[stirring music playing]
[music fades]
[distant siren wailing]
["Go for Broke" by Machine Gun Kelly playing]
♪ You could get high Or you could get low ♪
♪ You could stay young Or you could grow old ♪
♪ Let it go ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm, I'mma go for broke ♪
♪ You could go hard Or you could go home ♪
♪ You could live life Or you could just fold ♪
♪ Let it go ♪
♪ 'Cause I'm, I'mma go for broke ♪
♪ Look, I started with a dollar And a dream, right… ♪
[Phillips] Nakamura, the finishing touch on his masterpiece.
♪ I could show 'em how to aim… ♪
[Mahal] The legend of "The Modern-Day Maharaja."
♪ Oh, this is what the top feels like? ♪
♪ Failure is not an option I gotta be at the top… ♪
[Natalya] At SummerSlam, I'm gonna restore honor back to the Women's division.
[Naomi] You gonna be blinded by the glow.
[Carmella] Everywhere you go, my Money in the Bank contract and I go.
♪ Just keep on dreaming… ♪
[Cole] Sasha's going to SummerSlam!
I am gonna reclaim my Raw Women's Championship.
[Bliss] Long live Alexa Bliss.
[Cole] Are you guys ready for this collision?
[dramatic music playing]
Strowman, Reigns, Joe, and Lesnar
in the ring for the Universal Championship.
[music intensifying]
-[snarling] -[music fades]
["Legend" by The Score playing]
♪ Here we go, here we go ♪
♪ It's about time Now we set it off ♪
♪ Bang-bang ♪
♪ Bang-bang Won't stop till we're legends ♪
♪ Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na ♪
♪ Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na ♪
♪ Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na ♪
-♪ Na-na-na-na-na ♪ -♪ Won't stop till we're legends ♪
♪ Bang-bang, bang-bang ♪
♪ Bang-bang Won't stop till we're legends ♪
♪ Bang-bang Won't stop till we're legends… ♪
[music fades]
[man] And now Cricket Wireless and KFC present
WWE SummerSlam.
♪ Won't stop till we're legends ♪
♪ Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na ♪
♪ Na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na ♪
♪ Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na ♪
♪ Na-na-na-na-na ♪
♪ Won't stop till we're legends… ♪
[Phillips] This life is about moments, painted with highs and lows.
Will you bow to the pressure or step up in the spotlight?
Tonight, "The Biggest Party of the Summer" is streaming live from Brooklyn.
We are sold out here at the Barclays Center.
Welcome, everyone, to SummerSlam.
[John Cena's theme music playing]
[mix of booing and cheering]
♪ Krrrr, Amadou! ♪
[crowd] ♪ John Cena sucks! ♪
♪ John Cena sucks! ♪
-[crowd continues to sing] -♪ Your time is up, my time is now ♪
♪ You can't see me My time is now ♪
♪ It's the franchise Boy, I'm shining now ♪
♪ You can't see me My time is now ♪
♪ In case you forgot or fell off I'm still hot, knock your shell off ♪
♪ My money stack fat… ♪
Here we go!
♪ The franchise doing big business I live this ♪
♪ Is automatic I win this So you hear those horns who finish ♪
♪ A soldier And I stay under you fighting… ♪
[Phillips] It wouldn't be SummerSlam without John Cena,
the free agent,
his 14th consecutive year with a match here
at "The Biggest Party of the Summer."
[Layfield] I've been in this business 25 years.
I have never seen a person to come out into an arena
with a reaction like John Cena.
Whether you love him, whether you don't like him,
everybody is on their feet in the Barclays Center.
We welcome you here to Brooklyn.
Representing SmackDown, I'm Tom Phillips, along with the insider Byron Saxton
and the legend JBL.
Only four times a year do Raw and SmackDown come together
for a co-branded pay-per-view,
and tonight is one of them. It's SummerSlam.
[Layfield] Listen to this raucous crowd.
WWE Universe is here to have a fun time tonight.
[music fades]
[booing]
[Baron Corbin's theme music playing]
[bell rings]
[Hamilton] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, from Kansas City,
weighing in at 275 lbs,
Baron Corbin!
[Phillips] Baron Corbin ready for action against John Cena.
We are being seen all over the world,
and with that, our German announce team here at ringside,
Carsten Schaefer and Calvin Knie.
[speaking in German]
[Phillips] And our Spanish announce team as always here at ringside,
Carlos Cabrera, Marcelo Rodriguez, and Jerry Soto.
[speaking in Spanish]
[Phillips] As Baron Corbin and John Cena get ready to go toe-to-toe,
so much has changed between these two men over the last week on SmackDown Live.
We wanna take you back. This the main event on SmackDown Live.
A super AA from John Cena to the WWE Champion, Jinder Mahal,
and Baron Corbin would make a move.
[Saxton] Incredible match. Baron Corbin looking to seize the opportunity.
This to him was the right place at the right time.
[Phillips] Baron Corbin gave it some thought,
realized, John, that he'd taken out John Cena,
and the WWE Champion was vulnerable.
[Layfield] Baron Corbin came down to make sure John Cena couldn't win,
then realized he had an opportunity to cash in the Money in the Bank
and become the 51st WWE Champion.
a statistical certainty.
[Hamilton] Baron Corbin is cashing in his Money in the Bank contract.
[Layfield] Baron Corbin, what should have been the greatest night of his life
becomes the absolute worst.
John Cena interferes,
and Jinder Mahal retains the championship,
and Baron Corbin loses the golden goose.
[Phillips] Jinder Mahal dodges a bullet,
and John Cena realized that he just cost Baron Corbin
all that talk,
all those hopes and dreams he'd have built up since Money in the Bank.
[Saxton] You saw in that recap John Cena laughing at Corbin.
[Layfield] Yeah, John Cena has to be in Baron Corbin's head.
There's absolutely no doubt about it.
Baron Corbin is incensed.
Baron Corbin even on a good day is in a bad mood.
[Saxton] To that point, John, Corbin absolutely incensed
over the fact that Cena was laughing at him.
[crowd chanting] Where's your briefcase?
Where's your briefcase?
[Layfield] I don't think there's anything Cena could have done at that point.
[Saxton] Whoa.
[Phillips] Already trending number one worldwide, SummerSlam.
Corbin and Cena to kick us off here in Brooklyn.
[Saxton] Cena kinda mocking Corbin already.
[Phillips] Cena was shooting his mouth off last night at NXT Takeover.
This kid is shook.
He thinking about last Tuesday. He ain't thinking about tonight.
-I got you, homes. -[Layfield laughing]
[Layfield] John…
[Phillips] John Cena's pretty confident here.
[Layfield] You just realized right there what the game plan was.
You wanna fight or you wanna run like a little girl?
-Huh? -[Cena] Talking about the briefcase?
Yeah, the briefcase, uh?
[alternating chants of "Let's go, Cena!" and "Cena sucks!]
Nothing about you.
[chanting continues]
You're the one who started it.
[Phillips] The future and the franchise here
doing battle at SummerSlam. John Cena…
[Layfield] But think about this.
Baron Corbin expected to be WWE Champion today.
Instead, the entire arena is chanting for or against Cena.
They're all chanting "Cena."
I think John Cena's right.
He is in Baron Corbin's head.
[Saxton] Listen, for 58 days, Corbin thought he was untouchable.
Corbin thought he had that guarantee, and it all fell apart.
[Phillips] Baron Corbin all of a sudden has something in common
with John Cena. Two men who have attempted to cash in Money in the Bank and failed.
John Cena knew how much that would eat away at Baron Corbin.
That's why he's been so happy and felt so secure coming into this match.
[Layfield] Tom, in fairness, there's one difference.
Cena gave a week's notice before he cashed in.
There's only been two people in that ignominious group,
people that have surprised cash-ins that failed.
[Phillips] Look at Baron Corbin.
Corbin hammering away on the midsection here of John Cena.
You listen up!
[Corbin yelling indistinctly]
[booing]
[Phillips] Corbin said it earlier tonight on the SummerSlam Kickoff show.
"Tonight, I'm gonna hurt John Cena."
"When you stick your nose in other people's business,
there are consequences."
[Corbin] Come on, John!
Oh, and Corbin with a boot right to the face.
And, John, this is something Cena had to have worried about.
-Baron Corbin is… -How you feel, John?
-[Phillips] His anger pouring out. -Huh?
Huh?
[Layfield] He's one of the best strikers in the world today.
[Corbin] I'm doing pretty good, you moron!
[Layfield] Former three-time Golden Glove champion.
Baron Corbin doing what he does best.
[Phillips] Now Cena, 250-pounder trying to fight back here on Corbin,
six foot eight, 275.
Now tosses Cena onto the opposite corner,
and Corbin a little too fast, ducked underneath the rope.
-And Corbin… -[Layfield] Wow! Wow!
-That could be it. -[Phillips] Cover on Cena.
And a kick-out.
Come on!
[Saxton] Corbin's in a state we have never seen him before.
[Layfield] That clothesline was an absolute explosion. Watch this.
Look at this athleticism, this quickness.
And then this absolute power.
[Phillips] Like the way you used to throw back in the day, John.
[Layfield] That's why I'm so proud of it.
Gotta love a great clothesline.
-[Saxton] Ugh. -[Phillips] Foot on the hand of John Cena.
It's just about punishment.
[Saxton] In Corbin's mind, he's trying to do whatever he can
to embarrass John Cena the same way he was embarrassed
last Tuesday night on SmackDown Live.
[Layfield] Corbin wants to humiliate Cena.
I don't think there's any doubt at all about that.
-Corbin was humiliated by John Cena. -How are you enjoying this, John?
[Layfield] What could have been the greatest night of his life was ruined
by the interference and distraction of John Cena,
and Corbin now wants to do the same to John Cena at SummerSlam.
[Saxton] Corbin came out…
-[Corbin] You're nobody! -[Saxton] Better be careful.
-You're a nobody! -[Phillips] Arguing with the official.
[Layfield] Corbin better keep his mind on the match.
This is me all day long!
So take it in.
[Layfield] I spoke to his old college coach.
[Lawler] Oh!
[Layfield] He said the reason Corbin's not still in the NFL is his mind.
[Phillips] Big right hands from John Cena.
And John Cena right into the arms of Corbin
and a slam.
Hooked up both legs on Cena,
and a kick-out.
Come on!
-Come on! -Two!
[Phillips] Byron, you followed Baron Corbin since his days in NXT.
This is a frustrated, angry individual.
[Saxton] He's never had respect for anyone. He's never…
never appreciated anyone's past accomplishments.
He felt his career should be fast-tracked.
That Money in the Bank briefcase was his key.
That was his express pass.
[Layfield] Well, he's got all the tools in the world.
Baron Corbin has everything you need to be a World Champion.
The only thing that can hold him back is his temper.
He's been suspended by the WWE for putting his hands on an official,
and his temper has cost him. This is what you're seeing right now
is his temper now. Right now, it's working for him.
[Phillips] Twisting away here on the chin of John Cena,
working on the neck area of Cena.
And Baron Corbin has slowed down the pace of this match effectively
against the 16-time World Champion.
-You're a bunch of nobodies! -[Layfield] Look at this.
[Saxton] Again, slowing down the pace, but caught up in jaw-jacking, bragging--
[Phillips] Oh, and Cena with a dropkick sending Corbin back,
who fires back with a right hand.
[booing]
Oh, boo!
[Layfield] Baron Corbin's apoplectic
with everything in the world going on right now.
[crowd chanting] Where's your briefcase?
-[Saxton] Oh boy. -[crowd] Where's your briefcase?
You hear that, John? That's on you.
That's on you!
[Layfield] You think the fans chanting "Where's your briefcase?" will help Baron?
[Saxton] No.
[Phillips] Baron Corbin's mindset…
John Cena. John Cena trying to rally here against Corbin.
And John Cena's starting to roll.
-[Saxton] Uhhh! -[Phillips] And Cena.
This is where he's at his best.
[booing]
[crowd drowns out speech]
You can't see me.
[Layfield] No briefcase, but a little Five-Knuckle Shuffle.
[Phillips] Oh, and came up empty.
Baron Corbin got out of the way of the Five-Knuckle Shuffle.
[Saxton] Well scouted by Corbin, who's on the move.
[Phillips] One more time underneath the bottom rope.
-Wow! A chokeslam backbreaker. -[Layfield] Man!
[Phillips] Cover here on Cena.
And a kick-out.
Corbin launching Cena over seven feet in the air,
and what a crash and burn there.
[Saxton] Watch this again. Watch the height of Cena's body.
[Layfield] And what hurts you is the ones you don't see,
and John Cena had no idea that knee was coming up.
John Cena taking a terrible landing there.
And Cena's hurt.
[Phillips] Cena in a bad way out here on the apron,
and now Baron Corbin can do what he wants.
[Saxton] This unstable mindset Corbin's in is actually proving to help him.
[Phillips] Now Corbin up to the top here.
Look at Cena. Look at Cena resisting there with the left arm.
Trying to go muscle for muscle here with Baron Corbin on the top turnbuckle.
And Cena with the headbutts here at a short distance with Corbin.
[Layfield] Even as big and strong as Baron Corbin is,
few in the last decade-plus have matched strength with John Cena.
Cena to the second rope here.
-DDT to Corbin! -[Layfield] Planted!
-[Phillips] Tornado DDT. -[Layfield] And I mean planted.
[Phillips] Is it time?
You can't see me.
[Saxton] Cena gonna try it again.
[Layfield] Little Five-Knuckle Shuffle.
[Phillips] Right across the brow of Baron Corbin.
[Layfield] Don't get up. You won't like the view.
[Phillips] And up on the shoulders of Cena, the big man, Corbin.
Off the ropes.
Deep Six to Cena.
Corbin. Corbin scrambles into the cover on Cena,
and a kick-out.
[rumbling]
Watch this one more time.
[Layfield] This is just pure power.
[Phillips] Using the momentum of John Cena against him.
That's where Baron Corbin can be so dangerous,
but John Cena so tough, so resilient.
[Saxton] Corbin just whaling away.
[Phillips] Oof.
[Saxton] We've seen that many times. Corbin has an ability to lull you
into a false sense of confidence.
[Layfield] Corbin realizes what slipped through his hands
this past Tuesday night on SmackDown Live.
[Phillips] Corbin exposing the elbow here
on these forearm shots to Cena, who's down again.
Corbin through playing around here in this match with Cena.
[Saxton] The look in the eyes says it all.
[Phillips] Now it's about dishing out punishment here in the corner.
Look at Corbin go here on Cena.
[Layfield] Corbin could get disqualified here very easily.
[Phillips] Corbin's gotta be very careful here with the official.
[Layfield] He's our senior official, Mike Chioda.
He's not gonna let Corbin go overboard here.
[Phillips] Oh, Corbin, one more time, underneath the ropes here.
Here comes Corbin again!
-[Saxton] This time, Corbin got caught. -[Layfield] Wow!
[Phillips] And John Cena returns fire on Corbin.
John Cena.
Attitude Adjustment!
Cover.
John Cena knocks off Corbin.
♪ Your time is up My time is now… ♪
[Hamilton] Here is your winner, John Cena!
[Layfield] Look, "Big Match John,"
it's one thing John Cena does. He wins. He wins big matches.
He wins at SummerSlam. He wins at WrestleMania.
He was right. He was in Baron Corbin's head.
Baron Corbin went to the well one too many times,
got too aggressive.
Cena waited for him.
Good night, Baron Corbin.
[Saxton] Worst case scenario is to enter a match
with a 16-time champion with mental turmoil,
and it cost Corbin.
[Phillips] Take you back to earlier on.
Barin Corbin showing off some of his quickness.
Bam! This colossal clothesline would take out John Cena,
but this was the second time here.
Cena would strike back.
[Layfield] Cena would strike back. Corbin just got a little aggressive.
John Cena was right. He was in Baron Corbin's head.
Baron Corbin thought he had a chance. He went for it. He went too aggressive,
and that's what happens
when you're in the ring with John Cena.
There's a reason that man is a 16-time World Champion.
[Phillips] Cena knocks off the former Mr. Money in the Bank.
♪ Five pounds of courage, buddy ♪
♪ Base tan pants and a gold tee ♪
♪ Uh, it's a war dance And victory step ♪
♪ Of all stances, a gift And you insist it's my rep ♪
♪ John Cena, Trademarc… ♪
[Phillips] John Cena showing some love for the WWE Universe.
[Saxton] Let's celebrate, John. You earned it.
[Phillips] There's a reason they call it "The Biggest Party of the Summer."
[Layfield] Certainly the best of our generation.
Arnie Skaaland's widow,
"The Golden Boy."
That's a show of respect and class right there.
♪ A man is measured By the way that he thinks ♪
♪ Not clothing lines, ice links Leather, and minks ♪
♪ I spent 20-plus years Seeking knowledge of self ♪
♪ So for now Marc records living life for wealth ♪
♪ Amadou! ♪
♪ Your time is up My time is now ♪
♪ You can't see me… ♪
This is the UpUpDownDown SummerSlam WWE Superstars Rocket League Tournament!
[all cheering]
We have the two Raw teams. Let's play.
-Nasha is about to lose! -What?
[klaxon blares]
Block! Block! Ugh!
[all yelling]
Hey!
[Woods] Your winners, Nasha!
[Cesaro booing]
[energetic rock music playing]
-Oh God. -No. Oh God.
-Oh God. -No!
-No. No! -Oh, the POP!
-Number one. -How do you do?
[Woods] The Royal 1's advance to the final.
-[dramatic music playing] -Are you ready?
-Gentleman RudeBoy… -Oh my God!
[Woods] Oh, Gentleman RudeBoy!
-Wow. -How you like us now, huh?
[Woods] POP, POP, POP…
[Styles and Charlotte cheering]
-Yeah! -[Charlotte] That was all you.
-[Styles] Ah, dang it! -[Banks] Go on, RudeBoy!
Not today!
[Woods] Your champions,
Nasha!
Yes!
Big ups to Rocket League for letting us do this. Keep it tight!
[music fades]
The New Day might have been handing out titles on Rocket League,
but on the SummerSlam Kickoff show,
The New Day losing the SmackDown Tag Team titles
to The Usos in an incredible match.
An incredible matchup between the two best tag teams WWE's seen
in the past ten years.
It was The Uso Penitentiary, though, that walked out with the titles.
And we are just getting started here on SummerSlam.
John Cena kicking it off with a win,
and up next, the SmackDown Women's title will be contended for.
Remember, last month when Natalya won this opportunity,
she thought very little of what Naomi became as a champion.
[whooshing]
You've tarnished everything that a WWE Championship stands for.
You've turned this into a kids' toy.
I didn't tarnish the title.
I earned it.
And I added a little piece of myself to it.
So keep throwing your shade.
At SummerSlam, you gonna be blinded by the glow.
[whooshing]
[Phillips] This was this past week on SmackDown Live.
After winning a matchup against Becky Lynch via submission,
Natalya would go one more time for the Hart family Sharpshooter,
and Naomi would jump off of commentary to defend Becky Lynch.
[Saxton] Natalya trying to send a message, and Naomi having none of it.
[inaudible]
[Layfield] I don't know. Message may have been sent.
[whooshing]
[Natalya's theme music playing]
[Phillips] Tonight, it is all about the SmackDown Women's Championship
for Natalya, who tonight ties WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus
and her record for the most pay-per-view matches
for a female Superstar ever.
The question is, can Natalya take the glow off of Naomi
and win the championship here at SummerSlam?
And SummerSlam is presented by Cricket Wireless,
where you can get two lines of unlimited data for $80 a month
with the Cricket Unlimited 2 plan.
[Saxton] And by KFC. It's finger-lickin' good.
[whooshing]
[Phillips] Natalya's calling herself "The Glowstopper" on social media,
wants to return the traditional privilege to the SmackDown Women's Championship.
[Layfield] Talking about tradition, the Hart family at SummerSlam,
that bodes very well for Natalya.
♪ I'm on fire, boy And I'm out on a mission ♪
♪ I'm amazing ♪
♪ I’m a--, I’m a--, I’m amazing ♪
♪ Bring it to the floor ♪
[cheering]
♪ You ain't never seen no one like me ♪
♪ You ain't never seen no one like me… ♪
[Phillips] It's always something special when Naomi gets set for action here
as SummerSlam brings you the SmackDown Women's title match.
And, John, it was so special for Naomi to have won the championship
in her hometown of Orlando at WrestleMania.
It meant the world to her to be walking into SummerSlam with the title.
[Layfield] Talk about an incredible year for Naomi.
Wins the championship, had to forfeit the championship because of injury.
She never lost it.
Won it back at WrestleMania,
and now here at SummerSlam.
It's a career year for Naomi.
[Phillips] And, Byron, it's also the first Women's Champion
to be living in the era of Ms. Money in the Bank.
[Saxton] Naomi told me she thinks about that every single day.
She knows every day that she wakes up and prepares to compete,
that could be the day that Carmella decides to cash in.
[music fades]
[bell rings]
The following contest, scheduled for one fall…
[crowd] One fall!
…is for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
[cheering]
Introducing the challenger,
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada,
Natalya!
And her opponent,
from Orlando, Florida,
she is the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Naomi!
[Phillips] And we are about to find out who is on top
in the SmackDown Women's division.
The title to be contended for here tonight live in Brooklyn.
[Saxton] You may recall Battleground when Natalya earned the right
to face Naomi. Naomi tried to shake her hand,
and Natalya just left her hanging.
[Phillips] Right off the bat, Natalya slapping Naomi.
[Saxton] That bad attitude is continuing here to start things off.
[Phillips] Hammering away on Naomi.
[Layfield] Taking the fight to the champion.
[Phillips] And a big elbow there by Naomi, battling back.
Natalya… Oh! …using the top rope to her advantage.
Oh, kick right to the back of the neck.
Oh, and down goes Natalya,
and early, the action intensifying.
[cheering]
Oh!
And Naomi returns the favor.
[Naomi] It's glow time, baby!
[Layfield] Natalya wants to take a breather. I don't blame her.
Sometimes, you try a game plan. It works. It doesn't work.
-You gotta regroup. -[Phillips] Oh wow!
Point of the boot right n the cheek there of Natalya.
And now Naomi off the stairs with a blockbuster.
Byron, it's obvious how important this is to Naomi,
going after Natalya very early on here in this match.
-But watch this. -[Saxton] Yeah, case in point.
Putting your body on the line. You know, talking to Naomi,
she said, "The Naomi a year ago maybe would have been more affected
by the mind games of Natalya. But today…"
[Phillips] Now crawls back into the ring.
The cover to retain the title, and a kick-out.
"Today, I know I belong, and I know I deserve to be champion."
[Layfield] You also look at the legacy of the Hart family at SummerSlam.
[Phillips] Oh, and the top rope used by Natalya.
The right leg of Naomi injured in the process.
[Saxton] That's the nearly ten-year experience of Natalya.
in this division.
-[Layfield] Wait a minute. -[Phillips] Oh!
-[Saxton] Man! -[Phillips] Into the steel.
[Layfield] Natalya realizes she can't win the championship
with Naomi outside the ring.
-[Phillips] Champion's advantage… -Your time is over.
[Phillips] …for Naomi.
Only way Natalya can win the title is by pinfall or submission
inside the ring.
Tosses Naomi back inside.
Now Natalya to win the championship here,
and a kick-out.
Do your job!
[Phillips] Watch this one more time. Face… Boom!
Face-first. You can hear the impact.
[whooshing]
[Saxton] Credit Natalya for using that ring to her advantage.
[Layfield] Natalya's uncle Bret had some of the best SummerSlam matches.
The '92 match with Davey Boy, '94 with Owen in a steel cage,
'97 with The Undertaker.
You wonder if another Hart tradition is gonna start right here with Natalya.
[Phillips] And drops Naomi in the process.
[booing]
[Saxton] Natalya…
[Phillips] Look at Natalya. Look at Natalya stomping on the champion.
[Saxton] Natalya told me by virtue of her experience here,
she is the foundation of this division.
[Phillips] And again Natalya not letting up here.
[mix of cheering and booing]
Shut up!
[referee] You gotta get her out of the corner, then.
[Phillips] And Natalya, so technically proficient.
Off the suplex there, trying to get Naomi in position.
Looking for a pinfall here, and a kick-out.
As Natalya…
Whoa, as Natalya looks for a championship opportunity here,
that's what is exactly what guarantees…
uh, is guaranteed to Carmella, Ms. Money in the Bank,
the contract for a SmackDown Women's title opportunity
anytime, anywhere.
[Saxton] The constant threat we talked about.
Whether you're Natalya or Naomi, you gotta worry about that.
[Phillips] Another cover. Another cover from Natalya,
and a kick-out by Naomi.
-Do your job, you piece of crap! -I am doing my job.
[Layfield] Carmella can cash in tonight on whoever walks out of here champion.
[Phillips] And Natalya…
Hold on a sec. Caught here by Naomi,
and a kick-out at two.
And Natalya right back on Naomi.
[Layfield] It was a briefcase with Carmella.
The other thing I can't describe. It's called an Ellsworth.
[Phillips] Hold on a sec. Another cover here on Naomi,
and a kick-out.
It proved very beneficial for Carmella even getting the contract,
but right now it's all about the championship match here.
Natalya is having her way here, Byron, with Naomi.
[Saxton] The smile tells a story of the confidence Natalya has
in this match right now.
[Layfield] The only graduate of The Hart Dungeon,
I think, Natalya.
The more this can turn into a fight, a pure old-school wrestling match,
the better that Natalya is. I think Natalya knows that.
Three! Four! Get her off the ropes.
Come on, now.
[Saxton] Natalya's made it clear.
She does not respect Naomi as the SmackDown Live Women's Champion.
[Layfield] Natalya's a purist.
She doesn't like what Naomi did to that title.
[Phillips] Connects right on the thighs here,
and look as Naomi with a ton of force behind these kicks,
and Natalya showing off the power.
Now Natalya into another cover here to win the title,
and a kick-out.
-[Natalya] Do your job! -I am doing my job. It was a two-count.
[Phillips] Natalya's dishing out some damage,
but so far Naomi's been able to withstand it here at SummerSlam.
[Layfield] Yeah, but the onslaught is taking effect on Naomi though, Tom.
[Phillips] Look at the abdominal stretch applied here by Natalya on Naomi.
You gotta wonder how much more of this can the champion take
at the hands of the challenger.
[Saxton] Natalya has it cinched in, has the perfect positioning
in the center of the ring, and, oh…
[Layfield] Uh-oh!
[Saxton] Grabbing a leg for extra leverage.
[Layfield] You see this from the Hall of Famer Scott Hall.
[Phillips] Look at this. Naomi all tangled up here by Natalya,
trying to deliver those elbow strikes to the knee,
and creates separation, finally does.
Oh! Big discus clothesline.
And now Natalya, one more cover here on Naomi for the title,
and another kick-out.
[both bickering]
And the frustration starting to mount here for Natalya.
[Saxton] Natalya did an interview, said, "I've never been the shiny new toy."
"I've never been the chosen one, the feature attraction."
"But that all changes tonight."
[Phillips] Going up to the turnbuckle here with Naomi.
Glow time is over.
[Phillips] Natalya and Naomi all caught up here.
Oh and a shot to the back by Naomi.
[Saxton] Naomi trying to alter the plans.
[Phillips] Off the middle rope.
[Layfield] Russian leg sweep off that mid rope,
but Naomi doesn't have enough to be able to capitalize on it.
[Saxton] At the very least,
Naomi has bought herself some recovery time.
[Phillips] Able to stymie anything Natalya had in mind there
on the top turnbuckle,
but now Naomi's got an opportunity to regroup.
[Layfield] Look at this.
-[Saxton] Hold on! -[Phillips] Cover, and a kick-out.
[Layfield] Brad Armstrong used to execute that flawlessly,
just like Naomi did. Naomi just wasn't able to capitalize
on the pinning… on Natalya.
[Phillips] Look at Natalya firing back with the right hands,
and so is Naomi,
right on the jaw, rocking the challenger.
Natalya with a boot there.
Looking for the clothesline one more time,
but Naomi connected.
Naomi,
face-first goes Natalya.
Now the champion to retain the title,
and a kick-out.
[Saxton] Credit Naomi.
Every inch of this match, she has matched the intensity of Natalya.
[Layfield] Yeah, but Naomi not able to capitalize.
She's showing flurries of offense,
but the beating from Natalya is showing its effect on Naomi.
[Saxton] Must feel like a little frustration is seeping in too.
Glow time!
-[Phillips] Oh! -[Layfield] Wow.
[Phillips] And it's glow time here in Brooklyn.
[Saxton] Natalya getting lit up.
Oh man!
[Phillips] Oh! Some creative offense there from Natalya.
Off the dropkick, cover here,
and a kick-out.
[Saxton] Creative and painful.
[Phillips] And somehow Naomi is staying in this match.
[rumbling]
Watch this one more time. Remember the… Oh!
…the earlier use of the top rope on the right knee there.
That couldn't have helped, the dropkick,
but still Natalya can't put away Naomi.
[Saxton] And the story of resiliency for the champion.
[Phillips] Oh, caught up in the ropes here by Naomi.
Oh, and right to the lower back.
[Layfield] Like a kidney punch,
that kick right in the lower back of Natalya.
Naomi…
Wow!
[Phillips] Slingshot in with the leg drop.
And Natalya could be down and out here. Here's the cover.
Sitting down on it, and a kick-out.
[rumbling]
Watch this one more time.
[Layfield] What incredible athleticism from Naomi.
[Saxton] Incredible athleticism and effectiveness.
[Layfield] You don't see that from many competitors in the world today,
athleticism like that.
[Saxton] Again, Naomi trying her best to fight off the frustration,
to stay in the game.
[Phillips] Natalya, give credit, has stuck around here
in this championship match,
and face-first into the turnbuckle goes Naomi.
That could be the opportunity Natalya needed.
Hold on. Cover. Cover by Naomi,
and a kick-out.
-[Saxton] Uh-oh! -[Phillips] Oh!
Trying to turn it into a submission.
[Layfield] Can't get the arm locked.
[Phillips] Naomi trying to turn it into a submission,
and look at Natalya.
[Saxton] Oh boy.
[Phillips] Natalya trying to turn this around in her favor.
And Natalya to step through.
Natalya with the Sharpshooter.
[Layfield] What an incredible counter.
And it may be a counter that gives Natalya her second WWE Championship.
[Phillips] The damage done to the right leg.
Is Naomi gonna tap?
[Layfield] Something learned in the Hart family Dungeon years ago.
[Phillips] Natalya drags Naomi back to the center of the ring.
Naomi trying to pull herself to the bottom rope.
-[Saxton] Ah… -[Phillips] Oh!
The back of the neck into the bottom turnbuckle.
[Saxton] What guts from Naomi. She never stopped fighting
and found a way out of the Sharpshooter.
[rumbling]
[Phillips] Watch this one more time. Watch Naomi.
[Layfield] Talk about unorthodox counter.
It's just the strength of Naomi.
[Phillips] Similar way that Natalya earned the opportunity…
Oh! The split-legged moonsault does not connect.
[Layfield] Natalya saw it coming.
Right back to it.
[Phillips] Another Sharpshooter on Naomi.
Is the champion gonna submit?
[Layfield] A Sharpshooter at SummerSlam.
[Phillips] That's it! Natalya has won it!
-[Layfield] Wow! -[Natalya's theme music playing]
[Hamilton] Here is your winner by submission,
and the new SmackDown Women's Champion,
Natalya!
[Layfield] Another Hart family memory at SummerSlam!
Natalya says she's the best there is,
the best there was,
the best there ever will be.
[Saxton] For the first time in six years,
Natalya is once again a champion.
[Phillips] The confidence on the face of the champion
when receiving the title as if she expected it,
as if she knew that she would be able to knock off Naomi
here at SummerSlam.
[Saxton] You can't take anything away from the fight and effort
of the now former champion.
[Phillips] And look at this. This, we thought, would do in Natalya.
Remember she'd sent Charlotte into that,
earning the opportunity in the first place.
Some poetic justice,
but still Naomi, this beautiful split-legged moonsault…
[Layfield] That is the counter right there that won Natalya the championship.
[Phillips] And the Sharpshooter for the Hart family for years
has equaled championships,
and that is why Natalya so confident in her victory here tonight.
[Layfield] And Naomi, you gotta feel for her.
Despite being a two-time champion, she never lost the championship.
She had to give it up once due to injury,
so the first time that Naomi's lost it
in an incredible match.
Congratulations to Natalya.
[Phillips] Disappointment on the face of the former champion,
but it is Natalya's moment here at SummerSlam.
Get out of my way.
-[cheering] -[music fades]
[unsettling dance music playing]
[Bliss] Ready?
Okay.
♪ N-O-M ♪
♪ E-R-C-Y ♪
♪ Slam them down ♪
♪ And make them cry ♪
♪ No, No Mercy ♪
♪ Show them No Mercy ♪
♪ No, No Mercy ♪
♪ Show them No Mercy ♪
Any questions?
[ghostly exhale]
[Bliss chucking]
It happens next month in Los Angeles.
It is a Raw-branded pay-per-view event,
No Mercy, and speaking of Monday Night Raw,
welcome, everyone. Michael Cole, the Hall of Famer Booker T,
and, of course, Corey Graves,
as we get set for our first Raw action of SummerSlam,
sold out here in the Barclays Center.
And this is interesting, because, ladies and gentlemen,
hanging high above the ring and about to be lowered,
yes, that is a shark cage.
Enzo Amore will be locked inside so he cannot get involved,
and his former best friend,
his former partner Big Cass's match with Big Show,
this is something new… sort of stirring the stuff, Corey.
[Graves] Michael, I was simply a vehicle for the world to figure out
who Big Cass truly is.
[Booker T] You need to mind your business. That's what you need to do.
[Cole] Well, Big Show took up for Enzo Amore,
and a couple of weeks ago,
Big Show took on Big Cass in a one-on-one matchup,
and this is the reason, guys, Enzo Amore's in the shark cage tonight.
Because he got involved in this matchup three weeks ago,
causing Big Cass to beat Big Show via disqualification.
[Graves] You tell me I need to stick to my own business.
Enzo needs that same advice.
Enzo habitually putting his nose where it doesn't belong,
and Big Cass ending up on the wrong side of Big Show's right fist.
[Cole] That was three weeks ago,
but let's show you what happened a couple of weeks ago.
It was actually Big Show and Enzo on the same tag team
when Big Cass would come out to the ring,
allowing Anderson and Gallows to take control.
And Big Cass would cost the matchup for Enzo and Big Show,
and Enzo and "The World's Largest Athlete" were not happy,
especially after Big Cass attacked the giant.
[Graves] Big Cass was simply looking for retribution
for the wrongs done to him for years by Enzo.
And once again,
Big Show knocked the seven footer out cold.
[Cole] A big right hand right on the jaw of Big Cass.
So last week on Monday Night Raw,
Big Cass had a plan.
Anderson and Gallows would ambush and attack Big Show from behind.
It was a three-on-one assault,
and then Big Cass would make sure Big Show can't use the right hand tonight.
[Graves] This was a plan nothing short of ingenious.
When you're gonna do battle with "The World's Largest Athlete,"
you take any advantage you can get.
That is all Big Cass did.
[whooshing]
[Cole] Again, there is the shark cage.
In moments, Enzo Amore will be locked inside,
and it will be suspended above the ring.
-[Enzo Amore's theme music playing] -[cheering]
♪ You're sawft, you're sloppy ♪
♪ They calling me Papi ♪
♪ I roll in a Benz ♪
♪ You're riding around In a beat-up jalopy… ♪
[Graves] You know, this might be some sort of advantage for Enzo.
The guy feels right at home behind bars.
♪ Stacking the dubs You stuck in the lobby ♪
♪ I'm hot like salsa ♪
♪ You sawft like balsa ♪
♪You ain't heard of me? ♪
♪ Well, you probably oughta… ♪
[music fades]
-My name is Enzo Amore. -[crowd joins in]
And I am a certified G
and a bona fide stud,
and you can't teach that.
[cheering]
Badaboom, realest guy in the room.
How you doin'?
[crowd chanting] How you doin'? How you doin'? How you doin'?
[chanting continues]
I got a question.
Where Brooklyn at? Where Brooklyn at?
Yo, it is right here in the greatest city in the world,
New York City!
[cheering]
And make no mistake about it, people.
Enzo Amore is a bad boy.
But I do believe it was a female,
Brooklyn's very own Lil' Kim,
the real Queen Bee,
who once said,
"Money."
How you doin'?
"Power."
[crowd] How you doin'?
"Respect."
[crowd] How you doin'?
"Is what you need in life."
Well, the only time I get all three of those things
is when I got this microphone in my hand.
Now, just understand,
the difference between me and the other people
is I have always played the hand that I was dealt.
I just had the balls to tattoo a microphone on it.
So you wanna lock me in a shark cage,
a certified G,
and throw away the key?
Well, you were better off locking me up in Rikers Island,
'cause right now, I am the Al Capone of this microphone.
[cheering]
And besides, you know,
Cass, you're lucky
that this is a shark cage
and not Shark Tank.
Because if it was,
and I had a dime
for every time Mark Cuban or one of his friends
were to invest their money in you tonight, Cass,
well, you and me, we would both have zero dimes!
You schmuck!
I am beyond a reasonable doubt
when I say I would put my worst day on this microphone
against Big Cass's best day in this ring.
But I can't take it away from you.
You are seven foot tall, Cass.
And that is one hell of a hand to be dealt.
But the deck that was dishing out those cards,
it didn't have any heart in it, 'cause you got none.
And you might have broke the hand that Big Show was dealt, buddy,
but tonight, when that bell rings,
and the chips--
[Big Cass's theme music playing]
[Graves] Thank God. I had about enough of that delinquent's soliloquy.
[Booker T] Lock him up.
[music drowns out speech]
[bell rings]
[JoJo] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Queens, New York,
weighing in at 276 lbs,
Big Cass!
[Cole] Yeah, Big Cass, as you heard JoJo mention,
from right up the road in Queens,
and tonight he has his eyes set on the biggest challenge of his young career,
"The World's Largest Athlete" The Big Show.
Meanwhile, guys, Enzo Amore is being locked inside the shark cage.
[Graves] I'd like to point out Big Cass doesn't have to pander here in Brooklyn,
because he's actually a New Yorker.
Enzo's from New Jersey.
The guy's been faking it the whole time.
[Booker T] I'll tell you, if Big Cass get past Big Show tonight,
this kid has a bright, bright future ahead of him.
He has all the tools to be a big star here in WWE.
[Cole] What do you think of Kurt Angle actually agreeing with Big Cass
to put Enzo in the shark cage tonight?
[Graves] I don't think it was a bad decision in any shape or form.
Angle realizes the thorn that Enzo's been in Cass's side.
Cass deserves a fair opportunity with The Big Show.
[Booker T] Enzo, he won't let it go, man.
He's like an old girlfriend, man, just keep calling and keep calling.
[Cole] Enzo is gonna be suspended above the ring tonight
for this one-on-one clash between Big Cass and Big Show.
[Graves] I like the look of confidence in Big Cass's eyes tonight.
He's been a bit brash recently, but that's what he's gonna need to keep…
He's gonna need to believe his own hype to succeed here tonight.
[Cole] Enzo does not look like, uh, he's too concerned
about being inside that shark cage.
Unique emoji on his shorts.
♪ It's a big, bad show tonight ♪
♪ Oh, baby, come on… ♪
[JoJo] His opponent,
standing at over seven feet tall, weighing 385 lbs,
he is "The World's Largest Athlete,"
The Big Show!
[Cole] Guys, Big Show has been very coy,
keeping close to his vest how injured the right hand is.
We heard last week it, well, possibly was broken,
but when we asked Big Show about it today,
he just stared at us and walked away.
[Graves] If nothing else, Big Show's a proud warrior.
He's not gonna have any excuse to come up short
or anything less than 100% tonight.
[Cole] Booker, can he use the right hand to deliver a KO Punch?
[Booker T] I tell you, Big Show may be coming into this match not 100%,
but the experience of a guy like Big Show,
that right there in itself, in my opinion,
gives him a great advantage.
[Graves] You talk about experience. If you're Big Cass,
you have to look at this like you're Mike Trout
and you're going to face CC Sabathia on the mound.
Sabathia has a lot longer tenure and is one of the big names,
but if you're the young gun, this is the opportunity to prove yourself worthy.
[Cole] Believe it or not, this is not the first time Big Show's been involved
in a match with somebody in a shark cage.
Back in 1999,
Big Show met Mankind,
and Triple H was actually in a shark cage,
as Big Cass…
Tried to deliver a right hand. Big Show used the right hand,
and you can see him shake it with pain
as now he turns to the southpaw style against Big Cass in the corner.
[Graves] Big Show working those body shots like Terence Crawford, Book.
[Cole] Big Show a former four-time WWE Champion.
[Booker T] Big Show definitely one of the best big men
this business has ever seen,
and I tell you, Big Show's gonna throw that right hand,
whether it hurt him or not.
I just hope he can hold out.
[Cole] You hear Enzo carrying on.
[Graves] Any way to soundproof that cage?
[Cole] Oh!
I feel like the left right now doesn't have the same effect as the right,
but it gets the job done, and that's what we're doing tonight.
We're going to work, baby. We're going to work.
[Booker T] "We're going to work?" Do you guys hear this?
Guys, do you hear this? I mean…
That's the problem right there. Enzo saying, "We're going to work."
I mean, and Big Show's down here doing all the work.
That's the same feeling Big Cass had doing all the work for this little guy.
[Graves] I've been telling you for months. Enzo is a perpetual coat-tail rider.
That's all the guy's good for.
Is your back hurting you, schmuck? You're ugly as hell.
Big Show's gonna drop…
[Cole] Enzo trying to get in the head of Big Cass.
And Big Show taking it to the seven footer.
Size 22 5E boot to the ribs.
[Booker T] Big Show got some big hands,
but that right hand, you can tell, has still got a lot of swelling in it.
[Enzo groaning]
It hurt, Cass? Are you hurt?
[Graves] Just speaks to the raw strength Big Show possesses.
One arm whipping Cass into the ropes.
[Cole] Side slam. Oh, and he landed on his bad hand!
Delivered the side slam and came down hard on his bad right hand.
And can Big Cass take advantage?
[Graves] It's instinct to protect your own self.
When you deliver a side slam,
Big Show just looking to post on his own hand.
Might have caused damage.
[Booker T] It's hard to deliver a move like this
without actually using that right hand,
and he took a lot of pressure on it right there, guys.
[Cole] Corey even spread his fingers out when he hit the mat.
But it has not affected Big Show yet.
[Enzo] You look like an idiot, and you're screwed right now.
Laying there like a starfish. Hi, Patrick!
Hi, Patrick!
[Graves] Big Show could be looking to seal the deal here.
There you go, Show! There you go!
[Cole] But gingerly making it up to the second rope,
having problems using that right hand for grip.
[Booker T] Show's in a lot of pain, guys. That right hand got a lot of swelling.
[Cole] And "The World's Largest Athlete," nobody home, and he landed on the hand
as Big Cass rolled out of the way.
And now Big Cass needs to capitalize on this opening.
[Graves] Once again, in an effort to break his own fall,
Big Show went down hard using the injured right hand.
It's a big opportunity for Cass.
[Cole] And Cass with a splash in the corner to Big Show.
And Enzo is suddenly-- Oh, right hand!
Is that enough for a KO Punch?
Was it effective enough for The Big Show?
Here's the cover on Cass.
Hook of the leg, and Cass able to get the shoulder up.
[Graves] You have to ask yourself if Big Show's fist was 100%,
would that have finished the job right there?
I think so.
[Cole] Boom!
[Booker T] That hesitation there,
not being able to cover as quick, that… that pain rush.
[Cole] And Big Show trying to fight through the pain.
Come on, get going!
[Cole] Enzo a bit concerned as well.
[Graves] Big Cass obviously still feeling the effects.
Even at 70%, the right hand of The Big Show would take most men down.
[Booker T] I tell you something, Big Cass…
Big Cass needs to deliver tonight in this match, guys.
This is his future on the line, I think, here at SummerSlam tonight.
[Graves] I think Cass is aware of that,
and Cass wasting no time
attacking the injured hand of The Big Show.
[Cole] First, the kick to the hand of Big Show,
and now the all-out assault to "The World's Largest Athlete."
And Big Cass has switched gears,
and you saw a switch of emotion on his face as well,
as he goes right back to the injured hand.
And, Corey, Cass realizes how big this match is for his career here tonight.
[Graves] You're right. When you're seven feet tall,
there's a lot of competition. There's almost always a target on your back,
as Big Show knows.
Big Cass is trying to say, "I'm the hunter, not the prey."
[Cole] And again, right back to the injured hand.
It has been Big Cass's game plan, and why not?
[Graves] Look at Cass right now, stalking Big Show.
[Booker T] Great plan. Just stay on the injured part right there.
He'll give after a while.
Just stay on it. Keep chopping on it.
Keep chopping on it.
[Graves] Cass looking for an armbar.
Incredible pressure on the elbow and wrist of Big Show.
"The World's Largest Athlete's" gotta be in excruciating agony right now.
[Booker T] Going back to that side slam, that's where the pressure is,
right on that wrist,
and Big Cass is zeroed in on it.
[Cole] And why not,
knowing for a week now that Big Show's been hurt?
Here's a guy, Big Cass, who was pre-med at one point, Corey.
Taking advantage of that.
[Graves] Cass knows very, very well how to pick apart the human anatomy.
Oh! As Big Show's learning right now.
[Cole] Now Big Cass with a smile on his face,
taunting this sold-out WWE Universe tonight
here at Barclays Center.
[Graves] You can see the swagger beginning to ooze out of Big Cass.
Growing more and more confident with each moment.
[Booker T] Cass wants that, what we talk about all the time, man,
uh, checks and championships,
working his way to a main-event position,
working with these big guns,
these big heavyweights here on Monday Night Raw as well.
[Cole] Big Cass has always been a trash talker,
brash and confident, and a win over Big Show here tonight,
can you imagine how he'll be acting after that?
[Graves] Look at the… look at the torque on the hand.
If Big Show's hand wasn't broken coming into this match,
when he leaves, it will be.
[Cole] And Enzo obviously very concerned
as he hangs above the ring inside the cage.
[Graves] Of course. Enzo's watching his meal ticket slip out the window again.
Show, come on. Nice and easy. One!
[Cole] Look at the way the wrist is bent now.
Again, goes back to the left hand and sends Cass across the ring.
[Booker T] Big Show's been in this business a long time.
This is not a situation that he hadn't been in before
at one point in time in his career.
Having to fight from the bottom.
[Graves] Ooh!
Still a lot of fight left in "The World's Largest Athlete."
[Booker T] Still got that big chokeslam, man, if he can deliver it.
-[Graves] No way! -[Booker T] Deliver it. That could be it.
[Graves] Big Show's grip strength not what it was with the right,
but the left still…
[Cole] Chokeslam! Big Show with a chokeslam.
The cover on Cass,
and Cass kicked out at two and a half.
Big Show with a massive chokeslam,
using his left hand.
[Graves] Gotta give credit to The Big Show
for being able to adapt in the heat of battle.
But obviously not as much power as Show would have liked.
Look at the strength that it took to drive Cass down,
but again, predominantly right-handed,
Big Show not getting what he was looking for.
[Booker T] Gotta give credit to Big Cass right there too, guys.
Saw his future just slipping away.
One… one count away.
[Cole] Again, Big Show trying to drag Big Cass back into the ring.
And Cass fighting back.
And again focusing on the injured hand,
slamming it right off the top of the steel post.
[Booker T] Say what you wanna say about the plan Big Cass is using, guys,
but it's a great one. I mean, what do you do?
I mean, you see a spot,
you zero in on it, you stay on it,
you come away with a victory.
[Graves] What is this idiot doing?
[Cole] I think he thinks he's gonna get out of the cage.
Uh, Enzo, the cage is built so you can't get out.
[crowd laughing]
[referee] Hey, one! Two! Three!
[Graves] What…?
[crowd laughing]
You gotta be kidding. He's oiling himself up.
[Booker T] You gotta be kidding me here.
[Cole] I have never seen anything like this.
[Graves] Once a felon, always a felon.
[Cole] And Big Cass has no idea that any of this happening.
[crowd] ♪ Oh, Enzo Amore ♪
♪ Oh, Enzo Amore ♪
♪ Oh, Enzo Amore… ♪
[Cole] And he is trying now to, uh, slip through the bars
of the shark cage.
And he's almost there!
-[Graves] You gotta be kidding me. -[Cole] Enzo is out!
-Enzo has slithered out of the shark cage. -[Booker T laughing]
[Graves] But what's Enzo gonna do now? He's 15 feet above the ring.
[Cole] Well, he's gingerly trying to make his way into the ring.
[Graves] All of a sudden, Enzo's an American Ninja Warrior.
[Cole] And Big Cass was chomping at the bit,
as he delivers a boot to the face of Enzo.
Enzo should've stayed in the cage.
Now Big Cass…
[Graves] Sizing up The Big Show.
[Cole] The intensity in his eyes.
Turning toward "The World's Largest Athlete."
-[Booker T] Bang! -[Cole] Big boot!
[Booker T] Perfect position and timing, guys.
That's it.
[Cole] And Big Show kicks out.
[referee] Two. He was out at two.
-Two-count. -[Cole] And Big Cass can't believe it.
[Graves] Big Show obviously not ready to concede the territory
of being "The World's Largest Athlete."
Not willing to step aside for the new giant in WWE.
[Cole] Big Cass looking for a big boot again.
[Graves] Oh, a second one.
[Cole] And now the Empire Elbow!
[Graves] Right to the heart of The Big Show.
[bell rings]
[Big Cass's theme music playing]
[JoJo] Here is your winner,
Big Cass!
[Cole] Big Cass with perhaps the biggest win of his young career,
knocking off "The World's Largest Athlete."
Great game plan, focusing on the injured right hand.
[Graves] Big Cass was able to weather the early storm by Big Show,
and what a storm it was.
But the New Yorker was able to withstand the one-handed show threw
and picked up a huge victory.
Hats off to Big Cass.
Oh, and, Cass, thanks for taking out Enzo.
[music drowns out speech]
And it's me! "Big Money"!
Great SummerSlam.
[crowd cheering]
Yeah, I can't believe he got out of the cage.
Hey, hey, let me call you back.
-How you doing? -Hey, Kurt.
[crowd cheering]
How's your first SummerSlam as the Raw GM?
It's been great, Daniel.
We got shark cages and title changes.
And you got to see your son wrestle.
It's okay. You learn more from your failures.
I know I did.
Yeah. And it's tough dealing with The Miz.
He can be pretty… [inhales sharply] …chatty.
-You're telling me. -Yeah.
But I hate to say it,
I think the SmackDown Live brand is gonna steal the show tonight.
Our WWE Championship match
has Jinder Mahal against Shinsuke Nakamura.
[crowd cheering]
It's got international appeal.
-It certainly does. -Mm-hmm.
But it doesn't have Universal appeal,
like my fatal 4-way match for the Universal Championship.
It's gonna be epic.
Not as epic as what SmackDown Live is gonna present,
and you know that that's true.
It's damn true.
[chuckles]
But will it have the better matches like Raw?
Yes! Yes! Yes!
[crowd chanting] Yes! Yes! Yes!
No.
Yes!
No!
Yes!
-No! -Yes!
[alternately shouting "No!" and "Yes!" rapidly]
[Layfield] I'm with our GM. I'm with Daniel Bryan.
[Phillips] Who wants to disagree?
♪ They talk to me… ♪
[bell rings]
[Hamilton] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first,
from St. Louis, Missouri,
weighing in at 250 lbs,
"The Viper" Randy Orton!
[Phillips] One of the biggest stars that SmackDown Live has to offer,
the 13-time World Champion Randy Orton.
And a reminder, you can watch your favorite TV shows and movies online
with Hulu, and get next-day unlimited instant streaming access
to all of WWE's weekly programs,
including Raw, SmackDown, Main Event, NXT, and 205 Live.
Visit hulu.com for a free trial
and start watching your favorite WWE shows today.
[Layfield] Randy Orton became the youngest WWE Champion at SummerSlam
in 2004.
You gotta wonder, is tonight's SummerSlam gonna be another memorable event?
SummerSlam very kind to Randy Orton.
In the mood Randy Orton has been in the last couple of weeks,
I feel sorry for Rusev here tonight.
[Phillips] Yeah, that is a curious thing. Randy Orton achieved a measure of revenge
a few weeks ago against WWE Champion Jinder Mahal.
The man's been in a vengeful mood.
It's been a bittersweet year.
What does "The Viper" have in store tonight at SummerSlam?
-[Saxton] Randy Orton's-- -[Layfield] Oh man!
[Phillips] Oh my God. Rusev!
Rusev on Randy Orton.
And Rusev is jumping Randy Orton.
[Saxton] Rusev just ambushed "The Viper."
[Phillips] And Rusev drops Randy Orton,
and the match has not begun yet.
And, John, this has been indicative of the last few weeks with Rusev.
[Layfield] Yeah, Rusev, since he's come to SmackDown…
[Phillips] Oh God!
[Layfield] …has been mad he hasn't been the one
that's been the focus.
[Saxton] We saw Rusev catch Randy Orton off guard a couple of weeks ago,
and tonight doing it once again.
[Phillips] No, no, no. Rusev sending Orton into the barricade.
[Layfield] Fall-away slam right into the barricade.
Rusev, since he's come to SummerSlam,
he's targeted John Cena and Randy Orton.
[Phillips] Since his return to SmackDown Live,
and now Randy Orton tossed inside the ring.
Again, the bell has not rung here in this match.
[Saxton] Orton's hurt.
[referee] Hey, stop!
[Layfield] Yeah, I'm not sure the bell's gonna be rung.
[Phillips] Rusev trying to get at Orton here.
[Layfield] The referee has to make a decision here
-on the fly… -Come on!
[Layfield] …if Randy Orton's okay to… to start this match.
The problem is, Randy Orton's gonna say he's okay.
It's up to the official to determine if he actually is.
[Saxton] In the meantime, you got a seething, pacing Rusev.
[Phillips] Rusev, who's been the victim of two RKOs,
said he wasn't afraid of anybody on SmackDown Live,
and Randy Orton the man who stepped up.
The question is, can Randy Orton step back in
and get involved here in this match?
[Saxton] Orton trying to get his wits.
[Layfield] Randy has to get to his feet for the match to start,
but the referee has to determine if Randy's okay to start this match.
-Let's go! Ring the bell! -[bell rings]
[Phillips] And Randy Orton says he's good to go.
And Rusev--
[Layfield] Oh my God! What an RKO!
-[Phillips] God! -[Layfield] What an RKO!
[Phillips] Cover.
[Layfield] Outta nowhere!
♪ I hear voices in my head… ♪
[Hamilton] Here is your winner,
Randy Orton!
[Layfield] Unbelievable!
[Saxton] I guess Randy Orton was okay to go.
[Layfield] Outta nowhere!
[Phillips] One of…
[Layfield] It only takes one.
[Phillips] One of the most brutal RKOs we have ever seen from Randy Orton.
[Saxton] Wrote it, underlined it.
RKO emphatically delivered to Rusev.
[Phillips] This is what we talked about, the venom of WWE's "Apex Predator."
Randy Orton strikes with force at SummerSlam.
[Saxton] Rusev wanted an opponent for SummerSlam.
He got an RKO.
[Layfield] You gotta wonder if Randy was just a little hurt,
pretending to be a little more hurt to sucker Rusev in.
♪ They counsel me, they understand… ♪
[Phillips] Take a look back here, and Randy Orton was making his entrance.
The bell had not rung yet on this match,
and Rusev would attack from behind on Randy Orton.
[Saxton] The game plan was simple. Ambush Randy Orton.
Catch Randy Orton… Boom!
…off guard.
[Phillips] And after this attack here on Randy Orton,
the match would finally get underway. Randy Orton saying he could go,
and watch this, John.
[Layfield] Sunken deep and absolutely planted!
[Phillips] Rusevs brows hit the mat on that one.
[Saxton] That was uncomfortable to look at.
Uncomfortable and nasty.
[Layfield] Rusev came to make a name for himself. He did.
Every time you see a highlight reel of RKOs,
you're gonna see SummerSlam 2017 from Brooklyn.
[Phillips] Randy Orton had said it before.
Rusev was in the wrong place at the wrong time
and messed with the wrong man.
[Layfield] You build a sports entertainer from the ground up,
that right there is what it looks like.
That is the perfect predator, Randy Orton.
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ They tell me things… ♪
[Layfield] That was awesome.
[music fades]
♪ You could get high Or you could get low ♪
♪ You could stay young Or you could grow old… ♪
[Cole] SummerSlam tonight is in Brooklyn. There's the world-famous Brooklyn Bridge.
We're sold out at Barclays Center.
16,128 WWE fans on hand tonight.
♪ Let it go… ♪
[crowd cheering]
And there's the challenger for the Raw Women's Championship.
[crowd booing]
Good luck, sister.
-Be safe. -I will.
[indistinct]
[Cole] And that is Bayley, Sasha Banks's best friend.
She was supposed to meet Alexa Bliss tonight for the title,
but a shoulder injury opened the door up for Sasha Banks
to open and earn the opportunity.
[Sasha Banks's theme music playing]
It's "Boss" time in Brooklyn!
♪ Had a dream I had it made ♪
♪ Now there's nothing Dragging down me, yeah ♪
♪ 'Cause a girl gon' push it all Out the way ♪
♪ Destined to break in I found my way ♪
♪ Now ain't nobody gonna take it ♪
♪ 'Cause a girl gon' push 'em all Out the way ♪
♪ I had a dream That I made it here in the spotlight ♪
♪ Woke up, see my life in the shade Now that's not quite ♪
♪ Hustlin' every day… ♪
[Graves] It was in this very building, several years ago,
Sasha and her best friend, Bayley, had a match
that some would say kickstarted the Women's Revolution.
♪ I built my own from the bottom ♪
♪ I've gotten myself in my own zone ♪
♪ Never stop and I made it And now I ain't going home ♪
♪ Had a dream I… ♪
[Cole] Sasha looking to become a four-time Women's Champion.
♪ 'Cause a girl gon' push it all Out the way… ♪
And here tonight at SummerSlam, an international flavor.
A slew of international announce teams joining us,
including our Portuguese team of Marco Alfaro and Roberto Figueroa.
[speaking in Portuguese]
And our Russian announce team of Moti Margolin and Zhan Pomerantsev.
[speaking in Russian]
From Japan, Shun Yamaguchi and Funaki.
[speaking in Russian]
[both speaking in Japanese]
Our Hindi announce team, Sehz Sardar and Obaid Kadwani.
[speaking in Hindi]
Men's, Women's, Tag Team Championships.
[both] SummerSlam live on WWE Network.
And our French announce team of Christophe Agius and Philippe Chereau.
[speaking in French]
And our Mandarin team of Meng Ai and Sean Deng.
[speaking in Mandarin]
[Graves] It's okay. It's written in French. I couldn't read it either.
[Cole laughing]
[Cole] Sasha Banks wants the title tonight.
[Alexa Bliss's theme music playing]
[cheering]
It has been quite the week for the woman who calls herself "The Goddess,"
the Raw Women's Champion, Alexa Bliss. She was at Yankee Stadium last week.
She delivered a custom WWE Championship to the Yankees' Aaron Judge,
who is the Home Run Derby winner this year,
and they gave… the Yankees gave Alexa Bliss a custom jersey
that reads "Five Feet of Fury."
Alexa calls herself the Yankees of WWE.
[Graves] WWE should just give Alexa Bliss World Series rings.
One for each finger, because she's a "Goddess,"
and she will be forever.
The Greeks had Aphrodite and Athena.
WWE Universe, we have Bliss.
[music fades]
[bell rings]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall…
[crowd] One fall!
…and it is for the Raw Women's Championship.
Introducing first, the challenger,
from Boston, Massachusetts,
Sasha Banks!
Her opponent, from Columbus, Ohio,
she is the Raw Women's Champion,
Alexa Bliss!
[Graves] That is a sight I will never get tired of seeing.
[Cole] You know, you mentioned Sasha versus Bayley at NXT Takeover
here in Brooklyn a couple of years ago.
Sasha, in an interview this week,
talked about how she needs to get back into the winning column in Brooklyn.
It was last year at SummerSlam
she had a rough time with Charlotte in a championship match.
So can Sasha Banks do it here tonight
against Alexa Bliss?
-[referee] Ring the bell! -[bell rings]
[Graves] Booker, you and I have talked at length.
You know my feelings on how important momentum is for a match.
Sasha Banks does have a lot of momentum on her side to this point.
Do you think she has enough to topple "The Goddess"?
[Booker T] Coming off, uh, I would say, one of the biggest wins of her career,
beating Nia Jax in a match
that no one really thought she was gonna be able to pull off,
she did. She went into her trick bag. So tonight I see it no different.
Sasha Banks got all the tools.
[Graves] Getting out of hand in a hurry. These two women do not like one another
in any way, shape, or form.
[Cole] They cannot stand each other,
as Alexa delivers a right hand
right on the bridge of the nose of Sasha Banks.
[Booker T] They is…
Alexa Bliss there, a big punch for a little… little woman, I tell you.
She… she's bad.
[rumbling]
[Cole] Take another look. What a right hand.
Alexa Bliss a Raw Women's Champion,
two-time SmackDown Women's Champion as well.
[Booker T] I think you can underestimate Alexa Bliss sometimes, too,
because you think you got the upper hand on her,
then her experience comes out in so many different ways.
[Graves] Alexa Bliss is crafty. She's cagey beyond her years,
beyond her experience.
Always knows what her next move is.
[Cole] And Alexa off the top rope. There's the crossbody.
Cover on Sasha, who kicks out.
Turns it into a cover of her own on the champion,
and a kick-out at two.
[Booker T] Great counter right there, Cole.
[Cole] Been a very frantic pace in the early going of this matchup.
Cover again by the champion,
and a kick-out by Sasha.
This is the third one-on-one matchup between these two ladies.
Remember, Sasha Banks won the first two,
but both via count-out.
Remember, you cannot win the championship tonight via count-out. You have to…
[Graves] Look at this. Look at this. This is just nastiness.
Rapid-fire kicks to the midsection of "The Boss."
One! Two!
Come on.
[Cole] But Sasha with a kick of her own.
[Graves] Right on the bridge of Bliss's nose.
Oh, great ring awareness by the champion.
[Cole] Yeah, Alexa…
Oh, face-first goes Sasha.
[Booker T] One thing about Alexa Bliss, I watch her, man,
and she moves around the ring.
She's so calm in the middle of the ring.
She's so intent on taking care of her business, like this right here.
[Cole] Alexa, the mean streak.
There's a reason they call her "Five Feet of Fury."
Cover again, and a kick-out by Banks.
Hey, hey! Hey!
[Graves] Look at this. Standing on the hair of "The Boss."
You're not gonna win a match like that.
You gotta be careful not to get disqualified,
but champion's advantage applies in this situation.
[Cole] Booker, you touched on this, the bona fide mean streak…
She's fine.
[Cole] …of Alexa Bliss.
[Booker T] I mean, Alexa Bliss, she's… Her pedigree, yeah,
but you look at her background and you can tell when she came here,
she came here for one reason and one reason only.
That's to become champ.
"Everybody get behind me. Everybody get in line."
[Graves] You know what, that very mindset
is what's made the rivalry between these two women so personal.
Sasha Banks feels like she--
[Cole] Cover again by Bliss. Is it enough to put Banks away?
And a kick-out.
[Graves] Banks feels responsible for the Women's Revolution,
that she did all the work and Bliss is simply reaping the benefits.
[Booker T] You know something? Ronda Rousey,
she thought that, too, once upon a time, and she was.
But that's the competition.
It's gonna get stiffer and stiffer, man.
[Cole] And you hear Bliss just trash talking
right in the face of "The Boss."
Alexa Bliss believes she is the best, and that is why she's so good.
It's the confidence that the champion brings to the table.
Alexa now.
Top rope. Sasha meets her with a right.
[Booker T] You know something, it's one thing to say that,
but to go out there and back it up, that's something totally different,
and Alexa Bliss, she's definitely doing that.
-[Graves] Look at this! -Let it go! One!
[Cole] The official gonna give Alexa the five-count here.
Three! Four!
[Cole] Sasha Banks able to fight out of it.
[Graves] You can turn someone's lights out in four or five seconds
if it's applied properly.
[Cole] Bliss, double knees.
[Booker T] Oh, beautiful!
[Cole] Another set. Here's the cover. Is it enough to retain the title?
And a kick-out at two.
[Booker T] That's those blurred lines.
You got five seconds to get your work done,
and Alexa Bliss used four and a half. You gotta love it.
[Cole] And followed it up with a pair of knees,
and then turned it around into a moonsault with some knees, Corey.
[Graves] Yeah, but you can see the frustration building
on the face of Bliss.
[Booker T] I don't think that's frustration.
I think that's just, you know, intent on getting the job done.
If we have to take it into late waters, that's what we're gonna do.
Hey! Stop that. Let her go!
One! Two!
[Cole] Again, Alexa Bliss using the four of the five-count from the official.
Listen, Alexa knew what she was getting into here tonight.
Cover. Hook of the leg on Sasha.
Kick-out. She knew it wasn't gonna be easy to put "The Boss" away.
We've talked about the heart and the…the soul of Sasha Banks,
what this means to her, her career,
being champion.
Realizes what it means to wear the gold.
[Graves] I don't think Alexa Bliss is naive enough
to have come into this match tonight at SummerSlam
expecting anything less than the fight of her life.
Sasha Banks has been this deep into matches many times.
This is not unfamiliar territory for "The Boss."
[Booker T] It will make champions, Corey,
going out there, being able to take and use
whatever you need to use to get a victory,
and that's what Alexa Bliss does, man. Whatever's there, she's gonna use it.
[Cole] Cover by Alexa. Hook of the leg.
And Sasha kicks out at two again.
And now perhaps Alexa's getting frustrated.
You see her glance back at the official.
Might have wanted a quicker count.
[Booker T] They're not working by the hour, Cole.
If you get in here and get out of there, that's great,
but if you gotta get out there and stay out there a little while,
that's being ready,
being prepared to get the work done.
I think Alexa Bliss is prepared.
Hey, you know the rules. Come on.
[Graves] That's definite frustration on the face of Bliss there,
roaring like a lioness at the referee.
[Cole] And again burying a shoulder into the midsection of Sasha Banks,
and Alexa continues this relentless assault.
Sasha has not been able to get going on offense.
[Graves] Everything Banks has attempted, Bliss has pretty much had an answer for,
but… still fight left in "The Boss."
Come on, you gotta stop.
[Graves] Bliss once again looking for this…
Let her go. One!
[Cole] And continuing to… to punish Sasha.
[Graves] If Sasha's able to get her foot on the rope,
it's gonna minimize the impact of that submission hold,
but Bliss can still inflict a lot of punishment.
[Cole] Yeah, Bliss has been relentless.
And now Sasha battling out with elbows,
and Bliss slammed to the mat.
And now Sasha looking to build a bit of momentum.
[Graves] Oh! Sliding knee right on the jaw of "The Goddess."
[Cole] And now both women down.
Raw Women's Championship on the line.
Alexa Bliss defending against Sasha Banks here at the 30th annual SummerSlam,
sold out at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
[Graves] Look at this. "The Boss," mustering up the will to keep fighting,
delivering a brutal running knee to the champion.
[Booker T] Not enough energy to make the cover though.
That's the most important. You gotta make that cover.
You gotta get a victory here.
[Cole] Yeah, but Sasha's taken a lot of punishment
at the hands of Alexa Bliss, and now she's looking to go on offense,
firing back with some right forearms.
Follows it up with a clothesline, and here comes "The Boss."
Dropkick.
[Graves] Sasha Banks picking up the pace.
-Oh wow! -[Cole] Down goes Bliss.
Is it enough to win her fourth Women's Championship?
Kick-out at two.
[Booker T] Wow, close.
Now, guys, I'm starting to see a bit of frustration from Alexa Bliss.
[Graves] I think it's becoming painfully apparent to Alexa Bliss
that Sasha Banks brought her A-game tonight and then some.
[Cole] And Alexa with a knee to the midsection.
And Bliss looking for a neckbreaker.
Oh, face-first off the knee.
Unique move by Bliss. Hooks the leg on Banks,
who again kicks out
and another near-fall for the champion.
[Graves] I hope Banks has the number of a decent dentist,
'cause that knee might have loosened a few teeth.
Watch the hair, Alexa Bliss.
Give up, Sasha!
[Cole] Just screaming at Banks to give up, but not so fast.
[Graves] Banks lands a desperation kick.
[Cole] Sasha just not able to get rolling here.
[Booker T] Been one step ahead, Alexa Bliss. Just one step ahead, guys.
[Cole] But not now. Oh, Bliss off the top turnbuckle.
The back of her neck crashing into the turnbuckle.
[Graves] Once again, Banks with an opportunity to compose herself.
Let's take another look at this, the impact.
Oh my goodness!
The five-feet height might have been a disadvantage there.
Look at these vicious knees from "The Boss."
[Cole] Here comes Banks.
Double knees to the champion.
And you can feel the momentum starting to shift a little bit here, Book.
[Booker T] Guys, it's no fluke Sasha Banks is in this position.
[Cole] Is it enough?
Oh, Bliss gets the shoulder up.
[Booker T] Sasha Banks, she quietly, week after week, win after win,
put herself in this position.
Can she walk away tonight as champion? Of course she can.
[Cole] Bayley injured, forced a couple of triple threat matches
a few weeks ago. Nia Jax and Sasha Banks survived,
and then Sasha Banks would beat Nia Jax in a one-on-one match
to get here tonight.
[Booker T] Exactly what I'm talking about.
[Graves] Oh-ho-ho, wow!
[Cole] And Alexa…
[Graves] Looking for the DDT that's brought so many victories.
[Cole] Backstabber. Looking for the Banks Statement.
Sasha Banks trying to lock in her submission move.
[Booker T] Alexa got… She's still got movement.
If she can just keep moving…
[Graves] Once again, the diminutive stature of the champion
could be her downfall.
[Cole] But Alexa able to make it to the rope,
forcing the break. Now the champ trying to get out of the ring
and get out of harm's way.
[Graves] Smart move.
[Booker T] Talking about a game of inches right there.
A game of inches, and it could have been over.
[Graves] Uh-oh. Uh-oh!
[Cole] Oh, and Bliss yanking the… the apron covering there,
the ring skirt, and Sasha Banks tumbled off.
[Graves] Sasha crashed down hard on her shoulder.
"The Goddess" looking a bit worse for wear after this battle,
but had enough wherewithal.
Watch. Bliss pulls the ring skirt,
the rope underneath obviously tripping Sasha Banks,
sending her crashing to the floor.
[Cole] Perfect timing by the champion as well.
As soon as Sasha stepped on the ring skirt,
that was all she wrote.
And now Alexa looks to take control.
She really wants to pin Sasha here tonight
in the middle of the ring
and continue to humiliate "The Boss," as she dumps Sasha out yet again.
Sasha may have hurt her shoulder.
[Booker T] That's what Corey's talking about. It's the craftiness of…
Alexa Bliss goes… She's great.
[Cole] A bit déjà vu there.
That was almost the same way Bayley injured her shoulder, Corey,
a few weeks ago.
[Corey] Very, very similar situation.
"The Boss" landing hard, apparently on her left shoulder.
Three!
[Cole] And now the official begins the count.
Alexa will take a count-out victory tonight
to retain her championship.
Six!
[Cole] The official…
[referee] Seven!
[Graves] Bliss confident that the referee's count will complete itself.
Eight!
[Cole] And Banks needs…
And she just makes it back in the ring before ten.
-[Graves] Oh! -[Cole] And look at Bliss though.
Wisely targeting the injured shoulder,
the left arm of Sasha Banks.
[Booker T] Not only that, Cole, wasting no time,
going right back to that injury.
[Graves] Bliss like a predator that smells blood.
-Oh my goodness! -[Cole] Oh my Lord!
If it wasn't dislocated before, it may be now.
[Graves] Just a little insulting kick to the side of "The Boss."
There we go. Insult to injury.
Bliss literally stepping over her challenger,
ascending the top rope.
Could this be it for "The Boss"?
-There it is. -[Cole] Oh, this is it.
It's over. Hook of the leg.
Sasha just able to kick out.
Little Twisted Bliss and Sasha able to kick out, Corey.
[Graves] A look of disbelief.
Now the tantrum being thrown by the champion tells the story.
Alexa Bliss, along with myself,
thought this was the end for sure.
But "The Boss" had other plans.
[Cole] Alexa arguing with the official. Thought it was a slow count.
But Sasha Banks able to stay alive in this championship match at SummerSlam.
-[Graves] Great counter by Banks. -[Cole] Looking for the Banks Statement.
Alexa Bliss, the champ, center of the ring, nowhere to go.
Nowhere to go.
[Graves] Bliss doing her best to prevent Banks
from completing the submission.
-[Cole] Bad shoulder. -[Booker T] It's not locked, guys.
[Cole] It was the bad shoulder.
And here's the cover again by Bliss on Banks.
And Sasha Banks again looking for the Banks Statement.
Closer to the rope this time.
[Graves] But with a bad shoulder, Banks is unable to complete the submission.
[Cole] Alexa Bliss looking to somehow break this hold.
She tapped out!
She tapped out! Sasha won the title!
[Sasha Banks's theme music playing]
[JoJo] Here is your winner, and the new Raw Women's Champion,
Sasha Banks!
[Cole] Now, Corey, that was a gutsy performance
by the now four-time Women's Champion.
[Graves] I can't argue with that, Cole.
What a tenacious battle by "The Boss" Sasha Banks,
proving all the doubters wrong.
She had what it took to dethrone "The Goddess" tonight in Brooklyn.
[Cole] Booker, what a battle between these two women.
[Booker T] I think Alexa Bliss got a little over-confident,
and I think it… I think it bit her in the end, Cole.
You know what, I know it did. We got a new champion.
[Cole] And you see it there. The new Raw Women's Champion, Sasha Banks.
[Graves] We were all but certain that Alexa Bliss would walk out
of Barclays Center with her championship
the same way she came in.
But "The Boss" was determined to prove that theory wrong.
[Cole] And Alexa Bliss throwing a temper tantrum there.
[Graves] Looking back, this might have been the undoing of Bliss
and her title reign.
Banks holding on for dear life with everything she had
until Alexa Bliss simply couldn't fight any longer.
[Cole] "The Boss" did it.
She kicked out her demons tonight here in this Barclays Center.
Sasha Banks is your new Raw Women's Champion.
It's "Boss" time on Monday nights.
♪ Now I own the whole building That I'm living in ♪
♪ Sky's the limit When you're never giving in ♪
♪ You get in, you ride it out And don't look back again… ♪
[music fades]
[elevator music playing]
[Ziggler] Auditions?
There's no better colonel than me. I mean, come on!
Well, what do we got over here?
A colonel hater?
-You? -Yeah, yeah.
You as the new colonel?
[scoffs]
-You look ridiculous. -[Goldust] Hey.
This is a big audition for me. [hisses]
Hey, some of us lost weight for this, you know.
And the line starts back here.
You need a bro that can get everyone hyped about KFC.
[chanting] Colonel Sanders! KFC!
And why exactly does the colonel need to be a bro?
I think it's time for some new colonel updates.
Maybe some new glasses?
-Some red hair? -[door closes]
Wait a minute!
Red hair?
I've got red hair.
And I'm the only real Southerner here.
I mean, come on. I've got kids.
I've got kids!
[R-Truth whistling]
Oh great. You here for the audition too?
What audition?
[Ziggler sighs]
Why are you dressed like Colonel Sanders?
I could ask you the same thing.
[music stops]
Well, cock-a-doodle-doo.
[energetic rock music playing]
[yelling aggressively]
Let go of me!
Oh!
[both straining]
[Rawley] Ooh!
[music fades]
♪ Oh, oh, Shawn! ♪
♪ I think I'm cute ♪
♪ I know I'm sexy…♪
[crowd chanting] Colonel Sanders!
♪ That drives the girls wild ♪
♪ I've got the moves… ♪
[man] KFC's original recipe chicken.
Try it in a $10 chicken share.
[music fades]
That was earlier tonight on the SummerSlam Kickoff show.
The new Colonel Sanders. A little bit of Sweet Thigh Music.
I don't know what it is, but I have a feeling
that Colonel Sanders could have headlined a WrestleMania or two in his life.
-You think? -Maybe. Just a thought.
The colonel's looking real jacked.
What a night it's been here tonight at SummerSlam,
sold out tonight at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
[Graves] We wanna send a special thanks to Machine Gun Kelly featuring James Arthur
for "Go For Broke."
It's the official theme for WWE SummerSlam off the album Bloom,
available now on iTunes and Spotify.
[Cole] And coming up next from Monday Night Raw,
"The Demon" is here.
"The Demon King" Finn Bálor against "The Eater of Worlds" Bray Wyatt,
and Bray has had an issue of late with Finn Bálor
and his fans known as The Bálor Club.
[whooshing]
-[stirring music playing] -[crowd chanting] We want Bálor!
We want Bálor!
[man 1] Enigmatic, awe-inspiring Superstar
who will enthrall and mesmerize you.
[crowd chanting] We want Bálor!
[Graves] The Finn Bálor sensation has swept the globe.
I love Finn Bálor.
-He's gonna revolutionize the WWE. -Just infectious.
His ring presence and everything about his skill set is just awesome.
[Bálor] Bálor Club is in the building.
[crowd cheering]
-[unsettling music playing] -[Wyatt laughing]
[Wyatt] I see Finn Bálor for what he truly is.
The putrid shell of a man
that never was.
[Cole] Wait a minute. Wyatt with Sister Abigail!
[laughing]
[Wyatt] Finn Bálor exists off of borrowed time,
just like every one of you.
When you all want to stand with pride
and proclaim yourself as part of The Bálor Club,
it's as if your blind delusions have led you to believe
that you can just vicariously live through Finn Bálor.
You're pitiful.
You've been infected with the sickness of hope.
But I hold the cure.
When Bray Wyatt, "The Eater of Worlds," knocks you down, you ain't getting up.
That there is no return and there most certainly
is no
escape.
[Bálor] Bray Wyatt cares about having people fear him.
When fear comes knocking,
you stand up and you kick fear in the face.
Whatever you wanna start,
I will finish.
[dramatic music playing]
[Wyatt] I can tell why these people like you so much, Finn.
'Cause when you fly, they fly.
But after I rip you down from the heavens, I promise…
[unsettling music playing]
…they all gonna fall down with you.
[Wyatt laughing]
[Graves] For the first time, The Bálor Club has the option
to follow the buzzards.
[menacing music playing]
[Wyatt] This is what happens
when you said a boy to do the devil's work.
Let's go.
[Wyatt's laughter echoing]
♪ He's got the whole world ♪
♪ In his hands ♪
♪ He's got the whole wide world ♪
♪ In his hands ♪
♪ He's got the whole… ♪
[Bálor] Bray Wyatt's got his demons.
♪ In his hands ♪
♪ He's got the whole world in his hands… ♪
[Bálor] He's gonna find out…
[Wyatt laughing]
[Bálor] …that I've got my demons too.
[music fades]
[Bray Wyatt's theme music playing]
[Cole] The Fireflies are out in full force here tonight
at Barclays Center,
as "The Eater of Worlds" Bray Wyatt
enters the fray.
[Graves] If you follow the buzzards down the left-hand path far enough,
it will lead you straight into the arms of Bray Wyatt.
[Cole] Bray Wyatt has had this major issue with Finn Bálor
and the WWE fans known as The Bálor Club.
Wyatt cannot understand how they will flock to Finn Bálor
and not to Bray Wyatt.
[Graves] To be fair, it's quite difficult to understand anything Bray believes.
One of the most perplexing Superstars we have ever seen,
but one thing is undeniable.
Bray Wyatt possesses an uncanny charisma that's hard to deal with.
[Booker T] Look around you.
It's easy to fall under the spell of Bray Wyatt.
Very interesting guy.
[Cole] Bray Wyatt has been embroiled in this mess with Finn Bálor
over the past few weeks, but there's an intangible tonight, guys,
because "The Demon King" will be arriving at SummerSlam.
[Graves] When you're ready to battle the devil,
you'd better be prepared to bring hell with you.
♪ He won't see the sun again… ♪
[music ends abruptly]
[cheering]
-[heartbeat] -[crowd roars]
-[eerie music playing] -♪ He's got the whole world ♪
♪ In his hands… ♪
[heartbeat]
♪ He's got the whole wide world… ♪
-[heartbeat] -♪ In his hands ♪
-♪ He's got the whole world… ♪ -[heartbeat]
♪ In his hands ♪
♪ He's got the whole world in his hands ♪
[echoing distorted laughter]
["The Demon King" Finn Bálor's theme music playing]
[cheering]
[crowd roars]
[crowd] Ohhh-oh!
Ohhh-oh!
[cheering]
[Cole] Behold "The Demon King" Finn Bálor.
And ironically the name "Finn Bálor"
is a play on the split personality of the man inside the ring.
"Finn" for Finn McCool, who is an Irish mythical hero
who battled the one-eyed demon king Bálor.
Finn Bálor says "The Demon King"…
[cheering]
…allows his personality to change,
that he's ready for battle when the warpaint goes on.
It allows him to release his inner demon.
Bray Wyatt, welcome to "The Demon King."
[Graves] Finn Bálor's about to introduce Bray Wyatt
to his taste for the arcane.
It's like a true Jekyll and Hyde situation.
No one channels the evil within like Finn Bálor.
[Booker T] Guys, I look around the Barclays,
and I tell you, the Universe seem like they been waiting on this all day,
perhaps all week.
[Graves] Booker, I've been waiting to see "The Demon"
since last year at SummerSlam.
[Cole] And what's interesting is when Finn Bálor made his entrance tonight,
did you see how he used Bray Wyatt's former theme against him
as the mind games are turned against "The Eater of Worlds" here tonight?
[Booker T] Mind games go out of the window tonight.
There's a fight about to break out.
[Cole] It was at SummerSlam last year in this building
where Finn Bálor beat Seth Rollins
to become the first-ever Universal Champion.
He would have to relinquish the title the next night due to a shoulder injury,
so Finn is back here tonight looking to make a statement.
[booing]
[Booker T] Oh, this is gonna be good, guys.
[Graves] Two of the most cabalistic Superstars ever in WWE.
This battle is gonna be unusual for sure.
[Cole] Let's not forget what happened this past Monday night
when Finn Bálor met Bray Wyatt for the very first time one-on-one,
and Bray Wyatt poured that eerie, viscous, acidic liquid
all over Finn Bálor.
[Graves] Bray might live to regret that, because whatever was in that fluid
opened the eye of "The Demon" Bálor.
[Cole] And Finn Bálor…
[Booker T] Coming off Monday night, I would think Bray Wyatt has momentum.
[Graves] I agree.
[Cole] Perhaps, but Bray Wyatt has never done battle with "The Demon,"
as Finn Bálor takes down Wyatt.
[Graves] Bálor is lighting quick.
Always a spectacular athlete,
but whenever "The Demon" is unlocked, Finn kicks into a whole other gear.
[Cole] Bray Wyatt a former WWE Champion.
Bálor a former Universal Champion.
[Graves] I'm not entirely sure that Bray Wyatt had any idea
what he was truly getting involved in.
[Booker T] Wait.
[Cole] And it's Finn Bálor as he explodes around the corner
and takes down Wyatt.
Bray Wyatt brought this upon himself.
Make no mistake about that.
Two!
[crowd chanting] Finn! Finn! Finn! Finn!
[Cole] And Finn back into the ring as he continues to stalk Wyatt.
[Booker T] Don't think you have to worry about Wyatt. He can hold his own.
Right now, momentum is in Finn Bálor's…
What'd I tell you? That right there slows everything down.
-[Graves] Unless you're "The Demon." -[Cole] Indeed.
Kick right to the spine of Bray Wyatt.
Oh!
Bray Wyatt just trying to get to the ropes,
perhaps pull himself back to his feet,
as Finn continues the attack.
[Graves] Bray Wyatt needs to figure out "The Demon" and quick,
or this fight is not gonna last long.
[Booker T] Bray Wyatt, I mean, come on, you're kidding me, Corey.
Bray Wyatt's a thinker.
He's a master at manipulating people.
[Cole] And Finn launching himself over the top rope,
and down goes Bray.
[Graves] Booker, have you ever seen Bray Wyatt on the defensive
this long out of the gate?
[Booker T] Take nothing away from "The Demon." He's special.
[Cole] The other thing is not many people have got into the mind of Bray Wyatt
like "The Demon" has, as Finn Bálor takes to the air
and takes out Bray.
[Graves] Extra aggressive, almost sanguinous offense
from Finn Bálor thus far.
Could we be ending things right now?
[Cole] Finn heading up to the top rope.
[Graves] Could there be a Coup de Grace on the horizon?
[Cole] And Bray Wyatt wisely getting out of the ring
and getting out of harm's way,
and he delivers a right hand that stuns Bálor.
[Booker T] That's called strategy right there, Cole.
[Cole] And Finn does not wanna be there. What a suplex by Wyatt.
And Finn's body crashing to the floor.
[Graves] Bray Wyatt needed to take some time
to re-plan his game. Now is that time.
Could be a few essential moments,
and look at this rain, flurry.
[Cole] Oh, and right off the apron face-first.
Booker, you touched on this.
Many people have tried to play mind games with Bray Wyatt,
but not many have been successful.
[Booker T] The thing is, once you start playing mind games with Bray Wyatt,
you've already lost, man, and I think "The Demon,"
he's come… he's come prepared,
but Bray Wyatt, he's a special and a different kind of dude, man.
[Cole] Corey, Bray Wyatt had to, uh,
he had to survive the early flourish from the emotional "Demon,"
and maybe he's done just that,
as Finn, though, however, tries to fight out of the corner.
[Graves] I assure you, Wyatt better not get too comfortable,
too confident,
'cause "The Demon" started this match like he was fired out of a cannon.
[Cole] And Bray Wyatt continuing to… to punish Finn Bálor.
Shoulder right into the upper chest of Bálor.
Cover. Hook of the leg. Now…
Referee was right there. Finn's shoulders not quite down.
Plants a knee in the spine again and continues to punish "The Demon."
[Booker T] I think Finn Bálor's leg was under the rope there.
I think he was down, but the referee made a good call there.
[Graves] The important thing to realize
is maybe now Bray Wyatt is over the initial shock and awe
of experiencing "The Demon" for the very first time.
Now Bray can implement his own strategy.
[Booker T] Come on, Bray Wyatt thinks he's a god, man.
I don't think it's anything that Bray Wyatt is not ready for,
not prepared for.
[Graves] It's one thing to refer to yourself as a god.
It's another to truly see yourself as one.
[Cole] "The Demon" whipped into the corner by Wyatt.
Looking for Sister Abigail and to make quick work of Finn Bálor
here tonight at SummerSlam.
Bálor able to counter though.
Down goes Bray.
Double stomp right to the chest.
And now Finn looking to somehow build on this momentum.
Bray Wyatt writhing in pain.
Problem is, Corey, to your point earlier,
I really think Bray Wyatt does believe he's a god.
[Graves] I'm not saying he doesn't. I'm saying it remains to be seen
if that will be his benefit or his downfall
in this particular situation.
-[Booker T] Bang! -[Cole] What an overhead kick by Finn.
And now "The Demon" starts to bare… bare fangs.
And Finn with a right.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Bálor!
[Cole] Down goes Bray.
[Graves] He's beginning to quicken once again.
[Cole] This is the way Finn likes it.
Bray sent outside the ring. Finn Bálor gonna fly.
There's the dropkick. Down goes Wyatt.
[Booker T] "The Demon" is on the move,
and that's not good for Bray Wyatt, guys.
[Cole] And Finn with a kick right to the face.
[referee] One!
[Cole] I don't even think Bray knows where he is.
[Graves] Bray's teeth are probably somewhere in the Hudson after that.
[Cole] And Finn with a stomp to the back of the neck.
[referee] Four!
[Graves] "The Demon" delivering a death blow right to the external oct…
What was that thing Gorilla used to say?
External occipital protuberance.
[Cole] Very good, Corey.
[Graves] I learned most of my anatomy from WWE.
[Cole] And now Finn, with Bray in trouble,
perhaps looking for the Coup de Grace again.
[Booker T] I tell you, Cole, this is when Bray Wyatt is his most dangerous,
when you think he's out.
[Graves] Right. You can't take your eyes off of him.
[Cole] Looking for Sister Abigail this time on Finn,
who again counters. And a little sling blade action.
And Finn Bálor back to his feet.
And Bray Wyatt with a kick right to the face.
And now it's Wyatt starting to take over this matchup.
God, he plants him.
Here's the cover. Is it enough to put Finn Bálor away?
And again Finn Bálor stays in the match.
[Booker T] Guys, a wounded animal is a very, very dangerous animal.
That's Bray Wyatt.
[Cole] Critical moment of the matchup.
Both Superstars down as we take another look.
-[Graves] Watch the impact. -[Booker T] Look at the force here.
[Graves] Driving Bálor through the mat.
[Cole] You gotta wonder what's going through that sick man's mind.
Oh! Running senton.
Shoulders are down.
And a kick-out at two.
[Booker T] Look at that right there. That smile tells a whole story, man.
I got him!
[chuckles]
[Cole] Bray just told you what the story is.
He believes he's just moments away from taking Finn Bálor out in this match.
[Graves] What a feather in the cap it would be if Bray Wyatt…
to just eliminate "The Demon King" in his first encounter
on a stage as big as SummerSlam.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Bálor!
[Graves] You'd have to think if Wyatt eliminates Bálor tonight,
The Bálor Club would flock to The Wyatt Family.
[Cole] That's what he hopes would happen.
-[Graves] Oh! -[Cole] Oh!
What a kick by Finn. Got him.
Bray Wyatt taken down. Elbow right to the chest.
Cover. Is it enough for "The Demon"?
-Bray stays in the match. -[Graves] Barely. Just barely.
[Booker T] Bray just keeps creating that little space,
just trying to get away from "The Demon" right now.
[Graves] Wyatt looking for sanctuary that he will not find.
[Cole] Finn sends… sends Bray right into the barricade.
-And Finn perched and ready. -[Booker T] Doing the right thing--
[Cole] Oh, and he runs into a clothesline. What impact. What a collision.
Cover by Wyatt on Balor,
who stays in it. Another near-fall.
[Graves] Look at the eyes of Bray Wyatt.
As we take another look at… full steam ahead,
"The Demon" dropkicking Bray almost through the barricade.
But Wyatt would answer with a slaughterous lariat.
[Booker T] Finn Bálor had the right idea.
Get Bray Wyatt in the ring and try to get a victory with--
Bray Wyatt, guys, that's what I'm talking about.
Just one step ahead.
[Cole] And look at this freak.
Can you imagine being in the ring and looking at this coming at you?
But it doesn't seem to intimidate "The Demon."
And Bray can't believe it. Usually, those mind games work.
And Bray begging off. Sling blade.
[Graves] Wyatt almost panicked, ran right into the sling blade.
There's a dropkick.
Could we witness it?
Brooklyn, get ready.
-[Booker T] Oh wow! -[Cole] Coup de Grace!
"The Demon" is victorious!
["The Demon King" Finn Bálor's theme music playing]
[JoJo] Here is your winner, "The Demon King" Finn Bálor!
[Graves] Bray Wyatt may forever rue the day
that he invoked "The Demon" of Finn Bálor.
[Cole] "The Demon" just takes Finn to a different place,
a different level.
Right here is where the match changed, Corey,
when "The Demon stood face-to-face with Wyatt.
[Graves] Like something undead rising from the grave,
Finn Bálor rises.
Bray Wyatt panics
and falls right into Bálor's trap,
allowing for this Coup de Grace through the skies of Brooklyn.
One more look. You should put this on top of a church somewhere in Brooklyn,
like a gargoyle protecting the city.
Bang!
[Cole] And "The Demon" celebrates.
[crowd] Ohhhh-oh!
-Ohhhh-oh! -[Booker T] Great victory.
[Cole] Pretty incredible. That persona takes Finn to the next level.
[Graves] You have to experience it to believe it.
The Bálor Club worldwide knows.
They understand, they believe
that "The Demon King" Finn Bálor is the force to be reckoned with in WWE.
[Booker T] Kid's good.
[music fades]
[woman 1] I'm not gonna back down from anybody.
I worked too hard to let this slip through my hands.
♪ I am a missile… ♪
[man 2] I am in the ring to bring total destruction.
[woman 3] They're gonna know that's a legitimate badass in there.
[woman 4] I'm gonna go in full force.
[woman 5] And I'm gonna rip them apart.
♪ I am a missile ♪
♪ I am a missle ♪
History will be made with the Mae Young Classic,
but, uh, Corey Graves, immediately following SummerSlam tonight
on the WWE Network,
you are going to, uh, let us in
on who may be the favorites in the Mae Young Classic
with some bracketology.
You can join myself and WWE Hall of Famer Lita
as we take an in-depth look at many of the competitors
that will be competing in the inaugural Mae Young Classic,
all these incredibly talented women from around the globe
who all wanna make history.
Mae Young Bracketology comes your way tonight on the WWE Network,
immediately following SummerSlam.
And speaking of SummerSlam,
it is red-hot inside Barclays Center in Brooklyn,
and coming up next,
the Raw Tag Team titles are on the line.
Cesaro and Sheamus to take on Ambrose and Rollins.
That's right, ladies and gentlemen.
Seth Rollins. Dean Ambrose.
Tonight is the anticipated reunion of those two men.
[brooding music playing]
[Young] There's been a lot of talk.
Are you and Seth Rollins getting back together?
I gotta admit, we looked pretty good out there.
[Cole] Ambrose and Rollins are rolling.
[Ambrose] As far as your question, are me and Seth getting back together,
now you--
[Rollins] It felt like old times.
[music intensifying]
[Cole] The Shield standing tall.
[Layfield] Believe in The Shield.
Before you and anybody else gets their hopes up,
let's make one thing clear.
I still don't trust you.
So as much as the WWE Universe might want it,
and maybe even some small part of me wants it too,
I got burned by you once.
It's not gonna happen to me again.
[music fades]
[Cesaro] Ah, Seth.
[ominous music playing]
Dean was your last chance of success.
And now look at you. You're all alone.
You seem to be digging yourself a hole, Rollins.
The funny thing about holes is,
when you're in them,
stop digging.
[Cole] Cesaro causing the distraction.
Sheamus rolling up Rollins.
Shoulders down, and Sheamus steals one.
[Graves] In this particular instance,
a friend is exactly what Seth Rollins would have needed.
[Cole] Where is Dean Ambrose?
[music fades]
[stirring music playing]
[Ambrose] Now I look like a real jerk, uh?
I'm a real jerk.
Because you are a real jerk.
I don't know if you're the same guy or not.
I'm not sticking around long enough to find out.
I got Cesaro tonight. And like always, I gotta go it alone.
[Cole] Ambrose… Oh, and Sheamus off the distraction.
Dean got him, and he thwarts the distraction by Sheamus.
Just like that, Sheamus attacking Ambrose.
[crowd cheering]
[music fades]
[crowd roars]
[tense music playing]
[crowd chanting] Yes! Yes! Yes!
[crowd groaning]
[music fades]
[Ambrose] I know after last week, a lot of people are wondering
just what in the world is going on with Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose?
And I'm wondering the same thing myself.
♪ Burn it down! ♪
Look, you're the guy who comes out here one week to save me,
and the next you disappear?
If we teamed up again, we could run this place.
-[energetic rock music playing] -[crowd cheering]
[dramatic rock music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] These two were like brothers. Now they're tearing each other apart.
[Cole] Things are gonna get real worse,
real fast.
[crowd roars]
[Booker T] These guys have to work together
if they're gonna take on the Tag Team Champions.
[music fades]
-[crowd roars] -[music resumes]
[Cole] Brothers united
for a common cause.
[inaudible]
[music fades]
[whooshing]
[Cesaro's theme music playing]
[Sheamus's theme music playing]
[Sheamus and Cesaro yelling aggressively]
[bell rings]
[JoJo] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the Raw Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first,
they're the Raw Tag Team Champions,
Sheamus and Cesaro!
[Graves] Speaking to Cesaro earlier in the afternoon,
he told me that Sheamus and himself requested to make their entrances first
as the reigning Raw Tag Team Champions.
They believe it's a psychological advantage to hold the ring
and show Ambrose and Rollins just what they're preparing for.
[Cole] Only once over the past 15 years before tonight
have Tag Team titles changed hands at SummerSlam.
But in our Kickoff show tonight,
as part of SmackDown Live,
The Usos winning the Tag Team gold from The New Day.
Can Ambrose and Rollins win the gold from Sheamus and Cesaro here tonight?
[Graves] Bad weekend thus far to walk into Brooklyn as Tag Team Champions.
The same with NXT last night.
[Seth Rollins's theme music playing]
[cheering]
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[JoJo] Their opponents, first, from Davenport, Iowa,
weighing 217 lbs,
Seth Rollins!
[Cole] On June 2 of 2014,
that man, Seth Rollins, buried a steel chair
in the back of both Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose,
causing the breakup of The Shield.
Well, tonight two thirds of The Shield is back together again,
as Rollins and Ambrose join forces.
It was also at SummerSlam that same year, Corey,
Rollins and Ambrose did battle in a one-on-one lumberjack match.
Oh, how we've come full circle tonight.
[Graves] Brooklyn and SummerSlam in particular have been very kind
to Seth Rollins in the past.
It was here that Rollins made history
by becoming World and United States Champion at the same time.
[JoJo] His tag team partner, from Cincinnati, Ohio,
weighing 225 lbs,
Dean Ambrose!
[Cole] Dean Ambrose has never been a Tag Team Champion.
Rollins once held the tag titles with Roman Reigns.
Will it happen tonight?
The highly anticipated reunion of Ambrose and Rollins at SummerSlam.
[Graves] Out of the gate, I don't necessarily know I believe it.
Rollins and Ambrose will fight alongside one another,
but are they a cohesive unit like their opponents, Sheamus and Cesaro?
The Bar are a team in every sense.
[Booker T] This is gonna be a tag team match,
a Tag Team Championship match
that we're gonna remember for a long time, guys.
[Cole] To Corey's point, Sheamus and Cesaro have been talking about
all the hype, in their words, of the Ambrose and Rollins reunion.
But they say that Rollins and Ambrose,
well, their relationship is very fragile at this point,
so they're gonna hit hard,
and they're gonna let cracks splinter here at SummerSlam.
[Booker T] Sheamus and Cesaro, when they came out of the curtain,
you could tell they're looking for a fight. Normally,
the champions wanna come out second and ice their opponents.
Make them wait a little bit. These guys are ready to go.
[Cole] Dean Ambrose starting off with Cesaro.
In fact, these teams really started getting at it a couple of nights ago
at the WWE 2K18 kickoff party.
A couple of altercations that night between these four men.
[Booker] I saw that.
[Graves] It's amazing how quickly this rivalry has devolved
into such a deeply personal bitterness.
[Cole] And now it's Sheamus who is going to try his hand with Ambrose.
Dean Ambrose a former WWE Champion,
two-time Intercontinental Champion,
former, uh, United States Champion.
[Booker T] Gotta look at what Sheamus and Cesaro went through
to get to this point, guys. Not respected.
Not… not two guys that was on the same page,
but found their way, and now look at them,
Tag Team Champions.
[Graves] And that's sort of been the recurring theme.
Even as reigning Tag Team Champions,
Sheamus and Cesaro still feel like
they're not getting the respect that they deserve.
[Cole] They'll get it if they win this matchup tonight.
Tag made by Rollins.
Seth now the legal man.
Right now at this point,
three former Money in the Bank contract holders in the ring
at the same time. Ambrose, Rollins, Sheamus. Cover.
Kick-out by "The Celtic Warrior."
You mentioned two years ago, Corey, at SummerSlam,
the night that Seth Rollins beat John Cena to become WWE and United States Champion.
First time that happened.
And Cesaro delivers a wicked uppercut to Rollins.
[Graves] Cesaro one of the most physically gifted athletes
WWE has ever known.
[Booker T] Another guy that feels disrespected around here, guys.
[Cole] Tag. Here comes Ambrose.
And the double-team working to perfection by Ambrose and Rollins.
Down goes Cesaro.
Ambrose, quickly, cover. Forearm in the face.
Referee can't get into position before Cesaro kicks out.
[Graves] So far, the team of Rollins and Ambrose looks to be firing
on most of the cylinders.
It's like riding off… riding a bicycle.
[Cole] Yeah, but again, if you're the tag champs, Cesaro and Sheamus,
you wanna just survive that early emotional wave
that we expected out of these two
teaming together for the first time in years tonight.
[Graves] That's what I'm curious about. A little more…
[Cole] Oh!
[Graves] …timely tag team offense.
[Cole] Ambrose knocking Sheamus through the ropes,
and Rollins and Ambrose holding court.
[Booker T] No surprise Rollins and Ambrose are working as a team.
I mean, The Shield was Tag Team of the Year in 2013.
[Graves] Yeah, but it's 2017, Booker T.
[Booker T] Come on… Hey, that's just more experience.
[Cole] You're looking at a team that could be Tag Team of the Year this year.
[Graves] This is not The Shield. This is two thirds of The Shield,
who have a possibly irreparably fractured relationship.
[Cole] And this is just their first match back.
They haven't teamed together in years.
They've been at each other's throats for most of the past three years.
[Booker T] When you've been around each other like these guys…
-[Cole] Cesaro blasting Ambrose. -[Graves] Oh! Brogue Kick!
From out of absolutely nowhere.
[Cole] And Rollins… And look at Cesaro.
Sent through the second rope.
And Seth Rollins looking to fly.
Here comes Seth Rollins.
Suicide dive. Caught by the Tag Team Champions.
And Rollins… Oh, planted!
And now the tag champs have taken over.
Come on!
[Graves] Just that quick.
[Booker T] The Tag Team champs went in the playbook, guys,
and called one.
[Cole] Watch Sheamus here
with a Brogue to Ambrose.
And when it comes to physical,
there's no two men more physical than Sheamus and Cesaro
in all of WWE.
[Booker T] Rollins landed right on his hip, guys.
Not a good spot to land on, trust me.
[Cole] Cesaro, at his first-ever pay-per-view match at SummerSlam
back in 2012, and he won the United States Championship that night,
as he tags in the former four-time WWE Champion Sheamus.
And Sheamus with a knee to Rollins.
[Graves] Right into the pec muscle.
[Booker T] You want respect in this business,
you just gotta go out there and take it.
I respect Sheamus and Cesaro being the champs
and not taking a step back, taking on all comers.
You gotta love it.
[Cole] Cesaro taking out Rollins.
You know, Rollins and Ambrose, Corey, part of the Social Media Lounge
on the SummerSlam Kickoff show.
Very, very confident, cracking jokes,
having fun with one another earlier tonight,
but I don't think they are now.
[Graves] I'm sure they've enjoyed spending a few days together in Brooklyn
as a way to mend fences as to what's happened in the past.
But Cesaro and Sheamus are on the same team all the time.
They have been for quite some time now.
[Cole] Cesaro and Sheamus have the edge because they were enemies first
then became friends and Tag Team Champions.
They think the fact Rollins and Ambrose were friends first,
then enemies, are gonna hurt.
[Booker T] Coming up, every time I had a guy wanting to get into a fight with me,
I didn't mind getting into a fight with him,
and after, guys, we became the best of friends,
and I think that's what we're seeing right here with Sheamus and Cesaro.
[Graves] Rollins doing his best to fight out of enemy territory.
[Cole] Blockbuster. Down goes Cesaro,
and can Seth Rollins…
I was gonna say can he make a tag,
but Dean Ambrose is still not recovered from the Brogue Kick
that Sheamus delivered to him. Ambrose is still outside the ring.
Rollins has no one to tag.
Ambrose is still out.
[Graves] Rollins is all on his own,
and "The Celtic Warrior" with a knee to the spine of Rollins.
[Booker T] Very tender spot right there on Seth Rollins.
He's been taking a beating, guys.
[Graves] Sheamus… focusing his attack on the spine.
[Cole] Sheamus, cover again on Rollins,
and a kick-out.
[Graves] Notice how when Sheamus slammed Rollins down,
it was in his own corner.
Sheamus and Cesaro have done a great job
of cutting the ring in half and isolating "The Kingslayer."
[Booker T] Great tag team work right there, Corey. I agree 100%.
[crowd roars]
[Cole] What… what is…
What on earth is Cesaro doing?
[Graves] Someone in the WWE Universe had a beach ball.
Cesaro got sick of it.
This is what… this is what The Bar's always talking about.
They don't get enough respect.
People are playing with beach balls while they're doing what they do best,
while they're defending their Raw Tag Team titles.
[Cole] And the problem for Seth Rollins,
Seth Rollins is gonna…
he's gonna… he's gonna pay for it. He's gonna take the brunt of this,
because of what the WWE Universe did.
Here's Cesaro. Cover on Rollins.
Wrapping the arm, and a kick-out by Rollins.
[Graves] You're absolutely right, Cole.
Seth Rollins, you can thank the WWE Universe
for disrespecting the champs.
You're about to feel it.
[Cole] Cesaro and Sheamus constantly say that they're "the bar."
They set the bar in WWE as far as tag teams go.
I mean, here's a team that ended the streak
of the longest reign in history of Tag Team title holders, The New Day.
Cesaro and Sheamus have been very, very successful.
Extremely dominant. Looking to do that again tonight,
and Rollins, though, with a kick to the side of the face.
[Booker T] They're very dominant as of late.
I tell you, Sheamus and Cesaro, some point along the way,
they clicked in, a lightbulb switch came on
and said, "Hey, guys, let's go out here and get the job done." I love it.
[Graves] Ambrose starting to stir in the corner. Rollins sees it,
but Seth is still a good 20 feet away from his partner.
[Cole] But the other question is, how much recovered
is Ambrose from the Brogue Kick?
Cesaro, tag.
And great job by Cesaro, getting in front of Rollins,
not allowing Rollins to make it to his partner.
Cutting the ring off.
Classic tag team wrestling, Booker, as you well know.
[Booker T] Great work right there. What I see right there,
Sheamus and Cesaro are just putting a beatdown on…
[Cole] Booker, you were in one of the best teams of all time,
you and your brother, Harlem Heat. When you look at Cesaro and Sheamus,
what makes them so great today?
[Booker T] The thing is, they're working on the same page.
They know exactly what the job and the task at hand is.
"Let's go out there and beat these guys."
"Not only just beat these guys, but prove a point to the Universe
that we are The Bar. We are the stepping stone in WWE."
"You wanna get past us and be something, you gotta go through a lot of hell."
That's what I like about them.
[Graves] I don't think Sheamus and Cesaro have any intention
of being a stepping stone for anybody.
[Cole] Cesaro hit hard. Cesaro may have hurt his knee.
Cesaro hit hard when he came out of the ring,
favoring his left knee.
Is Rollins gonna be able to make a tag to Ambrose?
Cesaro tags Sheamus.
Here comes "The Celtic Warrior."
[Graves] Look at the raw power of Sheamus.
[Cole] Went for a cheap shot. Ambrose wisely jumped off the apron.
[Booker T] That's a mistake. That's a mistake right there by Ambrose.
[Cole] Seth Rollins out in enemy territory.
And now the tag champs attacking Rollins.
[Graves] Cesaro might have suffered an injury to his knee, but…
Uh-oh! The lunatic's on the loose!
[Cole] And Ambrose… Oh, and he took out both Cesaro and Sheamus.
[Graves] And his partner.
[Booker T] That's what a great partner's gonna do.
He's not gonna just let his partner just keep getting beat up.
I respect that right there from Dean Ambrose.
[Cole] Ambrose up to the apron, begging for Rollins to make a tag.
Sheamus trying to prevent Seth Rollins from making it across the ring.
Can "The Architect," "The Kingslayer" Seth Rollins
drag himself to Ambrose?
Sheamus trying to hang on for dear life.
Rollins… creates separation.
Tag by Cesaro.
Rollins rolls through.
Here comes "The Lunatic Fringe"!
And Dean Ambrose fired up.
[Booker T] After the beating on Seth Rollins,
I tell you right now, Dean Ambrose is gonna have to do all the work by himself,
and that right there, I think that was part of the strategy, guys.
[Graves] I don't think anyone should strategize
to face Sheamus and Cesaro all on their own.
[Cole] A little payback for that Brogue Kick earlier,
but… Oh, went for the uppercut. Backslide by Ambrose
for the Tag Team Championship. Two-count.
[Booker T] I'm talking about for Sheamus and Cesaro to go out here
and just have a little bit more left in the tank at the end of the race.
I think that's what this is all about, guys.
[Cole] Cesaro stunned. Ambrose heads up to the top rope.
One can only imagine what Ambrose has in mind.
Sheamus…
[Graves] Running interference on behalf of his partner.
-Here comes Rollins. -[Cole] Down goes Sheamus.
[Booker T] Where'd Seth Rollins come from?
[Cole] Now Ambrose and Rollins are rolling.
Both Cesaro and Sheamus sent out of the ring.
[Graves] Rollins and Ambrose holding the ring once again.
[cheering]
Guys, do you believe?
[Cole] Suicide dives!
[Booker T] You said it was like riding a bicycle, right?
[Graves] It appears that could be the case.
-[Cole] That's what you said, Book. -[Booker T] That's what Corey said.
[Graves] Did I say that? Oh, sorry.
[Cole] Tag. Here comes Rollins.
Double-team again by Ambrose and Seth Rollins.
And Rollins with a blockbuster with Ambrose aiding,
Cover for the Tag Team Championship here at SummerSlam,
and a kick-out.
[Graves] Very unique offense. Rollins and Ambrose executing
something of an elevated double-team sling blade,
but still not enough to keep "The Swiss Cyborg" down.
[Cole] Even when I give you credit, Booker…
[Booker T laughing]
And here's Ambrose.
-[Graves] Sheamus on the outside. -[Cole] Ambrose is legal.
Ambrose made the tag.
Rollins taken out hard.
Ambrose runs into an uppercut!
Thunderous uppercut.
Cover by Cesaro.
Kick-out at two.
[Booker T] The Tag Team Champions come in tonight with a strategy,
and I think it's just to weather the storm,
as well as dish out a whole lot of punishment.
And I like that strategy.
[Cole] Rollins is suffering a tremendous amount of punishment.
[Graves] Cesaro thinking about the Neutralizer.
[Cole] His finishing maneuver, the Neutralizer.
He's got Ambrose in position.
Ambrose with the knee to the forehead, follows it up with a right hand.
[Graves] As talented as Cesaro is,
I don't know if you wanna throw hands with "The Lunatic Fringe."
Oh-ho, maybe I'm wrong.
-[Cole] No, you're not! -[Graves] Nope. [chuckles]
[Booker T] Great combination right there by Cesaro, but I tell you,
"The Lunatic Fringe," always on the rebound,
you gotta watch him every second.
[Graves] Tag is made. Here comes "The Celtic Warrior."
[Booker T] Beautiful.
[Cole] That cheap shot blasting Rollins off the apron
and down goes Ambrose.
[Graves] That wasn't cheap. That was smart strategy.
[Booker T] Tag team action right there is what it is, Cole.
[Graves] Ambrose once again isolated. "The Celtic Warrior" on the top rope.
This won't end well for Ambrose.
[Booker T] That right there by this guy,
that's a big guy to pull something off like that.
Skinning the cat.
[Cole] But it looked like he hurt his wrist getting up,
and that hesitation may have cost him, because Dean Ambrose has taken over.
[Graves] Arm strikes to the midsection of Ambrose.
[Cole] Rollins back on the apron.
Double-team!
Tag, Rollins.
[Graves] Ambrose gonna give it another try.
-Aah! -[Cole] Superplex.
-[Booker T] Whoa! -[Cole] Frog Splash!
-[Booker T] Beautiful! -[Cole] Cover by Rollins.
Oh, and Cearo saving the Tag Team titles.
[Graves] It was too close for comfort for Sheamus and Cesaro,
that's for absolutely sure,
but what great teamwork by Rollins and Ambrose.
[Booker T] Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, first match back as a tag team,
and they're doing a hell of a job. Check this out right here.
Look at the height.
[Graves] The height and, most importantly, the impactful ending.
Still not enough to take the titles from the champs.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[Cole] And the WWE fans enjoying this Tag Team Championship matchup.
[Graves] Ooh!
-[Cole] Look at Sheamus. -[Booker T] A fighter right there.
[Cole] And "The Celtic Warrior" brawling now with Rollins and Ambrose.
-Tag. Ambrose is legal. -[Graves] Look at this!
[Cole] Those looks familiar huh?
[Booker T chuckling]
[Graves] Better be careful. You can't win the titles if you get disqualified.
Rollins and Ambrose are having fun. Gotta be careful.
[Cole] Oh, and Sheamus…
-Uh-oh. -[cheering]
[Graves] Referee obviously being lenient for the high-stakes matchup.
Oh, here comes Cesaro.
There goes Rollins.
[Cole] That distraction may have… Sheamus rolling up Ambrose!
Tried to grab the jeans, and Ambrose kicked out at two.
[Booker T] Mm!
[Cole] Tilt-a-whirl slam by Sheamus.
And again a kick-out by Ambrose.
[Booker T] You can tell this match is taking its toll on everybody, guys.
[Graves] You're right, Book. High stakes. Big stage.
"Biggest Party of the Summer."
It's what being a WWE Superstar in the elite category is all about.
[Cole] The story so far is the fact
that Ambrose and Rollins have been able to get along
against Cesaro and Sheamus tonight for the tag titles.
No splinters shown,
as Sheamus and Cesaro predicted would.
And here's the crossbody.
Lateral press. Ambrose rolls through. Hooks the leg on Cesaro.
[Booker T] Whoa!
[Cole] Went for Dirty Deeds, and Cesaro able to counter.
[Graves] We're going swinging!
[Cole] Step-through. Looking for the Sharpshooter.
Sharpshooter locked in to Dean Ambrose.
[Booker T] Got it locked right there, and it's deep right now.
[Graves] The very maneuver that Natalya won the Women's Championship with
earlier in the evening.
[Cole] The Sharpshooter earlier tonight, and Dean Ambrose in trouble.
Is he gonna tap out?
[Booker T] He's gonna need an assist, man. He's gonna need an assist quick,
or this match could be over.
[Grave] Maybe it's guts, maybe it's insanity,
but there is no quit in Dean Ambrose.
[Cole] Not at all, but maybe there is now
and he's dragged back to the center. Cesaro sitting out here.
All the pressure on the lower back of Ambrose.
And Sheamus with a rolling senton to Rollins.
[Graves] "Celtic Warrior" patrolling the perimeter for his team,
just prevented Rollins from getting involved.
[Booker T] Nobody there to save him now, guys.
It's over. It's over.
-[Graves] Great transition by Cesaro. -[Cole] Incredible transition.
[Graves] Crossface locked in in the center of the ring.
[Cole] Submission move on Dean Ambrose.
[Booker T] The thing we got is Dean Ambrose can take a whole lot of pain.
He don't mind suffering.
[Graves] Yeah, but at the end of the day, Booker, Dean Ambrose is a human being,
and the human anatomy can only take so much.
First the Sharpshooter, now the crossface locked in.
What's Ambrose gonna do? Is he gonna tap out?
Ambrose trying to reverse. Cesaro's shoulders down,
and that forces a break.
Oh, and Sheamus with a cheap shot to the lower back.
Tag.
[Graves] Oh no. What do these two have in mind?
[Cole] "Celtic Warrior," clothesline!
-[Booker T] That's it. -[Cole] Cover.
[Booker T] That's it.
[Cole] Ambrose kicks out!
[Graves] Wow!
[Booker T] No way I saw that coming.
I did not think Dean Ambrose was gonna kick out.
I don't care how much pain he can take.
[Graves] The expression in Sheamus's eyes tells the story.
The absolute shock. Disbelief.
-[Booker T] Thought it was over. -[Cole] Here's Cesaro.
Cesaro and Sheamus, double-team again on Dean Ambrose.
-[Booker T] Double crucifix right there. -[Cole] Cover.
Cesaro hooks the leg.
Oh, and it's Rollins at two and a half!
[Graves] Rollins too quick.
You could see Cesaro trying to instruct Sheamus
to keep Rollins out,
but Seth was able to beat Sheamus in that case.
[Cole] And now the Tag Team Champions angry.
[Booker T] Playbook just went out of the window, guys.
[Graves] When plans don't work, sometimes you gotta call an audible
and just power through.
You can almost see the wheels in Cesaro's mind spinning.
Oh no.
[Cole] And Cesaro again just taking out Ambrose.
Ambrose was begging for more,
and the two-on-one assault again.
[Graves] Dean Ambrose having a Tyler Durden moment,
but then quickly reality set in.
This is The Bar we're dealing with.
[Cole] Sheamus has got Ambrose set up for White Noise.
-Seth Rollins, though… -[Graves] Whoa-ho-ho!
[Cole] Hurricanana sent Cesaro flying into Sheamus!
Cesaro a battering ram into his own partner.
Super kick.
[Graves] Knee right to the jaw.
-[Cole] Dirty Deeds! -[Booker T] Oh my goodness!
-[Cole] Cover. -[Graves] No way!
No way!
-[crowd roars] -[Cole] New Tag Team Champions!
[Dean Ambrose's theme music playing]
[JoJo] Here are your winners, and the new Raw Tag Team Champions,
Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose!
[Cole] Absolutely incredible!
[Graves] It was improbable.
Many thought it was impossible,
but it is now the cold, hard reality.
The unlikeliest of duos, Rollins and Ambrose,
are the new Raw Tag Team Champions.
[Booker T] Look around the Barclays.
Everybody is on their feet,
and you gotta love it.
[Cole] Can you believe this, Corey?
Who would have predicted just seven nights ago
that this would happen at SummerSlam?
[Graves] I never thought I would see this go down,
but I'm still trying to process it.
Look at this. What a car crash.
Rollins, Ambrose, Cesaro, and Sheamus,
bodies all over the place.
Rollins super-kicking everything that moves.
And here it is. The jumping knee to the jaw.
Dirty Deeds.
Ambrose and Rollins go home with the straps.
[Cole] No doubt Ambrose and Rollins were a well-oiled machine tonight.
Guys, it's like they never missed a step.
They never missed a beat.
It's like it's 2014 all over again.
[Booker T] They're enemies one day, guys, The next, they're the Tag Team Champions.
You gotta love it.
The celebration at SummerSlam.
They are your new Raw Tag Team Champions.
[music drowns out speech]
[Graves] Sheamus and Cesaro set the bar,
and tonight a couple of hounds just jumped over the thing.
[Booker T laughing]
[Booker T] You're right about that, Corey.
[music fades]
[crowd clamoring]
-[man 1] Could be time! -["Champion" by Tyrone Biggs playing]
Kinshasa!
[Ross] And a Rock Bottom!
♪ The definition of a champion… ♪
[Ranallo] Styles looking for the Styles Clash.
[Layfield] Styles Clash!
♪ And it feels like I'm on top of the world… ♪
[Cole] And Finn Balor looking to put him away!
[Ross] Savage with the leap.
Elbow!
[Cole] Roman Reigns exploding out of the corner.
♪ The definition of a champion ♪
♪ Definition of a champion, oh ♪
-[Saxton] No way. -[Cole] Onto his shoulders.
Play as your favorite WWE Superstars
in WWE Champions.
I'm not finished with you!
And the power is in your hands with WWE Champions,
and speaking of which, tonight, John,
every championship that has been competed for tonight has changed hands.
It has. So far, it's been a bad night for champions.
-Will that continue with AJ Styles? -We're gonna find out here tonight.
AJ Styles set to defend the United States Championship
against Kevin Owens.
Here's the caveat.
Special guest referee,
the Commissioner of SmackDown Live,
Shane McMahon.
This is a rivalry that encountered a unique twist
all in pursuit of the United States title.
[whooshing]
[tense music playing]
[Phillips] Welcome to our main event. Triple threat match
for the United States title.
The champion, Kevin Owens, versus AJ Styles versus Chris Jericho.
Kevin Owens was shocked
when Shane McMahon made the match earlier tonight.
[Saxton] Kevin Owens going for the home run.
-[Layfield] He won't kick out of this. -[Phillips] Cover.
-[Layfield] The hell? -[Phillips] Wait.
Styles pulls Owens out of the cover.
Wants the cover for himself.
[crowd] One, two, three!
[Phillips] AJ Styles won it!
[Layfield] He stole it!
-♪ Show 'em who I am ♪ -♪ Here we go… ♪
[Owens] This is not fair. It's not fair.
Shane McMahon forced me to defend my title
in a triple threat match.
I want my rematch next week.
♪ Here we go ♪
-♪ Hey ♪ -♪ I'mma show 'em who I am ♪
♪ Here we go, hey ♪
♪ I'mma show 'em who I am… ♪
[Phillips] Oh, wait. The official's down.
[Saxton] Oh, he's going for it.
[Phillips] Cover by Styles. The official on the cover.
-And Styles wins it. -[music fades]
[Layfield] There was no pinfall. Kevin Owens had his shoulder up.
We got a… we got a big problem.
[McMahon] Unfortunately, you made a bad call.
[Layfield] Kevin Owens had one shoulder up.
[Saxton] The official couldn't see it.
[Owens] Are you kidding me?
Are you kidding me?!
[McMahon] Your shoulder was up, so I'm gonna give you a rematch
for the United States Championship at SummerSlam.
Nah. SummerSlam? I want a referee who can do his damn job.
Hey, hey, you know what?
I've got a referee for you.
Shane.
He's the worst one here.
Tell you what, Kevin. I am your referee at SummerSlam
if you want your championship rematch.
I will call this match right down the middle,
and I will not get involved
unless I have to.
Shane, how can you be unbiased
toward someone who did that to you?
I see what you're trying to do. If Shane screws me,
he'll activate the repercussions just like he did at WrestleMania.
♪ When you look into my eyes ♪
♪ Tell me, what do you see? ♪
♪ It's been a long time ♪
♪ Uh, since I been me ♪
♪ Not a human nor monster… ♪
[Styles] I am the best performer to ever step foot in a WWE ring.
♪ Uh, I'm a lost soul ♪
♪ I'm a freak I'm whatever you made me ♪
♪ I got a craving I want your blood on my teeth, ah! ♪
♪ So is this what you want, then? ♪
♪ You want a war Show me what's up, then… ♪
[Owens] That is my title.
You don't deserve to be anywhere near it.
♪ They ain't gon' be no discussion We ain't talking no more ♪
♪ We about to rush 'em ♪
♪ Never gon' see me coming ♪
♪ Take everything Leave 'em with nothing ♪
♪ I got nothing to lose I got nothing to lose ♪
[Owens] I am taking my championship back.
♪ Hey, when I'm looking at you now ♪
♪ All I see is my food… ♪
[Styles] This is as close as you're gonna get to the United States Championship.
♪ Hey, either ride or you die now ♪
♪ It's the moment of truth, hey ♪
[McMahon] I will not get involved unless I have to.
Do not give me a reason to get involved.
♪ So is this what you want, then? ♪
♪ You want a war Show me what's up, then ♪
♪ Now we're ready to bust in ♪
♪ Take everything Leave 'em with nothing ♪
♪ Ain't gonna be no discussion ♪
♪ We ain't talking no more We about to rush 'em ♪
♪ Never gon' see me coming ♪
[McMahon] Do not give me a reason to get involved. [echoing]
♪ Take everything Leave 'em with nothing ♪
[music fades]
[whooshing]
-♪ Here comes the money ♪ -♪ Here we go ♪
♪ Here comes the money ♪
♪ Money, money, money, money, money Money, money, money, money, money ♪
♪ Dollar, dollar ♪
♪ Ching-ching, bling-bling What's the chatter ♪
♪ You ain't talking money Then your talking don't matter ♪
♪ Ching-ching, bling-bling Patting pockets… ♪
[Hamilton] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the special guest referee
for the next match, SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon!
[Phillips] Shane-O-Mac has said, quote,
"I can take a hit and keep going."
But he laid the law down very clearly to Kevin Owens and AJ Styles
with his family here at ringside here tonight in Brooklyn.
"If you put your hands on me again, I will put my hands all over you."
[Layfield] That's not something a referee normally warns competitors about,
but with Shane-O-Mac, it's what you expect.
[Phillips] And very necessary for this rivalry.
[Kevin Owens's theme music playing]
[bell rings]
[Hamilton] The following contest, scheduled for one fall,
is for the United States Championship.
Introducing the challenger,
from Marieville, Quebec, Canada,
weighing in at 266 lbs,
Kevin Owens!
[Phillips] Furious with the decision
for Shane McMahon to be the special guest referee
for this matchup,
Kevin Owens has tried to stir things up as best he could
between AJ Styles and Shane McMahon.
A checkered past there as well.
[Layfield] Incredibly checkered past. Kevin Owens sees conspiracies everywhere,
especially surrounding Shane McMahon.
[Phillips] Byron, he believes he's the victim of a ton of injustice
due to Shane McMahon.
[Saxton] I have it on good authority Kevin Owens spent so much time
pestering Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon about his "unfair treatment,"
he almost suffered some, uh, pretty hefty fines.
-[AJ Styles's theme music playing] -[cheering]
♪ No, they don't want none… ♪
[Hamilton] And his opponent, from Gainesville, Georgia.
weighing in at 218 lbs,
he is the United States Champion,
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles!
[Phillips] Despite the goading of Kevin Owens,
AJ Styles, John, he manned up. He apologized to Shane McMahon.
Shane said it wasn't necessary,
but, still, will what happened at WrestleMania
perhaps bleed through in this match with Styles and Shane?
[Layfield] You talk about a checkered past.
That's exactly what it is between AJ Styles and Shane McMahon.
You wonder if Shane can be unbiased in this.
As far as AJ Styles, he's like the Bambino in Wrigley Field.
He's been calling his shots since he's been here in WWE.
That's one of the reasons he is the United States Champion.
[Phillips] AJ Styles has been cautious. He asked Shane point-blank,
"Are you gonna screw me at SummerSlam?"
[Saxton] Talking to AJ, that's still a heavy concern going into this match.
You gotta worry about a Kevin Owens who's out for blood,
but AJ Styles told me
he still does not completely trust Shane McMahon
as the special guest referee.
♪ No, they don't want none ♪
♪ No, they don't want none… ♪
[Phillips] And Shane McMahon will preside over this matchup.
Kevin Owens and AJ Styles have been battling throughout the summer,
and a long history over the past few years in WWE.
And AJ Styles right after Owens.
The bell has not rung yet here for this match.
And Shane McMahon already having to play peacekeeper.
Oh, and Kevin Owens right back here on Styles.
And Owens is all over Styles.
And look at Shane.
-He's the one who started it. -Knock it off.
You gotta get him…
[both] Shut up.
-[Styles] Do your job. -[McMahon] Shut up.
-Ring the bell. -[bell rings]
[Layfield] Not what you're accustomed to seeing from a WWE official.
[Phillips] Here we go, #ustitle,
and AJ Styles fires back at Owens, taking him outside the ring.
[Saxton] You got a lot of heated emotions in this conflict.
[Phillips] And Kevin Owens fires back with an elbow here on AJ Styles.
Such a physical, intense rivalry
forcing the need for a special guest referee in this match.
[Saxton] It's been intense, controversial. Enter Shane McMahon.
[Phillips] Oh, AJ Styles with the running knee.
[Layfield] Right to the side of the face of Kevin Owens.
[Styles] Don't bother counting, Shane.
[McMahon] Two!
[Phillips] AJ Styles tossing Kevin Owens back inside the ring here
in this United States title match, and Owens right back on top of Styles.
That's why I'm the man!
[booing]
[Phillips] We talked about
how five championships have changed hands here tonight.
The five previous championship matches
with a special guest referee at this event,
every time the champion has lost.
Oof!
Challenging situation for both Styles and Owens here tonight.
Oh, and taken out by Styles.
[Layfield] I think the difference-maker can certainly be "The Phenomenal One,"
and that's AJ Styles.
SmackDown being the house that AJ built.
A lot of credibility in that statement.
[Saxton] New York has been favorable to AJ Styles.
Remember, he won his first United States Championship
inside nearby Madison Square Garden.
[Phillips] Not to mention last year at this event,
knocked off John Cena.
Ooh!
A backbreaker there from AJ Styles.
[Layfield] Yeah, in one of the best matches of 2016.
Repeated that performance at the Royal Rumble with John Cena.
[Phillips] This a very different encounter here for AJ Styles,
embroiled here in this rivalry with Kevin Owens,
and Shane McMahon keeping a close eye here on the action.
Oh!
Knee drop right across the face. Kevin Owens clutching at his right eye.
That's all you got?
[Saxton] AJ knows he can't leave any room for error in this matchup.
No shoulders up. No controversial calls.
[Phillips] Oh, right to the throat there of AJ Styles.
Kevin Owens fires out of the corner and connects big.
Oh! And so does Styles.
[Saxton] Styles wants to put an exclamation point
on a potential victory here tonight.
[Phillips] AJ Styles whipped into the corner.
Able to evade Owens. Oh, a big clothesline!
[Layfield] Just got turned inside out.
[Phillips] And a tremendous clothesline by Owens,
and now firing out here with punches on AJ Styles.
Who's "Phenomenal" now?
[booing]
[rumbling]
[Phillips] Watch this one more time.
AJ Styles thought he had some breathing room.
Bam! And the gap closed very quickly.
[Layfield] Nothing as beautiful in the world as a good, hard clothesline.
[Phillips] Thought you'd like that.
Now Kevin Owens has assumed control.
-[Layfield] It's like nirvana. -[Phillips] Oh!
Kevin Owens could win hi fourth United States title tonight here
and do it all in less than five months.
Prolific as a champion.
[Layfield] The double Hall of Famer who we send…
It's my title. You hear me?
[Layfield] …who we send our best wishes to
has held that championship more than anybody else.
Ric Flair with six US Championships.
[Phillips] The title dating back to 1975.
-And now Kevin Owens… -[Saxton] Did you hear that?
Did you hear that?
[Phillips] And AJ Styles is right in the target area.
Here comes Owens with a cannonball.
Now Owens rolls Styles into a cover,
and a kick-out.
[Owens and McMahon arguing]
Again, Shane McMahon…
That's bad placement.
[Phillips] Shane McMahon looked like he was all over that,
but Kevin Owens wasn't crazy about it.
[Layfield] Kevin Owens is gonna see black helicopters no matter what
when he talks about Shane.
He believes there's a conspiracy here in WWE.
[Phillips] Oof!
-[Layfield] Against him. -[Phillips] Oh, and a senton.
266 pounder. Here's the cover for the title,
and a kick-out.
And now Owens right on top of AJ Styles,
and this is right in KO's wheelhouse.
[Saxton] Yeah, slow down the pace. We know AJ Styles loves that quick offense.
Loves to speed up the track of this match,
but Kevin Owens jawjacking
and wearing down the United States Champion.
[Phillips] Styles trying to find a way out of this predicament,
trying to find a way he can retain the United States Championship
here at SummerSlam.
And Kevin Owens has slowed down the pace of this match.
Styles, those elbows right to the midsection.
Oh man, up on the shoulders is Styles.
-Oh! -[Layfield] Wow!
[Phillips] And a cover here by Owens,
and a kick-out.
-Three! -Two!
-Where'd you learn this? -Two.
[Layfield] Shane McMahon is calling it right down the middle.
[Owens] That was three.
[Layfield] I don't think Owens is happy with the Commissioner,
but Shane's doing a great job.
[Saxton] Best to temper his emotions.
[Phillips] Shane says he doesn't care who's champion.
He cares about the WWE Universe getting the decisive ending to a match
that they want.
AJ Styles feeling the brunt of Kevin Owens's offense.
Mm!
Oh!
[Saxton] Lighting up the chest of Styles.
[Phillips] Look at AJ Styles, asking Kevin Owens to deliver more.
These two pounding away on each other.
-[Saxton] That's what I wanna see. -[Layfield] A fighting's broke out!
[Phillips] Now Kevin Owens.
Oh, up on the shoulders of AJ Styles,
showing off some power.
Styles… Oh, and a facebuster!
And Styles able to get himself a little bit of breathing room here
between he and Kevin Owens.
[Saxton] That's the key. A little bit of time to reassess his game plan.
Figure out his next form of attack.
[Phillips] Watch this. AJ Styles… Bam!
Face-first sending Owens,
the innovative offense of Styles.
Now Styles… Hold on a sec.
-[Saxton] Uh-oh. -[Phillips] Styles Clash here on Owens…
And a great counter there by Owens.
-[Owens] Shut up! -[laughter, booing]
[Layfield] Styles going for that Styles Clash early.
[Phillips] And he almost stopped Kevin Owens dead in his tracks.
Went for the moonsault, and a super kick dropping Styles.
-Owens picks him up. -[Saxton] Looking to finish off Styles!
[Phillips] Wanted a Pop Up Powerbomb. Styles…
Fireman's carry neckbreaker.
[Saxton] What a quick counter by Styles.
[Phillips] Styles into the cover.
And a kick-out.
Owens still in this United States title match.
Two-count.
[Phillips] Shane McMahon keeping right up with the pace of this fight.
[Saxton] Don't take for granted how familiar AJ Styles and Owens are
with their repertoire, which makes it that much harder
to get the advantage over your opponent.
[crowd chanting] AJ Styles!
[Phillips] Now AJ Styles going up to the top turnbuckle here,
and Kevin Owens… Oh, Kevin Owens!
It looked like… Kevin Owens talked about involuntary contact.
And now Owens going up to the top here with AJ Styles.
Two!
[Phillips] Trying to collect Styles up on his shoulders.
Styles, elbows there to the side of the jaw.
Kevin Owens… Oh, dropped!
[Layfield] Wow!
[Phillips] A sunset flip powerbomb by AJ Styles.
But watch this again.
[Saxton] Yeah, uh, involuntary or not,
Owens was able to capitalize.
[Phillips] That is something Kevin Owens promised Shane
coming into this matchup.
"The only situation where I'd ever make… where I'd ever touch you
is through involuntary contact."
[Layfield] And that looks like what that was.
[Saxton] Here comes Styles.
[Phillips] Oh, the inverted 450,
but Shane McMahon got caught in the crossfire.
And the 450 off of the top rope,
and it looked like Shane McMahon was trying to check on Owens.
[Layfield] Looked like Shane was trying to check on Owens, and…
[Phillips] Watch this. AJ Styles flying through the air,
and watch this. Shane McMahon…
[Layfield] So Shane McMahon took most of the brunt of that 450 splash.
[Phillips] It was hard to tell what had happened there.
Shane McMahon looked like he was trying to see if Owens could continue.
[Saxton] If you're AJ Styles, do you worry about Shane McMahon,
or do you worry about Kevin Owens right now?
[Phillips] This is why Daniel Bryan selected Shane McMahon.
[Layfield] Crazy things that have happened…
[Phillips] Wait a minute. Kevin Owens, Pop Up Powerbomb!
Cover here by Owens. McMahon trying to collect himself.
Shane into position.
Oh, and a kick-out at two and a half!
Shut up! That was three!
[Layfield] Shane not able to get on that count right away
like he's been doing the entire match because of that 450 splash.
[Saxton] It's a blessing in disguise for AJ Styles.
[Phillips] And Shane can take a hit and keep on going.
[Layfield] There's been some crazy things in this rivalry.
Remember AJ Styles fell through an announce table,
got counted out?
[Owens] Where were you?
Where were you? You fall off buildings and you get back up.
But you can't get over there for a three-count?
-Two. -Are you kidding me?!
-Hey. -That was three!
It was two.
[crowd noise drowns out speech]
[Phillips] Now Kevin Owens turns his attention back to Styles
and misses. Shoulder-first into the post.
[Saxton] Oh!
[Phillips] Now AJ Styles trying to roll through,
and the Calf Crusher! Calf Crusher here by Styles.
[Saxton] Kevin Owens is in trouble.
[Phillips] Shane McMahon right on top of this submission.
AJ Styles trying to get Owens to tap out.
Grabbing at the face of Styles.
You! Watch the eyes, Kevin.
Watch the eyes. You okay?
[Saxton] Good call by Shane,
realizing that Kevin Owens was trying to rake the eyes of Styles.
[Layfield] Perfect position, but the time that Kevin spent arguing with Shane
was the time that allowed AJ to make--
[Phillips] Oh man! And kicked AJ Styles into Shane McMahon.
And Shane's been dumped outside the ring here.
And meanwhile AJ Styles continues to fight.
-Calf Crusher on Owens. -[Saxton] We've got no referee!
[Phillips] And referee Shane McMahon's down outside the ring here.
The submission being applied.
Kevin Owens could tap out here to AJ Styles.
[Saxton] The bad news for Owens is Styles can--
[Phillips] And Kevin Owens… Kevin Owens is tapping out!
Kevin Owens is tapping out in this match.
[Layfield] The referee calls the match. The referee was out of the ring.
[Phillips] And watch this again.
AJ Styles was trying to lock up Owens,
and Owens flicked him off into Shane.
I thought you could take a punch.
-Two. -Two?
-He tapped! -Hey.
-You knocked me out! -Do your job!
You could do a lot better than that.
Oh! Shane said don't give him a reason.
Cover. Oh, and a kick-out.
Two.
[Saxton] We saw Kevin Owens have issues with his temperament.
Now AJ Styles is in the same boat.
[Layfield] To Shane's credit, Shane doesn't wanna be involved.
Trying to call it down the middle.
[Phillips] Face-first into the turnbuckle.
Kevin Owens now with another opportunity.
Styles down.
Oh, and a forearm!
[Saxton] Owens stopped in his tracks.
[Phillips] Blasts out of the corner with a forearm.
AJ Styles, sense of urgency.
Oh, whipped into the turnbuckle!
[Layfield] Kevin Owens suplexed upside down,
right in that turnbuckle.
And Owens is dazed.
I think, to Shane's credit,
Shane's tried to call this right down the middle
and been in the wrong place at the wrong time a couple of times.
The referee always moves counter
to the way the contestants are moving in the ring,
and… Shane McMahon, obviously, not normally a referee.
[Saxton] In the meantime,
hazardous intentions in mind from AJ Styles..
[Phillips] AJ Styles to the top rope here.
Kevin Owens positioned perfectly for the United States Champion.
Caught him up.
Kevin Owens with the hand of AJ Styles here.
Look at… look at Owens.
[Saxton] Ahhhh…
[Phillips] Oh my God!
And the suplex off of the top turnbuckle.
Can Kevin Owens capitalize?
[Layfield] New United States Champion…
[Phillips] Cover. Kick-out by Styles.
[Saxton] Styles kicked out, but how much does Styles have left?
[Layfield] I don't know if AJ Styles has anything left, Byron.
I think he kicked out on instinct.
Look at this impact.
Absolutely planted.
Kevin Owens… plants AJ Styles.
[Saxton] You can't underscore how much this took out of Kevin Owens as well.
[Layfield] Kevin got a great cover.
Shane McMahon was there for the count.
That was three, and you know it!
[McMahon] Two.
[Layfield] I think Owens has in his mind there's a conspiracy against him,
and there's nothing you can convince him otherwise.
[Phillips] Oh!
And Kevin Owens and AJ Styles exchanging shots
here in the middle of the ring.
All this for the United States Championship.
[Layfield] Oh man!
That was thrown from right field by AJ Styles.
[Phillips] Oh!
And now Kevin Owens…
-[Saxton] Uh-oh. -[Layfield] Uh-oh.
[Phillips] And here's Styles unloading.
Pelé Kick missed.
-Super kick. -[Layfield] Got him!
[Phillips] Now Kevin Owens wants the Pop Up Powerbomb again here,
and Styles able to stop him.
-[Saxton] Oh, whoa-whoa. -[Phillips] AJ Styles.
AJ Styles into a cover.
Oh my God, wait a minute!
Styles Clash!
Trying to roll into the cover.
Shoulders down.
Oh, and a kick-out by Owens.
[Saxton] How in the world did Owens kick out?
[Layfield] Got in that Styles Clash in a hurry.
I don't think AJ was able to get all of it.
-Two. -Three.
[Saxton] I was in disbelief.
[rumbling]
[Phillips] Watch this one more time. AJ Styles gets all of this Styles Clash
here on Kevin Owens.
Shane McMahon, again, right position here.
[Layfield] Right in position.
[Phillips] And Kevin Owens able to get his shoulder off the mat in time.
AJ Styles not happy with the call.
[Saxton] Styles perhaps thinking Phenomenal Forearm.
[Phillips] Off the top rope.
Thought about it. Oh, into the bottom rope.
AJ Styles… Pop Up Powerbomb!
Kevin Owens, hook to the leg.
Foot on the-- Wait a minute!
No, no, no, no!
[Phillips] Shane's waving off the call.
-Shane's waving off his call. -Two.
[Layfield] Shane's right.
Two.
-What? -His foot was on the rope.
-What?! -His foot was on the rope.
-Give me my damn-- -Foot was on the rope.
Two. Two.
Two-count. Two-count.
Let's go.
What the hell are you talking about?
-Two-count. -Huh?
-What the hell are you talking about, huh? -Back off.
-What the hell are you talking about? -Two-count. It was a foot on the--
What the hell are you talking about?
Don't you touch me.
-Don't you touch me. -Don't you touch me.
Don't you touch me.
[cheering]
-[Phillips] Oh no… -[Layfield] Oh, and Shane McMahon!
[Phillips] Told him! Shane told him!
Styles nearly had Owens.
Owens misses.
Pelé Kick!
And Kevin Owens is staggered. Kevin Owens down to the mat here.
AJ Styles with an opportunity.
[Saxton] Owens was treading on dangerous ground there.
[Layfield] That dangerous ground allowed AJ Styles to recover.
[Phillips] Thought about exposing the elbow.
Now AJ Styles measuring Kevin Owens.
Phenomenal Forearm!
[Saxton] Connects!
[Phillips] And AJ Styles not done with Kevin Owens.
To leave no doubt at SummerSlam.
[Saxton] No room for error. Exclamation point.
Styles Clash!
If he can get it…
[Phillips] AJ gets all of it.
Rolls into the cover on Owens.
AJ Styles still champion.
[AJ Styles's theme music playing]
[Hamilton] Here is your winner, and still the United States Champion,
AJ Styles!
[Phillips] Talk about a matchup
that tested all three of the men involved here,
Shane McMahon as the referee, plus Styles and Kevin Owens.
[Layfield] I thought Shane McMahon did a great job.
He counted three, but his foot was on the rope,
clearly on the rope. Shane never rang the bell.
Kevin Owens, when he wakes up, is gonna be absolutely furious.
I have no doubt about that.
But I thought Shane McMahon called it right down the middle.
[Saxton] Shane had every reason to do something,
but he remained impartial,
and tonight AJ Styles has gotta be breathing a huge sigh of relief
that he is still the United States Champion.
[Phillips] Shane McMahon said he would do what is best for the WWE Universe
and this matchup,
and AJ Styles is gonna walk out of Brooklyn still champion,
but Kevin Owens has gotta be furious about the way this match went down.
Take a look back here.
Kevin Owens, this is where Kevin Owens believed he had the match won.
[Saxton] And for all intents and purposes,
look, at the last second,
Shane McMahon spotted the leg on the bottom rope,
waved it off. The bell never rang. The match continued.
[Layfield] Absolutely the right call.
[Phillips] And Kevin Owens was livid with Shane McMahon,
who said, "Don't put your hands on me or I'll fight back."
Nearly able to put away Owens there was Styles,
but Styles would unleash some big-time offense.
[Saxton] Phenomenal Forearm on the mark onto Kevin Owens.
But Styles would say, "No, I will leave no room for error."
Styles Clash delivered emphatically in the center of the ring,
and AJ Styles still your United States Champion.
[Layfield] What's been lost in some of these personal dynamics
is we just witnessed on hell of a US Championship match,
and that right there, AJ Styles,
is becoming one of the greatest competitors
and performers I've seen.
[Saxton] Styles earned every bit of that victory.
[Phillips] AJ Styles makes SummerSlam "Phenomenal."
He is still United States Champion.
This is what it's all about.
[music fades]
[man] We're here at Barclays Center.
Cricket Wireless and WWE are coming together today
to make kids smile.
[upbeat rock music playing]
[children] Whoa! Oh!
[Dwyer] We get involved with Cricket Cares
because we wanna get involved in the community and help our customers
and our communities out.
About 50% of all the kids your age
ave had some type of cyberbullying experience.
I wanna share with you a couple of ideas
of what you can do with technology to make this better.
Hey, guys. I'm at it again with Cricket Wireless.
We're about to go give everybody something to smile about.
-[children screaming] -Yo! Wait! Oh, what…
Use social media for positive stuff.
Send a good message,
and make sure to keep your spirits up
as much as you can.
They've met Superstars.
They've toured the Barclays.
I get to break through walls.
[all] And that's something to smile about!
[music ends]
[Phillips] Those kids aren't the only ones having fun in Brooklyn.
We are streaming live on the WWE Network
at the split of Flatbush and Atlantic.
This is the Barclays Center, live, in the heart of Brooklyn.
We gotta talk about SmackDown Live.
An incredible matchup there between AJ Styles and Kevin Owens.
Shane McMahon did exactly what he said.
Shane did exactly what he said. Personal dynamics aside,
that was one heck of a championship match.
We turn from the United States Championship now, Byron,
to the most prestigious prize in sports entertainment.
[Saxton] We got two questions that need answers here.
Will it be the continuation of the Era of the Maharaja,
or will it be the first day of the Nakamura Dynasty?
[Phillips] This rivalry began with a path
from arguably the greatest upset in WWE history.
[whooshing]
[intriguing music playing]
[man] In the blink of an eye,
everything can change.
[Saxton] Watch out, watch out, watch out!
[man 1] Unbelievable moments become a reality.
[Layfield] You're kidding!
[Phillips] Jinder Mahal is WWE Champion.
[Layfield] Here's to it, folks. We are in a new era.
[man 1] And a Superstar transforms into "The Modern-Day Maharaja."
[Indian ring announcers introduce Jinder Mahal]
[men] India number one!
[man 1] Seemingly overnight going from the unlikeliest of champions
to a national icon.
[Indian news reports on Jinder Mahal playing]
[man 1] Now, with the weight
of the entire nation of India on his shoulders,
Jinder Mahal has evolved into a resilient champion.
[Mahal] I celebrate for my people.
[Layfield] The first WWE Champion of Indian descent.
[man 1] Holding onto that claim of being the very best
by any means necessary.
[Phillips] Mahal able to find a way
to walk out still champion.
[man 1] Making "The Modern-Day Maharaja" more than just a persona,
but an undeniable reality.
But as history has proven,
any day can be the dawn of a new dynasty.
[crowd chanting] Nakamura!
Nakamura!
[man 1] An abstract artist
who made a name for himself in his native country of Japan,
only to become a worldwide sensation…
Shinsuke!
Nakamura, baby!
-[Nakamura speaking in Japanese] -[crowd responds in Japanese]
…whose indescribable aura and unparalleled atmosphere
has engulfed fans for more than a decade.
[Graves] He's so unique. Everything about this guy is different.
[man 1] Winning titles all around the globe.
His name has become synonymous with champion.
[Layfield] Nakamura was the youngest IWGP champ.
[man 2] Nakamura a superstar known the world over.
[man 1] Rising to the top of SmackDown Live
less than six months after making his debut
and defeating some of the very best WWE has to offer.
[Saxton] Shinsuke Nakamura may have just shocked the world.
[man 1] Shinsuke Nakamura now has his sights set
on the one title he's never held.
The WWE Championship.
And when it comes to winning World Championships,
for Nakamura, the question has never been "if,"
but "when."
[intriguing music playing]
Two uniquely distinct paths
winding up at the same destination.
SummerSlam.
Brooklyn, New York.
On one side,
a man looks to cement a legacy.
While the other looks to prove that he belongs at the top.
[Mahal] I will stay WWE Champion as long as I desire.
I am the future of WWE.
[Nakamura] This is my destiny.
[Phillips] Will a career full of artistry culminate with the victory of a lifetime?
[Mahal] I am the fighting pride of the great nation of India.
This is "The Modern-Day Maharaja" Show.
[Nakamura] I will be WWE Champion.
[Mahal] I'm looking at cementing my legacy now.
I will go down as the greatest of all time.
[Nakamura] At SummerSlam, the Nakamura Dynasty
begins.
[music fades]
[whooshing]
[cheering]
[Shinsuke Nakamura's theme music playing]
[cheering]
[crowd singing along to theme music]
[cheering]
[Phillips] There is a reason is the headline of the arts section
from The New York Times today.
Art is defined as what is beautiful
and what is of more than ordinary significance.
There is no more extraordinary Superstar than Shinsuke Nakamura.
[crowd singing along to theme music]
[Saxton] You're looking at a man who has had a meteoric rise here in WWE.
He has captivated an entire Universe,
and now he is one victory away from earning the top prize
of SmackDown Live.
[crowd singing Nakamura's theme music]
[booing]
Ladies and gentlemen,
your WWE Champion,
"The Modern-Day Maharaja…"
[both] Jinder Mahal!
[Jinder Mahal's theme music playing]
[music drowns out speech]
[Phillips] John, you know better than anybody
how important the WWE Championship is,
how you evolve with the championship in your possession.
Jinder Mahal has gone from an upstart
to a dominant champion.
[Layfield] You're right. It was the greatest upset probably in WWE history,
certainly that I know of,
but Jinder Mahal has grown into that WWE Championship.
In India, they speak of him in reverential tones,
like Sachin Tendulkar,
the same sports legend.
He believes that that country, his home country, is behind him,
and Jinder Mahal believes that the era of "The Modern-Day Maharaja"
is his destiny as the WWE Champion.
[Saxton] To that point, Jinder Mahal received an endorsement
from one of the top Bollywood stars, Mika Singh, last night.
Then earlier on this week, he received a congratulatory letter
from the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi.
[Phillips] He is certainly the pride of India.
1.3 billion people rest on his shoulders.
But it is the two people that accompanied him to the ring tonight,
The Singh Brothers, could be troublesome for Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Layfield] They have certainly helped Jinder retain that championship.
That's what The Singh Brothers are for.
By hook, by crook, leave champion.
The following contest, scheduled for one fall…
[crowd] One fall!
…is for the WWE Championship.
Introducing the challenger,
from Kyoto, Japan…
[cheering]
…weighing in at 220 lbs,
he is "The Artist Known As"
Shinsuke Nakamura!
[cheering]
And his opponent, accompanied by The Singh Brothers…
[booing]
…from Punjab, India,
weighing in at 238 lbs,
he is the WWE Champion,
Jinder Mahal!
[speaking in Hindi]
[bell rings]
[Phillips] #wwechampionship.
Daniel Bryan said it earlier tonight.
International appeal in our main event.
Shinsuke Nakamura and Jinder Mahal for the WWE title.
It is the grinding style of Jinder Mahal
against this quick-strike offense of Shinsuke Nakamura,
and, John, these exploratory strikes early from Nakamura.
[Layfield] Yeah, the seemingly insouciant personality of Nakamura
belies the fact that he is an absolute warrior in that ring,
one of the best strikers in the world.
[Phillips] Now trying to go muscle for muscle here
with Jinder Mahal, who's developed into quite the powerhouse.
[crowd chanting] Nakamura!
[Layfield] That's what Jinder's gonna try to do.
Jinder wants to overpower Nakamura,
which I think is Jinder's best plan here
for walking out of WWE champion… out of SummerSlam.
[Phillips] Now Nakamura trying to break free here.
So athletic, so nimble on his feet,
and Nakamura's got the champion right where he wants him.
[Saxton] We've heard the Sami Zayns, the John Cenas all say the same thing,
how difficult it is to prepare for Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Phillips] John, both these Superstars
walking into their very first matchups at SummerSlam.
How big is this stage for both Nakamura and Mahal?
[Layfield] Well, for Nakamura, look, it's simple.
He wants to be considered with the great legends of all time.
He was trained by Antonio Inoki. You got Giant Baba, Jumbo Tsuruta.
That's the field that Nakamura wants to be in.
He can be the first NXT, IWGP, and WWE Champion in history tonight.
[Saxton] Speaking of NXT, Nakamura won the NXT Championship
in this building one year ago to the day.
[Phillips] Can he rekindle some of that magic
here inside the Barclays Center?
And now Nakamura backing off Mahal into the ropes.
[referee] Back it up.
[unidentified Singh Brother] What is this? He can't do that!
[Saxton] What we were talking about, those unorthodox maneuvers.
[Phillips] And Mahal having none of it here from Nakamura.
Come on!
[Phillips] And Nakamura telling Mahal to bring the fight.
Mahal outside the ring.
[Saxton] No fear from the challenger in this matchup.
[speaking in Japanese]
[Layfield] The Singh Brothers out there taking care of their meal ticket.
Come on!
[Phillips] And again just prodding at the champion here.
[Layfield] This enigmatic Superstar is a true rock star, in every sense.
[Phillips] Right to the sternum there, that kick.
[crowd chanting] 3MB! 3MB! 3MB!
[Saxton] Nakamura has thrown Jinder off his game in the early going here.
[Phillips] And Shinsuke Nakamura holding the ring here,
but the only way he can win the title is by pinfall or submission.
Jinder Mahal is taking his time here outside the ring.
[Layfield] When you talk about Nakamura, his first SummerSlam match,
but this is a person who's loaded with experience.
[Phillips] We heard from our Hindi announce team.
We now check in with our Japanese team, Shun Yamaguchi and Funaki.
[both speaking in Japanese]
[Phillips] The world is watching. Nakamura with a knee drop there,
and Jinder Mahal is rocked.
-Nakamura is starting to feel it. -[crowd singing Nakamura's theme music]
[Saxton] Jinder's about to feel something else right now.
[Phillips] And Good Vibrations in the corner,
and you can hear it from the sold-out crowd here
at the Barclays Center.
And Jinder Mahal taking some time here outside the ring to collect himself.
-[Saxton] Not gonna get much time. -[Phillips] Nakamura on the pursuit.
And, boom, with the knee right to the midsection.
John, this is what Shinsuke Nakamura's so good at,
the Japanese strong style.
[Layfield] Exactly right. That hardcore style that… that…
Japanese style that has become so famous.
Nakamura won his first MMA fight against a Gracie.
[Phillips] The Singh Brothers provided a distraction,
and Mahal into the barricade.
[Saxton] That's been the MO of Jinder Mahal's reign as champion,
the assistance of The Singh Brothers.
[Phillips] Mahal sending Nakamura into the barricade.
Now back into the ring.
And Jinder Mahal, thanks to The Singh Brothers, back on top.
And now Jinder Mahal pounding away here on Shinsuke Nakamura.
[referee] Hey! Come on.
[Saxton] Nakamura had to know coming into this match
he was going to have to contend with The Singh Brothers.
[Layfield] Like them or dislike them,
The Singh Brothers have one purpose,
and that is to make sure that Jinder leaves SummerSlam as the WWE Champion.
[Phillips] This battle-tested champion withstood "The Viper" Randy Orton,
went toe-to-toe with John Cena,
dodged a bullet earlier this week
in the Money in the Bank cash-in from Baron Corbin.
[Layfield] And with every bit of that grows the confidence of Jinder.
You can see it. It's palpable,
just sitting here at ringside watching Jinder grow as a champion.
[Phillips] And this a style you've liked from Jinder Mahal.
He slows the pace down. He likes to grind away on his opponents.
[Layfield] Absolutely. You have one thing that Jinder has that most people don't,
and that is incredible strength.
And Jinder uses that to his advantage.
He doesn't try to be all things to all people.
He doesn't try to fly with people that fly.
He doesn't try to box with people that box.
He simply is a grinder. That's what he does best.
That's why he's WWE Champion,
and that's what will get him to walk out of here champion today,
if he can be successful against Nakamura.
[crowd chanting] Nakamura!
-Come on! -[Saxton] Oh, look at this.
[Phillips] And mocking Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Saxton] That just tells you the state of mind
and the state of confidence that Jinder Mahal is in right now.
Sharp right there from Mahal and drops Nakamura with an elbow.
[Layfield] Nothing pretty. Just effective.
When you're WWE Champion, you have one goal every night,
and that is to walk out, same as you walked in,
with that WWE Championship.
Doesn't have to be pretty. It doesn't have to be a classic.
You just have to walk out as champion.
[Phillips] That forearm right across the cheekbone there of Shinsuke Nakamura.
Jinder Mahal has slown down
the high-octane offense of Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Layfield] This is putting the pressure on Nakamura.
Look at this, leaning on him.
Making sure that Nakamura can't breathe.
Nakamura has to work for everything from underneath,
expelling that energy which Jinder is not having to expel.
[Saxton] Nakamura desperately trying to push up to… to break that grip.
Trying to muster up something somehow.
[Phillips] And Samir and Sunil Singh trying to help out Mahal,
but won't do it here in this matchup.
Nakamura…
Oh! With a knee right to the midsection here.
Nakamura caught him with the left, and down goes Mahal.
Both men down here in this match.
And The Singh Brothers trying to encourage Jinder Mahal here,
but Nakamura trying to get back up to his feet.
[Saxton] Nakamura's beat Jinder Mahal a little bit.
[Phillips] Now Nakamura on the run and connects with a boot right to the jaw.
It's all for the WWE Championship,
and Nakamura seizing the moment.
[Saxton] Nakamura coming to life.
[cheering]
[crowd] Ohhhh…
[Phillips] Oh, and the kicks right to the chest.
[Saxton] Nakamura's feet having a harsh discussion
with the chest of Jinder Mahal.
[Phillips] Mahal whipped across the ring. Nakamura has him in his sights
and connects here on Mahal.
[Saxton] Target in line. Here comes Nakamura.
[Phillips] One more time! Now a knee to the midsection.
And Nakamura slips into a cover here,
and Jinder Mahal gets a shoulder up in time.
[Layfield] Even the cover Nakamura does is unorthodox.
[Phillips] His nickname in Japan was Swagsuke.
Shows it off no matter what point in a match.
[Layfield] Reminds you of The Great Muta, and I think a better striker than Muta.
[Phillips] Wait a minute. Thinking about the inverted exploder suplex here,
and Jinder Mahal well scouted,
saw it coming here from Nakamura.
And Jinder Mahal just showing off his power.
[Layfield] That's the MMA background. Got him in an armbar.
[Phillips] Triangle here. Going for a triangle on Jinder Mahal.
Jinder Mahal, is he gonna tap out to Nakamura?
Nakamura so proficient in submission offense,
and Jinder Mahal using his long legs here to get to the bottom rope.
[Saxton] That large frame of Jinder Mahal coming in handy.
Might have just saved his championship.
[Phillips] And the official right on top of the submission,
and now Nakamura…
And again trying to out-muscle Jinder Mahal.
[Layfield] Front facelock on Jinder.
Trying to muscle Jinder up.
That's a battle that Nakamura doesn't normally win.
Not with Jinder.
[Phillips] You could hear that one echo throughout the arena.
-[Saxton] And… this time! -[Phillips] Face-first!
[Saxton] Uh-oh. Uh-oh!
[Phillips] Shinsuke… Shinsuke…
Oh, wanted the knee strike, ran into the turnbuckle.
Cover here from Mahal,
and a kick-out.
Nakamura into the top rope throat-first.
And Mahal with a knee on the run.
Mahal drops right into the cover here on Nakamura.
-And a kick-out. -[Saxton] Man! How close was that?
[Phillips] And Mahal was about a half a second away
from walking out of here with the WWE title.
[Saxton] Mahal stalking the challenger.
[yells indistinctly]
I think we know what the champion wants.
[Phillips] Dangerous territory here for the challenger, Shinsuke Nakamura.
Looking for the Khallas is Jinder Mahal here.
Oh! Right on the side of the face from Nakamura.
[Layfield] Jinder still on his feet.
[Phillips] Jinder is still up, and Mahal into the corner,
but Mahal into the steel post.
Critical mistake there for the WWE Champion,
and Shinsuke Nakamura is measuring Mahal.
Oh, the back of the neck!
[Layfield] The one you don't see is the one that knocks you out.
[Phillips] And the champion is down Shinsuke Nakamura with his opportunity.
-Nakamura… -[Saxton] Oh no.
[Phillips] And Samir Singh right in his face
and pays for it.
Wait a minute. Nakamura unloads on Sunil.
[Saxton] This three-pronged battle that Nakamura's gonna fight…
[Phillips] And one's over.
Both of The Singh Brothers.
-[Saxton] Uh-oh. -[Phillips] No, no, no.
Wait a minute. Mahal…
The Khallas!
-[Layfield] He got it! -[Phillips] Cover on Nakamura.
[Phillips] And he's beaten Shinsuke Nakamura.
[Jinder Mahal's theme music playing]
[Hamilton] Here is your winner,
and still the WWE Champion,
Jinder Mahal!
[Layfield] There are people who have called Jinder Mahal a flash in the pan,
who called it one of the biggest upsets, which it was,
but he has warded off Randy Orton.
He beat Randy Orton in his hometown on Father's Day in front of his dad.
He warded off John Cena,
and now he's defeated
one of the greatest Japanese superstars of all time.
"The Modern-Day Maharaja" era is upon us.
[Saxton] Once again, The Singh Brothers strike when it matters most
to ensure that Jinder Mahal is still the WWE Champion.
[Layfield] You're right, Byron. You'll get absolutely no disagreement from me.
It's what The Singh Brothers are there for,
and it's why Jinder is still the WWE Champion.
[Phillips] Watch this here.
Nakamura turning his attention to The Singh Brothers here.
He'd have to take care of these two in order to focus on Mahal.
[Saxton] Singh Brothers are willing to sacrifice their bodies,
sacrifice their wellbeing,
but that gave just enough time for Jinder Mahal to capitalize.
[Layfield] Of course they are. Jinder's their meal ticket.
[Phillips] Jinder Mahal with the Khallas,
the move that helped him win the championship in the first place,
dispatching Shinsuke Nakamura here tonight at SummerSlam.
[speaking in Punjabi]
[Layfield] The Era of "The Modern-Day Maharaja" continues.
Congratulations, Jinder.
[yells aggressively]
[music fades]
[Cole] It will be a night forever etched in history. [echoing]
Welcome to WrestleMania! [echoing]
["How High" by Bad Rabbits playing]
♪ Ooh-hoo ♪
♪ Say, it go like this ♪
♪ Tiring old siff 'Cause the music is… ♪
♪ And the punks can't play it ♪
♪ I'mma tell the crowd Just do what I say ♪
♪ So hot ♪
♪ But the bar so cold ♪
♪ Excuse me, baby It's time for the show ♪
♪ Put 'em up, put 'em up ♪
♪ Put 'em up, yeah ♪
♪ Ooh-hoo ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Put 'em up ♪
♪ When I tell you to jump You say, "How high?" ♪
[music fades]
[whooshing]
[woman 1] I'm not gonna back down from anybody.
I worked too hard to let this slip through my hands.
♪ I am a missile… ♪
[woman 2] I'm in the ring to bring total destruction.
[woman 3] They're gonna know that's a legitimate badass in there.
[woman 4] I'm gonna go in full force.
♪ But this war is mine… ♪
[woman 5] And I'm gonna rip them apart.
♪ I am a missile ♪
Bracketology, as we whet your appetite for the Mae Young Classic,
happens tonight immediately following SummerSlam
on the WWE Network.
Myself and WWE Hall of Famer Lita,
we're gonna take an in-depth look with so many of the competitors.
It's gonna give you everything you need to prepare for the Mae Young Classic.
And the next time we're on pay-per-view on the WWE Network
is in five weeks. From Los Angeles, Staples Center,
it is No Mercy, and the question is, gentlemen,
who'll be the Universal Champion when we get to No Mercy?
Corey, we are gonna find out right now.
This is a literally colossal matchup,
a fatal 4-way for the Universal Championship.
Brock Lesnar will defend against Roman Reigns,
Braun Strowman,
and Samoa Joe.
And if Brock Lesnar doesn't win,
he says he's gonna leave WWE for good.
[Cole] Are you ready for the collision? It happens right now.
[whooshing]
[dramatic music playing]
[Angle] At SummerSlam,
Brock Lesnar will be facing
Samoa Joe…
[Joe] I'm the man that does not fear Brock Lesnar.
[Angle] …and Roman Reigns…
[Reigns] I'm the only guy that can beat Brock Lesnar
for the Universal Championship.
[Angle] …and Braun Strowman.
[Strowman] At SummerSlam,
I'm going to break Lesnar in half.
[Angle] …in a fatal 4-way match for the Universal Championship.
-[Cole] Fatal 4-way. Anything goes! -[Graves] This thing may level Brooklyn.
[Angle] Oh, it's true.
It's damn true!
[music fades]
-[menacing music playing] -[Heyman] I know what you're doing.
You have to take
the Universal title off of Brock Lesnar.
Why else would you put my client
in a fatal 4-way?
Because my client is willing to listen
to ideas that don't necessarily include WWE,
you've been told to make Brock Lesnar
pay the, uh, ultimate price,
haven't you?
So… it boils down to this.
If Brock Lesnar loses the Universal Championship
at SummerSlam,
he leaves WWE.
[music fades]
[whooshing]
[Cole] What's gonna happen when you have Strowman, Reigns,
Joe, and Lesnar
in the ring at the same time with no rules?
-[dramatic music playing] -[Joe] I've been within inches.
I took "The Beast," and I pushed him to the limit.
I don't care how intimidating you may look.
I don't care how big and tough you may seem.
At SummerSlam, someone's going to sleep.
[Strowman] I do what I want,
when I want.
I want Brock Lesnar all to myself at SummerSlam.
And after I do, you'll see that I'm not only "The Monster Among Men."
I am the champion
among men.
[Reigns] These guys seem to be forgetting this is my yard.
I'm the guy who's gonna walk out of SummerSlam
the new Universal Champion.
[Heyman] At SummerSlam,
there will be an announcement.
"Your winner, and still reigning, defending,
undisputed Universal Champion,
Brock Lesnar!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Roman, Brock, Braun, Joe
for the Universal Championship at SummerSlam.
[music fades]
[whooshing]
-[Braun Strowman's theme music playing] -[cheering]
[Cole] We have had more championship matches tonight
than any time in SummerSlam history,
and we cap it off with this fatal 4-way for the Universal Championship.
And, Corey, we are looking at the man that many believe
is the odds-on favorite to win the title tonight,
"The Monster Among Men" Braun Strowman.
[Graves] I think it's safe to lump me in with that many people.
I believe Braun Strowman leaves Brooklyn as the Universal Champion.
I don't remember the last time we had
a WWE Superstar this fierce and this dominant.
[Cole] Booker, how do you stop Braun Strowman?
[Booker T, chuckling] You don't, Cole.
You're talking about a destructive force right here.
You're talking about a guy who's just gonna punish and inflict pain.
That's Braun Strowman.
[Cole] And he has no rules tonight.
Remember, no disqualifications, no count-outs.
[Samoa Joe's theme music playing]
At one time, he was considered the dark horse in this match,
but there's been this movement on social media
over the past week, Corey.
Many people believe Samoa Joe is gonna get it done tonight
and win the title.
[Graves] Listen, I've known Samoa Joe for over a decade.
Booker T has as well.
Samoa Joe came within an eyelash of defeating Brock Lesnar
at the Great Balls of Fire pay-per-view.
It is a very real, maybe even likely possibility
that Samoa Joe walks out of Brooklyn with the Universal title.
In fact, I'm picking Samoa Joe.
-[Booker T laughing] -[Cole] I thought you just picked Braun.
[music drowns out speech]
[music fades]
[booing]
[Roman Reigns's theme music playing]
[booing]
Will tonight be the night
that "The Big Dog" wins the Universal Championship?
Roman Reigns knew it was gonna be loud inside Barclays Center.
Roman Reigns knows he's in for a fight.
But Roman Reigns believes he will get it done at SummerSlam.
[Graves] Reigns thrives in hostile environments
with hostile opponents.
Roman Reigns has been to the top of the mountain before.
He intends on leaving Brooklyn with the gold.
There's a very good chance Roman Reigns is your guy.
[Booker T, laughing] Talking about pressure?
This guy right here knows all about pressure.
Voted Most Hated Superstar in 2016.
[Cole] And Roman Reigns, he's been in the ring with Braun Strowman.
A tremendous rivalry throughout the year.
He's developing quite the rivalry with Samoa Joe,
but the one thing Roman Reigns has that the other two don't
is experience in the ring with Brock Lesnar.
A triple threat match at Fastlane,
a matchup at WrestleMania.
Reigns knows what Lesnar is capable of.
[Graves] Absolutely, and to experience "The Beast"
definitely gives Roman a leg-up. Booker, I'm gonna disagree with you,
Roman's not hated. He's controversial.
You like him or you dislike him,
you have to take "The Big Dog" seriously
as a top contender for the title.
[Booker T] I'll give you that. I mean, Roman Reigns, his foundation,
that's the one thing about Roman Reigns,
his pedigree. He's been there.
And tonight he's gonna have to prove that this is his yard.
[Graves] When you look into the eyes of "The Big Dog,"
it's hard to bet against him.
[Cole] How can you bet against him?
He defeated The Undertaker at WrestleMania.
He may have retired "The Deadman." That is what Reigns is all about.
[Graves] Point taken, Michael Cole.
[Booker T] Maybe the most dangerous element in the WWE,
Roman Reigns.
-[Brock Lesnar's theme music playing] -[cheering]
[cheering]
[Cole] For the first time in WWE history,
the Universal Championship will be defended in a fatal 4-way match.
And that's the reason that the advocate for Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman,
claims there is a conspiracy against his client
and the reason that he says Brock will leave WWE
if he loses the championship tonight.
[Graves] Mathematically, it's very unfair to the Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar.
That said, Brock Lesnar could end up leaving and breaking bones elsewhere.
But I want "The Beast Incarnate" to stay right here.
[Cole] And what Corey's talking about is this.
The champion does not have to be involved in the decision
to lose his title tonight.
First man to gain a pinfall or submission becomes Universal Champion,
which means… Say Joe pins Strowman.
Joe is the champ.
[Booker T] Brock Lesnar, guys, he has a 25% chance
of holding onto that championship.
[bell rings]
The following contest is a fatal 4-way match
scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the Universal Championship.
Introducing the challengers,
first, weighing in at 385 lbs,
Braun Strowman!
[mix of booing and cheering]
Next, from Huntington Beach, California, weighing in at 282 lbs,
Samoa Joe!
[mix of booing and cheering]
[crowd chanting] Joe! Joe! Joe! Joe!
Next, from Pensacola, Florida, weighing in at 265 lbs,
Roman Reigns!
[booing]
And from--
[cheering]
[Heyman chuckles]
Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman.
Tonight, fighting out of "The Conqueror's" corner,
the reigning, defending,
undisputed Universal Champion,
Brock Lesnar!
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, there is over a thousand pounds
of WWE Superstars in this fatal 4-way match tonight in the ring.
No disqualification, no count-outs.
[Graves] I assure you, we are not on Skull Island.
We are in Brooklyn, New York.
"Monsters" are real. There are "Beasts."
There are "Big Dogs," and there are "Destroyers."
This thing may flatten the entire city.
[Cole] And there are 16,128 WWE fans packed into the Barclays Center tonight.
Lesnar. Strowman.
Joe. Reigns.
Fatal 4-way for the Universal title.
-And here we go. -[Booker T] Here we go, guys!
Strowman goes right after Reigns, Joe right after Lesnar.
[Graves] The hostility between all four Superstars is palpable.
All four wanna destroy one another.
Look at Joe bringing the fight-- Uh-oh!
-[Booker T] Oh baby! -[Cole] Suplex by Brock.
Remember, Samoa Joe came within a whisker
of winning the championship at Great Balls of Fire
in a match against Lesnar.
Oh, and Strowman off the steel post.
And think about what Reigns and Strowman have been through
over the past number of months.
[Graves] Wait a minute.
[Booker T] Oh, it's a call-out moment right here, guys.
[Graves] You saw Lesnar's body language before the bell,
like a caged animal waiting to be unleashed.
[Cole] We have been waiting for this for a long, long time.
[Booker T] You're talking about ways to lose for Brock Lesnar.
Brock Lesnar knows nothing but winning.
I mean, he went into the UFC and beat Randy Couture,
an Olympic-caliber grappler.
You gotta love it.
[Cole] Look at Lesnar. German suplex!
Brooklyn's now Suplex City.
[Graves] New York may have to add a sixth borough.
[Booker T] Oh my goodness!
-[Cole] Brock Lesnar is incredible. -[cheering]
[Graves] Is it too late to change my pick? Uh-oh!
[Booker T] You sure you want to?
[Cole] Good luck trying to suplex "The Monster Among Men."
And did you see the look in the eyes, as they grew wide, of Brock Lesnar?
-[Booker T chuckling] -[crowd chanting] Yes! Yes! Yes!
[Cole] And Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe back into the ring.
[Graves] Crossing flight paths to take out prospective opponents.
Look at this.
All four of these juggernauts trying to flatten one another.
[Cole] Clothesline from Lesnar.
And now once again, Strowman and Lesnar square off.
[Graves] These two behemoths are gonna lock horns.
[crowd chanting] Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
[Cole] Oh man, you can feel it in here. It is electric.
Corey, I have waited a long time for these two men to lock horns.
[Graves] Here we go!
[Cole] And these two big bulls are going at it.
-Strowman with a splash to Lesnar. -[Booker T] Did you see that?
[Cole] And Strowman driving Lesnar over the top rope.
"The Beast" is down.
And a roar from Strowman.
[Booker T] Guys, that's that destructive force in Braun Strowman.
[Graves] Here comes Reigns.
[Cole] Gonna send Strowman-- Tried to, anyway.
But Strowman, just like that, shoves "The Big Dog" away.
And there's the quickness of Reigns
as Strowman goes shoulder-first into the post.
[Booker T] Roman's gonna need…
[Graves] Coquina Clutch!
[Cole] Coquina Clutch on Brock Lesnar. Lesnar's in trouble outside the ring.
[Graves] Samoa Joe won't win the title if he puts Lesnar to sleep out here,
but he'll certainly eliminate "The Beast"!
-Through the barricade! -[Booker T] You gotta be kidding me!
[Cole] Roman Reigns with a Spear to Lesnar,
as Joe sidestepped the damage.
I have a feeling ringside's gonna look like the current state
of LaGuardia Airport after tonight.
[Graves] Here comes Samoa Joe, looking to capitalize on the carnage.
[Cole] And now Joe. Reigns onto the table!
[Booker T] Samoa Joe, that's your pick right there, Corey, right?
[Graves] Absolutely.
[Cole] And now Strowman blasting Joe over the table.
[Graves] I said it all along. No one can touch Braun Strowman.
[Cole] This could be catastrophic tonight.
[cheering]
[Graves] Gotta hope Strowman uses Saxton as a weapon.
[Cole] And Strowman now.
One can only imagine what "The Monster Among Men" has in mind.
And now look at Lesnar, trying to pick up part of that wall,
but again blasted by Strowman.
That's the Universal Champion, Lesnar, who's in trouble.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[Cole] And look at how Strowman, just with ease,
picked Lesnar up on his shoulder.
[Graves] I don't think Brock Lesnar has ever been manhandled
like Braun Strowman's doing right now!
[Cole] And Lesnar plunging through that table!
A running powerslam through the table!
[Booker T] I tell you, guys, I been in this business a long time,
and I've never seen a man like Braun Strowman ever. Wow!
-[Strowman yells indistinctly] -[cheering]
[Cole] I… I'm shocked.
[Graves] Someone get FEMA on the phone.
I think we're gonna qualify after this disaster.
[Cole] Braun Strowman just drove Lesnar through the announce table
with a running powerslam.
-[Booker T] I tell you-- -[Cole] And Roman Reigns though.
[Booker T] If there's a night to make your career, this is it right here,
SummerSlam 2017.
[Graves] Look out, from behind!
[Cole] And Joe like a jumbo jet flying through the ropes!
[Graves] As was just made evidently clear,
you need to have eyes in the back of your head.
[Cole] Guys, let's put this in perspective.
These are huge men,
all of them near 300 lbs,
and they're flying around here like cruiserweights.
[Booker T] You said "jumbo jet." That was like a C-130 right there, Cole.
[Cole] Good call, Book.
Lesnar just trying to crawl out of the wreckage,
and Strowman just tossed a chair through Reigns and Joe!
I mean, this is absolutely insane.
[Booker T] Joe caught the brunt of it too. he caught the brunt of that chair right…
right to the face.
[Graves] Strowman might put Mayflower and Old Dominion out of business.
He's just rearranging the entire world.
[Cole] Brock has no idea where he is.
Strowman again turns his attack to Lesnar.
Again with Lesnar on his shoulder.
He is manhandling "The Beast," and again…
Lesnar driven through another table!
Another running powerslam!
[Booker T] Never seen anybody handle Brock Lesnar like this.
[Graves] This is unfamiliar territory for… territory for Lesnar.
It's gotta be.
Brock Lesnar came into this match with a giant target painted on him.
All three challengers are going right after "The Beast."
[Booker T] As well as, Cole, a big chip on his shoulder.
[Cole] Corey, I have covered Brock Lesnar's entire career here,
since the day he arrived on the scene.
I have never, ever seen Brock Lesnar in this state,
manhandled this way by one human being.
[Graves] I'm gonna correct you, Cole. Brock Lesnar hasn't been manhandled.
He's been "Monster"-handled.
[Cole] Watch this. This was the first one. The running powerslam by Strowman.
And then as Brock somehow made his way out of the wreckage, back to his feet,
this happened.
[Graves] There is no way on earth
that a human being can survive what Lesnar just endured.
We are about to truly find out what the Universal Champion is made of.
[crowd chanting] One more table!
[Cole] 16,000-strong at Barclays Center on their feet
in awe of "The Monster Among Men" Braun Strowman with the announce table,
the final announce table standing.
And Braun Strowman dumps it onto the champion.
[Graves] He might have broken Lesnar's legs!
[Cole] Paul Heyman is begging
and pleading with Braun Strowman to stop.
[crowd chanting]
[Heyman] Stop!
[Cole] There's officials down here. There's security.
There's emergency medical personnel.
Brock Lesnar has been flattened at the hands of Strowman.
[Graves] We might need the NYPD at this point.
Strowman is unstoppable.
[Booker T] This is chaos, guys.
[Cole] Half a dozen men trying to get that announce table off Brock Lesnar
when one man picked it up off the ground
and just planted it on Lesnar.
[Booker T] There are no rules though.
[Cole] There's no count-outs. There's no disqualifications.
[Booker T] Braun Strowman's just doing his job.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome! This is awesome! This is awesome!
[Cole] This is one of the most chaotic scenes I can remember,
and now you see your officials down there calling for help.
-I believe they're calling for… -[booing]
Yes, for paramedics to make their way down to ringside.
[Graves] You can't blame them. I mean, Brock Lesnar,
an elite athlete, a freak of nature, to be sure,
but that announce table weighs hundreds of pounds.
It was just unceremoniously dropped across the Universal Champion's body.
[Cole] And Lesnar's hurt.
Brock Lesnar is gonna be strapped onto that body board,
as we take another look at what happened to Lesnar.
-Number one. -[Booker T] Mm!
[Graves] Again, I maintain that would have flattened any normal man.
[Cole] Number two.
[Graves] That would have put most normal men in the hospital.
[Cole] And number three.
[Graves] This will put a "Beast Incarnate" in the emergency room.
[Cole] And that's where Brock Lesnar may be headed.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the champion.
[Booker T] There could be internal injuries.
Could be anything. That table was pretty heavy coming down on Brock Lesnar.
[Cole] And now the official…
The decision has to be made. Does this match continue?
I would assume it does, as they cart the champion out of here.
[Graves] You would think. We need a decision.
We need to have a Universal Champion walk out of Barclays Center.
[Booker T] What's the rules here, guys?
[Cole] Well, the rules are this.
First man to gain a pinfall or submission wins the championship,
and Strowman screaming at Lesnar.
He's taken the champ, "The Beast," out of this match.
[Graves] But Brock Lesnar has not submitted.
He's being medically evacuated from ringside,
but that doesn't count as a submission, does it?
[Booker T] It doesn't matter, Corey.
He's been taken straight out of the equation.
-He's done. Know what this means? -[Cole] Oh, wait a minute.
Brock may be done, but Strowman isn't.
[Booker T] This means we're gonna have a new champion here tonight.
[Graves] Oh, look at this.
[Cole] Braun Strowman now with steps as a weapon.
And the lethal Braun Strowman…
[Graves] Unbelievable strength.
[Cole] And now Reigns goes down.
[Graves] If it's not nailed down to the floor,
Strowman's using it as a weapon.
[Cole] I… I… I…
Guys, I've never, ever seen anything like this.
I've never witnessed this.
[Graves] Strowman threw those stairs across the ring, 20 feet, like a toy.
[Cole] He's taken out Lesnar. He turns his attention to Reigns.
And think about the disdain that Strowman has for Roman Reigns.
And remember, this match has to end in the ring.
Strowman has Reigns back in the ring. Reigns back on the attack.
[Graves] We know Reigns lives for situations with his back against the wall.
[Cole] It becomes, at this juncture, a triple threat match,
because Lesnar's been hauled out of the arena.
[Graves] Doesn't get any more adversial for Roman--
[Cole] Reigns now with the steps.
And Braun Strowman, that hesitation by Reigns may have cost him,
although he caught Strowman to the temple.
[Graves] The point of the stairs right in the "Monster's"--
[Cole] The stairs again to Strowman. And Strowman now…
But still on his feet.
This is a third shot with the steps,
finally sending Strowman outside the ring,
and now the steps.
[Booker T] First time we've seen Strowman down.
[Cole] Joe from behind,
rolling up Reigns. Will Joe do it?
Joe almost stole it.
[Graves] Great situational awareness by Samoa Joe.
That's veteran experience.
[Cole] Inverted atomic drop. Boot to the face.
There's the running senton by Joe.
Cover. Will he become Universal Champion tonight?
-Almost had him. -[Booker T] Joe biding his time.
Almost got a victory right there. Using his noodle right now
to get a victory.
[Graves] Samoa Joe has fared very well against Roman Reigns
in one-on-one competitions in the past.
[Cole] Now, Samoa Joe,
while Braun Strowman was beating the heck out of Brock Lesnar,
I guess, was able to regain some of his composure,
get back into things here.
And now he turns the attention to Reigns.
Went for the uranage, and Roman Reigns able to counter.
And now Reigns with a Samoan drop.
Cover for the Universal Championship.
Kick-out by Joe.
[Booker T] What makes Roman Reigns so special,
you can just beat on him and beat on him, but he's gonna be there in the end.
You're gonna have to put him to sleep if you wanna beat him.
[Cole] This is critical right now, guys, for Joe and Reigns.
They have to try to win this match
while Braun Strowman is still out outside the ring.
[Graves] You're not gonna get any better of a situation
than having two of the four competitors in this match
removed from the equation, momentarily at least.
[Cole] It becomes one-on-one now for Reign and Joe.
Can one of these men capitalize?
Will it be Roman Reigns?
Roman locked and loaded.
Reigns went for the Superman Punch, got a kick to the midsection.
-Joe going for the Coquina Clutch! -[Graves] It's in!
[Cole] The Clutch. That almost took out Lesnar last month.
[Graves] Samoa Joe grasping for his own bicep,
looking to finish the submission.
-[Cole] But Strowman back in. -[Booker T] You gotta be kidding me.
[Cole] Double chokeslam by Strowman!
Cover for the Universal Championship.
And Reigns got the shoulder up.
[Graves] Oh my goodness!
[Booker T] Wow.
You can see the effects from the beating with the steel chairs
that Braun Strowman sustained.
But still "The Monster Among Men" is the last man in control.
[Cole] I thought the first of the steps shots
actually caught Braun Strowman in the ear area,
and that's where, of course, the, uh… the battle scar is forming.
[Booker T] The strength of Braun Strowman, man.
I mean, a double chokeslam, Samoa Joe and Roman Reigns?
You gotta be kidding me.
[Cole] Which one of these men will survive?
Who will become Universal Champion tonight at SummerSlam?
[Graves] All three of these gladiators
have given it everything in their beings
just for the right to leave New York as the Universal Champion.
-[crowd roars] -[Cole] Wait a minute.
-Wait a minute. -[Graves] No!
[Cole] Here comes the champ. Lesnar's back on his feet.
Officials pleading with Lesnar, but he's marching back to the ring
to defend his title.
[Booker T] For-true warrior right there, Cole.
[Cole] And he's going face-to-face with Strowman.
There's the takedown by Lesnar,
and here's "The Beast." "The Beast" unleashing on Braun Strowman.
[Graves] Hammer fists raining down on the "Monster.
Where is Lesnar getting this?
[Cole] And a clubbing blow to the side of the face.
[booing]
And now Reigns.
And he's gonna suffer a German suplex.
And now Joe.
Another German.
[Booker T] Champion's back against the wall.
That's when you… that's when you see what he's made of.
Right there, that's Brock Lesnar.
[Cole] And now Braun Strowman, back in from behind.
I can't believe Lesnar's even out here.
And Brawn Strowman looking to continue to punish Lesnar.
-[Graves] No way. -[Booker T] Aww…
[Graves] No way.
Strowman just too big.
[Cole] Elbow planted on the bridge of the nose.
[Graves] Like trying to suplex a sequoia tree.
-[Cole] Oh, look at this! -[Graves] Lesnar looking for the kimura.
[Cole] Yeah, trying the kimura on Braun Strowman.
[Booker T] Braun walked right into it.
[Cole] And now Braun, what's he gonna do?
Brock Lesnar trying to get Strowman to tap out here.
[Booker T] The more Strowman try to get out of it, the more press-
-[Cole] Superman Punch! -[Booker T] Oh wow!
[Cole] Reigns saving the, uh, championship match for himself,
and another Superman Punch to Lesnar.
-[Graves] Joe joining the fracas. -[Cole] And a third.
Could Roman Reigns be closing in on the championship?
Brock Lesnar's stunned. "The Beast" not sure where he's at.
Roman Reigns stalking, ready for the Spear!
[Booker T] That war cry, that could be it. That could be it.
[Cole] And Lesnar just got his shoulder up.
[Booker T] Wow!
[Graves] We've seen in the past the Spear could be the Achilles heel
for "The Beast Incarnate,"
but was not the case tonight.
[Cole] Reigns cannot believe that Lesnar kicked out.
[Booker T] Normally, Roman lands that big Spear after that war cry,
it's all over with,
but that's the man. That's the heart.
That's the champion of Brock Lesnar.
[Cole] What type of credit can you give the champ tonight?
As you said, Book,
I mean, Lesnar's been through everything, and he's still in here
defending his title.
Is Reigns gonna try it again?
Brock Lesnar slowly trying to make it to his feet.
And now Samoa Joe, Coquina Clutch from behind.
Is Reigns gonna tap?
If Reigns taps, Joe's the champion.
-[Graves] Oh-ho-ho! -[Cole] Braun Strowman with a dropkick!
Is there anything he can't do?
[Graves] Tyrannosaurus dropkick from Braun Strowman.
[Cole] Strowman with a running powerslam.
Cover. Will he become Universal Champion at SummerSlam?
[Booker T] You could feel the earth shake on that.
[Cole] Lesnar pulled out the referee. No disqualification here tonight.
[Graves] That situational awareness from the champion
protecting his title.
[Cole] I think Strowman had Joe pinned.
[Graves] I don't think Brock Lesnar's 100%,
I'm sorry, after what his body withstood.
[Booker T] You know, Corey, I don't think any of these men right now are 100%.
[Graves] I agree with you, Booker.
All four of these Superstars battered, bruised.
[Booker T] It's a war.
[Cole] And now Reigns.
Superman Punch to Strowman!
Into the cover for the title. Will it be Reigns?
No, Strowman kicked out.
[Graves] Holy cow! The power of Strowman!
Just stood Roman Reigns upright.
[Cole] Roman can't believe it.
[booing]
Roman Reigns, though, never say die.
Dig down deep.
-One more opportunity. -[crowd] Ooh-ah!
[Booker T] Going to the well one more time.
Try to deliver that big shot.
[Cole] And now Strowman looking to put away Roman Reigns
with a running powerslam.
Cover on Reigns.
And it's Lesnar saving his title.
[Graves] It's not often you've ever seen Brock Lesnar
in anything resembling a desperate situation.
But right now, "The Beast" looks vulnerable.
[Booker T] I mean, the championship is out of Brock's hands
if he's not in the ring.
Perfect position. Get in there.
Save the championship. That's what Brock is doing.
[Cole] Corey, you can talk about what happened with Goldberg last year
and earlier this year with Lesnar, but that was more surprise.
It happened so quickly to Brock. He got caught by sudden impact.
Tonight has just been a physical beatdown by Strowman.
[Corey] Yet "The Beast Incarnate" keeps crawling forward.
With whatever's left in his being,
apparently, Strowman's intent on removing.
[Cole] And look at Brock! The power of Lesnar!
-[Graves] No! -[Cole] Went for the F5.
Strowman able to land back on his feet. Now he has Lesnar in his hands again.
Going for yet another running powerslam. Spear by Roman Reigns.
Everyone down.
[Cole] Reigns might have exhausted his last bit of energy
to deliver the Spear.
[Booker T] Brock Lesnar got out of harm's way there, just a little bit.
[Graves] Brock Lesnar can actually thank Roman Reigns for the assist.
[Booker T] Yes indeed. Who's the worse for wear right now?
-[Cole] And watch the Spear by Reigns. -[Booker T] Oh man!
[Cole] Lesnar's… Well, was back to his feet. Back down to one knee.
Reigns trying to make it back to his feet as well.
Both these warriors
showing you what they've been through tonight.
[Graves] Uh-oh!
[Cole] Going for the F5 on Reigns.
Samoa Joe from behind.
Joe sends Reigns out of the ring.
Now Samoa Joe turns his attention to the champion.
Again, the Coquina Clutch!
[Graves] We've seen Brock Lesnar taken down by this submission once before.
Almost submitted in the past. Samoa Joe could be inching closer
to the Universal title.
[Cole] It was at Great Balls of Fire.
We thought Brock was gonna tap. Same thing happened as tonight.
He picked Joe clean.
And Brock with the F5 to Samoa Joe.
[Graves] History repeats itself.
-[Cole] Into the cover. Hook of the leg. -[Booker T] That's it.
[Cole] Roman Reigns saving the matchup
Absolutely incredible.
[Graves] Just goes to show you how a fatal 4-way
completely changes the complexion of a matchup.
That exact scenario occurred in the singles match,
and Lesnar defeated Samoa Joe.
Here, the beatdown just continues.
[Cole] Look at Brock. Brock is just stumbling,
trying to get to his feet.
[Booker T] Trying to find his bearings.
[Cole] Roman Reigns, another Superman Punch!
Universal Champion stumbles, doesn't go down.
Uses the ropes to stay up.
Roman Reigns, locked and loaded again. Another Superman Punch.
Shades of WrestleMania a few years ago,
but Brock Lesnar back to his feet.
[Graves[ Lesnar's weak in his knees. Lesnar might be out on his feet.
[Booker T] He is out on his feet.
[Cole] A third time! Down goes the champion.
And now Reigns is closing in.
This is his moment.
Could it be here at SummerSlam?
[Booker T] I tell you, if Roman Reigns can land just one more big shot,
we may have a new champion here tonight.
[Cole] It may be the Spear. That's what he's setting up for.
Looking to take out "The Beast." Looking to slay Lesnar tonight.
Ooh-ah!
[Cole] Roman. Brock picked him out of the air.
Brock picked Roman. F5!
-[Graves] How? -[Cole] Cover.
Lesnar retains!
[bell rings]
[Booker T] Wow.
[Brock Lesnar's theme music playing]
[JoJo] Here is your winner, and still the Universal Champion,
Brock Lesnar!
[Cole] Brock Lesnar retains the Universal title.
The reign of "The Beast" continues
in one of the most physical matches I've ever witnessed.
[Graves] I'm not a believer in it, generally,
but tonight Lady Luck was on "The Beast Incarnate"'s side.
[Booker T] Yeah, as well, there was a lot of heart from the champion, Corey.
[Cole] I agree, Booker.
[Booker T] Brock Lesnar did not phone it in tonight, guys.
[Cole] You can call it luck, and I get your point, Corey.
But with what Brock Lesnar went through tonight,
carted out of here on a stretcher,
only to come back and successfully defend his Universal Championship
by pinning Roman Reigns.
The mark of a true champion at SummerSlam.
[Graves] I agree,
but I don't know if Brock Lesnar will ever be the same after tonight.
[Cole] That was number one.
[Graves] Here comes… deuce.
[Cole] And now the trifecta.
-We thought Brock Lesnar was crushed. -[Booker T] Mm!
[Graves] I mean, the scene says it all.
Brock Lesnar, I don't know that he won tonight
so much as the fact that Brock just survived.
[Cole] Brock Lesnar was, uh, carted out of Barclays Center on a stretcher.
Left it to a triple threat-style matchup until Brock Lesnar would return.
Now, the closing moments of this matchup.
[Graves] But "The Beast" dug his claws into the side of a mountain.
Took "The Big Dog" off the top
with an F5.
It registered on the Richter scale.
[Booker T] In every championship match, you leave a piece of yourself
in that battle.
Brock Lesnar left pieces,
but he still walks out the Universal Champion.
[Graves] Brock is the champion, but he doesn't look like himself.
He doesn't look like a champion.
"The Beast Incarnate" lost a bit of himself tonight.
Will he ever be the same?
[Cole] Brock Lesnar retains at an incredible SummerSlam.
Thanks for being a part.
Thank you for joining us. Good night, everybody,
from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
[music fades] Center in Brooklyn.