[dramatic music]
[narrator] Then...
now...
forever...
Together.
[Cole] This is France's third-largest city,
a cultural hub in the Renaissance
and, today, a cinema and food capital of the world.
Welcome to Lyon, a city of a half-million people
at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone rivers.
Lyon is nestled in the southeast corner of France
in the shadow of the Swiss Alps,
just a two-hour train ride from Paris.
And tonight, just outside City Center,
we're at the old LDLC Arena,
playing host to the first WWE Premium Live event
in the history of France, sold out for Backlash.
[hip-hop music]
Well, he's the undisputed WWE Champion,
The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes, his first TV title defense
since winning the championship at WrestleMania.
His challenger tonight is looking
for his third WWE Championship, a new attitude and all.
The phenomenal AJ Styles is here.
They are a superhero-like tag team.
The EST of WWE, Bianca Belair and her impressive powerhouse
of a partner, Jade Cargill.
The question is, can they wrestle the Tag Team Titles
away from the dangerous,
elusive Kabuki Warriors, along with Dakota Kai, Asuka,
and Kairi of Damage CTRL?
Well, he cashed in at Money in the Bank,
his contract at WrestleMania to win his first world championship.
Tonight, his first defense.
Damian Priest versus this man, a red hot main event,
Jey Uso, looking for his first singles championship tonight.
[crowd cheering]
The LDLC Arena is packed to the rafters.
This is WWE Backlash!
[narrator] For the first time ever
WWE Premium Live event.
In Lyon, France.
Hopping across the pond.
[narrator speaking French]
[narrator 2] Hosting the biggest stars in sports entertainment.
-[narrator] Ever higher. -[narrator 2] The question is--
[narrator] Can Lyon withstand an event of this magnitude?
Tonight, it's time to make hot new headlines.
And finish some new stories.
Because when the stakes are this high--
[roars]
The world tunes in.
And we turn up.
♪ All rise! ♪
[dramatic music]
And you think, they're gonna feed me to you?
I'm gonna knock the heat out your ass.
[audience chanting]
[Cole] This is about more than friendship.
[man] The gloves are truly off.
[Cole] It's okay to stare at this.
[chanting]
[cheering]
[Corey] When one good story ends,
an even better one- begins.
["War" by ArrDee playing]
♪ Ready for war ♪
♪ Ain't about ♪
I'm going to demolish everything.
If you come at The King, you best not miss.
♪ If they want a battle, I'm ready for war ♪
♪ Woo I come from the struggle ♪
♪ I love all the trouble I've been here before ♪
♪ I'm done and I'm sick of the talk ♪
♪ Their smiling faces ♪
♪ Not anymore, yeah ♪
♪ Kick in the door, kick in the door ♪
♪ I've been in the gutter I came from the mould ♪
♪ I can give you a tour If they want a battle ♪
♪ I'm ready for war ♪
[Corey] For the first time ever, a Premium Live event
is coming to France.
-Welcome… -[cheering]
…to WWE Backlash.
♪ Ready for war ♪
[narrator] And now, live from Lyon-Décines,
France, WWE presents Backlash.
♪ If they want a battle I'm ready for war ♪
♪ I come from the struggle ♪
[Cole] You are looking live
at the sold out LDLC Arena
in Lyon, France.
11,682 WWE fans are here tonight.
There are four Championships up for grabs.
This is Backlash.
Corey, it is loud as hell in here tonight.
[Corey] You're talking about looking live.
How about listening?
How about feeling and experiencing the atmosphere
tonight in Lyon?
Last night, Triple H sending out a tweet.
There were alarms going off all over this arena
because of the noise level.
Lenny would be proud, boss man.
We are just getting started.
Backlash in Lyon, France, here we go!
[cheering]
[metal music]
[bell ringing]
[Samantha] The following contest is a Tag Team Match
scheduled for One Fall.
Introducing first from Mirabel, Quebec, Canada,
weighing at 256 pounds,
Kevin Owens!
[cheering]
[Cole] Kevin Owens is fired up tonight
as he kicks off Backlash.
[Corey] Oh, I don't know if there's another Superstar on the roster
who feeds off the passion of the fans
quite like Kevin Owens does.
[cheering]
[shouting]
[chanting]
Woo!
[chanting]
[Cole] Kevin Owens soaking in an incredible
emotional moment here tonight.
For the first time ever, a Premium Live event has come
to the country of France.
["Voices" by Rev Theory playing]
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
♪ They counsel me ♪
♪ They understand ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
[cheering]
♪ You got your rules and your religion ♪
♪ All designed to keep you safe ♪
♪ But when rules start getting broken ♪
♪ You start questioning your faith ♪
♪ I have a voice that is my savior ♪
♪ Hates to love ♪
♪ And loves to hate ♪
♪ I have a voice that has the knowledge ♪
♪ And the power to rule your fate ♪
♪ I hear voices crying ♪
♪ I see heroes dying ♪
♪ I taste blood that's drying ♪
♪ I feel tension rising ♪
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
♪ They counsel me ♪
♪ They understand ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ They tell me things that I will do ♪
♪ They show me things I do to you ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ Talk to me ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ Talk to me ♪
♪ All the lawyers are defenseless ♪
[announcer] And his tag team partner
from Saint Louis, Missouri, weighing in at 275 pounds,
The Viper,
Randy Orton!
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen,
I get paid to do this,
but tonight I'm not gonna have to provide the soundtrack, I don't believe,
because 11,000 plus in Lyon are doing that
quite nicely already tonight.
[Corey] Never felt so good to feel so useless, Michael Cole.
♪ They understand ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ They tell me things that I will do ♪
♪ They show me things I'll do to you ♪
♪ They talk to me ♪
♪ Talk to me ♪
[cheering]
♪ I hear voices crying ♪
♪ I see heroes dying ♪
So, Corey, what does The Rock do?
You slap your forearm, the instant goosebumps.
It's happening all around us.
Hey, everybody. Michael Cole, the voice of SmackDown.
Corey Graves.
So honored to be a part of your day today for Backlash.
Much like we are honored to sit beside a couple
of hometown living legends.
Of course, they are the voices of WWE in France,
Christophe Agius and Philippe Chéreau.
-[the crowd sings "They talk to me"] -Merci, Michael. Merci, Corey.
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
♪ Your religion ♪
♪ They're designed to keep you safe ♪
♪ But when rules start getting broken ♪
[Cole] So for Kevin Owens and Randy Orton,
it is time to get down to business
because this Tag Team matchup tonight
is as personal as it comes.
Years of history with The Bloodline
for both Orton and K.O.
[hip-hop music]
♪ We're taking it all ♪
♪ Settle the score ♪
♪ No, I will not take a loss ♪
♪ Taking it all, we don't want ♪
♪ To the door ♪
♪ Dropping it down to the floor ♪
♪ We're taking it all ♪
[Samantha] And their opponents,
accompanied to the ring by WWE Hall of Famer, The Wiseman,
-Paul Heyman! -[chanting]
The team of Tama Tonga
and Solo Sikoa!
Hey, hey, huh?
Hey, hey!
[Cole] Tonight's the first televised match in WWE
for that man, Tama Tonga, the son of the legendary Haku,
joining Solo Sikoa tonight to take on Orton and Kevin Owens.
Paul Heyman perhaps reluctant
to be following along behind Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga tonight, Corey.
Remember, Paul Heyman said last night that Roman Reigns left him in charge,
but it doesn't mean that The Wiseman is in control.
[Corey] It was an incredibly rare slip of the tongue by The Wiseman
that has cast doubt over the entire Bloodline.
I know no more than you do, Michael Cole.
I'm asking the same questions.
Nobody knows for sure except for Paul Heyman,
who we know has had an adversarial relationship
with the truth at best.
[Cole] Yeah, Paul Heyman claiming
he has not spoken to Roman Reigns since WrestleMania.
So the question is, is that man the new boss?
Is Solo Sikoa the man now in charge of The Bloodline?
[Corey] Only time will tell.
And even then, questions remain.
♪ Down to the floor ♪
[Corey] The WWE Universe is about to get their first look at the MFT, Tama Tonga,
a barbaric competitor,
a man who is ruthless.
[chanting]
Okay, guys, one in, one out.
[chanting]
[cheering]
[Cole] Get on it!
Wasting little time.
The bell hasn't even rung, but the brawl is underway!
[Corey] Good luck with this one, Dan Angler.
It is out of hand and the opening bell hasn't even rang yet.
[Cole] And meanwhile-
and Kevin Owens right in front of the announce table already.
This is going to be a fight.
It's not going to be for the weak of heart.
An all out street brawl- underway!
[Corey] Bound by a common enemy, The Bloodline.
Owens and Orton standing side-by-side,
throwing fists, punching faces, trying to settle a score.
[chanting]
[Cole] Randy Orton is not forgotten.
The Bloodline cost him nearly a year of his career.
Kevin Owens should be Undisputed Champion today,
if it wasn't for The Bloodline.
And now Tonga and Owens beat the hell out of each other.
[Corey] We're about to call this
match off unless we get control.
[Cole] Officials are down here,
producers and agents as well,
trying to separate these four men.
[Corey] It's an absolute melee to open Backlash.
[Cole] And just think, Kevin Owens, a flippant-
remark leading to this scene here tonight.
[Corey] But, again, there are no lengths to which Tama Tonga won't go
to settle the score. There are no depths to which he won't stoop.
-[Cole] Oh! -[Corey] Finish the job!
[Cole] Kevin Owens, stunning security!
[cheering]
[Corey] What is even happening?
[Cole] Owens is trying to get his hands on Tama.
[Nick] That's enough!
That's enough!
Hey.
[booing]
Hold up.
That's enough. Stop it.
Damn it.
I said stop it.
All right.
All right, boys.
You want to disregard the rules?
You want to stun referees?
You want to stun security?
Well, guess what?
As they say [speaking French].
Do whatever you want because this match is now
no disqualification, no countout.
It's a street fight.
Referee, ring the damn bell.
[Cole] General Manager, Nick Aldis,
of SmackDown, great move.
Let them fight.
Throw the rules out the window.
Tonga with that PRIME hydration bottle,
whipped it at Kevin Owens.
And now Orton and Solo through the crowd.
[Corey] Orton and Solo Sikoa are battling through the arena.
Kevin Owens may leave imprints on the skull of Tama Tonga.
And it's all perfectly legal street fight rules.
[Cole] Yeah, this is Live action
both parts of your screen.
Orton and Sikoa on the steps here in the arena.
Kevin Owens at ringside with Tama Tonga.
[cheering]
[chanting] Randy!
Randy!
[Corey] Orton now dragging Solo Sikoa even higher
up the stairs.
This is a catastrophic situation for anybody to be in.
[Cole] And now Owens and Tonga and the WWE fans
right behind the announce desk here.
And now Owens dragging him even deeper into the sea of people.
[Corey] Orton with a well-placed thumb
to the eye of Solo, the enforcer of The Bloodline.
And now The Viper raining down right hands.
And if it's not nailed down, it's fair game.
[Cole] Corey, you've been following this for weeks and weeks now.
You knew this was gonna happen.
It was just on the surface ready to explode, and it exploded tonight.
[Corey] The fuse has been getting shorter
and shorter by the day.
It has popped off and there's no better scene
than tonight in Backlash.
[Cole] Randy Orton, who's proven over the years
that he can brawl with the best of them,
the 14-time World Champion.
[chanting] K.O.! K.O.!
K.O.! K.O.!
K.O.!
[Cole] It is thunderous in here.
[Corey] Is it too early to start worrying about Kevin Owens' personal safety?
You know how he gets when the crowd gets fired up.
[shouting]
[Cole] Our cameraman just trying to keep up with the action
as Kevin Owens has run across the arena now to attack Solo Sikoa.
[shouting]
Just a dizzying start to Backlash.
[chanting]
[Corey] Orton now once again in the ringside area,
potentially looking for more weaponry and plunder.
[Cole] Now, Randy Orton saying, where is he?
Where is Tama Tonga?
[shouts]
[Cole] Now, Solo stomping.
I believe Tama Tonga's wrapped around Owens.
[chanting]
Tama Tonga was able to get the jump on K.O. from behind
out in the WWE fans and Orton's unaware.
[Cole] Yeah, Randy does-- he doesn't have any idea
that Solo and Tonga are double teaming Kevin Owens right now.
[Corey] This is a next to impossible scene
to follow here in the arena. Luckily, you and I have monitors
in front of our face, Cole.
[Cole] Randy Orton back into the fray now.
And now Randy Orton, the apex predator, with a headbutt.
And one to Sikoa.
[chanting]
[shouting]
[shouts]
[Corey] We expected full savagery
from all four competitors.
It's exactly what we're getting!
[Cole] That superkick by Owens to Sikoa.
And now he's going to drag Sikoa
back into the ringside area up over the barricade.
And Owens and Orton seem to be in control.
[cheering]
K.O. off the barricade!
[shouting]
Works tonight.
I'll do what I do best, just beating the hell out of somebody.
[applause]
[Corey] That's a veteran mentality for you, Cole.
-[Cole] And Tonga now-- -[Corey] Oh, my goodness.
[Cole] …bounched off the steal steps by Orton.
Randy Orton just dragging Tama Tonga now
in front of the French announce table.
And I believe we're gonna see a classic move by Randy Orton.
[applause]
[Corey] Tama Tonga, welcome to WWE.
[shouting]
[Cole] And now our table for good measure.
There goes my phone.
[Corey] I got a cameraman and Tama Tonga on my lap.
[cheering]
[Cole] Well, we're five minutes into the night.
We've got a destroyed monitor, destroyed cell phone, and a--
a destroyed Tama Tonga.
[Corey] The PRIME Hydration station's down.
It's less for us to pack on the way home.
[Cole] Whoa!
And Kevin Owens planting Sikoa on the steps.
[cheering]
This has been one of the wildest starts
I can ever imagine, that I can ever remember.
[chanting]
[Corey] Orton and Owens looking for more destruction and havoc to wreak.
Randy Orton telling the fans, take a step back so I can do that.
[shouting]
[Cole] Garbage can off the face of Tonga-- uh Tama,
welcome to WWE.
[Corey] My god.
[chanting]
[shouting]
[Cole] Kevin Owens and Randy Orton is having a field day!
[Corey] Orton fetching Kendo sticks from under the ring.
[chanting]
K.O. swinging them--
I think the Pirates could use Owens in the lineup.
[shouting echoes]
[Cole] They still play? Oh!
[Corey] Oh, my god!
[applause]
Oh, Randy's got that look in his eye.
Be careful.
[Cole] Yeah, I'm gonna take a step back.
[Corey] I'm all tangled up.
I don't--
[Cole] This is an incredible scene here tonight.
Owens, and Kevin,
and now Randy Orton are beating the hell out of Tonga and Sikoa.
[chanting]
[Corey] Uh-oh, no.
I don't know what Owens is thinking,
-but I guarantee you-- -[Cole] Oh!
[Corey] …it ain't gonna feel good for Tama Tonga.
-[Cole] And again! -[Owens] Get a good shot!
[Cole] And now Owens is playing director.
[applause]
And now it's Solo's turn.
[Corey] This contest has gone way over!
Table's weak.
[Corey] Now doing commentary mid-match.
[cheering]
[Cole] What did he say?
[Corey] I don't know.
I got 11,000 plus maniacs screaming.
I'm lucky I can hear you.
[Cole] Well, guess what?
It's about to get worse.
[Corey] Randy Orton rearranging the furniture.
[shouting]
[Cole] The Bloodline does not know what hit them tonight.
[Corey] Oh, have we ever seen this?
Have we ever seen a scenario
where The Bloodline just straight up looked outgunned?
[chanting]
[Cole] Orton is still pounding away at Solo Sikoa.
Kevin Owens now trying to drag the carcass of Tonga back to his feet.
[Corey] Look at the welts across the back of Tama Tonga,
inflicted via Kendo stick.
And his night's about to get even worse,
courtesy of the prizefighter.
[Cole] And Tonga fighting back now,
at least momentarily, before being bounced off the apron.
[Corey] As a matter of self-preservation,
these guys are fighting for their lives out there.
[shouting]
[chanting]
[Cole] Owens threw Tonga through the table!
[shouting]
[Cole] Have you ever seen Kevin Owens
in this vile of a mood?
[Corey] I blame the WWE Universe.
They made him this way.
He is rabid tonight, put The Viper back in the center
of the ring with Solo Sikoa.
Ooh.
[Cole] And Solo with the right hand stunning Randy Orton.
And The Bloodline needs this.
They need to try to slow things down.
They need to try to take control.
This could be the moment and the opportunity.
Solo dropped through the table to Orton!
[Corey] And just that quickly, the heavy-handed Street Champion enforcer,
Solo Sikoa turns the tides of the matchup.
[shouting]
And now, look out.
[Cole] Kevin Owens stalking Solo.
Moments ago, it was a splash through the table.
Then the Samoan drop.
Now the fight's on again.
[chanting]
Kevin went for the stunner.
Solo able to counter in a clothesline!
And that right there could turn the complexion of this match around.
[Corey] Damn sure just turned Kevin Owens inside out.
Thunderous impact on the clothesline by Solo.
[chanting]
[Cole] And now Solo Sikoa has regained control
of this match, the man who's obviously making a play
to run things in The Bloodline. And now Tama Tonga back into the ring.
[booing]
[Cole] Tama Tonga is nothing short of a rabid animal from bell to bell.
Case in point right now.
[Cole] The Tonga strong machine
just unloading on Kevin Owens!
The ruthlessness.
[Corey] Tonga may be new to The Bloodline, but not new to this game.
A seven-time IWGP Tag Team Champion
before arriving in WWE.
Tama Tonga is legit.
He is lethal.
[Cole] Yeah, four time, NEVER Openweight Champion as well.
The son of Haku, as we mentioned before.
One of the original members of the Bullet Club.
Great matches over the years with Bullet Club member, Karl Anderson,
and the likes of Shinto and Evil as well,
as now Tonga is just hammering away
with a Kendo stick on Owens.
[booing]
[Corey] And Tonga now allowing the honors to Solo.
[chanting]
[Cole] Ooh, and a Kendo to the ribs,
dropping Owens back into the corner.
And you just knew, Corey, that at some point in this match,
The Bloodline was going to slow down the pace
and begin the savage attack.
[Corey] I'm surprised it took this long, but let's be honest,
The Bloodline was completely overwhelmed
out of the gate by Randy Orton and Kevin Owens.
I don't even think Solo or Thomas saw this coming.
[Cole] Do you see Paul Heyman looking on at ringside?
He warned Randy Orton.
He warned Kevin Owens what awaited them here tonight.
He begged those two men to call off this match,
to not get involved with a Bloodline unlike any Bloodline
we've ever seen here in WWE.
[Corey] But far be it from Owens
or Orton to heed anybody's warnings about backing down from a fight.
[Cole] Oh!
[Corey] This is what Owens wanted.
This is what Orton asked for.
Tonga ruthless, merciless.
Solo Sitoa's MFT.
[chanting]
You just saw again Solo giving the order
and the MTF, Tama Tonga returning with a trash can.
[Cole] Oh, and a spear by Owens!
Actually, a double A takedown!
And now hammering away.
And then from behind, Solo with the garbage can.
Now, remember, if you're just joining us here tonight,
this is all legal.
SmackDown General Manager, Nick Aldis, made this a street fight.
Anything goes after the match started.
Well, the match didn't even start.
There was a brawl before the bell could even ring.
[chanting]
No idea where Randy Orton is.
He was taken out.
[shouts]
[Corey] Which does not bode well for Owens,
to be in this environment,
in this situation, without Randy Orton to watch his back.
We saw two weeks ago when Orton came to Owen's aid,
K.O. hugged Randy Orton out of desperation.
[Cole] Everyone in The Bloodline is family.
South Pacific Islanders sticking together,
that's what you see with Tonga and Solo Sikoa here.
And now tables for The Bloodline.
[cheering]
Owens back to his feet.
Rebellious look toward Paul Heyman.
[audience chanting] K.O.! K.O.!
K.O.! K.O.!
[Corey] But no quit in the heart of Kevin Owens,
no matter how bleak things may look.
[booing]
[chanting]
[Cole] Yeah, but, Corey, sometimes-
…even Kevin Owens- can't take this much.
[chanting]
[Corey] Solo Sikoa savoring the suffering of Kevin Owens,
willfully looking to push Owens past his breaking point.
[Cole] Solo to the table!
Great counter by Owens!
[cheering]
[Corey] Here comes Tonga!
[Cole] And with a clothesline, dropping Owens in the middle of the ring.
The fact that Tonga was able to survive
the early on assault by Owens and Orton is remarkable.
[chanting]
[Corey] Take a look at the impact on the clothesline from the MFT,
turning the tides again out of the favor of Kevin Owens.
And, Cole, I don't know about you, but have you had a chance to glimpse
into the eyes of Tama Tonga? It's unsettling.
-[Cole] Yeah, there's nothing there. -[Corey] It's blank.
It's like staring into the abyss.
I don't know what makes the guy tick.
[chanting]
[Cole] Paul Heyman with just almost a look of--
like he's given up.
[chanting]
[Corey] I would think The Wiseman should be ecstatic right now.
[chanting]
[Cole] Tonga talking trash.
Meanwhile, stalking from behind,
the WWE's apex predator.
[cheering]
And Lyon is letting Tama know.
[shouting]
The first--
[Corey] This dude's nuts!
This dude's out of his mind!
He's smiling at Randy Orton!
[Cole] And he's chattering at him as well.
Orton ducks the chair.
Randy now with a clothesline.
Down goes Tama.
[chanting]
Powerslam!
[cheering]
[chanting]
[shouts]
[Cole inaudible]
Randy Orton!
[shouting]
[Corey] And The Viper is coiled, ready to strike.
[chanting]
[Cole] He's in position to try to put Tonga away.
[chanting]
[Corey] Oh, K.O.!
[Cole] Oh!
Cover for the win!
Pump to the leg and breaking up is Solo Sikoa!
[chanting]
[Corey] Just a vicious assault now being launched by Solo.
[Cole] And now Randy Orton on our announce table.
Solo Sikoa gonna bounce Randy Orton face first.
And the look in the eyes, the intensity in the eyes of Sikoa now.
Solo Sikoa cleaning up our announce table.
[Corey] Solo's thinking about the end,
the end of this match, the end of this fight,
the end of Randy Orton.
[Cole] Yeah, and maybe Randy's career.
Kevin Owen's as well.
[audience chanting] Solo sucks.
Solo sucks.
[Cole] Solo has to pick up where The Bloodline left off.
[audience chanting] Solo sucks.
Solo sucks.
[Cole] Headbutt now Randy Orton dropped on our announce table.
Solo Sikoa now going to go up.
Solo Sikoa, what does he have planned?
What does Solo have planned?
Randy, no clue where he's at.
[chanting]
Dangerous situation for Orton here.
[chanting]
[Corey] I think Solo's lining up the Samoan Spike.
[shouting]
[shouts]
[Cole] Orton RKO'd on the table!
RKO on the table from out of nowhere!
[Corey] But how much damage did Randy inflict on himself?
[shouting]
Orton just came back from back surgery.
[Cole] Solo was going for the spike.
Randy Orton countered with an RKO.
[Corey] But back in the ring, Kevin Owens
is on his own two feet again, standing over a fallen MFT!
[chanting]
[Cole] Owens with a steel chair in hand.
He's going to unload now- on Tama Tonga!
[shouting]
[cheering]
[shouting]
[Corey] Oh, no.
Kevin, what are you thinking?
[cheering]
[Cole] Kevin Owens has lost it.
[Corey] No, no, Cole, that's the problem.
Kevin Owens knows exactly what the hell he's gonna do.
[Cole] He stooped to the level of Tonga.
And Solo Sikoa of The Bloodline now with his relentless assault.
[cheering]
[Corey] All of the vitriol within Kevin Owens
raining down upon Tama Tonga.
And this could be the beginning of the end.
[shouting]
[Cole] Tonga placed across the steel chairs.
Now back to his feet
as Kevin Owens was going to the top rope.
[Corey] I think the MFT may have avoided certain disaster.
[Cole] Yeah, self-preservation.
[shouting]
Try to now send Owens to the chairs.
Owen's trying to counter.
Big uppercut by Tonga.
[shouting]
Now, Tonga going to climb up and meet Kevin Owens there.
Dangerous predicament for these two Superstars.
[Corey] Series of headbutts.
Tama, I know you're new around here,
but this is never good to try.
[Cole] Hooked him!
He hooked him!
Brainbuster through the chairs!
[cheering]
Holy cow.
[chanting]
Kevin Owens trying to crawl to the cover…
-…to put Tonga away. -1, 2--
-Meanwhile, who the-- -[Corey] Who the hell?
Who the hell? Oh, my god.
-Cole, is that-- -[Cole] Yes.
Oh, my god. Corey!
[Corey] You know what that is.
[Cole] Corey, Oh, my god, that-- that's Tanga Loa!
That's Tama Tonga's brother!
That's Tonga's brother!
Another member of The Bloodline has arrived!
[Corey] And look at Paul Heyman's face.
Heyman is as shocked as anyone in this arena.
[Cole] And now the-- Orton.
And now off Kevin Owens as well.
[booing]
A hush has come over this arena.
Kevin Owens, uranage through the chair.
We thought it was over with that fisherman's buster,
but then…
…Tama Tonga's brother arriving on the scene.
Samoan Spike to Kevin Owens!
Cover!
1, 2…
[Cole] The Bloodline rules!
-[bell rings] -[hip-hop music]
♪ Taking it all ♪
[Samantha] Here are your winners,
the team of Tama Tonga
and Solo Sikoa!
[Cole] Corey, guerrilla warfare tonight.
[Corey] Destiny has brought Tanga Loa
back to The Bloodline.
♪ I can't follow no dreams ♪
[Cole] One of the most vicious, one of the most action packed,
one of the most ruthless,
one of the most relentless matches I've ever witnessed.
And Paul Heyman now just trying to keep The Bloodline
under some semblance of control.
Kevin Owens is out.
[Corey] But, Cole, no one in this building was as shocked
at the arrival of Tanga Loa as Paul Heyman.
[Cole] Well, first, going for the spike,
Randy Orton gave his team life.
[Corey] Randy Orton did his best to keep
he and Owens in the battle.
And Kevin Owens hit the Hail Mary,
the brainbuster, off the top turnbuckle.
Victory was imminent, but from behind
the brother of Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa,
the other son of Haku arrived
and raised all types of hell at the expense of The Viper and Owens.
[Cole] And then the uranage by Solo Sikoa
through the steel chairs, followed by the Samoan Spike.
1, 2…
[Corey] Oh, I never in a million years thought we would see what we just did.
♪ Taking it off ♪
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen,
you are looking at an obviously out of control,
a rogue bloodline,
as Solo Sikoa continues to make a play,
a hostile takeover, perhaps, as the leader of The Bloodline.
[Corey] But the fact remains,
they are still as deep as they are dangerous.
[hip-hop music]
[Cole] Can we catch our breath?
Well, I guess not because when Backlash returns,
it's Triple Threat action for the WWE Women's Championship,
Bayley defending against Naomi and Tiffany Stratton.
["War" by ArrDee playing]
♪ Kick it again ♪
♪ I come from the mud I can give you… ♪
[Cole] Let's look at the paths of all three women,
who want nothing more than to leave Lyon, France,
WWE Women's Champion.
♪ Not anymore Yeah ♪
♪ Kicking the door Woo ♪
♪ Been in the gutter ♪
♪ I call for the mud ♪
♪ I can give you a tour ♪
[Corey] This was moments ago, the aftermath.
Oh, I'm sorry, this is live still.
Owens and Orton haven't even been able to make it backstage yet.
-[Cole] Well, they-- -[Corey] The beating they suffered.
[Cole] Corey, they have no idea what hit 'em.
I mean, I'm as shocked as everyone in this arena,
everybody watching at home.
Just when you think The Bloodline can't get any bigger,
just when you think it can't expand,
just when you think it can't get any more dangerous,
this happens.
[Corey] You haven't been paying attention.
[Corey] Bayley suffering through excruciating pain right now!
[cheering]
History is on the line!
[dramatic music]
Down goes Iyo!
Making the climb!
The Champion is down!
Big elbow by Bayley!
Rose plant!
Can she do it?!
Bayley did it!
[cheering]
Talk about gutsy, courageous, brave.
Bayley, for the fourth time in her career
and for the first time in WrestleMania,
can call herself Women's Champion!
[audience chanting] Bayley! Bayley!
Bayley!
[Bayley] And I feel so damn proud
to call myself your new WWE Undisputed Women's Champion.
I am so excited to start this brand new journey with you.
So why don't we start it off by giving out a brand new opportunity?
[audience chanting] Bayley!
Bayley
It's Tiffy time.
I accept.
It is Tiffy time.
[Corey] The center of the universe, Tiffany Stratton.
[Commentator] Tiffany Stratton may well be installed
as the best athlete in the entire women's division
in all of WWE.
[Cole] Showing off that Team USA Gymnastics background!
[Tiffany] When I look in the mirror, I think to myself, I am the epitome
of what a true WWE Superstar is.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but I actually had somebody in mind,
-The one and only Naomi. -[cheering]
[Corey] This is not the same Naomi that we knew.
Naomi could be as dangerous now as she has ever been.
[dramatic music]
[Cole] Former two-time SmackDown Women's Champion,
a Tag Team Champion.
[Naomi] I have earned every single thing
that I have gotten here in the WWE,
and I don't plan on stopping now.
[cheering]
[Corey] Bayley will make her first title defense
against longtime friend and former Champion, Naomi.
The WWE Women's Championship hanging in the balance!
Bayley to Belly under the desk!
[Cole] Oh!
[Corey] Tiffany Stratton!
["War" by ArrDee playing]
What the hell does Tiffany Stratton think she's doing?
♪ Faces Not anymore ♪
[commentator] If they won't give it to us,
she's going to take it.
[Corey] Prettiest moonsault Ever!
[Cole] Bayley will have to defend her WWE Women's Championship
in a Triple Threat Match.
[Tiffany] Who better than the center
of the universe herself to win the WWE Women's Championship?
♪ I'm done ♪
♪ And I'm seeking a cure For the smiling faces ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
[Tiffany] Just love the sound of that.
[Corey] Stratton never afraid to step on toes on her way up the mountain.
[Naomi] And there is nothing that I'm going to let get in the way
of me making the most of this moment.
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ If it happens, it happens It's true ♪
♪ But if they want a battle ♪
♪ I'm ready for war ♪
[Bayley] There's one thing that's not going to change,
and that's me as your WWE Women's Champion.
♪ Yeah Kicking the door ♪
♪ Woo, woo ♪
♪ Been in the gutter I come from the mud ♪
♪ I can give you a tour Ready for more ♪
♪ Ready for more ♪
♪ It's Tiffy time ♪
[cheering]
[upbeat music]
♪ Drop ♪
♪ I'm going in ♪
♪ Bass so loud it's in my skin ♪
♪ Drop ♪
♪ I want to see you drop ♪
[booing]
Tiffy time.
It's my world you're all living in.
[Corey] Michael Cole, as unpopular as this opinion may be,
Tiffany Stratton has got to be
considered a dark horse to leave France
as the new WWE Women's Champion.
[Cole] Yeah, but, Corey,
let's think about what Tiffany Stratton has accomplished over
her only two and a half years so far here in WWE.
[Cole] Tiffany, of course, coming from NXT.
And NXT Battleground is headed to Vegas
for WWE's first ever event at the UFC APEX.
♪ I want to see you drop ♪
[Corey] What she lacks in experience,
she makes up for with limitless confidence
and raw athletic prowess.
You mentioned Team USA Gymnastics.
This woman is a powerhouse and a freakish athlete.
[pop music]
♪ N-A-O-M-I ♪
[laughs]
♪ Let's go! ♪
♪ The Beast is out the cage ♪
♪ You know I on that stage ♪
♪ We not the competition No ♪
♪ And make them go insane ♪
♪ My head is in the game ♪
♪ I make them feel the pain ♪
♪ I hear people scream my name ♪
♪ One, three! ♪
♪ Go, go, go, go, go, go ♪
♪ Pump your fist ♪
♪ Let's go! ♪
♪ Go, go, go, go, go, go ♪
♪ Pump your fist ♪
♪ Let's go! ♪
[crowd chanting]
♪ It's out of our control ♪
♪ Turn it up some more ♪
[Cole] Naomi basking in the glow
of the WWE faithful tonight at Backlash.
♪ Let's go ♪
[Cole] And Naomi is still eager to prove
that she is better than she's ever been.
Naomi set a record in this year's Royal Rumble
when she lasted a minute.
I should say one hour, two minutes,
and 10 seconds, a record that only lasted for a few moments
before Bayley would break it,
going on to win the Rumble match.
[Corey] And the WWE Women's Championship at WrestleMania.
♪ Go Pump your fist ♪
♪ Let's go ♪
♪ The Beast is out the cage ♪
[Cole] Several weeks back,
Bayley and Naomi were in competition
until everything was spoiled by Tiffany Stratton.
Then last week, spoiled again by Nia Jax.
Nick Aldis' solution, a Triple Threat Match.
[chanting]
[cheering]
[pop music]
♪ Role model ♪
[metal music]
[chanting] Bayley! Bayley!
Bayley! Bayley!
Bayley!
[Cole] She is a woman who now oozes confidence.
Corey, for a number of months leading up to WrestleMania,
when she finally won the WWE Women's Championship,
Bayley had seemed--
well, seemed like she lost something,
and that something was confidence.
-And she's got it back now. -You got him?
[Corey] No doubt about it.
We'll see.
We'll see about that, huh?
[Corey] And at this juncture in Bayley's career,
she is no stranger to being a target.
However, in stark contrast to a Tiffany Stratton
who is only concerned with herself,
Bayley fights each and every night
to strengthen the entire women's division
to represent the WWE Women's Championship
in the best possible light for future generations to come.
That Championship means everything to Bayley.
[chanting] Bayley! Bayley!
Bayley! Bayley!
[cheering]
[bell rings]
The following is a Triple Threat Match,
and it is for the WWE Women's Championship!
[cheering]
Introducing the challengers, first from Prior Lake,
Minnesota, Tiffany Stratton!
[cheering]
[chanting]
Next, from Orlando, Florida, Naomi!
[cheering]
[audience chanting] Fight! Fight!
Fight! Fight!
[Samantha] And their opponent from San Jose, California.
She is the WWE Women's Champion,
Bayley!
[cheering]
[audience chanting] Bayley! Bayley!
Bayley! Bayley!
[Cole] Veteran official, Charles Robinson,
will be calling this matchup tonight.
It is a Triple Threat Match.
There is no Champion's advantage
because the first woman to gain pinfall or submission will win that.
the WWE Women's title, which means, Corey,
Bayley doesn't have to be involved in the decision
to actually lose her Championship tonight.
Rough way to have your first, well,
title defense since WrestleMania,
with the exception of the one Tiffany messed up a few weeks ago.
[Corey] Bayley wouldn't want it any other way.
[chanting]
Hey, still, after all these years,
wildly popular in Europe, with very good reason.
And listen, Bayley is at her best
when the stack-- when the deck is stacked against her.
Bayley thrives in high-pressure situations.
Case in point, WrestleMania.
[chanting]
[Cole] Knocking off Iyo Sky to win the Women's Championship.
Tiffany Stratton goes right after Naomi
and tries to go after Bayley, delivers an arm drag.
You know, I've got an odd relationship with Bayley, to say the least.
I did have an opportunity to talk
to her a bit earlier today.
She said she was excited to be in this matchup
with her longtime friend, Naomi.
I asked her if that would prevent Bayley
from maybe delivering a knockout blow to Naomi.
When that time came, she looked at me, she smiled,
and she said, no way.
[chanting]
There you see some of the brashness--
[speaking at once]
[Cole] Scrap and roll up.
Naomi going to roll The Champ as well.
Two count.
Tiffany Stratton breaks it up.
And around and around we go.
[chanting and applause]
Over in the face of Stratton's spot.
Oh, and a clothesline by The Champion.
[shouting]
Naomi taken out, covered now by Bayley.
And Naomi's got to kick at two.
[chanting and applause]
I can honestly say, I have never been a part
-of an atmosphere like this. -[Corey] Whoa.
[Cole] Naomi trying to win The Championship.
Shoulders down on the other side.
[chanting]
Tiffany Stratton trying to pin both women.
And a kick-out.
[Corey] It's a smart strategy by all three women,
looking for a quick fall, catch somebody by surprise,
and get out of here early.
Unfortunately, Bayley and Naomi have seen this movie before.
Tiffany Stratton is going to have
to try a different strategy.
[chanting and applause]
And unfortunately for Stratton, she may be the least popular,
personally speaking, of the three in the ring.
She may find herself outnumbered
more than once here tonight.
[Cole] Bayley and Naomi look for a double team.
[Corey] And I don't think anybody, even Bayley,
disagrees or doubts the abilities of Tiffany Stratton.
I think it's more of an attitude problem.
This woman believes she is owed absolutely everything.
[Cole] And Naomi now, the uber athletic former two-time Champion.
Drop kick by Naomi.
[cheering]
And now Tiffany with a boot to Naomi as well.
Tiffany, a former NXT Women's Champion,
has exploded on the scene.
[chanting]
And there's some of the athleticism
of the former member of Team USA in gymnastics.
[shouts]
[Cole] And Bayley cuts her off at the pass.
[chanting]
And looking for a sunset flip, perhaps.
And Naomi, though, able to shift her weight and balance.
[Corey] Naomi trying her best to fight it!
-[Cole] Oh! -[Corey] Double stomp.
Shoulders down.
[Cole] Going to say, that almost aided Bayley in the win.
I mean, Stratton now looking for a cover on The Champ.
Hook of the leg.
Kick-out at two.
[chanting]
I can still see her-- oh, cover.
Oh and Naomi at two?
[Corey] I can still see your watch has the noise warning Cole,
but otherwise I was gonna ask to see if you knew what time it was.
[Cole] Wade had no idea last night.
-Give me time. Give me time. -[clapping and chanting]
The decibel lever on my watch has not gone off
since we walked in this building
almost an hour ago.
[Corey] I love it.
[shouts from the crowd]
[Cole] Bayley whipped across the ring by Stratton,
who catches her with a high elbow.
What is it that makes Tiffany Stratton
so dangerous and so good at this stage of her career?
[Corey] It's the same thing that makes her so dislikable.
Tiffany Stratton believes in herself to her core.
There has never been something that Tiffany has seen
that she didn't already believe
she could accomplish better than anybody else who's ever done it.
This woman's ego is as big as this country of France,
but that serves you very well in this business.
[Cole] It's an interesting history over the past couple of months
-between these three. -[chanting]
Bayley eliminated Stratton
in the Royal Rumble match.
Stratton eliminated Naomi in the Elimination Chamber match.
[chanting]
And now the three are battling it out for the WWE Women's title.
And a clothesline by Stratton.
Cover to win the gold.
Bayley kicks at two.
[chanting and applause]
Stratton now viciously stomping away at The Champion.
[chanting and applause]
I don't think there's any doubt, Corey.
We believe Tiffany Stratton is a future world Champion.
Will tonight be the night?
[audience chanting] Bayley! Bayley!
Bayley! Bayley!
Bayley!
[Cole] And, again, Stratton could do this all night long.
There are no disqualifications or countouts under Triple Threat rules.
[Corey] Essentially, sudden death from the opening bell.
[Cole] Bayley trying to fight back.
Surefire.
Hall of Fame career already for the WWE Women's Champion.
Now a three-time World Champion.
Bayley up over the top, scoops Tiffany up.
Shoulders are down now. Kick-out at two.
[chanting]
And Stratton runs right through Bayley.
Cover again to try to win The Championship.
And a kick-out.
Bayley, the first Triple Crown winner as a woman in WWE.
First Grand Slam winner as well.
[chanting and applause]
An incredible scene of nearly 12,000 here tonight.
[groans]
[Corey] Sounds like there's about 75,000 in here.
This is one of the loudest arenas
I've ever stepped foot in.
It is incredible.
And here we go again.
[Cole] Wait a minute.
[Corey] Oh, and Bayley caught her.
Bayley caught Stratton.
It looked like she--
[Cole] And tried to fight out of it
and landed on her feet.
[Corey] Managed to do so.
[Cole] We've seen this before,
Stratton thinking about the Alabama slam!
And got it!
Semi cartwheel, but she caught the slam.
And Bayley kicked-out just as Naomi was breaking things up.
[Corey] And make no mistake about it,
Naomi broke up that fall to preserve her own opportunity,
not to protect Bayley or the WWE Women's Championship.
[chanting, applause]
[Cole] And Naomi back to her feet.
Stratton catches her with a boot.
Tiffany Stratton been controlling most of the pace of this matchup.
Naomi, though, spearing Stratton through the ropes,
as both women fall out to the floor.
[cheering]
[groaning]
[chanting]
[Cole] And Naomi, who's got a mean streak
as well, sick and tired of being disrespected by Stratton.
[shouting]
And now Naomi driven into the barricade,
right in front of our ring announcer, Samantha Irvin.
[chanting]
And Stratton going to show off a little bit here.
[Corey] Oh!
[Cole] And then back elbow caught Naomi.
Now, Naomi dumped into the timekeeper's area.
And that's one way to make it one on one for a bit.
[Corey] A smart strategy, but here's where the inexperience comes in. What did I say?
[Corey] Tiffany Stratton has Bayley all alone in the ring.
Stratton needs to be focused on the task at hand.
[Cole] And then she's going to pay for it!
Bayley with a suicide dive!
-Great call, Graves! -[applause]
[Corey] That could have made all the difference.
Stratton's best title opportunity may have just gone up in smoke
because of that very same ego that brought her here.
[Cole] And Bayley is just feeding off
the WWE fans tonight, as she points
at her WWE Women's Championship.
Ah, kick by Naomi drops The Champ momentarily.
Naomi now off the barricade.
Bayley's in trouble.
Naomi is going to fly.
Oh, my god!
[applause]
[Corey] Brutal neckbreaker takes down The Champion.
Now, if Naomi has the ability,
she needs to get Stratton or Bayley back inside the ring.
[Cole] And she goes for Stratton.
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] Naomi's got to feel that urgency,
keep her foot on the gas pedal.
[chanting, applause]
[Cole] And now Naomi with Stratton where she wants her.
Oh, goodness!
[Corey] Like you and a Bad Bunny song, Cole.
Naomi now, split-legged moonsault.
[Cole] Connecting to Stratton for the win,
for The Championship.
Bayley breaks things up.
[chanting and applause]
Moments ago, Naomi was on a roll,
taking it high risk, a blockbuster neckbreaker
off of the barricade, followed immediately
by a split-legged moonsault until Bayley broke up the fall.
[cheering]
Triple Threat Match continues.
Who's going to be the WWE Women's Champion?
[Corey] Ooh.
[Cole] Bayley, face first off the second turnbuckle.
[chanting, applause]
Naomi now looking for that desperation.
[chanting, applause]
Home run, that Hail Mary.
[chanting, applause]
Something big enough to dethrone The Champion.
But here comes Stratton.
Oh, and he-- she drags Naomi off the ropes.
And now Tiffany in place to try to put Bayley away.
[shouting]
[Corey] You know Stratton has the balance.
Does she have the power?
[shouting]
[Cole] Tiffy does not want to be up there.
[shouts]
Naomi forcing Stratton to change her plans.
Naomi showing off her power.
[Corey] High angle, shoulders down.
Kick-out of two!
[chanting]
Naomi looking to transition right into the submission hold.
[Cole] Naomi trying to-- trying to tap Tiffany here.
If she does, she'll win The Championship.
Stratton trying to get out of trouble.
Tiffany's in trouble.
Is she going to tap out?
Bayley with an elbow from the top rope breaking things up.
The Champion with the cover hooks the leg.
1, 2!
[Cole] And a kick-out by Naomi at two.
-Another near fall. -[chanting, applause]
-[Cole] Cover attempt again. -[crowd]1, 2!
[Cole] And a kick-out at two.
Bayley perhaps getting a bit frustrated as Stratton kicked out there.
[chanting, applause]
[shouts from the crowd]
Both these women, all three of them, have been in a battle
tonight in this matchup.
Up over the top, sunset flip, driving Naomi into the corner.
[the crowd rumbles]
Up over the top to Stratton.
Tiffany, though, and--
[speaking at once]
…for the win and a kick at two!
[Corey] My goodness.
[chanting]
[Cole] Bayley to Belly!
Cover for the win to retain!
Stratton kicks-out!
And Bayley can't believe it.
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] Take a look at this.
Bayley trying desperately, didn't get all of the Bayley to Belly
as much as she normally likes to.
Effective, nonetheless.
Deep hook of the leg, but Stratton with a little too much left in the tank.
[groaning]
And if you're Tiffany Stratton or even Naomi at this point
in the matchup, you cannot become complacent
because Bayley is a veteran.
Bayley will continue to provide different looks to her offense
until she secures a win.
[Cole] Yeah, triple-threat rules, you can't rest.
Got to be on your toes at all times.
Matchup can be over with a blink of an eye.
Stratton now with The Champion on her shoulders
to roll through the senton.
And now Stratton's got her where she wants her.
Looked like she was going to go up top ramp for the moonsault
and Naomi dragged her out of the ring.
Naomi playing spoiler from the outside,
which is a smart decision.
Naomi, again, preserving her own opportunity to become
WWE Women's Champion.
Kicked off by the powerful Stratton.
[Corey] And here we go again.
Look at this.
Back into the Alabama slam, but reversed.
[shouting] Oh, no.
Oh, look out.
[Cole] Oh, my god.
Right on the announce table, spine first.
[applause]
[Corey] Stratton just broke Naomi in half.
[chanting]
And Bayley may be in for a similar fate.
[Cole] Now to the French announce table.
Stratton with belly up.
And Bayley's spine first on the table!
Tiffany Stratton is dominating!
Will it indeed be Tiffany time here tonight?!
[Corey] Stratton's got daylight.
She's got both opponents down.
We've seen this in the past.
If Stratton is looking for the double prettiest moonsault ever
we're gonna have a new Champion.
[Cole] And I think she is.
Stratton glancing back, looking to climb up to the top rope.
Oh, they moved out of the way.
[Corey] Stratton rolled through.
Naomi, though, double team neckbreaker!
Almost a 1D!
[applause]
Naomi would be very familiar with that move,
reaching deep into the playbook for that one.
[Corey] And yet, again, Bayley finds herself--
You and me.
[chanting, applause]
[Cole] And now the two friends, Bayley and Naomi,
look to battle it out for the WWE Women's Championship.
And here we go.
Bayley promised she would not back down,
that she'd take the fight to Naomi.
-And here we go. -[chanting]
Both women unloading the heaviest artillery they've got left
in their arsenals.
[Corey] Step up enzuigiri downs The Champion.
[Cole] Shoulders down for the win.
Bayley now reverses.
Will she win? Got her.
Got her. Bayley got her!
Bayley got her!
[rock music]
[Samantha] Here is your winner,
and still the WWE Women's Champion,
Bayley!
[Cole] Absolutely incredible match.
And in the end, Bayley survived
as she took out her longtime friend, Naomi.
What a performance by all three of these women tonight.
[Corey] This matchup was multifaceted to Bayley.
She needed to win this one to establish dominance
as the WWE Women's Champion.
And it was not easy.
Tiffany Stratton laying waste to everyone.
But as the prettiest moonsault ever failed
to connect, some shocking teamwork
from Naomi and Bayley would flatten Stratton.
And here is this veteran instinct.
Bayley able to reverse the momentum
on the pinning combination and keep Naomi down for the count of 3.
[Cole] Hey, Corey, that's a big win for-- for Bayley tonight.
That first title defense, the first big one is always the toughest.
And a show of respect from her friend Naomi.
[cheering]
[Corey] Naomi knows what it means.
Get in there.
[Corey] And Naomi is proud of Friday night
SmackDown's WWE Women's Champion.
[Cole] An incredible moment here tonight.
It has been a feel good story for Bayley over the past month,
and it continues here at Backlash.
[cheering]
Well, it has been an incredible honor to be here throughout the week
in Lyon, France.
Just a beautiful city.
And we wanna invite you to join us immediately following
WWE Backlash for a special WrestleMania announcement
during the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby.
It airs on NBC and Peacock later on today.
[narrator] Tonight's Backlash Highlight of the Night is presented
by Xfinity.
Stream sports from the best seat in the house with Xfinity
because it's only live once.
[pop music]
[Cole] And, again, tonight's Backlash Highlight of the Night
is presented by Xfinity.
Stream sports from the best seat in the house with Xfinity
because it's only live once.
And we can watch this all night,
the RKO by Randy Orton on Solo Sikoa.
And we thought Orton and K.O. were going to put things away.
[Corey] It seemed as though Orton and Owens had victory
within reach after a brutal maneuver
off the top turnbuckle through the chairs
when a shocking arrival
in the form of Tanga Loa, the brother of Tama Tonga,
the MFT for Solo Sikoa.
And Tanga loa wasted no time showing the world who he is,
opening the door for Solo to slam it shut
with spinning Solo and a Samoan Spike to Kevin Owens,
a big win for a new and improved,
more dangerous than ever Bloodline.
[Samantha] Here are your winners,
the team of Tama Tonga!
[Cole] We only have one incarnation of The Bloodline.
This man, main event, Jey Uso, was once apart.
He broke free and now has become one
of the hottest commodities in WWE today.
[crowds cries echoing]
[booing]
Jey's younger brother, Solo Sikoa,
and the rest of The Bloodline.
Jey has to refocus now.
[shouting]
Jey's got Damian Priest in the world heavyweight title next.
[chanting]
♪ In this life ♪
[narrator] For Damian Priest,
it's all about one thing thing, wanting his name to live forever.
♪ Some will fly ♪
♪ Some will fall ♪
[Damian] Nobody thought I would be on this stage.
♪ When we rise ♪
♪ We're called towards the vision ♪
[Damian] I clearly have a desire to be a Champion.
And Championships will come.
[narrator] Legacy and infamy waits for no one.
♪ The vision ♪
[cheering]
[Cole] Damian Priest is Mr.!
[clears throat]
[narrator] Señor Money in the Bank.
WWE Superstar.
He's Señor Money in the Bank.
[Cole] McIntyre claims the gold.
[Cole] Puck just dropped McIntyre!
Oh, my god!
Running to the ring with the clutchback!
Attention needed right now!
[Cole] Priest has won the World Title!
♪ All rise! ♪
♪ This is the moment ♪
Main event, Jey Uso, is now in your city!
[upbeat music]
[Jey] I'm just fighting for me now, my legacy.
I got a lot to prove, prove to the world who I say I am.
[Cole] Fatal 4-Way Match to determine the new number one contender
for Damian Priest's World Heavyweight Championship.
[Corey] It comes down to these two men.
[cheering]
[Cole] Future south DDT.
Spear!
Frog splash!
Uso gets Priest for the world title.
Main event, Jey Uso.
[cheering]
[Damian] Whatever you think I'm out here for, you're wrong.
You said, we next, Us.
You were right.
Well, half right.
I was next.
[cheering]
This- shows why I'm now.
You're just the first on a list of people
that the machine is going to feed me
to make sure this looks good on me.
You get to be the first to lead all the fans
all across the world in making sure…
that all rise for El Campeón.
[Jey] That's-- that's all you see me as, bruh?
Strong talk coming from the leader of the Judgment Day.
[dramatic music]
But the only reason why you the leader of the Judgment Day
is because Rhea Ripley got hurt.
[shouting]
Hey, champ, you know what that make you to me right now?
The Mysterio's bitch!
[cheering]
When it comes to Jey Uso,
I do not need your help to beat him.
[dramatic music]
What are you doing?
[cheering]
Hey, you think they're gonn' feed me to you?
No.
You get fed to me…
because I'm next.
…Yeet!
[crowd repeat] Yeet!
[Jey] I'm gonna knock the beat out your ass.
[cheering]
["Main Event Ish" by Def Rebel playing]
♪ Uso! ♪
[cheering]
♪ Hey, hey ♪
♪ Main event Jey Uso Is now in your city! ♪
♪ Ya hoo! ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce Okay♪
♪ Day one ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Okay♪
♪ Day one ♪
♪ Line them all up Knock them down ♪
♪ Like this ♪
♪ I did ♪
♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪
[chanting] Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey,
hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
♪ Hey, yo ♪
♪ Oh, yo, yeah, yo ♪
♪ It's go-time now, Uce ♪
[Cole] Corey, I'm not McAfee.
I can't get up on the table.
I'm too old, but I can still yeet here at ringside.
[Corey] It's a long flight home.
Be careful where you yeet over there, Cole.
♪ Uso ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
[Corey] Listen, you can count me in on the yeet train
because I have been a believer in Main Event Jey Uso
since he became Main Event Jey Uso.
And I believe we could be on the precipice
of a massive, massive night for Jey Uso.
♪ Is now in your city! ♪
♪ Ya hoo ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce, okay ♪
♪ Day one ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Okay ♪
[Cole] What a scene.
♪ Got to line them all up ♪
♪ Knock them down like this ♪
♪ I did ♪
♪ Hey, it's on me now, Uce ♪
[Corey] Like Friday Night SmackDown last night
was just a primer for the madness that is Backlash.
♪ Yeah, ha-ha ♪
♪ I'mma get them ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
[cheering]
♪ It's on me ♪
♪ Hey, hey ♪
♪ Main event Jey Uso Is now in your city! ♪
♪ Uso! ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce, okay ♪
♪ Day one ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one It's just me, Uce, okay ♪
♪ Day one-ish ♪
♪ Got to line them all up And knock them down ♪
♪ Like this ♪
♪ I did ♪
♪ Hey, hey, hey, hey ♪
[chanting] Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
[Corey laughing] I'm gonna be in vertigo, Cole, my god.
I've never felt anything like this.
♪ Hell yeah ♪
[Corey] It's like the walls are moving. This is nuts.
[cheering]
♪ Yeah, yeah ♪
♪ It's go-time now, Uce ♪
[Cole] This is an opportunity a long time coming for a man who has bled,
and scratched, and clawed just to get near the top of the mountain.
[Corey] And Michael Cole, you and I were ringside at SummerSlam last year
when we all thought Jey Uso was gonna be the man
to take down the Tribal Chief.
And he would have, had it not been for his brother, Jimmy.
♪ Line them all up ♪
♪ And knock them down ♪
[Cole] He is a 10-time tag team Champion,
but he has yet to win singles gold in WWE.
Will tonight be his night?
♪ It's just me, Uce Day one ♪
♪ It's just me, Uce ♪
♪ Day one-ish ♪
♪ Got to line them all up ♪
♪ And knock them down like this ♪
♪ Hey, it's on me now, Uce ♪
[cheering]
♪ Hey, I'm about to get 'em all ♪
[cheering]
[metal music]
♪ All rise ♪
[music turns from Rap to dramatic Rock]
[explosion]
[cheering]
♪ All rise for the outlaw ♪
♪ Boricua ♪
♪ All rise for the punishment ♪
♪ Wepa ♪
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, Damian Priest at WrestleMania Sunday,
became just the second person
in WWE history to cash-in his Money in the Bank contract
at WrestleMania to win a World Title.
But tonight, Corey, a ton of pressure.
[speaking Spanish]
[Cole] The first Championship defense
on television for this man.
And we've talked about this throughout the night already.
The first one always seems to be the toughest.
[Corey] I think a ton of pressure
might be the understatement of the night.
In my opinion, from where I sit,
Cole, the onus is on The Champion, Damian Priest, to set the tone
for what his World Heavyweight title reign will mean to WWE,
will mean to the rest of the locker room.
That said, Priest has a very, very game,
very ready, very qualified challenger in Main Event Jey Uso,
who could turn this title reign into a complete disaster
for Damian Priest.
[Cole] A bittersweet WrestleMania for that man.
He and Finn Bálor lost the tag titles on WrestleMania Saturday
as part of the Six-Pack Ladder Match,
but then he would go on to win the World Title,
beating Drew McIntyre, who held The Championship
for just a little over five minutes
before he was cashed in on by Damian Priest.
♪ All rise for the rockstar ♪
♪ All rise for the outlaw ♪
[bell rings]
The following contest is scheduled for One Fall,
and it is for-
-the World Heavyweight Championship! -[the crowd chant along]
Introducing the challenger
from San Francisco, California,
weighing in at 242 pounds,
Main Event:
-Jey Uso! -[crowd chants along]
[chanting]
And his opponent, representing the Judgment Day,
from New York City, winning a 249 pounds,
he is the World's Heavyweight Champion,
"El Campeón," Damian Priest!
[cheering]
[applause]
[Cole] When Damian Priest joined WWE,
his goal was to make sure the name Damian Priest would live forever.
The Champion has accomplished that.
His World Heavyweight title reign will exist in record books forever.
But what will the note below it say?
And here we go.
We are underway.
Main Event, Jey Uso, on your left,
Damian Priest on your right.
Priest have been very vocal in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania,
that people believed he was afraid to cash in the contract,
that he didn't believe in himself as Champion,
that he couldn't carry Monday Night Raw as the World Heavyweight Champion.
It bothered him.
He had a chip on his shoulder.
[chanting]
[shouting]
[Corey] Yeah, but that same chip on his shoulder,
the doubters around the world,
are nothing new to Damian Priest.
It's what inspired Priest in the first place
to completely transform his body,
his lifestyle, his training methods
to make it to the top in WWE.
Damian Priest is the real deal.
[shouting]
[Cole] And Damian Priest is not going to allow these antics by Jey Uso
to throw him off in the game.
He went after Jey.
And now Uso in trouble, sent into the corner.
And Priest misses wildly.
Uso's going to have to use his speed
and quickness in this matchup to knock off Priest tonight.
[shouting]
[Corey] Priest, of course, has that reach advantage.
We've seen that be a game changer in the past,
his ability to strike from long distance
with his long arms and legs,
well-educated feet. And the World Heavyweight Champion
just being humiliated
by Main Event Jey Uso in the early moments.
[Cole] Well, he can't get frustrated.
He can't let the crowd get under his skin.
[Corey] That's exactly what Jey wants.
[Cole] Damian Priest steps out of harm's way
as Uso was going for his suicide dive.
Indeed, it's what Jey wants,
but Damian just has to keep his composure here.
[Corey] And Priest is no stranger to a Main Event situation,
but this is where Jey has thrived recently.
[Cole] Yeah, got caught, though, by Priest.
And Priest now with the power,
a bearhug applied and now driving Jey into the barricade.
[Corey] Jey Uso has thrived in The Main Event scene
on more than one occasion.
[shouting]
It's up to Priest to prove to the WWE Universe
that he belongs there as well,
-despite holding The Championship. -[audience chanting] Uso!
[Cole] One of the things of being a Champion,
if you look at Roman Reigns, he's the prime example
of being able to-- to weather this emotional storm
for the WWE fans, backing their favorites
in these type of matchups.
[Corey] Well, think about what happened at Backlash last year,
Cole, in Puerto Rico, a career-defining performance
by Damian Priest.
He's only gotten better since then.
[Cole] And the matchup against Bad Bunny that night.
And Priest now with a right hand to Uso!
[Corey] And before tonight, perhaps,
my favorite environment I've ever been at
for a Premium Live Event.
But I think France may have just raised the bar.
[Cole] Where's Backlash going next year?
[Corey laughs]
[Cole] And now Priest begging Jey Uso
to make it back to his feet.
[chanting and applause]
You mentioned Jey Uso has been in these waters before,
Corey, almost took the title from Roman Reigns last year.
Diving elbow in the corner. Here comes Priest.
[Corey] Whoa.
Wow.
Unique offense by the World Heavyweight Champion.
And now just mocking the over 11,000 here tonight.
[Cole] And cover, and a kick-out at two.
[Corey] And this is something that I don't know we would have seen
out of Damian Priest in the past.
Priest is not letting the fans get to him yet.
In fact, he's trying the opposite.
Priest is trying to control the reaction of the WWE Universe
and take them out of this so that they're not so staunchly
-behind Jey Uso. -[Cole] If you're Priest and this being
your first title defense tonight, Corey,
do you change your game at all?
I mean, is there any different strategy
you use going into this?
[Corey] I've always been a guy that thinks that if it's not broken, why fix it?
Priest has been incredibly effective recently.
But that said, I'm curious to see what Jey Uso brings
to the table because, I guarantee you,
Priest has done all the homework he can
for his challenger tonight.
Bell ringer.
And Jey went weak-- weak in the knees after that.
[Cole] Well, Priest has been involved in tag team matchups
before with Jey Uso.
He is not next.
[chanting and applause]
[Cole] Priest's first reign as a world Champion in WWE.
[chanting and applause]
Former US Champion as well, NXT North American Champion,
a two-time tag team champ.
Test yourself. Heads up.
[Corey] Extensive martial arts background
being flexed right now, kicking out the leg of the challenger,
-Main Event Jey. -[Cole] Miss wildly.
You saw Jey Uso.
Priest telegraphed, but Jay took advantage, back suplex.
[applause]
[Corey] And that's the struggle.
When you're Priest and you're trying to slow the pace
of the matchup, sometimes it allows your opponent
to catch his breath a little more than you realize,
to recover a little better than you expected.
[Cole] One of the things, Corey,
we failed to mention is the incredible role
that Jey Uso was bent on heading into this matchup tonight.
He beat his brother Jimmy at WrestleMania.
He knocked off Finn Bálor of the Judgment Day.
He won a Fatal 4-Way to earn this opportunity tonight.
He helped-- he won a six-man tag team matchup
in the main event on Raw this past Monday.
[Corey] I've said it publicly numerous times, for my money,
Jey Uso has grown into one of the most complete
WWE Superstars we've had in the last decade.
Jey Uso can do it all.
Can he become World Heavyweight Champion?
That remains the last question.
[shouting]
[Cole] Oh, Jey lands on his feet.
Kick right to the midsection of Damian Priest.
And now the big right hand of The Champion.
Now it's Priest who is weak in the knees.
Oh, and a step up enzuigiri.
[cheering]
Caught Priest.
[Corey] The World Heavyweight Champion is
down in the bottom turnbuckle.
And when you're dealing with an Uso, that's a bad thing.
[chanting]
[Cole] And Priest back to his feet,
launching Jey out to the apron.
Jey with a kick.
Priest blocked it with his shoulder,
but it was still effective.
[Corey] Uso from the top turnbuckle.
[Cole] There it is, cross-body, lateral press
for The Championship.
-Hook to the leg and a kick-out at two. -[chanting]
And we mentioned earlier, all the accolades
of-- of Damian Priest.
[chanting, applause]
And the fact that he has been a singles Champion before this.
Jey's never been a singles champ, Corey.
He doesn't understand what that is like.
He's going to do what he's going to do for the first time
and become a world champ.
[Corey] And that keeps a Superstar going.
You need something new.
You need some fresh ground to break.
And Jey taking it to the outside!
[Cole] Priest driven into the barricade.
Again, Champion's advantage, unlike we saw in the women's Triple-Threat Match.
There are countouts and disqualifications in this matchup.
So Uso's got to pin or submit The Champ,
as you take another look.
[Corey] Listen, Jey Uso is one half of perhaps the greatest tag team
to ever exist in WWE.
But you need a reason to wake up in the morning.
You need a reason to go to the gym or else you become stagnant.
Jey Uso now wants the solo Championship,
the singles glory.
[booing]
[Cole] Casts Priest back into the ring.
[Corey] Oh.
[Cole] Oh, look who's here.
[Corey] JD McDonagh with a cheap shot to Jey Uso.
[Cole] And spear by Priest!
-Cover now-- -[Corey] No.
-[Cole] --by Jey-- -[Corey] No.
[Cole] …who stays in it.
[chanting]
That Klingon-like head of JD McDonagh bandaged up
after he got struck by Logan Paul
and Patrick Mahomes' Super Bowl rings this past Monday.
[Corey] You have to declare that thing at customs?
-What are you doing here? -[JD] What do you mean?
What do you mean, what do I mean?
-Why are you out here? -[JD] I'm here to help.
-What did I tell you? -I'm here to help you.
I told you, I don't need your help.
I don't know how many times I--
I need to tell you this, man.
No. You need to use yours.
Use your big ass head.
[Cole] Oh, and a big kick to McDonough.
And a kick to Priest.
Priest has made it clear in recent weeks,
he doesn't want the help of the Judgment Day.
That's why he was barking at JD McDonough.
Uso Splash!
[Corey] Oh, my god.
-[Cole] Cover for the World Championship! -1, 2!
-[Cole] And Priest got two! -[chanting]
[Corey] And maybe that was getting caught up in the moment,
but to me, it all comes down to the cover from Jey Uso, the Uso Splash,
which has brought Main Event Jey countless wins throughout his career.
But this pinning combination
was not enough to keep Priest's shoulders down for three.
And Priest is a big, powerful individual.
You got to check those boxes in an environment like this.
[audience chanting] Uso! Uso!
Uso!
[Cole] Late innings now.
Dig down deep time for The Champ, Priest,
and the challenger, Jey Uso.
[cheering]
[chanting]
[chatter]
[shouting]
Is this the pace you expected?
[Corey] I think this is the pace
that Damian Priest desired.
I think Jimmy-- or I'm sorry, Jey Uso would have preferred
-a quicker evening. -[crowd gains momentum]
Not to let this get dragged into the deep waters,
but this is what you're going to deal with
with the World Heavyweight Champion,
with the WWE Champion,
the best of the best of the best in the business.
[Cole] Yeah, Jey going toe-to-toe now with Priest.
[chanting]
And-- forearms, middle of the ring.
[chanting]
And Priest getting the best of that exchange.
[shouts]
[cheering]
[Cole] Oh, and he got caught by Jey!
[shouting]
[Corey] And Priest answers.
[shouting]
[chanting]
[Cole] Priest still on his feet after the kick.
[Corey laughs]
[Cole] Jey is still on his feet as well.
Enzuigiri caught Priest, drives him to the ropes.
[chanting]
And one to Jey Uso.
Both men down to their knees.
[cheering]
[Corey] Well, for these Superstars dropping bombs
on one another in the name of being called
World Heavyweight Champion.
[crowd cheering]
Oh, this building is shaking right now.
[Cole] Showing respect for both of these men,
battling out for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Priest going to hoist Jey up high.
Looking for a razor's edge to Uso, and connects!
Priest in to the cover to retain.
Hook of the leg. Does he have it?
No. Near fall.
[Corey] Uso just barely able to squeak out the back door
after a vicious razor's edge.
Full impact. Deep hook of the leg.
But the will of Main Event Jey Uso on full display.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] An incredible atmosphere tonight.
Lyon sold out.
11,628 WWE fans on hand for Backlash,
the first Premium Live event WWE in the history of France.
[Corey] I know what Priest is looking for now.
[Cole] Measuring his man.
Jey Uso trying to drag himself back to his feet,
not knowing what to expect.
[Corey] Jey's time could be close at hand.
[crowd chanting] Uso! Uso!
Uso!
[Cole] Looking to put Jey Uso away, went for the South of Heaven.
Jey able to land on his feet.
-Spear! -[Corey] Uh-oh.
[Cole] Came out of nowhere!
Cover for the title!
Priest get two!
[cheering]
[Corey] It doesn't get any closer than that
without the bell ringing.
A look of disbelief on the face of Jey Uso.
[Cole] The wheels are turning.
Jey knew that was his opportunity.
He hit that spear from out of nowhere, stunned The Champion,
but Priest able to kick-out a near fall
for the number one contender.
[shouting]
[Corey] Take another look at this, Jey propelling himself into the spear.
Got all of it.
Another deep hook of Priest's leg.
But The Champion would not stay down.
[Audience chanting] Uso! Uso!
Uso!
[Corey] Jey looking to dig down deep,
back out to the apron, going to climb to the top ropes again.
[cheering]
[Cole] Finn Bálor!
Bálor from the Judgment Day is here!
Jey came off the ropes!
He caught Bálor with a kick!
Now he turns his attention to Priest!
Priest with a clothesline!
Took advantage of the distraction.
I'm not sure Priest even realizes that--
that Bálor was out here.
[Corey] I think we're on the express route
to the devil's doorway.
[Cole] There it is, the South of Heaven choke slam.
Priest into the cover.
Hook of the leg.
Priest out!
Thought he was gonna retain!
[cheering]
[chanting]
[Corey] And right now, Michael Cole,
this is the moment where Champions define themselves.
This is where the world will learn
what Damian Priest is truly made of.
[Cole] The world is already learning
what Jay Uso's made of.
Kicking out of that South of Heaven.
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] No matter what language you speak, it's universal.
This is awesome.
[Cole] And Priest measuring his man Jey, trying somehow to shake out the cobwebs.
-[Damian] Rise! -[Cole] Priest is perched and ready to go.
[Corey] Oh, god!
[Cole] Kick!
-Stunning Jay, dropping him to the mat. -Rise!
Come on! Rise!
[Cole] And now the vicious side of Damian Priest coming out.
-Rise! -[booing]
-[Corey] This is what we need to see. -[Audience chanting] Uso! Uso!
Uso! Uso!
Uso!
[Cole] And another one.
Rise one more time, bitch.
One more time, rise.
[Corey] This is how you plant your flag on Monday Night Raw.
This is how you define a Championship legacy, a title reign,
a new World Heavyweight Champion.
[Cole] WWE fans trying to will Jey back into this.
Priest going for the death blow.
Oh, and Jey caught him with a kick!
[cheering]
[shouting]
And another one for Main Event Jey Uso.
-And Uso's got life. -[chanting]
And a third and The Champ. Still on his feet, driven to the corner.
[Corey] Where is Jey finding this energy?
What is Jey Uso tapping into?
[audience chanting] Uso! Uso!
Uso!
[cheering]
[Cole] And now The Champ still on his feet.
Jey again with a spear!
[cheering]
[Corey] Priest is down and-- Uso's gonna make the climb again.
[Cole] Jey, top rope! Uso Splash!
Cover for the World Heavyweight!
Oh my goodness.
-JD McDonagh-- -[Corey] A mighty--
[Cole] --put Priest's foot on the bottom rope.
[booing]
[Corey] Somebody's gotta do something about this guy.
[Cole] This is three on one out here.
[shouting]
JD McDonagh clearly just saved The Championship for Damian Priest.
[chanting]
And we don't need a translator for that.
[chanting]
Because I agree.
[audience] Come on, Priest.
Come on, Priest.
[Corey] And in doing so, JD McDonagh sucked the wind
out of this arena. Notice how calm it's become.
That may be exactly how Damian Priest wants it right now.
And JD McDonagh is to thank or blame,
depending on your perspective.
[chanting, applause]
[Cole] And Damian Priest, no clue what hit him.
JD McDonagh knows what hit him, though, a flying Uso!
[shouting]
And a spear to battle!
[Corey] Let's cut the Prince in half.
And yet again, Jey Uso looking to make the long climb.
[Cole] Yeah, but Priest making it back to his feet.
And Damian Priest drops Jey Uso,
causing him to lose his balance.
And now Jey Uso is where Priest wants him.
Damian Priest…
…lifting Jey Uso up high with a South of Heaven choke slam
from the ropes.
1, 2…
-[Cole] And Damian Priest retains. -[bell rings]
[metal music]
[Samantha] Here is your winner,
and still the World Heavyweight Champion,
"El Campeón," Damian Priest!
[Cole] Oh, Damian Priest may not have wanted the help
of JD McDonagh and Finn Bálor of Judgment Day,
but those two men ensured that Damian Priest would still be
The World Heavyweight Champion.
And now Bálor and JD McDonagh unloading on Jey Uso.
[Corey] Wait a minute.
[cheering]
I'm done.
[shouting]
-That's enough. -[inaudible]
That's enough. That's enough.
He's done.
[muffled shouting]
[chanting]
Stand there. Stand there.
[Cole] Well, listen, Corey.
I follow these guys each and every week on Monday Night Raw.
Damian Priest has made it pretty clear
over the past few weeks that he does not want Bálor, McDonagh,
or anybody from Judgment Day to get involved in his matches.
Now, granted, they did help him retain
The Championship tonight.
[Corey] To the best of our knowledge, though,
McDonagh and Bálor both arrived of their own volition,
took it upon themselves to aid Damian Priest in his title defense.
It seemed as though Jey Uso was about to make a dream come true,
but McDonagh would put Priest's foot on the bottom rope.
And for his troubles, the Irish ace would receive an attack
on the outside from Main Event Jey.
Same for Finn Bálor.
But this allowed Priest enough time
to set up shop
for a one-way ticket South of Heaven
for Main Event Jey Uso.
[vigorously] And still.
[Cole] Well, Damian Priest has been adamant.
I want to do this on my own.
But in the end, a show of solidarity,
at least publicly,
here for Priest, McDonagh, Bálor.
It's been an incredible week here in Lyon.
We are in France, the third largest city,
about a two-hour train ride from Paris.
And this tonight is the penultimate stop
on what has been an incredible
European tour.
♪ If they want a battle I'm ready for war ♪
♪ I'm ready for war ♪
[rock music]
Bologna, Italy, what's up?
[crowd chants] What's up?
Yeet!
[cheering]
[chanting]
[rock music]
[chanting]
[cheering]
[Corey] The highest grossing SmackDown event in WWE history.
[chanting]
[cheering]
[cheering, applause]
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
[cheering]
[SPEAKING FRENCH]
["War" by ArrDee playing]
♪ Smiling faces ♪
[Cole] Well, this is what Philippe just said.
This is the largest gate
of any arena show in WWE history.
Thank you, Lyon.
Thank you, France.
Thanks to everybody watching at home to Backlash.
[Corey] While, we're sending out special thanks, you-- thank yous,
perhaps I'd like to throw in merci
to Arrdee for "War," the official theme song of WWE Backlash.
It's featured on the album, Peer Pressure,
available now on Apple Music and Spotify.
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, up next,
they've been the Tag Team Champions
since the end of January.
Up next, the Kabuki Warriors put the gold on the line, Asuka and Kairi
against Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill.
It is live and it's next.
♪ If they want a battle ♪
♪ I'm ready for war Woo ♪
♪ I come from the struggle I love all the trouble ♪
♪ I've been here before ♪
♪ And I'm sick of the talk ♪
♪ With their smiling faces Not anymore ♪
♪ Kick in the door ♪
[hip-hop music]
[bell rings]
[Samantha] The following contest
is scheduled for One Fall, and it is for-
the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships!
Introducing first, accompanied by Dakota Kai,
representing Damage CTRL, they are
the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Asuka and Kairi Sane,
the Kabuki Warriors!
[Cole] Well, Corey, the Damage CTRL is heading
to Monday nights starting this coming Monday,
as the WWE draft goes into effect.
But as Tag Team Champions, who can represent both brands.
[Corey] Selfishly, I hope the Kabuki Warriors retain
so I can still enjoy my weekly fix of Asuka on my television screen.
But Asuka and Kairi look poised for a very, very high stakes matchup.
[Cole] Well, tonight, WWE Backlash is brought to you
in part by PRIME Hydration, the fastest growing beverage in history
and the official hydration drink of WWE.
With only 25 calories, zero added sugar,
BCAAs and electrolytes, drink PRIME.
You can see Logan Paul's logo right in the middle of the ring.
And there's the PRIME Hydration table.
[Corey] I wish it was closer to us than the French guys.
I'm sweating over here.
[Cole] It's actually the hydration station.
I was hoping for you to prep me because I make my mistake every week.
[Corey] I've heard, every third word you've been saying all night.
Blame them, not me.
[Cole] The Kabuki Warriors won the titles
the last week of January.
Arguably, since ousting Bayley from Damage CTRL,
they've become more wicked, more sinister as a cohesive unit.
That could spell trouble for our challengers tonight.
[applause]
♪ I'm on my own against the wall ♪
♪ The pressure's building ♪
♪ But no, I will never fall ♪
♪ Instead of crying, they hear me roar ♪
♪ They never ♪
[Samantha] And their opponents, first,
from Knoxville, Tennessee,
Bianca Belair!
[Cole] It has been an incredible week for Bianca Belair.
She became just the third woman in WWE history,
joining Kelly, Kelly, and Becky Lynch,
to be the number one overall pick in the WWE draft.
She was the first Black woman to ever be picked number one
in the Draft as well.
And tonight, Bianca looks to win her first ever Tag Team Championship.
[Corey] EST, certainly no stranger to gold.
A different situation, of course, in Tag Team action.
But I don't know if you could build somebody better
in a laboratory to stand beside Bianca Belair
than who the EST has aligned herself with.
[Cole] Bianca Belair, who has had issues with Damage CTRL for many, many months,
great rivalry over the Raw Championship
with Asuka last year.
[cheering]
[hip-hop music]
♪ A scan is coming ♪
[cheering]
[Samantha] And her tag team partner
from Vero Beach, Florida,
Jade Cargill!
[Cole] The first conversation that I've ever had with this woman--
They love me.
[Cole] …Jade Cargill, she told me, Corey--
Hate all you want.
[Cole] …that she wants to be a household name.
Well, she is well on her way to doing just that.
She made her debut in WWE back at the Royal Rumble.
And in that matchup, Corey, she eliminated Nia Jax,
Becky Lynch, and Naomi.
[Corey] Jade Cargill, second to none
when it comes to belief in herself and self-confidence.
And there's no one on earth who would argue
that the confidence hasn't been well earned.
Jade Cargill is a once in a generation athlete.
[Cole] And when you team Jade Cargill
with Bianca Belair, what an amazing,
charismatic, stunning tag team.
[Corey] And what Jade Cargill lacks in experience,
Bianca Belair has likely experienced.
The EST has main evented WrestleMania.
The ESP has been to the top of every mountain
you can think of aside from the Tag Team title mountain.
And that could all change tonight.
But I guarantee you, the Kabuki Warriors
do not plan on going down without the fights of their lives.
[Cole] Jade Cargill's first title match here in WWE.
[Corey] That's got to be some kind of record, no?
She wrestled at the Royal Rumble match.
She wrestled at WrestleMania alongside Bianca Belair and Naomi
to defeat Damage CTRL.
This is her third match on television
that I can recall at a Premium Live event.
[Cole] And her first title match in WWE.
She says she wants to capture gold.
She could do that tonight.
She wants to headline WrestleMania
and she wants to get people talking.
[Corey] Well, last night, Bianca Belair Jade Cargill on Friday Night SmackDown
created plenty of buzz with their teamwork.
[cheering]
[Cole] So let's first talk about The Champions, Asuka
and Kairi Sane.
Corey, what do they need to do to knock off Belair and Cargill tonight?
[Corey] Well, much like Bianca has the experience advantage on her team,
Asuka and Kairi both have significantly more experience
than both of their opponents. Asuka, we know, is a lethal striker,
a brutal submission specialist.
Kairi Sane is unpredictable.
You need to stick with what brought you to the dance
because it could come down to Tag Team chemistry.
Jade and the EST are impressive physically,
but they haven't spent much time teaming together.
[Cole] Bianca Belair may know Asuka
better than anyone in WWE.
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] No fear being shown by Belair in the early moments.
-[Cole] Yeah. -[Corey] Good Lord.
[Cole] Not surprised at all that Belair decided to start
this matchup for her team.
[shouting]
And Bianca with a shoulder tackle taking out Asuka.
[Corey] What we've seen, if you look back at WrestleMania,
even Friday Night SmackDown last night,
Jade Cargill is sort of the--
the beginning of the end.
When the tag is made, Cargill is like a bulldozer.
She comes in and it's nonstop power in motion, and then the bell rings.
It's amazing.
Beautiful pinning combination by Asuka. Shoulders down.
[Cole] And a kick-out by Belair.
Two count.
Now Asuka trying to put Bianca Belair away.
[Corey] And for the octopus submission.
Belair in trouble here.
Zero ability to tag.
Cargill is only a few feet away.
[Cole] Yeah, great submission move here by Asuka.
Bianca Belair looking to power out of this.
Oh!
-[Corey] One way to do it. -Asuka!
Asuka!
[Cole] And Asuka cleared her corner.
Missed wildly with a kick.
Bianca missed with a right hand.
Dropped toehold by Asuka.
And now Kairi Sane looking to take advantage.
Bianca made her pay.
[shouting]
And there could be looking for the stalling vertical suplex.
[Corey] Oh.
[Cole] Oh!
[Corey] I like this, a sense of urgency from Belair.
Not wasting any time not showing off,
just driving Asuka down and now looking to make the tag.
[cheering]
[Cole] And here comes Jade Cargill.
Facing off with Kairi Sane.
[chanting]
Kyrie, of course, a former NXT Women's Champion,
won the Mae Young classic.
Two-time tag champ.
Waistlock.
Just slung away.
No one's coming.
[Cole] …by Cargill.
[shouting]
[Cole] Went for a spear, blocked by Cargill.
There's the power.
Kyrie lands on her feet from behind.
Kick to the spine.
[Corey] Got to admire the guts of Kairi Sane,
charging at a powerhouse like Cargill.
[shouting]
[Cole] Kyrie caught.
-[Corey] Uh-oh. -[Cole] Oh!
Backbreaker.
Knee to the spine.
[cheering]
And Cargill just a joy to watch.
Absolute powerhouse.
[applause]
[Corey] See the agony washing over the face of Kairi Sane.
[Cole] And now after that power display,
going to once again tag in the EST.
[Corey] And I've got to be honest with you,
I'm extremely impressed thus far by the strategy from Belair and Cargill.
Keep it simple.
Don't try to get too complicated!
[Cole] Oh!
[Corey] Good god, man!
[Cole] Kairi Sane almost driven through the mat!
[cheering]
Talk about a superhero-like Tag Team.
[shouting]
And now Bianca, the three-time world Champion,
with the moonsault cover to try to win the Tag Team gold
and a kick-out at two.
[chanting and applause]
[Corey] Take another look at this otherworldly power of Cargill
and Belair together.
Kairi had to be about 10 feet in the air.
Look at that.
[chanting]
It's not the fall that hurts.
It's the sudden stop at the end.
[Cole] Kairi Sane has been punished by Cargill and Belair.
Shoulder to the midsection.
[chanting]
Bianca feeding off the WWE fans here.
[chanting]
[Corey] I have heard approximately every woman
on the roster talk about how terribly
it hurts to have your skull pounded on by Bianca Belair
in the top turnbuckle.
[Cole] Well, Kairi tried to use the hair to her advantage.
Bianca won't let that happen.
[chanting]
[Corey] Kairi perhaps wisely rolling to the outside,
looking for some respite.
Champion's advantage is in play.
The Champions must be pinned or submitted to lose their titles.
[Cole] Lands on her feet.
Asuka takes advantage with a wicked kick.
That just stuns Bianca Belair.
[Corey] And you can hear Asuka on the outside trying
to quarterback for her team.
Calling Kairi into position.
[Cole] Big smile on her face.
She heckles.
Crossbody off the top rope to the floor.
[applause]
[Corey] Brutal landing.
I'm not entirely sure Kairi didn't--
[shouting]
[Corey] …catch Bianca Belair in the face
with that crossbody.
Let's take another look.
Full extension.
Crashing down, yeah.
[shouts]
[Cole] And just like that, the Kabuki Warriors in control.
Cover here by Sane.
Kick-out at two.
Kairi Sane on a couple of occasions
using the long-braided hair of Bianca Belair to her advantage.
[chanting and applause]
Now, tag made.
Here comes Asuka, a four-time World Champion,
four-time Tag Team Champion, NXT champ,
Royal Rumble winner, Money in the Bank winner as well.
Asuka has done it all.
[chanting]
[Corey] Belair now desperately fighting
her way out of the clutches of the Kabuki Warriors.
Come on! Let's go!
Come on!
[Cole] Sliding D.
[shouts]
[Cole] Working well as a double team.
Sliding knee by Asuka.
Cover to retain the tag titles.
Belair's got to kick at two.
[chanting and applause]
[Corey] Margo watching along intently.
[chanting and applause]
[booing]
[Cole] Asuka just trying to continue to punish
and torment Belair here.
[Corey] Again, you brought up the point earlier
that Belair and Asuka have been rivals
for what feels like ever.
Bianca knows what she needs to do to take down Asuka.
Asuka believes she knows how to beat the EST.
[Cole] And look at the well-placed
strikes to the back of the knee,
not allowing Belair to get any bounce to make a tag to her partner, Cargill.
And here comes Kairi Sane.
And yet another double team coming, perhaps, from the Kabuki Warriors.
[audience chanting] EST, EST, EST, EST.
[Cole] The EST chants ringing through the arena
here in Lyon, France, trying to rally Bianca Belair.
-[shouts] -[Cole] Kairi.
[Corey] There it is. Sliding deep.
Bottom turnbuckle.
Come on, D!
[applause]
[Cole] Sane and Asuka, that frenzied control.
Top rope!
[Corey] Oh, nailed it.
[Cole] And is it enough to retain,
stacking up Bianca Belair?
Shoulders are now down.
The official.
Dangler in perfect position.
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] And here is Kairi Sane launching herself from the top--
[Cole] Impact.
[Corey] Full impact on the forearm.
[chanting, applause]
And the Kabuki Warriors have done
a spectacular job of cutting the ring in half
-for these last few moments. -[Cole] And now Asuka.
Nobody home.
Belair rolled out of harm's way.
Opportunity now for Bianca perhaps to make a tag.
[Corey] I'm certain the Kabuki Warriors
strategized a way to try to keep Belair as far away
from Cargill as possible and Cargill out of the ring
as much as they can.
Jawbreaker by the EST.
[Cole] Base created. Wait a minute.
Roll up here to try to win.
Asuka kicks-out.
[Corey] Sudden kick to the body stops Bianca in her tracks.
[chanting, applause]
[Cole] And now Asuka just taking her time.
Oh, look at that.
[cheering]
[Corey] Belair able to reverse the suplex attempt by Asuka.
[Cole] Asuka collapsing near her corner.
Kairi Sane, few fingertips away.
Belair trying to make it across the ring to Jade Cargill.
Asuka trying to tag Kairi Sane.
Kairi is legal.
Bianca Belair trying to drag herself to the corner.
Sane using Belair to knock Cargill off the apron.
[Corey] Absolutely fantastic situational awareness
by Kairi Sane.
[booing]
Stopping the tag before disaster was possible.
[chanting, applause]
[Cole] On a slap by Belair, trying to create separation again.
Kairi whipped across the ring, hanging on.
Belair runs into an elbow. Tag made.
Here comes Asuka
This is legal.
[Cole] Oh, great frequent tags.
Wait a minute.
Kairi Sane up over the top!
[shouting]
And now the double team.
Belair is in trouble to retain for the Kabuki Warriors.
And Belair kicks at two.
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] This is the side of Asuka.
I believe we're going to need to see
if the Kabuki Warriors plan on leaving France as Champion.
[shouting]
[Cole] Trying to continue to punish Belair.
[Corey] The absolutely brutal, borderline sadistic submission specialist.
For most of her tenure in WWE,
Asuka has been one of, if not the most,
feared woman on the roster, for good reason.
The EST doesn't buy in anymore.
[Cole] Trying to power up with Asuka locked in!
Asuka's on her shoulder!
Tag made!
Kairi's legal!
[Corey] Tug of war over
Asuka [chatter]
[booing]
Again, I believe-- I'm sorry,
Kairi Sane is legal for the Kabuki Warriors.
[Cole] Made the tag.
And Kairi calling for the elbow.
This is the double team that the Warriors have used.
Not effective there.
Kairi, up over the top, rolls through Belair, surviving.
And, again, trying to use Belair's hair to her advantage,
as she's done throughout much of the matchup.
-[shouting] -Come on.
[Corey] Hey listen, the Kabuki Warriors not paying
much attention to the referee, Dan Angler's count
because if they get disqualified, guess what?
They keep The Championship.
No sweat off the Warriors' back.
[Cole] Belair's got to submit or pin the Warriors
to win the tag titles.
-[shouts] -[Cole] Bianca to the corner.
Tag made.
Here comes Jade Cargill.
The powerhouse is legal.
Cargill, crossbody.
[Corey] Oh.
[Cole] Off that top rope, that springboard.
[Corey] She can fly.
Oh, man.
[Cole] Caught Kairi.
Asuka ducked underneath, but ran into a boot
on the other side.
[Corey] That pump kick just kicked The Empress of Tomorrow
into next week.
[cheering]
[Cole] Margo, Stinger Splash in the corner.
One on the other side now to Kairi.
[shouting]
Jade Cargill, all over the rink, dumps Asuka, turns her attention now
to Kairi Sane, lifts Kairi up and slams her down!
Cover!
Stacks her up for the titles!
Asuka breaks things up.
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] Take another look at the athleticism
possessed by Jade Cargill.
A springboard cross-body block.
When you are all muscle, that can end a match.
There's the power on display again.
And Asuka, at the very last possible millisecond,
keeps this one alive.
[Cole] And, again, looking to military press Kairi Sane.
Puts Kairi on her shoulders and, again, just slams her to the mat.
Let's go!
[cheering]
Hey, that's illegal.
[Corey] Cargill, once again, looking for the pump kick.
-Asuka sends-- spinning back fists. -[Cole] And another one.
And Asuka unloading now on Cargill.
[shouting]
Oh, man.
[Corey] Welcome to the Kabuki Warriors, Jade Cargill.
[shouting]
[Cole] oh, my god.
[Corey] Backbreaker by Sane.
Shoulders down.
Kairi, you're not legal.
You tagged yourself.
[Corey] Great move by the official.
Amidst the chaos--
[Cole] Dan Angler.
[Corey] Great call by Dan Angler.
[Cole] Trying to explain to Kairi,
saying that you're not legal.
And she-- he waves off the possible cover.
[chanting]
[Corey] That's then- a great heads up call by Angler.
[chanting]
A little shocking that this deep into a World Tag team
title reign that Kairi Sane, still unsure of the legalities of things.
[chanting]
[Cole] it's been a fast-paced matchup, Corey.
[Corey] I understand. It's been chaotic.
It's been downright madness, but we're talking about the elite team
in the Women's Tag Team division.
[Cole] When you're in the ring with Jade Cargill, you wanna put her away
-as quick as he can. -[Corey] Sure.
[Cole] Sneak one over on the official, perhaps.
Asuka now is legal.
The waist lock on Cargill.
A couple of elbows.
[shouting]
[Corey] Cargill answers with a superkick of her own.
It looks like it might have caught Asuka in the throat.
[chanting, applause]
We've seen the type of game-changing power
Jade Cargill possesses.
It only takes one maneuver, jaded, to end a match,
to turn an opponent's lights out.
There we go.
Great wherewithal by Kairi to make herself legal yet again.
[Cole] Yes, off the tag.
[chanting]
Kairi from behind Cargill.
Jade now looking to power our way through this.
Kairi up and down.
[shouting]
[Corey] Deja vu.
[shouting]
Cargill's spending a lot of valuable time.
This could be the inexperience factor.
Again, Jade has not been in a Championship environment
here in WWE.
[chanting]
Perhaps there was a--
wait, sweep of the leg.
Cover here by Kairi Sane.
She's looking for an armbar.
[Cole] Kairi now with the armbar locked in on Jade.
[chanting]
[Corey] Cargill's shoulders may be down.
[Cole] Now Belair in.
And Belair's in an armbar as well.
The Kabuki Warriors with an armbar
on both Cargill and Belair.
[Corey] Listen, I-- this is coming down to the-- the official.
[applause]
Again, a disqualification is gonna mean, the Kabuki Warriors keep their titles.
I know that's not what Belair and Cargill want.
[Cole] Official giving both these teams a lot of room here.
Now, Belair and Cargill powering them
up and slamming them down.
[applause]
Critical moment of this matchup.
All four women down.
[chanting]
[Corey] We have talked all night
about the importance of setting the tone
for your Championship reign.
We know what the Kabuki Warriors have been all about
since capturing the gold.
What lengths are they willing to go
to retain, to continue, their title reign?
Or could it all fall apart?
Oh, look at this.
Now, Cargill, the vice-like grip on both Champions.
[Cole] You have, again, the veterans, the experience of Kairi Sane.
Tag made.
Belair's legal.
[booing]
Bianca Belair now, double teamed.
Goodness, Kairi Sang.
Look at that!
Belair has turned things around!
[Corey] Belair bulldozing into position.
[Cole] Cover!
1, 2!
[Corey] And Kairi Sane survives.
[chanting, applause]
[Cole] Just barely.
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] Belair now looks beside herself.
[Cole] Bianca Belair cannot believe she didn't put Kairi Sane away there.
[Corey] I mean, that was a hell of an offensive barrage
by Cargill and Belair.
Asuka pulling Jade to the floor on the outside.
And Cargill tasting the steel.
[Cole] Now, Bianca--
[Corey] From behind.
[Cole] Kairi, scooping up Bianca Belair, trying to retain.
Bianca's got to kick at two
Bianca now, spinebuster to Sane.
[applause]
And now Bianca Belair picking-- whoa,
shoulder first to the post.
[Corey] Into the ring post goes the EST. Tag made.
Asuka now legal.
[Cole] Yeah, Asuka smells blood.
[booing]
Looking for the double team.
Kairi Sane, top rope.
[chanting]
And St. Elmo to retain the tag team titles!
And Jade Cargill saves the matchup!
[chanting, applause]
Well, matchup continues.
[Corey] Kairi just hit Cargill with a palm strike
that may have thrown Jade's equilibrium all the way off.
oh, my god.
Just being battered with back fists.
[Cole] And kick to the midsection by Asuka.
And another one to Cargill.
Cargill looks to block.
There's a kick of her own.
Kairi Sane now on the second rope.
Kairi caught by Jade Cargill.
Powers up Kairi Sane.
[shouting]
Look at this!
What a display of athleticism Jade did!
[cheering]
And now Belair with Asuka up on her shoulders!
The coyote!
[Corey] Onto Kairi.
[Cole] Cover!
One, two...
[Cole] We have new Tag Team Champions!
[pop music]
♪ Against the wall ♪
[Samantha] Here are your winners
and the new-
WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Jade Cargill
and Bianca Belair!
[Cole] Corey, that sequence in the end
of the display of power by Jade Cargill
is what she's all about.
What a start to her career here in WWE.
And for the first time in her career,
Bianca Belair is a tag champ.
[Corey] And kudos to Bianca Belair for being the leader in this environment
that Jade Cargill still can use at this early point early in her career.
This is what you were referring to.
Absolutely mind-blowing power from both women.
Kairi Sane delivers the insane elbow.
The Kabuki Warriors have won with this very maneuver numerous times.
But Cargill was where she needed to be when it counted most.
And look at this.
[Cole] This is incredible.
[Corey] Just woman handling Kairi Sane.
[cheering]
And there it is, Jaded.
It wasn't pretty at points, but the exclamation point
in the form of the K.O.D would guarantee
we have brand new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions.
♪ I never needed you at all ♪
[chanting]
[Cole] Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill
rule the Tag Team division
as the new Women's Tag Team Champions.
♪ Against the wild ♪
♪ The pressures build ♪
♪ But know I will never fall ♪
♪ Is it a crime? ♪
♪ They hear me roar ♪
♪ They never see me ♪
♪ I'm better than before ♪
♪ I never needed you at all ♪
♪ When you fall down ♪
♪ I'mma watch you fall down ♪
♪ A battle ♪
♪ I'm ready for war ♪
♪ I come from the struggle I love all the trouble ♪
♪ I've been here before ♪
[Cole] WWE Backlash press conference
immediately following in our main event,
which is coming up next.
Triple H will be there.
Cody Rhodes or AJ Styles, the winner of our main event matchup.
The new tag Team Champions will be a part
of the WWE Backlash press conference,
immediately following our event here, live from Lyon, France.
[Corey] And then immediately following WWE Backlash,
tune in to the 150th Kentucky Derby on NBC for a very,
very special WrestleMania announcement later tonight.
NBC and Peacock for the Kentucky Derby.
Well, this coming Monday on Raw,
it is the return of The King and Queen of the Ring.
♪ Studio is my time apart ♪
♪ I go make a backer ♪
[suspenseful music]
[narrator] The time draws near.
The throne is calling.
The King and Queen will be crowned.
[Cole] Where legends have been made
and careers have been built.
[narrator] A grueling tournament,
where The Champions of tomorrow are forged in combat--
[Cole] Think about the all-time greats over the years that have held this crown.
[narrator] …where victory sets you on a path to greatness--
[Cole] Zelina Vega is The Queen!
The only woman fit to be Queen.
[narrator] …and where future Hall of Famers
take their first step towards immortality.
Austin 316 says, I just whipped your ass.
[wrestler] This ring is now my house.
[Wrestler] I'm royalty. It's true.
It's true.
[wrestler] All hail King Booker.
[narrator] This Monday, the tournaments begin again,
as the top Superstars from Raw and SmackDown
look to advance to the finals at The King and Queen of the Ring,
Premium Live event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Who will seize their destiny and become the next King and Queen
of the Ring?
[Cole] The tournament starts Monday on Raw.
And we're going to take a look now at some of the first round women's matchups
that will take place on Monday night.
Zoey Stark, Ivy Nile.
You're gonna see Shayna Baszler and Zelina Vega coming up,
as well as part of The Queen of the Ring tournament.
Valkyria, the new pick from NXT, takes on Asuka. That'll be interesting.
Iyo Sky and Natalya as well.
The men's first round matchup on Monday nights.
Some very intriguing matchups here, Corey.
[Corey] Drew McIntyre one-on-one versus Finn Bálor.
That one's already too close to call.
Kofi Kingston versus the Hall of Famer, Rey Mysterio.
Keep your eyes on the skies in that one.
And for this one, as Ricochet, the new WWE speed Champion,
battles Ilja Dragunov.
And how about this?
You like heavy hitters?
It don't get any heavier than the Ring General versus Sheamus.
I cannot wait for that one.
Now, keep in mind, those matchups are only for Monday Night Raw.
You guys are gonna have your own on Friday Night SmackDown.
It's going to continue
Friday night on SmackDown.
We'll keep you posted.
Keep your eyes on all of our WWE social platforms for news as it breaks.
And the finals take place three weeks from tonight.
The next time we come your way in a Premium Live event here on Peacock,
it is The King and Queen of the Ring tournament finals
in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. We will see you there.
Well, coming up next, our main event, the number one contender
for the undisputed WWE title won a mini tournament to get here.
AJ Styles looks to win the WWE title for a third time.
He finished the story at WrestleMania,
but writing a sequel can never, ever be easy.
The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes,
defends against AJ Styles when Backlash comes back.
It's the main event, Rhodes versus Styles
for the first time ever.
Will it be a phenomenal ending?
Will one of WWE's most decorated Superstars
The American Nightmare prevail in his first title defense as Champion?
♪ Cause I'm off and I'm eating my fruits ♪
♪ And they didn't see this ♪
[Cole] Let's see the road these competitors traveled to get here.
[Cole] When one good story ends, an even better one begins.
[suspenseful music]
Rhodes made on the rank!
Crossroads!
Cody's not done yet!
[cheering]
Come on, Cody!
Finished the Styles!
[cheering]
[Cody] For every moment that has defined me,
for every single fan who has believed in me,
for everyone who ever dreamed out in the open,
you and I right here and now are
standing on top of the mountain.
My name is Cody Rhodes.
Once undesirable, become undeniable.
And now your undisputed WWE Champion!
[cheering]
[AJ] It was a beautiful thing to see you finish your story.
[Cole] AJ's the number one contender!
[bell rings]
[AJ] But it's a shame that your title reign is gonna end
-at Backlash. -[somber music]
Cody, you have something I want.
To win back the championship, I'd say, would prove a lot of people wrong.
They don't know what I'm capable of.
They think maybe I'm over the hill.
Maybe I'm done.
If you wanna be the best, outwork the guy beside you,
and I've done just that my whole career.
And you know what's changed since then?
Nothing.
We have two Georgia boys ready to mix
it up for the first time for the biggest prize in the game.
We haven't crossed paths yet,
but we've been down the same roads and we had to prove
ourselves outside of WWE.
[rock music]
And I look at this right here.
And the weight of this isn't just of leather and gold.
And at Backlash, we're gonna see if you can carry it.
[cheering]
[Cody] It seems like you're implying
that I cannot carry the weight of that championship.
That means that no matter how phenomenal you are,
this is not a dream match for me.
[cheering]
It's a must win.
♪ There can only be one ♪
I'm going to demolish everything, and prove a point.
[Cody] It's not about winning the title.
It's about keeping it.
♪ There can only be one ♪
♪ Stand up ♪
♪ No one giving so we taking up ♪
♪ Stand up ♪
♪ Stand firm ♪
♪ We can never fall ♪
♪ Stand up ♪
♪ Cause every day we can risk it all ♪
♪ Stand up ♪
♪ I think this city never, ever ♪
AJ I've waited my time.
That time has come up. And I'm sorry, Cody. I really am.
That choice has as well.
[Corey] If you come at The King, you best not miss.
♪ There can only be one ♪
[cheering]
[hip-hop music]
♪ You don't want none ♪
[firework explodes]
[cheering]
♪ All four corners ♪
♪ I leave it on the floor ♪
♪ Hand held high ♪
♪ So the people all know ♪
♪ Yeah, whoa ♪
♪ Time to run it up ♪
♪ Check scope, ten toes down ♪
♪ I'm coming ♪
♪ Let's go ♪
♪ Blood, sweat, tears ♪
[Cole] The phenomenal AJ Styles set to battle
for the undisputed WWE Championship.
Well, we want to remind everyone
that tickets for WWE SummerSlam at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland,
Ohio, on Saturday, August 3 go on sale-
this coming Thursday.
♪ Headed to the finish line ♪
♪ Told em back, back up ♪
♪ Whoa ♪
[Corey] Michael Cole, the event was Backlash,
the year was 2016, where the phenomenal AJ Styles saw
the top of the mountain for the very first time,
becoming WWE Champion.
He would replicate that success again in 2017 here in Europe.
And tonight, Styles had custom gear made
to replicate what he was wearing the night
that he defeated Dusty Rhodes
for the NWA Championship 21 years ago.
[Cole] Tonight, he meets Dusty's son, Cody, for the first time ever.
♪ In the ring where anything goes ♪
♪ I know you don't want none ♪
[chanting]
[Cole] The first man to ever win
the WWE Championship outside of North America,
Manchester, England, a number of years ago.
AJ would like to replicate that feat here tonight.
[chanting, applause]
[cheering]
["Kingdom" by Downstait playing]
♪ Wrestling has more Than one royal family ♪
[cheering]
♪ Adrenaline in my soul ♪
♪ Every thought out of control ♪
♪ Do it all to get them off their feet ♪
♪ Crowd is here ♪
♪ About to blow ♪
♪ Waiting for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain ♪
♪ Lights go up ♪
♪ I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa! ♪
[explosions]
♪ Said ♪
♪ When I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ You took it all away ♪
♪ I gave it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game ♪
♪ A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me! ♪
♪ You took my dreams ♪
♪ But not my name! ♪
♪ You'll follow me until the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom! ♪
♪ Lights go down ♪
♪ I'm ready now ♪
♪ Tear this roof for the town ♪
♪ Going to give 'em What they came to see ♪
♪ Hear the crowd ♪
♪ On their toes ♪
♪ Ready for me to start the show ♪
♪ Out the curtain ♪
♪ Lights go up ♪
♪ I'm home ♪
♪ Whoa! ♪
[fireworks]
♪ My father said when I was younger ♪
♪ Hard times breed better men ♪
♪ Better men! ♪
♪ You took it all away ♪
♪ I gave it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game ♪
♪ A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
♪ Now you bow to me! ♪
♪ You took my dreams ♪
♪ But not my name! ♪
♪ You'll follow me until the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom! ♪
♪ You tried to tell me what to do ♪
♪ I saw the door ♪
[cheering]
♪ And you can never stop me now! ♪
♪ Bow now! ♪
♪ I am The King! ♪
♪ And you're the crown! ♪
♪ Now watch me as I take my throne ♪
♪ And rule my kingdom ♪
♪ You took it all away ♪
♪ I gave it all away ♪
♪ Can't take my freedom ♪
[audience] ♪ Here to change the game, a banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
[chanting] Now you bow to me
You took my dreams
But not my name
[singing] ♪ You'll follow me until the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom ♪ [cheering]
[bell ringing]
The following contest is scheduled for One Fall,
and it is for the undisputed
WWE Championship!
[cheering]
Introducing the challenger from Gainesville,
Georgia, weighing in at 220 pounds,
the Phenomenal AJ Styles!
[chanting]
[Cole] The camera is bouncing.
And his opponent from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 222 pounds.
He is the undisputed
WWE Champion,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Cole] A lot of history being made tonight.
It is Cody Rhodes' first televised defense
of the undisputed WWE Championship,
a title that was never held by his father,
the late, great American dream, Dusty Rhodes.
Also, the official in this matchup,
you see her there, Jessika Carr, becoming the first woman to referee
a main event for the WWE Championship
in the long history of this company.
Congratulations to Jessika Carr, who has her work cut out for her tonight.
It is Cody's first title defense, Corey,
but for AJ Styles, his first shot at a world Championship since back in May
of last year in the finals for the World Heavyweight title
against Seth Rollins in Saudi Arabia.
[Corey] Well, listen, Cody has been proud
to wave the flag of the new era here in WWE.
But the question still remains, what will this era look like?
And AJ Styles is a Superstar who on paper is arguably just as qualified
as a veteran who could lead this roster of young lions.
Who wants it more?
[Cole] So we are underway.
Two former Bullet Club leaders lock up
for the WWE Championship tonight.
Styles and Cody Rhodes, center of the ring.
The veteran, AJ Styles, looking to take Cody off his game early
and try to win a WWE title for a third time in his career.
It is a big fight, main event feel here tonight at Backlash in Lyon.
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] Just because I know the rest of the world
is asking every time the crowd breaks out into song,
it's about the word phenomenal.
It's a traditional celebratory song here in France.
Every time the word phenomenal is spoken,
these maniacs do this.
[chanting, applause]
[Cole] This is a different AJ Styles as of late,
a bit more aggressive, a bit more sharp-- sharp in the tongue.
In fact, a couple of people have told me that he's been a bit of an ass as of late
in the way that his attitude has been in the locker room.
[Corey] Listen, something that is undeniable,
Styles has added muscle to his physique for added power.
This late in this stage in his career,
Styles is still looking to improve.
The question remains, will the added muscle factor-in
to AJ's stamina if this match gets dragged into the deep water?
[Cole] But why the change in attitude
at this point in his career?
[Corey] Because AJ Styles knows that Father Time is undefeated.
And Styles may only have a few years left
to make some more great moments in his career.
AJ is trying to make up- make every moment count.
[Cole] I brought this up to Cody Rhodes in the--
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] And, Cole, to your earlier assessment
of AJ's recent attitude, AJ is a Superstar who will never hesitate to bend the rules.
Is Cody willing to go there?
That's what I am curious about seeing
because Cody's got to fight fire with fire tonight
if Styles chooses to take that path.
[Cole] You know the Backlash kickoff show yesterday,
I brought up to Cody Rhodes and mentioned to him that you're one
of the most respectful Superstars I've ever met here in WWE.
But sometimes he'll get bit for being respectful.
He has to fight fire with fire with AJ Styles tonight.
You're too respectful, you're gonna get bit
in the back of the ass.
[chanting]
And now Cody Rhodes taking Styles down.
Styles, though, quickly up over the top.
[Corey] People forget the incredibly decorated
amateur backgrounds of both of these Superstars
back in Georgia, where they grew up.
[Cole] Yeah, Cody Rhodes a champ-
turning into corner by AJ Styles.
[applause]
[Corey] That's-- those are mind games.
That's the veteran, AJ Styles, reminding Cody,
I can still get you. Be careful. Oh!
And there's the receipt 24 hours later!
That what you want?
-We can go dirty real quick. -[audience chanting] Cody!
Cody! Cody!
[Cole] Cody showing some fire.
[chanting]
And, again, AJ with a knee to the midsection,
driving The Champion back toward the corner.
Now a chop through the chest.
And Styles unloading.
Rhodes as well.
[shouting]
Come on now!
[Corey] We know the professional respect
that these two Superstars have for one another,
but the personal disdain at this point might outweigh that.
This thing could devolve into a fight.
[applause]
And a picture perfect dropkick.
Shades of AJ Styles from Cody Rhodes in that moment.
[Cole laughs]
[shouting]
Now mocking what Styles did to him last night.
A little callback to some stardust.
[cheering]
[chanting]
And now middle of the ring, perhaps a test of strength.
[shouting]
[Corey] Styles firing off another series of sharp knife-edged chops
-to The Champion. -[chants gaining momentum]
-[Cole] A-- kick! -[Corey chuckles] Reminding the world
that he is indeed still phenomenal.
And right on cue, Cole, here they come.
[joyous chanting]
The LDLC Arena is vibrating,
it is shaking, because of the WWE fans bouncing.
Oh, my god.
[Cole] Back body drop by Rhodes to Styles!
[cheering]
[Corey] Cody looking for a cover.
[chanting, applause]
This is some back and forth action again.
[chanting, applause]
Cody with a drop-- I'm sorry, AJ with a dropkick--
-[Cole] Wow, the height. -[Corey] …by launching AJ into the heavens
with that back body drop.
-[crowd chants gaining momentum] -[Cole] And now AJ Styles in trouble.
Cody Rhodes hooks him.
Vertical suplex coming from the undisputed WWE Champion.
[Corey] All the blood rushing to the skull of AJ Styles.
[the crowd goes wild]
-[Cole] That delay -[interposing voices]
[Cole] Effective by Cody.
[Corey] Gourd buster by The American Nightmare.
[audience chanting] Cody! Cody!
Cody! Cody!
[Corey] Can't help but take notice
of how deliberately Rhodes has moved to this point.
Cody not trying to push the pace just yet,
realizing he has to have respect for what Styles is capable of. But uh-oh--
[Cole] Oh, Styles sending the shoulder into the corner.
[Corey] I think we've all heard the rumors over the past several weeks
of Cody potentially injuring that shoulder
in his match with Carmelo Hayes on SmackDown!--
-[Cole] Oh! -[Corey] oh, my god!
[Cole] Yeah, we saw the video all over social media.
-[cheering] -Cody has not talked about it.
No one has- mentioned it, really, until Styles attacked his shoulder.
Look at him wrap the arm there.
[Corey] If Cody's arm wasn't injured before,
it probably is now.
[Cole] Again, the shrewdness of AJ Styles.
The savvy veteran that has accomplished
so much all over the world
looking to again win a WWE Championship,
be on top of WWE and Friday Night SmackDown.
-[shouts from a crowd member] -[Corey] And what AJ Styles is showing me
right now is that he's in this for the long haul.
A slow, deliberate pace being set
by the Phenomenal one, a hammerlock,
realizing you're not gonna beat Cody easily.
You're gonna have to chip away at Cody Rhodes.
You're going to have to isolate a body part and take it out.
That's what Styles is trying to do right now.
[Cole] Yeah, Cody Rhodes, who ended the 1,316 day reign
of Roman Reigns at WrestleMania,
finally finishing the story after two long years.
But if you're Cody Rhodes, you can ill afford to lose the title
tonight after everything you went through to gain it.
[chanting, applause]
This has been an incredible atmosphere-
all week long.
Cody blocked.
Nice takedown of Styles.
[crowd] 1, 2… [singing begins again]
[Cole] Shoulders down again and a kick-out by Cody.
-Big-- -[Corey] Uppercut.
[Cole] Oh, and a step up enzuigiri by Styles
caught Cody in the back of the head.
[chanting, applause]
[shouting]
[Corey] Styles now surveying the scene.
[Corey] And Rhodes out of the way just in time.
And that was some serious whiplash suffered by Styles.
[Cole] Yeah, Cody sending Styles right into the ropes.
[chanting]
Styles is stunned.
Hey!
[Cole] Cody able to buy himself some time to regroup here.
[chanting, applause]
[Jessika] Three!
[Cole] Here comes Rhodes.
[Corey] Runs into him.
Right hand by AJ, who just drops Cody.
[shouting]
Now AJ Styles gonna bounce Cody right off our announce table.
2!
[Corey] See the intensity in the eyes of the Phenomenal one.
[Jessika] Three!
[chanting, applause]
[Cole] AJ dropping Cody face first on our table.
[Jessika] Three!
[chanting, applause]
[booing]
One!
[Corey] Styles staring a hole in Philippe, Christophe,
much to the chagrin of the French faithful.
Clearing off the-- the French announce table.
[chanting]
[Cole] Course, there's Jessika Carr.
A lot of leeway in this matchup.
You can't blame her.
This is for the WWE Championship.
Cody driving AJ hip first into the steel.
[Corey] Curious to see if that'll come into play
as this match progresses.
You injure somebody's hip, especially someone
like the Phenomenal AJ Styles, who so much of his offense
is based off being able to launch himself,
whether that being a springboard
or just propel himself forward, that could be a game changer
if that hip plays a part.
[shouting]
[Cole] Styles back to his feet,
trying to drag himself into the ring.
Cody Rhodes going to meet him there.
[chanting]
AJ bounced off the top turnbuckle.
Both these men have been through so much
in this battle so far, punishing one another.
[shouting]
Cody on the second rope.
He's hooked AJ.
[shouting]
[Corey] Rhodes thinking about a superplex.
-But I would dare give the advantage. -[applause]
And that precarious position to AJ Styles
perhaps a little more sure footed than The American Nightmare,
-at least historically speaking. -[Cole] Styles now, second row.
[Corey] Oh my. Oh, my god. Look at this.
[cheering echoes]
[Cole] Cody Rhodes with Styles up.
Styles, though, lands on his feet, Cody tumbles.
[Corey] I- I think AJ ripped Cody down as AJ was falling. Either way--
[Cole] Well, the spine of Cody Rhodes hitting hard.
And Cody smarting now into the corner.
He's hurt, maybe hurt bad.
[chanting, applause]
Muscle up.
[Cole] And Styles now gonna target- Cody Rhodes.
[Corey] Veteran like AJ's gonna do 100 times out of 100.
-[Cole] Yes. -My god.
Right back on the exposed back of The American Nightmare.
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] Again, Styles out here with points to prove.
[Cole] Beautiful. Moonsault!
Cody-
I think he got his knees up.
[Corey] Cody did get his knees up just in time,
off the springboard moonsault by Styles,
who said earlier that 21 years ago,
Dusty Rhodes couldn't beat me.
This day and age, there's no chance in hell that Cody does.
[chanting, applause]
[Cole] Critical moment in the match.
Both men down.
The Champion, Cody Rhodes, the challenger,
AJ Styles, in the undisputed WWE Championship.
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] Again, between the hip being run into the steel stairs
and Cody putting his knees up into AJ's ribs,
this is really going to chip away at Styles' core strength.
Cody able to block twice and deliver right hands of his own.
Another block by Cody Rhodes.
And Cody now unloading on Styles.
[shouting]
And here comes the Nightmare.
[shouting]
[Cole] Cody up over the top.
AJ powerslammed by Cody.
[Corey] Sudden impact.
[cheering]
And the WWE Universe giving Rhodes
the shot of adrenaline he so desperately needs.
Back to his feet. Fired up.
[Cole] Off the second rope, disaster kick.
Cody cover to retain.
[crowd] 1, 2!
[Cole] AJ able to get the shoulder up at two.
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] Take a look at this.
Cody, with a disaster kick, caught Styles right under the chin.
And perhaps the landing took a little more out of Cody than he expected.
Slow into the cover attempt.
[Cole] Oh, again, the back-
there's been an issue over the last few minutes
for Cody in this match.
[Corey] And I respect Cody as undisputed WWE Champion,
playing his cards close to the vest.
He doesn't want Styles to know if he's injured.
He doesn't want the fans to know if he's injured.
Doesn't want anybody to know because a--
or because Cody realizes every opponent should use it against him.
[chanting]
[Cole] And AJ Styles met Cody there that time.
Just a little too quick.
[chanting] Cody
[interposing voices]
[Cole] --shoulders down for the win.
AJ has to kick it too.
[chanting]
Now Styles, oh, back of the knee!
Right into the back of the neck. Cover for The Championship!
And a kick-out by Rhodes.
[applause]
Point of the knee right through the neck of Rhodes.
[Corey] AJ wincing in pain
even after delivering an offensive maneuver.
Let's take another look at this.
Styles powering up Rhodes,
driving Cody down across his own knee.
And Styles now looking to rally.
[chanting, applause]
[Cole] Who digs down deep?
Who has the will to survive?
[chanting]
Styles into the corner.
Nobody home.
Cody Rhodes.
Now, hold on!
[applause]
[Corey] Again, the veteran, Styles, rolling out underneath the bottom rope,
knowing that he cannot be pinned or forced to submit out there.
[chanting]
And, of course, Champion's advantage does apply.
Styles must pin or force Rhodes to submit to become undisputed WWE Champion.
[chanting, applause]
[Cole] Cody now lifting AJ up on the apron.
I'll get it right this time.
[shouting]
[Corey] Oh, no!
[Cole] Oh, god!
[Corey] AJ Styles dropping Cody on his head.
[chanting]
If somehow AJ Styles can summon the power
to get Rhodes back in the ring, we're gonna have a new Champion.
Cody has not moved.
[chanting, applause]
Rhodes may be out.
Rhodes may be injured.
[Cole] Watch this.
Oh, my goodness.
[Corey] Talk about a high-angle landing
across the base of Cody's neck, the top of his shoulders.
That was a worst case scenario.
[Cole] Styles, realizing count out doesn't do him any good,
rolls into the ring. That'll break the count- for him.
But Cody still outside the official at four.
[Corey] Styles realized the situation.
[Cole] Sliding knee caught by Cody.
Cody with AJ up high.
AJ planted, right through the French announce table!
Desperation move and effective for Rhodes!
[chanting]
[Corey] Cody Rhodes, if nothing else,
has purchased himself some extremely valuable time
-in this title battle. -[cheering]
Take another look at this.
The American Nightmare taking Styles for a ride
through the announce table, the French announce table.
Apologies to Christophe and Philippe.
[chanting, applause]
Both men are down outside the ring.
[chanting, applause]
There's the Agius Chéreau chants we've been hearing all weekend,
a sign of respect to our French announce friends.
[chanting, applause]
[Jessika] 4!
[Cole] Got a 4 by the official, Jessika Carr.
-Now at 5. -5!
[Cole] Styles has been taken out through the table.
[crowd in French] 6!
[Cole] The champ, Cody Rhodes, is down as well.
[crowd in French] 7!
[chants gaining momentum]
-[crowd in French] 8! -[Cole] Down to 8.
-[crowd in French] 9! -[Cole] And 9.
AJ and Rhodes just beat the count, both of them.
[cheering]
Exhaustion.
[chanting]
The physical toll of this matchup setting in.
[chanting]
Styles to his feet.
Rhodes up as well.
Collision for both men on the middle of the ring.
[chanting]
Heavy rights being exchanged by both Champion and challenger.
[chanting]
[Corey] Both men connecting with kicks.
Both competitors down.
Both men are down and in trouble.
[cheering and rapturous applause]
The playing field, once again, even.
A dead heat in this undisputed WWE Championship matchup.
[Cole] Cody looking to rally.
AJ Styles looking to do the unthinkable
and take The Championship here in Cody's first televised defense.
[chanting, applause]
Want to go again?
Want to go again? Let's go.
Yeah?
You want to go again?
[rapturous cheering gains momentum fast]
Let's go!
[Cole] And here we go!
Center of the ring!
Rhodes and Styles!
[chanting]
Cody, shots to the midsection.
[chanting]
[Corey] And AJ answers with a phenomenal blitz.
[shouting]
[Cole] And now Cody teeing off the left hands by Cody Rhodes.
[shouting]
Bionic elbow!
[Corey] Cover by Rhodes!
[Cole] To retain!
Kick-out by Styles!
What a main event for the WWE Championship.
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] We were expecting one hell of a main event.
We know how much respect Rhodes has for AJ Styles.
Cody even comparing Styles recently to Bret "The Hitman" Hart.
Saying he's a modern day excellence of execution.
Cody knows that iron sharpens iron,
and if Cody wants to wave the flag,
he's gotta get past the best.
[Cole] And how much does Cody have left?
How deep will Cody Rhodes be able to dig?
Off the second rope, went for the Cody Cutter.
Styles able to block!
[Corey] I think AJ was thinking about--
[Cole] Styles' Clash- maybe.
[Corey] Or maybe, a piledriver?
[Cole] And now Cody Rhodes lifting Styles up!
AJ Styles from behind.
[Corey] And a boot to Cody.
And into the corner.
[interposing voices]
[Cole] First goes Rhodes.
[applause]
Again, remember, the fact he was injured
earlier on in this matchup.
[chanting, applause]
Corey, I've never quite experienced a night like this.
[Corey] That makes two of us.
And I am loving every second of it.
[Cole] Styles now delivers the knee
again to the back of Cody Rhodes,
which has become the focal point of the attack for the veteran Styles.
[applause]
And AJ positioned where he wants to be, off the top rope.
Cody Rhodes may be done for!
AJ Styles cover for the win and the title!
And Cody kicked out!
[chanting, applause]
[Corey] And this is the point in the match where it's more than frustration.
Perhaps, doubt begins to creep in if you're AJ Styles.
You just hit your bread and butter,
that springboard 450 Splash,
which has brought Styles so many victories. And Cody kicked-out.
[applause]
[Cole] We're learning a lot about Cody Rhodes tonight, his resilience,
and his guts, and his will to win.
[chanting]
He finished the story.
It's always harder to write the sequel.
And that's what Cody's trying to do tonight with Styles up on his shoulders.
AJ Styles!
[Corey] Burning hammer!
[Cole] Cover for The Championship!
Cody kicked right out, didn't even get to a two count!
Cody fired up off the burning hammer!
Cody Rhodes!
AJ can't believe it!
[cheering]
Cody's begging for more.
[chanting]
[shouts]
[Cole] Cody traps the leg.
[shouting]
Cody, cover!
[cheering]
Cover!
1, 2…
[Cole] Styles kicks out!
[Corey] Just barely, but this match rolls on.
[chanting, applause]
AJ Styles just won't stop.
Look at this.
A burning hammer, which should have taken Cody out for good.
Instead, Rhodes rallied.
[cheering]
Cody, cutter.
But even this wasn't enough to deny the challenge of AJ
Styles yet.
[chanting]
[Cole] Rhodes stumbling to his feet.
AJ Styles using the ropes
to somehow get back to a vertical base.
[chanting, applause]
Physical, emotional.
[Corey] I don't think AJ's brain and his body are on the same page.
Styles wants to keep fighting.
You know I got to!
[shouts]
[Cole] Clothesline by Rhodes.
[applause]
Both of these men have left everything in the ring.
[cheering]
And some of themselves outside of it.
Cody going to hook AJ Styles and look to put Styles away.
With the crossroads, AJ countered.
Styles caught him!
[Corey] Pelé kick right between the eyes.
[Cole] And now it's AJ's turn with an opening and a chance.
[chanting, applause]
Cody launching AJ out to the apron,
who caught him in the forearm.
And now AJ Styles says it's time.
[Corey] Is it time for number three for AJ Styles?
[Cole] Off the top rope.
Caught by Cody.
[applause]
[Corey] I believe Cody connected with the sternum of AJ Styles,
which likely just drove all the oxygen,
all the wind, out of the challenger.
[audience chanting] Cody! Cody!
Cody! Cody!
Cody!
[groans]
[Cole] And Cody now, Kimura locked in on AJ Styles.
[Corey] Cody Rhodes knows first hand just how brutal this submission can be.
[applause]
[Cole] And now he's trying to use the Kimura
to his advantage and try to get AJ Styles to tap out so Cody can retain.
[groaning]
Come on, AJ!
[Cole] Styles writhing, screaming in pain.
Is he going to tap out to Cody?
[chanting]
[Corey] Cody had his arm broken by this move.
[chanting]
[Cole] Trying to do the same to Styles.
Styles trying to somehow work his way out of it.
[chanting]
[Corey] AJ is doing his best to'
put his footing underneath the weight of both he and Rhodes.
[Cole] Yeah, you mentioned the power.
The AJ Styles gotten so much stronger.
He used that to his advantage there.
[chanting, applause]
Could we see a Styles clash?
Cody able to fight out of it.
Kicked by Rhodes. Hooked Styles.
Now he's got him where he wants him.
[cheering]
Went for crossroads.
AJ Styles countered.
Now AJ trying to hoist Cody up for the Styles Class.
Cody lands on his feet.
AJ Styles stacked up by Rhodes for the win.
Kick at two.
[chanting]
[Corey] But an offensive exchange by both Superstars.
[Cole] Cody, top rope now.
Cody, Cutter from the top rope!
[Corey] My god.
[Cole] Pulling out all the stops.
[cheering]
They're on their feet in Lyon!
[cheering]
Cody hooking AJ Styles, middle of the ring.
Crossroads!
Cover!
-[Cole] Hook of the leg! -3!
[Cole] Cody retains!
[bell rings]
["Kingdom" by Downstait playing]
[Samantha] Here is your winner,
and still the undisputed WWE Champion,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Cole] Well, talk about what a hell of a first title defense.
[Corey] That was a main event in any city around the globe,
on any date on the calendar.
Two of the best in the game.
Whoa!
[Cole] Corey, you said it earlier, iron sharpens iron.
♪ When I was younger ♪
[Corey] AJ Styles brought it.
Cody Rhodes stepped up.
♪ Better men! ♪
[Cole] And he retained the undisputed WWE Championship.
♪ My freedom ♪
♪ Here to change the game ♪
♪ A banner made of pain ♪
♪ I built my kingdom ♪
[Corey] What a sweet victory this must have been
for The American Nightmare.
♪ You'll follow me until the end ♪
♪ I am my kingdom ♪
♪ Lights go down ♪
♪ I'm ready now ♪
[Corey] Cody Rhodes knew he had to do something spectacular,
a super Cody Cutter, perhaps out of desperation.
But if it was, boy, did it ever pay off,
driving Styles face first and then a trip to the crossroads
for the challenger.
Three seconds later, and still undisputed WWE Champion,
Cody Rhodes, may now lead us fearlessly into the new era.
♪ Bow to me! ♪
[Cole] The first cut is always the deepest.
♪ I gave it all away ♪
[Cole] And for Cody Rhodes tonight,
he passed the test with flying colors,
retaining the undisputed WWE title.
♪ You took my dreams ♪
♪ But not my name! ♪
♪ You'll follow me ♪
[Cole] On an absolutely electric,
an absolutely incredible night, thank you, Lyon.
Thank you, WWE fans around the world.
Thank you, for Backlash.
♪ And you can never stop me now! ♪
["War" by ArrDee playing]
[Cole] This is France's third largest city.
Welcome to Lyon.
♪ 1, 2 ♪
[Cole] This is the largest gate
of any arena show in WWE history.
This is WWE Backlash!
♪ If they want a battle ♪
♪ I'm ready for war ♪
♪ I come from the struggle ♪
♪ And love all the trouble ♪
[Corey] It's a street fight!
♪ Yeah, kicking the door ♪
♪ Kicking the door ♪
♪ I come from the mud ♪
♪ If they want a battle ♪
♪ I'm ready for war ♪
[Cole] Tanga Loa, that's Tama Tonga's brother!
♪ I'm done and I'm sick of the talk ♪
♪ Not anymore, yeah ♪
♪ Kicking the door Woo, woo ♪
♪ Been in the gutter ♪
♪ I can give you a tour ♪
♪ If they want a battle I'm letting it loose ♪
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] What a display of athleticism!
K.O.D... new Tag Team Champion!
A Triple Threat Match.
The first woman to gain pinfall or submission will win
the WWE Women's title.
♪ Kicking the door ♪
♪ I've been in the gutter I come from the mud ♪
♪ I can give you a tour If they want a battle I'm ready for war ♪
♪ I come from the struggle I love all the trouble ♪
[Cole] Bayley got her!
♪ I'm sick of the talk and smiling faces Not anymore Yeah ♪
♪ Kicking the door Woo, woo ♪
♪ Been in the gutter I come from the mud ♪
♪ I can give you a tour Ready for war ♪
♪ Ready for war ♪
[sighs]
[Cole] Oh, look who's here.
-[Corey] JD McDonagh. -[Cole] And a spear!
♪ I come from the struggle I love all the trouble ♪
♪ I've been here before I'm done, and I'm sick of the talk ♪
♪ With the smiling faces Not anymore ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
[Cole] And Bálor... in a spirit of Bálor!
This is three on one out here.
And Damian Priest retains.
[Corey] Wait a minute.
Damian Priest has made it clear, "I want to do this on my own."
[suspenseful music]
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ There can only be one Stand up ♪
♪ No one givin', so we takin' all ♪
♪ Stand up, stand firm We can never fall ♪
♪ Stand up 'Cause every day we be riskin' it all ♪
♪ Stand up This will live forever, y'all ♪
[cheering]
One, two, three!
[bell rings]
♪ There can only be ♪
♪ There can only be one Stand up ♪
♪ No one givin', so we takin' all ♪
♪ Stand up, stand firm We can never fall... ♪ ♪