[upbeat music playing]
[narrator] Then…
[The Rock] If you smell…
[narrator] Now…
-[Triple H] The King of Kings… -[Cena] You can't see me.
[narrator] Forever…
Together.
[Cole] This sadistic structure will change lives.
It has defined careers.
The path to paradise begins in hell.
[narrator] So here we are again.
Staring at madness.
Standing on the edge as we dive head first
into the abyss.
But what lies below?
Fate?
[man 2] Bianca Belair will defend the RAW Women's Championship
against both Becky Lynch and--
[Asuka] Asuka!
[narrator] Betrayal?
This is my opportunity to send both of your asses straight to hell.
[MVP] You barely survived the last time the Nigerian Giant got his hands on you.
[commentator] Imagine what these three men will try to do to one another.
[screaming]
-[Cole] Oh, my God. -[narrator] Wrath?
[man] Rise and show the proper respect to the Judgment Day.
[commentator 1] Joining forces with Liv Morgan and AJ Styles
will be Finn Bálor.
[commentator 2] …to help take down the Judgment Day.
[narrator] Or an inescapable battle with our demons?
[evil laughter]
[Seth] Anyone who's ever stepped foot in that cell with me
has changed forever.
I guess there's nothing left to say other than…
I'll see you in hell.
[narrator] Tonight, when the cell door closes,
[energetic music playing]
…hell's door opens.
-Let's go! -[commentator 1] It's about to go down.
[commentator 2] Rollins versus Rhodes for the third time.
But this time…
[commentator 1] Inside…
Hell in a Cell!
[evil laughter echoes]
[narrator] And now, WWE presents Hell in a Cell.
[fireworks exploding]
♪ Straight to hell tonight ♪
[cheering]
♪ Straight to hell tonight ♪
[Jimmy] Welcome, WWE Universe,
to a sold-out Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois,
home tonight of the most punishing structure
in all of the WWE,
this is Hell in a Cell.
Welcome to all of you joining us live on the WWE on Peacock.
This is Hell in a Cell.
Jimmy Smith, alongside Byron Saxton, Corey Graves,
pun intended, we're for a hell of a night.
No doubt about it.
Recently, we just had some major developments
regarding an injury sustained by Cody Rhodes
ahead of his Hell in a Cell match-up against Seth "Freaking" Rollins tonight.
We will keep you informed on all the details as we get them.
But before we get to that, we've got a RAW Women's Championship match
to focus on, a Triple Threat Match,
where there's no count-outs, no disqualifications.
The only superstar, the first superstar, to score a pinfall or submission will win,
as Bianca Belair defends the RAW Women's Championship
against Big Time Becky Lynch and the Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka.
[Jimmy] And one thing we know about a triple threat,
it's a challenge that does not favor the champion.
[announcer] The EST overcoming a tumultuous year
to become your new RAW Women's Champion.
[Bianca] No woman is prepared to do
what it takes to take this title away from me.
I am the strongest.
I'm the fastest. I'm the roughest. I'm the toughest. I'm the quickest.
And your new RAW Women's Champion.
[Becky] Three years.
Three years, and nobody was able to beat me for that title.
And I'll be honest with you, after WrestleMania,
I didn't recognize myself anymore.
I-I've, I've hit rock bottom.
Wait a minute.
But if-- but if I've hit rock bottom,
if I've hit rock bottom, there's nowhere else to go but up.
This is the beginning of a legendary Becky Lynch comeback.
[laughs]
Nobody's gonna be able to stop me, not Bianca, not--
[Saxton] Is it?
[Jimmy] Yes, the Empress has returned to Monday Night RAW.
She looks like she's staring at a ghost.
I will stop you,
because no one is ready
for Asuka!
[Jimmy] Big Time Becky Lynch versus Asuka, the winner,
facing Bianca Belair for the RAW Women's Championship
at Hell in a Cell.
[Corey] That's Asuka's umbrella.
Mist to the face!
-[crowd] One, two, three. -[bell dings]
[Jimmy] And Asuka has punched her ticket to Hell in a Cell.
I know you saw what happened last week. Asuka cheated.
If you took your job seriously, you would strike that
from the record, take it off the books.
The fair thing would be to give you a rematch versus Asuka tonight.
If you win tonight, it's a Triple Threat Match
at Hell in a Cell.
Bianca Belair versus Asuka… versus Becky Lynch.
[Jimmy] Right in front of the champ, Bianca Belair.
[Saxton] Uh-oh.
Oh, my God!
Count is at seven.
Asuka's got to hurry.
Asuka makes the count, but hold on.
One, two, three.
-[bell dings] -Becky Lynch will now be added
to the RAW Women's Championship match at Hell in a Cell.
I'm making a comeback, baby.
[Becky] I run on spite and coffee.
Some people collect friends, me, I collect enemies
because it lets me know that I'm on track
because I am days away from regaining my title at Hell in a Cell.
At Hell in a Cell,
I'm ready to be the new RAW Women's Champion!
[Bianca] I don't care what my odds are.
The only percentage that I'm sure about is that this is 100% not going anywhere.
[Jimmy] A combustible situation.
A Triple Threat Match for the RAW Women's Championship
at Hell in a Cell.
-[cheers and applause] -[bell dings]
[Rome] The following is a Triple Threat Match
for the RAW Women's Championship!
In this match, all three superstars
will start inside the ring at the same time.
Now, there are no count-outs and no disqualifications.
The first superstar to score a pinfall or submission
will be the winner and the RAW Women's Champion!
[cheering and applause]
[Becky Lynch's theme music playing]
[Jimmy] Here is the reason why this is a triple threat.
[Corey] Don't call it a comeback.
She's been here for years.
WWE Universe, welcome to the Big Time!
It has been no secret that Becky Lynch--
She's been in a slump.
Becky Lynch has been in a slump,
and this is Becky Lynch's chance, opportunity,
to turn it all around
and regain her positioning as the RAW Women's Champion.
[Saxton] Tonight is quite literally a golden opportunity
once again for Big Time Becky Lynch,
an opportunity to take one giant leap toward her legendary tale of redemption.
The reason she is here is because she was victorious over Asuka initially.
This was one-on-one.
She defeated Asuka, one, two, three, to make this a triple threat.
She inserted herself into this equation.
And now Becky Lynch with the ultimate opportunity
to play spoiler here tonight
and leave Chicago with the RAW Women's Championship.
Let's not kid ourselves, gentlemen.
Becky Lynch quite literally made her own luck
and forced this situation to occur.
She has been obsessed since WrestleMania.
Now is her chance at redemption.
[crowd chanting "Becky!"]
[cheering and applause]
[Asuka's theme music playing]
[Jimmy] In this match between three superstars
who have all worn gold, Asuka's return certainly the X Factor.
We talked about how Becky Lynch kind of threw a wrench
into the plans where Asuka really did tap for Becky Lynch.
'Cause it was Asuka, who returned to WWE after nine months away,
got into the face of Becky Lynch
and, in turn, declared her desire
to once again become RAW Women's Champion.
But remember, while mired in controversy, Becky Lynch has defeated Asuka.
That is how Becky earned her opportunity into this Triple Threat Match.
So the confidence has got to be on the side of Big Time Becks,
but you can never, ever bet against the Empress of Tomorrow.
Well, as we saw earlier, they are one and one
since Asuka's return to RAW.
You saw that mist to the eyes that upset Becky Lynch so much
and the intensity in her face. She's remembering it now.
You can't discount the X Factor that is Asuka's striking ability.
With one punch, one kick, your lights can go out in a hurry.
Just ask Bianca.
[Bianca's theme song playing]
[cheering and applause]
[Jimmy] Under normal circumstances, this would be a disadvantage.
A Triple Threat does not favor the champion.
Right now, we are not seeing a champion
who feels that the odds are stacked against her--
[Saxton] Because, Jimmy, we are not dealing with a normal human being.
We are talking about the EST, the woman who back-to-back
went to WrestleMania and captured Women's championships.
She is the strongest. She is the fastest.
And tonight, she can remove all doubt
as to whether or not she truly is the best on Monday Night RAW.
[Corey] Look, it is not lost on Bianca Belair.
It's one thing to become RAW Women's Champion.
Bianca will tell you herself, "This is where the work begins,
and it begins in a situation like tonight where I have to overcome Asuka,
overcome Becky Lynch, and prove my worth."
[Rome] Introducing the challengers.
First, from Dublin, Ireland,
Big Time Becky Lynch!
[booing]
Next, from Osaka, Japan,
Asuka!
[cheering and applause]
And their opponent, from Knoxville, Tennessee,
she is the RAW Women's Champion,
Bianca Belair!
[Jimmy] Absolutely nuclear ovation for the RAW Women's Champion.
[crowd] EST. EST.
[Jimmy] Chicago's ready. The WWE Universe is ready.
Let's do the damn thing!
[Saxton] Thundering chants of "EST."
[Corey] Three of the top women in our division, in our industry,
and they all possess the all-important
-championship DNA. -[bell dings]
[Jimmy] And if you're Bianca Belair,
you notice the lack of champion's advantage,
meaning Becky Lynch could force Asuka to submit and become champion.
Asuka can defeat Becky Lynch and win Bianca's title.
There is no champion's advantage in this matchup.
[Jimmy] Jackson, begins with Becky Lynch.
-Oh! -Oh.
-Oh! -Face down for Becky Lynch.
She's shown a willingness to do anything to get here.
[Jimmy] And a unified front in the early moments of this matchup
between the RAW Women's Champion, Bianca Belair,
and the Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka.
Now Belair and Asuka with a chance to focus solely on each other,
and Chicago loves it.
[Corey] A healthy respect,
but there are no friends in a triple threat.
[Jimmy] It's gonna be a distinct power advantage
on behalf of the RAW Women's Champion, Bianca Belair,
but the experience and striking advantage has
got to be given to Asuka, an absolutely lethal competitor.
[Corey] The combinations inter-grappling.
Can she get around the physical strength of Bianca Belair
on display right there?
[Jimmy] But no fear from Asuka.
[Corey] These two tangled last Monday.
[Jimmy] High-impact clothesline by the Empress of Tomorrow.
[Corey] With Becky Lynch watching on the outside.
And apropos, Jimmy.
[Jimmy] No longer watching, inserting herself emphatically.
[Saxton] What she has done since Asuka's return to Monday Night RAW.
Every opportunity to isolate and dominate,
Becky Lynch has taken it.
Uh-oh, look at the strays of power
-we talked about. -Oh, my God!
-Halfway across the ring cover! -[crowd] One, two--
[Corey] Oh, kick out from Becky Lynch.
[Jimmy] Look at the grin on the face of Bianca Belair.
Bianca is enjoying this.
This is where the EST thrives, as we look at the power of Bianca Belair.
[Saxton] Now, Becky Lynch has to know she can't go one-on-one…
-Oh. -…easily with Bianca Belair.
She's gonna pick her spots.
[Jimmy] She, of course, owns the dubious distinction
of being the woman who was defeated by Belair
this year at WrestleMania for the RAW Women's Championship.
-Think about the win-- -Oh!
-Good grief. -Over the top of the dropkick
out of nowhere is Asuka.
-[Corey] Asuka looking for a two-for-one. -Oh!
-[cheers and applause] -Asuka, a one-woman wrecking crew.
[Jimmy] Asuka targeting Belair, now one for Lynch.
Stiff kicks to the chest of both opponents.
[Corey] Turning over those Thai kicks,
striking at will.
Now, focus now on Becky Lynch.
[Jimmy] Hip attack in the corner. Drive the wind out of-- Oh!
…Becky Lynch.
[Corey] Remember, Becky here at the expense of Asuka,
-had to defeat Asuka to earn her chance. -Uh-oh!
-Oh, my God! -This will do it!
-K.O.D. incoming. -[Jimmy] Asuka knew it was coming.
[Saxton] That's that experience of Asuka straight into a flying armbar.
[Jimmy] Now, it's Belair in trouble.
[Corey] Got it locked up, has to keep the elbow straight,
but look at that triangle transition.
They're back on the mat, however. Gotta get that right shoulder up.
Oh, oh!
[Corey] Oh, once again, the power factor coming in.
[Jimmy] Oh.
[Corey] Rampage escape right into the… right into the turnbuckle.
[Jimmy] How much damage was inflicted to the champion?
Spent a significant amount of time in the armbar.
Window of opportunity right here for Asuka.
-First on the middle rope. -[Saxton] Oh!
[Jimmy] Lynch with a right hand.
[Corey] And Becky Lynch judicious about when she's attacking,
when she's asserting herself into the match.
-Cover! -Cover!
[crowd] One, two--
[Corey] Kick out from the champ.
And now trying to get Asuka out of the pin.
-[Jimmy] Smart. -[crowd] One, two--
[Saxton] And a kick out from Asuka as well.
This could be such a mentally-- Oh! …distressing environment.
Constantly having to worry about where that third competitor is.
So far, it's been the kind of environment that--
Oh!
…where Becky Lynch thrives. Cover again.
[crowd] One, two--
[Saxton] Because she can pick different targets. Get in, get out.
Not go to war with any particular competitor.
[Jimmy] Let's take a look at this escape from Bianca Belair.
Powerbombing Asuka into the top turnbuckle.
And then whipping Asuka down across a fallen EST.
Things are looking exceptionally bright for Big Time Becks.
[Corey] Taking time to let the crowd here in Chicago
know how she feels about their lack of support.
That's been motivating her.
[Saxton] Well, it's been a sore spot, huh?
It's been a sore spot that Becky feels like the WWE Universe did turn on her.
[Corey] It's absolutely not a sore spot, Byron,
because Becky Lynch herself has admitted
she has made a life out of collecting enemies.
Lynch wants to succeed on her terms, no matter what the cost.
Now, taking on the woman she says took her place in the heart of the fans.
"You cheered Bianca Belair, and you booed me at SummerSlam,"
she hasn't forgotten that.
[Jimmy] Whatever you need to call upon as motivation,
that's what you have to utilize,
especially in a high-stakes matchup such as this.
[Corey] Right now, Big Time Becks taking it in.
[Saxton] Harsh elbow, delivered by Belair. Now a boot to follow.
[Corey] Great duck under from Bianca Belair.
And there's Asuka!
[Jimmy] Oh, big shot from Bianca Belair.
[Saxton] Chaotic exchange in the ring between all three women,
but now Lynch teeing off.
You can feel a serious sense of urgency now
for Big Time Becky Lynch
on a helpless Bianca Belair right across the back of the head cover.
-[crowd] One, two… -Oh!
Big kick out from Bianca Belair.
Took a lot of energy out of the champ, however.
[Saxton] And perhaps for the first time in this matchup,
a look of concern on Bianca's face
as we look once again at the leg drop right across the champion's neck
from Becky Lynch that nearly ended this one.
[Corey] Well, Bianca Belair has expended a lot of energy early.
We talk about her strength. We talk about her explosiveness.
There's a cost for all of that. Right now we're seeing it.
[Saxton] It's contingent upon every one of these superstars to try
to find a way to pace themselves in this chaotic matchup.
Easier said than done.
[Jimmy] Some might disagree, Byron, in that the smartest strategy
may be to try to score the quickest pinfall,
steal one from one of your opponents,
because the longer this matchup goes, it's not gonna get any easier.
-Oh! -[Saxton] Jawbreaker delivered by Belair.
[Jimmy] Lynch picking up the pace. Around we go.
Lynch wants the armbar.
[Saxton] Bianca trying to block it.
[Corey] Oh, fast move, but a great exit from Becky Lynch.
Great work from the former RAW Women's Champion.
[Jimmy] Beck's floater Suplex flattens Belair. And here comes Lynch.
[Saxton] Lynch wasting no time.
Takes out Asuka.
[Jimmy] No count-out, no disqualification. Lynch is gonna need to get at least
one of her opponents back in the ring to win this match.
[Corey] Big Time Becks right now absolutely rolling.
Now making, isolating … Now going to the top rope.
Looking to put it away. Oh!
-Got it. -We might be it.
-We might have a new champion. -One, two--
[Corey] Asuka just in time.
Sliding kick keeps this matchup alive,
much to the delight of a sold-out All State Arena here in Chicago
to experience Hell in a Cell, live and in living color.
[Corey] And this Chicago crowd so behind the EST,
but Becky Lynch right now on fire.
[Jimmy] It seemed as though Lynch was a half a second from victory
when Asuka would break up the pinfall attempt
and keep this battle alive.
[Saxton] That's what Asuka has made a career of doing
ever since she returned, and that's frustrating Becky Lynch.
You're right about that, Byron.
We've seen Asuka get under the skin of the former champ.
-Oh, a backslide! Shoulders down! -Uh-oh.
-On numerous occasions-- -[Saxton] Uh-oh!
-Oh, man. Good God, man! -Ow!
-[Corey] Asuka is a-- -Spinning forearm after spinning forearm!
[Jimmy] Big Time Becks like a big-time heavy bag.
My God, what a striking display!
-Hip attack! -[Corey] Oh, this might be it!
-Shoulders down! -[crowd] One, two--
-Oh! -Oh!
[Jimmy] Wow!
It doesn't get any closer than that without the bell ringing
as we look at this series of strikes.
Backfists, kicks,
all from Asuka, nearly turning out the lights of Big Time Becky Lynch.
[Corey] Landing one of those is difficult. We saw three in a row.
[Jimmy] That's the striking we mentioned during the entrances of this matchup.
Asuka can turn it.
Asuka wants the Asuka Lock.
[Corey] Thinking about great reversal. Shoulders down!
Veteran move from Becky Lynch to finally
-stall the offense. -Becky wants to Disarm-Her.
-Oh! -[Jimmy] Just uncorked the right.
[Saxton] Oh! K.O.D.!
Looking for it!
Disposes off Asuka.
Can Belair pull it off? No!
[Corey] Beautiful escape from Becky Lynch just in time.
-Or is it all-- -Oh-ho-ho-ho!
[Jimmy] Show up, show out!
[Corey] And show off with a beautiful Suplex.
[Jimmy] The EST is rolling.
[Saxton] Belair showing the world, "This is my match."
She said, "There's 100% chance I'm going home with the belt tonight."
[Saxton] That's the kind of confidence that's become synonymous with the EST.
-Oh! -[Jimmy] Oh, breathtaking athleticism.
[Corey] A move that only the EST could pull off.
Two for one.
[Corey] Original plans were resumed for Bianca Belair.
[crowd] …six, seven, eight, nine, ten!
[Jimmy] Oh, no, no. Lynch has the blade.
-This is perfectly legal. -[Corey] No disqualifications.
And no problem.
Oh, what a spinebuster.
Laying out Big Time Beck's about to do the same to Asuka.
Oh!
[cheers and applause]
[Jimmy] Wheels are turning for Bianca Belair.
[Corey] Thinking about the big move to put it away, and there might be!
-Double up. -[crowd] One, two--
-Oh! -[Corey] Not enough.
Almost a double pin to retain her championship.
Credulous look on the face of the champion as we look
at the remarkable athleticism of the RAW Women's Champion.
But still not enough to capture the victory in this Triple Threat matchup.
[Corey] We've talked a lot about how the odds
do not favor the champion, but think about the opportunity
for Bianca Belair to clear out the division
in one match with one performance.
Absolutely, a circumstance that the champion is well aware of,
but right now,
Chicago just enjoying this battle unfolding before their very eyes.
-Uh-oh. -There's Bianca Belair.
She wants all her focus to be on Becky Lynch right now.
Bianca positioning Becky Lynch on the top turnbuckle,
a precarious position for both women.
[Jimmy] Belair might be thinking about a Superplex here.
[cheers and applause]
[Corey] Getting ready off the second row, here comes Asuka.
Laying spoiler once again.
[Jimmy] Asuka would not stay down for long.
-[cheers and applause] -[Corey] Oh, no.
Does Asuka have the power?
Belair trying to hold on as is Lynch,
able to thwart the plans of The Empress.
Kicked off by Belair, but Asuka showing her tenacity.
[grunting]
[Corey] And giving Big Time Becks enough time to get the energy
to fight back.
Oh, my goodness!
-Oh! -Double knees!
-The champion's down! -Now Lynch!
-Oh! -This is Asuka's moment!
Can the empress capitalize?
Taking her time, lining up the targets.
[Jimmy] Both Lynch and Belair are down.
Who's Asuka gonna strike?
[screams]
[Saxton] Both of them, eye pick!
-Double headlock. -Shoulders down!
[crowd] One, two!
-[Corey] Now going after Bianca Belair. -One, two!
Kickout from both Big Time Becks and Bianca Belair.
Now, thinking submission.
[Jimmy] Asuka's got the ankle of Becky Lynch.
Gotta get full control.
[Corey] Asuka able to stop-- Oh, my goodness!
-[Jimmy] No way. -[Saxton] Dueling ankle locks.
-[Jimmy] I've never seen this before. -[Saxton] Unbelievable!
[Corey] An agonizing situation for both of Asuka's opponents.
If either one submits, Asuka's champion.
A double rollout.
[Jimmy] Creative thinking there by the Empress of Tomorrow
without question.
It was creative, but perhaps Asuka exerted
her final bits of energy applying the double ankle lock.
[Jimmy] Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair sporting damaged ankles
to continue to fight this out.
[Corey] Belair kicks with it anyway. She's regretting it now.
Oh, going for the hair whip.
-Oh, roll up, shoulders down! -One, two--
Straight into the-- they're thinking Disarmer.
Belair, hang on.
[Corey] Got to get that arm straight.
Get her hips involved in it.
[Jimmy] Desperately trying to maneuver herself.
Becky Lynch is desperately holding on.
[Corey] If Becky Lynch can isolate the wrist,
get the arm straight, she can get the finish.
Becky's unable to straighten out the arm of Belair to apply proper pressure.
And this does not look good.
-Oh, look at this. -Oh, ho, ho.
[Saxton] Bad ankle and all, the power on display from Belair.
Lynch very wisely using her ring awareness
to prevent Bianca from delivering the K.O.D.
That's the craftiness, the caginess of Lynch.
Crossbody reversal.
-Uh-oh. -[Jimmy] "Uh-oh" is right.
[Saxton] Raw power from the RAW Women's Champion.
Oh!
[Corey] Straight into a dropkick from Asuka.
Lynch is gonna steal it.
-[Jimmy] Inside cradle! -[Corey] Cradle!
[crowd] One, two--
[Corey] Kick out just in time.
-Manhandle Slam! -[Saxton] Becky's gonna do it!
-[crowd] One, two-- -Oh!
[Corey] And Asuka at the last possible second.
Asuka playing the spoiler over and over.
[Jimmy] Guys, I don't think there was any question.
We were gonna have a new RAW Women's Champion
as Becky Lynch delivered the Manhandle Slam.
It seemed like a formality
except for the last-minute interference from Asuka.
All three superstars in this Triple Threat digging deep now,
trying to find that effort to keep going.
And what a way to kick off Hell in a Cell tonight.
-[grunting] -Uh-oh.
Striker … unleashed again from Asuka.
[Saxton] Little too much ego from Becky Lynch,
standing toe-to-toe with Asuka.
Asuka wants the backslide,
Lynch able to reverse the pressure for the moment.
Manhandle Slam.
No, blocked by Asuka.
Good night.
And now Belair back in the mix.
-Oh! -Oh!
Shades of a couple of weeks ago on RAW.
-And Asuka once again-- -To the cover!
Lynch is gonna steal it!
-Oh! -[Jimmy] Oh, man!
How close was that?
Desperation from Asuka.
Yeah, I'll tell you what, win, lose, or draw, Bianca Belair owes Asuka
a couple cocktails after this one, because this match
should have been over four or five times by now.
Multiple times, and the sold-out crowd here
at Allstate Arena in Chicago can't believe it.
Loving every minute of it.
[cheering and applause]
This match has been a championship treat.
All three of these women giving it everything they have,
leaving it all on the mat in the ring.
Here to kick off Hell in a Cell for the RAW Women's Championship.
-Oh! -German Suplex.
-Asuka now full steam ahead. -[Corey] Looking for a hip attack.
[Saxton] Oh, beautiful counter to the high kick.
And Asuka might be out on the ropes.
-I think you might be right, Corey. -The Disarm-Her is in.
Well, this is perfectly legal.
[Saxton] No disqualification. If she submits here, it is legal.
-Oh, gosh. -Oh, my gosh.
Oh, no.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
Belair with Lynch on the apron!
Oh! And Asuka knocks Belair to the outside.
-Some incidental impact with Lynch. -Cradle.
-One, two-- -No, reversal from Asuka.
-One, two-- -Oh!
Oh, that was too close for comfort.
[Corey] How many close calls can you have?
[Jimmy] There's another one, a roll up.
-Asuka looking for the… -Oh, into the Asuka Lock!
Asuka Lock, middle of the ring.
Hooks in under the chin.
How much can Becky Lynch withstand?
[Saxton] Asuka cranking it for all it's worth.
Lynch is fading.
[Corey] Maybe not, Lynch back to her feet.
Able to tap into the reserves.
-Up to the cover! -[crowd] One, two--
-And Asuka still holds on. -Reversal again!
Asuka is somehow able to maintain a grip in the Asuka Lock submission.
And once again…
We might be just seconds away from a new RAW Women's Champion.
Oh.
Belair, I believe, wanted contact with both women who were down.
Both Asuka and Lynch able to avoid it!
And a kick right on the temple of the champion.
[Saxton] Devastating shot from Asuka.
[Corey] Asuka gets caught by Belair, who's looking for the hip attack.
Trying to roll forward, and Bianca Belair having none of it.
It is superhuman power!
Oh!
Face first goes Asuka into the top turnbuckle.
Once again thinking K.O.D., but taking her eyes off Becky Lynch.
[Corey] Now Lynch all alone with Asuka! Lynch with the Manhandle Slam.
Manhandle Slam, cover!
Belair takes out Lynch!
-Belair with the cover! -One, two, three.
-Got it! -[bell dings]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Here's your winner, and still
the RAW Women's Champion,
Bianca Belair!
[Corey] You are not gonna see it often, but believe your eyes.
Bianca Belair just beat Becky Lynch at Becky Lynch's very own game.
[Jimmy] Opportunistic, picked the perfect time, got the cover,
retains the title.
[Saxton] This match could have gone either way,
but credit to EST for being in the right place at the right time
to score the victory.
On multiple occasions, Becky Lynch was sure
that she was the new RAW Women's Champion, but this time,
Bianca was a step ahead of her challenger
and with complete confidence,
executed a cover to capitalize off of Lynch's win
and look at the ovation.
And look at the expression,
the shock and dismay on the face of Becky Lynch.
What a battle from all three women.
Understandably disappointing outcomes for Asuka, for Becky Lynch,
but once again,
Bianca Belair living up to the hype
as the EST of WWE
-and still… -And we just saw Smart S.
[announcer 1] Roman Reigns, the man whose job it is
to make sure his family stays at the top of the food chain.
[announcer 2] The most dominant superstar in sports entertainment.
[Roman] You gonna see who run WWE.
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, let's witness
the highlights of the most dominant,
decorated…
[Roman] Universal Champion.
The Head of the Table, The Tribal Chief,
Roman Reigns!
This is my island.
This is my WWE.
And if you want it, come and take it from me.
I'm the greatest of this generation…
Acknowledge me!
[announcer] The backbone of the number one show!
He has been unstoppable for well over a year.
[Roman] When Roman Reigns shows up, WWE is winning.
Who you think changed the ratings for this show, huh? Me!
Who you think made this title relevant, the one that everybody wants?
Me.
I've beaten them all.
[announcer] Roman Reigns,
the longest-reigning Universal Champion ever!
[Roman] I'm in God mode now.
[announcer] The breathtaking, record-breaking…
[Roman] Acknowledge me.
I told you, I'll run this show!
I'm The Tribal Chief, The Head of the Table.
Universal Champion for however long I want to be.
[announcer] There's no end in sight for the reign of Roman Reigns.
[Roman] Now the whole world can acknowledge me.
[Jimmy] Sold out Allstate Arena here in Chicago, Illinois.
[Saxton] It's appropriate.
Home of the Willis Tower, one of the tallest in the world,
and the tallest tower in the WWE,
makes his ring entrance tonight.
[speaking indistinctly]
We're gonna make damn sure tonight that there's no one--
My man MVP, Omos.
Listen, so about tonight, we've got a great plan.
I don't know how you didn't think of this before, so Omos has Lashley.
Once you get the ref, I'm gonna do what I do best,
-I come behind and clip Lashley's knee. -Listen, Cedric.
I know, it's gonna be like a 3-on-1 Handicap Match, right?
-So that's why-- -Cedric, stop!
Just stop it, man.
You keep trying to get back in my good graces,
you've been given multiple opportunities and you never get the job done.
Accept it.
The Hurt Business is done.
It's over, and it will never, ever come back.
Us being associates, it's done.
Live with it.
Omos.
It's time for you to go.
So, let's stick to the strategy. What we do…
[Jimmy] Well, he's an intimidating presence all on his own.
Omos at 7'3" and he will be joined by MVP
when he takes on Bobby Lashley, been a long time Bruin.
MVP, Omos, an absolutely shocking moment tonight.
Can you explain your actions?
Explain my actions?
♪ The All Mighty, Bobby Lashley This force of nature ♪
♪ See, all I did was help The All Mighty ♪
♪ Remember what he was capable of doing ♪
♪ But somewhere along the way, he forgot ♪
♪ About who helped him get back on that path ♪
♪ When I'm up for the Hall of Fame, I'll go in two times ♪
♪ For what I've done in my career And making you champ twice ♪
♪ Needing me to rescue you From your blonde ex-wife ♪
♪ You're welcome That added 10 years to your shelf life ♪
♪ Made a name with the Hurt Business And you dissed yourself ♪
♪ Remember Shelton? Remember Prime? Bobby, you did have help ♪
♪ For All Mighty, this is the last hand That you'll get dealt ♪
♪ Let's go down memory lane Bobby, fasten your seat belt ♪
♪ ECW champ, yeah, that was a joke ♪
♪ As far as classic brands go That was like new coat ♪
♪ A 273-pound pushover ♪
♪ Six-foot-three Perfect poster boy pose ♪
♪ Silver medal in '02 Sums up your career ♪
♪ Bob, you would've won gold If MVP was there ♪
♪ Never saw Lashley's ladies Until the VIP lounge ♪
♪ That's the perk of having The most valuable player around ♪
♪ And I know you're looking at me Thinking life ain't fair ♪
♪ Mad at me because I still have All of my hair ♪
[man] What the hell?
I don't believe it!
Why is MVP doing this?
♪ I'm the one with the vision, So you know I stay scheming ♪
♪ Even though your name is Bobby, I got brains like Heenan ♪
♪ My hands on the weapon I'm 305 reppin' ♪
♪ Thanks VIP lounge I'll break you down in section ♪
♪ All it takes for Vince Is just one phone call ♪
♪ The bigger the ego The harder the mic will fall ♪
[MVP] And now here we are, 13 years later.
I'm back. Now where are you?
In the same damn location, trapped inside that mental door.
I made you!
I'm responsible for your ascension!
[Omos] The All Mighty era is coming to an end.
[crowd cheering]
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest
is a two-on-one handicap match!
Introducing first, the team of MVP
and The Nigerian Giant,
Omos!
[Jimmy] The sense of scale here, absolutely extraordinary.
You have spoken many times, Corey, about the abilities of MVP,
who is right now coming up to the shoulder of Omos
as they make their entrance.
[Corey] For a quick history lesson to the WWE universe,
not only is MVP one of the greatest minds in sports entertainment,
MVP's a former United States champion here in WWE,
a former tag team champion,
and has tasted more success in his tenure in WWE than most superstars ever will.
And now MVP has taken a Nigerian giant under his wing.
All the favor, Booker T himself said
that under the tutelage of MVP, Omos just may be the future of WWE.
[Saxton] It's a very hard point to argue, but I will question this.
I question maybe a potential miscalculation, if you will, by MVP
to release a diss track on Bobby Lashley just 24 hours before this match,
as if Lashley needed any more motivation to come out here
and complete a Herculean accomplishment,
and that would be to take down both Omos and MVP.
[Jimmy] Look at the face of Omos, Byron.
Is there anywhere on Earth you wouldn't feel comfortable with him by your side?
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] And their opponent, weighing in at 273 pounds,
The All Mighty Bobby Lashley!
[Jimmy] You said it, Byron. A Herculean task for Bobby Lashley,
but in 2022, if there is a Hercules alive and walking around on Earth,
-I think it looks like Bobby Lashley. -[Corey] I agree with you, Jimmy.
Lashley quite simply knows no fear.
Bobby Lashley is not afraid of Omos.
Bobby Lashley is not afraid of MVP.
But the fact is, while Lashley is All Mighty,
he may still be over matched.
[crash]
[Jimmy] Bobby Lashley heard the same thing about Omos.
Bobby Lashley was the first man to take Omos on his feet.
He heard those same words before he defeated Omos at WrestleMania.
Bobby Lashley is accustomed to being told, "You can't do this.
You cannot accomplish this feat."
[crowd cheering]
The sold-out crowd here in Chicago
giving all their energy to the All Mighty.
[Saxton] Look in the eyes of the All Mighty right now.
Chicago is driving Bobby Lashley forward.
Lashley is staring a hole through both Omos and MVP.
[crowd chanting] Bobby.
[Corey] Confusion on the face of MVP.
[chanting continues]
[Cole] A little surprise here that MVP is actually choosing
to start this matchup against Lashley.
[Corey] I assure you, it's all part of the plan.
MVP, one of the best strategists in all of WWE,
and now just trying to get in the head of Lashley in the opening moments.
[Jimmy] Bobby Lashley stuck competing on his own,
while Omos and MVP, they're a tag team.
They can tag in and out as legal competitors any time.
[Saxton] That's what I expected to happen.
I expected Omos to be the one to start this match.
[Jimmy] Because it makes sense, Byron.
If you're MVP, why would you not try to end this as early as possible?
Why would you not start with your heavy home run hitter?
[Corey] Kind of brings to fruition what Lashley has said for weeks
about MVP choosing to hide behind Omos.
[Jimmy] Because if you're MVP,
you know there's nothing Lashley wants more
than to get his hands on his once longtime associate.
MVP is making Lashley do the work via Omos.
Usually in a position like that,
-Bobby Lashley easy suplex. -[Corey] And nothing.
[Jimmy] Omos just showing no effect
from a clothesline by the All Mighty.
[Saxton] Smiling at Bobby Lashley, "That's all you got?"
[Jimmy] Heeled his hands from around his waist like it was nothing.
[Saxton] Deep hammerlock applied by Lashley, but just shrugged off again.
[Corey] It's 270-plus pounds of Bobby Lashley
that Omos just shrugged off.
[Jimmy] Absolutely unbelievable.
Lashley coming into this match knew his back would be against the wall.
And notice how tentative Bobby Lashley has been
in the early moments of this matchup, and it's a brilliant strategy.
Lashley realizing that he is at a great disadvantage,
but this would just be nuts. This would be nuts.
-Looks like a challenge. -Lashley's thinking about it.
And if this is just a matter of strength, this might be even.
And Lashley taking the initiative. Taking advantage.
Lashley outsmarting Omos, at least at that juncture.
And go right after MVP who wants no part of Lashley.
That could be the downfall of the All Mighty. Well, maybe not.
Lashley, again, showing no fear, no signs of intimidation
of The Nigerian Giant Omos.
[Jimmy] Lashley knows he can take down Omos at MVP.
Distraction just in time.
The gamesmanship continues from MVP.
[Corey] Perfectly legal.
MVP anxious to join the fight.
[Saxton] Of course, now MVP is anxious
because Lashley is down. Lashley's vulnerable.
[Jimmy] Now going after him with a ground and pound,
heavy right hands, cover.
MVP has said over and over, "I made Bobby Lashley."
It's your All Mighty right here.
It's your All Mighty.
It's you.
[man screaming] Once more, Bobby.
[Corey] This is not a smart decision.
You don't want to disrespect Bobby Lashley,
no matter how tough MVP may be.
[Jimmy] You already disrespected the man in the diss track.
Now you want to do it in the ring? Lashley thinks not.
Now he's feeling the power of the All Mighty.
MVP, I don't know if he's got Lashley by the eye or the ear.
This is certainly a questionable legality.
[Corey] And Omos now tagged in once again.
The Nigerian Giant legal, but here comes Lashley.
MVP sent to the outside, and Lashley doing the wise thing,
chopping down The Nigerian Giant.
Major advantage, Bobby Lashley.
Keep putting it on him, Lashley.
-But it's going to take-- No way. -Uh-oh.
No way, Bobby.
Not even sure about this one.
Ambitious move from Bobby Lashley, thinking suplex.
Trying to hoist up-- Oh!
Backfired badly for the All Mighty.
Sometimes adrenaline kicks in, you start feeling yourself,
and obviously Lashley thought
that he could complete the task of suplexing Omos.
But Bobby Lashley not used to facing someone who can counter his suplex.
It is a long, long way down from there.
Snake eyes in the turnbuckle.
Oh, God!
Crushing Bobby Lashley right into the corner.
Bobby Lashley looks absolutely exhausted.
I think Lashley's thought process
was to take his best shot early,
try to end this one quickly, knowing you're outnumbered.
I think MVP, did he just tag himself in?
He said, "One more."
The All Mighty being decimated in the opposing turnbuckle.
Now MVP is legal.
MVP wants to get some now on the All Mighty.
Ready to pick up speed.
Oh, what a boot.
Sending Lashley all the way to the outside.
[crowd booing]
MVP choosing his time to be offensive. This was a great time.
Aging Masa Chono,
a running boot right to the jaw of The All Mighty.
-Tag made to Omos now. -Look at the speed.
The speed.
Oh, my God.
Lashley isn't getting up.
Motionless in the timekeeper's area.
You might be right, Corey. That might be the end of the All Mighty.
Absolutely laid out.
This is just frightening speed from The Nigerian Giant.
Mowing through Bobby Lashley and the barricade.
That was some serious horsepower
that just drove the All Mighty through the barricade.
-Count is over halfway. We're at six. -Six, you're right.
[crowd chanting]
Lashley's going, but I'm not sure Lashley's going to make it in time.
Official up to eight.
Nine…
One more second to get back in and barely made it.
But in what condition? The All Mighty is weakened.
Bobby Lashley is hurt.
And MVP…
MVP wants to finish off Lashley right here, right now.
They've rounded and flattened Bobby Lashley.
I'm afraid what's happening right now is the All Mighty
is merely prolonging the inevitable.
Cover.
Kick out at one.
What we do know is that Lashley, if he goes down, he'll go down swinging.
Short elbows.
It is hard to swing back when you are fully mounted by MVP.
To the cover again.
This time at two, the energy is draining out.
The energy is draining out multiple times here.
This is brilliant. MVP being absolutely relentless here,
but each time MVP forces Lashley to kick out,
the All Mighty exerts energy over and over.
After the beatings, Lashley has already sustained from MVP and Omos.
It is brilliant strategy from a veteran of the game, MVP.
His strategy has influenced the game of Omos,
has brought him to a new level.
MVP just motioned to Omos. Watch this.
Watch what I do to Bobby Lashley.
Lashley escapes.
Oh, goes right after Omos. Oh!
-From out of nowhere. -To the cover.
And Omos, a flubbing double axe handle to the kidneys of Lashley.
Omos had just been knocked off the apron.
How quickly Omos recovered just to save MVP.
It isn't just the size of Omos.
It's the speed, the athleticism.
What the--
-Cedric Alexander. -Cedric Alexander.
Cedric has a bad habit of sticking his nose in the former--
-Spear. -Omos is down.
Absolutely levels Omos.
The All Mighty just speared a redwood in half.
Sent Omos all the way to the outside of the ring.
It looks like it's taken everything out of Bobby Lashley.
-Was that Lashley's last gasp? -[crowd chanting]
But Chicago willing on the All Mighty.
Lashley back to his feet. Gaze look.
Sidesteps MVP.
This time he saw the boot coming.
-Turnlock! -Turnlock!
-Now, there he is! -He's got it!
Center of the ring. Turnlock is in.
-MVP is fading. -MVP is…
-MVP's tapped out. -[bell ringing]
Wow! Wow! Wow!
Here is your winner,
the All Mighty Bobby Lashley.
How sweet is the payback for the All Mighty
to make MVP say, stop.
I can't take it. I give up.
We knew it was not going to be easy.
Many believed it was downright impossible.
But the All Mighty pulled off the impossible yet again.
The bigger the odds, the bigger the performance
by the All Mighty, Bobby Lashley.
Bobby Lashley reminding the WWE Universe once again
that he is no mortal man.
This is the All Mighty.
This was just frightening to watch, the speed of The Nigerian Giant, Omos,
taking out Lashley through the barricade.
We thought Lashley was done here.
And then later on, we'd see Cedric Alexander get involved.
Disposed of by Omos.
That's a spear emphatically delivered by Bobby Lashley.
Which opened the door for the All Mighty to cinch in the dreaded hurt block.
This had to feel amazing for Lashley.
Bobby Lashley has made a statement to MVP, to Omos,
and the WWE Universe.
The All Mighty Era is alive and well.
You have to ask yourself who's really handicapped
when it's two-on-one against that man.
-What a win. -What an ovation.
The crowd here in Chicago has seen something spectacular from the All Mighty.
As you said, Byron, a Herculean effort tonight.
Here's a message for you.
I think Bobby Lashley's calling his shot.
I love it.
Not just good enough to win, Bobby Lashley's saying,
"I will be champion again."
Behold the All Mighty.
[woman] Experience greatness…
Raise some hell…
Be the best…
Follow your dreams…
Flaunt your flair…
Unleash your beast…
Find what fits you at WWEshop.com.
Well, as first reported in our Hell in a Cell kickoff show,
rumors have been swirling about Cody Rhodes suffering an injury
at the hands of Seth Rollins this weekend.
We can report that is not the case.
What is accurate is that Cody Rhodes suffered a partial pectoral tear
in his brawl with Seth Rollins that took place last Monday.
Then, working out, preparing for his match tonight,
he tore the pectoral muscle right off the bone.
Nonetheless, being the man and the competitor that Cody Rhodes is,
Cody will step inside Hell in a Cell
and face Seth "Freakin" Rollins in our main event tonight.
But if you're Seth Rollins, you have got to be salivating at the idea
of competing inside Hell in a Cell against a badly wounded Cody Rhodes.
When you think about the environment of Hell in a Cell, the savagery,
how barbaric Hell in a Cell can be,
how career-altering Hell in a Cell can be.
But it will all come down. The final battle.
The final contest between The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes,
and Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Kevin Owens' theme music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[bell dings]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Marieville, Quebec, Canada,
weighing in at 266 pounds, Kevin Owens!
[shouting]
[Jimmy] Kevin Owens is an athlete with a great deal on his mind tonight.
[Corey] Kevin's been made to feel…
What's the word I'm looking for? I can't say liar
when I'm talking about Owens, but made to feel like a liar.
[Saxton] He's been made to feel delusional, and it's led
to an actual lie detector test.
[Jimmy] This was the first we have seen of Ezekiel.
Elias.
I am not Elias.
I am Elias' younger brother, Ezekiel.
You're Elias. Stop lying. I hate liars.
Well, then you must hate yourself.
[crowd exclaims]
Is your real name Ezekiel?
Yes.
Is he lying? He's-- Good God. Yeah?
He's telling the truth.
-[Saxton] It's true. -[Jimmy] What?
His obsession has led him into the ring with Ezekiel tonight.
-KO wanted this. -Bring Elias out here!
Bring Elias out here!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] I just gotta say, judging by the look on Kevin Owens' face tonight,
I wouldn't want to be Ezekiel, or his brother Elias,
or his cousin, or his nephew, or his great-great-grandfather.
Owens in a bad, bad state of mind.
[Rome] And his opponent, Ezekiel!
[Jimmy] Forget about the name, forget about who Kevin Owens thinks he is.
-We have seen tremendous-- -Kevin is telling me right now
that that is Elias.
-I'm just repeating Kevin's words. -Oh, just stop.
Let's take you back to two weeks ago
as Ezekiel taking on Chad Gable.
Owens would attempt to insert himself into the match.
Actually, successfully did so.
Officials said, "Hey, Owens, you gotta go.
Your presence no longer needed at ringside."
Well, Kevin Owens was also there, but would attempt to do the same thing.
And well, Owens would also get caught and ejected from the ringside area.
[Corey] Owens did nothing wrong.
You can't prosecute intent.
[Jimmy] Owens got kicked out unceremoniously,
which allowed Ezekiel to steal a victory from Chad Gable.
[Saxton] After the match, Owens had a proposition for Ezekiel.
I've had enough of this! Consider this a challenge!
Me, you, Chicago, and Hell in a Cell!
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Let's be honest. Ezekiel ran away from Kevin Owens.
[Saxton] I think Ezekiel, as talented as we've seen
he can be, I think even old Zeke understands
that he might have bitten off a bit more than he can chew.
We had a chance to sit down with Ezekiel earlier on today,
and he just talked about how tired he is of being harassed by Kevin Owens.
He just wants to enjoy his career, enjoy his rookie year
here at WWE, and make the best of it.
[Corey] And if you're Kevin Owens, how long can you go through life
being labeled as a liar by everybody with a tongue?
-That's not fair to Kevin. -That's been the story of Owens' career.
You're a damn liar!
You call me a liar?
You're the liar!
[crowd chanting]
[Corey laughs] The Zeke chant.
[Jimmy] Is Chicago beginning to Zeke out?
[Corey] I think that's what's happening.
Oh. Oh, whoa! Ezekiel!
[Saxton] Knee right the chin!
[Corey] Smart move, Ezekiel making the climb to the top rope.
Zeke wants to end this one early.
[Jimmy] Smart move by Ezekiel from the top!
Whoa!
-Beautiful. -This might be it!
[crowd] One, two--
-Oh! -Oh, man.
[Jimmy] It was a smart strategy by Ezekiel coming out of the gate
like he was shot out of a cannon.
First, the jumping knee rocks Kevin Owens,
and this is a picturesque flying elbow soaring through the sky
to the Allstate Arena right on point, but not enough to keep KO down and out.
[Corey] Well, the offense continues.
[Saxton] This speaks to what I touched on earlier, y'all.
As mild-mannered as Ezekiel can seem at times,
he is so fed up with Kevin Owens, he wants to end this once and for all.
[Corey] So put yourself in KO's boots.
KO is fed up with being called a liar,
being labeled as dishonest by everybody who speaks his name.
[Jimmy] Well, maybe Kevin Owens should adjust the way he acts.
[Corey] Oh, oh, oh!
[Jimmy] Owens face-first into the announce table.
[Corey] Look, Ezekiel's flat-out overwhelmed Kevin Owens here
in the early going of this matchup.
[Saxton] Kevin Owens wanted this match.
Corey, you gotta wonder if he's regretting it at this point.
Great offense from Ezekiel.
Listen, Kevin hasn't been able to get out of gates yet.
Ezekiel very wisely struck through.
-Oh! -That's it. Game change.
Spin it around.
Head just rebounding off the ring post.
It's like that Owens cuts down the momentum that Ezekiel had.
Listen to this impact.
-Oh! -[crowd exclaims]
[Corey] That might be… That might be it for Ezekiel.
[Jimmy] Ezekiel, over the last few weeks, has been having to deal with Chad Gable,
with the Alpha Academy, everyone else,
but KO one-on-one. Now he's feeling the difference.
-That's gotta be it. -Cover.
[crowd] One, two--
That was three.
-That was three. -[Jimmy] That was not three.
Now he's feeling the difference between KO and KO's minions that have helped him out.
[Owens] This is my show!
[Jimmy] Look at the vitriol just pouring from Kevin Owens.
And for weeks, Owens has been obsessed with exposing Ezekiel and his words.
-Oh! -Oh, oh, oh.
Check this agility out.
-Oh, my goodness! -Beautiful!
Ezekiel, kick out just before three.
[Saxton] Credit to Ezekiel for still hanging in there.
I agree with you, Saxton. You gotta be impressed by Ezekiel.
But how about the athleticism of Kevin Owens?
260-plus pounds into a beautiful moonsault
that nearly ended this one and spoiled Zeke's night.
[Jimmy] Ezekiel hasn't lost one-on-one since his RAW debut.
But right now, everything going the way of Kevin Owens.
That's Elias!
[Corey] And as Kevin reminds us that that is, in fact, Elias,
this is what changed the complexity of the entire matchup.
Ezekiel being driven face-first into the ring post,
and now Owens just picking apart the carpet.
The crowd here at the Allstate Arena, you almost feel the frustration.
[Corey] It's Elias. Kevin is saying it's Elias. Again, I'm repeating.
-[Saxton] We're not deaf, Corey. -He's Elias.
-Kevin doesn't have a microphone in there. -That's unfortunate.
As we were saying, you can almost feel the frustration coming off of Kevin Owens.
The weeks and weeks of trying to prove his point.
Look, Owens has convinced himself just by defeating Ezekiel--
-Oh! Oh! -…Ezekiel.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] This is Kevin Owens looking to get the monkey off his back.
Kevin Owens looking to remind the WWE Universe
that it's not him that's the problem.
Not Owens that's the liar.
Actually, it is Kevin Owens that's the problem.
You see that face? That's Elias!
Smile, Elias! Smile!
[Saxton] With the double fish hook, Ezekiel does resemble Elias a little more.
[Jimmy] Not just trying to defeat Elias, to your point--
Oh, Ezekiel, to your point, is also
humiliate him in the ring, which he is so far doing.
[Corey] The truth will set you free, Jimmy.
-Just follow the teachings of Kevin Owens. -All the yelling.
I'll never subscribe to.
Ezekiel, you can talk about what you subscribe to on the air.
-Elias. -Owens from behind.
Oh. What's--
[Corey] Uh-oh, and Zeke firing back.
[Jimmy] Not a whole lot behind that shot from Ezekiel.
[Saxton] The early offense from Ezekiel.
[Jimmy] That was really the most that Zeke's been able to--
Oh!
Cost him a ton of energy, now perhaps getting his second win,
but even that shot took a lot out of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel's got to find a way to will himself back into this match in a hurry.
[Corey] Ezekiel relatively inexperienced
when it comes to big-time, high-profile matches such as this.
Zeke utilizing his power to turn the tides on KO,
but Owens yet again back to his feet, looking for control.
[Jimmy] Kevin Owens has taken on every big name in the WWE,
every superstar, he's gone toe-to-toe with them.
[Corey] Zeke is throwing some live rights right now.
No fear from Ezekiel so far.
-Live elbow delivered to Kevin Owens. -Oh.
Owens answers with a boot of his own from the second rope.
-And a-- -DDT to the cover!
[crowd] One, two--
[Corey] Kick out from Ezekiel.
[Jimmy] Kevin Owens looking for a victory.
And it's more than just defeating Ezekiel.
Owens is still suffering from an emotional hangover of sorts
from Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania.
-Oh! -Oh, that's not gonna help things.
[Corey] Doesn't help a hangover landing on the knees of Ezekiel off the top rope.
[Saxton] The lower back of Kevin Owens has got to be radiating in pain.
[Corey] There's a price to be paid for having the size
and athleticism of KO in his moves like this.
[Jimmy] Ezekiel just a half a step ahead of KO,
got both knees up, well placed into the spine of Owens.
And now it's Ezekiel with an opportunity to change the pace of this matchup.
[Corey] Trying to fire himself back up, another knee to the chin.
-Ezekiel. -You know who I am!
Ezekiel, no!
[Saxton] Now Ezekiel becoming unglued here.
[Corey] Ezekiel's version of "Say my name, what's my name?"
[Saxton] He has not seen this level of intensity out of Ezekiel.
On the shoulders of Owens, able to kick Owens off.
[Corey] Beautiful counter.
I mean, I dare say that Ezekiel's showing a lot more fire than even Elias ever did.
[Saxton] Ezekiel, big splash in the core.
[Corey] Big air from Ezekiel.
Can he follow it up?
Finally finished Kevin Owens.
Get him out of there.
[Jimmy] Owens is being held up by the ropes, basically.
[Corey] Nobody home.
-Owens now… -Oh!
-[Corey] Spinebuster! -Cover.
-[Corey] To the cover! -One, two--
Oh.
Right shoulder barely up from Kevin Owens.
[Saxton] Take a look at this.
Nobody home for Ezekiel's splash attempt in the corner.
And a thunderous spinebuster nearly put this one away.
[Corey] That cover from Ezekiel, like he had it, didn't use both arms.
[Jimmy] And again, that's maybe a lack of experience on Ezekiel's part.
He didn't know where to maximize the impact.
[Corey] Wait, thunder incoming!
[Saxton] Ezekiel able to shove Owens off, but--
-Owens with a powerbomb! -Oh!
-Shoulders down! -One, two--
-Wow. -Unbelievable.
[Corey] An exhausted Ezekiel finds a way to stay in this match.
[Jimmy] Kevin Owens utilizing the old faithful Pop-Up Powerbomb
that has brought KO so much success through his career, but not tonight.
[Corey] KO once again raging at the referee.
-He spent time raging at the crowd. -You're Elias! Admit it!
Admit it!
You're Elias!
Huh?
You are Elias!
-Oh! -Oh.
[Corey] Disrespect from Ezekiel.
[Saxton] Second time, no stun!
-Oh, roll off. Shoulders down! -One, two--
-Oh! -Oh!
[Saxton] Nasty knee to the jaw of Owens, and now Ezekiel's on the move.
[Corey] A second trip to the high rent district,
and Owens just too smart.
[Jimmy] Too smart, too fast.
[Saxton] Super kick delivered, make it twice.
And now with the whole ring between them, able to pick up speed.
-[Corey] Clear the deck, cannonball! -Oh!
-Elias! -[Saxton] And now for a third time!
Stunner!
This time, Owens gets it!
-Now, the cover. -That is it.
-Elias. -And a win
-for Kevin Owens! -[bell dings]
[Rome] Here is your winner, Kevin Owens!
[Corey] Kevin Owens had to go through Hell in a Cell
in Chicago, Illinois,
to exercise the demon that has haunted him.
But Owens did so in spectacular and convincing fashion.
[Jimmy] Well, this was a kick that changed it.
Ezekiel was perched on the top.
Ooh, rope!
[Jimmy] Right on the temple.
[Corey] Ezekiel was virtually out from there.
The cannonball would follow.
And then after two previous attempts, the third one would be the charm.
Stunner delivered by Kevin Owens, who has now defeated Ezekiel.
[Jimmy] You have to wonder what Elias thinks about this outcome.
-[crowd cheering] -[inaudible]
-Tremendous effort tonight. -[Owens] And that is Elias.
[Corey] Kevin Owens is reminding us once again
that he did just defeat-- in fact defeat Elias.
[Saxton] Or Ezekiel.
I'm listening to KO. He never lied to me.
But I know it.
My show.
Best in the world right here.
[Seth] Seth "Freakin" Rollins has arrived.
Let me tell you that I am on top of the world!
Because I am a visionary!
♪ A true champion ♪
[Seth] I am a revolutionary!
I am Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
And nobody can keep me down!
♪ A true champion ♪
[Seth] I look at where I came from, and I wasn't supposed to be here.
Like, I really wasn't. You know what I mean? My town is so small.
I loved WWE since as long as I can remember.
I'll never be able to escape that feeling
that I had when my dad took me to my first show.
That was it for me. I knew that was what I had to do.
[announcer] From Devonport, Iowa, Seth Rollins!
[commentator] The era of Seth Rollins has begun.
I know what I want. I want to be the best ever.
To be a leader…
[announcer] The hysteria that is The Shield.
[commentator 1] Oh, my God!
[commentator 2] Why in the world would Seth Rollins do this?
[Seth] To be a messiah…
To take this industry into the next decade.
Enjoy the show.
You have left me no choice
but to impose my will.
All you have to do is embrace the vision.
♪ What I do is unprecedented ♪
♪ …trained for excellence ♪
♪ Cause havoc at your residence But never leave no evidence ♪
♪ Eliminating all the irrelevance ♪
[commentator 1] Seth Rollins wins the Intercontinental title!
[commentator 2] …has won Money in the Bank!
[announcer] Seth Rollins is cashing in his Money in the Bank!
[commentator] The heist of the century!
Seth Rollins is the WWE World Heavyweight Champion!
Seth Rollins has won the Royal Rumble match!
[announcer] The sole survivor of Team RAW!
[commentator] Seth Rollins is the Universal Champion!
[Seth laughs]
Cody!
I don't like you!
I'm going to end you.
And then we can all finally wake up
from this American nightmare.
When it comes to Hell in a Cell,
there is no superstar more appropriate than Seth Rollins.
Of course he'll be facing Cody Rhodes in our main event tonight.
There's only one voice that goes well in Hell and we know it well.
[Corey] That would be the WWE Hall of Famer himself, The Prince of Darkness.
And a special thanks to Ozzy Osbourne for Straight to Hell.
An official theme song of WWE Hell in a Cell
from the album "Ordinary Man."
You can get it right now on Apple Music and Spotify.
We've got to get ready for this. It is a six-person mixed Tag Team match.
Liv Morgan, Finn Bálor, and the phenomenal AJ Styles
to take on the entire Judgment Day.
This has been a rivalry that's seen a ton of twists and turns.
[dramatic music playing]
[Damian] WWE Universe, all rise!
Show the proper respect to the Judgment Day!
[Edge] The Judgment Day is truth.
The Judgment Day is power.
You're all sheeple, afraid to grab life by its throat
and wring it for all it's worth.
The truth will set you free.
Join us, recreate yourself, and in so doing, rewrite your career.
[Rhea] I've embraced the movement
and I have enjoyed every single second of it.
[Damian] We can help you. We can help all of you.
-[Rhea] Save yourself… -[Damian] Help yourselves.
[Rhea] …by joining the Judgment Day.
It's time for complete and utter eradication.
[laughter]
[Edge] Join us on top of the mountain.
It's a beautiful place to be.
So, Liv, Finn, AJ,
the choice is yours.
This has to end.
And it can end with you standing by our side
or laying at our feet again and again and again.
As long as it takes.
[Corey] Other Superstars talk about tactics. They talk about skills.
Edge talks about domination, eradication, breaking wills.
[bell dings]
[Rome] The following is a Six-Person Mixed Tag Team Match.
Introducing first,
the team of Rhea Ripley, Damian Priest, and Edge,
The Judgment Day.
[Corey] Spreading his message perched high atop the Mountain of Omnipotence.
The WWE Hall of Famer has promised freedom,
opportunity, and a measure of salvation
while simultaneously running roughshod over WWE.
[Saxton] You know, it is truly scary to think how this trio came together.
It's truly scary to think how Edge handpicked
"The Eradicator" Rhea Ripley, "The Punishment" Damian Priest.
And now those two Superstars have unyielding loyalty
to everything Edge.
[Jimmy] Edge simply offered the apple.
Priest and Ripley were smart enough to take a bite.
However, to take their careers to the next level,
Damian Priest, former United States Champion,
Rhea Ripley, former RAW Women's Champion…
["Liv Gone Mad" playing]
…comes to Buzz Heintz again.
[Rome] And their opponent, first, from Elmwood Park, New Jersey, Liv Morgan!
[Jimmy] Liv Morgan, of course, a longtime tag team partner of Rhea Ripley.
And in my opinion, aligning herself with AJ Styles and Finn Bálor
could be the missing ingredient for Liv Morgan's success here in WWE.
Although I don't know that that begins tonight.
Also, could have been a matter of self-preservation.
["Cath Your Breath" playing]
[Rome] And her tag team partners, first,
from Bray County, Wicklow, Ireland, Finn Bálor!
[Corey] Finn Bálor, much like Liv Morgan and AJ Styles,
has been victim to the numbers game presented by The Judgment Day.
Hence this uprising,
this connection, this union between Bálor, Morgan, and Styles.
I certainly think there's some credence to Jimmy's assessment
that it could, in fact, be self-preservation above all.
-["Phenomenal" playing] -[crowd cheering]
[Rome] And making his way to the ring, from Gainesville, Georgia,
weighing 218 pounds,
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles!
[Jimmy] Remember how this all started?
AJ Styles versus Edge in the lead-up to WrestleMania.
Edge saying he wanted to pitbull AJ Styles.
He wanted the best AJ Styles. That's where this began.
[Corey] But since then, The Judgment Day has become
a plague over Monday Night RAW.
And AJ Styles found friendship, found alliance
with one of his oldest friends who he's traveled the globe with.
Dare I say they're a club of sorts, alongside Liv Morgan.
Certainly no strangers to one another, Styles and Bálor.
I think we are moments away
from a hell of a Six-Person Tag Team Match.
[Saxton] All three of those Superstars, AJ Styles, Finn Bálor, Liv Morgan,
realizing the power shift that has been taking place for weeks here
with The Judgment Day, and understanding how critical it is
to stop the momentum of said Judgment Day.
[Jimmy] Huge crowd on hands sold out here
at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
Watching The Judgment Day, they've been in the ring together,
-but never as a tag team until tonight. -[bell dings]
[Jimmy] Obviously, the rules of this Mixed Tag Team Matchup
will dictate that the females will compete against the females.
If a tag is made to a male competitor,
then another male competitor must replace the female at that time.
Friends turned bitter rivals in Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan.
-Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh! -Losing control.
-Oh! Oh! -Chaos from the start!
-[Jimmy] And a showdown in Chi-town. -I can't say that I'm surprised.
-[Jimmy] Three-on-three brawl. -Oh, the stomp!
[Corey] Bálor….
-[Saxton] And Finn Bálor… -…bringing the fight in.
Styles, Morgan, and Bálor standing strong in the ring.
Only one left for The Judgment Day is Rhea Ripley.
[Corey] The Eradicator of the group, and whoa!
-[Jimmy] Straight into the hurricanrana! -Oh!
[Saxton] Big tag team continuity here in the early going.
[Jimmy] Showing no fear of The Judgment Day tonight.
Tremendous impact in the corner.
[Jimmy] As you said, Corey.
[Corey] Morgan's got a little pep in her step tonight.
[Jimmy] Getting new friends might be the key.
Oh! She ran right into the forehead.
[Corey] You might want to check your teeth after that, Liv.
-Good God. -Morgan with a shell shot.
Take a look at this. Styles with the assist.
Launching Morgan into a hurricanrana that took down Ripley momentarily.
But with one epic headbutt… Bang!
…everything changed.
[Saxton] And that is the power of Rhea Ripley.
Oh!
Vicious kick to the ribs.
We've got the metamorphosis of Rhea Ripley.
And we found out it was Edge who had actually gotten
the ear of Rhea Ripley. Asked who was teaming up with Liv Morgan.
And said, listen, you are better on your own.
Liv Morgan is simply holding you down.
[Corey] I wish, Byron, you would stop trying to blame all of this on Edge.
The fact is, Edge has offered opportunity.
When a WWE Hall of Famer, Multiple-time world Champion…
[Saxton] Gentlemen, look at the strength.
-…offers you opportunity, you take it. -Oh, my God!
-To the cover. -One, two--
Kick out from Liv Morgan.
The strength and power of Rhea Ripley.
To your point, Corey. Felt like she was held back
by her tag team partners.
Both Liv Morgan and Nikki A.S.H. at one point--
[Corey] In my opinion, it's not dissimilar to when Morpheus offered Neo the choice.
Red pill, blue pill. The choice is yours. That's all Edge offered.
An opportunity and a choice.
[Jimmy] A choice that has been offered to the entire locker room here at WWE.
Also to you, Corey Graves.
[Corey] We're not talking about our career prospects right now.
We're talking about Rhea Ripley just eradicating Liv Morgan in the corner.
[Jimmy] Oh! That appealing offer,
taken up by Rhea Ripley, she's paying for it now.
Dropkick right to the chin.
Ripley…
being wisely hesitant.
Looking for her other option, which will be--
AJ Styles!
[overlapping conversations]
I want you, come on! I want you right here.
[Jimmy] An unfinished business between "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles and Edge.
And Edge summons "The Punisher" of The Judgment Day, Damian Priest.
[Saxton] The loyal acolyte steps in.
Oh, single-leg variation coming out the back door.
Beautiful stuff from AJ Styles.
-Styles. -Dropkick finds a mark on Priest.
[Jimmy] A Pelé kick.
[Corey] Priest on spaghetti legs.
[Saxton] Styles signaling for The Prince.
So far, good teamwork…
between Finn Bálor, AJ Styles, Liv Morgan, quick tags.
[Corey] No love lost between Bálor and Priest.
The two feuded over
the United States Championship some months back.
In many ways, that feud was kinda-- was planting of the seeds,
if you will, for Damian Priest eventually joining The Judgment Day.
[Jimmy] Finn Bálor ended the title reign of Damian Priest.
[Corey] Smart move by Bálor going down low,
trying to chop the much larger Priest down.
[Saxton] Beautiful leg kick. Now going after that knee.
-[Jimmy] Yanking on the ankle as well. -Bálor knows a million ways to hurt you.
A very, very highly skilled grappler.
We know what Bálor has accomplished in WWE.
The first-ever Universal Champion…
-Oh! -…Intercontinental Champion,
United States Champion.
-[Jimmy] Distraction from Edge. -[Corey] Priest to the back of the neck.
[Saxton] How many times over the last couple weeks
have we seen that very scenario?
Edge distracting a competitor, Rhea Ripley distracting a competitor.
Allowing another member of The Judgment Day to take advantage.
[Jimmy] I call that intelligence, Saxton.
When you can exploit your opponent's lack of intelligence,
you do so early and you do so often.
[Jimmy] Edge is now legal.
Leveling Finn Bálor.
My God.
He is the leader of The Judgment Day. He is opportunistic.
[Corey] Leading by example is the WWE Hall of Famer.
Taking full advantage of a Finn Bálor who hasn't yet recovered
from the attack of Damian Priest.
[Corey] Smart strategy by Edge. Bálor had his wits shaken on the outside
and The Ultimate Opportunist did what he does best.
Even Edge, despite all his accomplishments,
his Hall of Fame career, said, he is only just getting started.
Oh, beautiful kick to the gut.
[Jimmy] And if you're Edge and you look at Damian Priest,
and Rhea Ripley and any other potential members
of The Judgment Day as a fountain of youth to do your bidding
so that Edge can focus on whatever it is he so chooses.
[Corey] Edge behind the official's back.
[Jimmy] Speaking of the sneaky tricks of Edge…
And that's really the X factor in a situation like this
is the leadership of Edge,
the experience, all he can do, as you said,
behind the back of the referee.
[Saxton] Big time tackle by Priest.
-[Jimmy] Cover. -One, two.
Kick out from Finn Bálor,
but back to the offense goes Damian Priest.
Tugging the left arm of Finn Bálor.
And notice how The Judgment Day has effectively cut the ring in half.
Bálor has been nowhere near Styles or Liv Morgan,
way on the other side of the ring.
This is expert, classic, tag team strategy.
What's compelling to me is the fact that these three don't have experience
teaming up with each other.
I mean, such a smooth operation, if you will.
It just speaks to how aligned all three of these Superstars are
with the messaging of The Judgment Day.
They believe 100%, The Saints Of Fate is what Edge calls them.
Caught into his system. It's paying dividends right now.
I think the ring may have shifted a few inches off of Bálor's spine.
Incredible impact in the corner.
And Edge now stalking a fallen prince.
Listen to the nasty impact of the spine of Finn Bálor.
He's on the wrong side of town right now at the mercy
of the right hands delivered by Edge.
A beautiful move by Finn Bálor.
Able to fight his way out of the enemy corner.
Bálor... Oh, trying to reach.
Not quite there.
Oh, face down.
Edge able to stop the momentum before the tag.
To the cover again.
One, two...
Kick-out from Finn Bálor, but see him fading.
Bálor was just inches, mere inches away from tagging in style.
Instead, receiving more punishment
from Punisher, Damian Priest.
[Jimmy] ...offense, but that's the power of Damian Priest-- To the cover.
Finn Bálor fading and fading fast in the middle of the ring.
[Saxton] No wasted motion by Damian Priest.
Finn Bálor escaped the pinfall attempt,
and Priest immediately cinched in his submission hold.
He's going to continue to wear down Finn Bálor.
[Jimmy] I see a growing frustration for both Liv Morgan and AJ Styles
who are essentially helpless right now.
Big opening for Bálor, trying to make the tag to Styles.
Reaching again.
Got to free himself from the grip of Damian Priest.
Finger length away and no.
[Jimmy] Backbreaker, that might do it.
-To the cover. -One, two...
[Jimmy] The kick-out's getting later and later for Finn Bálor.
[Saxton] To this point, Liv Morgan and AJ Styles have barely factored
-into this matchup in any capacity. -Say no more.
[Jimmy] Damian Priest, when you ask him about The Judgment Day,
he talks about the leadership of Edge, the mentorship of Edge.
[Corey] All that's on display right now, Jimmy.
This has been an extremely sound strategy we've seen from The Judgment Day.
[Corey] Beautiful combination kicks.
[Saxton] Oh, my gosh. What a response from Bálor.
[Jimmy] Hear that chop all the way down in Wrigleyville.
Oh.
And Bálor answers with an overhead kick.
Down goes Priest.
Bálor's got daylight.
[Corey] Finally, Damian Priest face down.
-He's flattened. -Does Bálor have enough?
Does Finn Bálor have enough to crawl to his corner and make the tag?
[Jimmy] Damian Priest trying to do the same thing.
Edge is now legal, and so is The Phenomenal One.
[Saxton] This is what Styles wanted earlier on in this matchup.
He wanted Edge, and now he's got The Rated-R Superstar.
[Jimmy] What he wanted to do at WrestleMania, tee off on Edge…
before the interference of Damian Priest. Oh!
Face first goes Priest.
Styles disposing of Damian Priest, refocusing on Edge.
[Jimmy] No one attacks bigger than AJ Styles
-once he's rolling to the cover. -One, two.
Just in time to kick out from Edge.
Styles unrelenting right now, understands how important--
AJ's thinking about the Styles Clash, and right now, Styles and Morgan
are arguably the freshest competitors in this entire matchup.
They've been stuck on the apron for most of this.
[Jimmy] Liv Morgan right now, teeing off on Rhea Ripley.
It is just Edge and AJ.
Styles with a full tank of gas sent to the outside,
and finally, a knee rocks Damian Priest.
Shot to Priest. Styles now all alone on the apron.
You know what AJ Styles is thinking now.
It is loaded.
[Jimmy] Phenomenal Forearm right across the jaw. That's it.
One, two, oh.
Finally, finally, Styles able to connect with the Phenomenal Forearm,
something he has not been able to do to Edge since prior to WrestleMania.
[Jimmy] Didn't just connect, but flattened Edge.
And Edge hasn't moved. Edge may be out.
This match may be over had it not been for Damian Priest.
Look at this once again.
AJ got every bit of this forearm, locking the jaw of the Hall of Famer.
But just as the official got in position,
Damian Priest from the outside yanking Styles out
and keeping this match alive for The Judgment Day.
What this would mean for AJ Styles to get Edge on his back
to stall the momentum of the Judgment Day, which has looked unstoppable.
Absolutely. AJ Styles now in desperate need of making a tag,
as is Edge.
We got a fresh live Morgan.
Rhea Ripley tagged in, and here comes Morgan.
He was taking advantage of Rhea Ripley on the outside
-right into the hurricanrana, but no. -Strength of Ripley.
Counters, shoulders down.
Breakout just in time for Rhea.
Rhea Ripley rocked.
Morgan now with a crucifix.
Back, one, two.
Oh, man.
Tremendous offense from Liv Morgan.
Digging deeper into the playbook is what Morgan is doing.
She needs to keep her foot on the gas pedal.
She's got Ripley reeling for the moment.
Liv Morgan was the loyalty test for Rhea Ripley.
Half and half suplex. That could do it.
Submitted her not once, but twice.
Now looking to finish her to prove her loyalty to The Judgment Day.
Trying to hoist up Liv Morgan.
Just outrageous power by Rhea.
Unbelievable. Shoulders down, hook of the leg.
Oh, kick-out.
Morgan finds a way.
Finds a way to escape.
Liv Morgan is staying in the match,
but Rhea Ripley right now doling out all the punishment.
What does Ripley have in store for Liv Morgan next?
Now thinking Riptide.
This may very well do it. No, beautiful escape.
Tag made. Finn Bálor, the legal competitor.
Vicious DDT.
Finn Bálor's legal, but that doesn't matter right now.
Breaking down again.
Just like we did to start this match.
An absolute three-on-three brawl.
Priest sent to the outside.
And sets of serious wheels are turning here.
Oh, my God.
-And now Morgan. -[crowd cheering]
And The Judgment Day laid out.
The weeks of punishment, the weeks of darkness,
the weeks of being outnumbered seem to be over.
Right between the eyes of Priest.
Damian Priest, don't look now.
You are in the drop zone.
The Prince making his ascent.
Watch Rhea Ripley.
Oh, taking away the balance of Finn Bálor, just in time.
Thinking Coup de Grâce, but now he's trying to recover.
Ripley proud of herself, understanding that she has preserved
the life of The Judgment Day thus far in this match.
Brilliant. Rhea Ripley relied on her femininity,
knowing that Bálor could not do anything about it
and change the course of the matchup for The Judgment Day.
Edge now legal. But runs right into a kick.
Oh, my God.
Bálor taking a trip South to Heaven.
-Here's Styles. -Oh, no.
Phenomenal Forearm yet again.
And Edge.
Styles disposed of.
Shoulder first into the post on the way out.
Now a crazed look.
That familiar crazed look in the eyes of Edge.
Oh, beautiful cradle counter.
Oh.
Sling blade.
Bálor now with his own determined crazed look.
Edge is down. Bálor is going to try this again.
Now it's Edge in the drop zone.
The Prince once again from the top.
And again, Rhea Ripley putting herself in harm's way.
Bálor's got a decision to make, or maybe not.
Liv Morgan back in the mix.
Both hooks in-- Oh.
Able to get Rhea out of there.
Oh, the Spear from Edge.
Absolutely folding Finn Bálor. One, two, three.
[bell dings]
[Rome] Here are your winners, The Judgment Day.
The willingness of Rhea Ripley once again to sacrifice herself
leads to victory for The Judgment Day.
This was a true battle in every sense of the word.
But this battle tonight
has been won by The Judgment Day.
What a battle.
A hell of an effort by Morgan, Styles, and Bálor.
But in the end, it would be the Hall of Famer
who put the final nail in the coffin of the Prince.
Styles and Bálor were rolling.
Tandem offense would take out Damian Priest and Edge.
Liv Morgan would join the affair,
wiping out her former tag team partner, Rhea Ripley.
The chaos would continue on in this matchup.
Styles would rock Priest with a Phenomenal Forearm,
but Edge once again sending Styles to the outside.
This was a key moment right here. Bálor was looking for the Coup de Grâce.
Liv Morgan would take out Ripley, who showed up as a distraction.
But that brought Edge just enough time to deliver the Spear
and the victory for The Judgment Day.
[bell dings]
And the message of The Judgment Day got a whole lot louder.
And the presence of The Judgment Day just got a whole lot stronger.
[Corey] Well, the crowd here in Chicago, Illinois, at the Allstate Center
has got an incredible show tonight.
Great sports town.
They love the action,
and it's been absolutely incredible from start to finish.
Earlier tonight, Omos on a roll against Bobby Lashley.
[Jimmy] A two-on-one handicap match,
the Nigerian Giant and MVP against Bobby Lashley.
And Omos provided an overabundance of brutality.
But somehow, Lashley would survive
until Cedric Alexander would rear his head,
which would unintentionally provide the opening
for a thunderous almighty spear.
And here in the closing moments, Lashley cinching in the hurt lock
on his longtime mentor and protege, MVP,
-the almighty defying the odds. -[Announcer] The almighty!
-Bobby Lashley! -Overcoming a two-on-one disadvantage
to be victorious at Hell in a Cell.
Congratulations to the almighty, Bobby Lashley.
Ced, what was that out there, earlier today?
Bobby, no, no, no. That wasn't for you. That was for me.
I'm getting sick of being treated like an unwanted toy around here, okay?
MVP and Omos got exactly what they deserved.
So, instead of me trying to find somewhere to belong,
I need to find a way to stand alone too. Be alone. You know what I'm saying?
All right. You know what, man, I'm proud of you.
You've got to stand up for yourself around here, man.
But one more thing. Don't ever mess with another one of my matches again.
You got it?
Got it.
All right.
[Corey] Well, Bobby Lashley had to deal with the sting of betrayal.
That's a theme as well
between Madcap Moss and, of course, Happy Corbin.
Two men once aligned at the hip, now it is set.
No holds barred. Madcap and Happy Corbin tonight.
Well, up next at WrestleMania Backlash, a happy family, no more.
Happy Corbin meets his former protege, Madcap Moss.
[Moss] Corbin, powerful, physically imposing,
but I persevered.
I shielded my eyes from the glare coming off his head.
I looked past those horrible tattoos,
and I beat the big, bald wolf.
[Corey] Moss got it.
What a massive victory for Moss tonight.
My WWE career is just beginning.
[Corey] That's Corbin. Assaulting Moss, attacking from behind.
[Jimmy] Now, he's trying to end Moss' career.
[Corey] Don't do that. Oh, my God. Put that down!
[Corbin] This is the happiest I've ever been.
What do you call the place that's in you?
The Moss-biddle.
Madcap Moss had it good.
I think you're getting too big for your suspenders.
Tell me a joke like your job depends on it.
What do you call a guy who treats his friends like garbage?
Who dresses like he's going to a funeral for Tommy Bahama?
You call him Happy Corbin.
[Corbin] You should show your boss, respect.
He called me the big, bald wolf.
Maybe I am the big, bald wolf.
Because I hop,
and I pop,
and I put Madcap Moss in an ambulance.
[Moss] Happy Corbin thought that that would be the end of Madcap Moss.
He was right.
The man that he thought he knew as Madcap Moss
that would take his crap week after week, is gone.
Corbin, get your sorry ass out here right now
before I come back there and find you.
[commentator] And Corbin now with a steel chair in hand.
And Madcap now has got his hands on the steel chair, the hell with it.
This is about hurting Corbin and hurting him bad.
Corbin created a monster.
He has nobody to blame but himself.
Madcap now with the steel steps.
And WWE officials coming out to try to stop Madcap.
Since you and Madcap are hellbent on destroying one another,
you're gonna have another chance to do it.
This Sunday at Hell in a Cell.
And Corbin, this time it's No Holds Barred.
[commentator] Madcap gets his hands on Happy Corbin.
It's No Holds Barred.
[bell dings]
The following is a No Holds Barred match.
In this match, there are no count outs, no disqualifications.
The only way to win is by pinfall or submission.
[crowd cheering]
[Happy Corbin's theme music playing]
[Samantha] Introducing first, weighing in at 285 pounds.
Happy Corbin!
I've said it earlier
And Happy Corbin has no one to blame except himself.
Finding himself in this predicament here tonight
at the Hell in a Cell Premium Live Event.
Here at ringside, ladies and gentlemen,
from Friday Night SmackDown on Fox on Michael Cole,
joined by Corey Graves, Pat McAfee is off tonight.
But Corey, Corbin brought this about himself.
I disagree strongly
because all Happy Corbin has ever been is altruistic.
Happy Corbin was simply trying to provide Madcap with a path to success here in WWE.
And Madcap was an ingrate in turn, in fact.
[Madcap Moss's Theme music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Samantha] And his opponent, he is the winner of the 2022,
Andre the Giant, Battle Royal,
Madcap Moss!
[Jimmy] For Madcap, Corey, this is really a story
of a strained loyalty, abusive leadership on Corbin's part,
and then the final betrayal by Corbin a few weeks ago.
And now an opportunity for Madcap to break out on his own.
To me, what Madcap has done, reeks of immaturity.
Look at the guy. Madcap has an unbelievable physique.
Madcap can go in the ring.
However, he is ungrateful to everything
Happy Corbin has provided him with to this point.
[Corey] Ungrateful, Happy Corbin made Madcap a sidekick, a jester.
And now this is No Holds Barred tonight.
[Saxton] Gotta stick to what you're good at.
Madcap was very, very good comic relief for Happy Corbin.
And then Madcap had the guts to call Corbin the big bald wolf, the disrespect.
[Corey] So, you're one of the few guys who actually laughs at jokes.
[Saxton] I was entertained. I enjoyed Madcap very much.
[Corey] Madcap and Happy Corbin, no holds barred.
Anything goes in this matchup.
And Corbin now sends Madcap to the corner.
Really a breakout opportunity here tonight, Corey, for Madcap.
You're absolutely right. This is Madcap's opportunity
for the entire WWE Universe to see what he truly is capable of.
What Madcap's all about in this no-holds-barred matchup.
Taking the fight to Happy Corbin,
the man who was once at rock bottom before he hit the jackpot.
Well, and Happy Corbin-- Oh, God!
Told me earlier today
that he'd rather be broke again than lose tonight to Madcap.
[Jimmy] Remember, no disqualification in this matchup, no count-outs.
It's no-holds-barred.
Use everything in the arena to your advantage as Madcap there,
driving Happy Corbin hip-first into the barricade.
Madcap all serious in this matchup here tonight.
And I think this might have been a side of Madcap that had been missing.
Madcap was spending too much time making jokes, being entertaining.
But to be a legitimate WWE superstar, it takes a great deal more.
And Madcap-- Oh! Madcap with a steel chair, which is legal.
But Corbin able to drive him with a tackle into the barricade.
And now it's Corbin's turn. But he said no.
What a great sportsman Happy Corbin is.
Corbin could've-- Oh, look out! Moss bounced right off the announce table.
But Moss able to counter and deliver an elbow to the midsection of Corbin.
And now Corbin sending Moss right over the table into the chairs.
And the power of Corbin there.
Oh, wait. The power of Moss as well!
Here goes your chair.
Can Hazard pay for this? Oh, no!
And Madcap, sending Corbin into the steel stairs.
There is the incoming chair, knocking Happy down.
[Jimmy] Happy looking anything but in this moment.
Madcap still… Oh!
Look at the humiliation, Corey, that…
Corbin put Madcap through over the past number of weeks.
And I understand that, and I have a lot of respect for the fact that
that did not break Madcap.
The fact that Madcap recovered, Madcap healed,
and Madcap came back to fight Happy Corbin. Oh, God!
[Corey] Corbin with a clothesline.
[Jimmy] I respect the guts of Madcap all day long.
I just don't think he's got the mental capacity to compete with Happy.
[Corey] Happy Corbin also tried to end Madcap's career.
Sort of a contusion that cost Madcap a couple of weeks,
and now Corbin,
looking to continue to punish Madcap tonight.
[Saxton] This is the mean streak that sets Happy Corbin
apart from so many WWE superstars.
A ruthlessness, a willingness to do whatever it takes.
[Corey] This is a No Holds Barred Match which favors Happy Corbin,
if for no other reason than Corbin's experience
in this environment on multiple occasions.
Happy having fun with the Chicago Faithful.
[Saxton] And you're right, Corey.
Happy, of course, the veteran in this matchup,
has been through all of these wars before.
Corbin knows full well he's not beholden to the WWE universe.
Happy does what Happy needs to do.
And now Madcap set back into the ring, and Corbin enjoying his candy work.
[Corey] Corbin is ruthless.
He's as nasty as they come.
[Jimmy]n And now Madcap fighting back.
[Saxton] Corbin teetering precariously.
[Corey] What a chokeslam from the apron!
That just goes to show you the power possessed by Happy Corbin.
To be able to deliver that chokeslam from the outside of the ring,
hoisting up Madcap, driving him down, and now Corbin's done playing around.
[Saxton] Yeah, we've already seen the damage that Corbin can
do with a steel chair.
[Corey] Yeah, we know how well Corbin utilizes a steel chair.
And right to the ribs of Madcap.
And now giving Madcap some of his medicine from two nights ago on SmackDown.
For you…
[man] Come on, Moss, what's he saying?
[Corey] Corbin not making many friends here in Chicago tonight.
And I don't think he gives a damn.
What is he saying?
[referee] Are you done? He said no!
[Corey] Corbin, I can assure you, is savoring--
-Oh! Right to the back of the neck! -[Jimmy] That's gotta be it.
[Corey] Remember the neck injury caused by Corbin a number of weeks ago.
[Saxton] Trust me, nobody remembers that injury better than Happy Corbin himself.
And tonight, Corbin would love to inflict another one.
[Corey] Well, Corbin's already blamed Madcap
for most of his failures over the past couple of months.
-Now he tries to end his career again. -[Crowd chanting]
-Oh, and Madcap caught him! -[Saxton] Oh!
[Corey] Little drop toehold into the chair, which buckled
as Corbin collided with it.
Madcap looking for a neck breaker of sorts. Great counter by Happy.
Oh, and there it is, the Deep Six.
Cover now, to try to put Madcap away!
And a kick out at two.
No!
First, this is bang into the steel steps.
However, Happy would turn the tides with a Deep Six that nearly ended this.
Look how deep Corbin hooked the leg,
but Madcap able to slide out the back door.
Look out, we got flying chairs.
-And Corbin is kicked out. -[Jimmy] And another chair!
[Corey] He just wants to end the career of Madcap, there's no doubt about that.
[Jimmy] Well, I mean, when you're as wealthy as Happy Corbin,
what's a couple grand on steel chairs?
And again, right back to the already injured neck of Madcap.
[Corey] No holds barred in this matchup, no count out, no disqualification.
If it's not nailed down, it's legal,
and if it is nailed down, you can still probably use it.
-It all benefits Happy Corbin right now. -[Crowd chanting]
And listen to the WWE fans, all over Corbin.
The fact that Corbin's able to compete at this level in the face of adversity,
with a hostile environment like the all--
[Jimmy] He brought it all on himself, Corey, come on!
[Corey] I don't trust a lot of these people,
they put pickles on their hot dogs, it's weird.
Corbin flexing a little
-of those golden gloves boxing. -[Saxton] Says the man…
[Corey] Says the man what? You've been waiting months
-to make fun of me, haven't you? -[Jimmy laughing]
Corbin back into the ring, Madcap ducks underneath it.
And now Corbin separating on the steel chair.
[Saxton] Corbin's eyes are glazed over.
[Corey] The opportunity that Madcap needs.
If Madcap can, he needs to make a cover now.
[Jimmy] Listen…
Oh! Right into the chair.
[Jimmy] This has been Madcap's best opportunity
in some time to make something happen.
Happy Corbin needs to recover quick.
[Corey] Madcap stumbling out of the ring.
Grabbing a steel chair as a weapon.
Madcap has waited a long time for this.
[Jimmy] This is just sour grapes for Madcap.
I don't know that this is necessary.
Again, I told you from the outset, Madcap's an ingrate.
[Corey] Well, it's necessary if you're Madcap.
After the embarrassment and humiliation
-that Corbin has put him through. -[Saxton] Oh!
He's got a table, but I will whoop his ass!
[Corey] Madcap wearing out Corbin, did you hear that?
And again to the spine.
Whoa!
[crowd cheering]
Corbin just trying to get out of harm's way.
And now Madcap beating the hell out of Corbin in the corner.
Madcap is teeing off and fired up.
And planting face first, Corbin out of the chair.
Cover by Madcap, is it enough for the kick out?
And I have to wonder, Madcap when delivering the DDT on Happy Corbin,
took some of the impact on his own back,
which caused him a delay to make the cover.
Could that have been an experience factor that could be the downfall of Madcap?
[Saxton] Let's see how Madcap reacts to it.
[Corey] Ooh, shoulder first into the corner to Corbin.
Man, I hate being wrong.
And again Madcap rallying here.
And Madcap driving Corbin over the top rope to the floor.
An intense, aggressive, physical Madcap here tonight.
Oh, and Corbin! Oh, Chop Block!
[Jimmy] Brilliant maneuver by Happy Corbin,
going low with a Chop Block.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, Cole, you know.
Happy Corbin spent time as an offensive lineman in the NFL,
and had to reach deep into his arsenal to deliver that.
[Corey] Take another look, here's the chop block.
Corbin was once known as one of the nastiest man,
on the football field, and he showed it there.
[Saxton] You're absolutely right.
You think you're better than me, huh?
[Corey] Corbin now reverting to his old ways, wearing out Madcap.
[Jimmy] Well, Corbin can't believe that Madcap wouldn't return to the fold.
That he wouldn't come back and beg for his job back,
to apologize to Happy Corbin.
[Corey] Listen, Corbin gave Madcap a chance.
Corbin gave Madcap a job, an opportunity, a purpose.
[Jimmy] And he treated him like garbage.
[Corey] And now look at this, with a chair around the neck!
Is that preferable? Is that preferable, Madcap,
to being treated like trash by Happy Corbin?
I don't think so.
Look at-- Madcap's done, he's got nothing left.
My goodness, Madcap tossed right back into the ring,
and now what does Corbin--
[Jimmy] Yeah, you have to ask yourself, what else is Corbin capable of?
Well, he's got steel steps in his hand now, Corey.
Can we see a reenactment of Corbin putting Madcap's neck in a steel chair?
[Corey] Well, if it happens this time around,
God knows if Madcap's career won't be ended.
And Corbin with steel steps!
Madcap has barely moved since…
being driven into announce table
with a steel chair wrapped around his neck.
Happy's done, Madcap will not move, I assure you of that.
Madcap, though, landing on his feet, Corbin with an elbow caught him.
Wow, Madcap with the power!
Corbin's in trouble!
Madcap! Oh, a slam!
[Saxton] Okay, now that was freaky power by Madcap.
[Corey] And now Madcap with a punchline!
Come on!
[Corey] Madcap is all fired up!
Well, Madcap after this fallaway slam,
He hit his finishing maneuver, the punchline.
-[Jimmy] Oh, no, no, no. -[Corey] But Madcap wants to do damage!
This is highly uncalled for.
This is the same thing that Corbin did to Madcap
and tried to cost him his career.
And now Madcap trying to do the same to Corbin.
[Jimmy] Madcap, if you do this, you're no better than Happy.
[Saxton] But it would feel good, wouldn't it?
[Corey] Oh, my goodness!
[Jimmy] Oh, my God!
[Corey] Cover now by Madcap!
-Madcap with a big win! -[bell dings]
[crowd cheering]
[Samantha] Here is your winner, Madcap Moss!
[Jimmy] Corey, Madcap with the defining moment
and the defining victory of his career here tonight.
Listen, you'll get no argument from me on that statement.
It was an incredibly impressive outing for Madcap to topple
a top Superstar like Happy Corbin.
I just think Madcap's motivation was a little misguided.
Well, Madcap delivered to Corbin what Corbin did to Madcap
-a number of weeks ago. -I will watch this again.
But watch this. Oh, my goodness!
Poor Happy being tended to by medical professionals.
This was the scene…
a few weeks ago when Madcap had a neck brace put on him.
He was stretchered out of the arena at the hands of Happy Corbin.
And tonight, Corbin suffers his own fate.
How many times are we going to be forced to relive this?
Happy Corbin has a family to worry about.
But we're celebrating Madcap?
Madcap ain't no joke, huh?
Come on, son.
Come on.
Tell me about the ambulance now.
And it is Happy Corbin being stretchered out of the arena tonight
after a massive victory for Madcap.
That's what I'm talking about, Chi-town!
Let me hear you, Chi-town! Chi-town!
The EST of WWE.
The fastest, the quickest, the brightest.
Everything you could potentially want in a Superstar and more.
I'm the B-E-S-T, and that ain't up for debate.
As a kid, I was always the EST.
I got a full scholarship to the University of Tennessee.
A Division I school in the toughest conference in the whole country.
After I graduated, I went to the WWE Performance Center,
and I proved I was the best.
I have a legacy that I carry with me every time I step in the ring.
But when the bell goes ding,
I'm just focused on creating my own history.
[Cole] The EST of WWE
is now the B-E-S-T.
[Bianca] Knowing that I'm looked at as a role model is so important to me.
It's a responsibility that I take so seriously.
Next in the round, Bianca Belair!
[Bianca] I am proud to be a Knoxvillian.
That's who I am, that's what I'm about, and that's what I'll continue to be.
[Cole] The future is so bright for Bianca Belair.
♪ A-Town ♪
Let's go!
It is now, time for the King Of The Selfie himself.
Never saw a camera he didn't like.
[bell dings]
[Rome] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the United States Championship!
Introducing first, he is the youngest United States Champion
in WWE history…
Theory!
Well, it seemed simple last Monday against Ciampa.
All Mustafa Ali had to do was win and get a future title opportunity.
He was future opportunity with Theory at ringside.
It seemed like it was only a matter of time
before Ali would capture said victory.
But while Theory decided he had other plans
and a proposition caused him to disqualify.
United States Championship match?
I say why wait and let's just do it right now!
What Theory displayed in this instance was wisdom beyond his years.
And yes, Mustafa Ali fought valiantly after suffering through
a grueling match with Ciampa.
-Theory would pick up a decisive win. -[bell dings]
Hold on a second there, Theory.
Mr. McMahon decided he'd rather see you and Ali in a fair fight,
in a championship rematch at Hell in a Cell.
That, to me, was the only fair call that could have been made.
Ali will actually be 100% for his United States Championship opportunity.
As is Theory.
Do you see anything resembling nervousness or fear on the face
of the United States Champion?
I talked to Theory earlier today, Saxton.
He said he cannot wait for this matchup to prove to Mr. McMahon
that Mr. McMahon was right all along.
Sometimes you wonder if all this arrogance,
all the braggadocios nature we see from Theory
will actually come back and bite him.
Hasn't happened yet. I don't see it happening anytime soon.
He's been good so far as champion at stacking the deck in his favor.
[Rome] And his opponent, weighing in at 182 pounds,
Chicago's own,
Mustafa Ali!
["Disruptor" playing]
[Corey] I don't know if it is incredibly fair
that Mustafa Ali gets his opportunity in his hometown in front of his people.
[Saxton] Are you saying you don't have as much faith in Theory as people do?
[Corey] I'm just saying that you whine and cry
every time something goes Theory's way. I'm just flipping the coin.
[Saxton] We've seen the struggle, Corey, that Mustafa Ali has gone through
the last couple of weeks.
He's stated his goal loud and clear, "I want to be United States Champion."
But for weeks, what have we seen?
We've seen Theory do everything he can to duck Mustafa Ali.
[Jimmy] Let's count them off, shall we? Two-on-One Handicap Match with The Miz.
We could sit here all day and argue semantics,
and you guys can put your opinions on all these different things
that Theory allegedly may or may not have done.
The fact is, it is a one-on-one contest
for the United States Championship here in the Second City.
Mustafa Ali versus Theory.
Finally. And personally, I think Theory's got a lot of pressure on him.
Guess what? Nobody cares, Byron. Theory doesn't care.
He actually asked me to put you on mute,
but I told him that's not an ability I have.
That has to happen in the truck. Maybe he can text Mr. McMahon.
-They are finally underway. One-on-one. -[bell dings]
Mustafa Ali versus Theory for the United States Championship.
[crowd chanting] Ali! Ali! Ali! Ali!
Hometown crowd firmly in the corner of Mustafa Ali, his wife in attendance,
his children, many of his closest friends.
Could this be one of the crowning achievements
of Mustafa Ali's career here tonight?
[Corey] It is entirely possible.
With all due respect to what Ali is capable of,
and we have seen Ali accomplish in WWE,
Theory is quite simply functioning on a different level right now.
[Jimmy] Beautiful athleticism to start off from Mustafa Ali.
Not just athleticism, but experience tonight.
Beautiful arm drag.
And trust me, while having your friends and family in attendance
may be great motivation for Mustafa Ali,
nothing motivates something like having Mr. McMahon tell you how it's got to be.
Right now, Ali, obviously tremendously motivated,
forces Theory, at least in the short term, to regroup.
Of course, Theory, the youngest United States Champion in WWE history.
Twenty-four years old.
Confident, athletic, explosive.
He's untouchable.
You've got Mustafa Ali, that is why.
Look at those guns, though.
Can't overlook his athletic talent.
The same's got to be said…
What a beautiful hurricanrana!
…about Mustafa Ali, who's had an arduous journey
just to get to WWE.
Ali has been very--
-Are you all right? -Are you all right?
Are you okay, Theory?
Major concern on the face of Theory is what I see.
Problem Theory's having is keeping his cool
when things aren't going his way so far.
-Because heaven forbid… -[crowd chanting] Ali, Ali, Ali!
Heaven forbid, Theory actually has to face Ali at 100%.
Come on!
[Jimmy] That's what he has now. Champion trying to regroup.
Taking another break to do it.
Outsmarting Ali, but Ali's had enough.
[Jimmy] Think about the frustration of Mustafa Ali every time he…
tries to line up a one-on-one shot.
Crossbody!
The frustration's bigger than that, Jimmy.
The frustration stems from Mustafa Ali's path to get to WWE.
And what has happened since arriving here is we look at the breathtaking,
athleticism, high-risk, big payoff by the Challenger.
But Ali wants to focus all of that frustration,
turn it into something positive, disrupt the status quo of WWE.
[Jimmy] Beautiful move from Theory.
And think of how close Ali would be
to accomplishing that by becoming United States Champion.
That would certainly disrupt things.
[Jimmy] Ali knows that. Theory now unloading on his Challenger.
This is ruthless aggression that we're seeing right here.
Ooh! Shoulder first. Went Ali into the ring post.
Theory has taken advantage ever since.
Theory defeated the veteran Finn Bálor to win the United States Championship.
Well-placed left hand.
-[indistinct] Oh, my God! -Oh!
Face full of turnbuckle for Theory.
Ali now with a chance to make something happen,
making the climb to the top rope.
Not enough time to… Oh, my gosh!
All the way down. Ali might have broken a rib.
Or he's grabbing his elbow.
He's in absolute agony.
Another high-risk move, maybe too early on in the match.
And Theory again lies beyond his years, a step ahead of Ali, and it made Ali pay.
Theory sending Ali back inside the ring,
looking to inflict more punishment.
As much as Theory believed in himself, coming to Monday Night RAW,
the tutelage of Mr. McMahon,
being his protege, has done a lot for his already massive confidence.
He's used it to supercharge his strength.
Supercharged his ego, Jimmy.
Going to the cover, hook of the leg.
It's not about ego. It's about potential.
And Mr. McMahon looks at Theory, sees what Theory already is,
and imagines what Theory can be someday.
It's about the future of this business, of this company.
That is why Mr. McMahon is so invested in the United States Champion.
And a chance tonight for Theory to prove Mr. McMahon correct.
Not just to be a champion, but that he can be a fighting champion,
which so far he has not.
The defense against Mustafa Ali last Monday,
his first one-on-one title defense.
Listen, Theory relishes the opportunity.
-Whoa, whoa! -Cover!
[Jimmy] Kick-out just in time.
Theory relishes the opportunity at hand tonight.
Doomed to be able to prove
to Mr. McMahon that, "Yes, boss, you were right about me."
But Ali, of course, doing his best to spoil Theory's goal.
[Jimmy] And big opening right now for Ali.
Has Theory dazed because of this.
Boom! Spinning heel kick.
Taking Theory out temporarily. Ali's got to muster something quick.
-[crowd chanting] Ali! -[clapping]
[Jimmy] Ali made the-- Whoa!
Picking up speed is Ali.
Creative offense again.
Ali sent to the corner one step quicker. Oh! And Theory--
On the outside and-- No!
Neckbreaker delivered by Mustafa Ali, who is feeling the momentum shift.
And this is what Theory wanted to avoid,
allowing Chicago to get behind their hometown hero.
Theory wants to make this about strength, about athleticism, about physical ability,
because that's what he has.
So far, Mustafa Ali on offense throughout most of this match.
Ali thinking something high-risk here as Theory trying to fight out.
Oh!
May have hurt that left knee!
That may have finished the job with the collision.
Ali posting off the kick the second time.
To the cover!
[crowd] One, two--
-Kick-out from Theory. -Credit to the guts and the will
and the toughness of the challenger, Mustafa Ali.
Let's take another look at this.
Take a look how Ali lands gingerly on that left knee.
But watch the second impact while delivering the superkick.
Can't get the full extension on either leg,
and I think that might have-- Ooh!
Left Ali a little worse for wear.
Theory now trying to will himself back into this match.
So far, Mustafa Ali-- Oh!
Oh, my!
[Jimmy] Well, this might be it!
Wow!
To another cover!
Fighting out again. Let's make it three in a row!
Oh, no! A reversal!
Not enough to put Theory away either.
[Jimmy] Oh, able to put Theory down for just a moment,
but took all the energy out of Mustafa Ali.
Look at this outrageous leaping vertical
-from Theory… -Oh, wow!
…as he executes a modified Spanish fly, driving the challenger down.
This could go either man's way.
Landing in full mount, some vicious ground and pound there.
If you're Mustafa Ali, you don't know when this opportunity could come again.
If you don't succeed here tonight and become champion.
He took this opportunity last Monday after a beating from Ciampa.
You know he has the heart. You know he has the will.
Ali showing that heart right now, holding on to the top rope.
Now for the middle!
Oh! Tornado DDT off the second rope!
Can Ali capitalize?
Can Mustafa achieve his goal
in front of his hometown crowd here in Chicago?
Ali making the climb to the top.
[Jimmy] Going high-risk yet again. Oh!
Pays for it.
Again, Theory spoils Ali's best-laid plans.
Here we go, gentlemen. We're going to take a trip.
A-Town Down!
To a single leg!
Oh! STF in the middle of the ring!
Will Theory tap?
Are we on the verge of having a new United States Champion?
[Jimmy] Theory already thinking about the tap, the right-hand raising.
Can he make it to the rope?
The Champion scratching, clawing, trying to make his way to the bottom rope.
I'm not sure Theory's going to make it.
-He does! -[crowd booing]
[Jimmy] Desperation move from Theory to save his title,
getting to that bottom rope.
And a smart move by the Champion, rolling under the bottom rope,
realizing he cannot be pinned or submitted,
thus losing his Championship outside of the ropes.
Ali's trying to do a good job of not letting frustration seep in
as he limps over to Theory.
Oh! Ali hung across the top rope.
Oh, my!
[Jimmy] Oh, beautiful kick, to your point, Byron.
Mustafa Ali right now showing that--
Oh, tilt to-- Oh!
Oh! DDT!
-Holy moly! -Wow!
Innovative offense from Mustafa Ali, the Challenger who sees his opening.
Ali making the climb in front of his hometown crowd.
[Jimmy] Sold out Allstate Arena. No!
Crash and burn.
[Jimmy] Bouncing off the canvas with that impact.
And again, damaging the knee in the process.
-Did Ali-- -Oh!
Chop block from behind.
This is the beginning of the end.
Ali wailing in pain, trying to protect that left knee.
-Oh, my! -Oh!
Mustafa on the shoulders of Theory.
[Jimmy] A-Town Down.
Shoulders down.
-Theory retains. -[bell dings]
["A-Town Down" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner,
and still the United States Champion,
Theory!
Mr. McMahon wanted to see what the youngest United States Champion--
Wait, hang on, this is my favorite part.
-Here it is. -Yeah, yeah.
The obnoxious braggadocios--
Wait a minute, I want to see.
Stop.
Plenty of time to like it later, Corey, but that was a championship performance.
I like it now almost as much as I enjoyed the closing moments.
Ali went for broke, it did not pay off.
It was a valiant effort,
but the aggression of the United States Champion,
just too much for Ali to handle.
And look at this power
from the young Superstar, Theory taking Ali on a trip.
A-town Down, and still United States Champion.
What a great selfie.
I'm going to ask Theory on some tips.
I can't take selfies that way.
Why don't you leave the announce desk and go ask him,
since you love Theory so much.
Look at that.
Valiant effort by Ali, but Theory is still--
Look at me.
Yeah, look at you. Still the United States Champion.
Every time, on top.
[Jimmy] They wanted to prove he was a fighting Champion,
like it or not, he did it tonight.
Austin Theory sliding into your girl's DMs.
[crowd cheering]
No matter if it's Chicago…
It's the start of something beautiful.
Play the footage for me, please.
♪ Take a look at me now ♪
♪ Game changer, history maker ♪
They're not rumors. I was a handful.
I did what I did, man. I don't have any regrets.
You can think outside the box. You can go extreme.
Something that you never thought in your wildest dreams
could ever come true.
♪ I'm rising up now ♪
♪ I'll take you on ♪
♪ Through fire and flames Indestructible ♪
♪ I'm taking it higher ♪
♪ I'll bring the… ♪
We all know this is kind of a special time.
[Vince] Ruthless aggression.
♪ Take a look at me now ♪
It just felt like there was a place for everyone.
I have goosebumps right now.
Oh, hell yeah.
♪ History maker ♪
[Jimmy] Up next, that's right, our main event at Hell in a Cell.
The structure that has changed careers is coming down.
Scarred careers, Jimmy.
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes,
looking to end this chapter, close the book.
But in order to do so, he must defeat
Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Cody] I tried to move forward.
Seth, he went ahead and dumped gasoline on the flame.
He stomped my head on that desk right there.
And he said that I would never take away anything--
Anything from me ever again.
What is it that I took away from you?
Two matches?
I had to be at the top of my game at WrestleMania, and I was.
And we ran it back at WrestleMania Backlash.
[Cole] Rollins had the tights.
[Cody] Both nights, I was the better man.
And it has driven Seth Rollins mad.
Does his embarrassment outweigh my quest for my second chance?
And if Seth Rollins intends on denying me
said second chance, buddy, you're gonna have to kill me.
And I'm gonna give you the chance
inside Hell in a Cell!
You are going to be locked inside with a man
who wants to hurt you.
[maniacal laughter]
I don't like you.
They used to sing my song.
Now all I hear is Cody, Cody.
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody!
Where does it stop?
You left WWE six years ago
because you weren't good enough.
You came running back.
The prodigal son returns home
to fulfill his family legacy.
Not on my watch, pal.
I'm gonna prey on your insecurities.
And I'm not just going to change you, Cody,
I'm going to end you.
And then we can all finally wake up
from this American Nightmare.
[maniacal laughter]
[Cody] Why are we waiting?
It seems the time for talk is over.
You want to do this now? All right, pal.
I'll see you Sunday.
[Cole] Whoa, whoa, whoa. Right over the barricade.
We got officials. We got to get some control out here.
This is the level of rage that Seth Rollins
has brought out of Cody Rhodes.
Rhodes and Rollins are going to tear each other to shreds.
[Cole] All hell has truly broken loose.
They'll settle the score locked inside Hell in a Cell.
Unbelievable to look at.
The cell from the outside is absolutely terrifying.
Cody Rhodes and Seth "Freakin" Rollins locked inside.
Burn it down!
[Seth Rollins' theme song plays]
He is a visionary.
He is a revolutionary.
He is Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[crowd vocalizing]
Oh, you've got to be kidding me.
Wow.
Seth Rollins adorned in the trademark polka dots
of "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.
[Corey] If I had to guess, guys, this is Rollins trying to prey
on Cody's insecurities, trying to gain any sort of
mental advantage over The American Nightmare.
-Yeah, but this is-- -I agree.
I never thought Seth would scoop this low, Corey.
[Corey] Well, you obviously don't know Seth that well.
[Jimmy] He has been playing mental games for weeks leading into this match.
Barely had one more card to play.
[Corey] And Rollins is grinning ear to ear
because Seth knows full well that when Cody Rhodes makes his entrance
into Hell in a Cell, Cody will not be 100%.
And that has got to make Seth very, very excited.
Well, for Seth Rollins,
a highly familiar environment is Hell in a Cell.
This would be the fifth time that Seth Rollins has competed
in a Hell in a Cell matchup.
[Corey] So comfortable inside the cell that Rollins is dancing
in the devil's playground.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody!
[crowd cheering]
This man has been a loyal fan.
-["Kingdom" by Downstait playing] -[crowd cheering]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
In Seth Rollins' words, he's been welcomed back
like a prodigal son.
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show Out the curtain, lights go up, I'm home ♪
[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Saxton] Well, this was the match that Cody Rhodes wanted.
Cody Rhodes wanted to close the book on Seth Rollins
inside Hell in a Cell.
[Corey] This is familiar territory for Cody Rhodes.
The city of Chicago, this very arena,
was integral in his journey away from WWE.
He has since returned a more motivated, dangerous Cody Rhodes
than we have ever seen before.
But tonight, at less than 100%, The American Nightmare
steps into Hell with his longest rival.
[Saxton] And that's so key, Corey, because we've heard Cody Rhodes say
before this match that he knows this match will be
the biggest challenge of career.
Now add in the fact that Cody Rhodes is hurt, not 100%.
And that challenge just got a whole lot greater
for The American Nightmare to overcome.
[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
You see them being locked in the cell.
We don't know how much below 100%. Huge question.
[Jimmy] Well, whatever Cody may be lacking physically,
Chicago's more than happy to help him make up for it.
This place is electric.
That's exactly the reaction that has infuriated
and frustrated Seth Rollins since the return of Cody Rhodes.
That adulation, taking the crowd with him, using that energy.
Corey, with an injury as severe as Cody is reported to be suffering,
no one would have thought less of Rhodes
to back out of this matchup, to postpone, to reschedule.
But that's not what Cody Rhodes is about.
That's not who The American Nightmare is.
Cody will not miss this battle come hell or high water.
[bell dings]
[Rome] The following…
is a Hell in a Cell Match.
[crowd cheering]
Introducing first, from Davenport, Iowa,
weighing in at 217 pounds,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
[crowd cheering]
And his opponent, from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 222 pounds,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
Oh, my God.
[Jimmy] Gentlemen…
we said less than 100%.
50 would be lucky.
I can't even fathom…
[bell dings]
…the pain being experienced by Cody Rhodes before the match has even begun.
Not only the physical toll, the mental anguish,
knowing that he is at a disadvantage
with a high-caliber, top-tier athlete like Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
Cody Rhodes truly has the weight of the world on his shoulders tonight.
You forget athleticism, the smile on the face of Seth Rollins
when he saw that injury ear to ear.
Rollins obviously knows he's got a clear advantage.
Don't count Cody out of this fight just yet.
To your point, the heart of Cody Rhodes even being here.
Discolored, torn pectoral muscle on the right side.
That is as gruesome of an injury as I've ever seen
from an active competitor.
And Rollins wasting no time targeting the injury.
Good job.
Cody Rhodes getting out of that Kimura trap.
Oh, kick right on the ear of Rollins.
Rhodes now again with those jabs here to Rollins.
I can't believe it. The Allstate Arena is almost aghast.
Wow, a disaster kick!
Cody caught it.
Can Rhodes make something happen? No, Rollins a step ahead.
He's able to land on his feet now.
Cody, Cody Cutter face down!
But how much damage did it do to Cody Rhodes delivering it?
Clearly in pain already from the Cody Cutter.
Watch this again. Cody Rhodes delivering the Cody Cutter.
Cody wants Cross Rhodes.
And again, hats off, all the credit in the world for Cody
for having the guts to step up and have this matchup tonight.
-But this is not a smart decision. -It's a Figure Four!
In the center of the ring.
Just cranking on the leg of Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
This is a Hell in a Cell match. There is no forced rope break.
There is no countout, no disqualification.
Rhodes can hold on as long as he wants.
But Seth Rollins can change the angle.
Look for some help under the ring.
-Toolbox. -Toolbox?
What the hell is Rollins looking for under there?
Directly in the injured pec and shoulder.
[Jimmy] And again, I can't overstate it.
A hush fell over Allstate Arena when Cody took his ring jacket off.
When everybody got eyes on the injury that Cody is currently suffering through,
and Rollins is focusing on.
Shocked everyone into silencing.
Seth Rollins taking full advantage.
It is going to take some sort of special effort.
Dare I say miracle for Cody Rhodes to overcome this.
Superhuman effort to win with essentially one side of your body.
Rollins attacking Rhodes with a kendo stick.
Focusing on the injured pectoral muscle.
It is going to be your chest, your shoulder.
This is just ruthless. This is gruesome.
Cody Rhodes, unfortunately, had to expect this.
As the news broke that Cody was less than 100%,
Cody Rhodes had to know full well
that this is exactly what Rollins was going to do.
It's not the kind of injury we're looking at right now
that you can cover up with makeup or a little bit of tape.
It is gruelingly obvious.
Rhodes with his one good arm now.
Continuing to try to fight off, fend off the attack of Seth Rollins.
A backhand where Cody originally would have delivered a right.
Realizing you got to call an audible in these situations.
-Oh, shit! -Oh, no.
Couldn't hang on to the ropes with his injured left shoulder.
One thing you do know, this cell will have no mercy on your body.
Look at the swelling on the bicep of Cody.
One size from his shoulder to his elbow.
Here comes Rollins. Oh, God.
A devastating structure under the best of circumstances.
As we are seeing,
this could be the worst of circumstances for Cody Rhodes.
Right now, Seth Rollins can do whatever he wants.
Whatever he wants to Cody Rhodes.
Come on, Rhodes.
Oh, God.
Move it.
Rhodes at this point is just trying to survive.
Come on, Cody. Come on.
You're going to be a nightmare now.
Cody Rhodes demanded this.
Cody issued the challenge for Hell in a Cell.
Rollins has been obsessed since WrestleMania with erasing history,
with rewriting history, and Cody said this is it.
For the third and final time we will settle this score.
But Cody had no idea he was going to have to enter this match
injured in this condition, with a huge obstacle to overcome.
I agree. I understand. But that is the circumstance.
Cody made his bed and tonight he must lay in it.
[Jimmy] But the honor and respect that Cody Rhodes is showing
for the WWE and their fans,
by being here and performing the way he is performing.
-Wholeheartedly agree. -Unreal.
Absolutely true what you just said, Jimmy.
The will, the guts, the toughness of Cody Rhodes
is absolutely to be respected.
This is almost hard to watch.
[Jimmy] No offense at all on the right side.
[stuttering] And, I mean,
let's be perfectly honest Cody Rhodes is risking
potential catastrophic further injury to himself.
Cody Rhodes is jeopardizing his own physical well-being
and career just to compete in this matchup tonight.
The competitive pride of Cody Rhodes, not worrying about the future,
not worrying about what could happen. It's all about tonight.
This moment.
[Jimmy] It's, dare I say, almost blind passion.
I don't know that it's logical.
In fact, it's emotional.
It's Cody fighting on behalf of everything he believes.
Oh, my God.
Steel steps.
And that sense of honor from Cody Rhodes--
Not matched by Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
Not at all.
Rollins is not here for honor.
Rollins is here for victory at any cost.
Twice.
Twice Seth Rollins has fallen short.
WrestleMania, WrestleMania Backlash.
He has been humiliated twice by Cody Rhodes.
That has been his motivator leading to tonight.
Not again.
I heard Rollins say a couple weeks ago
to Cody Rhodes that "You will be scarred for life
after stepping inside Hell in a Cell with me."
And when you look at the condition of Cody Rhodes--
What now?
-The disrespect. -It never stops.
It never stops from Seth Rollins.
He was disrespecting the late great father of Cody Rhodes.
The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes.
And a polka dot weight belt.
Emblazoned with the word visionary.
Ridiculously classless.
The question is, is Cody Rhodes in any condition?
Being these slights.
These constant insults from Seth Rollins.
Talk about Rollins's willingness to scar Cody Rhodes.
Rollins doing it literally with that weight belt.
And when it comes to Cody it's not about will.
It's not about want. It's about physical ability.
Cody Rhodes is a broken man right now.
[crowd] ♪ Whoa! ♪
He will go until he can't go anymore.
But have to wonder how long that's going to be.
Rollins is enjoying every moment of it.
A vulnerable and wounded Cody Rhodes.
Oh, my God.
-God dammit. -Cover.
One, two.
Able to get that left shoulder up.
I shudder to think. I can't even imagine.
The agony that just shot through the entire body of Cody Rhodes.
I mean, right now all Cody Rhodes has is his emotions.
His emotions to power him through.
I'm not even sure that's going to be enough here.
The official out here asking Cody if Cody can continue.
-And Rollins. -God dammit.
Cody's not going to quit.
And Rollins wants to continue to torture Cody Rhodes
in every way possible.
These maniacs in Chicago couldn't be happier.
Thrilled by the table.
But I was going to be thrilled by the way it's about to be used.
Rhodes can't even protect himself.
[crowd chanting "Seth "Freakin" Rollins"]
[crowd chanting continues]
-Rollins. -[crowd] Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
There's another weight belt now focusing his attention on the table.
Against an increasingly helpless Cody Rhodes.
I can't imagine the despair that Cody's got to feel right now.
No one would have blamed him for being pinned
by that attempt by Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
I said it earlier. No one would have blamed Cody
if he had rescheduled this fight.
Cody's physically nowhere near capable of competing.
Particularly, against somebody as celebrated
and successful as Seth freaking Rollins.
Striking Rollins with the bad arm.
Rollins going to the eyes.
And this is all perfectly legal within the confines of Hell in a Cell.
No countout. No disqualification.
It's pin your opponent or make them submit.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins all too happy to exploit the advantages
the rules allow tonight.
Rollins eyeing the table in the background
as Rhodes is perched helplessly on the top rope.
Oh, no.
Making superplex if he can get Cody Rhodes elevated.
Cody almost completely unable to use his right arm at this point.
How in the world is Cody even hoisting up Rollins?
Got to pull him off the ropes.
I'm telling you, his right arm's shot.
And Rollins to the face of the skull.
Mercifully, I have a feeling this one's just about over.
Guts and heart will only get you so far.
In this case, Guts can get you directly to the hospital.
Just in time is Cody Rhodes.
A rough landing for The Visionary.
Rollins was looking for the Frog Splash.
And Rhodes somehow,
someway mustering up the strength to move out of the way.
Creativity and experience right now, the weapons for Cody Rhodes.
And now it is Rollins as we take another look.
Incredible height.
Unfortunately for Rollins, not the impact he had desired,
and Chicago had just come back to life.
The Cody chance echoing throughout Allstate Arena,
willing on The American Nightmare, who now has the…
…the belt.
Apparently, Cody's changed his mind here.
Cody's got to be asking himself, "What the hell can I even do?
What do I have available? What do I have at my disposal?"
-Each man-- -Oh, my God.
-Oh, wow. -Oh!
It's a throwback.
That's a bull rope.
That's practically a rite of passage in the Rhodes family.
Injured and all, Rhodes still has another trick
up his sleeve for Seth Rollins.
Listen, is this Cody's way of putting Seth at a disadvantage?
How smart is this? You're right, Corey.
I don't know if it's smart,
but it's Cody's best shot…
…with one good arm.
It's almost like a level playing field.
I don't think Rollins is going to accept this offer.
Rollins isn't crazy enough to do this.
Where is he?
Seth Rollins has never touched a bull rope.
He would essentially give up his physical advantage.
It's a challenge. If he's a man, he'll accept it.
Here we go.
Seth Rollins may be too full of himself to back down from this challenge.
I wonder what kind of chance Cody Rhodes really does have
to utilize his bullrope to his advantage.
Unbelievable. This has become a Bull Rope Match.
We've seen Cody's father compete in many of these.
We've seen Cody's brother--
Cody's own brother compete.
Experts in the Bull Rope Matchup.
Somehow, inside Hell in a Cell, The American Nightmare
has completely turned this around for the moment.
For the moment is key.
And managed to make a Hell in a Cell match.
Super kick right between the eyes of The Visionary.
Even more brutal.
Right to the door.
-Rollins might be out. -Cover!
-One, two. -Oh!
A microsecond before three.
How poetic that would have been as Cody rang Seth Rollins' bell
on multiple levels right between the eyes.
But Rollins with too much left in the tank.
Just the mere fact that Cody came that close,
that close to defeating Seth Rollins is miraculous.
This match, however, looking far from over.
We're talking about the guts of Cody Rhodes,
but Seth "Freakin" Rollins so motivated.
Everything just has to be agonizing.
Every step, every punch that Cody attempts to throw
has got to be the most painful of his life.
Wait, wait, wait, wait.
Oh, no, no, no, no, no.
And again, rebounding Cody Rhodes off the ring post.
No time to recover. No time to heal.
Rollins has now freed himself from the bull rope.
Cody tasted a modicum of success with the bull rope,
but now the tides have turned once again in favor of Rollins.
I can't help but wonder, was that Cody's best shot?
Yes, of course it was.
What else is Cody going to do?
Cody brought out a bull rope,
that might be the the Rhodes' family's secret weapon,
and couldn't finish the job.
That's to be expected when you have one peck.
Second time to your point, Jimmy.
Seth Rollins looking to utilize a table here against Cody Rhodes.
The first time did not work out well for Seth Rollins.
This time, he believes that he has a weakened Cody Rhodes,
a Cody Rhodes who has spent his best opportunity at victory.
Now Seth Rollins thinking he can put Rhodes away, perhaps.
The longer this match lasts,
the more frustrated and angry Seth Rollins becomes.
Because in Seth Rollins' mind,
he should have beaten Cody already in this matchup.
The longer it lasts, it favors Rollins. It may not last much longer.
Rhodes able to escape the Powerbomb.
Rollins able to catch himself.
Cross Rhodes!
-How did Cody do it? -One-handed to the cover.
-One, two. -Oh!
My, oh my.
It seems as though every move Cody Rhodes is making
costs him all of his energy, this one included.
Rollins still relatively able-bodied, fell victim to the Cross Rhodes
from an injured American Nightmare.
But The Visionary survives, and now once again,
Cody Rhodes asking himself the question,
"How? How the hell do I defeat this man once and for all?"
Well, the fact that he's still here, still fighting,
still eyes locked on Seth "Freakin" Rollins,
says so much about Cody Rhodes and his belief in himself.
Well, there's no way Rhodes is going to pull this off.
With one arm and one good peck, it's not enough.
I'm sure Cody Rhodes knows what he has to do.
Unfortunately, his body just won't allow him to execute.
Spirit is-- Whoa!
Oh!
Superkick right on the temple, Rhodes is down.
Rollins once again ripping control of this matchup away.
And thinking Powerbomb.
Oh, no.
Locked and loaded, right through the table goes Cody Rhodes.
That's got to do it, that has got to be it,
just end this damn thing.
Redemption, one, two, oh!
Why? How?
On his injured right side, Cody Rhodes able to get it up
off the canvas just enough to prevent the pinfall.
Through the table went Cody Rhodes.
It seemed like Rhodes was all but done.
But once again, it is the heart, the heart of Cody Rhodes
that continues to power him through this match.
A look of disdain for the WWE Universe from Rollins
as he himself, re-plans, re-strategizes.
Corey, you talk about the mounting frustration for Seth Rollins
as this match continues.
The peak of his frustration, though, might be a scary thing for Cody Rhodes.
I shudder to think of what Rollins is truly capable of.
I don't even know if we've seen
what Seth freaking Rollins is truly capable of,
the depth to which he will sink with a smile on his face.
In case you are unaware, a torn right pec--
Let's talk about Seth Rollins for a minute.
The disrespect we've already seen from Rollins.
The temerity shown by Rollins coming out dressed as Cody's father,
"The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes.
The disrespect simply doesn't get much bigger.
The weight belt that's The Visionary with the yellow polka dots on it.
Oh, no.
Rollins with a sledgehammer.
We heard Rollins reference the throne,
and Seth declaring Monday Night RAW his kingdom.
Declaring that Cody Rhodes will not smash the throne
that Seth Rollins has built.
Now Seth Rollins looking ready to smash Cody Rhodes.
We've got to stop this thing.
Cody can't defend himself and Rollins has a damn lethal weapon.
Is this how Rollins ends The Nightmare?
-With a sledgehammer. -No.
Kick to the guts from Cody Rhodes.
Oh, no.
Cody able to escape and now Rhodes Pedigrees.
-Pedigree on Rollins. -Shoulders down.
One, two.
Oh.
My God.
Mental and physical exhaustion on the face of Cody Rhodes.
Crowd here can't believe it.
Rollins was looking for the Pedigree, a maneuver
he's utilized to great effect.
Cody Rhodes with a message of his own.
Delivering the Pedigree effectively
and nearly beating Rollins with that very maneuver.
I retract my statement from earlier on.
Maybe that was Cody's best shot in this matchup.
Best opportunity to defeat Seth Rollins.
Pedigree with one good shoulder.
Unbelievable that Cody Rhodes continues to summon the will to stay in this match.
It's incredible. It's just instinct at this point.
-Oh, no. -Oh, my God.
Cody Rhodes has his hand on the sledgehammer.
And Rollins very wisely rolling to the outside.
Nowhere to go.
Rollins creating a little separation trying to avoid The American Nightmare
who is stalking Rollins.
Stumbling after Seth Rollins is Cody Rhodes.
-No. -Oh, my God.
That's it.
Stay down, Cody. Live to fight another day.
Absolutely out flat on his back. Hook of the leg.
Oh, another kick out from Cody Rhodes.
I can't believe it. I cannot believe it.
Defying your advice, Corey, to stay down.
[Corey] Does Cody Rhodes need this or what?
What is driving The American Nightmare as we look again at the stomp?
Driving his face to the mat, but beating the official's count of three.
Cody Rhodes somehow is still in this fight with pride.
Pride for the Rhodes name.
That is what is motivating Cody tonight.
No doubt about it.
Pride, legacy, the disrespect of his own father by Seth Rollins.
These may be what are driving Cody Rhodes, but it still defies logic.
It defies odds.
I can't believe we're watching this fight.
Sold out crowd at the Allstate Arena.
Rollins again.
Looking for the stomp a second time.
Rhodes looking for Cross Rhodes.
Rollins delivering it.
Cody Rhodes able to roll through.
Cross Rhodes.
-Unreal. Unreal. -Wow.
Once again, crowd here at the Allstate Arena,
Chicago, Illinois, sold out, cannot believe what they are seeing.
This is just pure instinct from Rhodes
to suffer a Cross Rhodes and then counter himself
and deliver his own Cross Rhodes on to Seth Rollins.
I'm gonna go on the record
and say thus far I believe Cody Rhodes has shown us something
that no other WWE Superstar ever has.
This is next level.
No question about that, Corey. No question about it.
[Corey] They're both going for the sledgehammer.
Get there first.
Rhodes has it. Rhodes has the sledgehammer.
Cody won the race for the moment, but the peck doesn't have the strength.
Well, Rollins does.
Couldn't keep a grip on it. Oh!
-One more. -Again, Cross Rhodes.
Rhodes holds on.
-Two in a row. -Powering through the pain.
I don't believe it. Looking for number three.
What is Cody looking for?
What is Cody thinking? Oh, man.
I think Rhodes wants an exclamation point, Corey.
He said the third time would be it with him and Seth Rollins.
Oh.
Sledgehammer to Rollins.
-Rhodes. -Has him out on his back.
One, two, three!
-Unbelievable. -[bell dings]
["Kingdom" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner, "The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes.
[Corey] That was a downright Herculean effort
that we will likely never see again in a WWE ring.
Unbelievable, unprecedented effort from Cody Rhodes.
You cannot say enough about what Cody Rhodes displayed
here tonight inside Hell in a Cell.
Tonight in Chicago, Illinois, a fallen angel with a broken wing
descended into hell and survived a battle with the devil himself.
The American Nightmare with a series of Cross Rhodes.
But the exclamation point,
the oh, so sweet period at the end of the tale,
the sledgehammer,
directly to the face of Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
And for the third time in a row
"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes,
has defeated…
Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
Cannot get to his feet, but he can bask in the victory that he earned tonight.
Look, I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that Cody Rhodes
may feel the impacts of this match for the rest of his life.
But Cody Rhodes can also say
that he has now closed the book
on Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
From deep inside Hell in a Cell,
look up to the heavens and give him a smile, Cody.
You earned it tonight.
Long and hard is the road that leads from the darkness into the light.
That was just walked by Cody Rhodes.
This was a crucial building block
in the championship legacy
that Cody Rhodes is attempting to build.
When it's all about tattooed on the heart of The American Nightmare.
There was more than will.
There was more than the city of Chicago.
There was something otherworldly guiding Cody tonight to the promised land.
He can barely stand,
he can barely spread his arms, can barely walk.
Unbelievable performance from Cody Rhodes.
He just said it. Three times against Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Saxton] The history books will not lie. Battered, bruised, injured,
Cody Rhodes defeats Seth Rollins inside Hell in a Cell.
[Jimmy] The message remains the same as The Dream himself used to say,
"Just keep stepping."
[song continues]
[screams]
[crowd cheering] ng."