[intro theme music plays]
[narrator] Then...
[Ric] Woooo!
[The Rock] If you smell...
[narrator] Now...
[Roman] Acknowledge me!
-[man] The King of Kings. -[Cena] You can't see me!
[narrator] Forever.
Together.
[Bad Bunny speaking Spanish]
[in English] The Backlash is coming.
[Corey] Backlash from the beach.
Looks beautiful, but looks can be deceiving.
It's anything but a vacation.
["Booker T" by Bad Bunny playing]
When I was a boy, I dreamed of something bigger,
badder, louder.
[Cole] Two-time Grammy Award-winning global recording artist Bad Bunny
will host Backlash from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Tonight, on my island...
revenge is the soundtrack.
[Corey] Is Lesnar here to be Cody's partner?
Wait a second. What the hell are we witnessing here?
Now, our unfinished tale has a whole new wrinkle to it.
We have a Kevin Owens problem. We have a Sami Zayn problem.
We have a Riddle to solve.
My friend, Bad Bunny.
[Corey] Bad Bunny just dropped Dom.
[Damian] We all know what can happen.
Hey, Damian,
I'm going to Puerto Rico to kick your ass.
In a street fight... [speaking Spanish]
[Kevin] Puerto Rico, my heart is racing for this one.
[Corey] Things are about to get muy caliente.
Sometimes, it feels good...
to be bad.
[man] And now, live from San Juan, Puerto Rico,
the Xfinity 10G network and Mike's Harder Lemonade present
WWE Backlash.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Welcome to the Island of Enchantment.
A paradise of world-class beaches, great adventures, and experiences.
Where you enjoy every last ray of sun.
This is Puerto Rico,
and you are looking live at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan.
Sold out.
A late-arriving crowd of 17,944 WWE fans will be here tonight
for the first Premium Live Event in Puerto Rico in over 18 years.
Welcome to WWE Backlash.
And hello, everybody. We are so excited
to be here tonight at ringside. From Friday Night SmackDown,
I'm Michael Cole. He's Corey Graves from Monday Night RAW.
We have a double main event tonight. Brock Lesnar versus Cody Rhodes.
And how about the San Juan Street Fight as Damian Priest of The Judgment Day
battles one of the biggest stars on the planet, Bad Bunny.
Also, here with us tonight at ringside, our Spanish announce team,
Marcelo Rodríguez and Jerry Soto.
[speaking Spanish]
[Bianca Belair's theme song plays]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Bianca Belair tonight, Corey, looking to make history with a victory.
She will become the longest-reigning women's champion of the modern era in WWE.
[Corey] What we've known for some time now
is you simply cannot bet against The EST.
Bianca Belair never needs to get ready because she stays ready.
[Cole] What a reaction for the RAW Women's Champion...
who has held the title since WrestleMania of last year.
[Corey] Belair has no intentions of losing her coveted title anytime soon.
Man, this place is nuclear, Cole.
What an atmosphere!
[IYO SKY theme music plays]
[Cole] And she is known as The Genius of the Sky,
IYO SKY with an opportunity
after winning the Triple Threat Match a few weeks ago
to try to knock off Bianca Belair for the RAW Women's Championship.
Now, you notice, Corey,
IYO is coming out to the ring solo tonight.
Does not have Bayley and Dakota Kai, her Damage CTRL partners, with her.
Perhaps this is a good thing with IYO.
There's a lot being made on social media about IYO SKY being held back by Bayley.
[Corey] Perhaps that's how IYO's beginning to feel internally,
or maybe IYO just wants to pick up a decisive victory
without any sort of caveat, without any sort of also-rans in Damage CTRL.
This could be a massive career-changing night for IYO SKY.
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the RAW Women's Championship!
[crowd cheering]
Introducing the challenger, representing Damage CTRL,
from Osaka, Japan, IYO SKY!
[crowd chanting] IYO!
And her opponent, from Knoxville, Tennessee,
She is the RAW Women's Champion,
Bianca Belair!
[Cole] Bianca a first-round draft pick of Friday Night SmackDown.
IYO SKY, of course, will be part of the blue brand as well.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Corey, what does that challenger, IYO SKY,
need to do to knock off Bianca Belair here tonight?
[Corey] IYO needs to not crumble in the pressure of the moment.
Bianca Belair exudes a true championship aura.
[bell dings]
It's difficult not to get caught in the glitz and the glamor of the moment.
If IYO can stay on task, she's got a good shot tonight.
[Cole] IYO SKY a former NXT Women's Champion.
Two-time Women's Tag Team Champion.
Massive star in the country of Japan for many, many years,
and tonight, looks to take the top
of the ladder from Bianca Belair.
[Corey] And I think IYO needs to stick with what brought her to the dance.
Utilize her aerial abilities.
IYO knows she's not gonna win a power battle with The EST.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, IYO!
[Cole] IYO SKY being backed by the majority of the WWE fans
here tonight in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
But Bianca Belair, current RAW Women's Champion,
former SmackDown Women's Champ, former Royal Rumble winner as well.
Looking to use her power.
IYO SKY. Now, a nice headlock takedown by Bianca.
For Belair, what does she need to do, Corey, to retain the championship?
[Corey] Belair does not need to change anything.
You mentioned this-this incredible reign
that we're in the midst of experiencing for Bianca Belair.
Bianca Belair just needs to be The EST.
[Cole] Well, SmackDown heads to the University of Tennessee
this coming Friday night.
Bianca would love to bring the championship in tow.
[Corey] And you just saw the acknowledgment
on the face of Bianca Belair.
The WWE Universe tonight in San Juan, firmly behind IYO SKY.
This is unfamiliar territory for Belair.
[Cole] Cover by Bianca and a kick out.
[Corey] When you're a superstar like Belair
who feeds off of the WWE Universe,
this could really throw you for a mental loop.
[Cole] Thus far, Bianca Belair is handling it very nicely.
Shoulder tackle from the champ.
[Corey] The markings of a true champion.
Belair, so athletic.
IYO SKY, athletic in her own right.
[Corey] Belair rolls through.
[Cole] Bianca caught IYO with an elbow. Now, from the second rope.
Bianca gonna land on her feet. Oh, nice dropkick. Down goes IYO.
Come on.
[Corey] Bianca can use the ire of the WWE Universe as fuel
that could actually benefit the RAW Women's Champion a great deal.
[Cole] And Bianca off the powerslam.
And again, womanhandling IYO SKY in the beginning of this matchup.
And that's what Bianca's gotta do. Just use the power game.
[Corey] IYO might be trying to break Bianca's grip.
Able to escape off the backside onto the apron.
[Cole] A wise move by IYO.
Trying to take out the left arm of Bianca Belair
and take away some of that power.
[crowd chanting] IYO!
[Cole] Grabbing the hair of Belair. IYO's gotta be careful.
-Remember, champions-- -[Corey] Look at this.
Three, four--
[Cole] Not a five-count,
and breaks before the official, Jason Ayers, can count to five.
[Corey] And IYO knows full well she's got five seconds to break the hold.
But you can inflict a great deal of damage, much like that.
[Cole] Corey, the strategy
now being turned to the left arm of Bianca Belair.
Wise because if you take out the arm, you take out the power,
-which is what Bianca bases her game on. -[Corey] Absolutely right. IYO targeting
the left arm of the champion.
Belair able to kick the challenger off for the moment.
But IYO just soldiering forward.
[Cole] And IYO needs to tap or pin Bianca Belair
to win the championship tonight.
Our opening bout at WWE Backlash sold out in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Seventeen thousand, nine hundred and forty-four WWE fans on hand.
[all exclaiming]
[Corey] The unique offense of IYO SKY.
A double stomp to the elbow. It might've hyperextended Belair's arm.
[Cole] It is electric here tonight at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan.
Mirroring the atmosphere of last night on Friday Night SmackDown.
It's been an incredible couple of days here in Puerto Rico.
[Corey] I'm a little jealous. You got two nights here.
[Cole] Nice takedown by IYO SKY,
and as this match continues, IYO just growing in confidence.
[crowd chanting] IYO!
[Corey] Belair possesses that game-changing power
even with one arm.
Bianca, so strong,
one maneuver can completely change the complexion of any matchup.
[Cole] It allows her to create some space.
IYO is able to get underneath. Catches Bianca with a couple of forearms.
[Corey] And IYO's got the arm captured behind Belair's back. This is brilliant.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, IYO!
[Cole] And again, the WWE Universe here in San Juan firmly behind the challenger.
And driving the injured arm of Belair into the turnbuckle.
This has been an almost flawless strategy for the challenger.
[Corey] You have to wonder if Belair
was expecting IYO to take to the skies from the opening bell.
Not a submission-based attack from the challenger.
[Cole] Yeah, and a much more physical attack from IYO SKY as well.
[crowd chanting] IYO!
[Corey] Standing Dragon Sleeper here by IYO.
[Cole] Taking Bianca down.
Roll through now by IYO SKY.
Again, right to the injured arm.
And Bianca, writhing in pain. The champ's in trouble.
[Corey] With each passing offensive maneuver,
it looks as though IYO SKY grows more and more confident.
[Cole] Did you expect this type of attack out of IYO tonight?
[Corey] Absolutely not.
I would have bet money that IYO would've taken to the sky
much earlier on.
[Cole] At a point earlier perhaps, that's what Bianca was expecting.
And IYO has completely taken the champ out of her game.
[Corey] Great gameplay.
[Cole] IYO, knee first into the turnbuckle.
Bianca, back to her feet now, and the champ looking to rally.
Elbow to the side of the face.
Belair able to step through the ropes and drives a shoulder into the midsection.
[Corey] Well, the Chicken Wing.
-Counter by SKY. -[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Oh, stomp to the gut.
And IYO is fired up.
[Corey] Take another look at this. Bianca Belair, with the injured arm,
was unable to hold the challenger upright long enough to execute--
[Cole] Cover! For the title! And a kick out at two.
[Corey] We were half a second away from a new RAW Women's Champion.
[Cole] WWE fans loving the opening bout tonight
for the RAW Women's Championship.
Bianca Belair defending against IYO SKY.
Both of these women will be a part of Friday Night SmackDown
as the draft takes full effect this coming Monday.
[all exclaiming]
[crowd] Ooh!
[Corey] Both competitors exchanging heavy right hands
in the center of the ring.
[Cole] A very knowledgeable
sports entertainment audience in Puerto Rico.
For over 50 years,
this sport has been such an important part of this island.
As Belair and IYO SKY fight in the middle of the ring.
Bianca Belair trying to raise her ire.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] And around we go, and Belair put the brakes on.
Tremendous power.
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Backbreaker. Knee to the spine.
-[Corey] Incredible. -[Cole] But the arm.
Belair may have reinjured the arm.
[Corey] Belair was able to put the brakes
on IYO's momentum and deliver a backbreaker,
but to your point, Cole, the left arm is still bothering Belair.
And now, it's Bianca Belair attempting to dig down deep
and begin a rally of sorts.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, IYO!
[Cole] Clothesline by Bianca. And another one.
Dropkick. Down goes the challenger.
Belair getting a second wind.
[Corey] The adrenaline beginning to flow through the champion.
[Cole] Vertical suplex by Belair.
[Corey] Belair fighting through the pain to deliver the stalling vertical suplex.
[Cole] Now, Corey, the confidence is back with the champion.
[Corey] In the face of adversity.
In front of a hostile WWE Universe tonight in San Juan.
The EST!
Turning the tides.
[crowd counting in Spanish]
[Corey] IYO able to shove the champion off.
Creates a momentary separation, and what a right by the Champ.
[Cole] Yes. Stunning right hand by the champion, Belair.
[Corey] Bianca-- No, no way.
[Cole] Bianca, once again, looking to military press IYO SKY.
High above her head.
[Corey] One arm!
-[Cole] You gotta be kidding me. -[all exclaiming]
-[Corey] Oh, God! -[Cole] My goodness.
-IYO face-first into the mat. -[Corey] That's gotta do it.
[Cole] And Belair looking to put her away.
The moonsault, to retain the championship.
SKY kicks.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] An incredible display of power.
With one arm, driving the challenger face-first into the center of the ring.
A picture-perfect moonsault on the money.
But somehow, IYO SKY kicks out.
[crowd chanting] Let's go, IYO!
[Corey] IYO SKY able to slide up over the top,
and now snapmare by Belair.
[Cole] IYO using her quickness. Shoulder first. Bad arm again.
Bianca misses with the right. IYO able to block it.
Here comes the challenger.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And now, IYO's gonna fly.
[all exclaiming]
[Corey] She might've torn Belair's shoulder clean out of the socket.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] The challenger is rolling.
[Cole] IYO SKY is feeling it. Could this be her night?
Top rope! Missile dropkick!
Driving Belair right out of the ring.
That may be the best thing to ever happen to the champion.
[Corey] I think tonight, The EST might mean "lucki-EST."
Dropkick right to the heart of the champion.
And Belair, sent to the outside by the momentum.
[Cole] IYO heading to the top rope.
Belair quickly meets her there and knocks her off the top.
And now, Bianca Belair looks to take control.
The champ up to the top rope.
-[all exclaiming] -[Cole] Oh, knees up for SKY.
[Corey] Bianca wanted the 450 Splash.
IYO got the knees up. Crossface!
Crossface is in! Middle of the ring!
[Cole] Champ nowhere to go.
Is Belair gonna tap? Is IYO gonna tap out the champion?
Bianca trying to somehow get back to a vertical base and able to, uh...
to work her way out of the submission.
The champion, thankful for her powerful legs in that instance.
-[all exclaiming] -[Cole] Face-first.
-IYO SKY into the cover on Belair. -[crowd counting]
[Cole] And another near-fall for the challenger.
[Corey] A look of shock washing over the face of the challenger.
A great counter by IYO SKY, driving the champion face-first.
But yet again, not enough to crown a new champion.
[Cole] What an incredible atmosphere here tonight in San Juan.
Belair defending the RAW Women's Championship against IYO SKY.
SKY! Double knees into the corner.
[screams]
[Cole] Belair lands on her feet.
IYO rolls through.
Went for the stomp. Belair avoided.
[Corey] Belair learned from past mistakes, and here we go!
[Cole] K.O.D. time for the champion.
SKY able to send Belair out of the ring.
[Corey] IYO with a moment of respite,
but the challenger knows she needs to get Bianca
back inside the ring to become champion.
The champion's advantage dictates
that the title only changes hands via pinfall or submission.
[Cole] And now, Belair gonna try to drag IYO SKY out of the ring.
Bianca, handstand-- A kick by the challenger.
[Corey] Kick might've driven all the wind out of the champion.
And now, IYO.
[Cole] To the top rope.
Moonsault. Down goes Belair.
[Corey] IYO needs to get Bianca back in the ring.
Time is running low.
We look, yet again, at a breathtaking moonsault all the way to the floor.
IYO right on the money.
[Cole] Champ back in the ring.
IYO SKY with an opportunity. Again, gonna cover the champion.
Is it this time? And a kick out again at two.
For the many months that Bianca Belair has been RAW Women's Champion,
I don't think she's ever been through a battle like she is tonight.
[Corey] No doubt about it.
IYO SKY is testing the limits of the RAW Women's Champion.
It could come down to which of these two women is willing.
Which of these two women is able to dig down deeper
to find that next gear to finish the job?
IYO just bulldozing the champion in the corner now.
Belair perched on top.
And now...
[Cole] Oh, and IYO SKY-- Ooh, that's a hard hit.
Spine first to the apron.
[Corey] IYO was able to mitigate her own impact.
And a shotei right under the chin of the champion.
What is The Genius cooking up here?
[Cole] Top rope.
Uh-oh. Belair able to hold on.
[Corey] With one arm.
[Cole] Again, Belair able to counter.
Belair from the second rope, IYO SKY high above the ring.
Massive powerbomb!
[Corey] That's gotta do it.
[Cole] Cover by the champion. Hooks the inside leg.
And SKY kicks at two.
[Corey] My God.
This building is legitimately rumbling right now
after what we just witnessed.
[Cole] Because, Corey,
this is the IYO SKY the WWE Universe has been waiting for.
[Corey] And this is the true test of a champion if you're Bianca Belair.
Doubt begins to creep in.
And here comes Dakota Kai and Bayley.
[Cole] Yeah, the, uh... other members of IYO SKY's Damage CTRL.
And Bayley up by the Apron, causing a distraction.
IYO SKY grabbing the ponytail of Belair.
-[Corey] Tug-of-war -[Cole] Belair with a right.
IYO is up.
[Corey] Dakota now.
[Cole] Dakota sent off the apron.
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Shoulders down to win the title!
And Belair kicked at two.
IYO SKY was that close.
[Corey] Keep your foot on the gas pedal, IYO.
You've got the champion reeling.
[screaming]
[Corey] Uh-oh, now Bayley.
[Cole] Bayley sent into the ropes.
[Corey] Bayley trying not to be dumped to the outside by Belair.
-[all exclaiming] -[Cole] And now, Dakota Kai with a kick.
The champs down. The official never saw it.
IYO SKY with an opportunity.
Genius of the Sky goes to the top rope.
[Corey] Bayley's got Bianca's braid.
[Cole] And the official, Jason Ayers, caught her.
The moonsault. Belair able to move out of harm's way.
And now, Bianca Belair, hoisting up IYO SKY into the K.O.D.
Bianca returns.
[bell dings]
[Bianca Belair's theme song plays]
[announcer] Here's your winner,
and still the RAW Women's Champion,
Bianca Belair!
[Cole] Bianca Belair will now become the longest-reigning
women's champion of the modern era.
But what a performance by IYO SKY. And, Corey, I believe
IYO may have gotten the job done if it wasn't for Bayley.
[Corey] You're not alone in that assessment. I agree with you.
I understand that Bayley's intentions were to help her Damage CTRL teammate.
But I think Bayley might have overstepped her bounds a little bit,
and it ended up costing the challenger.
[Cole] And again, Dakota Kai with a kick to Bianca Belair.
It looked like IYO SKY was gonna be able to close
with a moonsault, but then Bayley got involved.
[Corey] WWE Official Jason Ayers caught Bayley in her attempt to aid IYO,
which opened the door for The EST to deliver the K.O.D.
And still.
[Cole] Bianca Belair's record-setting reign continues,
but the other headline tonight is what a performance by IYO SKY.
[Corey] No need to hang your head tonight, IYO.
You presented a worthy challenge to the RAW Women's Champion.
[crowd cheering]
[knocking on door]
[speaking Spanish]
[Mysterio] Que paso, Bunny?
[both speaking Spanish]
[crowd cheering]
[speaking Spanish]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Well, it wouldn't be WWE in Puerto Rico without Savio Vega.
Nonetheless, this is an unbelievable place.
That's near the coastline here in San Juan.
An island of world-class beaches is Puerto Rico.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, incredible performance by Bianca Belair
and IYO SKY moments ago.
Both Bianca and IYO will be part of the Friday Night SmackDown roster.
The draft, of course, a couple of weeks ago,
goes into effect this Monday night on RAW, and boy the red brand is stacked.
Some seriously heavy hitters coming to Monday Night.
Off the top of my head,
how about the Intercontinental Champion, Gunther, and all of Imperium?
You've, of course, got the lynch pins in Rollins and Rhodes.
Rhea Ripley, the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Monday Night's gonna be a lot of fun.
[Cole] Also, there are some free agents involved.
Brock Lesnar, The Beast, who we will see in our double-main event
later tonight, will be a free agent.
Now, over on Friday Night SmackDown, the blue brand,
we have a number of superstars as well, including AJ Styles of The O.C.
Bobby Lashley.
Edge, Austin Theory. The Bloodline, of course, headlined by Roman Reigns,
who is the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
So, since Roman Reigns was drafted to Friday Night SmackDown,
that means there's a brand-new title on Monday Night RAW,
the World Heavyweight Championship.
And this coming Monday on RAW,
we kick of the World Heavyweight Championship tournament.
The winner of Monday's tournament
will go on to face the winner of Friday Night SmackDown's tournament,
May 27th, at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia
to determine the new World Heavyweight Champion.
[Cole] The tournament begins this Monday on RAW.
Well, ladies and gentlemen,
Backlash returns after this break,
with Seth "Freakin" Rollins taking on Omos.
But for those of you on Peacock Premium Plus,
let's take a closer look at how this matchup happened.
[Seth laughs]
[Seth] I'm better than I've ever been, baby.
I am on another level.
I am on top of the world!
Because I am a visionary.
I am a revolutionary.
I am--
[MVP] Seth, please forgive the interruption.
You are, without question,
one of the most impressive superstars
to ever grace a WWE ring.
You have accomplished virtually everything there is to accomplish.
You're absolutely brilliant.
And it's because of those accolades that you've been chosen.
[Corey] The walking personification of pain.
With the ability to inflict as much damage as Omos so chooses.
[MVP] You all are blessed to be in the age of The Nigerian Giant.
I would caution you against making predictions about your future,
because when The Nigerian Giant is finished with you,
you might not have much of a future after Backlash.
[Seth] Omos, you are once in a generation because you were born that way.
Seth "Freakin" Rollins is once in a generation
because I made myself that way.
I should be afraid, but I'm not.
And at Backlash, I'm gonna make your ass famous.
I'm gonna give you the match of your life,
and I'm gonna bounce your big head off this canvas.
After Backlash,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins will not be the one laughing.
[Omos' theme music plays]
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, accompanied to the ring by MVP,
standing at seven feet, three inches,
weighing in at 410 pounds,
The Nigerian Giant,
Omos!
[Cole] And Corey, what's frightening
is if you're a member of either the SmackDown or the RAW roster,
you may have to deal with this man because he's a free agent.
[Corey] Absolutely no one is safe from the wrath of Omos.
A brilliant business move negotiated by MVP.
[Cole] And WWE Backlash is presented by the Xfinity 10G Network.
Get a reliable connection and the fastest internet
on the next-generation 10G network only from Xfinity.
The future starts now.
And by Mike's Harder Lemonade.
Lemonade that hits harder for Mikes that go harder.
The world needs more Mike's.
[Corey] MVP negotiated this free-agent contract for Omos
in the hopes that the entire WWE Universe,
both Friday Night SmackDown and Monday Night RAW,
realize that Omos is in fact what MVP says he is, a big money attraction.
And a win tonight over a superstar the caliber of Seth "Freakin" Rollins
would add a great deal of credence to MVP's claims about The Nigerian Giant.
[Seth "Freakin" Rollins theme music plays]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] And his opponent, from Davenport, Iowa,
weighing in at 225 pounds,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
[crowd chanting] Whoa, oh, oh!
[Cole] He is a visionary. He is an architect.
He is a revolutionary, and he calls himself "brilliant."
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting] Whoa, oh, oh!
-[Corey] Oh, wait a minute. -[Cole] And Omos has heard enough.
He does not want to hear the WWE fans
singing Seth Rollins' song, so he goes right after Rollins.
[Corey] And listen, I may not like it, but it was a brilliant move by Omos.
You need to get any sort of advantage you can muster
against someone as dangerous as Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
As we look again at the epic boot from Omos.
[bell dings]
Omos, who outweighs Rollins by nearly 200 pounds--
[Cole] And a shoulder tackle knocking Rollins clean out of the air.
[Corey] I was about to make a comment
about how Rollins is brimming with confidence,
and it's hard not to when you've got a sold-out arena singing you into battle.
But Omos, right now, just overwhelming Rollins.
[Cole] You know, tomorrow morning on WWE social channels--
As you take another look at the massive Omos.
We're going to announce the participants in the World Heavyweight Championship.
Seth Rollins said earlier today that he hopes to be a part
of that if he can make it through this tonight.
[Corey] An incredibly important matchup for both of these superstars.
It's massive for Omos' career.
And if you're Seth "Freakin" Rollins and you want to earn entry
into a World Heavyweight Championship Tournament,
you need to pick out the biggest dog in the yard and take him down.
[Cole] That's what Rollins is doing.
[Corey] What did Rollins say? That Omos, once in a generation born that way.
Rollins, once in a generation made himself that way.
And Seth Rollins... gets Omos
in trouble. On the top rope. And Omos, now with a right-hand
right to the midsection.
And for all of Seth Rollins' experience,
he has never competed with someone the size of Omos.
Seth promised to make Omos famous tonight.
And now, Omos mocking the WWE fans.
We knew Omos was gonna present a towering challenge to The Visionary,
and Rollins has been unable to solve The Nigerian Giant.
It's an Iron Claw, I believe.
[Cole] Yeah, he's palming Rollins' face like a basketball.
[Corey] Terrifying grip strength possessed by The Nigerian Giant,
and just dumped Rollins to the floor.
[Cole] Seven three,
four hundred and ten pounds with an 87-inch reach.
[crowd booing]
[Corey] And MVP mocking Rollins.
Omos made it look nearly effortless
when he dumped Rollins over the top rope with one hand.
And things are about to go from bad to worse for The Architect.
[Cole] Omos with Rollins up on his shoulders,
and Rollins able to drive Omos into the post.
And it buys Seth some time.
[Corey] Rollins looking to take it high risk.
And Rollins gonna launch himself with a Suicide Dive.
The big man still on his feet
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] A second one. Omos catching Rollins this time.
-Chokeslam on the apron. -[all exclaiming]
[Corey] Rollins' body is racked with pain right now.
[Cole] It's like Rollins was trying to topple a building.
Three!
[Cole] Omos just manhandling Rollins. Look at this power.
[Corey] Unreal.
[Cole] Two hundred and twenty-five-pound man
heaved over the top rope by Omos.
[Corey] Omos, stalking Rollins.
[Cole] Rollins looks like a child.
Omos with ease.
[crowd chanting] Whoa, oh, oh!
[Corey] Snake eyes.
[Cole] Rollins off the top turnbuckle and follows it up with a big, big boot.
The WWE fans still serenading Rollins with his song, but to no avail.
[crowd booing]
[Corey] At this point,
Rollins has been rendered... completely ineffective.
All of his offense has just bounced off of Omos.
[Cole] I don't know what you do against this man.
[Corey] Nor do I.
You gotta credit MVP for unlocking the killer instinct.
[Cole] Rollins goes for a sleeper hold now.
Sleeper locked in, but Omos swings him away.
Enzuigiri right to the back of the neck, stunning Omos momentarily.
Rollins, now, going to launch himself off the top rope.
A glancing knee to the side of the face.
Rollins looking to build momentum again.
Now, trying to chop the big man down. A wise strategy here by Rollins.
[Corey] This is what Rollins needs to get Omos off of his feet, if at all possible.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] That does it, at least momentarily. Omos down to one knee.
-[Corey] Superkick! -[Cole] Kick to the face.
-Is Seth looking for-- Is this-- -[Corey] No way.
There is no way.
[Cole] Is this a modified Pedigree Rollins is going for?
Or at least was attempting to, and a backdrop
[Corey] Omos just executed a back body drop from his knees.
That is absurd in and of itself.
Rollins has not been able to find an answer.
[Cole] But, Corey, on his knees, Omos is the size of most men anyway.
-[Corey] It's true. -[Cole] Oh!
And Rollins steps out of harm's way. Omos hits the corner hard.
[crowd chanting] Whoa, oh, oh!
[Cole] Bang! Off the post again.
[Corey] Rollins positioning himself on the top turnbuckle.
You can see the welts forming on the back of The Architect.
[Cole] Oh, and a Tornado DDT by Rollins.
The big man's down. Seth Rollins has Omos in trouble.
The Giant's off his feet.
Rollins heading up to the top rope!
-[all exclaiming] -[Cole] Oh, and a Frog Splash.
Cover by Rollins, and Omos kicks out.
[Corey] At one.
A one-count off of a Frog Splash.
[Cole] And the look of disbelief on the face of Rollins.
He cannot believe it.
And this wasn't any old kick out, Corey.
Talk about a kick out with authority.
[Corey] The height, the full extension, the tremendous impact,
and Omos shrugged Rollins off as if he were nothing.
[Cole] Now Rollins has to figure out, "What do I do now?
That might've been my only opportunity.
My only chance."
With Omos on one knee, Rollins delivering the right hands.
Omos, though,
blocked.
[Corey] Rolling Elbow.
[Cole] Rollins, second rope.
Right to the back of the neck. Down goes Omos.
[Corey] If only momentarily, almost instantly,
Omos back up to all fours.
[Cole] Rollins looking for the S--
[Corey] Oh, my God.
[Cole] Omos was able to stop the Stomp.
[crowd booing]
[Cole] A chokeslam.
Cover on Rollins.
-And a kick out. -[Corey] I can't believe this.
Nor can MVP.
[Cole] Rollins went for the Stomp that has taken out everybody in WWE
except this man. This is incredible.
[Corey] Omos just stuffed the Stomp attempt
from Seth "Freakin" Rollins
and followed up with an epic chokeslam of his own.
What a sight to behold.
[Cole] Glances down at MVP, who's directing traffic.
Now, Seth Rollins, though,
able to break up the double chokeslam just for a minute.
Seth Rollins on the shoulders of Omos. Back to a sleeper.
[Corey] A desperate Seth Rollins.
[Cole] And again, Rollins looks for the sleeper.
[Corey] This is a brilliant strategy.
[Cole] He's got it locked in pretty good,
and Omos is struggling in the middle of the ring.
[Corey] Even if you're seven foot four and over 400 pounds,
you still need to breathe. You still need blood flow to your brain.
[Cole] Down to one knee, Omos could be fading, Corey.
Omos is fading.
[grunting]
-[Cole] Well, he was. -[Corey] Just that quick.
-Just that quick. -[Cole] Side slam.
What does Rollins need to do? He's tried everything.
[Corey] I honestly don't have an answer for that question.
Neither does Seth "Freakin" Rollins.
[Cole] MVP, now, trying to climb in the ring.
Referee Jessika Carr gonna admonish him.
But as that happens, Rollins gets a Stomp this time.
MVP runs into a superkick.
Rollins hit a Stomp.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And another one.
Cover by Seth.
[crowd counting]
[Cole] Omos kicks out of not one but two Stomps.
[Corey] Rollins looks absolutely petrified.
Seth Rollins has put down countless opponents with one of those Stomps.
He just delivered a pair
to The Nigerian Giant, and Omos kicked out.
[Cole] There are very few superstars in the history of WWE
that have kicked out of a Seth Rollins Stomp,
let alone two of 'em.
[Corey] It seemed implausible at best.
Rollins is basically trying to Stomp a Brontosaurus.
Seth figured out a way, and it still didn't matter.
[Corey] Omos struggling to try to make it to his knees.
Seth Rollins, now going to the top rope.
[Cole] What does Rollins have in mind here?
From the top rope, Seth Rollins measuring his man.
Rollins...
with a Stomp from the top rope.
Omos may be out.
[crowd counting]
-[Cole] Rollins with the win. -[bell dings]
[Seth "Freakin" Rollins theme music plays]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
Seth "Freakin" Rollins!
[Cole] Corey, that was a Super Stomp.
[Corey] And it was absolutely necessary.
[crowd chanting] Whoa, oh, oh!
[Cole] I mean, this was a great matchup.
And in the end, it took a third Stomp from the top rope
for Rollins to slay The Giant.
[Corey] From incredible heights.
[crowd counting]
[bell dings]
[crowd chanting] Whoa, oh, oh!
[Corey] I agree, San Juan. That win is cause for celebration.
[WWE Shop's theme song plays]
[Cole] The world needs more Puerto Ricos as well.
This is the Island of Enchantment.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, the capital city hosting WWE Backlash.
And once again, ringside with Corey Graves.
You did pretty well at the casino last night.
Had a little luck come my way.
It's my first time ever here in Puerto Rico, and it is as advertised.
The people have been amazing. I can't wait to come back.
Well, yesterday we had the WWE Backlash press conference,
which was very well-attended, and it had a confrontation
between Damian Priest and Bad Bunny, the global music superstar.
Both men from here in Puerto Rico.
Let's show you what happened when Triple H actually had to play peacekeeper.
[all exclaiming]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And still to come tonight, one half of our double main event.
Two native sons of Puerto Rico, former good friends,
will clash in a match where anything goes.
Weapons are legal. The rules are thrown out the window.
It is a San Juan Street Fight between Damian Priest and Bad Bunny
here at Backlash.
[Bobby Lashley theme music plays]
[crowd cheering]
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following is a Triple Threat Match,
and it is for the United States Championship!
Introducing first, from Denver, Colorado,
weighing in at 273 pounds, The Almighty,
Bobby Lashley!
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen, the former two-time WWE Champion,
two-time Intercontinental Champion, three-time United States Champion,
Bobby Lashley, will start calling Friday Night SmackDown home
beginning this week. He was drafted to the blue brand in the draft.
[Corey] I'm not gonna lie to you.
I'm a little disappointed I won't get to call the action
when The Almighty does what he does best, beat people up.
[Cole] Bobby Lashley said this week, quote, "I run this place."
[Bronson Reed's theme song plays]
[Corey] This big, nasty Aussie would beg to differ.
[announcer] Next, from Black Forest, South Australia,
weighing it at 330 pounds,
Bronson Reed!
[Cole] Corey, Bronson Reed, who says, "I will beat and break you,"
has been nearly unbeatable since joining the main roster a number of months ago.
[Corey] That's one of the reasons
Bronson Reed was drafted back to Monday Night RAW.
This man has proven to be a force of nature.
Lashley and Bronson Reed are no strangers to one another.
They've had some seriously high-impact clashes recently.
But selfishly, I'm sort of hoping Bronson Reed
takes the United States Championship and brings it back to Monday Night RAW.
Even if it means taking it off this guy.
[Austin Theory's theme song plays]
[announcer] And his opponent from Atlanta, Georgia,
weighing in at 220 pounds,
he is the United States Champion,
Austin Theory!
[Cole] The man who will now call Friday Night SmackDown
his new home, Austin Theory,
who since winning the United States Championship
in a Triple Threat Match against Seth Rollins and Bobby...
That's all down!
[Cole] ...Bobby Lashley, back at Survivor Series,
has been a survivor.
Remaining champion.
But tonight, again, under the Triple Threat rules, Corey,
the odds are not in the champ's favor.
[Corey] Austin Theory knows that full well
that the odds, in fact, are stacked against him.
In a Triple Threat Match,
it just matters who scores the first pinfall or submission,
which means Bronson Reed could pin Bobby Lashley
and become the United States Champion.
[Corey] Yeah, it's sudden death style.
There's no champion's advantage here tonight.
Austin Theory, the man who beat John Cena at WrestleMania.
[Corey] And Theory, with that victory, should have silenced all of the doubters,
yet so many remain. Get used to it.
You are looking at the future of WWE in the current United States Champion.
[Cole] And what Austin Theory says
is, "Love me or hate me, you know I'm that dude."
[Corey] Here he is proving that there is no opponent too big.
No moment too daunting.
John Cena at WrestleMania, it doesn't get any bigger.
-[Cole] He just showed up and did it. -[Corey] It doesn't get any bigger.
You may not like Austin Theory, but you have no choice but to believe.
[Cole] Theory, the obnoxious narcissist
set to defend the United States Championship against two huge men.
Theory goes at Lashley.
Shoulder tackle from the 273-pounder.
[Corey] Austin Theory is a big human being,
yet he's outsized by both Bronson Reed and Bobby Lashley in this scenario.
[Cole] Bronson Reed, Corey, goes 330 pounds.
[Corey] Yet Reed moves like a man half that size.
[grunts]
[Cole] Ashley burying his shoulder and now sending Theory to a--
Reed says, "Not that way." That will take Reed down, though.
The clothesline by Lashley.
He's got a chip on his shoulder.
[Corey] Bobby Lashley lives life with a boulder on his shoulder.
Lashley wakes up in the morning and wants to fight.
It's what makes Bobby happy.
Tell Lashley he can't do something, he'll do it just to spite you.
[Cole] Austin Theory realizing that a submission
would've given the championship to Lashley,
saves the title for himself.
And now, Austin Theory unloading on Bobby Lashley.
I talked to Bobby earlier today, Corey,
and I asked him about coming to Friday Night SmackDown
and what it meant to him.
He looked me in the eye, and you know what he said? "Roman Reigns."
[Corey] For some reason, knowing Bobby as well as I do,
I'm not at all surprised.
[Cole] And Lashley now, the power. The vertical suplex to Austin Theory.
[Corey] Letting all the blood rush to the champion's head before impact.
[Cole] Absolutely incredible physical specimen is Bobby Lashley.
[Corey] With a physique that looks like it was chiseled from Mount Olympus itself.
-[Cole] And Theory-- -[all exclaiming]
[Cole] We saw Theory took out Lashley,
and then that surprised look on his face when Reed delivered the Splash.
[Corey] It's a smart strategy.
You're gonna have to find temporary alliances in a Triple Threat Match.
Yes, it's every man for himself,
but it would behoove you all to work together at times.
[Cole] And that's what Reed and Theory are doing, at least in part.
[Corey] Well, Reed and Theory have a healthy professional respect
for what Bobby Lashley's capable of.
They've both experienced The Almighty firsthand.
[Cole] If you take Bobby out, you make it a one-on-one match.
Better your odds a little bit.
[crowd chanting] Bobby!
[Cole] Now, "Bobby" chants from this sold-out crowd here tonight
in Puerto Rico. Bronson Reed!
Just bowling through Bobby Lashley.
[Corey] Like a human steamroller.
[indistinct conversation]
[Corey] Discuss some strategy for a moment
by the United States Champion and one of his challengers,
the colossal Bronson Reed.
[crowd cheering]
[all exclaiming]
[Corey] I've heard of running into a brick wall,
but what do you do when a brick wall runs into you?
[grunting]
[Cole] And again, just take another look.
[Corey] Whoa!
Lashley just nearly put Reed through the ring.
[Cole] And Theory as well. A one-arm slam by Lashley.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Bobby Lashley, he is so stoic.
Quite mayhem is what I like to call it. There's the Spirit of Theory.
Cover to win the championship.
And Bronson Reed is gonna drag Lashley out of the ring.
And a big kick by Reed. So agile for a big man.
It's incredible what Bronson Reed can accomplish.
[Corey] What is Bronson Reed thinking?
-Oh, my God! -[Cole] Oh, my goodness!
He may have separated Lashley's shoulder.
Three hundred thirty pounds.
[Corey] Look at this.
[Cole] This is like getting hit by a falling boulder and an avalanche.
[Corey] A meteor falling out of the sky on top of The Almighty.
I wouldn't be surprised if Lashley is two inches shorter tomorrow morning.
[Cole] Reed just a mammoth of a man.
[Corey] We know what Bronson likes to do up there.
Theory, at the last second, just prevented Reed
from delivering a Tsunami that very well may have crowned
the new United States Champion.
[Cole] Austin Theory is realizing that his title was slipping away,
and now, Theory turning his attention to Bobby Lashley.
Looking to put Lashley away. Lashley up from behind.
[Corey] Bobby Lashley.
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Headlock by Lashley, countering the A-Town Down.
Is Theory gonna tap or pass out?
-The current United States Champion. -[grunting]
[Cole] Theory using the rope to his advantage.
Cover and forces Bobby to kick out.
[Corey] Tsunami!
[Cole] Cover. New Champ-- Theory breaks it up.
[Corey] Wow, what a sequence of events.
[Cole] Sold out, 17,944 WWE fans
here to witness this.
[Corey] Theory taking a page out of Bobby Lashley's own book.
Followed by the Tsunami of Bronson Reed that might've crowned a new champion
had the reigning champion not broken up the fall.
[Cole] Triple Threat rules.
First man to gain pinfall or submission will become the United States Champion.
No champion's advantage for Austin Theory.
[Corey] Austin Theory favoring his ribs
before turning his attention to Reed.
Big left by Theory.
[Cole] Rolls through.
[Corey] A blockbuster.
[Cole] And Theory thinks he's closing in on a retention.
[Corey] Can Theory do it? Can Theory muscle up Reed?
[Cole] The power of Theory. Can he get the 330-pounder up? No.
[Corey] Momentarily.
-[Cole] Powerslam. -[all exclaiming]
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] And now, the gargantuan Aussie with a little bit of daylight.
From the top.
[Cole] Moonsault. Nobody home.
Spear!
[Cole] Theory dunks Lashley.
Theory looking to take advantage!
-And he retains the title! -[bell dings]
[Austin Theory's theme song plays]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
and still the United States Champion,
Austin Theory!
[Cole] I told you before, right? He's a survivor.
No doubt about it.
[Corey] Lady Luck is smiling down on the island of Puerto Rico this weekend.
No doubt about it.
But with the odds stacked firmly against him,
Austin Theory finds a way.
Look at this. This is absolutely unbelievable.
A 355-pound moonsault. Nobody home. A spear by Lashley.
Theory gets rid of The Almighty and capitalizes.
-[bell dings] -[Corey] The markings of a true champion.
[announcer] Here is your winner...
[Corey] Lashley knew had it.
-He had it. -I am the greatest of all time.
[Corey] Unfortunately for Austin Theory,
The Almighty is gonna take that disappointment with him
-to Friday Night SmackDown. -[Cole] That's Theory's new home as well.
[Austin Theory's theme song plays]
["Brutality" plays]
[Corey] Rhea Ripley is a genuine badass.
[Rhea] I am the best bloody woman here in the WWE.
[man] Rhea truly believes she is bulletproof.
Rhea's been unstoppable.
[Rhea] It is time for everybody to know exactly who Rhea Ripley is,
and you're gonna learn to fear me.
[man 1] Rhea Ripley has made history. The new NXT Women's Champion.
[Rhea] When I walk through the locker room,
everyone fears me.
[Cole] Rhea Ripley, the RAW Women's Champion.
[Corey] How can you not be impressed by Rhea Ripley?
[Rhea] No one stands in my way.
[Damian] The newest member of The Judgment Day, Rhea Ripley.
[Rhea] We run Monday Night RAW.
The whole women's locker room, they're gonna be calling me Mami.
[Dom] The hottest thing in WWE right now is Rhea "Bloody" Ripley.
[Rhea] It's time for complete and utter eradication.
[Cole] Rhea Ripley entering at number one.
Rhea's going to WrestleMania.
Rhea Ripley sets the record. She went wire to wire.
[Rhea] After WrestleMania, you're gonna learn to call me "Champion."
[Cole] Rhea Ripley is the SmackDown Women's Champion!
[Corey] That's one of the best matches I've ever witnessed.
[Rhea] I'm going to embarrass you whether you like it or not, Zelina.
♪ There's no escaping from me ♪
[Rhea Ripley's theme song plays]
[Cole] She is known as The Eradicator.
The SmackDown Women's Champion, Rhea Ripley, from Judgment Day,
who tonight, will have her first title defense
since defeating Charlotte Flair in what I believe, Corey,
is a Match of the Year candidate from WrestleMania.
[Corey] I wholeheartedly agree with you.
Zelina Vega's got a hell of a challenge tonight.
[Cole] And this SmackDown Women's Championship match is brought to you
by Mike's Harder Lemonade.
Lemonade that hits harder for Mikes that go harder.
The world needs more Mike's.
[Corey] Well, the SmackDown Women's Championship isn't the first title
that Rhea Ripley has held in WWE,
but we've really witnessed the growth and the evolution of Rhea Ripley
into a bona fide champion.
Rhea owns the moment.
Look at the confidence on the face of the champion.
[Cole] Speaking of confidence,
Rhea said earlier this week,
"I am the favorite. I am running through Zelina Vega tonight."
[Corey] Hard to argue with that assessment, Cole.
Physically speaking,
Rhea Ripley is one of the most dominant superstars on the roster.
[crowd chanting] Mami!
[Zelina Vega's theme song plays]
[Cole] Dressed in the colors of Puerto Rico.
Zelina Vega, the challenger tonight,
who on SmackDown last night, wrestled in Puerto Rico
in front of her family and friends for the first time in her career.
[Corey] It's certainly a feel-good moment. A feel-good story.
But the reality is what Zelina Vega is doing right now
is putting an immense amount of pressure on her own shoulders,
because Zelina is now just not fighting for herself in a championship,
she's fighting on behalf of all of Puerto Rico.
[Cole] And Zelina, there is Zelina's stepfather, Carmen, is here tonight.
Her brother, Tim.
Her mother, Monique, is here.
Her uncle, Robert, who actually wrestled Bruno Sammartino
at one point in his career. A very proud mom.
Zelina says that she gets her fierceness and her fiery attitude
from her mom, Monique.
When asked about this moment, Zelina told Fox News
that it is exciting, it is surreal, it is nerve-racking.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] You can see the emotion on Zelina's face,
but it is a dream come true.
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is for the SmackDown Women's Championship.
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Introducing the challenger, representing LWO,
from Queens, New York,
Zelina Vega!
[crowd cheering]
And her opponent,
representing The Judgment Day,
from Adelaide, South Australia,
she is the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Rhea Ripley!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Yeah, Corey, there's been a lot made of the emotion of Zelina Vega
performing here tonight in Puerto Rico,
but there is more emotion beyond what we are seeing here.
Zelina telling me earlier today that she is dedicating this moment tonight
to her father,
who perished in the 9/11 attacks back in 2001 in New York City.
Zelina said that she always promised her dad that one day she would wrestle.
One day she would become champion. This is her opportunity tonight.
[Corey] I hope for Zelina's sake that she does accomplish her goal
and honor her family and her country,
but the fact is the emotion written all over the face of the challenger
does not bode well, because you look at Rhea Ripley.
Rhea "Bloody" Ripley, who is ice cold right now.
There is no emotion being shown by the champion.
[Cole] Corey, you're an athlete.
You're well aware of what emotion can do to you in these moments.
Can Zelina Vega capitalize on that emotion here tonight,
get Rhea Ripley out of her game, and somehow pull off
perhaps the biggest upset in WWE Women's Championship history?
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] It'll definitely be that emotion can propel you,
but emotion can also destroy you. It can be your unraveler.
[Cole] Cat and mouse game earlier on,
and it's gonna be Rhea's power against Zelina's quickness.
Zelina, of course, who--
Oh, look at this. That is a chancla, ladies and gentlemen.
And for those of you with Latino heritage, you will get the significance of this.
That was handed to her from her mom, Monique.
And there are many children that can understand
what that's all about, as Rhea Ripley is now ticked off.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Zelina throwing the champion off of her game early on.
Zelina is a veteran of this game.
[Cole] Monique, uh, Zelina's mother, just gave the "oh-ho'' to Rhea Ripley.
And now, look at this this.
Rhea, though, with the power.
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Down goes Zelina.
And the cover, now, by the champion.
[referee] One, two--
[Cole] And one power move like that, Corey,
could completely take the air out of the building.
[Corey] Take the air out of the building as well as Rhea Ripley's challenger,
as we look again at her nearly putting Zelina clean through the ring.
It's the confidence of Ripley that makes her so dangerous.
Rhea is out here to compete for herself and her championship.
Rhea Ripley is crystal clear she's not worried about the emotion.
[Cole] Zelina trying to follow in some of the all-time great women wrestlers
from Puerto Rico.
Soldelina Vargas, "La Tigresa."
Nilka Garcia.
And Zelina Vega, hoping to win the championship here tonight.
That's it.
-[Corey] Big fan of La Tigresa, Cole? -[Cole] Yeah.
[both grunting]
[Cole] Rhea with a couple of shoulders to the midsection of Zelina.
[Corey] And this pace benefits the champion.
Rhea Ripley able to slowly, methodically pick her opposition apart.
Right now, Zelina's gotta be feeling like she's stuck in quicksand.
And a little disrespect from Rhea.
[Cole] Mocking The LWO. It was founded by the late Eddie Guerrero.
Zelina Vega now looks to fight back.
[groans]
[Corey] Spine first into the turnbuckle.
[Cole] Zelina's cousin well-known here in Puerto Rico as well. The Amazing Red.
[indistinct yelling]
[Cole] And trash talk from Rhea.
Zelina whipped across the ring again.
Not what this capacity crowd here tonight wanted.
Rhea Ripley is dominating.
[Corey] Because this is reality. This is not a fairy tale.
I know it would be a feel-good story. Everybody would be elated.
But the fact is, there is no one who can physically match up
with the SmackDown Women's Champion.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] The thing about Rhea as well, Corey, unphased by this atmosphere.
[Corey] Rhea thrives in hostile environments.
Is this your girl, huh?
[groans]
[Corey] Over the last year plus, we've seen Rhea embrace the darkness.
Aligning herself with The Judgment Day has totally changed the trajectory
of her career.
And right now, Ripley may very well break her challenger in half.
[Cole] And it's also made The Judgment Day more dangerous
and better than it's ever been before.
[Cole] Rhea will make her home on Monday Nights.
Zelina on Fridays on SmackDown.
[Corey] Zelina needs to figure out an escape quickly, and she does.
It's an agonizing position to be stuck in.
[Cole] Zelina needs to find some sort of way to rally here.
[Corey] And did you see Rhea almost roll her eyes--
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] And that could be the opening Zelina needs.
Rhea goes shoulder-first to the post,
and it gives Zelina an opportunity if she can capitalize.
[Corey] That had to be what Zelina was hoping for.
Allowing Rhea to get a little bit overconfident and make a mistake.
Now, can Vega capitalize?
[Cole] Rhea right back, and now Zelina.
A couple of forearms and Zelina fighting back.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Rhea sends Zelina right back into the corner.
Zelina able to block. Showing some fight here.
Clothesline. Rhea still on her feet.
Another clothesline.
And Rhea with a headbutt.
[Corey] Buenas noches, Zelina.
The champion is proud of herself, and here we go.
[Cole] Looking for Riptide.
Zelina turns it into a DDT!
The champs rattled.
Zelina Vega's mentor has been the great Rey Mysterio.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Zelina...
gonna take one out of Rey's playbook, 619!
Zelina is gonna go up the top rope.
Second rope now.
Vega paying homage to Eddie Guerrero.
Meteora!
Cover by Vega for the win.
And a kick out by Rhea at two.
[Corey] My goodness.
What an offensive flurry by the challenger,
but don't get lost in the moment, Zelina.
The homage to Eddie. The Meteora. The champion is down.
Two and seven eights on the pinfall attempt,
but not enough to crown a new champion.
Not yet.
[Cole] Again, the emotion is pouring out of Zelina Vega tonight.
She had her opportunity. Will she get another to slay Rhea Ripley?
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Oh, and a kick by Ripley drops Vega.
Rhea is done playing games.
Riptide!
Let the reign continue.
[bell dings]
[announcer] Here's your winner,
and still the SmackDown Women's Champion,
Rhea Ripley!
[crowd booing]
[Corey] I think Zelina's parents just told her, "Don't come home."
-"Don't bother." -[Cole] They didn't say that.
They're proud of what Zelina Vega was able to accomplish here tonight.
But in the end, it was Rhea Ripley, the SmackDown Women's Champion,
who, with one kick, would set Vega up for Riptide.
[Corey] It was a feel-good moment, if you could have counted to 40.
Zelina wasn't getting up after the Riptide.
No one does.
[Rhea Ripley's theme song plays]
[Cole] Who's gonna stop Rhea?
[crowd booing]
[crowd yelling]
[crowd cheering]
[crowd chanting in Spanish]
[crowd] Ole, ole, ole!
[Corey] Darkness has descended over Monday Night RAW.
The Judgment Day is here.
[Damian] All rise
and show the proper respect
to The Judgment Day.
The Judgment Day...
We do what we want when we want.
Edge, we are ready to shed the last bit of limitations
holding us back,
which is you.
[Corey] The patriarch of The Judgment Day is being sacrificed before our very eyes.
Priest, Bálor, and Ripley laying waste to The Rated-R Superstar.
[Bálor] The Judgment Day isn't afraid of anyone.
[Rhea] We run Monday Night RAW,
and that's been the harsh reality to the Mysterios.
I even proved to Dominik Mysterio that I really am his Mami.
[Cole] What the hell? Damn it, kid, what are you doing?
I made him into a man.
[Corey] The prophecy has come true. The Mysterios really are finished.
[speaking Spanish]
You didn't need to get involved, bro.
[Corey] Bad Bunny just dropped Dom.
[man 1] South of Heaven through the announce table.
[Damian] I'm not shy about it. I'm a bad guy.
[Priest laughs]
[Cole] Damian Priest is wreaking havoc and sending shockwaves through WWE.
Bad Bunny, at Backlash, you receive your punishment.
[Cole] They say when you come to Puerto Rico,
you enjoy every last ray of sun. An amazing sunset a little bit ago,
and there is the skyline of the capital city of San Juan,
the host tonight of WWE Backlash.
Well, up next is the first half of tonight's double main event.
It is a San Juan Street Fight where anything goes.
Rules are out the window.
It's Damian Priest of The Judgment Day versus the hottest star on the planet.
-[Cole] Bad Bunny's here. -[announcer] The global superstar.
[Kevin] The hottest artist on the planet today.
Bad Bunny.
[Cole] Grammy-winning recording artist.
You wrestled in the WWE.
[man] Are you kidding me?
That day, I feel that's the best day of my life.
[Cole] Bad Bunny is out here tonight to watch this matchup.
Judgment Day brainwashed Dominik,
and now we've come to this at WrestleMania.
-[all exclaiming] -[Corey] What is Dominik looking to grab?
Oh.
[Cole] Bad Bunny! Bunny took the chain.
619!
[bell dings]
[Cole] Rey Mysterio puts his son in his place.
Thanks to Bad Bunny.
[man] As far as The Judgment Day goes, we handled our business.
[Corey] Bad Bunny is here as a spectator.
[speaking Spanish]
[Corey] Bad Bunny just dropped Dom.
You didn't need to get involved, bro.
[Corey] Don't do this, Priest.
[all exclaiming]
[crowd booing]
[Damian] I'm not shy about it.
I'm a bad guy.
[Kevin] Maybe the most ruthless and unforgiving side
of Damian Priest we've seen.
[Corey] Oh, God.
[bell dings]
[Corey] That's gonna force a disqualification.
I don't think Damian Priest cares.
[Corey laughs]
[Corey] Bad Bunny is here with a Kendo stick in hand.
And here we go!
[Kevin] Just flattening Damian Priest.
[Corey] Oh, no.
Bunny like a man possessed.
And Priest is hightailing it out of here.
[Bad Bunny] Aye, Damian.
I'm going to Puerto Rico to kick your ass.
Backlash.
[Bad Bunny speaks Spanish]
Damian Priest, Bad Bunny in a Street Fight.
[speaking Spanish]
In Puerto Rico, I'm gonna end your entire career.
[Priest speaking Spanish]
[Bad Bunny speaking Spanish]
[Cole] Look who's leading the charge.
Bad Bunny is here!
Dominik Mysterio!
[Damian] Priest got out of touch just in time.
[Cole] Bad Bunny and Damian Priest,
a San Juan Street Fight
where anything goes at Backlash.
[Damian Priest theme music plays]
[crowd booing]
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is a San Juan Street Fight!
Introducing first, representing The Judgment Day,
weighing in at 230 pounds,
Damian Priest!
[Cole] The jacket Damian Priest is wearing tonight is the same gear
that he wore two years ago at WrestleMania
when he teamed with Bad Bunny in a tag team match of that event.
It was the WrestleMania debut for both of those men.
Priest said he wore it
for Bad Bunny tonight.
[Corey] Damian Priest actually shared with me earlier today
that he's wearing all white tonight
because, quote, "In this story, I am the hero."
Priest looking to exterminate Bad Bunny once and for all.
[Cole] I can almost feel the jealousy
oozing out of the pores of Damian Priest
when it comes to his fellow countryman, Bad Bunny.
[Corey] I had Damian Priest as a guest on my After the Bell podcast this week
and Priest said, "Look, I don't show up at Bad Bunny's concerts and get on stage
and try to sing his songs. Why is he trying to come to my world?"
[Cole] 'Cause he's good.
[Corey] Priest said it, not me. I like Bad Bunny.
[crowd chanting]
[Bad Bunny's theme song plays]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] And his opponent, from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.
He is the most streamed artist in the world,
Bad Bunny!
[Corey exclaims]
[Corey] Here on the island that made hardcore famous, Bad Bunny's got toys.
[Cole] All legal under San Juan Street Fight rules.
[crowd singing along to theme song]
[Corey] And now, Damian Priest has to feel like the loneliest man on the island.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] What a couple of weeks for this young man.
[Corey] And I've got so much respect for Bad Bunny.
This isn't your run-of-the-mill celebrity
that stops by 'cause he wants to promote something.
This is Bad Bunny's dream. Bunny lives for this. He loves WWE.
Bunny puts in the work to prepare for these fights.
This is gonna be fun.
[Cole] He headlined both nights of Coachella,
he was a headliner at the Met Gala last week,
and tonight he's headlining WWE Backlash.
[Corey] If you ask Benito, "Where would you rather be?"
-Nowhere else but right here. Right now. -[bell dings]
[Cole] Here we go. Street Fight rules. Anything goes.
Win via a pinfall or submission. No countouts, no disqualifications.
These two men both grew up
in the small town of Vega Baja here in Puerto Rico.
Damian Priest said, "This night is special because I was raised here."
Bad Bunny said, "We are superheroes here."
[Corey] It's easy to become overconfident
when you've got an arena full of people chanting your name.
I think that's what we're seeing out of Bad Bunny in the opening moments.
[Cole] Priest just toying with his one-time good friend.
Bad Bunny says, "Uh-uh."
-[Corey] And Priest misses wildly-- -[Cole] Bunny with some power of his own.
A Michinoku Driver. A cover for the win.
And a kick out. Are you kidding me?
[Corey] Bunny caught Priest off guard, no doubt about that.
A thunderous Michinoku Driver.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Let the games begin.
[Corey] Kendo sticks in stereo.
A beautiful custom Kendo stick,
gifted to Bunny earlier tonight by WWE legend Savio Vega.
[Cole] Oh, and Damian Priest, though, picking Bad Bunny out of the air.
[crowd booing]
[Corey] And one well-placed shot
to the body stops Bunny's momentum in its tracks.
[Cole] We know Damian Priest is a massive New York Yankees fan.
And I think he's going to--
Well...
Thought he was gonna use it as a--
[Corey] That was more Bo Jackson than Adam Judge, but we'll take it.
[Cole] Bad Bunny with a right. Damian Priest with a right of this own.
And now, Priest gonna show power to Bad Bunny.
[Corey] It's no secret the power advantage in this scenario
is gonna be on the side of Damian Priest.
The experience advantage goes to Priest.
Bunny is out here relying strictly on heart,
which he has got an overabundance of.
[Cole] It is thunderous here.
[Corey] A sold-out crowd willing you forward
isn't gonna hurt either if you're Bad Bunny.
-Not quite sure-- -[all exclaiming]
[Cole] And wrenching the left arm of Bad Bunny
and Priest now just showing off.
[Corey] Priest is savoring this.
Damian Priest realizes how many eyes are on this matchup right now
all around the world as a Premium Live Event.
All of the Hollywood and music--
[Cole] Oh!
Legal. Thumb to the eye. Here comes Bad Bunny.
[Corey] The eyes of the entertainment world are on this matchup right now.
Priest may end up a Hollywood movie star. Maybe Priest will get a recording deal.
[Cole] Well, not to mention, Bad Bunny has 140 million social media followers.
[crowd counting in Spanish]
[Cole] Damian Priest said, "That's not gonna happen."
Bad Bunny, shoulders down. Stacks him up. Kick at two.
Damian Priest, who had to train Bad Bunny to...
get inside the squared circle.
He mentioned they teamed together a couple of years ago at WrestleMania.
We saw what Bunny was capable of there.
[Corey] He said it wasn't personal until Bunny made it personal.
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Not quite sure...
how he came to that.
[Corey] Damian Priest enjoyed being a teammate of Bad Bunny,
helping train Bad Bunny for WrestleMania.
[Cole] Chokeslam!
[Corey] South of Heaven.
[Cole] Oh, no, no. Damian Priest did not want to end that way.
"I wanna continue to punish Bad Bunny."
[Corey] That wasn't a Bad Bunny hit, that was a Tom Araya special
as we take another look
at Damian Priest nearly putting Benito down for three
and just opted not to.
Priest is gonna savor the suffering
of the biggest star in the world right now.
-[crowd chanting] -[Cole] Nearly 18,000...
trying to will Bad Bunny on here tonight at WWE Backlash
in this San Juan Street Fight.
[Corey] Is that... is that an axe handle?
[Cole] Indeed.
Somebody's hunting wabbit.
[Corey] Be very, very quiet.
I think Damian Priest is looking to go all Clemente on Bad Bunny tonight.
[Cole] Priest said, "I don't need a weapon."
Bad Bunny said, "I need a chair."
[speaking Spanish]
[Corey] Bunny searching underneath the ring for yet another Kendo stick.
[Cole] What were you saying about Clemente?
[Corey chuckles] Yeah.
[Cole] Damian Priest doing a nice job not letting Bad Bunny gain momentum.
Bunny, though, second rope.
Oh, slamming Damian Priest.
Tornado DDT hurt so bad, Priest had to just walk it off.
[Cole] And Priest dumped over the top rope outside.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Listen to this place.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Bunny going up top. Bunnies can fly!
[Corey] Take a look at this.
Bunny throwing caution to the wind,
sacrificing his own body to take out Priest.
[Cole] How many Grammy Award winners have you ever seen do that?
What an atmosphere.
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Ringing Priest's bell.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Playing the cymbals.
[Corey] Bunny headed right back to old faithful,
the Kendo stick.
[Cole] Priest struggling to make it to his feet.
I think he should have pinned Bunny off the South of Heaven, Graves.
[Corey] I don't disagree with you.
[Cole laughs] Bunny into the corner.
[Corey] Priest with no time to prepare or recover.
And now, it's Damian Priest having his bell rung.
[Cole] Bunny with Priest. The Michinoku Driver!
Cover again.
For the win on Priest.
Kick out at two.
[Corey] That was a Falcon Arrow.
A modification of the Broken Arrow that Damian Priest himself utilizes.
[Cole] Indeed it was.
[Corey] And how can you not be impressed by the power of Bad Bunny?
There's a sentence I never thought I'd say.
[Cole] Great call, Corey,
using a modification of Priest's moves against him.
Sold out, 17,944 watching Priest and Bad Bunny
go at one another here tonight at Backlash.
[crowd chanting]
[Corey] Priest might have a busted nose.
[Corey laughs]
[Cole] The line has been drawn.
[crowd booing]
[Corey] Priest has had enough.
Unfortunately for Priest, Bunny has not.
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Almost like Priest suckered him in.
[Corey] I think you're absolutely right.
The world-traveled veteran of this industry, Damian Priest,
not about to be embarrassed in his own home.
[Cole] And now, it's Priest's opportunity to use weapons.
Right there.
Bunny got a bit overzealous, and Damian Priest capitalized,
and now it's Priest's turn to start to punish Bad Bunny.
[groaning]
[Corey] Bunny writhing in pain on the outside of the ring.
And I don't believe the pain is going to subside anytime soon.
The custom Puerto Rican Kendo stick courtesy of Savio Vega.
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Now being used on Bunny.
[Corey] It's high, it's deep, it's not coming back.
[Cole] Bunny was impressive earlier, but Damian Priest just slowed things down.
[crowd chanting]
[Cole] And now, he drives back Bunny into the timekeeper's area.
And Priest, now, oozing with confidence.
Mocking.
[Corey] Priest not concerned with endearing himself
to his fellow Puerto Ricans tonight.
[Cole] No, it's about embarrassing the biggest star on the planet.
That's what it's about for Damian Priest.
But Bunny battling back.
[Corey] And he's not gonna go down without a fight.
Explore the real estate here.
You might want to or else you might not make Coachella next year.
Priest with a kick. Rocked Benito for the moment.
Over in the tech area. The engineering area.
This is... this is getting dangerous.
I have a feeling Bad Bunny
may rue the day he accepted this match.
[Cole] What is Priest planning to do here?
[Corey] He's planning to send Bunny on an early farewell tour.
[Cole] But Bad Bunny fighting back high on top of that equipment.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Oh, no. Oh, no. This is not gonna be good.
[all exclaiming]
[Corey] Oh, my God!
Damian Priest with the Broken Arrow
off of the road case to God only knows what being concealed under the drapes.
Catastrophic scenario for Bad Bunny.
[Corey] WWE official Adam Pearce out there. Several referees.
[Cole] Yeah, checking on Bad Bunny,
who's not moved since the Broken Arrow through all that equipment.
He's not done because I'm not done.
[Adam] What do you mean? No! No!
[Cole] The official's trying to say that Bad Bunny's out of it.
But Damian Priest said, "No way. This is a Street Fight.
I want to continue. I want to embarrass this man."
[Corey] Priest said, "He's not done because I'm not done."
[Cole] Hauling the carcass of Bunny back to the ring.
And unceremoniously dumping him into the ringside area.
Bad Bunny, I don't think he has any clue where he is, Corey.
[Corey] That's a pretty fair assessment.
[Cole] The most streamed artist in the world
is now the most beat-up.
[Corey] I think that record will hold true if people tune in to see the final time
Bad Bunny was ever in public after being destroyed
courtesy of Damian Priest of The Judgment Day.
[Cole] Bad Bunny picked a fight with a dangerous, dangerous man.
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Miss with the kick. Ankle into the post.
[Corey] Priest might've broken his foot. Maybe his ankle.
Priest calling the official right away.
Damian Priest is hurt.
[Cole] And Bad Bunny's got a Kendo stick. Right to the injured leg.
Priest, flailing away at Bunny.
Trying to keep him away from him.
[Corey] Damian Priest is hurting badly.
Uh-oh.
Priest trying to get the boot up. Bunny--
[Cole] Tried to. Bunny made him pay.
[Corey] Hyperextending the knee of Damian Priest.
[Cole] Priest is screaming in pain.
-That was not okay. -What do you mean?
I don't know.
[Corey] Priest saying it's not okay. Damian Priest may be injured.
[Cole] It doesn't matter if you win via pinfall or submission,
this is a Street Fight.
He's gonna be even more hurt.
Wrapping the knee around the post.
[Corey] This is a brilliant strategy by Bunny
trying to chop the bigger man down.
[Cole] Take out the power.
[Corey] Priest made a mistake, and Bunny is making him pay.
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Damian Priest in agony.
Buddy's got a chain.
[Corey] It was a chain that started this entire situation at WrestleMania.
Wait. Wait, dude. Wait. Wait, man.
[all exclaiming]
[Corey] Priest is pleading. Begging with Bunny.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Priest may not be able to walk.
-Oh, no! -[all exclaiming]
[Cole] What a vicious attack.
[indistinct conversation]
[Corey] Bunny's so caught up in the moment.
He hesitated.
I think Priest just apologized.
[Cole] Pleading.
[indistinct conversation]
Yo, I know.
[Corey laughs] Lured in again
by the veteran, Damian Priest.
[Cole] Priest still on one leg after the damage by Bunny.
[Corey] Even on one leg, I like Priest's chances.
[Cole] Looking to inflict even more pain.
Low blow, legal.
[Cole] But I have to say many would believe Priest deserved that.
[Corey] Oh, wait a second.
[Cole] Dominik, Finn Bálor.
The rest of The Judgment Day is here. Remember, no disqualifications.
[Corey] And the numbers game just overwhelming Benito.
Essentially, three on one right now.
I got a bad feeling Kendall Jenner's about to be back on the market.
Wait a second.
[Cole] Rey Mysterio.
[Corey] Rey trying to even the numbers.
[Cole] Rey coming to Bad Bunny's aid,
but now Dominik, his son, and Finn Bálor beating him down.
[Carlito theme music plays]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Can somebody say "Caribbean Cool"?
Carlito's here.
Carlito taking out The Judgment Day.
[Corey] Backstabber!
Now that, that's cool.
[Corey laughs]
[Cole] Oh, of course.
[Corey] This is not the first time Dom's been in a fight over an apple.
That's the kind of stuff you deal with in the clink.
[Cole] Dominik in position.
Rey with a 619 to his son.
[Cole laughs]
[Corey] But the match is still underway.
[Cole] Bálor and Dom retreating.
[Corey] Carlito and Rey Mysterio.
[Savio Vega's theme song plays]
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Now Judgment Day has nowhere to go.
Savio Vega!
Los Boricuas!
[Corey] Bálor having a laugh.
How about being stuck between a rock and a hard place?
[crowd chanting]
[LWO's theme song plays]
[Corey] But wait, there's more.
[Cole] The Latino World Order.
[Corey] Joaquin Wilde, Santos Escobar, Cruz Del Toro.
[Cole] And The Judgment Day have nowhere to go.
And now, the numbers are in the LWO's favor.
[Corey] This is absolute insanity.
Oh, turn around, Finn.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Oh, and a chop.
And another.
Oh, Bálor.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Down goes Finn.
[Corey] Bálor feeling a little bit of that TNT here in Puerto Rico.
[Cole] And now, Dominik getting him some.
And The Judgment Day running away.
[Cole] Meanwhile, there's still a match going on.
The Street Fight continues. Bad Bunny, Damian Priest.
[Corey] Turn around, Benito.
[Cole] Priest is stalking Bunny.
-[Corey] Oh, the bad foot. -[Cole] The leg gave out.
Bunny...
looking for the Figure Four.
Hall of Famer Ric Flair spent a lot of time in Puerto Rico.
Bad Bunny delivering the Figure Four.
[Corey] How is Priest still hanging on?
[Cole] Oh, and he got his shoulder up. Barely hangin' on.
[Corey] Bunny just attacking the damaged leg of Priest.
[Cole] Priest needs to roll over on his belly to try to...
try to turn things around on Bunny.
[Corey] Priest able to break the Figure-Four Leglock for the moment.
[Cole] South of Heaven chokeslam.
Shoulders down by Priest. He kicks at two.
Oh, into the chair goes Priest.
[Corey] Face full of steel.
[Cole] Bunny up and over.
[Corey] Yikes!
[Cole] The Bunny!
[crowd counting in Spanish]
[Cole] Oh, kicks out at two.
Priest kicks out at two.
[Corey] Unbelievable.
Bunny delivering a Sliced Bread numero dos.
Nearly dropped himself on his head in the process.
That might be the only reason this match is still going.
[Cole] Chair to the spine.
Bad Bunny unloading on Priest.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] He just had as many hits with the chair
as he had with his music career.
[Corey] I think the chair just went platinum.
[Cole] Bunny setting Priest up.
Oh, my goodness!
Bunny into the cover off the Bunny Destroyer.
[bell dings]
[Cole] Bad Bunny with the win.
[announcer] Here is your winner,
Bad Bunny!
[Bad Bunny's theme song plays]
[Cole] Well, Bad Bunny just added to his already massive resume.
[Corey] He added to his resume and just checked another one
off the bucket list courtesy of Damian Priest.
The face full of steel in the corner. Watch this. Rough landing for Benito
but, nonetheless, effective. Not enough to finish the job,
but it put Priest in position for Bunny to come unglued.
And the Bunny Destroyer.
Can we change it to the Puerto Rican Destroyer?
I mean, that's we are. That's where he's from.
Tonight belongs to San Juan and Bad Bunny.
[Cole] I can't wait to listen to Bad Bunny's music all night.
What a celebration.
[Bad Bunny's theme song continues]
Carlito, Savio Vega, The LWO,
and Bad Bunny sporting the Puerto Rican flag.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] There is cause for celebration.
[Cole] What a performance.
[Bad Bunny's theme song plays]
[crowd cheering]
[WWE Shop's theme song playing]
[Cole] It has been an incredible night at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico.
Sold out for WWE Backlash, and what an unbelievable performance
by three-time Grammy Award winner, the biggest megastar in the entire planet,
Bad Bunny, moments ago against Damian Priest.
You've been talking all night about what a big Bad Bunny fan you are.
I got a test for you. Name me a song other than "Booker T."
My autobiography.
It's translated as "I twerk alone."
Nonetheless, ladies and gentlemen, the next time we come your way
at a Premium Live Event, can you believe it's gonna be three weeks
from tonight when we are in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for Night of Champions
and the finals of the World Heavyweight Championship tournament.
I'm still trying to get the image out of my head of you twerking alone.
[Cole] Well, ladies and gentlemen, Backlash returns after this break
with a Six-Man Tag Team Match with Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens,
and Matt Riddle versus The Usos and Solo Sikoa.
But for those on Peacock Premium Plus,
let's take a closer look at how this match happened.
[Sami] Two guys that started together
from nothing were the main event of WrestleMania.
[Cole] Helluva Kick! Cover!
The Bloodline be damned!
[Cole] Is The Bloodline disintegrating before our eyes?
[Sami] And for as amazing as that was, we haven't had time to think about it.
All this stuff that's going on with The Bloodline.
Look, everything I said was gonna happen, has happened.
I said we would take those titles, now The Bloodline is crumbled.
Heyman is selling you lies, and Solo's looking at you
like he's ready to drop the hammer any second.
[objects clattering]
[Cole] Solo Sikoa with a vicious attack on Kevin Owens.
Sami's outnumbered. And now, Sikoa with a steel chair.
♪ Bro ♪
[Cole] Wait a minute! Riddle's here!
The Original Bro, who months ago was taken out by Solo Sikoa.
[Riddle] They tried to end my career. I'm not here to waste your time.
I'm here to kick some ass.
[Cole] The Bloodline has a new, dangerous enemy,
and its name is Matt Riddle.
[Heyman] We have a Kevin Owens problem. We have a Sami Zayn problem.
We have a Riddle to solve.
[Corey] The Usos doing their very best
to remain in the good graces of The Tribal Chief.
The Tribal Chief is losing patience with the two of you.
[Kevin] It's a WrestleMania rematch.
The Usos looking to reclaim the Tag Team Championships.
[man] We dedicate this win to your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns.
[Cole] Roman Reigns will not accept failure.
Thank you, my Tribal Chief.
That was the call. Tonight is your night.
[man] When in doubt, send the Solo.
[Cole] It's Riddle attacking Solo Sikoa.
Stunner!
Helluva Kick!
-They retain. -[bell dings]
[Cole] The Usos have let The Tribal Chief down.
You wanna act like there's no cracks in The Bloodline?
-The Bloodline is forever. -Always.
We're gonna see you in Backlash.
[Sami] Like Solo wasn't ready to drop you last week?
[Solo] Hey, yo, Imma do my part.
You two, you better do yours.
[The Usos' theme song plays]
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest scheduled for one fall
is a Six-Man Tag Team Match.
Introducing first, the team of Solo Sikoa and Jimmy and Jey,
The Usos!
[Cole] Once again, Corey, the story of The Bloodline
is to prove to Roman Reigns, The Tribal Chief,
the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion,
that we can get the job done.
But where does Solo Sikoa stand in all of this?
[Corey] Your guess is as good as mine, Cole.
There are so many questions regarding Solo
and his relationship with his brothers, his relationship with The Tribal Chief.
What exactly was the task that Solo was given two weeks back
on Friday Night SmackDown? We never found out.
Tonight, hopefully, will prove a lot about where The Bloodline stands.
[Cole] Well, Roman Reigns saying, remember that phone call that he delivered
to Paul Heyman about Solo Sikoa who said that tonight's the night.
What does "tonight's the night" mean? Did he go out there to help The Usos?
Did he go out there to maybe put some issues in the family?
I don't know.
Hopefully, we get some closure tonight.
This is an opportunity for all three members of The Bloodline
to get back in the good graces of The Tribal Chief
before he returns to SmackDown.
[Cole] On Friday night at the University of Tennessee on Fox.
[Matt Riddle theme music plays]
[crowd chanting] Go, go, go!
[Kevin Owens theme music plays]
[crowd cheering]
[Sami Zayn theme music plays]
[announcer] And their opponents, the team of Matt Riddle
and the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champion
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn!
[Cole] Kevin Owens says he's sick of it. He's sick and tired of The Bloodline.
He's sick and tired of talkin' about 'em, and he even wants to end things
-once and for all tonight. -[Corey] Luckily for Kevin Owens,
He and Sami Zayn were drafted to Monday Night RAW,
whereas The Usos, and Solo, and Roman all remain on Friday Night SmackDown.
[Cole] However, remember,
they're still the Undisputed Tag Team Champions,
which means they can go to either brand as long as they hold the titles.
[Corey] This is an opportunity for Sami and Kevin to silence the doubters
in the form of The Bloodline one more time.
[Cole] You know, we mentioned Roman Reigns earlier,
the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion who's now part of Friday Night SmackDown.
Tonight marks the 979th day that Roman Reigns has been champion.
He'll pass the 1000-day milestone shortly, perhaps,
and then, next in his line of sights is a Hall of Famer from Puerto Rico,
Pedro Morales, who once held the WWE title for 1027 days.
[crowd cheering]
[bell dings]
[Corey] The WWE Universe firmly behind the trio of Zayn, Owens, and Riddle.
[indistinct conversation]
[Cole] Jey talking to the younger brother, Solo Sikoa, the enforcer of The Bloodline.
Much at stake tonight.
Naysayers claim that we'll see the implosion of The Bloodline
sooner rather than later.
[Corey] It's a very interesting power dynamic,
knowing that Jimmy and Jey are the older brothers of Solo.
You know how you have a relationship with a brother? It varies.
Sometimes, you're on good terms. Sometimes, you're not.
But the fact that Solo seems to be seated at the right hand of The Tribal Chief
these days really, really adds a few question marks to the scenario.
[Cole] That's the interesting part of all this.
The relationship that developed between Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns.
This is Jey Uso starting things off with Sami Zayn.
So much has been made of the relationship between these two men.
It was over a year ago when Sami Zayn first approached The Bloodline
wanting to join the group.
Jimmy backed him early.
[indistinct yelling]
It took a while for Jey to come around to Sami, and he did
until the Royal Rumble happened.
[Corey] Sami stuck a dagger in the back of The Head of the Table.
[crowd cheering] Uso!
Get him, dawg.
[Cole] But Sami, Corey, has just not been able to let it go.
He still seems to try to want to get in the head of Jey Uso to explain to Jey
that he's being used by Roman Reigns.
[Corey] Sami would be well-advised to leave it alone. Move on.
[Cole] That's what Kevin Owens is telling him.
[Corey] Right. And I agree wholeheartedly with Kevin Owens.
Let the past stay in the past
because otherwise, it can affect the future.
[Cole] Of course, Riddle has joined the fray
after Solo Sikoa cost him four months of his career.
Back to this whole Roman Reigns thing,
he's coming to SmackDown on Friday night.
God knows what he's gonna do with-- How important is this match tonight
to The Usos and Solo?
[Corey] It's of the utmost importance, and dare I say, it's a must-win
because knowing that The Tribal Chief is coming to town
on Friday Night at SmackDown,
you want to be coming off of a red-hot victory. Not a loss.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Because remember, things have not gone The Uso's way.
[Corey] Failing to capture the Tag Team Championships from Owens and Zayn
in the WrestleMania rematch on Friday Night SmackDown two weeks back.
[Cole] Losing the title at WrestleMania
after 622 days as champions.
Tag. Here comes Kevin Owens.
"Keep on fighting," the mantra of KO.
And that's what he's gonna do here to Jimmy Uso.
[Corey] I think Owens would have fit right in here in Puerto Rico
-in the heyday of the-- -[Cole laughs]
-[Cole] The hardcore style? -[Corey] Absolutely.
[Cole] And Jimmy with a right hand to KO.
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Big high elbow.
Owens with a senton.
You know, so much has been made, Corey,
of the fact that The Usos held the tag titles for 620 days.
As Riddle comes in off the tag.
Eight-time tag champs.
And in the same breath, people talked about the staying power
of Uso with Owens together as the tag champs.
[Corey] Personally, I think The Usos are gonna go down as the greatest tag team
of all time eventually. Kevin and Sami, lifelong best friends turned enemies,
turned friends again. Very, very, very compelling champions.
But I don't know if they have what it takes
to break through to that other echelon like The Usos have.
[Cole] We'll find out as the gut-wrench by Riddle leads to the tag of Zayn.
Sami Zayn, former three-time Intercontinental Champion.
Former NXT Champion holding the WWE Tag Titles for the first time in his career.
And Zayn with an elbow.
And Jimmy rolls to the corner
in the safety of The Bloodline.
[Cole] The intensity in the eyes of Solo Sikoa.
These WWE fans have been incredible for two straight nights in San Juan.
And Solo said, "I'm gonna get the job done now."
[Corey] Solo looking to lead by example.
[indistinct conversation]
[Corey] Of the three, we know the least about Solo.
Solo spent the least time here in WWE, but Sikoa is the genuine article.
[Cole] But think about the impact he's made, Corey.
You were there at ringside back in Cardiff, September of last year
at Clash at the Castle, where the world thought Drew McIntyre
was gonna knock off Roman Reigns
and Solo Sikoa appeared for the first time in WWE.
[Corey] And if you're Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa is worth his weight in gold.
Solo has proven to be absolutely invaluable and ruthless.
[Cole] Now, there's a reason he's called The Street Fighter.
The Street Champ.
[Corey] The Enforcer. The Problem Solver. A man who goes by many names,
all of which hurt.
[Cole] And he's really the wild card in this entire Bloodline situation.
Which way does Solo go?
-Does he continue to back his brothers? -Watch the hand, Solo.
[Cole] Does he speak well of them to Roman Reigns?
Does he do Roman's bidding if there is bidding to be done?
[indistinct conversation]
That's how you do your part. That's what I'm talking about.
[Corey] Jimmy Uso obviously impressed by Solo.
He managed to rip control of this matchup
away from the other team. Here comes Jey.
[Cole] Dropping Sami.
Zayn!
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Sami able to block and deliver a right of his own.
Now, driven into The Bloodline's corner. Tag made. Here comes Jimmy.
Ah, and a kick right to the back of the neck of Zayn.
[Corey] In a Triple Threat situation, it's not as easy to cut the ring in half.
And again, Solo tagging himself in.
All right, dawg. As long as you do your part,
we're gonna do our part.
[Corey] The Bloodline have done a tremendous job
of cutting the ring in half. Isolating Sami Zayn.
[Cole] And continuing to punish Zayn.
Methodical...
punishing pace from Solo Sikoa.
[indistinct yelling]
-[Cole] Oh! -[Corey] Oh, wow.
[Cole] Solo may favor a slower, more methodical pace, but make no mistake,
when it comes to being explosive, there are few more than Solo Sikoa.
And Solo needs to kick into that next gear. Pick up the pace.
He can do so.
[Cole] Off the Wishbone.
Cover now. And a kick out.
Right into the chinlock to control Zayn.
[Corey] Reality just kicked in for Sami Zayn.
Realizing just how far away he is from his own corner.
Desperately trying to scamper towards the corner.
[Cole] Fingertips away from Riddle.
Jimmy drags him back toward the middle of the ring
and slams him back. Delivers a kick to Riddle.
[Cole] And Sami, a little leapfrog. Clothesline. Both men down.
An opportunity for Sami to try to get to KO.
Sami crawling. Can he make it there?
Jimmy is gonna make it to Jey and make the tag.
Sami sends Jey flying out of the ring, and now he's got an opportunity
to get to Kevin Owens. Oh, what a wise move.
-[all exclaiming] -[Corey] Jey recognizing the situation.
My, God. That's gotta do it.
[Cole] Spine-first into the steel steps.
[Corey] I don't know if Owens is getting back up after that.
Jey Uso is acutely aware. In the moment.
[all exclaiming]
[Corey] Prevents a tag from being made, and then Riddle,
incensed at the actions of Jey Uso. And as he comes into the ring,
and allows a double-team by The Bloodline in the corner.
Referee Dan Engler with his hands full in this one.
The masters of the tag team style, The Bloodline.
As Corey mentioned, perhaps the greatest tag team of all time.
Zayn trying to fight out of the corner.
Riddle's up on the apron. Can Zayn make a tag?
[all exclaiming]
[Corey] Samoan Drop by Jey Uso. Cover.
[Cole] Sami's got his shoulder up. The official in perfect position.
[Corey] This is how aggressive Jey Uso was.
Driving his elbow and forearm into Sami's face in such a manner
that Sami's shoulder actually raised up off of the canvas.
[Solo] Here.
[Corey] Once again, The Enforcer is called upon.
[Cole] Sami Zayn has been punished and punished.
[indistinct yelling]
-[Cole] Solo is just frightening. -Pack it up, Solo.
Come on, man.
[Corey] You get no disagreement from me on that assessment, Cole.
[Cole] Just the way he carries himself.
Sami Zayn is able to block.
Blocks again. Sami just trying to survive here.
Boots to the face of Solo Sikoa, trying to drive him back.
Creates some space. Sami now, Tornado DDT. Now he's got an opening.
[Corey] But unintentionally,
Sami put Solo in between himself and his corner.
Gotta get past that obstacle. Both competitors with the same idea.
Both men desperately wanna make a tag.
[Cole] Tag made. Here comes Riddle.
[crowd cheering]
[Corey] Overhead kick by Riddle. Beautiful go-behind.
Ripcord Knee rocks the jaw of Jey Uso.
[Cole] Now, Riddle's taking out everybody in The Bloodline.
Great throw by Riddle.
Out of the corner and Jey.
And another one to Jey Uso. Both Uso Brothers taken out.
Brotons for everybody.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] And Riddle's not done.
Taking out The Bloodline.
[Corey] Take another look at this. Riddle throwing caution to the wind
and launching himself onto all three members of The Bloodline.
[Cole] And he ran right into a superkick. Cover now by Jimmy.
For the win and a kick out.
[Corey] Take another look at this.
Riddle came in a fancy manner
and ate a face full...
of Nikes for his trouble.
Jimmy Uso is slowly gonna head up toward the top rope.
Riddle's gonna meet him there.
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Sending Jimmy across the ring.
[Corey] How much damage did it do to Riddle himself
in delivering the maneuver? Uh-oh.
[Cole] Kevin Owens, somehow, dragging himself
back into this match after being planted on the steel steps.
KO now. Top rope.
Swanton!
Cover for the win.
Kick out.
[Corey] Take a look at this.
Owens wasting no time, making a quick climb to the top rope.
Full impact on the Swanton Bomb,
and Jimmy Uso is not ready to call it a night just yet.
[Cole] Went for the stunner.
Jimmy went for a superkick. KO caught him with one of his own.
Tag.
[all exclaiming]
[Corey] Owens drops Jimmy.
[Cole] Jimmy took out his own brother. KO took out Solo.
Pop-Up Powerbomb.
[crowd counting in Spanish]
[Cole] Kick out at two.
[Corey] Wow.
[Cole] What a sequence for Kevin Owens.
[Corey] Moments away from certain disaster for The Bloodline as we look again.
An ultra-rare miscommunication between The Usos.
A sight that you almost never see,
which allowed Owens to deliver a Pop-Up Powerbomb and nearly end this match.
[Cole] And it goes back to the original theme
of what's been going on over the past month, Corey.
The Usos and The Bloodline have just been out of sync.
[Cole] Kevin Owens, Swanton. Knees up.
[Corey] You can see the agony on the face of Jey Uso,
who got his knees up, but even at great detriment to himself.
Let's take a look at this. Owens' a big guy, goes 260, 270,
crashing down across both of Jey Uso's knees.
[Cole] Nearly 18,000 here tonight. We're sold out.
It's been an incredible two nights of WWE action.
SmackDown last night, Backlash tonight.
This is our Six-Man Tag Match.
The Bloodline against Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Matt Riddle.
[all exclaiming]
[Corey] Questionable strategy by Owens choosing a headbutt, but it was effective.
And now, we got a hockey fight on our hands.
[Cole] Went for the stunner.
Oh, did you hear that?
[Corey] KO's kid might have just lost a tooth. My Lord.
[Cole] Big clothesline.
Everybody down.
[crowd applauding]
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Jimmy's up by the apron.
Sami is up on the apron.
Jimmy realizes-- You saw the desperate look in his eyes.
Tag made to Jimmy. Tag made to Sami Zayn.
Sami.
Blue Thunder Bomb. For the victory!
Kick out at two.
[Corey] A look of disbelief on the face of Sami Zayn.
After connecting with the Blue Thunder Bomb,
this match continues.
What else does Zayn have left up his sleeve?
[Cole] Sami going up, and he got met by Jimmy Uso.
Another kick to Sami.
[Corey] Sami, at this point, exhaustion, pain,
playing major factors in your physical condition.
Sami, a few steps slower than usual.
[Cole] Jey, legal. Classic double team coming from the former Tag Team Champions.
Sami still got fight left.
Trying to take out The Usos by himself.
Oh, double superkick!
Jey said, "Count 'em out."
Sami still gets the shoulder up.
[Corey] Unbelievable.
Jey, with that look of, "What do I need to do now?"
[all exclaiming]
[Corey] Dueling superkicks by The Usos
did not achieve the desired result, the match still continues.
How you doin', man?
I'm tired of you.
You're breaking my family up.
And it's your fault.
It's your fault, man.
Get him out. Get him out of the corner, let's go.
It's your fault.
It's your fault, Sami.
-Huh? -[referee] Knock it off.
[Cole] Jey still blaming Sami Zayn for the family's issues.
-U...! -[crowd] ...Sos!
[Cole] Tag.
Solo Sikoa, I believe, is...
done with the games.
[Corey] Solo staring down his brother is what he's doing.
[crowd cheering]
[indistinct yelling]
Get out.
I got him.
I.
Me.
Me, bro.
[Sami screaming]
[Cole] Helluva Kick to Solo.
As Jey ducked out of harm's way, Sami Zayn with an exploder.
And the argument between the family may cost The Bloodline.
Helluva Kick.
Cover by Sami.
[crowd counting]
[Cole] Solo Sikoa saving the matchup.
[Corey] Solo keeping it alive for The Bloodline
at the last possible millisecond.
[Cole] The headline here, Corey,
is the issues between the brothers almost cost the family.
And if Roman Reigns is looking on somewhere,
he can't be happy.
[Corey] I'm gonna have to agree with you,
as we look again at Sami Zayn nearly earning the W,
and Solo breaking up the pinfall attempt.
It certainly appears as though there's trouble
in paradise as pertained to The Bloodline.
[Cole] Sami is down.
Jey is down.
[Corey] Solo surveying the scene.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Contemplating.
Riddle! That Flash Knee.
[Corey] Jimmy Uso from behind, sending Riddle to the outside.
[Cole] Kevin Owens. Stunner!
Kick by Solo.
Samoan Spike!
Almost.
[Corey] No, no.
You're trying to hit me? You're gonna hit me?
I'm your brother. I'm your brother, not him.
[Corey] Sami, again from behind, sends Sikoa to the outside.
[Cole] Rolled up.
Kick out.
Superkick.
[Corey] Main Event. Jey, making the climb to the top rope.
Sami got the knees up.
[Cole] And Sami, trying to steal one here.
Two-count kick out.
Tag.
Riddle, now legal.
[all exclaiming]
[Cole] Oh, that running knee again. Tag by Solo.
Sikoa's legal. Riddle has no idea.
Riddle going for the Bro Derek,
but he doesn't realize Solo's the legal man.
Now he does with a Samoan Spike.
[crowd counting]
[bell dings]
[Solo Sikoa's theme song plays]
[announcer] Here are your winners,
the team of The Usos
and Solo Sikoa!
[Corey] It was not pretty, not by a long shot.
[Cole] Did The Bloodline do enough tonight
for The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, who returns Friday on SmackDown?
Or did the cracks become major rifts in The Bloodline?
[Corey] You know I've been a big cheerleader for all things Bloodline,
but even I have my doubts right now,
with the intensity in the eyes of Solo.
Take another look at this. Riddle delivers a knee.
A staggered Jey Uso is tagged by Solo. Boom, Bro Derek,
which opened the door for the Samoan Spike.
You can count to ten. 'Night, 'night, Riddle.
[bell dings]
[Solo Sikoa's theme song continues]
I demand all your gratitude
for the leader of Imperium,
The Ring General,
Gunther!
The mat is sacred.
[Corey] Buckle up and grit your teeth.
Gunther doesn't concern himself with the spectacle and the glitz.
The only thing I'm concerned about is not having a worthy opponent
to do battle for the legacy of The Ring General.
[Cole] There has been no superstar in the 21st century
that has held the Intercontinental Title longer than Gunther.
[Gunther] From this day forth,
this title is the greatest prize. A Grand Prix.
[Corey] For anybody who has dreamed
of someday becoming Intercontinental Champion,
I got news for you--
it's time to find new dreams.
[man] Introducing entrant number one, Gunther.
[man 1] That's a long night for this guy.
[Cole] We talk about careers being made in this event,
and that is what Gunther did tonight.
He lasted one hour, 11 minutes, 25 seconds, a Royal Rumble record.
[Kaiser] The epitome of efficiency
and elegance.
[Corey] This is a dangerous, dangerous human being.
[Gunther] There is no room for failure. I am dominating.
Everybody else who challenges me
on that sacred mat out there will fall.
Our crusade to restore the honor has just started.
[Cole] Ladies and gentlemen,
up next is the second half of our double main event tonight.
The most decorated athlete in combat sports history, Brock Lesnar,
versus the man who claims this is a must-win,
The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes.
[Cody] When I first came back,
I was talking about WrestleMania and finishing the story.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes, he's gonna do it.
No, wait a minute. Solo.
Not like this.
[Cody] At WrestleMania, I lost.
You wanna know what's more embarrassing
than laying there surrounded by 80,000 people
and not the two titles that you came to get?
What's more embarrassing is when you have to wake up the next day,
chin held high even though you didn't want to get out of bed,
looking for retribution, looking for some modicum of satisfaction,
and you offer up your innocence.
[Corey] Is Lesnar here to be Cody's partner?
[Cody] You offer up your partnership.
[Corey] Lesnar will join forces with Cody Rhodes.
[Cody] And he repays it in destruction.
Now our unfinished tale has a whole new wrinkle to it.
If the question is posed to me, "Are you scared of Brock Lesnar?"
Yes.
When Brock Lesnar looks in the mirror, he sees a predator.
When he was only a rookie,
he looked at The Rock and thought, "That's a victim."
He looked at John Cena, victim.
Randy Couture, victim. The Undertaker, victim.
Is that what you think when you look at me, Brock Lesnar,
"victim"?
I'd be crazy not to be scared of Brock Lesnar.
But I still want to fight Brock Lesnar.
[Cole] Cody's blind with rage right now, and Lesnar's enjoying every second of it.
[Cody] Brock Lesnar is craven and cowardly.
I want to make sure that when Brock Lesnar looks in the mirror,
for the first time in his life, he sees a victim.
My victim.
[Corey] Cody Rhodes just dropped The Beast.
[Cody] When he blinks, I'm gonna strike. When he breathes, I'm gonna kick.
When he stumbles, I'm gonna pounce.
[Corey] Rhodes will need the strength of ten men
to topple the most decorated athlete in combat sports history.
[Cody] I'm the one that has to win at Backlash, because if I don't,
the whole idea of finishing the story ceases to exist.
-Make me earn it! -Come on.
[Cody Rhodes' theme song plays]
[crowd] Whoa! Oh!
[bell dings]
[announcer] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Introducing first, from Atlanta, Georgia, weighing in at 222 pounds.
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Cody Rhodes' theme song continues]
[crowd] Whoa! Oh!
[Cole] WWE Backlash is brought to you by FUBAR,
the new action-packed comedy starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, only on Netflix.
You know, Cody Rhodes said Brock Lesnar is what Cody said he never wanted to be.
That is The Gatekeeper.
However, now Cody Rhodes believes he needs that moniker, that he wants it.
[Corey] Cody Rhodes tonight needs to be more than brave.
He must be bulletproof,
because he is in for the fight of a lifetime.
[Brock Lesnar theme music plays]
[crowd cheering]
[announcer] And his opponent,
from Minneapolis, Minnesota, weighing in at 286 pounds,
Brock Lesnar!
[Cole] Brock Lesnar is a free agent.
He'll be able to appear on either RAW or SmackDown.
[Corey] All Brock Lesnar does is whatever the hell Brock Lesnar wants to do.
And unfortunately for Cody Rhodes,
I think Cody made a fatal error in admitting his fear of The Beast.
We all understand it, but Brock Lesnar feasts on the fear of his opponents.
[Cole] Brock Lesnar has never explained
why he assaulted Cody Rhodes the night after WrestleMania.
Cody believes it's because he has replaced Brock Lesnar
as the man around here.
Whether that's the case or not, one may never know.
But for tonight,
Brock Lesnar, the most decorated--
[Corey] Look out!
[Cole] Cody Rhodes!
[Corey] Rhodes before the opening bell, bringing the fight to The Beast.
[Cole] This match isn't even underway,
and Cody Rhodes has locked himself into The Beast.
And now, using the cowl from our announce table to take out Brock Lesnar.
[Corey] Rhodes knows full well what he's got to do.
What it's gonna take to topple The Beast.
The bell has not even rang yet.
This match is not official.
[Cole] Steel step by Cody to Lesnar.
[both grunting]
[Cole] Again, and now Lesnar's down and back to his feet.
And a third time.
[Corey] Cody does not want to experience what Superman did when he met Doomsday.
Not tonight, not at Backlash.
[Cole] Now with the steel chairs unloading on Lesnar.
This match hasn't even started yet.
Cody Rhodes has had this pent-up frustration for a month.
[Corey] And this is brilliant.
Again, before the opening bell, this is all legal.
There's not gonna be a disqualification.
[Cole] Not until the official rings the bell.
-Ring the bell! -[bell dings]
[Cole] Now he will, the match is underway. Cody goes right after Lesnar.
Brock Lesnar has not had an opportunity to get on the blocks at all here tonight.
And now Brock Lesnar, though, gonna drive Cody Rhodes across the ring.
[Corey] Brock doesn't need to be given an opportunity
because Lesnar will just take it.
-[Cole] Cody with a drop-down right hand. -[Corey] Disaster Kick!
[Cole] Off the second rope. Lesnar down back to his feet.
Cody gonna go for a second Disaster Kick. Brock Lesnar down to his knees.
[Corey] And The American Nightmare, for a moment, staring fear in the face.
Oh, my God!
[Cole] And a suplex by Lesnar.
Not sure if Cody was gonna go for the Disaster Kick or the Cutter there.
Nonetheless, it didn't matter
because Brock intercepted him and dropped him on the back of his neck.
[Corey] Take a look at this. Picked out of midair.
On our first trip of the night to Ciudad de Suplex.
[Cole] Nice.
[man] Get Cody back in.
[indistinct conversation]
[Cole] Brock trying to regroup after the early assault by Cody.
Now hanging Brock up on the top rope.
[groaning]
[Cole] Right hand and a kick.
[Corey] And Cody realizing he can offer Brock no quarter.
It has been an all-out onslaught for The American Nightmare.
[Cole] Brock just caught Cody in midair.
Fallaway slam with authority.
And that's the problem.
Everything Cody's done to Brock since this began, Corey,
and Brock is still in this fight.
[Corey] And if that doesn't mentally break a man, I don't know what will.
As we look again at the superhuman power of The Beast Incarnate.
Cody's body racked with pain.
[Cole] Here's the problem, Lesnar's smiling.
Brock Lesnar just had a smile break out of his face
as the "Suplex City" chants filled this arena.
Brock knows he's back in control.
German suplex number two.
[Corey] Nasty landing for Rhodes on that one,
high on his neck and shoulder area.
[Cole] Think about the punishment
that Brock suffered even before this match began.
And now he's right back in control.
These two have never had a match.
[Corey] And if you wondered what gives The American Nightmare, nightmares?
The answer, Brock Lesnar.
[Cole] That was a hat trick of suplexes.
Referee Rod Zapata right there, checking on Cody.
[Corey] And look at the wounds on Brock's back from the onslaught
he suffered at the hands of Rhodes before the opening belt.
Yet Lesnar just continues to move forward.
[Cole] Yeah, Brock just shaking it off, and now, a perfect combat machine.
Remember Cody Rhodes suffering, uh,
rib injuries at the hands of Lesnar.
And Brock, realizing that, going right back at Cody.
[crowd chanting] Suplex city!
[Corey] And listen, I said it from the very beginning.
I don't understand why Lesnar turned his back
and destroyed Cody Rhodes on RAW.
But I don't think this is a wise decision
for Cody Rhodes to accept this match.
To demand this match. To want to fight Brock Lesnar.
I think we may be seeing The American Nightmare unravel before our very eyes.
[Cole] Look at the impact on the released German.
Again, I said before,
Cody came into this match with ribs that weren't 100%.
Targeted by Lesnar the night after WrestleMania
when Brock turned his back.
Still don't know why, may never know why.
As you mentioned earlier, Corey, Brock does things because he wants to.
[all exclaiming]
[Corey] Vicious suplex by Lesnar.
[Cole] Number five.
Make it six.
This could go on all night.
[Corey] Keep adding to that tally.
It may go on all night.
[Cole] You see these suplexes delivered at this rapid pace by Lesnar.
Brings me back to the dominance that Brock showed.
I believe it was back in 2014 in one of the most
lopsided matches in the career of the great John Cena. Meanwhile, the--
[Corey] Cody just exposed the turnbuckle unintentionally.
[Cole] There goes the pad out into the WWE Universe
as the seventh suplex is delivered.
And Brock realizing now that the steel turnbuckle is now exposed.
[Corey] And this does not bode well for Cody.
Lesnar stalking Cody Rhodes.
[Cole] I didn't think things were gonna bode well for Cody
when he called Brock a coward.
[Corey] So, whatever you gotta do to get yourself up for game time,
to psych yourself up before a big match.
But I think the results are gonna be inevitable.
Cody's gonna be lucky if he leaves here without his ribcage being turned to dust.
[Cole] That's what Brock's trying to do here.
-A waist lock or a bear hug-- -[Corey] Oh, God.
[Cole] Just another throw, we'll call that eight.
And Cody Rhodes is just-- He's just been punished, tortured.
And Brock's laughing about this.
[Corey] It's a high-angle belly-to-belly suplex.
[crowd counting] Let's go, Cody!
[Cole] The "Let's go, Cody" chants, but maybe for nought.
[Corey] I get it, Cody has forged such an ironclad relationship
with the WWE Universe since he returned at WrestleMania last year.
Cody puts his heart and soul in the ring each and every night for these fans.
But unfortunately, they can't help him tonight.
[Cole] Remember that right hand
Cody Rhodes caught Brock with last Monday night?
-[Corey] Yes. -[Cole] I think that ticked The Beast off.
Cody, though, able to duck underneath and drive Brock into the exposed steel.
The exposed steel turnbuckle, Lesnar went in face-first.
And Lesnar, I believe, is seeing his own blood.
[Corey] You believed correctly.
[Cole] Cody Rhodes!
-[Corey] Cody Cutter! -[Cole] Is it enough?
Cody trying to fight back.
[Corey] Cody, now somehow willing himself back to his feet.
[Cole] The Beast has been wounded.
Disaster Kick!
[Corey] Lesnar's face is a crimson mess.
[Cole] And now, Cody Rhodes targeting the open wound on the face of Lesnar.
[crowd cheering]
[Cole] Cody Cutter!
Brock's in trouble.
[Corey] I can't believe what we're seeing.
[Cole] Stalking The Beast.
Cody's a big game hunter.
Cross Rhodes!
Cody's not done yet.
Cross Rhodes. Cover.
[crowd counting]
[Cole] Kick out by Brock.
[Corey] My God,
the match is looking more and more like a horror movie
with every passing moment.
[Cole] This is where Lesnar got hurt, where he got busted open.
He went face-first into the exposed steel turnbuckle.
And then, the Cross Rhodes by Cody.
That was the second one.
Still didn't put Brock away.
[Corey] Cody now...
feeding off of the WWE Universe.
[Cole] Measuring Brock.
Cody looking for a third Cross Rhodes. Brock picks him out of the air.
F5!
Cover.
[crowd counting]
[Cole] Cody kicks out.
[Corey] But was that Cody's last gasp?
Cody has thrown everything he has and then some at Lesnar.
And Brock still able to deliver an F5 that nearly ended this.
What, if anything, does Cody Rhodes have left in his gas tank?
[Cole] We're gonna find out as this match continues.
[grunting]
[Cole] Cody with rights to the wounded Beast.
Brock looking for a Kimura. Brock looking for a Kimura Lock.
[Corey] Cody trying to fend it off.
[Cole] Can Cody survive, or will he tap out
to Brock in the Kimura?
We've seen Brock break people's--
[Corey] If Cody doesn't tap, Brock is gonna break his arm, period.
[Cole] Cody trying to hang on. Cody!
[Corey] Oh, God.
[Cole] Popped the hips, shoulders down.
-He got it. Cody got it. Cody got it. -[bell dings]
[announcer] Here is your winner,
The American Nightmare,
Cody Rhodes!
[Corey] I do not believe what just happened.
[Cole] Brock Lesnar had Cody in the Kimura.
Cody was moments away from tapping out.
He popped the hips, and he pinned The Beast.
[Cody Rhodes' theme song plays]
[Corey] Take another look at this, Lesnar with the Kimura cinched in.
Cody, you're right, able to use Brock's own body weight against him.
And pinned The Beast's shoulders for three.
[Cole] Brock does not believe it.
I don't believe it.
For tonight, Cody has become The Gatekeeper.
For tonight, Cody has claimed the kingdom.
Cody Rhodes is back on the road to finishing the story.
Thank you everybody for an incredible two nights in Puerto Rico.
Good night from San Juan and Backlash.
Welcome to the Island of Enchantment. This is Puerto Rico.
Welcome to Backlash!
Seventeen thousand nine hundred and forty-four here tonight.
["Booker T" plays]
The Backlash is coming.
[crowd cheering]
["Won't Be Stopped" by ALIBI Music plays]
[Cole] Oh, my goodness!
Spear! Theory dumps Lashley, and he retains the title.
[Corey] Zelina is now not just fighting for herself in the championship,
she's fighting on behalf of all of Puerto Rico.
["Won't Be Stopped" continues]
I'm your brother! I'm your--
[Cole] Judgment Day is here.
[Corey] They're trying to even the numbers.
[Cole] Carlito's here!
The Latino World Order.
["Don't Mess With Him" plays] the numbers.