[WWE theme music playing]
Every action has an equal reaction.
[Vince] A new commissioner, SmackDown Live,
Shane McMahon.
Every cause has a direct effect.
[commentator] The SmackDown Live general manager,
Daniel Bryan!
So here we are.
One focus, one vision, one mantra.
[man] We're gonna own the business.
Tonight, you will look into our eyes.
With every new opportunity…
[man 2] The first ever SmackDown Women's Champion.
[Shane] …new champions will emerge.
[man 3] Inaugural SmackDown Live Tag Team Champions.
[Shane] Stare every fear dead in its face.
[Bray] You are just a man, Randy.
A man who hurts, who suffers.
I am not just a man.
I am a God.
I'm not afraid of a man who calls himself a God.
And at Backlash, Bray Wyatt won't know what hit him.
[Shane] Every pre-conception shattered.
You sit there and call me a coward?
This is my show!
I am your Intercontinental Champion.
I do it all day in and day out.
[Dolph] You and me.
Fight me and you prove to yourself
that you're not a coward!
And in the end, only one leader will rise.
[Styles] I am the face that runs this place!
[Ambrose] Listen up.
SmackDown Live belongs
to the WWE World Champion.
♪ I can't believe in you any longer ♪
♪ Any longer ♪
♪ I am stronger... ♪
[man 1] The new World Champion.
[man 2] Dean Ambrose is here to stay.
[Ambrose] It's about building my legacy.
Tonight, SmackDown takes the new era to a whole new level.
And it all begins with our…
[all] Backlash.
[narrator] And now,
KFC presents
WWE Backlash.
[fireworks crackling]
♪ I can't believe in you any longer ♪
[Mauro] The sun maybe set in on summer,
but SmackDown Live continues to bring the heat
on this historic night in Richmond, Virginia.
We welcome you to Backlash.
[Shane McMahon's theme song playing]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
the commissioner of SmackDown Live,
Shane McMahon!
[Mauro] Here comes the commish Shane-O-Mac
being vetted by the crowd here at the Richmond Coliseum.
What a huge, important night it is
for Shane McMahon, the new commissioner,
along with his General Manager Daniel Bryan.
This is their showbiz.
[Daniel Bryan's theme music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Yes! Yes! Yes!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
[announcer] And please welcome SmackDown Live general manager
Daniel Bryan!
[Mauro] We all have to agree, he's been making a lot of right decisions
as SmackDown Live general manager
Daniel Bryan.
[crowd chanting] Yes! Yes! Yes!
Yes! Yes! Yes!
And, yes, indeed, a new era for SmackDown Live,
Mauro Ranallo, along with David Otunga and JBL.
And, John, a historic night for team blue.
You wanna find out why we're the best show on television,
you're about to find out with Backlash.
And of course, Backlash is being seen worldwide
and heard in many different languages.
We'd like to welcome our Spanish broadcast team,
Carlos Cabrera and Marcelo Rodriguez.
[both speaking Spanish]
[in English] Our German duos Carsten Schaefer and Sebastian Hackl.
[both speaking in German]
[crowd cheering]
Wow.
Welcome everyone to SmackDown Live's pay-per-view
entitled Backlash!
[cheering]
What's up, Richmond?
[cheering]
On behalf of Daniel Bryan and myself,
all the SmackDown superstars, production crew
and everyone else affiliated putting the show on,
like to thank all of you very, very much
for making SmackDown Live a success.
[cheering]
Not just all those here in attendance,
but those watching all over the world, it's because of all of you,
you're responsible for SmackDown Live's rating soaring,
you are responsible for social media mentions going off the chain.
You guys are blowing up the internet.
Because of you, you're responsible for SmackDown superstars
that would never get an opportunity, they do get an opportunity right here.
And I love being the underdog.
And again, because of you, um,
we're giving the red team all they can handle.
And we are going to keep team blue's momentum going tonight
because we have two title defenses.
The Intercontinental Championship
and the WWE World Championship.
[applauding]
And tonight, we are also going to crown
our first ever SmackDown
Tag Team Champions!
[crowd cheering]
And we also have the Women's Six-Pack Elimination Challenge match.
The winner of that... we will also be crowning
the first ever SmackDown Women's Champion.
[crowd cheering]
And that's how we're kicking off this show
because that match starts right now.
[Becky Lynch's theme song playing]
[crowd cheering]
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest is a Six-Pack Elimination Challenge match
for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship.
Making her way to the ring from Dublin, Ireland,
Becky Lynch!
[Mauro] We saw the newly minted WWE Women's Championship
and Becky Lynch wants to prove
that Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon's faith wasn't misplaced
when they made her team blue's first female WWE draft pick.
[Otunga] Becky's definitely a favorite for this match.
You know, like I said before, this is a must win for Becky Lynch.
[Natalya's theme music playing]
[announcer] From Calgary, Alberta, Canada,
Natalya!
[Mauro] I think anytime you have a hard in a championship match, David,
the hard has to be the favorite
and I think Natalya is.
[JBL] Former Diva's champion
who has embraced a nastier attitude as of late.
[Naomi's theme song playing]
[Otunga] All right, now, this is my dark horse here, though.
She's got the glow.
[announcer] From Orlando, Florida,
Naomi!
[Mauro] That's how you make an entrance
and, David, the WWE Universe is feeling the glow
as Naomi hopes to win her first ever
WWE Women's Championship.
[Otunga] Is Naomi the flyest woman in this match?
Sure enough.
[Otunga chuckles]
She's definitely got the glow tonight.
[Mauro] You've said all along
that she's the greatest athlete in the women's division,
she could be the first ever WWE SmackDown Women's Champion.
[Alexa Bliss' theme music playing]
[announcer] From Columbus, Ohio,
Alexa Bliss!
[Mauro] John, she is the shortest female superstar in the WWE,
but she's proven to have heart and guile.
[JBL] People from Ohio state know how to win.
They know how to win football games.
Alexa Bliss has learned how to win in this sport as well.
We're gonna find out if she is the first
WWE Women's Champion.
[Carmella's theme song playing]
[announcer] From Staten Island, Carmella!
[Otunga] Princess of Staten Island.
Now, Carmella has a personal vendetta against Nikki Bella for ruining her debut.
But winning this is a sure fire way to make that go away.
[Mauro] Let's take you back to where Carmella made a statement
on SmackDown Live.
You've joined us here on SmackDown Live.
Yeah, you know, it actually means a lot to me, Renee.
It means everything. When I was told that my inju--
[JBL] Carmella taking offense to the fact they're about to have a match
and Nikki is out there being a prima donna, getting interviewed.
Hard to blame Carmella.
[Mauro] She continued her heinous attack on talking smack.
The longest reigning Divas Champion in WWE history
is back.
-And of course, tonight, we all saw it. -[Carmella yells]
-[Renee] Whoa! -[Daniel] Oh.
[Nikki grunts]
[JBL] Carmella simply wants to make a name for herself,
but she understands…
-[Renee] Can we get somebody? -…you go after a Bella, you do that.
[Mauro] And she wants to make sure Nikki Bella's comeback is short-lived
attacking that surgically-repaired neck.
[song continues]
[Nikki Bella's theme song playing]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] And from Scottsdale, Arizona,
Nikki Bella!
[Mauro] Here comes the longest reigning Divas Champion
looking to make history tonight.
And we cannot say much about her incredible comeback
from what was thought to be at the time career-ending surgery,
but she's back, and I'm sure she has Carmella in her sight.
[Otunga] Oh, no, absolutely.
I mean, think about what this win tonight would do Nikki Bella's legacy.
She could go down in history as the best Women's Champion of all time.
[JBL] Well, the Bellas have run the place from Total Divas to Total Bellas
to what they've done in the Divas division.
They've certainly run the place.
The question is, do they still run the place?
[Mauro] That's what we're about to find out.
And that's what it's all about.
The inaugural WWE SmackDown Women's Championship.
And you can get in on the conversation
on Twitter at #WOMENSTITLE.
It's a Six-Pack Challenge
Elimination Rules.
That means if you are pinned or submitted or counted out…
-[JBL] Oh! Oh, oh! Already! -[Otunga] Alexa goes for quick pin!
[Mauro] And it will go from six all the way down to the final woman
who will be crowned the inaugural WWE Women's Champion.
And Naomi taking care of business
as Carmella trips up Alexa Bliss.
And-- Ooh! Springboard side kick by Becky Lynch
sends Carmella flying.
[Otunga] Here we go.
[JBL] We have to understand the key here is you cannot win this thing early,
but you certainly can lose it early.
What you have to do is you have to survive,
whatever that means, by hook, by crook,
by just avoiding or hiding, it doesn't matter.
You have to be there in the end.
[Otunga] Pick your spots and let the other ladies eliminate themselves.
[Mauro] Already Becky Lynch focusing on the left arm of Naomi.
Maybe going for an early attempt at the Dis-arm-her.
Beautiful counter by Naomi.
Floats over into the cover. Matrix escape by Becky Lynch.
[crowd cheering]
And those cavalcade of kicks, Naomi lighting up Lynch.
[JBL] I'm really glad she only has two feet, not eight.
Oh!
[Mauro] And Becky Lynch sends Naomi to the outside,
and Becky Lynch
alone female in the ring.
[Otunga] Oh, hold on.
[Mauro] Oh, Carmella…
sends Lynch straddling back top rope
and Carmella
who has been hyper-aggressive
since making her SmackDown Live debut would love to make history.
[Otunga] She's simply trying to make a name for herself.
That's what you gotta do, I…
Has a low-round trap picked before her and…
-[Mauro] Oh! -[JBL] …professional football.
I had to do it myself.
Lateral press, hooks the outside leg,
and Carmella almost eliminated Becky Lynch.
[Otunga] Whoever wins tonight will definitely go down in the history book.
[Mauro] Well, they only have one chance to make history
in this inaugural WWE Women's Championship.
And now the face-off.
Oh, but behind, the Bliss and Natalya…
ambushing Carmella and Nikki Bella respectively.
[JBL] Oh!
Maybe the best place for Carmella here to…
-[Otunga] Oh! -[JBL] Can't be eliminated out here.
-[Otunga] Oh! -[Mauro] Insult to injury by Alexa Bliss!
She looks to vanquish Bella early!
-Nikki Bella kicks up. -[Bliss screams]
[Bliss] Stay down!
[Mauro] Alexa Bliss who has had an amazing start
to a WWE Premiere just got flattened!
[crowd] One, two--
[referee] Two.
[Mauro] Nikki Bella almost eliminating Alexa Bliss.
[Otunga] Look at this kick from Nikki Bella.
[Mauro] Wow!
[Otunga] She's working Alexa over.
[Mauro] Alexa Bliss, on the cover of Muscle & Fitness Hers…
Code Red!
Two count.
[Otunga] I gotta give it to Alexa. She's really taking it to Nikki Bella.
[Mauro] Now Natalya, the opportunistic third-generation superstar from Canada,
Basement dropkick to Bliss!
Back press, hooks the leg!
Bliss powers out.
Ooh!
#Straightfire from Becky Lynch!
[screaming]
[crowd cheering]
Flying Fire-arm by the Irish Lass Kicker.
Whoa!
Beautiful German-release suplex
by the only female Graduate of the Dungeon and look at the reflexes of Naomi, David!
[Otunga] That is incredible.
[Mauro] Ooh!
-Full Nelson bomb by Naomi. -[Otunga] Into the splits too.
Look at this.
[Mauro] Now has Natalya's arms barred with the bridge.
-Oh! -[Otunga] Oh!
[Mauro] And Bliss--
[JBL] Why in the world would Alexa Bliss break that up?
I know it's just habit, it's what you do.
[Mauro] And again, this is a Six-Pack Challenge
under Elimination Rules.
[Otunga] Yeah, but you want people eliminated.
-Doesn't matter who does it. -[Mauro] Wow!
What a well-placed kick
to the mush by Carmella.
But too busy showboating.
-[Otunga] Oh! -[Mauro] She pays for it!
[Otunga] What a spear.
[Mauro] A lot of emotion in the part of Nikki Bella
wants to turn it into a brawl with Carmella.
But the opportunistic Carmella again finds her chance.
Drives Nikki Bella face-first into the canvas.
[Otunga] Code of Silence.
It's the Code of Silence.
[Mauro] Attacking that surgically-repaired neck
with the Code of Silence…
[Otunga] Oh!
Get ready for the...
Here comes the Alabama Slam-a!
[crowd] One, two…
-[Mauro] Oh, and Carmella! -[Otunga] That was close.
[Mauro] Just raised that left shoulder.
Nikki Bella all kinds of fired up,
finally getting her hands on the woman
who ruined her much-anticipated return to SmackDown Live.
[JBL] That's all in a viewpoint, Mauro.
Carmella feels like she has something to prove.
[Mauro] All six of these women have something to prove.
They want to be the first ever
SmackDown Women's Champion.
[JBL] Carmella was a low draft pick. Like I've said before,
as a low draft pick in the World League starting every football game,
the only thing that matters is once you get here, what you do.
[Mauro] Final pick chosen-- Oh, look at Natalya!
[all exclaim]
Superplex powerbomb combination!
This is what the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship…
[Otunga] This is what it's all about though.
And look at this, Natalya coming in with a powerbomb superplex.
Whoa!
[JBL] Incredible move.
The problem is they're all so hurt, nobody can make a cover here.
[Otunga] Looks like…
[Mauro] No eliminations yet. Bliss looking for the first elimination!
Natalya kicks out at two.
Before this-- Oh, jeez!
Looking to put away Nikki Bella.
Appreciative crowd here in Richmond, Virginia,
watching history unfold!
-Bliss with a back press! -Two.
[Otunga] Bliss is just going from one to the next.
-See what you can get. -[JBL] She's smart.
-Two. -You kidding me?
One, two, three, ref! One, two, three!
[Mauro] Frustration setting in
on the diminutive dynamo,
Alexa Bliss.
See, that's all fine and dandy, dumping Carmella.
You gotta eliminate them, and she met Becky Lynch with a kick.
[Otunga] Oh!
[Mauro] Ooh, and Bliss turns the tables on Becky Lynch.
-Oh! -[JBL] Oh! There we go.
[Mauro] Right there on Becky Lynch!
-Oh! -[Otunga] Oh!
[Otunga] How close was that?
[Mauro] Almost bounced Becky Lynch from the match.
[JBL] Becky almost made the mistake of kicking out
and not moving that shoulder up.
A southpaw. Carmella trashing those forearms into the jaw of Bliss.
[Otunga] Problem is these girls need to pin somebody.
You can't just keep tossing out of the ring.
[Mauro] Nikki Bella dumps Carmella out of the ring.
And the crowd
supporting the two-time Divas Champion.
wanting to make history tonight.
-Oh! -[Otunga] Oh!
[Mauro] Carmella slams Nikki Bella in the center of the ring!
[Otunga] Came out and tackled her like a linebacker.
Get out of my face. That's--
Whoa!
[crowd cheering]
-[Otunga] Okay. -[JBL] Now it's Naomi--
-[Otunga] What? -[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] …by Naomi!
[Otunga] Now, that's why she's the best athlete right there.
[JBL] There you go, folks.
[Otunga] That's the only woman I've seen do a springboard.
[JBL] There's your SportsCenter highlight.
[Mauro] We are feeling the glow as Naomi puts on the show!
[Otunga] Wow! Look at the height.
[crowd cheers]
[Mauro] The not-so-friendly skies,
as Naomi wiped everyone out.
Rapid lariat by Bliss, though, on Naomi.
And now she focuses her attention on Natalya.
Still no eliminations in this Six-Pack Elimination Challenge
to determine the first ever SmackDown Women's Champion.
[Otunga] Bliss has looked sharp, but she's gotta pin somebody.
[crowd] One! Two! Three! Four!
[JBL] Yeah, and she's not the only one, David.
We're gonna have a lot of pin falls before we find ourselves a champion.
[Mauro] Bliss desperately trying to hold on Natalya
looking for the running Liger bomb, now Naomi...
going all the way to the top turnbuckle.
High risk!
-Oh! -[Otunga] Oh!
[Mauro] Super blockbuster powerbomb!
Incredible, the lengths these women will go!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[Mauro] And Bliss, just like that…
[announcer] Alexa Bliss has been eliminated.
[Mauro] So Alexa Bliss becomes the first woman eliminated.
[JBL] We are down to five.
[Otunga] And look at this. Natalya and Naomi ended up working together.
I don't even think Natalya knew about it.
But that's what happens in this kind of match.
[Mauro] Looking to send her out of the ring with the head scissors,
and Natalya falls uncomfortably to the outside.
We are down to five.
Roundhouse kick to Nikki Bella by Naomi
who's firing on all cylinders.
[all exclaim]
-[JBL] Wow! Good night! -[overlapping conversation]
[Otunga] I don't think that was good strategy.
She should've let her get eliminated.
[Mauro] Natalya wants to center into that patented Sharpshooter
popularized by Riki Choshu, made famous by her uncle.
[JBL] Usually called the sasori-gatame.
Oh.
[announcer] Naomi has been eliminated.
[Mauro] Natalya has just eliminated Naomi
from the Six-Pack Challenge.
Here's how it started.
[Otunga] Naomi with the springer right into this vicious forearm.
Wow. That looked like that was it right there.
Then Natalya would follow it up with a Sharpshooter.
[Mauro] We are down to the final four.
Carmella, Becky Lynch, Natalya
and Nikki Bella, all vying to make history tonight
on Backlash.
[Otunga] Oh.
[Mauro] Natalya and Carmella wanna forge an alliance.
[Otunga] Yeah.
[Mauro] A temporary what I'm sure with every woman for herself!
Wow.
[JBL] That's what you're gonna see.
You're gonna see people trying to form alliances,
but at some point,
they're gonna turn on each other.
[Mauro] Fireman's carry modified Argentine backbreaker by Nikki Bella!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[Mauro] And Natalya's out.
Oh, Carmella tackling and pinning Bella!
[Otunga] Oh, she got eliminated!
[announcer] Natalya and Nikki Bella have been eliminated.
[Mauro] A dramatic turn of events!
Get out!
Get out of the ring!
[Mauro] Oh!
Carmella adding insult to injury--
And there's Nikki Bella getting the last word
even though she's been eliminated.
A shocker here, John.
[JBL] It's all about opportunity.
This has been said earlier.
[Mauro] It's down to Becky Lynch and Carmella.
[Otunga] One of these women will be the first ever SmackDown Women's Champion.
[Mauro] The Princess of Staten Island already making a royal statement.
Now beating down the Irish Lass Kicker.
[yelling] She wants to hit me?
She wants to hit me?
You saw that?
Are you kidding me?
[Otunga] Carmella's outraged still over Nikki Bella.
-She needs to focus on Becky Lynch. -[JBL] That's right.
[Otunga] Forget about Nikki. She's eliminated.
[JBL] We got an inaugural championship at stake.
We always talk about Pat Patterson being the first Intercontinental Champion,
Harley Race being the first United States Champion,
Buddy Rogers, the first WWE…
We'll always talk about the first WWE SmackDown Champion.
-It's gonna be one of these ladies. -[Otunga] Oh!
[Mauro] Becky Lynch... What she calls, a back suplex by Becky Lynch on Carmella!
Looking to realign her spine and jack the back!
[Otunga] Look at her.
Becky's in the zone. This is it.
It was the opportunity she's waiting for her whole life.
[Mauro] Started training at the age of 15.
Oh!
Runs right into that kick from Carmella.
An incredible match
to determine the first ever SmackDown Women's Champion.
We began with six.
We are down to the final two.
[Otunga] Oh!
-[Mauro] Dis-arm-her! -She's got it in!
[Mauro] Dis-arm-her!
Becky Lynch is our new Women's Champion!
-[JBL] We've got a champion. -[Otunga] She did it!
[announcer] Here is your winner.
And the new SmackDown Women's Champion,
Becky Lynch!
[JBL] Becky Lynch so good in red!
[Otunga] A life-long dream finally realized.
All the hours and hours she put in,
traveling, working as a flight attendant,
and now SmackDown's first ever Women's Champion.
[Mauro] And the emotion written all over her face.
Her journey to championship stardom
ends here at Backlash as Becky Lynch is the lucida,
the brightest star in the SmackDown Live Women's constellation.
And Nikki Bella eliminated Natalya.
[Otunga] But Carmella was right on her heels
with one of the most shocking eliminations.
But Nikki didn't leave easily.
She wouldn't leave without taking it to Carmella,
letting her know she's still the woman.
Here we go. This is how it all went down.
Carmella thought she had everything well at hand,
but left her limb out a little too long.
-[JBL] You're right. -Becky got the Dis-arm-her.
[JBL] And history has been made.
The first cold-blooded Irish Women's Champion.
[Becky Lynch's theme song playing]
Becky, congratulations on becoming the first ever
SmackDown Women's Champion.
Can you put into words how you're feeling right now?
[crowd cheering]
Thank you.
Thank you is all that I can say.
Because it's been years, it's been miles,
it's been struggles.
And you have believed in me
every step of the way.
So thank you.
[crowd cheering]
Thank you.
It's because of each and every one of you cheering me on,
it's every poster that you have,
it's every time you chant for me,
it's every time you sing my song.
It's everything. I-- I don't--
This is the first time I've held one of these.
Uh, I don't really know
how to hold it, just like that.
That's what I built these boulder shoulders for.
Becky Balboa, baby.
We did it.
Thank you.
Congratulations again.
Thank you. Thank you.
[Becky Lynch's theme song playing]
[Mauro] History made here at Backlash.
Becky Lynch will go down as a first ever
SmackDown Women's Champion.
[woman] RAW is the black sheep show.
[man 1] The new era of Monday Night RAW.
[man 2] The richest price in WWE on the line.
[crowd cheering]
[Bray grunting]
[Bray] Get up, Randy!
[man] Bray! Bray! Stop! Stop!
-[Bray grunts] -[Randy yelps]
Get it off of him, Bray. Get it off--
Hey! Get it off of him!
Take it out of here, Bray.
Get it out of here.
-Get it out of here, Bray. Come on. -[Randy groans]
Take it out.
-Do it. Get out of here. Come on. -I'll see you out there, man.
[laughs]
No, come on, Bray.
Don't move, Randy. Don't move.
-[Randy groans] -Stay still, stay still.
Stay still.
[JBL] I kinda wonder if Randy Orton is gonna even be able to compete tonight.
[The Usos' theme song playing]
[Mauro] We'll try to get updates on Randy Orton's condition.
A heinous attack by Bray Wyatt.
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is a Second Chance Challenge Match
in a Tag Team Tournament.
Making their way to the ring in a combined weight
of 479 pounds,
Jimmy and Jey, The Usos!
[Mauro] David, you speak about a heinous attack,
what they did to get to this point.
-[Otunga] I mean-- -Left everyone in shock.
[Otunga] Yeah, it's just despicable. It's the only way to describe it.
-What they did to American Alpha. -[Mauro] Let's…
take you back to SmackDown Live and the semi-finals
where The Usos--
That's the prize up for grabs,
the newly minted SmackDown Tag Team titles,
but The Usos were in action
against American Alpha.
And we thought they were going to show some sportsmanship
after being beaten in lightening quick fashion,
but they snapped.
[Otunga] No, instead, they suckered 'em in
and just went to town on Chad Gable.
Look at this. Oh! Gosh!
[JBL] I thought that was absolutely disgraceful.
When you specifically target someone
to injure them…
To me, that's something that doesn't belong in sport.
I understand the frustration,
but I don't approve.
[Mauro] According to Commissioner Shane McMahon,
Chad Gable suffered a sprained MCL.
American Alpha eliminated from the final,
but there's the tweet from Chad Gable.
[Otunga] And to be perfectly honest, he's lucky all it was was an MCL.
It could've been much, much worse than that.
And… And frankly,
I don't agree with this right now.
I can't believe The Usos are even getting this match.
I mean, they're being rewarded for their poor sportsmanship.
They're the last two that should deserve this match.
The Hype Bros, maybe,
but The Usos, absolutely not.
[Hype Bros' theme song playing]
[announcer] And their opponents,
at a combined weight of 490 pounds,
Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley,
The Hype Bros!
[Mauro] I can see your point of view, David.
I certainly understand your sentiment behind that point of view,
but if you give The Hype Brothers a second chance,
you gotta give The Usos a second chance.
They're the only other ones in the semi-finals
that anyway would merit this opportunity.
[Otunga] Personally, I think The Usos should've been suspended.
Not given a second chance.
[JBL] What they did after the match was inappropriate.
That's what you deal with something outside the match.
[Mauro] Don't forget you can watch your favorite TV shows and movies online
with Hulu and get next day unlimited instant streaming access
to all of WWE's weekly programs
including RAW and SmackDown, Main Event, NXT and Superstars.
Visit hulu.com for a free trial
and start watching your favorite WWE shows today.
So, The Usos have back-doored their way into another opportunity
to make history tonight.
The Hype Bros and The Usos
in this Second Chance Tag Team Match.
The winners will battle Rhyno and Heath Slater later tonight
for the championships.
[JBL] Look, no matter what happened after the match, David,
the Usos were simply surprised by American Alpha.
I think that was the basis of their frustration,
and we're expecting this incredible match-up that we were waiting
for some time to see and all of a sudden,
American Alpha wins the match with 30 seconds or less.
[Otunga] American Alpha was great. That's what it was.
The Usos tried to jump 'em and American Alpha turned it around.
They were the better team.
[Mauro] Quick start here by Mojo Rawley,
the former gridiron gladiator on this opening weekend in the NFL,
and he's down to a three-point stance.
[Otunga] Let's not forget The Hype Bros get a second chance here now too.
And I know Mojo prepares like a mad man.
He's been watching game film all week,
so they have a different game plan coming into this.
[JBL] Prepares like a mad man? He is a mad man.
-What are you talking about? -[Otunga] I was--
-Oh! -[Mauro] Towering back body drop!
[Otunga] There's a method to his madness, though.
[JBL] Yeah, the guy is good buddies with Gronkowski. What did you expect?
He's an athletic freak and half crazy.
[Otunga] But, listen,
you see how Mojo comes out here and he's always hyped up?
Do you know what's behind that?
He gets the crowd of the WWE Universe involved
and makes every match a home game.
He ain't Hype!
[crowd] He ain't Hype!
Four!
[crowd exclaims]
[JBL] Someone as good as The Usos are,
they have been the--
Now he's got a cover.
As good as they are, they have been the premier tag team in the division
for the last number of years.
I think Mojo Rawley is the wildcard here.
It is so hard to prepare for somebody
-that is almost impossible-- Ooh! -[Otunga] Oh!
[JBL] 'Cause he didn't know what he's gonna do.
[Otunga] You're right, The Usos have been the premier tag team
for about three years now, but the problem is
they are letting their emotions get the best of them.
[Mauro] Former two-time WWE Tag Team Champions.
Facebuster by Zack Ryder
and this-- smashing those forearms into the face of Uso in the corner.
Whoo! Whoo! Whoo!
[JBL] Yeah, that's what a good tag team does.
[Mauro] Smart move.
-Oh! -[Otunga] Oh!
Let's not forget Zack always ups his game when it's a big match.
[grunts]
[Mauro] Big elbow from Zack Ryder.
Low bridge!
[referee] Come on, Zach.
-[Mauro] Whoa! -[Otunga] Ooh!
Missile dropkick from the apron by Zack Ryder!
-[JBL] Oh, grief! -[screams]
[Mauro] Explosion!
Come and see him, a walking energy drink.
-[JBL] What the hell was that? -Look at this.
[Otunga] Look at this, like a freight train!
To both of them!
Golly! Almost knocked 'em into the fifth row!
[JBL] He's like the fridge when you used to bump it over to the sidelines.
You also had something to do with sports entertainment a while back.
[Mauro] And you know what? This new attitude by The Usos,
they're not even supporting their work rank, we can tell you.
That's Jimmy Uso being rolled into the ring.
So they've dispatched with some of their tradition.
And looking for a...
a rejuvenating start.
[Otunga] They've dispatched with some of their strategies well.
-Trading in for emotion. -[Mauro] Ooh!
Zack Ryder telegraphed the back body drop.
Tag was made, in comes Jey Uso.
[JBL] I'm not sure Zack knows it.
-[all exclaim] -[JBL] Doesn't matter.
[Mauro] An opportunity to challenge… Rhyno and Heath Slater
for the newly minted SmackDown Tag Team Champions!
Short on clothesline there by Jey Uso!
[crowd booing]
Two!
[Mauro] And a brutal assault on Zack Ryder by The Usos.
[indistinct chatter]
[Mauro] Oh!
Inside the ring. Five!
[Mauro] The Usos defeated The Ascension
in the opening round, but eliminated by--
A side press!
And here's where The Usos turned it around.
[JBL] That was the tag made, right there.
[Otunga] Ryder tried to catch him, but their numbers are just too much.
[JBL] …in a place that he didn't wanna be.
[Mauro] Hype Bros defeated The Vaudevillains in the first round
before they were eliminated by Heath Slater and Rhyno,
but again an opportunity
passed down by SmackDown Live GM Daniel Bryan.
Pendulum backbreaker by Jey.
-[Otunga] Ooh! -[Mauro] Wow.
[JBL] Problem with Zack Ryder here is The Usos rarely ever make a mistake.
They're just winners.
Two-time tag champs.
Two-time Slammy Tag Team of the Year.
[Mauro] Snap suplex cover! Only a two-count.
[JBL] And that why they got so upset when they got surprised by American Alpha.
And look at that, what you expect, number one trend worldwide! WWE Backlash.
[Otunga] That's 'cause we're really the A-show.
[crowd chanting] Usos suck!
That's right!
[JBL] You are correct, Mr. Otunga.
[Otunga laughs]
[Mauro] Ryder back up to a vertical base.
Coming back for those right hands, blocks the kick-- Oh!
Spinning roundhouse kick by Jimmy Uso.
[JBL] The Usos have been good
since the day they walked in to this company.
I think they're absolutely at their best right now.
They're as focused, they're as determined.
-[Mauro] Double team-- -[all exclaim]
[Mauro] And the ode to their late Uncle Umaga!
The running hip attack into the corner.
[Otunga] The greatness is in their blood. This is all they know.
All their family knows is winning.
[JBL] Well, they didn't quite get all of that. Zack Ryder is pretty lucky.
That's right!
[Mauro] Their great uncles, of course, WWE Hall of Famers,
The Wild Samoans, Afa and Sika.
They're a part of the Samoan sports entertainment dynasty.
And Jey goes down for the cover.
Continues to wear down Zack Ryder.
[JBL] Here's your hold, Mauro.
[Mauro] Rear chinlock being employed here by Jey Uso.
[JBL] Just wearing down Zack Ryder.
[Otunga] They're doing an excellent job
in keeping him in the ring and not letting Mojo get in there.
[Mauro] They're maintaining a terrific pace
in continuing their assault on Ryder!
-[Otunga] Whoa! -Ryder lands on his feet!
Hangman's neckbreaker counter!
[Otunga] Can he get to the corner, though?
[JBL] And the big thing here is the longer this match goes,
the better this is for Heath and Rhyno later on.
[Mauro] The kinetic Mojo Rawley
desperately wants in!
[Mojo] Right now!
-Right now! -[Otunga] The Usos gotta make a decision.
Gone for the tag.
[Mauro] And Jimmy Uso
sends Rawley flying off the apron.
-[JBL] Veteran move. -[Otunga] Exactly.
Veteran move. You can't tag a partner who's not there.
[Mauro] And the kinds of the double teams continue
their assault on Zack Ryder!
The Usos have a championship pedigree.
Zack Ryder, Mojo Rawley, The Hype Bros
wanting their first shot at tag team glory.
[crowd chanting] Woo! Woo! Woo!
Woo! Woo! Woo!
[Mauro] And The Usos, you have to hand it to them,
their cohesion as a tag team, but Ryder now
fighting his way out of hostile territory!
[Otunga] It's just Ryder in the ring! This is his chance!
[JBL] This is his chance. He better make the most of it.
[Otunga] You wanna move on to the finals, this is it. Make that tag.
[JBL] This is your opportunity.
-Oh, here we go! -[Otunga exclaims]
[Mauro] Mojo Rawley
steamrolling Jey Uso!
[yells]
[JBL] This is the worst nightmare for The Usos.
[Mauro] He is staying hyped
with that Stinger Splash.
The former gridiron gladiator
taking it to Jey Uso.
[Otunga] Here comes the brother.
[Mauro] Here goes the brother.
-Whoa! -[JBL] There's that strength.
-An incredible strength of Mojo-- -[Otunga] Oh!
[Mauro] Military press slam!
[JBL] Zack Ryder's been a tag team champ of four.
[Mauro] Hype Bros looking for that Hype Ryder!
[JBL] He may have the opportunity now again.
[Mauro] Jimmy Uso takes out Rawley.
-[Zach groans] -[Mauro] Oh!
European uppercut by Jey Uso stops Zack Ryder
who comes back with a forearm shiver, series of them in the corner.
[referee] …two. Get in here!
[Mauro] High risk because it's high stakes at Backlash!
-Frankensteiner by Ryder! -[Otunga] Oh!
[crowd] One, two--
[Mauro] Oh!
Jimmy Uso saves his fraternal twin!
[Otunga] That could've been it.
[JBL] The incredible teamwork of The Usos.
David, what do you like most about The Hype Bros
and their tag team chemistry--
[all exclaim]
Well, there's a…
-[overlapping chatter] -…but double knees by Ryder!
Broski Boot!
[Otunga] It's one on two right now, though.
Oh! Chop block to the left leg
of Zack Ryder by Jey Uso!
It's been banned in the NFL.
Should be counted as a disqualification here!
[JBL] Same type of injury.
[all exclaiming]
[Otunga] This is what they did to Chad Gable!
[Mauro] Déjà vu all over again!
[JBL] Exactly what they did to the Alphas.
This is what hurt American Alphas.
[bell dings]
[The Usos' theme music playing]
[announcer] Here are your winners by submission...
The Usos!
Single leg crab with the arm. Great find.
And The Usos find themselves in the final
of the inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Title Tournament.
[JBL] A second chance for The Usos.
And believe me, these guys know how to take advantage of championship matches.
[Otunga] Oh, look at this chop block
right to the back of Zack Ryder's leg.
This is about the end. Look at this kick.
[all exclaim]
[Mauro] Trying to destroy the patellar tendon of Zack Ryder.
[Otunga] Look at Jimmy's face.
-[bell dings] -Just no way. You gotta tap.
[song continues]
[JBL] They could be your three time WWE Champion.
Your inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Champions, The Usos.
[Mauro] The Usos have silenced The Hype Bros,
but The Usos will now battle
Rhyno and Heath Slater later tonight
to determine who will walk out of Backlash
as the first ever SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
Let's go to our Renee Young.
Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Heath Slater and Rhyno.
[crowd cheering]
Gentlemen, how does it feel to know
that you're gonna be facing The Usos in the finals
for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships?
Well, I mean, The Usos, they're not gonna get in our way, you know?
We're focused. I feel like $100,000 right now.
I feel like that gal of the Star Wars, you know?
The one that went around and fought the empire alone.
You know, I feel that good. That's--
And… And this is Rhyno, you know?
And I'm telling you right now,
nothing can stop a Rhyno.
That's how good I'm feeling. You hear me?
See you later.
Hey, thank you so much. You're always lovely and everything.
Listen, man,
I don't know what's going on inside here,
but I'm freaking out a little bit.
Beulah made this crab dip
but she used, like, artificial crabs, so I don't think it was that, you know?
I just, my… my stomach's like flip-flopping.
Um, I-I gotta win this, you know, I have to and all the stuff.
But are you okay?
Like, I went like five times today. Like, five.
We're... We're still live.
We're on the air. Live.
You… You've been swerved!
Ha-ha!
I was just making sure you weren't nervous and everything,
you know, and all that stuff.
I was just, you know… I knew that the cameras and everything was on.
You should be nervous. Let's go out there and do this!
Whoo-- Oh!
I-I gotta go.
I'll be back… I gotta go.
I have to go, too.
[Mauro] Well, once again, it is gonna be Heath fighting for his job,
and he better find a way to fight through whatever's bothering him.
He and Rhyno take on The Usos,
who'll get a second chance for the inaugural
WWE Tag Team SmackDown Championship.
Tonight.
♪ Oh, till we make this right ♪
Connor's Cure is designed to find a cure for pediatric cancer.
[man] Yes!
To me, Connor's Cure is the most wonderful thing.
The WWE has said, "We don't want another child to suffer."
With the V Foundation, we're going to be spreading the funding for research
to all the top scientists throughout the country.
-We're living our life now. -[all chuckle]
-I do very good. -You are doing very good, yeah.
[man 1] Thirty-two competitors,
ten grueling weeks.
[man 2] The Cruiserweight Classic just keeps getting better and better!
[man 1] Now there can only be one.
It all comes down…
to this.
[Mauro] The action, En Fuego,
the crowd electric!
[man 1] In a live two-hours special.
From the final four
only one will be crowned
WWE Cruiserweight Classic Champion.
WWE Cruiserweight Classic Two-Hour Finale live
this Wednesday only on WWE Network.
[Mauro] Still to come a must-win situation
for Dolph Ziggler in a self-imposed pressure
as he will take up the man
who shook up the sports entertainment world a few weeks back,
thanks to an explosive confrontation with SmackDown Live GM, Daniel Bryan,
on Talking Smack, only on the WWE Network,
the Intercontinental Champion, The Miz.
There's no gentle way to say it, to me, you wrestle like a coward.
You wrestle like somebody who's afraid to get hit.
You're the one that called me the coward,
but you're the one that doesn't get in the WWE ring again.
No. Don't you walk away from me, Daniel.
Don't you walk away! Get that camera right here.
Get the camera right here.
This is my show.
My show!
And I'm sick of all of you
sitting there, criticizing me, calling me the coward.
You're the cowards!
I'm the one here, day in and day out,
in that wrestling ring, beating people up.
Thank you very much.
[booing]
Don't you dare boo me!
Hundred and forty-eight days it took
to get all of your attention
for a prestigious title that was once prestigious.
But now, it's been tarnished by quitters and serial failures.
But it will rise to the relevance once again
because of me, the Intercontinental Champion.
[Dolph Ziggler's theme song playing]
[crowd cheering]
Prove to the entire world
that you can fight me right here, right now,
and you prove to yourself that you're not a coward!
[crowd cheering]
I guess the entire world was right.
You're nothing but a coward.
[rock music playing]
[Bryan] I have an announcement. Intercontinental Title match at Backlash,
The Miz versus Dolph Ziggler.
You should earn the right to have an opportunity
at the Intercontinental Champion,
but then, you lose and you lose,
and then you get Intercontinental Championship Match?
[Dolph] I wanna prove to everyone that I belong here.
But this Sunday everything can change.
You just want to walk the red carpet and hold up a title and be famous.
You gotta be kidding me! What a coward!
[Miz] I am not a coward.
[Dolph Ziggler's theme song playing]
[crowd cheering]
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the Intercontinental Championship.
Introducing the challenger,
residing in the Hollywood, Florida, weighing in 218 pounds,
Dolph Ziggler!
[Mauro] Dolph Ziggler…
challenging for the WWE Intercontinental Championship
and really the stakes couldn't be higher for The Showoff tonight.
…prestigious title that SmackDown Live has.
And I have been overlooked and under-appreciated
for far too long.
If you want what I bring to the table,
you need to bring something to the table.
SmackDown Live needs its Intercontinental Championship.
Which means Shane and you need me.
So I want to renegotiate my contract.
I want the respect I deserve in writing,
and I wanna be paid like the A-lister that I am.
What? Nothing?
Nothing? You have nothing to say to me?
And you call me a coward.
[The Miz's theme song playing]
Well, Daniel,
if I retain my Intercontinental Championship,
negotiations are gonna get a little tougher.
So I want you to go back to your little cubbyhole
and I want you to watch me do what you can't do anymore.
[song continues]
Time to renegotiate it before this match, Daniel…
And you can't take Miz as personal.
[Otunga] I mean, that's such a rotten thing to say,
especially because The Miz never wants to defend the Intercontinental Title.
I'll tell you what Daniel should do. Put a clause in his contract…
[announcer] And his opponent,
being accompanied to the ring by Maryse,
residing in Hollywood, California, weighing in 221 pounds,
he is the Intercontinental Champion,
The Miz!
[Mauro] Well, WWE Backlash brought to you by SmackDown Live,
being seen all over the world, we'd like to say hello
to our Russian broadcasters Moti Margolin and Zhan Pomerantsev.
[speaking in Russian]
[in English] Brazilian broadcast team Marco Alfaro and Roberto Figueroa.
[speaking Portuguese]
[in English] And our Japanese commentators are Shun Yamaguchi and Funaki-san!
[speaking Japanese]
[in English] International broadcasters are here.
The WWE Intercontinental Championship up for grabs.
Going back to 1979
when Pat Patterson became the inaugural champion,
but tonight,
Dolph Ziggler putting that pressure on himself, David.
[Otunga] Oh, absolutely. This match is not just about the Intercontinental Title.
It's about a lot more than that.
Ziggler challenged Miz to prove to himself
that he's not a coward, but at the same time,
Ziggler wants to prove to everyone that he still belongs here.
The guy hasn't won a match in a little while.
He's got some things he needs to prove to himself.
[JBL] Things to prove? I asked him last week.
"If you don't win this match, what's gonna happen?"
He says, "I'm gonna have to re-evaluate. I said, "Why? You're gonna quit?"
He said, "No, re-evaluate." Not sure what that means.
-[Otunga] Ooh! -Double leg takedown…
[JBL] Doesn't sound good.
…by the former Kent State standout
inducted into their Hall of Fame, looking quickly.
[Otunga] Look at this. This is how you start.
[Mauro] To put away The Miz.
[referee] No, stand back…
[Mauro] And again, you cannot win the championship via count-out, so…
Dolph Ziggler wants The Miz in the ring.
[JBL] Miz knows exactly what he's doing. You gotta weather the storm.
Anybody who comes out against a champion has his emotional burst,
just like Dolph Ziggler had, Miz knows that.
[Mauro] Miz accompanied to the ring by his wife, Maryse.
He said she's his good luck charm,
but just so happens that…
she returned to WWE the same night he won
the WWE Intercontinental Title for the fifth time.
[Otunga] Are you insinuating she has something to do with that?
[Mauro] That's a 160 days ago, that's how long he's been champion.
-[Otunga] Look at this. -[Mauro] Bridging predicament
there for... The Miz in a standout, eminent wrestler,
Dolph Ziggler!
[Otunga] Dolph Ziggler's superb on the mat. Look at this.
[Mauro] Fireman's carry! Into the cradle.
[JBL] He went to Kent State as a wild card
and walked out the winningest wrestler of all time
when he left the school.
[Mauro] And being inducted into the Hall of Fame this month.
One! Two! Three!
Break the hold-up.
[Mauro] So Dolph Ziggler knows very well
what he has to accomplish,
and there's The Miz coming back
and he has shown a renewed sense of aggression.
[JBL] That'll stop an NCAA wrestler any time.
A good fist to the mouth.
[Mauro] You know, he's been accused by people
like SmackDown Live GM and Dolph Ziggler being a coward,
but he… he's a fighting champion, David.
[Otunga] No, he's not. When he's for-- How can you say that?
When he's forced to fight. Are you kidding me?
He looks for every way to get out of a match.
Every loophole he can.
He's like an ambulance-chasing lawyer.
[JBL] Are you guys not watching-- [chuckles]
You might know something about that lawyer there.
[Otunga] A little bit.
[JBL] You guys not watching that Miz right now
is defending the championship?
[Mauro] I said he's a fighting champion.
-[Otunga] I disagree. -The lawyer disagreed with me.
[JBL] Okay, Mauro, don't stooge people.
[Otunga] Probably lift his bus off.
[Mauro] Ziggler lands on his feet, ducks underneath the clothesline
baseball slide through the legs and there's the dropkick!
And another one! Dolph Ziggler…
on fire here early in this WWE Intercontinental Title Match.
Oh! Neck first across the middle rope.
[referee] Get off there! Break up!
[JBL] This is the reason that Miz has held the title 160 days.
Look at him go.
[Mauro] This is the third time that The Miz and Dolph Ziggler
have met one-on-one on pay-per-view
for the WWE Intercontinental Title!
-Catapult right into the bottom rope. -[Otunga] Miz has held that title so long,
'cause he was out filming movies and went to red carpet events with his wife,
and then showing up when he has to to defend it.
[JBL] How lucky are we to have someone
with a caliber, though, of Brad Pitt or The Rock…
-[Otunga] Are you kidding me? -...here all the time in the WWE?
[Mauro] Here comes The Miz and-- Oh!
[JBL] You think The Miz would like being compared to Brad Pitt?
[Mauro] This, in many ways, the pay-per-view rubber match for The Miz
who goes for the back press, hooks the leg.
They've each beaten each other on pay-per-view
for the WWE Intercontinental Title.
[JBL] You think The Rock would mind being compared to The Miz?
Movie stars, champions.
[Mauro] And The Miz now showcasing his ability.
Bow-and-arrow stretch over his shins!
Oh, man, what an o-- What does this do to the human body, John?
Dolph, talk to me here.
[JBL] I agree. How could you not be impressed with The Miz?
[Otunga] Looks good right now. I mean, look at the two are--
Look at what this is doing to Ziggler's spine.
[Mauro] That's the area that it's, it's really attacking, isn't it, David?
[Otunga] Yeah, spine, his lower back, knee and the tail bone.
[Mauro] Look at this, Ziggler ends up with--
[Otunga] And you see how Ziggler had the hand down too.
Keeping his shoulder down.
[Mauro] Quick roll-up here by Ziggler. Jackknife cover and Miz escapes.
Oh, and Miz just catapulted Dolph Ziggler
up and over the top rope,
and he landed hard on the outside.
[JBL] Oh, he is good.
This is why Miz is the A-lister.
[Mauro] And by the way, you know when I said he was a fighting champion, David,
this is his seventh pay-per-view title match in a year.
Tied with Dean Ambrose and Charlotte.
[JBL] Hey, guys, guys, look at this. Dolph Ziggler hurt his shoulder.
[Mauro] He needs to beat that ten-count.
Oh, wrecking ball! Dropkick by The Miz.
[JBL] Guys, what you're missing is Dolph looked like he was trying
to pull his shoulder back in the joint.
[Otunga] I think The Miz noticed it too, and he's jumping all over it.
-[JBL] I think you're right. -[Mauro] The Miz goes for the cover.
Back press, hooks outside leg so…
It's bad enough that Dolph Ziggler's under immense pressure.
Now at less than 100%.
[Otunga] I guarantee you one thing,
Ziggler is looking for a loophole or a way out.
That's a fighter right there, Dolph Ziggler.
[JBL] Look at him, shaking that arm, he's holding that arm.
You lose feeling, you lose strength in that arm.
That's what Dolph Ziggler looks to be going through right now.
-Who's the coward? -[Dolph screaming]
One! Two! Three!
[Mauro] Miz asking Ziggler, "Who's the coward?"
[Otunga] Miz is doing a good job though, just grounding him.
Grinding and making this his own match.
[JBL] Just wearing him down.
And Miz is perfectly in control here.
[Dolph screams]
[Otunga] Ziggler though, bringing some space. This is what he wants.
[Mauro] Oh, but he misses and the chest first!
And his chin bounced off that top turnbuckle,
and the opportunistic WWE Intercontinental Champion
going for the cover.
[JBL] Miz looks to be perfectly in control here.
[Otunga] Oh, he's taking a page out of Daniel Bryan's book.
[Mauro] And Rito Romero's as well,
as it looks like he's looking for the Romero Special,
the inverted surfboard and again, attacking the back
of Dolph Ziggler!
And it's a modified version instead, just-- Oh, my!
-[JBL] Oh! -[Mauro] Wow.
[groans] Jesus.
[JBL] You know, the thing is Dolph Ziggler is a two-time world champion.
He certainly has the ability. He just for some reason now…
he'd come up short in these big matches.
[Mauro] And he's looking to become a five-time
Intercontinental Champion tonight.
[Otunga] Dolph Ziggler is one of the most talented performers on the roster. Period.
The problem is he's in his own head.
He started to doubt himself. He's listening to everybody else.
He doesn't realize how good he is anymore.
[Mauro] Well, The Miz knows how good he is.
Just ask him. Corner clothesline…
[JBL] A dropkick.
[Mauro] A corner dropkick, thank you, John.
And a series of them! Corner dropkicks!
And now The Miz!
[Otunga] I'm pretty sure I know a certain person who used to do this.
-[JBL] Oh, look at this. -He's mocking Daniel Bryan.
-Yes, he is. -[Mauro] Yep, and he-- Yeah.
[JBL] He is taunting the general manager. This is a message.
[Mauro] He used to be Daniel Bryan's mentor.
Oh, the Awesome Clothesline!
[JBL] And he also just told Daniel Bryan he wants a contract renegotiation.
Who's the coward, Daniel?
-Huh? -[JBL] And he's due already.
You negotiate when you're on top.
[Otunga] It's all about leverage. You're absolutely right.
[Mauro] And The Miz has that in his match.
-Oh! -[Otunga] Ooh!
[Mauro] Double axe handle to the face of Dolph Ziggler.
[crowd booing]
And The Miz is feeling it in Richmond, Virginia, at Backlash.
[JBL] Yeah, and The Miz is absolutely dominant.
[Otunga] See, The Miz is great when he actually wants to compete.
[Mauro] Looking for that Skull-Crushing Finale.
-No, roll up here by Ziggler! -Oh, here's the counter.
-[Mauro] Ooh! -[Otunga] Oh, wow!
Blocked him with a dropkick.
And you can hear that shock reverberate throughout the Richmond Coliseum.
[Otunga] Look at this dropkick. Beautifully placed.
Wow.
[Mauro] Again, Dolph Ziggler looking to become
Intercontinental Champion for fifth time.
Two of his previous four title wins have come against The Miz.
[Otunga] Miz looks like he's concerned about that moneymaker over there.
[JBL] But more importantly, for Dolph Ziggler
he's trying to find a way to win a big match,
but he is not been able to do lately.
[Mauro] He came up short against Dean Ambrose
at SummerSlam for the World Title.
Ambrose to defend against AJ Styles tonight.
But now Ziggler comes off the ropes!
[Otunga] Here he goes.
Swinging neckbreaker by Ziggler on The Miz!
-The ground and pound! -[Otunga] Take down and unloading.
[JBL] Just frustration on Dolph Ziggler's part, but it's working.
[Mauro] Drops a big elbow. Cover!
[Otunga] Frustration's a dangerous thing though.
You can't let it get the best of you.
You gotta keep your emotions in check.
[Mauro] Ziggler says he steals the show every night.
Calls himself "The Showoff."
Attempting to show off his skills here in what really is
a huge match-up, especially with all the pressure that he put on himself.
It's put up or shut up for Dolph Ziggler against the WWE Intercontinental Champion.
[Otunga] Miz caught him.
[Mauro] Roll up by Ziggler!
Shoulders down. Only a two-count.
-[all exclaim] -[Otunga] Oh, man! Did you hear that?
[Mauro] Oh!
Oh!
[crowd] One, two…
[Mauro] Springboard sit-out powerbomb, almost--
[Otunga] I'll give credit where credit's due. Listen to this.
The Miz smacking that steal post
and then still able to pull off a sit-out powerbomb.
Look at this.
[JBL] And thank goodness Miz is able to do this.
He almost got the win right here.
But he was able to neutralize Dolph Ziggler at a time
when Miz needs the time to recuperate himself.
[Mauro] And it looks like The Miz is nursing a left shoulder injury
after it was driven into the steal post.
[Otunga] Could be separated.
[Mauro] Oh!
-Miz blocks the kick! -[Otunga] Oh!
[Mauro] Softening off that left leg.
Prepped for a Figure Four Leglock attempt,
but well-schooled and well scouted there by Dolph Ziggler.
[Otunga] Ziggler right back to that shoulder.
Smart move.
-[Mauro] He hit it! -Famouser!
[Mauro] This could be it! Ziggler about to become-- No!
One count away from a fifth reign as Intercontinental Champion.
[Otunga] Well, look, some damage has been done in Ziggler's knee.
-[JBL] Yup. -It could be a factor.
[JBL] Miz has just softened off that leg.
He was bequeathed that Figure Four
by the greatest Ric Flair, the 16 times World Champion.
[Otunga] But look at this Famouser!
So close.
[Mauro] It has been a deleterious duel thus far, each of them.
[JBL] Yeah, but in that, the story of Dolph Ziggler
this year though, David, so close.
[Otunga] So close, you're absolutely right.
And the other thing, The Miz is doing by targeting that leg,
it's gonna make it awfully difficult for Ziggler to superkick him.
[Mauro] Tremendous work for the WWE Intercontinental Championship!
Looking for the Zig Zag! Blocked by The Miz!
-Oh! -[Otunga] Oh! Sleeper Hold!
[Mauro] Ziggler trying to send The Miz to dreamland!
[Otunga] He's fading. Can't get over there.
[Mauro] He's locked in.
Miz fades, we have a new champ.
Miz drops to one knee!
Any unanswered questions are all answered if Miz goes to sleep here.
[Otunga] Yeah, he might go to sleep here.
Might even tap.
[Mauro] He may be forced to tap, clenching that left fist!
Ziggler putting the squeeze on The Miz!
Cutting off the oxygen supply,
pinching the carotid artery!
The Miz fighting desperately!
Oh! Head first into the turnbuckle, goes Dolph Ziggler.
[JBL] That's the only thing Miz could do.
[Otunga] It's impressive he had enough energy even to do that.
[indistinct conversation]
[Mauro] The Miz's wife Maryse offering words of advice,
support, strategy, she is watching from a different perspective.
Oh! ...a DDT by Dolph Ziggler!
Do we have a new champion?
Oh! Wow!
[Otunga] What does Dolph Ziggler have to do to win this match? Golly!
[Mauro] The resiliency of the WWE Intercontinental Champion, The Miz,
fully on display, but you're right,
frustration has to begin setting in for Dolph Ziggler
who has come also close, John.
[JBL] Dolph has questioned himself for the last few months.
Those questions are now gonna get louder and louder in his head.
Can he close it anymore?
[Otunga] Ziggler's pulling out everything.
-[Mauro] Ziggler-- -[JBL] Is he still The Showoff?
[Mauro] Tapping his shoes... with his left knee.
[Otunga] Yep, saving that leg.
[Mauro] Trying to summon up a resolve to land that superkick!
Blocked by The Miz!
Oh! Just planted Ziggler with the DDT!
And here comes the Figure Four Leglock!
[Otunga] He's got it in too!
[JBL] Right in the middle of the ring.
[Mauro] Ziggler desperately trying to survive!
The Miz putting the pressure!
[screams]
[Otunga] The Miz is just ranching that knee.
[Mauro] Ziggler can't tap.
But he might be forced to. He is far away from those ropes.
[JBL] Remember, the man who won many championships
with Figure Four, Ric Flair,
he's the one that gave it to Miz.
Miz may be about to retain the Intercontinental Championship with it.
[Mauro] Ziggler desperately does manage to get to the bottom rope!
[Otunga] Ziggler showing nothing, but heart and guts here.
There's no telling what kind of damage he just sustained,
but still, he did not tap.
[JBL] This is smart. He went to the full four-count before he broke.
[Mauro] It was a few extra than four,
but he definitely put extra pressure on the legs.
[JBL] If it was, the referee should've disqualified him.
[Mauro] Oh!
Running kick right to the face of Ziggler!
Bouncing his head off the canvas, and now The Miz going again
for the Figure Four, kicked off!
-[all exclaim] -[Otunga] Oh, man!
[Mauro] Right into the superkick, Ziggler!
[JBL] We may have a new Intercontinental Champion!
-[Otunga] Oh! -[Mauro] Wow.
The ring presence of the Intercontinental Champion.
[Otunga] Had that kick been over five more inches,
we would've had a new Intercontinental Champion.
[JBL] How about the wherewithal of the champion.
The ring presence of The Miz.
You can call it luck, you can call it fate,
or you can just call the fact that Miz knew exactly where he was in the ring.
[Mauro] And The Miz trying to crawl out of dodge,
knowing full well that if he loses via count-out,
he will retain the Intercontinental Championship.
Ziggler also aware of that fact.
[Otunga] It's gonna be awfully hard
to get him back in though with a bad wheel.
[Mauro] Referee administering the count!
Ziggler has to get The Miz in before the count to ten!
[grunts]
[JBL] Miz is hanging off, trying not to get back in.
[Mauro] Look at this, putting him over his shoulders
despite the left leg injury.
Wow, the sacrifices Ziggler willing to make to win the championship.
[Otunga] How important this is.
[Mauro] Oh, Maryse diverting his attention, O'Connor Roll!
[crowd] One, two…
One, two…
[Otunga] Oh.
[Otunga] Oh, what-- What is that?
She sprayed him with something.
[Mauro] What the…
Skull-Crushin' Finale!
-Oh, no! -[crowd] One, two, three.
[bell dings]
[The Miz's theme song playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
and still the Intercontinental Champion,
The Miz!
[Mauro] Well, Maryse proving to be more than The Miz's good luck charm tonight.
[Otunga] This is exactly what I'm talking about.
And The Miz, he was fighting such a good fight.
He had to resort to his wife helping him out.
Another loophole.
[Mauro] And you know, Miz, who's a lawyer, aiding and abetting what has turned out
-to be a miscarriage of justice. -[Otunga] Absolutely.
[JBL] Look, I think the miscarriage of justice will affect
that we were watching a great match,
and unfortunately, it didn't end in a great way.
[Otunga] And look at this. Maryse sprayed who knows what that is in Ziggler's eyes.
Sets him up, good night.
[crowd] One, two, three!
[Otunga] I hate that such a great match is ruined like this.
[JBL] David, I agree with you, but by hook or by crook,
when you're a champion, the key is to walk out
as the champion.
While we may not agree with it,
Miz is still the Intercontinental Champion.
[Mauro] Many questions now for Dolph Ziggler.
The Miz retains the Intercontinental Title.
Let's go back up to Renee Young.
Gentlemen, please welcome the Backlash Kickoff panel,
WWE Hall of Famer, Lita…
[clicks tongue]
WWE Hall of Famer, Booker T,
and WWE Hall of Famer, Jerry "The King" Lawler.
What a night we have had here at the Richmond Coliseum.
How you guys feeling about everything so far?
[King] Lovin' it. Lovin' it.
Unreal. What do you think about the night?
Well, I'm just loving the match that we just witnessed.
I mean, you know, I think we all agreed that Dolph Ziggler was gonna lose.
But, you know, what makes the lose not so bad
is when you learn something from the loss.
And tonight, Dolph Ziggler learned what Miz knows
and all big Hollywood stars know
and what I know when people ask me,
"How do you look so young?" And I say, "I moisturize."
And Dolph learned to moisturize it.
-[all laugh] -Hard way. The hard way.
Oh, man, for me, um, you know,
the tag team division is heatin' up,
The Usos got a huge victory over The Hype Brothers.
And I told The Usos a long time ago, "You guys are gonna break the Harlem Heat,
"Ten-Time Tag Team Championship record."
They are one step closer to becoming three-time Tag Team Champions.
One more victory, they're after a race, baby.
They are in the book. Lita?
RAW has been heavy-hitting, getting the bigger drafts,
just kinda like off to the races more,
however, SmackDown, this pay-per-view is a huge benchmark.
We have a new Women's Championship.
That match was awesome.
Congrats to Becky Lynch, but every single woman out there showed
why SmackDown is now the show to watch.
The women's wrestling giving RAW run for their money. I loved it.
Well, with earlier tonight at the Backlash Kickoff Show,
we got our first bit of action
when Apollo Crews went one-on-one with the Lone Wolf Baron Corbin.
[Otunga] And here we are.
Corbin right into the steel steps.
Crews showing absolute ring awareness.
Thought this is possibly it, but then,
the amazing Samoan drop to the back.
[Mauro] Yeah. And it looked like Crews had it.
Seemed like Crews is gonna lock out with an incredible victory,
until that knee right there.
And you know what's coming now, David!
[Otunga] I sure do, the End of Days.
[JBL] Wow.
[Otunga] What a match this was.
[JBL] An incredible match by two incredible performers…
[Bray Wyatt's theme song playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Well, earlier tonight, Bray Wyatt was determined
to eliminate Randy Orton before tonight's match
with this brutal attack.
Stop!
[groans]
Bray, come on. Get it off of him, Bray.
Get it out of-- Hey, get it out of him!
Take it out of here, Bray.
Get it out of here.
-Get it out of here, Bray. Come on. -[groans]
Take it out.
[song continues]
[song stops]
[crowd cheering]
[speaks indistinctly]
[crowd chanting] Randy! Randy! Randy!
Randy! Randy! Randy!
[announcer] Ladies and gentlemen, unfortunately,
due to injury Randy Orton cannot be cleared to compete tonight.
[crowd frowning]
Bray Wyatt has insisted on the official ten-count
to certify his victory
via forfeit.
[bell dings]
One!
Two!
Three!
Four!
Five!
Six!
Seven!
Eight!
Nine!
Ten! Ring the bell.
[bell dings]
[announcer] Here is your winner via forfeit.
Bray Wyatt!
This is what Gods do!
[Bray Wyatt's theme song playing]
However…
Bray Wyatt will be competing in a No Holds Barred Match
against this man.
[conversing indistinctly]
Bring it! Bring it!
[explosion]
-[crowd cheering] -[Mauro] Oh, wow!
[Kane's theme music playing]
-[JBL] That's huge. -[Mauro] Yeah, this is big.
[JBL chuckles] Oh, man!
[Otunga] Things just took a major turn.
[Mauro] The Big Red Machine, the legend, Kane!
[JBL] Not what Bray was expecting when he attacked Randy.
Hell just opened up. Get ready, Bray.
Kane is coming after you.
And it's No Disqualification.
[Mauro] No Holds Barred, a lot of history between Kane and Bray Wyatt.
[Otunga] At one point, Bray Wyatt kidnapped Kane.
-[bell dings] -[JBL] Talk about a lot of history.
[Mauro] So we have a No Holds Barred Match up here
at Backlash after Bray Wyatt…
Who's the man? It don't matter!
[Mauro] …attacked Randy Orton, eliminating him from the match-up,
but now Kane has him in his grips.
[JBL] Just man-handling The Eater of Worlds.
[Otunga] I don't think Bray knows what to make of this.
He spent all day preparing for Randy Orton and tried to take him out early.
Last thing he was expecting was The Big Red Monster.
-[Mauro] He took him out-- -[all exclaim]
[JBL] What a collision!
[Mauro] Taking Bray Wyatt out of ringside!
The man who has got a path of destruction
for many years!
Just fires off a right uppercut on Bray Wyatt.
[crowd exclaims]
Oh, my!
[JBL] Not that Kane ever had good intentions,
but they are evil right now.
Look out, David. You'll mess up your whole pretty new suit
and a lot more.
[Mauro] Setting the table…
[all exclaim]
…for destruction, but Bray Wyatt has the bell!
[JBL] It's all legal.
Only thing that limits here is your imagination.
These two guys' imagination is scary.
[Mauro] No count-out,
no disqualification, No Holds Barred!
And that sinister smile by Bray Wyatt!
[all exclaim]
Kane intercepts him with another shock to the jaw!
-[Otunga] Ooh! -[Mauro] Wow.
[JBL] Bray Wyatt just launched himself at Kane.
[yelling]
[Mauro] Oh! Big foot to the head by Bray Wyatt
who now has the upper hand on Kane!
And everyone talking about SmackDown Live's
first-ever pay-per-view Backlash!
And here's the Backlash for what Bray Wyatt did to Randy Orton!
A No Holds Barred Match against Kane!
[JBL] Not exactly what Bray Wyatt was expecting.
[Otunga] Bray thrives on mental warfare.
[Mauro] Oh, he's got chair and he attacked the, the knee of Kane!
[laughing]
[JBL] It's all legal.
[Mauro] Ooh!
Putting all of that weight…
into that running attack on Kane.
[JBL] The size of Kane. He is huge.
[Mauro] Bray Wyatt looking to use that chair
-He's a weapon of destruction here. -I am a God!
[Mauro] Bray Wyatt refers to himself as a God.
-But he may be-- -[Otunga] Look at that.
He's dented the chair.
Summoning up the devil here as the Big Red Machine Kane…
trying to get back to his feet.
Oh!
[Otunga] Oh!
[Mauro] Wyatt with the cover.
Kane kicks out.
[JBL] Not expecting No Holds Barred with someone like Kane.
Bray Wyatt is doing quite well.
Tells you the type of person that Bray Wyatt is.
[Mauro] Bray Wyatt always subscribing to his own set of rules.
The creepy charisma.
The belligerent and dangerous Bray Wyatt.
Series of back elbows from Kane.
-And Kane with a DDT! -[Otunga] Oh!
-That could be it! -[JBL] On the chair.
[Mauro] Yeah, and caught the corner of the chair!
Again, No Holds Barred, so no count-out.
Kane getting back up to his vertical base.
Oh!
[JBL] Kane with a head of steam.
[Mauro] Burying Bray Wyatt in the corner, he does it again!
-[Otunga] Wow. -[Mauro] Sidewalk slam.
-[JBL] Man-handling Bray Wyatt. -[Mauro] On the new face of fear.
[Otunga] This isn't something you see very often.
[JBL] No, it's not.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] But we could be seeing something that's a trademark
of the Big Red Machine, the Chokeslam!
But here comes Bray Wyatt fighting back!
Oh, and Bray bridges Kane, but he lands on his feet!
-[Otunga] He's got him. -[Mauro] Oh, no.
[JBL] Oh, no.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Bray Wyatt, oh,
gouging the eyes of Kane, doing whatever's necessary
to avoid that frightful fate on the table!
-[Otunga] Oh! -[Mauro] Wow!
[shouts indistinctly]
[Mauro] Kane just got leveled by Bray Wyatt.
[JBL] Listen to this.
-[crowd exclaims] -Nice collision.
[shouts indistinctly]
[Mauro] Wyatt's not done.
Oh, now he's taking apart our broadcast table.
Bray Wyatt, what is going through…
his maniacal mind?
[JBL] Oh, no.
[grunting]
[Mauro] Some hammerfist to the side of Kane's head!
[commentators speak indistinctly]
[Mauro] Mocking Randy Orton.
-[grunts] -[all exclaim]
[Mauro] Mamma mia! Senton drives Kane through the table!
[Otunga] Look at this. From one table to... Oh, straight through next.
Golly, the height.
-[all exclaim] -[Mauro] The size of Bray Wyatt.
Crashing down on the mid-section of Kane!
Driving both of them through the table.
[JBL] Imagine that impact.
[Mauro] High impact. High stakes. No Holds Barred at Backlash!
[crowd chanting] One more time! One more time! One more time!
[JBL] The world is going out of mind now.
[Mauro] He got the dead weight of Kane and rolls him back in.
Kane barely stirring in a supine position on the mat.
[crowd cheering]
[yells]
Get up!
[Mauro] Bray Wyatt wanting to turn Kane's world upside-down.
[JBL] Going for Sister Abigail.
[Mauro] Trying to introduce Kane to his sibling.
Or is he?
Chokeslam! Chokeslam by Kane!
-The great equalizer! -One, two…
-[Mauro] It's incredible. -[JBL] How did Bray kick out of that?
[Mauro] It's incredible what these two behemoths are able to withstand.
[Otunga] Bray going for Sister Abigail, but Kane turned it into a Chokeslam!
[JBL] All the people over the years that Kane has beaten with that Chokeslam,
Bray Wyatt just kicked out of it.
[Otunga] Kane already back up to his feet. Look at this.
[Mauro] A bruising brawl between Kane and Bray Wyatt.
So much history between these two warriors.
And... Uh-oh, looks like Kane is going to give Wyatt
a dose of his chair medicine.
[JBL] Get ready, Bray.
[Mauro] Oh!
Oh, the uranage on the chair by Bray Wyatt!
-A desperate counter may pay dividends. -[JBL] Is that enough?
[Mauro] Wow.
What… a grueling contest
here at Backlash.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Wait a minute. It's Randy Orton!
[JBL] Earlier tonight,
Bray Wyatt thought he had disposed of Randy Orton
slamming that door on his leg
trying to get rid of The Viper.
Problem with the snake is you better finish him off when you get a chance.
'Cause they'll come back and bite you
and I think that's exactly what Randy Orton has in mind.
[JBL] I think Bray Wyatt is stuck between a rock and a hard place here--
[Mauro] Here comes Randy Orton in the ring!
-[all exclaim] -[Mauro] RKO!
Again, No Holds Barred!
Randy Orton…
making a huge statement at Backlash
with the RKO!
And the pièce de résistance, the Chokeslam!
[crowd] One, two, three!
[bell dings]
[Kane's theme music playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
Kane!
[Mauro] And with an assist from Randy Orton,
Kane proves to be Bray Wyatt's biggest nightmare!
[explosion]
[JBL] I can tell you this. I don't know what Bray Wyatt had in mind for tonight,
but it didn't involve any of this.
[Otunga] You are absolutely right.
Randy Orton shows once again,
all it takes is just one RKO out of nowhere.
[Mauro] Randy Orton not medically clear to compete,
and yet able to give Bray Wyatt a receipt in the form of the RKO!
[Otunga] And then Kane follows it up with a Chokeslam.
-That's it. Good night. -[crowd] One, two, three!
[Mauro] So Kane comes up victorious
in this No Holds Barred Match,
and for Bray Wyatt
he has to go back to his demonic drawing board.
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct conversation]
Boys,
I know where you're at your career.
I know what you're doing hitting up every Indie scene
trying to get experience,
you know, get the crap beat out of you on a weekly basis
'cause you guys don't know how to defend yourself.
It's all about experience, I get that.
You know what, you guys are probably sleeping in your car.
You can't afford hotel rooms.
I can look into your eyes.
'Cause you guys know my story.
I can smell it on your breath.
And you guys…
you're destined for failure.
Hey, hey, do… don't let it bother you.
I mean, this is gonna be a great moment in your career.
You can say you met him.
You can say you met The Face That Runs the Place.
You met the Phenomenal AJ Styles
on the night he became WWE
World Champion.
God, I hope something exciting is gonna happen.
♪ You have me naked in the freezing cold ♪
What? Is that funny?
Ha-ha! That's what starts it all.
-[laughs] -Where did you bring me?
I'll go along with you.
If you smell!
♪ Get ready for the wild ride, yeah ♪
-Are you out of your mind? -That's one pissed off snake.
-Hello, Vince. -Why are you corrupting my son?
The Nature Boy's greatest airport story.
Who can say no to that?
[woman] We're breaking down everything SmackDown.
-Tried to push my buttons. -Me?
No one talks more smack…
We're gonna call a Universal Title, Galaxy Title!
♪ So you're ready for the night? ♪
-You drew nipples? -Yes.
And they were cold.
♪ Here's the season to be jolly ♪
Nailed it.
[all cheer]
[woman 1] RAW is the black sheep show.
[man 1] The new era of Monday Night RAW.
Opportunity is amongst all of you.
[woman 2] No Mercy.
♪ Get ready for the wild life ♪
[man 2] Everything that was old is now new again, brother.
And those are facts.
[woman 3] That's when the hashtag started trending.
[woman 4] There is a revolution with women in sports happening.
It's amazing.
Whatever the biggest thing in women's wrestling
that had ever happened, it was right here. And that was like…
[Mauro] It's about proving that you're the best Cruiserweight on the planet!
[man 3] The future is now!
Ray, hit the raw-ray!
-I can put the address. -Let's go!
Dad, we had this talk before.
I'm gonna put you on timeout.
[bell ringing]
[man 4] Running wild like it's never ran before!
[all] Are you ready?
I ain't through with you, not yet, by a long shot.
♪ Get ready for the wild life ♪
[No Mercy's theme song playing]
That's right, the next time you will see the superstars of SmackDown Live
on pay-per-view Sunday, October 9th,
Sacramento, California, for No Mercy.
And, guys, The Usos haven't been showing
the rest of the SmackDown Live tag team division any mercy.
No, they haven't and they got a second chance.
And they are in the WWE Tag Team Championship picture.
And let's take you back to what happened earlier tonight
in that Second Chance Tag Team Match.
[Otunga] Now, here's Jey Uso with a chop block right to the back
of Zack Ryder's leg.
And look at this.
Jump kick right to the injured knee! Oh!
[Mauro] Exactly what they did to Chad Gable
of the American Alpha Tag Team on SmackDown Live.
[JBL] Look at this submission.
Nowhere to go for Zack Ryder.
And a tap.
-[bell dings] -And The Usos
are going to face Heath Slater and Rhyno,
the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
[The Usos' theme song playing]
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is the finals of the SmackDown Tag Team Tournament.
Making their way to the ring with a combined weights
of 479 pounds,
Jimmy and Jey, The Usos!
[Mauro] A SmackDown Tag Team Championships
up for grabs for the first time ever.
The Usos have astute everything above their old ways,
including the Siva Tau.
[Otunga] And they're completely different.
They've forgone the haka
which is how they start in every match.
Just coming straight to the ring focused.
[Heath Slater's theme song playing]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] And their opponents, the team of Rhyno and Heath Slater!
[Mauro] Well, the Cinderella run
culminate with a Tag Team Championship.
SmackDown Tag Team Title
for Heath Slater and Rhyno.
For Slater, the stakes have never been higher, John.
[JBL] It's a single ladder and double-wide.
He says he wins this, he's buying a double-wide for his family.
He's in a single-wide right now
with his seven kids and his beautiful wife.
But the key is he has to win this to get a WWE contract.
Not just the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship that you see right there.
[Otunga] Many people never thought we'd see him here, but here he is
in the finals of the SmackDown Live Tag Team Championship.
[Mauro] I'm glad he's here. Heath Slater is my man. I like him.
[Mauro] Heath Slater suffered the ignominious fate
of not being drafted in the WWE draft,
but an opportunity here to secure a contract with SmackDown Live.
[Otunga] He also suffered the fate of Beulah's crab cakes earlier today.
So, hopefully, that doesn't affect him too much.
[JBL] I think that might affect him more now, David.
Hey, Heath Slater not only not drafted,
he was left in the room, the lights were turned out.
[Mauro] Well, he and Rhyno would like to turn out the lights on The Usos.
[JBL] Tom Brady wasn't drafted real high
and look what happened to him. He turned out okay.
[Otunga] Let's not forget, right now they're facing
the most dangerous Usos team I've seen in a long time.
[Mauro] Both of you have been successful tag team competitors.
John, how much does it impact the fact
The Usos have already competed once tonight?
[JBL] Look, what they're going for, the inaugural championship,
I don't think near as much.
Look, they had a hard match earlier against The Hype Brothers,
but I think compared to what is going in inaugural champions,
I don't think it's gonna matter one bit to The Usos.
[Otunga] To John's point, The Usos are nice and warmed up.
They did look fantastic earlier.
[Mauro] Dropped to a hold by Heath Slater
who has been a three-time WWE Tag Team Champion--
Here comes Rhyno looking for his first title
on SmackDown Live.
He defeated Slater for a contract,
but then teamed up with the One Man Brand
to chase the inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Championships tonight.
[crowd chanting]
[JBL] …in honor of Rhyno.
The hardcore legends.
[grunts]
The Usos have been in a lot of great tag team matches. They know this.
They know that the Rhyno and Heath Slater are gonna come out
firing and smoking on all cylinders.
They simply need to weather that and get into their game plan.
The Usos have been better than anybody here in the tag team division
in the last number of years.
[Mauro] Rhyno, a veteran of over 20 years,
has seen it all, done it all, and looking now
to become one-half of the inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Champions
as Jey Uso just smacked Heath Slater with a turn,
nailed Jimmy on the apron.
[JBL] Talk about a career rejuvenation.
Rhyno was out running for political office,
now he comes back, he can be Tag Team Champion?
And still be a politician.
[Otunga] Headbutt to that stomach.
I'm telling you, those crab cakes.
-[Mauro] Oh! -[JBL] Oh, man!
[Mauro] A suplex right into the steel post by The Usos,
the kings of the double teams!
-[Otunga] Ooh! -[JBL] Yep.
It is almost midnight, Cinderella.
Fairy tales aren't real.
[Mauro] But The Usos are.
And they have taken out American Alpha in the Second Chance,
they took out The Hype Bros.
They have to take out Heath Slater and Rhyno
to become Tag Team Champions again.
The first-ever Tag Team champs. Jimmy Uso with the cover.
[Otunga] And the difference in this match is gonna be team work.
Now, don't forget, The Usos have been tag teammates since the womb.
They have the best teamwork of any tag team in WWE.
[Mauro speaks indistinctly]
[Otunga] Absolutely.
But Heath and Rhyno, they haven't been team--
[all exclaim]
[Mauro] Jey Uso just tagged Slater.
[Otunga] The Usos know what the other brother is gonna do
before they do it.
[Mauro] Again, they're doing a great job.
Crisp tag team and good tandem offense.
[JBL] Well, that's something that's just built overtime.
[Otunga] Look, how they use every five-count.
[JBL] Great tag teams don't always jones in the beginning.
Look at the group like New Day.
Not a great team at the beginning,
now they've become one of the greatest in the history.
Even though they're on a different show that we don't talk about.
[Otunga] But then again, you can't discount somebody
who's got the motivation of fighting for their family.
And that's Heath Slater tonight.
[Mauro] Already tonight, Becky Lynch making history
as the first-ever SmackDown Women's Champion
History being made now in a tag team division.
Heath Slater driving the air out of the lungs of Jey Uso
who comes back with a headbutt!
[JBL] Slater needs to find a way to get that big Rhyno into this ring.
[Otunga] This could be his chance right here.
[Mauro] Jimmy Uso making the tag.
And he will stop Slater from doing the same!
Firing hard, back first into the turnbuckle!
[Mauro] You know, Rhyno, excuse me, Jimmy Uso…
And this is the new attitude, David.
[Otunga] Just taunting Heath.
And you better believe that Usos know how important this match is to Heath.
[Mauro] It's important to all four of these individuals,
but indeed, the stakes… are not higher for anyone more
than Heath Slater.
His career, his job, his livelihood on the line.
[all exclaim]
[JBL] To The Usos who've done so much, that maybe a feather in their cap.
They're the ones that beat Heath Slater and cost him the job.
Come on in!
[Mauro] Slater close, but Jey Uso ensuring
that the tag will not be made, and again they continue
to work on the back of Heath Slater!
[Otunga] And The Usos, they're excellent
at dictating the pace and just staying in complete control.
Look how confident they look.
[JBL] I think that confidence is from a great reason.
[Mauro] Belly-to-back suplex by Jey Uso.
dropping Heath Slater on that back!
And now trying to pin his shoulders for a count to three.
Half-nelson chinlock, that's what is at stake.
Those newly-minted SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
Only one of these teams can make history tonight.
[JBL] Yeah, and only one of these teams winning gets Heath Slater a job.
He ain't getting it.
[JBL] A lot at stake for this young man from West Virginia.
Lock 'em down.
Call me a jail, sir.
[Otunga] Jay Uso just continuously talking trash,
getting in Heath Slater's head.
[Mauro] Slater desperate to make the tag,
Rhyno reaching out!
Oh!
And a hand full of hair
sends Slater crashing back to the canvas into enemy territory.
[JBL] One thing you see, The Usos are having fun.
They are having a good time.
Beating up Heath Slater.
[Mauro] They felt that they were under-appreciated.
They felt that they weren't getting the respect they deserved
as two-time WWE Tag Team Champions.
And now they continue their assault on Heath Slater!
[JBL] And if he couldn't get Rhyno in this match soon, this match is over.
[Rhyno] Come on, Heath!
[JBL] Heath Slater will not get that job.
[Otunga] This is a mugging right now. Absolute mugging.
[JBL] The Usos have been fighting together since they were kids.
They've become the best tag team in the WWE scene
in the last number of years.
They are in complete control right now.
If I'm Beulah, Heath Slater's wife,
I'm telling his kids not to watch 'cause daddy's getting beat up.
It's over. It's over.
[Mauro] Irish Whip.
Slater ducks under the clothesline, does it again!
Oh!
And a collision in the center of the ring as their bodies made big impact!
And a window of opportunity has cracked open!
[Otunga] He's so out, he went to the wrong corner!
[Mauro] Tag made-- Oh! Here comes Rhyno!
[JBL] Things just picked up.
[all exclaim]
That is a bus running over Uso.
[Mauro] Belly-to-belly suplex by Rhyno!
[Otunga] Oh, look at that face.
Get up! Get up! Get up!
[Mauro] On the cost of maybe the biggest score ever! Oh!
He runs head-first into the turnbuckle.
And the tag made! Heath Slater's already back in!
[JBL] Not sure how smart this is by Heath.
-[Otunga] Oh! -[Mauro] Neckbreaker by Slater!
-[Otunga] And another! -[Mauro] And one for Jey Uso!
[JBL] It's all adrenaline, I believe, with Heath.
How long will it last?
[crowd cheering]
-[Mauro] And leaping DDT! -[JBL] Had the dreams come true?
[crowd] One, two…
[Mauro] Oh, Jey Uso drags Slater up from under the ropes!
[Otunga] He almost had it right there. That would've been it.
[Mauro] Slater almost securing the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
And a job!
-Oh! -[JBL] Solid right hand.
[Mauro] Oh, superkick by Jimmy Uso!
[all exclaim]
[JBL] The official. The official never saw it!
He's about to get a job!
-[crowd] One, two, three! -Heath Slater's about to go to work!
[Mauro] They did it! They did it!
[Heath Slater's theme song playing]
[announcer] Here are your winners.
And the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions,
Rhyno and Heath Slater!
[JBL] Somebody needs to tell Heath Slater he won.
[Mauro] That boy just got himself a job!
[Otunga] Beulah, tell the kids daddy's got a contract.
[JBL] Daddy's gonna buy 'em a double-wide.
[Mauro] What a moment at WWE SmackDown Backlash!
History made
as Rhyno and Heath Slater
on the inaugural SmackDown Tag Team Champions,
Heath Slater has a job!
[JBL] Throw of the right hand by Heath Slater.
And a superkick.
[Otunga] And here comes Rhyno with a drive-by Gore.
[JBL] And Heath Slater… The official never sees it.
The veteran Rhyno came in!
Heath Slater's about two feet away from getting a contract.
And becoming the inaugural SmackDown
WWE Tag Team Champions!
[Mauro] Heath Slater earned the contract with SmackDown Live!
[announcer] Congratulations.
Heath Slater, you've got yourself a contract
and both of you are the first-ever SmackDown Tag Team Champions.
[crowd cheering]
[hooting excitedly]
Oh! Oh!
Oh! Do you see this?
Do you hear them?
-Do you hear them? -[cheering]
I said when I wasn't drafted
that there had to be a mistake
which I need to thank Daniel Bryan, I need to thank Shane McMahon
for letting me join the tournament
with my man Rhyno!
-[crowd cheering] -That's what I'm talking about, baby!
You know--
-Tag champs. -Tag team champions.
I get a contract now?
Whoo!
The only thing I gotta say
is this is probably one of the biggest moments in my life
beside a couple of my kids being born.
[panting]
No, really, I'm serious.
But, uh…
Yo, Beulah.
We're getting double-wide, baby!
[cheering]
Whoo!
[music continues]
[Mauro] Slater finds a glass slipper
in the form of a SmackDown Tag Team Championships
earning a contract with SmackDown Live,
Rhyno and Slater make history!
♪ Puppers Cluckers Chicken ♪
♪ I want a chicken… ♪
[Dolph] Whoa, whoa, whoa!
World's best chicken sandwich, huh?
[grunting]
[Mauro] Didn't expect this!
[JBL] Here we go!
[Mauro] Clothesline!
-[Otunga] Look at this! -[Mauro] Big elbow drop!
[JBL] Some of that incredible athleticism. Look at this.
[Mauro] Oh, and that is a superkick!
[JBL] Oh-ho!
[crowd] One, two, three!
-[Mauro] He got it! -…licking good!
Oh, wow, KFC's new Chicken Little
is made with a hand-breaded tender on a sesame seed bun.
It's finger little good.
[Charlotte] The Queen has reclaimed her throne.
[man] Sasha Banks, we'll be granting a rematch.
[Banks] That title is coming back to me.
What an incredible night of action it has been.
A historic night of action here at Backlash, David.
Historic indeed. We have new SmackDown Live Tag Team Champions.
And Heath got a contract.
And new SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch,
but right now, John, we are set for the main event
with the most prestigious prize in sports entertainment up for grabs.
As we wanna thank to Through Fire for Stronger,
the official theme of WWE Backlash.
It's off the album "Breathe", available now on iTunes and Spotify.
And the only place you can see the WWE Championship,
right here on SmackDown.
But that prestigious title is defended by The Lunatic
against the… who is on a roll right now,
AJ Styles in that World Championship
is up next.
[man] You don't get a trophy for participation,
you get a trophy for being a winner!
[bell dings]
[announcer] Here is your winner…
[man] AJ Styles is a quitter!
…AJ Styles!
[man] A quitter!
[Mauro] He just beat John Cena at SummerSlam!
[man] A quitter!
[Styles] SmackDown Live,
The Phenomenal One is here!
I did exactly what I said I was gonna do.
Beating up John Cena!
AJ Styles is a winner!
Where is my trophy?
A little something left in the ring there.
Taking it as a... a souvenir. Check it out.
Now, I don't know what C-Nation cries into.
Could be your pillow.
Could be your little milk for you to drink it before bed.
Don't worry, because you don't have to be Cena fans anymore.
You can be AJ Styles fans.
I am the elite! Where's my trophy?
Because I am the face that runs this place!
Where's my trophy? I…
You know who I am? You hear me?
You hear me, world? The new face.
I… I…
You know me. Don't act like you don't.
I am the face that runs this place!
And I should be the number one--
[Ambrose] Stop, stop, stop everything.
I want you to step down off of your podium, all right?
'Cause SmackDown Live don't belong to you.
It belongs to these people.
[cheering]
And more importantly, son, listen up.
SmackDown Live belongs to the WWE World Champion.
[Mauro] Oh, watch out! They're not waiting for Backlash!
[Ambrose] This ain't no one-hit wonder, baby. Dean Ambrose is here to stay.
[Mauro] Oh, wait a minute, that's Styles!
[screams]
[Ambrose] And that's why they call it high risk, folks.
[Mauro] Dean Ambrose's greatest asset, he is a survivor.
Can he survive at Backlash?
AJ, I brought you a gift.
I can see how you're begging a trophy, so I got you this.
It's an old bowling trophy, man. Here's the thing.
That's the only trophy you're ever gonna get from me.
[crowd cheering]
Just shut up!
Everything's a joke to you, right?
This right here? Huh? You think it's a joke?
I got this from the last person I beat.
I don't want you to hand me anything.
That trophy over your shoulder
will be the one I'm taking from you.
If you want a trophy, son, you better pick that up.
'Cause we don't give away trophies around here
for the face that comes in second place.
[crowd cheering]
[crowd] Oh!
[Styles] You get a trophy for being a winner!
Where's my trophy?
How funny is that, Dean?
'Cause I'm laughin' now!
[man] AJ Styles is a quitter!
[AJ Styles' theme song playing]
[crowd cheering]
[explosion]
[Mauro] The WWE World Championship is at stake.
AJ Styles has had a phenomenal career,
and what an amazing start to his WWE career, David.
It all culminated at SummerSlam
with his career-best victory over John Cena.
[Otunga] Victory over John Cena which he's extremely proud of.
[Otunga] You know, AJ Styles has won championships all over the world
except here in WWE.
That's the last piece of the puzzle.
This is what he needs to win to prove he's the best.
[Mauro] And, John, you're the longest reigning SmackDown champion.
-You know it's not easy to come by. -[JBL] No, it's not easy to come by.
I was about AJ Styles' age when I first won that championship
I've been fighting all over, I didn't realize
my career wasn't complete till I won it.
AJ Styles' career could be complete tonight
if he wins the WWE Championship.
[Mauro] It'll happen if it does here at WWE Backlash
which is presented by KFC's Chicken Little.
It's an unexpectably great taste.
It's finger "little" good.
And AJ Styles sporting that…
Well, he made it a headband.
It was the John Cena armband claimed it as a trophy
after that instant classic at SummerSlam.
[Dean Ambrose's theme music playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Well, Dean Ambrose won the Money in the Bank contract
and then, later that night, cashed in the contract
to become WWE World Champion for the first time.
The kingpin has been cruising since then.
And now faces what may be his toughest test
against AJ Styles.
[Otunga] Ambrose has been a fighting champion.
He's taken on any and all comers
including his two former Shield brothers.
[JBL] This has been a completely unpredictable champion.
And you're right, David, he has been a great fighting champion.
[Mauro] Successfully retained the title at SummerSlam against Dolph Ziggler.
Tonight, defends against AJ Styles.
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall,
is for the WWE World Championship!
[crowd cheering]
Introducing the challenger.
From Gainesville, Georgia,
weighing in 218 pounds
who would now like to be announced as The Face That Runs the Place,
The Phenomenal AJ Styles!
And his opponent.
From Cincinnati, Ohio,
weighing in 225 pounds,
he is the WWE World Champion,
Dean Ambrose!
[Mauro] The most prestigious prize in sports entertainment,
The WWE World Championship.
It is on the line tonight here at Backlash.
The only place you can see that championship right here on SmackDown.
An electric crowd at the Richmond Coliseum
here in Virginia.
[bell dings]
He's going down!
[continues shouting indistinctly]
Ambrose has a psychological edge.
He is the champion and he did defeat AJ Styles earlier this year.
What a huge opportunity for Styles
to finally ascend to the summit of sports entertainment.
[JBL] But one big thing is Dean Ambrose has that champion's advantage.
…that he would…
try to take advantage of it.
But on a count-out disqualification,
Dean Ambrose does not lose that championship.
[Mauro] Quick roll-up by Styles. Jackknife cover for a one-count.
-[JBL] Styles must-- -[Mauro] Small package!
[Otunga] Trying to make quick work, Dean Ambrose here.
[Mauro] The element of surprise.
[JBL] Styles must pin or submit him,
but I think he knows right there he wasn't gonna get a three-count.
He's just sending a little message.
[Mauro] Styles confidence and cockiness sky-rocketing
since going 2-0 against John Cena.
[speaks indistinctly]
Go behind, waistlock takedown by Styles.
Guys, split it up. Styles, break.
You see, Dean? I own you!
I own you!
-[Mauro] Who wouldn't like to own… -I can do this all night long.
…a WWE World Championship, and back comes the kingpin Dean Ambrose!
[Otunga] I know Styles has been fueling himself since he beat John Cena,
better get his head in this game real quick.
Beautiful body slam executed by Dean Ambrose.
And AJ Styles' gonna regroup on the outside.
[JBL] When you talk about capricious, that last thing we expect
was a couple of arm drags and a scoop slam from Dean Ambrose to start the match.
He does this stuff just to show us how unpredictable he is.
[Mauro] Master of many different styles. Loves to brawl.
But he can also go toe-to-toe with Styles.
Although Styles stopped him with a double axe handle to the back.
Hey! Stay off the rope! One!
-Stay off the rope. -He's not in the ropes.
Stay off them.
[Mauro] Styles earning this converted opportunity
to become WWE World Champion.
The one title that has escaped his grasp in his illustrious career.
Sunset flip by Ambrose.
Ooh, wow!
That's how The Phenomenal gets it done!
[JBL] That escalated quickly.
[Otunga] Styles is sticking to his game plan.
-Look at this. Rolled through it. -[JBL] Wow! What a forearm.
[Otunga] Golly.
[Mauro] Reverse knife-edge chop by Styles on Ambrose.
Ambrose making the fifth defense of his title.
Get him out of the corner, Styles.
Get him out! One!
-I'm getting him out. -Get him out. Come on.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
[Mauro] Dueling chance in the Richmond Coliseum.
Oh!
And Ambrose firing back with his unorthodox offense!
-Towering back body drop! -[Otunga] Huge back drop.
[Mauro] And Styles was higher than a Georgia pine tree!
AJ Styles on the receiving end of the champion's wrath!
Is there Ambrose gonna be cleared for takeoff?
No! Dropped to hold, went into the middle rope.
[JBL] Great counter by AJ.
[Otunga] AJ's clearly done his homework in scouting Dean Ambrose.
Problem is Ambrose's greatest strength is he's unpredictable.
He never does the same thing twice.
[JBL] Always thought his game plan was, he just does stuff.
[Otunga] Yeah, exactly. He just comes out here and punches, brawls.
But it's affective.
[Mauro] Neck breaker by Styles continues to work that part
of Ambrose's anatomy.
[JBL] You could see that AJ Styles' as well is very unpredictable.
As you just saw, his just is a little more planned chaos
than what Dean Ambrose is.
[Mauro] Styles won the prestigious IWGP Heavyweight Championship
in his first match in Japan, a two-time champion,
but yet he wants to add the big one.
The WWE World Championship to his collection.
[JBL] Few other people to win in their first match in Japan,
that IWGP Championship was Brock Lesnar.
[Mauro] Styles joining… as the only two-time champions.
But Ambrose having problems breathing here, David.
[Otunga] Yeah, no, Styles has stayed all over Ambrose's neck.
Laser focused on that.
And even there. Tagging the back of the neck.
Look at this. Everything he does is aimed towards Ambrose's neck.
[Mauro] What makes AJ Styles such a phenomenal competitor, David?
[Otunga] I think because he's just so physically gifted.
And he's also a veteran.
He's been around the world, he's seen so many different styles,
he's learned so many different things and put them all together
into his own unique style.
[Mauro] Knuckle lock and that test of strength
won by Dean Ambrose using his head…
in a vicious manner.
-[Otunga] Oh! -[Mauro] Wow!
[shouts indistinctly]
Dropkick stopped Ambrose dead in his tracks!
[Otunga] You might add one thing that--
-[Mauro] Oh, cover here by Styles! -Two!
[JBL] David, what makes him so successful is the athleticism of AJ Styles.
[Otunga] Yeah, that was impressive. I mean, look at this.
Just sliding up. So smooth with the dropkick to finish it off.
[JBL] Textbook dropkick.
[Mauro] And yet, John, it's hard to prepare strategically
for an unpredictable champion like Dean Ambrose.
[JBL] He just had to be able-- Look, the key that AJ has
is he'd been in so many big matches, he'd been in so many big fights,
very little is gonna surprise him.
That being said, Dean Ambrose could be that person that surprises him.
[Mauro] Styles made a shocking debut in WWE
at this year's Royal Rumble,
battling the likes of Chris Jericho,
Roman Reigns, and now wanting to usurp Dean Ambrose,
a WWE World Champion.
Lateral press, hooks the leg, Styles goes for the pin.
-Ambrose having issues with his nose now. -[Otunga] Across that nose.
[JBL] Right on Dean Ambrose's nose.
[Otunga] Gonna make it incredibly difficult to breathe,
not to mention, Styles has been focused on the neck.
[Mauro] Yeah, pulverizing his proboscis in there!
A well-placed knee to the jaw!
I can do this all night, Ambrose.
[Mauro] Ambrose on the receiving end
of this versatile attack from AJ Styles.
That forearm shiver rocking the champion in the corner.
[Otunga] Ooh!
[JBL] It's all AJ right now.
[Mauro] There's no denying AJ Styles' talents.
His attitude…
one can take … as Ambrose turns the tables!
[crowd cheering]
And just like one of his heroes
Steve Austin wanting to try to stop a mud-hole through AJ Styles.
There are many similarities between Ambrose and Stone Cold
as Styles goes back first,
but avoids that attack,
and Ambrose crashing into the post!
[Otunga] Styles has been literally one step ahead.
[Mauro] The WWE World Title at stake.
[Otunga] Here comes Ambrose, Styles right out of the way! Oh!
Did you hear his head smack off the post?
[Mauro] Championship has been defended nine times at Backlash,
it has changed hands four times.
[JBL] Some of the things about Dean Ambrose.
That reckless style
has made him this massive fan favorite among the WWE Universe,
and also it's got him that Championship,
but it also could cost it like it just did.
[Mauro] And Ambrose coming back using his head.
His punches, his kicks, but look at Styles!
These series of forearms backing the champion into the corner again.
-Oh! -[Otunga] Ooh!
[JBL] This time it was Dean Ambrose that wasn't home.
[Mauro] And he'll try to capitalize on this.
Perches Styles on the top turnbuckle…
to go through that Spider German Suplex.
No, it's been defended by AJ Styles.
Oh, man.
Ambrose on the top turnbuckle.
Styles, desperately trying to hold on!
[all exclaim]
Both of them crash hard to the canvas!
The win knocked out of both of these
incredible athletes.
[Otunga] Goes back to what you were saying, John.
Two!
[JBL] This is what set the whole thing up.
Ambrose moves, takes advantage.
[Otunga] But Ambrose willing to put his own body at risk.
Look at this.
[JBL] It's been a reason of Ambrose's success,
but also could be a reason of him losing that Championship.
[Mauro] An avalanche belly-to-back superplex
that turned Styles inside out!
Now Ambrose off the ropes!
[Otunga] Ambrose, with his fanatical pace.
[Mauro] Man, what a crushing clothesline
by the WWE World Champion.
[Styles grunts]
[Mauro] Gets right into the boot of AJ Styles.
-Oh, ma-- Wow! -[Otunga] Oh, caught--
-[Mauro] The strike though-- -[Otunga] Ooh!
Beautiful backbreaker by Ambrose! Gets a two.
And straight for the champion on display as well, catching Styles.
[JBL] Got that quick cover as well, laying off all his weight on him.
Makes AJ Styles use energy to kick out of that pinning predicament.
[Mauro] War of attrition for the WWE World Championship.
SmackDown Live's inaugural pay-per-view Backlash.
[Otunga] He's trying to move out of the way, but…
[all exclaim]
[Mauro] Dropping the elbow and slamming AJ Styles on the outside!
The champion throwing caution to the wind!
[JBL] I don't think we expected anything different from Dean Ambrose.
[Mauro] Many thought it was AJ Styles with the wind at his back
as he's put together an incredible resume here in WWE,
but look at the champion!
Styles struggling to get to his feet.
Ambrose measuring him up.
[JBL] Again, Styles' not home.
[Mauro] Standing switch by Ambrose.
-Oh! -[Otunga] Ooh!
[Mauro] Sit out wheelbarrow facebuster!
[crowd] One, two…
[Mauro] Styles kicks off!
[JBL] Great counter by Dean Ambrose.
[Mauro] The Dodon in Japan!
Made famous by Ryusuke Taguchi.
But here Ambrose…
almost puts away Styles.
Again, Ambrose going to the rope, David.
[Otunga] Yeah, I mean, this is what's led him to where he is,
putting his body on the line.
[Styles yells]
[Mauro] Avoids that attack from Styles.
-[Otunga] Wait-- -[Mauro] Oh, Styles!
He was attempting that Calf Crusher, look at the--
-[Otunga] Oh! -Vertical suplex right into the turnbuckle
by AJ Styles!
Added impact!
[JBL] Styles using every bit of that ring to his advantage.
[Mauro] The quintessential Georgia bulldog AJ Styles
hoping to emulate the momentum of that college football team
with the win here tonight, and it's moves like that
that may bring him the WWE World Championship!
[JBL] Dean Ambrose may be…
[Mauro] Oh, looking for the Dirty Deeds!
Counter, fireman's carry!
Both of these individuals have done their homework.
-They know each other's-- -[all exclaim]
[Mauro] Ouch!
-[groaning] -[Mauro] Wow!
Oh, God!
Yes! Yes, yes, yes!
[Mauro] Referee asking Dean Ambrose if he can continue
after having his knee driven into the canvas!
[Otunga] AJ could be setting up for that Calf Crusher.
-Look at this. -[all exclaim]
[Otunga] All his weight right in the back of that knee.
[Mauro] Talk about crushing his calf.
And Ambrose…
Wow.
He's got one will.
What a grueling affair it has been
for the WWE World Championship.
AJ Styles continues to target the left leg of Ambrose.
[JBL] AJ Styles is willing to switch game plans.
He came out, like David was saying, going after that neck,
and he found, he sees an opening on the leg and that's what he's taking.
It shows you got a guy who's thinking out there,
which AJ Styles is famous for.
That's why he won so many championships all over the world.
[Mauro] Immense-a-level ring IQ.
Taking away the foundation of Dean Ambrose.
[grunts]
[Otunga] Let's go back. This is the injury to the knee here.
[Mauro] Oh!
[Otunga] Styles right down on the back and hasn't let up on its sense.
[JBL] Curt Hennig, Mr. Perfect used to do that to soften up his opponent.
[Mauro] Oh, and now it's Ambrose softening up AJ Styles' face.
That's one way to escape.
By any means necessary.
[crowd chanting indistinctly]
The WWE Universe…
chanting for both, Dean Ambrose and AJ Styles!
And there we go! He's got the Calf Crusher!
AJ Styles is one tap away
from becoming WWE World Champion!
[JBL] Dean Ambrose is a long way from help.
[Mauro] Styles wrenching back on the Calf Crusher!
[Otunga] Look at the heart, though. Powering through.
[Mauro] Trying to make it to the ropes!
The look of determination and pain! And he does it!
[JBL] But the question is how bad is that leg of Dean Ambrose?
[Mauro] How bad does AJ Styles want
to become WWE World Champion?
He's concurred every organization he's competed for.
But these opportunities are hard to come by in WWE!
He has a chance tonight! Wants to make the most of it!
And again!
[Otunga] And Dean Ambrose might have to tap.
[grunts]
I don't think I've ever seen him in these kind of-- Oh!
[Mauro] Oh!
[crowd cheering]
Ambrose…
escaping the Calf Crusher
by bouncing AJ Styles' head like a basketball!
Everyone around the world talking about this historic event,
SmackDown Live's inaugural pay-per-view Backlash!
And the WWE World Championship hanging in the balance!
[Otunga] Styles right back to that leg.
[Mauro] Oh… Styles looking for that Styles Clash!
A champion quick to grab the rope.
-Ooh! -[JBL] He didn't see that coming.
[Mauro] Cleans his clock with that kick.
An amazing display of heart and guts
by both AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose.
Oh, no.
Reversal by Ambrose.
-Oh, and he catapults Styles! -[Otunga] Oh! Ooh!
[Mauro] Show the first into that post!
[JBL] Styles could be out.
[Mauro] Yeah, glassy-eyed AJ Styles following this.
[Otunga] Look at this.
Catapults--
Oh, man! Straight into those steel ring post.
[Mauro] Styles crashing and burning,
Ambrose breaking the count.
[JBL] I think Ambrose can get a ten-count out if he wanted to.
He just doesn't want to.
[Mauro] Oh! Rapid lariat by Ambrose as Styles crashes into the barricade!
Ambrose with the momentum!
Styles wheeling.
Ambrose can barely do it hobbling,
but manages to secure the running bulldog.
La Magistral cradle by Ambrose!
[JBL] Whoa!
[Mauro] Wow.
The pendulum of momentum, David, swinging back and forth.
[Otunga] They shifted, yes.
This is what Ambrose has been trying to do for a long time
is to get back to his game plan,
which is just going out there and brawling.
[Mauro] Who has the bigger gas tank?
Oh!
Quick offense from AJ Styles!
Oh, it's Styles…
Fireman's carry to the neckbreaker!
This might be it! No!
So…
Styles so close.
[JBL] Styles is finding out the frustration
that so many people have with Dean Ambrose.
How in the world do you beat this lunatic?
[Mauro] Throwing everything at the WWE World Champion.
And look at Ambrose, fight off another attempt at the Styles Clash.
-[JBL] Ambrose almost on one leg. -[Mauro] Yep.
Oh, look at that.
Argentine neckbreaker--
-[Otunga] Oh! -[Mauro] Spin up powerbomb!
And Styles again
on the verge of becoming the new WWE World Champion.
Pulling out every trick in his fast arsenal.
[Otunga] Yet nothing can stop Dean Ambrose yet.
This guy's back has to be numb at this point.
[Mauro] The WWE Universe enjoying every single scintillating second.
Let's see if he gets up from this one.
[JBL] Styles voicing his frustration.
Saying, "Let's see if he gets up from this one."
-[Mauro] Springboard… -[Otunga] Whoa!
[JBL] He hit it! He hit it!
This has to be it! We have a new WWE--
[Otunga] Oh!
[Mauro] Incredible resolve on the part of Dean Ambrose
with every one of his fibers was forced to kick out.
Three.
[Mauro] And… and, John, David--
[Otunga] Look at this, look at this.
This dude just hit a springboard 450.
Look at how beautiful this is.
Wow. Rotation.
[Mauro] John, frustration can be your worst enemy
in a match of this kind.
[JBL] Yeah, one thing that AJ Styles has to rely on
is his years and years of experience,
but as we said before, he's never experienced
anything like Dean Ambrose.
[Mauro] Counter neckbreaker by Ambrose.
[JBL] No one has. We've never seen anything like this lunatic.
[Mauro] The Lunatic Fringe.
[Styles] Stay down!
[Mauro] Styles imploring him to stay down,
but instead, the fighting champion fights back!
Series of Muay Thai knee strikes!
[all exclaim]
[Mauro] Wrecking ball dropkick at Styles!
-[Otunga] Styles might be out. -[Mauro] With a thud!
A fight for the ages for the WWE World Championship.
They're running it all, hang out here in SmackDown Live!
-[JBL] It's what you expect. -…pay-per-view!
[all exclaiming]
And Styles crashes down in front of us!
Here Ambrose takes out the challenger!
[crowd cheering]
Chaos here at the Richmond Coliseum again…
Ambrose just deposited Styles over the barricade!
[Otunga] He was just literally throwing him all over the arena.
[JBL] What in the world is he gonna do now?
[Mauro] The Lunatic Fringe.
The Richmond Coliseum has become the Ambrose's Asylum!
-[Otunga] Oh! -[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] What does the WWE World Championship mean to Dean Ambrose,
we just received our answer, David!
[Otunga] I think we did.
He's willing to go to any length.
[Mauro] An incredible match-up for the WWE World Championship.
Ambrose is out!
[JBL] Ambrose is absolutely out.
[crowd chanting] This is awesome!
[JBL] And crowd is shouting, "This is awesome." I have to agree.
[Mauro] Yes, it is!
Ambrose coming back…
Pelé Kick by Styles!
-Oh, but Ambrose-- -[Otunga] Oh!
He just leveled him with a Lunatic Lariat!
[JBL] Just took AJ Styles out of his books.
[crowd cheering]
[Mauro] Ambrose feels he's on the verge
of eliminating one of his toughest challengers yet!
Is he gonna get the Dirty Deeds? No!
He backed into the referee!
[Mauro] Referee Mike Chioda has been taken out of the--
Oh! Just kicked him low!
-Low blow! -[Otunga] No!
[Mauro] Oh, no!
Styles Clash, referee missed the low blow!
[crowd] One, two, three!
-[bell dings] -AJ Styles has done it!
[AJ Styles' theme song playing]
[announcer] Here is your winner.
And the new WWE World Champion,
AJ Styles!
[JBL] When you're talking about a career-defining moment
beating John Cena, this is a career-making moment as well!
[Mauro] Something most of us thought we'd never see.
AJ Styles in possession
of the WWE World Championship!
But the Champion Dean Ambrose gave it everything he had.
[Otunga] Look at this.
Knocking AJ to the floor and dive on him,
throwing him all over, dive to the floor again!
[Mauro] But it came down to this!
[JBL] AJ… Look at this.
He noticed the referee was down.
He noticed the referee wasn't looking.
And he goes low
to get the one championship that has eluded him his entire career!
And his career may be considered complete,
but I gotta ask you, these legions of fans that AJ Styles has,
are they considering this a tainted victory?
AJ Styles!
[Otunga] I don't think AJ even cares.
He's the champion, that's all he's concerned about.
Not how he did it, but he did it.
[JBL] I think you may be right, David,
but how is the WWE Universe gonna perceive AJ Styles now
for taking a shortcut at the end
one hell of a classic WWE Championship Match?
[Mauro] AJ Styles caps off a historic night
here at SmackDown Live's inaugural pay-per-view Backlash.
AJ Styles is the WWE World Champion!
But at what cost to his legacy?
[theme song continues] legacy?