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#fridaynightsmackdown
#smackdown
#fridaynightsmackdown
#smackdown
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00:00:00championship tiffany stratton and jordan grace as julia who has the title looks on ringside here
00:00:06live from vegas t-mobile arena friday night smackdown we have been told that cody rhodes
00:00:12the undisputed champion is coming this way as jordan grace right on through to deliver oh what a
00:00:18counter what an incredible counter by stratton to deliver the ddt and both stratton and grace
00:00:25are down cory and that move may have saved tiffany's chances of becoming number one contender
00:00:30because jordan grace can smell the blood in the water she knew it was time to finish the deal
00:00:35but stratton turns the tides with this fantastic counter into a spike ddt what a sequence there
00:00:42as tiffany stratton had to come up with it and she did a year ago women's champion fighting at mania
00:00:50a year later overcoming so much adversity back from injury working herself back into position
00:00:56tonight could go a long way to getting where she wants to get to one step closer to the united
00:01:01states championship which whereby means one step closer to the top of the mountain the wwe
00:01:06women's championship perhaps the women's world championship but for the double stop countering
00:01:10by grace for the counter shoulders down and tiffany finds a way to continue oh boy the powerhouse jordan
00:01:17grace but look at stratton back and forth they go it has been even with each getting the best of
00:01:24the
00:01:24other there's a double man good god the impact of that is that enough and jordan grace just barely
00:01:33escapes there was some malice behind this dropkick joe let's take another look ever full extension
00:01:41right to the chest of grace what a scene here at t-mobile the superstars of raw and smackdown
00:01:49all together we're going to have a commercial free last hour the andre the giant battle royal
00:01:54is still to come i was mentioning cody rhodes is going to also be here his response to what we
00:01:59heard
00:01:59from randy orton earlier tonight look at this unique offense from jordan grace the juggernaut teeing off
00:02:05for you had said that she went back to the lab to the performance center to add to her arsenal
00:02:11i think
00:02:12we're starting to see it now it could be paying massive dividends in the form of a number one
00:02:17contendership for the united states title she has found her gear jordan grace look at a package up
00:02:24tiffany stratton and she does
00:02:31and stratton gets that right shoulder up and off and the face of jordan grace says everything you need
00:02:38to know the folding power bomb couldn't get it done incredible power displayed by jordan grace but you
00:02:44can see the frustration instantly after tiffany stratton kicked out the first time in this match we've seen
00:02:50that sort of emotion out of jordan grace she calls herself the juggernaut for a reason and you're
00:02:56seeing it right here what a battle in vegas oh boy well done by stratton i think grace was looking
00:03:03for a
00:03:03vertebrae breaker handspring stunner by stratton she is rallying here in vegas and now in position
00:03:15looks julia's way and says you know what i'm going for prettiest moonsault ever
00:03:27here is your winner tiffany stratton and with that number one contender tiffany stratton
00:03:38and julia the champion looking cool calm and collected
00:03:45what a scene julia and tiffany face to face after that
00:03:54so much mainstream attention on trick williams this week all the chatter being the ultimate breakout star
00:04:01we will hear from trick willie next
00:04:07well the big circle the date weekend has arrived and let's remind you what is coming up next
00:04:13at 8 15 so once we're done with smackdown you got the red carpet show that goes right into the
00:04:19hall
00:04:19of fame that you can see on the espn app domestically in the u.s youtube internationally then tomorrow
00:04:25coverage of wrestlemania 42 begins at 3 eastern core you myself biggie the whole game we're going
00:04:32to be on the countdown show before michael cole has his 25th call of wrestlemania coming your way
00:04:406 p.m rinse and repeat for sunday coverage countdown mania post show to follow
00:04:52oh boy oh you ready
00:04:56his first mania trick williams
00:05:05look at his first of many josephsing to lock that in
00:05:18his first of many josephsing books lock that in
00:05:24nothing hits like some lemon pepper steppers on the grandest stage of them all
00:05:29As they make their way towards us
00:05:50Has got the size he's got the swagger he's got the power
00:05:56WrestleMania is right where this man belongs
00:05:59Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome
00:06:01Trick Williams
00:06:05Arguably the hottest rising star in the industry
00:06:11And is this the weekend that the strap comes his way?
00:06:16Trick Williams
00:06:35What?
00:06:37Huh?
00:06:39Uh huh
00:06:40I like it
00:06:43What?
00:06:45Who am I?
00:06:46Who am I?
00:06:47Who am I?
00:06:48Now, hear me out. Usually, I come out here, it's all smiles, gains, and jokes.
00:06:59Not tonight. Tonight, I got something to get off my chest, so we're going to talk about it.
00:07:08Sami Zayn, last week, you crossed the line. Roll the footage.
00:07:20This is what Trick was referring to. Trick Williams going one-on-one with Matt Cardona,
00:07:24and Lil Yachty would put his nose in Sami Zayn's business, so Sami would attempt to kick Yachty's nose off
00:07:29of his face.
00:07:30Delivers a haluba kick, but Trick was able to recover fast enough to deliver a trick shot.
00:07:36And knock off Matt Cardona.
00:07:46You see, Sami Zayn, last week, you hit Lil Yachty with a haluba kick.
00:07:56Last week, you hit my friend with a haluba kick.
00:08:04Last week, you hurt my friend with a haluba kick.
00:08:10I don't know when Lil Yachty's coming back.
00:08:13I don't know if he'll be back tomorrow.
00:08:15I don't know if he'll be back Sunday.
00:08:18Which means, Sami Zayn, you did something worse than hurt my friend.
00:08:23You hurt Trick Williams' entrance for WrestleMania with a haluba kick.
00:08:30So this is what we're going to do about it.
00:08:32We ain't waiting until Sunday.
00:08:35Grown folk talking.
00:08:36We're going to take care of business tonight right here in Las Vegas.
00:08:40Sami Zayn, the gingerbread man, brings your ass out here.
00:08:46We're going to get this now.
00:08:48I love it.
00:08:49Let's do it.
00:08:50Oh, and Sami's ready for it, Corey.
00:08:52Oh, man.
00:08:53This place is about to rock.
00:08:55Sami is responding and saying, I'm here.
00:08:58What?
00:08:59Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
00:09:06This is ridiculous.
00:09:07Are you smelling molasses and brown sugar?
00:09:14It's nice to see if a gingerbread man has made a full recovery from Shrek.
00:09:18Oh, boy.
00:09:19The trick is having a laugh.
00:09:26It's a lullaby flower and nutmeg, doesn't it?
00:09:29Full-sized gingerbread man.
00:09:31Those weren't the substances I was thinking of, Joe.
00:09:33Yeah, or something else.
00:09:38Hey, yo, cut the music.
00:09:42Las Vegas, let me introduce you to Sami Zayn, the gingerbread man.
00:09:58You know, the thing is, I'm supposed to be upset with you, Sami.
00:10:02But as I'm right here in your face looking at you, you look upset yourself.
00:10:10What's wrong, gingerbread man?
00:10:12There wasn't no diehard Sami Zayn fans last week in San Jose?
00:10:21Maybe there's some diehard Sami Zayn fans right here in Las Vegas.
00:10:32Maybe not.
00:10:34So maybe all the diehard Sami Zayn fans are in Drury Lane.
00:10:44No, no, no, come on, gingerbread man.
00:10:46It's okay.
00:10:47Listen to me.
00:10:48But you know what they always say.
00:10:50When life gives you lemons, you put on your...
00:10:55And mind your business while grown folk talking.
00:10:59Because this Sunday is all about Trick Williams.
00:11:02This is my first WrestleMania.
00:11:04My moment to get that United States Championship.
00:11:07And I'll do whatever it takes to get that United States Championship.
00:11:11And I'm going to be whooping something.
00:11:13I'm going to be whooping something.
00:11:15Las Vegas, tell them what we going to do.
00:11:18Whoop that trick!
00:11:20Whoop that trick!
00:11:22Whoop that trick!
00:11:24Whoop that trick!
00:11:26Whoop that trick!
00:11:26That's good.
00:11:28That's great.
00:11:33Whoop that trick!
00:11:34That's funny.
00:11:35No, it is.
00:11:36It's funny.
00:11:38I'm glad you're having so much fun.
00:11:41I'm glad you're taking your first WrestleMania so seriously, Trick.
00:11:47I actually almost kind of envy it.
00:11:49I wish, I wish I was having as much fun as you.
00:11:53But the truth is, I haven't been having a good time in a very long time.
00:12:02And I'm walking into WrestleMania as the United States Champion.
00:12:06And I'm still not really having a very good time, Trick.
00:12:14And by the sounds of it,
00:12:18it sounds like a lot of the fans here also have not been having a whole lot of fun lately.
00:12:41You know, I'm still not really sure exactly what it is I did wrong.
00:12:46I really, I don't know, I really don't know, but the truth is, I don't care, because I am doing
00:13:01this, I do this every day for the ride or die Sami Zayn fans.
00:13:09The ones that have been with me since day one.
00:13:18Make no mistake, there are plenty of ride or die Sami Zayn fans watching at home, and there's plenty here
00:13:26in Las Vegas.
00:13:28And they will be in my corner at WrestleMania and beyond.
00:13:33But here's the thing, Trick.
00:13:49Yeah, no, no, no.
00:13:51We're going to talk about that in a second, too.
00:13:54Trick, since you got here, since you first showed up on SmackDown, what was it, four months ago when you
00:13:58interrupted me?
00:14:01Everybody was talking about you like you were, I'm sorry, you know, can you not stand like that?
00:14:06Can you not stand like that, please?
00:14:09No, no, no, no.
00:14:09Hands on hips are even worse.
00:14:11Just go away, go away.
00:14:13Go over there.
00:14:14Get out of here.
00:14:16Go away.
00:14:16I don't want to see you.
00:14:24Trick, you showed up four months ago and everybody was talking about you like you were the future of this
00:14:28industry.
00:14:29And I was the first one to agree with them.
00:14:32But you know what you've showed me in the last four months?
00:14:36Not a whole lot.
00:14:38Not a whole lot.
00:14:39You've shown me that you have a great entrance.
00:14:42You got a catchy catchphrase.
00:14:44You could apparently even drop a pretty decent diss track.
00:14:48Congratulations.
00:14:49But you know what you haven't showed me?
00:14:51You haven't showed me anything where it counts, in this ring, when it matters, Trick.
00:15:00So now when I look at you, I don't see the future of this business anymore.
00:15:09Trick, when I look at you now, all I see is a little punk rookie.
00:15:22A little punk rookie who's about to walk into his first WrestleMania with one of the best to ever do
00:15:28it.
00:15:29Who's going to realize at WrestleMania that he bit off more than he can chew.
00:15:34Because instead of taking things seriously, he walked into the biggest match of his life without a plan.
00:15:42No plan, Sammy?
00:15:43No plan, Trick.
00:15:44No plan, Sammy?
00:15:45Look at me.
00:15:46I am the plan.
00:15:50I've been here for four months.
00:15:52It took you, the veteran, all out your game.
00:15:56Trying to find yourself.
00:15:57You're combing your hair now.
00:16:00Huh?
00:16:01Your breath smell.
00:16:03Like 10 pounds to bounce that ass?
00:16:07You done lost yourself.
00:16:09You crashing out.
00:16:10They ain't a safe water bottle backstage because you don't know how to find Sammy Zane no more.
00:16:17But that's right.
00:16:18You are Sammy Zane.
00:16:20One of the most respected guys in the locker room.
00:16:23The guy with all the accolades.
00:16:25All the titles.
00:16:26Tag teams.
00:16:27Intercontinental.
00:16:27You have it.
00:16:28You've done it.
00:16:28But you threw that all away because this rookie got in the game.
00:16:36Who doesn't have a plan, Sammy?
00:16:38Look at me when I'm talking to you.
00:16:44Because the truth is, I'm the one that's going to get the job done.
00:16:52Let's talk about it.
00:17:08You think, you think that is in my head?
00:17:13You think you're, you think you're in my head?
00:17:17You think this is your big, this is your big plan?
00:17:21This is the master plan that you cooked up in that big old brain of yours.
00:17:25This is it.
00:17:25You standing in a ring two days before WrestleMania with a gingerbread man?
00:17:40Well, actually, Sammy, I'm standing in the ring with two gingerbread men.
00:17:51Oh, here they go.
00:17:53As Sammy said, in this ring where it matters.
00:17:55Well, in this ring is where they're going toe-to-toe.
00:17:58Right in the middle of it right now.
00:18:00And Drake got the upper hand.
00:18:02Just dropped the United States champion.
00:18:04That little punk rookie he described.
00:18:08Oh, ho, ho, ho.
00:18:09Sammy just sent him out.
00:18:10Here he goes.
00:18:11Come on.
00:18:12Sunday, they meet up for the United States championship.
00:18:18You're in this ring.
00:18:19You're in my world, Rick.
00:18:24Sammy freshly acquired it.
00:18:29Come on.
00:18:30Go on.
00:18:31Go on.
00:18:35Go on.
00:18:36Go on.
00:18:38Go on.
00:18:43I mean, come on.
00:18:46That's a real knee-spark move.
00:18:52Oh, the gingerbread man takes a halubah.
00:18:56A head-twisting halubah.
00:19:02Oh, trick shot.
00:19:09That's what he's after.
00:19:11Sami Zayn's WrestleMania challenger just put the champion down.
00:19:17Somebody get a spatula and a cookie sheet for the guy on the right.
00:19:20Sunday, WrestleMania 42.
00:19:24Can Trick Williams grab that title?
00:19:30Zayn and Trick Williams coming your way from here in Vegas.
00:19:37The American Nightmare bus has pulled up.
00:19:41Cody Rhodes, we will hear from the undisputed champion as we enter a commercial free hour of WrestleMania SmackDown next.
00:19:52WrestleMania, where legacies are defined.
00:19:56My sister and I built this division.
00:19:58And even with Nikki fighting through an injury, we're showing up.
00:20:03Because when the Bella Twins step on that stage, the standard is set.
00:20:09Standard?
00:20:12It's not about where you've been.
00:20:14It's about who owns the division right now.
00:20:18Then all of you better get ready to prove it.
00:20:21Because nobody just gets handed anything at WrestleMania.
00:20:26You're right.
00:20:28You don't get handed anything.
00:20:30You get ran over.
00:20:32And that's exactly what we've done with every team we've stepped in the ring with.
00:20:38We've heard that before.
00:20:40Nikki's rehabbing and fighting like hell to get back to that ring.
00:20:44We've been doing this together our whole lives.
00:20:47And every time something tries to take us out, we find our way back.
00:20:52We didn't even like each other.
00:20:54And we still figured out how to become champions.
00:20:58That's what makes us dangerous.
00:21:00Well, this isn't about what you had.
00:21:03It's about what you can do when it matters.
00:21:07At WrestleMania, we're not here to remind people who we once were.
00:21:11We're here to show people who we still are.
00:21:14And at WrestleMania, we take back what's ours.
00:21:17And we're gonna do it together as friends.
00:21:21At WrestleMania, we are bringing our absolute best.
00:21:26And we are gonna make sure that we make everything
00:21:29that we have been through this past year worth it.
00:21:33And at WrestleMania, don't worry.
00:21:36We'll make sure you all get your moment.
00:21:40And just know, this will be the last WrestleMania moment you'll ever have.
00:21:55The elite talent of that fatal four-way has come your way tomorrow at WrestleMania.
00:22:06And two of the very best you just heard from, now arriving here on SmackDown.
00:22:11All hail the Queen.
00:22:15Charlotte Flair preparing for WrestleMania, where the Queen shines like no other.
00:22:33The 14th time world champion.
00:22:54The following tag team contests is scheduled for one fall.
00:22:58Introducing first, the team of Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss!
00:23:04Corey, the friendship they said would fizzle is seemingly running better than ever.
00:23:09I still don't believe it.
00:23:10Really?
00:23:11Not for a second.
00:23:12I think as long as these two continue to win,
00:23:15as long as they have golden opportunities lying before them,
00:23:18sure, they can pretend, they can get through it.
00:23:20But the minute they don't, this whole thing's going up in smoke.
00:23:24And it might happen starting this weekend.
00:23:26It also may be a return of gold, though, this weekend.
00:23:29With the fatal four-way to determine the women's tag team championship.
00:23:33The irresistible forces defending in this elite-level fatal four-way
00:23:38when you look across that challenge.
00:23:40We've got to acknowledge the powerhouse reigning champion.
00:23:44The irresistible forces heading in to WrestleMania with the gold.
00:23:48I don't see any possibility they're dethroned.
00:24:08And their opponents making their way to the ring.
00:24:12The team of Bayley and Lyra Valkyria!
00:24:17Corey, every team in this fatal four-way has a very strong reason to believe
00:24:22they are worthy of being the tag team champions already,
00:24:26especially Lyra and Bayley.
00:24:27Oh, too.
00:24:28Bayley especially, one of the most decorated women in WWE history.
00:24:32And I do believe that Lyra and Bayley are friends,
00:24:35because let's be honest,
00:24:36no one else in the locker room likes either one of them.
00:24:38So they found each other,
00:24:39but that could lead to gold at WrestleMania.
00:24:42And Bayley so frustrated.
00:24:44She hasn't forgotten last year when she missed WrestleMania
00:24:48due to Becky Lynch, who would join Lyra Valkyria.
00:24:53That's not all in the rearview mirror for Bayley.
00:24:55That's what's driving her this year in Las Vegas.
00:24:58Last week on SmackDown, we saw singles action.
00:25:00Alexa defeated Bayley.
00:25:01And then you were on the call on Raw when Lyra defeated Charlotte.
00:25:04Due to outside interference on both counts.
00:25:08As has been a constant theme, by the way, of this division.
00:25:11Yeah, you aren't kidding.
00:25:12Back and forth we go off the opening bell.
00:25:15Here it is.
00:25:15Well, we're not wasting any time at all among these four.
00:25:19Look, if I'm either of these teams,
00:25:21I am trying to use tonight as an opportunity to inflict damage.
00:25:24Yes.
00:25:25To punish my opponent, to try to soften them up,
00:25:27weaken them in any way you possibly can
00:25:29prior to the fatal four-way at WrestleMania.
00:25:3124 hours away from the siding thing.
00:25:34Oh!
00:25:34Oh, man.
00:25:35Excellent stuff from Lyra.
00:25:37Bayley sent shoulder first into the steel ring stairs.
00:25:40And wait a second.
00:25:41Wait a second, Joe.
00:25:42Oh, no.
00:25:43Nia is here.
00:25:45Wasting no time.
00:25:47You just mentioned the irresistible forces.
00:25:50And here comes Lash.
00:25:52And this thing is dissolving immediately
00:25:54as Charlotte just backs a longtime rival into the corner.
00:25:59Plenty of history between Jackson.
00:26:01Flair!
00:26:01And Lash, legend, continuing to carve out her own legacy here in WWE.
00:26:07She has burst on the scene, and the champs arrive.
00:26:11You said soften up the opposition.
00:26:13The champs arrive to do that.
00:26:15As Lyra tries to get right on top of Lash.
00:26:18Hey, at this point, you might send some help out here.
00:26:20We're in danger of losing a match from the WrestleMania card.
00:26:23Nia and Lash may eliminate Lyra, Bayley, Charlotte, and Alexa all together.
00:26:30They have a regular tag match by this.
00:26:32Oh, man.
00:26:32That right hand delivered to Lyra.
00:26:36But you may not like the actions of the irresistible forces, but this is a brilliant strategy.
00:26:42Oh, no.
00:26:43Watch out.
00:26:44We've seen this before.
00:26:45Lash rag-dolling Lyra.
00:26:49The Chino in place.
00:26:51And then Nia with a leg drop.
00:26:59Absolute devastation.
00:27:01This is coming your way to decide it.
00:27:04Who will have gold?
00:27:06The fatal four-way is Saturday on WrestleMania 42.
00:27:12Look at the power of these two women, Joe.
00:27:14You mean to tell me you think anyone else stands a chance?
00:27:17Then comes Sunday, of course, it'll be Obafemi and Brock Lesnar.
00:27:25Ancient legends say before man, before even the gods, it was the dominion of the Titans.
00:27:42After generations of lying dormant, an unholy beast emerged.
00:27:52For more than two decades, fueled by unbridled rage, reveling in the carnage it has sowed.
00:27:59Conquered the Undertaker's undefeated streak.
00:28:03Leaving nothing sacred in its weight.
00:28:05Brock Lesnar's WrestleMania.
00:28:08Open challenge.
00:28:12But every monstrous force eventually meets its equal.
00:28:18Obafemi is here!
00:28:20Don't care who you are!
00:28:24As a new Titan steps forward,
00:28:28time stands still.
00:28:36Holy s**t!
00:28:38The ruler just put down the beast!
00:28:45The ruler.
00:28:48Unshaken.
00:28:50Unyielding.
00:28:52They rise for him.
00:28:55They follow his stride.
00:29:00He does not chase destiny.
00:29:04For he is inevitable.
00:29:10Now, they walk the same ground.
00:29:15A beast bent on obliteration.
00:29:18And a colossal bringer of war.
00:29:23Violence perfected meets immovable dominance.
00:29:28Two Titans.
00:29:30Obafemi!
00:29:31You won't even know his name after WrestleMania.
00:29:34Only one can conquer.
00:29:36Brock Lesnar is our friend!
00:29:38Obafemi!
00:29:39I am the mountain!
00:29:40You cannot conquer!
00:29:41Only one can rule.
00:29:44At WrestleMania.
00:29:45I will slay the beast!
00:29:47The reckoning rise.
00:29:48Because I am the one!
00:29:50Prepare.
00:29:53For decimation.
00:29:56There is something about the way that Obafemi has confidently said,
00:30:01I have always been the one that gives you reason to believe.
00:30:07A guy like that stepping to the beast, it happens Sunday.
00:30:11There is an extinction-level event waiting to take place this Sunday that will change the face of WWE forever.
00:30:20There can only be one.
00:30:23Will it be the ruler or will it be the beast?
00:30:256 p.m. start time.
00:30:27That's on ESPN and ESPN app.
00:30:28And as you can see, one of the great traditions in WWE, the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
00:30:34The ring is filled up.
00:30:35The winner receives that, the massive Andre the Giant Memorial Trophy.
00:30:52Now we've gotten to know his life story of overcoming adversity very well.
00:31:00The following contest is the 2026 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
00:31:08Making his way to the ring from East Palo Alto, California.
00:31:12Playing in at 269 pounds.
00:31:17Royce Keyes!
00:31:18Almost impossible to root against Royce Keyes, just understanding what he's been through in life as he has shared his
00:31:26journey with us.
00:31:28Nobody is rooting against Royce Keyes.
00:31:30Oh, no.
00:31:31Did you say his name?
00:31:32No, I didn't, Joe.
00:31:33I swear I heard you had a commercial break.
00:31:35Did you?
00:31:36Absolutely not.
00:31:37I believe in Joe Hendrick.
00:31:40Love and love it.
00:31:42And Paris and Tokyo.
00:31:50The only thing giant about Joe Hendricks is his ego.
00:31:53I believe in Joe Hendrick.
00:31:59That's from Edinburgh, Scotland.
00:32:02Weighing in at 252 pounds of pure motivation.
00:32:07Joe Hendrick!
00:32:10Is Gargano okay?
00:32:11I mean, this has been going on for so long.
00:32:13Sad Johnny.
00:32:14But right now, that name and that signature song echoing throughout Las Vegas.
00:32:21We are set.
00:32:23Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
00:32:26That's Gargano.
00:32:28That's some unfamiliar faces in the fray right now, Joe.
00:32:31You'll see Psycho Clown.
00:32:32One half of the AAA.
00:32:33Oh, I love that.
00:32:34Tag team.
00:32:35Whoa!
00:32:35Do it!
00:32:36Kit Wilson!
00:32:37He just tripped over Johnny Gargano.
00:32:40Said Johnny was planking out.
00:32:42And remember, he got cursed earlier tonight by Dan Housen.
00:32:46That was toxic!
00:32:50You see Shiloh Hill, NXT standout.
00:32:53Winner of LFG Season 2.
00:32:56Nathan Frazier of Fraxium.
00:32:58Not a lot of real estate to work with for any of these guys.
00:33:00So Kit Wilson is out of the Battle Royal right away.
00:33:05Uh-oh, uh-oh.
00:33:06Out on the apron.
00:33:06That's dangerous territory there.
00:33:08Saban has Frazier up.
00:33:10Saban and Frazier on the apron.
00:33:12Giving each other the best that they can offer.
00:33:15Oh, big boot.
00:33:17Saban answers.
00:33:18Oh, those feet touch.
00:33:19He's got to be out.
00:33:20Trying to chop down on the hand, securing that middle rope.
00:33:25Oh, and good job.
00:33:26Gargano gets rid of him.
00:33:30What an impact on the side of our announce desk.
00:33:33It was incredible.
00:33:37Oh, more eliminations as well as Saban is out.
00:33:41Axiom.
00:33:43It's the Angel of Los Garzai in there throwing hands with Big Otis.
00:33:47El Grande Americano.
00:33:48The real and the original.
00:33:51Oh, no, no, no.
00:33:52Not here.
00:33:52Not the mask.
00:33:53Not here.
00:33:54In Vegas.
00:33:54They're both out.
00:33:56After all the drama recently on AAA, Talatanga just cleans it up.
00:34:03Well, kudos to the giant of the MFT, Talatanga, for competing for the second time tonight.
00:34:09Just to show you how prestigious DeAndre the Giant trophy is.
00:34:13Shiloh, Hill, and Ilya Dragunov throwing down.
00:34:15Yeah, earlier tonight, the MFT coming up with a victory over the Wyatt Six in an eight-man street fight.
00:34:21And Solo Sokoa delivered the message to Talatanga to do this for the family.
00:34:26Oh, Shiloh out on the apron.
00:34:28Now the Mad Dragon going after him.
00:34:29And there's another elimination here as the field is whittling down here.
00:34:35The Andre the Giant memorial battle royal.
00:34:37Leparka in the center of the ring.
00:34:39Every day is Dia de los Muertos when you're dealing with Leparka.
00:34:43As Los Garza know very, very well, all three men, strong Lucha Libre heritage.
00:34:48Big knee from Leparka.
00:34:51Oh, my God.
00:34:53Oh, the stars against the best of them.
00:34:54Leparka is out.
00:34:56Angel and Bird on now mocking him right there.
00:34:59Oh, Rey Fenix.
00:35:00How about that?
00:35:01That's what you get for dancing in the face of Leparka.
00:35:05Rey Fenix, one of the most decorated stars in the history of AAA.
00:35:09He loves to make some WrestleMania magic tonight here in the Andre the Giant battle.
00:35:14Loyal.
00:35:14Psycho Clown with a pop-up.
00:35:16No, no, no, no.
00:35:18Here it comes.
00:35:23Psycho Clown just tore his own face off, Joe.
00:35:26This is too good.
00:35:30Oh, here it comes.
00:35:31Keys.
00:35:32Royce Keys.
00:35:33All that power and intensity of Royce Keys.
00:35:37Well, it can't be lost, Joe, is the magnitude of this opportunity, of this moment, of this weekend for Royce
00:35:43Keys.
00:35:43We know the struggles he had to overcome just to get here.
00:35:46But he now finds himself in the thick of it on WrestleMania weekend.
00:35:50As he debuted at the Royal Rumble, he had a signature.
00:35:53Oh, the DDT right onto the apron.
00:35:57Gargano has been on fire.
00:36:01Keep your...
00:36:02Oh!
00:36:03Adios!
00:36:06Rey Fenix.
00:36:10Big left hand from Gargano.
00:36:12Stopped Phoenix.
00:36:12Looking for the spear.
00:36:14I believe he got super kicked by Phoenix.
00:36:17See Apollo Crews still hanging strong in there.
00:36:20Shinsuke Nakamura.
00:36:21Akira Tozawa.
00:36:22Cruz.
00:36:24Alistair Black, I believe, is still hanging out in there.
00:36:26Is he ever?
00:36:28And, of course, Tomo Tango is going to be a difficult out for anybody.
00:36:32Joe Hendry.
00:36:33Trying to get here.
00:36:34Oh, and Cruz is gone.
00:36:36Adios, Apollo.
00:36:37Hendry now.
00:36:39All the way.
00:36:41Matt Cardona always ready.
00:36:43Wasn't ready for Joe Hendry.
00:36:45Joe Hendry just muscling on up.
00:36:49Gargano.
00:36:51And delivering.
00:36:54Can't stand when he does this.
00:36:56The crowd disagrees.
00:36:58I'm smarter than most of them, Joe.
00:37:01At least a few.
00:37:02Alistair Black says, Corey, I gotcha.
00:37:06My man.
00:37:09Atala now.
00:37:10Atala Tonga from behind with an attack here.
00:37:13DeAndre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal from here the night before WrestleMania.
00:37:19Cruz del Toro and Joaquin Wilde, the LWO, trying to bring the fight together against Talatonga.
00:37:25That's going to take more than one man.
00:37:27You've got to get that teamwork when it comes to nearly seven-footer who just arm drags and sends him
00:37:33over the top rope.
00:37:34Just pulled him forward.
00:37:36See ya.
00:37:37Del Toro stuffed midair.
00:37:41He was given the mission from Solo Sokoa.
00:37:44And now the other competitors say, we've got to go after him.
00:37:49This is what it's going to take.
00:37:52Oh!
00:37:53Talatonga shreds them.
00:37:55Massive uppercut.
00:37:59Delivering time and again.
00:38:01Phoenix.
00:38:01Spinning kick.
00:38:02Kick attack.
00:38:03Looking to chop him down low.
00:38:04Now goes up high.
00:38:06Denies it.
00:38:06Parries the kick.
00:38:14Phoenix is able to catch himself on the top rope.
00:38:17Look at this.
00:38:19Oh, no.
00:38:21Oh, no.
00:38:22From nearly seven-foot high, that chokes the end.
00:38:25And the edge of the apron.
00:38:28That reinforced hardened edge of the apron.
00:38:32Joe, I think we are witnessing Talatonga finding himself coming into his own.
00:38:37Before our very eyes in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royale.
00:38:40Well, there is a receiving line of shots and kicks.
00:38:44Oh, shit!
00:38:45Kinshasa!
00:38:46And Kinshasa!
00:38:47Right to the head.
00:38:49But Alistair Black again is there in cleanup duty.
00:38:54I like what Alistair did for the first time, not that time.
00:38:56Oh, the Mad Dragon.
00:38:57The Mad Dragon.
00:38:58Ilya Dragunov.
00:39:01Trying to get sent up and over.
00:39:04Right hand by the Mad Dragon.
00:39:06Felt good to call it Kinshasa again.
00:39:09But Dragon, oh, man.
00:39:11I'll tell you.
00:39:12Alistair Black is on quite the run.
00:39:15Meanwhile, Akira Tozawa.
00:39:22Black Mass.
00:39:27Exit this way, he says.
00:39:30Alistair Black is proving to be a major force here in this battle royale.
00:39:35Yeah, that's really right, Joe.
00:39:36You can't not be impressed by Alistair Black.
00:39:39But Big Doe's just been unleashed.
00:39:42Here comes Otis.
00:39:49Stacking him in the corner.
00:39:56Otis saw what happened to Tozawa.
00:39:59And is just taking care of business everywhere he looks.
00:40:05Take that, Magic Mike.
00:40:07Big Doe's is in Las Vegas.
00:40:09And Johnny Gargano is in the world's spot.
00:40:14Look at those worms from Tremors.
00:40:18And Gargano sent to the outside.
00:40:21Somebody scraped him off the floor.
00:40:23Cardona.
00:40:24Oh, man.
00:40:26Oh, man.
00:40:26There was so much violent force behind that.
00:40:32Thanks for coming, Cardona.
00:40:35And look at this foursome we have.
00:40:39Otis and Alistair Black.
00:40:41Royce Keys and Tom LaTonga.
00:40:46And now the striking combination.
00:40:48Otis rolls out of the way.
00:40:49The big man.
00:40:50Showing some mobility, Corey.
00:40:53The big bear paw of Otis.
00:40:54Went on the temple of Alistair.
00:40:56You don't want to get in a striking match with Alistair Black.
00:41:02That Muay Thai background.
00:41:04That black mask.
00:41:05Each and every time.
00:41:06The violence that couldn't be unleashed.
00:41:09Royce Keys now.
00:41:10Is he going to find out?
00:41:12Ooh.
00:41:12Big knee.
00:41:13Royce stands up to it.
00:41:15And eliminates Alistair Black.
00:41:18And then there were three.
00:41:23Otis.
00:41:24Royce Keys and Tom LaTonga.
00:41:26And take a look at this showdown.
00:41:30The powerhouse.
00:41:31The big man.
00:41:33And Otis.
00:41:35Who is also both.
00:41:36He is everything.
00:41:38I mean, look at these three body types you have.
00:41:40In the ring right now.
00:41:42Three extraordinary.
00:41:43The unique athletes.
00:41:44Slames down Royce Keys.
00:41:46And Keys is not used to being manhandled.
00:41:49Just a massive hoot from Tom LaTonga.
00:41:54And with that, say goodbye to Otis.
00:41:58The showdown is set.
00:42:02The Andre the Giant Battle Royal comes down to Tom LaTonga and Royce Keys.
00:42:07And the power could all be shifting to the MF Keys in a matter of moments.
00:42:14Spine buster.
00:42:16What a spine buster.
00:42:18Royce Keys.
00:42:21Royce Keys does it.
00:42:23He does it.
00:42:24Hell yeah, he did.
00:42:26Here is your winner of the 2026 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
00:42:36Royce Keys.
00:42:39Royce Keys has been in WWE since the Royal Rumble.
00:42:44But April 17th, 2026, Royce Keys has arrived.
00:42:52What a win.
00:42:54What a win.
00:42:57Take a look at the power.
00:43:00Keys nearly putting the monstrous Tala Tonga straight through the middle of the ring.
00:43:06Launching Tonga to the outside.
00:43:09And the elation has got to be off the charts.
00:43:13What a journey.
00:43:14What a journey.
00:43:16What a moment.
00:43:17What a man.
00:43:24As the big hearted big man stands next to the Andre the Giant Memorial Trophy.
00:43:31Named in honor, of course, of the first Hall of Fame inductee on a night when we will have the
00:43:35Hall of Fame induction soon enough.
00:43:37Royce Keys is your winner of the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
00:43:46What a way to kick off WrestleMania weekend tonight on SmackDown.
00:43:52But let's chat about tomorrow.
00:43:53A certain greatest of all time.
00:43:56None other than John Cena will be the master of ceremonies on Saturday.
00:44:03Remember that gets underway on ESPN2 in the first hour.
00:44:06And here is the full card, Corey.
00:44:08The first hour available on ESPN2.
00:44:11The six-man tag team at the Usos in L.A. Night against the Vision and Eye Show Speed.
00:44:18And, of course, what we've been talking about all night.
00:44:20We're still awaiting the arrival of the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes, as he defends his title against the 14-time
00:44:28world champion, Randy Orton,
00:44:31who will have Pat McAfee in tow.
00:44:34Not to mention Rollins and Gunther.
00:44:37What a night it's going to be.
00:44:38Of course, the whole weekend's on the ESPN app.
00:44:40And then Sunday, the first hour, also on ESPN.
00:44:44And the multi-platinum.
00:44:45Grammy-nominated recording artist Joe Jonas will be performing the national anthem to kick off WrestleMania 42 on Sunday.
00:44:55And the first match that day, as we show you the full court, will be Oma Femi against Brock Lesnar.
00:45:01We will have the ladder match.
00:45:03Sami and Trick, the Demon Finn Balor, and Dirty Tom.
00:45:06The Women's Championship with Rhea and Jade.
00:45:08And it all concludes with CM Punk and Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship.
00:45:25This is greatness on a different level.
00:45:29Roman Reigns is going to WrestleMania.
00:45:38What I'm doing is chasing something, and that something is greatness.
00:45:44With that comes a responsibility, a wearing the crown.
00:45:51I'm picking you because I hate you.
00:45:56I've always hated you.
00:46:00You're in the main event of WrestleMania, not just because you won the Royal Rumble, but because I am the
00:46:07main event of WrestleMania.
00:46:11Shield.
00:46:12I brought you to the dance.
00:46:16You brought the other two.
00:46:18Not me.
00:46:19You took a 10-year vacation, and then I let you back here, and what do you do?
00:46:24You screw me.
00:46:25You take my wise man, and you almost brainwashed me.
00:46:35I'm in your head.
00:46:37For a champion, I can see right through you.
00:46:40You got thin skin.
00:46:41He's got time to tweak, but he doesn't have time to come to Chicago.
00:46:44You mock me in my back like I'm some little young boy.
00:46:47Young boy!
00:46:48Who's the real tribal chief?
00:46:51I mean, come on with that garbage.
00:46:52Roman can't do anything without his cousins.
00:46:54We're the only reason this place is where it's at.
00:46:57This is my show!
00:46:59That title on your waist, it's an embarrassment.
00:47:02Because at the end of the day, you're old.
00:47:09Now I'm going to bury you, bury you next to your father.
00:47:17I'd watch how you talk about my family.
00:47:24We didn't bring you back to be champion, no.
00:47:31I understand why this company sends your beltless ass to Jimmy Fallon.
00:47:37It's because I'm a way bigger star than you.
00:47:39It's because you're safe, and you're boring, and you're plastic.
00:47:48At Mania, this backup plan, it ends.
00:48:20Take a look at that sign.
00:48:21You will acknowledge the best in the world.
00:48:32Acknowledge me.
00:48:49Wrestling has more than one royal family.
00:49:08A gentleman's ear to tell.
00:49:11Everybody out of control.
00:49:14Do we all get them on defeat?
00:49:20Cry the tears, about to flow.
00:49:40Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the undisputed WWE Champion,
00:49:47the American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes!
00:49:54Looks like he's just about tuxed up for the Hall of Fame, but there's only one place to go now.
00:49:59And that is to defending the undisputed championship here at Mania this weekend.
00:50:05And Joe, here's my concern for Cody as pertains to WrestleMania Saturday.
00:50:11Rhodes is proudly, as he calls himself, QB1 of WWE, representing what he believes this business is and should be.
00:50:19It has been wall-to-wall media, nonstop appearances.
00:50:23I was at WWE World with Cody yesterday morning.
00:50:26The guy is exhausted. He has to be. He can't be at 100%.
00:50:36Or he could be playing all of us. And Cody Rhodes is who he says he is.
00:50:41I'm concerned that Cody is too focused on Pat McAfee and not focused enough on Randy Orton.
00:50:48It is a fair point with the circumstances he's been dealing with for the better part of two weeks now.
00:50:55And that championship back in hand as he tore apart McAfee's studio this week to regain what is rightfully his.
00:51:02Now looking to defend it here in Vegas.
00:51:04the end.
00:51:06I am the king of the...
00:51:09You will try to tear me apart.
00:51:14Cause you can't get us happy.
00:51:20The game is true.
00:51:22You can't get us happy.
00:51:25You will try to tear me apart.
00:51:28You can't get us happy.
00:51:31I am the king of the...
00:51:45so las vegas nevada wrestlemania 42 the smackdown the night before what do we want to talk about
00:52:03here is what we're not going to talk about we are not going to talk about the last three
00:52:08wrestlemanias and the conspiracy theory that perhaps somebody is needling me somebody is
00:52:15messing with me whether it be the inclusion of the final boss a few years ago whether it be
00:52:21travis scott last year or whether it be someone who i'm not going to name but i think should just
00:52:33go home this year
00:52:35tomorrow is simple it's about two men in a single contest fighting for the oldest and richest prize
00:52:58in the game myself against my mentor in this business the legend killer the apex predator
00:53:05randy orton
00:53:11because i don't subscribe to that conspiracy theory no i think it comes with the territory
00:53:16same as the reaction tonight comes with the territory again it's randy orton he was out
00:53:21here talking about me taking earlier that that's all i do i take
00:53:29interesting choice of words for randy because he has never taken responsibility in his life
00:53:41and randy the best he's ever been which he is 2009 randy we keep referencing well i'll pull that thread
00:53:49i was there in 2009 i saw what he did he burned everything in his path and then he went
00:53:55to wrestlemania
00:53:56he wrestled for this and he lost
00:54:04but unfortunately as good as randy has become
00:54:15as good as randy has become he's now associated with a word that most wrestlers
00:54:31from one champ to the other
00:54:52cody's got randy on saturday night cm punk roman reigns on sunday night
00:54:56pro. Margie.
00:55:01cu.
00:55:02Margie.
00:55:06he's on
00:55:10he's on
00:55:12my
00:55:25calmm
00:55:26We are lies, no lies, for mere speaks, the flesh shall die.
00:55:37We are here, we are here, we are here, we are here, we are here, we are here, we are
00:55:45here, we are here.
00:56:00I just, I just have to ask you, champ to champ, also friend to friend, if we shake hands and
00:56:07hug right now, are you going to kick me in the balls and turn on me too?
00:56:30There's a lot of people that deserve to get kicked in the balls around here, you're not one of them.
00:56:35Now, I came out here to maybe give you a little bit of advice, but definitely stop you from mentioning
00:56:42somebody's name that doesn't deserve to be spoken about, a tourist in this business, who is not worth your time,
00:56:49these people's time, our energy, or anything else.
00:56:52Are you wearing a bow tie?
00:56:57We do have the Hall of Fame later this evening, we dress up for the legends as you are looking
00:57:03dapper yourself, Chick Magnet.
00:57:06I thought maybe you would call attention to that, this has to be the first time I've worn a suit
00:57:11on WWE television since the time Teddy Long got married.
00:57:15You remember that?
00:57:16Yes, Jagged Edge was there.
00:57:19Bruce, Bruce.
00:57:20Bruce, Bruce.
00:57:21Bruce, I bring all that up because me and you go back a long way and that obviously illustrates it.
00:57:26We've stood in this ring in front of these people multiple times before as friends, as competitors, and we've talked
00:57:35about who's chasing who.
00:57:37Early in your career, you said you were chasing me and then I got back here after my hiatus and
00:57:42your hiatus and I found myself chasing you trying to rumble and become champion.
00:57:47But now I just wanted to take the moment to relish in the fact that we are both standing in
00:57:52the ring, live, on a Friday night in Las Vegas.
00:57:58Ten toes down, looking at each other as friends and as champions, headlining WrestleMania 42.
00:58:07I think we're past CM Punk giving Cody advice because honestly, brother, you have done and said things that I
00:58:15have yet to accomplish.
00:58:19If I was ever a teacher to you, I sure as hell am not now, but I want you to
00:58:23focus.
00:58:24Don't worry about anybody else but Randy.
00:58:26You know how dangerous he is.
00:58:28You've learned from some of the best.
00:58:30John Cena, your father.
00:58:33And if Randy was ever one of your teacher, he sure as hell ain't now.
00:58:38So in a way, maybe, I don't know what happens tomorrow and I don't know what happens Sunday and I
00:58:44can't make promises that I won't keep.
00:58:47But I do know that on Monday, win, lose, or draw, you'll be here.
00:58:53I'll be here.
00:58:56And look around you, Cody.
00:58:58You helped build this.
00:58:59You helped make this.
00:59:01I can only ask all of you to please come with us on the next adventure and be here on
00:59:08Monday too.
00:59:09Cody, champ to champ, friend to friend, brother to brother, I'm proud of you.
00:59:17Go get it done tomorrow night.
00:59:20Have some fun.
00:59:23Punk, punk.
00:59:24No, no, no.
00:59:27Hey, it might subvert the expectations of our relationship and you're always teaching me something, but there is one thing
00:59:34I want to share with you.
00:59:37I know who you're up against this Sunday.
00:59:41You're up against a guy that we have literally created terms for.
00:59:48He's that good.
00:59:49You up against the most dominating WrestleMania main eventer in the history of our game, the OTC.
01:00:01But, punk, you were not born into this like he was, like I was.
01:00:08You came into this because you loved it.
01:00:10You trained with Harley Race.
01:00:11You found your own tribe.
01:00:12You hung out with Terry Funk.
01:00:14WWE came to you when they weren't even looking at guys who looked like you.
01:00:19They wanted you so bad you kept the name CM Punk.
01:00:24And then you went away.
01:00:25You went away for 10 years, but you had captured their imagination so much that they still chanted your name.
01:00:31And they chanted it loudly.
01:00:47You could have come back.
01:00:49You could have waved your hat around.
01:00:51You could have done the greatest hits.
01:00:53But you didn't do that.
01:00:54You came back better than ever.
01:00:57I don't know if we're talking about Foreman or Warner of the greatness of Brady, but I'll speak our language
01:01:02because we're standing in the squared circle.
01:01:04Shawn Michaels.
01:01:05He came back after a five-year debilitating back injury.
01:01:08We never thought we'd get him back.
01:01:10And here you are.
01:01:11And you are better than you have ever, ever been.
01:01:15If there's a conversation, right?
01:01:17If there's a conversation going on, oh, Macho King at one point was Mr. WrestleMania.
01:01:22Then it became the heartbreak kid Shawn Michaels.
01:01:25Well, it seems like you're going to make the argument, you're going to try and make it this Sunday, that
01:01:29the new Mr. WrestleMania is CM Punk.
01:01:42I want you to hear something from me because I'm one of the handful of people that have the right
01:01:48to say it.
01:01:50Thank you for everything that you have taught me.
01:01:53Thank you for sharing this moment in the ring with me and this wonderful audience here tonight.
01:02:02And if it means anything, someone that you took a great deal of counsel with and you made a promise
01:02:09to a long time ago, my dad would be extremely proud of you.
01:02:15I love you.
01:02:23There is nothing more to do or say.
01:02:26No more matches.
01:02:27No further promos.
01:02:29The destination we set course for.
01:02:31The music.
01:02:33Hang on a second.
01:02:35Hang on one second.
01:02:35Cut the music.
01:02:36I ain't trying to cry on a Friday night in Vegas.
01:02:39I'll cry Sunday after I beat Roman's ass.
01:02:44Cody said he loved me.
01:02:46I love all of you.
01:02:47And we're here for you.
01:02:49These titles are as much yours as they are ours.
01:02:52And we're here to celebrate with the people.
01:02:57Next words you're going to hear from us come tomorrow afternoon.
01:03:00When we simply say welcome.
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