[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Cole] Chicago living up to its reputation as the windy city today,
breezy and cool.
The Cubs won a home game at Wrigley this afternoon
and the White Sox are on the road tonight,
but Friday Night SmackDown is here, sold out at the Allstate Arena.
And finally we may get some resolution to this simmering rivalry.
The former world champion, Damian Priest, plans to raise some hell tonight
when he steps into the ring with a man that wants to take his career.
The dangerous Aleister Black.
Priest, Black, live tonight.
Michin with an opportunity to win her first title in WWE.
Earned it with a win last week.
Tonight she goes head-to-head with the Women's United States Champion.
"Beautiful Madness" Giulia.
It's the Women's United States Championship match live tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] You hear the reaction.
Chicago's own, CM Punk is here live.
And you are looking live at the Allstate Arena.
For 40 years, home to some unreal WWE history.
We're sold out tonight.
16,678 WWE fans on hand
for Friday Night SmackDown.
Hello again at ringside, everybody.
Michael Cole, Corey Graves going to be your SmackDown team
for the next couple of months.
It feels great to be back home on SmackDown.
There is something in the air all day long in The Second City.
I have a feeling we'll be talking about tonight, this episode of SmackDown,
for a long time to come.
But before we get there, let's take a look back at last Sunday night.
The world is talking about Clash in Paris.
You are looking live
at the first WWE premium live event ever in Paris.
[Barrett] Vive la, France!
I love these people!
♪ Oh, my God ♪
[upbeat music playing]
[announcer speaking French]
This is amazing!
[Cole] A big fight feel, a goosebump atmosphere.
Cena, Paul, at Clash in Paris.
[crowd] You can't see me!
[Cole] Cena's throwing everything he has at Logan Paul.
-Styles Clash? -Styles Clash!
[Cole] Logan hits him with a right hand. Cena's still in it.
And Paul off the top rope.
Cena, though, rolls through.
Attitude Adjustment!
John Cena wins!
You gain energy from this building, man. Tonight feels like WrestleMania.
[Cole] Fatal 4-Way for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Seth Rollins, LA Knight, CM Punk, and Jey Uso.
Oh, no!
Crash and burn!
Punk smells blood.
He knows it's coming. He knows it's his moment.
[shouts]
[Cole] Oh my goodness. Who the…
Becky Lynch! Seth Rollins's wife.
The stomp. And the cover.
[referee] One, two, three.
[bell rings]
[Barrett] Seth Rollins stacks the deck in his favor.
But the most dangerous card you can lay is the one nobody realized you were holding.
["The Time Is Now" playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ 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 ♪
Scoot back.
[song continues]
For the last time on SmackDown.
Let's go to work.
[crowd cheering]
♪ 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 ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ You can't see me, my time is now ♪
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome John Cena!
[song continues]
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
[crowd cheering]
♪ 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 ♪
♪ The time is up, my time is now ♪
-[song fades] -[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
S…
[crowd chanting] Thank you, Cena! Thank you, Cena!
You guys have no idea what that means coming from Chicago.
I mean it. Thank you so much.
[crowd cheering]
I see people jumping around the scoreboard from limited view seats over there
just to stand on their feet
and be a part of a special, special night here in Chicago.
I remember when this farewell tour started,
all of my peers and everyone I was associated with,
the thing I kept hearing was, "Enjoy this, be present, and have fun."
[crowd member] We love you, Cena!
[crowd cheering]
But you got to understand I was coming off a lot of bad years
and I really needed to get my mojo back.
So I focused on doing great work, giving you my heart and soul
and leaving it all in the ring every single night on this farewell tour.
[crowd cheering]
The reason I say that is because I come out and stand out
here in front of you tonight with absolutely nothing planned.
Because tonight I wanted to have fun.
For over half this tour, I have given you everything I've had.
I've had to overcome hurdles, roadblocks, and pivots,
and you have been with me every step of the way.
But tonight, I'm just going to take it in.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
That is not a familiar sound for me in this building.
You see these two guys right here,
that's what all… all y'all used to look like right there.
When I came out here, I used to see 14,000 people looking like that.
Not saying, "Thank you, Cena." Maybe something different.
I don't know, "F you, Cena," you can fill in the blanks.
But that, that is what makes this night special.
That is what makes this city special. That is what makes this building special.
That is what makes you people special.
[crowd cheering]
You are not afraid
to use your voice.
You are not afraid to cheer for the ones you love,
even if they're not here.
Hell, you bring people back to the WWE, and you know what I'm talking about.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd member chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
[crowd chants] AJ Lee! AJ Lee! AJ Lee!
Boy, are we in for one exciting night tonight. Are we not?
[crowd cheering]
This is my last time in the city of Chicago.
[crowd clamoring]
This is my last time to ever appear on SmackDown.
[crowd clamoring]
I view it as a beautiful moment.
Because 23 years ago in this very city,
you allowed me on SmackDown to walk down this ramp…
in my skimpy little tights, slap Kurt Angle in the face
and start this crazy ride that we have been on for over two decades.
[crowd cheering]
I have had WrestleMania matches with Triple H in this building.
[crowd cheering]
I have had US Open Challenge matches in this building.
[crowd cheering]
This is the building
where I might have finished second place in a World Title match.
And the title ended up in CM Punk's refrigerator right here in Chicago.
[crowd cheering]
The place is special, man.
There is an argument about what is the greatest crowd in the WWE.
[crowd cheering]
On the inside track,
with the WWE superstars, there's an argument.
In my mind there is no argument.
[crowd cheering]
You guys allowed me to start here.
I'm very, very thankful.
Because you kept me honest.
You made sure I gave my all.
You let me experience failure.
You let me experience humility.
[crowd chanting] Thank you, Cena! Thank you, Cena!
[chanting continues]
And for the last time, when I really need it the most,
you let me experience joy.
That's the Chicago way.
[crowd cheering]
I don't have any other words.
I just wanted to say thank you so much for a beautiful ride.
Enjoy a hell of a night tonight.
[crowd cheering]
["Worlds Apart" playing]
♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh ♪
♪ Let's go! ♪
[Cole] The brand new United States Champion, Sami Zayn,
who defeated Solo Sikoa last week on Friday Night SmackDown.
♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh ♪
[crowd cheering]
[music continues]
[music fades]
John, uh…
[crowd clamoring, booing]
Hear me out. I'm not here to interrupt.
I just want to tell you,
watching you this last year on this retirement tour,
getting your opportunity to thank the fans in all these cities…
[crowd clamoring, booing]
Yo, yo, it is happy hour in Chicago and I am here for the boos.
Thank you very much.
Look, I just wanted to come out here to tell you
it would feel wrong to come out here
and not look you in the eyes on your last night of SmackDown and tell you
thank you on behalf of all of us back there for everything you've done for us.
And not only that, but a little more specifically,
I want to look you in the eye and I want to say thank you
for everything you did for me.
[crowd cheering]
Because I know you're having your own full circle moment right now.
You debuted in Chicago.
And now it's your last SmackDown ever here in Chicago.
Well, for me, I made my debut against John Cena for the US Championship.
And now I am standing in the middle of this ring as US Champion.
I… I think of the John Cena US Open Challenge
and everything it did for not just me,
for what it did for so many young talent, and I want to pay it forward.
John, I want to pay it forward the way you paid it forward,
the way you carried this title.
With dignity, with honor,
as an opportunity for other talent to try to get showcased.
I want to do that.
So with your permission, John, I would love to carry on the tradition
and introduce the Sami Zayn US Title Open Challenge with your permission.
[crowd cheering]
A fighting champion giving underrated superstars an opportunity.
A Sami Zayn US Open Challenge.
Man, I think that's a great idea.
Thank you very much. I appreciate it.
Thank you, John.
But John, wait, don't… Don't leave so quick.
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
Ten years ago, I barely had one foot in the door
when you gave me this opportunity.
And now I clearly see you've got one foot out the door.
But John, if tonight is your last SmackDown…
and if tonight is the last chance I ever get to share a ring with you…
then it would be my honor to pay you back
and give you what you gave me ten years ago.
And that is a shot at the US Championship!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Yes! Yes! Yes!
No, John.
I'm not saying we do it in a month.
[crowd] No!
I'm not saying we do it next week.
[crowd] No!
I'm saying we do it in Chicago.
[crowd cheering]
And we do it right now!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Yes! Yes! Yes!
Hey, to quote the greatest of all time,
John Cena, "If you want some,
-come get some!" -[crowd] Come get some!
[crowd cheering]
You want to have a US Championship match
with me, right here, right now?
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Yes! Yes! Yes!
What the hell, you're on.
["The Time Is Now" playing]
-Let's get a referee. -[Cole] Hell yeah!
Let's go! Cena, Sami, for the US title.
[Graves] If I'm dreaming, don't you dare pinch me. This is surreal.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, on May 4th, 2015,
on Monday Night Raw, just over ten years ago,
John Cena beat Sami Zayn in Zayn's main roster debut
in an open challenge for Cena's then United States Championship.
Here tonight, a decade later, on John Cena's last match ever
on Friday Night SmackDown, Sami Zayn is going to pay it back,
putting his United States title on the line against the greatest of all time.
[Graves] As exciting as this may be for John Cena,
I'm sure Cena realizes full well
this is not the same starry-eyed young kid looking for an opportunity
that Sami Zayn was ten years ago.
This is a man who has main-evented WrestleMania.
Sami Zayn has seen and done a few things since those ten years.
[Cole] Yeah, including beating Solo Sikoa last week to win the United States title.
And Sami Zayn with an arm drag on John Cena.
The Allstate Arena in Chicago, for 40 years, so many WWE memories.
And probably near the top or maybe at the top of that list,
what happened here on June 25th, 2002.
It was the night that John Cena debuted in WWE in a match against Kurt Angle,
where the Ruthless Aggression Era would begin.
An incredible matchup,
one that The Undertaker would grab John Cena in the locker room area
and say, "Welcome aboard, kid. You're going to be a star."
[Graves] The Deadman's prophecy would hold true.
And John Cena now in control of the United States Champion, Sami Zayn.
[Cole] Well, it is a title that has defined
so much of John Cena's career.
We talk about the 17 World titles,
but John is a five-time United States Champion.
In fact, the first singles championship that John Cena won in WWE
was the United States title.
Who can ever forget the win over the Big Show at Madison Square Garden
at WrestleMania 20 back in 2004?
[crowd chanting]
[Cole] An electric crowd of nearly 17,000 tonight.
-Uh-oh, and John Cena got caught… -[Graves] Boom!
…as Sami Zayn tried to leapfrog, caught him in the shoulder.
-Hook to the leg now on Cena… -One, two!
[Cole] …and a kick out at two.
[Graves] Credit to John Cena for accepting this opportunity
without having come out here expecting to compete tonight.
Cena was out here to thank the Chicago fans,
really bask in his last appearance on Friday Night SmackDown,
and instead finds himself in a United States Championship match.
[Cole] Nice suplex by Zayn, and again floats into the cup,
-hooks the leg this time on John… -One, two!
[Cole] …and a kick out at two.
And Cena coming off an incredible performance
at Clash in Paris a week ago, Sunday,
and of course that was against Logan Paul.
[Graves] Absolute barn burner in Paris.
Think back to SummerSlam, even in defeat,
the battle against Cody Rhodes over the WWE Championship.
Cena has been doing some of the best work of his entire career
here in this last run.
[Cole] Imagine winning the United States Championship for a sixth time tonight
on his final night on SmackDown.
Suplexed by the powerful Cena.
[Graves] But again, this is an opportunity for Sami Zayn
to prove not only to himself,
but the WWE universe and the rest of the locker room,
that he is no longer the perennial underdog.
Sami Zayn needs to be taken seriously. He's a veteran of this game.
He has seen and done just about everything there is to do.
But how better of a way to prove it to the world
than to beat the greatest of all time?
[Cole] And Zayn now in control.
Sami Zayn, a former four-time Intercontinental Champion,
Tag Champ on a couple of occasions.
As he whips Cena into the corner with authority.
And Zayn has been controlling most of this matchup.
Much to the chagrin of this sold out crowd in Chicago.
[Graves] And the usually beloved Sami Zayn
experiencing a little hostility here in the Allstate Arena.
[Cole] Sami's been red hot over the past couple of months.
Would love to knock off Cena tonight,
ruining Cena's final night here in Chicago.
Into the corner again, and John collapses to the floor.
You got to wonder how much last Sunday's match
has taken out of John Cena against Logan Paul.
I mean, that was what, just five nights ago.
[Graves] You're absolutely right, and no disrespect intended,
but sometimes as you get older, it takes a little longer to heal,
to recover from whatever was ailing John Cena in the wake of Clash in Paris.
[Cole] Now Sami Zayn with that front face lock
and wants to send Cena across the ring.
-Reversal by John and… Sami! -[Graves] Oh!
[Cole] With authority.
And now both men down. United States title on the line.
[crowd cheering] Cena! Cena! Cena!
[Cole] Critical point in this matchup for the United States title, Corey.
Both men down, trying to make it back to their feet.
[Graves] I'd have to imagine at this juncture it would benefit Sami Zayn
should he be able to push the pace of the matchup.
[Cole] And again, a collision and…
Sold out crowd tonight at Allstate Arena, 16,678 on hand.
Dan Engler, the official checking on both men.
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
[Graves] The atmosphere all night long
since they opened the doors has been electric.
Even prior to coming on the air, Allstate Arena has been rocking.
[Cole] Yeah, something special is in the air tonight.
Looking for the AA. Sami Zayn, though, able to turn it into a DDT again.
Cover by the champion. Is it enough?
No, kick out by Cena.
[Graves] Sami Zayn to this point
using a bit more tentative pace than we're used to,
perhaps out of respect for John Cena.
Sami Zayn so familiar with John Cena's game
that Sami knows it only takes one mistake for Cena to make you pay.
[Cole] Been in the ring a number of times together,
but this is just the second time in their careers they've gone one-on-one.
And Sami now just completely controlling the pace.
[Graves] And there's got to be a part of John Cena who's proud
of what Sami Zayn has accomplished over the last ten years,
the way that Sami has grown as a competitor,
the way that Sami has transcended as a WWE superstar.
That was the point of the initial John Cena
United States Championship Open challenge.
[Cole] And you look back at that time, remember Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens,
so dominant in NXT and Kevin Owens, Sami's buddy, would come in, right,
and he'd make a name for himself at the hands of John Cena as well.
[Graves] They turned the Open Challenge upside down.
Big ax handle. Cover by Zayn.
[Cole] Hook to the leg on Cena, and a kick out at two.
[Graves] And I know there's a part of John Cena
who is enjoying these matchups on this farewell tour,
knowing that the roster is in good hands.
John Cena cares so deeply about WWE and this business.
I don't think John would honestly walk away unless he felt comfortable doing so.
And being pushed to his limits right now by Sami Zayn
in some backward way has got to feel good for Cena.
[Cole] Cena now with a shoulder tackle and another one to Sami Zayn.
Very familiar to the sellout crowd here in Allstate Arena.
Sami Zayn is down and Cena's got him where he wants him.
[Graves] Did you imagine, Cole?
John Cena may leave Chicago with some new gold.
[crowd] You can't see me!
[Cole] And vintage Cena looking for the Five Knuckle Shuffle and connects.
[Graves] Sami Zayn is in a world of danger right now.
[Cole] Cena measuring his opponent. He's got him in position for an AA.
An Attitude Adjustment, or like I used to call it, the FU.
And here we go now, Sami, though, slips underneath
and John misses wild and now Sami with a Blue Thunder Bomb! Is it enough?
[crowd] One, two!
[Cole] No! Near fall.
[Graves] We've seen Sami Zayn utilize that Blue Thunder Bomb to such great effect
throughout his career, but couldn't get the job done in that instance.
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
[Cole] John Cena, Sami Zayn battling for the United States Championship
in the Sami Zayn Open Challenge tonight,
giving back to the man who allowed him to accept an Open Challenge
on his debut in WWE over a decade ago.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Cena! Let's go, Cena!
[Cole] And Cena now with Sami up on his shoulders
and Sami able to thwart the apparent AA attempt.
Zayn, top rope, caught by Cena.
-John's got Sami where he wants him. -[Graves] Oh, my God!
-[Cole] Attitude Adjustment! -[Graves] Oh, my God!
[Cole] For the United States Championship!
-One, two! -[Cole] Sami just got the shoulder up!
[Graves] Take a look at the impact
-on a thunderous AA by Cena. -One, two!
[Graves] And somehow Zain stays alive.
[Cole] There's 16,000 plus in Chicago who thought
Cena was about to win a sixth United States Championship
in his illustrious career.
[Graves] Kudos to Sami Zayn for surviving the AA.
[Cole] My first time in almost nine years
that John Cena has been involved in a championship match
on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Graves] Think about everything that's… Uh-oh!
[Cole] Sami looking for the Exploder.
Cena with a couple of well-placed elbows.
And now John. Sami, up and down to that Powerbomb by Cena.
-[crowd] One, two! -[Cole] Is it enough?
Almost had him!
[Graves] Taking a page out of the playbook of none other than Kevin Owens.
[Cole] Who we spoke about earlier.
And what John Cena has meant to the career of a young Kevin Owens
when he burst on the scene accepting an open challenge a decade ago.
[Graves] Cena launching Zayn to the sky before dragging him down…
-One, two! -…neck and shoulders first.
But Zayn with too much left in the tank.
[Cole] That Pop-up Powerbomb by Cena
almost won him the United States Championship.
[Graves] Think about what's at stake for Sami Zayn
beyond the United States Championship.
He is in the ring with the measuring stick.
The man who is widely accepted throughout the locker room
as the greatest of all time.
Sami Zayn in doing battle with John Cena is telling the rest of the roster,
"Hey, I'm hanging with the GOAT. Come at me at your own risk."
[Cole] And Sami dragging himself back to his feet, Cena now into the corner.
Sami moves out of harm's way and John goes shoulder first into the post.
And now Sami Zayn has got Cena where he wants him.
Zayn looking to take Cena out.
Sami for the Helluva Kick. Nobody home. Gets hung out on the top rope.
And Cena now with a back suplex. Cover, again.
-Looking to win the United States title. -One, two!
[Cole] Sami gets the shoulder up.
[Graves] That almost looked to me like a version of an Angle Slam,
perhaps a callback to John Cena's first night in WWE
against Hall of Famer, Kurt Angle.
Let's take another look.
Cena mustering every last bit of strength in his being,
but it still was not enough.
[Cole] What a matchup for the United States title, Cena, Zayn.
John's last night in Chicago, last night on SmackDown
as his retirement tour nears conclusion in December.
[Graves] Unfortunately for Sami Zayn,
it could be his last night as United States Champion.
[Cole] Yeah, seven day reign, that would be.
These two throwing haymakers.
[Graves] Cena utilizing those massive fists of his
like cinder blocks between the eyes of Zayn.
Who answers?
Both men down again center of the ring.
What a matchup for the United States Championship.
It has been an incredible match for the United States Championship
in front of 16,678 tonight at Allstate Arena in Chicago.
John Cena versus the champ Sami Zayn, and this happened just moments ago.
Sami Zayn looking for a Helluva Kick on a compromised ankle
caught into an AA by Cena and two and nine-tenths. Zayn escapes.
-Wait a minute! -Come back to live action.
[Cole] It was an exploder suplex into the corner by Zayn.
And Zayn now, looking to put Cena away with an Helluva Kick.
Great opportunity for Sami here. Helluva Kick!
Catches Cena. Cena's down, cover by Zayn.
John kicks out.
[Graves] A look of disbelief in the eyes of the United States Champion.
Because he knows that that was his best effort
a last ditch opportunity for Zayn to keep his title.
First the exploder, followed immediately by a Helluva Kick
right on the chin of the GOAT, but somehow, someway,
John Cena finds a way to kick out.
And what an atmosphere here tonight in Chicago.
Cena came here to say goodbye.
Sami Zayn got him to accept a championship match.
Sami placing Cena into position for something.
[Cole] Well, Sami thinking twice about it now…
I'm thinking Sami's starting to feel a little desperate, Cole.
[Cole] Yeah, bad ankle and all.
Sami Zayn's going to try to drag himself to the top rope
high above the Allstate Arena.
John Cena back to his feet, leapfrog by Sami, rolls through, Cena caught him.
Oh, and a knee! We're in Chicago, right? Punk is here.
Cover! Hook of the leg, and a kick out at two!
John Cena paying homage to one of his great rivals in his career.
Remember what happened in this building at Money in the Bank back in 2011.
Cena, Punk. An incredible match for the WWE title.
And Cena, the look on his face, Corey, "What do I have to do?"
[Graves] I mean Cena is borrowing plays
from other superstars' playbooks at this juncture,
and still can't finish the job.
At what point does doubt begin to creep into the mind of a man who is the greatest
of all time, a man who has seen and done everything in this industry?
[Cole] Yeah, but what's this mantra? Never give up.
The man that the great JBL, the Hall of Famer,
has called Big Match John.
We might have another homage on our hands, Cole.
And Cena with a spear! A spear by Cena! Hook of the leg!
And again, a kick out by Zayn.
Think of the battles that John has had with the former Big Dog over the years.
[Graves] Not to mention another infamous Canadian,
one of Cena's greatest rivals,
but John Cena now asking himself, "How, why, what can I possibly do
to put Sami Zayn down for three?"
[crowd chanting] RKO! RKO! RKO!
[Cole] Sami just trying to get his wits about him after that spear by Cena.
Cena stalking the champion.
Uh-oh, went for an RKO and Sami countered and now into a big clothesline.
[Graves] A brutal landing on the left shoulder of Sami Zayn
after the clothesline.
Sami suffered an unfortunate shoulder injury 10 years ago
in his first encounter with Cena.
[Cole] Yep, great call.
[Graves] Oh, my God, this is gonna do it, Cole.
[Cole] Cena from the 2nd rope, Sami high above the ring.
John Cena… Oh, and Sami Zayn able to counter
with a couple of well-placed elbows.
Cena though, has got him. John Cena. Avalanche!
Attitude Adjustment.
[Graves] Cena's gonna do it. Cover him, John!
[Cole] Can John capitalize here? Cena's got an opportunity.
Both men are down for the United States Championship.
[Graves] This is absolutely incredible.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome! This is awesome!
["Next Big Thing" playing]
[Graves] Oh, no.
[Cole] Oh, yes!
The Beast is here!
Remember Brock Lesnar fired an opening salvo back at SummerSlam.
[Graves] Lesnar been unleashed on SmackDown.
Well, Lesnar now targeting the United States Champion, Sami Zayn.
An F5 by Lesnar.
[Cole] And now the man apparently he came to target.
Cena up on his shoulders.
Zayn was collateral damage, but this wasn't.
Lesnar targeting John Cena with an F5.
This massive mountain of a man has laid waste to Zayn and Cena,
and I don't believe he's done yet.
Lesnar puts Cena on his shoulders. Brock with an F5 to John Cena again.
And of all nights, "The Beast" Brock Lesnar,
one of John Cena's most fierce rivals.
[Cole] Moments ago on Friday Night SmackDown,
John Cena had delivered an Avalanche AA to Sami Zayn
with Zayn's United States Championship on the line.
[Graves] But Cena, exhausted from the battle he experienced, would be met
with a shocking SmackDown return, none other than The Beast Incarnate,
Brock Lesnar.
[Cole] One of Cena's most fierce rivals in his career
would ruin John Cena's last time
ever in Chicago, would ruin John Cena's last night on Friday Night SmackDown.
First off, the United States Champion Sami Zayn would be collateral damage.
And then, Corey, Brock turned his sights on the real target.
[Graves] Lesnar was locked and loaded, delivering several thunderous F5s
to the greatest of all time.
John Cena left laying on his final SmackDown.
Hey, John, I'll see you at Wrestlepalooza, ****.
[Cole] Obviously Brock Lesnar doesn't give a damn
that he ruined John Cena's night
in Chicago, but you heard it, and it's official.
It's going to happen two weeks from tomorrow.
It is Wrestlepalooza in Indianapolis.
John Cena versus Brock Lesnar.
This unbelievable rivalry renewed at Wrestlepalooza.
-Hey, hey, Nick-- -No disrespect, this is not a good time.
-I just need to ask you something. -I can't do this right now, Melo.
I just see the opportunity, man. Sami Zayn--
We would like an opportunity for the tag team titles.
Wyatt Sicks ruined our number one contendership match
because they know Melo Don't Miz can beat 'em.
I'll take it under consideration, okay? I really have to go.
-Huh? Yes. Doing what? -No. Why you keep doing that, man?
-Let me speak for myself. -Speak for yourself?
-I just got us a tag title match. Whoa. -I don't want a tag title--
[crowd booing]
We know the Second City Saint, CM Punk, is here at Allstate Arena,
and The Man has just come around to SmackDown.
Uh… Incredible what's going to possibly happen here tonight.
Punk and Becky Lynch in the same building.
Also coming up next, Damian Priest goes one on one with Aleister Black.
This… This is what you people want me to be.
So I came home to the WWE hoping things would have changed,
only to find out that the well is still poisoned.
And that brings me to you, Damian Priest.
Tonight you're just not standing across from Aleister Black,
you're standing across from years of hate that this industry has carved into me,
and I… I need to purify the well.
And if that path leads to my own ruin, then well, so be it.
I could be the king that falls on his own sword.
And I will succeed, Damian Priest, because you are who you are
because you follow the rules.
And I am who I am
because I follow the rules until I don't.
["Rise for the Night" playing]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from New York City,
weighing in at 249 pounds,
Damian Priest.
[Cole] The former world champion, looking to finally end things
with a man who's made his life miserable.
And look out from behind! Aleister Black!
[Graves] Well, Black clearly not finished making Priest's life miserable,
trying to gain the upper hand before the opening bell.
[Cole] And Priest with a big right hand.
This match hasn't even started yet. The beatdown is underway.
[Graves] These two have grown to detest one another
in a rather short period of time.
Priest driving… Black driving Priest…
-[Graves] Oh my God! -[Cole] …out into the WWE fans.
[Graves] This match may never get underway.
[Cole] Referee Ryan Tran finally trying to get Black back into the ring.
A sneak attack and ambush by Black to Damian Priest
before this match even started.
[Graves] Aleister Black on a mission to, as he put it, purify the poisoned well,
even if it means his own destruction.
[Cole] An Aleister Black attack on Damian Priest
before this match would even begin.
And Damian Priest, we weren't sure if he's going to be ready to compete
and he may not be, Corey, but he's making his way back to the ring.
[Graves] When you're raised in the Bronx,
you don't learn the meaning of the word quit.
Damian Priest has never met a fight he was afraid of,
but this is a bad, bad situation.
I got to say this is a dumb decision by Damian Priest.
[Cole] Yeah, a dangerous Aleister Black
now tossed to the floor by the former world champ Priest.
And Priest just collapsed. Priest collapsed.
He couldn't follow up on that offense to Aleister Black.
[Graves] And again, I appreciate the guts of Damian Priest,
the grit, the will to never back down.
[Cole] Remember Black back in early August
cost Priest a number of weeks of his career
after an assault on Damian.
Damian has been chomping at the bit
to try to get an opportunity to get back at Aleister Black.
-Priest is in a bad way here. -Priest looks like he's out on his feet.
-[bell dings] -[Graves] Ryan Tran's obviously in there.
This is not smart.
[Cole] Well, the bell rang and the match is now underway.
Priest missed wildly with the right hand
and Priest having a difficult time even making it back to his feet.
He's really a sitting duck here for a very dangerous Black.
[Graves] Aleister Black is absolutely lethal.
This man is a weapon.
He has spent his life, he has dedicated his life
to learning martial arts,
from Pencak Silat to kickboxing and Muay Thai.
Aleister Black is absolutely lethal.
[Cole] And not to mention the dark and somber
mysterious attitude that Black has…
-brought to the WWE-- -[Graves] Oh, baby!
[Cole] And Priest now fighting back. And the street fighter.
Damian Priest though…
And now Aleister Black trying to wrap up Priest.
[Graves] Trying to utilize a submission here.
A lot of torque on the shoulders of Priest right now.
Priest trying to fight out of this
or at least make it to the rope to force some sort of break.
Priest has struggled to just get any sort of offense in this match.
Black, roll through, shoulders down. Is it enough? Kick out!
[Graves] Listen, Damian Priest is a former two-time karate national champion.
Priest is well-versed in the art of karate,
but Aleister Black is so diverse in his skill set.
It's such a dangerous opponent and a difficult opponent to plan for.
[Cole] Black driven into the corner, it buys Priest a little bit of time
to try to gather himself here.
He's been all out of sorts since the attack by Black.
[Graves] And Damian Priest utilized karate to master his own discipline,
to make himself mentally stronger as well as physically,
but Aleister Black trains to be a weapon.
-[Cole] Look at this! Meteora from Black. -[Graves] Oh, my God!
[Cole] Is it enough to put Priest away?
Hook of the leg and Priest has to kick at two.
Black's in control, however.
[Cole] And Damian Priest back to his feet. Perhaps Aleister Black made a mistake
that's going to allow Damian Priest to climb back into this thing.
[Graves] You might be right.
Aleister Black perhaps got a bit overconfident,
taking his time climbing to the top turnbuckle.
[Cole] Well, it had been all Black since the attack before the bell,
but now Damian Priest getting his wits about him
and looking to put Black away maybe.
-[Graves] Uh-oh. -And now with Black up top, looking…
Damian Priest for a Razor's Edge, but Black able to counter.
[Graves] Uh-oh, we're going to go for a ride.
-Oh! -[Cole] Oh, and a big elbow.
Probably going South of Heaven, but…
[Graves] Oh, and a right kick by Aleister Black drops Priest.
Black now into the cover, hooks the leg on Damian.
And a near fall.
[Cole] And Black beginning perhaps to get frustrated.
[Graves] We saw Black pay for his momentary lapse in reason,
perhaps overlooking how much
gas Damian Priest had left in the tank, but Black has once again
wrestled control of this one.
[Cole] Damian Priest is never going to give up.
He's never going to give in.
Rough ride to the top for Priest and he's been resilient at every turn.
Oh, and a big right by Damian stuns Black.
[Graves] And again another forearm from Priest.
[Cole] Brought up fighting on the streets and in the bars.
Damian Priest… And Black catches him with a kick to the face.
Nobody home.
Damian Priest, full head of steam here, with the clothesline, down goes Black.
Critical moment now in the matchup.
Sellout crowd tonight at the Allstate Arena in Chicago.
We saw John Cena and Sami Zayn earlier on before Brock Lesnar came out
and attacked both Zayn and Cena.
We know CM Punk is here. We know Becky Lynch is here.
[Graves] We know Damian Priest has a little more fight left in him.
[Cole] And Aleister Black's right hand drops Black and another one.
And Priest starting to feel it.
And here's some of that martial arts background of Damian Priest.
Oh, and down goes Black.
[Graves] Priest uncorked that right on the chin of Aleister Black.
[Cole] Some malice behind those punches.
Stage diving…
Oh! And Black, though, caught him with a kick.
And now Damian Priest takes down Black again.
And the momentum shifting here in this match.
Can Priest finish the task at hand?
It's a risky proposition for the former World Heavyweight Champion.
We're gonna walk the tightrope.
On the top rope. Oh, and a cross body.
Unorthodox offensive style of Priest.
[Graves] And Priest understanding maybe it's time
to show Aleister Black something new.
Black has been so effective thus far.
Uh-oh, look out, Cole.
Priest trying to…
Oh! Dropped Black on the apron.
A flatliner on the ring apron, and now Priest has had enough.
[Cole] There goes everything.
Damian Priest…
Wiping out our announce table and…
[Graves] Looks like Aleister Black's about to be wiped out next.
Priest with Black up on his shoulders.
And a Razor's Edge onto the announce table!
You can see the agony etched on the face of Aleister Black,
but Priest knows he wants to get Aleister back inside the ring to finish the job.
[Cole] Black sent back into the ring by Priest,
Damian Priest now with an opportunity
to put Aleister Black away after that Razor's Edge onto our announce table.
[Graves] There's an unfamiliar sight.
Aleister Black now begging for mercy from Damian Priest.
Aleister slowly crawling away from the Outlaw.
[Cole] Maybe he should have thought about that before he attacked Priest
before the opening bell, because Priest is going to make Aleister Black pay.
[Graves] Here we go--
[Cole] Went to the South of Heaven. Meanwhile, Black grabbed the official.
Oh! And a Black Mass!
Right on the button.
[Tran] One, two, three!
[Cole] And Black with the win, the sudden impact of the Black Mass.
[Nash] Here is your winner, Aleister Black!
[Cole] Corey, how dangerous is the Black Mass?
[Graves] Aleister Black himself is a weapon.
His fists, his elbows, his knees, his feet, his brain.
Here you see, using Ryan Tran as a diversion
to knock Damian Pries out cold with Black Mass.
And Ryan Tran could have counted to 15 or 20
because Damian Priest has just now started to stir.
I think the lights are on, but nobody's home.
Tonight belongs to Aleister Black.
[Cole] And will tonight belong to the United States Champion Giulia
or the challenger Michin?
These two clash for the women's United States title
live on Friday Night SmackDown tonight.
Drew McIntyre.
Randy Orton.
You'd think that a man that's been around here long enough
to see what I am truly capable of
would quit while he's ahead and shut his damn mouth.
[McIntyre] I want to make one thing perfectly clear.
I don't give a damn what anyone thinks about me.
I always tell the truth and I do what needs to be done,
and the truth is, you're just mad.
You're not willing to pull the trigger when it counts.
But I am.
[Orton] It's like you think you have some kind of superpower
where you read minds and tell what people are thinking.
Well, you don't, and trust me, if you did, you would not want to know
what the voices are saying.
You have no idea what's coming for you.
The winds of change are blowing through WWE.
The future's being written, but you won't be part of it.
The WWE needs a real man like me.
[Orton] I am gonna knock you right back into reality
when I hit you with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment…
[McIntyre] Drew…
[Orton] R…
McIn…
[Orton] …K…
…tyre.
…O.
[Graves] Buckle up Norfolk, Virginia.
Because next week on SmackDown,
Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton.
One on one next Friday.
The bad blood boils over.
[Cole] And it's also the return of the beast, Brock Lesnar.
After his attack on John Cena earlier tonight,
the announcement he faces Cena two weeks from tomorrow at Wrestlepalooza.
Brock Lesnar will be on SmackDown live.
[Graves] And the WWE Women's Championship will be on the line,
as Tiffany Stratton defends against Jade Cargill.
Will it once again be Tiffy time
or will Cargill finally get her moment in the sun?
Let's throw you backstage to our very own Cathy Kelley.
Yeah, guys. I'm here with WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton.
Tiff, thanks so much for the time.
I know you have a massive SummerSlam rematch next week
against Jade Cargill for your championship.
The last time you two met,
she claims that she would have won had your foot not been on the ropes.
What's your response?
Cathy, Jade says a whole lot of things.
And I thought I liked the sound of my own voice,
but it turns out Jade loves to run her mouth.
I mean, she says nobody's on her level,
that she's going to take my title, that she's the storm,
but all that talk ends next week once that bell rings.
And Jade isn't gonna have to worry about my foot being on those ropes
because my foot is going to be stuck right up her,
let's just say, eye of the storm.
Bye.
Thanks so much and good luck next week.
That's the kind of stuff I'm talking about…
[chuckles] That's funny. You're watching film on Tiffy now,
but didn't you lose to her at SummerSlam?
I'm confused. Didn't you lose too?
-Right. -Anyway.
You don't even deserve to be number one contender.
You got very lucky with an easy victory when Becky ditched you a couple weeks…
Girl, cut it.
When I get my title from that blow up Barbie,
you can come get your shot.
Until then get out of my way or catch these hands tonight.
We'll see about that.
Bet.
[Cole] Jade and Tiffany for the Women's Championship next week.
["Time of Arrival" playing]
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and is for the Women's United States Championship!
Introducing first, accompanied by Kiana James,
from Tokyo, Japan.
She is the Women's United States Champion,
Giulia!
[Graves] A beautiful madness has come over SmackDown.
[Cole] Giulia, Michin, for the US title.
-[clears throat] Becky. -There you are. How's it going?
Good to see you.
Becky, I-I wasn't aware that you were going to be here tonight.
Of course you were. I invited me.
[sighs] Okay, listen. Becky, I'm dealing with a lot.
I know we're in Chicago and I know that Punk is in the building.
Oh, is he?
So it's no surprise to me that you're here. But listen,
I cannot have any more issues tonight.
-Are we clear? -I never cause issues.
-Never. No. -Okay.
But I'm-I'm just gonna give you some space.
It seems like you need it. Okay.
Oh, almost forgot my title.
[mutters, giggles]
[Graves] Well, the NBA season is right around the corner,
but in the house tonight,
say hello to Coby White, point guard of the Chicago Bulls!
Welcome, Coby. I hope you're having a great time.
[Cole] Great year last year, over 20 points a game on average for Coby,
and there's Giulia, the Women's United States Champion
set to defend the title here live on SmackDown.
["I Am" playing]
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ I am, I am, I am the one ♪
♪ Ain't hard to see Hard to see ♪
♪ You know, you know ♪
[Nash] Introducing the challenger.
From Fontana, California,
Michin!
[Cole] Corey, last week on Friday Night SmackDown,
Michin earned this opportunity
when she went one on one with Giulia's business rep,
-Kiana James. -[bell rings]
[Graves] Well Kiana James, in her defense
was not fully prepared for the offensive onslaught
-that was a schoolboy roll up from Michin. -[Nash] Here's your winner.
-Either way, Michin got what she wanted… -Michin!
…in victory and this opportunity tonight.
But paid dearly in a physical manner.
An onslaught from the United States Champion
Giulia and Kiana James would leave Michin laying.
[Cole] Not prepared. It was one of the quickest matches in WWE history,
embarrassing Kiana James.
[Graves] Kiana James has got some very powerful friends in high places.
I don't want to be the one catching the wrath, okay?
[Cole] And this is for the United States Championship.
Michin seeking her first title here in WWE.
Former TNA iMPACT! Knockouts Champion.
[Graves] Let's not forget that Michin actually advanced all the way to the final
to crown the first ever Women's United States Champion.
[bell rings]
Hey, you idiot!
[Graves] Kiana James wasting absolutely no time trying to get involved.
Still technically isn't breaking any rules.
And again Michin.
Flurry of strikes from both women.
Michin getting the best of this exchange,
kicking Giulia all the way out to the floor.
[Cole] She's upset as well after that attack by Giulia
after the matchup last week.
-And now taking the fight to the champion. -Come on, champ!
-Stay back! -[Graves] Earlier today I asked her
the exact nature of the relationship between herself and Giulia,
and she said this is a quote, "mutually beneficial partnership.
-I'm in the business world." -[Cole] Oh!
"Giulia is a shark inside the ring. We can both teach one another a lot."
[Cole] Yeah, but right now it's Michin the one that's smelling blood.
And Giulia, right through the second rope to the floor.
[James] What is happening, ref?
[Graves] Here comes Michin looking to push the pace, take it high risk!
Went for the baseball slide, intercepted by Giulia.
Now "Beautiful Madness" Giulia, the United States Champion…
-[Cole] Oh! -…with a neckbreaker to the floor.
Giulia takes over.
That's what I like to see! That's what I like to see!
[Cole] And now Giulia and Michin pounding away on each other here,
a United States Championship on the line.
Giulia the champ. Michin the challenger.
Now headbutts delivered!
[Graves] Those many rights were landing from Michin,
but Giulia able to turn the tides
-with a series of headbutts! -Oh!
But just got her own brains scrambled.
[Cole] Michin misses widely.
-Giulia now… -[Graves] Oh! German suplex!
Drops her on the back of her neck.
Uh-oh, a little fighting spirit from Michin.
[Cole] Michin delivers one of her own!
Standing toe to toe with the United States Champion.
[Graves] Oh, God.
Vicious strikes from both women landing simultaneously.
Ooh! Both women down.
This is for the United States Championship.
Giulia and Michin here tonight.
Sold out crowd at the Allstate Arena in Chicago,
looking on 16,678 on hand.
As you like to call this a pivotal point in the matchup, Michael Cole.
It's boiled down to which of these two women has more gas left in the tank.
Overhead kick by Michin takes down the champion.
[Cole] Yeah, and it may be Michin who is gaining the upper hand here.
Giulia in the corner in trouble. Michin… Oh!
Cannonball into the corner.
Dragging the champ back toward the center of the ring.
-Stacks her up for the title! -One, two…
[Cole] And a kick out by Giulia at two.
[Graves] Absolutely brutal impact on the cannonball from Michin.
You can see the way that Giulia's head whipped back like a whiplash effect.
[Cole] Now Michin going for Eat Defeat, which is her finishing maneuver.
But Giulia able to counter.
We'll be looking for a Northern Lights Bomb!
[Cole] It connects! Cover.
-Is it enough to retain the championship? -One, two…
[Cole] But Michin kicks out!
[Graves] Sit-out driver by Giulia.
Extremely effective but not enough to end the matchup.
[Cole] Now the well placed kick by the champion.
And another one to Michin.
[Graves] Look at the confidence now just oozing from Giulia.
It's like she's daring Michin to fight back.
[Cole] Yeah, but Michin is fighting back.
And now the champ's in trouble. Michin lifting her up,
and taking her down! The sit-out power bomb.
-Cover for the title. -One, two…
[Cole] Giulia kicks at two.
Kiana James extremely upset after that near fall.
Hey! I don't think so.
[Cole] Again. James again
trying to cause a distraction.
And whipping Giulia into the second rope.
And Michin now gonna make Kiana James pay!
Face first, bounced off the mat.
But Giulia with a running knee!
-[Graves] Arrivederci! -[Cole] Giulia with the Arrivederci
-for the victory… -[bell rings]
…and to retain the championship.
[Nash] Here is your winner,
and still Women's United States Champion,
Giulia!
[Cole] Well, the distraction by Kiana James paid off.
Giulia hitting Arrivederci to pick up the victory
and retain her United States Women's Championship.
Oh, and now, well Kiana James
obviously still upset after she was embarrassed last week
in about three seconds by Michin and James,
finally being hauled away by the official, Daphanie LaShaunn.
[Graves] A budding relationship but mutually beneficial nonetheless.
Big win for the United States Champion, Giulia
and her official representation, Kiana James.
United States Championship match here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
Last week we were supposed to have a Women's Tag Team Championship match,
but Chelsea and Alba had other ideas when they attacked Charlotte Flair
before the match even began.
[Graves] As the Queen and Alexa Bliss were making their entrance,
Chelsea Green, Alba Fyre taking out the knee of Charlotte Flair.
Leaving Charlotte unable to compete.
This would lead to a one on one contest between Alexa Bliss
-and Chelsea Green… -[bell rings]
…with Little Miss Bliss humiliating Chelsea.
Unfortunately for Alexa,
Alba Fyre would hit the scene and attempt to lay waste.
An unlikely return from the Queen Charlotte Flair was short-lived.
And everything came up Secret Hervice in Chelsea Green.
Does nothing ever good happen to me in this city?
What did I do to deserve…
[crying]
What?
Doctor Lily will see you now.
Blister, you were supposed to get a real doctor.
-Don't worry. -I need to get cleared, like yesterday.
Lily's trained.
We need revenge on Chelsea and Alba.
[stammers]
I have one. It's there.
If you say so.
Look, we will get revenge when the time is right.
But right now is not the right time because you need to rest, relax,
-and let the power of… -Do I not look relaxed?
Oh, if you say f…
it'd make me feel better.
-…power of… -F…
…friendship heal your pain.
S-So what am I not cleared? Seriously?
♪ Burn it down ♪
[Graves] Now what?
[crowd singing]
♪ Burn it down ♪
[Cole] Well, Punk is here.
Becky Lynch is here.
And now Becky's husband, the World Heavyweight Champion,
Seth Rollins, is here.
What on earth does Rollins have in store for Friday Night SmackDown?
[Cole] Things have gotten interesting here at Allstate Arena in Chicago
because the world champ, Seth Rollins has arrived.
Chicago!
Tonight we are all witnesses to history
because the legend of your hero CM Punk
dies right here, right now!
[crowd booing]
[laughs]
And to do the honors…
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk!
Yes, yes. One last time, chant his name!
But to do the honors,
let me introduce to you
the greatest female wrestler in the history of planet Earth!
She is your intercontinental champion.
And she is my sexy, brilliant,
incredible, Irish wife.
Chicago, welcome to the big time.
I give you "The Man" Becky Lynch!
[crowd booing]
["New Lows" playing]
♪ The Man has come around ♪
♪ The sleepless nights The desperate calls ♪
♪ The empty road ♪
♪ I'm spitting blood I'm staring down a broken nose ♪
♪ I'm sick to death Of standing in the bitter cold ♪
♪ They'll rue the day They let me hit a new low ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm no one's shadow ♪
♪ I felt the lights And I'm not going back there ♪
♪ I talk to your ghost Every night in my sleep ♪
♪ And I say "I'm through playing dead" "Man, I don't care" ♪
♪ You can block the exits I ain't flinching ♪
♪ Bayside built me ♪
♪ The pressure builds It bottles up, and then explodes ♪
♪ It rips you out of orbit Like a black hole ♪
♪ I'll burn it down And watch as something better grows ♪
♪ And drag you toward the future With your eyes closed ♪
[music fades]
[crowd chanting] AJ Lee! AJ Lee!
How dare you?
[crowd boos]
How dare you chant another person's name while I'm standing in this ring?
I am the greatest female wrestler of all time!
And it's not just me saying it. Other people say it!
Sports Illustrated says it.
The Chicago Tribune says it!
Oh. Classic Chicago.
Classic Chicago.
I wouldn't expect you to know what greatness looks like.
All your teams suck.
The Blackhawks suck.
The Cubs suck.
The White Sox suck.
The Bulls suck.
And you suck.
You suck so bad they're trading your ass.
[Graves] Talking to Coby White of the Bulls.
And CM Punk sucks.
[crowd boos]
["Cult of Personality" playing]
[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 want to be ♪
♪ Oh, I'm the cult of personality ♪
♪ Like Mussolini and Kennedy ♪
♪ I'm the cult of personality The cult of personality ♪
♪ The cult of personality ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ Neon lights Nobel Prize ♪
♪ When a mirror speaks The reflection lies ♪
♪ You won't have to follow me ♪
♪ Only you can set me free ♪
♪ I sell the things you need to be ♪
♪ I'm the smiling face of your TV ♪
♪ Oh, I'm the cult of personality ♪
♪ I exploit you Still, you love me ♪
♪ I tell you one and one make three ♪
♪ Oh, I'm the cult of personality ♪
♪ Like Joseph Stalin and Gandhi ♪
♪ I'm the cult of personality The cult of personality ♪
♪ The cult of personality ♪
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
♪ You won't have to follow me ♪
♪ Only you can set me free ♪
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk! CM Punk!
This isn't about you.
It's about your coward of a husband
that's hiding…
in a box right now.
-This… -This is about me.
And actually, I'm surprised you came out here and showed your face.
Aren't you embarrassed?
Am I embarrassed?
No, I don't have anything to be embarrassed for,
unlike your coward of a husband.
[crowd cheers]
Hiding in a skybox, hiding behind Paul Heyman,
hiding behind his goons,
and now hiding behind his wife.
I'm going to give you the chance because this has nothing to do with you.
How's your face feeling?
How's your pride feeling?
[crowd chanting] AJ Lee! AJ Lee!
Shut up!
No, no, no. You will let them chant the name AJ Lee.
[cheering]
If it bothers you so much,
you shouldn't have stuck your nose in my business.
We are in Chicago.
-You don't think… -[crowd cheering]
You don't think I got friends?
You don't think I got shooters?
You don't think I can snap my fingers
and have one of my sisters jump over this rail
and get in this ring and beat your ass?
Okay, come on! Come on. Yeah, come on.
I'll kick their ass.
Which one is it? I'll kick all of your asses.
You don't think I could give a call to Bayley
and have her come out here and beat your ass?
I kicked her ass too.
Who else you got? You got any more friends?
You don't think I can call in a favor to "The Eradicator" Rhea Ripley?
I think…
What are you gonna do about it, huh?
What are you gonna do? What are you gonna do, huh?
You gonna do something about it?
Yeah, where are they? I don't see 'em.
I don't see 'em. Who's gonna come save you, huh, Punk?
Huh? Huh? Huh?
Oh, what…
Boom!
Oh. [grunts]
What you gonna do? You gonna do something?
Huh? What if I do this again?
Yeah.
You're pathetic. You got nobody.
Okay, yeah. Go, go run away.
Run away from your hometown!
Get out of here.
You're an embarrassment.
You're an embarrassment to the city of Chicago.
And that's saying a lot.
[crowd boos]
Becky, this is exactly the situation I wanted to avoid.
Because you know, and I know and everybody knows,
I would never put my hands on a lady.
[crowd cheers]
Thankfully,
I got somebody who will.
[crowd cheers]
["Let's Light It Up" playing]
♪ Let's light it up ♪
♪ Light it up, light it up Light up tonight ♪
♪ Let's light it up ♪
♪ Like shooting stars are burning Light up the sky ♪
♪ Let's light it up
♪ Light it up, light it up Light up tonight ♪
♪ Let's light it up ♪
♪ Let the night Let the diamonds shine in your eyes ♪
♪ Light it up, light it up Light it tonight ♪
♪ Let's light it up ♪
♪ Like shooting stars are burning Light up the sky ♪
♪ Let's light it up ♪
♪ Light it up, light it up Light up tonight ♪
♪ Let's light it up ♪
♪ Let the night Let the diamonds shine in your eyes ♪
[cheering continues]
♪ Something 'bout the madess magic I can't explain ♪
♪ Every time the sun goes down Feel everything change ♪
♪ Feel my body buzzin' Feel my temperature range ♪
♪ Every night a brand new page Yeah ♪
♪ Let's light it up ♪
♪ Light it up, light it up Light up tonight ♪
♪ Let's light it up ♪
♪ Like shooting stars are burning Light up the sky ♪
♪ Let's light it up ♪
♪ Light it up, light it up Light up tonight ♪
♪ Let's light it up ♪
♪ Let the night Let the diamonds shine in your eyes ♪
♪ Light it up, light it up Light it tonight ♪
♪ Let's light it up ♪
♪ Like shooting stars are burning Light up the sky ♪
♪ Let's light it up ♪
♪ Light it up, light it up Light up tonight ♪
♪ Let's light it up ♪
♪ Let the night Let the diamonds shine in your eyes ♪
[crowd cheering]
[music fades]
[crowd chanting] AJ Lee! AJ Lee! AJ Lee! AJ Lee!
[Cole] AJ Lee, CM Punk's wife is here!
AJ Lee, taking it to Becky Lynch.
Becky's trying to retreat.
And AJ Lee
after a decade, nearly 3,800 days,
is back!
Down goes Lynch off the Thesz Press!
And AJ Lee unloading on Becky Lynch.
[Graves] AJ Lee going absolutely crazy in the ring right now.
[Cole] Well, crazy is her superpower, Corey.
We all know that.
The trailblazer.
The original check buster, with a payback to Becky Lynch.
[crowd chanting] AJ Lee! AJ Lee!
[cheering]
[Graves] Welcome back AJ Lee!
["Let's Light It Up" playing]
Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch don't know what to think.
The woman who made crazy cool…
is back!
What a return for AJ Lee. ool…