[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[Cole] Tonight, WWE is at the Delta Center,
the start of two straight nights of action.
It's Friday Night SmackDown.
The number one contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship,
Drew McIntyre is here on the eve of Saturday Night's Main Event
when he meets this man for the title.
The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes.
They're face-to-face to sign the contract for their matchup here live tonight.
♪ Let 'em know we on the way Counting zeros every day ♪
The Irresistible Force Nia Jax.
Of course, dressed for Halloween and carrying a Cincinnati jersey,
looking to renew an old rivalry
with one half of the Women's Tag Team Champions.
Alexa Bliss is in the house with her teammate Charlotte Flair.
Alexa versus Nia live tonight.
And last week, this woman became an angry storm.
Jade Cargill shocked everyone with a brutal beatdown
of the WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton.
Corey, let's take it back to last week on SmackDown.
Tiffany Stratton had just defeated Kiana James in a one-on-one match.
[Graves] Moments after Giulia would strike and attack Tiffany Stratton,
Jade Cargill would appear to come to the aid
of the WWE Women's Champion,
laying waste to the United States Champion Giulia.
But then Cargill would shock the world.
[Cole] Yeah, Jade Cargill assaulting Tiffany Stratton,
the WWE Women's Champion.
Apparently, Corey, Jade Cargill has had enough.
[Graves] A side of Cargill lying dormant inside
was unleashed on Stratton for the entire WWE Universe to witness.
Cargill attacking the left knee of the champion
before Jade making her intentions known before the entire world.
Ladies and gentlemen, Jade Cargill will be joining us live
a bit later on tonight here on Friday Night SmackDown.
But how about what we are moments away from.
Looking to carry on the legacy forged by John Cena,
followed up by Sami Zayn.
The United States Championship Open Challenge will contin--
-That is Tiffany Stratton. -[crowd cheers]
-[Cole] WWE Women's Champion. -Cut the music.
♪ Talkin' about "Never been one to play with" ♪
I said cut the music!
[music fades]
I got a bone to pick with Jade Cargill,
and I'm not waiting until my music hits,
and I'm not waiting until tomorrow night.
Jade Cargill, I want you right here, right now!
Come on!
[crowd cheering]
Come on! Where is she?
-[Cole] Tiffany… -[Aldis] Well, Tiffany…
-[crowd booing] -…please think this through.
Okay, you and I both know that you are cleared as tolerated.
That means absolutely no physical contact before your match.
I cannot have anything jeopardize this title match tomorrow night.
[crowd boos]
Do you really think I care what the doctors have to say after last week?
For the Storm to be so strong, she sure seems like a coward.
Jade, get out here!
Face me one-on-one. Come on. Let's go!
-Where is she? -["A Storm is Coming" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] Sounds like Tiffany's gonna get what she wants.
-[Aldis] Jade, Jade… -Jade?
[Aldis] I'm gonna tell you the same thing I told Tiffany.
No physical contact before tomorrow night. Just stay right there.
-In fact, security! -Wait, wait, wait. No.
-[Aldis] Can I get security out here now? -Security? Security?
-[Aldis] Security, now. Thank you. -[crowd booing]
-On me? -Jade, not now. We gotta go.
Not now. We're not doing this right now.
Nick, hold on. Hold on. Hold on. It's not that serious.
I wasn't gonna do nothing. This doesn't serve me.
I busted my head open a couple weeks ago,
and I tasted my own blood.
Now I know what I want, and what I want is that title.
So tomorrow at Saturday Night's Main Event,
"Taffy Time" is up.
-[fan] Let's go! -[crowd cheering, whooping]
[Cole] Well, Tiffany Stratton wasting little time
going right after Jade.
-And security gonna intercept her there. -Let me go! Let me go!
[Cole] Again, General Manager Nick Aldis not wanting to jeopardize
tomorrow night's championship match at Saturday Night's Main Event.
[crowd chants] Let them fight! Let them fight! Let them fight!
[Cole] Champion's still showing effects of the attack on the leg last week
by Jade Cargill.
♪ Bass so loud It's in my skin ♪
[Cole] But Tiffany is fired up.
And as you heard the general manager say, ready to go tomorrow night "as tolerated."
[Graves] Well, Tiffany Stratton's fired up,
but it looks to me like the challenger tomorrow, Jade Cargill,
has already done an exceptional job
of getting under the skin and into the head of Tiffany Stratton.
That won't serve the champ well.
There's no doubt Tiffany Stratton will be a fighting champion tomorrow night
at Saturday Night's Main Event.
Speaking of fighting champions,
let's take a closer look at the man known as the Mad Dragon,
the United States Champion, Ilja Dragunov.
[commentator] He's been out for over a year with a right knee injury.
[Dragunov] Difficulties show
what men are.
♪ I'll rise Along with the winds around me ♪
♪ I'll fight And you'll never see me coming ♪
♪ When the rain subsides ♪
♪ You'll be in my sights ♪
♪ It's the end of your reign ♪
♪ In the eye of the hurricane ♪
We walk through hell, not to be consumed, but refined.
♪ Been to hell and back again ♪
♪ Got a scar from every battle ♪
Suffering is the true test of life.
-[crowd cheers] -[Graves] Yes!
♪ You'll never see me coming ♪
♪ When the rain subsides ♪
♪ You'll be in my sights ♪
♪ It's the end of your reign ♪
♪ In the eye of the hurricane ♪
-[crowd cheers] -[bell dings]
The pain will entertain.
[Graves] The United States title belongs to the Mad Dragon.
[song fades]
[Graves] Well, Ilja Dragunov looks to proudly uphold the legacy
of the United States Championship Open Challenge
as the Mad Dragon goes one-on-one with a mystery challenger.
Who will answer the call?
We will have our answer next.
-["Death Waltz" playing] -[crowd cheers]
[bell dings]
[Nash] The following contest is the United States Championship Open Challenge.
Introducing first,
from Moscow, Russia,
weighing in at 210 pounds,
he is the United States Champion,
Ilja Dragunov!
[Cole] I said this last week.
I absolutely love calling matches involving the Mad Dragon.
Coming up next, who will accept an open challenge?
Dragunov defends the United States title live.
Holiday cheer! Merry Christmas. Brush your teeth after eating that.
Uh-uh!
Ron, this is your Halloween costume, right?
Are you dressed as Kriss Kringle for Halloween?
You know it's… it's Halloween, right? It's not Christmas.
Y'all think it's Halloween?
Wrong month.
Bless your heart.
-Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas! -Got some candy, at least.
"Ho ho ho. Merry Christmas."
[scoffs] What an idiot. What the hell are you two looking at?
I'll tell you what I'm looking at.
Two bums that are taking candy from a stranger.
As a matter of fact, I heard y'all was talking smack about my family last week,
how you beat them on your one-year anniversary.
For the tag team titles. Don't forget that detail.
Oh, yeah. You remember that? We absolutely remember that.
As a matter of fact, we're on our way back to those tag team titles.
We're gonna be two-time champs soon enough.
"We're gonna be two-time champs soon enough."
Yeah, okay. Hold it, Harry Potter.
Matter of fact, MFTs,
they're first in line for those tag team titles.
-Harry Potter, huh? -Mm-hmm.
Well, if I was Harry Potter, I'd cast a magical spell and shut your ass up.
But seeing that I'm not and seeing that you think you're next in line,
and that we know we're next in line,
how about tonight we really find out, and we just fight and see what happens?
How's that?
That's a good idea.
-Let me go talk to Mr. Aldis. -Yeah.
And we'll show you how much has changed in a year.
-You do that. -Very good.
[Cole] Looks like it's gonna be a busy night for our general manager.
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on this Halloween!
[music continues]
And the United States Champion, Ilja Dragunov, in the ring.
Looking to see who will take him up on his US Championship Open Challenge.
[music fades]
["Just the Frax" playing]
♪ Smashin' 'em Crackin' 'em ♪
♪ Body count tall We stackin' 'em ♪
♪ Rackin' 'em to the maximum ♪
♪ Say it out loud We Fraxiom ♪
♪ Bashin' 'em We flatten 'em ♪
♪ Streets of rage Is where we're from ♪
[Cole] There is, uh, Fraxiom.
Nathan Frazer, Corey, on the right, dressed for battle.
["No One Will Survive" playing]
[Graves] Axiom on your left, but wait. Hang on a second.
♪ There's no escape now ♪
Tommaso Ciampa of DIY just blew past Fraxiom.
No, no. No, no, no, no, no!
No, you can't seriously be thinking about giving this nerd
a shot at that United States Champ--
Hey, what the hell did you just say to me? Hey, you snooze, you lose, pa--
When is the last time you--
[crowd] Oh!
-[Ciampa] Who the hell do-- -[Dragunov] Hey!
Gentlemen, the Open Challenge is made for every competitor,
but to be fair,
Nathan was here first.
And when it comes down to the United States Championship,
there is no reward for jackasses.
[crowd] Oh!
Leave! [chuckles]
You're a coward!
You're scared!
[Graves] Tommaso Ciampa's been dismissed by Ilja Dragunov.
It looks like Nathan Frazer will receive the opportunity.
[Cole] Yeah, Ciampa begrudgingly leaving the ring.
And now we've got a United States Championship match.
Dragunov against Nathan Frazer.
Big opportunity for Frazer to win his first major championship here in WWE.
-[Graves] Oh! -[Cole] And a big knee by Frazer!
[Graves] He caught Ilja!
[Cole] And the champion is down!
And Frazer understands he's got to take the fight to the fighting champion.
[Graves] Well, Nathan Frazer as well as the entire WWE locker room understand
that this United States Championship Open Challenge
is incredibly valuable to your career.
Yes, you could become champion,
but even in defeat, you can raise your profile amongst your peers.
You can raise your profile amongst the WWE Universe.
Nathan Frazer, case in point.
The whole WWE Universe could be talking about this guy tomorrow morning
as a result of this match. Win, lose or draw.
[Cole] Frazer with a boot to the face, intercepted, though, by Dragunov.
There's the step-up enzuigiri.
Drives Dragunov through the ropes into the floor,
and Frazer's got Dragunov off his game here in the early going.
[Graves] Even on the outside, Dragunov has to realize he is not safe.
Here comes Frazer!
[Cole] Suicide dive takes down the champion!
-Come on! -[Cole] Frazer fired up.
-What an opportunity. -[crowd cheers, applauds]
[Cole] This is one of the problems with the Open Challenge, Corey.
You never know who you're going to have to battle.
You can't prepare. You can't scout.
Four!
[Graves] Well, if you're Ilja Dragunov, you live your life prepared.
That's what Dragunov wakes up every morning for,
to prepare his body for battle, to prepare his mind for war,
to be the best United States Champion possible.
And Frazer looking to push him to his limits. Wow!
[Cole] Great athleticism by Frazer.
Nice duck down by Dragunov, a waist lock by the champion.
Frazer trying to fight out of it with a few well-placed elbows.
Frazer using his speed and his agility early on in this matchup,
but he runs into a chop
by the Czar of WWE, Ilja Dragunov.
Dragunov the man who epitomizes
what the United States Championship is all about,
what John Cena first envisioned this to be many years ago
when he started the Open Challenge.
[Graves] Dragunov's mission is… Oh! …to let the pain entertain you.
Cover by the champion.
[Cole] Frazer kicks out at two.
[Graves] And in my opinion, watching Ilja Dragunov
makes me believe this guy is the next link in the evolutionary chain.
Watching Dragunov train,
I've seen his videos all weekend long on social media.
We saw a little bit a few moments ago.
This guy is something a little bit more than human.
[Cole] Did you see the interview that Natalya did about Dragunov?
Apparently, Ilja was training in the Hart Dungeon
as he got ready for his return here to WWE.
Natalya completely blown away by his intensity,
by his in-ring prowess and by how much he gives to this sport.
Dragunov with a chop, dropping Frazer in the corner.
The man, the champion who says,
"I am not intense. I am intensity."
[Graves] Well, right now, Nathan Frazer can attest to that,
and I bet Frazer wishing he could make a tag
to his tag partner Axiom right about now.
[Cole] Nathan Frazer gonna…
-Oh. -[Graves] Able to put the brakes on.
[Cole] And Dragunov…
Oh, with the big boot, dropping Frazer face-first
right off our announce table.
Frazer may be out.
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] What a boot from the champion.
It's nothing short of miraculous that Frazer is still conscious,
but it's about to get worse for the challenger.
[Cole] And Dragunov now going right after Nathan Frazer.
It's nothing personal.
[Cole] And a German suplex!
[Graves] Did you hear Dragunov, Cole? Just saying, "It's nothing personal"?
It's just business for the United States Champion.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, the United States Championship
has been defended 18 times this year on Friday Night SmackDown.
It's the most since 2020.
It's because of these Championship Open Challenges by Sami Zayn,
and of course now by the champion Ilja Dragunov,
with a German suplex that he doesn't release
on the challenger here tonight, Nathan Frazer.
[Graves] The waist lock still cinched in tight by the champion.
Frazer looking for… Oh, my God!
[Cole] And another German suplex, and still it's not released.
And Dragunov continues the punishment of the upstart Frazer,
who delivers some elbows now to the jaw.
[Graves] Look at the welts forming already on the chest of Frazer
from the wicked knife-edge chops.
[crowd chanting] One more time! One more time! One more time!
[Graves] Looks like the champion's been busted open.
Seeing a little crimson on the forehead of Ilja.
[Cole] Oh, look at this! Frazer lands on his feet.
Nathan Frazer showing off that tremendous balance.
Dragunov misses wildly.
Frazer looking to pick up the pace here.
Went for the Constantine Special. Nobody home.
Frazer! Look at this! Down goes Dragunov!
-[Graves] Running shooting star. -[Cole] Is it enough?
Kickout by Dragunov at two.
[Graves] And in the blink of an eye,
Nathan Frazer can turn the tides of any matchup.
Take a look at this athleticism.
Inverted DDT followed immediately by a running shooting star.
I don't know if Frazer got all of it.
Otherwise, we may have a new champion.
[Cole] And Frazer needed to pick up the pace,
needed this devil-may-care attitude
in order to have an opportunity and a chance here tonight,
and he's doing just that.
Going toe-to-toe with the fighting United States Champion.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[Cole] WWE fans showing their appreciation as these two men go at it.
[Graves] The Delta Center beginning to rock
with appreciation for both of these combatants.
Here comes the challenger again.
[Cole] Taking the fight to Dragunov, who delivers a chop.
Frazer ducks underneath it. Big kick to the chin. Champion's down.
Frazer's got a chance.
Intercepted!
[Graves] Momentary hesitation might have cost Frazer.
[Cole] Dragunov… Wow.
-[Graves] Full contact… Oh! -[Cole] Dragunov,
who slams him on the back of his head.
Cover now to retain.
Kickout again by a resilient Frazer here tonight.
[Graves] This is a testament to the toughness,
the guts of the challenger Nathan Frazer,
as we look once again.
There was malice behind that slam from Dragunov.
[Cole] Dragunov, the champion, a man who, Triple H once said
is as dedicated and an intense competitor as anyone he's ever seen.
High praise from The Game as Dragunov, now, from the top rope…
Frazer rolls out of harm's way.
Nathan Frazer runs into a chop, but a kick of his own.
Step-up enzuigiri drops Frazer to his knee.
Oh, and another big knee!
This is right out of Dragunov's playbook.
Gritty, brutal, intense.
Frazer ducks out of harm's way. Ilja over the top rope onto the floor.
May have injured himself,
but the problem is Frazer's got to get the champ back in the ring.
[Graves] I'm sure Nathan Frazer understands
the situation at hand right now,
but Dragunov not giving Frazer much time to work with.
-Frazer-- -[Cole] Oh! Ran right into a right!
Man, Frazer knocked for a loop.
And Dragunov gonna go up top.
Nobody home off the senton!
[Graves] That could cost the champion! Frazer making the climb to the top.
[Cole] Frazer up top.
Frog Splash! Cover!
[crowd] One! Two!
[Cole] Dragunov survives at two!
What a match for the United States Championship.
This is what the Open Challenge is all about.
[Cole] Dragunov had an abdominal stretch applied as he battles Nathan Frazer
with Dragunov's United States Championship on the line here tonight.
[Graves] Our official Daphanie LaShaunn in there with a bird's-eye view of things.
Look at the power of the champion, but Frazer still swinging.
[Cole] And that… Look at… Dragunov's stunned.
Bit wobbly as he fell back into the corner,
and Frazer with a well-placed boot to the ear.
[Graves] You're exactly right.
That could be the game changer Nathan Frazer needed.
[Cole] Dragunov looks spent.
Frazer heading up to the top rope.
Caught by Dragunov.
[Graves] Tremendous power from the United States Champion.
[Cole] Dragunov, now… Frazer trying to counter here.
And again the power… Frazer with the hurricanrana!
Sends Dragunov out to the floor,
and Nathan Frazer with another opportunity.
Up over the top, and down goes the champion!
[Graves] You can sense the urgency in Nathan Frazer!
Get the champ in the ring.
Frazer may do it. This is his opportunity.
[Cole] Frazer with Dragunov there. Looking to go up top now.
Can he put him away?
Frazer measuring his opponent.
Oh! Connects with a Phoenix Splash! Cover!
And a kickout by Dragunov!
Oh, my goodness. What a matchup for the United States title.
[Graves] But that could be a heartbreaker for Frazer.
Off of the dropkick into the steel stairs,
following immediately with a picture-perfect Phoenix Splash.
Boom! Right on the money. Two and nine-tenths.
But this could break Frazer's heart.
He just landed his best shot, and the champion kicked out.
[Cole] But he's got to keep going forward.
[crowd chants] This is awesome!
[Cole] He's got the champion on the ropes.
And now Frazer going to use something out of Dragunov's playbook.
[Graves] Ax handles to the forehead of Dragunov.
[Cole] Both of these men beaten down, punishing each other.
[Graves] Yeah, but, Cole, Frazer, you can see it in his face,
feeling desperate right now.
This could be the undoing of the challenger.
[Cole] Dragunov not allowing Frazer to get back to those ropes.
He understands how dangerous Frazer is. Straight right hand by Frazer.
[Graves] He caught Dragunov on the ear.
That'll rock your equilibrium and then some.
And Frazer once again climbing to the high rent district.
[Cole] Dragunov, this time, is going to meet him there.
And again, high risk, sometimes high reward.
Sometimes it backfires.
[Graves] May have backfired for the champion in that instance.
Dragunov once again down on the canvas. Frazer perched on the top turnbuckle.
-[Graves] Dragunov-- -[Cole] And a chop
right to the back of the knee.
My God. Dragunov is a Terminator. He just continues to move forward.
Maybe since it's Halloween, we should say Michael Myers-esque.
Look out, Haddonfield. Dragunov's on the loose.
[Cole] Gotta wonder what's going through the Mad Dragon's mind here.
In what has been a classic battle in the United States Championship Open Challenge.
Dragunov, of course, knocking off Sami Zayn,
who successfully defended the title for a couple of months.
Now it's Dragunov's turn.
-Oh, no. Oh, no! Oh, my God. -[Graves] He's… Oh, God. Stop it.
[Cole] Oh, my goodness. Dragunov into the cover.
-Hook of the leg on Frazer and a kickout! -[Graves] Are you kidding me?
How the hell is Nathan Frazer still functioning?
He got dropped on the back of his neck! How's he still moving here?
[Graves] And Dragunov may have just exhausted
what was left in his reserves.
Both men leaving it all in the ring, to their own detriment,
just for the right to be called United States Champion.
[Cole] How the hell are both of these men functioning here?
[Graves] I have no idea.
[Cole] Dragunov now with well-placed forearms.
Lifts Frazer up top. Frazer fighting back. Dropped again on the back of his head.
-[Graves] Here it is! -[Cole] H-Bomb by Dragunov! Cover!
[crowd] One! Two!
-Three! -[Cole] Ilja retains in a thriller!
-[bell dings] -["Death Waltz" playing]
[Nash] Here is your winner
and still United States Champion,
Ilja Dragunov!
[Cole] Man, standing ovation for that match.
What a performance by Nathan Frazer tonight
and by the champion Ilja Dragunov.
[Graves] I understand that Frazer will be disappointed
that he's not leaving Salt Lake City with the United States title,
but after that H-Bomb,
no need to hang your head, Nathan.
What a battle by both warriors,
but in the end, the Mad Dragon retains.
[Cole] Ilja Dragunov, who has been so impressive
on his return to WWE.
Man, I… I'm so impressed. How can you not be?
And a great show of sportsmanship here tonight by the champion.
Dragunov and Frazer with a classic on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Graves] This is what the game is all about.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] It's what the Open Challenge is all about.
And you said it earlier in the match, Corey.
You can make a star even if you don't win the title.
[Graves] No doubt about it.
The entire WWE Universe is going to be talking about Nathan Frazer
for the next few days, after that--
-[Cole] Oh! -[Graves] Tommaso Ciampa again. Damn it!
-[crowd boos] -[Cole] Ciampa from behind.
He was pissed off earlier because he didn't get an opportunity
at the United States Championship.
And now the ambush on Frazer.
Go!
[Cole] And again, standing ovation for what we witnessed just moments ago,
Ilja Dragunov, Nathan Frazer,
and a classic for the United States Championship, the H-Bomb,
puts Frazer away.
And then the despicable actions of Tommaso Ciampa
after what these two men went through.
[Graves] Ciampa still upset, still stinging about Frazer
accepting the Championship Open Challenge in front of him.
Which would draw out Axiom coming to his tag team partner's aid.
But then Johnny Gargano would join the fray.
DIY, Fraxiom doing battle.
Dragunov would join in on the madness.
An absolute melee to kick things off here on SmackDown.
[clamoring]
Distance! Distance! Distance! Distance!
What is going on here?
Stop that.
[clamoring continues]
[panting]
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
[grunts]
[Cole] Tama Tonga from the MFT.
[entrance music playing]
Well, there was some toxic masculinity back there moments ago,
something that this man Kit Wilson has been preaching against.
-[bell dings] -[Nash] The following contest
is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Buckinghamshire, England.
Weighing in at 210 pounds,
Kit Wilson!
[Graves] Oh. Kit's not necessarily preaching against anything.
It's more like Kit Wilson's in his dismantling-the-patriarchy era.
Okay? Kit's trying to educate the population.
-[Cole] What? -[Graves] Dismantling the patriarchy.
[Cole] Oh, boy.
[Graves] Yes, boy.
["Melo Don't Miss" playing]
That's old stuff.
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest ♪
♪ Ain't no hatin' I'm the best here ♪
♪ You want your shot Well, I guess you wait till next year ♪
♪ I'm at the top Get respect while I get feared ♪
♪ Who got a problem, huh? Tell 'em to step here ♪
♪ Step here ♪
-♪ What ♪ -♪ Yeah! ♪
-♪ Come on! ♪ -♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest ♪
♪ No arguing or debating ♪
[Nash] And his opponent from Boston, Massachusetts.
Weighing in at 210 pounds,
Carmelo Hayes!
[Cole] Okay, I had the unfortunate opportunity
to have a conversation with Kit Wilson earlier today.
I asked him what his problem is with Carmelo Hayes.
He says that Hayes, this is Wilson saying this,
Hayes is poisoning the minds of the younger generation
with this hyper masculinity and rhetoric.
Uh, because Carmelo Hayes refers to himself as H1M,
and it doesn't get more toxic than that.
[Graves] Well, Kit Wilson also believes that Carmelo Hayes disrespected The Miz
by not listening to the A-lister's advice.
Wilson understands the value in lessons learned
from someone the caliber of The Miz,
and believes that Melo threw away a golden opportunity.
[Cole] Well, Kit Wilson here tonight promises to expose Carmelo Hayes
-in this one on one matchup. -Ring the bell!
-[Cole] First time ever. -[bell dings]
[Graves] Look at this. Wilson out of the gate, strong!
[Cole] That's a bit, uh, toxic, the way that he started this matchup.
I have a feeling you're not taking the teachings of Wilson seriously, Cole.
[Cole] Kit may be a hypocrite. Let's see what happens
as Hayes now unloads with the rights and the chops now to Kit Wilson.
Three! Come on. Let's go.
[Graves] Ah, thumb right to the eye from Kit Wilson.
[crowd member] Who even is that guy?
-[Cole] Wilson with a flying elbow. -No more toxic masculinity!
[Cole] Very aggressive.
-This is my workplace! -[Cole] Wilson tonight.
[Graves] Well this is what Kit Wilson is all about.
From bell to bell you release your aggression.
It's not toxic when it happens inside of the ring.
Then you leave it in the ring. And outside it's about acceptance.
It's about understanding one another.
Not about brutality.
[Cole] You've done a lot of research into this.
[Graves] I spent a lot of time around Kit Wilson.
-Look at this. -Toxic! Toxic! Toxic!
[Cole] Again, very aggressive.
[Graves] Oh, that was unique!
[Cole] He delivers a kick right to the back of the neck of Hayes.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Kit Wilson calls this a new chapter.
Said he's been saying a lot of things he's wanted to say. Oh, my goodness!
Just dropped Hayes!
-Cover! -One! Two!
[Cole] And Hayes kicks out.
[Graves] That was incredible.
I don't know that I've ever seen a DDT executed quite like this.
Look again.
Kit Wilson in his bag tonight.
Making the world a better place day by day.
You should listen to Kit. I've learned a few things.
You know, it's okay for guys to cry in movie theaters.
I wept at Frankenstein the other night. It got me right in the feels.
I can't hear you!
-And I wasn't embarrassed afterwards. -You learned that from Kit?
[Graves] Yeah.
[Cole] Real self-help guru, isn't he?
And Carmelo Hayes now, blocks the right hand.
And here comes Carmelo Hayes now, fighting back.
[Graves] Melo looking to take it back street style, throwing rights and lefts.
It's what it's all about.
Carmelo always feels like he's on the cusp of greatness.
He could take a big step forward tonight.
[Cole] A springboard clothesline. Now, face-first goes Kit Wilson.
And Carmelo Hayes may have Wilson where he wants him.
Hayes… Face-first goes Wilson again.
Hayes into the cover. Is it enough to put Kit away?
And a kickout by Wilson.
Wilson gonna roll out of harm's way and regroup here.
[Graves] It's all right, he's entitled.
It's a high-stakes, high-pressure situation.
Not everyone's mentally equipped… Oh, man!
[Cole] He wasn't mentally equipped for that either,
as Carmelo Hayes landed on his head.
[Graves] Well, that's where the toxicity comes in.
-Kit was just trying to… -[Cole] Oh, my goodness!
Miz from behind sends Hayes into the ring post.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] And now Kit Wilson looking to steal a victory here
-after The Miz took out Hayes. -[Graves] Wow!
-[Cole] Elbow from Wilson. -[Graves] It's Friday. I'm in love.
One! Two!
[Cole] Hayes still in it!
-[Graves] Wait. -[Cole] Much to the chagrin of that man.
[Graves] Miz… What are you…
I mean, Miz is as baffled as anybody.
[Cole] Baffled? I mean, Miz was the one who became extremely jealous over Hayes…
and had these issues with the man, and…
First 48 by Carmelo Hayes!
One! Two!
-Three! -[Cole] Case closed.
[bell dings]
♪ 'Cause I'm the greatest Ain't no hatin' ♪
[Nash] Here is your winner,
Carmelo Hayes!
[Cole] And now Miz. Skull-Crushing Finale!
Come on, Miz! What are you doing?
You tell me it's over?
Huh? You're gonna tell me it's over after the time I wasted on you?
It's not over until I say it's over.
-[Brewer] Let's go, Miz. Get out of here. -[Cole] Corey, remember last week,
Carmelo Hayes said it was over between he and The Miz. They were even.
The Miz obviously felt differently.
[crowd booing]
Well, it is unfortunate to see what Miz and Melo's friendship has devolved into.
But speaking of friendship,
I am here with the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair.
Alexa, before your match tonight, I wanted to say congratulations to you both
on a successful title defense this past Monday.
And also wanted to ask your thoughts
on the subsequent attack from the Kabuki Warriors.
If the Kabuki Warriors have a problem, they know where to find us.
But they're just chasing what we already have.
Everybody wants what we have because it works.
I usually don't let people in, but I let Lexi in.
And I think her life is better because of it.
You're unbelievable.
Thank you.
Now you see, Nia, she still lives in fear.
So she's not healed.
That's why she has no friends. Classic Gemini behavior.
What is… What is the… [stammers]
Nia's been living in bitterness for years.
And tonight, I'm going to remind her why I outgrew her.
Let's go.
Classic Leo behavior.
Good luck tonight, Alexa.
["Not like Most Girls" playing]
[Cole] Interesting.
[Graves] That's a word for it.
[bell dings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from San Diego, California,
Nia Jax!
[Cole] Well, Nia has been bitter for many, many months now,
since losing the WWE Women's Championship to Tiffany Stratton
just a couple of days into the new year.
[Graves] But an angry Nia Jax is a motivated Nia Jax
is a dangerous Nia Jax
and is the woman that Alexa Bliss has to deal with one on one, next.
I understand. I understand I'm not cleared.
I understand, but all I'm asking is let me just be out there.
I've known the Motor City Machine Guns a long time.
Let me stand out there and have their back.
Otherwise, you know how it goes with the MFT.
-[groans] -Please, Nick.
Sami,
I appreciate the fighter in you. And I know you want to be out there.
I've known those guys a long time too.
But you're not cleared.
And when it comes to the MFTs, it's just gonna make things worse.
So I'm asking you, please sit this one out.
All right, Nick. I'll sit this one out.
Appreciate that.
[chuckling] Hey.
-Hey, I wanted to tell you in person… -How you doing, man?
…what you did with the US title, it's great.
I'm proud of you. You should be proud of you.
Thank you very much.
I'm dealing with all this stuff now. I'm dealing with the MFTs.
But, I don't know, hopefully once that's done, you know…
-I don't know. Better days ahead, right? -Absolutely. Yeah.
-Hey, man. Good luck tomorrow with Drew. -Thank you.
-I'm pulling for you, all right? -Thank you. Thank you.
Okay, two things.
First one, no easy way to say this, but I have to do my due diligence.
I need to look you in the eye and ask you.
Did you have anything to do with the attack on Jacob Fatu?
I know it's your job to ask.
No, I liked Jacob. I'm sorry about what happened.
Okay, it's good enough for me.
Second piece of business.
As you know, this is the contract for your match tomorrow night,
Saturday Night's Main Event.
You have a copy.
I trust that everything in the contract is okay with you.
I mean, I know it's on the up-and-up. You don't have to show it to me.
You got to show it to Drew.
That's next.
-I'll see you out there. Thanks, Nick. -All right. Thanks, Cody.
[Cole] Cody and Drew face-to-face tonight to sign the contract.
Meanwhile, Nia Jax set for one-on-one action here on Friday Night SmackDown.
♪ I'm not like most girls ♪
♪ There's only one of me And I bet you'll be out before I count… ♪
[music fades]
["The Fury" playing]
[Nash] And her opponent, accompanied by Charlotte Flair,
from Columbus, Ohio,
she is one half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Alexa Bliss!
[Cole] Okay, Corey. I've been wanting to get your take
on this odd couple relationship between Charlotte and Alexa, the tag champs.
[Graves] I find it to be inauthentic, unbelievable,
and detrimental to the careers of both women.
-[Cole] You know who you sound like? -Who?
-[Cole] Nia Jax. -[Graves] Well,
that's why Nia and I get along so well.
We both live in reality. Here's the deal. Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair,
individually, two of the greatest superstars in WWE history.
Together, yes, they're holding the gold.
But this whole charade, they're trying to portray to the fans,
that they're buddies…
it's like they watched a bunch of movies about friends and decided to act it out.
It's not believable. I don't buy it for a second.
I think it's a matter of time before they try to stab one another in the back.
[Cole] So let's say what you're saying is true.
-[Graves] Probably is. -[Cole] You cannot doubt
the success that these two have had.
Look what they did on Monday night against Bayley and Lyra over on Raw.
[Graves] Listen, at the end of the day,
yes, the machine has become greater than the sum of its parts at the moment.
It's not sustainable. That's my point.
-Because Alexa Bliss, like it or not… -[bell dings]
-Boom! See? -[Cole] Nia Jax from behind!
[Graves] Bliss was taking time that she ordinarily wouldn't have,
because Charlotte Flair demands the attention and vice versa.
Once upon a time, the only person on Earth Alexa Bliss cared about was herself.
Same can be said for Charlotte Flair.
Right now I'm just not buying it.
They could prove me wrong, but it ain't going to be easy.
[Cole] Well, Corey, they better stick together.
Now they've got the Kabuki Warriors to worry about, it looks like.
As Nia Jax with a big splash in the corner.
[Graves] Well, right now the only person Bliss needs to concern herself with
is the Irresistible Force, Nia Jax,
who has the physical ability to break just about any human being walking the planet.
[Cole] These two have met eight times over the years.
Half those matches have been in title matches,
including, remember what happened back in June of 2018?
The night that Alexa Bliss won the Money in the Bank contract.
Cashed it in on the same night on Nia Jax to win the Championship.
[Graves] Unfortunately for Bliss, the element of surprise
-is not afforded her this evening. -[screams]
[Graves] And Bliss just came face-to-face with Jax.
And that's what happens when you run into a brick wall.
[Cole] And again, we mentioned this earlier,
Nia Jax has just been bitter and upset
ever since she lost the Championship back in January to Tiffany Stratton.
[Graves] You say that like there's something wrong
with being disappointed and upset
because you lost the most prestigious title in your division.
-The most… -[Cole] Oh! Nobody home.
[Graves] The most valuable aspect of your career.
Why on earth would Nia Jax be mad that she lost the title? Hmm?
[Cole] You look at this matchup,
the size differential could be a mismatch, but not the case.
Alexa Bliss, of course, a former five-time world champion.
[Graves] Listen, Bliss has made a career out of defying the odds.
No doubt about it.
She's got tenacity that's second to none.
She's got a very high in-ring IQ.
But sometimes your IQ is no match for raw power,
which Nia Jax has overabundance of.
[Cole] Yeah, she may have run into a buzz saw tonight.
Nia Jax with a hip right to the face of Alexa.
Wait a minute, Bliss countered. Bliss countered.
As Bliss got out of the way and now it's Alexa Bliss on the attack.
[Graves] I think Alexa avoided disaster.
[Cole] Yeah, momentarily.
[Graves] But disaster has found her.
[Cole] Off the barricade, just the power of Nia.
[Jax] I just did that to your mommy.
[Cole] There's a reason she's called the Irresistible Force.
Driving Bliss into the barricade again.
Nia Jax is dominating as she takes a bow.
[crowd booing]
[crowd clapping rhythmically]
[Cole] Nia Jax has been controlling Alexa Bliss.
Bliss showing some heart, staying in this thing.
But it may just be a matter of time.
And a big splash by Nia.
[Graves] No one's ever going to doubt the heart of Alexa Bliss.
But sometimes it takes more than heart
to conquer a challenge as powerful as the Irresistible Force.
Oh! Bliss out of the way. Avoided disaster again.
[Cole] And again, her friend Charlotte Flair
trying to rally her tag team partner, Alexa Bliss.
Mentioned this earlier. Charlotte looks actually concerned
over the fact that Bliss is getting woman-handled here tonight by Jax.
[Graves] I'm telling you, it's just because Charlotte's concerned
about their next championship defense,
because Charlotte likes those championship paychecks.
Charlotte likes all the perks that come with being Women's Tag Team Champion.
[Cole] Well, Charlotte doing a great job helping Bliss out here in this matchup
-no matter what your take is. -I think Engler needs to pay attention.
I think Charlotte Flair is bending the rules a little bit here.
[Cole] She's not doing anything really, against Nia,
just showing support for her buddy.
Bliss whipped into the corner.
Runs in… Nia runs into a boot.
[Graves] Bliss trying to mount some offense.
-And she does. -[Cole] There we go.
[Graves] And Jax is down, and Alexa's got an opportunity here.
This is what Alexa Bliss had to expect to do tonight,
try to weather the storm of Nia Jax.
Let this match go a little deeper, hope Nia tires herself out a little bit.
We've seen great durability from Alexa Bliss in this matchup, doing just that.
[Cole] Has made a career out of her stamina in the ring
as Charlotte Flair wills her on.
Crossbody by Alexa.
One! Two!
[Cole] Lateral press. And Jax kicks out at two with authority.
And Bliss hit the bottom rope hard.
Nia's in trouble though, she's down and golden opportunity here for Bliss.
[Graves] Bliss wants the DDT.
Nia sensed it coming to shrug her off.
[Cole] Shoulder-first into the steel post.
And an opportunity now for Alexa.
Down goes Nia.
Whatever it was, it was effective.
As Jax is in trouble.
And Alexa, looking to climb up top.
-Nia Jax's gonna meet her there though. -[Graves] Uh-oh.
[Cole] Nia again, the Samoan Drop to Bliss!
-One! Two! -[Cole] Falls into the cover.
And Bliss just gets the shoulder up.
Very anxious Charlotte on the apron.
[Graves] Nia Jax just gave a Samoan drop so hard
it knocked Dan Engler's shoe off his foot while he was counting.
Incredible impact from the Irresistible Force.
Did you see that little smirk on the face of Nia, Cole?
That is dangerous. That means Nia is feeling good right now.
She's feeling motivated. She's feeling ready to finish the job.
[Cole] She's got Alexa Bliss in deep trouble.
-Back up. -Get out of here!
[Engler] No, no, no, no! Charlotte, don't touch her. Do not touch her.
[Cole] Nia mouthing off to the Queen.
[Graves] I mean, let's be honest.
I'm as big a fan of Charlotte Flair as anyone,
but I don't know why the Queen's out here.
[Cole laughs] Corey…
[Graves] It's an individual one-on-one matchup.
[Cole] I guess you're right. I mean,
Axiom wasn't out here for Frazer's match earlier.
But nonetheless Charlotte upon the apron
has not touched Nia Jax,
but it allows Alexa Bliss to take over.
It looked like Nia was going for the Annihilator.
-And Alexa gonna stack up Jax now. -One! Two!
-Three! -[Cole] And pick up the win,
given assist to Charlotte!
[Nash] Here is your winner,
Alexa Bliss!
[Graves] Come on, Cole. Justify this to me.
What was essentially a two-on-one handicap match
against the Women's Tag Team Champions,
Nia Jax comes up short.
Shocker.
[Cole stammers] All I'm going to say about it is that the friendship paid off.
[Graves] All I'm going to say is
I would be very careful around Nia Jax in the future.
What the hell do you want?
You want a fight or something?
No, I don't want to fight you.
Well, good. Go trick or treat or something.
What's wrong with this dude, man? Trying to…
-I want to fight you. -Mm-hmm?
Last week you put your hands on me.
So now I want a piece of you.
[MFT chuckles]
All right. All right, Fenix.
Next week. It's you and him.
[scoffs] It's a bad idea.
-Good. -[MFT] Oh!
[breathes heavily, yells]
Whoa. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Hey.
Focus on tonight, all right?
Focus on tonight. We'll deal with him next week.
[Cole] Wow, the guts of Rey Fenix.
[Graves] Well, in just about 24 hours it's Saturday Night's Main Event.
The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes
defends his Undisputed WWE Championship
against Drew McIntyre.
Tonight in Salt Lake City on SmackDown,
we make it official and sign on the dotted line.
Still to come.
Aleister Black, with everything you've done to me for the past few months,
I should hate you.
But I don't.
I don't hate all your sneak attacks.
I don't hate the fact that you used your wife.
I don't even hate the fact that you set my face on fire.
For some reason, my existence has been personal to you.
Well, guess what, Aleister, you win.
It's personal to me now.
You know what's coming.
You won't know when.
You won't know how.
But you know why.
When I finally get my hands on you, Aleister,
not even the devil himself will stop me.
You spread your poison.
Now you feel my venom when punishment comes for you.
[chuckles] Happy Halloween.
[Graves] In a matchup we will still make official later tonight,
the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes, defends his Undisputed WWE Championship
against the Scottish Warrior, Drew McIntyre.
[Cole] Dominik Mysterio's reign as Intercontinental Champion
is in deep, deep trouble.
Triple Threat match, no champion's advantage,
as he takes on Penta and Rusev live.
[Graves] With Seth Rollins being taken out of the equation,
Monday Night Raw needs a World Heavyweight Champion.
Who will get the job done?
Will it be, Main Event Jey Uso,
or will it be the best in the world, CM Punk?
[Cole] And also the WWE Women's Championship on the line.
She may not be 100%, but she's a fighting champion,
Tiffany Stratton goes head-to-head with The Storm, Jade Cargill,
live tomorrow night on Saturday Night's Main Event.
So, okay, we're 24 hours away from Saturday Night's Main Event,
-and you are not 100%, clearly. -No, I'm gonna be fine.
I want to go through with this. I want to defend my title.
-I'm gonna beat Jade-- -No, Nick has a right to be concerned.
And judging by the shape you're in,
it looks like Tiffy Time's coming to an end.
You really should have accepted our offer for backup.
That way you'd have someone to blame when Jade dissolves you tomorrow.
You know, if you keep talking like that, I'll find the Tiffy Time to beat your ass
-like I did last week. -How professional.
Don't worry. Don't worry. She won't be talking like that after tomorrow,
or talking at all.
Period. Bye.
[singsongy] Nicholas. PSA, we are only nine days away.
From?
Hello? Giulia ruining the most historic WWE run ever.
[stammers] Spell it out, Chelsea. What is it now?
Me, Nicholas, me. As your first-ever, longest-reigning,
most dangerous United States Women's Champion.
Hello! And honestly, it's becoming a little scary
and not in the cute little Halloween spooky-ookey way, okay?
Justice must be served actually.
That's right, I want…
-a match. -A match. Yes.
-What? -[Fyre] Immediately.
First of all, this title's been around like a year.
-And that's not how it works, Chelsea. -No, it's fine.
If Chelsea thinks she is the better champion, she can prove it.
No.
All right, fine. Yeah, you can have a match next week. Bye.
-[chuckles] -Arrivederci.
-[snickers] Arrivederci. -Yeah, arriv…
Can you imagine your first- and fourth-ever,
longest-reigning, most dangerous--
-And you deserve-- -[screams]
[screaming] Whoa, whoa! No. No!
[both clamoring]
["Taking It All" playing]
[Graves] You got to feel bad for Chelsea Green.
The poor woman can't catch a break.
[Cole] It's Halloween.
What does that have to do with anything?
[Cole] It's Halloween all year for Nikki, right?
[Graves] That's right.
♪ The one who will not take that loss ♪
-♪ We're taking it all ♪ -♪ We the ones ♪
♪ We kick down the door Dropping you down to the floor ♪
-[bell dings] -[Nash] The following tag team contest
is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied by Solo Sikoa, Tanga Loa and Talla Tonga,
JC Mateo and Tama Tonga,
MFT!
[Cole] Corey, Rey Fenix put the MFTs in a mood moments ago.
[Graves] I really respect the fire shown by Rey Fenix, saying he wants a fight
not just with any member of MFT, but Talla Tonga, the giant of the group.
A bold move by Rey Fenix.
[Cole] Yeah, but does that bode well for the Motor City Machine Guns
who are set to take on MFTs in a tag match?
[Graves] If there's any justice in this world, it shouldn't matter.
But the fact is, where the MFTs go, you're not fighting one,
you're fighting all of them, no matter who gets the nod.
Either way, two members of MFT against the Motor City Machine Guns next.
♪ I am controlling the game You shouldn't have stepped in my lane ♪
♪ We not the same ♪
♪ I am elite Note the name ♪
[Cole] Now we're back to real action, ladies and gentlemen.
JC Mateo, Tama Tonga from the MFTs ready for action.
♪ I am a king I do not ever pretend ♪
[music fades]
["Raise Your Fist" playing]
♪ Raise your fist ♪
♪ Oh, let's go ♪
♪ Hey, hey, hey Hey, hey, hey ♪
[Nash] And their opponents.
With a combined weight of 412 pounds.
Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin,
Motor City Machine Guns!
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, 53 weeks ago, October of 2024,
a little over a week from the Motor City Machine Guns WWE debut,
they took on the group then known as the Bloodline for the tag titles.
[Graves] Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa fell victim to the Skull and Bones
and the WWE Universe was introduced
to one of the most influential tag teams of this generation,
Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin.
Two men who are eager to make the long climb
back to the top of the tag team mountain.
[Cole] Yeah, I talked to Shelley and Sabin a bit earlier today
about what's next for this tag team.
They really believe that they can become tag team champions in short order here.
[Graves] But look at JC Mateo,
who wants to spoil the Machine Guns' evening in short order.
[Cole] Yeah, Mateo now, the powerhouse of the group.
[Graves] Absolute tank of a human being.
[Cole] Great way to describe him with that low center of gravity.
There's the quickness now.
Alex Shelley delivers the chops to JC Mateo.
And there was a bit of a learning curve for the Motor City Machine Guns
after arriving in WWE.
Yes, they captured the titles early on,
but they've realized the level of competition,
arguably higher than it's ever been.
[Cole] Here's the double-team. Sabin's legal.
Quickly to the cover now on Mateo.
Isn't enough. And a kickout with authority by JC.
[Graves] And the night the Guns showed up,
I referred to them as your favorite tag team's favorite tag team, and I mean that.
I don't know if any tag team has been studied by the boys
in the locker room quite as frequently as Motor City Machine Guns.
But in doing so, the Motor City Machine Guns' game
has been passed around the locker room.
Everybody knows their style.
Everybody knows their tricks. So you got to recreate yourself.
You've got to come up with something new, some new wrinkles.
The MFTs aren't fans, and this is Tama Tonga, the Tongan strong machine.
Returning just a couple of weeks ago, probably in the best shape of his life.
He is so dangerous, so unpredictable.
[Graves] Don't forget the interaction we saw earlier tonight
between Tama Tonga and Ilja Dragunov, the United States Champion.
[Cole] Tonga taking a good long look at Dragunov's title.
And double teamed by the Motor City Machine Guns
and they got the MFTs off their game early on.
[Graves] Sabin and Shelley looking to fly!
[Cole] Over the top! Down go Mateo and Tonga,
and the Motor City Machine Guns are raring to go.
The stoic Solo Sikoa looking on here at ringside, directing traffic.
[Graves] As is Tonga Loa and Talla Tonga.
Just a few feet away from the Machine Guns.
[Cole] And again the MFTs who would love an opportunity
at the tag titles and some interaction between them
and the champs, the Wyatt Sicks as of late.
Then quickly. Sabin makes the tag to Shelley.
Double team from
the Guns. And, oh! And they're… Wow, double team again.
-[Graves] Look at this. -[Cole] Tremendous action!
[Graves] Sabin and Shelley. Cover by Shelley!
[Cole] And a kickout by Tama Tonga.
[Cole] Tama Tonga, JC Mateo of the MFTs dominating the Motor City Machine Guns
in this Tag Team matchup tonight.
Critical matchup because every win
perhaps moves you a step closer to the Wyatt Sicks and the Tag Titles.
[Graves] We've seen recently that if nothing else,
the MFT have the attention of the Wyatt Sicks.
[Cole] Now fighting back in the corner is Alex Shelley.
Remember Shelley and Sabin,
we showed it at the start of the matchup, knocked off Solo's group
back in last year to win the Tag Titles.
[Graves] Flatliner into the middle turnbuckle,
but Shelley has almost a full 20 feet to make the tag to Chris Sabin.
[Cole] And Tonga in there gonna try to prevent the tag from happening.
Shelley creates some space. Tag made, here comes Sabin.
And Chris Sabin now. Taking the fight to the MFTs.
[Graves] Cat-like agility from Chris Sabin.
Missile dropkick on the money.
[Cole] JC Mateo. Runs into a kick by Sabin as well.
And now look at Sabin taking out both members of the MFT!
Great DDT.
-Sabin now off the second rope. Oh! -[Graves] Wow!
[Cole] Cover!
[crowd] One! Two!
[Cole] Tonga kicks out!
[Graves] Just barely escaping was Tama Tonga
as we look again at this beautiful tornado DDT from Sabin,
nearly earning the Machine Guns a win.
[Cole] Alex Shelley back up on the apron, makes the tag,
Sabin sends Tonga to the center of the ring.
Tonga sent over the top rope.
Tama Tonga able to land on his feet, but keep your eyes on the Machine Guns.
Baseball slide by Shelley!
[Cole] Dropping Tonga right here in front of us at the announce table.
[Graves] Tag was made. Chris Sabin legal for the Guns!
[Cole] Sabin through the legs of Shelley taking out both Tonga and Mateo.
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] And the Motor City Machine Guns are feeling it here.
-Tonga sent to the center of the ring. -Get him! Get him!
[Graves] Here comes Talla Tonga, runs into a big kick.
[Cole] Great double team by the Motor City Machine Guns
taking Tonga out of the equation.
[Graves] With the highly educated feet of the Machine Guns,
putting in work on Tama Tonga.
Could be thinking about the Skull and Bones.
-[stammers] Look at Solo! -[Cole] This one for the Tag Titles!
Meanwhile, Solo with the distraction. And Tonga Loa!
[Graves] Tonga Loa just dumped Shelley to the floor!
[Cole] And there it is, ladies and gentlemen, from Tama Tonga.
He calls it the Cutthroat. And the MFTs pick up the win.
[Nash] Here are your winners!
MFT!
[Cole] Again, another dominant performance
thanks to Solo Sikoa and the rest of the cronies.
-[Solo] Get him up! Get him up! -[crowd booing]
[Graves] Oh no. This is just too far. This is uncalled for.
MFT won the match.
[Cole] We mentioned that Talla Tonga was in a mood tonight,
and there's the chokeslam.
-And Solo Sikoa barking orders. -You disrespect my family,
this is what you get! Huh?
-["Animo" playing] -[Cole] "Don't disrespect my family."
[Graves] Oh, yeah.
[Cole] Here's the man who stood up to Talla Tonga earlier tonight, Rey Fenix.
And Fenix with a big kick.
Missile dropkick by Rey.
[Graves] It was Rey Fenix who was wacky enough
-to demand a fight with… -[Cole] Oh!
…Talla Tonga.
And may rue the day he did so.
[Cole] And now Fenix being dismantled and destroyed.
-["The Rising Sun" playing] -And here comes another man
who's got a problem with Solo and company.
[Graves] Shinsuke Nakamura is here.
[Cole] Tonga Loa taken out. Nakamura now into the fire.
Nakamura takes out Mateo.
Talla Tonga went for a big boot! Nakamura avoided it.
Uh-oh.
Chokeslam to Shinsuke.
["Taking It All" playing]
The MFTs led by Solo Sikoa putting everyone on notice.
[Graves] Body count will continue to grow until Solo and company get what they want.
♪ I have been destined to win Alpha, omega, the end ♪
♪ Let it begin Giving you a scope through my lens ♪
♪ I will not follow no trends ♪
♪ You see the light You could believe all the hype ♪
♪ Relentless through day Through the night ♪
-Drew. -Nick.
I'm gonna keep this simple.
Have you had a chance to look over the contract?
Yes.
-Everything good? -Yes.
-No issues? -No issues.
-Really? -Really. What's the matter?
You worried I'm gonna walk out there with a live microphone
and say something I shouldn't?
-In a word, yes. -[scoffs]
Buddy, you have a very, very stressful job.
You got to learn to relax.
See you out there.
[Graves] The card is already beginning to take shape.
General Manager Nick Aldis has his hands full.
How about this one made official?
Rey Fenix, the lucha superstar,
goes one-on-one with the skyscraper of MFT Talla Tonga.
[Cole] Question is, who will be the next in line
to take the United States Championship Open Challenge?
Ilja Dragunov had a classic earlier tonight with Nathan Frazer.
He survived that one.
Will he survive next week? Who will take the challenge on SmackDown?
[Graves] And the Queen Charlotte Flair looks to pick up
exactly where Alexa Bliss left off tonight
as she goes one-on-one with the Irresistible Force Nia Jax,
who will not be in a good mood by the time we arrive in Greenville.
[Cole] Our aforementioned General Manager Nick Aldis is now in the ring.
♪ Three things I don't play about Myself, my money or my man ♪
[music fades]
Okay, ladies and gentlemen, we all know why we are here.
To sign the contract for the WWE Championship match tomorrow night
at Saturday Night's Main Event.
So. Without further ado, please welcome
the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
["Kingdom" playing]
♪ 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 ♪
♪ Better men! ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
[Graves] Cole, Cody Rhodes may be all smiles tonight,
but trust me, tomorrow,
Saturday Night's Main Event,
the American Nightmare's demeanor will be drastically different
because Cody understands that he must defend
what he values most against a very, very angry,
very ready challenger in McIntyre.
♪ Gonna give them 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! ♪
[Cole] Corey, this rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre is so personal,
it's forced Cody Rhodes to do things that we don't usually see Cody Rhodes do.
Case in point, two weeks ago here on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Graves] After Jacob Fatu was mysteriously attacked backstage,
Cody Rhodes came out convinced that McIntyre had something to do with it.
Offered an impromptu title match to the Scottish Warrior.
And there, you mentioned the uncharacteristic actions
of the American Nightmare.
Cody tattooing McIntyre with the Championship title
and then sacrificing his own body to take out Drew.
Cody Rhodes knows he's got a fight on his hands tomorrow night
here in the great Salt Lake City.
[music fades]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
So…
-Salt Lake City. -[crowd cheering]
Happy Halloween.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the challenger, Drew McIntyre.
-[crowd booing] -["Gallantry" playing]
[Cole] Drew McIntyre has been stewing ever since Wrestlepalooza last month
where he battled Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
He blamed the official for costing him the title that night.
Then last week on Friday Night SmackDown,
Drew was involved in a No Disqualification Match with Jimmy Uso
again sticking up for Jacob Fatu.
[Graves] Drew McIntyre was able to turn away the challenge of Uso, but in the end,
the Scottish Warrior looked to take it a little too far,
but would be thwarted by, guess who, the American Nightmare.
Cody Rhodes coming to the aid of Jimmy Uso and bringing the fight to McIntyre,
but Cody made the fatal flaw of taking his eye off of his opponent,
eating a claymore courtesy of tomorrow night's challenger,
and you don't have to agree with Drew McIntyre's perception, Cole,
which is that WWE officials have screwed him over on countless occasions.
The fact is, in Drew's head that perception is reality,
and Drew has his sights set on Rhodes.
[music fades]
Okay, gentlemen, we've already discussed this at length.
There's only one thing left to do. Sign on the line.
[indistinct]
[crowd singing] ♪ Cody, Cody Rhodes Cody, Cody Rhodes ♪
I can't sign this.
[crowd booing]
[crowd cheering]
You can't sign this. Tell me one good reason why.
That contract is completely lopsided. I won't sign it.
Drew, it's not lopsided, it's a standard contract.
Standard language, standard legalese, standard WWE Championship contract.
You know that, he knows that, I know that, just sign it.
No.
Let me ask you, Nick.
If I get disqualified tomorrow, what happens?
He keeps the title. If I get counted out, he keeps the title.
Now what if Cody gets counted out?
He keeps the title. And what if he gets disqualified intentionally again?
He keeps the title. It's lopsided, and I won't sign it.
You know what, Drew?
You don't want to sign this.
I've had it with you.
I've had it with these games. You don't want to sign it.
You don't want a shot at the WWE Championship.
You don't want to live forever, fine.
There are tons of men back there
who will gladly take your place,
and I will happily go back there and get one of them right now.
They'll sign this contract and they get a shot at Cody Rhodes
and the WWE Championship tomorrow night.
Okay, get one of them.
Drew.
Sit down.
This better be good.
[indistinct]
You think I'm a fool, Drew?
What do you really want, right?
I-I hear what you're saying. Do you want a stipulation, right?
Do you want a clause added to this contract that if I get counted out,
I lose the title?
-Yes. -Okay, okay.
And you want a clause added to this contract
that if I get disqualified, I lose the title?
-Yes, I do. -I am 110% fine with that.
-Whoa, whoa, Cody. -[crowd cheers]
Cody…
I strongly advise you against that.
Nick, with respect to you, respect to your office,
if you think I want an easy way out with you, I do not give a damn.
[crowd cheers]
Well, I-I guess it's settled. That sounds fair, right?
We're all good.
Cool. I'll sign now, right?
I'm not happy about it,
-no, to be completely honest with you-- -Nick!
Please.
We all need to end this.
-Let it happen. -[crowd cheers]
Nick. Just do the right thing.
It's official.
Look, Cody, this…
this is a happy moment for me, but also I'm sad.
You and I should be the best of friends after these 20 years
walking the same roads.
I wrote the blueprint that helped you finish the story.
I just don't like how you go about your business.
To me, you represent corporate America and you think they would hate you for it,
but they cheer you every single week.
[crowd cheers]
You are the American Nightmare. But me, I do things the right way.
I work hard, I tell the truth, I don't use my influence.
I'm from a different country and I'm an American citizen. Do you know what I am?
I'm the real American Dream.
[crowd jeering]
All right, Dream.
Yeah, okay.
I'm so glad you continuously bring up our parallel paths.
What you did, how proud of it you are. You should be.
It's commendable.
You made a blueprint that there are people still following to this day,
that admittedly I followed.
That when the bright lights were shattered
and they had to check their ego at the door
and face the mountain from the bottom again,
they could rebuild themselves.
You went overseas, you challenged yourself with different styles.
You wrestled in front of maybe 100 people,
drove through the night to do it all again because you loved it
like I love this.
You should be commended.
All of us owe you a debt of gratitude for making that blueprint,
one where you became the Scottish Warrior, the mighty Drew McIntyre.
You built yourself so much up that WWE had to call you back.
Oh, man, but that's where our stories are really different.
And here's why.
When I got fed up at WWE, I grew some balls and I walked.
You, my friend. [sniffs] You just got fired.
Good luck tomorrow, Drew. [sniffs]
Nice guys used to finish last.
And then I showed up.
No! No, you're not going to get the last word like usual, Cody.
You're not going to spin this thing and get them on your side,
get them cheering because you need that so much.
The truth is you give, you give, you give, and they take, they take, they take,
and one day they'll turn on you just like so many have turned on me.
You wear your little orange suit to impress them because it's Halloween.
"Yay, it's Halloween. Cody is in orange for us."
You know what would be impressive, you know, who would actually be happy
if you were with them right now…
trick or treating?
Your lovely daughters.
[crowd booing]
Say…
what were their names again?
[Cole] Oh, Cody had enough and you can't blame him.
And Cody now with the Championship in hand.
Tried to pull the trigger and McIntyre avoided.
[crowd booing]
[McIntyre] He'll do that tomorrow.
[Cole] You saw McIntyre had Rhodes exactly where he wanted him,
got in Cody's head.
If Cody does that tomorrow…
-Are you thinking this through? -…he'll lose the Championship.
You do that tomorrow night, you get DQ'ed. You understand me?
You'll lose the Championship--
[Cole] Oh! And a claymore!
McIntyre's got Cody off his game.
McIntyre's in the Champ's head.
And, Corey, if Cody loses his cool tomorrow night,
he's going to lose the title.
[Graves] Drew McIntyre knew exactly what he wanted to do tonight
and accomplish that mission.
McIntyre pulled the string, and for the next 24 hours,
Rhodes is going to continue to unravel.
[Cole] And McIntyre could do any of this tomorrow night.
McIntyre puts the Champion through a table.
What is wrong with you?
[crowd booing]
[Cole] Could we be looking at the brand new Undisputed WWE Champion?
This is your last night, Cody.
Get in your private jet and go see your lovely family
because tomorrow I'm taking the most precious thing in your world from you.
I will be the new WWE Champion.
I swear it. I swear it. I swear it!
I'll do whatever it takes.
[roars]
["Gallantry" playing] kes.