[invigorating music playing]
[Triple H] Then.
Now.
Forever.
Together.
[music fades]
["Dead End Road" by Jelly Roll playing]
Ladies and gentlemen, we are live
at Cleveland Browns Stadium tonight for SummerSlam.
Would love to thank the four T-34s
for that flyover moments ago,
the beautiful rendition from Jelly Roll.
Are you guys ready for SummerSlam?
[crowd cheering]
["Game" by Mötorhead playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Time to play the game ♪
[crowd cheering]
♪ It's all about the game And how you play it ♪
♪ All about control And if you can take it ♪
[song continues indistinctly]
[crowd cheering]
Yeah!
Cleveland…
[crowd cheering]
…are you ready?
[crowd cheering]
Then, for the thousands in attendance,
for the millions watching around the world,
welcome to SummerSlam.
[crowd cheering]
[Triple H] One more time, Jelly Roll.
[crowd cheering]
["Liar" by Jelly Roll playing]
♪ I, I let you drive around my mind ♪
♪ I can't count the times You made me feel like I'm nothin' ♪
♪ Played me like a fool, like a fool ♪
♪ Saying drink another whiskey ♪
♪ Pop another pill ♪
♪ Money makes you happy ♪
♪ Heaven isn't real ♪
♪ You won't find nobody to love ♪
♪ Because your heart's too broke ♪
♪ Oh, I know ♪
♪ You ain't nothin' but a liar ♪
♪ Yeah, I walk right out the fire ♪
♪ Yeah, they try to bring me down ♪
♪ Try to put me underground ♪
♪ I'm only going higher ♪
♪ I hear you in my head ♪
♪ In my bed when I'm dreaming ♪
♪ You try to be my friend ♪
♪ But you're blowing smoke ♪
♪ Oh, and now, I ain't scared of ♪
♪ Tellin' you where you can go ♪
♪ Look, I know ♪
♪ You're nothing but a liar ♪
♪ You burned me one too many times ♪
♪ Like the devil in disguise Hiding your true colors ♪
♪ Just leave me alone ♪
♪ You're leading me on ♪
♪ Drink another whiskey ♪
♪ Pop another pill ♪
♪ Money makes you happy ♪
♪ Heaven isn't real ♪
♪ You won't find nobody to love ♪
♪ Because your heart's too broke ♪
♪ Ohio ♪
♪ You're nothin' but a liar ♪
♪ Yeah, I walk right out the fire ♪
♪ Yeah, they try to bring me down ♪
♪ Try to put me underground ♪
♪ I'm only going higher ♪
♪ I hear you in my head ♪
♪ In my bed when I'm dreaming ♪
♪ You try to be my friend ♪
♪ But you're blowing smoke ♪
♪ Oh, and now, I ain't scared of ♪
♪ Tellin' you where you can go ♪
♪ Yeah, I know ♪
What's going on, Cleveland?
[crowd cheering]
♪ If I was doing what you do ♪
♪ Then you would swear I poisoned you ♪
-♪ You're nothing but a liar ♪ -[chorus] ♪ Liar ♪
-♪ Yeah, I walk right out the fire ♪ -[chorus] ♪ Fire ♪
♪ Yeah, they try to bring me down ♪
♪ Try to put me underground ♪
♪ I'm only going higher ♪
♪ I hear you in my head ♪
♪ In my bed when I'm dreaming ♪
♪ You try to be my friend ♪
♪ But you're blowing smoke ♪
♪ Oh, and now, I ain't scared of ♪
♪ Tellin' you where you can go ♪
♪ Look, I know ♪
Let's go, SummerSlam!
[crowd cheering]
[explosions]
[man] Killed it.
Absolutely killed it, Jelly Roll. Hey, man.
Give it up one more time for Jelly Roll!
[crowd cheering and whooping]
What's up? I am your host for SummerSlam, The Miz!
[crowd cheering]
And I'm in the dog pound.
Because I want to feel the live energy
of this Cleveland crowd
because the biggest party of the summer
starts right now.
[crowd cheering]
[invigorating music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd booing]
♪ This is my brutality ♪
[crowd cheering]
["Demon in Your Dreams" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed ♪
♪ The demons in your dreams ♪
♪ I eat, sleep, bleed ♪
[explosions]
♪ Look at my eyes Look, look alive, live, live, live ♪
[Michael] Accompanied by her boy toy,
"Dirty Dom" The Eradicator, Rhea Ripley,
a two-time World Champion,
who never lost the title after holding it for 379 days.
She had to relinquish the championship due to injury,
Corey, caused by her opponent tonight, the champion Liv Morgan.
[Corey] It may be on the precipice of the sudden end
to the Liv Morgan revenge tour, which has brought Liv so much success
in everything that once belonged to this woman,
Rhea Ripley, and Ripley is in a mood tonight.
[Michael] Pat, we've been following this story on Monday Night Raw.
Rhea Ripley cannot wait to get her hands
on the woman who tried to destroy her relationship
with Dominik Mysterio, Liv Morgan.
[Pat] Now, Liv Morgan has been sprinting for the exits
as fast as she possibly can whenever Rhea has arrived
on Monday Night Raw.
And tonight, Rhea is finally gonna be able to get her hands on this Liv Morgan
who tried to ruin her entire existence.
[Corey] I'm gonna be honest with you two.
I've been jealous that you get to call Monday Night Raw
because we're lacking this level of romance on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Pat] You're talking about the dirtbag Dom?
[Corey] Oh, I'm talking about Dom and his Mami
and the beautiful sight of love that we are all beholding together.
[Pat] He was getting straddled and straddling others
on a regular basis there for a while, and somehow,
Mami still loves that dirtbag with a mustache in Cleveland, Ohio.
[Michael] It was looking like the bada bing out here.
[Pat] Bada boom.
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to ringside. For Monday Night Raw,
I'm Michael Cole with Pat McAfee from Friday Night SmackDown
He's Corey Graves.
Are you guys ready for the 37th annual SummerSlam?
Six championships on the line in a grudge match for the ages.
I've been waiting for tonight for a long, long time.
Hell, yeah, Corey. SummerSlam always creates moments
that are remembered forever every single year.
Can't wait to see what happens tonight.
Over 50,000 plus at Cleveland Browns Stadium tonight
for SummerSlam.
[Pat] Got it.
[Michael] Well, the official in this matchup tonight is Eddie Orengo.
And you see in his left ear is the referee cam.
And tonight's ref cam is brought to you by Wheatley American vodka.
Gonna be interesting to see some of the video
that comes from the ref cam here tonight.
[Pat] Eddie Orengo one of the best officials on earth,
not just in this sport, any sport.
Happy we're getting a look from his ear tonight.
["Liv Gone Mad" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[Pat] Oh, buddy.
♪ Watch me ♪
[Michael] Even at the kickoff event in downtown Cleveland yesterday,
Liv Morgan appeared early and took off before Rhea Ripley showed up.
Tonight, Pat, she's got no choice.
She's gotta go toe-to-toe with The Eradicator.
[Pat] Championship on the line,
staring down something that's been haunting you
and has hurt you in the past
and has quite a vendetta to score with you.
[Michael] Liv Morgan has had success, Corey, at SummerSlam.
Back in 2022, she became the first Superstar
to pin Ronda Rousey twice here in WWE,
and she did it at this event.
She's a two-time World Champion.
[Corey] Impressive accolades, no matter how you look at them,
but the difference tonight is Liv Morgan has to deal with Mami,
with a fired-up and pissed-off Rhea Ripley who already got her man back.
Tonight, Rhea wants her gold back.
[Michael] And you wanna talk about statistics when it comes to Rhea Ripley.
Listen to this one, guys.
The last time that Rhea Ripley lost a singles match
was over 26 months ago.
She was pinned by
Liv Morgan over two years ago.
[Pat] Your last loss is the same person
that put you on the sidelines and hurt your shoulder,
tried to take your little boy toy, who's a dirtbag, and took your title.
Rhea Ripley's got enough chips on her shoulder
to run this town tonight.
[Corey] Liv may be manipulative. Liv may be underhanded.
But at the end of the day, you've got to give the devil her due.
Liv Morgan, without a doubt, has a plan tonight,
What that plan is, I have no idea.
I don't know how you stop Mami tonight, but Morgan's gonna be ready.
[Michael] You talk about how ticked off Rhea Ripley is.
Has to keep the emotions in check.
Morgan has the champion's advantage tonight.
[Corey] Cole, would you leave Dom alone? He's here to support his better half.
[Pat] He's a piece of trash. You don't leave pieces of trash alone,
or the flies come around.
[bell rings]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the Women's World Championship.
[crowd cheering]
Introducing the challenger,
accompanied to the ring by "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio…
[crowd boos]
…representing The Judgment Day,
from Adelaide, South Australia,
Rhea Ripley!
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] It's great to see her all the way back.
And her opponent from Elmwood Park, New Jersey,
she is the Women's World Champion,
Liv Morgan!
[Michael] And Morgan is champion today
because she beat Becky Lynch at the end of May in Saudi Arabia
because of dummy Dom who slid a steel chair in there
and allowed Morgan to win the championship.
[Corey] Let's reminisce
about Dom's history at SummerSlam.
What would have happened had the right man
gained custody of Dominik?
How much better would Dom's life had been
had the tables turned the other direction?
[Michael] I was trying to avoid that entire conversation,
but nonetheless, the custody of Dom.
And here we go. Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan,
one-on-one tonight for the Women's World Title.
[bell rings]
Again, Morgan's got the advantage.
Rhea's gotta pin or submit the champion to win.
Now, Pat, this is Rhea's first match since WrestleMania.
She was injured the week following by Liv Morgan.
[Pat] Rhea was put on this earth to be in the middle of a stadium
ready to kick some ass.
[Michael] Liv Morgan has no interest in locking up with Rhea Ripley early.
[Corey] A wise decision by the champion.
Liv trying to get under the skin of Rhea Ripley
even deeper than she already has, which is impressive,
but that's what Morgan's gonna need to do.
You're not gonna stand toe-to toe with The Eradicator.
[Michael] Try to throw Rhea off her game,
get her really emotionally involved in this matchup
and make a mistake to allow Morgan to keep the championship.
[Pat] It also helps her gain advantage
She's in the middle of the ring, and Rhea's on the outside.
[Michael] Morgan's been a master manipulator,
master player as well.
-She's really gotten under the skin… -[Eddie] Three!
[Michael] … of Ripley.
[Corey] And listen. I know it might not be a popular realization,
but Rhea Ripley's gotta have nerves tonight.
Being in ring shape is a totally different type of shape
than being able to run on a treadmill,
keep your cardiovascular conditioning up.
Ripley's been out of the ring for quite some time.
Morgan has not. That could play into the champion's advantage.
[Michael] Not even that, but this is the first time
that the injured right shoulder of Rhea Ripley is gonna be tested
since it was hurt by Morgan.
[Corey] I agree. And I think a veteran like Liv Morgan realizes that,
and should the opportunity present itself,
I expect Liv to take full advantage.
[Pat] Liv trying to test the cardio of Rhea early here.
[Michael] Was this proverbial cat-and-mouse game
what you expected here in the early going by the champ?
[Pat] It's a good idea.
It's what she's been doing the last few weeks.
Yesterday, she was content doing it.
-Why not continue in the match? -[Michael] Uh-oh.
-[Corey] Rhea Ripley pump fake. -[Michael laughs]
Rhea faked out Morgan, and now face-to-face
challenger and champion.
[Corey] I'm thinking predator and prey.
[Michael] And Rhea Ripley finally able to get her hands on Liv Morgan.
Oh, and a clothesline takes down the champion.
And now, a beatdown is on.
[Morgan grunts]
[Michael] And another clothesline, and down goes Morgan.
And I believe Rhea is going to relish this.
[Pat] What a physical start for Mami,
showcasing that power.
[Corey] Now, a little more power. Half and half suplex.
[Michael] Driving Morgan into the corner and then outside the ring.
Dominik with a big old smile on his face
as he looks down at the women's world champ.
[crowd cheering and chattering]
[Pat] You'd think people like Dom wouldn't be able to smile
or feel happiness, but here he is high-fiving.
[Corey] What do you mean?
You never got online and saw your ex was dating some new shlub
and you felt better about yourself?
That's all Dom's doing now.
[Michael] The bottom line is, you know,
and I can't stand Dominik, and you guys know my history with him,
but the fact of the matter, he's got Rhea Ripley.
Liv Morgan wanted him as well,
so the guy's doing something right I guess.
[Corey] Dominik's a fashion icon. He possesses an animalistic magnetism.
[Michael] I wouldn't go that far with the fashion.
[Corey] I'm surprised there isn't some ordinance
against the pheromones Dominik's letting off in Cleveland.
[Michael] He's got T-shirts hanging out of his waist.
[Corey] The divorce rate tripled when they knew Dom was coming.
[Pat] Hey, you tell us why, Cole. It's a good point.
Sometimes, you know, pieces of crap, dumpster fires,
people that look like dude wipes after a poop has happened
and you get your… your butt wiped.
Figure it out, and he certainly figured it out.
[Corey] It's gonna be some night. I appreciate that tutorial.
-[laughing] -[Pat] The guy's a poop stain.
[Michael] He's the color analyst. He's painting the picture for us.
Bob Rawson here to make sure everybody understands
what's on the side of the ring, and what's in is two champions
that, for some reason, are distracted by dumb Dom.
-[Michael] Oh. -[Corey] Oh, what a headbutt.
Night, night, champ.
[Michael] Morgan's eyes driven to the back of her head.
And now, Rhea looking for riptide to try to put Morgan away,
slams her to the top turnbuckle.
[Corey] This is about more than a championship, gentlemen.
This is about vengeance.
-[Pat] Damage. -[man] Come on, Rhea.
[Michael] Rhea Ripley now looking to put Morgan away
with a riptide in the center of the ring.
"Watch me." Mocking Morgan.
Liv, though, able to escape from behind.
[Pat] Obviously, she knows Rhea Ripley inside and out as well.
She's able to counter another riptide there.
[Corey] Liv escaped, but is she just delaying the inevitable?
-[Michael] Oh! -[Corey] Oh! Liv Morgan…
Lured Rhea Ripley in.
[Michael] Yeah. Sidestepped and Rhea went into the turnbuckle.
Now, the champ looks to try to take control of Rhea Ripley.
-[Corey] Oh! -[Michael] Dragging her into the corner.
-Oh my God. Oh God. -[Corey] Wait, wait, wait a minute.
[Michael] Rhea went to her shoulder.
Oh, it's out, it's out, it's out. It's out!
[Michael] And you heard Rhea say, "It's out." She said, "It's out."
-[Eddie] Keep it back. Keep it back. -[Rhea groans]
-You want-- -It's out.
Can you continue? Want to stop?
-Do not stop this. -Are you sure?
[Rhea gasps]
-Are you sure you don't want to stop this? -No!
[Michael] A look of concern on Dominik's face,
you heard Rhea say, "It's out," which means the shoulder
probably dislocated by Liv Morgan, the injured shoulder of Ripley.
[Corey] I don't care how tough you are, you can't win a match in WWE with one arm.
[Rhea] No, no, no, no.
[Michael] Again, this is where Rhea was injured, driven into the corner.
Rhea, talk to me.
[Pat] I'm not a doctor, but there's a…
[Cole] There's a lump. You can see it to the naked eye.
And now, Morgan driving Ripley into the steel steps.
[Eddie] Get back in [indistinct].
[Corey] Again, you don't have to like it,
but you have to understand Liv's game plan.
-[Michael] I mean-- -[Corey] It's working masterfully.
[Michael] She's the one who caused the injury.
[indistinct arguing]
[Michael] Now, stomping away at Ripley right in front of "Dirty" Dom.
Morgan scorned by Mysterio.
[Pat] She walked out of an arena crying two weeks ago because of dumb Dom.
[Michael] Liv cover to retain the championship
and a kick out by Ripley.
[Corey] Watch Morgan here and watch Ripley.
Oh, right into the steel steps.
[crowd yelling]
[man] Come on, Rhea.
[Michael] Have either of you guys competed in any of the sports
with a dislocated shoulder?
[Pat] No. I would no longer compete if it happened to me.
As well, I'm nowhere near as tough as Rhea Ripley is.
This is, I mean, insanely intelligent from Liv Morgan here.
[Corey] This is the sort of ruthlessness
that Liv is gonna need tonight should she have any hope
of getting past Mami. And that might have just made it worse.
[Michael] Stacking up Rhea Ripley
to retain the championship, and a kick out.
A look of disgust on her face as she looked down at "Dirty" Dom
when Ripley kicked out.
[Pat] Rhea had to know Liv was gonna test that shoulder.
Had to have.
Now that Liv is seeing success,
she'll attack it the rest of the night.
This is my revenge tour!
[crowd chanting] Let's go, Liv! Let's go, Rhea.
[Michael] And the dueling, "Let's go, Rhea," "Let's go, Liv," chants
here at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
And Morgan continues to put the pressure on the injured arm,
perhaps dislocated arm, the shoulder of Rhea Ripley.
[Corey] This is an incredibly sound strategy by the champion
as we take a look through the ref cam worn by Eddie Orengo
in this moment who's got a great view of the action.
Liv has located her target, the injured shoulder,
and now Morgan is exploiting it for all it's worth.
[Michael] This's been a relentless assault on the shoulder of Rhea Ripley.
[Corey] Modified top wrist lock by Morgan.
And Morgan, oh! Double knees.
Code breaker to the shoulder.
-[Pat] You can tell she went to the lab. -[Michael] And Rhea, now, with a kick.
And that buys herself some time, creates some separation.
[crowd chattering]
[Pat] Desperation boot from Rhea Ripley.
[Michael] Rolls over to be emotionally consoled by Dominik Mysterio.
[Rhea screams]
[crowd clapping]
[Michael] And Rhea battling with one arm here.
[Pat] That is the ultimate equalizer for Rhea, is the power.
-It's out! -[Eddie] One!
[indistinct]
Two!
-[Liv screams] -[Michael] And Dominik…
Shoving Rhea Ripley out of harm's way and taking the bullet for his Mami.
[Corey] That's love, Cole.
[Michael] And now, Rhea Ripley looking to take advantage,
trying to send the champ back into the ring.
Good thing Dominik was there or that may have been disaster for Ripley.
[Pat] I mean, chivalry is not dead, I guess, for dumb Dom.
Three! Back in the ring, Rhea.
Bitch. Bring it.
Are you… [laughs]
Four!
[indistinct yelling from crowd]
-[Michael] Oh, what the hell? -[Corey] Oh God!
[Michael] Oh my goodness. Ripley, did she just pop her shoulder back
into the joint by running into the table?
-[Corey] That was gross. -[crowd cheering]
[Corey] I could hear it.
[Michael] The most disgusting thing I've seen.
[Pat] What the…?
[Michael] Rhea Ripley just put her shoulder back into joint
by running into our announce table,
and now going to work on the champion, Morgan.
[Corey] Big kick by Ripley connects. Morgan now staggering to the corner.
Never seen anything like that.
Oh, and a dropkick into the corner by Ripley.
What are you thinking, Pat?
[Pat] That was mind-blowing. I mean, just to think to do that.
[Corey] And the closest thing I could think of
is Rhea's Judgment Day [indistinct].
-[Pat] Cover. -[Michael] Cover.
[Eddie] One! Two!
[Michael] And a kick out at two.
[Corey] Finn Bálor suffered a similar injury years back at SummerSlam.
[Michael] SummerSlam. The night he won the Universal Championship
by beating Rollins. Had to give it up the next night.
And again, this is disturbing. I'm not sure I want to see this again.
-[Rhea screams] -[Michael] Oh, goodness.
Popping the shoulder back into joint.
[Rhea screams]
[crowd chattering]
[Pat] It was obviously something
that all of us were incredibly surprised by.
I mean, just the ingenuity to do that, and then for it to work.
[Michael] And Ripley could be closing in on another World Championship.
Looking for Riptide, but Morgan, though, turns it into a DDT.
Great counter by the champ. Into the cover to retain.
Hook of the leg now on Ripley, who kicks at two.
[scattered applause]
[Corey] Morgan spiked Rhea right on the crown of her dome,
but the challenger had enough left to survive.
Let's take another look.
Hoisted up by Mami, and you have to wonder
if the shoulder played a factor in Ripley's power,
in her ability to deliver that maneuver that Morgan countered so well.
[Pat] The shoulder she tried to spear through
the commentators' desk?
[Corey] The one that almost sent me into the front row.
[Michael] Now Ripley caught Morgan with a kick, dropped the champion again.
Liv Morgan to the… toward the corner.
Rhea Ripley trying to bring the fight to Liv.
Competitive battle here tonight. Morgan!
[screaming]
[Corey] Oh, Ripley could be thinking about the prism lock.
This is a submission hold,
but she can't really use the right arm here, Corey.
Trying to use it. Trying to lock it in.
[Corey] One of Mami's arms is stronger than both of most.
[Pat] I can't believe she's doing this left-handed, basically.
[Michael] If she taps Morgan here, she'll win the championship.
Liv, though, able to reverse and send Rhea shoulder-first
again into the corner.
[Corey] Great wherewithal by the champion, desperate as it may be.
[Pat] Gotta think with the humidity if maybe, uh,
Liv was able to loosen up a little bit, slip out, wiggle out.
-[Michael] And Liv now-- -[Corey] Oh! Crucifix driver!
-Cover. -[Michael] Cover, win to retain.
-[Corey] Kick out at two. -[Pat] Whoo.
[Liv screaming]
[Corey] Morgan wisely looking for the armbar.
Ripley doing her best to prevent the submission from being completed.
[Michael] Yes. Rhea trying to block here. Liv Morgan trying to separate.
And if she can lock in an armbar on that shoulder, it could be all over.
[Eddie] What do you say?
[Corey] Ripley hanging on for dear life right now.
[Michael] Rhea trying to block Morgan now with a kick
to the mid-section of Ripley.
The champion trying to somehow sink in an armbar here
on the number one contender, Ripley.
[yelling and grunting]
[Pat] How much more does Rhea have left with that arm?
[man] Let's go, Mami.
[Corey] I'm surprised Rhea's got anything left.
[Pat] Amen.
[Corey] Credit where it's due, once again, to Liv Morgan,
who came out here tonight ready.
As unpopular as Morgan may be recently,
Liv Morgan is an A-list competitor right now.
[Pat] Sound strategy, execution through the roof.
Everything Liv could have wanted thus far.
[Michael] The cat-and-mouse game forcing Rhea to chase early,
then finding the opening to the injured shoulder.
Now, the power of the Eradicator.
Cover for the title.
Ripley hooks the leg, and Morgan Kicks out.
[Corey] Incredible back-and-forth action from both competitors.
First, Morgan reaching deep into her bag with a crucifix driver.
And this is superhuman.
With one severely damaged arm,
Ripley able to summon the strength to put Liv down again.
[crowd chanting] Mami! Mami! Mami!
[Michael] The Mami chants ringing throughout Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Ripley.
[indistinct]
I told you…
It comes to an end tonight.
[Michael] Oh, and a headbutt by Morgan.
-[Corey] The defiant champion. -[Michael] Retaliating.
Liv trying to escape out to the apron now.
Oh, and now hanging up the bad shoulder on the ropes again.
[Pat] Everything between the ears,
Liv Morgan is doing at a very high level tonight. Everything.
[Michael] Now, Morgan climbing into the timekeeper's area,
steel chair in hand.
[Corey] Maybe Liv is gonna try to get herself disqualified.
She'll retain the title.
-Exactly. -[Pat] Champion's advantage.
[Corey] She's not gonna make as much money tonight,
but sometimes keeping the gold is worth it.
Knock it off. Get it out.
[Michael] Morgan, steel chair in hand, measuring Ripley.
Remember, the reason Liv's champ today
is because of a steel chair.
And Ripley, again, trying to shove her shoulder back into joint.
[Rhea screaming]
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Superhuman.
[Corey] She's gotta be one of the baddest women walking Earth.
[Michael] And now, chair goes flying.
-Ripley sends up-- -[Corey] There it is.
-[Michael] Looking for the riptide. -[crowd cheering]
[Corey] That had to be cathartic.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] I don't believe Rhea's done yet.
[crowd cheering]
Liv Morgan is putting Ripley through hell.
Cost her months of her career. Cost her the championship.
[Corey] Rhea knows the rules.
Don't let your emotions get the best of you, Rhea.
No. Rhea, no.
[Corey] If Ripley swings this chair, the gold is gone.
[man] Rhea! No!
[crowd cheering wildly]
[crowd booing]
You can't win the title like this.
Pin her.
You can't win the title like this.
[Michael] Well, they're booing Dominik, but--
-[Corey] They should be applauding. -Exactly.
You just heard him tell Rhea, "You can't win the title like this."
[indistinct arguing]
[Michael] And Morgan driving Rhea into Mysterio.
Liv Morgan, Oblivion to Ripley.
[Corey] Rolls through, hooks the leg.
[Michael] Cover by Morgan, and a kick out by Ripley at two.
That was Morgan's chance. Rhea kicked out.
[Corey] And this stadium just came unglued.
[Michael] Morgan can't believe it. Liv Morgan in complete disbelief.
Dominik did the right thing. He saved Rhea Ripley.
She would've been disqualified and not had a shot at the championship.
[Pat] While that disagreement is taking place,
Liv hits a picture-perfect obliv… What the hell?
[crowd chattering]
[Michael] Well, Dominik…
-Dominik tossed the chair. -[Corey] This is how it's done.
[Michael] Wait a minute. Oblivion to the steel chair.
[Corey] Not again!
[Michael] And Liv Morgan now with the cover.
-Retains the championship. -[bell rings]
[Corey] What the hell?
[Samantha] Here is your winner and still
the Women's World Champion,
Liv Morgan.
[Corey] This is just like in Saudi Arabia.
Dom with poor aim allowed Liv to win again.
["Watch Me" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[Michael] I… I mean, déjà vu.
[Corey] Look at this.
[Michael] First, Dominik doing the right thing,
telling Rhea, "You use the chair, you're gonna be disqualified."
"You can't win the title."
[indistinct]
[Corey] Dom, I believe, was trying to tell Rhea, understandably,
emotions running high, Dom was just trying to keep Rhea in check.
There's Oblivion, but Mami kicks out.
Morgan was beside herself. Let's watch this again.
[Michael] Yes, Oblivion right onto the steel chair.
[Corey] Dominik had Eddie Orengo's attention.
This is an almost carbon copy of how Liv Morgan beat Becky Lynch
for the title to begin with.
And it was Dom's fault then.
[Michael] Well, Liv Morgan is still the Women's… What the…
[crowd cheering]
[crowd yelling]
[Michael] Dominik, you sorry, two-timing son of a bitch!
[Pat] This piece of trash screwed over his dad
and now screws over his Mami as well.
[Corey] Ain't love grand?
[crowd booing]
[Michael] Rhea Ripley heartbroken.
Guys, has this been a ruse for months?
What the hell is going on here?
[Pat] You would assume that Dom can't think months in advance
because he's too dumb,
but anything's possible with this… this piece of--
[Michael] Just say it. That's what he is.
[Pat] This piece of shit.
Oh, now he's flipping off the WWE Universe.
[Corey] I'm gonna go check on Rhea.
[music fades]
♪ I can hear you in my head… ♪
[Michael] Well, there is the four-time Intercontinental Champion, Sami Zayn,
the underdog from The Underground
set to defend the title here tonight at SummerSlam.
♪ Cause I know ♪
♪ You're nothing but a liar ♪
♪ You burned me one too many times ♪
♪ Like a devil in disguise Hiding your true colors ♪
♪ Just leave me alone… ♪
[Michael] Well, bruised and battered, yet still standing,
before the ring they'll meet again.
Sami Zayn will again defend the Intercontinental Championship
against the ferocious hound Bron Breakker, right here after this break.
For our Peacock Premium Plus subscribers, get a close look at
the story between two stalwarts of steely determination
who will stop at nothing to raise championship gold.
[music fades]
Let me just say what an honor it is to be standing in this ring as a champion.
[Michael] Brutality versus bravery.
Sami Zayn defends the Intercontinental Championship
against Bron Breakker.
[Sami] Bron Breakker walked into Money in the Bank.
He brought all his strength. He brought all his speed.
[Corey] Good God.
But he made the crucial mistake
thinking that I was the underdog in that match.
[Corey] Bron Breakker is daring Zayn.
I am not an underdog, and I am a champion.
[Michael] With all of Canada behind him, Helluva Kick.
-[bell rings] -[Sami] And that is why Bron Breakker
found out the hard way that it is one thing to knock me down.
It is another thing to try and keep me down.
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] A dog has showed up.
[Michael] He has not taken his gaze off of Sami Zayn.
I came out here
to look you in the eye,
the only man who could say that they've beat me.
So look, I've been thinking, and I--
[Michael] Bam! Bron Breakker
from out of nowhere just speared Sami Zayn
nearly out of the ring.
Oh no. Put on your seatbelts, Pat. Look at Breakker. Break-neck speed.
[crowd barking]
I'm not here to talk down on Sami Zayn.
See, at Money in the Bank, I didn't take him seriously.
I thought I was fighting a stand-up comic.
I put my hands behind my back.
You know what? That's on me. Rookie mistake.
Now it is my turn to prove myself.
I will scratch and claw and fight harder for this Intercontinental Championship,
harder than I've ever fought for anything in my entire life.
[Michael] We'll determine the number one contender
who will face Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship
at SummerSlam.
Oh no!
Hoo! [laughs]
[Michael] The Mad Dragon. Oh, spear. He was speared out of mid-air.
The back of his head hit the apron. Dragunov may be out.
-[bell rings] -Ilja Dragunov can no longer continue.
[Samantha] Your winner, Bron Breakker.
[Bron] Whomever they wanna keep feeding me…
[grunting and groaning]
…I will continue to break everyone at SummerSlam, when the joke is on you,
and the Intercontinental Championship will be on me.
Bron Breakker, if I could give you one little piece of advice,
It would be to not make the same mistake that you made at Money in the Bank.
[crowd cheering]
♪ I'm a killer Blood on my hands ♪
There's nowhere for Sami to run any longer.
I have Sami Zayn and that Intercontinental Championship
exactly where I want them.
[crowd cheering]
This time around, it's not about trying to teach
a young guy to respect me.
This time, it's just about beating his ass at SummerSlam.
[music fades]
[man] What was that, man? This is bad, guys. This is bad.
-What was he thinking out there, huh? -[door bangs]
Where is he? Where the hell is Dom?
We thought he was gonna be here.
Yes, but he's not here, huh? Where's Dominik?
-Hey, we're all wondering the same-- -Hey, hey. Guys, guys, guys.
-Is this you? Did you know? -Calm down.
You're really going to ask me that?
Answer the question.
No. Of course I didn't know.
Well, somebody's gotta know where this little prick is.
Hey, we're all wondering the same thing, all right?
Instead of standing here looking at each other,
how about the three of us, we go look for him, huh?
[indistinct] Stay here. We'll find him.
We're gonna go. Come on, Carlito.
Thanks for the trust.
Finn.
I'm gonna kill this kid.
[Michael] wouldn't wanna be Dominik and Liv.
And, uh, Damian has to refocus. He's gotta defend his title
later on tonight.
[Pat] The Judgment Day's been in disarray for a while and, ladies and gentlemen…
["Breakk and Destroy" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
…the dog's about to meet Cleveland.
[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the Intercontinental Championship.
Introducing the challenger from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
Bron Breakker.
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] The unpredictable badass.
Bron Breakker makes his way to the ring
looking to win his first Single's Championship on the main roster.
Guys, back in SummerSlam 1993,
Scott and Rick Steiner, Rick, of course, Bron Breakker's dad, Scott, his uncle,
competed here at SummerSlam.
Tonight, Bron Breakker brings it full circle.
[Corey] Well, if you were to create a WWE Superstar in a laboratory,
it would most likely come out resembling Bron Breakker.
Bron likes to call himself a dog.
This guy's got German Shepherd power and greyhound speed.
It's unbelievable what this guy is physically capable of.
Has Bron Breakker learned from his past mistakes with Sami Zayn,
or will Bron's inexperience come back to bite him?
-You see what I did there? -[Pat] Absolutely.
And this dog does bite.
[Michael] Listen to the Superstars
who all won their first Intercontinental Championships
here at SummerSlam.
Ultimate Warrior in 1990.
Bret Hart in '91. British Bulldog in '92.
-"Stone Cold" Steve Austin In '97. -[Pat] What?
[Michael] Will Bron Breakker join them tonight?
[Corey] Well, the Intercontinental Championship has changed hands 15 times
at SummerSlam.
["Worlds Apart" by WWE, CFO$ playing]
[crowd] ♪ Let's go! ♪
[Samantha] And his opponent from Montreal, Quebec, Canada,
weighing in at 212 pounds,
he is the Intercontinental Champion,
Sami Zayn.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Sami Zayn has held the championship for 119 days
after beating Gunther at WrestleMania
and ending that historic 666-day reign.
[Corey] No matter how you slice it, Sami Zayn is a survivor.
Period, point blank. Sami Zayn knows how to hang tough.
He knows how to fight through the pain.
He knows how to utilize his iron will to keep what means most to him.
[Pat] Everything you're describing, Corey, is the reason why
this man has been on the top of the marquee for a long time,
a future Hall of Famer.
[Michael] SummerSlam is brought to you in part by Prime hydration,
the fastest-growing beverage in history.
The official hydration drink of WWE,
with only 25 calories, zero added sugar, PCAAs, and electrolytes. Drink Prime.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Sami Zayn survived last month against Bron Breakker.
[Corey] Sami Zayn did what he said he was going to do,
and Sami used his experience against Bron Breakker,
which is why it's of the utmost importance for Breakker to show Sami
at least a different look.
That said, there's almost nothing Sami hasn't experienced before.
After years and years of success in WWE,
Sami exists at the top of the card for a reason.
Sami is one of the best in the world.
[Pat] A refocused, realigned Bron Breakker.
This might be a first for Sami Zayn.
We have no idea where Bron is headed,
but tonight will be a documentary night for him.
[Michael] Referee Daphanie LaShaunn holding up
the prestigious Intercontinental Championship.
Dozens of WWE Hall of Famers have held this title over the years.
It has been called the Workman's Championship.
-[bell rings] -[Michael] Zayn and Breakker now.
Breakker quickly, oh, and goes shoulder first to the post.
Sami Zayn, again, the experience, he felt it coming.
Breakker got a bit overzealous early on.
[Corey] Sami Zayn bragged for quite some time
on WWE programming that he is a master strategist.
Sami is reminding the whole world that that's the truth.
[Michael] Oh, and Sami Zayn up over the top, taking Breakker out.
And Sami Zayn is pumped up here tonight.
[Pat] We should've expected this from Sami Zayn,
but I did not expect this from Bron Breakker.
[Corey] Sami was obviously ready for whatever Bron was bringing to the table.
Zayn in control. Breakker is still all out of sorts.
This looks bad for the challenger.
[Michael] Yes, Sami going up to the top rope now.
Zayn, the Intercontinental Champion. Breakker, though,
able to scoot out of harm's way
and now into the corner with a clothesline.
[Corey] Breakker has that game-changing power.
One strike, one impact.
Went for the Helluva Kick that Breakker just avoided it.
One shot can change the complexion of an entire match.
[Michael] Well, Breakker's got game-changing speed as well.
[Pat] Speed, power, tenacity. Uh-oh.
[Michael] Look. Shoulders down.
-[Corey] Roll through. -Shoulders down.
Kick out by Breakker.
Looked like he was going for that gorilla press. Oh.
-[Pat] Wow -[Michael] Shoulder gave out.
But that collision there just took out the champ.
[Pat] This match for Bron has stumbled,
but this is a nice reset as the dog pound barks
alongside Bron Breakker.
[Michael] Breakker, a two-time NXT Champion,
13 title defenses in his second reign.
[Corey] Let's take another look at the impact on the Steiner line.
A family tradition being kept alive by the badass Bron Breakker.
[Michael] Breakker headlined more Premium Live Events
than anybody in NXT history,
but now he hopes to win the championship
for the first time here at the main roster.
Two! Three!
[Corey] Well, listen, just because you have a great deal of success in NXT
does not guarantee success on Raw or SmackDown.
-It's over! -[Michael] Sometimes it does.
-[Corey] Sometimes it does. -[Michael] Look at Sami Zayne.
-[Pat] It's just like the NFL. -[Michael] Sami looking for the exploder.
[Pat] Every first rounder isn't great.
That's the way it shakes up.
It's not easy to be on the main roster. There's a certain amount of spots.
Sami Zayn has obviously been here a long time because of his greatness.
Bron Breakker has shown everything to be here
for a long time at the top.
Tonight's the night he could prove that.
[Michael] Sami fighting back now. Elbow. Breakker dropped to the mat.
And now Zayn perched on the second rope.
-[Pat] Uh-oh -[Michael] Breakker. So quick. So quick.
[Pat] Frankensteiner!
[Michael] Cover for the championship. Oh, and Sami kicked at two.
[crowd barking]
[Pat] With big poppa pump in the building.
[Corey] A move popularized by Scott,
but not quite like Bron does it.
From the tip top rope.
[Michael] I heard Scott was upset you renamed it.
That's what I was told earlier today.
[Pat] Yes, maybe, maybe. Possibly. I had to poop my pants a little bit,
but he gave a big thumbs at me.
By a thread!
Frankensteiner, Frankensteiner. It's generational, baby.
[indistinct yelling]
[Pat] And it's incredibly difficult to do. Run up the… like a spider monkey.
[grunting and yelling]
[Michael] Again, Bron with this intense, the grit of the challenger
taking the fight to Sami, looking to wear him down.
[Corey] Spider monkey agility with Silverback power.
[Pat] Bingo. Now you're talking about animals that aren't just dogs.
That's why this guy is just a specimen.
[Corey] No doubt. The animal kingdom should be on notice.
-Quit! Quit! -[scattered barking in crowd]
-Quit! -[Corey] And he's a dog too.
[Pat] He's barking at Sami Zayn now.
Quit. There's nothing that can save you.
[Michael] Oh, and Sami. The veteran is not going to be disrespected like that.
[Pat] Sami's waiting for that moment almost every single match.
Oh, you think I'm done?
[Michael] Sami off the leapfrog. Clothesline. Breakker's in trouble.
Sami Zayn trying to build some momentum.
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Bron stumbling.
Sami thinking about a Blue Thunder Bomb,
but Breakker able to put on the brakes.
[grunting and groaning]
[Michael] Look at Sami, clubbing blows to the back of the neck.
Just such guts.
-Oh goodness! Breakker! -[Corey] Oh my goodness!
He just avoided disaster is what Breakker did.
[Michael] Landing on his knees.
[Pat] Looked like his forehands.
Now Breakker from the second rope.
[crowd barking]
[Michael] Sami Zayn caught him. Blue Thunder Bomb.
Sami for the win to retain. Kick out at two.
[Corey] Bron was looking for the middle rope bulldog,
potentially to put Sami Zayn away for good,
but the veteran Sami was aware
and turned the tides in spectacular fashion
with this Blue Thunder Bomb.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Every time you think Sami's down and out,
he just digs down deep, fights back. Heart of a lion.
[crowd clapping]
[grunting]
[Michael] Breakker. Oh, knee, and Sami may be out.
Sami may be out. No idea where he is.
Oh, Sami, though, caught him.
Exploder suplex by Zayn.
Sami looking to do it again. Got Breakker where he wants him.
[Corey] Just when you think Sami Zayn is down and out,
Sami Zayn proves you dead wrong.
Here it comes.
-Oh! [laughs] -[Michael] Spear by Breakker.
[Corey] You can count to 15, but Breakker can't execute the cover.
[crowd barking]
[Michael] Straps are down.
Bron Breakker's in a different zone right now.
[Pat] So is Sami Zayn. Maybe a different dimension.
[Michael] That 23-mile per hour rope-to-rope speed
about split Zayn in half. Cover by Breakker.
-Welcome to the Bron Breakker era. -[bell rings]
["Breakk and Destroy" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner
and new Intercontinental Champion,
Bron Breakker.
[Michael] The meteoric ascension of Bron Breakker continues.
The brand-new Intercontinental Champion at SummerSlam.
[Pat] Give Sami Zayn all the credit in the world.
He's a future Hall of Famer for a reason.
A phenomenal Intercontinental Champion for us,
but right now it just feels like when Bron Breakker walks in the room,
he's the best one in there.
[Corey] I will not disagree with a word you just said, Pat.
Sami fought valiantly.
The Exploder suplex into the turnbuckle, and as Sami wanted the Helluva Kick,
Breakker delivered a thunderous spear,
and it just got worse from there for the champion.
A second 23-mile-an-hour plus high-impact spear
to the heart of a champion,
and new Intercontinental Champion, Bron Breakker.
I've got a word of advice for the WWE Universe.
Get used to it.
[barking]
["Breakk and Destroy" continues playing]
[crowd cheering]
[music fades]
Corey, I cannot believe that you and I wasted hours upon hours
of our life having to call voiceovers
from McAfee and the boys in the DLC pack.
At least the fans seem to like it.
Yes, I'd say that is not the case at all.
But I'll say this. Dream come true for all of us.
And, uh, we immediately made ourselves champions.
Classic marks honored. Absolute honor.
D but and Hawk, I have no problem with,
but the fact Boston Connor made it into the game
-is a huge, huge problem for me. -Stooge! Stooge!
He's a good man. They are good men. Please.
[Michael] Guys, over the last week, the WWE Universe
and Slim Jim Long Boi gang cast their vote to determine
the most savage moment of the summer, brought to you by Slim Jim,
America's beefy, meaty, most savage snack.
Thank you to everyone who voted. And drumroll, please.
The winner is… [imitates drumroll]
[man] Tonight CM Punk is home.
[dramatic music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd booing]
[Drew McIntyre] You wear this so you don't feel alone,
but you are alone, Punk, right now…
because of me.
[siren wailing]
♪ 'Cause that highway to hell Is the road I'm on ♪
♪ I need to turn around Before I'm too far gone ♪
♪ If I'm ever gonna make it On them streets of gold… ♪
-[Michael] Guys, look. -[Corey] Oh my God.
-[Michael] SummerSlam. -[Corey] Sit up straight.
[Michael] Stephanie McMahon is here enjoying the show.
-[crowd cheering] -Whoo!
[Michael] Wouldn't be SummerSlam without Steph.
[Pat] Did you say sit up straight? How about you get on your feet, Corey?
[Michael] She's waving at me. Hey, Steph.
[Pat] Yes, Steph. Great to see you, boss.
[Corey] Here tonight in his hometown, "The Maverick" Logan Paul
is gonna go head-to-head against LA Knight
to see who can prove who's truly at the top of the roster
in a battle for the United States Championship
right after this break.
Members of the WWE Universe subscribed to Peacock Premium Plus,
let's look at how these two have gone bar for bar, pound for pound
on their way to this sensational matchup tonight.
[music fades]
[tense music playing]
Let me talk to you.
[man] "The Megastar" LA Knight
is one of the biggest stars in this entire industry.
[crowd cheering]
[LA Knight] All around the world, it's the same song.
Every time I walk in here,
the whole world jumps to their feet. Yeah.
[crowd] Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Yeah!
[Corey] This guy has been on a tear for the last calendar year.
[mellow music playing]
[singer vocalizing]
-[crowd cheering] -[bell rings]
♪ So keep on pushing ♪
[LA Knight] The one and the only Megastar. Tell them whose game this is.
[crowd] LA Knight!
Yeah!
Which means, Logan Paul, I want that United States Championship.
Do you know where Logan Paul might be?
Surprise, surprise. Guess who ain't here?
Logan Paul. If you don't wanna come to SmackDown,
I'll bring SmackDown to you. Yeah.
Yo, your boy from LA is here.
[Logan Paul] Bro, no, no, no.
What's your policy on peeing in the pool because I got to go.
But then I got a phone call that said he'd be right here in this ring.
[Logan] Get out of my house. Get out of my pool.
-Yeah. -Unbelievable. Unbelievable.
What does he do? He no-shows Chicago. Telling them that--
[Corey] Logan Paul is here with that titanium-reinforced right hand.
You break into my house, I break your mouth.
LA Knight, it's funny because you keep saying Megastar,
but Megastar to who?
There's levels to this.
You are not on mine, so go back to the midcard where you belong.
♪ I'm on a new level ♪
I'm Logan Paul. I compete with the best in the world.
[Michael] He's one of the top social media influencers
in the entire world.
[Logan] I'm building multi-billion-dollar businesses,
changing the landscape of sports media with my brother.
The last name Paul echoes throughout the zeitgeist of culture.
♪ I'm on a new level ♪
Why would I give this dude a shot at my United States Championship?
Your brother.
Your brother is willing to jump in the ring with Mike Tyson,
but you don't seem to have the balls to jump in the ring with me.
I guess balls don't run in the family now, do they?
[crowd exclaims]
Y'all want this match?
-[crowd cheering] -This place is losing their mind.
I'll tell you what. I'll sign your little contract.
[crowd cheering]
I'll give you the shot at glory.
[commentator] It is official at SummerSlam.
Just got off a phone call with Mr. Cleveland himself, and he said
he has a surprise Logan Paul homecoming.
It's time to unveil my championship banner.
-[Corey] Oh no. -[commentator] It's a work of art.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Somebody defaced the work of art.
What does that banner say?
-[crowd] Yeah! -Yeah!
I'm gonna go back here, and I'm going to get you another banner.
Logan Paul, at SummerSlam,
I'll own you, I'll own that belt,
and there's nothing you can do to stop it. Yeah.
[crowd cheering]
["Take Flight" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[crowd booing]
I'm home, baby.
-[Michael] Cleveland colors. -I'm home, baby.
[indistinct]
[Pat] That's our United States Champion right there, Cole.
[Michael] Look who's here.
[Corey] It's MGK!
[Michael] The Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum rapper
from right here in Cleveland.
-[Pat] From the land. -[both yelling]
[Michael] The Cleveland duo is here.
-Let's go! -[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the United States Championship.
Introducing first, from Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico, by way of Cleveland, Ohio,
he is the United States Champion,
Logan Paul.
[Michael] You know, Corey, they also call MGK Kelly Roll
because he has Jelly Roll in the latest single, "Lonely Road."
It's a joint project with Jelly Roll,
who, of course, is here on SummerSlam tonight.
It wasn't physique-related
because MGK has got a physique like Vic Joseph.
It must be something in the water here in Cleveland
when the river caught fire.
[Pat] That song, "Lonely Road," is number one in the world right now.
-[Corey] Hell of a song. -[Pat] "Country Roads," feeling it.
[Corey] It all makes sense
when you know that the river in Cleveland once caught fire,
why Logan Paul created a drink in lieu of water.
I think this should be pumped through the pipes
in the city of Cleveland.
Prime everywhere. It's better than Brawndo.
[Pat] Cole, you and I have been here for the last 24 hours or so.
The Cleveland folks have not been claiming Logan
as much as I would have hoped or dreamed.
[Michael] Not at all. They claimed up the guest host, of course, The Miz.
[Corey] They're jealous of Logan.
Logan's married to a woman hotter than anybody that exists in this city.
A multi, multi, multi-millionaire. I mean, why? I could go on.
[Michael] Well, guys, this match is presented by Slim Jim.
Get savage with America's favorite bold and spicy meat stick.
Snap into a Slim Jim.
I can't believe MGK actually knew who I was. That was pretty cool.
-[Pat] Yeah, he said, "Michael Cole"? -[Corey] He thought you were McAfee's dad.
[Pat] Whatever the case.
[Michael] No, McAfee's dad is actually jacked.
[Pat] Absolutely jacked. A dog through and through,
as Logan Paul kisses his own company's brand
in the middle of the ring at SummerSlam in his city,
in the middle of a stadium as our champion.
What a moment for Logan Paul.
[Michael] Now… [indistinct]
Hello, Cleveland.
Oh my God, look at this thing.
Logan, I'm gonna return your collateral to you.
Holding this till I got the US Title.
I got to tell you, this window has been bothering me all day.
You can't see out of the damn thing, so I'm gonna do you a favor
and take care of that problem.
This way you're gonna be able to see where you're driving.
-[Pat] Oh no. -[LA] There we go.
Now you can see out of the damn thing.
There we go. There we go. Nice and clear for you.
Yeah. Now, I'll tell you what.
Now that you can have that piece of trash back,
I'm coming for that US title like I told you.
And with everybody saying new US Champ,
-LA Knight. Yeah. -[crowd] LA Knight. Yeah.
[Corey] Vandalism. Grand theft auto.
Who the hell does LA Knight think he is? Cleveland PD needs to get down here.
[Michael] Not sure it's grand theft auto because he returned the vehicle.
[Corey] Last night he should have been charged.
You can't undo grand theft auto.
[Pat] The Hummer EV is a great vehicle. Just…
[Corey] That's above my pay grade, McAfee.
-[Michael] Logan Paul is-- -[Pat] Very pricey, yes. Sorry.
[Michael] I was saying Logan's irate
that LA Knight has destroyed his Prime vehicle.
-[Pat] And that he's getting cheered for it in Logan's hometown.
[Samantha] And his opponent from Los Angeles, California,
weighing in at 240 pounds, LA Knight.
[Michael] In all seriousness, though, this is a defining moment tonight
for LA Knight, perhaps, and guys, I think it's a must-win.
[Corey] I agree wholeheartedly with you, Michael Cole.
LA Knight is a Superstar who has scratched and clawed
and taken the most difficult of roads on his journey up the mountain.
LA Knight now has the opportunity he has sought for so long.
It is now or never for the Megastar.
[Michael] Yet to win a Singles Championship in…
Logan Paul goes right after LA Knight.
[Pat] Gonna steal his car and think he's not gonna punch you?
Ryan Tran's gonna have his hands full.
This matchup hasn't even started yet,
and these two are brawling outside the ring.
[crowd chanting] Yeah! Yeah!
[Michael] LA Knight and Logan Paul, and Paul trying to get the upper hand.
And a headbutt drops Knight outside the ring
and stunned Logan as well.
[Corey] Logan just running on a high from the hometown energy. Oh God.
[Michael] Driven into the Barricade.
[Corey] Again, as impressed as we have been each and every time
Logan Paul has stepped inside of a WWE ring,
LA Knight has lived for this.
This could be the culmination of LA Knight's life's work tonight.
Not something he chose to do on a whim because he thought it would be fun.
[Michael] Logan Paul bounced off the ring apron
and then right into his Prime hydration station.
[Pat] That's my favorite hydration station I've ever seen.
[Michael] Now using it to his advantage is LA Knight,
and Logan Paul taking a sip of Prime. Maybe give him some more?
Yeah! Yeah!
[Corey] This is Meta Moon, my favorite flavor.
[Michael] Oh, good.
[Corey] I'm an unbiased commentator tonight, though.
LA Knight needs to focus on the task at hand being Logan Paul, not MGK. Oh.
[Michael] Logan Paul just spitting the Prime in the face of LA Knight
and driving him kidney-first into the apron.
Again, guys, the bell hasn't rung. This matchup isn't even underway yet
for the United States Championship.
[Corey] It's a smart strategy for Logan Paul.
Logan can inflict as much damage as he wants on LA Knight
before the bell even rings, and that can be an easy night.
[Pat] He's the champion. He can do whatever he wants.
[Michael] I think we need to get out of harm's way here
because Logan Paul is gonna tear apart our announce table.
-[Corey] I'm taking this. -Sorry, Corey.
[Corey] It's all right. We got a rapport. Because I respect Logan Paul.
[Pat] Yes, how could you not? Big old brain.
[Michael] You respect him. You got to witness last time.
-[Corey] He said I protected you. -[Michael] That's true.
[Pat] He said we'll get new Prime. Don't worry about it.
[Michael] Now Logan bounced off the announce table
and once again by LA Knight and again and again and again.
[Corey] Right in front of MGK. This is humiliating.
-[Pat] And the Prime boys. -[Michael] And Jelly Roll.
[Corey] I would recommend MGK do something,
but last time he tried, he ended up going through a table.
[Michael] There you go with the Prime bottle off the face of Logan Paul.
-[Corey] Take notes, Cole. -[Michael] I don't think LA liked that.
[Corey] I just got a Prime shower off of Logan Paul's face
right there from LA Knight.
[Michael] Now LA Knight with Logan Paul on our announce table.
-[Pat] This match has not started yet. -[Michael] No, not at all.
[Corey] Uh-oh, well, it may never start.
-[Michael] LA Knight. -[Corey] God.
[Michael] With Logan Paul on his shoulders this is gonna be nasty.
-[Pat] What the hell is Knight thinking? -[Corey] This will end Paul's career.
[Michael] Logan Paul. Oh my goodness. A neck breaker on the announce table.
[Corey] Oh my God.
I don't know who got the worst of that exchange. LA Knight or Logan Paul.
[Michael] They might not even be able to have this match.
[Pat] It's like they landed on concrete with this table not budging.
[crowd cheers]
[Pat] Oh my.
[Michael] This match may never start.
[Corey] They still may fight all night.
[Michael] Finally, Logan Paul, the United States Champion, into the ring.
-LA Knight as well. -[bell rings]
The official Ryan Tran calls for the bell,
and we're underway for the United States Championship.
[Pat] I don't know if that's a fair bell
after what just happened to Logan Paul over here,
but LA Knight's gonna take advantage for sure.
Cleveland hasn't seen a fight like this
since Roger Dorn and Rick Vaughn midfield. This is going to be brutal.
[Michael] Again, this matchup is officially underway now.
Fred Williams and the Cleveland Browns got into a fight
last year on this sideline, but you're right.
These boys are throwing hands.
[Michael] Inverted atomic drop followed by a clothesline by Knight.
Here's cover to win his first championship in WWE
and a kick out by Logan Paul at two.
Logan Paul has held the United States Championship
for over 270 days.
Won it back in November in Saudi Arabia by knocking off Rey Mysterio.
[Corey] With that little caveat being that Logan Paul has only defended
the aforementioned championship two times.
[Michael] Knees up by Logan Paul.
Now, LA Knight though, Corey,
and you called it, actually, as a pinfall victory over Logan Paul.
[Corey] It was a triple-threat situation, but LA Knight knows what it feels like
to pin Logan Paul's shoulders to the mat,
and LA Knight would love to recapture that glory tonight
in Logan's own hometown.
Trust me. That irony is not lost on The Megastar.
If anything, it's fueling LA Knight.
[Michael] Logan lands on his feet
and now drives LA Knight shoulder-first to the post.
Logan Paul had his first-ever singles match in WWE here at SummerSlam
back in 2022 against the host of this year's SummerSlam, The Miz,
last year and squared off with Ricochet here at SummerSlam.
[crowd cheering and chanting]
[Pat] I know LA Knight has had a long road to this point,
but Logan Paul has built like five different businesses in that time
and has become a champion here. He figures things out quickly.
[Michael] Well, let's not forget what Paul accomplished at WrestleMania, Corey.
He knocked off both Kevin Owens and Randy Orton that night.
[Corey] Again, Logan Paul has done nothing but impress the WWE Universe
with his in-ring abilities, and he just took LA Knight's head off.
[Michael] And now just pounding away on a contender for the championship Knight.
[crowd booing]
[Corey] Logan Paul, despite what you think about him,
has been an unbelievable Superstar here in WWE.
[Pat] Booing him in his hometown in front of MGK.
[Michael] Logan Paul who got a degree in industrial engineering
at Ohio University.
[crowd chanting] You suck!
Ohio U, home of one of the greatest Halloween parties,
uh, on this planet.
[Corey] And number seven.
[crowd chanting] You suck!
Big Ben Robinson learned it from Miami.
[Corey] Miami of Ohio.
[Pat] Different college, but same state.
[Corey] I didn't go to college, Pat. [laughs] That explains a lot. [laughs]
-[Michael] And now Logan with a big boot. -[Pat] Ohio's a great state.
[Michael] Why don't we call him tonight Hogan Paul.
With the leg drop for the win, And LA Knight kicks out.
[Pat] Brother.
Another number seven from the college you were talking about.
[Pat] Yeah, bingo, of course. go Bobcats now.
LA Knight and Logan wanted to fight. Now they're both kind of exhausted.
[crowd chanting]
[Corey] There is no quit in The Megastar, and LA Knight trading rights.
[Michael] LA Knight now with a kick, and now gaining the upper hand.
Right hand after right hand, driving Logan Paul back toward the corner.
Now sends Paul. No, reversal.
Logan Paul now, that gut wrench suplex by Paul.
Cover now, hook of the leg, and a kick out.
[Pat] LA Knight.
[Corey] Oh my God, look at the mouse under the eye of Logan Paul
beginning to form as we look again at the gut-wrench suplex
performed by the United States Champion.
Logan's face showing the wounds of this battle.
[scattered clapping and cheering]
[Pat] LA Knight getting a title opportunity.
Obviously, it was gonna be physical.
[Michael] Logan Paul now looking to put Knight away. Oh!
-[Pat] Oh! -[Michael] LA Knight taken out.
I'm sure that was the over bomb by Logan Paul.
A kick out by Knight at two. Logan Paul just continues to impress.
[Corey] Again, you don't have to like Logan Paul.
We understand Logan is controversial. That's what Logan does.
Gets the world talking.
You can pick a side, but you can't deny the talent
and the ability of the United States Champion.
[Pat] The amount of focus he's put on getting better in the ring.
I think that can't be understated enough. Loves the business.
[Michael] Poor guy, he was trying… he was mocking LA Knight.
Was trying to raise his championship banners last night on SmackDown.
LA Knight now turning things around. Powerslam of his own.
[Pat] Jordan gained sixth gear for LA Knight.
Does he become a champion in Cleveland, Ohio?
[Michael] Over 50,000 strong here tonight. Cleveland Browns Stadium.
The 37th annual SummerSlam.
LA Knight and Logan Paul battling for the United States Championship.
First United States Champion ever,
late great Harley Race.
And now driving Logan Paul into the corner and LA Knight now unloading on Paul.
[crowd chanting] Yeah!
[Corey] Big rights in the corner.
The Megastar, the challenger, beating down Logan Paul.
[Michael] Sends Paul into the corner again, LA Knight.
Bang!
Knight is showing a new side of aggression here tonight, very aggressive challenger.
[Corey] It's the smash-mouth style utilized by LA Knight,
nothing fancy, nothing too out of the box.
A lot of stomps, a lot of big punches, and some high-impact offense.
[Pat] How about his stamina, Corey?
[Michael] Into the corner.
A running knee by Knight. The champ's in trouble.
[Pat] He's growing stronger, it seems, the longer it goes in this humidity.
[Corey] I agree with you.
[Michael] And Paul, reversal. Missed with the clothesline. LA Knight.
[both grunt]
-[Michael] Oh, down goes Logan Paul. -[Corey] Version of the Side Effect.
We haven't seen that maneuver in quite some time,
and now, from the second turnbuckle, here comes the challenger.
[Michael] Now Logan Paul struggling.
[Corey] The challenger spending a lot of time
basking in the adulation of the WWE Universe.
[crowd chanting]
[Michael] LA Knight top rope, big elbow
for the win for the United States Title. Kick out by Paul.
[Corey] LA Knight adding a new wrinkle to his game.
I don't know that I've seen him utilize that maneuver.
[Pat] No hands to the top. Elbow drop.
LA Knight getting better and better and better as the night goes.
[Corey] Take a look at this. Down goes the United States Champion,
followed up moments later with a tremendous display of athleticism.
And now Knight thinking about the neckbreaker yet again.
[Michael] Paul lands on his feet, trying to turn things around.
Logan Paul, does he have a handful of hair?
[Corey] Yes, I think Logan was about to scalp LA Knight.
[crowd chanting]
[Michael] Now Knight sent through the second rope, out to the apron.
Logan Paul, look at that, that springboard clothesline.
[Corey] I'm not entirely sure, but I don't know if the right hand
made contact with LA Knight or Logan's forearm.
Either way, spells bad news for the challenger.
[Michael] Let's not forget that steel plate in his right hand.
[Corey] Titanium-reinforced.
As if Logan's hands weren't dangerous enough on their own.
[Pat] Logan obviously newer to the business,
champion a long time,
but him knowing LA Knight was gonna be sitting there--
Springboard!
[Michael] Springboard moonsault by Paul.
-[Pat] Good God. -[Michael] Absolutely incredible.
[Corey] That was nuts.
[Michael] The suddenness of that move by Paul.
[Pat] This man is unfathomable.
What he is able to do all the time in every business is outrageous.
[Corey] All the way to the top rope, almost effortlessly.
A sight to behold, a thing of beauty
for everyone in this stadium not named LA Knight.
[Michael] Tiptoeing the tightrope for Logan Paul
as he takes out Knight.
Now Paul looking to retain the United States title.
He's got the right hand cocked ready to go.
Looking for the KO punch on LA Knight.
[Pat] Night-night, Knight.
[Michael] Knight, though, able to counter, went for the BFT.
Backslide now by Paul. Shoulders down to retain.
Kick at two by Knight.
Bang. Right hand. Good night.
Knockout. Paul took him out.
Cover to retain. Hook of the leg and a kick out by Knight.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] That was three.
[Pat] Has LA Knight got a steel jaw?
How do you kick out of that?
[Michael] The official said it was two.
Explaining to Logan Paul they got the shoulder up
before a count of three.
[Corey] Ryan Tran's got the best view in the entire stadium,
so I'm not gonna question it, but my God, how the hell did LA Knight kick out?
[Michael] We learned at Money in the Bank
that the official's decision is final.
Now Logan Paul heading up to the top rope.
Paul now with LA Knight in trouble.
Went for the frog splash. Had to roll through.
Knight back to his feet.
LA Knight ducks underneath that attempt… BFT.
Logan Paul able to send him the other way.
[Corey] Great situational awareness.
Logan grasped on the top rope. Avoided disaster.
[Pat] Great use of leverage. Logan's got to be sensitive.
[Michael] Boot catches Knight.
Logan Paul has thwarted Knight at every turn.
[Pat] How much more does LA have?
[Michael] LA Knight to the top rope. That's incredible.
-I saw someone else do that before. -[Pat] Tried to.
[Michael] Now look at this. Knight from the top rope with a superplex.
[Corey] No, that was a gnarly landing for the champion.
[Michael] LA Knight shoots the half. Looks to put Paul away.
Hooks the leg for the title. Logan kicks out.
What a match for the United States Championship.
[Corey] MGK and Jelly Roll are just a few feet behind us.
They both about lost their minds on the landing in the subsequent kick out.
Cleveland is losing it right now.
[Pat] The leap. The delayed superplex.
[Corey] And then the high-angle landing.
Check out the impact on this superplex.
LA Knight, it's almost a brainbuster from the top rope.
[Pat] It's like a super buster after.
[Corey] The fact that Logan survived is nothing short of impressive.
[Pat] He is from Ohio. He's got that toughness.
Logan went to the eyes.
[Michael] Yes, Logan just raked the eyes. The official didn't see it.
[Corey] I'm not going to tell on him.
[Michael] Okay, wait a minute. Logan. Oh no.
Hey, look at that. That's that goof Jeff.
That idiot that's helped Paul win all these matches.
[LA Knight yells]
[Michael] Oh, and LA Knight with a baseball slide.
[Pat] Logan was looking to maybe add a little something to his hand.
LA Knight baseball slides him.
[Corey] I'm not. I think Logan was just trying to acknowledge his people.
-[Pat] Oh, fist bump. -[Corey] Right.
It doesn't matter.
[Michael] Oh, look at this. One of Logan's entourage gonna pay for it.
Yes, kick the hell out of that idiot Jeff. Kick his ass, Knight. Kick his ass.
[Pat] Jeff's eating a lot of leather right now from LA Knight, yeah.
[Corey] You guys need to take it easy on Jeff. He works really hard.
[Pat] He certainly does, but right now
the Prime boys are taking a beating.
[Corey] How would you feel if I start kicking Zito's ass, Pat?
You wouldn't be happy about that. -[Michael] You couldn't.
[Pat] That's what I was about to say.
Nonetheless, I don't know if Jeff's got anybody in my crew either,
but nonetheless, the Prime boys are down, but Logan is up.
-[Michael] Now, wait a minute. This is MJ. -[Corey] MGK.
[Michael] MGK now is…
[crowd booing]
[Michael] He is handing Logan Paul brass knuckles that MGK…
-[Corey] It's just a chain. -[Michael] …MGK had around his neck.
[Pat] It was a chain.
[Corey] It's a pendant. It's fashion. It's fine.
[Michael] It's brass knuckles, you damn fools. He's got it on his wrist.
[Pat] That right there, you're right. They were on the chain, though.
[Michael] Now LA Knight. Logan Paul, look out.
Knight, look out for the knucks.
-[Logan grunts] -[Ryan] Come on. Let's go.
Knight hoisting up the champion.
[Michael] He hit him with the knucks. Paul just hit Knight with the knucks.
LA Knight has been taken out once again by brass knuckles by Paul.
And Paul. Oh, Knight caught him. Knight caught him. BFT blunt force trauma.
Cover by Knight.
-[crowd] One, two. -[bell rings]
[Michael] LA Knight wins the United States Title.
["Welcome to LA" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner
and new United States Champion,
LA Knight.
[Michael] LA Knight, with his defining moment tonight at SummerSlam,
winning his first Singles Championship, the United States title.
[Corey] It's been a long time coming.
There's been a lot of blood, sweat, tears,
but The Megastar never gave up, never quit,
always fights for what he believes in.
He's now United States Champion.
[Michael] Tonight, Savage Replay is presented by Slim Jim meat sticks.
Need a little excitement? Snap into a Slim Jim.
-[snapping] -[Pat] Oh, yeah.
[Corey] First, let's take a look at Logan Paul throwing caution to the wind
in the name of a title retention.
A scene to behold, a thing of beauty.
It seemed as though LA Knight surely had things in the bag in this moment.
A brutal top-rope superplex. Very nearly ended this.
And it's surprising to, well, practically nobody,
Logan Paul had help ringside.
MGK with the brass knuckles that had been around his neck.
Shot right between the eyes.
But just a short jab, not the haymaker.
Over the top. BFT and new.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] It was an incredible reign for Logan Paul.
Yeah, only a couple of defenses,
but he was a very proud United States Champion.
Tonight, in his hometown of Cleveland, he suffers defeat.
As LA Knight wins his first title in WWE.
[indistinct] This is how it goes.
[Pat] Congrats, LA Knight. You deserve it, pal.
[crowd cheering]
["Dead End Road" by Jelly Roll playing]
[cheering]
[Corey] Well, congratulations to Carlo Prati for winning
the My SummerSlam shirt contest.
Carlo won first-class airfare, two front-row seats for SummerSlam,
and of course, his shirt on sale at the biggest event of the summer.
[crowd cheering]
Yeah!
[crowd] Yeah!
♪ 'Cause that highway to hell Is the road I'm on… ♪
[Pat] That's his son, Luca, from Pittsburgh.
Big-time winners out of Shaler.
[man] Nice and smooth. Nice and tight. I know it's shiny too.
My boy's getting cut. Let me jump in on this thing. Let me jump in.
-Oh, yes. -You know what you're doing?
-No, I don't have a clue what I'm doing. -[indistinct]
Check it out, though. What I do know is,
hit it with the Dome Smoother.
-Put some of that on me. -Oh, yeah. Manscaped.
Look, they have the best grooming tools.
Oh, like the beard hedger?
Yes, Otis. It's the perfect thing for that beautiful beard, Otis.
Oh, yes, my darling. Oh.
Ah.
I've been looking for this.
[shaver buzzing]
-Otis? -[all calling Otis]
Time out. Time out. Where are you going with it, bro?
What? It's a new Dome Shaver Pro from Manscaped.
Hits me just right. So smooth.
-[shaver buzzing] -[Otis] Mm-hmm.
Ooh. Otis.
Oh.
Uh, thi… thi… this is our cue to go.
-Wow! -Oh wow!
-Pure smoothness. -That's smooth.
Manscaped, so smooth.
[Otis] Oh yeah!
[Corey] Somebody give me some peroxide for my eyes, please.
I've got to say a special thank you to Jelly Roll for "Dead End Road,"
the official theme song of WWE SummerSlam.
"Dead End Road" is available now on Apple Music and Spotify.
[Michael] We're in the city of Cleveland tonight for the 37th annual SummerSlam.
SummerSlam is powered by C4 Energy, the official energy drink of WWE.
Available anywhere energy is sold.
Buy now at Albertsons and Safeway and delivered by Wingstop,
the official wing of SummerSlam. Choose from 12 delicious flavors,
and get your favorite wings from ordering online at wingstop.com.
Bring the flavor.
[Corey] Despite the threat of what's to come
from the viciousness that is Nia Jax,
the insurmountable Bayley will defend the WWE Women's Championship
against the reigning queen of the ring.
After this break for our subscribers of Peacock Premium Plus,
let's look at the tirade of terror enacted by Nia Jax
in her challenge for Bayley's title.
[music fades]
[tense music]
I am Nia Jax.
[Michael] Strong, confident, dominating.
"The Irresistible Force" Nia Jax.
[Corey] Nia is a woman on a mission.
[Nia] No one is stopping me from reaching my destiny
as the next WWE Queen of the Ring.
[Michael] The winner earns a championship opportunity at SummerSlam.
[Nia] Not Naomi…
[crowd booing]
…not Jade Cargill…
[crowd gasping]
…not Bianca Belair…
[yelling]
…and certainly not Lyra Valkyria.
[Corey] The crown belongs to The Irresistible Force.
[Nia] I am your Queen of the Ring.
[inaudible]
[Nia] Bayley, I will be taking that title off of you.
Is that right? I don't know who you think you're talking to,
but this isn't NXT hugger Bayley.
This isn't 2017 Bayley who you put on the shelf for three months.
This is the Grand Slam Women's Champion Bayley.
This is your Royal Rumble winner, and this is the WWE Women's Champion.
The same Bayley that's gonna embarrass you at SummerSlam.
Bayley, you're my victim,
and at SummerSlam, I'm gonna victimize you.
[Corey] The champ has heard enough.
Bayley grabbed by Stratton, and now the champion's outnumbered.
[crowd gasps]
[woman] The Queen of the Ring and Ms. Money in the Bank.
No one can stop us.
[Corey] Look who's here.
Nia Jax just sent into the timekeeper's area.
["Can't Let Go" by Albi Music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[commentator] Queen Nia just got flattened.
[song continues]
[crowd cheering]
Look at me and look at Bayley.
I'm gonna beat her, I'm gonna take her title,
and I'm gonna put her down like an old, sick dog.
♪ I've been working out It seemed enough ♪
♪ I can't let go, I can't let go ♪
You're the same heartless woman you were since day one.
You're big, you're clumsy, and you're reckless.
And I'm walking into SummerSlam with this WWE Women's Championship,
and I'm walking out of SummerSlam with this WWE Women's Championship,
and there's not a damn thing that you can do to stop me.
[Nia] I am the queen of this division. I'm on top.
I'm coming for that title because I get to take it off of you.
["Not Like Most Girls" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
♪ There's only one of me… ♪
[Michael] Nia Jax defeated Naomi,
Jade Cargill via disqualification,
Bianca Belair and Lyra Valkyria
to win the 2024 Queen of the Ring tournament
and earn this opportunity tonight at the WWE Women's Championship.
[Corey] I understand Nia Jax can be a bit of a polarizing figure
to the WWE Universe, but no matter who you are you cannot deny
the recent dominance of The Irresistible Force and our new queen.
[crowd booing]
[Pat] I haven't been in the same arena or stadium as Nia Jax in a bit.
Just a presence you can feel. Now she's queen.
[Corey] It's a whole new level of confidence.
Nia was already confident. Now it's just bulletproof inside.
Nia feels that she deserves to be champ.
[Michael] She's a one-time World Champion.
She's never competed at SummerSlam in her career.
This is a first tonight for The Irresistible Force.
[Pat] Feels like incredibly motivated.
Obviously supremely talented, generational.
Is this the night…
for Nia Jax?
[Michael] This match is brought to you by Valorant,
the ultimate 5v5 tactical shooter.
Reactivity is your greatest weapon.
In every round an opportunity for glory.
Valorant now available to play for free on Xbox Series X and S,
PlayStation 5, and PC, rated T for teen.
["Not Like Most Girls" continues playing]
[Corey] Queen Nia Jax not looking to play any games tonight.
She is ready for battle.
["Role Model" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Role model ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] This rivalry has been going on for the better part of a decade
between Bayley and Nia Jax.
They first met at NXT: Takeover: London back in 2015
where Bayley would retain the championship.
At the 2016 Arnold Classic, Bayley would retain over Jax again.
They haven't met each other one-on-one in five and a half years.
[Corey] Think about this. If you're Nia Jax,
and you came through NXT with Bayley,
you competed against Bayley, and then you had to watch Bayley succeed
at the highest level for practically a decade now.
Bayley just continues to get bigger and better and more popular.
If you're Nia Jax and ready to step away from WWE
for quite some time before coming back, think of the drive that will give Nia
knowing "I've been begging and pleading and thinking about this chance,
this night for years."
If that's not motivation, I don't know what is.
[Pat] Amen.
[Michael] Bayley entered the Royal Rumble at number three back in January.
She set a record that night,
lasted one hour, three minutes, and two seconds,
eliminated seven Superstars
to earn the opportunity to face Iyo Sky at WrestleMania
where she would win the WWE Women's Championship.
[Pat] These two have said some incredibly personal things
about each other over the last few weeks on SmackDown.
["Role Model' continues playing]
[Corey] No doubt no love lost between these two women.
Look at the malice in the eyes of Queen Nia.
All I know is that I hope Bayley brought a helmet
because it could be a long night.
[Pat] And a body protection suit. The Annihilator.
[Corey] Mouth guard, shin guards.
Full body pack could probably be apropos.
-[Pat] Bubble boy situation. -[Corey] Viking.
[bell rings]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the WWE Women's Championship.
[crowd clapping and cheering]
Introducing the challenger from San Diego, California,
she is the 2024 Queen of the Ring,
Nia Jax.
[crowd booing]
And her opponent from San Jose, California,
she is the WWE Women's Champion,
Bayley.
[Michael] You know, Bayley was really one of the all-time greats
here in WWE.
Hasn't lost a singles match since back in January.
So, Corey, for Bayley to retain tonight against the more powerful Nia Jax,
what does she need to do?
[Corey] Bayley has an extremely extensive bag of tricks,
and I think the longer that the champion can prolong this matchup,
the more it favors Bayley.
Bayley needs to tire Nia out.
Try to stick and move in the early moments and try to outlast the challenger.
[Michael] The referee Jason Ayers in this matchup.
-Bayley, Nia for the WWE Women's Title. -[bell rings]
Bayley taking the fight to Nia Jax early. Did you expect that?
[Pat] Yo know, I did expect Nia to attack Bayley early,
but Bayley expected it as well.
Countered quickly, stalls.
Bayley's one of the greatest of all time.
[Michael] Nia Jax got to be careful. Remember, champion's advantage.
Nia's got to pin or submit Bayley to win the title.
[Corey] That was unique.
Come on, Bayley. One, two…
[Michael] And Bayley injure the arm, take the power away from Nia Jax.
Great game plan on the early going by the champion.
[Corey] We saw it used effectively with Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley.
I'm sure Bayley was taking notes.
-Oh. -[Michael] Bayley--
[Corey] Oh my God, just stuffed--
[Michael] Nia Jax just lifting Bayley up.
[Corey] This could be the beginning of the end,
into a jawbreaker.
[Michael] Bayley able to survive, and now Bayley off the ropes.
-Nia Jax, Samoan drop to the champion. -[Corey] Oh!
[Michael] You mentioned Nia leaving WWE and then coming back again, Corey.
The Nia Jax that returned is better than ever.
[Corey] I agree wholeheartedly, and the issue is, this is something
that a lot of us can relate to. Sometimes you're stuck on the sidelines.
Sometimes you're on the outside looking in and it drives you and it eats at you.
You hope and you pray that maybe someday you'll get the chance
to step inside the ring with someone you came up with,
someone you saw as your equal.
Now you have a chance to rip them down from the top of the mountain.
When you're not in the ring, you can change your perspective.
She's been more focused, more confident from her return.
[Michael] Big beal from Nia Jax, and now starting to overpower,
woman-handle the champion, Bayley.
[Pat] She does a one-woman parade in every town that she's in.
-[Michael] She's the queen. -[Pat] Proud.
-She can do whatever she wants. -[Pat] Absolutely.
[Michael] Nia Jax now delivers the elbow to Bayley.
[Corey] If Nia wins, do we get to do a WWE jubilee?
Like a queen's jubilee for a week?
[Pat] I would love to be a part of one. I don't think I was ever--
-[Corey] Maybe then you can. -[Pat] Still.
[indistinct]
[Michael] And Nia Jax now is just continuing to pound away on the champ.
[Pat] Sir Michael Cole, I'm embarrassed for her country if that is the case.
[Michael] Bayley with a kick to the midsection.
One thing you can't take away from Bayley, she's made a career out of it,
the guts and determination.
Bayley knows how to survive.
We talked about this with Sami Zayn earlier,
which is not the best example because Sami eventually got knocked off.
[Pat] Oh, here it is.
-[Michael] Oh, Nia Jax. -[Corey] Bayley has that similar will.
A will to survive. A will to be driven forward by the WWE Universe.
Bayley feeds off it. She needs to rally them.
[Pat] Yeah, Nia has the ruthlessness, where she'll do that to your face.
[Corey] A Million Dollar Dream, cobra clutch,
whatever you want to call it, it hurts.
So pretty.
[Michael] Nia looking to wear Bayley down.
If Bayley taps, Nia's the champ.
Bayley trying to make it back to her feet.
Incredible atmosphere here tonight. Cleveland Browns Stadium, 50,000-plus.
It's been a great weekend here as well.
And Bayley creates space. Nia misses wildly, and Bayley now…
Oh, back suplex by Bayley.
[Corey] Incredible power summoned by the champion.
The adrenaline must be pumping,
and Bayley now with several valuable seconds to recover.
[Michael] And Nia as well, trying to make it back to her feet.
[Pat] Nia surprised that Bayley was able to do that.
[Michael] Uh-oh, Bayley hung up on the top rope
by the 2024 Queen of the Ring.
[Corey] Look at Bayley. Bayley's just relentless.
Bounced off the top rope, sucked it up,
hit the opposite ropes and continued to bring the fight to the challenger.
And that is one of many reasons why Bayley is considered as great as she is.
[Pat] To your point, it seemed like Nia was dazed a little bit,
and Bayley took advantage.
[Michael] Bayley trying to pull herself up. Oh, and sidestepping Nia,
and sending Nia Jax outside the ring.
[Corey] We talk so frequently about people who are students of the game,
who love this business. Bayley…
-My goodness. -[Michael] Headbutt.
[Corey] Perhaps more so than most.
Bayley studies tape extensively.
She's constantly training, constantly trying to improve.
[Michael] This is gonna be bad. Bayley moved out of harm's way.
Nia with the leg drop to the apron.
[Nia grunts]
[Pat] I agree with Bayley on that note.
Loves professional wrestling,
Nia Jax called film study as a child Thanksgiving.
[Michael] Off the steps, down goes Nia Jax,
and Bayley now unloading on Nia. Just taking the fight.
Four!
-[Pat] Family of greatness obviously. -Five!
[Corey] Again, Bayley, the veteran, realizing the champion's advantage
is in effect.
If God forbid, Bayley were to get counted out,
she'd still leave Cleveland as WWE Women's Champion.
That's got to give Bayley an added level of confidence in this situation.
[Michael] Now Bayley heading up, top rope, Nia Jax back to her feet as well.
Nia, the wherewithal to cause Bayley to lose her balance,
and Nia again takes over.
[crowd chattering]
Off the hair now.
[Corey] Jax now placing the champion in a vertical suplex position.
Is that what Nia wants?
Look at this, stalling vertical suplex, tremendous power shown by the ch--
-[Michael] Bayley though-- -[Corey] Bayley--
[Michael] Oh, Bayley looking for a guillotine.
Bayley looking for a guillotine on Nia Jax.
This brings back some memories.
[Corey] Talk about a throwback to the days of NXT.
[Michael] Back in London when Bayley would tap Nia
with the same move in 2015.
[Corey] Bayley hasn't forgotten,
but Jax more powerful now than ten years ago.
[Michael] Just slamming Bayley face-first.
[Pat] I thought Nia was out.
I thought it was gonna be called.
[Michael] Now Nia Jax, off the ropes with a rolling senton.
The champ is in all kinds of trouble. Jax with a leg drop.
Looking to win the championship on Bayley, and a kick out.
[scattered booing]
[Pat] Wow.
[Michael] Bayley somehow surviving.
[Pat] Both sides have had this thing won
multiple times within the last minute.
[Corey] Nia Jax still competing with great force,
but as this match progresses,
you've got to pay attention to Bayley
because Nia will eventually have to slow down.
[Michael] Nia gonna--
[Corey] Oh, unless this happens right now.
[Michael] Nia doesn't often climb to the top rope, but Nia's…
[crowd yelling]
… gonna go to the second rope here.
This will finish Bayley. Nobody home.
Went for the big leg drop. Bayley rolled out of harm's way.
[Corey] Nia did take the scenic route to the middle rope,
Outside, over the top, down to the middle, and that cost the challenger, period.
[Michael] Now Bayley firing up, trying to fight back into this thing.
-[Corey] Bayley to Belly. -[Michael] Bayley to Belly.
For the win and to retain on Nia, who kicks out at two.
[Corey] And how disheartening is that for Bayley, for the champion?
Delivering a maneuver that's brought so much success,
as we look again at Nia's crash landing
that opened the door for Bayley to deliver the Bayley to belly suplex.
It wasn't exactly as effective as Bayley had hoped,
but it still took a great deal out of Nia. This'll do it. Looking for--
[Michael] Yeah, the rose plant, and Nia able to counter.
Now with Bayley up on her shoulders, Bayley though sending Nia to the corner.
[Corey] Unique escape by the champion.
[Michael] Nia Jax, sit-down uranage by Nia.
[Pat] Old school sit-down from Nia Jax.
Throws Bayley through the mat here at SummerSlam, and oh no.
[Corey] Here it comes. If this lands,
we're gonna have a brand-new WWE Women's Champion.
[Michael] Nia looking for the Annihilator.
-[Corey] There it is! -[Michael] Here's the cover for the title.
Bayley kicked out at two!
-[Pat] How? How! -[Michael] How the hell?
How did Bayley kick out of that?
[Corey] Nia is asking the same exact question right now,
and so are likely 50,000-plus fans here in attendance.
[Michael] Nia hit her bread and butter, the Annihilator,
and Bayley able to kick out before a count of three.
[Pat] To be able to get her shoulder up and to throw Nia off there.
[Corey] I understand that Nia's in shock right now,
but the challenger needs to feel some urgency.
Nia needs to keep her foot on the gas pedal and not let Bayley recover.
-[Michael] That's what she's doing. -[Corey] No doubt.
[Michael] Bouncing Bayley's head off the mat…
[cries out]
…like Spida would do here in Cleveland.
And a big headbutt and another one by Nia.
-[Bayley grunts] -[Michael] Sending Bayley into the corner.
I'm so reckless. I'm so clumsy, huh?
[Michael] Now, Nia Jax just taunting Bayley.
[Pat] No, no. That's what I was talking about here.
[Corey] Nia Jax is repeating what Bayley said to her this past week
and over the past several weeks.
Bayley may rue the day she opted to insult our queen.
[Pat] There's a lot of personal shots over the last few weeks
on SmackDown between these two.
[Corey] That could be all the difference, that little bit extra. Oh!
It may not, but it could be.
[Michael] Shoulder to the post for Nia,
and Bayley buys herself some valuable time here.
[Pat] Nia could have been distracted by what Bayley told her
and flipped it, so maybe it worked regardless.
[Michael] Again, Nia earned this opportunity
by winning the Queen of the Ring tournament back at the end of May.
Now looking to win the WWE Women's Title over a very game Bayley here tonight.
Competitive matchup for the championship.
[Corey] In a jam-packed Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio.
Here comes the champion to the outside.
[Michael] Bayley lands on Nia's back. Nia, though, shifts Bayley to the…
Oh, Samoan drop outside the ring.
[Corey] Bad news right there.
[indistinct chatter]
[Corey] Now the onus is on the challenger, Nia, to get Bayley back in the ring ASAP,
cover the champion, and see how it unfolds.
Four!
[Pat] You could be champ, Nia.
[Corey] Again, this could be an error by Nia,
spending this much time admiring her own handiwork.
[Pat] Well, she's saying she knows what she's doing to Jason Ayers there,
and we'll find out.
[Michael] Bayley trying to crawl away, stay away from Nia Jax,
create some sort of space.
Nia to the corner with a big splash.
[Corey] The champion crushed in the corner,
and it's about to get worse.
[Michael] Backing right up into Bayley.
Nia Jax could be closing in on the championship,
and there's no way Bayley kicks out of another Annihilator.
[Pat] There's no way any human kicks out of two.
[Michael] Bayley back to her feet.
[crowd chattering]
[Corey] What guts being shown by Bayley here tonight.
-This is what's taken-- -[Michael] No way. No way.
Absolutely no way. You got to be kidding me, Bayley.
How the hell? Down goes Nia.
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Wow. Wow. Wow.
[Michael] That brought the fans to their feet here.
[crowd chanting] Holy shit!
[Corey] You can almost see the adrenaline pulsing through the veins
of the WWE Women's Champion.
[Michael] Now, Bayley heading up to the top rope.
Bayley looking to deliver the flying elbow.
-Cover on Nia to retain the title. -[crowd counting]
[Michael] Nia kicked out at two.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Extremely close.
Far too close for comfort,
but this matchup continues.
♪ It's Tiffy time ♪
-[Pat] Oh, man. -[crowd cheering enthusiastically]
[Corey] What did you just say about this place getting crazy?
[Michael] Miss Money in the Bank,
Tiffany Stratton, running down to the ring with the ref in tow.
[Pat] Nia made Tiffy promise not to do this.
[Michael] There have been two cash-ins in the history of SummerSlam,
and Tiffany looked like she wants to make it a third,
but Bayley knocks her off the apron.
Bayley now taking out Nia, stacking her up.
[Corey] Kick out by Jax.
[Michael] Bayley looking to take advantage of Tiffany rushing out here.
[Corey] The champion just delivering a barrage of offense to a down challenger.
Here comes Bayley again. Off the ropes.
[Michael] Nia Jax, oh, powerbomb.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] I don't think Nia Jax is done there yet.
Bayley up and down again.
[crowd chattering]
[Michael] Now, dragging the carcass to the corner.
Jax from the second rope with an Annihilator.
[Pat] Oh no, no, no. Oh God, no.
[Michael] And for good measure, a second one by the Queen of the Ring
who now calls herself champion.
[bell rings]
[crowd cheering]
[Samantha] Here is your winner
and new WWE Women's Champion,
Nia Jax.
[Corey] WWE Universe, bend a knee.
There is only one queen, Nia Jax,
who is now WWE Women's Champion.
[Michael] For the second time in her career.
Now, Tiffany Stratton out here celebrating with Nia.
-[Corey] Could it've been a plan? -[Michael] Perhaps.
[Corey] Between Queen Nia and her Princess Tiffy?
[Michael] To provide a distraction to allow Nia to turn the momentum
and the tables in this match.
[Corey] Oh, how well done, my queen.
[Pat] Three Annihilators is what it took to keep Bayley down.
What a fight. What a display.
[Michael] This match replay is brought to you by Valorant,
now available to play free on Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 5,
and PC. Rated T for teen.
[Pat] Thought this could have potentially been it after the powerbomb.
[Corey] Here came Tiffany Stratton, Miss Money in the Bank,
with the contract in tow.
Bayley, in a moment of self-preservation,
took her eye off of the challenger to take out Tiffy.
A powerbomb followed by another from The Irresistible Force.
[crowd exclaiming]
[Corey] It was the beginning of the end.
-That was the second… -[crowd counting]
…of two Annihilators.
Three in total. A hell of an effort.
Don't hang your head, Bayley.
You fought proudly,
but tonight belongs to Queen Nia.
[rock music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[man] Whoo!
[indistinct chatter]
[Pat] Familia.
[music fades]
[Michael] We want to remind everyone that NXT will premiere on the CW
come October 1st.
The NXT Superstars take over the CW.
Guys, it's actually getting fairly comfortable out here
in Cleveland Browns Stadium. A bit humid,
however, the current conditions 79 degrees.
Partly cloudy and a nice breeze.
[Pat] Another six months, you're gonna be Al Roker.
[Michael] That's what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna move on and do that.
[Pat] You gotta be wrong. Sounds like a great game.
[Michael] Hey, you know this match is brought to you by Straight Talk Wireless,
real unlimited data. Less dollars, more cents.
Well, who will find justice tonight?
Will it be Drew McIntyre robbed time and time again of his victories
or his opponent, CM Punk, primed and ready for vengeance,
or even the referee tonight, Seth "Freakin'" Rollins,
disgruntled, but with no loyalties to either side of the ring?
all three will step inside the squared circle
with their own goal in mind right after this break.
Members of WWE Universe subscribing to Peacock Premium Plus,
look at the months of malicious attacks that occurred
in no touch verdict by official order of Raw general manager, Adam Pearce,
until this final battle tonight.
["Liar" by Jelly Roll playing]
[music fades]
["The Ledge" by ENMY playing]
[CM Punk] Over ten years, you people never forgot me,
and that's why I'm back.
I'm here to win the Royal Rumble and Main Event WrestleMania.
In the course of the rumble, I tore my right tricep.
[crowd sighs]
My dream ever since I was a little kid was to Main Event WrestleMania.
♪ Why do I ♪
♪ Let you feed on my insides… ♪
I want you to know this. I prayed for this, and it happened.
In that rumble, I targeted you.
♪ But it comes as no surprise ♪
♪ It’s never gonna be good enough… ♪
[Drew] Drew McIntyre is in the World Title match.
I want you to have a front-row seat at WrestleMania.
♪ Putting all your faith in me ♪
♪ Take it to the end Just to watch me as I fall… ♪
[CM Punk] Losers pray for things to happen.
Winners make it happen.
There are consequences to your actions, and you are looking at them.
You will never be champion as long as there is air in my lungs.
♪ There's comfort in the chaos ♪
-♪ 'Cause it's all I've ever known… ♪ -[crowd cheering]
[Drew] Screwed me over
in front of my family,
my friends, my country.
[crowd cheering]
[Drew] I didn't just take your dignity, did I?
[crowd clamoring]
[Drew] At Money in the Bank, I am gonna win that contract.
I am gonna cash it in that night.
♪ Out of my control… ♪
[CM Punk] You made a big promise you were gonna walk out
World Heavyweight Champion. You blew it again, Drew.
♪ Cast the doubt aside… ♪
Why did you stick your nose in my business?
I was handling my business.
There's a man running around with a bracelet with my wife's name on it.
[Seth Rollins] All the chaos that you've caused, I volunteered.
-I am your special guest referee. -[crowd cheering]
♪ I feel like ♪
♪ It’s the climax to it all… ♪
[CM Punk] I'm cleared. Come get this beating that you deserve.
[Drew] How long I've waited for this.
There's nothing in the world that's gonna stop me tearing you apart.
[Seth] I'm not some little referee that you can just push around.
I'm the boss. I'm the law.
♪ Doesn't feel like home ♪
♪ There's comfort in the chaos ♪
♪ 'Cause it's all I've ever known It's all I've ever known ♪
♪ If it isn't going wrong ♪
Get out of line, I will put your head in the dirt.
♪ Then it doesn't feel like home… ♪
I won't stop until your heart does.
Im gonna get my pound of flesh.
♪ Just let fate decide ♪
[song ends]
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[crowd cheering]
["Burn It Down" by WWE, CFO$ playing]
[crowd] ♪ Whoa ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
[singer] ♪ Burn it down! ♪
[inaudible]
[Samantha] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome your special guest referee
for this next match,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Michael] Is Seth the referee or Beetlejuice?
[Corey] Ever the showman. He's a visionary.
He's a revolutionary.
He is a referee tonight at SummerSlam.
I can't wait to see what's under that jacket
because I know this is just the beginning of the reveal, Cole.
[crowd continues singing]
[singer] ♪ Burn it down! ♪
[Michael] Seth Rollins has got a camera on his ear, the referee ear,
the referee camera, the ref cam.
[crowd shouting and cheering]
[Michael] And there you see it.
[Corey] See the world through the eyes of Seth Rollins.
[crowd vocalizing]
[crowd singing]
[Corey] Listen, I understand that it's been controversial,
but in my humble opinion,
Seth Rollins will be best served to call this match right down the middle.
I think Rollins understands that
because Seth wants to make it to the top once again.
Let these two destroy each other,
and that's one less threat on your path back up the mountain.
[Michael] Well, Corey, he's also unbiased…
-[Corey] I agree. -…because he hates both guys equally.
[Pat] I think he's gonna call it right down the middle.
[Seth cackling]
[Pat] The amount of hate for both men…
[crowd singing]
…is gonna make him be the perfect ref
as Cleveland serenades with Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Corey] On the other sides of the coin,
both competitors have this in the back of their mind.
They'd be crazy not to.
Not to be concerned about how Rollins will perform in an official capacity.
♪ Burn it down! ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] I was told by sources backstage
that his ref shirt would be the greatest in the history of the business,
and he did not disappoint, did he?
[Corey] I mean, that thing is bedazzled for days.
[Michael] Jesse Ventura was a guest ref on two different occasions in SummerSlam.
[Corey] I don't think The Body ever sparkled like Rollins right now.
[Michael] HBK was a ref in '97.
Triple H back in 2011.
[Corey] These pants are definitely better than HBK's shorts.
-I'll say that much. -[Michael] True. Yes.
[Corey] I still have nightmares.
[music fades]
[crowd continues cheering]
["Gallantry (Defining Moment Remix)" by WWE, CFO$ playing]
[Michael] This man, Drew McIntyre, calls Rollins a spotlight hog.
[Corey] McIntyre's called Seth a lot worse. Trust me.
[Pat] Yeah. I believe junkie was the word that was used, actually.
He needs it. He feeds it.
Well, this guy's in the spotlight, and he's mad at everybody.
["Gallantry (Defining Moment Remix)" continues playing]
[crowd booing softly]
[Corey] Those are the eyes of a man who has seen hell and is ready for war.
[crowd yelling indistinctly]
-[roaring] -[explosions]
[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Ayr, Scotland,
weighing in at 275 pounds,
Drew McIntyre.
[Michael] Not once, not twice,
three separate times CM Punk has cost Drew McIntyre an opportunity
to be the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Corey] Yet some people, including present company,
seem to always make excuses for why McIntyre is so furious,
why McIntyre wants to eviscerate CM Punk.
Look, I'm a fan of what Punk is doing. I'm a fan of what McIntyre has done.
Luckily for us, these two gladiators are willing to rip one another apart
for our enjoyment, for our entertainment.
The Colosseum has come to Cleveland tonight.
It was you two I'm talking about, particularly you, Cole,
who can't wait to call McIntyre a hypocrite.
[Michael] Well, he is.
He's the man who when CM Punk was injured in the Royal Rumble,
and of course McIntyre injured him,
he said he had prayed to God for CM Punk to get hurt.
[Pat] This is just classic. It seems like there's some pettiness involved…
[Corey] There's a lot of pettiness, Pat.
…and envy from both sides somehow, and it's…
[Corey] I'm just still trying to understand
how McIntyre saying a prayer and it coming true is hypocritical.
[Pat] He's putting it out into the universe.
He's hoping that it'd happen, and then when it happens,
he celebrates it and everything, then he steals, obviously,
a bracelet that has Punk's wife's name on it and his dog, Larry.
There's a lot going on here. This has been building up.
[Corey] You just hit it right on the head, McAfee.
You know what happens when you mess with a man's wife and a man's dog?
You've seen John Wick, right?
[Corey] McIntyre beat Rollins at WrestleMania
after Seth held the title for 316 days.
Five minutes later, thanks to CM Punk,
McIntyre was down and out.
Priest would cash in to become the world champ.
[inaudible]
[explosions]
[Michael] SummerSlam is powered by C4 Energy,
the official energy drink of WWE.
Available anywhere energy is sold. Buy now at Albertsons and Safeway.
[Corey] Ordinarily, you talk about a Superstar's ability
to compartmentalize their emotions in a matchup.
I doubt we're gonna see any of that tonight
because both McIntyre and Punk are gonna use their emotions as fuel.
The disdain, the disgust, the hatred between these two men
is on a whole new level.
[Pat] If Drew cannot get distracted. That's a big if.
[Michael] I think Rollins is gonna let these guys do a lot to each other.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
Bring that bitch out here.
All you have to do is ring the bell and count to three.
[crowd chattering]
["Cult of Personality" by Living Color playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Look in my eyes, what do you see? ♪
♪ The cult of personality ♪
♪ I know your anger, I know your dreams ♪
♪ I've been everything you wanna be ♪
♪ Oh, I'm the cult of personality ♪
♪ Like Mussolini and Kennedy ♪
♪ I'm the cult of personality… ♪
It's clobbering time.
[Samantha] And his opponent from Chicago, Illinois,
weighing in at 218 pounds,
CM Punk.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] For the first time in ten and a half years,
CM Punk is in a one-on-one matchup on television here in WWE.
For the first time ever, he goes one-on-one with Drew McIntyre.
These two actually teamed together back in 2009,
and then their relationship split apart, deteriorated.
And now, some 15 years later,
these two wanna beat the hell out of one another.
♪ I sell the things you need to be… ♪
[Michael] It was in this town of Cleveland back in 2014
where CM Punk would walk out of WWE for a decade.
Now, Punk is back.
[Corey] I picked CM Punk up at the airport in Tampa on that Tuesday,
and I have still never seen him as pissed off as he was last night,
as he has been all day, as he is in this moment.
CM Punk is ready to fight
until his heart stops if that's what it takes.
[crowd cheering]
[Pat] It's a long time coming.
Lucky to be here.
CM Punk says his only job is to keep Drew McIntyre away from a title.
He wants to do damage.
He wants to end everything for Drew tonight.
[Michael] Punk has had a very successful SummerSlam over the years.
[inaudible]
[Michael] 2009, he beat Jeff Hardy, won the championship in a TLC match.
Beat John Cena for the WWE Title back in 2011.
2013, last SummerSlam, he was involved in with Brock Lesnar.
-[music fades] -[crowd cheering]
[Pat] It doesn't seem like a good start. CM Punk threw his sweatshirt.
[Michael] Seth Rollins, that's what he thinks of Punk's sweatshirt.
-[Pat] Dude-wipe. -[Michael] Yeah.
[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk!
[Pat] It's incredibly soft.
[crowd continues chanting]
[inaudible]
[chanting stops]
Ring the bell. Ring the bell!
I said back it up. You stay right here.
[Pat] Seth giving some last-minute rules here.
[indistinct arguing]
[Corey] Rollins is gonna have his hands full tonight.
[indistinct arguing]
[Pat] Trying to establish dominance.
This is how this is gonna go.
Rollins' rules.
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct yelling from the crowd]
[crowd cheering loudly]
[crowd singing "Burn It Down"]
-[bell rings] -Big fight feel.
Electric atmosphere and here we go.
Rollins stepped out of harm's way
as McIntyre and Punk are gonna beat the hell out of each other.
[both grunting]
Punk now with the right hand,
taking the fight to McIntyre in the corner.
[Corey] McIntyre may have the size advantage,
but Punk is a very, very well-seasoned striker.
Three! Four! Five!
[Pat] Precision strikes from Punk early on Drew McIntyre.
[Michael] Now Rollins gonna separate.
You listen to me. I'm the ref. You listen to me, you understand?
[Michael] Now McIntyre with a cheap shot as Punk was arguing with Rollins.
[Corey] That is what Punk cannot afford to do, nor can McIntyre.
Don't pay attention to Seth tonight. Focus on the task at hand, your opponent.
-[Michael] McIntyre with his hatred… -One! Two!
-Three! Four! Five! -…in his veins for years and years.
He'll never forget what Punk did to him a couple of months ago.
Costing him his championship in his homeland.
[indistinct] I told you. I run this show. This is my ring.
[Michael] Oh, and CM Punk now takes advantage of the McIntyre-Rollins rift,
and a clothesline by Punk.
Punk, forget about the cover. I want to beat up McIntyre some more.
[Corey] Rollins battering the Scottish warrior.
-[wrestlers grunt] -[Corey] Ooh and Drew went to the throat.
[Michael] Dropping Punk to his knees in the corner.
-Now McIntyre with a chop. -[crowd exclaims]
[Pat] You can hear it in Canton, about an hour away.
[Michael] And Punk, a three-time World Champion.
McIntyre, three-time World Champion as well.
Now McIntyre right here at our announce table.
CM Punk now off the apron.
Takes McIntyre down right here in front of us.
[Pat] CM Punk looks good.
[Corey] I was thinking the same thing.
I know Punk was doing his best to add a little bit of muscle,
trying to bulk up just a bit, because Punk knows he's gonna be
in a hell of a fight tonight. He wants to absorb some damage.
[Michael] McIntyre bounced face first off the post.
[Corey] But with that, as you know, when you bulk up, when you put on size,
your cardio drops.
Will that be a factor for Punk? That remains to be seen.
[Michael] McIntyre launched into the timekeeper's area.
[Corey] Punk's a guy who's always taken great pride
in his cardiovascular conditioning.
[Pat] He looks good. He's moving good. He's got McIntyre.
[Michael] Drives McIntyre down.
Guys, Punk also realizes this is a crossroads for CM Punk tonight.
Broken foot in his career. He's torn both triceps.
This could be the biggest match of his career
as he looks to prove the critics wrong.
[Corey] Or if Drew McIntyre has his way, it'll be the last match of Punk's career.
Drew has been extremely vocal about that. That's the goal tonight.
[Michael] Look at Rollins just lounging in the corner
as McIntyre is driven face first.
Rollins hasn't even counted, by the way.
These men have been out of the ring for much longer than a ten-count,
and Rollins is just letting the match go.
[Corey] Listen, Rollins understands what the people want.
Give the people what they want.
The people wanna watch these two guys beat the living heck out of each other.
[Michael] Punk looked at Rollins. "Want me to keep going?"
-Rollins said, "Keep going." -[indistinct]
[Pat] He said, "Is this legal?"
[Corey] Again, if Punk and McIntyre somehow manage to take one another out,
that's a clear path to the top for Rollins.
Rollins is tying his shoes right now.
[Pat] He's trying to stay safe, which is smart.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Look in the eyes of CM Punk.
[Michael] Just a hatred.
-[crowd singing "Burn it Down"] -[crowd chanting] CM Punk! CM Punk!
[Michael] Punk now grabbing McIntyre by the hair
and then just delivering punches to the skull.
Finally, we may get these two back in the ring,
as they sing Rollins' song.
Punk now lands back-first on the apron.
This is not gonna be pretty.
McIntyre with Punk up, and now swinging McIntyre
like a baseball bat right into our announce table and again.
[Corey] And Punk instinctively tried to protect himself
with the arm that was just injured.
Drew knows exactly what he's doing. Instinct being what it is.
Punk obviously not thinking that, just trying to protect himself.
[Michael] Again, remember this is a regular match, folks.
But the referee, Seth Rollins, is letting these guys do everything to one another.
My goodness.
[Corey] I think Rollins' only job tonight
is to stop these two short of permanent damage.
[crowd shouting]
[Michael] Oh, and a big right hand.
[Corey] I don't know if Rollins cares that much.
-[Michael] McIntyre. -[Pat] McIntyre.
[Michael] Oh my goodness. McIntyre with Punk under the ring.
[Corey] Oh no, no, no.
[Pat] Seth Rollins said, "You can do it."
[Michael] Into the steel by McIntyre.
[Corey] That may have just crushed the sternum of CM Punk.
[Pat] I thought that was the line maybe for Rollins' rules,
but instead Seth gives the go-ahead to Drew McIntyre.
[Michael] Watch this impact to Punk.
-[wrestlers yelling and grunting] -[crowd exclaims]
-[Michael] Slingshot into the steel ring. -[woman in crowd screaming]
[Pat] Exposed metal right there.
[Corey] Actual frame of our WWE ring.
Now Punk tossed back into the ring by McIntyre "The Scottish Warrior."
Punk not quite sure where he is, just trying to stay on his feet.
A big chop knocks Punk down.
Punk hit that flurry early, guys, but McIntyre had slowed things down,
and now he's going to hunt.
[Pat] There's been like six or seven chops from Drew McIntyre where I thought
CM Punk's soul has left his body.
We're talking physical here, early and often.
[Michael] McIntyre now with that snap suplex.
Now into the cover. How sweet it would be.
Punk just… instinctively rolls out.
Rollins couldn't even get in position for a count.
You said you were gonna kill him.
He's still moving.
The man kicked out at one. I didn't even get to one.
-Come on, Drew. -[Michael] Seems to be enjoying it.
[Corey] Rollins is egging McIntyre on right now.
[Pat] He has said a few times, having somebody else beat up
somebody you hate is fun. It makes sense with how he's operating.
[Corey] It's brilliant. Rollins has been very vocal
about wanting to be World Heavyweight Champion again.
Now you take McIntyre out of the picture. Now you take Punk out of the equation.
McIntyre, I'm sorry, Rollins has got plenty of opportunity ahead.
[Michael] We talked a lot about how Punk screwed McIntyre
back at Money in the Bank. He also screwed Rollins.
-[Corey] Correct. -[Michael] So, I mean, there is that.
[wrestlers grunting]
[Michael] And a belly-to-belly throw by McIntyre.
Punk is getting manhandled. McIntyre cover.
Hooks the leg. This time on Punk. Rollins wasn't even in position to count.
McIntyre, I believe, thinks Rollins is doing that on purpose.
[Rollins cackling]
[Pat] No, I think that's that rebel spirit from CM Punk there.
Refusing to let Drew get anything, even though he's been manhandling him.
[Corey] Those are probably $10,000 pants Rollins is wearing.
You don't want him to slide across the ring to make a cover, do you?
[Michael] You go to remember,
McIntyre's wrestling each and every week for years.
CM Punk has hardly been in a ring… but he's got fight in him.
He's fighting back. Here comes Punk now.
That backhand by Punk. Knee now to the midsection.
CM Punk driving McIntyre to the corner. Punk's showing some fight.
Went for the running knee. Caught by McIntyre, though.
McIntyre just dumping Punk middle of the ring.
Cover for the win. Finally, Rollins counts.
-One! -One.
[Corey] The fight we're seeing out of CM Punk might be all that Punk has.
I counted on that one [indistinct].
[Michael] Punk told me in an interview on the countdown show that,
"I don't know if I can…" Oh, sit-down powerbomb.
Cover. Two. Punk at two and a half.
[Pat] Seemed like Seth was counting proper one, two, three.
Two, Drew.
[Michael] Punk said, "I don't know if I can beat Drew…"
Two, Drew.
…"but I can get my hands on him."
[Corey] That's what it's all about. It's about the disrespect. It's about…
I'll give it to him. I don't like him, but I'll give him that one.
Come on, now. Don't get hot at me. Do better.
Don't get mad at me. Don't break somebody else. Do better.
[Pat] Seth coaching Drew in the middle of this fight.
[Michael] Telling him to do better. He gave Punk that one.
Punk did kick out at two.
Now McIntyre, uh…
[crowd yelling indistinctly]
Steel chair in hand. I mean…
[Corey] Seth, you gotta draw a line.
[Michael] Seth, the guy's got a chair in his hand.
[Pat] Are steel chairs good in Rollins' rules?
We're gonna find out right now.
CM Punk looked at one earlier.
[Michael] McIntyre walking into the ring with a steel chair.
[crowd chatter gets louder]
[Corey] Punk might be hurt severely, and it's only going to get worse.
[Pat] Rollins has acknowledged that there's a chair in the ring.
[indistinct]
You want this as much as I do.
Just turn around and let this happen and both of our problems go away.
You know this is inevitable. I know you're having fun.
Let me do it, and we take this industry to new heights.
You know I'm right.
[crowd yelling]
[Michael] Rollins gonna let McIntyre get away with it.
[Pat] "Compelling case from McIntyre," says Seth.
[Michael] Hey, wait a minute. Shades of '97.
[crowd booing]
[indistinct]
That's too far. You gotta do shit on your own.
-I told you. -Do it the right way.
-As much garbage as you talk. -You're embarrassing me.
I've got passion to take out someone like CM Punk.
[crowd] Oh!
[Michael] And Rollins, oh my. He almost took out Punk.
[Corey] Ironic. Punk is wearing Bret Hart-inspired gear tonight.
[Michael] Now Punk, roll up. McIntyre, shoulders are down.
One, two, three, four, and McIntyre kicked out. Punk had him.
Missed with a kick. McIntyre now. Neckbreaker to Punk.
And a kip-up by McIntyre.
[Corey] This has been far more one-sided than I think anybody expected.
McIntyre's overwhelmed Punk.
[Michael] Yeah, but is Drew starting to get a bit frustrated here, Corey?
[Corey] It appears that way, but also, I think
this is a guy who was the Scottish psychopath for many years.
Drew McIntyre is enjoying this.
[Michael] Drew McIntyre just went into his trunks,
and he pulled out CM Punk's friendship bracelet.
The one that has Larry and AJ, his wife's name, his dog's name,
on the bracelet that he stole from Punk the night he beat the hell out of him
in Punk's hometown Chicago. Calling for the Claymore.
Punk met him with a big kick.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] And again, almost miraculously, Punk digs down deep.
[Michael] McIntyre missed. Punk ducks underneath.
Spinning neckbreaker by Punk.
And CM Punk now trying to rally in this matchup.
[Corey] There are some lines that just shouldn't be crossed.
McIntyre guilty of insulting Punk's wife, of insulting Punk's dog, his family.
[Michael] There's that running high knee by CM Punk to Drew McIntyre,
and Punk now starting to feel it.
This is vintage CM Punk here, fighting back against McIntyre.
Another running knee in the corner.
[Pat] CM Punk remembering everything he hates about Drew McIntyre.
Has taken a beating.
[Michael] He's called it PDS, Punk Derangement Syndrome.
Another running knee to McIntyre.
[both grunting]
[Michael] Clothesline, down goes through.
Punk has stayed in this match much longer than I believe many thought he would.
[Corey] The Second City Saint looking to raise the stakes even higher.
[Pat] Best in the world is on the top ropes.
[Michael] Punk from the top rope looking to take out McIntyre.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] CM Punk delivers the elbow to Drew.
Blew a kiss to the referee.
Into the cover now on McIntyre for the win.
Rollins into position, and at two and a half, McIntyre kicks out.
Punk looking to the Anaconda Vice. Submission hold.
Trying to lock in the vice now. McIntyre trying to fight it.
[both grunting and groaning]
[Corey] It's cinched in.
[Michael] He's got it in the middle of the ring.
McIntyre flailing. Anaconda Vice is in.
[crowd cheering]
[both muttering indistinctly]
[Michael] Broke the Anaconda Vice
to try to rip the bracelet off the wrist of McIntyre.
[Corey] It's not about that.
[Michael] Punk letting his emotions get the better of him.
[Corey] That's exactly what's happened. Damn it, Punk, you can't do that.
[Pat] But it is, boys. It is about that for CM Punk.
-[Michael] Now McIntyre with a Claymore. -[crowd cheers]
[Michael] The cover by Drew for the win. Punk's still in it.
[crowd cheering and clapping]
[Pat] How can CM Punk take all of this and still find enough to kick out?
-[Corey] Heart, will. -[crowd] CM Punk!
[Corey] Pat, CM Punk may be the most stubborn human being
I've ever met. When he says he's gonna do something,
he's gonna do it, come hell or high water.
[Michael] He's also to blame for the Claymore, guys.
[Corey] I completely agree.
He had McIntyre about to tap to the Anaconda Vice.
He let his emotions get the better of him, and McIntyre was able to capitalize.
[Corey] CM Punk took his foot off the gas pedal.
[Michael] Now with Punk down from the Claymore,
McIntyre trying to figure out what he's going to do
to punish and torture Punk some more.
[crowd clapping and cheering]
What? Finish him.
Finish him off. Come on.
[crowd shouting]
-[Seth] Finish him off. -[man shouting indistinctly]
[Michael] Malice in the eyes of McIntyre.
Lifting Punk up and looking now.
McIntyre with that sneer in his face, looking for the future shock DDT,
which ripped the triceps of Punk at Royal Rumble.
Punk, though, able to slip out of it. McIntyre went to the post.
Luckily for McIntyre, he didn't hit it with everything he had.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And now Punk calling for it.
Many, many, many, many years since we've seen this here in the WWE ring.
[Punk grunts]
[Michael] McIntyre, looking for go to sleep on Drew McIntyre.
Oh no, Punk looking to put it on McIntyre, but then distracted by Rollins.
-Oh my goodness. -[inaudible]
Rollins has put the bracelet--
[Corey] Rollins picked it up off the mat as the referee.
No. No, I'm not messing with you. No, I just picked it up.
You don't think there was any ill intentions?
[Pat] No, he wanted a clean match.
[Corey] It's the official's job.
[Michael] Now McIntyre struck Punk and struck Rollins
and knocked him out of the ring. Now McIntyre turns his attention to Punk.
-[both grunting and yelling] -[Corey] Here it comes.
[Michael] McIntyre went for the future shock.
CM Punk with McIntyre on his shoulders.
Punk looking for the GTS. Go to sleep connects.
Cover by Punk, but Rollins is out.
-[crowd counting] -[Pat] Seth.
[Michael] At a count of six, seven, Rollins back in.
McIntyre kicked out. Punk had the match won.
[crowd yelling]
[Punk] Hey!
You're about as good a referee as you are a wrestler.
One, two, three. Are you messing with me? Huh?
Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me right now?
[indistinct]
[crowd grumbling]
I don't care about that.
I don't care about your stupid shampoo pants.
You listen to me. I told you.
This is my ring, my ref, my rules, my company, you understand me?
We don't need you here. We don't want you here.
Not everything is about you. Not everything is about you.
I counted the last one.
I saved you from a chair shot, do you understand?
That's your problem. That's your problem.
Focus on Drew. Right there.
For the pickings. You understand me?
[crowd singing "Burn It Down"]
It's not always about you, asshole.
It's not always--
-[Michael] Oh no -[Pat] Oh no.
[Michael] He's got Rollins on his shoulders. Go to sleep to Rollins.
From CM Punk to the special guest referee.
[crowd cheering]
It ain't always about me, but it's never about you.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And Punk now turns his attention to McIntyre
who delivers a low blow to CM Punk.
Rollins the official's out because of Punk.
McIntyre with a Claymore to CM Punk.
Crawls to the cover.
-Seth, count. -[Michael] McIntyre screaming for Rollins.
-[crowd counting] -Do it.
-[Michael] Seth into position. -Count! Come on!
-[Seth and crowd] Two. -Come on. Do it!
-[Michael] McIntyre with the win. -[bell rings]
["Gallantry (Defining Moment Remix)" playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner, Drew McIntyre.
[Michael] I hate to say it.
[Corey] I know exactly where you're going,
and I agree with you already.
[Michael] CM Punk cost himself this match tonight.
[Corey] There are no two ways about it.
CM Punk was blind with rage,
and Punk's emotions got the best of him.
[Pat] We thought Drew McIntyre was gonna be the one.
[Michael] McIntyre has once again taken the bracelet from CM Punk
and placed it…
around his wrist.
CM Punk said that Seth Rollins
was an unwelcome distraction in this match,
and that unwelcome distraction cost CM Punk
his return to a WWE ring.
It cost him an opportunity to silence Drew McIntyre.
["Gallantry (Defining Moment Remix)" continues playing]
[Pat] McIntyre has to feel incredibly vindicated.
-[crowd cheering] -[Punk grunts]
[Michael] SummerSlam is powered by C4 Energy,
the official energy drink of WWE.
Available anywhere energy is sold. Buy now at Albertsons and Safeway.
[Corey] What you just saw was payback from Clash at the Castle.
Turnabout is fair play.
McIntyre returning the favor to Punk.
Low blow, Claymore.
As woozy as Rollins was, he still executed the count of three.
-What a disaster for CM Punk. -[bell ringing]
[Pat] Full role reversal tonight from what it has been.
McIntyre gets distracted. He gets the low blow against him.
Instead, opposite way the low blow.
CM Punk gets distracted, and, in the end,
Drew McIntyre walks out with the bracelet anyways.
[Michael] It's hard not to feel bad for CM Punk tonight.
He put everything in to getting back in the ring
and taking care of McIntyre, but in the end…
[McIntyre] Justice. Justice.
-…Drew McIntyre walks out… -He's out of here.
…with the victory.
[people booing]
[crowd cheering and clapping]
Whew. [sniffs]
[inhales deeply]
I looked everywhere, mate. Can't find him.
Yeah, he probably left.
Look, what happened earlier, I was out of line.
No, no, no, no.
Say no more. I get it. It's water under the bridge.
Well, just the same, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry too.
Look, Judgment Day comes first.
I know you said you don't need me out there…
[sniffs] …but if you change your mind, just say the word.
-I appreciate that, man. -All right.
-You ready? -I'm ready.
-Go get him, champ. -Thanks, dawg.
♪ 'Cause that highway to hell Is the road I'm on… ♪
[Michael] The savagery has reached its peak.
In his quest for vindication,
"The Ring General" Gunther has stopped at nothing to rile up
WWE Heavyweight Champion, Damian Priest,
leading to this final showdown for the title.
After this break for our subscribers of Peacock Premium Plus,
let's get a closer look on how there is no limit
to how far or low these two titans will go
to prove they are the true conqueror to be feared.
[music fades]
♪ Rise up ♪
[Damian Priest] About ten years ago, I was homeless.
Nobody thought I would be on this stage.
♪ Rise up ♪
[Damian] If you bust your ass, I truly, truly believe
that there's nothing you can't achieve.
[crowd cheering]
I'm cashing in right now.
♪ Rise up ♪
[Michael] Priest has won the World Title.
All rise.
♪ Rise up ♪
[Damian] I've always wanted this.
Everything that had to happen to get here, I wouldn't change anything.
Rise for el campeón.
♪ Rise up ♪
[Gunther] Power,
dominance,
prestige.
The greatest Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion of all time,
the King of the Ring,
and soon to be the World Heavyweight Champion.
[dramatic music plays, stops]
"The Ring General" Gunther.
It was never my dream to be here.
Dreams are a waste of time.
For two years, the very best in WWE lined up and said they would beat me.
Every single one of them fell at the hands of The Ring General.
And now, as Damian Priest carries that weight on his shoulders…
Who, if not me takes on the responsibility
to restore the honor and prestige of this great sport
and the World Heavyweight Championship?
[Damian] I fought for 20 years in the street to get here.
I earned this,
and you are the last person around here that's taking this title from me.
Let's be honest. Being on the street is a choice.
Whatever you're going to achieve in life,
you are and you always will be
street trash.
[Michael] Priest going right after Gunther with the right hand,
and the fight is on.
[Pat] It has gotten very personal, very quick.
[crowd gasping]
[Gunther] At SummerSlam…
[Damian] We find out if you're something more than
just a privileged… scumbag.
[Gunther] "The Ring General" Gunther
will become the World Heavyweight Champion.
[Damian] I lived to fight for everything I got,
and now I'm willing to die for everything I have.
[crowd cheering]
Are you?
My name, my title reign.
[Gunther] The prestige of the World Heavyweight Championship…
[Damian] Will live forever.
[Gunther] Will change forever.
[triumphant music playing]
[music fades]
["Prepare to Fight" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Gunther ♪
♪ Der General ♪
♪ Ist gekommen… ♪
[Michael] Despite what you think about the man,
♪ Um zu kämpfen… ♪
I get excited to call a match that Gunther is involved in.
[Corey] Not despite what I think. I think the absolute world of Gunther.
I think that The Ring General may be the best professional wrestler
walking the earth today.
I think Damian Priest's championship is under an incredible threat,
and I think Gunther may be one of the only men with the focus
to knock Priest off.
[Pat] Gunther likes to beat the hell out of people.
El campeón is a big man.
This is gonna be a physical fight, which is exactly what this man loves.
[Michael] A man inspired by the great Fit Finlay.
Out of arms, Gunther hoping to win his first World Championship
here on the main roster in WWE as King of the Ring
here in this opportunity tonight.
In that tournament, guys, Gunther beat Sheamus,
Kofi Kingston, Jey Uso, and Randy Orton.
There's no doubt that he's earned this.
[Corey] I don't think anybody with eyes has doubted the fact
that The Ring General deserves every opportunity given.
Gunther has been a force since entering WWE
and has showed no signs of slowing.
The Ring General may be unstoppable.
["Prepare to Fight" continues playing]
[Michael] A lot of legends from pro wrestling history here tonight,
watching from high above Cleveland Browns Stadium.
Among those DDP, you see him there, Steiners as well, Kevin Nash, X-Pac.
[Pat] Big Poppa. Diesel.
-[Corey] Miss Jackie. -[Pat] Ms. Jackie. Let's go. Welcome back.
This match is brought to you by Straight Talk Wireless.
Real unlimited data, less dollars, more cents.
[Pat] The Ring General has been saying some pretty terrible things
about our champion the last few weeks.
-That's straight talk, brother. -♪ All rise ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] What does the champion do with it is the question.
[Pat] A lot going on in the champion's world right now, a lot.
["Rise for the Night" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[explosions]
♪ All rise for the rockstar… ♪
[Michael] If you guys haven't, take the opportunity to watch
the Damian Priest documentary.
Pretty incredible story for this man.
To come from where he started to
the World Heavyweight Championship.
[Corey] No doubt, Damian Priest has had
an incredible journey to the top of the business,
to the top of the mountain, to the World Heavyweight Championship.
Gunther's not impressed, because Gunther has paid his dues.
Gunther has made sacrifices.
Gunther knows the struggle of aspiring to be great in this business.
It is a hard, arduous, near impossible road for most.
We have got two men who absolutely worship this sport
going to battle over the richest prize on Monday Night Raw,
and Priest ain't going down without the fight of his life.
[Michael] Think about Gunther's two championship reigns
that he's had here in WWE.
When he was the NXT UK Champion,
he held that title for 870 days.
When he was the Intercontinental Champion,
he held it for a record 666 days.
[Pat] The man rarely ever loses.
Doesn't know how to.
Everything you talked about, Corey, with The Ring General,
with earning the opportunity and riding the wave of it all,
our champion knows exactly how that feels and then some.
Balancing being the champion has been so awesome to watch
with Damian Priest.
[Michael] And you saw the chest all beat up.
That was by virtue of the battle with Finn Bálor
this past Monday night on Raw.
If you think Gunther looked bad, you should have seen Bálor.
[Pat] His bloody chest all over town.
[Corey] It just speaks to the level of competition that Gunther lives for,
just days after competing against Finn Bálor,
the first-ever Universal Champion, one of the best in the world.
Gunther is now ready to dethrone Damian Priest,
but again, with everything going on in Priest's world,
if he can channel that fury toward The Ring General,
it could be a rough night for Gunther.
[bell rings]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the World Heavyweight Championship.
[crowd cheering]
Introducing the challenger,
representing Imperium,
from Vienna, Austria, weighing in at 250 pounds,
he is the 2024 King of the Ring,
"The Ring General" Gunther.
[mixed clapping and booing]
[Pat] Stoic.
[crowd quiets]
And his opponent,
representing The Judgment Day,
from New York City, weighing in at 249 pounds,
he is the World Heavyweight Champion,
"El campeón"
Damian Priest.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] We can thank my stat guy, John Chick, for all the stats here tonight
including the fact that 16 times in the history of SummerSlam
the World Championship has changed hands.
Will that happen tonight? Priest, Gunther, for the title.
Hell of a job by our ring announcer, Samantha Irvin, as well.
-Ring the bell. -[bell rings]
[Michael] And here we go.
Priest locks eyes with Gunther.
One thing about Gunther, very rarely
does he get emotionally caught up in the moment.
[Corey] That is arguably The Ring General's secret weapon.
[Michael] And a big right hand by Priest, stunning Gunther,
driving him into the corner. Remember, Gunther's the man
who called Damian Priest and all his fans street trash.
[Corey] Damian Priest just flattened Gunther.
[Michael] Gunther, though, fighting back with forearms of his own.
[both grunting]
[Michael] This will be a physical battle.
[Corey] Priest might have caught Gunther under the chin
with that last one, almost in the throat, and here we go.
[Michael] Priest looking for the south of heaven.
Gunther, though, with a chop to the shoulder.
-[Gunther grunts] -[Damian cries out]
[Corey] Big uppercut.
[Michael] Now, oh, flatliner.
[Pat] Both of these men completely okay beating the hell out of each other.
[Corey] And Gunther in retreat in the early moments of this matchup.
That's not a sight you see frequently.
[Michael] No, not at all, and Damian Priest not going to allow him
to gather his bearings.
Right out on the attack off the steps.
Ooh. Clubbing blow to the back of the neck of Gunther.
Gunther, he awakened something in Damian Priest.
[Corey] We've talked every time Priest has defended
his World Heavyweight Championship. Wait a minute here.
[Michael] Gunther driving Priest spine-first to the post.
[Corey] First and foremost, Damian Priest…
-[wrestlers grunting] -[Michael] On the apron.
…has been battling to earn the respect of the WWE Universe
as World Heavyweight Champion to elevate the title,
to elevate Monday Night Raw. That's been Priest's primary goal.
Then you have the turmoil within The Judgment Day.
Oh, and then you've got Gunther insulting you, berating you…
-[Michael] Oh! -…and basically making your life hell.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Gunther, into the ring, breaking the count.
Champion's advantage. Gunther's got to pin or submit Priest.
[Corey] Champion's disadvantage in the fact that Damian Priest
has the weight of the world on his shoulders tonight in this match.
[Pat] The weight of the world is on your shoulders
whenever you're our champion,
and Damian Priest has continued to do that at an incredible rate.
The more you learn about his story too you know.
[Michael] The power of Gunther with the slam.
[Pat] He's built for this entire moment here.
[Michael] Priest has had success at SummerSlam.
A few years ago, he beat Sheamus for the United States Championship here.
That was his first main roster title.
[Corey] Uncorking another right.
[Michael] Priest a great striker with that MMA karate background.
-Oh and Gunther. Oh, man. Boxing the ears. -[Corey] Oh!
-Gunther's bell rung. -[Gunther yells]
[Michael] Priest trying to lift him up. Gunther, though.
-[Gunther yells] -[Michael] Now, again, second time.
Gunther able to turn it around with a chop.
[crowd exclaims]
[Pat] Gunther moving the center of gravity down, reversing.
[Michael] Oh, suplex delivered.
Cover by Gunther for the championship, and Priest kicks out at one.
[man in crowd] Priest! Priest!
[Pat] Well, as expected,
they're beating each other.
[Michael] Senior official, Chad Patton,
working this World Heavyweight Championship match tonight
wearing the referee cam.
[crowd clapping]
[Pat] For a World Championship in Cleveland.
[Michael] First time ever these two men have met one-on-one.
[scattered applause]
[Michael] And this is the pace Gunther wants.
[Pat] Absolutely.
[Michael] Methodical, little wasted motion. He's like a machine.
[Corey] Because few Superstars in history
have an arsenal as deep as The Ring General.
This slow methodical pace allows Gunther to essentially run through his playbook
and decide what he wants to do next.
[Michael] Just like here, go up to the top rope.
Priest, back to his feet, catches him with a right hand.
[crowd chanting and yelling]
[Corey] Priest feeling the effects of those brutal chops
from The Ring General.
[Michael] Now, Gunther.
As Priest looked like he was gonna try to climb the rope.
[grunting]
Forearm delivered. Priest stunned Gunther.
[Gunther grunting]
[Michael] Gunther hung up. Priest may have him where he wants him.
[Corey] Priest has been bringing the heat thus far with all these strikes.
[Pat] Such violent rights and lefts.
-Priest is dialed in. -[Corey] Uh-oh.
[Michael] Both men going up from the top rope high above the ring.
[Corey] And it… it looked like almost a kimura for a moment,
and now, Gunther exposing the champion's ribs
and knocking Priest off of his perch.
And a big kick by Priest.
[Pat] The athleticism to get the leg up that high.
Right on the chin. What a kick from Priest.
[Corey] Oh my God.
[Michael] Priest, again, up top rope
and he's gonna go for a hurricanrana to Gunther.
[Corey] Priest pulling out a few new plays of his own.
-[Michael] Now, Priest. Down goes Gunther. -[Corey] Whoa!
-Broken arrow. -[Michael] Cover for the win.
Hook of the leg. Kick out at two.
[Pat] Something you don't normally see, Gunther's body flying through the sky.
[Michael] Yes, Priest with his broken arrow here.
-[Corey] Throws him. -[Michael] Incredible release.
[Corey] Tremendous display of power by the World Heavyweight Champion
to launch Gunther halfway across the ring.
[Pat] Speed, agility, power, he has it. That's why he's our champion.
[Corey] Thus far, if I'm predicting the future,
Priest is gonna have to utilize his striking ability.
That's what's giving him the advantage and the upper hand in every instance.
You're not gonna out-grapple Gunther. Period. I don't care who you are.
[Pat] I think your wishes are about to be--
[Michael] Priest'll try to outfight.
-[Gunther yells] -[Corey] Smart. Stick with what you know.
[Michael] The MMA background of Priest, that big kick.
Now, measuring his man. Another one now to Gunther,
driving him back toward the ropes.
[Corey] Extensive karate background possessed by Damian Priest.
-[Pat] Also, kickboxing. -[Gunther grunts]
[Michael] Oh, right to the hamstring. Kick to the chest.
[Corey] Perhaps, most importantly of all, being raised in the Bronx.
[Pat] Absolutely.
[Michael] Gunther with one chop and now a kick by Priest again.
These two, so physical.
-[blow] -Priest. You heard that one.
You hear all these.
-[grunting] -[crowd chanting]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Priest taking the fight to Gunther. Oh, that kick drops him.
[Corey] That kick caught Gunther right under the chin
and dropped The Ring General.
[Pat] Well, The Ring General's chest is busted open.
-[Corey] Wow. -[Pat] I'm SiriusXM.
They're throwing chops through each other's souls.
[Michael] Now, Gunther back to his feet, and a chop of his own.
You see the blood flowing across the chest of Gunther caused by Priest.
Gunther with chops of his own.
-[crowd exclaiming] -[Michael] Blocked.
[Corey] That's got to be disheartening for the challenger. Uh-oh!
[Michael] Priest, kick after kick. He's got Gunther off-balance here.
This is an attack I don't know if Gunther was quite prepared for.
Oh, and that chop intercepts him.
-[yells] -[Michael] Big kick.
[Corey] The fact that you just said Gunther was unprepared for anything
is absolutely baffling to me.
There's no way he thought his chest would be busted open
before Damian Priest, but that's where he's at right now.
Down, battered. Our champion is looking to pounce.
[Michael] Priest now taking his time. Gunther moves out of harm's way.
Priest into the corner.
Gunther, there's that big dropkick
like a flying dinosaur.
[Corey] Tyrannosaurus style.
[Michael] Now lifting Priest. Went for the powerbomb.
Stacks him up to win the World Title, and Priest has to kick out.
[scattered applause]
[Pat] The Ring General taking a breather.
Look at this. He took some shots from…
[crowd cheering]
…El Campeón.
[Corey] And I think Gunther just now realized
by looking up at the giant boards,
screens around this stadium that he is bleeding.
[Michael] Yes.
Wiping the blood away,
I don't think he could believe that he was banged up like that by Priest.
[crowd cheering and chanting]
[Corey] You almost wonder what's going through Gunther's mind right now.
How does The Ring General react to the sight of his own blood…
[crowd cheering]
…being drawn by a dominant champion?
[Michael] Gunther now turns his attention to Priest
who fights back again with the right hand.
Now a chop by Gunther and another one.
Gunther trying to fight back, the number one contender,
for the world title.
[crowd singing indistinctly]
The King of the Ring lifting Priest up,
Priest lands on his feet, catches him with a spinning kick.
I don't know if he got all of it.
[Corey] I think Gunther did his best to avoid contact, and then counter on it.
[Michael] Priest with a South of Heaven.
[Corey] That'll do it. Go for the cover, Damian.
[Michael] To retain the World Championship cover on Gunther…
[crowd counting down]
…who kicks out at two, got the shoulder up.
[scattered booing]
[Pat] We've seen South of Heaven end championship matches
for Damian Priest in the past.
[Corey] And it very nearly did yet again.
"The Ring General" Gunther proving a little more
than Priest bargained for in that instance.
[crowd clapping]
[Michael] WWE fans trying to will Priest in this match.
He's taken over. He's gained the momentum. Gunther's in trouble.
[Corey] Giving the signal potentially for The Razor's Edge,
Priest's homage to his hero, Razor Ramon, Scott Hall, here it comes.
[Pat] Like Diesel [indistinct].
[both grunting]
[Michael] Now, Gunther though, Gunther got the arm trapped.
Oh goodness.
Priest with a right.
Now, Gunther able to duck underneath, looking for a sleeper now,
and swung away by the champ.
Kick blocked. Gunther…
sends Priest up and over.
[scattered applause]
And now Gunther, momentum off the ropes with a clothesline.
And Gunther with another one.
-Ring General, cover for the championship. -One! Two!
[Michael] Priest kicks at two.
-[grunts] -[Michael] Technical exhaustion.
[Pat] Yeah, that's just classic Gunther wrestling there,
Just full physical assault. Lariat after lariat…
-[Michael] Bang. -…after lariat.
[scattered applause, chanting]
[Pat] Then go for the pin, two count, let's reassess.
[speaking in German]
[crowd chanting] This is awesome.
[Gunther speaking German]
[crowd continuing to chant]
[Gunther speaking German]
[Pat] He's banking that you don't want to take a beating anymore.
-Damian Priest says… -[Michael] Bring it.
Gunther with a kick right to the face.
[crowd chanting]
[Pat] "No, no, no," says el campeón.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Pat] Gonna need more than that.
[Michael] Gunther with a chop, drops the champion.
-[Gunther speaks indistinctly] -[crowd] Yeah!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Gunther now barking at WWE fans.
[speaking in German]
-[Michael] Priest the defiant champion. -[crowd groans]
[Corey] For a moment, Priest was looking like Tyler Durden
in the basement of Lou's Tavern, asking for more, no matter how bad,
no matter how ugly it gets. Finn Bálor's here to offer support.
[Michael] Bálor trying to get Damian Priest rallying here.
Look at the look on Gunther's face.
He knows what Bálor did to him on Monday night on Raw.
[Corey] Gunther's well aware of how The Judgment Day operates.
Sure, there's issues within,
but they've always gotten each others' backs.
[Finn] Come on, Damian. Time to rise up, come on.
[Pat] He's no longer in, seemingly.
Judgment Day has always gone to bat for each other.
[Corey] That's if he can deliver more right now.
Bang!
[crowd exclaims]
[Michael] Very high up here at the filming.
[crowd indistinctly yelling]
[Pat] Both of the things you two just said together.
[Michael] Bálor trying to rally Priest.
Rhea Ripley failed on her opportunity to win the Women's Title tonight
because of "Dirty" Dom.
-Priest hoping to keep the championship. -[loud smack]
Did you hear that?
[Pat] That sounded like fireworks above the damn stadium.
[Michael] Oh my God!
That was tough to watch and listen to, but Damian Priest still fighting back.
[Corey] I think the boot was even worse right on the chin of the champion.
-Oh. -[Michael] Look at--
[Corey] Oh, man. I think the champion has just ticked off the challenger.
[Michael] Gunther's a sicko.
[crowd yelling indistinctly]
[Corey] Gunther is a warrior.
[Pat] Rubbing his blood all over his face, all over his head.
[Michael] Talk about gladiators, Corey.
-[speaking German] -[Damian speaks indistinctly]
You're beneath me. Always will be.
[Michael] Ooh, and just beating down the champion.
[Pat] Here in the Cleveland Coliseum.
[Michael] It's starting to become a bit uncomfortable to watch this.
[Pat] This's exactly how Gunther loves it. This is his entire career here.
[Corey] Gunther may have fractured a rib with that single kick.
What are you gonna do?
[Corey] Priest, obviously banged up, beat up.
Finn Bálor's out here, though.
[Finn] Come on, bro. Come on brother. Come on.
[Michael] Oh, and Gunther with a kick right to the face of Bálor.
[Corey] Neutralize the threat.
It wasn't popular, but I understand why Gunther did it,
but it gave Priest time to recover.
[Pat] All rise.
[Corey] The World Heavyweight Champion is awake again and looking to throw down.
-[crowd cheering] -[Michael] Priest back to his feet.
Gunther with a kick drives the champ back to the ropes,
and what a clothesline, knocking the spit out of the mouth of Gunther.
[Corey] A couple of titans battling right now.
[Michael] Priest again, and the champ starting to rally.
-[man] Go! -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] WWE fans firmly behind the World Heavyweight Champion.
With Gunther up, Priest has got him high for The Razor's Edge.
[crowd cheering and clapping]
Hey, yo.
[Michael] And Priest now with a South of Heaven to Gunther.
Priest looking to capitalize. Crawls toward the cover.
[Pat] Gunther trying to--
[Michael] Hook of the leg, shoulders down… What the hell?
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] What are you doing, Finn?
[Pat] Come on.
[Michael] Finn, what are you doing?
I don't think Priest realized what just happened.
Finn Bálor off the South of Heaven chokeslam just screwed his buddy.
[Corey] I don't think Priest has any idea.
[Michael] Finn Bálor just screwed his buddy of The Judgment Day.
[crowd cheering]
The jealousy just raised its ugly head,
and now Priest realizes what happened.
[crowd clamoring]
[Pat] Priest sees the replay like all of us.
[Michael] Bálor just stabbed Priest in the back.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Michael] You felt this was brewing for months, and months, and months,
but you never thought it was gonna happen.
[Pat] Especially like this.
[Michael] And now Gunther from behind, taking advantage,
locking in a sleeper now on Damian Priest,
middle of the ring off the Bálor distraction.
-The champion's fading. -[Damian gasping]
[Michael] Gunther's got him locked in. The champ's fading.
[indistinct]
Bálor with a look of disgust, staring back at a fading Damian Priest.
Priest's in trouble.
[Corey] Gunther continuing to clutch, trying to put the champion down.
-He's out. -[indistinct]
[Michael] Bálor looking on as Priest tries to fight back.
Priest trying to fight back out of this, and Gunther though--
-[Corey] Shoulders down. -[Michael] Shoulders are down.
Gunther had to kick at two. Priest just got life.
Again, going after Bálor. Come on, Priest, focus on Gunther.
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] Gunther with a powerbomb.
And again, clutch is in.
Sleeper in. Priest is fading.
Eyes rolling back in his head,
all because of the outrage
over being stabbed in the back by his friend.
[Corey] Don't lose hope yet. I don't know, Priest somehow--
-[Michael] It's over. -[bell rings]
[Michael] Gunther is the World Champion.
["Prepare to Fight" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner
and new
World Heavyweight Champion,
"The Ring General" Gunther.
[Michael] Gunther wins his first World Heavyweight Championship.
[Corey] Arguably, the best pro-wrestler on God's green earth in the year 2024,
Gunther finally has the hardware to prove it again.
[Michael] But SummerSlam 2024
will be forever known as the implosion of The Judgment Day
as we know it.
First Dominik Mysterio to Rhea Ripley,
and now Finn Bálor to Damian Priest.
And this replay is brought to you by Straight Talk Wireless.
Real unlimited data, less dollars, more cents.
[Corey] First, the trip courtesy of Priest's South of Heaven.
Almost a surefire win for the champion.
Gunther rolls just far enough for this to happen.
And a dagger never plunges deeper than when it's thrust by someone you love.
The sleeper hold applied, Priest fighting valiantly yet again,
but Gunther, like a terminator when Priest took his eye off the ball,
delivered a thunderous powerbomb in Cleveland.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] And then back to the sleeper.
Again, Priest fought with every ounce of his being,
but you can give all the credit
to that man right there, Finn Bálor,
for screwing Priest and helping crown
the new World Heavyweight Champion.
[Michael] You know, Pat, perhaps we've been too close to the story,
watching it each and every week on Monday Night Raw.
But I guess we should have seen it coming.
[Pat] Absolutely.
["Prepare to Fight" continues playing]
[Pat] Gunther. Congrats to Gunther.
Congratulations to the World Heavyweight Champion.
Huh! [shouting indistinctly]
[music fades]
[John Cena] 2025. We are planning something unforgettable.
So if you want some, hurry up and come get some
because the last time is now.
[Michael] Well, the announcement was made last month.
The Cena farewell tour coming throughout 2025 to a city near you.
Celebrate the greatest of all time
as he hangs up the jorts in 2025.
♪ The franchise doing big business, I live this ♪
♪ Is automatic I win this So you hear those horns who finish ♪
♪ 'Cause that highway to hell… ♪
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, we're in Cleveland tonight for SummerSlam,
but five weeks from Friday,
and I can say I'll be a part of this,
it is the premiere of SmackDown on USA.
Five weeks from Friday. Friday night, September 13th.
[announcer] The SummerSlam Highlight of the Night is presented by
Wheatley American vodka. Wheatley. So good I drink it neatly.
That American vodka goes down smooth, just like this move.
[Michael] Here's the peer-o-pat-istrator
We're gonna show you what happened with Rhea Ripley and company.
Well, the peer-o-pat-istrator is not working.
[Pat] Yes, but you can get this super slo-mo in a beautiful fashion
as "Dirty" Dom would steal a chair from Mami,
whenever she was about to unload on Liv Morgan.
"Dirty" Dom would tell Rhea, "You can't hit her with a chair."
"You won't win the title. You'll get disqualified."
You thought that "Dirty" Dom was potentially looking out for Mami,
in her big return, in her big title hunt.
Instead, as the evening would go on, that was not the case.
"Dirty" Dom is a backstabbing, two-timing, disgusting piece of trash.
He threw a chair into the ring,
set up Liv for the oblivion to put Rhea's face through it,
as he was distracting Eddie Orengo.
Then after the match, after Liv retains her title,
he put that trash ass mustache on Liv Morgan's upper lip
in the Judgment disarray.
Whereas Bruce Brown says the Schmudgemant Day demise truly began.
[Corey] Been some night for The Judgment Day.
-[Michael] Nice job. -[Corey] Some night for all of us.
Great job, Pat. We wanna send a special thank you to Jelly Roll
for "Liar," the official theme song of WWE SummerSlam.
"Liar" is available now on Apple Music, Spotify.
We kicked off the evening here at SummerSlam.
Big thanks to Jelly Roll for all your work.
[Pat] This song is so good.
[Corey] I don't know if anyone in Cleveland had more fun than Mr. Roll.
[Pat laughs] Well, maybe these two.
[Samantha] Please welcome our host of SummerSlam,
The Miz
and his tag team partner, R-Truth.
[crowd cheering]
Cleveland, Ohio.
[crowd cheering]
SummerSlam is in our house.
[crowd cheering]
Whoa, wait a minute, dawg. You got a big house.
I wonder how many people are in here?
Ah, wonder no more.
Cleveland, you have set an all-time American attendance record
for SummerSlam of
57,791.
-[R-Truth] Wow. -Let's go.
[crowd cheering]
-[Corey] Well done, Cleveland. -[Michael] Well…
[man] Cleveland, what's up?
[crowd shouts] What's up?
["Liar" by Jelly Roll playing]
[Michael] Congratulations.
-[man] What's up? -[crowd] What's up?
…that showed up at SummerSlam.
-[Pat] That's what's up, Cole. -Hey. Whoa. Hold on a second.
Oh, these idiots.
[crowd booing]
We ain't having the biggest party of the summer
without A-Town Down Under, baby.
Hey, wait. The Miz is the host?
I can't believe they chose The Miz of all people.
Wait. It kind of makes sense.
He's like all these people in here. Disgusting. [laughs]
It's true.
Hey, Theory, this is Miz's hometown. We in the land, right?
The land?
The land with the worst NFL football team of all time.
-[Michael] I do agree with that. -[Corey] No argument from me.
They are called the Browns for a reason.
[Pat] Two completely defeated seasons.
The land where unfortunately
all the people here look like Jelly Roll. [laughs]
[Grayson Waller] Oh, whoa. No, no, no.
No. I'm not going to let you disrespect
country music legend Jelly Roll like that, Theory.
You're right. My bad. My bad.
[Grayson] He's incredible. He's amazing.
He is.
Jelly Roll has done the impossible, man.
He has done it.
You're the only man in history
to make music worse than R-Truth's. [laughs]
What's up?
Hey, MGK. Yours are much better, lad.
Hey. That's good. That's good. You know what?
[Michael] Oh, boy.
We are in the home of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, right?
[crowd cheering]
Cleveland, Ohio. I give you Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson.
The Rock 'n' Roll Express.
-[Michael] Where? -[Corey] Oh my God.
[Pat, Corey, and Michael exclaiming excitedly]
You know that's not the Rock 'n' roll Express, right?
-It's not them. -That is the Rock 'n' Roll Express.
That's Ricky Morton and that's Robert Gibson.
They just got his outfits. good looking, dawg.
That… that… that is Austin Theory. That is Grayson Waller.
If that's Austin Theory and that's Grayson Waller,
then who is that?
[Austin] Hey, what you going to do, belly slow?
-What are you trying to-- -[Michael] Oh, look out.
Jelly Roll's got a chair,
and Austin Theory just said, "Somebody save me."
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Well, Grayson Waller is wearing a damn onesie.
Theory's out here dressed like an extra from Michael Jackson's "Bad" video.
At least we've got Jelly Roll here to save the day.
[Pat] Jelly Roll swinging chairs around Cleveland.
-[Michael] And Jelly Roll's not done. -[crowd cheering]
[Pat] Well…
[Corey] Watermark biscuits, Michael Cole.
That's some real jelly bomb.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Wait, wait, wait.
Wait a… wait a minute.
-[Michael] No. -[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Jelly Roll's already on tour.
We're preparing for a different kind of tour, but…
-[Michael] Yeah, farewell tour next year. -[crowd chants indistinctly]
[Pat] Feels like it's a lonely road right now for Austin Theory.
[Michael] An homage from team knuckle shuffle.
[Pat laughs] My God.
That a baby, Jelly Roll.
[Corey] Look at Jelly Roll having a hell of a time.
["The Awesome Truth" by The Miz and R-Truth playing]
[Michael] Couldn't have happened to two better guys.
I don't know what you have against Ricky and Robert.
They've always been great to me. Hall of Famers.
-[Michael] How does R-Truth do that? -[Corey] Do what?
[Michael] That split.
[Corey] You guys are the same age. Ask him. [laughs]
[Michael] That's really nice. Really nice.
Now you're old shaming me. You're old man shaming me.
Come on now. [laughs]
[Pat] That a baby, Jelly Roll.
[announcer] Monday. Raw. Syfy.
The epic mashup.
[hip-hop music playing]
Witness the Wyatt Six make their in-ring debut
against Chad Gable and The Creed Brothers.
Raw. Monday 8/7 central. Only on Syfy.
[announcer] August 31st, from the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany,
comes a brand-new event.
[Michael] This is going to be wild.
[crowd cheering]
♪ I will push it to the limit ♪
♪ And everybody's feeling The sound of the night ♪
♪ I don't wanna stop We push it to the limit ♪
♪ Together, we will crash The morning light ♪
[Michael] This is absolutely epic.
[announcer] WWE Bash in Berlin,
Saturday, August 31st, 1:00 p.m. eastern, 10:00 a.m. Pacific,
streaming exclusively on Peacock.
[Michael] Well, ladies and gentlemen, four weeks from tonight
we will be in Berlin, Germany, for Bash in Berlin
as WWE continues to take over international cities around the globe.
Immediately after SummerSlam, it is our SummerSlam press conference.
We're seeing it here tonight on Peacock,
on the WWE social media channels.
The nightmare of all nightmares
engulfs the most feared family in the ring.
Cody Rhodes will fight to retain his Undisputed WWE Championship
from the contested head of the table, Solo Sikoa, right after this break.
For our subscribers of Peacock Premium Plus,
let's look at the campaign of cruelty
carried out by the new faces of The Bloodline
that inevitably resulted in this challenge.
♪ Like a devil in disguise hiding your… ♪
[dramatic music playing]
[Solo Sikoa] The Bloodline had all the titles,
both Heavyweight and both Tag Team Titles.
[yelling]
[Solo] Roman Reigns is not man enough to defend our title at WrestleMania.
He was not man enough to defend our legacy,
and that's why I'm here to build a more powerful family.
Right-hand man, Tama Tonga, step up.
A more aggressive family.
[Tama] I acknowledge you.
[Solo] I had to lose a brother.
Infamous Tonga Loa, step up.
[Tonga] I acknowledge you.
[Solo] Need I remind you what happened to those
that didn't acknowledge me.
My enforcer, Jacob Fatu, step up.
My tribal chief, I love you, Solo.
[crowd gasps]
I am going to take back our WWE Undisputed title
from Cody Rhodes.
And if Roman Reigns wants that back,
-he can acknowledge me. -Acknowledge me.
The Bloodline was no more,
or so I thought.
[commentator] Cody Rhodes finished the story.
But this new doppelgänger version of The Bloodline,
chaos reigns without a true lion to lead the pack,
and because of that chaos,
now I sit here alone.
My friends, my allies, my partners,
Randy Orton…
-Take me. -[indistinct yelling]
Kevin Owens.
[commentator] The Samoan Werewolf once again.
[indistinct]
[commentator] Cody Rhodes is being forced to watch all of it,
and there's nothing he can do.
[yells]
[crowd gasps]
[Cody] Destroyed trying to fight by my side.
You fashion yourself the head of the table, right?
Before WrestleMania 39,
I looked Solo in the eyes and I told him,
"You think you're ready. You're not ready."
[crowd cheering]
[Solo] It's Cody Rhodes's turn to acknowledge me.
-[bell rings] -[crowd cheering]
Consider it official.
SummerSlam. The Undisputed WWE Championship.
At SummerSlam, I'm gonna show you how dangerous I am.
See, you're a self-appointed tribal chief.
I intend what I did to Roman Reigns
at WrestleMania when I defeated him in a Bloodline rules match.
Let's make SummerSlam a Bloodline rules match.
I accept.
[Solo] It's Cody Rhodes' turn… to acknowledge me.
[crowd cheering]
["Taking It All" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
♪ We're taking it all! ♪
♪ Settle the score, The one who will not take that loss ♪
-♪ We're taking it all ♪ -♪ We the ones! ♪
[Michael] It took a hell of a lot of guts
for Cody Rhodes to make this a Bloodline rules match
where anything goes because, Corey,
he completely loses his advantage as champion.
[Corey] In the wake of WrestleMania,
The Bloodline has evolved into perhaps its most dangerous formula yet,
and it's now led by the new tribal chief, Solo Sikoa,
who never walks alone no matter what the occasion,
tonight included.
Cody Rhodes knows what Bloodline rules entail.
Cody's got to have a plan,
because I promise you, Solo definitely does.
[Michael] Are you surprised that Solo is coming out for,
at least the start of this matchup, without The Bloodline in tow?
[Corey] Yes, honestly I am because I believe part of the aura of Solo
is seeing the entire Bloodline, the force of power, the show of force,
seeing it in completion.
But obviously Solo has a very, very well-laid strategy for this evening.
I fully expect to see the other members of The Bloodline
in the not too distant future.
[Pat] Bingo. If I'm The American Nightmare,
I don't love that the other members of The Bloodline aren't out here.
If they're out here, you know where they are.
Now he's gonna have to keep his head on a swivel all night.
He knows it's Bloodline rules.
Who knows where the hell they can be coming from?
And Jacob Fatu, I'd like to know where the hell he is at all times.
[Corey] I'll give you a word of warning, Pat.
When you see him,
he's one of the most terrifying men you've ever seen.
[Pat] I've seen him on TV.
He's now one half of the Tag Team Champions.
[Corey] Absolutely.
[Pat] Which goes to the entire point of what Solo's saying.
We need all the gold back with The Bloodline,
which is what he's trying to do.
[Corey] Listen, Solo began the success last night on Friday Night SmackDown
when Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu captured the WWE Tag Team Titles.
Solo has the opportunity, pun heavily intended,
to finish the story for himself tonight.
[Michael] Let's not forget, this man Solo Sikoa pinned Cody Rhodes
in a six-man tag team matchup back at Money in the Bank.
Listen to the names that Solo Sikoa has knocked off in WWE
in one-on-one matchups.
Rey Mysterio, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn,
AJ Styles, Sheamus, and John Cena.
[Corey] Let's talk about who The Bloodline has taken out even more recently.
Kevin Owens and "The Viper" Randy Orton.
Cody Rhodes has no backup tonight.
[Pat] Solo's a bit reckless too. Anybody can get it.
[Michael] Solo's first SummerSlam.
[Pat] Don't have respect for many folks.
[Corey] Listen, we've watched the evolution of Solo Sikoa
from the enforcer of The Bloodline as we then knew it,
to the now tribal chief.
-[Pat] Self-appointed. -[Corey] True.
[Michael] Self-proclaimed.
[crowd cheering]
[woman chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] With his beloved dog Pharaoh,
the Undisputed WWE champion, Cody Rhodes heads to the ring for battle.
Under Bloodline rules at WrestleMania,
Cody Rhodes survived
and ended the historic streak of 1,316 days
as champion for Roman Reigns.
[Corey] Did you see the look on Cody's face
when he leaned down to kiss Pharaoh?
This is Pharaoh's final trip on the road.
He has stood by Cody's side for years.
All the miles, all the towns, all the travel.
Truly Cody's best friend and that journey ends tonight.
[crowd cheering]
Congratulations.
I know we've had a difference of opinion that you're the underdog.
[sighs] You were right.
You're the WWE Champion and a damn fine one.
Do you know how I know? 54,000 people say so.
But you got yourself in a sling last night, my friend.
You got four pissed-off island boys.
They want to destroy the memory of Roman Reigns,
and they want to take what you worked your whole life for,
so know they're coming.
You know they're coming. And as the champion,
you know you got a target on your back.
It just so happens I still got a little influence
in some of these locker rooms.
I just weaved in and out and had a couple of conversations.
You still got friends,
and a couple that you already know about,
they're on the way.
-Go get 'em. Proud of you. -Thank you.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] The Hall of Famer Arn Anderson, who, of course, dates back to many battles
with Cody's dad, "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes,
that he has now become a longtime mentor,
a longtime confidant for that young man, Cody Rhodes.
He will leave Pharaoh. He will don the American Nightmare jacket.
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[Michael] Members of his family here tonight throughout the stadium
to watch Cody Rhodes go into battle.
[crowd continues chanting]
[crowd cheering]
[man speaking indistinctly over PA]
["Kingdom" by Downstait playing]
[crowd cheering]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every fight out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[crowd singing along] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[explosions]
♪ And my father said when I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me ♪
♪ You took my dreams but not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me until the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom… ♪
[crowd cheering and screaming]
♪ Tear this roof off for the town ♪
♪ Gonna give 'em what they came to see ♪
♪ Hear the crowd on their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain, lights go up I'm home ♪
[crowd singing along] ♪ Whoa! ♪
[explosions]
♪ And my father said, when I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me ♪
♪ You took my dreams but not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me until the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
♪ You tried to tell me what to do ♪
♪ I saw the door and kicked it down ♪
♪ I stepped right over and right through ♪
♪ And you can never stop me now ♪
♪ Bow! Now! ♪
♪ I am the king and you're the clown ♪
♪ Now watch me as I take my throne ♪
♪ And rule my kingdom ♪
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game A banner made of pain… ♪
[Michael] And our main event is presented by Wheatley American vodka.
While our athletes are chasing their American dream in Paris,
Wheatley is proud to support The American Nightmare here tonight,
so grab an American mule and cheer on both Cody and Team USA
with Wheatley American vodka.
[Corey] It is main event time at SummerSlam.
And we will see a lonely king defending his throne
against the tribe who wants it back.
Fellas, the problem is this tribe is willing to take Cody's entire head
to get the crown back.
[Michael] Cody's asked the question, "Is he ready?"
We'll find out.
Solo Sikoa is indeed ready tonight.
-♪ Hear the crowd on their toes ♪ -[music fades out]
[bell rings]
The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the Undisputed
WWE Championship.
[crowd cheering]
Introducing the challenger,
representing The Bloodline…
[crowd booing]
…from Las Vegas, Nevada,
weighing in at 250 pounds,
Solo Sikoa.
[crowd booing]
And his opponent, from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 222 pounds,
he is the Undisputed
WWE Champion,
"The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes.
-[crowd cheering] -[Pat] I've got chills.
[Michael] Counting Gunther's victory moments ago,
there have been 17 world title changes at SummerSlam.
Will tonight be Solo Sikoa's night?
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody!
[inaudible]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Referee Dan Engler will have the honor
to work this Undisputed WWE Championship match tonight.
Remember, it's Bloodline rules,
so, really, the only reason Mr. Engler is in there
is to count a one, two, three or a tap out on a submission
between Rhodes and Solo Sikoa here tonight.
[crowd cheering]
-Ring the bell. -[bell rings]
[Corey] Solo taking a moment to kiss the sacred ula fala.
It means so much.
[Michael] The color red representing the tribal chief.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Corey] To say that the Cleveland crowd is hostile toward the challenger tonight
might be an understatement.
[Pat] I'd say they're letting him know how they feel about how he's been acting,
what he's been saying, who he's been acting like.
It's a wild time for The Bloodline.
[Michael] Collar-and-elbow tie-up to start off.
Cory, for the champion, Cody Rhodes, what does he got to do to keep the title?
[Corey] Cody has seen this movie before. Cody has been in this position before.
Cody needs to rely on his experience.
Although Solo Sikoa grew up in this industry,
Cody has lived at the higher level for much longer.
[Michael] Can Solo Sikoa knock off Rhodes tonight?
[Corey] Yes.
He has to take advantage of the Bloodline rules?
[Corey] No. I'm not convinced that Solo doesn't have it in him.
-[Pat] It certainly helps. -[Corey] Listen…
Sure, it certainly puts the odds in Solo's favor,
but physically speaking, the evolution we have seen
from the street champ to the enforcer to the new tribal chief,
doesn't matter if you and I believe, gentlemen.
Solo believes he is the head of the table and he's going to feed his people.
[Pat] It's the biggest night of Solo's life, for sure.
[Michael] You can see the confidence oozing out of Sikoa
in the early going of this match.
[Corey] We've witnessed the evolution of Solo on Friday Night SmackDown
since WrestleMania. This is not the same Superstar
who was even at WrestleMania.
This is the most dangerous form of Solo Sikoa that has ever existed.
[Michael] Again, Cody, taking his time, measuring his man, ducks underneath,
and Rhodes looking to use his quickness in this match tonight.
[Pat] Solo plays by a completely different set of rules than everybody else,
and The Bloodline's been acting accordingly.
[Corey] Forgive me. If you could jog my memory.
Who was that legend, perhaps the greatest of all time,
who Solo Sikoa beat?
[Michael] Again, he just didn't beat John Cena, Corey.
He destroyed John Cena to the point where we never thought we'd see him again.
Wait a minute.
-[Corey] Solo has done his homework. -[Michael] Yes.
Blocking what would have been that big right hand from Cody,
that dropped down right hand.
[Corey] That's gonna send a message to the champion.
Cody Rhodes in that instance realized, "Okay, plan A is not gonna work tonight."
"What else do I have in the bank?"
[Michael] One thing Solo Sikoa cannot do is what he's doing now.
He cannot allow the WWE fans to get under his skin.
[Corey] I could not agree with you any more.
Solo, if he keeps his focus on the task at hand,
that being a gigantic, borderline impossible task of dethroning Cody--
[Michael] Uh-oh. Cody Rhodes wisely rolled out of harm's way.
[Corey] This goes back to the experience.
Cody rolling out for a moment to compose himself.
Look in the eyes of Solo. Solo has not broken his stare.
[Michael] Solo Sikoa just so confident. Believes it's his moment, his time.
[Corey] See here again. This is where the inexperience plays out.
[Pat] Yelling at Cleveland already.
[Corey] Solo does not need to worry about
the 50-something thousand people surrounding us.
Solo needs to worry about The American Nightmare,
the Undisputed WWE World Champion standing in front of him.
-[Pat] 57,719 of them. -[Michael] 791, actually.
[Pat] One and a nine are in there.
[Michael] Big headbutt by Sikoa.
And a chop.
-[crowd gasps] -[Pat] Like electric.
[Michael] Cody gonna fight back as well.
Is this the pace you expected early on?
-[Solo] Sit your ass down. -[crowd booing and yelling]
[Corey] Thus far, I think I'm a little surprised
that Cody hasn't tried to push the pace.
We know Cody's not afraid to step things up a little bit,
but you're not dealing with an ordinary athlete.
Solo Sikoa has the size, the speed, and the power.
[Michael] Cody not dumped out of the ring.
Now, Solo Sikoa will go over the top to the apron.
[Corey] This again why I keep stating how important Cody's…
-[Michael] Disaster kick. -…experience is.
That disaster kick sent Solo to the outside,
and here comes The Nightmare.
[Michael] Suicide dive by Cody Rhodes taking out Sikoa.
[Corey] Full send on Solo from our champion.
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] Cody back into the ring fired up.
[crowd clapping]
-[Corey] Oh no. -[Michael] Oh, ran right into a right.
And you could hear that.
[Corey] Solo again one step ahead of our champion.
[Michael] Stopped Cody dead in his tracks.
[Corey] And let's be honest, fellas.
Solo has a distinct power advantage over Cody Rhodes.
Solo… Solo has the ability to impose his will on an opponent
that Cody just has never known.
[Pat] Solo has some real funk in everything that he does…
[crowd booing]
…which is why he's been able to act the way that he's been acting
on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Pat] He's taking over The Bloodline.
[Corey] Choosing to align himself with people who were sworn off
from this company, if not the business as a whole.
Some of the most dangerous individuals… Oh.
[Michael] Cody up over the top. Oh. Solo Sikoa hanging on.
Again, Corey, he did his homework. Spin kick.
-[Corey] Yes. -[Michael] Cover for the championship.
Kick out by Cody.
[Corey] You're absolutely right he did.
It is becoming more and more evident as this match progresses.
Solo Sikoa knows.
Solo hears the whispers. Solo hears the chants.
Solo is out here to make the WWE Universe eat an overabundance of crow
at the expense of Cody Rhodes.
-[wrestlers grunting] -[Michael] Samoan drop by Sikoa.
[Pat] There's the crow you were referring to, Corey,
as he continues to be dominant over The American Nightmare.
Once again, he goes to the crowd.
It's almost like this tribal chief wants acknowledgement from the people
more than he wants to win.
[Corey] I guarantee you this.
If Solo beats Cody tonight,
the WWE Universe will have no choice but to acknowledge him.
[Pat] Amen. Keep the main thing the main thing, Solo.
[crowd clamoring]
[Michael] Again, another Samoan drop to the champion.
[Corey] Worse than the first.
[Michael] Solo into the cover. Once again looking to win the title.
And Cody kicks out.
[Corey] Solo not getting frustrated just yet.
I actually appreciate this pace now that Solo is utilizing.
It is methodical.
Unfortunately, he's got to be careful
because when Solo takes a little too much time,
which isn't much time at all, Cody will make you pay.
[Michael] Solo looking at the taped thumb,
looking for a Samoan spike for the champion.
He hits here, it could be over.
Cody, though, with a kick right to the thumb.
Now, a kick to the face.
-Cody off the second rope. Cody Cutter. -[Corey] Cody Cutter.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] I think taking too long is what cost Solo, Pat.
We talked about it since the opening moment.
Solo is busy enjoying himself.
[Michael] And Cody now sends Solo out to the announce table.
And now, Cody, again, Bloodline rules,
so there are no count-outs, no disqualifications.
[man] Go, Cody!
[Michael] Now bounced right into the Prime hydration station.
[crowd clamoring]
[Pat] Cody getting a little hydration at the station of Prime.
[Michael] Then hit right off the face of Sikoa.
[Pat] A Prime fountain off of Solo's dome.
-[Michael] Solo back into the ring. -[Corey] Rhodes--
[Michael] Cody heading up to the top rope.
[Corey] Cody up and over Sikoa.
-[Michael] There's the drop-down right. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Cody now left jabs to Sikoa.
[crowd] Whoa!
[Michael] The bionic elbow.
Cody again off the second rope. This time, Solo was ready.
[Corey] Picked out of mid-air.
[Michael] Now sit-out powerbomb for the championship on Rhodes.
Kick out.
[Corey] Guys, again, this is where experience factors in.
Take another look at this. Picked out of mid-air.
Outrageous power from Solo drives Cody straight into the canvas,
but Solo didn't put his feet over Cody's shoulders.
That could've made all the difference.
[Pat] It was a half-pin attempt there after the sit-down powerbomb.
[Corey] I hate to say it, but perhaps overconfidence by Solo Sikoa.
[Pat] Yeah, that's not gonna be enough for Cody Rhodes.
When you talk about the power catching him out of air,
what about his positioning? He was ready.
Knew exactly what Cody was going for.
Off the headbutt, a right hand,
and now the champion in the corner in trouble.
-[Pat] Solo is so damn impressive. -[Solo speaks indistinctly]
-[Cody grunts, cries out] -Cody!
[crowd booing]
[Michael] Again, forcing people to acknowledge him.
[crowd continues booing]
[Pat] Cleveland's acknowledging him all right.
-[Corey] Here we go. -[Michael] Full head of steam. Oh!
[Corey] Oh!
[Michael] Paying homage to umaga.
-Backing up into Rhodes. -It's mine.
[Michael] And Solo has Cody in deep trouble.
I'm the champ. Who's the man?
[crowd clamoring]
[Pat] Here we go. Here we go.
Wanting Cleveland and the WWE Universe to acknowledge him.
This guy is yearning for it.
[Michael] Again, Cody Rhodes capitalizing yet again as Solo took his time.
Cody was looking for a pedigree perhaps, and now…
Uh-oh. Almost ran into the official. Scooped up from behind.
Cody rolls him up. Shoulders are down. Two-count kick out.
-And Solo now. -[Corey] Oh!
[Michael] Spinning Solo hits, then connects.
[Corey] Might do it.
[Michael] For the win and the title. Cody's got to kick at two.
[Pat] The power of Solo is just on display.
[Corey] Take a look at this.
The torque and, most importantly, the impact upon landing.
-[Pat] He was on one leg. -[crowd clapping]
[Corey] Solo utilizing every ounce of his weight
to drive Cody Rhodes into the center of the ring
in hopes of capturing that, the Undisputed WWE Championship.
[Pat] He had a front-row seat for a long time to Roman Reigns.
[Michael] Now that grip.
[Cody grunting and groaning]
[Michael] Using his muscles. Cody Rhodes.
-Torturing the champion. -[Cody groaning]
[Corey] Agonizing position to be trapped in.
Sends pain all the way down your neck, your back, your shoulder.
It can paralyze your arm if it gets put on properly.
[Michael] How many members of the Samoan family have used that?
Cody Rhodes now… Oh, and again, a Samoan drop by Sikoa.
Crawls to the cover.
Forearm right in the face of Rhodes who's got to kick at two.
[referee] Two.
[Michael] You wonder when the frustration may start to set in for Sikoa.
Cody, of course, the heart and the guts of the champ,
a long road to finish the story.
[Corey] I was waiting for the moment that Solo lost his composure,
that Solo got frustrated, perhaps blew his top
because then Cody could capitalize, but as this match goes on,
I'm starting to lose doubt.
Solo seems extremely confident, borderline comfortable.
-[Pat] Mature. -[Corey] Yes.
[Pat] Incredibly mature in the situation.
[Michael] Look at how he takes his time.
He gets Cody hung up in the ropes and now across the ring.
Running headbutt by Sikoa.
I don't think he got all of it. He got caught in the rope.
[Corey] I think Cody might be out.
Did you see the way Cody's arms went limp for a moment there?
[crowd booing]
[Michael] Sikoa has been dominating thus far.
[Sikoa] Stay down, Cody.
[Michael] Cody showed some flashes.
[Sikoa] I'm gonna beat your ass in front of your whole family.
Hear me?
[Corey] Solo now just verbally berating the champion.
Yet again, here it goes.
[Michael] Solo going for it again and this time another headbutt to Rhodes,
continuing to punish and torture the champ.
-Hear me? Give up. -[ref] Cody?
-[Pat] He's hung upside down. -Get your ass up.
[Corey] Traditionally speaking, this entire family
have skulls composed of concrete.
I'm sure Cody will happily attest to that once he wakes up.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] Cody still hanging limp and helpless
as Sikoa went to deliver another one,
and Cody able to drag himself up to the top rope.
Great core strength by Rhodes.
[Pat] Solo is basking in the moment.
Cody Rhodes gets out of the way of a third diving headbutt.
[Corey] Guys, look in the eyes of Cody. He looks glazed over.
I'm not entirely sure Cody knows what the hell he's doing right now.
[Michael] Top rope for Rhodes. Oh, look at this.
Takes Solo out, but can he capitalize?
[Corey] It was ugly, but it was effective.
[Michael] Also, a moonsault into a crossbody.
[Corey] Now I'm absolutely convinced Cody had no idea where he was
when he was on the rope.
[Michael] Watch. That was like a moonsault
into a crossbody by Rhodes.
[Corey] It reminded me of a Terry Funk move from the '70s.
[Michael] Now Cody trying to fire up.
[Pat] It connected. It gave him some time.
[Michael] Cody back to his feet, looking to rally like he's done
so many times in his career.
[wrestlers grunting and crying out]
[Michael] Forearms delivered and another one.
Solo Sikoa now stunned.
Cody off the rope. Solo Sikoa, though, delivered it for the win and the title,
and Cody at two.
[Pat] The way Solo can utilize somebody else's momentum against him
is just not normal.
Such a gifted athlete.
57,000-plus here.
[Corey] And this is what Solo wanted, was to take the WWE Universe
out of the equation.
[Michael] That's what he's done magnificently.
[Corey] Extremely effectively. Masterfully.
[Pat] Now he's thinking about…
[crowd booing]
…getting acknowledged yet again.
[Corey] What we're seeing is the new tribal chief gaining confidence.
[Michael] Yeah, it's the maturation here of Solo Sikoa, but Cody Rhodes though,
the champ back to his feet.
Now Cody, second rope, pounding away on Sikoa,
everything he's got. Uh-oh. A headbutt.
[Corey] A long way down and now Solo from the top.
[Michael] Cody though, up to the top rope, meets him there.
From way up top, Cody Rhodes with a superplex.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Critical moment now for the champion.
[Pat] Cody Rhodes getting up to the top rope, superplexing Solo Sikoa,
completely flipping the momentum of the entire match right now, possibly.
This could be it for Cody. Been waiting for this moment.
[Michael] Cody looking to rally, though.
Looking to fight back, feed off the WWE fans.
[Corey] Cody has some valuable time here.
Think of the damage The American Nightmare has suffered since the opening bell.
Solo has been relentless.
Cody Rhodes has been beaten and battered from pillar to post.
[wrestlers grunting]
[crowd chanting] Cody! Cody! Cody!
[Michael] Headbutt by Sikoa. Forearm by Rhodes.
-[Cody cries out] -[crowd boos]
[crowd cheers]
[crowd boos]
[crowd cheers]
[Corey] Cody went to the body. Good decision.
[Michael] Here comes Rhodes now, looking to rally.
Taking the fight to Sikoa.
Right hand by Rhodes.
Off the second rope, caught by Solo.
[crowd exclaiming]
[Corey] What?
Cody turned it around into a Cross Rhodes.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Oh no.
-[Pat] Tama Tonga. -[Michael] And Tonga Loa.
Bloodline rules.
[crowd clamoring, booing]
[Corey] This is all perfectly legal under Bloodline rules.
[Michael] Driving Cody into the corner and now the beatdown is on.
[Corey] Tama Tonga, one half of the Tag Team Champions.
[Michael] Tonga Loa, who was once a tag champ, with Tama Tonga.
[Corey] The sons of Haku.
-[Michael] Guerrillas of destiny. -[Corey] Oh God.
[Michael] Both of these men looking to destroy Cody Rhodes.
[Rhodes gasping]
[Pat] Both of these men willing to do anything for Solo Sikoa.
-[Corey] Doing the bidding. -[Michael] Solo, Solo's gonna win.
Solo into the cover and Rhodes for the championship,
and he kicks out.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] This could happen all night long.
Tonga and Loa are just gonna continue to massacre Cody Rhodes.
["Fight" by WWE, CFO$ playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Arn Anderson told Cody, "You got some friends around."
Kevin Owens is back.
[Corey] But what kind of condition is KO in?
[Michael] KO rushing to the ring. He's been a victim of The Bloodline.
[Corey] Here he comes.
[Michael] Kevin Owens going after Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa,
and a superkick to Solo Sikoa.
Bloodline rules. Anything goes. All hell has broken loose.
[Pat] Kevin Owens is kicking home sale Bloodline ass.
[Michael] Fight, Owens, fight.
[Corey] Tanga Loa now suffering the wrath of the prizefighter,
but "The Right-Hand Man" Tama Tonga, the numbers game.
We say it ad nauseam because it's true.
[Michael] It's always that way with The Bloodline.
It's this vicious, aggressive beatdown. Wait a minute!
["Voices" by WWE, Rev Theory, and Richard Luzzi playing]
♪ They talk to me ♪
[Corey] Here comes The Viper.
[Michael] The WWE's apex predator,
who has fought tooth and nail with The Bloodline over the years,
is rushing to the ring to the aid of Rhodes and Owens.
[Corey] Randy Orton, who lost a year and a half of his career,
more than eager to re-enter the fray.
-[Michael] RKO. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Stunner.
[crowd cheering]
[yelling]
[Michael] Sikoa in trouble with a Randy Orton powerslam.
Now Kevin Owens going up top.
[Corey] The tables have turned.
[Michael] With a senton, the swanton by Kevin Owens.
And Cody Rhodes taking advantage of Bloodline rules with a Cross Rhodes
and a cover and a hook of the leg to retain.
Somehow, Solo barely got the shoulder up.
[crowd clamoring]
[Corey] Keep pouring on the pressure, Cody.
Orton and Owens now focusing on Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa on the outside.
[Michael] They're going to chase them throughout Cleveland Browns Stadium.
[Pat] Cody Rhodes is happy to see that.
[Corey] We're back where we began, one on one, under Bloodline rules.
Cody Rhodes, the WWE Champion, and Solo Sikoa, the challenger,
who is down and out right now.
[Michael] Cody cannot believe
that Sikoa kicked out of Cross Rhodes moments ago.
Now Cody trying to figure out,
"What do I do to put Sikoa away and retain the championship?"
[Corey] I think Cody just found a little inspiration.
[Michael] The steel steps into the ring. Again, legal under Bloodline rules.
[Pat] Cody Rhodes finding a new energy, a new life
after KO and Randy Orton take out The Bloodline.
[Michael] Steps off the face of Sikoa.
Go down.
[crowd clamoring]
-Go down! -[Michael] Rhodes has been
brought to hell and back by The Bloodline, and he hasn't forgotten.
Again off of Sikoa.
[Corey] Rhodes is getting frustrated,
screaming at Solo, "Go down, stay down," somehow.
[Michael] The steel steps up, and a spear by Sikoa to Rhodes.
Into the cover to win the Undisputed WWE title.
Cody gets the shoulder up.
[crowd booing]
[Corey] Now this may be where doubt starts to creep in
to the mind of Solo Sikoa.
[Michael] You can see it.
We're looking into his eyes here at ringside,
and you can see some doubt, Corey.
[Corey] Does Solo have enough to end Cody Rhodes?
He has to be wondering.
He just hit him with his best shot. Cody kicks out.
Now Solo is looking to do his own damage with the steel stairs.
[Michael] Trying to set them up to use them to the best of his ability.
Cody now into the corner.
Sikoa just teeing off now.
[Rhodes grunting]
[Michael] You have to wonder if that spear took what was left out of Cody.
-[Corey] If the spear didn't, this will. -[Pat] Well, it's…
No, no, no, no. No.
[Michael] Sikoa, he wants to crush Cody Rhodes' skull.
[yells]
[Michael] Solo full out of steam. Cody moved out of harm's way
and right into the point of that steel stair.
Yeah!
[Michael] And now Cody.
Cross Rhodes.
-Cody looking for a second. -[Rhodes grunting]
[Michael] Has Solo up again, another Cross Rhodes.
The way that he won the championship at WrestleMania.
Cody Rhodes looking for a Triple Cross Rhodes.
-[crowd cheering] -[Pat] Uh-oh.
-[Michael] Oh my God. -[Pat] The wolf is here.
[Michael] Jacob Fatu.
The Samoan Werewolf, one half of the Tag Team Champions.
[Corey] Solo Sikoa's new enforcer.
[Pat] Where the hell did he come from?
[wrestlers grunting]
[Michael] Jacob Fatu taking out Cody Rhodes,
and he's not done yet,
destroying the champion.
[yells]
[Michael] The official can't do a damn thing about it.
This unhinged Jacob Fatu
is gonna hand the championship to Solo Sikoa.
One! Two!
-[Michael] Cody kicked out. -[crowd cheering]
[Pat] He kicked out, but Jacob Fatu is still standing right there.
[Corey] I think Cody somehow just made the worst decision possible.
[Michael] Yeah, instinctively kicking out.
Put him in a [indistinct].
[Michael] Jacob Fatu now is about to torture, punish, and destroy
The American Nightmare.
[Corey] This dude is an animal.
[yelling and grunting]
[Michael] Fatu with a kick to Cody.
[Fatu yelling indistinctly]
[Michael] Now, Fatu cleaning out the announce table here,
and this is not gonna be good news.
[Corey] I'm getting out of the way.
He's been terrorizing us on Fridays for weeks now.
[Pat] This man is dangerous.
[Michael] While all of this is going on,
Solo Sikoa is barking orders from inside the ring and recovering
The kick now with Cody Rhodes on the table.
[crowd clamoring]
[Pat] Cody Rhodes sprawled out on the table. Jacob Fatu…
[Michael] Oh, man. Fatu.
…looking to go to the sky.
[Corey] Fatu has done this before.
[Michael] Cody Rhodes is helpless.
-We've seen this. Jacob Fatu. -[Pat] Here comes the wolf.
[Michael] Putting Rhodes through the table.
-[Fatu screaming in pain] -[crowd gasps]
[Michael] Jacob Fatu just put Cody Rhodes through the announce table.
[Corey] Jacob might have just hurt himself in the process.
[Michael] Yeah, but now Cody Rhodes…
-[Corey] This guy. -…is down and out.
Fatu's unhinged, and Solo Sikoa is gonna pick the bones.
[yelling]
-Get him. Get him. -[Corey] Solo…
Finish him [indistinct].
[Pat] Jacob Fatu losing his mind out here.
He's screaming at Solo and Solo's, "Okay."
[Corey] I think Jacob hasn't moved.
Jacob may be injured,
but he's not stopping from achieving the goal.
[Michael] Solo Sikoa now up to the top rope.
Big splash to Rhodes for the championship here tonight at SummerSlam.
-Cody somehow stays in it. -[Corey] How?
Why?
This Bloodline is gonna keep coming over and over.
[Pat] Jacob Fatu soared through the sky, splash.
Cody Rhodes through the table.
[Michael] Now, going for the Samoan Spike and Cody just collapsed.
That may have been the thing that saved him.
Cody just collapsed as Solo was going for the spike.
Your ass is done. Your ass is done.
[Michael] Now, Cody fighting back. Kick to the chin.
Cody Rhodes now up to the top rope, gonna fly.
-Cody Cutter from the top. -[crowd cheering]
[Pat] How is Cody Rhodes doing this?
[Corey] But Solo wisely, instinctively or otherwise, rolling away.
["Head of the Table" by WWE, Def Rebel playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Is he?
He's here. He's here. He's here. Roman Reigns is here.
Yes, he is.
[Michael] Holy hell. Roman Reigns has returned.
[Pat] For the first time since losing his crown at WrestleMania.
[Michael] The question is, why is Roman Reigns here?
Who is Roman Reigns here for?
[Corey] Roman Reigns is here for the man who defeated him at WrestleMania,
for the man who took what Roman values most.
I mean maybe.
[Pat] Roman could be here for Solo Sikoa,
the man who's been walking around saying he's the new Roman Reigns,
he's the head of the table, he's the tribal chief.
[song continues playing]
A lot of ones to the sky in Cleveland.
[crowd continues cheering]
[Michael] Reigns into the ring. Superman punch to Solo Sikoa.
[crowd cheering wildly]
[crowd yelling] Ooh aah.
[Michael] The revival of the Roman Empire with a spear.
[crowd clapping and cheering]
[crowd chanting] Holy shit! Holy shit!
[Michael] Who would have thought the way that WrestleMania ended
with Cody Rhodes stopping the historic reign
that Roman Reigns would walk out here tonight at SummerSlam
and destroy his former enforcer Solo Sikoa.
Cody is as shocked as the rest of us.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Michael] Cody looking back at Reigns,
delivers Cross Rhodes and the cover.
[crowd counting down]
-[Michael] Cody Rhodes retains the title. -[bell rings]
-[crowd cheering] -["Kingdom" by Downstait playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner
and still
the Undisputed WWE Champion,
"The American Nightmare"
Cody Rhodes.
♪ Crowd is here, about to blow ♪
♪ Waitin' for me to start the show… ♪
[Michael] Never in a million years did I think I'd ever see that.
[crowd singing] ♪ Whoa ♪
[Michael] With the battles that Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes have had
over the last two years,
to see this scene, to see this moment here tonight in Cleveland.
This replay is presented by Wheatley American vodka.
Wheatley, so good I'd drink it neatly.
-[grunting] -[crowd gasps]
[Corey] Let's take a look at some of the highlights of this one.
Cody Cutter put down Solo.
I'm still in disbelief after what we just witnessed.
An absolutely shocking turn of events.
[crowd cheering]
The man who Solo himself guaranteed wasn't coming back.
[Pat] The man the WWE Universe needed to see back came back,
delivered a Superman punch…
[crowd chanting] Ooh, ah.
…and a spear
to Solo Sikoa.
[Corey] Once the bewilderment subsided in Cody Rhodes,
the Undisputed WWE Champion had to finish the job,
had to defend the kingdom.
Rhodes would do that with an emphatic trip to the Cross Rhodes…
[crowd counting down]
-[bell rings] -…and still Roman Reigns is back.
[Michael] The improbable happened tonight.
The return of Roman Reigns,
-taking out Solo Sikoa… -[yelling]
…and ensuring that Cody Rhodes remains
the Undisputed WWE Champion.
[Sikoa] You're done. You ain't never coming back.
You're done.
["Kingdom" continues playing]
♪ You took it all away I give it all away ♪
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen,
the real tribal chief is back,
and God help Solo Sikoa.
♪ You took my dreams but not my name ♪
♪ You'll follow me into the end ♪
Yeah!
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
[music fades out] m ♪