The episode starts with the "Then, Now, Forever" logo.
John Cena (narrating): Then.
Ric Flair's Voice: Wooo!
The Rock's Voice: If you can smell–
John (narrating): Now.
Roman Reigns' Voice: Acknowledge me!
John's Voice: You can't see me.
John (narrating): Forever.
The WWE logo drops with the text "Together" also appearing.
The intro music plays, with "Crazy Town" by Jason Aldean was playing.
Michael Cole: Hello, everyone, Merry Christmas, welcome to the first episode of WWE Recaps. My name is Michael Cole and these are my broadcast colleagues, Corey Graves and Kevin Patrick. Corey, we had a pretty interesting episode of Friday Night SmackDown this past weekend, didn't we?
Corey Graves: Certainly, Cole, we had an appearance by the returning AJ Styles who opened up SmackDown explaining why he did what he did last Friday night.
We see a replay of what happened on Friday, with text appearing, reading "SmackDown: Last Friday".
AJ Styles makes his entrance to the ring, wearing a jacket, no shirt, and pants and shoes, a reference to his "No One" gimmick in TNA in 2013.
AJ Styles (talking on a microphone): Randy Orton (crowd cheers) wants Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble. LA Knight (crowd cheers) wants Roman Reigns anytime, anyplace, anywhere. The crowd cheers. And I don't blame either one of them. And I don't give a damn about Randy Orton or LA Knight. The crowd boos. AJ looks at the entrance ramp. Understand this: I am number one when it comes to getting his hands on Roman Reigns. And I-I want Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble.
LA Knight's entrance music plays as the crowd cheers.
Corey Graves (commentating): Imagine that: LA Knight has something to say about that.
LA Knight looks at the crowd as he appears on the entrance ramp.
Crowd (chanting): LA Knight! LA Knight! LA Knight! LA Knight!
LA Knight (talking on a microphone, to the crowd): Let me talk to you! The crowd cheered at that. (to AJ) I ain't gonna come and argue with you about who gets Roman Reigns first. If it's Randy Orton or if it's you. Nah, nah! 'Cuz, there's nothing to argue about. You gotta consider something right now. After what happened to me at Crown Jewel, I tell you what: you can have Roman Reigns. (gesturing to himself) After I get him first. The crowd cheered at that. As I'll tell you like this, Roman Reigns is going to get (gesturing to himself again) this man first, with everybody saying–
He points his fingers to the crowd.
Crowd (chanting): LA Knight, yeah!
LA (talking on a microphone, to AJ): But, considering what happened last week, the first one on my list damn sure could be AJ Styles. (to the crowd) Yeah!
Crowd (chanting): Yeah!
AJ (talking on a microphone, to LA, referring to The Bloodline's vicious assault on AJ nearly three months ago): Oh, you forget so easily that you stepped over my dead body to get a match with Cena to tag against The Bloodline and then get your match with Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel. LA walks up to the ring, with the microphone still in his hand as he appears on the apron, looking amused. That's the sit–
LA (interrupting him, talking on a microphone): Why don't we come and talk about it, huh?
AJ (talking on a microphone): You or anyone else who gets in my way, I'll drop them too.
Randy Orton's music plays as the crowd cheers.
Randy Orton's Music: I hear voices in my head, they counsel me, they understand, they talk to me
Randy Orton appears at the entrance ramp.
Corey (commentating): Use your words carefully, Mr. Styles.
Randy's Music: You got your rules and your religion
The music abruptly stops and we see Randy has a microphone in his hands.
Randy Orton (talking on a microphone, to LA and AJ): I can appreciate both of you and your issues that you have with Roman Reigns, your issues that you have with The Bloodline, (making an emphasizing sound) but–
Fan (interrupting him): Let's go, Randy!
Randy (talking on a microphone, ignoring the fan, to LA and AJ): –Roman Reigns and The Bloodline, they put me on the shelf for 18 months, 18 LONG months. Randy walked up the steel steps and on the apron and was continuing to talk as he entered the ring. Now, I enjoy being at home, boys, but I was missing my second home, which is right here in this ring. And I'm gonna tell you both something right now: nothing is going to get in my way, so frankly, here it goes fellas–
LA (talking on a microphone, interrupting Randy): Hold on, wa–wa–wait, hold, just wait a second. No disrespect, but let me go ahead and point something out right now: (to AJ, gesturing a finger at him) The Bloodline took you out, (to Randy, gesturing a finger at him) The Bloodline took you out, but does anybody remember them taking me out?
Crowd (chanting): No!
LA (talking on a microphone, to AJ and Randy): Nah, nah! Which means I'm bulletproof at this point. You guys have fallen at the feet of the Bloodline and what that means: you guys take every bit out on the Bloodline you want to, come along for the ride, but I've got Roman Reigns.
A familiar face, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis, appears at the entrance ramp.
Nick Aldis (talking on a microphone, interrupting LA, to AJ, LA, and Randy): Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen… So sorry to interrupt you, if I could have your attention please, just for one because, this is in fact, a situation we find ourselves in, isn't it? Because the way I see it, each of you has a legitimate claim to face Roman Reigns, so I've decided that I'm going to give you a legitimate opportunity to earn the right to face Roman Reigns next. So, in two weeks, we present SmackDown: New Year's Revolution, and at that event, it will be AJ Styles (cue a mixture of the crowd cheering and booing) vs. LA Knight–
Crowd (cheering, chanting): Yeah!
Aldis (talking on a microphone, to AJ, LA, and Randy): –vs. Randy Orton in a triple threat match. There is mixed reactions from the crowd as they hear this news. The winner gets Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble.
The three look at each other, with clear animosity in their eyes.
AJ (talking on a microphone, to LA and Randy): Fine, fine, whatever it takes to get to Roman Reigns. So, I'll see you two at New Year's Revolution. He stops for a moment and looks at them for a moment. And in my match with Solo Sikoa, if anyone gets close to the ring, I'll take them out, too.
He drops the microphone.
AJ Styles' Music: No, they don't want none
AJ's Music: No, they don't want none
AJ's Music: No, they're looking scared because they don't really want none
Cole: And, so we found out what will happen. In two weeks, on Friday Night SmackDown on Fox, LA Knight, Randy Orton, and AJ Styles face each other in a triple threat match. The winner faces Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble on January 27 for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship and an opportunity to end Roman's historic 1,211-day reign as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. The match card shows AJ Styles, Randy Orton, and LA Knight, as text appears, reading "Two Weeks, Live on Fox, 8/7C" and "Triple Threat Match: Winner Faces Roman Reigns for Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WWE Royal Rumble", respectively. And, obviously, when the Tribal Chief learned the news, he wasn't happy about it.
We see another replay, with text reading "SmackDown: Last Friday", as we see The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso, and Paul Heyman).
Roman Reigns: Wise Man?
Paul Heyman: Yes, my Tribal Chief?
Roman: Who is the SmackDown General Manager?
Heyman: Aldis. Nick Aldis.
Roman: Bring him to me.
Heyman: Um… my Tribal Chief, if I could have a moment of your time, just to brief you on this Nick Aldis, he…
Roman (interrupting Heyman): No, no… bring him to me.
Heyman: Yes, my Tribal Chief.
Heyman then leaves, leaving Roman to contemplate his thoughts as the crowd leaves.
Kevin Patrick ("KP"): But, that wasn't the end, because Nick Aldis would make it clear who was really in charge of SmackDown.
We see another replay, with text reading "SmackDown: Last Friday", as we see Roman on his phone, as Heyman approaches Roman with a smile on his face.
Heyman (to Roman): My Tribal Chief? He then shows Roman to Nick Aldis. This is SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis.
Roman: Leave us.
Heyman: Yes, my Tribal Chief.
Heyman then leaves as Aldis goes to sit next to Roman.
Roman (to Aldis): How do you know I wasn't talking to you?
Aldis: All due respect, I'm not sure I'd care if you were.
Roman (chuckling): Okay, good. (gaining a serious posture) You booked the triple threat match?
Aldis: I did.
Roman: And you booked Solo vs. AJ?
Aldis: I did.
Roman (nodding, rubbing his beard): Some pretty good ideas. You want to know what would have been a better idea? Aldis shakes his head. If you ran it all by me first. Aldis nods. You see, I'm the Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table. Everything goes through me, and I need you to understand that. Adam Pearce understood that.
Aldis (sarcastically): Now, you're just trying to hurt my feelings. (seriously) But, Roman, you seem to have forgotten that I'm an executive. I don't have feelings. But while we're on the subject of Adam, he's more of a middle management type. I'm the General Manager. The buck stops with me. I'm the sharp end of the stick on SmackDown now. And speaking of Solo, he's a big boy. I mean, he took care of John Cena. He took care of John Cena in a way I don't even recall you taking care of John Cena. So, I'm looking forward to Solo Sikoa taking on "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, just like I'm so looking forward to that triple threat match. And I'm absolutely looking forward to the winner of that match facing you at the Royal Rumble for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. But I appreciate the invitation. I look forward to more productive dialogue. I really hope we can get to know each other better.
Aldis smiles and leaves the room, as Reigns gives him an angry glare and expression and the crowd cheers.
Cole: The disrespect from Aldis wasn't enough as "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles would end up facing "The Tribal Prince" Solo Sikoa later that night.
We see another replay, with text reading "SmackDown: Last Friday", as we see AJ and Solo during their match, as AJ executes a Phenomenal Forearm on Solo.
KP (commentating): Styles, Phenomenal Forearm!
Solo's body moves to the outside.
Corey (commentating): Wisely, almost instinctively, Solo moves to the outside.
AJ doesn't see it, as Roman attacks AJ, forcing a disqualification.
Michael Cole (commentating): Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
Corey: Roman Reigns is back!
Roman used his feet to stomp a mudhole into AJ.
Cole: Roman Reigns chose this moment, saw the opportunity, and ran after Styles. The crowd booed in response. Eliminate one of your opponents. The crowd booed again as Roman held a finger to his lips to shush the crowd, which quieted, and he picked up AJ. Step up to Roman Reigns, you're gonna pay.
AJ, however, gets out of Roman's arms.
KP: AJ continues to fight, looking for a bit of separation, (AJ connects his feet to Roman's with an enziguri kick) connects with Roman Reigns!
Reigns falls down, stunned and shocked.
Corey: Reigns is down.
Cole: Reigns is stunned.
Roman gets up.
Corey: And the Island of Relevancy has been taking heavy fire for the past few weeks, an unfamiliar situation for The Tribal Chief.
AJ tries to attack Roman, but Solo knocks him to the ground.
KP: This smells trouble, and Solo Sikoa backs up. Solo hits AJ with several shots, as the still-stunned Roman gets up. Now plummeting AJ Styles as Roman Reigns watches on.
Roman Reigns stomps a mudhole into AJ, as Randy's entrance music plays.
Randy's Music: I hear voices in my head
Roman and Solo pay attention to the entrance ramp in fear, leaving Styles alone for the moment being.
Randy's Music: They counsel me
Randy's Music: They understand
Randy's Music: They talk to me
Randy appears, running down the entrance ramp, as the crowd is seen cheering.
Corey: The enemy of my enemy is my ally, right now Styles should thank his lucky stars that The Viper is in the house.
Randy immediately attacks Roman and Solo, punching the former several times in the face and punching the latter in the stomach.
KP: Randy Orton is here to fight! Randy takes down Solo, but Roman tries to fight back, only to get cornered. Taking it to The Bloodline.
In the corner, Randy hits Roman several times in the face.
Corey: Big right hands from Randy Orton, who's got Roman Reigns trapped in the corner.
Jimmy Uso appears out of (seemingly) nowhere, attacking Randy in the back of the head.
Cole: And here comes The Bloodline back up.
The crowd boos.
KP: Quickly outnumbered once more, the appearance of Jimmy Uso. Jimmy knees Randy in the back of the head and he and Solo keep hitting and kicking him in the side, respectively as LA's entrance music plays, as the crowd cheers and LA is seen running down the aisle. They didn't ask for his help, but The Megastar has arrived on the scene.
LA runs to the ring, and beats down Jimmy and Solo.
Corey: Oh, make no mistake, LA Knight isn't here to help anybody. LA Knight is here to fight The Bloodline.
Knight hits Solo and Roman.
Cprowd: Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
KP: Jabs to Solo and Roman, (LA punches down Roman as the crowd chants "Yeah!") look at LA Knight go! LA punches Jimmy, and tosses him to Randy, who throws him to the outside. LA Knight battling with Solo Sikoa, Orton sending Jimmy Uso to the outside. LA stares down Roman, who doesn't look him in the eyes and just shakes his head repeatedly embarrassingly with his head in his hands.
Cole: This has become a nightmare for Roman Reigns. Jimmy and Solo help Roman up. One of the three men in the ring are gonna face Roman Reigns at the Royal Rumble two weeks from tonight. The group stares at The Bloodline, who scurry away, causing the crowd to boo, as AJ smacks down Randy's hand and points a threatening finger in his face. They have the triple threat to determine the number one contender.
Randy and AJ appear to be arguing.
AJ (to Randy and LA, without a microphone): (pointing a finger at Randy) I told you and (pointing a finger) I told you I didn't need you down here.
The argument starts to get intense.
Crowd (chanting): RKO! RKO! RKO! RKO!
Randy seems to get through to AJ, however he punches LA in the face and hits Randy's chest with a chop.
Corey: Styles blasting Knight now, (LA knocks AJ down to the ground and tries to stomp a mudhole into him, but Randy stops him) LA Knight answers.
LA pushes Randy into the corner.
KP: Styles wanted Orton and Knight to stay out of things.
Cole: Well, that's the end of our show. See you tomorrow after the conclusion of tomorrow's episode of NXT.
Please review. What do you think about the first episode of this new series?