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00:00:00Then, now, forever, together.
00:00:30Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown, and we're wasting no time.
00:00:35Damian Priest is headed to the ring.
00:00:37So much ahead with him tonight and moments, plus tomorrow at Backlash.
00:00:40Damian, I know you're about to head out there in just a moment for a massive tag team match tonight,
00:00:45but tomorrow night, you also have a massive Fatal 4-Way match for the United States Championship at Backlash.
00:00:52How are you feeling about all this?
00:00:54You know, I was good with just getting my hands on Drew McIntyre.
00:00:57But now the idea that I can become a two-time United States Champion and get to McIntyre, that sounds pretty...
00:01:05There he is.
00:01:07My man, I wish you all luck in the world.
00:01:10But here's what you gotta think about.
00:01:11I'm in that match, too, and anybody who gets in the way between me and my U.S. Championship,
00:01:15the Backlash will be swift and severe.
00:01:18But that's tomorrow, when I'm worried about us tonight.
00:01:20And tonight, it's me, it's you, it's Solo, it's Fatu, and what we gonna do.
00:01:25You know, I'm glad you brought that up.
00:01:27We're facing two of the baddest men in this entire roster.
00:01:31Now, I'm not worried about me having your back.
00:01:34I'm concerned about you having mine.
00:01:38You know, I came in here with a clear conscience, thinking trust wasn't an issue.
00:01:42But now that you're saying that, alarm bells are starting to go off, sounding a little sus.
00:01:46I'll make you a little deal.
00:01:47If you got my back, I got yours.
00:01:49Don't make me regret it, because if you do dirt, you get dirt.
00:01:52Don't make me give you dirt.
00:01:53Let's do the thing.
00:01:54Somebody hit my music.
00:01:56Yeah.
00:01:56The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall.
00:02:23Introducing first, from Los Angeles, California, weighing in at 240 pounds, L.A. Knight!
00:02:36Yeah!
00:02:36Wade Barrett, three weeks ago, went to war at WrestleMania with Jacob Fatu.
00:02:41Now a weekend where L.A. Knight can settle so much, and of course, tomorrow, at Backlash, it's on.
00:02:48Fatal 4-Way for the United States Championship, Jacob Fatu, in his first defense, and what a defense it will happen to be, against three of the best, the megastar L.A. Knight, Damian Priest, and of course, Drew McIntyre, one extremely physical match coming up tomorrow at Backlash.
00:03:12That is streaming on Peacock, live tomorrow night.
00:03:14That is streaming on Peacock, live tomorrow night.
00:03:42And his techie partner from New York City, weighing in at 249 pounds, Damian Priest!
00:04:04The unique pairing with Knight and Damian Priest, keeping up to start off this explosive edition of SmackDown.
00:04:15Of course, tomorrow night, that Fatal 4-Way that we mentioned, announced from New York City, specifically to be honored in the Bronx, where Priest was given the honor of finding out that next Saturday, he's going to be inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame.
00:04:30Well done, Priest, going to have a street named after him.
00:04:34Hero in the Bronx, a hero on the island of Puerto Rico, and that hero worship will only grow further if Damian Priest is successful in his pursuit of the United States Championship tomorrow night.
00:04:48At Backlash, however, there's a lot we've got to get through before that match is on deck.
00:04:53Great scene here at the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio.
00:04:56Friday night SmackDown, massive crowd roaring immediately.
00:04:59Knight and Priest ready for a big challenge.
00:05:01And even more massive star power is arriving right now.
00:05:06Jade Carville is here in Ohio.
00:05:08Tonight, a big showdown to see who fights for the WWE Women's Championship.
00:05:12She's earned her way to the top.
00:05:13Oh, she's throwing that bottle right at Naomi's face.
00:05:16But Nia Jax is back, and she's determined to get that number one contender status as well.
00:05:25Jade Carville, Nia Jax, that's tonight.
00:05:30They've increased Ellie Knight.
00:05:33Unique pairing, tenuous at best, considering the recent past and the Fatal 4 way tomorrow.
00:05:39Yeah, they need to put that to one side this evening.
00:05:42You can be opponents tomorrow night, that's fine.
00:05:44But tonight, first of all, is about survival.
00:05:46One, two, three, two, one, four, two.
00:05:49One, two, one, three, two.
00:06:13Sobo Sokoa, and the United States Champion, the Samoan Werewolf, Jacob Batuu!
00:06:25Jacob Batuu, Sobo Sokoa, and Wade, let's remind everyone what's happened with Batuu the last couple weeks on SmackDown.
00:06:31That's it, two weeks ago, number one contenders match, McIntyre about to go into the kill against longtime nemesis Damian Priest,
00:06:39who inserted himself in the match, got LA Knight disqualified, and as they sorted things out, enter the fray, Jacob Batuu with his usual brand of carnage.
00:06:52Taking out all comers as he has done since arriving here on SmackDown.
00:06:57Now, last week, LA Knight and Priest attempted to sort out their issues in ring.
00:07:02That was when Solo Sokoa hit the scene and decided to take down both men, but things went badly.
00:07:09for the former enforcer, Priest, and LA Knight teaming up to take down Sokoa with a BFT.
00:07:16That was until, once again, the United States Champion, Jacob Batuu hit the scene, and again, wrecked all comers.
00:07:24Is this a sign to come for what's gonna happen tomorrow night at Backlash?
00:07:29Another emphatic statement from the Champion, Jacob Batuu.
00:07:32Wait, I've said it before, but I think it's worth mentioning, because it comes with so much more to it, it seems, since Wrestlemania.
00:07:45But there is an atmospheric change in every arena when Jacob Batuu enters the arena, but since Wrestlemania, the way he wears that US title as if it's a choker necklace, and look at, right away, we talked about the potential for just this odd pairing and the discord as to who's gonna start the match between Priest and LA Knight, and with that solo attacks.
00:08:11I'll tell you right now, I had a really good feeling about LA Knight and Priest being mature enough to put their issues to one side, you heard that pep talk in the gorilla area right before the match, it was terrible, it tells you immediately, these two guys want nothing to do with each other tonight,
00:08:25And that is why Solo Sokoa has immediately been able to capitalize, big mistake from Knight and Priest right off the bat.
00:08:32And Priest fights his way on the potential Samoan drop and comes back with the big kick, always a great striker is Damian Priest with the right hand.
00:08:40A massive amount of power, but more importantly than that, a massive amount of range and he knows how to use it, a guy that size you often see, people as long and rangy as Damian Priest working smaller in that ring, he certainly makes all the most of his physical gifts.
00:08:56Power's at just over six foot five in there against Solo Sokoa.
00:09:02What I like about Damian Priest, he calls himself the street king because he doesn't mind getting down and dirty in the trenches, can go to war with anybody, and now he's about to go old school.
00:09:12Old school cross body tight roping, and Damian Priest as he finally settles in and takes control, look at that stare from the Samoan werewolf.
00:09:22He's looking to end this one early, what a statement who would be not only to Jacob Batu, but his own tag partner, L.A. Knight, if he got the dub.
00:09:30Solo a little too tough to go down that easy.
00:09:35Shaking off the cobwebs on the outside, better why he's up fast though Solo.
00:09:40Off the steel steps comes flying in Damian Priest.
00:09:45Priest just got that steely focus in his eyes, weighed up.
00:09:48What are we gonna do champ?
00:09:50We're gonna do something or we're gonna do stupid.
00:09:52Do something.
00:09:54Oh!
00:09:56Just as Priest was engaged.
00:09:58I didn't need you to do that.
00:09:59I didn't need you to do that.
00:10:00I did what I wanted.
00:10:01If he's gonna eat that.
00:10:02That's my title tomorrow.
00:10:04We're not there tomorrow.
00:10:06Are you doing this?
00:10:07Can you tell me how?
00:10:09Are you playing the corner then?
00:10:12Are you in the corner then?
00:10:13Are you in the corner then?
00:10:14I'm in the corner.
00:10:16The corner's over there.
00:10:17I'll come out from the corner, what are you doing here?
00:10:19As these are unique circumstances to have this tag team match, the night before there's a fatal four-way,
00:10:24fatal four-way considering that la knight and damian priest weight are two of the four participants
00:10:32for the united states championship at backlash and we've already seen twice in this match-up
00:10:37alone in the early goings the issues between priest and la knight coming to the floor and
00:10:42you see priest is refusing to tag knight in knight had to take it for himself
00:10:46i think there's two matches happening the tag team match and then the two of them trying to
00:10:55get themselves on the same page i'll tell you what if it was me i wouldn't want to get tagged in let
00:10:59my opponent tomorrow who is my tag partner tonight take a hell of a beating it just makes my pathway
00:11:05easier tomorrow once again that tag to the back there's a serious amount of disrespect going on
00:11:10between these two la says okay go ahead you want to get the work in get the work in meanwhile solo
00:11:21comes charged again and eats an elbow fatu with a big miss and eats a right hand
00:11:26and then solo sends priest right over the top rope oh man that blow once again causing maximum damage
00:11:36the elbow of jacob fatu crunching the jaw of a completely unprotected damian priest
00:11:45dangerously covering over damian priest on that apron as he tries to get to his feet
00:11:53and now fatu comes in with a right uppercut and a headbutt
00:11:57and now finally the u.s champ gets tagged in and the damage has been done by solo sokoa
00:12:07and there have been tensions in the past between fatu and sokoa clearly back
00:12:11on the same page now far more than what their opponents are dealing with tonight
00:12:17you think the acquisition of goal for jacob fatu has really satiated that aggressive attitude of his
00:12:24calmed him down somewhat solo sokoa has been one hell of a diplomat over the past few weeks
00:12:29so we're feeling really confident right now they've gotten the best of damian priest
00:12:45so
00:12:59solo knight wants nothing more than to get his hands on jacob fatu and eventually happened a few weeks ago in
00:13:04vegas
00:13:25now there is your newly minted united states champion jacob fatu who's in tag team action paired with
00:13:31solo sokoa against damian priest and la knight who have had discord pairing up this is what
00:13:37happened while we were away when they took complete control against priestess but two came flying in
00:13:44weight and damian priest really hasn't looked the same since and the story of this match so far has
00:13:49been a team in solo sokoa and jacob fatu taking on two individuals in damian priest and la knight and
00:13:56it's been going about as well as you would expect against these two savages
00:14:02sokoa and fatu you know tomorrow and backlash streaming on peacock it'll be a fatal four-way for
00:14:08the u.s championship as fatu looks to defend against drew mcintyre but damian priest in la night
00:14:16so tag team partners tonight a little tenuous relationship there but tomorrow two of the four
00:14:23in there for the u.s championship game of change there for damian oh he's not around finally
00:14:29looking for the tank because he needs out there in the worst way but la night was dropped with a
00:14:33cheap shot from sokoa i don't think priest saw it and the samoan drop and that's not going to help
00:14:40tensions between priest tonight nor for tomorrow with the wear and tear that damian priest is now
00:14:46taken for an extended period of time yeah and things are looking really good here for jacob fatu
00:14:51especially as he watches two of his three opponents from last night getting dropped time and again by solo
00:14:57sokoa sentan fight fatu when he revs up the engine you know the offensive assault is on and he turns that
00:15:05head towards the target obsession with being the top representative of his family sees the likes of the
00:15:12usos and roman reigns as yesterday's icons looking in herald in a new era of samoan
00:15:20dominance in his own image
00:15:24you know that running hip attack can do so much damage
00:15:29when he is softening up one of his opponents tomorrow at backlash
00:15:37two man just completely built from head to toe for open warfare
00:15:42seemingly indestructible and capable of massive amounts of carnage at will
00:15:51and now solo sokoa looks to get his running start but instead priest fires out of that corner
00:15:57yeah and he had to that was game over there solo sokoa looking to go in for the kill close this thing
00:16:04down but it was an ember left burning inside priest and he finally needs to make this tag to the megastar
00:16:13la night here he comes a few weeks ago these two were toe-to-toe in vegas for the u.s championship
00:16:23and now here the night before backlash they're going after it
00:16:27oh
00:16:33oh night with the jumping neck breaker
00:16:37and you feel the energy picking up on hitting that 11 in this arena did you see that
00:16:44drops the elbow on fatu looking every bit the perpetual motion machine taking a huge chunk
00:16:56out of the u.s champ tonight can't land the pft but slams fatu down
00:17:03oh priest just as he's going for the jump off leaping elbow blind tags la night come on
00:17:22fury in the eyes of the megastar who knew victory was in his sight
00:17:27oh and the momentum now shifts towards damian priest and his astounding powers of recovery
00:17:39both men knowing full well that to get the pin here tonight is going to be
00:17:43ultimate confidence booster and you don't want to give that to tomorrow night's opponent
00:17:48tonight disrupts itself a heaven opportunity they argue back and forth and as they do
00:17:54solo sokoa comes in like a bulldozer and delivers the super kick and now is looking for that spike
00:18:00well solo did get tagged in there it was off camera but solo is indeed the legal man here
00:18:06oh nice gets out of the way of the spike lands the bft
00:18:11here are your winners
00:18:17here are your winners m a knight and damian
00:18:24pretty
00:18:27well somehow they arrived at the finish line but you can see oh look at this
00:18:32race race at night well the match is over no more teammates back to being full on opponents ahead of
00:18:39backlash tomorrow tomorrow you are looking at three of the four who will go after it for the u.s
00:18:47championship in the fatal four-way and the champ is cleaning them up right now well no matter how a
00:18:54match ends one thing is guaranteed jacob fatu is going to cause maximum carnage even more so when it's
00:19:02two of his opponents tomorrow night and forget the results of the tag match this is coming with
00:19:09serious consequences and impact in affecting backlash in that championship match
00:19:15the effects of the united states championship now in the hands of jacob fatu just looks that much easier
00:19:24r2 with his prize possession in his grasp a man completely incapable of finding a reverse gear or even
00:19:39oh in neutral he is oh oh drew mcintyre with a claymore
00:19:54just when we thought we understood where things were heading into backlash
00:20:05drew mcintyre determined to fully claim what right now is in his hand
00:20:13the strongest possible message sent and we've only just begun
00:20:18just right there is the biggest problem with a fatal four-way match like you're going to be getting
00:20:25tomorrow night of backlash you can take down two of your opponents there's always a fresh opponent
00:20:32waiting to strike and if mcintyre collects connects with that claymore tomorrow at backlash we may have a
00:20:38new united states champ
00:20:44let's go cena we can't see you
00:20:50bruh cena is in the house tonight dog he could be talking about backlash bruh you know what i'm saying
00:20:55it's on cina sucks though oh my childhood hero john cena said you never give up looks like you done through in the town
00:21:07let's go
00:21:13let's go cena we can't hear you let's go cena
00:21:20well our truth is right john cena is here in the building
00:21:24on friday night smackdown the night before the living legends will meet at backlist cina and court
00:21:29they'll go after the undisputed wwe championship and we will hear from john cena the champ coming up
00:21:35wwe touches down in tampa with a massive lineup of four can't miss shows
00:21:49saturday night
00:21:51battleground monday night raw
00:21:58it's a new era on nxt all the action all the energy
00:22:05all coming to tampa yeah we coming
00:22:12tickets on sale now scan the code to get your tickets today
00:22:22here in dayton this is where the first ever king of the ring really was back in 93.
00:22:27fred martin took that it's also where hulk hogan lost the ww championship to yokozuna
00:22:32so some history here the 13th smackdown to be held in dayton ohio let's show you what just happened
00:22:38in the ring now opening tag match eventually the strange team of night and damian priest got the
00:22:45victory after this bft there have been numerous arguments between the two throughout the match they
00:22:51continued in the aftermath of the victory a shoving match which rapidly turned into a slugfest ahead of
00:22:59their matchup tomorrow night at backlash with this man in a fatal four-way matchup for the united states
00:23:07championship jacob fatu laying waste to two of his three opponents tomorrow night trying to make an
00:23:13emphatic statement ahead of that defensive backlash but don't celebrate too much jacob fatu because the
00:23:20fourth man in that matchup the scottish terminator himself drew mcintyre strikes one claymore to the face
00:23:29mcintyre making clear his intent to be raising the united states championship above his head tomorrow night
00:23:36to become a grand slam champ here in wwe
00:23:48drew can you explain what's why you just laid out jacob fatu you want to know why that was a message
00:23:54to the samoan werewolf tomorrow night i put a silver bullet in him
00:24:01it should be a one-on-one match though shouldn't it baron didn't i win the number one contenders match
00:24:05against ellie knight yeah you did yeah i mean some people might say well drew there was outside
00:24:09interference you know i'm about details guys the devil is in the details ellie knight shouldn't
00:24:16have been that match in the first place you know why because he lost at wrestlemania back of the line
00:24:21bs speaking of bs why is priest in the match i told you priest at wrestlemania i was going to beat you in
00:24:28front of the world i was going to beat you in front of your brother your sister your father in front of
00:24:33your mother and i did that fair and square but you don't know how to succeed unless it involves drew
00:24:38mcintyre why would he stop he gets rewarded every single time he's in the four-way bs
00:24:46jacob the baddest dog in the yard right now that's why i want to fight you
00:24:51when i get that title i'll be a grand slam champion around here but i got some advice for you kid
00:24:55so come close and listen the problem when you're all gas and no brakes
00:25:04because things are great when you're all gas and you're mowing everybody down but eventually without
00:25:09brakes you hit a brick wall and that brick walls the next united states champion drew mcintyre
00:25:15man i he said he won the baddest dog but you get a sense of where drew's mind is as he heads into
00:25:24this tomorrow is pure danger now on the other side of the size spectrum the diminutive but lately
00:25:32dominating zelena vega week after week she's been finding a way yes she has it has been a
00:25:37several weeks now of sheer dominance culminating last week in zelena vega the new united states
00:25:44women's champ taking on piper niven of the secret hervis they got looking really good into the former
00:25:51champ chelsea green got involved she might regret that one turned out to be a big mistake vega pounced in
00:25:57a quick pin and the green regime lose again and they have to deal with another frustrated meltdown from
00:26:05chelsea great we're here today to celebrate the united states title reign of miss chelsea
00:26:15what is going on excuse me this is a friends and family event do you have clearance to be here
00:26:22it's my office so no nicholas a was just about to say the most beautiful eula girly a eulogy for the
00:26:30girlies we are in mourning i'm sorry hold on hold on not the crocodile tears you're mourning a title
00:26:37that you lost fair and square chelsea just when i thought you couldn't get more pathetic like that
00:26:42is pathetic you don't understand because you have zero girlfriends zelena oh i'm sorry i have zero
00:26:49girlfriends that's funny that's funny so maybe you two versus me and my non-existent friend in a tag match
00:26:58tonight what do you think about that i think i like where this is going yes good idea tag team match
00:27:03so i guess we'll just see you guys in the ring tonight bye
00:27:08nicholas i'm going through something
00:27:12i'm sorry is chelsea
00:27:12the following tag team contest is scheduled for one call introducing her accompanied by
00:27:38all the fire piper niven and chelsea green chelsea green has been infuriated with recent results
00:27:49sets a team with piper niven but against who we will find out we will find out
00:28:08us
00:28:18I guess this is the part where you expect me to speak in Rebels, to pick up where I left off.
00:28:41Well, that part of myself, that man, I buried him. Ritualistically, violently. And funny enough, what I found, 650, it wasn't death. No, no, it was, it was the truth.
00:28:59And the truth is, I came back because I truly believe that I am the consequences that this company so desperately needs.
00:29:13See, I am more than just the man that whispers in shadows, despite what you want me to do, despite what you think I might do.
00:29:23And when I say that, I don't mean that in a villainous way. No, this is so much bigger than just good versus evil.
00:29:33This is more than just the chance, the fog. Because this, this will cut deeper than any symbol ever could. Anything that I could ever do.
00:29:43I'm here to confront you, both mentally and physically. And you get to decide which one is worse.
00:29:55As far as you, Carmelo, I haven't quite figured you out. Or have I?
00:30:02Well, Aleister Black put The Miz away last week in his SmackDown re-debut. This week, the understudy Carmelo Hayes looks to get some revenge on behalf of the A-lister.
00:30:18Carmelo Hayes, Aleister Black, one-on-one later tonight, here on SmackDown.
00:30:23He said the consequences that the company needs, and now Melville will face that, and there's Chelsea and Piper.
00:30:29Chelsea was up to her typical ringside behavior last week. Got up on the apron and struck Pega and Piper, and it backfired.
00:30:37Well, the green regime have been suffering the consequences.
00:30:42You can enter WWE's dream trip to Universal Orlando Resort sweepstakes for a chance to experience Universal Orlando Resort's four theme parks,
00:30:50including the all-new Universal Epic Universe, opening May 22nd, plus a chance to meet a WWE superstar.
00:30:58Go to WWE.com slash Universal Sweeps to enter for a chance to win.
00:31:12And their opponents, first from Queens, New York, she is the Women's United.
00:31:20United States champion, Zelina Vega!
00:31:27It was a WrestleMania filled with title changes, but perhaps in recent weeks, the most unexpected new champion of all, Vega.
00:31:35Who's going to be the tag partner? That's what I want to know, the invisible woman.
00:31:39This better be good, Vega.
00:31:40Oh, it's more than good!
00:31:58Yeah, that face says it all!
00:32:00The five-time world champion, Alexa Bliss!
00:32:08Alexa Bliss!
00:32:10And her tag team partner, from Columbus, Ohio!
00:32:18Alexa Bliss!
00:32:20What a roar in her home state, as she returns after we saw Royal Rumble after a two-year absence, and now setting SmackDown ablaze.
00:32:32Haven't seen her since Elimination Chamber, just her third singles match in two years and three months.
00:32:37A woman of mystery gave us no clues about her return at the Royal Rumble, and gave no clues after her disappearing act after the Elimination Chamber.
00:32:50We know very little about the goals and motivations of Alexa Bliss this time around, but what we do know is that she is in action tonight alongside Zelina Vega.
00:33:00And what a record-scratch moment this is for Chelsea Green and the secret Herbis, who did not anticipate this whatsoever.
00:33:10Yeah, did you see the reaction by Chelsea Green the moment it was revealed that it was Alexa Bliss teaming up with Zelina Vega?
00:33:22United States champion, newly minted, is Zelina Vega in there against Piper Niven.
00:33:28We saw that a week ago.
00:33:30Ultimate physical mismatch in WWE, Niven the powerhouse against the, as you call it, diminutive underdog, Zelina Vega, and power has taken full control right from the off on this one.
00:33:45Well, isn't it interesting that Chelsea was hiding behind Piper when Alexa came out, but now that there's some control, she tags in as Vega meets up with her recent rival and sends a kick upstairs.
00:33:59Well, I wouldn't blame her, I mean, the whole point of the secret Herbis is to protect her.
00:34:05Oh, we got a 6-1-9 opportunity, Wade.
00:34:08Oh, we got a stacked up 6-1-9 opportunity, Wade.
00:34:1212-1, 12-1, 12-2-18.
00:34:15It's good for the man.
00:34:16And I messed it up in the process, but connecting was Vega!
00:34:20I gotta get you a calculator ringside.
00:34:23Brain isn't as fast as it used to be.
00:34:25I got kicked in the headlock by Sheamus over the years.
00:34:27Oh, this crowd wants to erupt with Alexa Bliss coming in as Chelsea tried to come after her attacker.
00:34:35Unable to make the tag.
00:34:38Oh!
00:34:39And that boot coming right into the back of Vega, and then Green taking advantage.
00:34:45Nice execution there from Chelsea Green, and this could be goodnight, Zelina Vega!
00:34:50Piper drops the big elbow.
00:34:54Oh, and are you?
00:34:55Come on, now!
00:34:56First, we have a funeral in the office, and now demanding everybody salutes.
00:35:00Enough already!
00:35:04So Chelsea Green was complaining to Nick Aldis, saying it is time that she gets her second term
00:35:12as the women's U.S. champion.
00:35:16What is ridiculous?
00:35:17That was your comment just then.
00:35:19All of your comments, in fact.
00:35:21Joe Tess is ridiculous.
00:35:22That is the official word of Chelsea Green.
00:35:26You're seeing it wrong.
00:35:28She was complaining to general manager Nick Aldis that she wants back.
00:35:32She wants back in the mix to have a title shot against Vega.
00:35:37Piper obviously was in against her last week, and Aldis said,
00:35:41You know what?
00:35:42Why don't we have a tag team match?
00:35:43Little did she know that the mystery opponent, the teammate of Zelina Vega, would be Alexa Bliss,
00:35:50who we're still waiting to see in action here.
00:35:52Well, that has been a perfectly executed tag team strategy by Niven and Chelsea Green.
00:35:58If you don't understand 50% of the equation when it comes to your opponents,
00:36:02in this case Alexa Bliss, keep her out of the match at all costs.
00:36:06And now Piper Niven is dragging her into that clothesline, into the cover.
00:36:15The legal woman is Chelsea Green.
00:36:17Get the sense that Green and Niven there were simply enjoying taunting.
00:36:23There you go, but don't do that.
00:36:25Zelina Vega is the United States champ for a reason.
00:36:28It's been a tremendous run.
00:36:31You've got to give her credit where it's due with what Zelina's been able to accomplish.
00:36:36Defeating Chelsea Green three straight times, two times in a row to earn the title opportunity.
00:36:44And then Vega comes up with the win in a match where Piper Niven and Alba Fire were correctly ejected from ringside during the match
00:36:53for the role that they were attempting to play in it.
00:36:56Well, this is the Green Regime striking back now after four successive defeats to Zelina Vega.
00:37:05And this is payback and punishment time.
00:37:08And Zelina Vega can have all the tag partners in the world.
00:37:11If she can't get over the other side ring of the ring and bring them into the match, then it's worth naught.
00:37:19Great night here in Dayton, Ohio with a massive crowd at the Nutter Center.
00:37:24And they are desperate to roar if they can get a tag of Alexa Bliss to enter the fray here.
00:37:33Ohio's very own three-time WWE Women's Champion, two-time Women's World Champion is Bliss.
00:37:41And right now Vega's desperate to get that tag.
00:37:43Well, Vega's getting ping-ponged around the ring.
00:37:46Unfortunately for Vega, it's ping-ponging nowhere near her tag partner for the evening, Alexa Bliss.
00:37:52Well, that is why the United States champ finds herself in this predicament of punishment.
00:37:58We want it!
00:37:59We want it!
00:38:00We want it!
00:38:02We want it!
00:38:03We want it!
00:38:05We want it!
00:38:06We want it!
00:38:07We want it!
00:38:08Capacity crowd here in Dayton during the commercial break.
00:38:20Numerous times they were chanting, we want Bliss.
00:38:24We want Bliss.
00:38:25Alexa Bliss, the three-time WWE Women's Champion, the two-time Women's World Champion,
00:38:30as Zelina Vega, the recent winner of the United States Champion, is desperate to get to her tag team partner, Alexa Bliss.
00:38:41Well, we want Bliss maybe about to come true.
00:38:45Rolling to that goal!
00:38:48And Piper Niven comes surging in.
00:38:51But moving out the way smartly was Zelina Vega.
00:38:54Piper Niven just about missing with that huge elbow drop and making up for it with a big headbutt.
00:38:59Oh, and now she's in trouble as Vega is up.
00:39:03Able to counter to the DDT!
00:39:05Hits the DDT on Piper Niven!
00:39:10Could this be the golden opportunity?
00:39:15Yes!
00:39:16Here she comes!
00:39:18Alexa Bliss!
00:39:19Very little competition in the past couple of years, but looking razor sharp.
00:39:33Now she is in the fray of this one.
00:39:35Is she ever?
00:39:37Full throttle against Chelsea Green.
00:39:40And now you understand why Green had that look on her face when she saw that the mystery teammate for Vega...
00:39:50As the blockbuster hits it into the cover.
00:39:53Was Alexa Bliss.
00:39:55She's getting a big dose of it now.
00:39:56Exactly the kind of competitor you do not want walking down the aisle as a mystery opponent.
00:40:03One of the most mystical and perplexing individuals in WWE history.
00:40:10But above all that, damn good and champion caliber.
00:40:14Ran into an elbow.
00:40:16As Green climbs up top.
00:40:19Salutes the crowd.
00:40:21But instead...
00:40:23Oh, she gets hung upside down!
00:40:25Bliss has her in trouble!
00:40:26Oh, the dropkick right to the midsection!
00:40:32Alexa Bliss.
00:40:33Two years away before her return at Royal Rumble.
00:40:40Twisted Bliss!
00:40:42Why not?
00:40:44And Piper Niven comes in to make the save.
00:40:48The Secret Herbis did their job.
00:40:51Perfectly there.
00:40:52Oh, she's going for Colt Red.
00:40:53Yeah, too much to ask.
00:40:54We saw it several times.
00:40:55Oh!
00:40:56That'll help!
00:40:57Assisting by Alexa Bliss.
00:40:59Just enough momentum there to get Piper Niven off her feet.
00:41:03That was great!
00:41:04Oh!
00:41:04And the Meteora out to the floor!
00:41:07Once again, Niven tried to ride that out.
00:41:09But the power was too much.
00:41:11And oh my god, here we go!
00:41:12Unprettier opportunity.
00:41:14No!
00:41:15Countered!
00:41:16Countered!
00:41:18Sister Abigail DDT!
00:41:20Yes!
00:41:20Alexa Bliss is back!
00:41:24Here are your winners.
00:41:30The Women's United States Champion, Zelina Vega and Alexa Bliss!
00:41:38Yet another stunning return by Alexa Bliss that led to victory tonight alongside Zelina Vega.
00:41:47Go for that Cobra, not big or strong enough.
00:41:49Get a little help from your friends.
00:41:51In this case, Alexa Bliss who connected with that sister Abigail DDT to score a massive W on her return.
00:42:02What does the future hold in store for this woman or this duo?
00:42:05Who knows, but tonight, massive win for these two here in Ohio.
00:42:10And what a reception for Vega and, of course, the Homestead hero, Alexa Bliss.
00:42:16Phoenix!
00:42:17Phoenix!
00:42:17Phoenix?
00:42:19Phoenix?
00:42:19No, no, no, no.
00:42:21No!
00:42:21Ya te gané la semana pasada.
00:42:21I beat you last week. We don't have any conversation. It's over.
00:42:36I know you beat me. You don't have to say it every time.
00:42:39I just have one thing to say, and I'll be out of here. Just one.
00:42:43What do you want? One? Okay.
00:42:46Who said anything about a conversation?
00:42:49What are you doing?
00:42:51There's always a price to pay.
00:42:54Keep walking.
00:42:58Entradi there to check on Ray Phoenix.
00:43:02He's got a lot of conversation.
00:43:05That's what you guys doing.
00:43:07There's always a price to pay.
00:43:10Keep walking.
00:43:15Entradi there to check on Ray Phoenix.
00:43:20Pulling up the arena.
00:43:25Charlotte Flair.
00:43:27She's here in Ohio for the first time since her WrestleMania match.
00:43:31We're gonna hear from the future Hall of Famer.
00:43:34Charlotte Flair coming up.
00:43:36It is a big night here on LFG.
00:43:40You're gonna narrow it down to four.
00:43:42WWE LFG.
00:43:44If you can live rent free in somebody's head, you win in the game.
00:43:47Blow them up, expose him.
00:43:49Wow.
00:43:50WWE Superstar Sunday.
00:43:51New episodes Sunday at 8 only on A&E.
00:43:55Watch next day on the A&E app.
00:43:57Tomorrow it's all eyes on St.
00:43:59Louis.
00:44:00Backlash and your day will get started at 5 Eastern with countdown.
00:44:05Of course, it all comes your way streaming on Peacock.
00:44:09Backlash at 7 Eastern.
00:44:11Orton, Cena, Lyra and Becky, Dutler and Pat.
00:44:14We told you about the Fatal 4 win.
00:44:16Of course, the Intercontinental Championship.
00:44:18And then the post show with Jackie, Peter and Big E to follow.
00:44:2231 World Championships between Cena and Randy Orton.
00:44:34So much shared history.
00:44:39Cena versus Orton.
00:44:42One of the great rivalries in the history of the WWE.
00:44:47This rivalry over a decade in the making.
00:44:56Both these men entering WWE at the same time.
00:44:59Here we go, Orton and Cena.
00:45:01Starting things off in this matchup inside Hell in a Cell.
00:45:04Two individuals, they're trying to make a name for themselves around the same time.
00:45:08Where to go along for so long is probably some embedded hate there.
00:45:12Two of the all-time greats battling it out for an opportunity.
00:45:16At the WWE World Heavyweight title.
00:45:19Randy doesn't pair on free kisses.
00:45:21He doesn't lose confidence.
00:45:24I will beat you in Hell in a Cell.
00:45:26I will savor every second of it.
00:45:33Oh, what an RKO!
00:45:34What an RKO!
00:45:35From out of nowhere!
00:45:37Orton Cena kicked out!
00:45:39Never seen anyone who could dig deeper than John Cena.
00:45:42He definitely turned up the volume when he was out there with me.
00:45:47You go face to face with the man who runs the place.
00:45:51And Hell is coming with me!
00:45:54AA to the table!
00:45:59Here's the cover!
00:46:00John Cena!
00:46:01He's the number one contender for the WWE World Title!
00:46:06Randy and John, they never fell under the radar.
00:46:09They stayed relevant.
00:46:10It's gonna be a hell of a journey, no matter what they do.
00:46:13Now the last one-on-one match took place in 2017.
00:46:23And now we get this thriller tomorrow at Backlash.
00:46:26And here on the night before they meet.
00:46:29We will hear from John Cena joining us live here in Dayton.
00:46:33Forget this, Joe Tess, because breaking!
00:46:36We just saw an attack behind the scenes.
00:46:39GM Aldis has moved real fast.
00:46:42Tonight the attackers, Ross Garza, will take on the Cooler Zeiss,
00:46:46Andrade and the Raging Inferno.
00:46:49That is Rey Fenix in tag action later tonight, right here on SmackDown.
00:47:03Now down, all hail the queen.
00:47:33Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Charlotte Blair!
00:47:54Of course, it was Charlotte who left Tiffany Stratton,
00:47:57bruised and bloodied and damaged at WrestleMania.
00:47:59But it was Tiffany who left with the WWE Women's Championship in hand.
00:48:05And Charlotte, since then, she's been working hard in the gym.
00:48:08She's been making celebrity headlines by attending NBA playoff games.
00:48:12And now she's ready to reset her course with us.
00:48:16Great to have her here on SmackDown.
00:48:18No doubt one of the most polarizing competitors I have ever seen.
00:48:23Personality-wise, at times, has rubbed some up the wrong way.
00:48:28But there is simply no denying that Charlotte Flair represents the pinnacle of the meritocracy in this industry.
00:48:37Without question, bow to bow, one of the greatest we have ever seen.
00:48:47WrestleMania may have been a bump in the road, but the greats will always bounce back.
00:48:53You know what, here I am coming off the greatest women's match in WrestleMania history.
00:49:15And I need to give credit where credit is due.
00:49:22I was out for almost two years with a career-ending knee injury.
00:49:34And I took your champion to her absolute limit.
00:49:39After all, you know what, check this out.
00:49:43Check this out.
00:49:44You see that?
00:49:48You see her?
00:49:49You see me?
00:49:50Now, does that look like someone that enjoyed her WrestleMania moment?
00:49:53I'll tell you what, I enjoyed my WrestleMania moment so much that I'm here to announce my path back to the WWE Women's Championship.
00:50:07Why are you guys so disrespectful to me?
00:50:17No, seriously.
00:50:18I wanna know why you guys are so disrespectful to me.
00:50:21I am the GOAT of women's wrestling.
00:50:28No, no, no, no.
00:50:29You don't see, Dayton.
00:50:30I am the greatest of all time!
00:50:31No, no, no, no, no.
00:50:32You see, if you continue to be this disrespectful, I'm gonna leave here, Dayton, and I'm never gonna come back.
00:50:45I'm giving you one more chance, Dayton!
00:50:51One more chance, Dayton!
00:51:10Nope.
00:51:11There goes the one more chance.
00:51:12Yeah, nice job, Dayton.
00:51:15You don't deserve the queen.
00:51:19You said she's never coming back.
00:51:21She's getting one more chance.
00:51:23But there is somebody coming to Dayton.
00:51:28A storm is coming.
00:51:43To the presence of Jade Carville.
00:51:48And how the reaction by the crowd changes all of a sudden.
00:52:01Jade Cargill is in competition tonight, but the disrespect once again to Charlotte Flair.
00:52:07A size-her-up moment between Jade and a very frustrated Charlotte Flair who feels extremely disrespected by the crowd here in Gate.
00:52:28And by Jade Cargill.
00:52:29Charlotte, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.
00:52:34Now before you go, you had your chance.
00:52:40Now head to the back of the line.
00:52:43Well, the landscape has changed and not to Charlotte's liking.
00:52:49And Jade not bashful about letting her know.
00:52:54Well, the game moves fast here in WWE and moving fast into this number one contenders match up next.
00:53:00Jay Cargill and Nia Jax.
00:53:05What's up WWE Universe?
00:53:07Guess what?
00:53:08SummerSlam, MetLife, two nights, and I will finally be hopeful.
00:53:13And nobody better try me.
00:53:26WWE SummerSlam, a two-night event at MetLife Stadium.
00:53:29Two-day combo tickets on sale now.
00:53:31Scan the code to get yours today.
00:53:33We're gonna turn up!
00:53:43Boy, LA is the place to be on June 7th.
00:53:46Got a home game to wait there.
00:53:47Love it.
00:53:48You can experience the non-stop excitement at Money in the Bank with On Location, the official fan hospitality partner of WWE.
00:53:55You get unrivaled access, the unmanned service, the unforgettable experiences.
00:53:59You can find an On Location package at OnLocationExp.com backslash WWE.
00:54:06Absolutely not, Nick.
00:54:09But walking out like this?
00:54:10I'm not walking out.
00:54:11I'm just going.
00:54:12This isn't how professionals handle business.
00:54:13Don't even get to, you know what?
00:54:14I've done more for this division than this is how you're treating me?
00:54:17Be a leader then.
00:54:18Don't throw a temper tantrum when things don't go your way.
00:54:20Can't do this right now.
00:54:22Take me to the airport.
00:54:24Let's try.
00:54:25Alexa Bliss right there in the face of Charlotte Flair.
00:54:40As we get ready for our number one contenders match, improving power, size, and strength.
00:54:45A battle to decide who gets time with Tiffy.
00:54:53Backlash is presented by Morgan & Morgan, America's largest injury firm.
00:54:59Injured?
00:55:00Go to ForThePeople.com.
00:55:02The following contest is scheduled for one point and is the WWE Women's Championship number
00:55:24one contenders match making her way to the ring from San Diego, California, Nia Jax.
00:55:39Wade, I think you feel the same way I do in that the women's division is just more dynamic,
00:55:45more intriguing with Nia Jax and her immeasurable presence.
00:55:50And we found out how threatening she could be after WrestleMania when she made her return
00:55:56back to action.
00:55:57Yeah, suspiciously quiet was Nia Jax for some time until that big return making it clear
00:56:03two weeks ago she is back.
00:56:05It's Tiffy time!
00:56:06Oh!
00:56:07Back for the gold that this lady took from her back in January.
00:56:13So just as they're ready to begin our number one contenders match, the champ arrives.
00:56:21Apparently Tiffany Stratton wants a close up look at her soon to be challenger.
00:56:28But you can't really blame Tiffany Stratton for wanting to take a close up viewer.
00:56:35Whichever woman she will be facing next in defense of that championship.
00:56:39However, that really has taken the attention of both of the competitors.
00:56:45Probably more so Nia Jax, who is the former mentor of Tiffany Stratton.
00:56:51And is desperate to get her hands on the champ once again.
00:56:56So here we go.
00:56:58WWE Women's Championship number one contenders match between Jade Cargill and Nia Jax.
00:57:06As Tiffany Stratton has made her way ringside.
00:57:09Two most powerful women in the WWE locker room.
00:57:13Although Raquel Rodriguez might argue with me on that one.
00:57:18Surely a powerhouse battle on deck for us tonight.
00:57:22There's no time out!
00:57:24Second!
00:57:25There's no time out!
00:57:26Are you Tiffany's safe?
00:57:27There's no Tiffany's safe.
00:57:28There's no Tiffany's time.
00:57:29And our official saying there's no time out.
00:57:30But you can see the impact that having Tiffany ringside has on Nia Jax.
00:57:35Jax immediately distracted by Tiffany.
00:57:38Stratton on the outside but simply too big and strong.
00:57:42But even Jade Cargill.
00:57:45And that's always been Jade Cargill's biggest advantage.
00:57:49Is that power game that she can dominate other superstars with.
00:57:52It's gonna be a different story now with Jax.
00:57:54What else have you got?
00:57:55Well, that's a good example, Wade.
00:57:57As you see it, somewhat neutralized by Nia's size and strength alone.
00:58:03She comes right into that corner.
00:58:11You stop, Nia!
00:58:13We are gonna see just how much Jade Cargill has stepped it up in the singles games.
00:58:19In recent weeks, of course, with that victory at WrestleMania over Naomi has grown in confidence in the meantime.
00:58:26And a hell of a battle with Tiffany Stratton one-on-one a few weeks ago.
00:58:30Flying shoulder tackle.
00:58:32Getting the best of it is Jade Cargill.
00:58:35Seems that Tiffany Stratton is in full support of Jade Cargill right now.
00:58:40Perhaps preferring to face her next rather than Nia Jax.
00:58:44You saw Jade trying to get up Nia, but instead it's Nia with a Samoan drop.
00:58:49Nia Jax does.
00:58:53Oh, the leg drop.
00:58:54Excelling those veteran wilds.
00:58:56Just able to get that shoulder up with a Samoan drop and then the big leg coming down.
00:59:03Now, Wade, you brought it up very early on.
00:59:08Two of the strongest, most powerful women in the entire locker room.
00:59:12But it seems that early on, Nia's size and Nia's strength has neutralized a bit of what is typically Jade's offensive arsenal.
00:59:22Yeah, I've got to give a massive advantage even against Jade Cargill in the power stakes to Nia Jax.
00:59:27She simply is stronger than any woman I've ever seen in this industry.
00:59:31I think Jade Cargill's biggest advantage would be movement against Nia Jax, but she hasn't utilized that at all thus far.
00:59:39Although things might be changing before her eyes.
00:59:42Don't speak too soon.
00:59:43Last Friday, in the midst of what was a sensational tag team matchup, Jade Cargill did have a few moments that really impressed against Nia Jax.
00:59:55Had that powerbomb and led to the pinfall win, Wade.
00:59:58Absolutely.
00:59:59But that's tag competition.
01:00:00You've always got a crutch to lean on in that situation if things aren't going your way.
01:00:04Tag out, have a rethink, get your breath back and try again.
01:00:07That's not an option right now.
01:00:09And at this point, Jade Cargill has been completely neutralized by the veteran Nia Jax who is simply enjoying herself.
01:00:17Oh, and running the apron and slamming, just hip-checking her head right into the post.
01:00:27Simply irresistible is the force that not...