[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Kelley] As you can see moments ago, a multi-car accident involving members
of the MFT occurred outside of Frost Bank Arena
here in San Antonio, Texas, ahead of Friday Night SmackDown.
Law enforcement already on the scene.
-Excuse me, Adam Pearce, can I get a word? -Of course.
Will you let me know
what types of injuries are we expecting to see from this accident?
So, you and I came in on this at the same time.
It's obviously brand-new, as we go on the air.
It's a huge night. Nick took the week off--
Cody…
And clearly you've got your hands full here.
-[crowd cheers] -This the contract for later tonight?
-Everything we talked about is in here. -Can I look at it?
-Absolutely. -Thank you.
I'll catch up with you later.
Cathy, excuse me. I'm gonna go talk to the police.
-Okay, thank you. -Thank you.
[Pearce] Okay, one more time.
We will be sure to provide as many updates as we can throughout the night.
-Joe, Wade. -[Tessitore] Thank you, Cathy.
Our ace reporter quick on the scene there.
Obviously not how we intend to start SmackDown.
Typically, our arrivals, but our arrivals interrupted with a car crash
just outside the arena here in San Antonio.
Yeah, pandemonium.
A major incident to kick off SmackDown,
and my question is what triggered that incident?
Was it intentional? Was it an accident?
The MFTs certainly have made some enemies over the past few months,
so we'll find out more as we hear it.
Yeah, we have team coverage reporting on this.
It just happened as we were going on the air.
Cody Rhodes, of course, set to sign the contract to face John Cena at SummerSlam,
but we will effort to get you more information as the evening goes on
as to what just happened there with the car accident.
This all comes, of course, on the heels of a historic WWE Evolution.
Wade, so much to discuss with what happened in Atlanta,
but one aspect, continuing to watch the unique pairing
of Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss.
This was earlier today.
[speaking indistinctly]
[crowd cheers]
[sighs] Yes, I know. I know.
Tagging us together was a complete bust,
so I'm gonna do you a favor and suggest that we just part ways.
Blister, you didn't even hear what I had to say.
When have I ever done anything halfway?
We might have not won, but we didn't lose either.
So that's why I went to Adam Pearce,
and I got us a Tag Team Title Match at SummerSlam.
Hold on, so you just…
went to Adam Pearce,
had a conversation, and walked out with a title match?
Well, just because I'm in a team doesn't mean I'm not Charlotte Flair anymore.
[chuckles]
Okay, well, if that's the case, I got some things--
Okay, no, wait. Hold on. I need you to focus.
So tonight I have a match against Raquel, and I kind of need you out there.
So, pretty please…
Well, to quote Miss Charlotte Flair, "Do I look like a cheerleader?"
Why, yes, you kind of do.
You're right, I do.
[groans]
All right, you can be my cheerleader, but remember, we're still not friends.
[Tessitore] I mean this has gotten too good between these two.
The "We're not friends" T-shirts are rocking too.
Just a little something different with the 14-time World Champion
in recent weeks.
And the WWE Universe clearly picking up on it.
♪ Bow down… ♪
["All Hail the Queen" playing]
[Tessitore] Of course, what happened last weekend in Atlanta.
Night of massive pops, and Charlotte received one
when she tagged in at Evolution.
It was as pronounced as any we've heard that night.
And now with Alexa Bliss by her side to lend support.
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
accompanied by Alexa Bliss,
from the Queen City,
Charlotte Flair!
[Tessitore] The allies of convenience, Wade,
and Bliss does have the pom poms, by the way.
-The cheerleader look. -[Barrett laughs]
Oh, man, and what a major, major announcement that was.
WWE Women's Tag Team Championship at SummerSlam
in a little over two weeks' time
as the champs Roxanne and Raquel will be defending
Against these allies of convenience, as you put it, Joe.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss.
And Charlotte Flair really,
after weeks and weeks of keeping Alexa Bliss at arm's length
-has fully bought into this tag team. -[Tessitore] I mean, look at the smile.
[Barrett] And they're in the hunt for gold.
All right, still some problems. All right, we're not quite--
[Tessitore chuckles] A stiff-arm just for good measure.
[Barrett] We're not quite fully there, but you're right, you mentioned it.
Charlotte Flair seems to be having fun again,
and what a reaction she got at Evolution.
If you'd have asked me two months ago,
"Will Charlotte Flair ever get cheered again?"
The answer would have been no, but clearly, Evolution,
perhaps the biggest reaction of the night.
-["La Mas Ruda" playing] -[Barrett] She's back.
[Tessitore] One half of the tag team champions now.
[Nash] And her opponent,
accompanied by Roxanne Perez.
Representing The Judgment Day,
she is one half of the WWE Tag Team Champions,
from Rio Grande Valley, Texas,
Raquel Rodriguez!
[Tessitore] SmackDown ring announcer Mark Nash really bringing it tonight
and it seems like Raquel's cloud of doubt that was hovering over Roxanne Perez
has been clearing a bit as well, Wade.
[Barrett] Oh, man, Perez earned her stripes in a big way
in that Fatal 4-Way tag match at Evolution.
It was a proven moment for both women as a tag team.
Put to the ultimate test.
The best of Raw, the best of SmackDown, the best of NXT in that 4-Way,
and who were the victors?
Raquel and Roxanne.
We've got some legit champs here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] A good matchup to open up Friday Night SmackDown
here at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
Massive crowd out for Friday Night SmackDown.
You mentioned what happened at Evolution with the champions.
Then Monday on Raw, they defeated the Kabuki Warriors
with a little help from Dirty Dom.
[Barrett] Yes, indeed.
And clearly putting down a marker now is Raquel
who sees herself as the alpha female in WWE.
The same could probably be said for Charlotte Flair,
who doesn't like to back down to anyone.
But Big Mami Cool here may not give Charlotte a choice.
[Tessitore] See the athleticism by Charlotte
countered by the rugged, powerful Raquel Rodriguez,
just pulling her down.
[Barrett] Raquel just looks like a completely different woman
since the recent sad demise of Liv Morgan,
who's at home recuperating from a surgery right now.
But Big Mami Cool has stepped up in a big way
and looks like the leader once again.
Really filling that void.
[Tessitore] Charlotte sends her out to the floor and crossbody!
Charlotte Flair!
-[crowd cheers] -Yeah, baby!
[Tessitore] And now Roxanne Perez looks to get involved.
Oh, but she's got company.
Alexa Bliss just tracks her down. A little added protection for Charlotte.
[Barrett] Pays to have friends in this game,
but friends cannot protect you
from Raquel Rodriguez when she's in this kind of form.
[Tessitore] Oh, right into the post!
The power of Raquel Rodriguez.
They're gonna fight for the tag titles at SummerSlam.
Singles action, power packed right now.
[Tessitore] Huge crowd here at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio
for Friday Night SmackDown.
Joe and Wade with you ringside.
Again, our evening started off unexpectedly
with a car crash outside the arena.
Cathy Kelly is hoping to give us an update as to what happened there
with Solo Sikoa and the MFTs as Raquel Rodriguez and Charlotte Flair
have been battling to open up this SmackDown.
First time they've been one-on-one.
Of course, they were in the ring against each other
in tag team action as The Judgment Day was able to retain their titles
at Evolution this last Sunday.
Great counter by Flair, but coming back with a stomp was Rodriguez.
[Barrett] This has been such a potent authoritative performance
from Raquel, who is now rag dolling,
arguably, the very best in Charlotte Flair.
How impressive has Raquel Rodriguez become over the past several weeks?
And of course in a leadership role now as the Tag Team Champions.
Having to replace Liv Morgan,
Roxanne Perez was approved, but then having to prove it
this past weekend in Atlanta, and they did just that
as they were able to make it out of that Fatal 4-Way still with gold.
[Barrett] Flair just about missed the worst of that twist invader bomb there
from Raquel,
and has perhaps bought herself an opportunity to now get back in the fight.
[Tessitore] Able to parry the right hand and send back a right hand of her own
time and again is Charlotte Flair.
-And now here come the Flair chops. -[crowd] Woo! Woo! Woo!
[Barrett] Music to the ears of Charlotte Flair.
Now has this audience fully behind her once again.
[Tessitore] And delivering is the 14-time World Champion
who's been receiving excellent receptions from the WWE Universe in recent weeks.
[Barrett] Flair has dropped-- Oh!
Dropped her guard, taken off the armor and is back to having fun again.
And when Flair is having fun in that ring, that is when she's at her very best.
[Tessitore] And her unique pairing with the "We're not friends"
of Alexa Bliss has been a big part of it.
Big boot from Flair.
[Barrett] Now picking up some real momentum on this one.
What a momentum builder it would be ahead of SummerSlam
to put away one half of the tag champs here.
[Tessitore] Oh, the Queen's gonna fly!
Crossbody, but rolling right through. And look at the power of Rodriguez.
[Barrett] Such great footwork from Raquel there,
and as you mentioned, sheer power.
[Tessitore] Hooking the leg into the cover
and getting that left shoulder up was Charlotte.
[Barrett] It's just effortless for Raquel, isn't it?
Tornado powerslam this deep into a match.
And now that frustration really coming to the fore for Raquel.
Believes that should have been the end,
but hey, you're in there with Charlotte Flair.
Might take something a little special to put Flair away.
[Tessitore] These two have been meeting up.
We told you it happened Sunday, a week ago on SmackDown.
Charlotte tossed Raquel right over our announce desk. Went flying. Was laid out.
-Let go of the hair, okay? Come on! -Or what?
[Barrett] Talking a little smack in the process here.
Oh! Going for the big ones!
[Tessitore] Looking for the Tejana Bomb, but Charlotte able to get free!
That big boot from Flair,
and now she's getting into position.
Oh, and would you look at Roxanne Perez!
[Barrett] Little help from your partner here,
risking a disqualification.
Referee's got eyes on the whole thing, but--
[Tessitore] Oh, Alexa's up on the apron as well!
-Hangs her up on the top rope! -[crowd cheering]
-Look what Alexa did! -[Barrett] Referee missed the whole thing!
[Tessitore] Here's a roll up for the win.
And Charlotte gets it with a little help from the "We're not friends."
I think maybe they are.
[Nash] Here is your winner,
Charlotte Flair!
[Tessitore] They almost don't know how to react with that kind of win.
[Barrett] Well, frustration on the faces of Raquel and Roxanne.
They were simply beaten at their own game here.
This was the fixing from Roxanne.
Didn't quite work, but behind the referee's back,
Alexa Bliss, as you mentioned,
pulling out a massive assist here for Flair with the roll up.
And two weeks before these two teams clash for tag gold at SummerSlam.
Big victory here for Charlotte Flair.
[Tessitore] Two weeks away from SummerSlam and a chance for gold.
-Ah. -[crowd cheers]
Okay, yes. Let me call you back.
Gentlemen, what can I do for you?
-Mr. Pearce? -Yes, sir.
Do you know where we can find Jacob Fatu?
Jacob Fatu? For what?
He's a, uh, person of interest in our investigation.
You gotta be kidding me. Jacob Fatu is a person of interest?
Yes, sir.
Follow me.
Jacob! He's right here. Jake!
Jake.
[crowd cheers]
Apparently, San Antonio's finest asking questions about the hit and run with Solo.
I don't know what it's about.
-What? -[crowd chants] Fatu! Fatu! Fatu!
I ain't going with you punk-ass police.
-I didn't even do nothing. -Calm down, calm down.
No, no, no, no. Nah, y'all a little bit too close.
[Pearce] Hold on a second.
Think about your family.
Let's answer their questions, not make it any worse than it already is, okay?
[crowd chants] Fatu! Fatu! Fatu!
In two weeks, I will defend the WWE Women's Championship
against Jade Cargill at SummerSlam,
and a lot has changed since we both debuted at the Royal Rumble.
Tiffany and I both came up in this game quick.
We both have friendships destroyed.
-We've both won gold. -…won gold.
But the difference is only one of us have kept it.
But while she was becoming champion,
I fought through betrayal,
injury, a pain that changes you.
I let Naomi distract me, but I'm done with that.
Now I'm going for what's mine, the WWE Women's Championship.
[Stratton] Time after time, I've been underestimated.
I'm just another dumb blonde. I'm naive.
I'm too confident. I'm inexperienced. I've heard it all.
But guess who's standing here as the WWE Women's Champion?
Not Trish Stratus, not Nia Jax, not Charlotte Flair.
Tiffany Stratton is.
I've been doubted, disrespected, and still I walk through every storm.
I've earned this crown on my head.
She's what they expect. I'm what they can't control.
[Stratton] After SummerSlam, Jade Cargill is just gonna be another name
on the long list that Tiffany Stratton has beat.
Tiffany thinks I'm just another name.
Baby girl, I don't just get added to lists,
I end them.
And at SummerSlam, I end her because a storm…
is coming.
[Barrett] Well, Tiffany Stratton has stood resolute
in the face of all challenges thus far,
but does Tiffy Time end at SummerSlam?
Jade Cargill certainly thinks so.
Queen of the Ring gets her opportunity at the WWE Women's Championship.
That's at SummerSlam in two weeks' time.
[Tessitore] We're here at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
A sellout 15,112.
Wade, let's dig in on what took place recently with R-Truth,
Aleister Black as well as Damian Priest.
[Barrett] This was last week on SmackDown.
R-Truth and Aleister Black were going head-to-head.
They'd have several weeks of issues between them.
Aleister Black, though, managed to get himself distracted in the ring,
and Truth grabbed himself a quick victory.
That did not sit well at all with Aleister Black.
Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop.
-I'm sorry. -You're good. Just take it easy.
[Black] Hey, Priest, on second thought…
[Barrett] Black now laying waste to his former friend and confidant
Damian Priest.
Black highly agitated after his career keeps getting derailed.
[crowd cheers]
Hey, guys.
Melo, you seen Aleister?
-No. -All right, man.
And even if I did, I wouldn't say anything to you.
Yo, I swear you always pick the wrong time to open your mouth.
No. Now is the perfect time.
Because I warned you a couple of weeks ago that this was gonna happen,
and it happened.
So don't come here getting hot on me, bro.
-All right, you're right. You warned me. -Mm-hmm.
At some point, I'm gonna find Aleister.
Now, I know that he likes to think that he's big, bad and evil,
but when I catch his ass,
he'll be on his knees praying for forgiveness.
You know what?
I don't even know why I was trying to play peacemaker.
That's not who I am.
Who I am is the guy that goes to the ring and shuts people's mouths,
and then I go out and celebrate it.
Oh, okay. You ain't gonna have nothing to celebrate 'cause you're definitely
not gonna shut my mouth.
-Oh, is that right? -That's right.
Well, how about me and you go one-on-one tonight?
[crowd cheers]
-You like that? -I like that.
Thank God, man. I've been looking for this opportunity,
especially against a former world champ.
It's crazy that you want to get laid out two times back-to-back.
[scoffs, chuckles]
[chuckles]
I really hope you keep that energy tonight.
I'll see you in the ring, Melo.
[crowd cheers]
Yeah, you'll see me from the floor.
[Tessitore] Melo has a way with his mouth, doesn't he?
[Barrett chuckles] I love it.
Don't change the habit of a lifetime, Melo.
["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
♪ I'm at the top Get respect while I get feared ♪
♪ Who go a problem, huh? Tell 'em to step here… ♪
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
from Boston, Massachusetts,
weighing in at 210 pounds,
he is the 2025 André the Giant Memorial
Battle Royal winner,
Carmelo Hayes!
[Tessitore] He's been in with top-tier competition lately.
Last month, part of the King of the Ring tournament.
A win in a spot like this,
an upset like this against a determined Damian Priest would be huge for Melo.
Priest and Hayes coming up next.
♪ They be the opp Till they rush 'em off ♪
♪ Never quittin' Handle problems and I crush 'em all ♪
♪ Shoulders used to hold weight Now I dust 'em off… ♪
[Tessitore] And now it's Carmelo Hayes who, speaking of his talking,
has gotten Damian Priest's attention, and he has to deal with that right now.
[Barrett] Well, Melo calls it an opportunity.
That would be an opportunity to finally get a dub
against a top-tier former World Heavyweight Champion.
-["Rise for the Night" playing] -[Barrett] Time for talk is over.
Now time to back it up, Melo.
[crowd cheers]
♪ All rise for the rock star… ♪
[Nash] And his opponent,
from New York City,
weighing in at 249 pounds,
Damian Priest!
[Tessitore] You know, it's interesting to think how we've arrived at this
because Damian Priest really, Wade, is trying to smooth things over
in recent weeks with R-Truth and Aleister Black
and the way Truth's been going about things,
and then Melo opens his mouth.
Aleister Black snapped a week ago and hit a Black Mass
in a brutal attack on Priest.
Priest was looking for Aleister Black today,
and Melo's got to get in the way again.
[Barrett] Yeah, I'd argue that Carmelo Hayes
somehow always seems to be loitering in the background
when Damian Priest is at his most agitated.
And Melo just cannot resist taking a verbal cheap shot, and it continues now.
-[screams] -[crowd cheers]
[Tessitore] Oh, and Melo is wasting no time.
[Barrett] Well, that's one reason why you'd feel so cocky and confident
ahead of a matchup
against someone as big, powerful and talented as Damian Priest.
Get the jump on him.
Get your licks in early, and there goes the bell.
Damian Priest not even able to get his ring jacket off,
and he's getting absolutely smothered by Him.
[crowd boos]
[Tessitore] And a cascade of boos here in San Antonio.
[Barrett] Oh…
[Tessitore] And now maybe he took it a step too far.
Look at that face of Damian Priest.
[Barrett] Priest has been rocked right off the bat here and--
-Oh! -[Tessitore] Oh!
-[Barrett] Okay. -[Tessitore] And now the jacket's off.
[Barrett] Oh, God.
[Tessitore] Last time we saw Priest in a singles match,
that was that memorable Steel Cage showdown
on Saturday Night's Main Event back in late May
when he beat down Drew McIntyre.
[Barrett] And there is just a rage that is permanently burning
inside of Damian Priest on the best of times,
but I would argue Damian Priest is at his best when he's not quite at boiling point,
which he is right now.
This can, if you're not careful, lead to mistakes.
[Tessitore] Huge right hand sends him out towards our announce desk.
And now Priest just easily picks him up, and he's gonna try to send them flying,
but Melo looked to counter
and then the drop kick that just sends the back
and back of the neck of Priest into the post.
[crowd boos]
Alongside Wade Barrett, I'm Joe Tessitore here in San Antonio,
sold out Frost Bank Center.
Damian Priest, the former World Heavyweight Champion
was stalking backstage looking for Aleister Black
-who attacked him a week ago. -Stupid!
[Tessitore] Instead he ran into
-the mouth of Carmelo Hayes… -[Hayes] Stupid!
…who was jawing a lot and thus a match was made.
Hayes has been in control, but now look at Priest rallying back,
center of the ring, blow for blow.
[Barrett] Yeah, and this has been Carmelo Hayes's problem.
90% of this match he has completely controlled,
but he got cocky, gave too much breathing…
[Tessitore] Did you see the height that he just sent
up to the rafters of the Frost Bank Center with Carmelo Hayes.
[Barrett] What a huge flapjack that was, and now Carmelo Hayes
from looking like he was heading to a coasting victory,
is suddenly facing all the rage of Damian Priest.
[crowd clapping, chanting]
[Tessitore] And he wants to deliver for this sold out Frost Bank Center crowd,
and Hayes is gonna try to bail.
-[Barrett] You've got to bail. Oh, nice! -[Tessitore] Wow.
-[Barrett] You say bail. -[Tessitore] He drew him in.
[Barrett] Completely sucking in Damian Priest, expose the arm, attacked.
[Tessitore] And the springboard by Hayes. He drew him in and now gains momentum.
[Barrett] And looks good while he does it.
What a million-dollar smile.
And that smile is gonna grow even bigger if he puts this…
-[Tessitore] Wait a minute. -[Barrett] Oh, here we go.
[Tessitore] We're here in San Antonio, the hometown of Shawn Michaels,
and the Shawn Michaels mentee…
-[Barrett] Tuning up the band. -[Tessitore] Is he tuning it up?
Is he looking for Sweet Chin…
Oh, Priest.
Watch out my friend.
South of Heaven countered, swings wildly and then meets the target.
-[Barrett] Nice! -[Tessitore] Oh, look at that by Hayes.
[Barrett] La Mystica connects.
[Tessitore] Oh! Big right hand.
[Barrett] With all the momentum of that jump too.
What's Damian Priest going for here?
[Tessitore] He's got him up in position for Razor's Edge.
[Barrett] Say hello to the… No.
[Tessitore] Slipping out the back door is Carmelo Hayes.
[Barrett] Carmelo Hayes scrambling for all he's worth here,
but everything he does is just a beat ahead of Damian Priest
who has been softened up from the word go in this one.
[Tessitore] Hayes is so hungry for a big win.
Right back to it is Priest.
-But Hayes again finding a way. -[Barrett] Oh.
[Tessitore] This will be a huge opportunity
to come up with a signature upset.
-From the top rope. -[Barrett] So resourceful.
[Tessitore] Spash.
He took some damage.
-A delayed hook in the leg. -[crowd] One! Two!
[Tessitore] And with that the kick out by Priest.
[Barrett] Carmelo is really rolling tonight.
This is when Damian Priest… Oh! …went in for the big one.
And now hitting a Eddie Guerrero-style Frog Splash right here in South Texas.
Didn't quite get the job done, but Melo with all the momentum.
[Tessitore] And remember, still to come tonight,
the Undisputed WWE Championship contract signing for SummerSlam.
Cody Rhodes, John Cena, both here in the building.
We saw Cody earlier tonight when we opened up SmackDown
that car crash that shocked everybody started off the show.
We're still looking for more information there.
[Barrett, Tessitore] Oh!
[Tessitore] Priest connects.
Oh! And sends Melo crashing down into the announce desk.
[Barrett] And that was after a sweet slug to the jaw.
The elbow of Priest connecting to a leaping Carmelo Hayes,
who has gone glassy-eyed now.
And we might be about to get ourselves some old-school punishment.
[Tessitore] That's exactly what he's lining up, Damian Priest.
[crowd clamoring]
-[Tessitore] Aleister Black arrives. -[bell ringing]
[Tessitore] He's been looking for him all day.
[Barrett] Well now Damian Priest has got him.
Be careful what you wish for.
This guy's like Keyser Söze. He just appears.
[Priest grunting, coughing]
[Tessitore] Bell rang, match is over as Aleister Black has disrupted things here.
[crowd] You suck! You suck! You suck!
[Tessitore] He attacked Priest a week ago. Priest was trying to hunt him down.
I heard you were looking for me, Priest.
[Barrett, Tessitore] Oh!
-[Barrett] Bull's-eye. -[Tessitore] Black Mass again.
[Barrett] Carmelo Hayes has had his own issues
with Aleister Black in recent months.
Says, "No, thank you, I'm out."
[crowd booing]
'Cause I want you to find me.
[Tessitore] "I heard you're looking for me," we heard him say.
-["Root Of All Evil" playing] -[Tessitore] Aleister Black.
Again, brutally attacking Damian Priest.
[Barrett] Verbal message sent but the physical will have a lot longer impact.
Take another look at this. A bull's-eye Black Mass to the temple.
That is such a difficult move to execute.
Muay Thai aficionado, and doesn't Damian Priest know that?
[Tessitore] That is how it ends.
And reminder, still to come
on this electric, intriguing Friday Night SmackDown.
The Undisputed WWE Championship contract signing for SummerSlam.
We're only two weeks away.
Cody Rhodes, John Cena, right here in San Antonio coming up later.
[Barrett] And not only that, the Battle Royal winner from Evolution
who will go on to Clash in Paris for a world championship match.
Raw's Stephanie Vaquer is here.
She will go head-to-head with the Secret Hervice's Alba Fyre.
They had some major issues on Raw this past week.
[Tessitore] And we have a fascinating Fatal 4-Way coming your way.
Would you look at the star power?
You know the Wyatt Sicks need a first title defense.
We're going to determine it.
Motor City Machine Guns, Fraxiom, DIY, and Andrade and Rey Fenix,
WWE Tag Team Championship Number One Contender, Fatal 4-Way match
coming up tonight on SmackDown.
Look up. See us.
We are where we belong.
The Street Profits have shown
that their bond is only held together
by their lust for gold.
-[Uncle Howdy] But we… -Built for this.
A new family forged from pain
that's not defined by the blood we share.
[all laughing]
But about the blood that we shed.
One by one by one,
we will strip these teams of their wicked desires
and burn their vanity.
You've been blind to the frailty of your favorite teams.
Let the Wyatt Sicks be your guide.
All you have to do is follow.
[all laughing]
["Taking It All" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Tessitore] Some menacing music, isn't it?
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the United States Champion,
Solo Sikoa!
[Tessitore] Well, he's six days removed away from his title defense
over big brother Jimmy Uso,
but he's about 55 minutes removed from what we saw shockingly earlier tonight
with Solo and the MFTs outside, the damage with the T-bone car accident.
Authorities all over it, looking to detain Jacob Fatu.
Cathy Kelley being our breaking news reporter
was trying to figure out anything that happened, and now here he is.
[Barrett] Yeah, seem to have shaken off the worst of that car wreck,
though, Tonga Loa is apparently carrying a couple of wounds on his face from it.
Thankfully crisis averted there for Solo Sikoa and the MFT.
[music stops]
[crowd chanting] OTC! OTC! OTC!
-[chanting subsides] -Ladies and gentlemen.
[crowd booing, clamoring]
Tonight is the perfect example of who Jacob Fatu really is.
Without my guidance, Jacob is reckless.
Okay? He don't care about anybody.
-He doesn't listen to anybody. -[crowd shouts] What?
-All he cares about is his damn self. -[crowd shouts] What?
[crowd chanting] Fatu! Fatu! Fatu!
I gave Jacob the world, all right?
I gave him everything.
-I brought him here to WWE. -[crowd shouts] What?
-I made him successful. -[crowd shouts] What?
-I put money in his pocket. -[crowd shouts] What?
-Food on his family's table. -[crowd shouts] What?
-I made him a champion. -[crowd shouts] What?
-And he deserves none of it! -[crowd shouts] What?
He's so damn selfish.
He betrayed his real family, his only family that he has.
And I should have known. I should have known.
Once a criminal…
[crowd clamoring]
Once a criminal, always a criminal.
-[Jimmy] You! Get here! -Because Jacob Fatu…
Come on, man. Let my dawg out.
-Free world, man. -…all gas…
[Jimmy] Come on. What's up with it?
[Solo] What the hell?
-[Jimmy] Come on, man. Come on, dawg. -Come on, man.
[Jimmy] Hey, I know you.
We're very sorry about that.
We reviewed the footage and we determined that you are not the person of interest.
Uh, you're free to go handle your business.
Punk-ass police.
Where the hell is he going? We paid them off, didn't we?
We paid the cops.
-[crowd chanting] Fatu! Fatu! Fatu! -He's coming here?
Oh, he's coming here.
["Samoan Destroyer" playing]
Come on, Jacob.
[Tessitore] The MFTs and Jacob Fatu--
-[Barrett] Oh, and Jimmy Uso! -[Tessitore] Oh, and Jimmy Uso!
Jimmy Uso arrives on the spot and it is on.
[Barrett] Well, that's evened things up somewhat,
getting the jump on Tala Tonga who has been wiped out on the floor.
Now effectively three on two.
[Tessitore] As he takes out JC Mateo.
[Barrett] Yeah, Jacob Fatu will always like those kind of odds,
but keep an eye out for Tala Tonga.
[Tessitore] Oh, Tala Tonga with a massive boot.
The nearly 7-foot, 300-pounder just wrecking Big Jim.
-[Barrett] Oh, my God. -[Tessitore] Oh, no.
Now he's wrecking our announce desk.
The massive Tala Tonga.
Clearing out Big Jim, clearing off our announce desk.
[Barrett] You might want to get back here, Joe.
This is ugly.
[Tessitore] Samoan Werewolf goes flying and sends Tala Tonga right out.
[crowd cheering]
[Barrett] Oh, my God.
[exclaiming]
Come on with it!
[Barrett] The hell have you got to do to this monster to keep him down?
[Tessitore] He was looking for the double chokeslam,
but the superkick comes in.
And they double-team it.
[Barrett] That's four super kicks! He's still on his feet!
[Tessitore] And Big Jim crossbody right into timekeeper
with a little assist from Jacob Fatu!
[Barrett] And the dogs are really off the chain now.
Who would want to be Solo Sikoa?
Completely unprotected by his MFTs.
[Tessitore] And let the beatdown begin.
They framed it as if Jacob Fatu purposely got into that car wreck against the MFTs.
The police cleared him, and now he's clearing house.
Super kick against Solo.
[Barrett] This is some real Southern justice!
[Tessitore] Wow, hip attack.
[Barrett] Right here in the Lone Star State.
And this is simply not how Solo Sikoa planned this trip to San Antonio.
[Tessitore] Earlier tonight, law enforcement took Jacob Fatu away.
Solo said, "Once a criminal, always a criminal,"
but who's getting the last laugh and last word right here,
right now in San Antonio?
Oh, JC Mateo interrupts!
[Barrett] The right-hand man of Solo Sikoa.
Perhaps his most trusted MFT,
may have just saved the career and neck of Solo Sikoa,
but Jacob Fatu still going wild from the slammer to the center of the ring
in under an hour, and look at the carnage.
[Tessitore] Big Jim going up top on Tama Tonga!
-And now a Mighty Moonsault! -[crowd cheers]
[Barrett] Well, message sent.
And all Solo Sikoa can do is stand and watch.
As two of his MFTs are getting annihilated.
[Tessitore] Solo Sikoa looks on from safe distance.
And a steel chair drives down.
[Barrett] This is a save yourself kind of situation for Solo Sikoa.
[Tessitore] Half of the MFTs are being beaten down by The Werewolf, Wade.
[Pearce] Solo, Solo, Solo.
You want to frame an innocent man and get Jacob locked up?
Okay, let's see how you like it…
at SummerSlam.
Look at me, Solo,
because you will defend your United States championship
against Jacob Fatu!
[crowd cheering]
Inside a steel cage!
[Tessitore] Oh!
Oh, Solo, one more thing, gentlemen, if you please.
He's all yours.
[Tessitore] The officers that earlier tonight detained Jacob Fatu,
now realize exactly what happened here in San Antonio earlier tonight, Wade.
[Barrett] Fraudulent activity by Solo Sikoa.
And what a switcheroo here.
Solo Sikoa now heading to the pen in place of Jacob Fatu.
[Tessitore] And give credit to Adam Pearce,
who's here in place of Nick Aldis tonight.
Who said, "You want to lock him up?
How about both of you get locked up at SummerSlam?"
Wade Barrett, steel cage, Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu
for the United States championship.
[Barrett] Oh, people are losing their minds.
And Adam Pearce said to Solo Sikoa, "Let's see how you like it."
Judging by the look on the face of Solo Sikoa,
he did not like it at all.
Jacob Fatu loved it, planet Earth loved it.
SummerSlam, steel cage, United States championship on the line.
Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa. Boom!
Two weeks away from the biggest party of the summer.
Remember, we are going to have the contract signing between Cody Rhodes
and John Cena right here in San Antonio coming up in just moments.
Now last week on SmackDown we were in Nashville and we were shocked.
Jelly Roll's amazing performance was interrupted by Logan Paul,
and then two nights ago,
Jelly was the guest host on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
and look at what happened.
[Jelly Roll] Welcome to Jimmy Kimmel Live!
I have also signed up to get in the ring for WWE SummerSlam.
[audience cheers]
Please welcome my tag team partner, Randy Orton!
The WWE this past weekend was one of the coolest weekends of my entire life,
getting to hang out with the Apex Predator.
We did SmackDown, We did Saturday Night's Main Event.
Retribution is gonna come quick and swift at SummerSlam.
-That's all I gotta say. Don't-- -[audience cheers]
Don't worry about those guys, Jelly.
-He wasn't invited. -Relax, guys, I come in peace.
You're screwed at SummerSlam, but I'm bringing some positivity.
I mean, you truly are an inspiration to trailer trash all across the world.
Hey, hey, hey. You know what, Drew, Drew, wrong time, wrong place.
Why you don't you…
[audience boos]
Yeah, boo!
What are you, dummy? You're a late night talk show host?
Stay in your lane, stupid.
[audience boos]
You, my friend, are a greasy, redneck prison rat.
-Who the… [bleep] -Shut the hell up, Jelly Roll.
There's your receipt, stupid.
I'm here. Why don't you leave, huh?
[audience cheers]
What's up, dog?
You come in here messing with me, son?
[Tessitore] I mean, that's what was happening late night.
And now this is what is happening with the showdown.
Remember, Drew McIntyre Claymore'd Jelly Roll on Saturday Night's Main Event.
Now the four men are gonna meet up at SummerSlam.
The wildly intriguing tag team match
that will have the eyes of everyone from music and entertainment and sports.
It's coming your way at SummerSlam from MetLife.
["Bury Me" plays]
[Barrett] Well, here is the woman who earned herself
a World championship opportunity in September at Clash in Paris.
She did it by winning a Battle Royal at the Evolution PLE this past Sunday.
What a year it has been for Stephanie Vaquer since debuting in WWE.
[Tessitore] La Primera.
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from San Fernando, Chile,
Stephanie Vaquer!
[Tessitore] The author of what is right now, arguably,
the most popular move in sports entertainment…
-[Barrett] Definitely! -…the Devil's Kiss.
[Tessitore] Oh, look at you.
You can't even control yourself and she hasn't even gotten ready for action yet.
The winner of Evolution's Battle Royal, Stephanie Vaquer,
in action against Alba Fyre.
What the hell? Come on, man.
-Come on, man. -Come on, dog. Hey, I know you.
We're very sorry about that.
We reviewed the footage and we determine that you are not the person of interest.
Uh, you're free to go handle your business.
Punk-ass police.
[Barrett] A great case of mistaken identity.
Handle his business, Fatu did.
And it went from four-on-one to four-on-two.
And with Tala Tonga down,
suddenly the odds swung in the favor of Big Jim
and the Samoan Werewolf's carnage ensued.
One big splash off the top from Big Jim, followed by a moonsault
from the former United States champion Jacob Fatu.
Right there! Right there!
[Barrett] Solo Sikoa demanded Jacob Fatu got sent back to the pen,
however, thanks to his fraudulent behavior earlier in the evening,
it was Solo who headed to the slammer.
[Tessitore] And now look at what we are in store for.
What a rematch.
And how about the fact it's happening in a steel cage?
Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu,
Steel Cage match for the United States Championship from MetLife.
SummerSlam, we're just two weeks away.
[Barrett] So this match here, Joe,
we've got Alba Fyre of the Secret Hervice
against Stephanie Vaquer, who's over from Raw now.
There was an incident at Raw.
Stephanie Vaquer took on Chelsea Green,
and in the aftermath of her victory over Chelsea Green,
The Secret Hervice hit the ring, attacked, and it backfired.
Excuse me, it was Nikki Bella, not Stephanie Vaquer,
but Stephanie Vaquer turned up, saved the day,
and hence has this major issue now with Alba Fyre.
One, two…
[Tessitore] Quick roll. Pin and combination by Stephanie Vaquer.
She has been skyrocketing over the course of the past year, Wade.
[Barrett] Yeah, we've got a couple of international superstars in the ring,
who have made major names for themselves around the world
prior to arriving in WWE,
and I'll say the same of Alba Fyre,
who completely dominated the European scene,
but it really is Stephanie Vaquer in the last 12 months
who has parlayed that success into major success at NXT, at Raw,
and perhaps tonight here on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] And the salute as is always the case.
-[Barrett] Get up and salute! -[Tessitore] I will not.
I am broadcasting right now
and doing my job documenting the action in front of us.
[Barrett] Our missing friend, Chelsea Green,
apparently was sent a budget ticket on an airline once again by GM Nick Aldis.
So she refused to turn up.
[Tessitore] Where do you get your… Where do you source this?
What travel department are you verifying anything that Chelsea would say to you
when it comes to complaining?
[Barrett] She simply would never lie.
[Tessitore] She absolutely would for PR.
-[Barrett] Oh, oh! -[Tessitore] Oh, no.
Don't just… let's see if it develops.
La Primera lining it up, The Devil's Kiss is engaged.
[Barrett] Bouncy!
-[Barrett] Oh, I could look-- -[Tessitore] Devil's Kiss!
[Barrett] I could watch that on a loop for hours, Joe Tess.
[Tessitore] I am well aware.
[Barrett] In fact, I might well do that this week just to study the technique.
Oh, but talk about technique.
[Tessitore] Look at this.
[Barrett] Impressive from Alba Fyre going for that Gory special, but denied.
[Tessitore] SVB!
One, two, three!
[Tessitore] Stephanie Vaquer, she's gonna fight for a title.
[Nash] Here is your winner,
Stephanie Vaquer!
[Barrett] What a sprint of a matchup that was!
[Tessitore] Piper straight to her.
And the senton, the running senton by Piper Niven.
[Barrett] You had to think this was coming.
Drop your guard for a second and The Secret Hervice will strike.
And now it's punishment time for La Primera,
as Piper Niven looks to knock the stuffing
out of what is gonna be a championship contender.
-Wait a second. -[Tessitore] She turns it around.
She turns it around and shoves Piper out of the ring
after another sensational performance
where she hit The Devil's Kiss and the SVB.
The winner of Evolution's Battle Royal,
who's gonna be fighting for a championship in Paris.
Stephanie Vaquer continues to impress.
[Barrett] Impress indeed.
And this was the moment she put the finishing touches to Alba Fyre
with that SVB that has kept all recipients down for good,
and this was when Piper Niven tried her best to pick the bones post match,
but Stephanie Vaquer simply on her game once again tonight.
That has become a real trend for this woman.
Angelo, Montez, we are a week removed from the Wyatt Sicks,
taking the victory over you two,
as well as capturing the WWE Tag Team Championships.
Now that you've had some time to process, how are you both feeling?
You know, Cathy, last week was a good week for the Wyatt Sicks.
Hell, they came up from their swamp, and using their underhanded tactics,
they took the Tag Team Championships directly away
from The Street Profits' grasp.
Ain't that something? Wow.
But if we're keeping it a buck 150.
That's not a reality we're ready to face right now.
Here's the thing, we ain't going nowhere anytime soon,
and best believe we getting those titles back with a quickness.
That brings me to my next question.
We are moments away from four tag teams making their way to the ring
to compete in a number one contender match.
So how upset are you
that The Street Profits are not involved in that?
It's chaos today, you seen what happened. Police…
Look who it is.
The guys that blew it last week against the Wyatt Sicks,
and look who's here once again to save the SmackDown tag team division.
A tag team division that we love.
But guys, between us, we always knew that you didn't have what it takes
to hold those titles versus the Wyatts.
But like any true great leader knows, if you want something done right,
-you do it yourself. -[laughs]
-That's cute. That's cute. -Get it?
Pay attention.
-You might actually learn something. -And you gonna learn to watch your--
♪ DIY! ♪
["It's Our Moment" plays]
♪ One, two, three, four ♪
[Tessitore] The Wyatt Sicks are the champs.
The rest of the division trying to put themselves in line.
♪ One, two, three, four ♪
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is a WWE tag team championship
number one contender, Fatal 4-Way match.
Introducing first with a combined weight of 407 pounds.
Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano,
DIY!
[Tessitore] Number one contenders, Fatal 4-Way
when we return to Friday Night SmackDown.
Remember, Cody Rhodes, John Cena,
the contract signing still to come.
But right now, look at this great reception for Andrade and Rey Fenix.
They have become a really amazing pairing, Wade.
Since the high flyers have been a team, they're 3-0.
They've got the best of Fraxiom and DIY and Los Garza.
A win tonight,
and they will be the number one contenders for the Wyatt Sicks.
[Barrett] Yeah, generally takes months and months to build chemistry,
but sometimes the magic is just automatic,
and that has been the case with Andrade and Rey Fenix.
Really raised some eyebrows in recent weeks
at just how quickly they've got to this top level.
Now the top level in winning this match
will grant you a tag championship opportunity,
so now is the time to get that done.
[Tessitore] So that pairing against DIY, who we saw earlier,
Fraxiom is in there as well as the Motor City Machine Guns.
[Barrett] And to be clear, in this kind of matchup,
two men are legal at all times.
Anybody can tag anybody.
That means you can't just tag your partner.
Someone can tag themselves in from behind.
A lot of strategy goes into this kind of match.
[Tessitore] Start off with Nathan Frazer and Chris Sabin.
That's just what you said. And, of course, the American Nightmare
and the self-proclaimed last real champion,
Cody Rhodes and John Cena are gonna have their contract signing
for SummerSlam in a matter of moments.
As you look at Rey Fenix.
[Barrett] Well, this match took exactly 30 seconds
to break down into absolute carnage and pandemonium,
which really should be the bible for the entire SmackDown tag division
in the year 2025.
[Tessitore] Did you see the shrug from Axiom?
And all of a sudden, as the Motor City Machine Guns will say,
"We'll take this position."
-The baseball-slide dropkicks to DIY. -[crowd cheers]
[Barrett] This is one of those matches
the referee has zero chance of trying to keep control.
[Tessitore] Five hole! Sabin takes out Ciampa and Gargano.
Fatal 4-Way to see who's the number one contender.
It's been a spectacular night in front of a sold out Frost Bank Center.
15,112.
Fatal 4-Way, number one contender to be determined here.
As Alex Shelley looks to fight back.
[Barrett] Well, the last three minutes have been the DIY show
and all of the offense has been thrown the way of Alex Shelley,
but Chris Sabin has dived in, illegally I might add,
and added a little breathing room there for Shelley,
who needs out of this one in the worst way.
And with that tag from Axiom, he is out of there.
[Tessitore] Yeah, he needed that badly.
As the team of Fraxiom,
we remember the hot start they got off to in joining this SmackDown roster.
They are now in the midst of action.
[Barrett] Well, Fraxiom did get cheated out of their tag championship opportunity
several weeks ago,
when the titles were still held by The Street Profits.
Every team in the locker room hitting the ring, and that one got thrown out.
They never got themselves a rematch.
Well, now they can earn that rematch against a different championship team.
[Tessitore] Yeah, and here is the dive train of Fraxiom.
Side-by-side they go,
as Axiom came out and sent Rey Fenix right over our announce desk.
And now up top, the missile dropkick.
Into the cover.
One, two…
[Tessitore] And just pushing aside Nathan Frazer was Andrade, smart move.
As he drags Ciampa over into the corner.
[Barrett] Once again, such flash double-team moves there from Fraxiom,
so difficult to defend,
but the same could be said perhaps when Rey Fenix and Andrade get going.
[Tessitore] Fenix! Oh, that spinning kick in the corner,
that Ánimo kick.
He is so equipped with that.
This team puts forth an amazing pace, Wade.
[Barrett] Yeah, it's that chemistry that has been immediate for these two.
Completely on the same page.
It's the kind of chemistry that the Motor City Machine Guns
have taken 20 years to build.
[Tessitore] Three Amigos.
[Barrett] Well, somehow Andrade and Rey Fenix found the shortcut
and it may well lead them to a championship opportunity here,
because bodies are dropping.
[Tessitore] Fourth time that they have been teammates.
And they're on the verge of potentially fighting for gold!
Frog splash, Fenix!
To be the number one contenders…
And everybody comes in to make the save.
[Barrett] A mass pile-in.
Every team desperately trying to cling onto their hopes
of challenging the Wyatt Sicks, which I question,
do you really want to get in the ring with the Wyatt Sicks,
even with gold on the line being the sweetener?
[Tessitore] Look at that scene as everybody's in the ring.
Reminder, we are just moments away
from the Undisputed WWE championship contract signing.
Cody Rhodes and John Cena are here in San Antonio.
The contract signing just moments away,
two weeks away from meeting up at SummerSlam,
the rematch from WrestleMania.
[Barrett] Well, look at this, we are getting a relay sprint here,
and it is the Motor City Machine Guns who are getting the best of it.
I can't even remember who's legal at this point.
It has been such carnage in that ring.
[Tessitore] Shelley and Sabin trying to get after Fraxiom.
Sling Blade by Nathan Frazer, he is just lightning fast.
As are these two, Andrade and Rey Fenix into the fray again.
[Barrett] And I've never seen a referee look more confused
than Ryan Tran looks right now.
[Tessitore] Picking a victim.
Crisscrossing and delivering.
[Barrett] Just everything so sweet.
[Tessitore] They've got it. They just have it.
The striking attack, you brought it up earlier,
sometimes two forces come together and the chemistry is instant.
You're seeing that with Andrade and Fenix.
[Barrett] Yeah, blistering start to their career as a tag team for these two.
-Although DIY, two manipulators… -[Tessitore] Oh, Gargano!
…who may well manipulate their way all the way to victory here.
[Tessitore] Just able to break free.
Number one contender match is on fire here in San Antonio.
-[Barrett] Nice. -Ciampa delivers Project Ciampa!
[Barrett] Oh.
[Tessitore] Compelling action here in San Antonio.
Fatal 4-Way.
DIY and the Motor City Machine Guns right now in the mix.
Oh, they're lining up the facial, and they deliver it on Gargano!
[Barrett] Well, it is the veteran tag team,
the former tag champs here,
Motor City Machine Guns,
who are perhaps hitting peak form at the right time in this one,
-amidst the mayhem! -[Tessitore] Looking for Skull and Bones!
[Barrett] Well, that's the danger, and Andrade they knew it,
stopping it in its tracks.
And now Fenix getting in the fight.
And now it's Andrade legal with that tag to Chris Sabin.
[Tessitore] Yeah, he tagged himself right in.
Up against Axiom is Andrade.
As he sends Sabin flying.
[Barrett] And you've got to move fast.
All bodies are down, you're in there one-on-one with an opponent
in a match that has been chaos from the off.
You have to take the chance, get the job finished.
[Tessitore] Andrade maybe lining up that famed moonsault,
but Axiom quick to get up there and just smashes the back of his left leg.
[Barrett] WWE's first ever Spanish superstar.
And look what's lining up here for Fraxiom!
[Tessitore] Is he looking for the Spanish Fly?
Signature style and he delivers on Andrade!
Meanwhile, Phoenix Splash!
My, oh, my. Is it gonna be Fraxiom?
[Barrett] There was a tag to the boot of Nathan Frazer there.
Blink of an eye by Tommaso Ciampa who's now legal.
[Tessitore] He's the legal man! He's a legal man!
Oh, wow! Rey Fenix!
[Barrett] With his wits about him just when DIY, as crafty as you like,
were about to steal that victory like parasites.
Rey Fenix was ready for it and Ciampa ain't ready for this.
[Tessitore] Curling back in, is Rey Fenix.
This is awesome stuff!
Corkscrewing down to the floor.
[Barrett] Everyone wiped out except for two.
Feel the momentum.
[Tessitore] Andrade.
Looking to deliver the message.
Oh, Candice LeRae is up on the ropes.
-[Barrett] Recently rejoined the-- -[Tessitore] Oh, there's a rollup!
-[Barrett] Here we go! -[Tessitore] There's a rollup for DIY.
Kickout from Andrade.
Now they've got him-- Oh! It misfires!
[Barrett] Friendly fire from Gargano to Ciampa. Oh!
[Tessitore] And a spinning elbow.
That spinning elbow, and now he says, "Come on in, let's do it."
Here comes Fenix, set to fly.
Meanwhile, deliver the message, Andrade,
-to be Number One Contenders! -[crowd] One! Two! Three!
-[crowd cheering] -[bell ringing]
[Nash] Here are your winners,
Rey Fenix and Andrade!
[Barrett] Well, one word: disarray.
That was that entire match,
but standing tall amidst the disarray is this new tag team.
And next week SmackDown comes from Cleveland
and we have got ourselves a WWE Tag Team Championship match.
The Wyatt Sicks defend against our winners right here,
Andrade and Rey Fenix next week on SmackDown.
[Tessitore] Now earlier tonight we saw Charlotte Flair top Raquel Rodriguez.
Next week the other half
of our much-anticipated SummerSlam Tag Team title match,
Singles action.
Alexa Bliss, Roxanne Perez from Cleveland.
[Barrett] And we're going to Cleveland, so we have to bring the hometown boy.
Logan Paul will be there, as will his tag partner at SummerSlam, Drew McIntyre.
Oh, and their opponents at SummerSlam, Randy Orton and Jelly Roll,
that is next week on SmackDown from Cleveland, Ohio.
[Tessitore] Jelly Roll live in Cleveland.
But guess who's coming up next with that binder in hand.
That is the contract that Cody Rhodes has to sign alongside John Cena.
Cena, Rhodes next.
River Walk here in San Antonio,
what's been a wild night of Friday Night SmackDown.
And right now, let's get it to General Manager of Raw, Adam Pearce.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for the official contract signing
for the Undisputed WWE Championship match
at SummerSlam.
Please join me in welcoming the challenger,
the American nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
["Kingdom" playing]
[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 ♪
♪ You took it all away, I give it all away Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom… ♪
[Tessitore] The Undisputed WWE Championship,
it comes your way in just two weeks.
The biggest party of the summer.
MetLife Stadium.
Can Cody get his Championship back?
John Cena holding on to it
as he says, the last "real" Champion.
The American Nightmare set to sign the contract to put it into action.
♪ 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… ♪
-[song fades out] -[crowd cheering]
So, San Antonio…
[crowd cheering]
What do you wanna talk about?
[crowd laughing]
I appreciate that warm reception making me feel like a Texan.
My father was a Texan, my brother is a Texan.
They were outlaws and all I ever wanted to be was like them.
I got the opportunity though to be something different.
I got to be the WWE Undisputed Champion.
[crowd cheering]
This past week I posted something on social media
and the moment I pressed send,
it was over analyzed, it was scrutinized, it was dissected.
That was never my intention. The gist of it was simple.
I said, "Do not flinch," and I said, "Thank you for riding with me."
The "do not flinch," that might have been for myself.
Because I did not flinch when just up 35,
I returned at WrestleMania and I came back home.
I did not flinch when I stood across from a future Hall-of-Famer
with a muscle hanging off the bone.
I did not flinch when I stood across from The Beast.
I did not flinch when I went back-to-back at the Royal Rumble,
one of them in this very city.
I did not flinch.
[crowd cheering]
I did not flinch when I faced my friend, my brother, Jey Uso.
I did not flinch when I faced my mentor, Randy Orton.
And then I did not flinch when politics and the final boss came for my soul
and came for my spot.
[crowd cheering]
But I flinched at WrestleMania 41
against one of the most-beloved wrestlers in the history of our sport.
Against John Cena.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
I understand.
Believe me, I understand.
It is an unenviable task to be the one trying to take it away
from again, perhaps the most-beloved wrestler in the history of our game.
But nonetheless, it is the task that I was born for at SummerSlam.
It is one match for the rest of my life.
And I know that I've signed.
It takes two for this dance to work,
so Mr. Pearce, if you will.
And ladies and gentlemen, the Undisputed WWE Champion,
John Cena!
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] John 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 business I live this, it's automatic, I win this ♪
♪ Oh, you hear those horns, you finished A soldier, and I stay under you fightin' ♪
♪ Plus I'm stormin' on you chumps Like I'm thunder and lightnin' ♪
♪ Ain't nobody breakin' me, kid I'm harder than nails ♪
♪ Plus I keep it on lock Like I'm part of the jail ♪
♪ I'm slaughterin' stale competition I got the whole block wishin' ♪
♪ They could run with my division 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… ♪
[Cena] Stop.
-Cut the music. Cody sit down. -[music stops]
No, give me a second guys. Hold on, for real.
Give me a second.
Hold on. Cody, I…
I have bad news. I have…
I have some bad news tonight.
I am not going to be at SummerSlam.
[crowd clamoring]
I know, I know, first time you're hearing this, the look on your face.
This was a tonight decision.
I had to take it to the top of the chain of command.
Hear me out, please. Okay?
Everybody knows I am filming a big movie for Netflix in New York City.
Netflix knows about this. There's no surprises here.
We talked, things have been transparent. I am emotionally exhausted.
And we all feel that it is best I do not physically compete at SummerSlam.
Wait, hold… No, no, no, no, let's not jump to conclusions here.
Hey. Hey, hey, hey.
I know about earning stuff, and I'm out here to be the good guy, okay?
You earned a rematch.
You are gonna get your rematch.
We'll do it in Paris.
We could do it in Perth.
But as far as SummerSlam goes, boss, there is…
there is no way in good faith that I can sign this contract, okay?
Now look, hey, whoa, whoa, whoa.
I know you're upset. We are all… we are all upset.
Okay? We're all upset.
There is nothing we can do here. There is nothing we can do.
Because if my name goes on the contract, Cody, I have to be at SummerSlam.
We took this thing right up into the final minute, all right?
Tough choice to make, but we all talked,
everybody realized I'm working real hard, but mostly I'm just out of it.
This is a tough decision, but this was what's best for business right now, okay?
[crowd booing]
Guys, guys, really, hey, whoa. Really.
You guys, you don't even know…
You don't even know how hard it was to be here tonight, okay?
No, seriously.
This is the farewell tour, you know, uh…
I wanted to give you guys fireworks.
I wanted to give you guys a night to remember.
But hey, hey. I'm just…
Right now, physically, emotionally…
this is all I can give you guys.
I thank you so much,
and I appreciate your understanding and your patience in this matter.
Cody, thank you so much. I appreciate you.
You're gonna get that rematch, so just…
Good night, San Antonio.
[Tessitore] Ugh. Oh.
Cena walking out.
[Barrett] That is just the ultimate and meagerly-mouthed cowardice
-from an absolute rat of a human… -[Tessitore] Wait a minute! Wait a minute!
[Barrett] Yes! Get him!
[Tessitore] Cena said there's nothing we can do. Cody decided, "We can do this."
There's something to be done.
[Barrett] Oh, you wanna see a fight? Well, you're getting one here.
[Tessitore] He is on the attack against the Undisputed Champion,
and now they're going at it out on the floor.
[Barrett] Yeah, do not write off John Cena and one attack from behind.
He is the champion for a reason. This man is double top.
And now apparently he's getting the hell out of here.
-[Tessitore] A never-seen 17… -[Barrett] Oh.
[Tessitore] Grabs the title that he's been using as a weapon
throughout this ruin-wrestling reign of terror,
and he's back in the ring with Cody.
Cody gets out of the way.
Oh, the title is in Cody's hands.
Cody's got the Championship.
[Barrett] Pull the trigger, Cody. Do it!
-Yes! -[Tessitore] Oh!
Those days of virtue over victory are in the rearview mirror now.
A contract isn't signed,
but Cody still having business to do right here in San Antonio.
[Barrett] And this is a very different side of Cody Rhodes here.
The gloves have truly come off.
-Cody with contract in hand. -[Tessitore] What's he doing?
He's got the contract and he's going up to the top rope
with the contract binder that was rejected by Cena in hand.
Right through the table!
Cody puts Cena right through the table with a splash.
[crowd cheering, clamoring]
John Cena, check the fine print.
It's not just a match for the title at SummerSlam.
It's a Street Fight!
[crowd cheering]
[Tessitore] The biggest party of the summer just got bigger.
["Kingdom" playing]
[Barrett] Oh, my word.
John Cena,
you are gonna get a hell of a lot more than you bargained for at SummerSlam.
Championship on the line in a Street Fight.
[Tessitore] Cena's hand was around that pen, ink to paper, and we are set.
We are two weeks away from SummerSlam,
the Undisputed WWE Championship match at MetLife Stadium.
Cody Rhodes, John Cena, in a Street Fight.
Oh, what a night in San Antonio!
[music fades] ht in San Antonio!