["Then, Now, and Forever" playing]
[mellow music playing]
[foreboding music playing]
[Tom] Oh, holy hell!
[Graves] This is brutal.
-[Tom] The carnage outside. -[Graves] It is bedlam.
It has devolved into chaos.
-[dramatic music playing] -[Roman] I am a protector.
I am a provider.
Acknowledge me as your tribal chief.
Acknowledge me as the head of your family table.
If you don't,
you and your family are gonna fear me.
["HWY 666" playing]
[Kevin] You want people to fear you?
I fear no one.
Put that title on the line,
and you and I settle this like men.
I'm gonna end you.
[Drew] AJ, I don't make threats.
I make promises.
I'm gonna rip off your head.
His size won't mean a thing when I knock him out.
Climb up that ladder and I grab that title.
♪ I was heading For the middle of the end of the world ♪
♪ When the demons came for me ♪
I am on top of this women's division.
[Michael] Oh, my God. Carmella is back.
The entire WWE Universe is gonna find out exactly
who the most dominant woman of this division really is.
I am out of your league and always will be.
♪ All I know Is only death provides ♪
Lana, you're gonna contort her body in all different directions.
[Tom] Oh, God.
Asuka has to find a new partner
to challenge for the Women's Tag Team titles.
[Bray] Let me in.
[foreboding music playing]
I am no ordinary man.
There is no boundary that I will not cross.
The most evil son of a bitch on planet Earth has come home.
[Tom] Oh my God!
[Michael] Welcome to the final WWE pay-per-view of 2020.
♪ All I know Is only death provides ♪
-[Bray] Let me in. -[Michael] It's WWE TLC.
♪ All I know Is I can see the end ♪
♪ This is where we part, my friend ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
[Bray laughing]
[narrator] And now, WWE SuperCard presents
WWE Tables, Ladders, and Chairs.
[music concludes]
["HWY 666" playing]
♪ I was heading For the middle of the end of the world ♪
♪ When the demons came for me ♪
♪ Too much night to start the day Is the only way to be ♪
[Tom] Tonight we close out the year with the event
built off intensity and carnage.
We are live from the WWE ThunderDome
at Tropicana Field as we welcome you
to WWE TLC. Tables, Ladders, and Chairs.
And you can see hanging high above the ring
as of this past Monday night on Raw, The Ascension ceremony.
We begin our night with the first of two TLC matches.
This one, for the WWE Championship.
[crowd cheering]
["Phenomenal" playing]
[Byron] Well, we know the theme of the evening
is all the chaos and carnage in the world.
We are just moments away from seeing plenty of it.
[Tom] And you see the enormous Omos,
the associate of AJ Styles, accompanying him to the ring.
Could this be a phenomenal night for AJ Styles?
Is Omos the difference maker in a match where there's no count-outs,
no disqualifications, tables, ladders, and chairs all evening?
I think it's hard to argue against that, Tom,
because when you look at ringside, when you look at all the many toys
and the many things that these gentlemen can use to hurt one another,
the most menacing thing that stands at ringside
is that giant man named Omos.
[Tom] And, Byron, look how at home AJ Styles
is as he peruses all the weapons at his disposal.
[Samoa Joe] Well, this is a comfort zone for AJ Styles.
He has been in this match before.
He has been in a WWE Championship TLC match before.
AJ Styles challenges Drew McIntyre for the WWE title in a TLC match.
Can AJ Styles spoil the end of an outstanding 2020
for the WWE Champion?
[dramatic music playing]
[Tom] It's been a magnificent year for the WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre.
[Byron] You cannot say enough about what Drew McIntyre has accomplished.
[crowd chanting] Three!
[Michael] Drew McIntyre is going to WrestleMania.
Drew McIntyre's time is now.
[crowd chanting] Two!
[Tom] Drew McIntyre fulfills his destiny.
McIntyre is WWE Champion.
[crowd chanting] One!
[Tom] Drew McIntyre has taken back the WWE title.
[Drew] I'm in a whole journey unlike anyone else.
I am not just on top of the mountain.
Drew McIntyre is the damn mountain.
-[tense music playing] -[AJ] It took you 19 years
to climb the WWE mountain.
How is this possible?
I just don't think you can handle the pressure,
Tables, Ladders, and Chair match.
I don't think you've ever been in one before.
Me on the other hand,
I defended that championship at a TLC match, and won.
Every time I step foot in this ring,
I am phenomenal,
because I know what it takes to be a champion.
We've never faced each other.
Heart, strength, passion won't mean a thing
if I have to take every table, ladder, and chair
and break and bend them across your back,
and I get my spot as the new WWE Champion.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Drew] AJ…
read between the lines.
I'm the champion that does not crack under pressure
whether you're Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton,
The Miz, and that briefcase,
or Jackass and the Beanstalk.
I'm willing to do whatever it takes for myself
and I'm sure as hell willing to do
whatever it takes to you to remain WWE Champion.
Are you willing to do the same?
[AJ] But, Drew, what if it's not just me
you have to face in a TLC match?
[Tom] Miz and Morrison.
[Byron] This is all a well-played setup by AJ Styles.
McIntyre trying to fight back.
[Samoa Joe] He claymored the ladder.
He took his eyes off AJ Styles,
and that's one of the biggest mistakes you can make.
[Byron] Well, thanks to Omos at ringside, Joe.
[Samoa Joe] Well, the destruction is not done, not by a long shot.
[Tom] Is the WWE Champion Drew McIntyre
gonna be able to withstand this type of onslaught, Sunday?
-Tables… -[AJ] His heart,
-strength… -…ladders and chairs.
passion won't mean a thing…
[crowd exclaiming]
…when I climb up that ladder and I grab that title.
[Tom] AJ Styles with a statement
at the expense of Drew McIntyre.
Will Styles climb to the top of the mountain?
[Byron] Well, there's no question right now
that the confidence of AJ Styles needs an overflow room.
AJ Styles believes that it's a foregone conclusion
that he is going to once again become WWE Champion.
[Tom] Styles has done everything he can
to throw obstacles in the path of The Scottish Warrior.
[Samoa Joe] I wouldn't bet against AJ.
[crowd jeering]
["Gallantry" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] AJ Styles talked about the pressure that Drew McIntyre is under.
Well, these are pressure moments
that the WWE Champion thrives in.
[Tom] The battle-tested champion ready to go to war at TLC.
[Byron] The expression on the face of the WWE Champion…
says it all.
[Tom] Joe, as we saw moments ago, AJ Styles has done everything possible
to put hurdles in front of Drew McIntyre
whether it'd be Mr. Money in the Bank The Miz
and John Morrison, whether it'd be Omos,
or even the structures around McIntyre in this match.
Can Drew McIntyre overcome those odds?
[Samoa Joe] Well, Drew McIntyre's absolutely
going to need to overcome those odds
because he comes into this contest at a severe disadvantage, Tom,
when you look around this ring,
when you look at what AJ Styles has masterminded here.
You have to wonder, is this the night?
Is this the night where Drew McIntyre has bit off more than he could chew?
[Byron] McIntyre taking a glance at his WWE Championship
that hangs above the ring
as he enters the unknown of the TLC matchup.
-[Tom] Drew McIntyre along with his… -[fireworks popping]
…along with his WWE Championship.
Did he let go of it for the last time this past Monday night on Raw
in The Ascension ceremony, as he looks across the ring,
not only at Styles but especially Omos?
[Byron] And Drew McIntyre is well aware.
You got to worry about that over seven-foot-tall human skyscraper Omos
and what possible involvement he could have in this match.
[bell ringing]
[Rome] The following is a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match
for the WWE Championship.
In this match, there are no pinfalls, no submissions,
no count-outs, and no disqualifications.
The only way to win is to climb the ladder
and retrieve the championship hanging above the ring.
Introducing the challenger,
from Gainesville, Georgia,
weighing in at 218 pounds,
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles.
[crowd booing]
[Rome] And his opponent, from Ayr, Scotland,
weighing in at 265 pounds,
he is the WWE Champion,
Drew McIntyre.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] I'm not a mind reader, but just a moment ago, McIntyre…
[laughs]
[Byron] With a smirk on his face.
I think McIntyre's surveying the area,
seeing all the tables, ladders, and chairs,
looking at AJ Styles and saying to himself,
"All right, here we go. It's time for a battle."
[Tom] For the first time ever,
AJ Styles one-on-one with Drew McIntyre
for the WWE title.
[Samoa Joe] Drew McIntyre rightfully removing those gauntlets.
[bell ringing]
[Samoa Joe] Although I don't know if I would've, Tom.
[Tom] Whoa! And right off the bat,
it is Styles who goes after the knee of Drew McIntyre.
[Byron] Wise strategy by the former WWE Champion, AJ Styles.
[Tom] And two-time WWE Champion that is in AJ Styles.
And now grabbing a hold of the leg here of Drew McIntyre, Joe,
very smart strategy by Styles early.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, you better believe AJ has a strategy,
and he's going in like a rabid animal right now.
[Byron] Well, there's a lot of respect that Drew McIntyre has for AJ Styles.
This is a match that McIntyre's wanted since he was 16 years old, he said.
-[Samoa Joe] Whoa, look at that. -[Tom] Wow.
Styles turned inside out.
McIntyre early on favoring the left leg.
[Samoa Joe] And I believe the champion has had enough.
[Byron] Look at the intensity on the face of the WWE Champion.
[Tom] Now lighting up the chest of Styles.
[Samoa Joe] I believe the thunder's rolling in the highlands, Tom.
[Tom] And there goes Styles for a ride.
Look at the strength of McIntyre
to turn Styles around there on that suplex.
[Byron] Think of all the inflammatory words
that AJ Styles has delivered to McIntyre.
Talk to me!
Let me hear you.
[Byron] Styles mocking how long it took McIntyre to take
to get to a championship level
-here in WWE. -Get up.
[Byron] Claiming that he couldn't handle the pressure.
Drew McIntyre remembered each and every one of those words
and he is taking it out on AJ Styles.
[Tom] And we've seen the maturation of Drew McIntyre
throughout this spectacular year for him.
Began at the Royal Rumble match eliminating Brock Lesnar,
going on to win the Royal Rumble itself,
and then defeating The Beast at WrestleMania
for the WWE Championship in minutes.
Wow! What a shot right to the face.
[Samoa Joe] And no reprieve for AJ Styles.
Drew McIntyre following in with some haymakers
and a vicious stomp to the leg.
[Byron] A little warning there delivered to Omos
from Drew McIntyre.
-Just stay where you're at. -[Tom] Watch this.
Watch how McIntyre closes the space.
Boom. Right into the mouth there with that punch.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, he cut that clean, Tom. Oh!
[Tom] Styles with an onslaught early on.
Oh, and a shot to the throat. Again, no disqualifications in this match.
It's entirely legal.
-[Byron] Whoa! -[Tom] Oh, and a towering back body drop.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] Drew McIntyre has controlled the pace of this match.
[Tom] Oh, and McIntyre, Byron, we know that position from McIntyre.
Could he be thinking of that one early on?
[Byron] Oh, you better believe he is, Tom.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, he's licking his chops, Tom.
[Tom] Oh. Well, he was thinking about a Claymore for a moment,
rushed in, Styles caught him.
Oh my God!
[Byron] Styles is the one who got caught.
[Tom] You're right. Styles crashing down to the floor
into the legs of a table.
Listen to this.
-[Byron] Oh! -[Tom] God!
[Samoa Joe] It's like being hit with a side of beef.
[Byron] And once again, as we've seen, Joe, throughout this match,
McIntyre wasting no time,
allowing no reprieve for AJ Styles.
[Samoa Joe] Well, McIntyre has obviously taken umbrage to the way…
-[Tom] Oh, out of the way. -…AJ Styles has been commenting.
[Byron] You're absolutely right.
[Tom] Styles has taken every opportunity
to make this personal with the WWE Champion
as McIntyre rearranging things here inside the ThunderDome.
[Samoa Joe] Uh-oh. Drew McIntyre out here redecorating.
[Tom] You're right. Now he's got the table.
[Byron] The first weapon of choice for Drew McIntyre.
This is not gonna bode well for Styles.
[Tom] Remember, no count-outs, no disqualifications.
Tables, ladders, and chairs, all legal,
you win by climbing a ladder and retrieving the title.
-[Samoa Joe] Whoa. -[Tom] McIntyre's having fun, Joe.
[Samoa Joe] That's one way to get around the table.
[Byron] How many superstars here are having fun during a TLC match?
[Tom] You're absolutely right. Oh, hold on a second. Oh.
Went for the suplex, blocked in midair by Styles.
[Byron] The resourcefulness of Styles.
-[Samoa Joe] Oh. -[Tom] Oh, man.
[Samoa Joe] Yo, there's a mean streak.
[Tom] And a hazardous area here at ringside.
And now it's McIntyre using the barricade.
The point of the barricade into the ribs.
[Byron] And, again, McIntyre keeping a close eye on Omos
-every step of the way. -[Samoa Joe] Hey, as well he should, Tom.
[Tom] Told Omos to move, Omos maybe took one step.
He doesn't have to move. There's no disqualifications.
Oh my gosh.
[Samoa Joe] Look at that stare from Omos.
[Tom] Watch this.
Oh, ribs first into the edge of the barricade.
[Byron] I mean, look, the WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre,
is simply dominating AJ Styles right now.
[Tom] And this is wise by McIntyre,
using the ringside area to his advantage
to inflict more punishment.
Face first into the barricade.
[Byron] McIntyre might be thinking about it.
He's looking up at his WWE Championship.
[Samoa Joe] Yes, he is. Oh, it might-- It might be time.
[Byron] McIntyre has got the ladder.
[Tom] Now trying to get the ladder inside the ring with Styles down.
Great opportunity for McIntyre.
[Byron] McIntyre might end this quickly.
All he's gotta do is climb that ladder and retrieve the WWE Championship.
[Tom] And McIntyre setting up the ladder
directly underneath the championship, guys.
[Samoa Joe] And this is where things get dangerous.
When you're closest to victory,
-that is when you're most vulnerable. -[Tom] This could be over, Joe.
McIntyre is halfway up the ladder.
Oh, but a steel chair right to the back of the left leg.
[Drew groans]
[Byron] The same knee that McIntyre dinged up earlier
and AJ Styles knew the target, identified it, and attacked.
[Tom] And now AJ Styles pulling the ladder away
from directly underneath the WWE Championship,
trying to reposition it now.
[Samoa Joe] Well, he's trying to block off McIntyre.
[Tom] McIntyre now, we have to speculate on the damage done
to the left knee of McIntyre at this juncture.
And look how Styles is walking.
[Byron] Yeah. Styles is walking gingerly as well,
favoring his lower back, but now, oh, inflicting more damage
on the WWE Champion.
[crowd jeering]
[Samoa Joe] And AJ needs to take advantage of this opportunity.
I mean, he has the champ down.
Oh, and looks like he's taking my advice.
[Tom] And, Joe, you know AJ Styles better than anybody.
His creativity comes into play here. Watch.
Oh, and listen to the contact with the chair.
But, Joe, this is what we knew would be an X factor,
it's the creativity of Styles.
[Samoa Joe] I mean, AJ Styles, he's been in these types of matches before.
And any time it involves going above the top rope,
well, it's very, very hard to beat-- to bet against AJ Styles.
[Tom] And McIntyre's thinking about climbing
while Styles was dealing with the chair.
Instead, Styles drags him down.
Oh!
Trying to send McIntyre into the chair.
[Samoa Joe] Not so fast.
-[Byron] Uh-oh. -[Samoa Joe] Uh-oh.
[Tom] Look out.
And, oh, the challenger, the challenger--
[Samoa Joe] Beautiful counter by AJ.
[Tom] Oh, and Styles was trying to climb the ladder.
And now slowed up by Drew McIntyre.
[Byron] Well, McIntyre with other plans.
Styles trying to hang on.
[Samoa Joe] He's doing his best, but McIntyre's got him in.
-[Byron] Where's he gonna take him? -[Samoa Joe] Oh, no.
[Tom] Was looking for the powerbomb.
Now Styles, able to create a little bit of space,
McIntyre right on top of him.
-Oh, no. -[Samoa Joe] Going back the other way.
[Tom] Oh, God. Into the steel chair.
[Byron] The steel chair that Styles just set up a few moments ago.
AJ Styles's plan just backfired.
[Tom] Now both men down in the ring.
McIntyre gripping his left leg, now trying to climb.
[Byron] Well, think about how difficult, now, it's gonna be
for Drew McIntyre to ascend up that ladder.
[Tom] Listen. Oh.
Look at that… Boom! Look at the impact.
And now it's McIntyre halfway up the ladder.
[Byron] McIntyre's moving, McIntyre's getting closer.
-[Tom] McIntyre-- -[Byron] Oh, whoa.
[Tom] Styles launching a chair into the back of McIntyre.
[Byron] That was a desperate yet effective attempt by the challenger.
[Samoa Joe] Oh. And right back on that knee, Tom.
[Tom] Another chop block by Styles.
It has been methodical from AJ Styles since the bell.
If you can't climb, how are you gonna win a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match?
[Byron] That's clearly what AJ Styles is banking on with this strategy,
to target the knee of Drew McIntyre.
But, right now, Styles does have a clear path
if he chooses to ascend up the ladder.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, no. Styles understands it's gonna take
a lot more than that to take out Drew McIntyre.
[Tom] Oh my God. Face-first into the rungs of the ladder.
[Byron] McIntyre looks stunned.
[Tom] What is Styles thinking about?
[Samoa Joe] Oh, look at-- Look at this.
-Oh. -[Tom] Oh my God.
[Samoa Joe chuckles] Oh.
[Byron] AJ Styles trying to put an exclamation point
on the end of the WWE Champion.
[Tom] And now AJ Styles with a golden moment here.
He's got Drew McIntyre down on the canvas.
Can he set up the ladder? Can he make the climb to the WWE title?
[Byron] AJ Styles realizing it's not enough.
I need to do more to punish Drew McIntyre
before I feel comfortable climbing that ladder.
[Tom] The enzuigiri there.
And, Joe, AJ Styles taking his time at this point.
[Samoa Joe] Yeah. I mean, I understand
that, you know, you wanna be careful in your planning
and you wanna execute flawlessly,
but I mean, he needs to take it up a notch here.
This is Drew McIntyre.
[Tom] AJ Styles there, Joe, he looks like he's in command,
looks like he feels comfortable with this situation.
We know he's been in this before.
-[Byron] Oh, wait a second. -[Tom] And now trying to set up
for a Styles Clash.
-A Style-- -[Samoa Joe] On the ladder.
[Tom] A Styles Clash on the ladder?
[Byron] Can Styles get him up?
[Tom] Oh, McIntyre!
-[Byron] Oh! -[Tom] Future Shock DDT!
But the knee of McIntyre.
[Byron] And that knee could be the deciding factor for Drew McIntyre,
but McIntyre has bought himself some valuable time
after delivering that Future Shock DDT.
[Tom] What a way to begin the TLC pay-per-view event
here inside the WWE ThunderDome.
Our first of two Tables, Ladders, and Chairs matches tonight.
McIntyre now got a hold of the ladder,
trying to retain his WWE Championship
against AJ Styles.
[Samoa Joe] It looks like the wheels are turning in McIntyre's mind.
[Byron] McIntyre trying to hoist up
-that ladder. -[Samoa Joe] Oh, he's got it up.
-Oh my God. -[Tom] Oh my God. Oh my God!
And Styles hit by the ladder.
[Byron] Didn't get all of it but got enough.
[Tom] And now McIntyre hit in the knee by Styles.
Styles with a chop block.
Joe, the power of McIntyre to lift the ladder like he did…
Watch this one more time.
[Byron] That's just incredible strength by McIntyre.
-[Tom] Boom. -[Byron] But we're seeing right now
just how bad… We're gonna find out how bad
-McIntyre wants to be-- -[Samoa Joe] It was incredible power.
That has to be said.
But how much damage did that lifting do to that knee?
[Tom] Oh, now look at Styles,
using the ladder as a weapon here against the leg. Against--
[Samoa Joe] You knew-- you knew he would, Tom.
-You knew he would. -[Tom] Against the knee.
Oh, Joe, look. Is Styles going for what I think it is?
-[Samoa Joe] Oh, no. Oh! -[Byron] Gosh.
[Samoa Joe] That's a form of assisted Calf Crusher using the ladder.
[Byron] McIntyre writhing in pain.
[Samoa Joe] And that steel-- That's unforgiving steel, I mean--
[Byron] Oh jeez.
[Tom] Excruciating pain for the WWE Champion.
[Byron] Is that gonna be enough to do it?
Is that gonna be enough to finish off Drew McIntyre?
[Tom] To prevent McIntyre from climbing the ladder at all.
[Samoa Joe] It's bad enough from the fulcrum of that move
is made of flesh, let alone steel.
[Tom] AJ Styles's imagination
has come into play so many times throughout this matchup.
It's helped him throughout the years in matchups of this ilk.
And now looking up at the championship.
[Byron] Looking up at the championship
and looking down at a vulnerable Drew McIntyre.
[Samoa Joe] And AJ understands that having Drew McIntyre on the mat is one thing,
but salvation lies in the skyways in capturing that belt.
[Tom] And, Byron, we know how many times throughout 2020…
[crowd booing]
You don't wanna stay down?
[Samoa Joe] Oh, watch out.
[Tom] Oh, steel chair to the spine.
[Byron] We've seen the damage AJ Styles can inflict with a steel chair.
-We saw that… -[Tom] Oh!
…against McIntyre's best friend, Sheamus, last Monday night.
-[Tom] Oh, and now-- -[Samoa Joe] Oh. And AJ Styles,
-he's enjoying himself. -[Tom] Again to the left leg.
[crowd booing]
[Drew groans]
[Byron] Drew McIntyre is in serious trouble, gentlemen.
[Samoa Joe] And another assisted Calf Crusher.
[Tom] Oh, oh.
Pulling back on the leg,
using the steel against McIntyre.
[Byron] How much more can Drew McIntyre take?
How much?
[Samoa Joe] In a battle of flesh and steel,
-flesh will not win. -[Tom] Oh.
Continuing to pull back on the leg.
How badly do you wanna give up? I've got you!
[Byron] And Styles can apply this pressure as long as he wants.
[Tom] But McIntyre's still moving, trying to break free. Oh!
Styles… Styles sent into the ladder.
[Byron] One last gasp for the WWE Champion to break free.
[Samoa Joe] Incredible situational awareness.
[Tom] And high above the ring hangs the WWE Championship.
These two men laying into each other at this point in the match,
but they still have to climb a ladder
and grab the championship.
[Byron] And that's the big if.
Look, I don't even know if Drew McIntyre can stand at this point,
let alone climb a ladder.
[Tom] McIntyre continues to fight, refuses to stay down.
[Byron] That has been the story of who Drew McIntyre is.
Every test that McIntyre has faced
as WWE Champion, he has passed that test.
[Samoa Joe] And Drew McIntyre should be writhing in pain.
I mean, AJ Styles absolutely broke that chair over his back.
[Tom] Oh, hold on a second. McIntyre preventing Styles.
Styles was trying to set up something with the ladder
-and now-- -[Samoa Joe] A battle of wills.
[Tom] Oh, man.
The ladder sent into the corner.
And now look at how Styles is quick into action.
Trying to pull McIntyre outside the ring.
And a kick to the hamstring.
-[Byron] Uh-oh. -[Tom] Oh. Wrapping the leg onto the post.
[Samoa Joe] And AJ Styles giving no reprieve to the WWE Champion.
[Byron] Well, Styles has got the WWE Champion right where he wants him.
[Tom] And you can see McIntyre trying to put all his weight
on his right leg as he landed.
[Byron] Styles now with another ladder…
another ladder in hand.
-Oh! -[Tom] Oh my God!
[Samoa Joe] And Drew McIntyre is out.
[Byron] You might be right, Joe.
A dazed look on the face of Drew McIntyre.
Oh.
[Tom] One more. Listen to this.
-Boom! -[Byron] Jeez.
[Tom] Right between the eyes.
And now McIntyre starting to stir,
but what is Styles thinking of here on the outside?
[Samoa Joe] Oh.
[Byron] Now shifting around the furniture. Steel chair in hand again.
Your guess is as good as mine what Styles is planning to do.
[Samoa Joe] Seems like a… Oh!
[Tom] There's been no hesitation by Styles
who has a-- has had a plan every step of the way
and now has McIntyre on the table.
[Byron] Styles has something in mind here.
-Now he's back in the ring. I-- -[Samoa Joe] Oh.
[Tom] Listen, AJ Styles, he knows how powerful the WWE Champion is.
He knows what it will take to keep McIntyre down.
But look at what Styles is planning.
-Style-- Styles is going to the top. -[Samoa Joe] Oh, not so fast.
[Tom] McIntyre stopped it dead in its tracks.
[Byron] How McIntyre found the ability to do so,
I don't know, but Drew McIntyre saved himself, at least temporarily.
[Tom] Styles was trying to leave McIntyre in the rubble at ringside,
but listen to this.
-[Samoa Joe] Oh. -[Tom] Oh. Clanging off AJ Styles.
[Byron] Perfect shot delivered by the WWE Champion.
[Tom] And the champ's not done.
Tossing a table inside the ring.
And again, the left leg.
[Samoa Joe] And Drew McIntyre's imploring that leg to work.
[Byron] We're seeing how bad McIntyre wants it.
We're seeing how bad Drew McIntyre wants to remain WWE Champion.
[Tom] And McIntyre trying to put as little weight as possible
on the left leg, now setting up the table.
And here's Styles. Styles trying to slow down the champion.
[crowd cheering]
-[Samoa Joe] Oh, watch out. -[Tom] Oh, and a drop toehold,
face-first into a rung of the ladder.
[Byron] You can credit that to all the damage that's been done
to the knee of Drew McIntyre.
It slowed McIntyre's progression and allowed AJ Styles to counter.
[Tom] McIntyre could be out cold, Joe.
You can see the look in his eyes.
[Samoa Joe] He very well could be out cold.
And this is a much needed-- much needed reprieve for AJ Styles.
I mean, finally-- finally, he can mount some offense and get back on track.
-[Byron] That's what he's waiting-- -[Tom] Uh-oh. Oh.
-[Samoa Joe] Wait, wait, not so fast. -[Tom] Well, Styles able to duck
underneath the table.
Oh.
[Samoa Joe] Smartly gone right into the knee, Tom.
[Tom] Shoved the table into the knee. You're right, Joe.
-Now off the table. Went for another-- -[Byron] Oh, no, no, no.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, no. Oh.
[Tom] Bouncing off the ladder.
[Byron] That's how quickly Drew McIntyre can turn things around.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] And based on what AJ Styles was trying to set up there,
McIntyre had to act quickly,
went for a Phenomenal Forearm from the table,
and instead overhead belly-to-belly
into the steel ladder.
-[Samoa Joe] Oh. -[Tom] Oh.
Joe, you know what that crushing pain feels like.
[Samoa Joe] Well, it's one of the worst feelings in the world.
But I know this. That impact will compare to nothing
when you look at what Drew McIntyre is about to do to AJ Styles.
[Tom] And McIntyre trying to carry on, trying to push through the pain
he's feeling in his left leg and the left knee,
but a shot right to the jaw by Styles.
Oh, and a forearm shiver.
-[Byron] Styles in position here. -[Samoa Joe] Watch out.
[Tom] Styles going for a Phenomenal Forearm and hit it.
A Phenomenal Forearm by Styles and this is critical.
[Byron] How much did that Phenomenal Forearm
take out of AJ Styles?
[Tom] Watch this.
AJ Styles got absolutely all this flushed
to the WWE Champion.
McIntyre is down.
Can AJ Styles take advantage?
And now Omos is tossing in a ladder.
[Byron] Again, this is what we talked about.
A possible interference…
[Samoa Joe] Well, that's not interference. He's simply helping his man.
It's perfectly legal, Byron.
[Tom] There's no disqualifications, again, no count-outs,
no pinfalls, or submissions.
First man to climb the ladder and retrieve the WWE Championship
is the champion.
[Byron] AJ Styles could be moments away from doing such.
[Tom] Styles has got McIntyre down.
It could be a clear path to his third WWE title.
[Samoa Joe] Here we go.
[Byron] And Styles inching closer.
[Tom] Styles climbing, trying to reach,
-trying to reach for the championship. -[Byron] Uh-oh.
[Tom] McIntyre is back up.
McIntyre is back up.
[Byron] McIntyre desperately trying to hold off AJ Styles.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, and he's eating boots for his trouble,
but wait, wait, wait!
-[Byron] Uh-oh. Uh-oh. -[Tom] Oh my God.
-McIntyre-- -[Samoa Joe] No.
Where is he going?
[Tom] McIntyre sending Styles through a table at ringside.
[Byron] My goodness.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] Did Drew McIntyre just shatter AJ Styles's aspirations
of regaining the WWE Championship?
[Samoa Joe] I mean, this is unbelievable.
I mean, look at this height.
Over the top rope and down through a table. Oh!
[Tom] And now it is a clear path for Drew McIntyre
to get to the WWE Championship.
[Byron] You got to believe McIntyre can feel it.
McIntyre can taste it.
-[Tom] McIntyre climbing. -[Samoa Joe] He inches away.
[Tom] Whoa, whoa, wait a minute.
-[Byron] The Miz? -[Tom] Oh, and The Miz.
The Miz trying to slow down Drew McIntyre.
[Byron] And look who's with him, John Morrison.
-[Tom] John Morrison with the Money Bank. -[Byron] Oh.
[Tom] Oh, and down goes McIntyre through a table.
-[crowd chatter] -We're cashing in.
We're cashing in. Tell them.
-Hurry up. We're cashing in. -The Miz is cashing in
his Money in the Bank contract.
This is about to be a Triple Threat TLC match
for the WWE Championship. Announce it.
[Rome] The Miz is cashing in his Money in the Bank contract.
Therefore, this match is now
a Triple Threat Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match
for the WWE Championship.
[Tom] Morrison handing over the contract.
And now The Miz in what is a Triple Threat match
has a clear way to climb to the title.
[Byron] The Miz is marching his way to the WWE Championship.
[Samoa Joe] I mean, look at this ascension, I mean, I can't--
-Oh, no. -[Tom] Oh, and look at Omos.
Omos has climbed into the ring.
And now Miz grabbed by Omos,
trying to grab the title.
[Byron] Not so fast, Miz.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, you forgot one important detail, Miz.
[Tom] Omos backing up AJ Styles.
[Samoa Joe] Carrying him like a child.
[Tom] Oh! The Miz dumped through a table.
[Byron] Omos effectively…
Uh-oh, wait a minute. John-- What's Morrison--
[Tom] And John Morrison with a steel chair.
-[Byron] Oh! -[Samoa Joe] Uh-oh.
[Tom] The chair shattered to pieces off the back of Omos.
[Byron] Omos didn't even move.
[Samoa Joe] In fact, he just got angrier.
[Byron] Morrison, now exit, like, immediately.
[Tom] God.
Omos staring down Morrison.
Omos looks like he's gonna destroy Morrison.
[Samoa Joe] And Morrison's got a chair, but Omos is still walking him down.
[Byron] Well, he obviously found out a steel chair doesn't work against Omos.
So, John, just get out of there.
[Tom] And Morrison's got to get out of there.
He's caught up amongst the ladders,
and Omos is stalking him now.
[Samoa Joe] It's time you do that parkour and get out of here, John.
[Byron] Omos slowly, methodically stalking John Morrison.
Morrison doesn't know where to go.
[Tom] But all the while, guys, the WWE Championship
still high above the ring
of what has become a Triple Threat TLC match,
thanks to the cash-in of the Money in the Bank contract.
[Byron] Right now the only man in the ring right now
is the current WWE Champion Drew McIntyre.
But the question is, again,
does McIntyre have the ability to stand up
-and climb up that ladder? -[Samoa Joe] Oh, not so fast,
AJ Styles is stirring at ringside.
[Tom] All three men have been put through a table,
and it's McIntyre inside the ring.
The WWE title hangs in the balance tonight.
[Byron] Drew McIntyre trying to will himself on.
Now AJ Styles, we've got movement on the outside.
[Tom] McIntyre trying to will himself on.
[Samoa Joe] McIntyre, he is pleading with that knee to work.
[Tom] Oh, so much damage has been done to the knee.
And now it's AJ Styles trying to position the ladder.
McIntyre, he can barely stand.
[Byron] That knee is just not agreeing with the WWE Champion.
[Tom] Oh, and McIntyre doesn't care.
McIntyre is gonna push on.
[Samoa Joe] Well, this might turn into a foot race.
McIntyre trying to climb, so is Styles.
[Byron] Who's gonna make it to the WWE Championship first?
[Samoa Joe] Oh, it's a battle of wills. Who's gonna get to the top first?
[Tom] McIntyre on the ascent,
AJ Styles trying to meet him at the top of the ladder.
[Byron] McIntyre trying to hop up with one foot.
[Samoa Joe] Well, McIntyre's got the early lead.
-[Byron] He's got a hold of it. -[Tom] Trying to retain his title
and a shot to the knee by Styles on the way up.
[Byron] McIntyre still has the edge on Styles.
[Tom] Oh, McIntyre trying to prevent Styles.
Styles trying to meet McIntyre at the top of the ladder.
-[Samoa Joe] Whoa, whoa, whoa. -[Byron] Uh-oh. Styles barely hanging on.
Oh, reaching out, reaching out,
-reaching out for the title. -[Samoa Joe] No.
[Tom] McIntyre reaching out for his title.
[Byron] McIntyre nearly had it.
-Oh. -[Tom] But there's Miz.
Miz is back into the ring.
[Byron] The Miz-- The Miz is setting up a ladder.
[Tom] His Money in the Bank contract has been cashed in
as a part of this matchup and now two ladders.
Another shot to the knee.
[Samoa Joe] And it's about to get real crowded
in these skies, gentlemen.
[Tom] Styles trying to reach out for the championship and now Miz,
Miz is trying to position his ladder.
[Samoa Joe] And up comes The Miz and he's got a clear shot.
[Tom] There goes Miz, hand on the championship.
-Hand on the championship. -[Byron] The champion says no way.
[Tom] Oh, and McIntyre sending Styles
-crashing down. -[Samoa Joe] Give us some gas.
[Tom] McIntyre and Miz.
[Byron] Miz trying to fight off McIntyre.
McIntyre doing whatever he can to get rid of The Miz.
[Tom] Oh, off of the top of the ladder.
Oh!
Oh, now Miz trying to capture the title.
Down goes Miz.
[Byron] McIntyre is all alone.
[Tom] Drew McIntyre-- Wait a minute.
What the-- Styles is back into it.
[Byron] From where did Styles pull that off?
[Tom] And Styles met McIntyre at the top.
Oh, and a big forearm shot.
[Samoa Joe] And AJ Styles will not go quietly into this night.
[Tom] Trying to send The Scottish Warrior down into the ropes.
[Byron] Now that Styles is all alone, here comes The Miz.
[Tom] Styles trying to reach out for the title.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, Styles, he's all-- Oh.
[Tom] And Miz-- Miz trying to make good on his Money in the Bank cash-in.
[Byron] If Miz gets rid of AJ Styles--
[Tom] Oh, reach out for the title.
Styles trying to block Miz.
[Byron] McIntyre, McIntyre look.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, he's pushing on the pile.
-Avalanche. -[Tom] Oh, Styles and Miz down hard.
[Byron] Good grief.
-[Samoa Joe] Claymore! -[Tom] And a Claymore in the chaos.
[Byron] This is the best opportunity
Drew McIntyre has had this entire match.
[Tom] McIntyre's got to go.
McIntyre's got to get up the ladder.
[Byron] Styles is out, Miz is out,
McIntyre on the ladder.
[Samoa Joe] And the champion makes his ascent.
He's almost there.
[Tom] Drew McIntyre climbing to the top of the ladder,
reaching out.
-[Samoa Joe] He got it! -[Tom] Drew McIntyre…
-[bell ringing] -…withstands the odds in TLC.
["Gallantry" playing]
[Rome] Here's your winner,
and still the WWE Champion,
Drew McIntyre.
[Byron] This was a brutal match,
but nonetheless, it is Drew McIntyre
who is still WWE Champion.
[Tom] Drew McIntyre survives
thanks to heart, strength, and passion.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] Not only got a bad knee,
attempted Money in the Bank cash-in from The Miz,
"The Phenomenal" AJ Styles,
yet Drew McIntyre overcame it all.
[Tom] We have gotta take a look back at this.
What developed into a Triple Threat TLC match
because of Miz's Money in the Bank contract cash-in.
We're gonna take you back to the closing moments here.
Watch this. AJ Styles, this was before Miz's cash-in,
had been sent through a table at ringside.
It looked like McIntyre was good to go.
But then it was Miz who would get involved
and send McIntyre through the table,
cashing in, making it a Triple Threat.
[Byron] Yeah, The Miz would pay for his interference in this matchup…
-[Tom] Oh! -…thanks to Omos,
the associate of AJ Styles.
[Tom] And then it was AJ Styles and Miz
who would try and prevent McIntyre
from grabbing his championship.
Styles with a tremendously athletic move
meeting McIntyre at the top.
[Byron] Yeah, but The Miz would get involved again.
This time both Miz and Styles will pay the price
courtesy of McIntyre.
[Tom] And then this, down inside the ring.
Boom! A Claymore would eliminate Miz from this equation
and a clear path for Drew McIntyre.
[Byron] On one leg,
Drew McIntyre would seize the moment
and seize his WWE Championship.
["Gallantry" playing]
[Tom] Joe, what a year for Drew McIntyre.
[Samoa Joe] He is battle-tested, he is war-weary,
but he stands the WWE Champion tonight.
[Tom] The final pay-per-view event
of the biggest year of Drew McIntyre's career.
He is still the WWE Champion.
Drew McIntyre is still at the top of the mountain.
-[crowd cheering] -[inaudible]
Wow.
Uh, TLC is already off to a very eventful start.
Congratulations to Drew McIntyre
for retaining the WWE Championship.
And now here to discuss the Universal Championship
is the man who serves as special counsel for the Universal Champion,
Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman.
Paul, this past Friday night on Talking Smack,
Kevin Owens said that he would win
the Universal Championship back
or die trying.
Considering that is Kevin's mindset heading into tonight's match,
does that change Roman's preparation?
[sighs] Aesthetics over competency, I see.
Once again, why don't I just reveal our strategy
to Kevin Owens who's obviously watching what I'm saying live right now?
Here's the question you should be asking,
"Mr. Heyman, are you a sports fan?"
Yes, I am, Kayla.
You know what my favorite sport is
outside of WWE?
NASCAR. You know why?
Not because I care who wins.
I like the car crashes.
That's the type of sick individual that I am.
It's what I like about myself.
I don't need to watch NASCAR tonight. You know why?
Because this is a dangerous enough profession as it is.
People get hurt.
Tonight, people thrown off of ladders
through tables, propelled off of those ladders
through the tables by chairs,
which are not only encouraged but they're legal.
Someone is going to get hurt
bad tonight.
And that someone's name…
is Kevin Owens.
And Kevin Owens is going to get hurt
at the purposeful hands
of your tribal chief…
the undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion…
Roman Reigns.
[quietly] And that's not just a prediction.
That's a spoiler.
["HWY 666" playing]
Well, ladies and gentlemen, coming up next
it is about the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Sasha Banks is the champion, the challenger is Carmella.
Carmella may be untouchable,
but you have to wonder if tonight is gonna be
all about The Boss.
["Empire" playing]
♪ Look up at the stars ♪
♪ You find me sitting pretty Came a long way from the dark ♪
♪ I'm shining Looking lean, you ain't supreme ♪
♪ I'm in charge Never low with the energy ♪
♪ They're shooting at the stars 'Cause they wish they could be me ♪
The standard, the blueprint, The Boss,
and your SmackDown Women's Champion.
♪ Heavy is the head With the crown ♪
♪ When I bring it, yeah I'll make it to the top ♪
[Michael] Oh my God!
Congratulations, champ.
[Michael] Carmella.
I'm back, baby.
["Danger Limit" playing]
So who am I?
I'm untouchable.
I'm Carmella, the hot chick, eye candy, every man's desire.
Now I call the shots.
-[snaps] -[Michael] Carmella again from behind.
[Carmella] How embarrassing for a SmackDown women's champion
to fall so easily.
[Graves] And The Untouchable One putting a hurting on The Boss.
[laughs]
[snaps]
-[screams] -[dramatic music playing]
[Sasha] Carmella, you got my attention.
You ain't never been in the ring with a badder bitch than me.
Please get my champagne ringside for me.
I want to toast my victory in style.
[Michael] Sasha versus Carmella
for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Code of Silence.
Uh-oh. Into the Bank Statement now.
[Graves] And the sommelier just tossed the champagne bottle.
Banks has lost it.
-The champion got herself disqualified. -[bell ringing]
-[Carmella] You lost, sucker. -[Graves] The hell is she doing?
[laughs]
-[suspenseful music playing] -[Carmella] Who is Sasha Banks
if she's not The Boss,
if she's not the best?
She felt her precious title
slipping from her fingers so she got herself disqualified.
I already have her beat.
[snaps]
Ugh!
That tastes cheap and frantic,
kind of, like Sasha Banks.
[laughs]
♪ Yes, yes, yo ♪
[music continues]
[crowd cheering]
What are you doing?
[Sasha] You wanna mess with me?
-I'm The Boss for a reason. -Get off me!
[Michael] Oh my God!
[glass shattering]
[Carmella] This is what the SmackDown Women's Champion looks like
at TLC.
["Tredici" playing]
[Michael] You know, Carmella has won
the SmackDown Women's Championship in the past.
She won two different Money in the Bank ladder matches,
she's defeated the likes of Asuka and Charlotte Flair in her career, Corey,
but I don't think I have ever seen Carmella
as confident as she is coming into this match tonight.
[Graves] I have never seen her look more stunning,
more beautiful, more radiant.
Downright divine.
If I am dreaming, Cole,
don't you dare wake me up.
[Michael] Carmella looking to win the SmackDown Women's Championship
here tonight at TLC.
["Tredici" playing]
[Michael] And WWE Tables, Ladders, and Chairs
is presented by WWE SuperCard season 7.
Scan the QR code to download WWE SuperCard.
Collect dozens of exclusive holiday cards
and spear your opponents with holiday cheer.
[Graves] You wanna talk about how confident Carmella is?
Right now, at this very moment,
there is a yacht docked over by the Dalí Museum.
If we have a new champion tonight, there's gonna be a Mellabration,
the likes of which the Gulf of Mexico can't contain.
[Michael] Yeah, but this is what stands in her way.
Ladies and gentlemen, it's Boss time.
["Sky's The Limit" playing]
♪ 'Cause I gon' gon' Pushed it all out the way… ♪
[Michael] Sasha Banks won the SmackDown Women's Championship
with a victory over her old rival and her friend, Bayley,
inside Hell in a Cell a couple of months ago.
[Graves] But in the months since,
Carmella has manipulated Sasha Banks expertly
every step of the way.
It is undeniable
that Carmella is in the head of the SmackDown Women's Champion.
[Michael] Carmella says it eats at Sasha Banks inside
that Carmella is at this spot in her career
where Sasha has to work hard,
has had to scratch and claw for everything she has,
and Carmella waltzes on the scene and gets an opportunity like this.
[Graves] It's two different theories on success.
Carmella, very opportunistic,
makes her moves when everything is in its right place.
Sasha Banks, victory is instinctive,
it is inherent, it is who she is.
[bell ringing]
The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
[crowd cheering]
Introducing the challenger
from Staten Island,
Carmella.
[crowd booing]
And her opponent from Boston, Massachusetts,
she is the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Sasha Banks.
[Michael] So another tough test for Sasha Banks tonight
versus Carmella for the SmackDown Women's title
inside WWE Thunderdome.
Corey, for the challenger, Carmella,
what does she need to do to knock off The Boss tonight?
[Graves] Carmella needs to hope that the bulk of her work
has already been done,
the mind games, the mental aspect of this matchup.
If Carmella has put in the work, it could pay off tonight.
-[Michael] What about-- -[Graves] However, if you're Sasha Banks,
this is…
[Michael] And Carmella quickly slides out of the ring
before this matchup can get underway.
[Graves] If you're Sasha Banks, this is familiar territory.
Sasha knows what it means to be in a high-pressure situation.
But Carmella, right here out of the gate, making the champion wait.
[Michael] And Corey, much like we saw on SmackDown a couple of weeks ago,
Carmella perhaps trying to play mind games with Sasha Banks,
get in her head, as Sasha Banks goes right after Carmella.
[Graves] And it's very obvious Sasha is bothered by Carmella.
-We saw Sasha… -Come on, Sasha.
…lose her cool several weeks back and get herself disqualified.
Looking bad, Sasha.
[Graves] Look, Carmella knows this is champion's advantage.
Carmella has to make Sasha pin or tap out
to leave here as the new SmackDown Women's Champion.
[Michael] And Banks now dragging Carmella out of the ring
and bouncing her face-first off the apron.
Of course, for Carmella… Oh, look at this now.
What a-- Nice arm drag by Sasha
-down to the floor. -[Graves] Champion.
[Michael] Oh, Carmella has to-- Look at Sasha go, screaming at Carmella.
[Graves] And the onus is on Carmella to get back in the ring.
If Sasha Banks wins by count-out, it's still-- she retains the title.
[Michael] Cover now by Sasha, hook of the leg, kickout by Carmella.
It's champion's advantage, Carmella has to pin
or submit the champion to win the title tonight.
Watch the hair. Hey. Stop.
-Sasha, hey, come on. Watch the hair. -[wrestlers speak indistinctly]
[Michael] And the trash talking continues, and a slap by Carmella.
[Graves] Five across the eyes of The Boss.
[Michael] Well, that raised the ire of Sasha Banks.
[Graves] Maybe once Sasha figures out where she's at again.
-And Carmella sent-- Oh! -[Michael] Oh, no. Oh, my God!
-Caught by her sommelier, Reginald Thomas. -[Graves] Great catch.
[Graves] Great catch, Reginald.
Put her down, Reggie, come on.
-[Michael] And now Sasha Banks. -[Graves] Whoa!
[Michael] Misses wildly and…
[laughs] Oh my God, the teamwork!
There's got to be something illegal about that, Corey.
And Carmella driving Banks spine-first into the steps.
[Graves] Carmella, with a sense of urgency,
-rolling The Boss in the ring. -[Michael] Carmella's opportunity
to win the women's championship, hook of the leg,
now wraps the other leg.
And Sasha at two, a near-fall by Carmella.
[Graves] Always the consummate pro,
always looking at the top of her game.
Mella taking a moment to adjust herself.
She's got to look great while she's making history.
[Michael] Yeah, and she's definitely in control of Sasha Banks.
You can give an assist to the sommelier outside the ring.
-[Graves] His name is Reginald, Cole. -[Michael] Reginald.
-[Graves] He is multitalented. -[Michael] And look at Carmella go,
stomping away at The Boss in the corner.
[crowd jeering]
[Michael] And Carmella has had her way here
with the SmackDown Women's Champion.
And look at this, taking Banks out again.
Carmella gonna drag her toward the center of the ring.
Cover now, shoulders down,
-a near-fall again for the challenger. -[Graves] There's no doubt it.
In the recent months, Carmella has reconnected
with her mean streak.
It seemed to fade for some time,
but Mella right back where she wants to be,
-in full control of the champion. -How do you like that, Sasha?
You're not on my level! You're not on my level!
[Michael] Carmella loves to talk.
[Graves] When you talk about mind games, Cole,
there is nothing worse than when you're in the heat of battle
being beaten by your opponent physically
and they're beating you up verbally at the same time.
[Michael] Yeah. But Sasha Banks can talk with the best of them,
as she drives Carmella into the corner
to force that break of the hold.
Nice snapmare takedown by The Boss.
And here comes Sasha Banks, now Meteora.
Meteora to Carmella, shoulders down,
and a kickout at two.
[Graves] Carmella caught off guard in that instance,
might have taken a knee right to the face.
-Banks not gonna relent. -[Michael] That might quiet her down.
And Banks now sent out to the apron.
Oh, and a kick caught Carmella again.
[Graves] Oh, and then Sasha's knee right on the temple of the challenger.
This does not bode well for The Untouchable One.
[Michael] On the apron. Looked like Banks may have been going
for the backstabber.
Carmella though. Neck first out of the apron.
And that could be the opening Carmella needs.
Great counter by Carmella.
[Graves] Could be an absolute game changer,
but Carmella needs to get Sasha back inside the ring,
as we look once more.
-Great wherewithal by the challenger. -[Michael] Oh, and again.
[Graves] Driving the back of the champion's neck into the apron.
[Michael] Wicked impact.
Whiplash for Banks, as she's driven back into the ring.
Carmella now trying to win the championship.
Hook to the leg once again,
and a near-fall for the challenger.
[Graves] Look, Carmella not wasting any motion,
right into a submission hold,
gonna continue to wear down the champion,
-and look fantastic doing it. -Who are you, Sasha,
when you lose your title tonight, huh?
How are you gonna feel?
Come on, just stop, stop.
No, no, no!
You're not The Boss.
[crowd clapping]
[Michael] Sasha being punished here. The champ's in trouble.
[Graves] Make no mistake about it, Carmella is well aware
of just how resilient, how tough Sasha Banks can be
inside the ring.
Despite her diminutive stature,
Sasha has the heart of a lion.
[Michael] Oh, and there's a backbreaker, driving the knee to the spine.
And that creates some space
to allow Sasha Banks to try to regroup here.
[Graves] The challenger continuing to move forward.
-[Michael] Oh, what a kick. -[Graves] Even at her own peril.
[Michael] Carmella is stunned, dropped to her knees.
[Graves] Mella needs to reconfigure her game plan.
[Michael] And Banks fighting back, the knees in the corner.
[crowd cheering]
-[Graves] Sasha now beginning to roll. -[Michael] Suplex.
And Sasha Banks looking to pay homage to her hero,
the late great Eddie Guerrero.
Sasha Banks delivering Three Amigos to Carmella.
[Graves] And Banks is beginning to roll.
Sasha's confidence growing with each and every offensive maneuver.
The challenger is in trouble.
[Michael] And Sasha now has Carmella positioned where she wants her.
And Banks gonna climb up to the top rope.
Sasha Banks looking to retain the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Banks from the top, Frog Splash.
Just like Eddie. Cover now by Sasha.
-[Graves] Oh! -[Michael] Almost had her.
Carmella kicked at two, Banks can't believe it.
[Graves] The look on Sasha's face tells the story.
I think you and I are wearing the same expression, shocking.
The Frog Splash, the exclamation point,
the homage to Latino Heat finds the mark.
But much to the dismay of the champion,
Carmella not done just yet.
[Michael] And if you're Sasha Banks, you--
who appears to be getting frustrated, you've got to…
The best job. I'm The Boss.
[Michael] …retain your composure here.
[grunts]
[Graves] That's what Carmella's been able to do so masterfully,
is make The Boss lose her composure,
make Sasha lose her cool, make mistakes.
And look at these elbows.
[Michael] Yeah, a very aggressive and vicious Carmella here tonight.
Oh, and Banks.
[Graves] Ooh, right to the jaw of the challenger.
Sasha from the middle ropes.
[Michael] Has to roll through now. Carmella…
Sasha went for-- Oh my God!
-Carmella just spiked. -[Graves] She's out.
-She is out. -[Michael] Banks for the championship.
Sasha at two.
And again, another cover by Carmella
and another kick at two by the champion.
Carmella is gonna stack her up this time
to win the title and Banks stays in it.
[Graves] Sasha Banks kicking out on instinct
-and instinct alone, period. -[Michael] How? Carmella spiked Banks.
-[Graves] Watch. -[Michael] Watch this.
[Graves] Tilt-a-whirl.
-[Michael] Oh my goodness. -[Graves] Forehead first.
One, two!
[Graves] I cannot believe that Sasha survived.
[Michael] Sasha kicked out of three different pinning combinations.
[Graves] And now it looks like Carmella the one with the growing frustrations.
[Michael] Well, I mean, if she couldn't put Banks away after that move.
[Graves] Oh, look at this. This is huge.
[Michael] But she's only got five. Carmella's only got a five-count
or she'll be disqualified here and has to release right before five.
[Graves] Carmella knows the rulebook,
you can do a lot of damage to an opponent within the five seconds allowed.
[Michael] Yeah. But Sasha's in trouble, Corey,
she's not been right since she went face first
into the mat moments ago.
And a slap by Banks, a rebellious slap by the champion.
[Graves] And it might have just incensed The Untouchable One.
-[Carmella shouting indistinctly] -[Graves] Look at this.
[Michael] Carmella just unloading on the champion.
Come on, one.
[Michael] Sasha's out.
Two.
[Graves] Carmella needs to be cautious of the referee's count.
-[Michael] Oh my goodness. -[Graves] Right on the ears,
superkick connects, Carmella looking for the cover.
[Michael] And realizes this could be her opportunity to win the championship,
hooks both legs down, and it forces Banks to grab the bottom rope.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] I don't know if you could chalk that up to anything
other than luck for Sasha Banks.
[Michael] Well, it's instinct, Corey, the heart of a champion,
Sasha Banks staying in this as we take another look
and watch this. Boom! Right on the ear by Carmella.
[Graves] Tremendous precision by the challenger, Carmella,
less than a half a second away from capturing
the SmackDown Women's Championship.
[Michael] Well, there's a reason Banks is a multi-time champion--
Oh my God, Carmella, and look at Banks now…
-[Graves] Uh-oh. Uh-oh. -…shoulders down,
is it enough to retain?
Carmella, at two, kicks out.
Banks again driving Carmella face-first into the second turnbuckle.
[Graves] You can't not be impressed by the resilience
and the pure will of Sasha Banks to still be in this fight.
Sasha now is gonna take a high risk. Could be thinking about a Hail Mary here.
[Michael] And look at-- Now, Carmella, shots to the ribs of Sasha Banks.
How much does Sasha have left?
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Carmella up to the top rope, dangerous space here.
-Sasha rolls through, and Carmella… -[Graves] Oh. Roll through.
…shoulders down. Great counter, kickout.
And Sasha still in this match.
-[Graves] Uh-oh. -[Michael] Roll-up again by Carmella,
shoulders down, again, and a kickout by Banks.
[Graves] Sasha looking for the backslide.
[Michael] Shoulders down, is it enough to win?
Uh-oh, roll through now.
-[crowd cheering] -[shouts indistinctly]
[Graves] This is a battle of pure will, both women with incredible core strength.
[Michael] Oh, Carmella.
And Sasha, Jackknife cover to retain the championship.
Carmella rolls through. Code of Silence.
[Graves] It's in, it's locked in.
[Michael] Trying to grab her foot,
and it is now. It's locked in. The Code Of Silence submission move.
[Graves] Carmella with her powerful legs wrapped around The Boss's neck,
we could have a new champion in moments, but wait.
[Michael] And Sasha able to counter,
looking for the Bank Statement, Carmella though.
[Graves] Double chicken wing applied.
[Michael] And Banks now in trouble and look at Carmella.
[Graves] Both of Sasha's arms are trapped,
Carmella putting an ungodly amount of pressure on.
[Michael] And Banks into the pinning, oh, combination
and it forces Carmella to break.
It was the only thing Sasha could do to stay alive.
[Graves] And I don't like the looks of this.
Carmella having to take a moment to compose herself,
asking, "What else do I have left?"
"What more can I do to dethrone The Boss?"
[Michael] And Carmella, nobody home, missed on the bottom turnbuckle,
and Banks now.
[Graves] Now, it's the challenger growing frustrated again.
[Michael] Sasha rolling through into the Bank Statement
center of the ring.
Banks has got Carmella locked in,
Carmella has nowhere to go.
[Graves] The challenger fighting desperately,
trying to escape The Boss,
cranking with everything she's got in her being, but Reginald.
[Michael] Oh, come on now.
What the hell? The official-- how is he gonna allow that to happen?
[crowd booing]
[Michael] Oh, no, no!
And now Banks off the apron with a Meteora.
[Graves] Someone check on Reggie.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And Carmella takes advantage.
-[Graves] And again. -[Michael] And another kick.
Two.
[Michael] And Carmella looking to steal the championship here.
Hook of the leg and Banks stays in it.
What grit and determination by Sasha Banks.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] I'm not entirely sure but I think I heard
a couple bottles of Ace of Spades popping on that last count.
Carmella very nearly becoming the SmackDown Women's Champion
but The Boss just won't stay down.
[Michael] Yeah. But if you're Carmella you got to refocus,
you got to change your game plan.
-You're not better than me, Sasha. -[Anfibio] Watch the hair.
-I'm Carmella. -[Anfibio] Watch the hair. Come on.
[Michael] Figure something out, do what you got to do.
You can't get frustrated, Corey. Could be disqualified.
I'm Carmella.
[Anfibio] Come on, watch it. Move.
[crowd jeering]
[Michael] Now-- Oh, Banks able to counter.
-Now, to the center of the ring again -[Graves] Uh-oh. Uh-oh.
[Michael] Bank Statement. Bank Statement by Banks.
Carmella with nowhere to go.
-And a tap out. -[bell ringing]
-[Michael] Banks retains. -["Sky's The Limit" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Hamilton] Here is your winner by submission
and still the SmackDown Women's Champion
Sasha Banks.
[Michael] Corey, what a gritty performance
by the resilient champion.
[Graves] That is a great way to describe what we just witnessed, Michael Cole.
Sasha Banks faced off with a very game,
very ready challenge in Carmella,
but The Boss just would not quit.
[Michael] Numerous times throughout this matchup
Carmella took Sasha Banks to the limit.
But Sasha Banks still retains the SmackDown Women's Championship.
Hey, can't take anything away from Carmella,
she was game here tonight but Banks just too much in the end.
[Graves] Even in defeat how good does Carmella look, Cole?
[Michael] And now, we're gonna see what happened.
Watch Sasha Banks with a Meteora to poor old Reginald Thomas.
[Graves] But then, Carmella would capitalize.
Boom! One superkick and one more for good measure.
And just as the title began to slip through the fingers of Sasha Banks,
she somehow summoned the will to keep fighting,
and this made all the difference.
Frustration was the factor.
The Boss able to lock in the Bank Statement.
And Carmella left with no choice
-but to tap out. -[bell ringing]
[Graves] Cole, I think The Jets should've taken some notes from Carmella tonight.
[Michael] A frustrated Carmella, a proud champion Sasha Banks
here tonight at TLC. It is indeed Boss time.
-[crowd cheering] -♪ Had a dream I had it made ♪
♪ And now there's nothing Dragging down me yeah ♪
♪ 'Cause I gon' gon' pushed it All out the way ♪
Asuka.
Did you see that?
I really am clairvoyant
because I knew Sasha would retain her title.
Ooh, maybe I should add clairvoyant to the resume, that's a good idea.
Here we go. Okay.
Anyway, anyway, here is my headshot.
On the back, we have the resume.
And as you can see here, I do excel in high-stress situations
and I'm a former tag team champion.
So I would be a great partner for you tonight against Nia and Shayna.
And in the skills section, you can see I am proficient in Japanese.
-Really? -Yes. Yes, yes.
[laughter]
[speaking Japanese]
Ah, right you are, Asuka.
And so we can match,
I even made one of these, my very own mask.
-[vocalizing] -[crowd cheering]
[speaking Japanese]
You must not have understood, thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
But the position has been filled
and, uh…
you're not ready for Asuka.
-Ugh. -[crowd cheering]
["It's Time" playing]
[Tom] TLC, Tables, Ladders, and Chairs from the WWE Thunderdome,
the Raw tag team titles set to be defended.
[crowd jeering]
[bell ringing]
[Rome] The following contest is scheduled for one fall
is for the Raw Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by MVP,
representing The Hurt Business,
Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin.
[Byron] Well, if you ask me I think there's major pressure
on the shoulders of The Hurt Business tonight.
[Tom] And tonight WWE Tables, Ladders, and Chairs
is brought to you in part by Tapout, available now at tapout.com.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] But all the things The Hurt Business has said
about The New Day, saying they're past their time,
their day is over.
Now you got to back it up.
[Tom] Well, speaking of backing up some talk. This past week,
you know, Cedric Alexander, who took over WWE's Instagram, and at one point,
he explained why he joined The Hurt Business.
With nothing on my own, I was floundering.
I tried to make an entire career of being the smiling,
happy-go-lucky guy.
That's why I joined The Hurt Business.
I made the right decision.
And if you still don't believe me, just wait.
You're gonna see a little extra gold come to The Hurt Business.
[crowd jeering]
[Tom] That is certainly the intent of The Hurt Business tonight,
of course, Bobby Lashley as the United States Championship
with Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander
acquire the Raw tag team titles,
MVP was looming over us here, Joe, but what do you think?
Can The Hurt Business get the job done tonight?
You know, with the-- With the road that The Hurt Business has been on,
I think we're walking away with new champions tonight, gentlemen.
[Tom] In many ways, Benjamin and Alexander have got to feel
like this is their last chance to grab the titles.
["It's Time" continues]
New Day, excuse me.
I hope you're ready because on the other side of that curtain,
Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin await.
So tell me, how is this match going to be different
from the last time you defended your titles against The Hurt Business?
Oh, okay, Charly, look, let me tell it to you like this, okay?
The short answer is it won't be,
but the long answer is
it definitely won't be.
And just like Lil Wayne's collection of mix tape The New Day has no ceilings.
Come on. So, Cedric, Shelton,
they're going up against New Day, yes, we understand,
but they're about to go up against big match New Day.
Big match New Day, that's right.
And look, the Butthurt Business is going to be extra butthurt tonight
because they know that 2020 is going to end
in the same way in which it began,
and that's what your boys…
-The New Day -New Day.
…as your-- You can do it with us, if you want to, here we go.
[in unison] WWE World Tag Team Champions.
And do you know why, Charly?
Tell me.
Because
It's still very weird without E, it's so--
-Yeah, I was basing on his voice. -It's just-- It's not the lungs.
Okay. Okay.
♪ New Day rocks New Day rocks New Day rocks ♪
-["New Day, New Way" playing] -Good luck, guys. Good luck.
[Byron] Yeah. Now time for a reality check for The Hurt Business
because the power of positivity is upon us.
[Rome] And their opponents,
they are the Raw Tag Team Champions,
Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, The New Day.
[Tom] No, Xavier, you cannot use the chair on this match even though it is TLC.
Byron, this could be a clean sweep night for The New Day.
Big E won on the Kickoff show in an eight-man tag team match
pinning the Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn from SmackDown.
[Byron] Yeah. Listen, there's a lot of motivation
of course for Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston.
They have been called out week after week by The Hurt Business saying,
"You don't have it anymore, you've got the wraps,
you're going through the motions."
This is their chance to shut The Hurt Business up for good.
[Samoa Joe] Well, I don't know about that
because I know this about The Hurt Business.
They have had The New Day squarely in their sights
the very minute they stepped foot into Raw
because they understand that a victory over The New Day
can solidify them as the powerhouse tag team
on Monday Night Raw.
[Tom] And not only gaining the Raw Tag Team Championship for that,
as I mentioned, they would have the United States Championship
within their ranks on the shoulder of Bobby Lashley.
Byron, what could that mean for The Hurt Business on Monday Night Raw?
[Byron] Well, it would be huge. It would be huge for the image,
for the perception of what The Hurt Business does and who they are,
but again, to do that you've got to overcome
one of the greatest tag teams we've ever seen here in WWE.
-[Tom] And MVP… -[bell ringing]
[Tom] A little huddle here beforehand and its--
-[Samoa Joe] Oh! -[Tom] Cedric Alexander!
-[Byron] What could be done? -[Tom] Kingston nearly took his head off.
[Samoa Joe] And that trademark Alexander aggression almost backfired on him.
[Tom] Yeah. That's the thing, Joe, oh,
and a side Russian leg sweep by Kofi Kingston
and now Xavier Woods is legal.
Is Alexander a little too headstrong coming into this?
-He's up top. -[Samoa Joe] Whoa. Oh.
[Tom] Oh, and a leg drop right across the chest.
-[Byron] That might be it. -[Tom] To retain the titles,
hook to the leg and a kickout.
[Samoa Joe] That might have been an early night for the champions,
but MVP is beside himself at ringside.
[Tom] MVP a little frustrated, Joe, what do you think?
Is Alexander too headstrong?
[Samoa Joe] Right. You know, Alexander may be too headstrong
but you have to admit his aggression
-has been provided results! -[Tom] Uh-oh.
Oh, Kofi's legal.
Cross body, here's the cover and a kickout.
[Byron] You wanna talk aggression?
How about the aggression we're seeing right now
for the Raw Tag Team Champions?
[Tom] You're absolutely right.
And, Byron, they're frustrated with dealing with The Hurt Business
because there had been how many matches between these two teams,
singles competition, tag matches as well?
Oh, Woods is legal now.
[Byron] Oh, Xavier Woods, and listen, you know,
we talked about the confidence of, oh, Alexander,
but you have to make it count, you have to deliver when the pressure's on
-and right now, the pressure is on. -[Tom] Oh.
Oh, and look at the power of Xavier Woods.
-Here's the cover to retain. -[Byron] Oh.
[Tom] Broken up by Benjamin.
[Samoa Joe] And a cavalcade of offense by The New Day.
[Tom] Hurt Business has been thrown off their game here in the early going.
The deceptive power of Xavier Woods and Alexander saved by Benjamin.
I need you to tag.
[Tom] Oh, and now Alexander trying to create a little bit of breathing room
and a tag made, in comes Shelton Benjamin, oh, and a big clothesline.
Shelton Benjamin, it'd been 17 years since he held tag team gold in WWE,
one of the great veterans in all of WWE right now.
Here's a cover to win the titles, oh, and a kickout by Woods.
-One of the hungriest as well-- What the? -What the?
You need some water. You need some water.
Ain't no-- Cut that out.
Drink some water.
[Samoa Joe] I like this. Got to keep your men hydrated.
[Tom] Uh-oh. Spinebuster by Benjamin.
Here's the cover to win the titles and a kickout by Woods.
[Byron] The one thing Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander have had in common
is their mutual frustration.
You mentioned, Tom, 17 years or something,
Benjamin has been a tag team champion.
Obviously, we heard a lot of the frustration that Cedric Alexander felt
before joining The Hurt Business.
-[Samoa Joe] Whoa. -[Tom] Now Benjamin,
oh, dealing with Woods and a big forearm.
Now Woods, oh, sending Benjamin into the ropes.
[Samoa Joe] And Benjamin's hung up.
[Tom] Tag made. Kofi's legal.
-[Byron] Oh! -[Tom] Oh, Woods,
two for one on the outside.
[Byron] Oh, look out.
[Tom] Kingston's legal and a stomp right to the chest.
Here's the cover to retain the titles tonight and a kickout.
[Byron] That's tandem offense at its finest,
-delivered by The New Day. -[Tom] And, Joe, how do you like this?
Woods and Alexander not legal but they're battling on the outside.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, this is a relentless battle.
I mean-- I mean, The New Day have really surprised me here tonight.
I mean, this big day New Day over here.
-[Byron] Are you really surprised, Joe? -[Tom] Big match New Day.
Oh, and Kofi wipes out Alexander.
-[Byron] Oh. -[Tom] Now Woods with a DDT.
Here's the cover, Woods is legal.
Benjamin able to kick out.
Guys, that sequence there was brilliant by Woods
because he took Alexander away from his corner,
wasn't even a tag option for Shelton Benjamin,
and then a two-on-one opportunity for New Day.
[Byron] There is a reason why The New Day are ten-time tag team champions.
[Tom] Oh. The standard bearers in the tag team ranks of all of WWE.
Longest single tag team championship reign in WWE history,
483 days,
ten-time champs-- Oh, and a big knee strike by Benjamin.
[Byron] Benjamin so quick.
[Tom] Oh. Into the bottom turnbuckle.
Tag him. Tag him.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, and very, very mean intentions behind that--
[Tom] You better tag.
[Samoa Joe] That throwaway into the corner there.
[Tom] You're right. And now MVP--
[Samoa Joe] Keeping our-- Keeping our bets-- Oh!
[Tom] Oh. Right between the shoulder blades.
-[crowd jeering] -[Byron] Look at MVP celebrating.
[Tom] And now sending Woods back inside the ring.
Here's a cover by Alexander to capture the championship and a kickout.
Remember, champion's advantage for The New Day.
Titles can only change hands via pinfall or submission, Byron.
That's a rule The Hurt Business, painfully, know too well.
[Byron] Absolutely. There was a time a couple weeks ago
that The Hurt Business actually thought they were gonna capture
the Raw tag team titles.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, and Cedric Alexander, knee on the back
and breaking on that chin.
[Tom] Now what a matchup this is for the Raw Tag Team Championship
here inside WWE Thunderdome at Tropicana Field.
And Cedric Alexander, he's been out to prove something
to the likes of, oh, tag made, Benjamin, MVP, and Bobby Lashley.
[Byron] Alexander has been proving himself.
And take nothing away from what Cedric Alexander has done.
But again, the question is, is Cedric, and Shelton by his side,
are they ready for this moment,
a moment to become Raw Tag Team Champions?
-[Tom] Oh. God! -[Samoa Joe] Oh.
[MVP] Don't you injure yourself. Benjamin!
[Samoa Joe] It seems MVP has settled the troops
and Shelton Benjamin is firmly in control.
No!
[Tom] Final pay-per-view event here of 2020, the TLC,
Tables, Ladders, and Chairs event.
And Joe, 2020 on Raw has largely been defined
by The Hurt Business and MVP.
This will be a hell of a way to end things.
[Samoa Joe] I mean, 2020 has been its own eventful year
but The Hurt Business has definitely made it theirs.
And tonight, they seek to cap off the year with championship gold.
[Byron] As MVP put it, he said The New Day's destiny is--
belongs to The Hurt Business.
-[Tom] Oh. -[Byron] Oh.
[Tom] And Cedric Alexander, as we heard from him earlier,
he spouted off on Instagram this past week.
If Alexander could capture the Raw tag team titles here tonight,
it would've all been worth it, stand on the likes of Apollo Crews,
Ricochet, at one point, Mustafa Ali in the back.
[Byron] I don't like, obviously, the methods
that Cedric Alexander has chosen but it's paid off.
[Samoa Joe] Let me give you the simple answer.
It is absolutely worth it.
In the pursuit of championship gold, there are no rules.
-Boom! -[Tom] Oh, gosh.
[Samoa Joe] And a big forearm blast.
[Tom] And Xavier Woods has taken so much punishment.
Now setting up for a Neuralyzer and Woods, what a block.
[Samoa Joe] A beautiful counter enzuigiri.
I mean, he got him in midair.
-[Tom] An enzuigiri-- -[Byron] Quick thinking.
Quick thinking by Woods who now has got to make the tag,
has to tag in Kofi Kingston.
[Tom] Trying to roll to the corner and a tag made
to the former WWE Champion Kofi Kingston.
And now, Kofi starting to roll.
[Byron] The man who knows all too well in Shelton Benjamin does Kofi Kingston.
[Tom] Roots all the way back to ECW.
And now, it's Kingston dropping Benjamin to the canvas.
Get up and tag.
[Byron] Kofi, oh, keeping his eyes on Cedric Alexander,
making sure Alexander is not a threat.
[Tom] Alexander trying to run a little interference.
-Heads up. -Boom Drop.
-[Tom] Going for the-- No way. -[Samoa Joe] Oh.
But did you see that catch?
[Tom] Right at the Boom Drop.
And now Shelton Benjamin with the strength.
Tag made. Alexander is legal.
[Samoa Joe] And Alexander is going up.
-[Byron] Kofi's trying to maneuver off-- -[Samoa Joe] Kofi's making an adjustment.
[Byron] Trying to maneuver off the shoulders of-- Whoa!
[Tom] Whoa. And Alexander…
-[Byron] Wow. -…couldn't catch Kofi.
[Byron] Kofi got tricks.
[Tom] And now center of the ring.
-SOS. -[Byron] Cover.
[Tom] To hold onto the titles.
-[Byron] Oh. Oh, so close. -[Tom] And a kickout.
[Byron] MVP knows it too.
[Tom] What a sequence there
-for Kofi Kingston. -[Byron] My goodness.
[Samoa Joe] I thought that was gonna be disastrous for Kofi,
-but he turned it around. -[Tom] Kofi has gotten himself
out of some sticky situations throughout his entire WWE career.
I don't care what the match is.
That is how good Kingston is.
[crowd chanting]
[Tom] And now, thinking about Trouble in Paradise.
Trying to put away Cedric Alexander.
-[Samoa Joe] Up he goes. -[Tom] Went for the Lumbar Check.
Nobody home.
[Byron] Kofi now trying to counter.
Reversal after reversal. Watch Kofi.
[Tom] Oh, Kofi was trying to catch Alexander.
Oh, and I think a knee strike by Alexander did enough.
And the Brain Buster right into the cover to win the championship.
-[Byron] Oh. -[Tom] Woods all over it.
[Byron] Just in time to break up the pinfall.
[Tom] And now Benjamin and Woods exchanging blows.
[Byron] Ooh.
[Tom] Catches him with a boot and now a Neuralyzer.
This one good for Alexander.
And Benjamin finds Paydirt.
[Byron] Again, remember, the legal man is Kofi Kingston for New Day.
-[Samoa Joe] And he's isolated. -[Tom] And Cedric Alexander
for The Hurt Business.
Benjamin wants a tag.
Tag made.
MVP shouting out directions.
[Byron] Kofi is hurt.
[Tom] Great opportunity now for The Hurt Business.
Going for the Angle Slam, the Olympic Slam.
-[Byron] Whoa. -[Tom] And a kick to the face.
Kofi finds a way out.
[Byron] We continue to see
the incredible resilience of Kofi Kingston.
[Tom] Right to the back of the neck.
Oh, and now that one right between the eyes
and it's Kofi Kingston who's got Benjamin down.
[Byron] Kofi Kingston looking to take to the skies one more time.
[Samoa Joe] And Benjamin says no.
[Byron] And now Benjamin is gonna join Kingston.
-[Tom] MVP looking on. -[Byron] Oh, my.
[Tom] Shelton Benjamin up all on the top.
[Byron] Looking to attempt to ascend to that top rope.
-Kingston fighting Benjamin off. -[Tom] Oh. And a headbutt,
that rocked Benjamin enough.
[Samoa Joe] And Kofi throwing any way he can to get the advantage.
[Tom] Oh.
[Byron] This has been an ultra-competitive matchup.
-Oh my gosh. -[Tom] Hold on.
[Samoa Joe] Oh. Benjamin's got him.
[Tom] And Benjamin off the top with a superplex.
[Byron] Just ridiculous athleticism from Shelton Benjamin.
[Tom] MVP is shouting for a cover.
Benjamin thinks he can end it.
Benjamin thinks one more move and he can end it here.
[Samoa Joe] Now he's sizing up Kofi.
[Byron] Kofi may not know where he's at right now.
[Tom] Shelton Benjamin-- Oh.
Alexander tags himself in.
Alexander now legal against Kofi Kingston and a Lumbar Check.
-Cover by Alexander. -[crowd] One, two, three.
-[Samoa Joe] Yes. -[Tom] And The Hurt Business
-have toppled The New Day. -[bell ringing]
[Rome] Here are your winners
and the new Raw Tag Team Champions,
Shelton Benjamin and Cedric Alexander.
[Byron] Obviously, guys, I can't believe it.
I can't believe Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin
have just captured the Raw Tag Team titles.
[Samoa Joe] I can believe it-- I can believe it, Byron,
because that man that stands in between the tag team champions,
that man is a prophet.
He said this would happen.
MVP said they would capture the championship tonight.
[Byron] The New Day was game without a doubt
but so was The Hurt Business.
It was an ultra-competitive matchup.
And The Hurt Business had the number of The New Day
and, well, look who's headed down to the ring.
[Tom] And there is the United States Champion,
Bobby Lashley, out to celebrate.
[Samoa Joe] That's right. It's a celebration, Tom.
[Byron] This has got to be a heartbreaking loss for The New Day.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, the company Christmas party is gonna be awesome this year.
[Tom] Take a look back.
They've got all the gold.
Take a look back here at this sequence here.
Shelton Benjamin setting up Cedric Alexander for the Neuralyzer,
then Paydirt on Xavier Woods.
And this was big for Benjamin.
[Byron] Yeah, this is the athleticism of Shelton Benjamin on display,
having Kofi Kingston isolated.
And that was the beginning of the end.
[Tom] And then this, the tag by Alexander,
getting himself into the matchup.
This has not worked in the past for The Hurt Business.
Well tonight, the Lumbar Check certainly worked,
paying dividends for The Hurt Business.
[Byron] Yeah, we talked for weeks
about the ramped-up aggression of Cedric Alexander.
Well, that aggression would pay dividends here
because Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin
are your new Raw Tag Team Champions.
What did we say?
-What did I tell you? -[MVP] Told you so.
We only speak truth.
[Byron] The hostile takeover is on.
The Hurt Business have all the gold.
Look at this, this is greatness.
Prime Alexander.
♪ Where my opponent at? ♪
♪ He about to get finished ♪
♪ I'm genuine, nobody can stop me… ♪
[Tom] We invite you to celebrate the best of Raw and SmackDown
with our year-end awards,
the 2020 Slammy Awards,
hosted by 24/7 Champion R-Truth.
It takes place this Wednesday on the WWE network,
and across WWE's digital and social platforms.
[Byron] My favorite award show of the year,
and R-Truth as the host, are you kidding me?
Which reminds me, question, guys,
what do you think my chances are of becoming Commentator of the Year?
-Slim to none, Byron. -Yup.
Ever heard of the Sami awards?
-No? -No?
Yeah, actually, yeah.
You can definitely win one of those, Byron.
This past Friday night on SmackDown on Fox,
the Intercontinental Champion, Sami Zayn,
introduced the Sami Awards,
where he really showered himself with awards.
The Superstar of the Year
[drums rolling]
The Sami goes to
Big E?
[Tom] Yeah.
Sami was not expecting his own award show that he made up
to actually, well, the gradual winner would be Big E.
Mama, I made it.
[Byron] Big E had some fun at Sami's expense.
I also would be remiss if I--
Ladies and gentlemen,
it seems there's been a bit of a mix-up here.
The Superstar of the Year is-- [groans]
[Byron] And look, Sami Zayn should've known,
you do not interrupt a man during his thank-you speech.
And obviously, Sami Zayn paid for it.
Thank you.
[Tom] However, I do wanna turn your attention to this leaked audio
recovered by our broadcast colleague, Kayla Braxton, of Sami Zayn.
[Sami] Don't just apologize to me.
Tell me what the hell happened out there.
Tell me how you allowed that to happen.
Do you know how hard it was to get the Sami Awards to happen?
You understand that people are depending on me?
I sleep with that responsibility every night.
You think the Sami Awards are about me?
I'm putting food on your table.
You're eating because of me.
If this happens again, no ifs, no ands, no buts, you're gone.
You're gone, and that's it, okay?
I'm just doing my job.
[Sami] Oh, there she is.
There she is, Little Miss Journalist.
I bet you're so proud of yourself and your big scoop.
I bet you're proud of leaking that audio of me,
of breaching my privacy,
and posting it all over your Instagram page,
next to all those photos of your-- of your derriere by the pool.
Have you no shame?
Have you no inte-- Hang on.
Oh, Kayla, I'm sorry. I am. I'm sorry.
I'm under a lot of pressure right now. Just…
[sighs] Just tell me who sent you the audio.
We go way back. Just tell me who sent you the audio.
I know it was Big E. It was Big E, right?
Just tell me who did it. I'll deal with it myself.
Just tell me who sent it to you.
Sorry, Sami.
But a journalist doesn't reveal her sources.
-Sorry. -Oh.
Oh, you're gonna lecture me on ethics?
You're gonna-- You're gonna lecture me on ethics?
I'm the only one with ethics around here.
I mean, I can understand Sami's frustration.
I mean, he's out there, trying to find some answers,
and people like Kayla are just you know, they're hindering that effort.
Yeah. Big E did pin the Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn
on the TLC kickoff show,
so that's the big development here tonight.
But speaking of questions. That's exactly what we have
about this upcoming matchup.
The WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler, set to defend their titles,
but has the Raw women's champion Asuka found a tag team partner in time
after what happened to Lana this past week on Raw?
[Tom] The Irresistible Force,
she's got bad intentions in mind for Lana.
And now Lana's got to be brave going in against Nia Jax.
[Nia] Lana says she's a fighter.
[Samoa Joe] This is the price of bravery.
[Nia] She picks herself up again.
[Tom] Nia Jax, for months now, has tormented Lana.
[Nia] Let's see if she can pick herself up again.
[Samoa Joe] This is getting hard to watch.
[Byron] As Asuka is looking on at her tag team partner.
[Nia] This is what you want. Huh?
-[Tom] Effortless muscle here. -[Byron] Here we go. Oh.
-Whoa, whoa, whoa. -[Tom] Oh, my gosh.
[Samoa Joe] What a counter.
-[Tom] And Lana's got a chance. -[Byron] No way. No way.
[Tom] Very smart decision making by Lana.
[Byron] Look at Lana.
[Tom] Onto the cover, Lana could do it.
Lana has pinned Nia Jax.
Yes.
[Tom] The impossible has happened.
[speaks Japanese]
[Nia] When we're finished with Lana,
she's going to have an ugly, hideous face.
We're gonna twist and contort her body in all different directions.
This is what you wanted.
[Lana screams]
Please don't. Please don't.
[Nia] I think I'm gonna end her career.
-[referee] Come on, ladies. -[Lana groaning]
[Tom] As a result of the attack,
Lana is now unable to compete
at the Tables, Ladders, and Chairs pay-per-view event.
Now, I guess, Asuka's gotta find a new partner.
["Force of Greatness" playing]
[Tom] As the speculation continues to swirl here backstage at WWE TLC
as to Asuka's tag team partner,
here come the dominant champions.
[Byron] You say dominant, I say bullies.
["Limb By Limb" playing]
[Samoa Joe] You may call them bullies.
That's usually what losers call champions, Byron.
[bell ringing]
[Rome] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship.
Introducing first,
they are the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler.
[Byron] Okay. So, this is where I question the logic
of the Women's Tag Team Champions.
You knew you had a match against Lana and Asuka,
but you let your temper take control,
you took Lana out of the equation,
and now, you don't know who you're gonna face here tonight.
-[crowd booing] -["Limb by Limb" continues]
[Tom] We do have a medical update regarding Lana
after the attack from Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler
this past Monday night on Raw.
Lana suffered a non-displaced radial head fracture of her left elbow,
also the evaluation revealed an MCL injury in Lana's left knee.
[Byron] Yeah, you got to feel for Lana, who worked so hard
expecting to have this opportunity here tonight at TLC.
[Tom] Earned this opportunity.
["You Can't Hide" playing]
[Rome] And their opponent, first from Osaka, Japan,
she is the Raw women's champion, Asuka.
[Byron] Joe, the one curious thing earlier on tonight,
Billie Kay was offering her services as a tag team partner for Asuka,
but Asuka has said, "Look. I've already filled the position."
[Samoa Joe] And that is very interesting.
Obviously, Asuka's been thinking about this matchup.
She has come here tonight prepared.
So the question remains,
who will be in Asuka's corner in this matchup tonight?
[Byron] Listen, I wondered if Asuka would choose to go at it alone,
but Asuka obviously has made a decision,
and I'll tell you, I don't think it was hard.
But I know there have been countless superstars
vying for the chance to tag up with Asuka,
and potentially capture the Women's Tag Team titles.
[Tom] And how many superstars have a proverbial axe to grind
with the likes of Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler?
Who wouldn't wanna step up
for a championship opportunity here at TLC?
[Byron] You are absolutely right, Tom.
There's a plethora of superstars who have grown tired of the antics
from the Women's Tag Team Champions.
["All Hail The Queen" playing]
[Byron] Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. You're… No.
-No way. -[Samoa Joe] Well, we have our answer.
[Byron] No way. Is it?
Is it really?
The Queen.
[Tom] Yes, it is.
-[Byron laughs] -[Tom] Wow.
[Rome] And her tag team partner,
from The Queen City, Charlotte Flair.
[Tom] It is time to bow down.
The Queen is back.
[Byron] This is huge, and look at the face of Nia Jax.
She looks like she's seen a ghost.
[Tom] Look at the smile on the face
of the 12-time champion, Charlotte Flair.
[Samoa Joe] And smile she should, as it's definitely got majestic out here,
as The Empress is joined by The Queen.
[Byron] Well, we haven't seen Charlotte Flair, Tom, for months
-since this summer. -[Tom] You're absolutely right.
Such a spectacular 2020, first half of 2020
that Charlotte Flair has had, and, Byron, it appears,
The Queen has come back in magnificent shape.
[Byron] Absolutely.
The Queen is always ready, always prepared.
And if I'm Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax,
I'm slapping myself right now
because this could've been Lana.
This could've been a, quote, unquote, "easier option",
but instead now, you've got yourselves The Queen.
[Tom] Joe, it looks like Charlotte feels at home.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, yeah. Charlotte feels very at home,
and she should, right back in championship contention,
where she very well belongs.
[Tom] A wave to Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax.
Jax who especially knows Flair all too well.
[Byron] It was Nia Jax who put Charlotte Flair on the shelf
for quite some time, injuring Flair's arm,
and I guarantee you, The Queen has not forgotten.
[Samoa Joe] Unless we forgot the storied competitive history
between Asuka and Charlotte,
I mean this is refreshing to see.
[Tom] You're absolutely right, Joe.
And now, an opportunity for The Empress and The Queen to team up,
to maybe capture the women's tag team titles.
[Byron] Did you ever think in your wildest imagination
-we would say that here tonight… -[Tom] No.
…that The Empress and The Queen are tag team partners at TLC?
[Tom] I don't think Jax and Baszler ever expected that.
Asuka looks very confident in this situation.
[Byron] Of course. Wouldn't you be?
[Samoa Joe] This is such a fantastic choice by Asuka,
who starts things off against Shayna Baszler.
[Byron] This is a major curveball that's been thrown
at the Women's Tag Team Champions.
Now how do they respond?
[Tom] Yeah, Joe, you've been in situations like this,
inevitably, throughout your career. How do you adjust?
[Samoa Joe] Well, when you're adjusting
for somebody at the level of Charlotte Flair,
trust me, there are major adjustments to be made.
Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax,
they're definitely rethinking their entire game plan.
[Tom] And there's Shayna Baszler,
already talking trash at The Queen.
That might be an interesting choice as she tees off on Asuka.
-Oh, Asuka-- -[Samoa Joe] Oh, not so fast.
[Tom] Asuka picked the leg, oh, and responds with some kicks of her own.
[Byron] Little bit of a striking specialist in her own right. And Asuka…
[Tom] Yeah, Shayna Baszler-- Whoa, Shayna Baszler now taken down.
[Samoa Joe] Right to the straight armbar.
Oh, she's got it stretched out, and Baszler is struggling.
She needs to find ropes.
Beautiful escape though.
[Tom] Great job by Asuka.
Now Baszler turns it around, has isolated the arm.
-[Byron] We've seen this before. -[Samoa Joe] We've seen this.
[Tom] Oh, this is-- Oh, the fate Lana suffered,
unable to escape.
[Byron] Uh-oh, gentlemen, here we go.
The Queen wants in.
-[Samoa Joe] Guys, it's time. -[Tom] And a tag made.
In comes The Queen.
The dismay on the face of The Irresistible Force.
[Byron] Get ready, Shayna Baszler.
Get ready, Nia Jax.
The Queen wants your titles.
[Tom] Oh, and look at Charlotte Flair, shot out of a cannon.
Going for the figure-four early here, Joe.
[Samoa Joe] And Baszler fighting out smartly.
[Tom] Charlotte Flair looks to be in tiptop athletic form here,
ready for this matchup.
[Byron] To that point, Tom, you know Charlotte Flair…
Get out you. I want Nia. Get out.
…does not rest on her laurels. I guarantee you, she's been…
[Charlotte] Let's go, Nia.
…watching and studying, in particular, the actions of one Nia Jax.
[Samoa Joe] And Nia asking for the tag.
[Tom] Oh, and now Flair, she wanted Jax.
[Byron] Oh, oh.
[Samoa Joe] She's gonna get her.
[Tom] Tying up with The Irresistible Force.
[Byron] Obviously, the power advantage here would lie with Nia Jax.
That goes without saying.
[Tom] Into the corner.
Now look at Charlotte Flair.
Charlotte Flair teaming up tonight with Asuka,
the selection of The Empress.
Charlotte has said on multiple occasions,
Asuka's, oh, the greatest competitor she's ever stepped in the ring with,
happy to tag with her tonight. Oh.
[Byron] Again, it's one thing to prepare for The Queen…
-[Tom] Tag. -…but when you don't even know
you're gonna face The Queen, a whole another story.
[Tom] Great tag team competition here, Joe.
In comes Asuka.
[Samoa Joe] And Asuka coming in very, very aggressively,
a series of strikes.
[Tom] Well, Byron, let's not forget
how personally Asuka must be taking what happened to Lana.
There's a friendship that developed very quickly
between Asuka and Lana.
[Byron] Hey, Asuka had to quickly overcome the emotional pain…
[Tom] Oh, man, double knees.
…over seeing Lana go down.
Remember, Asuka had six nights,
six nights to find a new tag team partner,
to make that call apparently to "The Queen" Charlotte Flair.
[Samoa Joe] And Asuka has Nia Jax reeling right now.
Oh, and a straight right by Jax.
-[Tom] Nasty right. -[Samoa Joe] Not for long.
[Tom] Has got a hold of Asuka.
[Byron] Whoa, whoa, whoa.
[Tom] Asuka went for the sunset flip.
[Samoa Joe] Oh.
[Byron] That headbutt clearly rocked The Empress.
[Tom] Oh, shoulder-first into the post. In comes Baszler, legal.
[Byron] This is the situation you do not want if you're…
-[Samoa Joe] Oh, they got it. -…Asuka.
[Tom] Oh, God.
To the left arm of Asuka.
This is how nasty, how dominant Baszler and Jax have been
as tag team champions.
[Byron] Baszler and Jax have proved week after week--
[Tom] Hold on, cover. Hook to the leg to hold on to the titles,
as Baszler stared down to Flair.
[Byron] These two have little regard for the health of their opponent,
whomever that opponent is.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, look at Baszler going to work on that joint.
[Tom] Baszler and Jax, the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
which, of course, can be defended on any brand.
[Samoa Joe] Now the steady wrist manipulation,
just pulling on that elbow joint.
Oh.
[Byron] This is the wheelhouse of Shayna Baszler.
[Samoa Joe] The torque.
[Byron] Torture and punish at any cost.
That's what Shayna Baszler does.
[Tom] Shayna Baszler, she's gone after the likes of Lana and Mandy Rose.
Let's not forget about that leading up to Survivor Series,
-put her on the shelf. -[Samoa Joe] Nice counter by Asuka.
[Tom] Cover by Asuka. Kickout by Asuka.
[Samoa Joe] Oh.
[Tom] Now Baszler able to track down the Raw women's champion.
[Byron] And now, wisely, to the credit of Baszler and
Jax, continuing to cut that ring in half,
continuing to isolate Asuka in their corner.
[Tom] Tag. And Jax is now legal.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, I don't like where Nia Jax is taking this.
[Tom] Jax taking Asuka into the post, shoulder first.
Two…
[Tom] Asuka severely--
[Samoa Joe] Now just tossed like a rag doll.
[Tom] Into the barricade.
Remember, champion's advantage of Jax and Baszler.
Title can only change hands via pinfall or submission.
Jax and Baszler are gonna choose to make a statement
at the expense of Asuka and Flair tonight.
Tag made.
[Samoa Joe] And do you find that to be any surprise, Tom?
-These women have made… -[Tom] No, sir.
[Samoa Joe] …have made statements out of everyone
that have stepped in the ring with them.
[Byron] Again, I'll compliment the Women's Tag Team Champions.
They've overcome the shock factor
that was presented by the return of Charlotte Flair.
[Tom] Oh, the left arm of Asuka in bad shape right now.
[Samoa Joe] That small joint manipulation continues.
Oh, double wrist lock.
Oh, just cranking, cranking on that elbow. Just--
[Tom] Shayna Baszler complete command to the Raw women's champion
at this point in the match.
-[Byron] Oh, wait, Asuka, Asuka-- -[Tom] Oh, and now--
[Samoa Joe] Oh, coming for the shoulder lock.
[Tom] Trying to turn it around on Baszler.
Two of the greatest NXT women's champions in history
locking up right now,
and now it's Baszler takes Asuka off her feet.
Now the cover, hook to the leg,
hold on to the titles, Asuka kicks out.
[Byron] A ginger kickout by Asuka.
[Tom] Oh, Asuka had to get the right shoulder off of the mat there,
after all the damage done to the left.
And now Asuka hard to the outside.
Jax is legal.
[Byron] Right now, Asuka is at the mercy of Nia Jax.
[referee] Two…
[Samoa Joe] And if I'm not mistaken, the normal durable Asuka,
she's beginning to wane here.
[Tom] Oh, maybe not.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, Jax nearly sent into the post.
Oh, spinning back fist by Asuka.
[Byron] Asuka's got to hurry. Asuka's got to make the tag.
[Tom] Jax back inside the ring.
Asuka trying to crawl to the corner.
[Byron] Nia Jax right there to stop the progression of Asuka.
[Tom] Oh, right to the face of Jax.
And now, Baszler takes Flair away.
Oh, what a right.
[Byron] Charlotte says, "Uh-uh, Shayna."
-[Samoa Joe] The Queen says not so fast. -[Tom] Tag made.
Here comes The Queen. Oh.
[Byron] The Queen is going to town on Nia Jax.
[Samoa Joe] And she brought some chops for the barbecue.
[Byron] Oh, look who's looking on?
[Tom] And looking on, the two-time Hall of Famer,
-Charlotte Flair's father, Ric Flair. -[Byron] Woo.
[Tom] What a moment for The Nature Boy to watch his daughter.
And now, Charlotte Flair on the move, and a boot to the side of the face.
-[Byron] Here comes Shayna. -[Samoa Joe] Watch out.
[Tom] Stopping Baszler right in her tracks.
Look at the power of Flair.
[Samoa Joe] And back up.
[Byron] The Queen is a one-woman wrecking crew.
[Tom] Has Charlotte ever looked better?
Oh. And a big forearm,
stopping Jax in the corner.
Uh-oh. Oh.
[Byron] There is the target area,
Charlotte Flair going right after the left knee of Nia Jax.
[Tom] And a big boot by The Queen, hook to the leg to win the titles,
and a kickout.
[Byron] How gratifying it would be
for Charlotte Flair to pin the shoulders of Nia Jax,
and win the tag team titles?
-[Samoa Joe] Oh, watch out, Asuka. -[Tom] Oh.
Baszler was trying to pull Jax to safety.
Asuka denied Baszler.
[Byron] Oh, now Charlotte,
Charlotte, ascending all the way up.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, look out below.
[Tom] Off the top with the signature Charlotte Flair Moonsault.
[Byron] The two for one special.
Jax down, Baszler down.
Charlotte Flair is in full control.
[Tom] Count of six. Has got to get Jax back inside the ring.
Only way to win the titles is via pinfall or submission inside the ring.
[Byron] Can Charlotte Flair put Jax away here?
-[Tom] Oh-- -[Samoa Joe] This might be it.
[Tom] Going for the figure-four.
Oh, to the top turnbuckle went Flair.
Jax buying herself an opportunity now.
[Samoa Joe] Oh.
[Byron] I think Nia Jax was looking for that Samoan Drop.
-[Tom] Flair able to block and-- -[Byron] Tag.
[Samoa Joe] There goes the tag.
[Tom] I don't know if Jax is aware of the tag.
Samoan Drop.
Asuka's legal.
[Byron] Asuka looking to strike.
[Tom] Oh, The Empress with a missile dropkick.
[Byron] Sent all the way to the other side of the ring,
and I think Jax, yeah, just made the tag to Baszler.
[Samoa Joe] And Baszler is legal.
[Tom] Baszler to meet Asuka.
Oh, back to the injured left arm.
Back to the injured left arm.
Going for the Kirifuda Clutch.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, reversed right into the--
No, no, no. Not quite yet. Not quite yet.
[Tom] Wanted the Asuka Lock.
Now Kirifuda Clutch time.
And Baszler backed into the corner.
Flair made a tag.
[Byron] Very smart from Asuka.
[Tom] And Charlotte Flair is legal.
Oh.
Backbreaker and a face first into the turnbuckle.
[Samoa Joe] And down goes Jax.
[Byron] Charlotte Flair is in a different mode.
[Tom] Oh, and again going for the Kirifuda Clutch.
Two legal competitors in this match.
Baszler trying to put it away.
Hook to the leg and a kickout by Flair.
[Byron] Whoo, man, what a match.
-[Samoa Joe] Well, Flair's got the leg. -[Tom] Oh, wants the figure-four.
[Byron] Center of the ring.
Can Charlotte bridge up?
[Samoa Joe] Yes, she can.
[Tom] Figure 8. Figure 8.
Oh, and Jax able to take away the support.
-Oh. -[Samoa Joe] Hip Attack.
[Byron] Asuka just took out Nia Jax.
[Tom] And Baszler's got new life, going for the Kirifuda Clutch once more.
-Down to the canvas. -[Samoa Joe] Oh, Charlotte rolled through.
[Tom] Looking for a pinning opportunity, and a kickout by Baszler.
Oh, Natural Selection.
Cover by The Queen.
[crowd] One, two, three.
[Tom] Charlotte Flair and Asuka have won it.
[Rome] Here are your winners,
and the new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
the Raw women's champion Asuka and Charlotte Flair.
[Byron] Oh, The Nature Boy loves it.
This is an incredible moment.
I cannot believe we are looking at the new Women's Tag Team Champions,
Charlotte Flair and Asuka.
[Tom] Charlotte Flair, her first night back in action
in I believe about six months
and Charlotte Flair is a champion once again.
[Byron] The Queen-- we've been saying it all match long,
The Queen did not miss a step.
Asuka made the call
and she made the right call because we've got new champions.
[Tom] What an effort by Jax and Baszler here tonight as The Nature Boy looks on.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, he'll be stylin' and profilin' tonight, Tom.
[Tom] Beaming with pride as Charlotte Flair and Asuka
are your Women's Tag Team Champions.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, as the end of 2020 draws near,
everyone is looking forward to turning the calendar to 2021.
Well, here at WWE, that's no different, especially for all our WWE superstars.
[dramatic music playing]
I just wanna take a moment to thank everybody--
[Tom] What?
Oh, no.
Haven't we been through enough?
I can't stand 2020.
How much more of this can we take?
I missed a zoom call for this?
Oh, what's wrong?
Was it supposed to be your year?
Like you were gonna go to the gym anyway.
I've been trending worldwide every day because this is my year.
All right, 2020.
Enough is enough.
[Michael] Oh, that had to hurt.
Drew McIntyre is bringing the fight to 2020, and he's not alone.
The WWE superstars taking it out on 2020.
Huh? No, no.
[Michael] 2020's taking a beating.
This one's about to be over.
2020 just won't stay down.
What's it gonna take?
Wait just a minute. Could it be?
It's 2021.
This will certainly put an end to 2020.
The new year is here.
2020 has finally met its match, and it's finished forever.
WWE wishes you a happy and healthy new year.
The kids. Look at them run away like little chubby--
I knew it. I knew it. I knew it.
I knew it. So it was you who leaked that audio to Kayla Braxton.
And now you're going around showing it to everybody?
Hey, look, I had nothing to do with your little leak,
but just be glad it was that kind of leak and not the other
'cause ain't nobody trying to see that.
Not me.
So go somewhere with your little conspiracy theory, man.
-Go on. -Hey, I know a conspiracy thesis.
Your lips don't touch when you say the word "touch"
but they do when you say the word "separate."
You think you're pretty clever, huh?
You think you're pretty smart? I got news for you.
You are not that smart.
You are not as smart as me, because that is why I,
I am the Intercontinental Champion,
and you are a joke who's been treading water ever since he went solo.
Yeah.
Keep playing.
Come on, keep playing.
Keep playing.
I'm gonna see you soon.
I'm gonna see you real soon.
Keep playing. No, no, keep it up.
You know, when is Sami Zayn going to learn Big E already pinned him
in an Eight-Man Tag Team Match on the kickoff show earlier tonight?
Yeah, listen, Big E, when he's motivated
is one of the most dangerous superstars on the roster.
I think Sami better watch out.
Talk about danger, as coming up next,
one of the most dangerous matches in WWE, it is Tables, Ladders, and Chairs.
Roman Reigns defending the Universal Championship
against Kevin Owens, and the Universal Champion
wants us to remember that this is Roman's world.
We just live in it.
[dramatic music playing]
[Roman] You can call this place whatever you like,
but this is my yard.
I am a protector. I am a provider.
I want this.
This is my Island.
[Heyman] Roman Reigns is a motivator.
If you don't fall in line, your ass is out of the family.
Make him understand.
This is my ring.
If they don't respect us then who are we?
[Heyman] Roman Reigns has given his entire family something to aspire to.
I understand now.
I love you too.
[Roman] These are the things that you have to do to have this.
This is my WWE.
Roman, you are better than you have ever been.
But the problem is you say you fight for your family
and it seems to me like what's actually happening here,
you are using your family to fight your battles.
I do not fear you.
Is this your family? Where are you?
Once Roman Reigns stops having his cousin try to do his dirty work, I'll be there.
Put that title on the line and you and I settle this like men.
TLC is the most important match of my career.
And Roman, I fight for my family too, I do.
So while my family won't be able to physically help me beat you at TLC,
I have a few friends that will.
Roman, I will give everything I have to get back
to the top of the ladder
and become Universal Champion again.
[suspenseful music playing]
Come on, huh?
Where are you, tough guy?
[Roman] Who do you think supports your family?
Acknowledge me as the head of your family table.
You and your family are gonna fear me.
[Owens] You're not the head of the table.
You're a coward.
He's not gonna listen. He's not gonna stop.
End him.
Owens family, if you don't talk some sense into daddy…
[Jey] Stay down.
…I'm gonna be the guy that takes the food off the table.
Stay down.
[Michael] Kevin Owens is still on his feet.
[Graves] Stay down, Kevin.
[Owens] I will give everything to become champion.
[suspenseful music playing]
[Jey] I told your ass to stay down.
It's not worth it.
You had an opportunity of a lifetime but you chose to piss me off.
[Owens] Roman, nothing you or your family do to me
can keep me down.
I'm gonna take the Universal title
or I'm gonna die trying.
[Michael] And this is about tables, ladders, and chairs.
All are legal.
They can be used as weapons, but you must climb a ladder
to retrieve the Universal Championship,
which hangs high above the ring here tonight.
No count outs, no disqualifications, no pinfalls, no submissions.
Tables, ladders, and chairs for the Universal title.
["The Truth Reigns" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And there is the Universal Champion, Roman Reigns,
of course, flanked by his special counsel, Paul Heyman.
For Roman Reigns, Corey, tonight is about beating down
the defiance that lives inside Kevin Owens.
[Graves] This one will not be for the faint of heart.
Roman Reigns feels disrespected,
and Reigns has demanded that Kevin Owens learn to fear him.
[fireworks explosion]
[Michael] It has irked Roman Reigns
the words that Kevin Owens used to describe him, a hypocrite.
He called Reigns pathetic.
He called Roman Reigns a coward.
He said Reigns uses his family as pawns.
And Kevin Owens is going to do everything in his power tonight
to wrestle away the one thing that means more to Roman than anything in this world
and that's the Universal Championship.
[Graves] You can say whatever it is that you want as long as you back it up,
but tonight for Kevin Owens, that may be an impossible task.
["The Truth Reigns" continues]
[Michael] Roman Reigns believes that he's giving KO an opportunity
to live in this Island of Relevancy that Roman Reigns says he rules.
[Graves] There's no reason to not believe the words that Roman Reigns has said.
Roman would have happily defended his championship in a match tonight at TLC
but Kevin Owens didn't know when enough was enough.
Kevin Owens insisted on poking the bear, provoking the Universal Champion,
and tonight, it's a very real possibility that Owens will pay with his own skin.
[Michael] There's also a possibility tonight, Corey,
that Owens could become the Universal Champion.
[Graves] You're absolutely right.
That is an accomplishment that Kevin Owens has tasted once before.
But it's different to hold a championship than it is to reign with a championship.
[Michael] But this is not a traditional match tonight, Corey.
There are no advantages for the champion.
Kevin Owens can use tables, ladders, and chairs at his disposal.
He can do whatever he wants to Roman Reigns
and then climb the ladder to grab the title.
[Graves] But you seem to be forgetting, Cole, on that same side of the coin,
Roman Reigns, the Universal Champion,
has the freedom to do anything he wants to his challenger tonight.
[fireworks explosion]
[Michael] A proud, a confident, some would say cocky, Universal Champion.
[Graves] You can be as cocky as you want as long as you walk the walk,
and that is exactly what The Head of the Table has done week after week.
Roman Reigns has earned the right to be cocky.
You're not cocky if you back it up.
Roman Reigns owns the Island of Relevancy.
[Michael] And now the official will clip the Universal Championship.
It will be brought to the--
to the ceiling here in the Thunderdome hanging high above the ring.
Will this be the last time
that Roman Reigns calls himself Universal Champion?
[Graves] Roman watching the championship-- Oh.
[Michael] Oh, my God, Kevin Owens, where the hell did he come from?
Kevin Owens storming into the ring
-and going right after Roman Reigns. -[bell ringing]
[Michael] The bell is rung. The match is underway.
And Kevin Owens with the element of surprise,
looking to take out the champion.
[Graves] This is so smart, such a brilliant decision by Owens.
Realizing his back's against the wall,
Kevin Owens is desperate and dangerous tonight.
[Michael] Yeah. This is Kevin Owens at his best.
He's a street fighter.
Kevin Owens with a cannonball to Reigns.
The Champ's in trouble.
And Kevin Owens has caught the champion off guard.
[Graves] The Head of the Table caught by surprise.
Reigns doesn't know what hit him yet.
[Michael] Roman Reigns was not expecting this,
as he's driven into the barricade by an irate Kevin Owens
who said he'd sacrifice anything except his family
to win the championship tonight.
[Graves] Owens sacrificing his own safety,
his own body to take down The Head of the Table.
The Universal Champion is down.
[Michael] Corey, you and I have known Kevin Owens for years and years.
He's one of the toughest men in the WWE locker room.
That never say die attitude, there's no quit in Kevin Owens,
and he's gonna take it to Roman tonight.
Driven into the steps is the champion.
[Graves] That drive, that focus, that determination
on full display for the WWE Universe to see.
[Michael] And now Owens on the apron as he glances down, and a splash by Owens.
Roman Reigns gasping for air.
This was not what the champion was expecting.
[Graves] Let's look at this once again, a frog splash from the apron to the floor.
Two hundred and sixty plus pounds crashing down
across the heart of the Universal Champion.
[Michael] And as Kevin Owens came to retrieve the ladder
to put in the ring-- He's gonna need that ladder to grab the championship,
he just sent the special counsel Heyman scurrying away.
Heyman with a-- Oh, my God.
You knew this was gonna happen.
With no disqualifications, you knew that Jey Uso, Reigns's cousin,
was somehow gonna come into play here tonight.
[Graves] And amazingly, once again, Kevin Owens was prepared.
[Michael] Kevin Owens has been fighting a two-on-one uphill battle
for weeks against these two.
-[Graves] He's found an equalizer. -[Michael] Oh, right to the spine of Uso.
And now to Roman Reigns as well.
Kevin Owens is unhinged.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] This is all perfectly within…
-[Michael] Oh, and Uso with a right hand. -[Graves] …the rules of TLC,
-as much destruction as you can bring. -[Michael] Oh, my God.
[Graves] That might've broken Jey Uso's foot.
[Michael] And Kevin Owens unloading on-- unloading on Uso,
trying to take Uso out of the equation.
[Graves] You need to neutralize the family somehow.
[Michael] And this sure as hell can do it.
Owens trying to break his ankle.
[Owens] You should have stayed in the back!
[Michael] KO screaming at Uso, "You should have stayed in the back."
[Graves] And you saw it, just look at the-- look in the eyes of Kevin Owens.
[Michael] Yeah, this is a look that I've never seen out of Kevin Owens, Corey.
[Graves] It is downright sanguineous.
Owens is out for malice tonight,
as we take another look at the destruction
caused by the challenger to a fallen, potentially injured Jey Uso.
[Michael] And Corey, remember what Paul Heyman called Kevin Owens.
He called him a martyr, and martyrs are dangerous.
He's focused on one thing tonight.
And now Roman Reigns-- Oh my God, Roman Reigns with a drive-by.
Kevin Owens climbing to the ring
and Roman Reigns was lying in wait and the Universal Champion snapped.
[Graves] That is exactly what the champion needed,
just a momentary opening on which to capitalize.
And we look at it once again,
Roman Reigns propelling himself, delivering a dropkick.
And the tides are beginning to turn.
[Michael] And Roman Reigns-- Did you see the look in Reigns's eyes, Corey?
Roman Reigns embarrassed at the way this match started,
as Uso is now carried out of the Thunderdome.
[Graves] I'll tell you what that look means, Cole.
Roman Reigns is pissed.
It is not gonna bode well for Kevin Owens.
[Michael] And Reigns now with steel steps in hands.
Owens trying to make it back to his feet.
And Roman Reigns now with the steps off the face of Owens,
collapsing Kevin Owens's face not once but twice.
[Graves] Going to the shoulder, attacking the--
[Michael] And again, to the midsection.
[Graves] The full body of Owens just being mangled, mauled, and smashed.
-Geez. -[Michael] Oh, my God,
get the hell out of the way.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Roman Reigns--
[Graves] And look--
Cole, I don't know if you can see across the ring,
the look on Paul Heyman's face right now.
Even Heyman's aghast at the brutality being shown by the Universal Champion.
[Michael] Well, Kevin Owens started the matchup off the way that he wanted.
It was the ambush attack on the champion that put Kevin Owens in control.
But just like that, Roman Reigns, The Head of the Table,
is closing in on taking out KO.
Oh, and again to the shoulder of Owens.
[Graves] Roman Reigns knows no mercy.
[Michael] But look at Owens getting back to his feet again
as Roman Reigns uses the ladder.
Now the ladder to the back and Owens is taken down.
[Graves] At what point does it become fight or flight,
does it become self-preservation?
Kevin Owens is being destroyed before our very eyes right now.
[Michael] Look at Reigns, the full force on that ladder,
driving it into the chest of Owens.
And look at Kevin still kicking back at the champion, and he suffers a stomp.
[Graves] Just a defiant Kevin Owens.
Roman Reigns just wants to brutalize, wants to punish Kevin Owens
before picking up any sort of victory tonight.
It's become personal.
It's about respect.
And Reigns wants to teach Kevin Owens a lesson.
[Michael] Yeah, Reigns understands that--
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] Roman Reigns taking a couple of chairs
and placing them back into the ring.
And Reigns now stomping,
and there's the chair to the spine of Owens.
[Graves] Owens desperately trying to stay in this fight somehow, someway.
-[Michael] And look at-- -[Graves] But--
[Michael] Kevin Owens trying to survive,
using a chair for protection, but it doesn't matter.
Another brutal assault by Roman Reigns.
[Graves] Roman Reigns just caving in the sternum of his challenger.
[Michael] Owens gasping for air.
[Graves] And the look on the face of the champion just says that,
oh, Roman is offended.
The Head of the Table is offended by Kevin Owens's actions,
and Kevin is gonna pay the price.
[Michael] Hey, Roman Reigns said
that he gave Kevin Owens an opportunity on Friday to walk out to the ring
and acknowledge Reigns as The Head of the Table,
as the head of Friday Night SmackDown.
Owens refused to do that,
and Roman Reigns said he's gonna put Owens down and take him out.
And Kevin though still fighting back.
Kevin on his feet.
And a right by Roman.
-And KO-- -[Graves] Oh, no, no, no, no.
[Michael] Oh, look at this, up on the shoulders of Reigns.
Kevin Owens averting disaster.
Kick to the midsection.
Oh, my God. He's got Roman right there. Looking--
[Graves] Reigns just too powerful.
[Michael] And now a back body drop, and Owens hits the chairs.
[crowd chatter]
I'm gonna torture this fool.
I'm gonna win and then torture this fool.
[Graves] Roman Reigns declaring that he's gonna torture this fool.
That fool just had his spine mangled across two steel chairs,
and it's somehow gonna get worse.
[Michael] It's about teaching Kevin Owens a lesson for Roman Reigns.
[Graves] It's about more than that.
It is about Roman Reigns retaining his Universal Championship,
which is still hanging high above the ring.
This is a message not only to Kevin Owens but to all of Friday Night SmackDown,
all of the WWE, who truly sits at The Head of the Table.
Roman wants to remove all doubt.
[Michael] Reigns is got to climb the ladder now
and grab the championship to retain the title.
Roman Reigns-- And now Kevin Owens with a steel chair.
And again, to the back of Roman, buckling Reigns.
[Graves] Across the deltoid of the Universal Champion.
[Michael] Boom. Again.
How is Kevin Owens standing?
How is he still in this match?
[Graves] I'll tell you how, guts, will, his family.
Kevin Owens is fighting for what he believes.
It is Kevin Owens versus the world tonight.
[Michael] That chair already mangled by Kevin Owens.
And now KO gonna use it, fisherman suplex.
[Graves] Oh.
That chair just buckled under the weight of the Universal Champion.
[Michael] And now it's Roman Reigns writhing in pain.
And Owens looking straight into the eyes of Reigns.
[Owens] You're making me do this.
[Graves] KO just saying to Roman Reigns, "You're making me do this."
[Owens] You're making me--
[Graves] This is a true battle of attrition.
[Michael] And now Kevin Owens positioning the ladder,
and Kevin Owens is gonna start the climb,
the climb to the top, to climb the championship.
Kevin Owens looking to grab the title.
Owens up near the top of the ladder.
He's got the title at hand.
And Jey Uso again.
[Graves] On one good leg.
[Michael] I mean, come on, this is a two-on-one fight for Owens.
Kevin Owens is a fingertip away from the championship.
[Graves] Jey Uso is beholden to his cousin,
the Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
Jey is out there to protect the Universal title,
-just as much as Roman is. -[Michael] Yeah.
What did KO say?
Roman Reigns says his family do his bidding,
has his family fight his battles for him.
-[Graves] Superman. -[Michael] And a Superman punch by Reigns.
Taking advantage of the Uso attack.
[Graves] And Owens may have just squandered his best opportunity
thanks to the assist from Jey Uso.
[Michael] Yeah, I was gonna say I don't know how you could say
Owens squandered it, Corey.
Owens had it.
Uso took it away from him.
And now Uso with a table.
Reigns is down. Owens is down.
[Graves] Jey Uso fighting through the pain
courtesy of the assault from Kevin Owens as we look once again.
Just in the Nick of time, Jey Uso arrives.
[Michael] And watch Roman Reigns
from out of nowhere delivering a Superman Punch.
Bang, right to Kevin Owens.
I like how you're saying that Uso's fighting through the pain
like he's a valiant warrior.
He's not even supposed to be involved in the damn match.
[Graves] It's perfectly legal.
Jey Uso is doing what he has to do, what he is forced to do.
[Michael] Yeah, forced, that's the better word.
Forced by his cousin.
He's in this predicament because of what Roman Reigns has done to him.
[Graves] You said earlier, Cole,
Roman Reigns needs to protect his title at all costs.
Jey Uso is his best soldier right now.
And in this match, it is all perfectly legal.
You yourself have reiterated it multiple times.
Maybe Kevin Owens should have looked for some backup.
[Michael] Roman Reigns
you can only wonder what he's got in his mind here.
[Graves] The brutality of this matchup,
truly limited only by the superstars' imaginations.
And Roman Reigns is willing to get sick and twisted.
[Michael] And Kevin Owens…
Look at this, just humiliating Owens.
You piss me off.
[Michael] I mean, Roman Reigns wants to win this match obviously, Corey,
but he wants to punish.
He wants to beat the hell out of KO.
[Graves] And Roman's doing a fantastic job.
[Roman] Right here.
[Michael] Kevin Owens fighting back though.
KO with a kick to Uso, and then a superkick.
And Kevin Owens still on his feet.
Stunner to the champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Kevin Owens showing signs of life.
[Graves] Or was it a last gasp from the challenger?
Does Owens have anything left?
There's no way Kevin has it in him to climb the ladder
and retrieve the title at this juncture.
[Michael] But at least for now, because of this flurry,
Kevin Owens has signs of life.
Kevin Owens off the stunner, has Reigns outside the ring.
And he's now dragging a ladder, a ladder towards the championship,
a ladder KO has to climb to win the title.
Can you imagine if Kevin Owens can pull this off tonight?
No one bet on Owens to win this match, especially with Uso around.
[Graves] No one but Kevin Owens himself, Cole.
And that could make the difference.
[Michael] And now Uso and Kevin Owens outside the ring.
Owens is fighting two competitors now,
Uso and Reigns.
And Kevin Owens now.
And Uso with a Pop-Up Powerbomb through the table.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] A Pop-Up Powerbomb by Kevin Owens
to Jey Uso, imploding the table.
[Graves] And once again, Kevin Owens hopes to have neutralized Jey Uso
for the duration of this matchup.
[Michael] And, Corey, here's the deal.
Reigns is still down on the other side of the ring.
Uso's down here. Owens is in control right now.
[Graves] This is-- this is smart.
[Michael] And Kevin Owens bury--
just burying Jey Uso under the announce table.
[Graves] Kevin Owens is desperate.
Desperate times, desperate measures.
This is a desperate man.
[Michael] By burying Uso, you take him out of the match.
You make it one-on-one.
Owens back in the ring. Owens with an opportunity.
Owens trying to climb.
Come on, KO. How much does he have left?
KO to the top of the ladder.
[Graves] He's gonna do it.
[Michael] KO-- And now Roman Reigns back in.
And Reigns scaling the other side.
[Graves] Yeah, but Owens had his fingertips on the championship.
[Michael] And Owens still fighting back.
Now the rights from Roman Reigns.
Rights being thrown by both men.
Owens near the top of the ladder.
Roman Reigns halfway up.
Oh, man. Owens was so close, so close to winning the championship.
And look at-- Doesn't quit, Corey. Owens does not quit.
[Graves] Owens's motor continuing to push him forward up the ladder,
but Roman Reigns will have none of it.
[Michael] When was the last time you saw Roman Reigns gasping for air like that?
Went for the superkick.
-Roman Reigns able to block. -[Graves] Oh, no.
-Oh, no. Oh, no. -[Michael] And now Kevin Owens up high.
[Graves] Did you see the way Kevin Owens's skull
ricocheted off of the ladder?
[Michael] And that may have been the final rally.
[Graves] At this point, you gotta implore Owens,
"Kevin, stay down."
"It's only gonna get worse."
[Michael] Roman Reigns may have just snuffed out the fire.
Watch the impact here.
-[Graves] Oh, my God. -[Michael] To the ladder.
Spine first, and then again.
[Graves] You have to take into consideration everything
that has been endured and suffered by Kevin Owens,
even in the days leading up to this matchup.
[Michael] And, Corey, this was moments ago here.
This was the second time that Kevin Owens was sent back-first
onto the ladder by Reigns.
Kevin Owens
at this point, is lifeless.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] It was a hell of an effort by Owens,
but right now Owens is defenseless.
And Roman Reigns, The Head of the Table, puts Owens through a table.
[crowd jeering]
[Graves] The brutality continues from the Universal Champion.
[Michael] Oh, my goodness.
[Graves] I think the wheels of the chair just bounced off Kevin's face.
This is nasty.
[crowd chatter]
[Michael] And Kevin Owens can't even stand.
[Graves] Well, then Kevin should use his brain and stay down.
There's valiance in knowing when to walk away.
[Michael] Might not have a choice at this point, Corey.
Roman Reigns is having his way with Kevin Owens.
Reigns with a Samoan drop through the table.
This is ugly.
You just sent through a table, man.
[crowd booing]
You're supposed to fear me, huh?
[Michael] Just listen.
Corey, was that the death blow
to Kevin Owens's miracle chances here tonight?
[Graves] Kevin Owens was gonna need a miracle.
I think the challenger just got a reality check.
[Michael] And Roman Reigns just taking his time,
walking into the ring, looking up at the championship,
and in a matter of moments will retain the Universal title.
[Graves] You have to respect Kevin Owens. He did fight.
He fought for what he believed in
but Roman Reigns is just on another level right now.
[Michael] Roman Reigns nearing the top.
And, at this point, it's academic.
Oh, my God. Kevin Owens is back in the ring.
Kevin Owens is somehow hanging on to Reigns.
And Reigns with that look of disbelief, like,
"What the hell do I gotta do to take this guy out?"
[Graves] Roman is laughing.
Roman Reigns is laughing at Kevin Owens.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Kevin Owens will not die.
I'm owed this title for like three years, and then I'm gonna [speaks indistinctly]
That's what gonna happen.
You're embarrassing your family, man.
You're embarrassing your family now, huh?
You're embarrassing your family now.
We're embarrassed for you.
[Michael] Oh.
Spear through the table!
[crowd booing]
[Graves] That table just disintegrated
under the impact of Reigns
driving an already broken Kevin Owens through it.
[Michael] Owens falling to the floor in a heap.
The rebellious Owens with a right hand,
only to draw the ire of the champion.
[Graves] We've got a damn massacre on our hands.
[Graves] Bodies strewn everywhere.
Chaos, carnage.
[Michael] Yeah, but Kevin Owens is still crawling around out here, Corey.
Kevin Owens hasn't died yet.
He keeps coming back.
How is this man even functioning?
[Kevin] You're gonna have to kill me.
You're gonna have to do it.
[crowd cheering]
Come on, Roman.
Come on.
[Michael] Oh, Reigns. Reigns.
Owens out of the way.
Reigns through the barricade. Reigns is down.
Does Owens have a chance?
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Does KO have anything left?
[Graves] Roman Reigns might've dislocated his shoulder,
if not worse, right now.
[Michael] Kevin Owens dragging himself up to the apron as Roman Reigns now,
that's-- The sidestep by KO out of instinct alone.
And now Owens is back to the ring.
Roman Reigns is down in the rubble and Kevin Owens is back in the ring.
-[Graves] Roman's not moving. -[Michael] Oh, my goodness.
Can Owens actually do this?
Kevin-- Can Kevin Owens actually do this?
Dragging himself to the top of the ladder.
Heyman screaming. Owens near the top to win the title.
He's got his hands on the championship.
And now Reigns back to the ring.
[Graves] Right. But Kevin's got his fingertips on the title.
[Michael] Roman Reigns trying to drag Kevin Owens back down off the ladder.
Kevin Owens had a chance. Dammit, he had a chance.
[crowd chatter]
-[Michael] Oh, my goodness. -[Graves] Temple first goes Owens.
[Michael] And Roman Reigns with that look of disgust on his face
as he looked back at Owens,
not wanting to believe that Kevin Owens is still stirring.
[Graves] But Roman Reigns now staring at his challenger
like a cockroach that has infested the Island of Relevancy.
It's time to exterminate Kevin Owens.
[Michael] Roman just glanced back at his special counsel, Heyman.
Owens though with a superkick, stunning the champion.
[Graves] Where is Owens getting this?
[Michael] And another one, the champion's in trouble.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] Kevin Owens looking for a Pop-up Powerbomb
and a Superman Punch by Reigns.
-[Graves] Uh-oh. -[Michael] Through the table!
Kevin Owens puts Reigns through the table!
KO's got a chance.
[crowd cheering]
[Graves] Can Kevin climb the ladder?
the champion is down.
[Michael] Owens has a chance.
Kevin Owens realizes the opportunity.
How much does he have left?
Can he dig down deep?
Extra innings for Kevin Owens.
Oh, my God. What a miracle this would be.
This would be one of the most monumental victories
in the history of WWE if Kevin Owens can somehow grab the championship.
[Graves] He's gonna do it. He's gonna do it.
Dammit, Kevin Owens is gonna win the Universal title.
[Michael] Kevin Owens has the title in hand.
Kevin Owens is gonna win the championship, but Jey Uso,
dammit, Uso is back to the ring.
Uso is back to the ring.
[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And KO with a headbutt and another one to Uso.
Every time Owens has an opportunity, there's something else in his path.
Stunner to Uso.
[Graves] Kevin Owens has daylight.
[Michael] Another damn obstacle Kevin Owens has overcome.
Is this Kevin Owens's chance here?
[Graves] Owens with a clear path to the Universal Championship,
to make history.
[Michael] Owens is there, Corey. Owens is there.
Kevin Owens has got the title in hand and there's Reigns now.
-[Graves] Oh. -[Michael] And Roman Reigns
with a low blow.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] A low blow by Reigns and now trying to lock in the guillotine.
[Graves] Atop the ladder.
Reigns squeezing the breath out of his challenger.
[Michael] And Kevin Owens's body has gone limp as he crashes to the mat,
leaving Roman Reigns a clear path to the Universal Championship.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] One more step for The Head of the Table.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] And slowly, the championship is Reigns's.
["The Truth Reigns" playing]
[Rome] Here is your winner,
and still the Universal Champion,
Roman Reigns!
[Michael] I mean, I tell you,
you cannot take anything away from Kevin Owens.
That was one of the most valiant, one of the most courageous efforts
I have ever witnessed here in WWE.
[Graves] That was one of the most darndest fights
I have ever witnessed in WWE or beyond.
[Michael] Kevin Owens had two men against him.
Kevin Owens fought through every damn obstacle.
And in the end, it took a low blow from the champion
to secure his title retention.
Kevin Owens kept going for it, fingertips away time after time,
but Jey Uso, Reigns's cousin, would once again thwart the miracle.
[Graves] The Bloodline once again paying dividends
for The Head of the Table.
But Kevin Owens, desperate as a man can be,
continues to fight his heart out.
[Michael] And now watch Reigns, bang, a low blow.
A blatant low blow, perfectly legal under the rules of this matchup.
But again, a shortcut by the champion.
It's one thing he used Uso, it's another thing he used the low blow.
And then the guillotine to choke out Owens.
And as Kevin Owens's lifeless body would fall to the mat below,
it was Roman Reigns grabbing the championship
to remain The Head of the Table.
[Graves] And to your point, Cole, Kevin Owens has nothing to be ashamed of.
He can go home, kiss his wife, hug his family,
but Kevin Owens must come to the realization
and accept the fact there is only one
at The Head of the Table, one Universal Champion.
He is Roman Reigns.
["The Truth Reigns" continues playing]
[Michael] Utter disappointment.
The agony of defeat.
But for Roman Reigns, he remains your Universal Champion.
[solemn music playing]
[Tom] As we welcome you back here to ringside,
we are standing in the wreckage of the TLC match
for the Universal Championship.
You talk about a physically-destructive match
of which we just saw Kevin Owens,
a valiant effort but obviously still seated at the head of the table,
the Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
As we just saw moments ago,
we cannot wait for the first pay-per-view event
of 2021 at the Royal Rumble event.
-Joe, you know it all too well. -Oh, I can't wait personally.
It's where one night one superstar can change your championship destiny
as we begin the Road to WrestleMania.
It happens six weeks from tonight.
Again, the first pay-per-view event of 2021 for us here at WWE,
the Royal Rumble event streaming live right here on the WWE Network.
Oh, but that's not all the news we have because by virtue of pinning Sami Zayn
during the Kickoff show in an Eight-Man Tag Team match,
this Friday night, Big E has got himself a huge opportunity.
Big E will challenge Sami Zayn for the Intercontinental Championship.
That is this Friday night on SmackDown on Fox.
[Tom] But coming up next, it is the first-ever Firefly Inferno Match.
The Fiend versus Randy Orton.
There is a haunting history here that has been forged by fire,
but in the spirit of the holidays,
Bray Wyatt has one last gift for Randy Orton.
[jolly music playing]
[children cheering]
Hi, boys and girls.
Here comes the Firefly Carol.
We'll head to the past, full of pals, plague, and peril.
[Randy] I was born in Knoxville, Tennessee--
-[video stops] -[Bray] Whoa, whoa, whoa, too far back.
Let's fast forward. Sorry to sidetrack.
'Twas the holiday month and nothing was amiss.
Yowie-wowie, we had found true bliss.
But nothing so super could ever last.
A nasty Viper emerged from the past.
[Randy] You are the master and I am the servant.
[Bray] Oh, dear, a disaster.
We trusted this serpent.
A partner, amigo, a truly true friend.
But like anything, it had come to an end.
[ominous music playing]
Beneath my feet lies Sister Abigail.
[Bray] See how he bellowed.
No!
Our face ghostly pale.
[Randy] Sister Abigail.
Oh, venom. Oh, liar.
Oh, crucifix, oh, fire!
'Twas he who built Abigail's funeral pyre.
[woman screams]
[eerie music playing]
[Bray laughs maniacally]
[dramatic music playing]
[Bray] And now this young boy is but a snake.
With our minds, he does toy.
And our love, he does take.
[Randy] When the time comes,
I am going to let him know
there is no boundary I will not cross
to let the darkness show.
[singer] ♪ Silent night ♪
♪ Holy night ♪
♪ All is calm ♪
♪ All is bright ♪
[Bray] If he wants darkness,
we're afraid it could mean war.
[Randy] In the meantime, I'll be knocking on that funhouse door.
[Bray] He'll seek and he'll strike.
But worry not, soon in our web,
this foe will be caught.
[singer] ♪ Sleep in heavenly peace ♪
[Randy grunting]
At TLC, Randy will be filled with regret.
A night this predator will never forget.
For those three words
"Let me in."
are bound to be spoken,
and Orton will know
that he has awoken.
That he has awoken.
Let me in.
[laughing maniacally]
[bell rings]
The following is the Firefly Inferno match.
In this match, there are no pinfalls, no submissions,
no count outs, and no disqualifications.
The only way to win is to light any part of your opponent on fire.
[singer] ♪ I hear voices in my head They counsel me ♪
♪ They understand, they talk to me ♪
["Voices" playing]
[singer] ♪ You've got your rules and religion ♪
[Rome] Introducing first, from St. Louis, Missouri
weighing in at 250 pounds,
"The Apex Predator" Randy Orton.
[Tom] "There is no boundary I will not cross."
The words of Randy Orton.
That statement about to be tested, Joe,
and dare I say, this looks like a tentative Randy Orton.
[Samoa Joe] As well it should be.
You know, tonight what scares me the most is not the stipulation, Tom.
It's the willingness of both these competitors to go through with it.
[Byron] You see Orton there trying to get his mind right,
essentially, guys, walking into the unknown.
A Firefly Inferno match.
Think about in the 20 years of Randy Orton's career,
never has he entered an environment like this.
[Tom] This is a man in Randy Orton this past week on Raw
was willing to light a box holding Bray Wyatt in it on fire.
What means is he willing to go here tonight against The Fiend?
[Byron] Well, I ask this in response,
I mean, is there a slight regret by Randy Orton for what he chose to do?
The attempt to set Bray Wyatt on fire?
[Samoa Joe] I think that look on Randy Orton's face right now
says all you need to know.
Look at that apprehension.
This is a Viper that understands the danger he is in right now.
[Tom] Oh, to your point, Joe, hence Randy Orton not wearing
his normal in-ring gear because of the hazardous situation
that he's in here in this Firefly Inferno match.
[singer] ♪ I feel justice cryin' ♪
♪ I see faith has fallen ♪
♪ I hear voices in my head ♪
[Byron] But you can hardly blame Randy Orton
for maybe walking into the unknown.
He understands that Randy Orton is going to be in a physical
and psychological battle.
[Tom] Remember, The Fiend was born from the ashes
of the Wyatt family compound, a creation from Bray Wyatt's mind
because of the trauma caused by this man, Randy Orton.
[Byron] I would love to be a fly on the wall
in the mind of Randy Orton right now.
[Tom] Joe, if you were Orton, how would you handle this situation?
[Samoa Joe] I couldn't even begin to tell you, Tom.
I mean, the stipulation alone in this match, I mean, they're terrifying.
I mean, we're not talking about burning somebody.
You must light them ablaze, Tom.
And the sheer audacity to do that to somebody else,
I mean, I can't even begin to fathom what the strategy is going into this.
[Tom] And that is settling into the mind of Randy Orton.
You can see the apprehension written all over his face.
[Byron] I thought a few weeks ago that somehow Randy Orton
might've breached The Fiend's seemingly impenetrable wall of horror
but after what we witnessed last Monday night,
uh, I'm not so sure.
[singer] ♪ You got your rules and your religion ♪
♪ All designed to keep ♪
[crowd chatter]
["Good Friendship Song" playing]
[singer] ♪ We're really glad That you're our friend ♪
♪ And this is a friendship That will never ever end ♪
[power shutting down]
["Let Me In" playing]
[singer] ♪ Yowie Wowie ♪
♪ Let me in ♪
[crowd cheering]
[singer] ♪ Catching flies ♪
♪ In his mouth ♪
♪ Tasting freedom ♪
[Rome] And his opponent, The Fiend.
[Samoa Joe] And to quote a scholar greater than myself,
something wicked this way comes.
[Tom] As if the setting here inside WWE ThunderDome
wasn't unnerving enough amongst the tables, ladders, and chairs,
you can only imagine what the sadistic and warped mind
of The Fiend and Bray Wyatt have cooked up in this Firefly Inferno match.
[Byron] And just the mere presence of this entity known as The Fiend
is as spine-chilling and as eerie
as spine-chilling and eerie could be.
[Tom] And Joe, it looked like Orton salivating at the opportunity
to get to face The Fiend.
He's encountered The Fiend from surprise altercations before,
but this, he gets to look The Fiend in the eye.
[Samoa Joe] And I think that is the biggest difference here, Tom.
He is looking The Fiend in the eye.
His target has been identified.
The prey is locked in and Randy Orton is ready to strike.
[Byron] We've heard Randy Orton say for weeks
that he sees multiple similarities between himself and The Fiend.
He sees the evil, the deranged mindset that they both share.
But is Orton truly prepared for what's about to happen?
[singer] ♪ He won't see the sun again For years to come ♪
♪ He's broken out of love ♪
[Tom] The Fiend is dancing in the Devil's Playground
because he has the advantage, the Firefly Inferno match,
a concoction of The Fiend's mind as Randy Orton,
you can see his caution as he steps outside of the ropes.
[singer] ♪ Catching flies ♪
♪ In his mouth ♪
♪ Tasting freedom while he ♪
[Byron] What is going through the mind of Randy Orton
in these final moments before this Firefly Inferno Match begins?
[singer] ♪ Top of the stairs ♪
♪ Of the stairs ♪
♪ He won't see the sun again For years to come ♪
♪ He's broken out of love ♪
[Samoa Joe] He's described his darkness made flesh, malice tangible.
The Fiend is in the building.
[singer] ♪ Hurt! Heal! ♪
♪ Hurt! Heal! ♪
[Byron] Randy Orton just taking a moment
to take it all in, to take in the presence of The Fiend.
[crowd chatter]
[Samoa Joe] The Fiend leering at Orton.
[Byron] Randy Orton has not taken his eyes off The Fiend.
[bell rings]
[crowd chatter]
[crowd cheering]
-[Byron] Oh. -[Samoa Joe] And we're on.
[Tom] Randy rushes in with a…
[laughing]
[Byron] The Fiend is laughing.
[laughing]
[Byron] This is what Orton has got to be concerned with,
the psychological games.
[laughing]
[Samoa Joe] Giggling.
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] Oh.
[growls]
-[Byron] Oh, no, no, no. -[Tom] Orton went for an RKO early
and there is The Fiend to meet Orton in the corner.
[Byron] Now The Fiend is unleashing all over Randy Orton.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, multiple headbutts and The Fiend
is stomping a hole in Randy Orton.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] Again, I ask the question, how much real estate
has The Fiend purchased in the head of Randy Orton?
[Tom] Oh, and a big right. Down goes Orton.
[Samoa Joe] Whatever real estate he owns,
he's living rent free in his head right now.
[Tom] Oh, and The Fiend with a headbutt,
drives Orton down.
[Byron] The Fiend is just simply stalking Randy Orton.
-[Tom] Oh, hold on. -[Samoa Joe] Oh, no quarter will be given.
[Tom] Setting up for Sister Abigail.
-Orton able to get out of it. -[Samoa Joe] Oh.
[Tom] And a dropkick but so far, The Fiend has been impregnable
against The Apex Predator.
[Samoa Joe] Oh.
[Byron] Well, think about how frustrating that's got to be for Randy Orton.
Every offensive attempt you've tried has failed.
-[Samoa Joe] He's laughed off. -[Byron] You're right, Joe.
-[Tom] And using the top rope. -[Byron] Oh.
[Tom] Remember, no pinfalls, no submissions,
no count outs, and no disqualifications.
The only way to win is to light any part of your opponent on fire.
-And now… -[Byron] Oh.
[Tom] …Orton cut down by The Fiend.
The predator has become prey.
-[Samoa Joe] Here we go. -[Tom] Is it time?
Is it time for Sister Abigail? And Orton fighting back.
[Samoa Joe] And Orton fighting back, and oh, watch out.
[Tom] Oh. And a back breaker by Orton, buys him some time.
[Byron] That was the first significant amount of offense
that Randy Orton has had from the moment this match began.
-[Tom] Orton-- -[Samoa Joe] Or is it?
[Tom] Oh, back up to his feet.
The Fiend back up to his feet, went for an RKO.
Hold on. Sister Abigail to Randy Orton.
[Byron] The third time was the charm for The Fiend.
-[Samoa Joe] Whoa. -[Byron] God.
The size of those flames.
[crowd cheering]
[Samoa Joe] And I believe the funhouse is ablaze.
[Tom] The Firefly Inferno match.
We have added another circle of hell as Orton has been tossed outside the ring.
[Byron] Uh, you know, we know the rules, guys.
We know the rules of this matchup.
Light any part of your opponent on fire to win.
[Samoa Joe] Well, the likelihood of that has definitely gotten much, much better.
[Tom] Oh, and Orton scrambling, doing anything he can to put distance
between himself and The Fiend.
[Samoa Joe] The ThunderDome is on fire.
-Oh. -[Tom] To the eyes.
[laughing]
-[Byron] The Fiend… -[Samoa Joe] He's laughing more.
[Byron] …continuing to laugh as The Fiend punishes and tortures Randy Orton.
-You got to wonder if-- -[Samoa Joe] Be careful, be careful, no.
[Tom] Near the flames. Is he gonna light Randy Orton on fire?
Orton trying to resist.
[Samoa Joe] He's doing everything he can to resist, but oh, he's real close.
[Tom] Uh, The Fiend-- The Fiend trying to push Orton--
[Samoa Joe] Orton better watch that hood.
[Tom] Oh, trying to push Orton into the flames.
[Byron] Orton fighting for his life here.
[Tom] Orton able to back off The Fiend.
-[Byron] How psychologically… -[Tom] Oh!
-[Byron] …unraveled… -[Tom] God.
[Byron] …could Orton be right now?
[Tom] It is an absolute hell storm here inside WWE ThunderDome.
-[Samoa Joe] Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait. -[Tom] You can feel the flames.
[Byron] Is that a strap?
Oh.
[Samoa Joe] Dante's inferno, eat your heart out.
Oh.
[Byron] The Fiend is simply striking…
-[Samoa Joe] Oh. -[Byron] …at will onto Randy Orton.
[Samoa Joe] He's lashing Randy Orton over and over again.
[Byron] He's getting out of it.
-The Fiend is digging for something else. -[Samoa Joe] He's changing lashes.
He must've wore out that leather.
[crowd chatter]
-[Samoa Joe] What? -[Byron] Oh, my gosh.
-Oh, my gosh. -[Samoa Joe] Oh, no.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] The Fiend-- The Fiend is looking to end this right now.
-[Samoa Joe] It's about to get crispy. -[Tom] Trying to light Orton on fire.
Oh, my God.
[Byron] Just think about how unnerving that had to be for Randy Orton.
-[Tom] And The Fiend-- -[Samoa Joe] Oh, no, no, no.
[Tom] The Fiend close to the flames.
And now Orton sent into the post.
[Byron] Physical punishment, the heat from these flames.
-[Samoa Joe] What? -[Tom] What the hell is that?
[Samoa Joe] Oh, no. That's a pickaxe.
[Tom] Oh, my God.
[crowd chatter]
[Samoa Joe] The Fiend is struggling there.
-[Tom] The Fiend is trying… -[Byron] Pull that axe free.
[Tom] …to attack Randy Orton with a damn pickaxe.
-[Samoa Joe] Oh. -[Byron] I'm in disbelief.
[Tom] And now, Orton, Orton doing anything he can
but again, sent into the post.
-[Byron] Merciless fiend. -[Samoa Joe] He…
-[Byron] Oh. -[Samoa Joe] …The Fiend pretty impervious
to anything that Randy Orton throws at him.
And they're edging closer to those flames.
[Byron] Orton, favoring that shoulder.
We know Orton has a history of shoulder problems here in WWE.
[Samoa Joe] He's gonna have a lack of hair problem
if he gets any closer to that fire, Byron.
[Tom] The Fiend not only has a gas can but the rocking chair of Bray Wyatt.
[Byron] Oh, God.
[Samoa Joe] Is he dousing it in gasoline?
[Byron] I can only imagine what The Fiend is planning to do here.
[Samoa Joe] I can guarantee you, he's not setting forth the primrose path.
[Tom] Oh, no, no. Trying to get Orton-- trying to push Orton into the flames.
[Byron] Oh.
[Tom] Instead, shoulder-first, God, into the steel steps.
[Byron] This is enjoyment, sick enjoyment for The Fiend.
This was his "gift" to Randy Orton.
[Tom] Oh.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, oh, no, no, no, no, no.
[Byron] Orton seated in that rocking chair.
I don't like the looks of this or that.
[Samoa Joe] Orton needs to wake up.
[Tom] Guys…
[crowd cheering]
-[Samoa Joe] Oh, no. -[Byron] Orton's out.
[Tom] No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. No, no, no, no.
Randy Orton bails out of the chair.
[laughing]
[Tom] The rocking chair engulfed in flame.
[laughing maniacally]
[Samoa Joe] Guys, you hear that sick maniacal laugh from The Fiend?
[Byron] This is-- this is disturbing. This is disturbing on so many levels.
The Fiend with those steel steps.
-Oh, my God. -[Samoa Joe] Oh.
[Tom] I believe-- I believe Orton with an axe handle.
[Samoa Joe] Yes, it is. Oh.
[Tom] Oh. To the back of The Fiend.
Tosses away the handle.
Going for something sturdier.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, he's found bigger equipment.
-Oh. -[Tom] Oh, my God.
And Randy Orton finding a way in the chaos,
steel stair to the face of The Fiend.
[Byron] I mean, you can feel it. It's like Orton snapped.
Orton came so close to being set on fire that he just lost it.
[Samoa Joe] These are the survival instincts of desperate men
and Orton has a chain.
[Tom] Wrapping a chain around the hand.
Orton.
[Byron] Now, it's The Fiend who is finding out…
-[Tom] Oh. -[Byron] …how sadistic and barbaric
Randy Orton can be.
[Samoa Joe] He's driving that chain over and over to The Fiend's face.
[Tom] Oh, and a chain-wrapped fist but The Fiend is still on his feet.
[Byron] Randy Orton will not let up.
-Uh-oh. Wait, wait, wait. -[Samoa Joe] Oh, no!
[Tom] Trying to push The Fiend into the inferno,
trying to push The Fiend into the fires.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, he's close.
[Byron] Just inches away from those flames that could scorch the face of The Fiend.
[Tom] The Fiend found a way out. Orton's got the chain.
[Byron] Now it's Orton, Randy Orton who is stalking The Fiend.
Oh.
[Tom] Oh, and caught center of the ring by The Fiend.
[Byron] Goodness.
[crowd cheering]
-[Byron] Oh. -[Tom] Oh, snap to the neck.
[crowd cheering]
[Byron] This is what it's come to,
Randy Orton and The Fiend surrounded by flames.
[Samoa Joe] The heat.
[Byron] These men trying-- If we can even refer to The Fiend as a man,
trying to set the other on fire.
[Tom] He is not.
Oh.
[Samoa Joe] Orton was reaching for that axe handle, but…
Oh.
-[Byron] The Fiend again. -[Samoa Joe] Oh, no.
Axes were built to cleave but it looks like this one's built to cauterize.
[Tom] Oh, and Orton able to stop The Fiend.
[Byron] And yet another close call that Orton's been able to avoid
-of being set on fire and now Randy. -[Samoa Joe] Orton dragging him out,
-dragging him out. -[Tom] Has got a hold of The Fiend
-along the apron. -[Samoa Joe] Oh.
[Tom] Oh.
[Byron] The resounding counter by The Viper.
[Tom] And an opportunity, Joe,
for The Viper to take in this nightmare surrounding.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, trust me, Orton knows it.
[Byron] Oh.
[Tom] And now Randy Orton wants the RKO,
believes he's got The Fiend where he wants him.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, The Fiend is firmly in his sights.
[Byron] Orton going to that place, Orton wanting to end this nightmare.
[Tom] Now, Randy Orton measuring-- Oh, going for the…
-[overlapping chatter] -[Tom] Oh, no, Mandible--
-[Byron] Mandible Claw. -[Tom] Mandible Claw by The Fiend.
[Byron] That paralyzing Mandible Claw
that Randy Orton felt this past Monday night.
[Samoa Joe] Oh, The Fiend's walking him back.
[Tom] Trying to guide Orton…
[Samoa Joe] He's walking him back towards the flames.
[Tom] …into the fires.
No. Oh, Orton's turned it around.
-Orton's turned it around. -[Byron] Orton's scorched him.
-[Samoa Joe] He's on fire. -[Tom] Oh, my God.
Orton's lit The Fiend on fire.
[Byron] My God. The flames--
[Samoa Joe] He's engulfed.
[Tom] The Fiend is still standing.
[Byron] He's going after Orton.
[Tom] Oh, and the RKO.
[crowd cheering]
[Tom] What has Randy Orton done?
[Byron] I think it's just dawning on Randy Orton.
[crowd chatter]
[Samoa Joe] Orton checking on The Fiend.
[crowd chatter]
[Byron] Disturbing reality setting in for Randy Orton.
[Samoa Joe] He must know this was not right.
[crowd cheering]
[Samoa Joe] Orton smugly leaving the ring,
thankfully leaving the ring.
[Byron] I don't think he's leaving, Joe.
[Tom] Randy Orton has already won this match.
By-- He lit The Fiend on fire.
This is something different.
[Byron] I guess Randy Orton not content with the outcome of this match.
[Samoa Joe] Come on, Randy. You got-- you got-- That's gasoline.
-Come on, Randy. -[Tom] What's Randy gonna do?
-[Byron] Randy, no. -[Tom] What's Randy-- Oh, no.
[Samoa Joe] Randy.
[crowd booing]
[Samoa Joe] Oh, Randy.
-[Byron] Randy won the match. -[Samoa Joe] The point's been made.
[Byron] Randy won the match. The Fiend was set on fire.
I don't…
[Samoa Joe] Oh, no, no, no, no, the point's been made, Randy.
[Byron] I really hope that's it. I…
[Samoa Joe] Oh, no.
Don't do it, Randy. Look, somebody get those matches off him.
[Byron speaking softly] Jesus. Randy Orton has a match in his hand.
[crowd chatter]
[Tom] Orton is standing over The Fiend…
-[Samoa Joe] Orton, Orton, Orton. -…with a box of matches.
[Samoa Joe] Orton, don't do this.
[Byron] I mean, come on, Randy. Don't do this.
-[Samoa Joe] Orton, no. -[Byron] Oh, my God.
-[Tom] Don't do this, Randy. -[Samoa Joe] This is an atrocity.
Orton, do not do this.
-[Byron] Randy, no. -[Samoa Joe] Randy.
[Byron] No.
-[Samoa Joe] Somebody-- -[Byron] No.
[Samoa Joe] Somebody get up there and stop him.
[Byron] Randy-- Change your mind, Randy. Do something else.
[Samoa Joe] Blow it out, Orton, no.
-[Byron] Don't do it. -[Samoa Joe] You cannot do this.
-[Byron] Don't do this, Randy. -[Samoa Joe] No, Orton.
-Randy, no. -[Byron] Oh, no.
[Samoa Joe] No!
-[crowd chatter] -[fire sputtering]
[Tom] Oh, my God.
[crowd booing, cheering] puttering]