Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Joseph] We are live tonight in San Jose,
the host of premium and live events such as the Royal Rumble and SummerSlam.
Tonight for the 14th time, it hosts SmackDown.
And our capacity crowd of 11,114
is ready to feel the fallout of a shocking week in the WWE.
[Rollins] Perth, Australia!
In case you don't know…
[Tessitore] The official knocked down. Cody with an opportunity.
Rollins used the watch to knock out Rhodes!
One, two, three!
-[Rollins] I am the Crown Jewel Champion. -[bell rings]
And this is The Vision.
The greatness that I have assembled.
My oracle with my vision,
we have solidified you as the undisputed GOAT.
Bron Breakker, with my vision, you are without a doubt
the undisputed future of this industry.
Big Bronson Reed!
With my vision…
you are the new tribal chief!
One, two, three!
I don't need the men in this ring,
I have chosen the men in this ring!
And they have chosen me
because I am Seth…
[crowd] Freakin' Rollins!
[Tessitore] Jey Uso, LA Knight, CM Punk.
For an opportunity to face Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship.
-CM Punk, Go to Sleep! -One, two, three!
-One step closer… -[bell rings]
…to recapturing the World Championship.
["The Second Coming" playing]
And Bron Breakker now with a spear to Jey Uso!
And The Vision marching to the ring.
And now CM Punk is cornered.
[Barrett] A massacre by design.
[Tessitore] Punk laid waste by Rollins' Vision.
[crowd clamors]
Make a choice.
You're either with me or not.
Make a choice!
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the general manager of SmackDown,
Nick Aldis!
San Jose, welcome to SmackDown.
Now, as many of you know, there is a contest scheduled for tonight
between Drew McIntyre…
[crowd boos]
…and Jacob Fatu.
[crowd cheers]
Now I am out here to inform you
that that matchup is now a number one contenders' match
for the WWE Championship.
Which means the winner of that match
will face this man.
["Kingdom" plays]
♪ Wrestling has more than one Royal family ♪
♪ Adrenaline In my soul ♪
♪ Every fight Out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them Off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here About to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to Start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
♪ And my father said ♪
♪ When I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the undisputed WWE Champion,
the American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Joseph] Oh, what a way to kick off our evening here in San Jose,
than with our quarterback, our champion,
the one and only, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
♪ I'm ready now ♪ ♪ Tear this roof off for the town ♪
♪ Gonna give 'em What they came to see ♪
♪ Hear the crowd on their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
♪ And my father said ♪
Welcoming ringside, I'm Vic Joseph.
And someone who's excited with Cody coming out,
about to jump out of your suit,
the returning Corey Graves!
I could not be anymore excited to be right back here in this saddle.
But I also can't wait to hear
what is on the mind of the undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes,
after coming up short in Perth, Australia.
Welcome back. I'm glad you're in one piece.
[Graves] Well, as far as you know.
Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.
♪ You'll follow me until the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[crowd chanting] Cody Rhodes!
[chanting continues]
[crowd cheering]
This past Saturday at Crown Jewels, Seth Rollins beat me…
[crowd boos]
…for the Crown Jewel Championship.
It split him to the bone to do so.
And after this dance that Seth and I have done in the last few years.
I feel like I can say I don't think Seth Rollins and I
need to be in the ring with each other ever again.
But you guys know that's not how it works around here.
And you don't need 20/20 vision
to see that Seth has some issues of his own,
issues with the Brons,
issues with an oracle that is rewriting his future as we speak.
Seth needs to handle his business.
And I will handle SmackDown business.
[crowd cheering]
And the business of SmackDown
is being with you all here tonight in the Bay Area
-to watch a Number One Contenders match. -[crowd cheers]
Now I heard our general manager say it earlier.
Who's it going to be?
Will it be the Scottish Warrior, Drew McIntyre?
[crowd boos]
[stammers] I'll try. Um, I'm gonna try it again.
Will it be the Scottish Warrior, Drew McIntyre?
[crowd boos]
Or will it be someone you, uh, are rather familiar with?
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Fatu! Fatu! Fatu!
Someone from right around here.
-The Samoan Werewolf, Jacob Fatu! -[crowd cheers]
I don't know how this one shakes out.
But I do know I will be ready.
And I do know it's Friday night, the lights are on bright,
and the roads to Saturday night's main event
runs through San Jose.
[crowd cheers]
[Joseph] Well, Graves, we got some combustible elements in our main event.
[Graves] Two of the heaviest hitters on the roster
doing battle for the right to be the number one contender.
Two weeks from tomorrow at Saturday night's Main Event.
Hey, yo, cameraman. Cameraman, stop.
Take my pictures right now. I'm ready to go.
Tranquilo. Couple more pictures, okay?
-You can wait for your turn. -Wait for my turn…
No, Fenix, you're done now. Move.
What is your problem, Solo?
I don't have a problem.
-No? -But you do.
[scoffs] Me?
[groans]
-[security] Help! We need help! -Get your ass up!
-[groans] -When I say you're done, you're done.
-Take his ass out. -[security] Help!
-Get him now! -[security] Help!
Whoa, whoa!
-That's enough. Stop! -[clamoring]
-Stop! I said stop! -Come on! Back up!
Back it up.
-Get out. -Get out of here now.
Let's get some help.
-You all right? -Just breathe.
[Joseph] The MFT is adding Rey Fenix to their growing list of victims.
No one's safe.
[Graves] Well, our champion kicked off tonight.
But a championship clash kicks off the action here on SmackDown.
["All Hail The Queen" playing]
[Graves] The queen soaking it in.
["The Fury" plays]
[crowd cheering]
-[bell ring] -[Nash] The following contest
is scheduled for one fall
and is for the WWE Women Team Championship.
Introducing first,
they are the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss!
[Joseph] These two teams had a cordial conversation last week,
which has led to this.
The WWE Women's Tag Team titles on the line, next.
Live on SmackDown.
[Joseph] As there are our WWE Women's tag team champions,
Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, set for action.
["Tortured Minds" plays]
["Chasing Surf" plays]
[Nash] And their opponents, the team of Zaria
and the NXT Women's North American Champion
and WWE Women's Speed Champion,
Sol Ruca!
[Joseph] Graves, it's not an understatement here.
This is a huge, huge opportunity for these two.
[Graves] No doubt about it.
In NXT we have seen glimpses of greatness from ZaRuca as they're known.
Do they have what it takes to dethrone the reigning women's tag team champions?
We will have our answer in a matter of moments.
But I have no doubt that Charlotte Clair and Alexa Bliss
are about to be put to the test by their challengers.
[Joseph] Powerful, athletic, everything you can imagine.
-And-- -[Graves] Hold, Vic!
-Hold on here. Are you all right? -[Graves] Did you bring her with you?
[Joseph] I did not, but look. That is Blake Monroe,
who has had a close eye on the Women's North American title.
And she will challenge for that championship a week from Saturday
at Halloween Havoc.
Did she just wink at you? Stop winking back, Graves.
[Graves] You trying to get me in trouble at home, Vic?
[Joseph] My bad.
I apologize for that.
But Monroe did use her hairpin to secure a win Tuesday over Zaria.
So I started to look over at Blake Monroe
and wonder what she's actually thinking about.
[Graves] I can tell you right now, Blake Monroe is here to play mind games.
It's a sign of a true professional.
She's starting the mental warfare before the matchup even begins.
That is brilliant strategy.
[Joseph] Ask the crowd here in San Jose
what a matchup this will be.
And of course you take a look at someone like Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss,
I think we can agree with this,
set the foundation for the entire women's locker room in NXT.
[Graves] No doubt about it. Harkens back to my time down there
when the Four Horsewomen reigned supreme,
as well as Alexa Bliss and a litany of others.
But the game has changed. The game has continued to evolve.
Now NXT's women's division is populated by stars,
the likes of Sol Ruca and Zaria, and so many more.
The future of the business is extremely healthy.
But this is a massive opportunity, as you said,
to really make the world learn your name
-if you're-- -Whoa!
[Joseph] There's that athleticism from Sol Ruca, who's been champion,
holding the Women's North American title for 180 days.
Longest reign in that title's history.
Looking to become a title holder, three at one time.
That hasn't been done since The Miz in 2010.
You even have to be impressed with the current double champion.
[Graves] A nearly impossible feat right at the fingertips of Sol Ruca.
-Oh my! -[Graves] Big boot drop, Zaria.
[Joseph] Going right around. Shoulders out for a moment. Rolling through.
Nice kick there from Ruca connecting.
[Graves] Got enough of it to stun the queen.
[Joseph] And look, Corey, when you were in NXT with me and Booker,
-you questioned the relationship… -Oh!
…of the challengers.
Have you even changed your tune on that as Charlotte Flair takes over?
[Graves] Well, I haven't seen anything that would make me admit
that I was mistaken thus far, but time will tell.
The results of this matchup will tell where ZaRuca truly are.
I have my doubts about Zaria. For some reason I can't trust her.
[Joseph] Reaching out, making the tag.
And Zaria is into the matchup with Alexa Bliss.
How do these teams actually match up?
Because when you really look at it, on paper,
the champions truly have every advantage.
[Graves] Well, certainly, it boils down to chemistry.
And nothing builds chemistry in a tag team quite like success.
And you can't taste any greater success in the women's tag team division
than the gold being worn by Flair and Bliss.
[Joseph] 12th time the Women's Tag titles have been on the line this year.
Nice drop kick. Alexa Bliss charging in.
Got caught. And here's that power on display from Zaria.
Nice counter.
Bliss trying to take over but just getting overpowered once again by Zaria.
-And Zaria, though. -Oh, no! Whoa!
This look…
Counter for counter again, the titles on the line.
-And bang! Big spine buster. -[Graves] Oh!
[Joseph] Who's walking out with the gold?
Back live on SmackDown here in San Jose.
The women's tag titles on the line.
-And the challengers have been in control. -[Graves] There she is, Vic!
[Joseph] Blake Monroe, who will challenge Sol Ruca
for the NXT Women's North American title
a week from tomorrow at Halloween Havoc.
Could be moments away from seeing Sol Ruca
get not one, not two, but three titles around her waist.
[Graves] This could be a case of the nerves.
Zaria lost her footing trying to climb up the ropes in reverse.
It's a tricky maneuver to pull off.
But look at this power once again.
Bliss is helpless.
[Joseph] Seems like you're turning your tune on Zaria in this matchup.
Seems she's impressing you, even.
You're a hard person to impress.
Bliss though, creating a little separation.
And now… I mean, Graves, you got to agree with me here.
Bliss desperately needs to make a tag right now.
[Graves] No doubt about it. And Charlotte Flair desperately
wants to enter the fray.
[Joseph] Charlotte reaching out, so close, as Bliss…
And Zaria again, ripping Bliss back at the last moment.
And I'm starting to think this,
what if an NXT tag team
can take the Women's Tag Titles to NXT Tuesday nights?
That would be huge for the brand.
[Graves] It'll bolster an already red-hot women's division
on Tuesday nights.
And around the world we go.
Look at this power from Sol Ruca.
[Joseph] Face plant.
Tag made.
And you know what, you could be now looking at maybe
the next Tag Team Champions,
as Zaria, Sol measuring Bliss.
And Bliss just getting out of the way at the last moment!
[Graves] The challengers got a little too cute, a little overconfident.
It's not a luxury you can afford
when you're dealing with someone like Alexa Bliss.
[Joseph] Zaria got caught.
[Graves] Bliss now trying to make her way over.
Sol Ruca running interference.
She didn't catch on.
Charlotte Flair moments away, reaching out.
[Joseph] And Zaria again.
Bliss kicked off!
Reach out, make that tag! And Charlotte's legal.
And Flair looking to fly.
[Graves] Charlotte Flair taking out both challengers.
Beautiful cross-body.
And here come those trademark Flair Chops.
Capacity crowd here in San Jose becoming unglued.
[crowd cheers]
[Joseph] Talk about athleticism. How about that athleticism!
Front walk over clothesline by Charlotte Flair,
who is in complete control at the moment.
[Graves] Big super kick under the jaw, rocking Zaria.
Zaria caught with a second one, bouncing off the top,
coming in third time, still not the charm.
How in the hell is Zaria still standing?
-But she's not standing anymore. -Whoa!
Flair right now popping right back up.
[Joseph] That's quite the message to, uh, the opposition.
[Graves] And when you're the most decorated woman in WWE history,
you can afford a little disrespect from time to time.
-[Joseph] Combination offense. -Oh!
Flair taking Zaria down into the cover to retain hook of the leg.
And Zaria able to get the left shoulder just off the mat.
Charlotte Flair now, you know.
And then this is the thing when we talked about earlier, experience.
Flair, Bliss, they've been in the deep waters of a championship matchup.
Can't say the same for the challengers.
Tag was made.
[Graves] And that's what it could all boil down to, is experience.
Big match experience, high pressure.
Sol!
High pressure experience possessed by the champions,
not so much by the challengers,
but that can all change with a W tonight.
[Joseph] Sol hitting anything that moves. Right back in.
And we could be moments away.
-Big German Suplex out of the corner. -Oh!
[Graves] Charlotte Flair's down. Sol Ruca can now with Flair in her sights.
Oh, she got caught. Sol got caught.
-Charlotte Flair one step ahead. -And she turns down in the Boston crab,
and that is cinched in deep.
[Joseph] Leg strength, counter, cover.
-Kick out. -Whoa.
[Joseph] Very, very close to a victory for Sol Ruca and Zaria.
Was looking for that Figure Four.
-Counted for a moment. Right back up. -Here it comes!
Oh! Sol Snatcher!
One, two…
[Joseph] Bliss saving in the match. Oh, man!
Corey, I thought we had new champions.
I thought the gold was coming to NXT.
[Graves] You and me both, Vic.
But Zaria sending Bliss back to the outside of the ring.
Bliss out of the way.
[Joseph] Well, Bliss now turning things around.
And almost in a big way.
[Graves] But Zaria put the brakes on.
Overpowering.
-That is terrifying strength. -Oh!
Swinging Alexa like a Louisville slugger.
What a boot from Charlotte Flair.
[Joseph] Flair now checking on her partner, her BFF.
[Graves] Let's not go that far, Vic. They're frenemies.
-They're friends of convenience. -[Joseph] What the… Sol!
Whoa! And I think Charlotte was able to get Bliss out of the way.
As Blake Monroe…
cheering on?
[Graves] Sol, you need to keep your head in the game.
Keep your eye on the ball.
Why are you always in our business? What are you doing?
[clamoring]
-What is wrong with you? -Is that… a spear!
-Oh, Charlotte, brilliant! -Blake Monroe causing a distraction.
[Graves] You are dealing with Charlotte Flair.
If you present an opportunity, Charlotte will capitalize on it
no matter who you are.
[Joseph] And the same can be said for Bliss.
I mean, that's the killer instinct that has made them World Champions
time and time again.
[Graves] No doubt about it. Here comes a Figure Four!
[Joseph] Locking it in.
Cinching it in, in the center of the ring.
And now for Sol Ruca. Is she gonna be able to fight to the bottom rope?
Can she break the hold?
I'm looking around. I can't find Zaria anywhere.
Charlotte realizing it, going right back in.
And now dropping right down, all that weight, all that pressure.
And again, it's that killer instinct.
[Graves] Absolutely relentless effort from Charlotte.
It's cinched in, Figure Eight, middle of the ring!
Nowhere for Sol to go, nowhere for Sol to move.
Sol trying to fight.
-Solo, though, has to tap. -[bell rings]
And the champions retain.
[Nash] Here are your winners,
and still WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair!
[Joseph] I take nothing away from the challengers,
who have brought their best here tonight if not for Blake Monroe.
[Graves] No reason to hang your head if you're Sol Ruca and Zaria.
Here we see Sol nail, the breathtaking Sol Snatcher.
And had it not been for Alexa Bliss in the right place at the right time,
we'd have new champions.
But Sol Ruca made the fatal error of taking her eye off the task at hand.
She was a little distracted by Monroe at ringside.
And Charlotte Flair cinches in the Figure Eight.
Sol Ruca left with no choice but to tap out.
[Joseph] Well, Blake Monroe will have to answer for that certainly on NXT.
Nice show of respect from champions to challengers,
as the Twisted Queens still stand atop the Women's Tag Team Division.
[crowd cheers]
Cody, welcome to The Yay Area!
San Jose, welcome to the shark tank, baby.
Hey. When I'm finished dog-walking Drew from San Jose to Oakland,
to San Francisco, hell, even on the Bay Bridge…
I'm going to show you the real meaning of ghost ride the whip.
And you will know Jacob Fatu is all gas, no breaks with it.
-[crowd] Yadadamean! -Yadadamean.
Hope you're right.
[Joseph] Well, who will be the number one contender after our main event
here tonight?
But in moments, we'll hear from Aleister Black and Zelina Vega
in the wake of the polarizing last man standing match against Damian Priest.
Next.
[Aleister] You know what I'm the most proud of?
For weeks… No, months,
I've been setting this in motion.
The reality is everything I have done has been a calculated move in my head.
That I've not felt
this accomplished as me aligning with my wife.
This isn't new.
This was always part of the plan.
Always by our design.
[Aleister] This was the inevitable truth.
None more methodical.
There's none more violent than my wife.
[Zelina] We are not the infection.
Just the mirror that shows it.
[Aleister] See, I'm not a big fan of love.
I'm putting all my cards on the table, but I'll let you know this.
We are what you would perhaps call a necessary evil.
We are the balance.
[Zelina] The venom isn't poison.
It's salvation.
Move over, Mickey and Mallory Knox,
Aleister and Zelina making the future here on SmackDown
a little darker for everybody.
I couldn't have said it any better, but right now, I want to go back
to last week here on SmackDown.
It was when Shinsuke Nakamura made his return
and answered an open challenge from Sami Zayn.
What a match-up of back-and-forth it was until this happened,
changing the whole complexion of the match-up.
Wiping out Shinsuke,
then turning the focus to the champion Sami Zayn himself,
and it would be the return out of nowhere.
[Graves] The MFTs off the chain, more violent,
more vicious than ever before.
No one is safe on SmackDown from the fury of the MFTs.
[Joseph] And that man, Solo Sikoa.
-Yeah, I do. -I want it to be big.
Big. Think big.
All right.
-I'll take it into consideration. -All right?
-Thank you. -All right.
-Hey, Nick. -Sami.
Nick, what's going on here, man?
I'm supposed to do this US Title open challenge.
-I'm not even on the show tonight. -Okay, look, Sami,
you know I'm a big supporter of the US Open challenge.
That's why I signed off on it in the first place.
-Right. -But look, here's the thing.
First of all, I wanted to make sure that Shin got a proper rematch, okay?
And Shinsuke's not here, as you know, he's still in Japan.
The other thing we have to take into consideration,
are the MFTs.
I saw what they did to you last week and to Shinsuke, and look,
they're already causing trouble for me tonight.
I can't have any more of that happening with the MFTs running around.
Since when is that how things work around here?
That's not how it works. That's not how I work.
What, I'm supposed to just hide back here?
We're supposed to be intimidated 'cause we're bullied
and hide in the shadows. 'Cause what?
'Cause… 'Cause they got a problem with me, they got a problem…
they got something to prove?
Nick, I'm sorry, it doesn't work for me.
No, this… this actually means something, Nick.
Okay? This means something to me.
This means something to the fans.
This means something to a locker room full of guys
who are hungry for opportunities.
Nick, I'm sorry.
I'm going out there,
and I'm gonna defend this United States Championship.
And anyone who wants a piece knows where to find me,
'cause I'll be in the middle of that ring.
All right.
Did you need something else, Miz?
No, I'm good.
Real good.
[Joseph] We're going to have an open challenge, and it's next.
["Worlds Apart" starts playing]
-[crowd] Let's go! -[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest 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] He's a determined champion, always ready to defend his title.
Trying to follow in the footsteps of the great John Cena.
We heard Sami Zayn talking to our general manager Nick Aldis.
He was… I mean, he couldn't be more clear.
He didn't care what happened last week, what happened yesterday in the airport.
He wanted to defend his title
for everyone here tonight and everyone watching at home.
[Graves] Sami Zayn takes great pride in the United States Championship
and any championship he has ever held throughout his career.
Sami wants to be a representative of the WWE Universe
and is proud to fight to show the world what's most important to him.
[Joseph] The only question is now,
-who will answer the open challenge? -[song ends]
-I have my guesses. -["I Came To Play" playing]
-[Graves] Yep. [laughs] -[Joseph] What do you mean "yep"?
Were you not paying attention a few minutes ago, Vic?
I am so sick of these open challenges
treating that championship like a charity.
-I am so-- -[Joseph] Oh! From…
Carmelo Hayes get himself a little bit of payback.
-[Graves] Melo didn't miss that one. -He certainly did not.
[Graves] Certainly a lot of bad blood between these two.
Carmelo Hayes returning the favor just like Miz did to him.
[Joseph] We might need a few more bodies out here
to pull Carmelo Hayes off the Miz.
But Sami Zayn waiting for someone.
-["Death Waltz" playing] -[crowd cheering]
-[Joseph] Graves! -Yes!
[Joseph] Oh my!
He's back!
[Nash] And his opponent,
from Moscow, Russia.
Weighing in at 210 pounds.
Ilja Dragunov!
[Joseph] I know I'm gonna repeat myself, but Dragunov is back!
[Graves] One of the most exciting superstars in the game today.
Back after nearly a year away with a knee injury.
The Mad Dragon is On SmackDown!
This man is intensity personified.
[Joseph] You seeing those eyes? I mean, there's…
I'm trying to, like, keep it under control here.
There's no way Sami Zayn was prepared for someone like the Mad Dragon.
Like you said, he's been out for over a year with a right knee injury,
but what a time to make a return.
[Graves] Sami Zayn made his bed. Now he's got to lay in it.
Ilja Dragunov answering the United States Championship open challenge.
Welcome back, Ilja.
-Sami, get ready, grit your teeth. -[bell rings]
[Joseph] What a night it has been on SmackDown.
The fireworks at the start with the…
As I was saying, the fireworks at the start with Cody Rhodes.
Then this is our second championship match of the night
and the return of Ilja Dragunov,
-which, by the way, welcome to SmackDown. -[Graves] Whoa! Oh!
I think Dragunov's even bigger than before.
Added a couple pounds of lean muscle.
Standing toe to toe with the US Champion, but look at Sami go!
[Joseph] This is breaking down into a slugfest right off the bat.
Dragunov trying to fire back. He's got a lot of pent-up aggression
after a year away. Bam!
Running right over Sami Zayn.
I can only imagine that Dragunov was doing his recovery,
trying to get back in ring-shape
and seething each and every moment that he wasn't able to do what he loves most.
[Joseph] Well, I'm glad you bring up the word "seething" because before his injury,
I mean, it was just masterful how he's able to balance
all that rage that was inside him.
[Graves] Ilja Dragunov possesses a unique ability to turn
rage into fuel,
fury into fuel, to use his anger and aim it at his opponent.
It has brought him great success.
You, of course, Vic, called most of his tenure in NXT.
[Joseph] I've called his NXT Championship win,
his NXT UK Championship win.
I mean, he always was able to move forward, push forward,
fight through the pain, always persevere.
[Graves] I don't know if anyone on the roster
has the ability to embrace pain in quite the same way as Ilja Dragunov.
An absolutely explosive specimen. Big boot!
[Joseph] Big combination offense rocking Sami Zayn.
What an open challenge.
-What a surprise here on SmackDown. -Yeah!
United States Championship on the line.
Open challenge answered by the returning Ilja Dragunov
after a year on the sidelines due to a right knee injury.
He's in there with Sami Zayn.
And Zayn just dropping the challenger center of the ring.
Pop the clothesline, into the cover. Hook of the leg and a kickout.
Graves, let's go back to some of the action before the break.
[Graves] Dragunov looked to take it high risk,
but Sami Zayn just a step ahead of the challenger,
sent Ilja crashing hard to the outside,
and it has been all Sami since.
That really was a turning point in the match-up
because it allowed Sami Zayn to slow the pace of this match-up down
and sort of refocus his energy in this match-up.
[Graves] Sami was able to weather the early emotional storm of Ilja Dragunov,
and now Sami needs to dig down into his bag of tricks.
Sami's a world-class veteran.
He has done and seen just about everything there is to do in this game,
so he can figure out a way to get past Dragunov.
It just might take a few minutes.
-Sami Zayn talked to Nick Aldis. -Oh, God!
All he really wanted, to have this open challenge tonight
no matter what transpired last week on SmackDown,
but I do got to ask, and not to take away from this match-up for a moment,
but should Sami be careful with the words he uses about Solo Sikoa…
-[Graves] Oh my God! -…and the MFTs?
Big DDT out of the corner.
[Graves] In the future, absolutely.
But right now Sami Zayn should have a singular focus:
That man, the Mad Dragon Ilja Dragunov, who wants Sami's gold.
-Set his sight, charges in! -Whoa!
He might've been looking for the Helluva kick! Got caught by Dragunov!
Falls into the cover, and Sami Zayn just, just got that left shoulder up.
Whoa, take another look, feel the impact.
First bang, big tornado DDT, then this.
[Graves] Dragunov would answer with a jumping kick
right on the temple of the Champion.
And it doesn't get any closer than that without the bell ringing.
[Joseph] Back to live action. Just saw a German suplex,
and Dragunov holding on and then talking a little bit of smack to the Champion.
[Graves] Dragunov is absolutely relentless.
We heard him during the commercial break screaming to the crowd,
"I have been starving for a year."
Tonight Dragunov wants to feast on Sami Zayn.
And what Dragunov's doing here is by maintaining the waist lock,
he's squeezing nonstop.
He's driving every bit of breath out of the body of the United States Champion.
Brilliant strategy by the Mad Dragon.
The Champion is also doing what we talked about at the start,
showing that perseverance and ability to fly.
Oh! Counter! Roll-through! Shoulders down!
And, oh, near fall to retain.
Both men back up. Swing and a miss from the challenger.
Champion with a German suplex of his own,
and now it's Sami Zayn returning it to Ilja Dragunov.
[Graves] You could see Sami Zayn almost sluggish in his attempt
to try to regain a vertical base
to perhaps execute another German suplex.
[Joseph] Dragunov tried to put a side headlock on to no avail.
Still with that waist lock and another German suplex is Sami.
And you have to appreciate the head positioning of Sami Zayn.
Notice he kept his head out of the reach of Dragunov's elbows
as Ilja was trying to escape.
That's a sign of a true pro, a veteran's veteran, Sami Zayn.
[Joseph] WrestleMania main-eventer is Sami Zayn.
And I think when you start to break this down at its purest form,
both these men are so technically gifted in the ring.
[Graves] No doubt about it, two of the best in the world.
Both men possess extremely deep arsenals.
They're always looking to dig into that bag
and show the world a few new tricks.
[Joseph] Dragunov gonna be looking for a knockdown--
-[Graves] Overpowering Sami Zayn! -Wow!
[Graves] Into the cover. Referee's right there in great position! And… Oh!
[Joseph] I got to be honest, Vic,
if Ilja had the wherewithal to hook the leg, this might have been it.
Lifting Sami up before driving the Champion down spine-first.
We very nearly had a new United States Champion.
[Joseph] This has been high impact offense.
And again, Sami Zayn had no way to know who his opponent would be
with this open challenge.
It was Ilja Dragunov, who now is perched up top.
Looking for the se… Had to roll through.
He was looking for the senton. Sami Zayn sensed it.
Charging in, got caught, and bam!
Michinoku driver, center of the ring! [stammers]
Graves, there wasn't a lot on that kickout,
and this goes back to being in ring-shape that you brought up.
[Graves] We were talking about it before.
It's one thing to have a strong five minutes in you
when you return to the ring.
Dragunov missed a year of action.
Obviously he appears to be in tremendous physical condition,
but there's nothing quite like being in ring-shape.
We know Sami Zayn can go for an hour if he has to.
Does Dragunov have that much fuel in the tank tonight?
[Graves] And the one thing we haven't talked about for Ilja Dragunov
is how difficult is it to return from a knee injury,
let alone your first match being in there against someone the caliber of Sami Zayn?
Ordinarily I would agree with you, Vic, but when it comes to Ilja Dragunov,
there ain't a damn thing about this man that's ordinary.
Dragunov borderline superhuman when it comes to his physical abilities.
[Joseph] You can feel the tension in the air here.
[Graves] Oh God.
[Joseph] In San Jose, capacity crowd right now,
second Championship match tonight.
Sami Zayn relentless with the elbows right to the jaw,
breaking the hold for the moment.
Sami Zayn right now.
-Where steel meets wood. -[Graves] No, no, no, no, no!
[both exclaim]
And he went shoulder first over that middle rope,
nasty, gnarly fall for Dragunov.
United States Championship is on the line.
[Graves] Oh God.
[Joseph] Back on SmackDown, we're live.
United States Championship is on the line,
and these two have just been beating the hell out of one another.
Zayn's down! Zayn's down! Graves, looking for the senton!
He got all of it! Into the cover. For the t… Oh!
How?
[Graves] This is Sami Zayn we're talking about, Vic.
[Joseph] How?
Graves, go back to some of the action during the break.
[Graves] This was unmitigated brutality from both competitors.
It has been back-and-forth. Both warriors giving it their best.
Here, a potential exclamation point for the challenger.
Senton on the money,
but Sami Zayn reminding the world why he is who he is.
[Joseph] 11,144 here live in San Jose
showing their admiration for both these men
as the championship hangs in the balance,
the United States Championship.
[Graves] As this match-up progresses, Vic, I have to ask you once again,
what kind of toll is this taking on Sami Zayn?
Week after week after week.
Seven in a row to this point.
How long can Sami keep this breakneck pace?
I think the other part is it's seven in a row,
but it's also seven times you're going into a match-up
not knowing who your opponent is.
That has to weigh on the back of your mind,
but falling to the mat was Dragunov.
Zayn looking around trying to catch his breath, but the Mad Dragon right back up.
Hey, Dragunov. You talked about an exclamation point.
Looking for a superplex!
Floating right over.
Zayn in prone position.
-[Graves] Here he comes, Vic. -Dragunov
looking for the H… Oh, counter!
[Graves] Sami got a boot up just in time.
That was a matter of self-preservation for the Champion.
[Joseph] You ain't lying, my friend.
And now it's Sami Zayn. Target acquired. Helluva kick.
No, nobody home. Sidestep by the challenger.
Turning right back around.
And look at the strength.
How does he have this much strength, Dragunov, this late in the match?
Floats over into the cover. And…
another near fall.
Let's take a look at this boot from Sami Zayn at the last possible second
right in the grill of Ilja Dragunov,
who was looking for the H-Bomb to finish this off,
but Sami Zayn again refusing to relent.
Here comes Ilja.
-Caught with a kick by Zayn! -Charges back in with a big knee!
-Fell into cover. -[referee] One!
-Is this it? -Two!
-[Graves] Oh my God. -[Joseph] I…
I mean, I just looked up from the monitor. Did you see our referee Charles Robinson?
He started rubbing his face and his hair
'cause he's even in shock at the match we've been witnessing.
And Charles Robinson, the best in the game,
had the best bird's eye view possible right there,
making sure Sami got his shoulder up before the count of three.
But Dragunov showing no signs of slowing.
And that's almost amazing at this point
to keep up this pace to this point in the match-up for both of these guys, hats off.
[Graves] Another chop did not connect… Whoa, whoa, whoa. Going up.
Maybe went in for the blue thunder bomb.
Countered. Ducking the clothesline.
Dragunov going right through…
Konstantin Special turning Sami Zayn inside out.
And there again is that rage,
and it's coming out of the body of the challenger.
[Graves] The Mad Dragon looking to go scorched-earth!
[Joseph] Torpedo Mo… [stutters]
Zayn now pulling up a pro challenger.
Blue thunder bomb. To retai…
I don't even know what else to say.
[Graves] Let's watch and enjoy again.
A Helluva kick in mid-air.
Followed immediately by a blue thunder bomb.
And what does Dragunov do?
This maniac kicks out.
[Joseph] Sami Zany even thought this was over.
He had his hand held high.
[Graves] I think Dragunov's body might have just told him that's enough.
Live to fight another day.
[Joseph] First match back in over a year,
and now Sami Zayn possibly looking for that Helluva kick.
And now… What's he looking at?
It's Solo Sikoa.
What's Sikoa doing out here? Right now?
Sami Zayn took his eye off the ball! And, oh, caught! Exploder!
That's the prelude to the end.
-The United States Champion lining it up! -Oh!
[Joseph] Torpedo Moskau! Is that going to be it?
Right back up, boom, with an H-Bomb!
-Dragunov into the cover! -[referee] One, two, three!
-And Dragunov dethrones Zayn. -[bell rings]
["Death Waltz" playing]
-Wow! -[Nash] Here is your winner.
And new United States Champion!
Ilja Dragunov!
[Joseph] I know I've said it, wow.
But, Graves,
what a match.
[Graves] Vic, say it ten more times.
Say it 20 more times.
You'll get no disagreement from me.
But Solo Sikoa played a hand in the outcome.
Whether anyone wants to admit it or not, Sami took his eye off the ball,
was able to recover here.
But as Zayn looked to finish the job, boom,
Torpedo Moskau followed immediately by a thunderous H-Bomb.
And new!
Ilja Dragunov said he has been starving for a year.
Well, feast, Ilja, feast.
Bones and all, the United States Title belongs to the Mad Dragon.
[Joseph] After a year on the shelf due to a devastating right knee injury.
How good must it feel for Ilja Dragunov
to not only return to the WWE, not only return to SmackDown,
but to finally wear a championship.
[Graves] What a moment.
And it has to be said, Sami Zayn, take a bow.
A fighting champion was beaten by a better man tonight.
-[Joseph] Whoa, whoa! -[Graves] Tama Tonga!
-Oh, come on! Damn it! -The MFTs strike again!
Talla Tonga, Tonga Loa, Tama Tonga, and JC Mateo have hit the ring again.
This is a damn massacre.
[Joseph] After that classic we just witnessed,
coming out here and picking up the scraps.
And there again we see Solo Sikoa.
You like that? Huh? Huh?
[Joseph] Calling the shots.
[Graves] Solo let the MFTs off the chain.
[Joseph] Hey, Fenix!
[Graves] Fenix who was left laying earlier tonight.
[Joseph] He's got a bone to pick with all these men,
doing his best to fight. And Rey Fenix now!
Adding… To the throat.
[Graves] Oh no, oh no, it's a long way up.
Talla Tonga with an epic choke slam to Rey Fenix.
And the MFTs have been unleashed once again.
[crowd booing]
Did you all forget?
I said, did you all forget?
Let me remind you then.
MFTs run SmackDown.
They are going to give back everything that my family has lost,
and I will make My Family Tree champions again.
Seek and ye shall find.
Knock
and the door will be opened.
But are you prepared for what's waiting on the other side?
[Uncle Howdy cackles]
[crowd cheering]
-[Tama Tonga growling] -[JC Mateo] Come on. Come.
[indistinct]
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You're stepping up?
[Joseph] Solo Sikoa issuing a warning.
They're now backing off, the MFTs.
[Graves] How about the warning that Bo Dallas just issued, Vic?
What the hell is waiting on the other side?
[Joseph] SmackDown is live tonight in San Jose,
11,144, a capacity crowd on hand.
Just like it was during our most recent international tour.
[narrator] This past week, WWE was on an unforgettable international tour
that started in Perth, Australia
for a total combined three-day attendance in Perth of 40,503 fans.
Wow.
[narrator] Many WWE superstars also got to interact with the natural wildlife
and explore the beautiful waters off the coast of Western Australia.
Our time in Australia did not stop there
as Melbourne was the next stop on the tour.
I wanna say thank you to everyone here.
You guys have been awesome these last few days.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!
[crowd] Oi, oi, oi!
-[Rhea] Aussie! -[crowd] Oi!
[narrator] And finally, we visited Tokyo, Japan
with WWE's first live event in the land of the rising sun in over a year.
Cero miedo!
[narrator] We couldn't be more thankful
to the entire WWE universe all around the world,
and we can't wait to get back again soon.
Arigato!
[crowd cheers]
[Taylor] The following is a Champion Versus Champion Match
to determine the women's Crown Jewel Champion!
[Cole] It's hard to believe Tiffany Stratton just four years ago
made her first appearance in a wrestling ring.
Not in WWE, an actual wrestling ring.
For Stephanie Vaquer, she's only been in WWE for 15 months.
And now these two are battling it out on the grand stage of Crown Jewel.
[Barrett] Just shredding the knee ligaments of Tiffany Stratton.
[Cole] Now on to the top rope looking for the Prettiest Moonsault,
but nobody home.
Stratton made a mistake.
And there is that Corkscrew Splash!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[Cole] Stephanie Vaquer is your Crown Jewel Champion!
As the WWE Women's World Champion, and now Crown Jewel Champion.
Guys, I'm here with WWE Women's Champion, Tiffany Stratton.
And, Tiffany, we saw you suffer a rare setback at Crown Jewel.
So does that loss to Stephanie Vaquer affect how you move forward as champion?
Cathy, I'm not going to pretend like I'm happy about losing, but no,
Stephanie Vaquer is a great champion, and she took me to my limits.
But I've been undefeated for the past year.
So one loss does not define me.
And I'm still the WWE Women's Champion,
-so I'm focused on what is next. -Tiffy, Tiffy, Tiffy.
That's inspiring at all, but at the end of the day, you still lost.
So let me put this into words that you'll understand.
That loss is precisely the reason why
I offered my professional expertise to Stephanie, and not to you.
I knew you didn't have what it took.
I only represent premium talent like your United States Champion Giulia.
She is the type of high-value investment that pays off every single time.
Or maybe it's because you know that you don't have it.
What's that saying again? Those who can do and those who can't…
represent.
I'm perfectly capable of getting the job done in the ring.
Okay, then prove it. Face me in a match next week.
-Gladly. -Bye.
Tiffany Stratton continues to impress and improve
each time we see her.
But I want to take it back to what we just saw a few minutes ago
between the MFTs and our WWE Tag Team Champions, The Wyatt Sicks.
-There's a war brewing, Vic. -Yeah.
-This is going to get ugly. -It certainly is.
I don't really want to talk about it. I don't want to hear about it anymore.
What I do want to hear and hear from is a pair of former Tag Team Champions,
that being the Motor City Machine Guns.
-Hey, happy anniversary. -Happy anniversary.
Motor City Machine Guns one year anniversary in the WWE universe.
Only took two weeks for us to win the WWE tag team titles.
-That's right. -Two weeks.
-Hey, you know what? We should celebrate. -We should.
We should celebrate by winning the WWE tag team titles again.
We can do that.
[imitates Alex] Emotional moment. First anniversary with WWE.
[laughs] The only thing I remember from these guys, how they started.
They were like a Ferrari.
But since then, you guys look more like my grandfather's lawn mower.
-[imitates lawn mower] -[all laugh]
Oh, my gosh.
Oh, you're comedians too. I get it.
Ferrari, a really fast car, lawn mower, not a car.
Hey, since you're funny guys, I got a joke for you.
Do you remember who we beat in that debut match?
-Do you guys remember? -Wait, wait.
[speaks in Spanish]
You remember? No, no, never happened.
-We remember. -Yeah, it was you guys.
-It was you! -What do you think?
How about we make it a yearly thing?
And tonight, since it's the anniversary, we can beat you guys again.
-Are you guys sure you want to do it? -Yeah. We're pretty sure.
Wait, wait, wait for your gifts!
Okay, we'll wait for our gifts.
-We'll wait for it. -Sweetest day is coming up. No problem.
["Raise Your Fist" plays]
[Joseph] Well, this is going to be high octane.
♪ Raise your fist ♪
♪ Oh, let's go ♪
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, with a combined weight of 412 pounds,
Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin!
Motor City Machine Guns!
[Graves] It's hard to believe it's already been a year
since the Motor City Machine Guns debuted in WWE.
As I christened them, your favorite tag team's favorite tag team.
["Redemption" plays]
But a tall task ahead. Can they repeat history?
[Joseph] This is quite a gift, not only for the Motor City Machine Guns,
so to speak, but also the WWE universe.
[Nash] And their opponents, representing Legado Del Fantasma,
with a combined weight of 425 pounds,
Angel, Berto!
Los Garza!
[Joseph] And, Graves, you are very well aware
of the headlines that these two men have made this summer in AAA.
[Graves] Impressive reign as AAA Tag Team Champions
for Angel and Berto, Los Garza.
They would love to parlay that success into more gold
here in WWE's tag team division.
You've got the Machine Guns, who truly revolutionized
the sport of tag team wrestling.
Then you've got Angel and Berto, who believe they are capable
of taking tag team wrestling to a whole new level,
building off the foundation of the Machine Guns.
This one is going to be memorable.
[Joseph] I'm sure Los Garza are looking for a little bit of a payback
-and from what happened last year… -Ring that bell!
…as we heard from Motor City Machine Guns earlier
celebrating that one year anniversary, so to speak.
And, look, Graves, you've been very familiar with the game
of Shelley and Sabin,
but it's right now Los Garza who is taking control.
[Graves] Alex Shelley used to sleep on my floor
back when we were on the Independence and he would come to Pittsburgh.
I mean, I've known these guys for years and years and years,
and they continue to improve, continue to evolve.
The problem with being your favorite tag team's favorite tag team
is the amount of tape that has been studied on you.
Everything the Guns do… Boom!
…has been studied by every tag team on the roster, I promise you this.
You got to show them something new, something different,
and figure out what that secret sauce is for the Guns to get back on top.
[Joseph] Well, we said this is going to be high octane,
not taking your foot off the gas.
Chris Sabin wiping out the opposition.
[Graves] Speaking of all gas, no brakes.
Jacob Fatu, Drew McIntyre still to come, number one contenders main event.
[Joseph] There's Chris Sabin who's legal.
And the referee right now, distracted for a moment.
And that opens the door.
Berto, who is able to hold on to Sabin, opens the door.
[Graves] That was situational awareness by Los Garza, who continue to improve.
Again, every time they step into the ring, they show their opponents a new look,
a new move, a new scheme of some sort.
[Joseph] And you have to think the success in AAA
has almost reignited their own inner belief in themselves.
[Graves] No doubt about it.
I think that may have been the best possible thing for Los Garza
in their careers recently.
A reminder of where they came from, what they're capable of
and what they want to do next.
But tag made, here comes Alex Shelley.
[Joseph] And Shelley had… Big block and answers quickly.
[Graves] This man is an absolute encyclopedia
of technical wrestling maneuvers.
[Joseph] You know, you broke down these two teams.
And really, though, how do you view the tag team division
here on the blue brand?
[Graves] I mean, if this is any indication,
it's extremely healthy and should be paid a lot of attention to.
-Los Garza and Machine Guns… -Super kick!
…looking to do their parts
to raise the stakes in the tag team division.
[Joseph] Which team's walking out with the W tonight?
Graves, Alex Shelley has not been the same
since he almost got his teeth knocked down his throat by a big knee from Angel.
As a matter of fact, let's go back and relive that moment.
Look at that… that impact.
Not to mention, Berto on the outside with a kick.
[Graves] You took the words right out of my mouth.
Let's not overlook the fact that Berto executed a kick
right to the base of Shelley's skull.
[Joseph] Well, Chris Sabin baiting him maybe, for a moment.
Turning around.
And here's where that expertise comes in. Two men who know each other so well.
Big neckbreaker.
And this could be that moment Alex Shelley has been looking for
to make his way, make a tag.
And Chris Sabin can check into the match.
[Graves] A rare moment of disorientation for Alex Shelley in the ring.
This is a man who always knows where he's at, at all times,
but obviously, his brains have been scrambled a little
-over the past several minutes. -[Joseph] Whoa!
[Graves] Chris Sabin desperately needs a tag.
Here he comes!
[Joseph] And on a night where we've seen two championships defended.
Big high cross-body from Chris Sabin, a man who's no stranger to championships.
Knows the Motor City Machine Guns, who won the titles within just a few weeks
of their debut nearly one year ago here on SmackDown.
-And look at… -[Graves] Backslide.
Shoulders down, rolling right through.
[Joseph] Chris Sabin now tying him right back up into a knot, crucifix-style.
Is it enough? And another near fall.
[Graves] Again, I cannot overstate the encyclopedic wrestling knowledge
of both Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley.
They can tie you up, they can stretch you, they can knock you out when they need to.
One of the reasons they're one of the greatest tag teams of the generation.
[Joseph] Both men who came up to me talking about this match,
so excited, not only for an opportunity here over the last year,
but everything going on in NXT.
The TNA X division title will be defended this Tuesday.
Leon Slater versus Stacks.
A title that Chris Sabin held more than anyone.
Big superkick from Sabin. Sabin got caught!
[Graves] Berto, Berto, Berto!
[Joseph] Oh, man.
Power on display!
Sit-down style powerbomb.
And, no, not quite enough.
But that was also in a very hard part of the ring.
Chris Sabin just bounced right off the mat.
[Graves] Great display of power by Berto.
Executing the sit-out powerbomb as a counter.
Tag made. Here comes Angel once again.
[Joseph] And you know Los Garza would love to ruin this one year celebration,
this incredible first year here in the WWE for the Motor City Machine Guns.
Turning right around. Uh-oh!
[Graves] Modified gory special here by Angel.
Sabin in a world of trouble.
[Joseph] Making the tag.
And now take a look at this textbook tag team wrestling.
-[Graves] Incredible. -[Joseph] Into the cover.
[Joseph] And, oh, at the last moment, Shelley just able to break this up.
Great job by our officials.
And take another look at this high-impact offense, innovative style.
Wasn't able to get it done. Again, we are live tonight for SmackDown.
San Jose, California, 11,144 capacity crowd on hand,
as Alex Shelley…
Oh, baseball slide going right over, charging right back in,
got caught for a moment.
And that's a unique position to be in.
[Graves] Superkick under the chin of Shelley,
but Sabin right there with a kick for Angel.
Berto drops Sabin.
-Here comes Berto! -[Joseph] Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Uh-oh!
Looking to fly!
Wiping out the Motor City Machine Guns.
And Los Garza are rolling right now, Graves, rolling.
[Graves] Los Garza came to play tonight, no doubt about it.
They understand the opportunity at hand
picking up a W over a decorated tag team like the Motor City Machine Guns.
[Joseph] It all started when Los Garzas were interrupting their opponents--
[Graves] "Los Garza", Vic.
-[Joseph] Los Garza. Sorry. -[Graves] "Los Garza."
-Plural. Same last name. -It means both of them are in the ring.
[Joseph] Big boot, though, by Sabin. Shelley, though, on the outside.
Referee, right now. I mean, this is almost… The official right now…
I don't know how he's keeping up with all the action,
but I believe a tag was made,
and I believe Alex Shelley is a legal superstar.
[Graves] Looking for Skull and Bones.
This could do it for the Machine Guns.
There it is!
-[Joseph] Skull and Bones connects. -[crowd] One, two, three!
And the Motor City Machine Guns will be celebrating tonight.
["Raise Your Fist" plays]
[Nash] Here are your winners, Motor City Machine Guns!
[Joseph] What a way to celebrate for this duo here on SmackDown.
[Graves] From the top rope, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Skull and Bones.
One of many reasons why they are regarded
as the greatest tag team of the generation by their peers.
Two pioneers, who continue to raise the bar
in the tag team division.
Yeah. Well, all right, okay, look.
Motor City, they've just built some momentum.
The MFTs and The Wyatts are now on a flat out freaking war.
Like… like, bro, we gotta to do something.
All right, let's go punch someone in the face.
Let's skip the cue. Let's make an impact.
Or… Listen.
Or we wait patiently, find the right spot
and then maybe take the titles with us, you know what I mean?
-I don't know about that. -[DIY laughing]
These two goofs scheming about titles.
News flash, boys, ain't gonna happen for you.
Did you guys miss us?
I mean, I could tell by your face, you definitely missed us.
And you want to know where we've been the last two months?
We've been staying out of the way
so that The Street Profits could no longer point fingers at DIY.
And you know what they did while we were gone?
They showed the world that they are who we thought they were!
Choke artists. [imitates choking]
Matter of fact, nothing's changed around here.
You two are still delusional.
The Garzas are still a couple of losers,
and The Wyatt Sicks are still running around
like it's Halloween every damn day of the week.
-That's two weeks from today. -It's disgusting!
Matter of fact, weren't you guys just talking about earlier
how Quill wants a stupid mask for Halloween?
Where are we going to find a stupid mask?
-He has a stupid mask. -[chuckles] That is a stupid mask.
-Hey! -Whoa. Calm down.
[speaks in Spanish]
[in English] If you want to keep disrespecting me like that,
why don't you try to inside that ring, anytime you want,
and then you'll see who's behind this mask.
[speaks in Spanish]
-Definitely was talking about you. -What was he saying?
-That guy's probably ugly, right? Yeah. -Yeah.
-Stupid mask. -Fugly.
[Joseph] Tensions rising in our tag team division.
[Graves] Oh, baby. Bay Area, stand up!
["Samoan Destroyer" plays]
[bell rings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
and is to determine the number one contender
for the undisputed WWE--
[crew member] What happened?
[Joseph] What the hell?
[shouting, clamoring]
[Joseph] Oh, my God, Corey.
[screams]
["Gallantry" plays]
[Joseph] I mean, what could be going through the mind
of our general manager right now?
[Graves] I don't know. Were those Fatu's teeth on the ground?
[Joseph] I don't want to speculate.
But, Graves…
there is the man that obviously has a big smile on his face, as you can see.
He was set to face…
Jacob Fatu.
[Graves] Well, McIntyre understandably grinning from ear to ear.
As I would imagine, the matchup's not going to take place.
Does that put McIntyre directly in the number one contenders spot?
All this certainly has a big decision to make.
[Joseph] As I said, there's got to be a lot going through his mind.
[stammers] Very rarely is myself and Corey Graves at a loss for words
as we sit here ringside.
Again, live, San Jose for SmackDown.
Main event was set for…
Oh, well, apparently Drew McIntyre would like to address the WWE universe.
[music fades]
San Jose.
[crowd boos]
It appears your boy, bleeding gums Fatu,
is no brakes… [laughs]
All gas, no brakes!
The referee, do me a favor and raise the hand
of the new number one contender.
[crowd boos]
[Nick] Hold… Hold on a second, hold on a second, Drew.
Don't you say another word.
Now I don't know what just happened back there,
but I know that it's bad, really bad.
But I promise you this, I swear to God,
if I find out that you had anything to do with this--
Nick, I'm going to cut you off right now. I had absolutely nothing to do with that.
I'm always jumping through hoops to get what's mine.
You've known me for 20 years, man. Don't be like the rest of them back there.
Please tell me you're not working for corporate Cody.
Do the right thing and name me the number one contender.
Give me the match right now.
[crowd boos]
[Cody] Enough, enough!
This is not… We're done with all this.
Absolutely.
You know what you did.
And you think this entire group of people want to sit here and watch you talk?
They wanted a number one contender match.
Oh, man.
Oh, I think we should, I think we should, right?
I think we should give them something right now!
[crowd cheers]
You want your title match, Drew McIntyre?
Let's do it right here, right now.
-Come and get it. Come and get it! -[crowd cheers]
-[Graves] Oh, my… Oh my God. -[Joseph] What the hell?
[Joseph] Cody and McIntyre!
They're starting to meet.
The fight is on. Graves, the fight is on!
[Graves] The American Nightmare, The Scottish Warrior!
-It is kicking off here. -[Joseph] This is chaos.
[Graves] We unfortunately have no answers
compared to when we just left you a moment ago.
[Joseph] We're still trying to figure out what the hell is going on,
but what we do know is Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre
have been beating each other all over the SAP Center, all over San Jose.
Finally they're back in the damn ring, and the referee's looking at the champion.
The champion said ring the damn bell and we got ourselves a match.
We got ourselves a clash!
And it's McIntyre, it's Rhodes!
And Rhodes just got tossed all the way across the ring.
[Graves] This is an absolutely insane turn of events.
[Joseph] Well, you can say that again.
It's been a chaotic night all the way from the start.
I still wonder what the hell happened to Jacob Fatu.
You mentioned it.
Were teeth lying all over the back? Was it laying on the concrete?
I don't know, but what I do know is Cody Rhodes was not going to let
a main event slip away from everyone here and everyone watching at home.
That's what separates Cody from everyone else.
[Graves] Cody's intentions may have been honorable.
[Joseph] Get him. Bam! Cody's right back on top.
[Graves] Rhodes has been guilty of thinking with his heart too frequently.
This could be one of those instances. Cody's gonna take his eye out.
[Joseph] We saw Drew McIntyre smiling when he came trotting out here.
Telling the official, "Declare me the number one contender."
He wasn't smiling for a moment, but that's just how dangerous Drew McIntyre is,
just how dangerous, just how quick he can turn things around, just like that.
[Graves] McIntyre now stalking the WWE Champion.
-This personal… -[Joseph stammers]
Corey, how personal is it for Drew McIntyre to be champion?
[Graves] It's exceeded the lines of obsession for McIntyre.
But Cody Rhodes, now, looking for his pound of flesh.
[Joseph] Both men have a deep burning desire to be the best.
Cody taking it to Drew.
And I know we talked about it, Cody's not even dressed to compete.
Cody is in what he arrived in, in that suit.
-Cover here! -Hook of the leg.
And a kickout, left shoulder coming off the mat.
[Graves] We still haven't got clarification,
but Cody mentioned a championship match.
You want it? Here it is.
[Joseph] Didn't hear anything from our general manager.
I don't know.
[Graves stammers] Brian, have you heard anything, any updates?
What are the rules? I don't know. This has been madness.
This has been chaos.
And Cody Rhodes, a fighting champion, looking to defend his kingdom,
which is SmackDown.
When it comes to the title, these two, of course,
were the main event of the first premium live event to stream on ESPN.
It was WrestlePalooza.
McIntyre on that night was very close to becoming champion.
-Future Shock DDT just dropped the champ! -[Graves] Oh, my God.
[Joseph] Into the cover is McIntyre!
And, oh, that left shoulder just off the mat.
McIntyre, what's going through his mind?
Same thing for the champion. Feel this.
Bam!
[Graves] Future Shock taking out The American Nightmare.
QB1 is flat on his back right now, and The Scottish Warrior can smell blood.
[Joseph] There was something you said during the commercial break.
Cody's got to get the bad taste of Crown Jewel out of his mouth.
Maybe that's what he's thinking right now, but it also…
it could be a huge mistake made by Cody Rhodes.
[Graves] It absolutely could be.
I mentioned Cody's been guilty of thinking with his heart
on more than one occasion throughout his career.
Yes, Cody's passionate, but sometimes that passion outweighs his intellect.
[Joseph] And Drew McIntyre now.
Oh, slowly, methodically breaking down
and beating down The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes.
And now he's cranking up the intensity right there in the corner.
Cody just trying to get his hands up to fight,
and Drew McIntyre listening to the official.
But I would be afraid of the official to step in between Drew McIntyre
and anything the way McIntyre has been operating.
[Graves] Well, Ryan Tran showing a little bit of leeway,
understanding that emotions are extremely high right now.
There's been a chaotic ending to the evening here at SmackDown.
We were expecting Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu.
Fatu is attacked backstage.
His teeth are falling out of his head, and now here we are!
The American Nightmare and The Scottish Warrior
trading heavy artillery.
[Joseph] Referee checking on Cody Rhodes.
And in this moment right now, Drew McIntyre, like a shark in water,
can be smelling the blood right now.
Looking to put an end to Cody Rhodes.
Rhodes, though, with a counter.
Turning around. Bam, right to the jaw, rocking McIntyre.
And Rhodes now. Cody Cutter!
[crowd cheering]
Cody fired up!
Over 11,000 here in San Jose fired up.
[Graves] McIntyre looking for respite here on the outside.
Steer clear, Vic. Here comes The American Nightmare!
Oh!
[Joseph] McIntyre putting a stop to Cody Rhodes in that moment.
[Graves] McIntyre has enough power to turn your lights out with one clean shot.
[Joseph] And Cody, right now, may be running on fumes alone.
[Graves] I'm worried for Mark Nash. Just get the hell out of the way.
Oh!
[bell rings]
[Joseph] Well, Cody just dropped Drew.
Rhodes, understandably feeling desperate, but he's pissed off.
And Cody…
Did you see his eyes?
Corey, you've know him a lot longer than I have.
Did you see that man's eyes? Who the hell… Jesus!
Cody, what are you doing?
Corey, get the hell out of the way.
Don't try to talk any sense into him. Do you see the man?
-Oh, Drew! -[Graves] Oh, God!
[Joseph] Drew, Drew, Drew! Right to the eyes.
[Graves] The bell rang. This thing's been thrown out.
Send some security out here.
Some more officials.
McIntyre is going to destroy Rhodes!
[Joseph] Cody trying his best right now. You're right, Corey.
We need everybody out here.
Nick Aldis, though, is probably checking on Jacob Fatu.
You know what Cody is setting up. Cody looking for Cross Rhodes.
All right, finally.
Finally, Corey, a little bit of sense of order.
Security.
Nick Aldis, our general manager.
[Graves] Nick Aldis saying it's over. Cody saying hell no.
[Joseph] It ain't over until the champion says so!
Drew, again, dropped by Rhodes.
[Aldis] It's over. Relax.
The American Nightmare hold the high ground.
Cody Rhodes wants more.
[crowd chanting] Cody, Cody, Cody!
[Joseph] This score is far from settled.
Listen to this place.
["Kingdom" plays]
[crowd cheers]
Cody Rhodes didn't back down one inch.
He brought the fight right to Drew McIntyre.
And you can see the eyes of McIntyre.
But if Drew has championship dreams,
he's gonna have to overcome an American Nightmare.
♪ Crowd is here about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show… ♪ tmare.