well.
All this man does is just think about himself.
He is literally all gas and no brains. [laughs]
[Barrett] Fatu did indeed hear every word.
Now 24 hours after this at Money in the Bank,
Jacob Fatu wrecked shop.
It looked like Sikoa was gonna stroll to victory. Not quite.
-I hate you! -[crowd] I hate you, Solo!
[Barrett] "I hate you," and "hate" was the right word.
Fatu, after weeks of frustration,
finally snapping and destroying Solo's chances.
Capped off with the body of Sikoa sent crashing through a table,
and with it went Sikoa's chances of victory
in the Money in the Back Ladder Match.
[crowd chanting] Fatu! Fatu!
[music fades out]
Lexington, Kentucky…
[crowd cheers]
…let's keep it one hunnid.
[crowd cheers]
Just because you're family
don't mean that you could go behind their back and try to snake 'em.
Just because we both come from the same Bloodline
don't mean that you could take all the credit for your hard work.
So Solo says I wouldn't be nothing if it wasn't for him.
[crowd boos]
Solo says Jacob Fatu would be nothing if it wasn't for him.
[crowd boos]
This is exactly why I had to remind Solo at Money in the Bank
what happens when you don't get in…
-where you fit in! -[crowd] Where you fit in!
[crowd cheers]
So I guess it's just me against the world now, baby,
because Jacob Fatu is…
-all gas, and no brakes with it! -[crowd] All gas, no brakes with it!
-[Solo clapping] -Yadadamean!
-Fa… -[Solo] Uh-huh. That's right.
Tell 'em how you feel, Jacob. Tell 'em how you feel.
[crowd boos]
Are you done getting everything off your chest?
Hmm? [scoffs]
At Money in the Bank,
you could have made the biggest mistake of your life.
And I can forgive you for that.
I can. You see, one year ago when I came to Sacramento to see you,
you was doing nothing.
You were nothing.
Nobody wanted you around until I brought you here.
I brought you here, Jacob. I made you into a superstar.
I put money in your pocket.
I put you in a position for success. I made you champion.
It was all because of me!
You…
Next week I will be in the middle of the ring with open arms.
I'm willing to take you back, Jacob.
But there's something I need from you.
I need to hear four words from you, Jacob.
"I love you, Solo."
And, Jacob, remember, always remember…
I brought you into this world…
and I will take you out.
[crowd boos]
Yadadamean?
[Solo sighs]
[Tessitore] Pointed response from Solo.
[Barrett] Well, actions have consequences in this world, even for Jacob Fatu.
And if you want to avoid those potentially savage consequences,
there are four words you need to utter, Jacob Fatu, tread carefully.
Ladies, what can I do for you?
Chelsea needs to speak with you immediately.
Chelsea, Chelsea's not here. What are you talking about?
-[Green] Nicholas. -Oh, my God.
It is true, ugh.
I've had an impossible time finding a flight to that one-horse town, Lexington.
So, we're gonna need to postpone my Queen of the Ring match until next week.
[scoffs] Postpone?
Chelsea. No, we're not postponing anything.
In fact, now that I think about it, it looks like the Secret Hervice is here.
It looks like Alba Fyre is ready for action.
So I think Alba Fyre can take your place tonight.
-That's a great idea. -No, no, Nicholas.
No, I'm not authorizing that. I will…
Oh, you're not authorizing it.
Oh, well, that's such a shame because I just authorized it
and I don't really care what you have to say.
So, Alba, I suggest you go get ready
-because you've got a big match. -I gotta put my wrestling suit on.
Big opportunity. Queen of the Ring.
-No, Nicholas-- -Nick, listen, I need to talk to you.
I am saying words that will continue…
I need Giulia now.
[sighs] Giulia isn't here.
[sighs] Well, that's convenient.
Look, I know that you want to get your hands on her
after what happened last week, Zelina, but look--
First of all, I have been snatched harder by better, okay?
Secondly, it's not the girl running around doing sneak attacks
that you gotta worry about.
It's the girl who keeps getting back up
after the ass whoopings dealt that you gotta fear,
because if you think one little sneak attack is gonna scare me… [speaks Spanish]
[in English] …on the wrong one, 'cause I am the United States Champion.
So next week I'm gonna confront her face-to-face,
because I don't really need to pretend or hide for nobody.
So when the smallest girl with the biggest mouth
just makes you look stupid, then what?
Okay, then. [sighs]
[Barrett] Nicholas!
[Tessitore] We all owe Zelina for lowering the volume.
[Barrett] No, no, no.
Nicholas, send a private jet for Chelsea Green. Get her here!
[Tessitore] You could still see…
you could still hear the muted screeches in the background.
[Barrett] Worst GM ever, Nicholas.
["A Storm Is Coming" plays]
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following is a Fatal 4-Way first round match
in the Queen of the Ring tournament, scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Vero Beach, Florida,
Jade Cargill!
[Tessitore] The storm is coming for Michin, Piper,
and her chief rival, Nia Jax.
Next.
Michin the menace already in ring, ready to do battle.
[Tessitore] This will be her first time competing
in a Queen of the Ring tournament.
[Barrett] What a daunting task Michin has.
Three of the biggest powerhouses in WWE,
including the reigning Queen of the Ring herself.
["Not Like Most Girls" plays]
[Nash] And their opponent,
making her way to the ring from San Diego, California,
Nia Jax!
[Tessitore] Nia Jax who had passed Jade in this tournament a year ago.
Jade was DQed, hit her with a steel chair.
There is Piper Niven.
Who is the fourth member of this first round
Fatal 4-Way Queen of the Ring tournament.
But a year ago, Nia took advantage, she advanced herself,
became Queen of the Ring,
went on to win the Women's Championship at SummerSlam.
And now she steps in
to this Queen of the Ring first round Fatal 4-Way.
[Barrett] Let's call her what she is, Queen Nia.
At least for the time being, at least for two more weeks
and perhaps beyond that should she win it again.
-[bell rings] -I have enjoyed the reign of Queen Nia.
Long may it continue.
[Tessitore] Jade, Michin, Nia Jax and Piper Niven.
Piper, who's trying to regain the momentum that she had
as the runner-up of Queen of the Ring in 2021.
Quick to the floor with Michin. Just slamming her into the barrier.
[Barrett] Oh, I said it earlier, three of the biggest powerhouses
in WWE history,
-and Michin who, in fairness, is… -[Tessitore] Oh, getting out of the way,
…perhaps the most hardcore woman of them all now.
This is not a hardcore match, obviously, but it's certainly gonna feel like that,
given the amount of firepower these four women hold.
[Tessitore] Jade just slammed Nia into the steel steps so hard
that they moved about foot.
And now right in the center of the ring, Jade and Michin face off.
[Barrett] I was thinking earlier on her entrance,
nothing could improve the visage that is Jade Cargill.
-[Tessitore] Isn't that the truth. -However, I was wrong,
A crown certainly would be highly appropriate
on this apparition that is The Storm.
[Tessitore] Look at the athleticism and look at the strength. Backbreaker.
As she goes right into the lateral press and Michin able to kick out with ease.
[Barrett] And I love the fact that you mentioned in last year's tournament,
it was Nia Jax who knocked out Jade Cargill.
This is a very, very different Jade Cargill.
It's a Jade Cargill now who stands on her own two feet,
and that was abundantly clear after her performance
at WrestleMania 41 this year against Naomi.
[Tessitore] There's no doubt about it, that WrestleMania moment for Jade Cargill,
-that was special. -[Barrett] Oh!
Beautiful drop kick there from Michin, you've got the woman down,
no other woman in close proximity.
Here it is.
Too much still left in Jade Cargill. Frustration now showing on Michin.
But the mean, moody, magnificent Piper Niven out here
causing major damage.
[Tessitore] A slam right to the floor.
-And then the running senton. -[Barrett] Ooh.
[Tessitore] And as you see wincing in pain is Michin.
Meanwhile back in the ring,
Nia Jax looking to take control against Jade Cargill.
[Barrett] That was a high-risk senton from Piper Niven on the outside.
Kinda took herself out in the process,
and that is exactly the opening Nia Jax was looking for
to take full control of this match.
[Tessitore] Now these two in the ring,
they know what it is like to tangle with each other.
Nia Jax is saying, "I want that crown, I will be queen again."
[Barrett] Yes, indeed, Nia Jax suffered a major setback several weeks ago
trying to dethrone Tiffany Stratton.
Well, you win the Queen of the Ring again, you get yourself another shot.
[Tessitore] There has never been a two-time Queen or King of the Ring in WWE.
Nia trying to be back-to-back,
as Piper Niven comes back in to enter the fray.
And I think they're looking at each other, Wade, and saying,
"How do we want to manage and handle Jade Cargill?"
[Barrett] Smart thing to do.
Piper Niven showing allegiance temporarily to Nia Jax
because it behooves both of them to do so in their pursuit of victory tonight.
Take out Jade Cargill, open a pathway.
Easier said than done apparently.
[Tessitore] You know, one eats an elbow, the other right into the post.
And now that big pop kick from Jade.
[Barrett] Yeah, unfortunately a little too hard.
Cleared both women out of the ring,
no one left to pick.
[Tessitore] And they're fighting out on the floor.
And meanwhile Michin is back to her feet and is she lining them up?
-She is! -[Barrett] Wow!
[Tessitore] Moonsault right onto all three of her chief rivals.
Queen of the Ring first round Fatal 4-Way.
Look at Michin.
[Tessitore] There is the coveted crown, the Queen of the Ring.
As we are underway in front of this jam-packed Rupp Arena
in Lexington, Kentucky.
The winner of this tournament gets a championship opportunity at SummerSlam
at MetLife Stadium.
[Barrett] Well, Piper Niven and Nia Jax have been working in cahoots.
It was working so well until that flurry from Jade Cargill,
but now normal service has resumed.
[Tessitore] Piper Niven, what an opportunity this would be
at this stage of her career.
Nia Jax trying to be a back-to-back winner in Queen of the Ring.
[Barrett] The Green Regime's house of cards has been tumbling of late,
mainly thanks to US champ Zelina Vega.
Chance for Piper Niven to stop the rock tonight.
[Tessitore] Oh, and look at the punishment that Jade Cargill is forced to take
with the hip attack.
As Piper and Nia teaming up to deal… The cannonball comes in with Jade Cargill.
[Barrett] Just massive blow up after… Ooh.
[Tessitore] Oh, and Nia says, "Hey, hold on a second,
that wasn't part of the game plan.
We're gonna team up, we're gonna deal with her, but I'm not gonna allow for that."
[Barrett] Well, logically you take down the other two opponents,
then you fight it out between yourselves.
[Tessitore] Oh, would you look at this. Hurricanrana from Michin.
[Barrett] Everyone forgot about Michin
who'd taken a major beating earlier in this match, but now…
-[Tessitore] Tornado DDT on Piper! -…has caught that second win.
And how devastating was this?
[Tessitore] Hooks the leg!
As Michin all of a sudden with an offensive surge.
[Barrett] Well Michin, who has been mainly tagging with B-Fab of late,
but of course is always down for any fight in any format.
Really in the ascendancy here.
[Tessitore] Oh, she went for the rana on Jade
but instead countered into the powerbomb!
And the kick out at two and change.
[Barrett] Yeah ridiculous core strength there from Jade Cargill.
But that ain't gonna help you on a basement crossbody from Piper Niven.
[Tessitore] It has been impressive stuff here in our Fatal 4-Way.
As Piper Niven now looking to be back in control.
Michin trying to counter that effort.
[Barrett] Sliced bread there from Michin.
[Tessitore] Oh, she rolls her over. Lateral press.
And Nia comes in to make the save.
[Barrett] Well, that has to be Michin's path to victory here.
It's never gonna be power against this trio. Oh!
[Tessitore] Senton.
For the win to advance.
[Barrett] And now you see the look in the eye of Queen Nia,
that frustration bubbling up.
Feels she should be home and dry by this point.
[Tessitore] You see Jade Cargill on the outside,
and Nia and Piper are coming out to meet her.
[Barrett] Yeah, a badly-damaged Jade Cargill,
who'd taken a hell of a beating already in this one.
[Tessitore] Look at how courageous she is though,
willing to fight both of them.
[Barrett] Well, this is called being trapped between a rock and a hard place.
-Not where you want-- -[Tessitore] Whoa!
Oh, Wade. Wade Barrett is taken out!
Oh, no.
Jade Cargill just went absolutely flying
as hard as anybody has ever gone over our announce desk,
and it took out Wade Barrett as well.
And now back to action inside the ring.
Hopefully this headset is still working right now.
[Barrett groans]
[Tessitore] Slamming down. Michin.
Trying to unearth things behind our desk as Nia Jax comes in to make the save.
Wade, are you okay?
-Wade-- -[Barrett groans] I'm fantastic, Joe.
Couldn't be any better. Thank you for asking.
I saw you run out of the way, you should have saved me.
[Tessitore] Look at Michin trying to fight back.
Michin now.
As Nia and Piper
take advantage and slam her down.
[Barrett] All right, Joe, I think I'm back in business.
I shrugged it off.
Although I don't know what happened to Jade Cargill
who took a way heavier landing than I did, that's for sure.
[Tessitore] She's going up top, looking for the Annihilator.
-[Barrett] Squashing time! -[Tessitore] For the win.
Oh, and Piper Niven comes in.
[Barrett] Clubbing blow to the jaw just at the right time.
-[Tessitore] And these two… -Saving the day.
…who were acting as a tandem to get to this point in the match,
all of a sudden have turned on each other.
Right through the barrier of timekeeper.
Piper sends Nia right through the barrier.
[Barrett] May have taken herself out, but no staggering up is Piper Niven.
I think Queen Nia's done there, such a heavy landing.
[Tessitore] Boy, and Michin does not want to be in this position.
An enraged Piper who just took out Nia Jax.
And now she's going up to that second rope.
Looking for that Piper Bomb and she lands it.
Oh, but here's Jade, here's Jade. Is she gonna Jaded Piper?
Wow, she does it!
-How strong is Jade Cargill? -[bell rings]
["A Storm Is Coming" plays]
[Nash] Here is your winner,
Jade Cargill!
[Barrett] Wow, what an effort from Jade Cargill.
Rising up from the death.
I think me softening her blow there, assisted the victory.
I'm gonna take a big assist on that one.
But this is the moment Nia Jax's hopes went up in smoke,
and right here, Piper Niven thought she had it in the bag,
but Cargill, quick as a flash, connected with a massive Jaded.
And now Jade Cargill progresses to the semi-final,
whereupon she will face the upstart, the newcomer Roxanne Perez,
who qualified earlier this week on Raw.
That matchup that will take place next week right here on SmackDown,
the semi-finals of the Queen of the Ring tournament.
Congratulations, Jade Cargill.
[Tessitore] And up next, she did it,
and that's a problem for the rest of the division.
Naomi is Miss Money in the Bank. We will hear from her next.
["Last Warning" plays]
♪ You better watch out ♪
♪ Watch out ♪
♪ I'm coming ♪
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the women's Money in the Bank winner,
Naomi!
[Tessitore] Four times in the past Naomi attempted to win Money in the Bank.
Four times it went against her,
not last Saturday, not with that kind of celebration, not with this kind of Naomi.
This version is by any means necessary, Wade.
[Barrett] Yeah, incredibly physical and punishing
women's Money in the bank ladder match.
Six of the best, trying to pursue victory,
but it was Naomi, 2025's cautionary tale, who grabbed the briefcase
and firmly established herself as WWE's most dangerous woman.
[music fades out]
Yeah, I see some of y'all looking real surprised.
Real shocked.
Real stupid.
I don't know why.
Because I told y'all I was done accepting scraps.
I took what I deserved, and look at me now,
Miss Money in the Bank.
[laughing]
Hey, you know what's funny?
The entire time when I was trying to beat Nia Jax
for the WWE Women's Championship,
you know who was there with the briefcase to stop it?
You know who distracted me? You know who bashed me in the head?
Tiffany Stratton.
You see, too nice Naomi just let it happen,
but the Naomi now ain't let nothing slide.
I'm here for payback.
And when I clock Tiffany in the head with my briefcase,
it's gonna feel so good
when I hold that title as the new W--
♪ It's Tiffy Time ♪
-["Tiffy Time" plays] -[crowd cheers]
[groans]
[Tessitore] Now the when has a way of becoming now with Tiffany, doesn't it?
♪ Drop, I wanna see ya drop Drop, drop, drop, drop ♪
[Tessitore] The WWE Women's Champion.
[Barrett] Well, Tiffany Stratton, meet your number one threat.
♪ I wanna see ya drop Drop, drop, drop, drop ♪
[Barrett] One thing's true, ever since Tiffany Stratton captured the gold,
she backs down to no woman.
[Tessitore] Challenge after challenge has been met.
She has risen to the occasion,
especially with what happened at WrestleMania against Charlotte Flair.
[Barrett] It's only a matter of time
before Miss Money in the Bank Naomi was gonna come prowling around
the WWE Women's Champ.
[music fades out]
You talk a big game, Naomi.
So why don't you just do it?
Why don't you just cash in and take my title?
Right now.
See, you say you changed and that you're different now
but you're really just the same old Naomi.
All talk and no action.
And that's why you never beat Nia Jax, but please, prove us all wrong.
Do I look stupid to you?
Do I look like Boo Boo The Fool?
[crowd] Yeah!
I ain't gonna cash in on you now.
I'm gonna cash in when you least expect it.
[crowd] What?
****, you heard me.
[crowd exclaims]
But in the meantime, I'm going to enjoy making your life hell.
[laughs]
Ticktock, Tiffy, your time is almost up.
So I strongly advise you to proceed with caution.
[crowd cheering]
["Last Warning" plays]
[Barrett] Yeah, you can try and bait Miss Money in the Bank
all you want, Tiffany,
but the real secret to the power of that briefcase
is the fact that you can cash in at a moment's notice
when the champ has her guard down.
[Naomi] I'm coming for you!
[Barrett] Oh, wait up!
-Yeah, yeah… -[Tessitore] Nia Jax is in the ring.
[Barrett] Well, Nia Jax, who is irate after losing out
in her Queen in the Ring quarterfinal,
and apparently still hurting from the fact that she got sent through that barricade.
Now getting dropped.
Turn your back for a split second,
and Nia Jax is back on top.
[Tessitore] The Queen of the Ring first round that was won by Jade Cargill.
-And now-- -[Barrett] It's squashing time!
[Tessitore] It is. Looking for the Annihilator against Tiffany
who cashed in against Nia.
And, oh, wait a minute, wait a minute.
Wait a minute, could this be a moment here?
Get out!
[Tessitore] Naomi was threatening to cash in that contract,
with Tiffany laid out after the Annihilator,
and Nia jumps right into her face and tells her, "Stay out of this."
["Not Like Most Girls" plays]
Things have gotten really interesting, haven't they?
Thank you all for coming.
I've brought you in here to follow up on the Wyatts situation.
Nick, now, we know this is a big decision,
and we think this would be a huge opportunity for Fraxiom.
[chuckles] Trust me, we'll take 'em. Nick, we will take them.
Nick, may I suggest, if not Fraxiom, the Street Profits.
[all clamoring]
May I suggest that you let me finish.
Yes, rudeness.
Taking everybody's suggestions into account.
Motor City Machine Guns, you said you're the veterans of this division.
That resonated with me. Tonight I want you to set the tone.
You guys get the Wyatts tonight.
[all clamoring]
-Set that tone, boys, set the tone! -Good vision, Nick.
You got it. You got it, boys.
Man, you should have picked DIY.
[Tessitore] Whole tag team division, sending them out.
["Raise Your Fist" plays]
♪ Raise your fist ♪
♪ Oh, let's go ♪
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Detroit, Michigan,
with a combined weight of 412 pounds,
Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin,
Motor City Machine Guns!
[Tessitore] The former champs, the veterans who have seen it all,
done it all. Sabin and Shelley against the Wyatt Sicks next.
[Tessitore] Now the Motor City Machine Guns.
Tag team division was already red-hot.
All the top contenders positioning themselves for the Street Profits
and then things changed drastically on May 23rd
when this group returned.
["Shatter" plays]
[crowd cheers]
♪ You can throw it all away ♪
♪ When things break, things shatter ♪
♪ Keep it written on your face ♪
♪ The little details matter ♪
♪ Only in me I am the coil, I am the spring ♪
♪ Only in me I am the ghost in the machine ♪
♪ Only in me Recount confession, give no release ♪
♪ Only in me Will your stain ever live to be ♪
♪ Die for me brother ♪
♪ Know not what you've seen ♪
♪ Love one another… ♪
[music fades out]
[Tessitore] Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt Sicks.
And getting right after it,
-right into the ring. -[bell rings]
Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy, fast paced from the start.
Now we did hear a message from Uncle Howdy last week.
Wade, what did you make of it?
[Barrett] Well, it was kind of cryptically commented by Uncle Howdy,
hard to decipher at points,
but it's no secret that the SmackDown tag ranks
have been six months worth of squabbles, backstabbing,
and hatred.
Where has the brotherhood been? Where has the respect been?
I think the Wyatt Sicks here wanna clear this thing up.
[Tessitore] Dexter Lumis tagging in.
Joe Gacy and Lumis competing here. Representing the Wyatt Sicks.
The timing of their return that we mentioned did not go unnoticed.
Interrupting the tag team title match between Fraxiom and the Street Profits.
And to do it on what would have been Bray Wyatt's 38th birthday,
they blew out a candle that night.
Now they're looking to extinguish every tag team in their path,
and you saw everybody backstage,
all the tag teams and general manager Nick Aldis gathered
and saying, "All right, the veterans get first shot at Wyatt Sicks, go out there."
[Barrett] Well, the Motor City Machine Guns,
perhaps bravely, perhaps unwisely,
did indeed volunteer themselves to go first here.
[Tessitore] Look at Gacy springboarding his way and hooks the leg.
[Barrett] I wouldn't expect any less from two Detroit boys,
as gritty as they come.
Detroit versus everybody,
and that apparently includes the Wyatt Sicks.
[Tessitore] With a nonstop aggression early on from Gacy,
and now Lumis enters the fray against Chris Sabin.
[Barrett] Meanwhile, Uncle Howdy ominously staring on from the aisleway,
flanked by Nikki Cross and Erick Rowan.
What a maximizing…
[Tessitore] Now Gacy and Lumis trying to team up against Sabin
who breaks free for a moment,
and then lowers that top rope just in time.
[Barrett] Sabin one of the innovators of the cruiserweight style,
finally getting something going here for the Motor City Machine Guns,
and it's about time too.
[Tessitore] Baseball slide drop kicks.
And now sending themselves over the top with the crossbodies.
[crow cheers]
Good moment from Sabin and Shelley, but beware of big Erick Rowan.
[Tessitore] Tag team action here.
Motor City Machine Guns and the Wyatt Sicks.
The Wyatt Sicks back to in ring competition.
Nick Aldis said everybody made their pitches last week in the tag division,
and it's the Motor City Machine Guns who got the tap on the shoulder.
Chris Sabin.
[Barrett] Finally Chris Sabin tagged in there
after Alex Shelley has taken one hell of a beating from this duo.
[Barrett] Missile drop kick and now chop after chop against Dexter Lumis
as the Motor City Machine Guns look to rally back.
[Barrett] You can see the difference maker for Chris Sabin
really is that pace of his.
And right now Dexter Lumis just has no answer whatsoever.
[Tessitore] Into the cover.
And Lumis able to get that right shoulder up just in time.
[Barrett] Looking in the background you see Alex Shelley picking himself up.
I don't know how much is left in Alex Shelley,
but nevertheless, Chris Sabin has elected to tag his partner in.
[Tessitore] Uncle Howdy looks on
as the Motor City Machine Guns look to team up against Dexter Lumis
as they attack from that apron with the combination kicks.
[Barrett] Now perhaps it's time to go in for the kill here.
You have Gacy out of there, you have Lumis softened up.
And here we go.
[Tessitore] They could be going for it. Looking for Skull and Bones,
but instead Lumis able to break free and get action on that top rope.
And here comes Joe Gacy.
[Barrett] Completely defenseless are the Machine Guns.
[Tessitore] Double clothesline.
Springboarding off the ropes is Gacy, and now he tags in Lumis.
[Barrett] And right now Chris Sabin left all alone in there.
[Tessitore] Oh, and the assisted power bomb crashing down.
[Barrett] Such unique unorthodox offense, but highly effective.
[Tessitore] Lateral press and a kick out at two.
[Barrett] Dexter Lumis celebrating that moment there,
perhaps gave a beat for Chris Sabin just to recover enough to kick out,
but I don't know if Chris Sabin can even stand at this point.
[Tessitore] Just when the Motor City Machine Guns felt
that they had gathered enough momentum to potentially set up Skull and Bones.
And now coming in with that baseball slide is Sabin,
and then delivering the big boot for an incoming Dexter Lumis.
[Barrett] Chris Sabin has no quit in him whatsoever,
throwing whatever he can at Dexter Lumis here,
despite the clear wounds and injuries wracking his body.
[Tessitore] Shelley setting him up, taking him down.
Here comes the facial, and they deliver it.
[Barrett] Now ratcheting up the gears, blocking out the pain,
and the stress perhaps starting to show in the eyes of Uncle Howdy,
this wasn't the game plan tonight.
Well, that's how good the Motor City Machine Guns are.
-This is it, Joe Tess. -[Tessitore] Skull and Bones.
Set to be delivered.
Oh, Joe Gacy comes in.
Gacy comes in and breaks up the attempt at Skull and Bones.
[Barrett] Well, Gacy feeling the threat,
the high-low combination taking out Chris Sabin,
might have a broken jaw from that one.
[Tessitore] Right into the cover.
As he kicks free.
And you see Uncle Howdy giving instructions.
[Barrett] "Finish it the way I want this finished."
[Tessitore] As Dexter Lumis is going to the top rope.
Oh, the massive high-flying leg drop.
Welcome back, Wyatt Sicks.
-[crowd cheers] -[bell rings]
["Shatter" plays]
[Nash] Here are your winners,
Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy!
[Barrett] Well, if you ask me, Dexter Lumis had the match won already.
But apparently Uncle Howdy wanted a statement,
and that high-flying leg drop was exactly it.
Chris Sabin down for the count.
Glorious return to action for the Wyatt Sicks.
Perhaps one tag team down, more to follow.
Who would want to be in SmackDown tag ranks with this crew around?
[Tessitore] Still to come tonight,
our next King of the Ring first round Fatal-4-Way,
and look who's in it, the American Nightmare Cody Rhodes,
Damian Priest, Andrade, and Shinsuke Nakamura.
That is still to come. First round Fatal 4-Way, King of the Ring.
[crowd cheering, booing]
Have you seen R-Truth?
No, I haven't.
Have you seen Ron Killings?
Listen man, I ain't seen either one of them.
I know you're close.
So do me a favor.
Let him know I'm on the way to the ring right now.
Tell him to meet me there.
-["The Time Is Now" plays] -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Oh, look at that purposeful strut quickly to the ring
from John Cena this time.
The night didn't start the way he planned for it.
-[crowd chanting] John Cena sucks! -Shut up!
Shut your mouths.
[crowd boos]
There is a level of disrespect that I can tolerate.
R-Truth, you just crossed some lines!
[crowd chanting] We want Truth! We want Truth!
For once I agree with you.
There's a time to talk and a time to fight.
Truth, get out of here. Let's fight right now.
[crowd cheering]
["Cult Of Personality" plays]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Look in my eyes, what do you see? ♪
♪ The cult of personality ♪
♪ I know your anger, I know your dreams ♪
♪ I've been everything you wanna be ♪
♪ Oh, I'm the cult of personality ♪
-♪ Like Mussolini… ♪ -[Tessitore] CM Punk
is gonna get his chance with the undisputed WWE Champion, John Cena,
Night of Champions.
♪ The cult of personality ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ Neon lights, Nobel Prize ♪
♪ When a mirror speaks The reflection lies ♪
♪ You won't have to follow me ♪
♪ Only you… ♪
[crowd] ♪ …can set me free! ♪
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk!
[chanting continues]
Is it great to be alive on a Friday night
in Lexington, Kentucky, or what?
[crowd cheering]
Did I hear you say something about disrespect?
You're tired of being disrespected?
John…
these people are tired of being disrespected.
[crowd cheering]
But now CM Punk has a microphone, and I think you can trust when I say that
we have yet to begin to reach the levels of disrespect that we are capable of.
But for old time's sake, I'm gonna give you a chance.
Give you the benefit of the doubt. Now maybe…
Maybe my empathy is too much.
Maybe I'm a little bit too Obi-Wan Kenobi talking to Darth Vader,
looking for Anakin Skywalker in there somewhere.
I know he's in there.
So I'm gonna give you the chance in front of this legendary wrestling town.
[crowd cheering]
Stop what you're doing.
Let these people celebrate who and what you are.
Let them put you on a pedestal on your way out.
Let them celebrate the sacrifices that you have made for them and this business.
Give them a happy ending.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk!
[chanting continues]
Why?
-No. -Why?
Why would I waste my time?
[crowd booing]
These people don't matter.
This place doesn't matter.
Basketball doesn't matter, horse racing doesn't matter.
-Okay. -This…
This is the only thing that matters.
So I am going to eat crow
to the same idiots that are wearing this T-shirt and singing your song?
Fat chance.
Okay, all right,
Well, let the records state that CM Punk,
in Lexington, Kentucky, gave you an out.
All right? But now… Now, please, we'll do it your way.
Let the disrespect begin.
Ironically enough, your way is the CM Punk way.
When that static hits
and "Cult of Personality" plays through sold out arenas,
man, everybody knows it's about to get real.
[crowd cheering]
And ladies and gentlemen on TV Land watching on the USA Network,
it is about to get real.
[crowd cheering]
Here's the truth that you want so badly.
There's an old saying, you tell a strong man a lie to offend him.
That's why it pisses me off when you of all people call me a hypocrite.
Conversely, you tell a weak man…
the truth and that offends him.
And here's the truth, John.
[crowd chanting] We want truth! We want truth!
[chanting continues]
You can't beat me.
When I'm at my best, you never could.
And now you said you're going to ruin wrestling.
I'm taking it upon myself to go ahead and save it.
[crowd cheering]
Bear with me here, folks.
I got a lot, as always, I got a lot I want to get off my chest.
What was the other thing you said to me? Something about sociopathic confidence.
Yeah, all right, that one… that one I actually take as a compliment
because of my unwavering confidence in me and my ability
that has brought me to the mountain top time and time again
when people like you said they didn't see it.
When people like you
said I didn't have it.
But I'm not as confident man as you are because I will not walk out
into a sold out arena dressed like a toddler who just struck out a T-ball.
Did… Did you actually like that one?
Because I personally would like that one stricken from the record
because you know who I sound like?
Oh, I sound like a little PG John Cena.
[crowd exclaims]
Which is ironic, 'cause you know who you sound like?
"I'm gonna ruin wrestling."
"I'm gonna take the strap and leave."
Man, you sound like CM Punk.
[crowd exclaims]
And that's ironic.
You're stealing my best material, John.
I won the title.
I left with the title.
You're trying to follow in my footsteps.
I did it.
I said I was gonna do it and I did it and you know what?
You couldn't stop me.
You think challenging me at Night of Champions is gonna stop me?
John, John boy, just like old times.
Here's CM Punk to make your title run interesting.
Here comes CM Punk to make John Cena's
retirement tour palatable, watchable.
Get the rocket fuel and fuel up that private jet that you fly around in.
I will follow you to Mars to beat your ass.
[crowd cheering]
I will follow you to hell to prove that I am better than you.
Here's some more truth, ladies and gentlemen.
Here's some truth for you, John. It's not all bad.
You are a GOAT.
But so am I, and I've beaten you in my hometown,
and I've beaten you in your hometown and I will beat you at Night of Champions.
You are the GOAT that I will spit roast and sacrifice to the gods of wrestling.
Legends who actually belong on a Mount Rushmore,
guys like Terry Funk,
Harley Race,
Bret Hart,
Eddie Guerrero.
The audacity to put yourself on a Mount Rushmore, once, let alone four times.
You're a joke.
Here's some more truth for you, John.
You can't see me?
I see through you…
and I always have.
And that's the truth.
["Cult Of Personality" plays]
♪ Look in my eyes, what do you see? ♪
[Barrett] CM Punk at his poison-tongue best.
[Tessitore] "The GOAT who I'm gonna spit roast. I see through you."
Classic stuff by Punk.
-Oh, and speaking of the truth. -[Barrett] Oh!
[Tessitore] He's back attacking Cena again, Wade.
-[Barrett] In the STFU. -[CM Punk] John, I'm sorry!
But the truth hurts.
[Tessitore] Oh, and the truth has been hurting,
time and again since the dismissive disrespect of R-Truth.
And now R-Truth, or as he says, "respect my name, Ron Killings",
being pulled off of John Cena.
[Barrett] Just like the rest of us, John Cena grossly underestimated R-Truth.
Well, he's paying the price for it.
Nowhere to hide now, John.
Right now I'm standing by with Alexa Bliss.
Alexa, last week, we know you suffered a tough defeat
in the women's Money In The Bank ladder match.
So what's your mind-set as you look ahead towards the future?
Byron,
I've won Money In The Bank. I've cashed in and made history.
So no, I'm not rattled after one loss.
Tonight I'm gonna remind everyone who Alexa Bliss is
and get one step closer to becoming Queen Of The Ring.
[Flair clears throat]
Mmm.
Sweetie, did you say queen?
There's only room for one queen in this division.
Whoo!
[crowd] Whoo!
["All Hail The Queen" plays]
♪ Bow down ♪
♪ All hail the Queen ♪
["The Fury" plays]
[Tessitore] Now look at the look in Charlotte's face.
[Barrett] You do not interrupt the queen of the industry, Charlotte Flair.
[Tessitore] Well, Alexa Bliss just did.
[Barrett] There are exceptions to every rule, I suppose.
[Tessitore] Interrupting the 14-time champion's famed entrance,
and now they'll meet up with a chance to advance
to the Queen Of The Ring semifinals
and a championship match at SummerSlam down the road.
First round, Fatal 4-Way match of the tournament next.
-Yeah, I don't need everybody-- -[Aldis] Truth.
Truth, what the hell are you doing, man?
I already got an earful from Cena earlier tonight. Now you jump him again.
I can't let you keep doing this on my show. What do you want me to do?
Give me a match against Cena next week.
You and Cena next week?
Yeah.
Done.
I'm driving now.
[Tessitore] How about that? R-Truth, Ron Killings,
against John Cena next week on SmackDown.
Here we go, Queen Of The Ring, first round, Fatal 4-Way.
Alba Fyre was the late replacement for Chelsea Green.
Chelsea Green, who's live-tweeting all night long,
as she says she has travel issues and couldn't make it here,
saying "sorry Lexington" as she drinks a cocktail poolside somewhere.
Meanwhile, what a matchup with Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair face-to-face,
as Candice LeRae and Alba Fyre decide to start things off this way.
[Barrett] Well, Bliss and Flair are the clear favorites based on resumes,
but don't make any mistake, this is not a two horse race.
Fyre and LeRae are two vets
and they are desperate to punch their way up
to the upper echelons of the women's division
and victory in this tournament will do that in a hurry.
[Tessitore] It's been an interesting dynamic
with Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair recently.
You saw what we saw backstage moments ago.
Remember it wasn't long ago that Alexa extended her friendship
to Charlotte after WrestleMania,
an offer that was not embraced by the 14-time champion.
[Barrett] I'll tell you right now, Charlotte Flair is by far
the least popular woman in the locker room.
She certainly is not here to make friends
and views herself as above and beyond anybody else on the roster
and she's out to prove it here.
[Tessitore] Right into the cover of Alba Fyre.
[Barrett] I tell you, there's a fire lit under Charlotte Flair of late.
We're kind of in uncharted territory for Flair.
She lost at WrestleMania to Stratton, failed to qualify
for the Money In The Bank matchup.
Flair is synonymous with success and needs to get back to that tonight.
[Tessitore] Chop after chop.
Whatever path is needed.
Of course, Queen Of The Ring, this tournament, has been great action time
with King Of The Ring and Queen Of The Ring.
The winners of these tournaments,
they're vying for the chance to fight for a championship at SummerSlam.
[Barrett] It's part of the problem
by being the big fish in this kind of matchup,
the other women realize that and want to take you down.
It's the kind of match, if you can, you wanna fly under the radar
and steal a victory.
Without grabbing too much attention, and that is never going to be the way
that Charlotte Flair lives life, and she's paying the price for that now.
[Tessitore] Well, earlier tonight we saw Nia Jax and Piper Niven
attempt that strategy, teaming up against Jade Cargill.
Jade Cargill, who ended up Jaded Piper Niven
to advance in this Queen Of The Ring,
going off to the semifinals.
[Barrett] Bodies are dropping like flies now, the class of Charlotte Flair.
[Tessitore] Oh, Alexa Bliss crossbody and right into the cover quickly.
[Barrett] Listen, when you--
[Tessitore] Oh, she's setting up the Sister Abigail DDT,
but, no, broken up by Fyre and LeRae.
[Barrett] Well, Alexa Bliss had an epic performance
in the women's Money In The Bank ladder match,
ultimately falling short, straight back into the hunt tonight.
You question what kind of condition that body is in
after the amount of abuse it took in Los Angeles.
[Tessitore] And Charlotte hooks the leg on Alba Fyre who's able to kick out.
[Barrett] And this has been an absolute scrap from the get-go.
No one really grabbing any form of domination, but it's Flair who is up.
And Flair looking to go for victory here.
[Tessitore] Friday Night SmackDown here at the famous Rupp Arena
in Lexington, Kentucky with a record breaking live gate
in the history of WWE coming to Lexington.
This is the night.
The crowd has come out.
11,922 in the midst of seeing Queen Of The Ring first round Fatal 4-Way,
this tournament, to see who advances to the semis,
who eventually can win a championship opportunity.
And still to come, it'll be the King Of The Ring Fatal 4-Way.
Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest, Andrade, and Nakamura.
Are you kidding me with this?
Alexa coming underneath and sending them
as Alba and Candice were trying to get the double superplex on Charlotte Flair.
[Barrett] So smart by Bliss there.
Went for the woman who took the biggest landing of them all.
Charlotte Flair close to victory, but just not quite enough.
But I'll say right now, this has been a scramble from the off.
It has been all-out offense from all four women, no thought for defense whatsoever.
And right now, getting that second wind is Alexa Bliss.
[Tessitore] Remember how she started off this match.
By interrupting the Queen's ring entrance and making a statement right away.
And now those two right in the center of the ring.
[Barrett] And this is Alexa Bliss finding that championship gear
she's found five times in the past.
[Tessitore] Oh, right off of Charlotte, the Codebreaker on Alexa.
[Barrett] Keep your eye on Candice LeRae at all times
and indeed for that matter Alba Fyre.
-Keep an eye on everyone. -[Tessitore] Natural Selection!
Everybody bringing their best stuff.
That front suplex, the Blockbuster, the Natural Selection,
and now Charlotte, is she locking it in on Alexa?
Could she bridge the Figure Eight?
Look at this.
Queen Of The Ring, first round tournament, bridging that Figure Eight.
And Springboard Lionsault off the second rope
on to Charlotte breaks the Figure Eight.
[Barrett] Well, right before Alexa Bliss could have tapped out there,
saving the match for everyone.
Candice LeRae, and now Alba Fyre going in for the kill.
[Tessitore] In the cover, Alba Fyre.
[Barrett] Oh.
[Tessitore] And Alexa Bliss breaks it up.
Remember, Alba Fyre subbing in for Chelsea Green,
who's been live-tweeting throughout the night,
says she had travel issues and couldn't make it here.
Wanted to have this first round Fatal 4-Way postponed,
but instead, Nick Aldis said, "No, Alba's here, she's good."
DDT Alexa Bliss.
And she's looking to climb up top.
Wait, could this be Twisted Bliss?
[Barrett] Going big. Going for the semifinals. Connects!
[Tessitore] She lands it to advance!
And Charlotte Flair drags her off of the cover.
[Barrett] Nobody times it better than Charlotte Flair.
It's why she is perennially at the top of the industry.
And good night, Alexa Bliss.
But keep your eyes peeled.
[Tessitore] There's a roll up. School Boy on Charlotte.
[Barrett] Ooh, DIY's latest member, Candice LeRae, almost stealing it.
[Tessitore] Big Spear by Charlotte…
to advance.
And somehow Candice LeRae kicks out.
[Barrett] That is astounding durability
from Candice LeRae who ate that Spear flush,
but out of the frying pan into the fire.
[Tessitore] Oh, here she goes again. She was looking for that Figure Four,
but instead Alba with the super kick just in time.
[Barrett] Got her shirt ripped open. Chelsea Green's on it.
Was trying for her prettier.
Failed, boot to the face.
[Tessitore] That's a Chelsea Green shirt.
And now, Charlotte, there is the Figure Eight on Alba.
Could this end it and could Charlotte advance in the tournament?
Wait a minute, Sister Abigail,
-[Barrett] Oh, wait up! -[Tessitore] Sister Abigail!
And the win!
Alexa wins.
[Nash] Here is your winner,
Alexa Bliss!
[Tessitore] And Alba Fyre… Alba Fyre tapped out just moments after
the pinfall win by Alexa Bliss.
[Barrett] And the frustrations continue.
From Charlotte Flair's perspective, she had the match won,
but stealing it out the deck was the crafty Alexa Bliss
with Alba Fyre tied up in knots.
Wow!
[Tessitore] Charlotte thought she won.
Alba gave way, but Alexa with the Sister Abigail in the pinfall win advances, Wade.
[Barrett] And Alexa wins.
We'll find out who her semifinal opponent will be on Raw.
[Tessitore] Look at that look that Charlotte gives to Bliss.
Queen Of The Ring, semifinalist, Alexa Bliss.
[crowd cheering]
You know we can't run away from each other forever.
I know. Good luck tonight.
After Night of Champions, we'll see who's chasing who.
["Kingdom" plays]
♪ Wrestling has more than One royal family ♪
♪ Adrenaline, in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
-♪ Whoa ♪ -[crowd] ♪ Whoa ♪
♪ And my father said when I was younger ♪
[Nash] The following is a Fatal 4-Way first round match
in the King Of The Ring Tournament, scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 222 pounds,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Tessitore] It was only 54 days ago in Vegas,
this would have been the furthest thing from Cody Rhodes's mind,
the idea of needing to find a way to a world championship opportunity.
But here he is willing to do whatever it takes, and that means this big task,
King Of The Ring, first round tournament, Fatal 4-Way with the American Nightmare.
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
-♪ Whoa ♪ -[crowd] ♪ Whoa ♪
♪ And my father said when I was younger ♪
["Sinister Samurai" plays]
[Tessitore] Last time we saw Shinsuke Nakamura,
he was in the thrilling Money In The Bank Triple Threat qualifier
that LA Knight was able to take.
[Barrett] Shinsuke Nakamura, who has won it all in WWE
except, of course, the King Of The Ring tournament and a world championship.
He will get the opportunity to make headway into that stat right here
in this King Of The Ring quarterfinal.
["Conquistar" plays]
[Nash] And their opponent, from Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico
weighing in at 230 pounds,
Andrade!
[Tessitore] Wade, you, Pat and Cole were excellent on the call, Money In The Bank,
but one of the wow moments, I think you nearly jumped out of your seat ringside,
was Andrade when he hit that Sunset Flip Powerbomb off the ladder
on El Grande Americano.
[Tessitore] Yeah, that was a devastating movement.
Earlier in the night Andrade took a ladder to the wedding tackle out on the floor.
-That's cold steel. -[Tessitore] I'm sorry?
[Barrett] The wedding tackle. You know what I'm…
Every man on planet Earth knows what I'm saying there.
Nothing terrified me more during Money In The Bank than that particular impact
-on the softest region-- -Is this British slang that I don't…
[Barrett] Wedding… Wedding tackle, um…
I… I don't know how to say it more politely than that, Joe Tess.
I'm trying here. You're backing me into a corner.
Get me fired if you carry on like that.
["Rise For The Night" plays]
♪ All rise for the Rockstar ♪
[Nash] And their opponent, from New York City,
weighing in at 249 pounds,
Damian Priest!
[Tessitore] Priest understands the value of winning King Of The Ring
from the other side.
Last year's winner was Gunther,
who ended up toppling him.
This is Priest's first time in competing in the King Of The Ring tournament.
[Barrett] Damian Priest has had a 12 months ruined
by a combination of The Judgment Day and, indeed, Drew McIntyre.
Those threats seemingly behind the big man now,
focusing back on achieving big things here on SmackDown and beyond.
[Tessitore] Wildly interesting combination of talent in the ring right now.
King Of The Ring, first round of the tournament, Fatal 4-Way.
No DQs, no count-outs.
The first to win by pinfall or submission advances.
Of course the winner of the King Of The Ring
gets a championship opportunity at SummerSlam.
That comes your way from MetLife Stadium.
King Of The Ring finals will be at Night of Champions.
[Barrett] I'll tell you right now, The King Of Ring
is a big enough motivator on its own,
but since they added that World Championship, or WWE Championship,
-stipulation to the prize… -[Tessitore] Yes.
…it just grew bigger and bigger
and now it is an absolute peak, historically speaking.
[Tessitore] You can understand the early feeling out here
with these four, Rhodes and Priest, Andrade.
And Nakamura makes an exit.
[Barrett] And I love this from Nakamura.
There are no prizes for putting your body on the line early here.
Don't risk anything unless you--
[Tessitore] Oh!
The American Nightmare with an early statement as Nakamura exited the ring
and now Andrade and Priest right in the center of the ring.
And the striking combinations from Damian Priest.
[Barrett] Cody had a great idea there, but in the process dropped his own guard
and unsurprisingly Andrade capitalized.
[Tessitore] Andrade off to a very good momentum-gathering start.
[Barrett] The man with the big dreams.
[Tessitore] Cody intercepts and then eats an elbow.
Haven't seen Cody Rhodes in action inside the ropes on SmackDown since February 7th.
[Barrett] Oh.
[Tessitore] Right into the cover by Priest.
[Barrett] A Broken Arrow connecting early, I'll tell you what.
Andrade was not expecting the heavy artillery this soon.
[Tessitore] Rhodes…
Couldn't deliver the elbow,
and Priest comes in and then goes flying over the top rope
and then pulls down the legs of the recently dethroned Undisputed Champion.
[Barrett] Every single competitor here starting out on a ten.
We ain't warming up tonight, the stakes are too great.
[Tessitore] Oh, Nakamura came all the way around the ring, got up on the apron,
he saw an opening against both Cody Rhodes and Damian Priest, Wade.
[Barrett] Yeah, these are four high caliber competitors and unsurprisingly…
[Tessitore] Andrade Moonsaults right off the top of the post.
All four are laid out, out on the floor.
We're only two weeks away to Night of Champions.
The question is who will be in the finals of King Of The Ring?
This is first round action and it has been nonstop since the start
with Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest and Shinsuke Nakamura,
who is putting Priest in a compromised position
right in that corner and sliding through.
[Barrett] Well, Nakamura has been so crafty in this one,
he's allowed the other three competitors at time
to burn each other out while laying in wait.
Yes, he's absorbed some punishment himself,
but he's been waiting for this moment and he has to make it count.
[Tessitore] Shinsuke Nakamura.
Three-time US Champion coming straight in on Cody
who gets out of the way just in time.
[Barrett] You can't strut… you can't take that much time against someone the caliber
of Cody Rhodes, arguably number one in this entire industry,
albeit without a championship at present.
[Tessitore] Cody looking to advance by submission here in first round action.
Figure Four is locked in against Nakamura.
Off the top rope comes Andrade.
[Barrett] Yeah, you go on the offense with a Figure Four,
you're just asking for someone to pounce in this kind of match.
[Tessitore] That is exactly what happened, and now Priest back to his feet.
[Barrett] Rhodes leaving himself defenseless.
If I was Priest there I'd have kicked Rhodes out of the ring
and focused on the one man left, which would have been Andrade.
Priest has other ideas.
Who am I to educate a former World Heavyweight Champion.
Damian Priest knows exactly what he's doing.
[Tessitore] Looking to get back in position
to battle for a world championship.
Off the steel steps he comes crashing down on Nakamura.
[Barrett] All three men at the feet of Damian Priest.
[Tessitore] Priest going up old-school.
But here's Cody.
[Barrett] Oh, wow!
[Tessitore] Look at this.
Look at Rhodes trying to balance himself
before Nakamura gets the best of both of them.
-[Barrett] Damian Priest-- -There's a roll up.
[Tessitore] There's a roll up by Andrade!
[Barrett] Just over rotated there and Shinsuke Nakamura
didn't need to be asked twice to get the hell out.
That arm bar now locked in.
The other arm is extended.
[Tessitore] That arm bar is locked in.
-Nakamura. -[Barrett] Ooh!
And Cody Rhodes saw the danger a mile off
just before, perhaps, the arm of Andrade was snapped, or there had been a tap out.
[Tessitore] Here's Cody.
Who can advance out of this first round,
and make it to the semifinals of King Of The Ring.
[Barrett] Yeah, so frantic in there right now.
Cody Rhodes saw his moment for glory,
saw his moment for progression.
Didn't quite work out and now Cody Rhode--
-[Tessitore] This crowd's gonna go nuts. -[Barrett] Tricks up his sleeve.
[Tessitore] This crowd's gonna go nuts. The table is coming out.
[Barrett] Well it's a little unorthodox for a Fatal 4-Way.
-[Tessitore] No DQs. -[Barrett] There's absolutely nothing
this referee can do about it.
Cause all the carnage you want, Cody.
[Tessitore] Cody's got the table lined up.
Cody says anything it takes. If this is the path to getting back
to a World Championship opportunity, whatever it takes,
as he's got Andrade lined up,
but Andrade's gonna lock it up.
[Barrett] Yeah, real smart from Andrade.
He's taken enough abuse already this week, thank you very much.
[Tessitore] Now Priest joins the fray.
They look at each other.
And they say, "Why not?"
[Barrett] I don't know how this can possibly end well
for any of these three men.
[Tessitore] Nakamura's gonna bring down the legs of Andrade.
And deal with him himself.
[Barrett screams]
[Tessitore] Oh, right through!
[Barrett] Cody Rhodes just fell on his own sword,
and it's Nakamura with all the power now.
[Tessitore] That is what is on the line. King Of The Ring.
This is the first round Fatal 4-Way of the tournament.
Andrade and Shinsuke Nakamura battling right now.
As Damian Priest is somehow back to his feet.
He was smashed up and over our announce desk and into the timekeeper.
And now he's lining up the razor's edges. Shinsuke tries to fight him off.
[Barrett] Yeah, you fight tooth and nail to get the hell out of that one.
[Tessitore] Meanwhile, the American Nightmare Cody Rhodes,
he went through a table some time ago and he has yet to recover.
Andrade hooks the leg
and he couldn't advance.
[Barrett] Simply no way out of danger in this kind of match.
There's always someone working, ready to pounce,
and right now it's Nakamura with a Pele kick to the back of the head of Andrade.
All men down, bar one.
[Tessitore] But how much has been taken out of Nakamura?
As you see, Cody Rhodes trying to get to his feet.
Cody went through a table earlier
and now Cody Rhodes, the American Nightmare trying to advance himself.
He wants a World Championship opportunity to regain his status.
[Barrett] By hook or by crook.
The indefatigable human spirit of Cody Rhodes shining through here.
[Tessitore] Rhodes
getting the best of Priest.
[Barrett] And you feel that noticeable jump in energy.
This audience is starting to believe once again in the American Nightmare.
[Tessitore] Setting up Cross Rhodes, but instead Shinsuke able to counter.
Shinsuke Nakamura, looking for Kinshasa,
[Barrett] Connects.
[Tessitore] Hooks the leg. Could he advance?
Andrade with a last second save.
[Barrett] Cody Rhodes' eyes just rolled in the back of his head.
Well, nice move. Schoolboy into the buckles there by Andrade.
This one's swinging back, forth, left, right, up, down.
[Tessitore] Andrade, who had so many wow moments
in the Money In The Bank ladder match
and now just six days removed
with a huge career opportunity in front of him right here
as he comes in with the running double knees.
[Barrett] God, as Andrade found a new gear in recent months,
that acquisition of AAA has fired up something inside of this--
-Oh, God! -[Tessitore] Oh, no!
Watch out, here comes Priest.
[Barrett] Once again… Oh!
[Tessitore] Oh, you saw the spinning elbow.
Looking to deliver the message.
Andrade, is this enough?
Shinsuke Nakamura, Fatal 4-Way action everywhere you look.
[Barrett] Scorpio Rising attempt there I think from Shinsuke Nakamura.
Certainly did not catch Andrade flushed, but it broke up the pin,
and that was enough for now at least.
[Tessitore] Andrade and Nakamura, as Cody's been damaged.
Priest is laid out.
Will these two determine this first round King Of The Ring Fatal 4-Way?
[Barrett] Every shot is so heavy in this matchup.
I'm feeling every thud reverberating through the arena.
[Tessitore] Here comes Cody.
Cody Rhodes rallying back.
Priest looking to deliver.
Instead, a Razor's Edge.
It's Cody,
delivering the Cody Cutter.
[Barrett] Oh, that one was as sweet as I've ever seen,
but it's not got the job done yet.
[Tessitore] He wants it badly to get back into position.
Cross Rhodes on Andrade.
Oh, but Nakamura.
And he says, I'm ending it right here, right now.
Cody counters, Cody has countered!
Cody Rhodes, Cross Rhodes counter!
Hooks the leg.
-And does it! -[bell dings]
["Kingdom" plays]
[Nash] Here is your winner,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Barrett] One step closer to redemption for Cody Rhodes.
What an epic matchup.
We're gonna find out who Cody Rhodes' semifinal opponent is
on Raw in Green Bay.
But what a journey.
Connecting with this Cross Rhodes,
and Cody Rhodes makes it through to the semifinals.
[Tessitore] Well, let's have a look, Wade.
Because we have three of our four semifinalists.
Cody, Randy won tonight.
Sami Zayn. Who will round it out?
It is a ride to SummerSlam, to the Night of Champions.
That's how it jump-starts.
Massive semifinal action.
Plus, R-Truth against John Cena.
We will see you then, as here in Lexington,
they roar for the American Nightmare.
♪ You'll follow me until the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
♪ Lights go down, I'm ready now ♪
♪ Tear this roof off for the town ♪
♪ Gonna give 'em what they came to see ♪ hampions.