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00:00:00Then, now, forever.
00:00:30This is the capital city of Saudi Arabia, the vibrant, bustling metropolis known as Riyadh.
00:00:47It is the country's major financial hub, located on a desert plateau in the center of the country.
00:00:53WWE takes over Riyadh on Royal Rumble weekend.
00:01:00Stars from SmackDown, Raw, and NXT enjoying all the capital city has to offer.
00:01:10Also here, the career killer, Gunther, who hopes to add AJ Styles to his growing list of superstars he has sent into retirement on a sour note.
00:01:20For the phenomenal AJ Styles, he has been defiant that tomorrow night will not be the end of his career.
00:01:28He plans a year-long retirement tour.
00:01:31AJ Gunther, here live tonight.
00:01:33The WWE champion, Drew McIntyre, defends his title tomorrow night at the Royal Rumble event against a man he has never lost to.
00:01:46Sami Zayn, 0-11 in his career versus McIntyre.
00:01:50Can he end the streak, win his first WWE championship tomorrow night?
00:01:55Both are on SmackDown Live.
00:01:57Sami Zayn became the number one contender last weekend, Saturday night's main event.
00:02:03We are live in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
00:02:12Welcome to Saturday night's main event.
00:02:17As personal as it comes, Jacob Fatou, Cody Rhodes.
00:02:23Oh, wait a minute.
00:02:25Jacob Fatou wasting little time attacking Cody Rhodes before this matchup begins.
00:02:33Oh, hold on, wait a minute.
00:02:37It's McIntyre, the WWE champion is here, taking out two of his biggest adversaries.
00:02:45For the match, Lumi next week with his career on the line.
00:02:49AJ Styles faces a long-time rival tonight.
00:02:53Shinsuke Nakamura.
00:02:55Boy, you may have given out the greatest hits tonight.
00:03:01AJ Styles clash.
00:03:04AJ with a win.
00:03:08Rhea Ripley and Io Sky will defend the WWE Women's Tag Team titles against the Judgment Days.
00:03:16Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez.
00:03:18Io Sky over the moonsault.
00:03:22Wait a minute.
00:03:23Raquel Rodriguez just dumped Rhea on the official.
00:03:28Rob Romero, the women's champion.
00:03:31The care has come here tonight to get some payback.
00:03:35Oblivion by Liv, but Rhea Ripley is legal.
00:03:38Ripley with riptide.
00:03:40Rhea pretends.
00:03:41What an incredible match for the Women's Tag Team titles here on Saturday Night's Man Event.
00:03:53Four men will buy for an opportunity to face Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship.
00:04:04Who's going to go left in the tank to get over the line here?
00:04:09Sammy, hold on the tank.
00:04:10Sammy's going to the rumble.
00:04:13Look out, Sammy.
00:04:14From behind, Drew McIntyre.
00:04:16Sammy Zayn sends him over the top ropes.
00:04:19Will Sammy finally realize his dream and win the WWE Championship?
00:04:31And you are looking live at Riyadh Season Stadium at Cap.
00:04:37Over 18,000 WWE fans are expected tonight for Friday Night SmackDown.
00:04:44Late arriving crowd, per normal in Saudi Arabia.
00:04:47But we're kicking things off on Royal Rumble Weekend.
00:04:51Wrestling has no more.
00:04:59Royal family.
00:05:01I swear I'm left in my soul
00:05:19Every fight I'm of control
00:05:22Do it all to get them off the beat
00:05:27Crowd is here, about to blow
00:05:31Waiting for me to start the show
00:05:34Africa's like a while from home
00:05:38Whoa!
00:05:41My heart was dead
00:05:44When I was younger
00:05:47I just resembled me
00:05:51Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
00:05:54The American Nightmare
00:05:57Cody Rose!
00:06:13Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Ringside
00:06:15Michael Cole, Wade Barrett
00:06:17I can barely hear anything in here
00:06:19Riyadh singing every word
00:06:21Of Cody Rose's entrance theme
00:06:23Yeah, this is absolutely buzzing
00:06:26As always on a big weekend like this
00:06:29But a little more than extra
00:06:30Thanks to this man stepping into the ring right now
00:06:32I cannot wait
00:06:33What a weekend it's going to be
00:06:35Over 18,000 tonight
00:06:37Over 25,000 tomorrow night
00:06:39You took it all away, I gave it all away
00:06:56To take my freedom
00:06:58Didn't change the game, but then I made a play
00:07:02I built my kingdom
00:07:04I built my kingdom
00:07:04Now you bow to me
00:07:07You took my dreams
00:07:08But not my game
00:07:10You don't follow me until the end
00:07:14I am my kingdom
00:07:16You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:18You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:21You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:22You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:23You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:24You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:25You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:26You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:27You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:28You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:29You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:30You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:30You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:31You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:32You took it all away, you took it all away
00:07:33You took it all away, you took it all away
00:08:04So, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia!
00:08:16What do you want to talk about?
00:08:19I have expected to come down here trading punches with Jacob Fatu.
00:08:27Certainly, he found out I was not who he thought I was, and the same goes for him.
00:08:33And all that fun, if you could call it fun, was prematurely ended by the WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre.
00:09:06Well, you guys got my blood pumping.
00:09:15It sounds like you're ready for the Royal Rumble.
00:09:22And where is Drew on this momentous occasion again,
00:09:27the night before the Royal Rumble?
00:09:29I think Drew has discovered that all he won was the title
00:09:32and not the most important thing that comes with it.
00:09:36And if Drew doesn't know what that is by now, he never will.
00:09:42Now, I know Drew, his Twitter fingers and his tackiness he disguises as wit
00:09:48doesn't realize that there's kids who watch this show, too.
00:09:51But, Drew, now is your chance to stand out here, take SmackDown for your own,
00:09:55be the role model you had talked about near nowhere to be found.
00:09:58You dropped the ball.
00:09:59It would make all the sense in the world
00:10:20if I could win the Royal Rumble for a third time.
00:10:31A near-impossible feat.
00:10:33It would make all the sense in the world if I could win the Royal Rumble
00:10:36that I would challenge Drew McIntyre.
00:10:39But maybe it wouldn't even be Drew McIntyre
00:10:48because tomorrow night he faces off against my friend,
00:10:52Sami Zayn.
00:10:53But in my career, I have taken the road less traveled more than once.
00:11:17So as much as I say, it would make sense to challenge for the title
00:11:21that meant the world to me.
00:11:24CM Punk, you're still the world heavyweight champion, right?
00:11:30We've got to do this eventually, bud.
00:11:31But in addition to belief, and I need all the belief in the world
00:11:51for the Royal Rumble, I am going into that
00:11:55with something no one else in the field has,
00:11:58and that's the fact that I have won it not once, but twice.
00:12:04I have lost it for my heart
00:12:07They count to me, they understand, they tell me
00:12:11You've got tools in your kitchen
00:12:24All designed to keep you safe
00:12:27But when rules start getting broken
00:12:30You stop questioning your fate
00:12:32I have a force that is the savior
00:12:35Hates to love and lies to hate
00:12:38I have a force that has the knowledge
00:12:41And the power to your fate
00:12:44I hear forces crying
00:12:48I see heroes dying
00:12:51I hear blood that's drying
00:12:54I feel gentilizing
00:12:57I have roses in my head
00:12:59They talk to me, they understand, they talk to me
00:13:04They tell me things that I want to, they show me things I'll see with you
00:13:14They talk to me, they talk to me
00:13:16They talk to me, they talk to me
00:13:19They talk to me
00:13:22They talk to me
00:13:23All the wonders of defenseless
00:13:28All the doctors are deceased
00:13:31And the creatures are sinners
00:13:34And police just take the grease
00:13:36All the doctors are guilty
00:13:39All the doctors are the fire
00:13:42All your bags, skin and roses
00:13:45I'm a traitor, I'm a liar
00:13:48I see justice falling
00:13:52I hear voices calling
00:13:55I feel justice calling
00:13:58I see faith has fallen
00:14:01I am a liar
00:14:02They talk to me
00:14:05They understand
00:14:06They talk to me
00:14:08They talk to me
00:14:11They tell me things that I've been through
00:14:15They show me things not to you
00:14:18They talk to me
00:14:19They talk to me
00:14:20They talk to me
00:14:21They talk to me
00:14:23They talk to me
00:14:27They talk to me
00:14:28They talk to me
00:14:29They talk to me
00:14:30They talk to me
00:14:31They talk to me
00:14:32They talk to me
00:14:33They talk to me
00:14:34They talk to me
00:14:35They talk to me
00:14:36They talk to me
00:14:37They talk to me
00:14:38They talk to me
00:14:39They talk to me
00:15:10Before I say what I came out here to say, I just want to say, Saudi Arabia, I freaking
00:15:27love you guys!
00:15:40Listen, listen.
00:15:50Listen.
00:16:04Cody, everybody knows how I feel about you.
00:16:10We're friends, but we're more than friends.
00:16:13We're brothers.
00:16:14I've got the utmost respect for you and everything that you've done in this industry.
00:16:23Nobody was more proud of you than me when you won that world title, and nobody understood
00:16:28how it tore up your gut when you lost that world title.
00:16:36Now, tomorrow's the Royal Rumble.
00:16:38It's every man for themselves.
00:16:40And if anybody knows, I know that a desperate Cody Rhodes is dangerous.
00:16:51But, Cody, there is nothing more dangerous than a viper chasing number 15.
00:17:12Tomorrow, we will not be friends.
00:17:15We will not be brothers.
00:17:16I will have zero respect for you or any other man that comes into that ring.
00:17:21And if the opportunity presents itself, if I get the chance, I will throw your ass over
00:17:27that top rope without hesitation.
00:17:43Now, remember, remember, just remember, Cody, remember this.
00:17:48You're not the only one that's won the Royal Rumble twice.
00:17:54Watch out.
00:18:01viel will reservations
00:18:03长boarding
00:18:07J编写
00:18:10J编写
00:18:13J编写
00:18:17J编写
00:18:19J编写
00:18:22Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, let's go down now, woo!
00:18:38Uh-huh.
00:18:39OK.
00:18:40Yay!
00:18:41OK.
00:18:41Yay!
00:18:42Hey, let's get it, woo!
00:18:43Hey, I'm about to get them, woo!
00:18:45I'm about to get them all!
00:18:47Let's go!
00:18:48Ooh, sir!
00:18:49Let's go, man!
00:18:50Oh, man!
00:18:52Oh, man!
00:18:53To beat him!
00:18:53Oh!
00:18:54Oh, man!
00:18:57Damn, man!
00:19:00Oh, man!
00:19:01Down, man!
00:19:17Yay!
00:19:19Hey, this is all me now.
00:19:38Hey.
00:19:39Hey.
00:19:40Hey.
00:19:41Randy Ooze, Cody Ooze, no disrespect, I know y'all over here talking about number three, but see me, I'm going to run it back to back, 2026 Royal Rumble winner, then I'm going to walk in WrestleMania, I'm going to walk out.
00:20:11I'm going to walk out of WrestleMania, world heavyweight champ, again, four letters, one word.
00:20:24Last Rock.
00:20:35Last Rock.
00:22:45I feel like I should probably tell you mine, because tomorrow night I face Drew McIntyre
00:22:51for the WWE Championship.
00:22:53Tomorrow night, it's not just a match for me.
00:22:59Tomorrow night, it's not just a match for me.
00:23:12It's the culmination of three stories that have been bubbling and building for years and years now.
00:23:18Number one, the obvious one.
00:23:20I have a chance to win the WWE Championship.
00:23:23The one title that has eluded me my entire career.
00:23:26But in order to do that, I have to face the fact, which is story point number two, the fact that Drew McIntyre has beaten me 11 times, and I have beaten him zero times.
00:23:40I have never, ever beaten Drew McIntyre in singles competition, but that does lead me to story point number three, which is the fact that I have never, ever lost a match here in Saudi Arabia.
00:23:58And I don't plan on starting tomorrow night.
00:24:04Tomorrow, my plan for the Royal Rumble is to walk out the new WWE Champion.
00:24:10So if one of you does win the Royal Rumble, just understand one thing.
00:24:16It's not gonna be Drew McIntyre waiting for you on the other side.
00:24:21It's going to be me.
00:24:25Ladies and gentlemen.
00:24:46Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Hayden.
00:24:53You know what I see on this stage right here?
00:24:57I see the vision.
00:25:00I look down at that ring.
00:25:03I see four huge WWE superstars.
00:25:09I see no vision at all.
00:25:13I see Sami Zayn, who will not become WWE Champion tomorrow night.
00:25:24There's no vision in Sami winning.
00:25:27I see three, three men who will enter the Royal Rumble.
00:25:33It will not be my bloodline brother Jey Uso's night.
00:25:38It will not be Cody Rhodes' night.
00:25:41It will not be Randy Orton's night.
00:25:46It's not the Bordeaux!
00:25:48It's not the Bordeaux!
00:25:50It's not the Bordeaux!
00:25:51It's not the Bordeaux!
00:25:52It's not the Bordeaux!
00:25:53It's not the Bordeaux!
00:25:54It's not the Bordeaux!
00:25:55Coyote Amigos!
00:25:56Oh, sorry.
00:25:57Wrong international city.
00:25:59Ladies and gentlemen.
00:26:01By tomorrow night you will all learn.
00:26:04By Bronson Reed's decree.
00:26:07By Austin Theory's decree.
00:26:09By Logan Paul's decree.
00:26:11By my decree.
00:26:13Tomorrow night will be Bron Breakers Night!
00:26:21Okay, okay.
00:26:22You know what, Paul?
00:26:23I'm gonna have to beg ya.
00:26:24I'm gonna have to plead with ya.
00:26:25To please shut the hell up.
00:26:26Shut your fat mouth up.
00:26:27Once and for all.
00:26:28Listen, listen, now check it out.
00:26:29I don't have a spoiler.
00:26:30I don't have a prediction.
00:26:31I have a dare.
00:26:32I dare the four of you to pull your heads out of Paul Heyman's ass, walk down this ramp,
00:26:38get in this ring for a good old style Saudi Arabian ass kick it!
00:26:54One, two, one.
00:26:55One, two, one.
00:26:56Let's go.
00:26:57You know, right now.
00:26:58You go right now.
00:26:59You'll be beautiful.
00:27:00Okay, gentlemen.
00:27:03Let's all just pump the brakes here for a second.
00:27:07Mr. Heyman, good to see you again.
00:27:10Always so nice of you to come and completely derail my show.
00:27:14But, Paul, let's be honest.
00:27:15You, me, and everybody in Riyadh can see where this is going.
00:27:19So why don't we just hurry it up and get there.
00:27:23Let's give Riyadh a little Royal Rumble preview.
00:27:28Let's give them the vision.
00:27:31Versus Sami Zayn.
00:27:32Versus Jey Uso.
00:27:34Versus Cody Rhodes.
00:27:36And versus Randy Orton.
00:27:38In an eight man tag team match tonight.
00:27:44I love it.
00:27:46What a main event.
00:27:48Made massive eight man tag tonight.
00:27:51A great move by GM Nick Aldis.
00:27:54Once again, we're going to get a little preview of the Bedlam that is coming tomorrow.
00:27:59In the Royal Rumble.
00:28:00What a main event we got on deck.
00:28:03And coming up next, it is a championship matchup.
00:28:07The United States Champion, Carmelo Hayes, will defend the title.
00:28:11But against who?
00:28:12It's the United States Championship Open Challenge.
00:28:15Up next on SmackDown.
00:28:17SmackDown.
00:28:18Tomorrow.
00:28:22The moments await.
00:28:26The eyes of the world are on this tonight.
00:28:29In Riyadh.
00:28:34The city.
00:28:36The excitement.
00:28:39The energy.
00:28:40Listen to this place.
00:28:43Experience Royal Rumble.
00:28:45Dreams will come true.
00:28:46Getting pumped up for Riyadh season with Royal Rumble.
00:28:50Experience Riyadh.
00:29:06This is what you want for.
00:29:09Ladies and gentlemen, we are on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia tonight for Friday Night SmackDown.
00:29:14And we'd like to extend a special thank you to Linkin Park for Heavy is the Crown,
00:29:18the official theme song of Royal Rumble 2026 from the album From Zero.
00:29:23Available now on Apple Music and Spotify.
00:29:28And Wade, it is our main event for tonight.
00:29:31Yes, indeed.
00:29:32As we just heard from GM Nick Aldis, it is official.
00:29:35Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Jay Uso, and Sami Zayn unite for one night only to take on the threat
00:29:43that is the vision in eight-man tag team action.
00:29:47That's our main event here tonight on SmackDown.
00:29:58The following contest is the United States Championship Open Challenge.
00:30:26Introducing Kurt from Boston, Massachusetts.
00:30:30Wing in at 210 pounds.
00:30:34He is the United States Champion, Carmelo Hay.
00:30:43Well, the swagger is back.
00:30:46And Melo, don't miss.
00:30:49He's been on an incredible run as the United States Champion.
00:30:54A fighting champion.
00:30:56Although last week's week, he didn't retain the way he wanted to when he took on Illya Dragunov.
00:31:01Yeah, that is because The Miz struck.
00:31:03That is a jealous Miz who was upset that he didn't get the opportunity himself.
00:31:08And then one first 48 later, it was case closed.
00:31:14Carmelo Hayes is seemingly completely unaware that Miz had struck moments earlier.
00:31:20That was until the aftermath whereupon he was united in his disdain for The Miz for his action.
00:31:27Miz wanted to make sure that Carmelo beats the championship so Miz could take it from him.
00:31:33The question now is who accepts the Open Challenge?
00:31:38Tell them to step here.
00:31:40Hell yeah!
00:31:57Come on!
00:31:58Come here!
00:31:59Come here!
00:32:00Come here!
00:32:03And his opponent
00:32:30from a country pick, Mexico,
00:32:34weighing in at 182 pounds,
00:32:38Ray Phoenix!
00:32:43Another massive challenge tonight
00:32:45to the United States champion, Carmelo Hayes.
00:32:48He beat Ilya Dragunov
00:32:50the end of December to win the championship.
00:32:53He'd go on to beat Ilya in that rematch last week.
00:32:56He's also knocked off Leon Slater,
00:32:58Shinsuke Nakamura,
00:32:59Johnny Gargano,
00:33:01and hopes to add Ray Phoenix to the list.
00:33:03Yeah, when you're a champion in WWE,
00:33:05you're supposed to have the deck stacked in your favor.
00:33:08We all know about the champion's advantage.
00:33:11Well, you run an open challenge like this,
00:33:14as Melo is nobly doing,
00:33:16you are having a champion's disadvantage
00:33:18by being clueless about who you're fighting,
00:33:20whereas Ray Phoenix all week has been prepping
00:33:23to answer this challenge and take on Carmelo Hayes.
00:33:27It is the open challenge that John Cena started
00:33:30for the United States championship over a decade ago.
00:33:33Melo, Sami Zayn, and then Ilya Dragunov would follow suit,
00:33:36and Carmelo Hayes again proving that he is a hell of a champion.
00:33:42Such a high-risk thing to do,
00:33:44and the truth is when you perform at the level that Melo's having to perform week in, week out
00:33:49because of these challenges, it does take its toll over time,
00:33:53and sooner or later, Melo will pay the price for that,
00:33:56and I suspect it may be sooner.
00:33:58Just doing a quick little research,
00:34:00I believe this is the first time that Ray Phoenix and Carmelo Hayes have gone one-on-one,
00:34:04and this is what Carmelo's got to be careful of,
00:34:06this high acrobatic style of Ray Phoenix.
00:34:10Yeah, we all know full well that Carmelo Hayes is more than happy to take flight himself,
00:34:14but no one can quite do it like Ray Phoenix,
00:34:17who's been cutting through the SmackDown roster at a lightning-fast clip
00:34:21over his first year in WWE.
00:34:23Oh, wow, and to your point, Wade, about this open challenge,
00:34:27each week you're facing someone with a, well, diversified skills,
00:34:31different skill set, like Phoenix here tonight with a corkscrew plancha.
00:34:37Phoenix looking to win the championship.
00:34:50Ray Phoenix has Carmelo Hayes all out of sorts in the early going,
00:34:54and the point I was making just a few moments ago is each and every week
00:34:57you're going in against competitors who have different skill sets.
00:35:00it's hard to prepare.
00:35:01Yeah, and as you just mentioned then, he's got Carmelo Hayes the champ,
00:35:05all out of sorts.
00:35:06Why is Carmelo out of sorts?
00:35:08Because he had a blitzkrieg attack thrown at him from the word go,
00:35:12didn't have a time to formulate a plan against this kind of offense,
00:35:16hasn't spent the week researching, and is now paying the price for it.
00:35:19Ray Phoenix, of course, making his name as part of AAA,
00:35:23a former mega champion, a world tag champ, also a tag champ at TNA Impact,
00:35:29as Phoenix makes some impact there on Hayes for the championship,
00:35:33and a kick out by Carmelo.
00:35:35Yeah, Phoenix really a career tag veteran, of course, with his brother Penta,
00:35:40the raw superstar, but looking to add some singles gold here and grab his
00:35:45first piece of hardware since arriving in WWE.
00:35:48One thing we've learned about Carmelo Hayes is he will not back down.
00:35:51He'll bring you the fight, and I've been really impressed with the United States
00:35:54champion proving himself week in and week out.
00:35:57Yeah, it's one thing to talk a good game when you're the challenger.
00:36:00Roll through, and a kick out.
00:36:02Trying to chase down the gold, but to continue doing so once you have the gold,
00:36:07that is impressive, albeit dangerous.
00:36:09Cover, and a kick out at one by Hayes.
00:36:12A lot was said about Carmelo Hayes.
00:36:14Arrived on SmackDown a couple of years ago as the number one draft pick,
00:36:17and here at the Whispers Wade that he was never going to reach his full potential,
00:36:21never would be what he was down at NXT, but Hayes has proven everybody wrong now.
00:36:26Yeah, I covered his entire career down in NXT and saw the rise of Carmelo Hayes
00:36:30up until his complete dominance of that particular brand,
00:36:34and it was only a matter of time in my book before.
00:36:37Melo really got his feet under the table here on Raw and SmackDown,
00:36:41and we are now seeing the very best of this young match.
00:36:44There's a late drop by Hayes to Phoenix.
00:36:46Hayes looks to put him away with the championship up for grabs,
00:36:49and a kick out at two.
00:36:51And some people, to your point, Cole, take a little while to find their footing here
00:36:54when they move up to the main roster.
00:36:56There's a different level of competition on Raw and SmackDown,
00:37:00and our PLEs, of course.
00:37:02Carmelo Hayes took a little time, but week by week, grinded out results,
00:37:06got better and better, and now the kingdom really is his for the taking.
00:37:10Well, speaking of levels, what about the level of the WWE fans here tonight
00:37:15in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia?
00:37:17They make our job easy every time we're here.
00:37:19Well, let's be honest, Cole.
00:37:20We could use all the help we can get at this place.
00:37:22Yeah, that's true, exactly.
00:37:23Yeah, you are right.
00:37:24They're very different.
00:37:25I'll tell you what, we go to Europe,
00:37:26and we talk about the loud crowds we get out there.
00:37:29This is just a different breed out here.
00:37:32They've got their own little flavor here in Riyadh,
00:37:35and we love coming out here and seeing the noise and the emotion
00:37:38that they bring to our shows.
00:37:39Yeah, the electricity at the kickoff show earlier today in Riyadh
00:37:43Riyadh was unbelievable as Phoenix takes out the champion.
00:38:01Ray Phoenix looking to wrestle the United States Championship away from Carmelo Hayes.
00:38:06This is the U.S. Open Challenge.
00:38:08Uh-oh, pinning combination here.
00:38:09Oh, look at Phoenix.
00:38:13Shoulders down.
00:38:14Oh, and he kicks out at two.
00:38:17Phoenix has made a hell of a start to this match,
00:38:20and Melo has found very few answers.
00:38:22Cover again off the springboard.
00:38:24Elbow, and Melo has to get the shoulder up at two.
00:38:27We were just talking a few moments ago about the maturation of Carmelo Hayes.
00:38:31Arriving on the scene a couple of years ago,
00:38:33number one draft pick of Friday Night SmackDown.
00:38:35You hear the whispers that many people never believed he'd reach his potential,
00:38:39but he's proving them wrong now.
00:38:41Yeah, those people just can't focus on the skills at hand.
00:38:44They exclusively look at results, and sometimes you're a new superstar.
00:38:47You tend to take a lot of owls against top-level competitors,
00:38:51but Melo just gets better and better by the week.
00:38:55This guy almost relishes a loss because it exposes his weak spots,
00:39:00which he can then fix and improve on.
00:39:02Phoenix went for the springboard elbow again.
00:39:05Hayes would counter with his springboard cross body.
00:39:09And now the United States champion taking the fight to Ray Phoenix,
00:39:13and Carmelo has finally settled in after that early flurry.
00:39:17Yeah, and it's devastating for Ray Phoenix after you had control of 90% of the early goings of this one,
00:39:22and still somehow Carmelo Hayes is now taking control of the matchup.
00:39:27Oh, what a DDT by Hayes to retain!
00:39:32How the hell did Phoenix kick out?
00:39:34God, just folded up like an accordion from that leaping DDT,
00:39:38spiked right on the top of the cranium of Ray Phoenix.
00:39:42Take another look at this.
00:39:43The angle that Ray Phoenix's head hits,
00:39:46all of that impact going down the spine,
00:39:49compressing the neck,
00:39:51and right for the pickings now has to be Ray Phoenix.
00:39:54And now Carmelo Hayes,
00:39:56he went for the first 48,
00:39:58able to counter,
00:39:59now shoulders are down.
00:40:01A couple of technical high flyers here,
00:40:07and now this one breaking down into heavy shots too.
00:40:10And Phoenix with a kick right to the jaw.
00:40:12God, that hit hard.
00:40:14Ray Phoenix is a highlight reel, isn't he?
00:40:17And completely rocked in the corner now is Melo,
00:40:21but needing to get his breath is Ray Phoenix.
00:40:23Such has been the frenetic pace of this match.
00:40:26Chopped from Phoenix.
00:40:29And now strategy goes out the window,
00:40:31perhaps looking for that MMB here.
00:40:34With Carmelo Hayes up on his shoulders.
00:40:37Oh, and here's the counter and a kick out.
00:40:41So good from Melo there.
00:40:43So much reflexology.
00:40:46Yeah,
00:40:47Phoenix looking for the Phoenix driver to try to put Carmelo Hayes away.
00:40:51Carmelo able to counter.
00:40:53And Ray Phoenix now with a kick right to the face.
00:40:57Carmelo follows up with one of his own.
00:40:59What a kip up by Phoenix.
00:41:01Oh.
00:41:02The United States Championship match continues.
00:41:05Oh God, these two have tested each other's high flying skills,
00:41:22their technical skills,
00:41:24and now just the sheer brutality of their shots.
00:41:27And really in the deep waters, it's all about endurance at this point.
00:41:32It is for the United States Championship as we kick off Royal Rumble weekend
00:41:38with Friday night SmackDown.
00:41:41What an exhilarating matchup we are getting kicking off SmackDown here,
00:41:45but we need a winner and Melo so desperate to cling onto his goal.
00:41:50Chopped by Hayes, drops Phoenix.
00:41:52Is this matchup as physical as you expected?
00:41:55Yeah, well it's broken down into that sheer physicality at that point.
00:41:58I think ever since that DDT on the top of the head of Ray Phoenix,
00:42:03all bets were off.
00:42:04And this one really is up for grabs.
00:42:22The champion Hayes, the challenger Phoenix, both down center of the ring.
00:42:36Who will reach their feet first to try to gain the upper hand in this championship matchup?
00:42:41And it would be Carmelo Hayes and Ray Phoenix.
00:42:44This is the most focused I've seen Phoenix in a long time.
00:42:50Yeah, well gold's on the line.
00:42:52These opportunities rarely come around in WWE and you have to be ready to grab it.
00:42:58Just an electric crowd here tonight.
00:43:04Riyadh's seasoned stadium at CAFT here in Saudi Arabia.
00:43:09Talking about that exhaustion kicking in.
00:43:15These superstars have flown halfway around the world to battle like this.
00:43:20And that really tests your endurance in and of itself.
00:43:23Phoenix collapsing as Hayes caught him.
00:43:38And now Hayes with an elbow.
00:43:40Cover to retain the title.
00:43:42And a two count kick out.
00:43:43Yeah, I don't know if it was a shot itself that dropped Ray Phoenix
00:43:47or just the sheer exhaustion of being this deep into a matchup with an absolute machine.
00:43:53Like Carmelo Hayes who seemingly doesn't tire.
00:43:57Yeah, wouldn't take anything away from Ray Phoenix and his stamina though.
00:44:01He's gonna have to dig deeper than he ever has done before
00:44:04if he wants to put Melo away at this point though.
00:44:07A lot of shots by Phoenix.
00:44:13Trying to create some sort of space here.
00:44:15Official Dan Engler right in the mix.
00:44:23Something has to give both of these men in a perilous position.
00:44:28Last place you want to be on jelly legs.
00:44:31And that goes for both men here.
00:44:33Who can gain supremacy?
00:44:35It looks like Phoenix.
00:44:43Ray Phoenix, Carmelo Hayes battling it out for Hayes' United States Championship.
00:44:48Perilous position now for these two superstars.
00:44:51Yeah, it seems like Carmelo Hayes is now getting the worst of this as Ray Phoenix looks to carve a path to greatness.
00:44:59Stumbling on the ropes there.
00:45:01Shows how exhausted these two must be.
00:45:03The way that Phoenix readjusts and now goes up to the ring pals.
00:45:07Oh my goodness!
00:45:09The fire stomp by Ray Phoenix to Carmelo Hayes.
00:45:13And Hayes has no clue where he's at right now.
00:45:15And the Phoenix is about to take flight.
00:45:17Off the top rope.
00:45:18What a moonsault.
00:45:19The springboard by Phoenix to win the championship kick out by Hayes.
00:45:24What a match!
00:45:25Just jaw dropping balance and athleticism on a badly beaten down Ray Phoenix.
00:45:33What a bullseye to the temple of the champ, Carmelo Hayes.
00:45:37Whose grip on the title is now loosened dramatically.
00:45:47Phoenix not allowing any space by Hayes.
00:45:50There was a wild swing by Carmelo too.
00:45:52Oh!
00:45:53Carmelo a nice takedown!
00:45:54That missed the cap!
00:45:55Is it enough?
00:45:56No!
00:45:57Near fall!
00:45:58Page right out of a luchador playbook right there.
00:46:02Almost enough to secure victory for Carmelo Hayes.
00:46:06Carmelo Hayes, who is showing severe signs of both exhaustion and frustration.
00:46:12Oh, he has delivered every shot to Ray Phoenix.
00:46:17And Phoenix keeps coming back for more.
00:46:19Yeah, Phoenix has been equal to everything Carmelo has thrown at him.
00:46:22But will he be equal to this?
00:46:23Yes, apparently.
00:46:27Hayes with a kick.
00:46:29Carmelo, springboard, second rope, takes down Phoenix.
00:46:32Nasty DDT again.
00:46:34Another near fall by the champion.
00:46:37Second one spiked on the top of the head of Ray Phoenix.
00:46:42Compressing that neck again.
00:46:44Watch the impact again.
00:46:45Right on the top of the cranium of Ray Phoenix, who can barely move at this point.
00:46:51Referee taking a close look at the challenger here.
00:46:54You saw a little bit of frustration in the face of Carmelo Hayes when he couldn't put Phoenix away there.
00:46:59Now Carmelo's gonna go up top.
00:47:01Top rope now by Hayes.
00:47:03Carmelo Hayes has to roll through as Phoenix rolls out of harm's way.
00:47:09And down goes Carmelo Hayes off of DDT for the title.
00:47:14Near fall again at two and a half.
00:47:17So close with that DDT of his own finally throwing something back.
00:47:22Other way of Carmelo Hayes, who I think went in for the kill with that top rope leg drop.
00:47:28Went for nothing but net.
00:47:31Did not get it.
00:47:32And now it is there for the taking for Ray Phoenix.
00:47:37Hayes first 48.
00:47:39He caught Phoenix with the first 48.
00:47:42Phoenix is stunned.
00:47:44Carmelo Hayes trying to drag himself up to the top rope.
00:47:47Trying to pick up the pace here.
00:47:50Nothing but net.
00:47:52Cover.
00:47:53Case closed.
00:47:57Here is your winner.
00:48:02And still United States Champion, Carmelo Hayes.
00:48:10What a performance weight by both of these men.
00:48:12Ray Phoenix made one slight mistake at Hayes Capitol.
00:48:16And Hayes capitalized.
00:48:17Yeah, and here he goes for the nothing but net.
00:48:20And it was indeed nothing but net for Carmelo Hayes.
00:48:24As you said, case is closed.
00:48:27And this breathtaking US Open Challenge of Carmelo Hayes will continue.
00:48:34What a fighting champion.
00:48:36The United States Champion, Carmelo Hayes.
00:48:39Give me one good reason why I shouldn't.
00:48:51Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
00:48:52Look, look, look.
00:48:53You think I came up with throwing you off the top rope last week?
00:48:57Carmelo Hayes is so worried about protecting his United States Championship.
00:49:01He did the one thing that no one thought he would do.
00:49:04He came to me.
00:49:06I have no beef with you.
00:49:08I didn't even know you.
00:49:11Where are my good manners?
00:49:14Miss Amelia, nice to meet you.
00:49:16Like, nice to talk to you for the very first time.
00:49:19Like, by the way, I love this suit.
00:49:20Like, it is my pleasure.
00:49:22And this is how it could have been.
00:49:27We could have had a little chat, get to know each other.
00:49:30But no, you cost me my match.
00:49:34And I don't care or know if you work with Melo or not.
00:49:39All I know is that tonight, your pain will entertain.
00:49:54Bye.
00:50:25Turn to run.
00:50:27Now look what it's become.
00:50:28About number ten to one.
00:50:29Back then should have bit your tongue cause there's no turning back.
00:50:32This path once it's begun.
00:50:33You're already on that list.
00:50:34So you don't want what you can't resist.
00:50:36Waving that sword when the pen won't miss.
00:50:38Watch it all falling apart like this.
00:50:40This is what you asked for, Eddie.
00:50:42On the east coast, nine of the morning on the west coast is the Countdown show.
00:50:45Followed by the Royal Rumble at two east, 11 west, and then the post show.
00:50:50Well, speaking of the Rumble, Wednesday, our buddy Pat McAbee, during his show on ESPN, got a surprise phone call.
00:51:02Brock Lesnar just called.
00:51:06Hey, Brock.
00:51:08The boys say what's up.
00:51:10It's great to see you.
00:51:11What are you doing?
00:51:12You look like you're in great shape.
00:51:13I'm heading to the Royal Rumble, boys.
00:51:15I'm going to win it.
00:51:16Oh, you're in the Royal Rumble?
00:51:17You're in the Royal Rumble?
00:51:19I'm going.
00:51:20A lot of young bucks out there, too, Brock.
00:51:22A lot of young bucks out there, Brock.
00:51:24I'm in shape, brother.
00:51:25I'm in shape.
00:51:26We're going to do this.
00:51:28That's big, dude.
00:51:29What a legend.
00:51:30That's big.
00:51:30And that is scary news to the other 29 competitors in one of the most star-studded Royal Rumble matches of all time.
00:51:3830-man over-the-top Royal Rumble match where the last man standing gets to choose which champion he faces in a main event at WrestleMania.
00:51:48So, Nick, how do you like your balls?
00:51:59Juggled, shuffled, or rolled?
00:52:01I'll tell you, you're handling those balls like a pro, Truth.
00:52:04This ain't my first time, Nick.
00:52:05No, I don't doubt that.
00:52:06What's up, guys?
00:52:07DP in the house!
00:52:08Damien.
00:52:09Nick, I appreciate you taking my call after Saturday night's main event.
00:52:13But today's the day.
00:52:14What's the news, man?
00:52:16Well, spots were filling up for us, but I made it happen.
00:52:19Damien Priest, you're in the Royal Rumble.
00:52:21All right.
00:52:21That's my dog!
00:52:22Hey, you get to touch my balls.
00:52:24But look, step on up here.
00:52:26Get up in there.
00:52:28Gentle!
00:52:29Chico.
00:52:30Well, bye.
00:52:44My bad.
00:52:45You can go again.
00:52:46Whoa, whoa, no.
00:52:48No, he can't.
00:52:49I'll go again.
00:52:49It doesn't matter.
00:52:50It's just a number.
00:52:51It just gives me more time to throw some fools down.
00:52:54Either way, I'm coming out the winner.
00:52:57Thanks, Nick.
00:52:57Good luck.
00:53:00I'll pick more than once.
00:53:03Well, confidence does not seem to be an issue for Damien Priest heading into tomorrow's Royal Rumble match.
00:53:09Someone who will be keeping a close eye on that match.
00:53:11Please welcome my guest, undisputed WWE champion, Drew McIntyre.
00:53:15Now, Drew, I was hoping to get a quote from you on your first title defense against Sami Zayn tomorrow,
00:53:23as well as ask your thoughts on the participants in the Royal Rumble.
00:53:26Well, let's talk about the participants we heard from some earlier tonight that were running their mouths.
00:53:33Former world champions like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso.
00:53:38There's someone else out there talking a pretty big game who's never, ever won a WWE world title.
00:53:43Sami Zayn.
00:53:44He's not the same Sami Zayn that beat 11 straight times.
00:53:47No, no, he's at moment after moment.
00:53:48He's main evented a WrestleMania since then.
00:53:50But Sami Zayn will always be Sami Zayn and put his stupid foot and his stupid mouth.
00:53:55And you got yourself in an eight-man tag the night before the biggest match of your life
00:54:00with some of the most dangerous men in WWE.
00:54:02Good job.
00:54:04I'll be watching.
00:54:05Here's something I want you to think about.
00:54:09And listen closely because this is a threat.
00:54:10I will do whatever it takes to keep my title.
00:54:18Are you willing to do whatever it takes to take it from me?
00:54:27Well, Drew McIntyre facing Sami Zayn at the Royal Rumble tomorrow.
00:54:32But before we get there, as we saw at the top of the show,
00:54:35the temporary alliance of Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Jey Uso,
00:54:38and Sami Zayn will take on the dangerous alliance of the vision in eight-man tag later on tonight
00:54:45in our main event right here on SmackDown from Rhea.
00:54:53What a week on the WWE Podcast Network,
00:54:58highlighted by The Undertaker's Six Feet Under podcast.
00:55:01This guest, none other than Cody Rhodes.
00:55:03And on Stephanie McMahon's What's Your Story, the Hall of Famer, the great Trish Stratus,
00:55:09all available on the WWE Podcast Network.
00:55:16I am here with the women's tag team champions, Rhea and Io,
00:55:19and you guys have obviously grown close.
00:55:21But tomorrow, you compete against each other in the Royal Rumble.
00:55:24Have you thought at all about if it comes down to you two in the final?
00:55:27Look, Io and I, we understand that when it comes to the Royal Rumble,
00:55:31it's every woman for themselves.
00:55:32There's not really friendships.
00:55:35But we've also overcome a lot.
00:55:37So after the Rumble, we're still gonna be friends.
00:55:40We faced each other at WrestleMania
00:55:42and still became friends.
00:55:45We can handle the Rumble.
00:55:46Ladies, ladies.
00:55:48You know, the real thing is cute and all,
00:55:50but ultimately, it'll be your undoing.
00:55:52So we do agree on one thing.
00:56:11Your friendship's not any kind of danger
00:56:13because it's not gonna come down to the two of you in the Rumble.
00:56:16Okay?
00:56:17It might be a different story, though,
00:56:18when we take those tag titles.
00:56:19Because Julia goes on to WrestleMania to become a triple champion.
00:56:24You guys are getting a little ahead of yourselves.
00:56:26I think you could say the same thing for you.
00:56:29I think you're all getting a little ahead of yourselves,
00:56:32thinking you're gonna win the Rumble.
00:56:34Lash and I are entering, so none of you stand a chance.
00:56:38Look, whoever walks out as tag team champions,
00:56:41just know we got the winner.
00:56:43That's right.
00:56:44I know more.
00:56:45He can get you to the back.
00:56:46I know more.
00:56:47The tag team division's never been hotter.
00:56:59All hail the queen.
00:57:12The tag team division is all toward list.
00:57:13¶¶
00:57:17¶¶
00:57:24¶¶
00:57:31¶¶
00:57:38Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
00:58:06Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss
00:58:11They are friends tonight
00:58:15But they'll be frenemies tomorrow
00:58:19Because both of these women will be a part of the 30 woman
00:58:23Over the top of Royal Rumble match
00:58:27Where the last woman standing gets to choose which champion she'll face
00:58:32In a main event at Wrestlemania
00:58:36And it's an interesting way to Alexa Bliss
00:58:39Looking to win her first ever Royal Rumble match
00:58:42It seems like she's accomplished just everything else in her career
00:58:44Charlotte Flair on the other hand
00:58:47The only woman to ever win two Royal Rumble matches
00:58:50Including last year's event
00:58:52Yeah, that's part of what I love about Royal Rumble matches
00:58:55Of course, as you mentioned, these two have been laser focused on that Red Heart Women's Tag Division here in WWE
00:59:02As have a lot of other women that we've just seen prior to this entrance
00:59:08But the inherently individual pursuit of winning a Royal Rumble match
00:59:14Sending yourself to Wrestlemania for that World Championship opportunity is really gonna test some bonds
00:59:19Tomorrow night
00:59:20And I've noticed some tensions
00:59:22More so than ever between Charlotte and Alexa Bliss
00:59:25Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait
00:59:28Now you're just making stuff up
00:59:30Now you're trying to drive a wedge
00:59:32You're trying to cause problems
00:59:33I haven't seen any of that
00:59:35Whatever you're talking about
00:59:36Allies of convenience they call themselves
00:59:38Well, when convenience ends
00:59:41So may the allyship
00:59:43So I'm your ally of convenience when Tess isn't around
00:59:46Riyadh, woo!
00:59:51We are one day away from the Women's Royal Rumble
00:59:56And I gotta be honest, the women are at each other's throats
00:59:59But the truth is, I'm winning the Rumble
01:00:02I'm going to Wrestlemania
01:00:05And there's no one I'd rather have my back while I do it than my best friend, Lexi
01:00:12That's so funny, Charlotte, because I actually had the same plan
01:00:26Dude, I knew you'd be supportive
01:00:32No, I was gonna dedicate my win to you
01:00:34Thank you, but no, no, no, no
01:00:37What I was saying was, I was planning on winning the Royal Rumble
01:00:41Well, how are you winning if I'm winning?
01:00:45I mean, I've won twice, so the odds are in my favor
01:00:48Right, but you have to remember, I made history too
01:00:52I had the first WWE women's match in the Middle East
01:00:58And I plan on being the first woman to win the Royal Rumble here in Riyadh
01:01:03No, I mean, that's awesome, and I think that's great, but I don't think you're listening
01:01:09No, you've been a great tag partner, you're a great best friend, but tomorrow is every woman for herself
01:01:16I mean, did you think I was going to help you win?
01:01:20Help me win, Charlotte, I don't need your help to win, but you don't need my help either
01:01:25And I'm gonna hold your hand when I say this to my best friend, Charlotte
01:01:30Not everything is about you
01:01:34Ouch! Well, that hurts
01:01:39So you're saying if I turn my back, you're gonna toss our friendship, you're gonna toss me over the top rope?
01:01:45Are you gonna toss me?
01:01:56See where you started? I told you the attention, finally you spotted two, huh?
01:02:07Aww, how cute! The two besties are fighting!
01:02:34We can't relate, but to be real, while you two are busy backstabbing each other tomorrow night
01:02:43One of us three are gonna win the Royal Rumble match
01:02:49I hate to break it to you, Lib, but having the other two help you win isn't really a plan
01:02:55And if you think we're not friends, why don't you guys come down here and find out?
01:03:12okay oh here we go well it's three on two that was a bad so fast ladies well
01:03:37you can tell the Royal Rumble is on deck because that seems to be what
01:03:39everybody wants to do here tonight and ladies I know that the judgment day are
01:03:44not officially part of Smackdown but I have a rule and that is if you step on
01:03:48this stage you're volunteering to step in that ring so any two of you are gonna
01:03:57face Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss and we're gonna get a referee out here
01:04:01because I don't want to wait we're gonna do that right now
01:04:06general manager Nick Aldis is busy tonight this tag match is next
01:04:11you
01:04:15you
01:04:19you
01:04:21you
01:04:21you
01:04:23you
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