[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
-[dramatic music plays] -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] If Cody Rhodes is disqualified, or if he's counted out,
he will lose the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Uh-oh.
The WWE title dragged into the ring by McIntyre.
Cody, don't use it.
[Barrett] A Claymore!
[Engler] One! Two!
[crowd cheers]
[Cole] Cody went through the damn table!
[Barrett] We're gonna get a new champ!
[Cole] Rhodes barely beat the count!
One! Two!
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Cody's setting up Drew for the Cross Rhodes.
[tense music plays]
[Cole] And a DDT onto the title by Rhodes!
[Barrett] But that's illegal! And the referee didn't see any of that.
[Cole] Cross Rhodes to McIntyre.
One! Two!
-Three! -[bell dings]
[Cole] Cody Rhodes has taken out Drew McIntyre to retain the championship.
[music ends]
-["Kingdom" playing] -[crowd cheers]
♪ Wrestling has more than one Royal family ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ 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… ♪
[Nash] Ladies and gentlemen,
please welcome the Undisputed WWE Champion,
the American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
♪ Now you Bow to me ♪
♪ You took my dreams But not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me Until the end… ♪
-[fans shouting, cheering] -[whoops]
♪ Lights go down I'm ready now ♪
♪ Tear this roof off For the town ♪
♪ Gonna give 'em What they came to see ♪
♪ Hear the crowd On their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to Start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
♪ And my father said ♪
♪ When I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times Breed better men ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game 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 ♪
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
♪ You tried to tell me What to do ♪
♪ I saw the door And kicked it down ♪
♪ I stepped right over And right through ♪
♪ And you can never Stop me now ♪
♪ Bow… ♪
-[music fades] -[crowd cheers]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody!
So…
Greenville, South Carolina…
[crowd cheers]
What do you wanna talk about?
[crowd cheers]
We can talk about what we just saw.
We could talk about Saturday Night's Main Event.
Drew McIntyre…
[crowd boos]
Drew McIntyre introduced this title into the match.
He introduced a weapon into the match.
[crowd] ♪ Cody, Cody Rhodes! ♪
[singing continues]
This is gonna be a fun show, isn't it?
[crowd cheers]
And you guys are here to have a good time, aren't ya?
[crowd cheers]
Oh, well…
Drew McIntyre, right?
[crowd boos]
For someone who expects us to know every detail of what makes Drew tick,
every detail of his career,
Drew clearly does not understand
my reluctance to pull the trigger in the past
has cost me and cost me dearly.
But with Drew McIntyre, there was no reluctance.
There was no hesitation to pull the trigger.
Drew McIntyre is one of the most impressive, strongest,
walks into a room, and everyone turns their head.
But also the most in his own way,
self-sabotaging pro wrestler in the history of the business.
And unfortunately at this point, Drew, I am moving on.
[crowd cheers]
Drew McIntyre,
you are in the rearview mirror, and tonight, the business of SmackDown,
the business of the WWE Championship,
the most important title in all of pro wrestling,
I want to do something different.
I would like, if you are okay with it here tonight,
I'd like to come out there.
I'd like to sit with you guys.
[crowd cheers]
I'd like to sit with you guys.
I'd like to watch Friday Night SmackDown,
and all of us, we can decide who's next in line
for the WWE Championship.
-That okay? -[crowd cheers]
["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… ♪
-Well, Cody, if you're moving out… -[music fades]
…then I'm moving in.
Ever since setting Damian Priest on fire,
I've been ready for something new.
[crowd boos]
Oh, you didn't like me setting Priest on fire?
See, I have this chip on my shoulder, Rhodes.
And it's about the size
of the WWE Undisputed World Title.
[crowd cheers]
That's it?
[crowd booing]
It's too bad that your nightmare begins now.
-[Cole, Graves] Oh! -[crowd exclaims] Oh!
[Aldis] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
Looks like tensions are running a little high,
and some people can't keep their hands to themselves.
So, Greenville, are you thinking what I'm thinking?
[crowd cheers]
Aleister Black, if it's a fight you're looking for, my friend,
you can fight Cody Rhodes in the main event tonight.
[crowd cheers]
-["Root of All Evil" playing] -[Cole] The champ will be in action.
Tonight, Cody Rhodes with a challenge from Aleister Black.
♪ I do the things you never could ♪
♪ And we won't ever be equal… ♪
[Cole] Not quite what Cody was expecting, Corey.
[Graves] A far cry from sitting and enjoying the show
with the WWE Universe.
But the American Nightmare has found himself with a fight on his hands tonight.
[Cole] It's our main event on Friday Night SmackDown…
["Neva Play" playing]
[Cole] …which is live tonight in Greenville, South Carolina,
in a massive night of matches.
♪ Let 'em know we on the way Countin' zeroes every day ♪
♪ You know that we never play ♪
[Cole] Women's Tag Team Champions are here.
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair.
Flair goes one-on-one with Nia Jax tonight.
And we have a new WWE Women's Champion.
The Storm is here.
Jade Cargill, fresh off a Saturday Night's Main Event win
over Tiffany Stratton,
Jade is here live on SmackDown.
And the United States Champion Ilja Dragunov is set for action
with another Open Challenge for his United States Championship.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Perhaps it's the MFT's Tama Tonga who will step up to the plate.
["Death Waltz" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[bell dings]
[Nash] The following contest is a United States Championship Open Challenge!
Introducing first, from Moscow, Russia,
weighing at 210 pounds,
he is the United States Champion,
Ilja Dragunov!
[Cole] The Mad Dragon defends his title, but against who?
The United States Championship Open Challenge is live next.
[music stops]
["Death Waltz" continues]
For the legacy
of the United States Open Challenge,
who will step up?
Because tonight, my dear friends and enemies,
pain shall entertain you.
[crowd cheers]
♪ No one will survive… ♪
["No One Will Survive" playing]
[Graves] This isn't much of a shocker.
We know Tommaso Ciampa has had his sights on Dragunov's United States Championship.
[Cole] He's wanted an opportunity over the past couple of weeks.
He's been thwarted at each turn.
[music fades]
I came out here last week to answer your open challenge,
and not only did you deny me,
but you had the balls to call me a jackass.
I am a two-time NXT Champion, and you called me a jackass.
I am a two-time SmackDown tag team champion.
Nobody calls me a jackass.
[crowd cheers]
And now I come all the way here to Greenville, South Carolina,
surrounded by jackasses…
[crowd boos]
…to tell you that title is mine.
Ring the damn bell.
Uh, you know what?
You know what?
You are right.
So…
[crowd chanting] Jackass! Jackass!
[chuckles]
You are right. Hey, listen to me.
You are right.
So I accept the challenge for my United States Championship…
[Ciampa] Ring the bell. It's gonna take three seconds.
…from him.
[crowd cheers]
[Graves] Mind games from the United States Champion Ilja Dragunov.
-He wants to fight Gargano? -Get the title.
You keep ducking me. Take the damn title.
[Cole] Well, great opportunity here tonight for Johnny Gargano
as, once again, Tommaso Ciampa is thwarted by the United States Champion.
And right out of the box,
Ciampa provides a distraction for "Johnny Wrestling."
[Graves] This could prove to be an uphill battle for the champion,
having to worry about Gargano in the ring
and Ciampa and Candice LeRae on the outside.
[Cole] Dragunov, who has been a fighting champion since he took the title
from Sami Zayn a few weeks back,
knocked off Aleister Black a couple of weeks ago,
and then last week, just a classic with Nathan Frazer.
[Graves] Dragunov missed around a year of his career
recovering from a knee injury
and said his time away from the ring made him starve.
Well, the Mad Dragon has done nothing but feast since returning.
[Cole] Look at that German suplex by Ilja Dragunov
and continues to hold the waist lock on Gargano.
Get up!
[Graves] Tonight, the pain shall entertain you,
courtesy of Ilja Dragunov,
who just dumped Gargano on the base of his skull again.
[Cole] The gritty, intense United States Champion.
[crowd chants] One more time!
[Cole] And the WWE fans wanting yet another German suplex.
You see Gargano's wife, Candice LeRae, at ringside looking on.
[Graves] Dragunov would be wise not to look past Johnny Gargano,
who's an incredibly capable in-ring technician in his own right,
one of the most resilient superstars on the roster, like him or not.
[Cole] Yeah, no doubt about it.
And Gargano looking to win his first singles championship at this level.
Had a lot of success back at NXT, a Triple Crown winner.
And there's the power of Dragunov.
Dragunov in control of the US Championship challenge.
-Are you entertained? -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And Dragunov, the United States Champion,
taking on Johnny Gargano here in this US Championship Open Challenge.
Step-up enzuigiri drops Gargano by the champ.
[Graves] He caught Johnny right on the temple.
Gargano not entirely sure where he is right now.
[Cole] The United States Championship being defended for the 19th time
in the year 2025.
[Graves] Vicious headbutt from Dragunov, but Gargano staying in this fight.
-[Cole] Will we crown a champion tonight? -[Graves] Oh!
[Cole] But Dragunov, who loves to get down and dirty, taking the fight.
Big uppercut, and Gargano fighting back as well.
The man who was once called the heart and soul of NXT,
showing his resilience here against the champ.
Oh, what a kick.
And Gargano misses wildly.
Dragunov, with the Constantine Special, takes out Gargano.
Both men down.
[Graves] Pivotal point in this matchup,
and it seems as though the United States Champion
is just beginning to wake up once again.
[Cole] Unbesiegbar. Infallible. That's how Dragunov describes himself.
And now the champion into the corner with a big kick to the face of Gargano.
[crowd cheers]
Full speed ahead for Dragunov.
-Oh! -[Graves] Wow!
Ray Stevens-esque diving knee.
-One! Two! -[Cole] Cover.
Kickout by Gargano.
Dragunov, a throwback in many ways.
[Graves] I think many people would agree that Dragunov is almost the evolution
of this business, of this sport.
He's taken classic strategies, the old-school smashmouth style
and evolved it into something entirely different that we haven't seen
in quite some time, if ever before.
[Cole] And Dragunov gonna head up to the top rope now.
Gargano trying to drag himself back to his feet.
[LeRae] Get out of the way!
[Cole] And Dragunov… Oh! Runs into a kick by Johnny.
And Gargano now has an opportunity.
[Graves] Ilja got a little bit overconfident, and Johnny made him pay.
-[Cole] Oh, my goodness. -[Graves] Oh, man! Oh, man!
[Cole] What a kick to the back of the head of Dragunov,
and Gargano's got an opportunity.
[Graves] Poisonrana!
[Cole] Cover by Gargano for the championship.
And a kickout at two by Dragunov.
That may have been Gargano's best chance right there.
[Graves] What a combination.
If this doesn't scramble your brains, I don't know what will.
Perhaps the poisonrana that followed immediately after.
[Cole] And a headbutt back in live-action by Gargano.
[Graves] That combo may have liquefied Dragunov's cerebellum.
[Cole] Oh! Nice, Gorilla.
And here we go with Gargano with the big chops in the corner.
[Graves] Where I learned most of my anatomy. [chuckles]
And Gargano now with the champ in a bit of trouble,
but Dragunov looking to counter.
[Graves] Now just raining down overhand strikes
to the chest of Gargano.
-What is Ilja looking for? -[Cole chuckles] Oh, my goodness!
[Graves] Man! A headbutt right between Gargano's eyes,
and things are about to go from bad to worse for the challenger.
[Cole] Full speed ahead by Dragunov with a senton!
[Graves] Cover by the champion.
[Cole] Gargano survives!
[Graves] Cole, you can see Ilja's still feeling the effects
of the super kick and the poisonrana delivered a few moments ago
by his challenger, Johnny.
[Cole] But a spirited and valiant champion continues to fight on.
And the Czar of WWE…
[Graves] About to go nuclear.
[Cole] Went for the H-Bomb, and it was countered by Gargano.
Oh, and a big kick.
And now Dragunov…
Oh! Planting, slam-dunking Gargano.
[Graves] Absolutely vicious.
And again, both athletes down.
Dragunov stirring first, making his way back to a vertical base.
Gargano still trying to figure out what state he's in.
[Cole] And look at this. Went for the Constantine Special again,
and Candice LeRae got involved.
-[crowd booing] -[Graves] Ain't love grand?
[Cole] Johnny had the official, Ryan Tran, distracted,
and now Gargano with an opportunity.
Oh! And a tornado DDT!
That suicide dive turned into the DDT by Johnny Gargano.
[Graves] That one just about caved in the champion's skull.
[Cole] And Gargano with an opportunity, planting him again!
-Cover! -One! Two!
[Cole] Oh! And Dragunov survives!
[Graves] And that could be a heartbreaker for Johnny,
landing the tornado DDT on the outside on the floor,
followed up by the One Final Beat inside the ring,
and Candice LeRae's face tells the tale.
[Cole] And Gargano now getting frustrated as he kicks away
at the champion Dragunov.
But he's got the champ on the ropes. He needs to continue on the offense.
[Graves] Johnny certainly has the capability to do so.
Gargano has a gas tank.
It takes a lot to tire Johnny out.
-[Cole] And Johnny gonna… Oh! -[Graves] Oh!
[Cole] Tried to launch himself, and Dragunov caught him with a kick
and bounces Gargano off the turnbuckle.
[Graves] This is gonna take a great deal of power.
Can Ilja pull it off?
-[Cole] Wow! -[Graves] Unreal!
-There it is! -[Cole] H-Bomb!
[Tran] One! Two!
-Three! -Dragunov retains!
[bell dings]
-["Death Waltz" plays] -[crowd cheering]
[Nash] Here is your winner and still United States Champion,
Ilja Dragunov!
[Graves] Iron sharpens iron,
and tonight, the Mad Dragon was razor-sharp.
An unreal display of power with the superplex
followed up by the H-Bomb.
Good night, Gargano.
[Cole] The spirited, valiant champion once again defends his title
in an open challenge on SmackDown.
That's right, three title defenses for Dragunov.
Let's go ahead and notify him right away.
-Okay. -[knocks on door]
-Hey, Sami. -You got a second?
-Sure. -Sure, no problem.
Nick, look, I talked to you about this last week.
You saw what happened last week.
Again, the MFT, it's a numbers game every week.
Nick, all I'm asking… I know. I know. I'm not cleared. I know.
Let me just be out there for this match for Rey Fenix.
Let me just have his back. Please!
Sami, look, I know it's killing you being on the sidelines.
I know you want to be there for your friends.
I know you want to get after it with the MFTs, but listen to me.
You're not medically clear.
That means if you're out there at ringside, you're a huge liability to me.
The only thing I need you to do is focus on getting healthy and, Sami,
all due respect, I'm not asking.
[scoffs] Okay.
All right, Nick.
But I'm telling you right now,
I'm not gonna stand by and watch for much longer, all right?
[Aldis sighs]
-All right, so… -[knocks on door]
-[R-Truth] Can I come in? -[crowd cheers]
-Sure, Truth. Come on in. -Can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?
What can I do for you?
Is this how you picking my older brother John Cena's last opponent?
Yeah, yeah. Names drawn at random for the Last Time is Now Tournament.
-I want in. -[crowd cheers]
-I don't-- -Come on. I need this.
Truth, I don't think you understand.
I came in here to put my balls in your hand.
[crowd laughing]
-Truth… -I need this, Nick. Come on.
You don't understand. Your name's already in the tumbler, Truth.
You're in.
If that's how it is, you know what?
I don't want my balls touching your balls anyway.
[crowd laughing, cheering]
I don't know what just happened here.
I wasn't aware that the Last Time is Now Tournament was BYOB,
bring your own balls.
Nonetheless, I cannot wait to find out how the SmackDown bracket
is going to shape up.
Well, from John Cena, who was once "the champ is here,"
to a new champ is here.
Let's take you back to Saturday Night's Main Event.
[tense music plays]
[Cole] The WWE Women's Championship on the line.
Jade Cargill goes head-to-head
with the WWE Women's Champion Tiffany Stratton.
The champ's left knee heavily taped after the attack by Jade Cargill.
[Graves] The Storm has snapped.
[Cargill] That title is mine.
[Cole] Tiffany going right after Cargill,
landing hard on the knee, and Jade's attacking it.
[Barrett] Clearly, the bull's-eye on the knee, and this is a suboptimal Stratton.
One! Two!
Well, Jade looks in complete control here.
[Cole] Jade overconfident there, and it allowed an opening,
and Tiffany shows signs of the knee injury.
Tiff's got an opportunity.
Swanton by Stratton! Can she retain?
Jade powers out at two!
[Barrett] I'm not sure she is good to go.
[Cole] Oh! Right into a clothesline!
How much does the champ have left?
[Barrett] It is just nuclear bomb after nuclear bomb
all landing on Tiffany Stratton.
My God!
[Cole] Jaded by Cargill!
One! Two! Three!
Jade Cargill wins the championship!
A storm has come to WWE and a warning to all on SmackDown.
[Cole] Jade Cargill's time is now.
The brand-new WWE Women's Champion will join us live next.
Sorry, man. Guy's a psycho, but he's good.
-[sighs] Look, next time… -[Frazer laughs] Can you believe that?
Mate, it's got to be so rough going out there
for a United States title match
two weeks in a row, and getting shot down both times.
And your friend, your tag team partner, steals your opportunity.
I mean, I guess that's what you get when you're a…
Nathan, what was the word again?
Uh…
Oh yeah, "jackass."
[Axiom laughs]
[Graves] Frazer out here looking like the lost Backstreet Boy.
[crowd cheering]
-[thunderclap] -[Cargill] A storm… [laughs] …is coming.
["A Storm is Coming" playing]
[Cole] Corey, it was just a matter of time.
[Graves] From the moment Jade Cargill stepped foot in WWE,
she was earmarked as a future world champion.
At Saturday Night's Main Event, that time has arrived.
Y'all saw what happened to Tiffany,
and that goes for every woman in that locker room.
Make no mistakes about it,
I'm that ****.
[crowd cheers]
["A Storm is Coming" playing]
-[Cole] Wow. -[Graves] Nuff said.
[Cole laughs]
Well, when you look like that, you're built like that,
you're carrying the title,
you can do whatever you want.
Jade Cargill putting everybody on notice.
The brand-new WWE Women's Champion.
["All Hail the Queen" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[Cole chuckles]
♪ Bow down… ♪
[Cole] Well, the new champ and the 14-time champion.
And current Tag Team Champion.
The Queen.
I can too, babe.
[Graves] No fear from Cargill.
[Cole] And none from Charlotte.
[Graves] Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, no strangers to the top of the mountain,
whether it be in singles or tag team competition.
-[Cole] Wait a minute. -[Graves] Uh-oh!
Charlotte Flair's got Nia Jax to deal with in a matter of moments.
She needs to stay laser focused.
[Cole] And that's what her tag partner, Alexa Bliss, is explaining to her here.
[bell dings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied by Alexa Bliss,
from Queen City,
she is one half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Charlotte Flair!
[Cole] Charlotte, Nia, live next.
[music stops]
Slaygent A, tonight is the night.
[speaks Spanish]
And I'm going to solidify my place in the history books
-as the longest-reigning… -Yes.
-[coughing] -…first- and fourth-ever United--
Um, I don't think you'll be the longest-reigning
'cause Giulia just surpassed you.
-Math is not mathing. -No.
-Holidays do not count. -Not in Canada.
Of course the don't. Oh, how convenient.
With that ego of yours overlooking Giulia,
I think we already know how this match is gonna go.
I know how it's gonna go.
I'm gonna win, and I'm gonna be the first and fourth United States women's champion.
And then I'm gonna be double champion. So how about that?
News flash, dummies.
I am going to be the greatest SmackDown champion that you've ever seen.
In fact, I already am, and I only have one…
No, no, no, no, keep it going. Say what you gotta say. Keep going.
-I actually think that you look gorgeous. -Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
If you keep on talking, I'm gonna stomp a hole through your chest.
[exclaims] No bueno.
-No bueno. -Security.
We've… We're busy. [chuckles]
-Adios. -[Michin] Bye.
[laughing, speaking indistinctly]
-Girl, move. -Oh.
-What… Was that necessary? -Look, I don't know
why the hell she thinks it's cool to be running around here
-talking like this. Like is it really? -I know. I know.
D-Did you say something?
Look, congratulations,
but I don't think it's necessary for you to be acting…
Girl, I do what I want, and if you got a problem with it,
you can step up and get stepped on next week in that ring.
[sucks teeth] Bet.
Bet.
What is her problem all of a sudden?
King Kong all beating on her chest like that.
[Graves] Sounds like B-Fab wants a piece of the champ.
[Cole] Meanwhile, the Queen, Charlotte Flair
set for singles action tonight.
["Not Like Most Girls" playing]
♪ There's only one me… ♪
[Nash] And her opponent,
from San Diego, California,
Nia Jax!
[Cole] Well, you know, Corey, Nia is always miserable,
but she's in a real bad mood tonight
because of what happened last week on Friday Night SmackDown.
Remember, Alexa Bliss knocked off Nia last week
thanks to a distraction by Charlotte.
[Graves] Well, first of all, Nia Jax is not always miserable.
She just doesn't like you, Michael Cole.
I, for one, can't wait for the bell to ring
because every time Jax and Flair step in the ring against one another,
it is downright ugly.
I cannot wait.
[Cole] Yeah, there is a bit of history between these two.
They're 2-2 in singles matchups in their career.
Both former World Champions.
[bell dings]
[crowd chants] Whoo!
[Cole] Nia a two-time WWE Champion, two-time Tag Champ,
Queen of the Ring back in 2024,
and staring in the eyes of one of the greatest of all time,
the 14-time World Champ Charlotte Flair.
Been a two-time NXT Champion, two-time Tag Champ,
and two-time Royal Rumble winner.
[Graves] With all those accolades,
I'm sure Charlotte Flair would be the first to admit
that Nia Jax has been one of the biggest thorns in her side
-throughout Flair's illustrious career. -[Cole] Indeed.
And Nia Jax looking to overpower Charlotte Flair in the early going.
[Graves] And this is unfamiliar territory to Flair.
Not something she encounters regularly against most opponents,
and that's the fact that Nia does have the ability to overpower the Queen.
[Cole] The shoulder tackle as Charlotte just bounces off Nia.
You think you're gonna do something to me?
[Cole] The reason she's called "the Irresistible Force."
[Graves] Uh-oh! Cole, I told ya!
-You ready? You ready? -Do it again. Do it again.
[Cole, Graves exclaims]
[Cole] Charlotte with a slap of her own, and Nia misses wildly.
And here comes Charlotte Flair.
Nice takedown and the Thesz press into the big right hands by Charlotte.
[Graves] Huge forearms rocking the Irresistible Force,
but Jax able to shrug off Flair.
[Cole exclaims] What a headbutt.
[Graves] And that could be a game changer.
[Cole] The problem, you expend so much energy
trying to bring Nia Jax down, and then she does that to you.
One quick headbutt.
-[Graves] Oh! -[Cole] Big kick by Charlotte.
[Graves] Nia definitely possesses game-changing power.
And has a very impressive amount of stamina for…
-Oh, my God. -[Cole] Uh-oh. Charlotte in trouble.
But she takes down Nia.
Nice head scissors takedown by Charlotte Flair.
Follows it up with a dropkick into a kip-up.
And again, maybe just a bit off her game
because of being in there with someone the strength of Nia.
[Graves] Not to mention the fact that the Queen just had a very brief run-in
with the new WWE Women's Champion Jade Cargill.
[Cole] Nia bounced into the corner but able to block,
and now Charlotte Flair goes face-first into the turnbuckle.
[Graves] Let's be honest, Charlotte Flair wakes up each and every morning
thinking about championship gold.
That is why Charlotte Flair exists and the fact that she was that close
face-to-face with Cargill definitely gave the Queen something to think about.
[Cole] Speaking of championship gold, we mentioned this last week,
Nia Jax has not been the same, Corey,
since she lost the title to Tiffany Stratton
on the cash-in back earlier this year.
-[Graves exclaims] -[Cole] And Nia Jax!
[Graves] I would agree with that,
but it looks like Jax may be returning to form tonight.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] And Charlotte trying to fight back against Nia Jax
who's dominated most of this matchup.
[Graves] Like trying to chop down a sequoia.
[Cole] Charlotte into the corner, out to the apron.
Big boot to the face of Nia will stop Nia at least momentarily.
Charlotte trying to feed off the WWE fans here in South Carolina.
Flair up to the top rope. Charlotte now.
-[Graves] Wow! -[Cole] Crossbody!
[Graves] Tremendous height on the crossbody from Flair.
-Oh, yeah! -[crowd] Whoo!
[chanting] Whoo! Whoo! Whoo!
[Cole] We are in Flair country.
And Charlotte with a kick to the face.
Nia misses wildly there
and nice move by Charlotte, the chop block.
[Graves] Brilliant strategy.
The front walkover into the clothesline takes down Jax.
[Cole] That's where Charlotte's at her best.
[Graves] Charlotte now disrespecting Nia Jax.
Flair making the climb to the top turnbuckle.
-Charlotte with the moonsault to Nia! -[Graves exclaims]
-[Cole] Cover for the win and somehow… -One! Two!
Did she kick out? She did.
[Graves] Unbelievable.
[Cole] Two and three-quarters.
[Graves] That was an absolutely brutal moonsault.
Take a look at this. Watch Charlotte's knees.
Her left knee came crashing down right across the abdomen of Jax.
That'll drive all the wind out of your body,
no matter how strong you are.
[Cole] And now trying to drag Nia into position
for a Figure Four into a Figure Eight,
but Nia with a headbutt.
[Graves] Was a questionable decision by Flair.
[Cole] Flair missed with the… with the big boot.
Oh, the sit-out powerbomb by Jax!
One! Two!
And Charlotte survives.
[Graves] You can almost hear Nia Jax's thoughts
watching from where we are.
"What do I have to do next?"
"What do I have left in the arsenal to topple the Queen?"
[Cole] Well, she may have Charlotte where she wants her.
[Graves] Oh, we could be moments away from annihilation.
Whoo!
[Cole] Nia up to the second rope.
-[fans jeering] -Whoo!
[Cole] Looking for the Annihilator,
but Charlotte Flair able to move out of harm's way.
-One! Two! -Shoulders down, Nia rolls through.
[Graves] Here's the power we keep mentioning.
[Cole] And Nia marching around the ring with Charlotte Flair.
[Graves] Nia dumps the Queen to the outside.
-[Cole] And a big kick by Charlotte. -[Graves] Oh! Oh, no!
[Cole] And Nia's in trouble there.
[Graves] Déjà vu! Just like last week!
[Cole] And Flair with a knee!
[Graves] Right across the chest of Jax, into the cover.
[Cole] Nia kicks out at two, a near fall for Charlotte.
[Graves] You can't not be impressed by the resilience of Nia Jax to this point.
She has taken everything that Charlotte Flair has dished out.
[Cole] Been an incredible matchup between these two stars.
And Charlotte trying to figure out,
"What do I need to do to finally put Nia away?"
[Graves] Charlotte once again looking for the Figure Four.
[Cole] Nia able to counter again.
[Graves] Flair was able to get her hands up enough
to mitigate the impact in the turnbuckle.
What's Charlotte looking for here?
[Cole] Tornado DDT. Nia was going for the Samoan Drop.
Charlotte able to counter. Again another cover.
And another near fall for Flair.
[Graves] And I know Charlotte Flair was simply taking what was available
with that pinfall attempt, but she needed…
-[Cole] What the hell? What the… -[Graves] What? [stammers]
[Cole] That's Lash Legend! Lash Legend, the powerhouse from NXT…
[Graves] We haven't seen Lash on SmackDown in months.
-[Cole] …has attacked Alexa Bliss. -[Graves] Just ragdolling Bliss.
[Cole] Charlotte Flair was looking back, got distracted, and Nia took advantage.
And now Jax from the second rope with an Annihilator.
[crowd] One! Two!
-Three! -Jax wins.
[bell rings]
["Not Like Most Girls" playing]
[Nash] Here is your winner,
Nia Jax!
[Cole] Nia with an assist from Lash Legend.
[Graves] I don't know the nature of this relationship,
but I can tell you this much, Cole,
if Lash Legend is here on SmackDown,
the women's division has got a big, big problem.
[Cole] And Nia Jax may have found herself an important ally.
Charlotte was distracted by Lash Legend attacking Bliss.
It allowed Nia to take control with the Annihilator
and pick up the victory.
Well, there's your answer.
[Graves] My goodness.
You did that. You did that.
Yes. My girl! [laughs]
[dramatic music playing]
[Cena] From the moment I announced my farewell tour over a year ago,
the one question I've been asked more than any other is,
"Who do you want to face in your last match?"
My answer has always been the same.
On my last day, I want to face whoever is willing to step up
and seize the same kind of opportunity I was given on my first day.
Therefore, starting on Raw from my hometown in Boston,
a 16-man tournament will commence.
The field will be chosen at random,
filled with competitors from Raw.
SmackDown,
NXT,
and maybe even some faces who don't even work here.
There will be stars with whom I have a storied history.
But even more from a generation of talent
that I've never gone one-on-one with in my life.
By the time we get to December 13th,
in Washington DC for our next Saturday Night's Main Event,
my final opponent isn't gonna be handpicked.
It's going to be hard-earned.
To everyone seizing this opportunity, I say, "Good luck."
And to the winner I say, for one final time…
You want some?
Come get some!
[crowd chanting] Cena! Cena! Cena! Cena!
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor and privilege
to draw the next two matchups,
in the Last Time is Now Tournament.
The names have been circulated.
Fate has spoken.
And a once-in-a-lifetime career-changing opportunity
is on the line.
The first match that's been drawn
is between two of the most decorated WWE superstars of all time.
It's two-time Grand Slam champion, The Miz
takes on Main Event Jey Uso.
The second matchup will be between the Megastar LA Knight…
and the name that is in my hand.
You know what?
I think I'm gonna keep this one a surprise.
[Graves] Oh, come on, Aldis. Tell us who it is.
[Cole] How is that fair?
[Graves] Well, listen, Nick's had a busy night already
making this main event still to come
as the Undisputed WWE Champion, the American Nightmare Cody Rhodes
goes one-on-one with the vicious, lethal Aleister Black.
[Cole] You mean we got to wait till next week to find out who…
[Graves] I'm going to send a few text messages.
I'll see what I can find.
[Cole] Yeah, I'm sure he'll answer you.
["Time of Arrival" playing]
[bell dings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it's for the Women's United States Championship!
Introducing first,
accompanied by Kiana James,
from Tokyo, Japan,
she is the Women's United States Champion,
Giulia!
[Cole] Our second championship match here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
This matchup for the Women's United States Champion,
Giulia facing the challenger Chelsea Green live next on SmackDown.
Welcome back to SmackDown.
Cathy Kelley here with Nia Jax and Lash Legend.
And, Nia, for as many times as you faced Charlotte Flair,
I don't think anyone could have predicted that ending.
Can you tell me how this pairing between you two came about?
Cathy, did you have those glasses on while you were watching that match?
I clearly would have beaten Charlotte,
but you know, teaming up with Lash, it was so hard, you know,
because we're not really friends, we're more like allies. [exclaims]
-[exclaiming] -[chuckles, scoffs]
Well, Alexa and Charlotte said I needed to find a friend, and joke's on them.
I found a friend. I had a friend.
I faced Lash on NXT, and she is a formidable adversary,
and I know she's a badass.
That's why she's my friend.
And can Alexa or Charlotte say that their friend
-is a former NCAA world record holder? -[exclaims]
-Take it away, Lash. -That's right. That's right.
Thanks, my girl.
Um, clearly, if you didn't know, I'm Lash Legend,
the one and only Bougie Bully,
and based on what I just did to Alexa, clearly I'm everything I say I am.
And best believe … [chuckles] …we're going straight to the top, okay?
And tonight was just the beginning.
[exclaims, giggles]
Thank you guys so much.
-[Cole] That's going to be some team. -[Graves] No doubt about it.
[Cole] This has been quite the team as well.
Kiana James on the left, the business adviser
for the United States Champion Giulia.
About to defend her title.
[Green] Pledge your allegiance to Chelsea Green.
["Hot Mess" playing]
♪ Yeah, hey, hey ♪
♪ Shh ♪
♪ I'm a hot mess… ♪
[Nash] And her opponent,
the challenger,
accompanied by Alba Fyre,
she is one half of the AAA Mixed Tag Team Champions,
from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada,
Chelsea Green!
[Graves] Allow me to be the first to say Chelsea Green is a multinational treasure,
and there's the greatest North American, Ethan Page.
[Cole] The NXT North American Champion.
[Graves] Who also holds the AAA Mixed Tag Team titles
with Ms. Green.
Ethan Page here to show support. This could be a landmark night.
So this is the reason that Chelsea's dressed in the colors of the Mexican flag
and trying to speak Spanish in the locker room.
[Graves stammers] You don't learn Spanish overnight, Cole,
you've been trying to learn for 40 years, and you never succeeded.
[Cole] You're the voice of AAA, and you don't know three words in Spanish.
[Graves] That's not true. I know a couple.
[Cole] Chelsea Green, of course, the inaugural United States Women's Champion.
[Graves] Inaugural and greatest ever.
And let's be honest, Cole, the country has been in turmoil
since Chelsea lost the United States Championship.
I personally felt exponentially less patriotic.
[Cole] So if she wins tonight, maybe the airplanes will start flying again?
[Graves] I would bet money that would be the case.
[Cole] And here we go. Chelsea and Giulia
for the Women's United States Championship and Green starts off with a slap
to the Beautiful Madness, and Giulia followed up on her own
nice headlock takedown by the champ.
[Graves] Certainly a curious decision by Chelsea Green
to opt try to exchange strikes with Giulia.
-[Graves exclaims] Oh, man! -[Cole] Oh! The headbutt by Giulia.
This is going to be short-lived, I believe, for Ms. Green.
[Graves] Vertical suplex by the champion.
-[Cole] So Chelsea's from Canada. -[Graves] Correct.
[Cole] She holds the AAA Mixed Tag titles and…
Oh, look at this now. Chelsea…
-And she could be the United States Champ… -[Graves] Oh! Arrivederci!
[Cole] And this could be it.
Cover, hook, and somehow Chelsea kicked out.
So if Chelsea wins, she'd be, like, the champion of North America, I guess.
[Graves] Yeah, I mean, Ethan Page has already laid claim
to being the greatest North American.
Maybe she could be…
-[Cole exclaims] -[Graves] I don't know, Cole.
I don't get paid for this.
[Cole] You get paid. And a biel by Giulia to Green into the corner.
And Giulia dominating here in the early going of this matchup.
[Graves] Oh, no. Oh, no.
-[Graves exclaims] -[Cole] Goodness!
-Chelsea may be knocked out. -[Graves] I think at this point,
Chelsea wishes she was on a whole different continent.
[Cole] A very intense and aggressive champ here tonight.
Giulia separated. Look! Getting involved, Kiana James!
And now Alba Fyre from her Secret Hervice will take out Kiana.
And Giulia now with a kick to the back of the head of Fyre.
And a roll-up now by Green. Shoulders down.
-Using the ropes, Chelsea Green won! -[Graves exclaims] She did it!
["Hot Mess" playing]
[Graves] This is one of the greatest moments in sports.
[Nash] Here is your winner, and new United States Champion,
Chelsea Green!
[Graves] Cole, stand up! Pledge allegiance to the champion.
She did it again!
[Cole] Chelsea Green and Ethan Page are now both double champions.
[Graves] And you and I are both going to be able
to catch our flights home tomorrow.
That's how you do it!
-We told you we would! -We're the greatest North Americans…
-[Graves] God bless America. -…alive!
[Graves] North America!
Know what time it is?
Fenix is done.
Brought up to the heavens.
-Bring down, baby. -And everyone down! [grunts]
Good job to everyone last week.
But it wasn't good enough.
Sami Zayn, he's still walking around.
The Wyatt Sicks, they got something that belongs to this family.
-Ilja Dragunov. -Yeah.
He's got something that belongs to this family.
We are going to take it back.
Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah! You already know.
We got this.
But tonight it's about the big man.
You, go out there, make a statement,
smash him and show everyone not to ever,
ever disrespect my family again.
-Do you understand me? -[roars]
-Let's go. -[grunts]
Not yet.
♪ Animo ♪
[Cole] That's gonna be a showdown if it ever happens.
["Animo" playing]
[crowd cheers]
[bell dings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Ecatepec, Mexico,
weighing in at 182 pounds,
Rey Fenix!
[Cole] The high-flying luchador with a tall task.
He takes our Talla Tonga next.
-It's like in my neck. -Does it hurt when you rotate…
-Yes. -Okay, hold on. Let me…
Can you get some ice?
I'm gonna get you some ice. Be right back.
Dude, I'm sorry I lost.
Oh, my God, don't even…
I'm sorry that that happened.
-Dude, how were you friends with her? -I don't know.
Thank you.
-Where do you want it, here? -She's terrible.
[both scream]
[laughs]
[Flair] Lexi!
[Cole] The Kabuki Doctors.
Asuka and Kairi Sane. The mist to Charlotte.
I told you they were having problems, Charlotte and Alexa,
with the rest of the tag teams around here.
["Taking It All" playing]
[Graves] Perils of being on the top of the mountain.
♪ We taking it all ♪
♪ Settle the score… ♪
[Cole] Rey Fenix is in for peril.
♪ Taking it all ♪
♪ We kick in the door Dropping you down to the floor ♪
♪ We taking it all ♪
♪ Ready for war Better than ever before ♪
♪ We taking it all ♪
♪ Break down the walls My Bloodline is hard to the core ♪
♪ We taking it all ♪
♪ I have been destined to win Alpha, omega, the end… ♪
[Nash] And his opponent, accompanied by MFT,
from the Isle of Tonga,
weighing in at 300 pounds,
Talla Tonga!
[Cole] The monstrous Talla Tonga set to go one-on-one with…
Wait a minute!
[Graves] It's the Motor City Machine Guns and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Looking to even the odds here.
And Fenix tries to take out Tonga!
[Cole] Motor City Machine Guns, Shinsuke Nakamura
have been the targets of MFT in recent weeks, as has Rey Fenix.
And now Fenix and Tonga.
And what this does is really even things up now for Rey Fenix,
despite the fact Solo still hanging out here at ringside.
[Graves] Fenix definitely needs to keep an eye on Solo Sikoa.
But look at the Luchador trying to take flight
but stopped dead in the air.
[Cole] Yeah, look at the power now of Talla.
Well, momentarily, as Tonga is sent into the ring post.
And Rey Fenix took advantage of a golden opportunity
that was handed to him.
[Graves] Talla Tonga certainly has a size advantage,
but this is Rey Fenix we're talking about.
One of the most decorated luchadors in AAA history.
A former AAA Mega Champion, the same title held by Dirty Dom.
[bell dings]
But I don't know if Fenix has ever encountered
someone quite like Talla Tonga.
[Cole] And the bell finally rings and we're underway with this matchup.
And Rey Fenix is…
has the upper hand here.
Well, had the upper hand in the early going.
And there's the power!
-[Graves] Look at the agility of Fenix. -[Cole] Right to the knee.
[Graves] Trying to chop down the big man. Brilliant strategy by Rey.
-[Cole] And Fenix. The springboard. -[Graves] My God.
[Cole] Nobody home as Tonga ducked underneath.
Fenix caught him with a kick right to the hamstring.
[Graves] And, Cole, I'd say one of the scariest aspects of Talla Tonga
is how relatively new he is in this industry.
Talla Tonga was just really finding himself,
gaining his footing in Japan before he arrived in WWE.
[Cole] Oh, and there he just pancakes Rey Fenix.
And you're right, Talla Tonga won a couple of championships in Japan
before deciding to return to the United States
to help out his brothers.
Of course, his brothers Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa,
his dad, the legendary Haku.
[Graves] Renowned as perhaps the toughest individual
to ever step foot in a ring.
[Cole] Oh, and big boot drives Fenix back to the barricade!
And this man is massive.
[Graves] The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree.
[Cole] Solo Sikoa.
As we take another look.
Sikoa knew what he was doing when he assembled the MFTs.
[Graves] And, again, I think Solo Sikoa in a weird way
is able to fly under the radar.
People forget how much Solo was able to learn
from Roman Reigns, the Tribal Chief.
Solo spent every waking moment with Roman.
He absorbed a great deal of knowledge
in how to build a successful, dangerous faction.
And now giving that knowledge to the rest of the MFTs.
Talla Tonga now drops Fenix into the barricade.
Solo applauding at ringside as Talla Tonga has taken out Fenix.
-[fan 1] You can do it. -[fan 2] Let's go, Rey!
It has been all Talla Tonga in this matchup,
but Fenix trying to show some sort of flash here.
[Graves] And Fenix with those overhand chops,
that's like trying to take down a pterodactyl with a fly swatter.
[Cole] Oh, my goodness!
Fenix went for the springboard, and he ran into a wall.
And Solo Sikoa loving what he sees here at ringside.
[Graves] Not surprised, not even a little bit.
[Cole] Hey, let's not forget Rey Fenix wanted this match.
He slapped Talla Tonga last week.
And Talla saying, "Bring it again."
-Oh, my God Almighty! -[Graves] Oh, my God.
-[Cole] What impact. -[Graves] Oh, my God.
[Cole] Our official, Jason Ayers, may want to think about stepping in here,
because this is turning into a massacre.
Just an example of how dangerous Solo Sikoa's crew is.
Rey into the corner, and that time Tonga got a bit overzealous.
And Rey Fenix may have an opening here.
Fenix trying to fight back. That kick swatted away.
That one might have broken Fenix's ankle.
But somehow Fenix able to land on his feet.
And a big kick now.
Fenix into the corner.
Springboard off the rope, kick to the face.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Breathtaking offense of Rey Fenix.
If he can string a few more offensive maneuvers together,
he can get back into this fight.
[Cole] He may have…
I thought he was going to have Talla Tonga rattled here.
And perhaps he's still…
He was looking for a sunset flip, not going to happen.
Oh, and a big uppercut by Tonga.
Every time, every time.
[crowd booing]
[Graves] Right now Talla Tonga is just playing with his food.
No disrespect to Rey Fenix. Again, a world-class competitor,
but this has been a massacre.
[Cole] Uh-oh, Tonga, though, hung up on the top rope.
And Fenix may have an opportunity. Rey now with a kick to the face!
And Rey Fenix looking to somehow pull one out here.
[Graves] Fenix with another kick right between the eyes of Talla Tonga.
[Cole] And Rey Fenix, who's been put through the wringer here tonight,
looking to somehow have a last-gasp effort.
-[Graves] Oh! There it is! -[Cole] What a kick!
Tonga's down to a knee.
[Graves] Goodbye, amigo!
[Cole] Back up to his feet.
Fenix now up to the top rope.
[Graves] The luchador perch.
Target acquired!
[Cole] Oh, and a big crossbody.
Lateral press on Tonga!
And a kickout at two.
Fenix had a chance.
And now a look of concern in the face of Solo Sikoa.
[Graves] The smile washed away.
Rey Fenix looking to put something together here.
[Cole] Big kick to Tonga again. The big man is stunned.
[Graves] Fenix knows he needs a little insurance.
Gonna take more than that to keep the big man down.
Once again perched on top.
[Cole] Up to the top rope. Rey Fenix gonna fly.
Oh, caught by Talla Tonga. Picked him out of midair.
[Graves] Fenix wanted to counter with a hurricanrana.
Talla just too powerful.
-[Cole] Oh! -[Graves] Forget about it. Forget it.
[Cole] And Tonga not through yet.
Talla Tonga with a massive chokeslam.
One! Two!
-Three! -[Cole] Tonga impressive…
-[bell dings] -…dominant in the win.
["Taking It All" playing]
[Nash] Here is your winner,
Talla Tonga!
[Cole] And what an impressive performance tonight by Talla Tonga.
And, remember, Rey Fenix had the upper hand in the early going
after Shinsuke and the Motor City Machine Guns
took out the rest of the MFTs.
[Graves] It just goes to show you what we are dealing with
when it comes to Talla Tonga, Solo Sikoa and the MFT.
[Cole] And now look at… I think Solo wants to spike.
-["Worlds Apart" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Well, Sami's not medically cleared.
The general manager Nick Aldis made that clear earlier tonight,
but Sami couldn't stand in the back.
He came out with a weapon to protect Rey Fenix.
[crowd chanting] Sami! Sami! Sami!
[Cole] Yeah, cheer for Sami all you want.
The problem is that man may have a death wish.
[Graves] Well, tonight, Sami Zayn may very well have prevented
a catastrophe falling upon Rey Fenix.
This issue between Zayn and Solo Sikoa and the MFT,
far, far from over.
[Cole] Let's not forget not just Sami Zayn,
but Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura, the Motor City Machine Guns.
The MFTs also have the Wyatt Sicks lurking in the shadows.
Things are about to explode here.
[Graves] Unfamiliar territory for Solo and crew to be the hunted,
which is the case when it comes to the Wyatt Sicks and the other crews.
Next week Friday Night SmackDown
will be in the capital city of New York State, Albany.
And what a card we have,
including our brand new WWE Women's Champion.
Jade Cargill will be in action.
Earlier on tonight she got into it backstage with B-Fab.
B-Fab tries to take out the Storm next week.
[Graves] And we heard Nick Aldis make the announcement earlier tonight.
LA Knight, the Megastar, will go one-on-one in a first-round match
for The Last Time Is Now Tournament against an opponent to be named.
-[Cole] Who is it? -[Graves] Aldis, please tell us.
[Graves] And on the other side of the tournament, how about this?
The former World Heavyweight Champion Main Event Jey Uso goes one-on-one
with one of John Cena's greatest rivals, the A-Lister, The Miz.
It's all going down next Friday in Albany on SmackDown.
[Cole] Let's check in now with Cathy Kelley.
Yeah, thanks so much, guys. I'm here with The Miz.
And, Miz, big news.
We have learned that your opponent in the first round
of The Last Time Is Now Tournament next week
will be none other than Jey Uso.
But before we talk about that, I do want to address the payback
-that you gave to Carmelo Hayes. -Payback?
You thought me hitting Carmelo Hayes
with the Skull Crushing Finale was payback?
Perspective, Cathy, a reminder of exactly what I'm capable of,
because everyone seems to forget that everything I touch becomes important.
The Intercontinental Championship, I made prestigious.
Talk shows, I make must-see.
Carmelo Hayes, I made him relevant.
I beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania,
which should, should make our final match inevitable!
But then now there's some sort of farewell tournament that he announces,
opening the door for NXT outsiders, rookies
like it's some sort of open tryout at the performance center.
There shouldn't even be a tournament,
especially, especially when his final opponent is staring you right in the face!
[crowd cheers]
Now I have to face Jey Uso, who's full of emotion, fire and passion.
Everything he does is a highlight.
Highlights fade, legacies don't.
And that's where I live.
I will beat Jey Uso. I will win this tournament.
The critics will cry.
The Internet will whine, but the headline will read,
"The Miz beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania.
The Miz ended John Cena's career, because The Miz is awesome!"
Thank you so much, Miz.
Very much looking forward to his match against Jey Uso next week.
But let's get to the action back here on SmackDown.
["Root of All Evil" plays]
[Cole] It is time for our main event.
♪ Oh, yeah ♪
♪ 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… ♪
[Cole] A necessary evil.
Aleister Black with a great opportunity
against the WWE Champion Cody Rhodes next.
♪ You point your finger And play the victim ♪
♪ So take your best shot… ♪
[Cole] Aleister Black knows a victory over Cody Rhodes tonight
could earn him a future WWE Championship opportunity.
So much at stake in our main event.
[Graves] This opportunity could prove to be good fortune
for that duo right there.
["Kingdom" plays]
[crowd cheers]
♪ 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… ♪ -[bell dings]
[Nash] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 222 pounds,
he is the Undisputed WWE Champion,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Cole] You see, Corey, Cody is smarting a bit
after a slap by Zelina at the top of the broadcast tonight.
Cody thought he was going to have an easy night and watch the show with the fans.
[Graves] Cody Rhodes wanted to watch SmackDown to help decide
who would be the next contender
for his coveted championship.
Aleister Black wasn't going to wait for the opportunity.
He came out and demanded it.
This could backfire spectacularly for the American Nightmare
because if Cody isn't careful,
Black will turn your lights out in the blink of an eye.
[Cole] Ask Damian Priest about that.
♪ Whoa ♪
[Graves] But you got to understand and respect Cody's decision.
Cody fancies himself as the Quarterback here in WWE.
Quarterbacks don't take games off.
They show up, they play their heart out
every time the opportunity presents itself,
and tonight's no different for the Undisputed Champion.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes will never ever back down from a fight,
and he's going to get one tonight in Aleister Black, who's fired up,
because he understands what opportunity lies in front of him tonight.
[Graves] Again, I cannot overstate
how absolutely lethal Aleister Black is between the ropes.
A student of multiple martial arts from Muay Thai to pencak silat.
Black knows a million ways to hurt you.
[Cole] And he also has that one sudden impact of a move
known as Black Mass,
that will turn your lights out in an instant.
[crowd] ♪ Cody, Cody Rhodes ♪
[Graves] Cody Rhodes no slouch with his own amateur wrestling background
being utilized in the early moments of this one.
[Cole] Nice takedown of Aleister Black by the champ.
Aleister Black retaliates.
Gonna be interesting to see what this pace is in this match tonight.
Both men coming out of the blocks hot.
Cody, of course, went through that grueling matchup six nights ago
at Saturday Night's Main Event against Drew McIntyre.
[Graves] And that in and of itself can't allow Cody to be 100% tonight.
It's only been a few days.
You don't do battle with somebody who's 285 pounds,
the size of Drew McIntyre and feel great.
Face-first goes Aleister Black.
And to your point about the pace,
Aleister is a competitor who's not afraid to push the pace.
Aleister can even fly a little bit when need be, but his bread and butter,
what brought him to the dance is his striking ability, which is second to none.
[Cole] Up and over went Cody, who went for an arm drag.
And Aleister Black looking for an arm bar here.
[Graves] Aleister Black is a weapon.
Everything about this guy hurts, and is designed.
[Cole] That was a great counter by Cody,
going into the cover and forcing the break.
-And now… Oh, goodness! -[Graves] Whoa.
[Cole] Looked like he was going for the Disaster Kick
and ran into a kick of his own.
Aleister Black has the champ on the ropes.
[crowd boos]
[Cole] Powerslam by Cody.
Cover now on Black,
and a kickout.
[Graves] That's gotta be frustrating for the American Nightmare,
who's favoring what appears to be his eye.
I don't know if that was an incidental contact
or still a result of Zelina Vega on the outside.
[Cole] And don't forget the slap earlier tonight as well,
which really set Cody off.
And Black went for the kick.
Cody gonna roll up Black here.
Kickout at two.
Boot into the face by Black drops the champion.
Aleister, again, into a cover.
I love the fact he's going for these quick covers on the champion.
[Graves] It's brilliant strategy. It's a veteran maneuver by Black.
Again, Aleister doesn't expect these covers to necessarily pin Cody for three,
but it forces Cody to kickout.
[Cole] You wear him down.
You know, Corey, when you're tired, you make a mistake, right?
And that may open Cody up for the Black Mass by Black.
[Graves] Vicious strikes from Aleister.
Putting on an absolute clinic at the expense of the American Nightmare.
[Cole] Well, you mentioned before how dangerous he is
with his martial arts background,
his hands and feet are both lethal weapons.
[Graves] His elbows, his knees.
[Cole] There's an example right there, the knee to the gut.
Big forearm by Black.
Cody Rhodes, though,
gonna beat him to the punch and take Black down.
And now Cody is starting to build momentum a bit.
Up over the top goes Cody Rhodes.
And now the powerslam by the champion.
[Graves] And this is what sets Cody apart from the rest,
the intangibles, the ability to feed off of the live crowd
tonight here in Greenville,
trying to wake up the American Nightmare.
Disaster Kick!
[Cole] And Cody into the cover now, looking for the win,
and Black kicks out!
[Graves] And you could see pure panic in the eyes of Zelina on the outside,
thinking that might have been it for Aleister Black.
[crowd clapping rhythmically]
And now Cody starting to build a rally.
We're in the home of the Swamp Rabbits.
[Cole] The what?
[Graves] The Swamp Rabbits. It's the hockey team here in Greenville.
[Cole] Oh. And Cody looking for Cross Rhodes,
and Black caught him with a knee.
[Graves] Not to be confused with Swamp Donkeys like we saw--
[Cole] Oh, wow, what a kick to the ankle dropping Cody.
And another one!
[Graves] Good night.
[Cole] Cover on the champ, and a kickout by Rhodes at two.
[Graves] A rare glimpse at emotion on the face of Aleister Black,
a look of frustration.
[Cole] Oh, he knows how big this match is.
[Graves] And it's got to be irritating for Aleister
when you're landing all these heavy strikes,
all this high-impact offense,
and Cody keeps kicking out.
[Cole] Cody off the second rope. Oh, Cody Cutter!
Is it enough for the win? Cody hooks the leg.
Black able to kick out at two.
[Graves] Just barely.
You can see the discomfort on Zelina once again.
Take a look at this. Such precision on the execution.
Cutter driving Black face-first, but not enough to finish the job.
[Cole] Cody in the driver's seat, however.
And now Cody with the lefts.
Oh, went for the bionic elbow, and Black caught him with a kick.
[Graves] Oh, and a knee right under the chin.
[Cole] And a German suplex. Stacks him up. Jackknife.
And a kickout at two.
[Graves] What a fantastic sequence of offense from Aleister Black,
but, again, not enough to do the job.
[Cole] And now Black learning what it's all about to be in the ring
with the Undisputed WWE Champion and the heart of Cody Rhodes.
[Graves] Oh, Aleister might have been lining up the Black Mass,
but Cody sensed it coming.
Looking for Cross Rhodes.
[Cole] And Black able to shoo him away.
And Cody now hangs on.
Black sent across the ring.
Another kick by Black.
-Cody with one of his own. -[Graves] Wow!
[Cole] Both men are down!
[Graves] Both men connecting at the exact same moment.
[Cole] And the official Dan Engler gonna begin the count now
with both Cody and Black down and out.
Two!
Three!
[Cole] Oh, my God!
McIntyre with a Claymore to the damn referee!
You're against me, and you're with Cody!
You're against me. This is your own damn fault.
This is your--
[Cole] Now Cody Rhodes tackling McIntyre.
And now Cody in a brawl with McIntyre, and Aleister Black gets into it.
[Graves] We heard Cody at the top of the evening say that,
"Drew McIntyre is in my rearview mirror. It's time to move on."
[Cole] Well, Drew McIntyre obviously hasn't moved on.
There's a two-on-one attack now on Cody Rhodes.
-["Rise For The Night" plays] -[crowd cheers]
[Cole] I don't think Priest has moved on either from Aleister Black.
Damian Priest into the ring, attacked by McIntyre and Black.
[Graves] Priest still seething about the fire.
[Cole] And now Priest sends Black into the corner.
Let's not forget McIntyre attacking the official,
the same official who was in the matchup on Saturday Night's Main Event
when McIntyre lost to Cody.
Pancaking Black!
[Graves] Priest has neutralized the threats of Aleister Black
and Drew McIntyre for the moment.
[Cole] Yeah, remember… And now Cody Rhodes gets back into it.
And Priest sees Black as a sitting duck here.
[Graves] Priest is licking his chops right now.
This is about sweet, sweet revenge.
[Cole] And Priest hammering away.
Meanwhile, Zelina on our table.
Trying to attack Damian Priest.
And now Aleister Black going for the bad eye,
the eye that Damian Priest had burned off the fireball by Black
in that Last Man Standing match.
And now Cody with a Cody Cutter to McIntyre!
[Graves] McIntyre once again with a self-fulfilling prophecy.
The self-sabotage to Cody's point.
[Cole] And Drew has lost it.
[Aldis] Do you know what, Drew?
I've had it with you. I give you an inch, and you take a mile.
Well, no more, because effective immediately,
Drew McIntyre, you are suspended.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] You called it, Cody, self-sabotage by Drew McIntyre.
-I told you what was gonna happen. -They brought this on themselves!
-I told you what was gonna happen… -You saw what the ref did!
-…if you keep going. -It's everyone against me!
-Everybody against me! -It's not everyone against you, Drew.
-My back's against the wall. -You're gonna behave yourself.
-My back is against the wall. -I told you what was gonna happen
if you cross me again. wall. -I told you what was gonna happen