[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Cole] It's a big sports weekend in Tempe, Arizona.
Tomorrow evening, the number 24 ranked Arizona State Sun Devils
host the 6-1 Houston Cougars in a massive Big 12 game.
Tonight, across the street at the Mullet Arena,
WWE is in town for Friday Night SmackDown.
Let's take a look at last week's chaotic show.
[dramatic music playing]
As many of you know, there is a contest scheduled for tonight
between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu.
That matchup is now a number one contender's match
for the WWE Championship.
[screaming, clamoring]
[screaming]
[Aldis] Let it go. Hey, hey. Take it easy, Jacob. Jacob…
Don't move. Don't move. All right. Hey, Jacob…
-Jacob, relax. Relax. -[Fatu coughs]
-[tense music playing] -[crowd boos]
[McIntyre] All gas, no brakes.
Referee, raise the hand of the new number one contender.
[Aldis] Hold on a second, Drew.
If I find out that you had anything to do with this--
I'm going to cut you off right now. I had absolutely nothing to do with that.
Do the right thing and name me the number one contender.
Give me the match right now.
[dramatic music playing]
-[Rhodes] Enough! -[crowd cheers]
You know what you did!
You want your title match, Drew McIntyre?
Let's do it right here, right now.
[Joseph] Cody, McIntyre, the fight is on!
[Graves] The American Nightmare, the Scottish Warrior!
[Joseph] The champion said ring the damn bell.
[Graves] Cody's intentions may be honorable,
but Rhodes has been guilty of thinking with his heart too frequently.
[dramatic music continues]
-[Joseph] Oh! -[bell dings]
[Graves] The bell rang. This thing's been thrown out.
Send some security out here,
some more officials.
Nick Aldis saying it's over. Cody saying hell no.
This score is far from settled.
[music ends]
[crowd cheers]
[Jimmy] That you, Cody?
-What's up with it, man? -[crowd cheering]
Hey, man, real quick. I appreciate you.
Thank you for what you did for my cousin last week, man.
Jacob, I appreciate it.
What are you here for?
-You talking to Aldis? -Man…
I'm here to look for him, man.
I got to talk to him about what happened to Jacob.
His office is around the corner.
As far as Jacob's concerned,
I was happy, dude. I'm sorry he didn't get the match.
But let me ask you because I've been watching,
is everything okay with you and your brother Jey?
-[crowd] Yeet! -You seen what happened.
-How would you feel? -[sighs] I get it.
-Yeah. -I got a brother in the game. I-I know.
And I know he's going to do what's right for him.
You got to do what's right for you.
I appreciate that, man.
I'ma go talk to Nick Aldis, man.
-I'ma go talk to the people. -[chuckles]
-["Kingdom" playing] -[crowd cheers]
♪ Wrestling has more than one Royal family ♪
[crowd cheers]
♪ 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 ♪
♪ 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!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Hello to everybody. At ringside here tonight,
I'm Michael Cole back in the saddle with my partner Corey Graves.
Corey, I would like to thank you for sticking your neck out and helping me
with Brock Lesnar a number of weeks ago.
You almost got me killed. You're welcome.
I'm just happy that Cody seems to be far more composed tonight
than he was in the closing moments of SmackDown last week.
There's no doubt the American Nightmare has a great deal on his mind,
on his plate, and the Scottish Warrior Drew McIntyre is coming for Cody Rhodes.
[crowd] ♪ Whoa… ♪
[Cole] McIntyre is coming for Cody Rhodes a week from tomorrow.
It is Saturday Night's Main Event live from Salt Lake City, Utah.
Cody Rhodes defends the Undisputed WWE Championship
against the Scottish Warrior Drew McIntyre.
Saturday Night's Main Event.
♪ A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you Bow to me ♪
♪ You took my dreams But not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me Until the end ♪
-[music fades] -[crowd] ♪ I am my kingdom ♪
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody!
[chanting stops]
So, Tempe, Arizona…
[crowd cheers]
…what do you wanna talk about?
[crowd cheers]
We can talk about my opponent at Saturday Night's Main Event,
-the Scottish W-- -[crowd booing]
…the Scottish Warrior Drew McIntyre.
[crowd boos]
I felt a little out of pocket last week.
I did something that was uncharacteristic of me.
I took this title,
and I smacked it right across the head of Drew McIntyre.
[crowd cheers]
I-I'm wondering…
do I need to apologize for that?
[crowd] No!
[McIntyre] Stop.
[crowd jeering]
I don't want your apologies. I don't want any excuses, Cody.
[crowd cheers]
Really, Arizona? You're gonna cheer Cody?
[crowd cheers]
[McIntyre] And you're gonna boo me?
[crowd boos]
With all the evidence you've seen,
you're gonna cheer Cody Rhodes?
[crowd cheers]
And you're going to boo Drew McIntyre?
[crowd boos]
At this point, you're all complicit in his crimes.
Actually, Cody, I don't think it's that.
I think they're brainwashed by corporate Cody's propaganda.
No matter what you do, they just keep on cheering.
It's amazing.
Wrestlepalooza, you screw me with the referees.
Last week, you bashed me in the face with a title,
and they still cheer you.
[crowd cheers]
[crowd chants] Cody! Cody!
I've been screwed so many times.
This has become about
Drew McIntyre finishing the story.
[crowd cheers, boos]
And I'm going to finish it next week it's Saturday Night's Main Event.
Now let's talk about the elephant in the room.
Who attacked Jacob Fatu?
[crowd boos]
Yeah, me, me, me. It's always Drew. Always the scapegoat.
Cody, I hate that family.
I hate them all, but I am innocent.
I saw you talking to Jimmy. I saw you.
Do you think it was maybe him, the black sheep of the family, huh?
His brother Jey has another world title match.
He doesn't.
Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.
Maybe he took a page out of his wife Naomi's book--
Enough, enough!
Let's just start off right where we ended last week.
You're clearly looking for a fight. I'll fight you right here.
I'll fight you right now.
Let's just do this here and now!
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Cody letting his emotions perhaps get the best of him yet again
as he's preparing for another fight here tonight with McIntyre
eight nights away from his title--
-[Graves] Wait, wait, wait! Jimmy Uso! -[Cole] Wait a minute!
Jimmy Uso from behind going after McIntyre.
And it's pretty apparent…
[Graves] Drew feels like he's been wrongfully accused.
Jimmy Uso absolutely irate about what happened to Jacob Fatu.
A chaotic beginning to SmackDown,
picking right up where we left off last week.
-[Cole] Security over here trying to… -[crowd chants] Let them fight!
[Cole] …trying to get Jimmy Uso and Drew McIntyre separated.
Obviously, Jimmy believes McIntyre was responsible--
[Graves] Whoa, whoa, whoa!
[Cole] …for the attack on Jacob Fatu,
and Jimmy bringing the fight to McIntyre tonight.
[Graves] Get some more security out here. We need more bodies.
[Cole] How many more do you need? There's at least a dozen out here.
[Graves] Finally, a bit of separation between Jimmy Uso and Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] Well, it's been an emotional week for Jimmy Uso.
There's no doubt about that.
And letting that emotion…
lead into the attack on McIntyre tonight.
[Graves] You have to imagine that…
Stop. You're good. Hey, hey…
["Taking It All" playing]
[Graves] Jimmy wasn't gonna take kindly to the comments
Drew was about to make regarding his wife Naomi.
[Cole] Well, that, and as I mentioned before, Corey, on top of it all,
Jimmy and many others believe McIntyre was responsible
for the assault on Jimmy's cousin Jacob Fatu.
[Graves] Listen, we know McIntyre has motive,
-but we've seen no evidence. -[bell dings]
[Nash] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
accompanied by Solo Sikoa, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga,
JC Mateo, Tama Tonga,
MFT!
[Cole] The Solo Sikoa-led MFTs set for tag team action
against Rey Fenix and Shinsuke Nakamura, live next.
You would never have put me in the WWE Championship match
-if you thought for a second I was guilty. -I get that.
-You've got to do something about Jimmy. -I can't be having all this--
-[grunts] -[Cole] Oh!
-[Aldis] Jimmy! -[Cole] Jimmy Uso again!
[grunting]
[clamoring]
-[Jimmy] Get off me! Get off me! -[security 1] Hey! Hey!
-[shouting, clamoring] -[security 2] Get him back! Get him back!
-[clamoring] -[security 2] Get him back!
[Cole] Corey, Jimmy Uso as fired up as I've ever seen him.
[Aldis] Right now. My office!
[Graves] Jimmy Uso not about to stand by idly
after what happened to Jacob Fatu last week,
presumably, to many,
precipitated by the actions of Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] And this is Friday Night SmackDown.
♪ We not the same ♪
♪ I am elite Know the name ♪
♪ The legacy Runs through my veins ♪
♪ I am a king I do not ever pretend… ♪
[Cole] The MFTs a united empire,
and tonight, it's JC Mateo and Tama Tonga
representing Solo Sikoa's crew
with Talla Tonga and Tonga Loa here at ringside.
♪ Ánimo… ♪
["Ánimo" playing]
[crowd cheers]
["The Rising Sun" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Nash] And their opponents,
with a combined weight of 440 pounds,
the team of Rey Fenix
and Shinsuke Nakamura!
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, the MFTs have been running roughshod
over the entire SmackDown locker room in recent weeks.
Attacks on both these men, Rey Fenix and Shinsuke Nakamura.
And also target of the attacks, Corey,
the former United States Champion Sami Zayn,
who's not medically cleared to compete tonight
because of the MFT assaults.
[Graves] Unfortunately for the MFT, it's about to be a very different scenario.
A sneak attack is one thing. Gang warfare is another.
But tag team action against two of the best on the planet Earth
is a completely different equation.
We are talking about Rey Fenix,
one of the most decorated luchadors in AAA history
and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Two men, already considered legends in their native lands,
looking to make even more history in WWE by getting through the MFT.
[Cole] And both men who took Sami Zayn, the former United States Champion,
to the limit in Sami's open challenges.
-More on that as the night rolls along. -[bell dings]
And starting things off in this matchup,
Tama Tonga will take on Shinsuke Nakamura.
Corey, an interesting interview Shinsuke Nakamura conducted
with Tokyo Sports when he was over in Japan
on a live event tour last week.
Talked a lot about his future,
and he said he still has a lot of goals in mind here at WWE.
[Graves] Namely becoming World Heavyweight Champion in WWE,
something that is very important to Nakamura and his entire country of Japan.
[Cole] Shinsuke also talked a lot about his storied rivalry with AJ Styles.
Shout-out to Styles and Dragon Lee, the new World Tag Team Champions
over on Monday Night Raw.
[Graves] Right now, Nakamura can't be thinking about
World Heavyweight Championship designs.
He needs to worry about Tama Tonga,
who returned to WWE bigger and stronger than ever.
Those added lbs could be a difference-maker for all of the MFTs.
[Cole] Yeah, the Tongan Strong Machine.
And here's Shinsuke Nakamura, runs into the elbow
by the eccentric Tama Tonga.
-He's, uh… -[Graves] Nicest way you could put that.
[Cole] Yeah, he's a different cat.
[Graves] I admire you choosing your words carefully
as to not get either of us beat up again.
[Cole] Well, we've got Solo Sikoa and his crew about two feet away from us,
so I will choose my words wisely tonight.
Cover, now, by Nakamura and a kickout.
Shinsuke a former three-time United States Champion,
two-time Intercontinental Champion.
Of course, known as the King of Strong Style.
-Tag made, and here comes Rey Fenix. -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] First time these two men have ever teamed together,
but as you mentioned earlier, Corey, two men who have dominated
in Mexico and Japan before coming to WWE.
[Graves] Just speaks to the talent level here in WWE
when you've got some of the best to ever do it in Mexico, in Japan,
and it's taking some time to find their footing.
Rey Fenix is capable of a lot here in WWE, a great deal of success,
but Fenix is yet to really find that rivalry that's defined him
or really captivate the whole audience, but this will help.
[Cole] And Rey Fenix putting on a show against JC Mateo
a man that he's faced in tag action in the past.
Cover and a kickout with authority by the powerhouse of Solo's MFT's JC Mateo.
[Graves] I think powerhouse is an understatement
when you're referring to JC Mateo.
This is one of the strongest humans walking God's green earth,
no doubt about it, a freak athlete.
[Cole] Yeah, former Olympian representing Guam,
and there's Rey Fenix with that basement drop kick catching Mateo,
and Shinsuke and Rey look great together early on.
-[screams] -[crowd cheers]
[Graves] Good Vibrations at the expense of JC Mateo.
Wisely taking a hike on the outside to recompose himself.
-Oh… -[Cole] Well…
not happy is Mateo.
-[screams] Come on! -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] The MFTs doing a good job of weathering an early storm
by Fenix and Nakamura.
And it's Tama Tonga trying to keep Rey Fenix away from his own corner.
Oh, and what a clothesline!
-Turns Fenix inside-out! -[Graves] Wow. Wow. Wow.
[Cole] Corey and I were discussing the aggressiveness
and the viciousness of the MFTs under the tutelage of Solo Sikoa.
He said that this group, Corey, is forged in loyalty and violence,
not in tradition.
[Graves] Solo has to be a happy camper at the moment
as he watches JC Mateo and Tama Tonga pick apart Rey Fenix.
Again, perhaps the most decorated luchador in the history of AAA,
Rey Fenix is a former AAA Mega Champion.
[Cole] Oh, nice pumphandle throw that time by Mateo.
Cover and a kickout by Fenix.
[Graves] Of course, the Mega Championship currently held
-by "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio. -[Cole] A double champion.
Also the Intercontinental title holder over on Monday Night Raw.
You know, uh, Solo Sikoa, very relaxed here at ringside,
but he may want to be looking over his shoulder, Corey.
Uh, the Wyatt Sicks have made some overtures to the MFTs in recent weeks.
[Graves] Certainly an unsettling warning issued by Uncle Howdy last week.
Right now, the MFTs have their hands full.
Rey Fenix trying to mount a comeback of some sorts.
[Cole] Hit right with that step-up enzuigiri.
Can he make the tag to Shinsuke Nakamura?
Both of these men targets of MFT attacks in recent weeks.
Would love revenge tonight. Tag made. Here comes Shin.
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] You got to love the recent return to form for Shinsuke Nakamura,
the return of the King of Strong Style.
[Cole] And Nakamura fired up and feeding off the WWE fans here in Arizona.
Caught him on the other side, right to the back of the neck.
[Graves] Mateo still able to maintain a vertical base.
Shinsuke finding out firsthand just how ridiculously strong Mateo is.
Although, Shinsuke has the speed advantage.
[Cole] And just lifting Mateo up on the top rope.
Mateo defenseless now as Nakamura delivers the knee.
Cover by Shin. Is it enough to put him away?
And a kickout at two.
[Graves] When you're dealing with somebody as powerful as JC Mateo,
you've got to keep the majority of your body weight across his shoulders,
or he will never stay down for a count of three.
[Cole] Saw Solo moments ago, uh, flanked by Talla Tonga,
the 6'8" giant of the MFTs.
[Graves] An absolute skyscraper.
[Cole] And, of course, Tonga Loa,
multi-time tag team champion in Japan.
And now JC Mateo.
-[Graves] Oh, no. Oh, no. Look at this. -[Cole] Oh, what a throw by Mateo.
[Graves] The torque on that twisting belly-to-back suplex from Mateo.
[Cole] And a tag made to Tama Tonga.
The sometimes irrational Tama Tonga now goes on offense.
[Graves] It's almost like Tama Tonga devolves when the bell rings.
He becomes something more primal, something less than human.
That spells disaster for his opponents.
[Cole] That's exactly what Solo Sikoa wants. Tag made.
Rey Fenix is legal. Tama Tonga…
Well, now he knows Rey is the legal man.
Great double-team action by Fenix and Shin.
Rey Fenix off the top rope with a moonsault!
Cover! Is it enough for the win?
Oh, and a kickout.
Rey Fenix, such a joy to watch.
Of course, his brother Penta over on Monday Night Raw.
Uh-oh. Tama Tonga, though…
From behind, Fenix lands on his feet, runs into a forearm by Tonga.
Nobody home. Fenix with a kick to the back of the head.
Rey Fenix gonna fly. Running the tightrope.
[Graves] Goodbye, Amigo.
[Cole] Fenix measuring his man.
And Rey Fenix with a crossbody! Lateral press.
JC Mateo barely saving the matchup.
[Graves] Here comes Nakamura back into the fray.
[Cole] And he sends Mateo out of the ring. And now, up on the apron,
-Tonga Loa. -[Graves] Tonga Loa.
And Tama Tonga floors Nakamura off the distraction.
[Graves] That momentary diversion from the MFT paid dividends.
Tama Tonga now looking to clear the ring of his opponents.
Keep your eyes on the skies.
Rey Fenix about to take flight.
[Cole] Fenix, top rope. Corkscrew off the top!
[Graves] Unbelievable athleticism.
[Cole] Corey told you about this man. He's a highlight reel.
And now on the other side, Solo Sikoa…
[crowd boos]
[Cole] …looking to cause a distraction.
Meanwhile, from behind, Talla Tonga…
chokeslam on the apron to Rey Fenix!
[Graves] Fenix driven spine and kidneys first
onto the unforgiving ring apron.
[Cole] Oh, there's that big elbow, the running elbow.
He calls it the Cutthroat.
-Tama Tonga and the MFTs with the win. -[bell dings]
["Taking It All" playing]
[Nash] Here are your winners,
MFT!
[Cole] Impressive victory tonight by MFT, and everyone contributed.
[imitates Nakamura] Come on!
[Graves] If the goal was power and control,
Solo and company just took a massive step in the right direction tonight.
[Cole] Yeah, pretty good team-building exercise
for Solo Sikoa and his crew.
Dominance by the MFT. Solo onto something with this group.
It's ours. It's ours, boys.
We taking over everything.
Ain't nobody stopping us. You understand me?
I can't have anymore of this chaos tonight. You understand?
Nick, you know that's some BS, man.
Everybody and their mama and them know that Drew McIntyre hurt Jacob.
And you know what?
After the week I done had
dealing with Jey's BS and dealing with tonight's BS,
I'm ready to take my own damn…
Take it in my own hands tonight. You understand?
All right. I get that, okay?
I can put you and Drew in a match tonight.
[scoffs] I don't want a match.
I want a fight.
[sighs] All right, let me make some arrangements.
-Okay. -Tonight, it's you and Drew McIntyre,
no disqualifications.
-Okay! -[crowd cheers]
[speaking Japanese]
Bye-bye.
G! Where's your little secretary?
Clearly not doing her job.
Well, we have something to talk to you about.
We're very excited.
We're thinking a merging of the respective brands.
Of course, I know a thing or two about being the United States Women's Champion.
Obviously, I was the first.
I was also the longest reigning. Let's keep it that way.
-And, uh, the best. -Mm-hmm.
-You think? -Yeah, of course. A trailblazer, in fact.
Thank you so much. That's so sweet.
So what do you say we run a campaign trail for Chelsea Green
as your new WWE Women's Champion with G as VP. VP G.
Excuse me. Hi. Yeah.
Yep, I don't see "discount diva" on Giulia's schedule.
[gasps] Did she just call me a diva?
Yeah, it looks like the future longest reigning Women's United States Champion,
she's booked and busy for the foreseeable future.
Now, if you'd excuse me,
I actually have a match against the WWE Women's Champion.
Well, see ya.
[whispers] Okay, give it to her. Give it to her now. She's gone.
There you go.
Arrivederci.
Oh…
I think she just said yes in Italian.
-[laughs] -Yep.
♪ It's Tiffy Time ♪
["Tiffy Time" playing]
[Graves] Cole, I think you and I should start canvassing the neighborhood,
-get on the campaign trail. -[Cole laughs]
♪ Bass so loud It's in my skin ♪
[bell dings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
from Prior Lake, Minnesota,
she is the WWE Women's Champion,
Tiffany Stratton!
[Cole] It is indeed Tiffy Time on Friday Night SmackDown.
The champ in action against Kiana James live.
[Cole] That's Mountain America Stadium in Tempe, home tomorrow night
to number 24, Arizona State, and 6-1, Houston in Big 12 college football action.
But tonight WWE is broadcasting from Tempe for the first time ever
just across the street at the Mullett Arena.
This is Friday Night SmackDown.
[Graves] And tonight we are bringing our own heat to the desert.
How is this for a main event?
Per general manager Nick Aldis,
Jimmy Uso will go one-on-one with Drew McIntyre tonight
in a No Disqualification Match.
[Cole] And Jimmy is in a mood tonight.
Meanwhile, set for action, the WWE Women's champion, Tiffany Stratton.
["Tiffy Time" playing]
[music ends]
["The Highest" playing]
[Nash] And her opponent,
accompanied by the Women's United States champion, Giulia,
from Sioux City, Iowa, Kiana James!
[Cole] A lot to talk about in this matchup, Corey.
This all began a number of weeks ago
when Kiana James made some overtures to the WWE Women's Champion
to join her group with Giulia and Tiffany turned them down.
[Graves] Kiana James did not take lightly to being rejected by Tiffany Stratton,
which is one of the reasons we are here.
And this is a massive opportunity for Kiana James
because Kiana understands what's at stake.
If somehow, some way she's able to defeat Tiffany Stratton,
it's gonna send Kiana right to the front of the line
as far as future championship opportunities are concerned.
[Cole] And if she can one day capture the WWE Women's title
and Giulia has the United States Championship,
think about what that does to the Kiana James brand.
Kiana James, Tiffany Stratton have met once before a couple of years ago
in an NXT Women's Championship match.
Tiffany got the better of Kiana…
-[bell dings] -…in that matchup.
This one underway.
Tiffany Stratton, gonna be interesting, Corey, to see how she reacts
coming off her first loss of 2025,
that of course in the Crown Jewel Women's matchup
in Australia a couple of weeks back.
[Graves] Curious to find out as far as the Ted Lasso school of thought,
if Kiana James… I'm sorry,
if Tiffany Stratton has the ability to have the goldfish memory
because you can't dwell on coming up short
for something like the Crown Jewel Championship.
However, last week here on SmackDown, we saw the mood that Cody Rhodes was in
as a result of coming up short to Seth Rollins in Australia,
and that spelled disaster for Cody.
[Cole] We'll see how Tiffany responds here tonight against Kiana James.
Kiana, former NXT Tag Team Champion.
She has shown some great bursts of athleticism in the ring.
Had a conversation earlier today with her, Corey.
She's a very confident young woman.
[Graves] Why wouldn't Kiana James be confident?
She's educated, she's athletically gifted, she's intellectually advanced.
I mean, Kiana James has all of the tools to be a megastar in this industry.
Look at that, case in point.
[Cole] Both of these women with outstanding gymnastics credentials
before coming to WWE and both have taken to the squared circle.
Greatly here.
Kiana missed… A nice kip-up by Stratton.
A hip toss and another takedown in the arm drag and now into an arm bar.
Tiffany Stratton has grown leaps and bounds
since she cashed in her Money in the Bank contract
January 3rd of this year, just down the road in Phoenix,
to knock off Nia James and then the champion ever since Corey, 293 days.
[Graves] That was Nia Jax. I'm just saving you a nasty text.
-[Cole] What did I say? -[Graves] Nia James.
[Cole] Oh, Nia James? Sorry.
[Graves] I don't… I don't want you getting beaten up.
But listen, both of these women have continued to evolve,
but this has been a testament to the theory that iron sharpens iron.
We talk about how relatively inexperienced Tiffany Stratton is in this business.
Four years ago, was it, she stepped in a ring for the first time.
-[Cole] Shoulders down. -[Graves] And a kick out.
Yet, competing against the best of the best,
defending her Women's Championship has really shown that Tiffany Stratton
belongs at the top of the mountain and she continues to get better and better.
[Cole] Drop kick by Tiffany.
Driving Kiana back to the second rope, she says it's Tiffy Time.
Here comes the champ.
Backs it up into the back of the neck of Kiana James.
Gotta give James credit as well.
She's had a lot of ups and downs in her career.
You see the brace on her right knee.
Underwent knee surgery at one point.
Stratton went for the baseball slide. Kiana caught it with an elbow.
[Graves] Don't take your eyes off of Kiana.
-[Cole] Moonsault. -Roll through.
[Cole] Oh, and Tiffany caught her with a right hand.
Kiana wanted to get fancy and Tiffany made her pay,
but Giulia, providing the distraction and Kiana capitalizes.
Yeah, the Women's United States Champion paying dividends.
[Cole] This is Friday Night SmackDown.
We are live in Tempe, Arizona, tonight,
the WWE Women's Champion with her hands full.
Tiffany Stratton versus Kiana James.
Giulia, the Women's United States Champion,
already paying dividends at ringside.
[Graves] You got to be impressed with the physical abilities and condition
of both of these women at this juncture.
[Cole] Oh, what a boot by James.
-Can she pin the champion? -[Nguyen] One! Two!
[Cole] And got the shoulder up, did Stratton.
[Graves] Kiana James can't allow herself to get distracted right now.
She's in control of Tiffany Stratton.
When you get frustrated, you make mistakes.
You take your eye off the ball, you get overconfident.
Kiana cannot afford to deal with that in this matchup.
-[Cole] And Tiffany Stratton… -[Graves] Oh!
[Cole] Face first goes James,
and Tiffany Stratton now buys herself some time.
And will we see the momentum shift in this match?
[Graves] Does Tiffy have enough left in the tank to mount a full comeback?
The Mullett Arena, Tempe, Arizona, the campus of Arizona State University.
Look of concern on the face of the United States Champion, Giulia.
She's shouting some instruction to Kiana James.
[Cole] Yeah, a critical moment in this match.
[crowd groans]
[Graves] Both women digging down deep to unleash the heavy artillery.
Gotta empty the reserves in this one.
Kiana James understands she's in the ring with the WWE Women's Champion.
[Cole] And Stratton looking like it right now.
Couple of clotheslines by Tiffany.
And Stratton into corner with that handspring elbow.
[Graves] Tremendous velocity.
[Cole] And look at the power.
-Alabama slam. -[Graves] Wow!
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] And just that quickly Tiffy has turned the tides.
Listen to this place, Cole.
[Cole] And Stratton fired up now.
There's the power of Tiffany Stratton. Then Rolling Senton.
Stratton gonna go up to the top rope.
Uh-oh. Went for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever.
Kiana James able to avoid, caught Tiffany with a kick.
And now James…
-Oh, down goes Tiffany off a driver. -[crowd] One! Two!
[Cole] Cover. Hook of the leg. And a kick out.
Almost had the champ pinned.
[Graves] Falcon Arrow from Kiana James nearly picked up the W,
but now is not the time to question yourself, Kiana,
as we look again at her ability to muscle up the Women's Champion.
Perhaps hooking both legs, a little bit deeper of a cover
and Kiana may have just picked up the win.
[Cole] Now Tiffany whipped into the corner.
Kiana James has given the champ everything she can handle here tonight.
[Graves] This could be a case of Tiffany Stratton
overlooking the competition.
Was Tiffy fully prepared for the fight provided by James?
[Cole] Kiana James, powerful in her own right.
Perhaps looking for the superplex but face-first now, Stratton top rope.
[crowd cheering]
Tiffany Stratton with a Swanton!
[Graves] Unreal.
[Cole] And now Kiana James in trouble.
Prettiest Moonsault Ever.
Cover.
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
-[Cole] Stratton with the win! -[bell dings]
[crowd cheering]
["Tiffy Time" playing]
[Nash] Here is your winner.
The WWE Women's Champion,
-Tiff-- -[Graves] Oh no, Giulia from behind.
[Cole] Stratton couldn't even celebrate her win
before Giulia's assault of the champ from behind.
-[crowd booing] -[Graves] Kudos to Stratton.
It was a hard-fought battle.
She earned it tonight.
And Arrivederci, Tiffy.
["A Storm Is Coming" playing]
[crowd cheering]
Hang on, Cole. I think there's a storm coming to Tempe.
Jade Cargill making her way to the ring.
Jade has seen enough.
And going right up to the Women's United States Champion.
Cargill with a kick to Giulia.
And another one.
[Cole] And Kiana James may want to think twice about that.
Now Tiffany Stratton who just went through a big battle with Kiana James
was defenseless after the attack by Giulia.
And after the Arrivederci, Giulia was going in for the kill
and Jade Cargill came out to help the champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Much needed backup by Tiffany Stratton here tonight
against Kiana James and Giulia.
[Graves] A lot of history between these two women bound by respect.
["Tiffy Time" playing]
[Graves] Tiffany realized she was outnumbered
and Jade Cargill comes to the rescue.
[Cole] Tiffany Stratton celebrating a victory here tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown.
Oh, my God!
Are you kidding me? Jade Cargill just clocked the champ.
[crowd clamoring]
[Cole] And Cargill continues the attack. Where did this come from?
[Graves] Cargill assaulting Stratton.
Into the post, dumpstered to the floor.
[Cole] Oh, and into the steel steps.
[Graves] Jade Cargill is absolutely mauling the WWE Women's Champion.
[Cole] Oh, Corey, uh, Jade has made no bones about it,
how frustrated she's been in recent months.
And now Jade Cargill taking out that frustration
on the WWE Women's Champion.
And now Stratton sent over the announce table
and hitting the floor hard.
[Graves] Well, look in the eyes of Jade Cargill.
This is like a woman possessed.
You can see the wound still healing on the eyebrow of Cargill.
But The Storm has snapped.
-[Cole] Jade Cargill just… -[Graves] Get in there!
-[Cole] …pounding away on Stratton. -[Graves] Do something!
[Cole] Officials finally down here to try to separate Cargill from Stratton.
Jade Cargill with just complete, utter disdain and anger in her eyes.
And she's not done yet, continues the attack on Tiffany Stratton.
[Graves] Stratton is being brutalized by Cargill, just a shocking attack.
This is over. This is over when Jade says it's over.
This is absolute chaos.
[Cole] Tiffany Stratton's hurt. Tiffany's really hurt.
-[Stratton screams] -[Graves] Oh, my God.
Now what?
-Are you crazy? -Enough!
-That's enough, come on. -That's enough, Jade.
-[Tiffany groans] -[official] Tiffany.
[crowd booing]
[Graves] We're gonna take you back to last week here on SmackDown.
The United States Championship Open Challenge issued by Sami Zayn,
answered by the returning Mad Dragon,
Ilja Dragunov, who would deliver the H-bomb
and become a new United States Champion.
However, as a show of respect was nearing,
the time for celebration was stopped immediately
courtesy of the MFTs
laying waste to Zayn and the new champion.
Hey. Look, man, I didn't get a chance to talk to you after the match last week
'cause the MFTs got involved.
Feels like they're getting involved in everything these days.
I wanted to say, man, congratulations.
Thank you, Sami.
-Thank you, Sami. -You did awesome.
You need… You need to know one thing.
I respect you so much, so much, as a fighter.
Thank you. Thank you.
And what you did with those Open Challenges
was simply just legendary, really.
You know, Ilja, you need to understand,
-these open challenges, they're no joke. -No.
This is something John Cena started, and he passed it on to me
and now, Ilja Dragunov, I pass it on to you.
It's something that not everybody can do.
It takes a special type of person who's willing to go to war every single week,
somebody who's willing to have a target on their chest every single week.
-I am. -Somebody who will leave
every fiber of their being in the middle of that ring every single week.
And Ilja, you're the guy to do it.
I am.
Now go out there and go do it.
Thanks, Sami.
-[Cole] US Open Challenge, next. -[Dragunov screams]
That's the guy.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, moments ago just a shocking, startling turn of events.
Jade Cargill, inexplicably turning her back
on the WWE Women's Champion, Tiffany Stratton.
[Graves] Moments after coming to the aid of Stratton
for Kiana James and Giulia, The Storm was unleashed
in a way we have never seen in WWE.
[Cole] Corey, we talked about mounting frustration
over the past number of months,
but Jade Cargill not being able to win the big one, to win the championship,
and tonight Cargill took all that frustration out
on the champion, Tiffany Stratton.
May have seriously injured her knee there off this attack.
[Graves] We'll do our best to keep you updated
on the condition of the WWE Women's Champion
as we look once again at this brutal assault by Jade Cargill.
[Cole] And she made her intentions known right there.
[crowd booing]
Jade. Jade, I have to ask, what made you attack Tiffany?
Are you not worried about the consequences?
Consequences?
You only face them when you make a mistake.
And the only mistake I made was thinking that this world rewards patience.
It rewards power.
And I'm not gonna ask for it.
I'm taking it, starting with the WWE Women's Championship.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Can't be any clearer than that.
["Death Waltz" playing]
-[crowd cheering] -[bell dings]
[Nash] The following contest is a United States Championship Open Challenge.
Introducing first, from Moscow, Russia,
weighing in at 210 pounds,
he is the United States Champion,
Ilja Dragunov!
[Cole] Corey, I'll tell you what, I love this guy.
I am so glad to see Ilja Dragunov back in a WWE ring.
What a return last week.
He missed a year of action with a serious knee injury,
but man, what a surprise last week.
[Graves] Back in better physical condition than ever before,
clearly focused, clearly motivated.
The United States Championship just got a little mad last week.
[Cole] One of the most intense,
one of the most physical individuals you'll ever see.
[Graves] I don't know if there's a superstar in this business
who has the uncanny ability to turn fury into fuel the way that Ilja Dragunov does.
[music ends]
[crowd cheering]
[chuckles]
[crowd chanting] You deserve it! You deserve it!
I missed all of you guys. I really missed you.
This year of recovery had a lot of highs
and some extremely devastating lows.
And I've got to be honest with you.
At a lot of points I didn't see the light at the end of the tunnel.
But one thing that you all know about me and I know about myself is…
that one thing that has not existed in my genetics, and this is giving up.
Because of the obsession I carry in my heart, I stand today in front of you
as your new United States Champion.
[crowd cheering]
And where I come from, we like to say, "How you do one thing, you do all things."
So I will defend this belt with all my obsession.
I won this belt from a great man, Sami Zayn.
So it is my duty…
It is my duty to continue the legacy of the Open Challenge.
So my dear friends and enemies,
tonight pain shall entertain you.
["Root of All Evil" playing]
♪ No man is ever truly good ♪
♪ No man is ever truly evil ♪
♪ I do the things you never could ♪
♪ And we won't ever be equal ♪
♪ No man is ever truly good ♪
♪ No man is ever truly evil ♪
♪ I do the things you never could ♪
♪ And we won't ever be equal ♪
♪ You point your finger And play the victim ♪
♪ So take your best shot Release the pressure ♪
♪ You perpetrate your propaganda ♪
♪ And now I'm calling you out ♪
♪ No man is ever truly good ♪
[Cole] A necessary evil.
♪ No man is ever truly evil ♪
[Cole] Husband and wife accomplished what they wanted.
Saying it's all part of the plan, finally working together.
♪ No man is ever truly evil ♪
♪ I do the things you never could ♪
♪ And we won't ever be equal ♪
♪ You point your finger And play the victim ♪
♪ So take your best shot Release the pressure ♪
♪ You perpetrate your propaganda ♪
♪ And now I'm calling you out ♪
♪ No man is ever truly good ♪
♪ No man is ever truly evil ♪
♪ I do the things you never could ♪
♪ And we won't ever be equal ♪
It is for the United States Championship.
And what a tough opening title defense for the new champ, Ilja Dragunov.
[Graves] Consider this your official banger warning.
-[Graves] This one is going to be… -[bell dings]
…talked about for a while, I can tell you.
Two of the best in the world doing battle for the United States title.
[Cole] First time these two have ever been in the ring together.
Aleister Black and Ilja Dragunov.
Black, of course we mentioned this a couple of weeks ago.
He went after the United States Championship
when Sami Zayn was the champion.
Black has never held a championship on the main roster.
Looking to do that here tonight against the Mad Dragon.
[Graves] Now that Aleister Black has the missing piece,
Zelina Vega, by his side, it could make all the difference.
Aleister was able to banish Damian Priest into his rearview mirror
with a little help from his beloved.
Can he do the same to Dragunov?
[Cole] Yeah, and a fireball in the Last Man Standing a couple of weeks back.
And now Ilja Dragunov…
-[Graves] Oh! -[Cole] …is on WWE!
He was going for the Constantine Special and Aleister Black met him with a boot.
[Graves] Keep your eyes on Zelina. As lethal as she is beautiful.
-[Cole] And Vega now… -[Graves] Oh, God!
[Cole] …sends Dragunov into the barricade
as Black had the official Jason Ayers distracted.
And now Black with a big kick to Dragunov.
Two!
Can Black wrestle the United States Championship away?
Three!
[Cole] One of the mottos of the United States Champion, Ilja Dragunov,
is "no tolerance for failure,"
but he hasn't been in this matchup since the beginning.
It's been all Aleister Black as Ilja Dragunov tries to fight back.
[Graves] What we have learned about Ilja Dragunov
is the man has a very unique relationship with pain.
You heard Dragunov say, "Tonight pain will entertain you."
-Oh, God. -[Cole] Good knee.
Well, he's feeling pain now, but again, fights back with a kick to the face.
Kick by Black.
Dragunov with a step-up enzuigiri, both men down.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] What an exchange of strikes,
desperately needed in that moment for Ilja Dragunov,
who now has a few moments to recover and try to claw his way back into this fight.
[Cole] Dragunov was once asked if he's intense.
He said, "I'm not intense. I am intensity."
That is what Dragunov is all about.
The United States Champion now
with a head full of steam into the corner, taking the fight.
Big boot to Black.
-Let's go! -[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Aleister Black is rocked at the moment.
Does Dragunov have what it takes to finish the job?
[Cole] And the fiery attitude of Dragunov.
-German suplex to Black. -[Graves] Wow.
[Cole] Does not release.
Looking perhaps to deliver another one as Black tries to fight out of it.
Another German by Dragunov.
And Black now… Look at that. Dragunov just switches it around.
-Elbows to the back of the neck, and now… -[Graves] Oh, my goodness.
-Arms trapped. -[Cole] Wow!
The power of the champ.
-Dragunov into the cover, to retain. -[crowd] One! Two!
[Cole] Hook to the leg. And a kickout at two.
[Graves] Dragunov, take another look.
An extremely unique throw from Ilja Dragunov,
-trapping both of Black's arms. -[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[Cole] He uses the word unbesiegbar to describe himself. It means infallible.
And Dragunov now who will go to the top rope on occasion.
And now Zelina Vega again trying to cause a distraction and it pays off again!
[Graves] Oh, God!
[Cole] Dragunov dropped right on the back of his neck.
And Black now. Oh, and a Meteora by Black.
[Graves] This could be the beginning of the end for Ilja.
-[Cole] German Suplex into a Bridge. -One! Two!
[Cole] And Dragunov at two and a half.
[Graves] That could be frustrating for the challenger, Aleister Black.
Watch this exchange, ripping Dragunov off of the turnbuckles.
A head kick followed immediately by a picture-perfect Bridging German Suplex,
but not enough to grab the gold for Aleister Black.
[Cole] Inside cradle. Is enough to retain?
One! Two!
[Cole] Black's got a kick out at two.
Dragunov with a kick, stunning Black, drives him to the corner.
Ooh, what a knee.
Oh, right to the back of the neck.
-Black again into the cover for the title. -[crowd] One! Two!
[Cole] Kick out at two.
[Graves] I cannot believe that Ilja Dragunov kicked out.
After a wicked kick right to the base of his skull.
[Cole] And Black, focused, could be closing in on the United States title.
Waist lock applied, elbows by Dragunov.
Standing switch, elbows by Black now.
Create space, off the second rope. Nobody home.
Dragunov.
-Constantine Special! -[Graves] There it is!
And the champion capitalized.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] It's the United States Championship Open Challenge.
The champ Ilja Dragunov against Aleister Black.
Dragunov from the top rope. Oh, what a dropkick!
[Graves] Right on the temple.
But at what cost to himself?
Dragunov trying to power through the pain.
[Cole] The valiant and spirited United States Champion Ilja Dragunov
from the top rope.
Oh, a senton connecting to Black.
Cover now.
One! Two!
[Cole] And Black manages to stay in the matchup.
[Graves] You can see the fear on the face of Zelina Vega,
who knows how close Black was to being defeated by the Mad Dragon.
[Cole] Dragunov still favoring the neck.
Black trying to pull himself to his feet. Dragunov looking to put Black away.
Oh, and the knee caught Dragunov in midair.
[Graves] Ilja wanted Torpedo Moscow.
[Cole] And now Black drops him on his head.
Cover for the championship!
And a kickout by Dragunov at two-and-a-half.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Aleister Black was certain after this fantastic counter to Torpedo Moscow.
A knee right on the chin, followed by an epic brainbuster.
Hooks the leg, stacks the shoulders, but somehow Dragunov survives.
[Cole] What else can Dragunov do?
He's already tried the H-bomb. He used the Constantine Special.
-[Graves] Uh-oh. -[Cole] Tried to use Torpedo Moscow.
-And Dragunov connected. -[Graves] There it is!
[Cole] Can he capitalize it again?
I think he hurt his neck again using Torpedo Moscow.
[Graves] Dragunov running on instinct alone,
using his own body as a weapon.
[Cole] We've talked about that neck that was injured early on in the matchup.
It perhaps may have cost Dragunov there.
[Graves] And moments ago, the fact that Black just executed a brainbuster.
It's almost miraculous that Ilja is back up.
[Cole] Well, he's still up,
and he's looking to retain the United States title.
Looking for the H-bomb. Zelina Vega!
-Did the official see that? -[Graves] I don't know.
I mean, I wasn't paying attention to Jason Ayers,
but I don't know how he couldn't have seen it.
[Cole] And from behind, Black off the distraction.
Wait a minute. Back up. Back up a second.
-You! Supposed to be over here. -What, me?
-No. No, I didn't. -Moved right here.
-You. That's it. -No. No!
No. Don't you dare!
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] I guess he did see it because he's sending Zelina Vega
-back to the locker room… -I didn't do anything.
[Cole] …to even things up here tonight.
The champ, Corey, was going for the H-bomb.
[Graves] Vega caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
-["Rise For The Night" playing] -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Oh, Black's got more issues now.
The man who he beat at Last Man Standing
after throwing a fireball in his face.
Damian Priest is here.
[Graves] The Outlaw is on a mission.
[Cole] And it's punishment time, I believe, for Aleister Black.
[Graves] Unfortunately, Black's got to split his attention right now
because he's got Damian Priest breathing down his neck,
but he's still in the United States title match.
[Cole] Oh, look at the eye, the eye that was severely burned up
with a fireball a couple of weeks back.
There it is!
Torpedo Moscow.
[crowd] One! Two! Three!
-[Cole] Dragunov retains! -[bell dings]
["Death Waltz" playing]
[Nash] Here is your winner,
and still United States Champion,
Ilja Dragunov!
[Cole] Classic matchup here tonight.
Dragunov retains, but Aleister Black's got some more concerns now.
[Graves] Aleister's night about to go from bad to worse.
[Cole] Damian Priest stalking.
And now pounding away on Aleister Black.
[Graves] This is catharsis for Damian Priest.
[Cole] He believed he had Last Man Standing won
-a couple of weeks ago. -[Graves] He just looked our way.
I don't know what Priest is thinking, but it ain't good.
[Cole] Before Zelina Vega joined forces with her husband
to deliver the fireball to Priest.
And Priest with a kick. Black right on the announce table.
And look at the anger in the eyes of Damian Priest unleashed here.
[Graves] Those are heavy right hands between the eyes of Aleister Black.
-[Cole] Black just rolling off the table. -[Graves] Oh, no.
[Cole] And now Damian Priest with a couple of chairs, Corey.
Damian Priest wants payback. Priest wants his pound of flesh.
[Cole] Aleister Black trying to escape through the WWE universe.
Oh, my goodness!
Again onto the announce table.
[Graves] Priest wants to end this once and for all.
[Cole] Oh, and from behind Zelina Vega now.
And look at… She's ripping into the bad eye.
Ripping into the bad eye of Damian Priest.
Blinding Priest, at least momentarily.
And now trying to get Aleister Black out of harm's way.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Well, thank goodness for Aleister Black
because Priest momentarily blinded by Zelina Vega
allows Black to escape the wrath of Damian Priest.
["Rise For The Night" playing]
[Cole] Well, payback tonight for that man Damian Priest.
Last week on Friday Night SmackDown
it was payback for one Carmelo Hayes.
I am so sick of these Open Challenges
treating that championship like a charity.
I am so--
[Cole] Well, Hayes doing to Miz what Miz did to him
a couple of weeks ago, Corey.
[Graves] Spoiling The Miz's opportunity to answer Sami Zayn's Open Challenge.
This thing continues to get uglier.
Well, guys, I'm here with Carmelo Hayes himself.
And, Melo, cut straight to the chase.
There's been some tension between yourself and The Miz.
Would you care to share from your perspective what caused this?
Look, I know everybody's expecting me to come on here
and just start berating The Miz.
And as much as it kills me, I'm not going to do that.
'Cause it goes without saying The Miz is a future Hall of Famer,
a two-time Grand Slam Champ.
He's taught me so much inside the ring and outside the ring,
and for that I'm forever grateful.
But what he did, is he crossed the line when he put his hands on me.
And as a man, that's the point of no return.
So last week I had to do what I had to do, and I had to get even.
The old me would have never let it go.
But me, today, I'm gonna let it slide
because revenge is a double-edged sword
and neither one of us would have came out winning that one anyway.
So as far as I'm concerned, Miz, we're even.
Now I can get back on track to fulfilling my destiny here on SmackDown.
I hear the support, I see the support and I feel the support.
So I owe it to the people,
and I owe it to myself to get back on track to being him.
That feels like a really mature perspective--
It's always, always about him.
Well, how about you look in the mirror and wake up, Melo.
What you're thinking is poisoning a young mind of generations, all of them.
And you need to think, let me explain it to you, Cathy,
the language that he's using is hyper masculine, hierarchical,
and a crime on emotional intelligence.
Well, you know what, it'd be a crime if I let you interrupt my interview
and not make you pay for it. So I'll see you next week.
Cathy, thank you.
Well, I tried, Cathy, like a real man,
but I guess he gets a taste of his own toxic medicine
and I expose him next week.
Toxic.
[Cole] Not sure if he'll ever learn.
But nonetheless, our main event tonight is moments away.
And it's no disqualification, anything goes.
A fiery Jimmy Uso versus The Scottish Warrior Drew McIntyre.
Live tonight.
Ah, Ilja Dragunov, welcome back, man.
So, when am I getting this US title match, then?
[chuckles] Whoa.
What he's trying to say is congratulations, man.
But to be fair, we both would love to challenge you for that title anytime.
Well, then it's anytime you ask.
That's the beauty of the Open Challenge.
It is for everyone and anyone, including tag teams as well.
I'll see you around.
See, he didn't just wait for his opportunity.
-He went and took it. -I know, Nathan, but--
Oh, my God! Here we are again with you two.
Look who it is. It's my favorite cartoon characters, Pinky and the Brain.
Plotting to take over the world.
They're going to win all the titles on SmackDown.
Piece of advice from the locker room leaders
who've actually held titles here on SmackDown,
make your dreams much smaller.
[chuckles] You know what?
Good start, you could get rid of that stupid mask, yeah.
[Axiom] See, there is something… there is something I don't understand.
All this confidence, but what happened last week, Johnny?
I thought you wanted to wrestle me.
-I didn't say that. -I know what happened. You are scared.
Oh, that's why you guys haven't done anything about it.
-I see. -Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding.
We are terrified. Do you sense the sarcasm?
You know what?
-You're a waste of our time, okay? -Yeah.
-Let's go. -Can't even hear out of that thing.
There's no ear holes. Get some ear holes.
-Right. -[speaks Spanish]
[shushes]
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
I am here with the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions
Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss.
I don't know if you caught it earlier,
but Bayley posted a challenge on social media.
Saying that if you two are really the champions that you say you are,
you'll show up to Monday Night Raw and prove it.
Any response?
Oh, we saw it.
We accept.
You know, Bayley and Lyra really need to see what a real tag team looks like
because they're never even on the same page.
-Are they even friends? -[Nia clears throat]
Isn't this so cute?
You guys pretending to be "besties."
I mean, I'm just waiting for one of you to stab the other in the back.
[clicks tongue] Oh, Nia, that's called projection
because you've been hurt so many times, you assume everyone's gonna do the same.
I used to be like that,
and then I learned to develop healthy relationships rooted in trust.
-You should try it. -Please.
I was in a friendship with somebody,
and if you wanna call me a bully and you wanna call me manipulative,
I learned it from the best.
I mean, Charlotte, watch out,
because she might hug you with one arm and stab you in the back with the other.
Nia. [chuckles]
Super cute that now you're taking a page out of my book,
but people do change.
-Mmm. Nah. -But if you are looking for the old me,
she's not hard to find.
Those are some pretty big words for such a little girl.
-Mmm. -Willing to back it up in the ring?
You're on.
I'll see you next week.
-She's clearly going through something. -Rude.
You're good.
[Cole] Gonna be busy week for Alexa, I believe.
["Gallantry" playing]
Busy eight days for this man as well.
[roars]
-[bell dings] -[Nash] The following contest
is a No Disqualification Match where anything goes.
The only way to win is by pinfall or submission.
Introducing first, from Ayr, Scotland,
weighing in at 285 pounds,
Drew McIntyre!
[Cole] It is no disqualification. McIntyre, Uso. Live next.
[Graves] This announcement that was just made official
at Saturday Night's Main Event in Salt Lake City.
WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton will defend her gold
against The Storm, Jade Cargill,
who left Stratton laying in a heap earlier tonight.
[Cole] Well, the question's going to be,
is Tiffany going to be anywhere near a hundred percent come next week?
Meanwhile, Drew McIntyre, who has a massive matchup
a week from tomorrow at Saturday Night's Main Event,
taking on Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
♪ Uso ♪
["Born A King" playing]
♪ I was born a king Ran with the pack ♪
[Nash] And his opponent from San Francisco, California,
weighing in at 251 pounds,
Jimmy Uso!
[Cole] Corey, Jimmy Uso has been fueled
by this mystery that's been going on since last week,
the mystery of who attacked his cousin Jacob Fatu.
[Graves] Well, the matchup was scheduled to be
McIntyre one-on-one with the Samoan Werewolf.
Jacob Fatu viciously attacked. We have no answer thus far.
Obviously, Jimmy Uso suspects McIntyre had something to do with it,
which is why Big Jim wants to fight tonight.
[Cole] And the match is underway.
Bell rings. No disqualification in this matchup.
No countout. You win via pinfall or submission.
McIntyre claims innocence, says he is not involved in the attack on Fatu.
In fact, he pointed the finger at Jimmy Uso.
[Graves] It may not be a popular point of view,
but thus far we have no evidence, Cole,
that Drew McIntyre had anything to do with Jacob Fatu's attack.
Suspicion? Sure. Motive? Absolutely.
But until there is evidence, we cannot say that Drew McIntyre is guilty.
[Cole] Well, circumstantial evidence perhaps.
Drew McIntyre making no bones about being upstaged
by Jacob Fatu a number of weeks ago.
Jimmy Uso, who's had an emotional week,
dealing with the issues with his brother, Main Event Jey Uso.
You saw what happened on Raw Monday night, Corey,
when Jey Uso eliminated his own brother Jimmy from the Battle Royale
to earn the opportunity at Punk and the World Championship
next Saturday night.
[Graves] Jimmy Uso understandably seeing red recently.
He's got a lot on his mind here in WWE.
His wife Naomi, of course, expecting a child at home,
the weight of that can weigh on a man's shoulders
in a way that, unless you've experienced, you may not know.
There's a lot happening in the mind of Jimmy Uso right now.
[Cole] A lot happening in the mind of Drew McIntyre,
of course, Cody Rhodes, as he tries to finally beat Rhodes
for the Undisputed WWE title next Saturday night
at Saturday Night's Main Event.
Drew McIntyre, the propaganda machine, Corey, has been in full force,
calling Rhodes a fraud, a cheap way out, a coward.
[Graves] Listen, it's a war of words,
but how about what's being said about Drew McIntyre?
McIntyre is being accused of a backstage assault
of one of our top superstars,
yet Drew barely gets a chance to defend himself.
[Cole] Oh, and a big forearm to the face.
[Graves] Guilty until proven innocent, in Drew McIntyre's case.
[Cole] Oh, I mean, some people are drawing conclusions.
-[Graves] Oh, some people? -[Cole] Others have had an open mind.
[Graves] Listen, it's a matter of perspective.
Is there a lot of truth in anything Drew McIntyre says?
Yes, which is why it stings so badly to those who don't want to hear it.
[Cole] McIntyre thrusts right into the throat of Jimmy Uso.
And Drew now, I think he said enough is enough.
Hey, McIntyre came out here tonight to confront Rhodes
and Jimmy Uso attacked him.
This started off a powder keg of an evening here on SmackDown.
[Graves] Take a scenic tour of the Mullett Arena here in Tempe.
Big Jim and The Scottish Warrior throwing down in our main event on SmackDown.
-And McIntyre went to the eyes. -[Cole] Yeah, rake to the eyes.
Remember, no countouts, no qualifications.
These guys can fight all over Tempe.
[Graves] And it was Jimmy Uso who pleaded with general manager Nick Aldis
to give him a fight.
Jimmy Uso had no interest in a wrestling match tonight.
This is about brutality. This is about settling a score.
[Cole] Well, Jimmy Uso showing a lot of the traits, Corey,
that his brother Jey showed over the years of loyalty to family,
hence the sticking up for Jacob Fatu here.
Jey Uso, is he throwing a lot of that away
in order to try to become World Champ again?
[Graves] You have to evolve in your career.
Yes, the loyalty has gotten them so far,
but Jey Uso, much like we talked about Solo Sikoa earlier tonight,
Jey Uso spent a significant amount of time as the right-hand man
of the Tribal Chief Roman Reigns.
So Jey simply is following the playbook that was written by Roman Reigns.
Maybe Jimmy should do something similar.
[Cole] Well, Jimmy Uso taking matters into his own hands here tonight.
And gonna give the WWE fans what they want,
and that's some tables.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] I think it's less about what the fans want
and more about what Big Jim wants to do to The Scottish Warrior!
[Cole] …McIntyre, no disqualification.
Guilty till innocent.
[crowd member] Let's go, Jimmy!
[Graves] Notice, Drew McIntyre is favoring his ribs
due to the damage inflicted by Jimmy Uso.
You got to wonder just eight days out from Saturday Night's Main Event,
what sort of physical condition will Drew be in?
-Oh, my God. -[Cole] McIntyre driven out of the ring.
Uh-oh, Jimmy Uso now running the barricade.
-Oh, caught my McIntyre. -[Graves] Uh-oh.
[Cole] And a belly-to-belly by The Scottish Warrior.
[groaning]
[Graves] You can almost hear all the air leaving Jimmy Uso's body upon impact.
As Big Jim gasps, trying to recapture his breath,
trying to fight through the pain,
trying to find his way back into this fight.
Drew McIntyre relentless as always.
Into the cover, hooks the leg.
[Cole] Using the ropes for leverage,
which is legal because there are no disqualifications.
No DQ.
[Robinson] I know, but don't do that, man!
[Graves] McIntyre finding a moment of respite on the outside.
[Cole] And now McIntyre making his way over toward the timekeeper's area.
Steel chair in hand.
And McIntyre, look at the intensity of The Scottish Warrior.
[Graves] It is all perfectly legal. Look out, Jim.
[Cole] Oh, right to the ribs of Jimmy Uso.
And now crossing the chair across the spine.
And Jimmy collapsing into the mat in pain.
A big smile on the face of McIntyre.
You got to wonder if maybe he used to steal chair
in the attack of Jacob Fatu last week.
[Graves] Would you stop accusing Drew McIntyre
when you don't have any facts, Cole?
[Cole] It's a possibility, what I meant to say.
Now Jimmy Uso in deep trouble.
He's out of it. He's pounded face first off the chair.
[Graves] You keep accusing McIntyre of things,
I'm gonna tell the world about your secret poker games.
-[Cole] I never win. -You chose this.
-[Robinson] Jimmy. What do you wanna do? -I'm innocent.
You chose this. Get up.
[Cole] McIntyre reminding Jimmy Uso, Corey,
that Jimmy brought this upon himself.
He brought the fight to McIntyre.
[Graves] And again, Cole, you don't have to agree with Drew McIntyre,
but that is the fact of the matter.
Big Jim went to Nick Aldis and said,
"I don't want a wrestling match. I want a fight."
Be careful what you wish for.
[Cole] Oh, no, looking for a Claymore with Jimmy in the chair.
And McIntyre, though, drop toehold, face first off the chair.
And Jimmy's got a chance.
[Graves] This is where Big Jim needs to dig deep
to find out what he's made of, to remember who he is,
a WrestleMania main eventer,
half of one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history.
[Cole] An eight-time Tag Team Champion.
Jimmy Uso trying to blaze his own trail in WWE.
Big kick to the midsection of McIntyre.
Jimmy's fired up now.
Right hand by Jimmy.
And Big Jim looking for a Samoan Drop.
And Drew McIntyre runs into that uppercut.
And Jimmy now top rope. Uso in the Wind.
Down goes McIntyre. Cover by Big Jim!
[crowd] One! Two!
[Cole] And a kickout by The Scottish Warrior.
So close for Jimmy Uso.
[Graves] Remember, turnabout is fair play. It's all legal for Big Jim too.
[Cole] Oh, and the chair to the back of McIntyre.
And now Jimmy Uso unloading.
Weeks of pent-up frustration.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And Jimmy gonna set up the table!
[Graves] Big Jim with the Slim Jim.
[Cole] Nice.
Dragging McIntyre back to his feet. McIntyre, though, kick to the midsection.
Future Shock!
And just like that, McIntyre floors Jimmy Uso.
Into the cover to put him away.
And a kickout.
And a kip-up by the 6'5", 280 pound Drew McIntyre.
Looking for a Claymore.
Samoan Drop through the table!
Jimmy's got a chance.
Putting McIntyre in position. What a win this will be for Big Jim.
[Graves] Jimmy Uso making the climb to the top.
[Cole] Looking for the Uso Splash.
McIntyre with a chair off the face of Jimmy Uso!
Jimmy's got no clue where he is.
Claymore!
Cover.
[crowd] One! Two!
-Three! -[Cole] McIntyre wins!
[bell dings]
["Gallantry" playing]
[Nash] Here is your winner,
Drew McIntyre!
[Cole] The scars of the no disqualification battle
visible on the body of the victorious Drew McIntyre.
[Graves] Well, if iron does indeed sharpen,
iron, The Scottish Warrior, is razor sharp
as we head towards Saturday Night's Main Event.
After being able to endure everything Big Jim threw his way, boom, Claymore.
Good night, Jimmy Uso.
Another win for Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] McIntyre warned Jimmy early on, "You asked for this.
You wanted this. You started the fight tonight.
You asked for a No Disqualification, and you paid for it."
And I don't believe McIntyre's done yet.
Jimmy Uso's defenseless.
[Graves] This is a message loud and crystal clear…
-[Cole] Using the chair. -[Graves] …to The American Nightmare.
[Cole] Punishing and torturing Big Jimmy Uso.
You brought this on yourself!
Guilty till innocent.
-[Robinson] No! Stop! -I didn't do a damn thing!
[Graves] I actually believe McIntyre is pleading his case to Jimmy Uso,
proclaiming his innocence.
-["Kingdom" playing] -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Well, the Champ's had enough.
Cody Rhodes rushing to the ring.
And the brawl's on with McIntyre.
[Graves] A week from tomorrow, these two will collide
for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
[Cole] Yeah, but tonight it's about a fight.
Cody coming to the aid of his friend Jimmy Uso.
And Jimmy's hurt.
Hey, get somebody out here.
You okay?
[Cole] Cody asking for some medical help out here.
Come on. Come on. Come on.
[Cole] Trying to help Jimmy to his feet.
[Graves] Oh, but look out behind. Cody, turn around!
[Cole] Claymore!
McIntyre sends a message.
Saturday Night's Main Event.
Drew and Cody for the Undisputed WWE title.
[crowd clamoring] the Undisputed WWE title.