[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Joseph] SmackDown is sold out in Norfolk, Virginia,
on what has been a monumental day in the WWE.
We are inside the Scope Arena where the Viper has slithered
into the Scope to strike as he has targeted the three most dangerous letters
in sports entertainment at one man.
That man? Drew McIntyre.
These two write the next chapter in their rivalry tonight
in our main event of SmackDown.
The center of the universe is in the spotlight tonight
as she will defend the WWE Women's Championship
against the number one contender,
that of course being Jade Cargill.
Is there a storm on the horizon in the women's division?
We'll find out tonight.
And welcome inside the Scope Arena, again, sold out for SmackDown.
You can feel the energy of the WWE Universe as I welcome you ringside.
I'm Vic Joseph,
and I'm being joined by a man who was a World Champion on this brand.
A man who was the king of this brand.
A man who was the worst General Manager in this brand's history.
-I'm talking about Booker T. -Yeah, we're two men in here.
-What up, unc? -You 'bout to get an ass whooping.
Let's start that way, all right? All right?
Do your damn job!
-I'm Vic Joseph. Booker T. -Do your damn job!
Well, let's go back to last Friday when the Beast was unleashed.
[dramatic music plays]
[Cena] Boy, are we in for one exciting night tonight?
-Are we not? -[crowd cheering]
This is my last time to ever appear on SmackDown.
Thank you so much for a beautiful ride.
[crowd chanting] Thank you, Cena!
[Zayn] Look, I just wanted to come out here to tell you
if tonight is your last SmackDown,
then it would be my honor
to give you what you gave me ten years ago,
and that is a shot at the US Championship!
[crowd cheers]
[crowd] You can't see me!
[Cole] Sami with a Blue Thunder Bomb!
Attitude Adjustment to win the United States Championship!
This is absolutely incredible.
John Cena! Avalanche!
Attitude Adjustment.
[crowd chants] This is awesome!
-["Next Big Thing" plays] -[crowd cheers]
-[tense music plays] -[Cole] The Beast is here!
[crowd boos]
[roars]
[music ends]
-["Next Big Thing" plays] -[crowd cheers]
[shouts]
[crowd cheers]
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome Brock Lesnar!
[cheering continues]
[Joseph] Brock Lesnar, John Cena.
The Beast wants to cut Cena's retirement tour short
next Saturday at Wrestlepalooza.
[Booker T] I gotta say it, man. I gotta say it.
That man… That man…
No bread. No water.
Just meat!
Oh, yes, man! He's a carnivore!
[Booker T chuckles] Oh, yeah!
[crowd cheering]
[Booker T] You know the saying.
Get some, want some.
Your ass better be big enough and bad enough to take some.
That's Brock Lesnar, man!
[music ends]
[crowd boos]
[crowd chants] You suck!
-["What's Up?" plays] -[crowd cheers]
[R-Truth] Ya'll know what time it is!
It's the part where we crank it up!
Let's crank it up!
Now, here we go!
♪ People over there What's up ♪
♪ If you feel me Let me hear you say what's up ♪
-♪ What's up ♪ -[crowd] ♪ What's up ♪
♪ Now, you could get with this Or you could get with that ♪
♪ You better get with this 'Cause this is where it's at ♪
-♪ What's up ♪ -[crowd] ♪ What's up ♪
♪ I be skippin' and jumpin' Leavin' the competition ♪
♪ Making them disappear Like your favorite magician ♪
♪ And I ride until The wheels fall off ♪
♪ I bounce back-to-back Till their necks get soft ♪
♪ Most the time you see me I'm just being simple ♪
♪ Then be times I be bustin' 'em up like a pimple ♪
♪ Stating my claim to fame ♪
♪ To be the most Must-see OG slayin' the game ♪
♪ Haven't even started yet ♪
♪ You can better believe ♪
♪ I take it off a sure-shot bet ♪
-♪ What's up ♪ -[crowd] ♪ What's up ♪
[crowd cheers]
[music fades out]
Norfolk, Virginia, make some noise!
[crowd cheers]
-What's up? -[crowd] What's up?
I'm gonna tell you what's up.
[Lesnar] Man, shut up.
[crowd boos]
You know what?
I'm gonna go a different route.
I'm gonna be the first WWE superstar
in this WWE ring
in front of this WWE Universe
live on TV to say,
Brock, welcome back.
[crowd cheers]
Now with that being said,
I used to be scared of you, bro.
-I ain't scared of you no more, bro. -Whoa, whoa, whoa.
I don't even know who you are.
[crowd boos]
And you better have a damn good reason for coming out here and interrupting me.
You've been disrespecting John Cena,
my childhood hero, my older brother…
[crowd cheers]
…for the past 25 years!
How old are you?
[crowd laughs]
And what is your name?
R-Truth.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] R-Truth! R-Truth!
I'm done with the disrespect, bro.
Time out.
-My older-- -I'm… I'm here for one thing tonight.
I'm looking for John Cena.
Do you know where John Cena is tonight?
-Are you-- -No, I don't.
Then why are you in my ring right now?
Because I'm here to defend my older brother,
my childhood hero, John Cena.
[crowd cheers]
So John Cena is your brother?
My older brother.
[crowd laughs]
And your name is R-Truth?
My name is Ron Cena.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] Ron Cena! Ron Cena!
So you don't know where John is.
No, I don't.
[fan shouts] Give him the F-5!
And so why are you here right now?
I'm here to stop the disrespect, bro.
You see, John Cena is built different now, dawg.
He went crazy this year. You ain't see him.
Bro, he made a little kid cry.
[crowd laughs]
So I'm telling you now,
Super Cena is coming for you, dawg.
And he is fueled.
He's fueled with hustle, loyalty, respect,
and two drops of that kid's tears.
[crowd laughs]
So he won't be running from the Beast.
He will be feeding on him.
[crowd exclaims]
And you're his brother?
I'm his younger brother.
From another mother?
No, we got the same daddies.
[crowd laughs]
And you're R-Truth?
-R… I'm Ron Cena. Yes. -Or Ron Cena.
Okay. Do you know that you're missing a tooth?
I'm missing a--
-[Joseph] Whoa! -[Booker T] Here we go!
[crowd boos]
[inaudible]
-[Booker T chuckles] -[crowd cheers]
[Booker T] That's business right there. That's all it was.
[Joseph] Well, Brock Lesnar is looking for one man.
-["Next Big Thing" playing] -[Joseph] The Beast is indeed back.
And he's looking to end Cena's retirement tour early next Saturday
at Wrestlepalooza.
[groans]
Stu, I ripped my pants!
[fans cheering, shouting]
Blue underwear!
…what you're saying.
In fact, I'm being honest with you,
it really does mean a lot to me that John Cena gave me the green light
to keep these US Title open challenges going,
but I want you to know I'm really happy that you're my first challenger.
I feel like, you know, we've had very parallel careers in some ways.
I traveled the world before I got here.
You traveled the world before you got here.
But our paths have never crossed until tonight.
We go one-on-one.
And no matter who wins, who loses,
I know we're going to give Norfolk a hell of a match.
Good luck.
[crowd cheers]
-Gracias! Thank you for the opportunity. -Thank you, buddy.
-See you out there. Ánimo. -I'll see you out there.
[Joseph] Oh, we have a United States Championship match.
Next on SmackDown!
[ominous music plays]
Do you know what I had to sacrifice
to get that championship in my hands, Sami?
Hmm?
I've sacrificed love,
loyalty…
my own flesh and blood.
Just to prove what, huh?
Just to…
[shouting] Just to prove what? For it to be taken out of my hands?
I've lost my Bloodline.
I've lost the Ula Fala.
And I've lost my United States Championship.
Change is going to happen,
and it is going to happen sooner than later
because I am going to lead this family,
and I am going to take back what I lost.
I have been living in the shadows of others for way too long.
It is time for others…
to live in the shadow
of me and my family tree.
-["Worlds Apart" plays] -[crowd cheers]
[Joseph] Well, here comes the man that defeated Solo Sikoa.
[crowd] Let's go!
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following is the United States Championship open challenge!
Introducing first, from Montreal, Quebec, Canada,
weighing in at 212 pounds,
he is the United States Champion,
Sami Zayn!
[Joseph] And this is the man that began his open challenge last week.
As you heard him say, he was honored that John Cena
is letting him continue this tradition.
You've got to give it up. You've got to respect Sami Zayn.
[Booker T] I respect the hell out of Sami Zayn.
I watched this kid grow up to become a man,
and now he's the United States Champion.
And what a… what a hell of a run at John Cena.
[Joseph] Sami issued that first open challenge
last week against Cena, carrying on that legacy.
It was Cena's last match on SmackDown,
and as we've already relived,
only to be interrupted by Brock Lesnar.
[Booker T] He was interrupted, but you could see the growth in Sami Zayn.
He was all-in as far as that match went, man.
-[music ends] -[crowd vocalizes "Worlds Apart"]
[crowd cheers]
["Animo" plays]
[crowd cheers]
-[shouts] -[crowd cheers]
[Nash] And his opponent, from Ecatepec, Mexico,
weighing in at 182 pounds,
Rey Fenix!
[Joseph] And, Booker, I mean, how smart is it of Fenix to take full advantage,
to accept this championship opportunity?
[Booker T] I mean, it's… it's a hell of a night for this kid.
I always say it's a moment, but it was smart of Sami Zayn
getting a jump on who the competition was tonight.
Normally, in open challenge, you don't get that opportunity.
But tonight, I always say preparation is the only luck.
Sami got a little preparation as far as this match goes, man.
[Joseph] Oh, Sami was thrilled that it was Fenix who answered the challenge.
I mean, when you break this down, you take a look at the history of both
these athletes, both these superstars that are so well-traveled, so well-versed,
honing their craft all around the world.
This is a first time ever matchup.
[Booker T] Sami can do it all in the ring, but I'll tell you right now.
Rey Fenix, I put this kid under that, um…
-That scale of extraordinary. -[Joseph] There you go.
[Booker T] The kid can go.
He can do anything in the middle of that squared circle.
-[referee] Ring the bell! -[bell rings]
[Joseph] Nice little show of respect early on.
Look, let's go back to what we've talked about.
You typically are on record as not being a fan of the open challenge concept.
[Booker T] No, I'm not.
I mean, like I say, preparation is the only luck
you're gonna have in this business as well as in life.
You normally can't prepare for a match like this, but like I say,
Sami got the jump on this kid.
He has a huge advantage knowing that it was going to be Rey Fenix
coming out that curtain right there.
[Joseph] There's Sami Zayn showing off some of that lucha--
-[Booker T] Oh, baby! -…that he had once upon a time.
But Rey Fenix answering right back.
And a little tit for tat. What you can do, I can do better.
Fenix looking to fly.
Sami Zayn staying right in front and charging right back in.
We know how much Sami loves the…
-[Booker T] Oh, baby! -…WWE Universe.
Wants to properly represent the historic legacy of this championship,
as Fenix now hits the gas and-- Oh! Puts on the brakes.
[Booker T] Man, this kid is so unique.
[Joseph] Sami Zayn may be realizing his title's in jeopardy
as SmackDown rolls on.
[Joseph] United States Championship on the line.
Open challenge accepted by Rey Fenix.
Sami Zayn has been in control.
Sami, of course, undefeated since arriving here on SmackDown.
-And a nice tilt-a-whirl backbreaker! -[Booker T] Oh, yes! Cover him!
-That could be it! -[Joseph] Into the cover!
Hooking the inside leg, and Fenix again just able to squirm out.
[Booker T] Look at Sami Zayn keeping his eyes on the prize right there.
Keeping Rey Fenix-- didn't get the cover--
but still keeping Rey close to the body right there.
Just stretching this kid. I love it.
[Joseph] Look at this submission right now.
You see the torque of that left shoulder.
Fenix trying to navigate his way back to his feet.
Rey Fenix really has not gotten out of the blocks
in this matchup against Sami Zayn.
You brought it up earlier, Book. It was a great point. The open challenge.
Sami Zayn knew what to expect,
as right now Fenix trying to get the upper hand.
Oh! And there's some of that athleticism, that high flying.
This man is excitement personified.
And now Fenix could be looking to rise.
[Booker T] Here we go! Are we gonna see it?
Are we gonna see it? Here we go, baby!
Oh, yes!
[Joseph] Rey Fenix taking to the air.
And look, this is a man who was a former AAA Fusion Champion,
which became unified with the AAA Cruiserweight title,
which is held by Laredo Kid, who will compete at Worlds Collide.
Certainly, you know Fenix will have his eyes on Worlds Collide,
but could he be watching Worlds Collide as the United States Champion?
Into the cover, hook of the leg for the title,
and Sami, this time, getting that left shoulder out.
[Booker T] Yes, man. Here we go. Check it out right here.
Check out Rey Fenix.
Check out the balance with the greatest of ease, man.
-This kid, like I said, he's got a shot. -[Joseph] Boom!
[Booker T] He's gotta keep the hammer down
if he wants to win this match here tonight.
[Joseph] You know, you made this transition, Booker.
Is it difficult to transition from a tag team competitor to a singles competitor,
-which is what… -[Booker T] Wait a minute!
[Joseph] …Rey Fenix is doing right now.
Able to counter the Blue Thunder Bomb. Beating Sami right back down.
Middle of the ring. Sami holding on. Pulling in Rey Fenix.
And this time, countered one more time!
Taking down the champ, challenger into the cover.
Another hook of the leg and another near fall.
But how difficult is that transition?
[Booker T] No, I mean, it's a hell of a transition,
but for somebody like Rey Fenix, I mean, tag team wrestling
was just getting his foot in the door.
This kid's a natural. He's made for singles wrestling.
He's made to be champion, and he can become champion
here tonight with a big win. Oh, yes, man!
[Joseph] Super kick buckling the knees.
Falling into the cover, center of the ring and… [chuckles]
-[Booker T] Man! So close. -[Joseph] …another near fall.
Look, you know what both these men are feeling right now, Booker.
You have competed for this championship in this very building
at the Great American Bash against John Cena.
[Booker T] Yeah, but the pressure right now,
the pressure is on Rey Fenix.
If he can close this thing…
We know Sami Zayn. What he can do right now…
-Oh, yes! -[Joseph] Oh!
[Booker T] He has all the momentum working for him right now as well.
[Joseph] Fenix is a risk-taker. No one was there on that moonsault.
Now Sami Zayn taking a look over.
He's got that target acquired.
Looking for the Helluva Kick,
and just getting out of the way is the challenger, Fenix.
[Booker T] In the nick of time!
-[Joseph] Now he's coming in with a DDT! -[Booker T] Good night! Cover him, son!
-Cover him! -[Joseph] Get that arm over!
Oh! And, I mean, you could have slid a piece of paper
under the official's hand.
Who's walking out champion from SmackDown?
[crowd booing]
[Joseph] This one has been going back and forth.
This is hard to call. Booker, we're almost exhausted.
We're not even the two guys in the ring right now fighting over
the United States Championship.
[Booker T] That's what this championship means, man.
The lineage of this championship right here,
Sami Zayn knows what it feels like.
Rey Fenix is so close.
He is so close to cashing in on a moment, but got stomped big-time by Sami Zayn.
[Joseph] Rey Fenix such an exciting superstar here in the WWE.
We've known him for his high flying.
Sami Zayn, though, has gone to the top just as many times as Fenix has.
And now what's on the mind of Sami Zayn?
Sami…
-[Booker T] Sami's going for it. -No way!
[Booker T] He's going for the coup d'etat right here.
[Joseph] I don't know what he's looking for.
Could be looking for maybe even an AA if you think back to John Cena last week.
Rey Fenix, though, able to counter.
Fenix now, what's going through his mind? Posted up and… Oh!
-Double stomp right to the spine! -[Booker T] Wow!
Cover for the championship!
And again, Sami Zayn showing you the resiliency,
able to snap back like a rubber band, but now take a look…
at the challenger.
Looking to hit that fire flip off the corner.
Fenix didn't get all of it. He got every single--
[Booker T] Sami's not willing to give it up.
-[Joseph] He didn't get all of it. -Not willing to give it up.
[Joseph] We spoke a little too soon.
I thought that was it, Book. Take another look.
Rey Fenix with the balance coming from the heavens right there.
Landed that moonsault perfect! Perfect! Should've been a three-count.
[Joseph] Got every bit of it, but wasn't able to get the three.
It's coming down to a stalemate.
Sold out here in Norfolk inside the Scope, which had so many historic moments.
Could we be on the verge of a new United States Champion?
Able to counter for a moment. This time the super kick was caught.
Picked up. Another counter.
Fenix lands on his feet, ducks the clothesline.
Rey coming in. Got caught. Bam! Boom!
-[Booker T] Oh, yes! -[Joseph] Thunder Bomb!
-Oh! -[crowd cheers]
[Booker T] Wow, that wasn't even a kick out.
[Joseph] Sami's face tells the story.
[Booker T] I mean, Rey Fenix just slid out the back door right there.
Wow!
[Joseph] Sami Zayn able to catch Rey Fenix.
Third time was the charm.
Take another look at this, Book. Look real?
-[Booker T] That one arm, man. -[Joseph] Fenix got it up.
-He beat the count. -[Booker T] That one arm.
I mean, if Sami would've just hooked that one arm,
this match would be over with.
[Joseph] It's all about the United States Championship.
This open challenge presented by Sami Zayn.
[Booker T] Wow, what a match.
-[Joseph] Rey Fenix answered. -[Booker T] What a night.
-[Joseph] Oh. -[Booker T] What a fight.
[Joseph] Fenix creating a little bit of separation in this matchup.
-And right now-- Uh-oh. Got caught! -[Booker T] Oh, baby! Caught!
[Joseph] Big exploder into the corner, and Sami's now feeling it.
[Booker T] You ain't driving. He's feeling it.
He's in the driver's seat right now.
[Joseph] WWE Universe rising up, and-- Oh! So is Rey Fenix!
-Counter! Cover! -[Booker T] Oh, my God!
[Joseph] Oh, my word! [laughs]
Wow!
[Booker T] Where does Rey Fenix even get this energy from, man?
He will not quit. He will not stay down.
[crowd chants] This is awesome!
[Joseph] And this is our first championship match tonight.
Remember, the women's championship on the line as well.
Goodbye, Amigo connected.
Fenix!
-Don't waste any time, Rey. -[Booker T] He's wasting time.
That's valuable time in a match with this guy, Sami.
-He's crafty! He's crafty! -[Joseph] Oh! Got caught a second time!
Folding up Fenix, it's Sami now.
Won't be denied!
Helluva Kick!
[Booker T] Right on the button.
-[Joseph] Into the cover. -[crowd] One, two…
-[Joseph] It's Sami Zayn retains… -…three!
-[bell rings] -…in Norfolk!
-["Worlds Apart" plays] -[Booker T] Wow.
[Nash] Here is your winner
and still United States Champion,
Sami Zayn!
[Joseph] Take a look around at this sold-out crowd on their feet,
not just for the champion,
but for both these men who just laid it on the line
for the United States Championship.
[Booker T] Right in the middle of that ring, man.
Brings back so many memories for myself here in Norfolk.
These fans are incredible.
[crowd cheering]
[Joseph] We got to give it up one more time for not only Sami Zayn
but also Rey Fenix here tonight.
I mean, congrats to both guys, I mean.
But Sami Zayn just had too much for the young man here tonight.
What a night. What a fight.
Well, United States Champion was just successfully defended.
Still, the WWE Women's Championship will be defended later tonight,
but it's been a busy day for one woman.
That being B-Fab.
Montez, look. When you get this, call me back.
-Hey, Giulia. -Hi.
Can you remind me exactly what we did to Michin last week?
Okay.
We made an example of her like we said we would.
Right, because that's what happens to people that step to us.
I heard that y'all have been jumping my girl Michin.
But that's because both of y'all know that I've been busy with the Profits drama.
But you know what? I'm not busy right now.
-Oh, B-Fab. You're here. -[scoffs]
What exactly gives you the audacity to speak to my client that way? Huh?
No, it's okay. She can talk like that
if she back it up tonight.
Perfect.
["Time Of Arrival" playing]
[Joseph] After that incident, that brings us to the here and the now.
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied by Kiana James.
From Tokyo, Japan.
She is the Women's United States Champion,
Giulia!
[Joseph] Beautiful Madness is ready.
Big opportunity for B-Fab.
Can she defeat the Women's US Champion? We'll find out next.
[ominous music plays]
Where do the Profits go from here? [chuckles]
In Paris, we tried you.
We tested you.
And you failed.
But I told you, you're not at war with flesh,
but the principalities.
Tez, Dawks.
It pains me to see both like this,
cracks at the seams already.
Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk.
I guess people never truly appreciate what they have
until it's gone.
[echoes] …until it's gone.
Your brotherhood is infected.
Rotting.
Which means you both have a tough choice ahead of you.
Amputate, save yourselves.
Or let the disease consume you.
We're not the ones to blame.
We just sowed the seeds and now they're sprouting horns.
So where do the Profits go from here?
[laughing]
Follow the buzzards.
["Count It Out" playing]
[Joseph] Well, we're set…
How big is this, Book, for B-Fab?
[Booker T] It's huge.
I mean, no title, title on the line, doesn't really make a difference.
-If you get a win over Giulia… -[Joseph] Yeah?
…you're the talk around the watercooler tomorrow, baby.
-Oh, yes. -[Joseph] Hold on a second.
There's Kiana James, the representation for the champion
getting right in the face of B-Fab.
And Giulia right now… Oh!
Well, Giulia didn't like it.
And you obviously have had a certain respect for Kiana James
-even dating back to NXT. -[Booker T] She's a boss.
[Booker T] She's a boss. And right now she's advising Giulia.
-And Giulia is putting in work. I love it. -[Joseph] Oh!
Well, I feel bad for our official in this situation.
I haven't even heard a bell yet.
I don't know if this matchup has officially began.
[Booker T] This ain't about a match.
This is about the reckoning right now. What are you talking about?
[Joseph] What do you mean?
[Booker T] About the reckoning right there Giulia's putting in work.
[Joseph] Well, Kiana J…
-And now Kiana James getting involved! -[Booker T] Oh, yes. Get some. Want some.
Oh, yes. Oh, yes.
-[Joseph] Giulia measuring it. Oh! -[Booker T] Oh!
-The Arrivederci! -[Booker T] Good game!
[Joseph] What does this prove, Book? What does this prove?
[Booker T] Supremacy, baby. Supremacy.
That's what this is all about. This is about dominance.
[James] Do you understand?
-Do you understand? -["I Am" plays]
-[crowd cheers] -[Joseph] Oh, yeah.
Well this is what happens, Booker.
♪ I am, I am I am the one ain't hard to see ♪
-[Booker T] Okay. -[Joseph] It's Michin!
-[Booker T] Okay. Okay, here we go. -[Joseph] With a kendo stick in hand!
What did you say about, "Want some? Come get some"?
[Booker T] Well, you better be big enough and bad enough to take some!
-[Joseph] Michin not gonna sit back. -[Booker T] Get outta there!
[Joseph] She's been on the… Oh!
Well, she has felt the wrath of that dangerous duo in her own right.
["I Am" plays]
[Joseph] A little bit of a stalemate. But look, now the odds are even.
And that certainly can't sit well
with Kiana and the Women's United States Champion, Giulia.
Well, there is Drew McIntyre, who has been on a war path.
He of course meets Randy Orton in our main event tonight
here on SmackDown.
Well, there's Tiffany Stratton on the left.
The Women's Champion looks to continue Tiffy Time.
Jade Cargill looks to bring the storm to the women's division.
Championship clash live next on SmackDown.
[announcer] WrestleMania 43 has found its home.
Riyadh is going to shine.
For the first time ever,
WrestleMania will be held outside of the United States and Canada.
In 2027 we are proud to announce that WrestleMania 43
will take place in Saudi Arabia as part of Riyadh's season.
[Alalshikh] This is very important for us.
For the first time in our region, the big event is in our country.
The pomp and circumstances that you always expect from WrestleMania
are gonna be off the charts.
[Triple H] I think you can expect something like you have never seen before.
[Joseph] It was a monumental announcement made earlier today in Las Vegas.
WrestleMania is headed to Riyadh.
[Black] After I decided to dig my heel into your jaw,
when I tricked you into thinking that I was a wounded animal.
I knew I had poisoned you enough.
Not with venom, but with doubt.
It might not be tomorrow. It might not be next year.
-[bell rings] -But the venom will want its course.
Understand this, Priest.
I am both sickness and cure.
You can keep fighting this and live by your code.
And I will remain to be the sickness.
Or not.
And then you show the entire world,
how destructive and hateful and talented I know you are.
Priest, the consequence is yours.
Keep fighting and you can die by that code.
As I said before, violence begets violence.
And I, Priest,
I shall be its prophet.
["A Storm Is Coming" playing]
[Cargill] A storm… [laughs] …is coming.
[crowd cheering]
-My time! -[bell rings]
-Tacky Time is over, baby! -[Nash] The following contest
is scheduled for one fall
and is for the WWE Women's Championship!
Introducing first, the challenger
from Vero Beach, Florida.
Jade Cargill!
[Joseph] Talk about presence, Book.
We could be in the presence of the next WWE Women's Champion.
[Booker T] A specimen.
Superhero-esque, man.
Oh, yes man.
Talking about somebody that passes that output test.
That's Jade Cargill.
[Joseph] This of course is a rematch from SummerSlam.
I tried to talk to Jade about SummerSlam and this rematch.
She said she made one error or she would be the champion.
Taking a look back, Prettiest Moonsault Ever was countered.
And it was right here in this moment
that Jade Cargill believed she was about to be crowned the champion,
but Stratton got lucky
with the tippy tip of her toe hitting that bottom rope.
And then of course as we know what history said.
Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Bam! Right there.
-And Tiffany Stratton would retain… -[crowd] One, two, three!
-…the WWE Women's championship. -[bell rings]
[Booker T] How many mistakes was it?
-She said she made one mistake. -That's all it took, Victor.
[Joseph] Well, she's gonna have to be mistake-free here tonight.
["Tiffy Time" playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Drop, I'm going in Bass so loud its in my skin ♪
♪ Drop, I wanna see ya Drop, drop, drop, drop, drop… ♪
[Nash] And her opponent.
From Prior Lake, Minnesota.
She is
the WWE Women's Champion,
Tiffany Stratton!
[Joseph] And the sold-out universe inside the Scope Arena
have their phones out,
-taking a look at a woman… -[Booker T chuckles]
…who has not tasted defeat this year.
And, Book, I got to give you credit when credit is due.
-For what is that? -You knew that
she was gonna be a champion.
You knew she was gonna be successful.
There is no surprise at how fast…
-Tiffany Stratton has rised the top. -[Booker T] That's right.
I always said Tiffany Stratton was special.
Let me tell you something.
She stepped in here in SmackDown, and she went passed the moon, man.
Grabbed that championship and went straight to the nebula, baby.
-[Joseph] Well, I'm also… -Oh, yes, man.
I'm also glad you took your blood pressure medication.
Because earlier this week on NXT
we saw Tiffany Stratton along with Rhea Ripley and Stephanie Vaquer.
Those three women are going to face Fatal Influence at NXT Homecoming.
But right now it's all about the WWE Women's Championship.
[Booker T] It'll be good, man. I mean, I've been waiting and anticipating
this matchup here tonight.
[Joseph] What is Jade going to have to do, though, to dethrone the champion,
to not have the same mistake from what happened at MetLife Stadium
-at SummerSlam? -Gonna have to stay poised.
Do not make those same mistakes.
Stay away from the ropes, especially when you're going for a cover.
I mean that was just a rookie…
Can I say? It was a rookie mistake.
-[Joseph] Whoa. -It was a rookie mistake.
Jade Cargill showing that power which is so impressive.
And, oh! Just catching Stratton again.
And Jade Cargill coming into tonight,
-not… playing games! -Oh, yes.
[Joseph] But look at Tiffany Stratton.
Book, listen to this résumé of women Stratton has defeated.
Nia Jax, Hall of Famer Trish Stratus,
Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania.
Jade once. Also Bayley.
But right now Jade Cargill not thinking about the past.
She's thinking about the here and the now.
But that is a who's who in the WWE.
-[Booker T] Oh, baby. -Big powerslam!
-Tiffany got vertically powerslammed. -First cover of the matchup.
Title on the line and a kick out.
[Booker T] Let me tell you what that does for Tiffany Stratton.
It gives her that cloak, that cloak of invincibility.
When you know you've beaten them all, you know you can do it again.
That's what Tiffany is. It's Tiffy Time!
[Joseph] Well, Tiffy Time could be up if Jade Cargill has her way here tonight.
And again that power. Looking for the suplex. Nice counter.
Did you see the knee from Tiffany Stratton which rocked Jade Cargill backwards?
She lost her balance and now Stratton trying to take full advantage,
-taking down the challenger… -One, two…
…into the cover and Cargill able to kick out.
[Booker T] That's the growth of Tiffany Stratton.
-From NXT. I mean, what? It's been a year. -[Joseph] A little bit more than that.
But what has impressed you the most with Stratton
since winning the championship?
[Booker T] Well, I mean, her confidence seems like it has risen.
-[Joseph] Ooh! -[Booker T] Oh, yes!
So much. And the thing is you look at Tiffany Stratton,
you think she's just a pretty face.
But I'm gonna tell you inside that squared circle she's good.
Is Tiffy Time going to continue on SmackDown?
[Joseph] It's the second championship match of the night here on SmackDown.
We are sold out
at the Scope Arena.
-And Jade Cargill, the Challenger… -[Booker T] Oh, yes.
…has been taking it to Tiffany Stratton.
Stratton, who is the longest current champion in the WWE.
This is her eight championship defense.
Her second against Jade.
And nobody home. Stratton now trying to turn things around.
-And whoa! -[Booker T] Wow.
[Joseph] Somewhat of a spine buster out of the corner.
[Booker T] Tiffany Stratton one step ahead of Jade Cargill
at this point in this matchup.
[Joseph] Cargill was named the number one contender
after she and Stratton were victorious as a team.
The champion said Jade should be thanking her
for allowing Cargill to win that matchup on that night.
That is what has led to this championship encounter.
Charging in and… Whoa! Going up.
-[Booker T] Oh, wow! -[Joseph] Oh, going way up.
Counter!
That was a counter for a counter.
Stratton.
[Booker T] Tiffany Stratton is off the rip, man. She's incredible.
Here we go!
[Joseph] There's that gymnastics background
with the elbow, into the Snapmare.
Charging right back in.
Bam! Oh!
Just about put her foot through the chest of Jade Cargill.
[Booker T] Lights out Jade Cargill right there.
That was an impressive double boot there by Tiffany Stratton.
[Joseph] Stratton looking to stay undefeated this year.
All the way. Swanton Bomb!
-Will that be enough to retain the title? -[crowd] One, two…
And Jade… And, Booker, there…
That right arm just got up.
Take another look.
-Feel this impact. Ooh! -[Booker T] That was shot right there.
I thought it pretty much sealed the deal right there with the Swanton to finish it
-but Jade Cargill… -[Joseph] Right here.
…just slid out the side door right there.
-That was a lazy kick out. Yes. -[Joseph] Still a kick out though, Book.
She's still in the matchup. She's still fighting.
But right now precarious position.
Oh, able to counter!
Oh, my gosh. Did you hear that super kick?
[Booker T] Like you say, can't win the ring though.
-[Joseph] Certainly cannot. -[Booker T] Oh, wait a minute!
[Joseph] Going up and… Ooh! Getting ripped right back down by Tiffany Stratton.
And the champion right now charging right in.
And just got caught.
Overpowering is the challenger dropping the champion.
And it's been an emotional roller coaster
of a 12-month period for Jade Cargill.
Can she capitalize here tonight?
Can she become the WWE Women's Champion?
Pump kick did not connect. Side step back.
[Booker T] Wow, look at the strength.
-Look at the strength on Tiffany. -[Joseph] And here it comes!
Looking for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever!
-[Booker T] Not today. Not today. -[Joseph] Counter!
And is it time for Jade, and I mean like a superhero come to life?
-Pulling in the champion for the title! -[crowd] One, two…
[Joseph] And oh, man.
Near-fall.
[Booker T] Stay on the gas.
Stay on the gas, Jade. You're so close.
[Joseph] So very close. And now take another look.
Perfectly planting Stratton.
But some fight left in the champion.
And this goes back to SummerSlam.
She's got to be thinking, "That one little mistake."
She's gotta stay in the moment.
She's gotta stay focused.
[Booker T] Speaking about that one mistake,
this is a mistake right here, wasting all this time.
I mean, right now Tiffany's in a perfect position.
[Joseph] Answering right back. Both women.
-Stratton rolling through. -[crowd] One, two…
[Joseph] Another near-fall in this championship matchup.
And right now you talk about deep waters.
These two women are getting into those deep waters.
These are the moments that define greatness.
-Alabama Slam in Virginia! -[Booker T] Got all of it.
-[Joseph] Stratton looking for it! -[Booker T] Oh, baby!
Prettiest Moonsault! And a roll right through.
Jade was able to counter. Pump kick!
-Both women down. -[Booker T] Come on!
[Joseph] So much taken out of both with the title on the line.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Jade! Let's go, Jade!
[Joseph] The universe is split in this WWE Women's Championship matchup.
Booker, this place is sold out and it's rocking right now.
[Booker T] It's all about checks, man. It's about checks and championship.
And Jade Cargill so close. So close.
[crowd boos]
[crowd cheers]
[crowd boos]
[crowd cheers]
[Booker T] You have it in the pocket right now, baby.
[Joseph] While this started to break down,
I was getting ready to ask you: Who does a slugfest favor?
But I think we're starting to see the answer to that question.
Another pump kick. Oh!
Didn't connect. Jade able to hold on for a moment.
Right back in.
Jade has been able to stay one step ahead of the champion
for the most part in this matchup.
But right now Jade has both women outside the ring.
Showing you the animosity on display between these two.
-Oh! -[Booker T] Let me tell you, Jade showed
that she learned so much from that first encounter.
-Oh, no! -[Joseph] No! Was that the mistake?
Was that the mistake?
[Booker T] It could have been a big mistake right there because--
[Joseph] Tiffany following up again!
[Booker T] Wow!
Can't win it out there though.
[Joseph] Certainly cannot.
But what's going through Stratton's mind right now, Booker?
[Booker T] Doesn't matter. It's the champions advantage,
no matter what happens here tonight, Vic.
But the thing is right here, she's still champ.
-Missed it! -[Joseph] She certainly did.
Hard landing for Tiffany.
And oh, no! No!
The challenger…
just ran the champion…
-And the referee with the count! -[bell rings]
-[Joseph] The referee with the count! -[crowd boos]
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has counted out both superstars.
This match has been ruled a draw.
Therefore--
[Joseph] Unfor… Holy hell!
-That's Nia Jax! -[Booker T] Oh, baby.
[Booker T] Here we go!
[Joseph] And both these women. Both Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton.
So much has been taken out of these women.
And now it's Nia Jax who's here picking up the scraps.
[Booker T] Business just picked up. Business just picked up big time.
-Oh, yeah! -[Joseph] Oh!
Nia taking out the competition.
Certainly showing she is indeed
the irresistible force!
[Booker T] That monster, baby. That monster.
-I love it. -[Joseph] Oh, this is wrong, Book.
-These two just had a great matchup. -This is about business, man.
-[Joseph] It's wrong. -[Booker T] This is about business.
It's about payback. Retribution, all of that.
[Joseph] An Annihilator to the champion.
And what it's all about for that woman
is once again being the WWE Women's Champion.
Nia Jax shows her dominance tonight.
Oh, Nicholas! [chuckles]
So happy to catch you.
My Slaygents and I have been more than patient as per usual
in waiting for our tag team championship opportunities.
What are we waiting for?
[scoffs] Charlotte's "injury"?
What are we waiting for Charlotte to become magically uninjured?
Okay, listen. Chelsea, I understand your frustration, okay.
But let me assure you, Charlotte's injury was very legitimate.
-Okay? -Okay.
-It's giving collusion. -Yep.
So Charlotte's protected, noted, message received. A message for you.
If you don't do what I want,
then you and all those nasty little misfits in the locker room
are gonna find out exactly why they call me the hot mess!
Okay, how about this?
Charlotte and Alexa, they have to defend their titles
next Tuesday at NXT Homecoming.
But…
What if you two face the winners?
-Is that giving excitement? -[squeals]
-Okay, great. I really have to go. -Yes!
Bye!
-Mr. Aldis! -Miz.
-Speaking of title opportunities… -Before you say anything,
I already talked to Carmelo.
And I told him if he wants to grab that opportunity it's all his.
Melo forward thinking.
Got us a shot at the tag team titles!
-I knew you'd see the light. -Actually, Miz. You…
You know what? Never mind. Goodbye.
Oh, didn't he put his big boy pants on today?
-Upgraded from diapers. -Gold star for great ideas.
[chattering]
[Joseph] Well, there is the 14-time world champion Randy Orton.
Putting in final preparations for Drew McIntyre.
It's our main event tonight on SmackDown.
But in moments, we will take a special look back at the history
between John Cena and Brock Lesnar,
ahead of their historic match at Wrestlepalooza.
[narrator] September 20th.
WWE's first ever premium live event on ESPN.
Two of the biggest rivals in WWE history collide under the bright lights
of Indianapolis's Cambridge Field House.
Before becoming icons of their sport,
John Cena and Brock Lesnar's journeys began 25 years ago
in a warehouse in Louisville, Kentucky
at WWE's former developmental territory,
Ohio Valley Wrestling.
And while both men had arrived at the same destination,
their respective paths couldn't have been more different.
Good work.
[narrator] Brock Lesnar.
The decorated amateur wrestler from the University of Minnesota.
A five-star recruit whose freak athleticism would propel him
to be NCAA Division I Heavyweight Champion.
[Batista] Brock came in and he was just a stud.
Physically there was nothing that he couldn't do.
[narrator] John Cena.
A scrawny kid from the small town of West Newbury, Massachusetts,
who dreamed of one day becoming WWE champion.
A relentless workhorse who labored his way up the independents
before finally earning an opportunity.
He was a different kind of cat, but, like, there was something special about him.
I am the future of this business.
[narrator] The rise of young talent was essential during this pivotal time
as major stars were winding down or leaving,
creating a void for the next generation to fill.
Both men would make their mark on WWE's flagship shows.
Lesnar would debut the night after WrestleMania in dominant fashion,
being heralded as…
[Heyman] The next big thing!
[narrator] And unleash a force the WWE had never seen before.
Skyrocketing Brock to main event status in just five short months.
[commentator] The youngest WWE champion in history.
[narrator] As Lesnar thrived, John Cena debuted to little fanfare.
-Who in the hell are you? -I'm John Cena.
[commentator] Oh!
[narrator] Showcasing his ruthless aggression,
Cena would go toe-to-toe with an Olympic gold medalist,
earning the respect of WWE legends.
Nice job.
[narrator] However, some iconic first impressions
don't lead to immediate success.
While Lesnar's career soared to new heights,
Cena struggled and was on the verge of being released from the company.
Never one to give up,
Cena was able to flip the script and ultimately save his career.
John Cena. The Doctor of Thuganomics.
Word life!
[narrator] With his brash rapping persona and his confidence growing by the week,
Cena set his sights on a familiar foe.
[Cena] I'm untouchable, straight down to the walk,
get your cell phones because I'm calling out Brock.
[narrator] While Lesnar dominated their early matches…
[commentator] Perhaps John Cena has talked himself in way over his head tonight.
[narrator] …it was Cena who found his voice.
Capturing the WWE universe's attention with his undeniable charisma.
Me, Brock Lesnar. Here comes the pain.
God build me strong.
Forget to give me brain.
[narrator] By mid-2003, Cena had transformed
from an afterthought into a standout.
[commentator] Brock Lesnar is being tested here.
John Cena took the champion to the limit tonight.
John just went into his zone and, you know, knocked it out of the park.
Every week it felt like it was better than the previous one.
[narrator] Meanwhile, the rigorous travel and demanding schedule
of being WWE champion began to erode Lesnar's passion for the industry.
He quickly grew to be miserable. Brock had to get out.
[narrator] In March 2004, only two years after his main roster debut,
Lesnar would give his notice to WWE.
At WrestleMania 20, in front of a hostile crowd at Madison Square Garden,
Brock's frustration and bitterness boiled over.
But while one light faded, another ignited that night.
John Cena won his first singles title, the United States Championship.
Marking the beginning of Cena's ascent to superstardom.
It's time to make John Cena a household name.
Win the US title, and keep changing the game.
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena!
[narrator] Next Friday, it's part two.
With John Cena solidifying his status as the face of WWE,
an old adversary returned to reclaim his supremacy.
["Next Big Thing" plays]
["Gallantry" plays]
[Joseph] Lesnar, Cena. I can't wait for Wrestlepalooza.
But we've been waiting all night, Booker, for this.
[Booker T] Oh, yes, waiting and anticipating.
[Joseph] A premium live-event headliner,
anywhere, any month, but tonight it's our main event
on SmackDown.
[crowd cheers]
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Ayr, Scotland,
weighing in at 275 pounds,
Drew McIntyre!
[Joseph] We're looking into the eyes of a man
who is marching to the ring with a purpose.
There's been a lot of back and forth between these two superstars.
But only one, Booker, will be victorious by the end of the night.
[Booker T] I gotta give this guy a lot of credit.
McIntyre's a guy who scratched and clawed
his way all the way to the top of this business.
Doesn't get the respect I think he should get.
But I'm gonna tell you, he's all man, dude, trust me on that.
[Joseph] It's Drew McIntyre verse Randy Orton
in our main event of SmackDown.
Live. Next.
[roars]
…United States Champion, Sami Zayn.
Sami, hell of a match against Rey Fenix tonight.
Thank you. He's unbelievable.
I don't have enough good things to say about him.
He's a future star. He's a superstar in this company.
He's gonna do huge things.
Yeah, I mean, a lot of things ahead for him.
A lot of things ahead for you.
Can we expect more open challenges coming up?
Absol…
[crowd cheers]
Sami, you and I, we didn't always get along,
but since you're giving out opportunities for that United States Championship,
I gotta call my shot. I got next.
All right, Melo.
Don't miss.
You said meet here in ten minutes. I'm five minutes early.
Well, Mike, five minutes too late.
I talked to Aldis.
He said, you spoke to him about a title opportunity.
-I did. -Tag titles?
United States Championship. [chuckles]
First NXT, now this. Open challenge?
Do you have any idea what it takes to be a United States Champion?
What are you trying to say? I can't do it?
I think you can do anything you want in this company.
You have that talent.
You just need someone to guide you down the right path.
-And who's gonna guide me? -Me!
Me! And I'm trying to guide you to the tag team titles.
What if I win the United States Championship
and then we win the Tag Team Championships?
Do you have any idea how difficult that is?
You did it.
Come on, Melo Don't Miz, bro.
Trust me for once.
[Joseph] Would you trust Carmelo Hayes? You gotta put the microphone--
-[Booker T] No, no. [chuckles] -[Joseph] There you go.
♪ I hear voices In my head ♪
♪ They counsel me They understand ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
["Voices" playing]
♪ You got your rules And your religion ♪
♪ All designed To keep you safe ♪
♪ But when rules Start getting broken ♪
♪ You start Questioning your faith ♪
♪ I have a voice That is my savior ♪
♪ Hates to love And loves to hate ♪
♪ I have a voice That has the knowledge ♪
♪ And the power To rule your fate ♪
♪ I hear voices crying ♪
♪ I see heroes dying ♪
♪ I taste blood that's drying ♪
♪ I feel tension rising ♪
♪ I hear voices In my head ♪
♪ They counsel me They understand ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ They tell me things That I will do ♪
♪ They show me things I'll do to you ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ They talk to me… ♪
[Nash] And his opponent from Saint Louis, Missouri,
weighing in at 280 pounds,
The Viper!
Randy Orton!
[Joseph] Booker, let's go back a few weeks ago.
It was right here on SmackDown that these two really came to blows.
They were going back and forth, had to be pulled apart,
had to be separated.
Because I think you're a ****.
[Joseph] And it's because Drew McIntyre didn't like
what Randy Orton had to say,
but sometimes the truth is hard to hear.
And as I mentioned, had to be separated,
but Randy was looking to seek some vengeance.
RKO'ing everyone in the vicinity.
And then set his sights on Drew McIntyre,
and was looking to Punt the Scottish Warrior.
And that's what brings us to tonight.
And, look, it's safe to say there's just mutual disrespect between these two.
[Booker T] A lot of mutual disrespect,
as well as a lot of respect between these two, there's gotta be.
But I talk about Randy Orton--
how many times have I said it, Vic?
That you can trust a snake…
you can trust a snake to bite you.
That's Randy Orton.
♪ I see heroes dying ♪
♪ I taste blood that's drying ♪
♪ I feel tension rising… ♪
[Joseph] Sold out tonight for SmackDown.
And what a main event we have.
[Booker T] Look at the eyes of Drew McIntyre
after the signature pose from Randy Orton.
Oh, you gotta love it. It's getting hot in here, man.
[Joseph] So much history in this building. What a main event we are set for.
Rumor is you actually were the one that closed the gate years ago
-to stop the DX invasion. -[Booker T] That was Bagwell.
-[Joseph] Road Dogg told me that. -That was Marcus Bagwell who did that.
[Joseph] We'll figure it out afterwards because it is time.
Orton, McIntyre.
[crowd chanting] Randy! Randy! Randy!
[Joseph] And you're no stranger to Randy Orton.
You competed against him over the Intercontinental Championship.
And how can you explain how Orton is actually better than ever?
[Booker T] I mean, the kid was made for this business.
He's not a kid anymore. He's a grown man.
But he was made for this business. Second generation.
A guy who's done it all. I mean, 14-time world champion.
Triple-crown winner.
He's done it all.
But he was in a great position from day one, I must say that.
[Joseph] Big clothesline out of the corner by Randy Orton.
Orton said Drew has no idea what's coming for him tonight.
That's quite the warning from the 14-time World Champion.
[crowd] One!
Two!
Three!
Four!
Five!
Six!
Seven!
Eight!
Nine!
-[Joseph] And Orton, again, strikes. -[Booker T] Oh, yes!
Randy Orton is rolling against McIntyre in our main event of SmackDown.
[crowd cheering]
[Joseph] Drew McIntyre has been in control right now,
after really going to work on Randy Orton and breaking his body down.
We've been keeping our eye on Randy Orton who seemed to have tweaked his knee
at the start of this matchup.
[Booker T] Oh, but he's still got a lot left!
-[Joseph] Certainly does. -Big suplex there from Randy Orton.
And as much as you know Randy,
are you surprised that McIntyre keeps poking the Viper?
I mean, he knows what Randy Orton is capable of.
[Booker T] Let me tell you something.
These two guys are pretty much cut from the same cloth, man.
Randy Orton as well as Drew McIntyre, both touted to be superstars
at the young age of 20 years old.
[Joseph] I want to bring that back because can you believe Drew said
that WWE needs, and this is his quote, not mine, "A real man."
Randy Orton is as real as it gets, Booker.
[Booker T] Take nothing away from Randy Orton,
but you got to give Drew McIntyre a lot of credit.
Think about the pandemic era, who held it up?
Huh, who held it up? It was that man right there.
Drew McIntyre!
Like I said, you got to give him a lot of credit.
[Joseph] I've never not gave him credit.
but there you saw Randy Orton grab that knee for a moment,
doing damage to himself.
But, look, Randy Orton right now trying to block out the pain.
And going right… with that kick going down low!
And we talk about the bull's-eye being on the body of Randy.
Drew McIntyre has waited for this moment to now chop down Orton.
[Booker T] Beautiful Bobby chop block right there.
[Joseph] And now you're taking a look at this matchup.
Legends aren't defined by their success,
they're defined by how they can bounce back from failure.
Randy reflects, then strikes.
Drew complains, then blames others for his failures.
And he's taking it out right now on Randy Orton.
[Booker T] Drew McIntyre's a kid who came here,
like I say, 20 years old,
it didn't work out for him.
He went out there and made his own breaks,
came back and became the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Joseph] Yeah, and then he blamed CM Punk, then he blamed everybody around himself.
-Now he's blaming Randy Orton. -[Booker T] I mean, come on.
I mean… I mean, Drew McIntyre, he didn't have Evolution.
[Joseph] Oh, come on!
[Booker T] He didn't have Triple H in his corner. He didn't have--
[Joseph] Oh, so that's Randy's fault?
[Booker T] He didn't have it those guys.
No. But it was a huge advantage, can you agree with me on that?
Can you agree with me?
[Joseph] I'm gonna get back into what's going on,
because Drew McIntyre, who's locking in a Figure-4 in the center of the ring.
And the knee has been the issue for Randy since the beginning.
And now you can see the pain shooting through the body
of the former 14-time World Champion.
[Booker T] Yeah, you can see the pain radiating
through Randy Orton's body right now.
Like I said, we're in those deep waters,
and Drew's going to try to finish this thing.
[Joseph] McIntyre called Orton out for not doing what needs to be done
when it counts.
And McIntyre saw an opening, he took it.
He saw the knee was tweaked. He's continuing to apply the pressure.
Look at the eyes of the Scottish Warrior.
Because Randy Orton right now has been in this Figure-4
for quite some time.
We don't know how much damage is done.
But Randy now trying to turn,
trying to turn Drew over to reverse the pressure.
Can Randy get there?
So close. Drew fighting in his own right.
-[Booker T] Oh, baby! -[Joseph] The pressure's turned.
And it's Drew who gets his way and slithers to the bottom rope.
[Booker T] The thing is, we don't know if Randy's…
if he's just hurt or if he's injured at this point,
because if he's injured, that… that's gonna be trouble, trust me.
[Joseph] Randy having trouble just standing.
I mean, take a look at him, Booker.
He can't even put any weight on his leg, but he's still firing back.
[Booker T] Throwing big shots right now.
-Oh, yeah! -[Joseph] Belly-to-back suplex connecting.
[Booker T] Got all of it. But Drew did something smart right there,
created a lot of space right there, trying to get his wits back.
[Joseph] Created a little bit of separation did McIntyre. And right now…
But this is giving Randy Orton a couple of moments
to get some breath, to get his… get his, well, mind right, so to speak.
Try to figure out what's going on with his body.
This action's spilling a little bit too close here, Book.
[Booker T] Oh, yes!
[Joseph] It's that bad blood we talked about between these two,
but, I don't know, Randy's knee right now, Book.
Randy's knee in a bad way.
And going right back to the eyes is McIntyre.
Oh, no, no, no, no!
[Booker T] McIntyre's leaving nothing to chance right here.
He's looking to get the job done right now.
[Joseph] And right back down, chopping the Viper.
McIntyre's turned things around. Can Orton get back?
[Joseph] Drew McIntyre has turned this matchup around.
He doesn't care how he wins. He'll take the count out victory.
All Drew cares about is getting the dub.
[Booker T] Randy's in dire straits right now, man.
Like I say, we talked about it earlier, he's hurt or if he's injured right now,
he looks like he's a little bit of both.
[Joseph] Referee is up to six.
I just peeked over,
'cause our table's been turned upside down just a little bit.
Orton just starting to move.
Referee is at eight.
-Randy's still not back to his feet. -[Booker T] It's over.
[Joseph] Referee's at nine.
Randy's trying to figure it out.
And Randy just breaks the count!
But how much is left in Randy Orton?
Look at him, Book, just holding on to his left knee.
And like a shark smelling blood, there goes Drew McIntyre.
[Booker T] Has the damage been done? That's the question right there.
I mean, Randy's looking pretty… pretty much in dire straits right now.
The ref may have to have the wherewithal to understand
and know how to just do his job and stop this thing.
[Joseph] You're going to be the official that stops a Randy Orton match?
There is no quit in Randy Orton.
And Randy Orton certainly is not gonna stop this fight.
[crowd chants] Drew sucks! Drew sucks!
[Booker T] Ah!
[Joseph] Sold-out WWE Universe here in Virginia.
Yelling, barking almost at Drew McIntyre.
And that's not really gonna work out well for Randy Orton,
that's just gonna anger the Scottish Warrior.
[Booker T] Drew has a point to prove, man.
Drew has a point to prove, that he is not just on the level of Randy Orton,
but perhaps levels above Randy Orton.
And you got to do it right here in the middle of this ring.
That's where the money is made at, right in the middle of that 20-by-20, man.
[Joseph] Also hard for Randy Orton
to strike with the three most dangerous letters
in sports entertainment if he can't stand on his feet.
[Booker T] The only thing he has left is those three letters after this match.
[Joseph] Drew McIntyre in control of Randy Orton.
What a main event this has been here on SmackDown.
Randy Orton trying to block out the pain here in our main event.
Starting to strike back here against Drew McIntyre.
McIntyre going right back down to that injured knee,
which was tweaked early on in the matchup.
-And then just slamming Randy! -[Booker T] Oh, no!
[Joseph] And his body bouncing off the top rope.
[Booker T] That was purposeful right there.
Drew McIntyre is trying to do nothing but serious, serious damage.
[Joseph] And we all know McIntyre could care less
about what anyone thinks about him,
and that truly makes him more dangerous than maybe any of us could ever imagine.
[Booker T] It's the right attitude to have.
I mean, so many guys in this business, always thinking about the fans,
always thinking about the Internet and what they're thinking.
No, not Drew McIntyre. Like I said, he's a real man's man.
[Joseph] This rivalry going to new heights, and-- Oh!
Randy doing anything he can right now for survival, and he's on one leg.
And Randy Orton trying his best now to rally in these deep waters
of this main event matchup
to feed off the energy of the WWE Universe.
Sold out here in Virginia.
[Booker T] Talk about taking shortcuts, right?
You ain't cheating, you ain't trying. That's the Viper.
That's Randy Orton. He knows.
[Joseph] Big uppercut. Nice reversal by McIntyre.
-[Booker T] Ah! -And just buckling the body of Randy.
And how many times have you seen that in your career, Book?
How many times have you seen Randy Orton's body just buckle?
[Booker T] Not too many. Right now Randy's in a lot of trouble.
[Joseph] Oh!
Well, going for the Figure-4 again, and Randy Orton did what he needed to do.
[Booker T] The eyes of Randy Orton right now.
He's not too stable.
He's… He's feeling it.
You can see the… You can see the wheels turning in his head, Vic.
[Joseph] You also know that Randy's blocking out the pain.
You know he's been in this position before.
This isn't his first go around.
This isn't his first rodeo.
And now coming right back in is McIntyre.
[Booker T] I mean, if it was a poker match, he's doing a hell of a job,
but he's in the--
[Joseph] Oh, and McIntyre staying right in front of Orton this time.
[Booker T] Not today.
[Joseph] Right back… Oof, over the top rope.
And Drew McIntyre has had an answer for everything
that Randy Orton has thrown at him thus far.
-Whoa! Powerslam! -[Booker T] Oh, baby. Oh, yes.
Couldn't get all of it though, that knee.
[Joseph] Going right back.
And that has been the story of this matchup
-since the very beginning for Randy Orton. -[crowd chanting] RKO! RKO! RKO!
[Joseph] But you hear everyone here in Norfolk.
The three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment.
-[Booker T] Oh, baby. -[Joseph] Randy looking to strike.
And Drew able to get away. And right back out here in front of us.
These two… Oh, and this time, second time is the charm…
for Randy Orton.
[crowd chanting] One more time!
[Booker T] They want the table.
They want it!
[Joseph] Randy listening,
not to the voices, but to the WWE Universe!
And Orton getting back in, taking a look at…
Oh, a Claymore!
Claymore right under the jaw.
And Randy wisely rolling to the outside.
[Booker T] Yeah, and like I say, being smart right there.
Two veteran moves right there by both of these guys
trying to create space at the right time.
[Joseph] And Drew realizing this is the moment,
the opportunity is now.
McIntyre getting Orton back into the ring
to seize the moment, to earn the victory.
-[Booker T] Oh, yes! -[Joseph] RKO!
[crowd cheering]
[Joseph] But McIntyre…
rolling to the outside, and Orton not able to capitalize.
Randy Orton out of nowhere,
delivering the three most dangerous letters that he said he would.
[Booker T] Oh, right on that lower back right there.
[Joseph] The hardest part of the ring.
[Booker T] Nothing but steel right there and wood.
That part of the ring and--
[Joseph] I said it before. I'll say it again.
This is a premium, live main-event headliner anywhere in the world,
but it's here tonight on SmackDown.
[crowd cheering]
[Joseph] And now Randy Orton going to that dark place!
[Booker T] Oh, yes, man!
[Joseph] But so much taken out of the Viper.
Talk about the shoulder,
let's not forget his history of back issues,
the knee that was tweaked at the start.
[crowd chanting] RKO! RKO! RKO!
Twenty five years
and no one's ever slammed me against the ropes!
[Joseph] Oh, Randy.
-What are those voices saying to Orton? -[crowd cheering]
[crowd booing]
[Joseph] Randy beside himself, but right now he's got Drew lined up.
Oh, he didn't connect on the Punt.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
-No, no, no. The Claymore! -[Booker T] Oh, yes!
Got all of it.
[Joseph] And Drew out of nowhere with the Claymore.
-And McIntyre did what needed to be done. -[bell rings]
[Nash] Here is your winner,
Drew McIn--
-[Joseph] With absolutely no hesitation. -[Booker T] It ain't over!
-It ain't over. The party's not over. -[Joseph] And he isn't done.
Come on.
You're gonna… he's lining him up just like he did to Cody!
-Just like he did to Cody Rhodes! -["Kingdom" plays]
[crowd cheering]
-[Joseph] And he's here! -[Booker T] Oh, wait a minute!
-Hold the phone. Hold the phone. -[Joseph] He's back!
[Joseph] The American Nightmare coming to get himself some of Drew McIntyre.
The champion is back!
[Booker T] Yes, indeed he's back. Throwing haymakers, baby.
[Joseph] Cody!
Bam!
[crowd cheering]
Give me the mic!
Drew McIntyre, the champ is back!
[crowd cheering]
We can do this dance.
I'll see you, my friend, at Wrestlepalooza!
[crowd cheering]
["Kingdom" plays] riend, at Wrestlepalooza!