[WWE intro music]
[Cena] Then.
-[Ric Flair] Woo! -[glass shatters]
[The Rock] If you smell…
-[gong sounds] -[Cena] Now.
-The King of Kings. -You can't see me.
[Cena] Forever.
[crowd cheering]
[Cena] Together.
[music fades]
["Hellfire" by CFO$ playing]
[Cole] Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
It's fight night!
We have a stacked night tonight,
with first-time matchup in a Women's Tag Title event,
and Sheamus in action against Solo Sikoa of The Bloodline
to kick us off here tonight
on Friday Night SmackDown.
And tonight's SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto, and more.
And Sheamus versus Solo of The Bloodline.
Speaking of The Bloodline,
the man who has a title match with the head of The Bloodline,
"The Head of the Table" Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia is here.
Logan Paul, social media megastar. Live on SmackDown.
[Wade] Cannot wait for that, Cole, but how about this?
They've been climbing the ranks for weeks.
Well, tonight they get their big opportunity.
WWE Women's Tag Team Championships on the line
as the team of Raquel--
[distorted audio]
I'm here.
[Wade] They're on tonight, right here on SmackDown.
[Cole] And Braun is a 6'8", 340-pound monster.
Omos is a 7'3", 403-pound giant.
Tonight, these behemoths go face-to-face for the first time ever,
live on SmackDown.
["Taking It All" by def rebel playing]
♪ We're taking it all ♪
♪ Settle the score The one who will not take that loss ♪
♪ We're taking it all ♪
♪ We kick down the door Dropping you down to the floor ♪
♪ We're taking it all ♪
♪ Ready for war Better than ever before ♪
-♪ We're taking it all ♪ -[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring,
accompanied by Sami Zayn
and the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions, The Usos,
from Las Vegas, Nevada, weighing in at 250 pounds,
Solo Sikoa.
[Cole] Solo Sikoa said earlier this week
that he's "got something big in store for Sheamus
when I see him tonight."
That is because last week in a Fatal 4-Way Match
to determine the Number One Contender
for the Intercontinental Championship, Wade,
Sheamus hit Solo with 26 Beats of the Bodhrán.
[Wade] Oh, my word. I've had about ten of them in the past,
and I was ready to tap out, but somehow Solo kept going.
Sheamus at one point
had Solo Sikoa locked in the Irish Cloverleaf
before all hell broke loose.
[Cole] Yeah, The Bloodline got involved,
The Brawling Brutes got involved.
It cost Sheamus and Solo, for that matter,
an opportunity to become the Number One Contender
for the Intercontinental Title.
That right was won by Rey Mysterio.
So Solo and Sheamus, first time ever here tonight,
one-on-one, as we kick off Friday Night SmackDown.
And this should be a hard-hitting affair.
[Wade] I swear, Sheamus is already bruised up.
What a past few weeks he's had.
Clearly wearing some war wounds already. It's only gonna get worse.
[Cole] Also at ringside The Brawling Brutes in Sheamus' corner,
and of course The Usos, the Tag Team Champions,
and "The Honorary Uce" Sami Zayn in the corner
of Solo Sikoa.
Sami Zayn, who I say is doing his best Greg Hirsch impersonation,
if you watch Succession.
[Wade] I do indeed. I'd say he's more like Tom, if you ask me.
Although, to be fair, I wouldn't trust either of them.
[Cole] Sheamus in control of Solo Sikoa in the early going.
You know, Sami refers to himself as being "Ucey."
And I asked Sami what that meant earlier today and he told me,
"Hey, it's like a fraternal-like bond between brothers."
[Wade] Yeah, you know, I get a little Ucey after a few beers,
but Sami Zayn, hats off to him.
[Cole] That would be loosey.
[Wade] A bit of both maybe, but nobody's getting Ucey
-in the ring right now. -Ooh!
They're getting beat up and battered.
[Cole] And Solo looking to take control with a chop to the chest of Sheamus,
who's suffered a lot of chops lately in his battles
with Gunther, the Intercontinental Champion.
[Wade] This is just a pure slugger's matchup.
Sheamus has been training hard with the--
[Cole] Did you notice, sorry to interrupt,
but did you notice that Sami Zayn had his arm on the chest of Jey Uso?
Sami has been put in charge
by The Head of the Table, Roman Reigns,
to keep the normally hot-headed Jey Uso in check.
That's Sami's job.
[Wade] I've got to give Sami Zayn some props there.
He's doing a heck of a job
of keeping The Bloodline in order right now.
[Cole] And Sheamus…
Let's go! One, two…
[Cole] …said earlier today that the end of The Bloodline
starts with Solo Sikoa.
It is Ireland versus the islanders.
[Wade] Pick a winner out of these two.
[Cole] Solo with a headbutt, The Enforcer of The Bloodline,
former NXT North American Champion,
and blocked by the veteran Sheamus.
Sheamus a former four-time World Champion,
the first Irish-born World Champion in WWE history.
You've been in the ring with Sheamus. What makes him so special?
As we take another look at the physicality of The Celtic Warrior.
[Wade] Well, what makes Sheamus so special
is the fact that he can hit you with everything under the sun,
everything in his arsenal. When you fire back at him,
he doesn't really seem to sense any kind of pain.
He's showing a little war wounds on that left shoulder already in this one.
But the guy is made of a different kind of stuff.
[Cole] Butch, Ridge Holland, looking on.
[Wade] I've got to say, Sheamus has been upping his workouts lately.
Those Celtic Warrior workouts are back on YouTube. Training glutes
-with Liv Morgan this past week. -Oh.
[Cole] Spinning Hill kick by Solo Sikoa.
[Wade] No matter how big your glutes are, you won't be protected from that kick.
-[Sami] That's a thing of beauty. -[Cole] Sami and The Usos…
cheering Solo Sikoa on.
When asked about his relationship with Sami Zayn,
Solo Sikoa said,
"Listen, if Roman likes Sami, I like Sami. Simple answer."
[Wade] Here is the deal,
traditionally Solo Sikoa, a man who has been happy to walk alone,
but when The Tribal Chief calls, every Uce must do his duty.
[Cole] Solo said he has to prove himself to Roman Reigns each and every week.
And now perhaps looking to the 10 Beats of the Bodhrán,
but Solo knew it was coming and he countered.
Now, working on the left shoulder of Sheamus.
As you mentioned, the scars of his battles with Gunther
already showing on Sheamus, who's dumped out of the ring.
He's hurting. He's hurting.
[Wade] Rare grimace on the face of Sheamus,
and that is not a nice place to be.
-Oh, no! -[Cole] Solo targeting the shoulder.
Right into the steel steps.
Not sure he got all of it,
but the damage had been done earlier.
Can Sheamus somehow climb back into this?
Hey everybody. We're back on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
The wars that Sheamus has been through
over the past couple of months with the Imperium and Gunther
starting to wear on The Celtic Warrior.
Solo Sikoa has turned his focus
to the already injured left shoulder of Sheamus,
and Sheamus looks physically exhausted in this match, Wade.
[Wade] Sheamus has got to be a physiotherapist's dream right now.
Every part of Sheamus' body
has to be taken such a toll over the past couple of months,
and right now, what a predicament to find yourself in.
[Cole] That goofy Sami Zayn out here acting like a--
I don't even know what to describe, as he's hugging Jimmy Uso.
"The Honorary Uce" Sami just going nuts over here.
[Wade] Be careful. You don't want The Bloodline coming after you, Cole.
[Cole] Not everybody in The Bloodline is happy with Sami Zayn.
Look at Jey Uso.
Oh, and Sheamus exploding out of the corner
with a wicked clothesline.
[Sami] Solo.
Solo, shake that off you. You all right?
[Cole] Solo looking to shake things off.
Sheamus has come a long way
since North Great George's Street in Dublin, Ireland,
where he was brought up.
Bang, wicked clothesline.
Sheamus a fan of World of Sport, as you were, Wade, in your younger days.
[Wade] That was our background,
Kent Walton and the lads on World of Sport.
But Sheamus now starting to feel it.
This audience starting to feel it too.
Getting behind The Brawling Brutes.
[Cole] Sheamus looking to survive here tonight
as he picks up momentum against The Enforcer of The Bloodline,
Solo Sikoa.
I just don't know how Sheamus keeps going and keeps going,
looking perhaps… and look at… trying to…
The injured left arm, can't quite wrap it around the back
of the neck of Solo Sikoa,
looking to introduce White Noise, that he's still able to hit.
Cover by Sheamus, hook of the leg,
Solo kicks at two.
[Wade] No idea how somehow Sheamus is just able to regenerate
in the middle of a vicious beating.
[Ridge] Come on, Sheamus. Let's go.
[Cole] You mentioned The Usos looking on at ringside.
This is their 460th day as Tag Team Champions,
approaching the record, held by The New Day, of 483.
[Wade] Listen, I'm noticing Sheamus just grimacing with every step.
That is a man who prides himself on showing no signs of physical pain.
He can't do that tonight.
[Cole] Well, look how battered and bruised his left arm is.
-And Solo meets Sheamus at the top rope. -[Wade] Oh!
Sheamus took a bit more time than normal,
and now Solo again turns his attention
to the left arm and shoulder of The Celtic Warrior.
And with The Bloodline throwing up
the "ones" in the background.
Solo Sikoa from the second rope,
Sheamus up high with a Samoan Drop.
And did you notice, Wade, Sheamus fell on the bad shoulder?
Cover now by Solo.
Hook of the leg. Kick out a two,
but Sikoa by design, by design…
delivered the Samoan Drop
so it would focus on the shoulder of Sheamus.
-Watch here again. -[Wade] Just a textbook attack.
Normally you see that landed on your back. Not this time.
Sikoa knows exactly what he's doing.
Pinpoint accuracy on that left shoulder.
Somehow, someway, Sheamus just with enough in the tank to kick out.
[Cole] And it's rare you see frustration beginning to set in on Solo Sikoa,
but that is what you're seeing here.
He's learning firsthand
what has made Sheamus a surefire Hall of Famer.
Just the grit and the determination
and the heart and soul of The Celtic Warrior.
[Wade] Here is the problem. The Bloodline, they're a hell of a refined bunch,
but Solo Sikoa, just a street thug.
[Cole] And now Sheamus with the elbows to the face.
It looked like Sikoa was going
for his finishing move, the Spinning Solo there.
And Sheamus able to fight out of it.
[Wade] You give Sheamus an inch he'll take a mile every time.
[Cole] With one arm. With one arm. With his good arm,
Sheamus able to deliver the slam now to Sikoa.
[Wade] Panic written in the eyes of The Bloodline at this point.
[Cole] Again, with one arm, the good arm, the right arm of Sheamus.
And the former four-time World Champion drives Solo Sikoa.
[Jey] You got it now.
You got it now, dawg.
[Cole] And now it's Sheamus' opportunity.
Last week it was 26 Beats of the Bodhrán.
[crowd] …four, five,
six, seven,
eight, nine,
ten, eleven…
[Cole] Not done there.
To the back as well.
-[Wade] To the kidneys now. -[Cole] Clubbing blows by Sheamus.
Sheamus and The Brutes are fired up.
And there could be a Brogue Kick in Solo's future.
Sidestepped it. Superkick caught Sheamus.
Oh, and a knee to the face.
Sheamus into the cover for the win.
Sami up by the apron.
The official dealing with that goof Sami Zayn.
[Wade] I've got to say hats off to Sami Zayn.
That's the smartest thing I've ever seen.
[Cole] Butch sent over our table with the superkick
and now a superkick to Ridge Holland.
The Brutes are piling up like cordwood here at ringside.
-Oh my God. -[Cole] The announce table.
The announce table put on top of The Brawling Brutes.
Butch and Holland trapped by The Usos.
Sheamus off the top rope.
[Wade] Somehow this match still going on.
Absolute chaos and carnage at ringside.
[Cole] And Sheamus with a right hand
trying to fight his way back into the ring.
Holland and Butch. And Sami Zayn now hanging on.
The official not seeing any of this.
Solo caught Sheamus with a kick to the bad arm.
The Brutes somehow trying to get out of it,
but meanwhile, Solo into the cover
-off the Spinning Solo with the win. -[bell rings]
["Taking It All" by def rebel playing]
[Irvin] Here is your winner, Solo Sikoa.
[Cole] Sikoa strikes first in the Brutes and Bloodline battle,
and I don't think the fight's over.
Wade, this doesn't look good for Sheamus.
This is a four-on-one assault by The Bloodline.
[Wade] The rest of The Brutes are down and seemingly out.
-Grab a chair. -Chair.
[Cole] And Sami Zayn…
with a steel chair in hand.
Jimmy Uso with another steel chair.
[Wade] This looks really bad for Sheamus.
[Cole] Jey Uso just ripped the chair out of the hands of Sami Zayn.
[Wade] This is a punishment beating, Cole.
[Cole] Sheamus is helpless.
Holland and Butch are pinned underneath the announce table,
and now the bad arm.
You disrespect the family!
[Cole] Oh, no!
They're trying to break Sheamus' arm.
Somebody stop these guys!
[Wade] Get some damn security out here.
[Sami] We're good, we're good. We're good.
We're good. We're good.
[Cole] Sami calling off the attack.
[Sheamus groans]
Sheamus is hurt.
You don't badmouth, you don't cross the family.
You don't cross The Bloodline.
Primal domination by The Bloodline.
-Get out of here. -[crowd boos]
-["Shatter" by Code Orange playing] -♪ Die for me, brother ♪
♪ Know not what you've seen ♪
♪ Love one another ♪
[announcer] Match Flo is sponsored by Progressive,
a triple threat of protection with home, auto and more.
[Rey] Hunter, Hunter, Hunter.
This isn't really easy for me to say,
but with everything that's been going on on Raw,
I've reached my breaking point.
I won't fight my son, not even when he's at his worst.
I just don't see a way moving forward.
You know I love WWE.
This is my home.
But I wanted to come to you tonight and look you in the eyes
to tell you…
I quit.
I can't imagine what you're going through, Rey,
but there's got to be another way here.
Let's just talk about this for a minute.
See if we can come up with another solution.
[Cole] What an opportunity for one of four men.
This is a Fatal 4-Way to determine
who faces Gunther for the Intercontinental Title.
Solo Sikoa, Sheamus, Ricochet, and…
[Irvin] The fourth and final competitor will be…
["Booyaka 619" by P.O.D. Playing]
[Cole] Oh, yeah.
[Wade] The Superstar ready to quit an hour ago?
[Cole] Apparently Rey Mysterio is now officially part
of Friday Night SmackDown.
The first man to gain pinfall or submission wins this matchup,
Fatal 4-Way.
Who's getting an Intercontinental Championship opportunity?
Mysterio with a 619!
Viva la raza!
Mysterio is the Number One Contender for the Intercontinental Title.
Welcome back to Friday Nights.
This is my new home now.
[speaking German]
Look at this, Ludwig.
Little Rey Mysterio all alone on SmackDown.
Yet, he thinks he'll stand the chance against "The Ring General" Gunther.
This is going to be the end for you. I hope you know that.
[scoffs] Órale, homies.
This isn't the end of anything.
Actually, this is a new beginning for me.
Coming to SmackDown is just what I needed.
[in Spanish] If I had to say something to Gunther.
[in English] I would say it in his face, but hey,
I'm not looking for trouble.
I just don't appreciate being disrespected.
So if either of you have los huevos
to step into the ring,
why don't we throw down tonight?
[indistinct dialogue]
Well, I will make sure to punish this disrespect.
See you in a few.
If Rey Mysterio wants to fight on Friday Night,
I say we let him. I hope that matchup gets made official.
You can see they put our announce table back together.
We will hope to get an update on Sheamus before we go off the air tonight,
on his condition, after the attack by The Bloodline.
But switching gears now to the most talked about story
in the world of sports entertainment and professional wrestling
over the past week and a half.
It's been nothing but Bray Wyatt,
including last week on Friday Night SmackDown.
Bray's emotional return to the show for the first time in over two years,
before he was interrupted.
Well, Bray hopes to continue what he had to say here tonight.
[crowd cheers]
I apologize for last week.
I didn't get to finish what I was saying,
but that's okay.
I will now.
I, um, I used to say all the time that revenge is the confession of pain,
and it is.
I still believe that.
I feel like confessing some things to you guys today.
I feel like that can help, right?
So, here it goes.
I confess that I have problems.
I know I have problems. I've always had problems.
You know, it's not hard for people to see.
[chuckles]
But there's a few of them, like anger.
Sometimes it can take me to places that I don't want to be in.
This past time, it took me to some place that I shouldn't have come back from.
I-I really shouldn't have.
But for whatever reason… I get chances.
Chances that most people won't get.
Yeah. And I confess that this time, I-I was happy.
I was content with just being left alone.
I was okay with it being over.
I wanted you to stop saying my name.
I wanted you to leave me the hell alone.
But I confess that I'm really glad you didn't.
Because I needed you.
I needed all of you.
You pulled the spears out of my ribs, and yanked me up,
and you told me what I was supposed to do without even having to tell me.
And I'm thankful for that.
Because now I can see.
I know who you are.
I know what you want.
I know what you're trying to do.
But it won't work.
I confess
that along this journey I am going to do horrible, horrible things,
but I will never feel sorry for them.
I'm just a servant now.
I go where the circle takes me.
[crowd cheering]
That is how it's done!
-That is why we The Ones. -That boy putting in work.
[singsong] The Ones. We, we The Ones.
We The Ones. We, we The Ones.
Hey! You know what? Sheamus can't do this.
You know what else he can't do?
He can't do this.
-Oh! -You know why?
Because we just broke his damn arm!
-Let's go, Uce. -Oh my God.
-Huh?! -That was great.
Let's go.
Hey, every week, little bro, level up.
Every single week, we leveling up, Uce.
Solo, I mean this.
You have been an absolute gem for The Bloodline
since you've come on board.
You are doing amazing.
As far I'm-- I could just eat your head.
I swear, you are doing so good.
As far as I'm concerned, you sent a message tonight,
not only to Sheamus, to the entire roster,
to the entire looker room.
-Nobody messes with The Bloodline. -Facts, Uce.
So, as far as I'm concerned, I think our work here
is done for tonight, fellas, right?
What you mean, Uce?
Tonight's just getting started, right?
As soon as Logan Paul get here, we gonna get his ass tonight too.
Same thing, Uce. Complete the mission.
Let's go.
Well, here's the thing about that,
is "The Tribal Chief" Roman was very specific about this.
He said, "Do not engage Logan Paul at all."
That's what he said: "Do not get involved at all."
And he's kinda right. The last thing we want is for him,
Logan, to think in any way
that he's in our heads
or that he's gotten to The Bloodline.
We just don't touch it. The whole thing.
It just wouldn't be very…
it wouldn't be very Ucey.
I mean, I'm not crazy here, right? I mean, Jimmy, help me out here.
-My dawg. -I mean, there you go.
-Right? -You're right.
Okay. Thank you. You had me worried.
We agreed one time,
but you know I am a hot head!
So we're just gonna have to see by the end of the night
what really happens.
He wasn't joking, was he?
Because he seemed pretty serious.
-My dawg. -Yeah, that's what I thought.
["Liv Gone Mad" by def rebel playing]
♪ Watch me ♪
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Elmwood Park, New Jersey,
Liv Morgan.
[Cole] Hey, Liv has had a big week.
She was at the season premiere of Chucky 2,
and she's even gonna be in an upcoming episode.
Liv's favorite horror character.
Liv with a change in demeanor.
We'll explain all that as she gets set for her match here tonight
against Sonya Deville
on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox.
And SmackDown tonight on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
["Made Me Stronger" by def rebel playing]
[Irvin] And her opponent, from Shamong, New Jersey,
Sonya Deville.
[Cole] Sonya Deville definitely has the fire and desire,
as she gets set for this matchup with Liv Morgan tonight.
Sonya had harsh words
about the former SmackDown Women's Champion last week.
Those words hit home with Liv Morgan.
Liv Morgan's been literally gifted opportunity after opportunity
and failed.
Liv Morgan doesn't have it.
Liv Morgan's nothing but a whiny--
[Cole] Yeah, Liv Morgan took exception to those words,
and a more extreme Liv Morgan
over the past couple of weeks, Wade.
She's done things like that.
[Wade] Yeah. Nasty attack there from Morgan,
but I got to say, I like it from Sonya Deville.
She's a smart cookie.
She knows that going after Liv Morgan
just two weeks after Morgan lost the SmackDown Women's Championship,
what a scalp to claim that would be for Deville.
What a way to get her own in-ring career back on track.
[Cole] So, Deville and Morgan one-on-one for the first time ever
here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
And, Wade, you're a former champion,
and sometimes losing the title changes you.
And it seems Liv Morgan is headed down that path.
[Wade] Yeah, it feels like you lost a piece of your soul,
but here's the thing when it comes to Sonya Deville--
Creepy look on the face of Liv Morgan.
You know that if you can take out the former champ,
that puts you that much closer to being back in the hunt for gold.
[Cole] Liv rolling up Deville now, and a kickout by Sonya.
And Sonya with a nice shoulder tackle to Morgan.
What, Liv? I'm sorry, what?
[Cole] Sonya Deville coming to the aid of her former buddy,
the current NXT Women's Champion, Mandy Rose,
this past Tuesday night on NXT.
Battle against Rose's opponent tomorrow night at Halloween Havoc
over on Peacock at 8:00 Eastern.
Morgan, hook of the leg and a kickout. That being Alba Fyre.
And Deville wisely goes to the ropes
to force Jessika Carr to call for the break.
[Wade] Smart from Deville. Once again, everything is calculated.
There's always a plan. Nothing happens by accident,
but that plan might be backfiring here.
And Liv Morgan now in control of Sonya Deville.
[Sonya grunts]
Into the corner. Roll through now by Sonya.
Ducks underneath. Backslide.
Deville able to roll through
and catch her with a knee.
[Wade] Beautiful, point of the jaw.
[Cole] Cover by Sonya.
Kickout by Morgan.
-[Wade] A lot of people-- -Who do you think you are?
A lot of people forget that Deville has been
a long-time player at the top of the card
here in SmackDown,
and shots like that are exactly what took her there.
[Cole] Deville, former MMA background.
Took Ronda Rousey to the limit
here on Friday Night SmackDown.
The current SmackDown Women's Champion.
[Wade] It's about time people started giving Sonya Deville
a little more respect in that ring.
This is what she's capable of.
[Cole] She once ran this show, and Raw as well,
alongside WWE official Adam Pearce
before the power went to her head.
Now she's trying to take off Liv Morgan's head.
[Wade] But when you mix in those
board rooms with the powers that be here on Raw and SmackDown,
you really figure out exactly how--
[Cole] Look at Morgan laughing and smiling.
Sorry to interrupt, Wade, but…
Sonya Deville taken aback
when she looked down at Morgan after that assault
and saw Liv smiling.
[Wade] Morgan developed a taste for pain at some point.
[Cole] And Sonya telegraphed that. Morgan made her pay.
Didn't quite get all of it.
Sonya able to duck out of harm's way, and a kick driving Morgan to the floor.
Deville's in control. Can Liv climb back into this match
here on SmackDown?
What?
You know, Wade, we're sold out here tonight in Toledo, Ohio,
for Friday Night SmackDown.
We've talked a lot about Liv Morgan
and how aggressive she's become over the past couple of weeks,
but she is yet to get real aggressive in this match tonight,
and she's paid for it.
Deville has been dominating.
[Wade] Absolutely, and let's face it.
Was Liv Morgan ever really respected when she was the champion,
or did people just think she's somebody
who consistently got lucky until that luck ran out?
[Cole] Oh, that's Sonya Deville's take and your take as well.
I believe Liv Morgan earned her opportunity
to be SmackDown Women's Champion.
Nonetheless, Morgan trying to fight back in this match.
Kick to the midsection,
and then caught Sonya with a step-up enzuigiri.
Sonya now into the corner, and Morgan,
her expression changing.
The intensity picking up
as she backs into Deville on the corner.
Liv with a running knee.
[Wade] Things have certainly changed for Liv Morgan since Extreme Rules.
[Cole] Liv now off the second rope.
Sonya caught her with a knee.
-[Wade] A beat too long. -[Cole] This could be the win for Deville.
Hook of the leg. And you mentioned it earlier.
If Deville can knock off
the former SmackDown Women's Champion tonight,
what a win for her.
[Wade] Of course it would be. Listen, she knows better than anyone
exactly how the inner workings
of this industry happen,
and she can use it to her advantage.
That time in the board room has not been wasted for Sonya Deville.
[Cole] Deville just begging Morgan to make it back to her feet
so she can continue to punish Liv.
[Wade] The cogs are always turning in the diabolical mind of Sonya Deville.
[Cole] Three straight knees to the chest of Morgan
and another one by Deville.
[Wade] Morgan's got no answer.
And Sonya-- oh, and now Liv Morgan says bring it.
[Wade] Certainly will.
[Cole] Cover again by Deville.
Hook of the leg. Morgan kicks at two.
[Wade] Ask and you shall receive.
[Cole] Number one trend in the United States, #SmackDown.
[Wade] Again, we see the laughter on the face of Liv Morgan.
Seemingly enjoying this whooping.
Not so sure now, are ya?
[Wade] What the hell is wrong with her?
Come on, Liv!
Hit me, Sonya.
Come on! Come on! Let's go!
Let's go!
[Cole] Sonya taken aback
as Morgan is screaming, "Hit me, Sonya. Hit me."
-[Wade] Not surprised she's unnerved. -[Cole] That's what Deville is doing.
Morgan now with a double leg take down,
and now unloading on Deville.
Whatever Deville did there,
Morgan snapped.
[Wade] What the hell has got into Liv Morgan?
[Cole] And Deville just trying to get out of harm's way
and escape the wrath of Morgan here.
Now Deville bounced right off the announce table.
Morgan driving Deville into the apron.
[Wade] Certainly found a second wind has Liv Morgan,
much to the chagrin of Sonya Deville.
[Cole] Deville bouncing off the barricade.
Official Jessika Carr is at a count of eight now.
As Morgan continues the assault outside the ring on Deville,
and Jessika Carr is gonna call for a double count out.
[bell rings]
[crowd boos]
And Morgan with that weird smile crossing her face.
[Wade] Let's face it, the match ended up not mattering to Liv Morgan.
She went completely berserk, Cole.
[Cole] Well, Deville pushed her.
There's no doubt about that.
[Wade] Oh, here we go.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] I don't think Liv's done yet.
You know, there was so much made, Wade,
in the weeks leading up to the match with Ronda Rousey at Extreme Rules,
of whether or not Liv Morgan could go extreme.
Whether Liv was just the nice girl next door.
Whether she had it in her to dig down deep, get physical, use weapons,
and Morgan is proving she can do that.
[crowd chants "we want tables"]
[Wade] There's nobody more scared of getting in a fight
than the guy who's never been punched in the face.
Liv Morgan got taken to her limits at Extreme Rules,
and perhaps enjoyed it a little too much.
[Cole] Enjoyed it? She's laughing and smiling about the fact
that she's stacking chairs up in the middle of the ring.
The WWE fans are chanting, "we want tables."
We know the damage Liv can do with tables.
Just ask Deville about that.
Morgan's got a half a dozen chairs piling up in the ring here.
And what in the world does Liv have
in her warped mind…
to do to Sonya Deville?
[Wade] Deville's completely defenseless at this point.
[Cole] Sonya Deville brought a lot of this upon herself, Wade.
[Wade] Steady on. No one deserves this, Cole.
[Cole] With the comments that she made last week.
[Wade] She got a beating for those comments already.
This is beating number two.
[Cole] Morgan with Deville up top.
Liv Morgan…
and a superplex onto the chairs.
Not only to Deville,
but to Liv Morgan as well, who's laughing about it.
We touched on it before, Wade.
Losing a championship changes people.
Morgan once again goes extreme here tonight.
[Wade] Beautiful suplex,
unfortunately for Deville, right on that pile of steel chairs.
But it's the look on Liv's face
that unnerved me more than anything.
She's enjoying it. She's a sadist.
She's a masochist, and she's out of her damn mind.
[Cole] The thing is, it wasn't just Deville who ran
into the chairs, but Morgan as well.
[Wade] She loved every second of it, Cole.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, switching gears now
as Morgan continues to weirdly celebrate,
we want to learn a little bit more about the Megastar known as LA Knight.
Let me talk to you.
You want to know about the Megastar?
About talking the talk…
I'm putting the entire roster on notice.
…and backing it up?
Walking the walk…
and taking care of business?
Well, if you don't know anything, which you obviously don't,
then just know this.
There's a difference between being in the game
and ruling the game. And whose game is it?
It's the Megastar's game.
LA Knight.
Yeah!
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen,
Braun Strowman is a monster of a man, 6'8", 340.
Omos is a giant at 7'3", 403.
The Monster meets The Giant face-to-face live next on SmackDown.
[mystical music plays]
[woman] The words of the gods will haunt our victims.
The gods preach patience.
[man] We obey.
[woman] Valhalla awaits.
["Monster of All Monsters" by def rebel playing]
[Irvin] Please welcome Braun Strowman.
[Cole] The Monster about to go face-to-face
with a giant here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown,
which is sponsored by Progressive.
Wade, you sit out here at ringside
and we have the opportunity
to be so up close and personal with these WWE Superstars.
When you're next to Braun Strowman, this man is massive,
6'8", 340 pounds.
[Wade] Yeah, a ridiculous physical specimen.
I got to tell you, Cole, I walk through an airport,
I'm pretty big myself, people turn their heads.
I am a midget next to this guy.
This guy is a ridiculous slab of humanity.
[loud cheering]
Look at me.
I mean really look at me.
Clearly, I am not someone that's easy to miss.
If you've got a problem with me,
I promise you, I'm not hard to find.
Now, I heard MVP running his mouth on Monday Night Raw this week,
so let's just get to the point.
Why don't you come on out here with Omos right now
so he can get a look in the eyes of a real monster.
[crowd cheers]
["I'm Coming" by Silkk the Shocker playing]
[Cole] Oh, this is gonna be good.
[crowd chanting "MVP"]
Braun,
let me make this clear.
At no point
have I ever referred to you
as anything less than an absolute monster of a man,
because that is, in fact, what you are.
I'm sure you've always been the biggest,
biggest kid on the playground,
biggest athlete in the locker room,
strongest athlete in the weight room.
Braun Strowman, always the biggest and the strongest.
That is until last week,
when you found yourself in the vicinity
of a literal giant.
A seven-foot-three,
403-pound Nigerian giant named Omos.
Now, listen. You represent yourself as The Monster of all Monsters,
and they, the WWE Universe,
they believe that.
[crowd cheering]
So, if you'd like to maintain that,
I would strongly advise you to stay away from Omos
because once the WWE Universe sees you face-to-face
with a literal giant,
then you're exposed.
Man, enough. I don't need any of your damn advice.
So why don't you tell this so-called "giant,"
if he's so destined to show the world that I'm normal,
then why don't he try it at Crown Jewel?
[crowd cheers]
So, to be sure, that's a challenge?
You heard me.
Okay. Then on behalf of "The Nigerian Giant" Omos,
I accept.
And then at Crown Jewel,
when he ragdolls you and tosses you about like a child because--
Enough, enough, enough. We can stand out here
and talk about what we're gonna do to each other at Crown Jewel all night long.
Let's be for real.
Everybody in here knows that I'm more for action than talking.
[crowd cheers]
And well, since I see you're out here by yourself
and Omos didn't decide to show up, then--
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold on.
Wait a minute.
Whatever gave you that idea?
I never said that The Nigerian Giant wasn't here.
["Shake the Ground" plays]
[Wade] Oh.
[Cole] Leave it to MVP, the master showman
and the mouthpiece for The Nigerian Giant.
This man claims he fears no monster.
Did you notice the look on Braun Strowman moments ago?
[Wade] Is that Braun Strowman for the first time
starting to question himself?
Oh, I can't believe this is happening, Cole.
Monsters and giants are supposed to exist in fairy-tales,
but who needs that when you got SmackDown?
[Cole] Well, two weeks from tomorrow, apparently,
The Monster and The Giant are gonna meet at Crown Jewel.
[Wade] They're gonna meet right now!
[Cole] These two have never been in the ring together.
Look at the size differential.
When have you ever seen a man tower over Braun Strowman?
[Wade] Can't believe I'm saying this, Omos makes The Monster almost look normal.
[indistinct dialogue]
[crowd shouting and chanting]
[Omos roars]
[Cole] Wow!
Huh?!
Stop, man. That's enough.
That's enough, that's enough.
That's enough.
[laughing]
Okay…
Okay, big boy.
[Cole] It's been a long time
since we've seen someone do that to Braun Strowman.
I'm the giant here.
You want me? Me?
…real quick. You're gonna find out real quick I am the one.
[Cole] And Wade, MVP brought up the question moments ago,
and we just saw it.
Has Braun Strowman been exposed?
I wouldn't go that far.
I'm sure there's gonna be an answer at some point for Braun Strowman.
That man doesn't get shoved around easily. Wow.
Two weeks from tomorrow at Crown Jewel, exclusively on Peacock.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, earlier tonight,
Friday Night SmackDown kicked off
with a match between Sheamus and Solo Sikoa.
Sheamus, a four-on-one assault by The Bloodline,
had his shoulder seriously injured.
We understand Sheamus has been taken to a hospital.
We will indeed get an update,
hopefully before SmackDown goes off the air tonight.
Speaking of hospitals, last week,
Karion Kross was taken to a local medical facility
because we kicked off the show with Drew McIntyre
causing an automobile accident with Karion Kross.
[Wade] Yeah, but let's not forget what happened
two weeks ago at Extreme Rules
when Scarlett sprayed McIntyre's eyeballs with mace,
leaving him completely defenseless to an assault by Kross.
Finally, McIntyre has snapped.
And it has revealed a side of Drew I personally have never seen before.
This is just the beginning, Kross.
Now, please welcome Drew McIntyre.
[crowd cheers]
Now, Drew, I'm hearing that upper management isn't too happy
about what we just saw in that video from last week.
Have there been any repercussions?
Listen, at Extreme Rules,
Kross pushed me past my breaking point--
You know what, it's irrelevant.
Yeah.
I was called to WWE Headquarters last week.
We had some uncomfortable conversations.
It was made very clear to me
if Kross and Drew McIntyre
get in each other's way, start throwing fists,
there'll be severe consequences.
But, we all agreed that this thing has to end.
And it will…
at Crown Jewel,
because it's gonna be Drew McIntyre versus Karion Kross
in a Steel Cage Match.
[crowd cheers]
[Wade] Oh, steel cage.
That means Scarlett can't get in. Finally, it's one-on-one at Crown Jewel.
[Cole] Meanwhile, this is outside the arena here in Toledo, Ohio.
The arrival of the social media megastar, the entrepreneur,
the man who will challenge Roman Reigns
for the Undisputed Championship at Crown Jewel,
Logan Paul is here live on SmackDown.
Remember, Sami said Roman Reigns told The Bloodline,
"Don't engage Logan tonight."
Jey Uso said, "We'll see what really happens."
["We Got the Rage" playing]
There is Bayley, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky,
known as Damage CTRL.
Dakota and Iyo set to defend the Tag Team Championship here tonight.
Bayley has done an incredible job
with Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky since putting this team together
back at SummerSlam.
[Wade] Came to WWE to dominate
and dominate they have,
as signified by the gold around the waists of Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai.
[Cole] Hey, Damage CTRL, this past Monday Night on Raw,
knocked off the WWE Raw Women's Champion, Bianca Belair, and Candice LeRae
in a tag team match.
Some much-needed momentum built into this match here tonight.
[Wade] Let's face it, Damage CTRL have had momentum from day one,
since they arrived here in WWE.
Far be it for me to predict that momentum stopping anytime soon.
[Cole] Bayley, who's got a matchup with the Raw Women's Champion
this coming Monday night,
Bayley versus Bianca Belair.
["I Am A Psycho" by def rebel playing]
♪ Off the top, back flip Hit you with an axe quick ♪
♪ Who's your daddy? Tell me now ♪
♪ Biggest balls up in the room When I slam you on the ground ♪
[Cole] With the "Taking Care of Business" tank,
here come the challengers,
Shotzi and Raquel Rodriguez.
-[Wade] Man, what a duo. -[fireworks]
Whoa. Keep my head down around here.
But what a duo Shotzi and Raquel have formed.
Aliyah and Raquel, of course, former Tag Champs.
With Aliyah temporarily on the shelf,
Shotzi stepped in to assist Raquel.
[Cole] Hey, thank you for talking through that
so I didn't have to listen to Bayley screaming at me.
[Wade] I'm not here to protect you from her, I promise you.
I don't know what you ever did to upset Bayley.
In my opinion, she's a ray of sunshine around here.
[Cole] Coming up next on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox,
Damage CTRL will defend the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship
against Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi.
Can Damage CTRL retain the titles
or will Raquel and Shotzi pull off the upset to win the championship?
It's up next live on Fox.
♪ Nutty, sicko, crazy And I'm never gonna change, no ♪
♪ Welcome to the ball pit You can get your ass kicked ♪
[Cole] This is for the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles.
Damage CTRL defending against Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi.
Meanwhile, Bayley has already been harassing me.
-She just tossed a t-shirt my way. -[Wade] It's a free gift.
[Cole] Bayley, of course, at ringside as she looks on at her proteges,
Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky, part of Damage CTRL.
[Wade] This entire audience will be
clamoring for that free t-shirt you just got gifted by Bayley.
Say something nice about her for once, please.
[Cole] An interesting history between Raquel Rodriguez and Iyo Sky,
who start this match.
[Wade] Absolutely.
Raquel actually beat Iyo Sky for the NXT Women's Championship
back at Stand & Deliver in 2021.
[Cole] And look at Iyo, oh, rolling up Raquel.
Raquel trying to outpower Iyo Sky.
Two of the most dominant NXT Women's Champs of all time, these two.
[Cole] And now the double-team
by Dakota Kai,
once a member of Team Kick, with a kick of her own.
Raquel able to power out.
One of the things that Damage CTRL
has actually learned from Bayley is how to be ego,
how to have a huge ego.
[Wade] You know what? Bayley said some really nasty things
about you on social media
this past week, and I'm inclined to agree. I see…
[Cole] Double-team. Shotzi, trying to win the Tag Team Titles for her team,
and a kickout by Dakota Kai.
[Wade] Bayley ain't too far away from us, you better watch your mouth, Cole.
[Cole] Shotzi and Raquel Rodriguez forming a team out of respect.
[Wade] Yeah, well, it was out of need more than anything.
The need to combine to take on Damage CTRL,
who've been taking out everybody…
-[Cole] Oh! -in the entire locker room
here on SmackDown.
[Cole] Shotzi calls herself the "Ballsy Badass"
and would love to win the Tag Team Titles here
tonight on Friday Night SmackDown,
as we take another look at the impact of Shotzi.
[Wade] Shotzi is just so gung ho, act first…
[Cole] And now, Iyo Sky saving her partner.
[Wade] …think later.
[Cole] Raquel, making Iyo Sky and Dakota Kai pay.
Bayley, you might get over there, and help your team out.
[Wade] Raquel, just a wrecking ball of humanity
here in the Women's Division.
[Cole] And now, another double-team
coming from the team of Rodriguez and Shotzi.
And Shotzi, from high above, taking out Damage CTRL.
-[Wade] Sometimes Shotzi… -Let's go.
…is as much a threat to herself as her opponents.
[Cole] You know, Shotzi will be the co-host of Halloween Havoc
tomorrow night on Peacock, the NXT Premium Live event.
Shotzi co-hosting with the "Super Diva" Quincy Elliott.
A cover and a kickout by Kai.
[Wade] Talking of Quincy Elliott, you got to get your eyes on this guy.
If you are not familiar with Quincy,
he is like nothing you have ever seen before.
Check him out.
-Halloween Havoc tomorrow. -[Cole] Tag. Shotzi, top rope.
And Shotzi with a Missile Dropkick off the shoulders of Rodriguez.
-[Wade] Real high landing there for Kai. -[Cole] Cover, by Shotzi
for the championship
and Dakota Kai kicking out.
[Wade] Kai has to be one of the most durable, well-rounded
Superstars I've seen.
She can do it all, but taking impacts like this,
nothing short of mind-blowing.
Raquel and Shotzi have been dominating Damage CTRL
in the early going here
-in this Tag Team Title Match. -[Wade] Yeah.
You spoke a little too loud.
Bayley is not happy with you once again, Cole.
I did try and warn you. You should start listening.
[Cole] Shotzi,
right to Kai, and Dakota's in deep trouble.
Needs to make a tag to her partner, Sky.
Cover again by Shotzi with the Tag Titles on the line
and Kai kicks out.
A look of concern now on the face of Bayley.
Shotzi again.
Cover, yet again, to try to win the gold,
and a kickout by Dakota Kai.
[Wade] Bayley's the veteran here.
Bayley's got the playbook,
and the playbook isn't working for Damage CTRL,
hence the panic in the eyes of Bayley.
[Cole] What she needs to do now is calm her team down.
Tag, here comes Iyo Sky.
[Wade] Now you're giving advice to Bayley? What is it with you?
[Cole] Now, Iyo Sky, top rope,
-hits the dropkick to Shotzi. -[Wade] Boom!
And just like that, Damage CTRL's taken over.
Will they retain, or can Raquel and Shotzi win the gold?
Damage CTRL is in control of the challengers
Raquel Rodriguez and Shotzi
with the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles on the line.
Bayley is at ringside cheering on her team of Kai and Iyo Sky.
Bayley looking on. She's got a big match Monday Night
on Raw against the Raw Women's Champion Bianca Belair.
Shotzi trying to fight back.
The gritty Shotzi needs to make a tag to Raquel Rodriguez.
And look at Bayley trying to get involved.
-Didn't happen. -[Wade] Exactly what she's supposed to do.
[Wade] Helping her team. Might be illegal, but the ref didn't see.
That's the point, Cole.
[Cole] And Shotzi creates space, tag made.
Here comes the powerhouse Rodriguez.
And Damage CTRL wanted to avoid this.
And Raquel's on fire.
Come on!
[Cole] Raquel, a multiple-time Tag Team Champion
at NXT and also here.
Nice Fallaway Slam by Rodriguez.
JBL, who we saw on Raw Monday night would be proud.
Another Fallaway Slam by Raquel.
[Wade] Ferocity from Raquel Rodriguez.
Wants the gold in the worst way.
[Cole] Uh, she was gonna go for the Vader Bomb, that spinning elbow.
And Iyo Sky, however,
getting involved, and Iyo may pay for it.
Dakota Kai now.
She's not gonna budge Raquel Rodriguez.
Shotzi gets involved.
[Wade] Absolute bedlam in the ring.
[Cole] Now, the Genius of the Sky on the top rope.
[Wade] Where she's most comfortable.
[Cole] Went for the-- oh, what a take-down.
What a DDT.
Bayley screaming for the cover.
Damage CTRL looking to retain,
and a kickout at two and a half.
[Wade] How the hell was that not a KO?
[Cole] Bayley can't believe it either.
Watch this move by Iyo Sky.
A tremendous athlete, such a joy to watch, Wade.
[Wade] Perfect torque and execution,
and perhaps, the setup now for the grand finale from Iyo Sky.
[Cole] Loves to use the moonsault.
"The Genius of the Sky" looking for the win.
Raquel able to roll out of harm's way.
Rodriguez catches her with a clothesline.
[Wade] Absolutely decleated by Raquel Rodriguez.
[Cole] Tag.
Double-team by Shotzi and Raquel.
-[Wade] Oh. -[Cole] Iyo's in trouble.
I think we're gonna crown new Tag Team Champions.
Oh, Dakota though.
I don't-- Raquel was just trying to throw Dakota across the ring,
and inadvertently dropped her on top of Shotzi,
not allowing the cover to happen.
[Wade] They've cost themselves their biggest opportunity,
and we're gonna take another look.
The momentum of Dakota Kai breaking up that pinfall.
[Cole] Yeah, good point.
It was Dakota's momentum, it's nothing that Raquel did wrong.
Now Dakota Kai trying to fight back.
Raquel gonna dump Dakota over the top rope,
and she's over the top rope as well.
[Wade] Taking each other out of this matchup.
[Cole] And now, Bayley up on the apron.
Draws the ire of Shotzi.
And Iyo Sky, with Shotzi in trouble.
Sky gonna go up to the top rope.
[Wade] Everyone else down.
[Cole] Moonsault from the Genius of the Sky.
-Cover on Shotzi, and Damage CTRL retains. -[bell rings]
["We Got the Rage" by def rebel playing]
[Irvin] Here are your winners
and still WWE Women's Tag Team Champions,
Damage CTRL.
[Cole] Raquel extremely disappointed, as is Shotzi.
Bayley pays dividends.
Damage CTRL retains here tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Wade] Once again looking completely unstoppable.
Bayley has this team cooking.
Who on earth can get in the way of Damage CTRL?
[Cole] A thing of beauty. Iyo Sky,
The Genius of the Sky hitting the moonsault.
And as Damage CTRL retains tonight,
Raquel Rodriguez desperately trying to get in to help her partner.
Dakota Kai preventing that from happening.
And now Bayley will turn her attention
to Monday night on Raw, where if she can earn a victory
over the Raw Women's Champion, Bianca Belair,
may be in line for a future championship opportunity.
[Wade] Wow, what a matchup that is gonna be,
but hats off to Damage CTRL
delivering the goods once again on SmackDown.
♪ And we don't take a day off ♪
♪ We 'bout to roll right past ya ♪
♪ Three of the baddest See just how we manage ♪
♪ Dangerous… ♪
Strong victory from our Women's Tag Team Champions,
but from Tag Champions
to our once-again new SmackDown Women's Champion.
"The Baddest Woman on the Planet" Ronda Rousey.
[crowd cheers]
Ronda, will you be issuing an open challenge tonight,
as the WWE Universe is expecting, based on your previous title reigns?
Oh, is that what they're expecting?
Well, let's get something clear, Kayla.
I issue open challenges to prove I'm the best,
not to entertain the WWE Universe.
I owe them nothing.
Okay? I gave them everything that I had, and…
I got nothing but hate for it.
If I kept… chasing their approval after all of that,
how pathetic does that make me?
No, I didn't come back for them, and I don't win for them.
I ripped this title off of glitter Cinderella to spite them,
because they don't want the best to win,
they want their favorites to win.
Well, now they're stuck with the best.
Wait, Ronda, to be clear, to be clear, there's no open challenge tonight then?
Next week, when I feel like it,
and when I get the hell out of Ohio.
[Wade] Cannot wait to see who takes up the challenge next week.
[Cole] I can't wait to see Logan Paul.
He's here live tonight, as Logan gets set to challenge Roman Reigns
for the Undisputed Championship in--
[dramatic beat]
[distorted audio]
[warped, echoing audio] Why would you lie to me?
[warped, echoing audio] You should never lie…
to the ones you love.
Lie…
Love…
You should never lie to the ones you love.
Howdy.
[music ends abruptly]
[upbeat music playing]
[crowd cheering]
Legado Del Fantasma's family business is growing into an empire.
Businesses grow stronger and prosper through mergers and acquisitions.
And our latest acquisition is the beautiful,
ruthless, and powerful
Zelina Vega.
Santos is right.
I've been successful at everything I've done.
And you can't really mess with me when you're living on recruit difficulty.
LDF?
We have no peers.
We have no competition
because we are head and shoulders above everybody else.
[in Spanish] That's why you are the queen.
[in English] We are an unbreakable force, creating…
[in Spanish] A powerful legacy,
[in English] fueled by tradition, heritage, and culture.
Our legacy on SmackDown begins by destroying Hit Row.
-Salud. -Salud.
Vega [indistinct].
How are they gonna say
they head and shoulders above everybody else
when none of their heads reach my shoulders?
Man, I'm tired of these fools always jumping us from behind.
They don't want to see us face-to-face.
-That's facts. -Facts.
Legado Del "Dummies" talking about they gonna destroy Hit Row.
-How? -Acting like they ain't playing
the numbers game.
But you know what?
It don't even matter though, because I got an idea.
-I like when you have ideas. -Let's go.
-You always got the ideas. -You know Santos got a Faux-lex anyway.
[Wade] What does B-Fab have up her sleeve?
How do you even the odds against Legado Del Fantasma?
["Booyaka 619" by P.O.D. playing]
[crowd cheers]
♪ Booyaka, Booyaka, Rey Mysterio ♪
♪ Booyaka, Booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, Booyaka ♪
[bell rings]
[Irvin] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from San Diego, California,
weighing in at 175 pounds,
Rey Mysterio.
[Cole] Man, it has been a whirlwind week for Rey Mysterio.
Last Friday on SmackDown, he wanted to quit,
to get away from the damage that his son Dominik
has done to his psyche, both emotionally and physically.
Then Triple H said,
"No, you're now a part of Friday Night SmackDown."
What does Rey do?
He goes on to win a Fatal 4-Way Match
to become the Number One Contender for the Intercontinental Championship.
[Wade] Yeah, let's face it,
it's a bigger trade than McCaffrey to the 49ers.
[Cole] I'm surprised you know about American football.
[Wade] I know about the important sports, baseball not so much.
[Cole] Nonetheless, two weeks away from SmackDown,
when Rey Mysterio will take on Gunther
for the Intercontinental Championship.
I cannot wait to see the legend Rey Mysterio
against the "Ring General" Gunther.
[crowd cheers]
Tonight, he takes on one of Gunther's charges from Imperium,
Ludwig Kaiser.
[Wade] The agitator of Imperium, a handful for anybody.
["Prepare To Fight (Symphony No. 9 In E Minor Intro)" plays]
[Irvin] And his opponent,
accompanied to the ring by Giovanni Vinci
and the Intercontinental Champion Gunther,
representing Imperium,
Ludwig Kaiser.
There was a run-in between Vinci and Kaiser earlier today
with Rey Mysterio,
and basically, Kaiser told Rey,
"We're gonna beat respect into you,
here tonight."
Think about that matchup in two weeks.
That man, Gunther,
to take on the surefire Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio.
♪ Gunther! Der Ringgeneral! ♪
And tonight, Friday Night SmackDown on Fox is sponsored by Progressive Insurance.
Save when you bundle auto, home, or motorcycle insurance.
Wade, do you think the move to Friday Night SmackDown
has been the best thing that could happen to Rey Mysterio
to clear his head a bit after the family crisis?
[Wade] Well, he's looked like
a new man since arriving here.
Let's face it, his personal life is in turmoil,
and will continue to be so,
but when that bell rings here on SmackDown,
it's a very different story.
Rey can finally take that weight off his shoulder,
albeit very briefly, and get back to being the Rey Mysterio of old.
[Cole] I talked to Rey earlier today,
-he was all smiles. -[bell rings]
He said he feels in his element back home on SmackDown.
Of course, still has his issues at home with Dominik,
and the issue with the family,
but Rey can turn that off
when he goes to competition here on SmackDown.
Ludwig Kaiser with a headlock take-down of Mysterio.
[Wade] Kaiser, just a highly-regarded superior technician.
People of NXT know him incredibly well.
[Cole] Yeah, former two-time NXT Tag Team Champion.
Multi-time champion in Europe prior to coming to WWE.
He's of course, Wade, a second-generation Superstar.
His father, Axel Dieter, and he was trained by his dad.
[Wade] Yes, indeed, a real custodian of the mat game,
although right now he's looking about as unstable
as the British government.
[Cole] Well, such an unorthodox style of Rey Mysterio
that you have to try try to encounter when you head into the ring.
Kaiser getting a bit overzealous and Rey making him pay.
Oh, what a right hand by Kaiser.
[Wade] Absolute perfection from the sour-faced German.
[Cole] The Ring General barking orders.
Kaiser, a proficient, precise striker.
Prides himself on being a razor-sharp technician.
[crowd booing]
[Wade] What we're seeing in the ring right now is European excellence,
and I'm here for it.
[Cole] Yeah, different styles. Of course, Rey Mysterio,
a lucha libre legend,
classic luchador.
[Wade] There ain't a style that Rey Mysterio hasn't faced
in his 33-year in-ring career.
[Cole] Now Kaiser sent into the second rope, and Rey could…
be about to dial up the 619.
Vinci runs interference,
Gunther as well.
That's the problem with Imperium and the numbers game here tonight.
And Mysterio, baseball slide, knocks Kaiser down.
[Wade] Rey Mysterio, the last guy who'll be intimidated by the numbers.
[Cole] Now Mysterio, as Kaiser ducked underneath him
and caught him with a wicked uppercut.
Imperium's in control.
Can Rey get back in this?
You know, Imperium makes a big deal about the mat being sacred
and the purity of professional wrestling as a sport,
but all these dudes do is cheat. Throughout the entire commercial break,
it's been a three-on-one attack for Rey Mysterio.
There's been distractions.
And then, before the commercial break,
Ludwig Kaiser made Mysterio pay
after the distractions by Gunther and Vinci.
[Wade] That's been their policy from day one.
That's just how they operate,
they punish those who they believe are not worthy.
-They're hypocrites. -No, they punish those who they believe
are not worthy of being in the same ring as them.
[Cole] Well, how can you say that about Rey Mysterio?
-Come on. -[Wade] I didn't say it,
I'm saying that's their philosophy.
I don't agree whatsoever.
[Cole] Nobody home,
Mysterio rolling out of harm's way.
And now Rey, looking to climb to the top rope and take to the air.
The bread and butter of Mysterio's game.
And Kaiser realizing that, intercepting Mysterio.
[Wade] The guy's just a supreme athlete, Ludwig Kaiser,
and he's proven it tonight, going against one of the best
and more than holding his own.
[Cole] Gunther looks on, Vinci as well.
Mysterio meets Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship
two weeks from tonight on Friday Night SmackDown.
Mysterio trying to block Kaiser, looking for a Superplex.
Rey fighting back.
[thud]
Down goes Kaiser. Mysterio's got an opportunity.
[Wade] Opportunity to go skyward, and do exactly what he does best.
Kaiser, fully back to his feet,
Mysterio top rope.
Senton, down goes Kaiser.
And now Mysterio is gonna pick up the pace.
And this here is vintage Rey Mysterio.
Crossbody, lateral press, hook of the leg,
and a kickout by Kaiser.
It's gonna be such a contrast in styles, Wade,
when Gunther and Rey battle for the Intercontinental Championship.
[Wade] Well, this matchup is effectively a scouting mission for Gunther.
-The mission is simple for Kaiser. -[Cole] But for Mysterio as well.
Oh, nice kick to the side of the face of Kaiser.
[Wade] Kaiser gets to see Rey's strengths and weaknesses firsthand.
[Cole] Moonsault off the second rope, cover again,
Kaiser able to kick at two.
[Wade] Well, I say those strengths are looking pretty damn good right now.
And doesn't Gunther know it.
[Cole] What Mysterio's gonna have to do-- As you take another look.
-Bang, the kick right to the face. -[crowd chants "619"]
[Wade] Yeah, that's why I sit at the commentary desk these days.
[crowd chants "619"]
[Cole] And many people are happy for that.
[Wade] They like my commentary?
Thanks, I appreciate that, Cole.
I know you're trying to take a shot, wise guy.
[Cole] Mysterio now with a couple of right hands.
Mysterio is gonna have to…
[crowd counts]
…stand clear of Gunther in their match in a couple of weeks.
You don't want to run into the powerhouse chops
of the Intercontinental Champion.
Of course, Rey Mysterio paying homage to his best friend,
the late, great, Eddie Guerrero.
And Kaiser with an uppercut.
[crowd chants "Eddie"]
The Eddie chants fill the arena here tonight,
sold out in Toledo.
[Wade] Rey Mysterio debuted in-ring 1989.
Ludwig Kaiser wasn't even born then.
[Cole] Mysterio, with the headbutts.
1989?
Look at this now.
Kaiser sent halfway across the ring.
Mysterio into the cover, hook of the leg,
and a kickout.
That would make sense.
And Mysterio, now wondering what he has to do to put Kaiser away.
[Wade] You'd think Gunther might be enjoying this.
The longer this goes, the more it takes out of Rey Mysterio,
the easier that defense will be in two weeks' time.
[Cole] To your point earlier, Rey began his career as a teenager in Mexico,
went on to become a multiple-time world champion.
Now Kaiser, out of the corner,
Rey Mysterio trying to fight back.
And both men-- Kaiser goes over the top rope to the floor.
Rey hangs on.
[Wade] Rey Mysterio has got a trick or two up his sleeve
that Ludwig Kaiser will never have seen.
Saw that one coming though.
[Cole] Yeah, Rey misses wildly, Wade.
Kaiser buys himself a little bit of time.
This does not look good for Rey Mysterio.
[Wade] Mysterio's got that equalizer though.
[Cole] Oh.
[shouts in German]
[indistinct shouting]
Vinci and Gunther have been tossed out!
Rey Mysterio
with a little bit of lying, and cheating, and stealing,
paying homage to Eddie Guerrero.
[Wade] Wait a second!
You were the one complaining about cheating a minute ago.
[Cole] Rey Mysterio…
getting one over on The Imperium tonight.
Gunther and Vinci are livid.
[Wade] As they should be. They did nothing wrong.
[Cole] Well, they did a lot wrong earlier on in the match, Wade.
-[Wade] Referee didn't see that though. -[Cole] Oh, didn't see that either.
Mysterio catches Kaiser with a kick.
Rey going up to the top rope.
Kaiser's in trouble!
Gets his knees up, roll up by Kaiser.
Shoulders down for Mysterio.
And Rey able to kick at two.
Kaiser can't believe it.
Mysterio is still in it.
[Wade] Make no mistake, Ludwig Kaiser can do it on his own.
This man does not require backup.
[crowd chanting "619"]
[shouts]
[Cole] Kaiser said, this one's over.
Looking to put Rey away.
Rey, rolling up Kaiser.
And now Mysterio sends Kaiser into the second rope.
The fans wanted it, 619.
-[crowd cheers] -[Wade] Look at that Mysterio momentum.
[Cole] Drop of the Dime, Rey Mysterio with a Splash off the top rope.
-[bell rings] -Rey with the win.
["Booyaka 619" by P.O.D. playing]
-[crowd cheers] -[Irvin] Here is your winner,
Rey Mysterio.
[Cole] So, Wade, Rey Mysterio proves tonight what he can do when it's even.
And in two weeks' time,
he gets Gunther for the Intercontinental Title.
[Wade] Quick as a flash, just when there was an opportunity,
Rey took it.
And this is how he carved it out,
screwing Gunther, the General.
And Giovanni Vinci sent packing.
Opening the window to close it.
Boom.
[crowd] One, two, three.
[Cole] Rey paying homage to Eddie Guerrero tonight
helped with the victory.
Can Rey knock down the giant Gunther
for the Intercontinental Title in two weeks
here on SmackDown?
♪ Booyaka, Booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ Booyaka, Booyaka ♪
There's Logan Paul, the man who'll challenge Roman Reigns
for the Undisputed Title in a couple of weeks.
Logan is here live on Friday Night SmackDown.
♪ That's my pueblo ♪
♪ Booyaka, Booyaka, 619 ♪
♪ Better than me ♪
[Cole] Next week, Friday Night SmackDown on FS1.
Again, FS1 next week, St. Louis, Missouri,
Ronda Rousey is going to have an open challenge for her championship.
Who will take the challenge next week on SmackDown?
[Wade] And there's more because Hit Row has been outnumbered
and outfought for the past two weeks.
Well, next week might be a different story.
Hit Row and a mystery partner
take on Legado Del Fantasma in a Six-Man Tag.
[Cole] Roman Reigns returns next week to Friday Night SmackDown
eight nights out from his title defense against Logan Paul.
[Wade] Boy, after what we witnessed earlier tonight,
The Brawling Brutes are out for vengeance.
They get their chance next week
against The Bloodline's Sami Zayn and Solo Sikoa.
[Cole] And the reason that we have that match
next here on Friday Night SmackDown-- again, SmackDown
will be on FS1 next week from St. Louis, Missouri,
is because of what happened earlier tonight.
It was Sheamus one-on-one with Solo Sikoa of The Bloodline.
However, The Usos and Sami Zayn,
they would bury Ridge Holland
and Butch underneath our announce table,
neutralizing The Brawling Brutes.
And because of this, Sheamus was left alone.
And Wade, he was left in a four-on-one situation.
The numbers game would catch up to Sheamus.
The distraction by Sami Zayn would allow Solo Sikoa
to take control, and hit the Spinning Solo on Sheamus
to put the matchup underway.
Then, the numbers game really got on Sheamus
after the match was over.
[Wade] Like a pack of wild dogs.
The Bloodline wanted to make their statement
against a badly, badly wounded Sheamus.
It just got worse and worse from there.
[Cole] We have an update now on Sheamus, Wade.
He's been taken to a local medical facility,
and the initial update we have is,
Sheamus has a non-displaced fracture near his elbow
and Sheamus is still under observation as we speak.
["Hurricane" by def rebel playing]
[crowd booing]
[Irvin] Please welcome Logan Paul.
[Cole] Logan Paul is ready for his match with Roman Reigns
in two weeks from tomorrow at Crown Jewel
for the Undisputed Championship.
Logan Paul is so ready that he has been training
with Hall of Famer "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels,
taking pointers from HBK.
How did Roman Reigns respond to this?
He said, "Logan's gonna need all the help he can get.
Hopefully, he's training with God next week."
Paul Heyman would respond, "Roman, you're God, and your schedule is busy."
So two weeks from tomorrow on Peacock
at Crown Jewel, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,
Logan Paul looks for the biggest upset in wrestling history.
Logan Paul versus Roman Reigns
for the WWE Universal Championship, Undisputed,
Crown Jewel.
Whoa!
Look, I know I'm supposed to address the hard cams at home
and the millions of fans watching,
but I got to take a second personally and say,
it feels good to be back in Ohio, baby.
[crowd cheers]
But back to the hard cam.
For all the WWE diehards back at home,
I know you doubt me.
But news flash, dummies, I've been doubted my whole life,
and look where I am now.
[crowd cheers]
Yeah, it's true.
I run my mouth a lot.
But that's because I'm confident.
I'm confident in both myself and in my abilities.
I don't need some penguin-looking Paul Heyman dude out here talking for me.
I don't need two guys that are basically
just the same guy
around me at all times to protect me.
Or a guy who calls himself Solo,
but personally, I've never seen him alone.
And I definitely don't have any friends that look like Sami Zayn.
[chuckles]
What is that guy?
But what I do have is the desire to be the best.
And yeah, I know I'm the underdog in this fight,
as I should be.
No one's expecting me,
some kid from social media, to step in the ring with the GOAT
and actually win.
But what happens if I do?
What happens if I hit Roman Reigns so hard
that I bounced his face on the canvas,
and bust all his teeth in,
turning his little tribe into a clean-up crew?
'Cause Roman Reigns, brother,
on November 5th in Saudi Arabia at Crown Jewel--
[Cole] Oh! From behind, that's Jey Uso.
Remember, Sami Zayn said Roman Reigns did not want The Bloodline
to engage Logan Paul. Jey Uso said, "We'll see what happens."
And now, Uso has ambushed and attacked Logan Paul from behind.
[Wade] Well, Jey Uso said it, "I'm a hot head," self-confessed.
This is what you get, Logan Paul, when you talk that much trash.
[Cole] Uso trying to beat the hell out of Logan Paul.
A superkick drops Paul in the corner.
Logan Paul, no clue where he's at now.
Jey Uso backing it up.
[Wade] Even less of a clue after that.
[Cole] Making an example of Logan Paul here tonight.
[Logan Paul groaning]
Jey said, quote, "I'm gonna get Logan's ass."
-Meanwhile, there's Sami. -Get out. Jey!
Get out of the ring.
Listen to me. Listen to me!
Hey, hey, listen to me.
I told you, you cannot do this. Okay?
This isn't coming from me, it's coming from The Tribal Chief.
You can't ignore me.
Listen to me, we will fix this later.
Get out of this ring.
Let's go to the back.
Jey, leave this alone.
Jey!
[Cole] Now Logan Paul side-stepping. Bang!
Logan Paul with one lucky shot.
I think Jey Uso may be out cold.
[crowd chanting "Logan"]
And Wade, Logan Paul showing with one right hand,
if he could connect with Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel,
we could have a new champion.
[Wade] It's a million-to-one shot,
but what a story if Logan Paul can pull that off.
[Cole] And let's not forget,
Roman Reigns put Sami Zayn
in charge of the hothead, Jey Uso,
but Sami had no control over this.
Jey Uso's ambush of Logan Paul.
Beating the hell out of the Number One Contender
for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
What?!
[Wade] Well, this is when Sami Zayn caused a momentary distraction--
Jey Uso, and boom, he's out.
Lights out.
Logan Paul.
[Cole] And let's not forget,
"The Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns will be here live on SmackDown next week,
and there's gonna be hell to pay,
because two weeks from tomorrow, exclusively on Peacock,
Roman Reigns defends the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship
against the upstart social media megastar Logan Paul.
Wade, can Logan Paul connect with one lucky shot,
and take the title in the biggest upset in history?
[laughs]