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00:00Coming up right now, it's about the WWE Championship.
00:02It is one of the most personal and professional rivalries
00:06that we have ever witnessed on SmackDown.
00:09It is AJ Styles, the reigning WWE Champion,
00:12and his bitter enemy, the challenger, Samoa Joe.
00:16It's about the WWE Championship.
00:23It is all about the WWE Championship.
00:28It is one thing to play mind games with your opponent,
00:31to gain a psychological advantage.
00:34Oh, Randy!
00:38It is another to terrorize another man's family.
00:42I made you a promise. Daddy was coming home.
00:48It looks like he's not.
00:52At Crown Jewel, it will be AJ Styles
00:56defending the WWE title against Daniel Bryan.
01:01Here comes the commissioner of SmackDown Live.
01:05We're gonna have AJ Styles taking on Daniel Bryan
01:10in the Crown Jewel WWE Championship match
01:16right now.
01:18The WWE Championship match from Crown Jewel has come early.
01:26Come on!
01:29Come on, Daniel Bryan!
01:36What an extraordinary matchup between two incredible athletes.
01:46Oh my God! Where did Samoa Joe come from?
01:49Samoa Joe!
01:51Samoa Joe!
01:53Samoa Joe has made no secret he desires to be WWE Champion.
02:02AJ, shouldn't you be in the trainers?
02:04I want Samoa Joe.
02:06I've filled my obligation defending my WWE Championship against Daniel Bryan.
02:10Now give me Samoa Joe at Crown Jewel.
02:13Consider it done.
02:14Thank you. You won't regret it.
02:17Samoa Joe will.
02:20Oh, AJ.
02:24Did you actually think we were done?
02:28There's no shortage of history between Joe and Styles.
02:32I knew I had to pick up my pen and my head right.
02:35Our final chapter. This needs to end.
02:40An uncontrollable and personal rivalry.
02:43In our final chapter, you are left gasping on the ground.
02:46Clutched out.
02:47Clutched out.
02:48This will be a war.
02:50A rivalry set to be renewed. Samoa Joe and Styles.
02:54Will this be the end of AJ Styles' reign or will it be the final chapter in this rivalry?
03:00And I am finally raising the WWE Championship above my head.
03:06The end.
03:18Samoa Joe.
03:23Renee, can Samoa Joe make this any more personal with AJ Styles?
03:28Absolutely not. You know, I tried to get a word with Samoa Joe earlier.
03:32Asked him about his actions on SmackDown Live.
03:34Going to Coquina Clutch on Daniel Bryan, on AJ Styles.
03:38Clearly sending a message.
03:39He just stormed right past me with a gruesome smile on his face.
03:43Samoa Joe stomping to the ring as ferocious as ever.
03:47I actually was able to sit down with Samoa Joe and got a few words from him.
03:51I said, why will tonight be different?
03:53He said, because each time I've stepped into the ring with AJ Styles, I've taken a piece of him with me.
03:59There's not enough left to do it again.
04:01This rivalry has been going on since SummerSlam.
04:04When I saw AJ Styles after their matchup at Super Showdown,
04:07I just couldn't believe the damage that was inflicted on the WWE Champion.
04:11But yet he stood tall, retaining the gold.
04:41It has been an historic reign as WWE Champion for AJ Styles.
05:03He is a two-time champion in this latest reign.
05:07He's held the title for 360 days.
05:12It is the 10th longest reign of any WWE Champion.
05:16And if he wins tonight, he'll be the 9th longest title holder.
05:23I heard Brooker T say earlier on the Crown Jewel Kickoff show that he talked to AJ Styles.
05:28He said, you better get into WWE.
05:30Start making your impact now.
05:32There's no question that ever since the Phenomenal One stepped foot in WWE, it's been just that.
05:38You know, Corey, it's interesting.
05:40Nearly a year into his title reign, and this coming week,
05:44SmackDown Live returns to Manchester, United Kingdom,
05:47where last year, that's where AJ Styles won the WWE title.
05:52On the ring side, I remember it fondly.
05:54One of the most emotional moments I can remember being a part of.
05:58Styles has since won the WWE Championship as proudly as any man can ever hold.
06:05Renee pointed out to me moments ago, Corey,
06:07that we have to watch the knee issues of Samoa Joe in this match tonight.
06:12Heading all the way back to Australia.
06:14We talked about what Jeff Hardy inflicted on Samoa Joe as well.
06:17He certainly was focusing on the knee of Samoa Joe.
06:20You're absolutely right.
06:21If there's a weakness to be found in the game of Samoa Joe, that could be it.
06:25There is wear and tear on the body of Joe.
06:27The same can be said for the champion.
06:33The following contest is for the WWE Championship!
06:41Introducing the challenger, from Huntington Beach, California,
06:45weighing in at 282 pounds,
06:50Samoa Joe!
06:58And his opponent, from Gainesville, Georgia,
07:02weighing in at 218 pounds,
07:06he is the WWE Champion,
07:11the phenomenal, AJ Styles!
07:18You see the look on the face of AJ Styles.
07:20He demanded this match tonight against Samoa Joe.
07:24He said, quote,
07:25I was proud of the title match I had with Daniel Bryan on SmackDown.
07:29The match centered on skill and athleticism.
07:32Joe's attack was not that.
07:35He got his wish.
07:37I'm going to put him out tonight.
07:39Graves, you think that was a smart idea from the WWE Champion?
07:42To demand a match with Samoa Joe?
07:45Absolutely not.
07:46I don't think in any walk of life that's ever a wise decision.
07:49But Styles is coming out of the gate fast and strong.
07:52And Samoa Joe covering up and has to try to survive the emotional onslaught.
07:56From the early going and right to the knee,
07:58the back of the knee goes Styles.
08:00Sounded like I heard it pop from here.
08:02AJ Styles certainly did his homework.
08:05Recalls what went down in Australia at the Super Showdown.
08:08Well, remember, that was a no disqualification, no count out match,
08:11that Samoa Joe went through a table.
08:13And that is where the knee issue started.
08:15And now right to the back of the knee again.
08:17And AJ Styles goes to work.
08:19AJ has certainly been a step ahead of Joe here in the early moments.
08:22It is why he demanded the matchup.
08:24He had a plan the entire time.
08:26And look at Samoa Joe trying to beg off the attack here by Styles.
08:29This has just gotten so personal between these two superstars.
08:33If AJ was able to shut down Joe tonight, they could be done.
08:36I mean, come on, when you target a man's family,
08:38you bring the family into discussion when it's a sporting event.
08:41It's about the WWE Championship.
08:43How do you expect AJ Styles to react?
08:45Showing up at a man's house.
08:47It's psychological warfare.
08:49It's doing what needs to be done in the mind of Samoa Joe.
08:52Corey, you can't even say that.
08:54I'm not justifying it by any means.
08:56I'm simply telling you what goes on in the mind of Samoa Joe.
08:59And now AJ Styles off the apron, Samoa Joe.
09:02And got kicked right in the jaw.
09:04And now Styles, moonsault off the apron.
09:07And Samoa Joe now.
09:09Driven into the post, and it has been all Styles.
09:12Joe has been so ineffective in this matchup.
09:15AJ Styles.
09:16Joe has been so ineffective since the bell rung.
09:18This is kind of surprising.
09:20His knee must be just causing so much damage on his entire body.
09:24Yeah, but now.
09:25Oh, AJ Styles bounced off the barricade.
09:28What happened there was AJ Styles went back to the ring to break the count.
09:32Does not want to win via countout tonight.
09:35He wants to beat down Samoa Joe.
09:37That tactic caught AJ Styles there.
09:40Dealing with a superstar like Samoa Joe, you can't let pride get in the way.
09:44He needs to escape with his championship by any means possible.
09:51And now Joe back into the ring.
09:53Remember, Joe, though, has to pin or submit Styles.
09:57A countout does not allow Joe to win the championship.
10:00Champion's advantage.
10:02And Joe with a knee driving Styles right back down to the floor again.
10:06What we're seeing is classic Samoa Joe.
10:08Uh-oh.
10:09Wait a minute.
10:10Look out.
10:12And AJ hit hard.
10:13AJ hit hard.
10:15His elbow driven into the announce table.
10:18His ribs as well.
10:19The official quickly down to check on the champion.
10:22And now the look, the demeanor of Samoa Joe has changed since he delivered that blow.
10:28I don't think Styles can catch a breath.
10:29He got the wind knocked out of him.
10:32Earth-shaking impact.
10:34Styles almost sent through the table courtesy of a Samoa Joe dive.
10:38And now Joe cover for the championship.
10:40And Styles kicks out.
10:42What I started to say, this is classic Samoa Joe.
10:45This is the trademark.
10:46Let's take one more look at this.
10:47Nearly 300 pounds.
10:49Oh, God, right on the edge of the announce table.
10:52Watch.
10:53Pay attention to AJ Styles' rib cage.
10:55Right on the point of the table.
10:57Driven into the ribs of Styles.
10:59I wouldn't be shocked at all if Styles didn't have a cracked rib or two right now after that impact.
11:03But Samoa Joe weathered the early emotional onslaught of AJ Styles.
11:08Joe is that tough of a human.
11:10He could survive that and change the tide in just one move.
11:13AJ better get back to his initial game plan quickly.
11:16I mean, it's pretty incredible when you think about what Styles has accomplished.
11:19To hold the WWE championship for nearly a year.
11:23It'll be one year next week.
11:24Look out.
11:25Samoa Joe, though, looking to end that reign here tonight.
11:28And he may have done it right there.
11:29Hooks the inside leg, and it allows Styles to put his leg on the bottom rope to force the break.
11:36Great ring awareness by the veteran Styles.
11:39Not to exert any more energy.
11:41It's a lot more difficult to push Samoa Joe's entire body weight off your shoulders than use the bottom rope.
11:46It was a smart move.
11:50And now the trash talking begins for the challenger Joe.
11:55AJ's going to have to temper his rage.
11:58He lets Joe under his skin any more than he already has.
12:01That could be it.
12:02We see a new WWE champion tonight.
12:04Right now AJ can be as rageful as he wants.
12:07Samoa Joe is in complete control.
12:09Now Joe just mocking and taunting the WWE fans as Styles again looks to fight back.
12:15But a vicious chop drops Styles in the middle of the ring.
12:19Turned Styles inside out.
12:24This match for the WWE championship.
12:26Later on tonight, we are guaranteed to crown a new universal champion.
12:32On Monday Night Raw, it will be either Brock Lesnar or Braun Strowman.
12:37Right now Samoa Joe is using all of his body weight, wearing down AJ Styles.
12:44Samoa Joe's had his heart set, his eyes set on that WWE championship since day one with WWE.
12:51Samoa Joe and AJ Styles exchanging blows center of the ring.
12:56Styles misses wildly.
12:57Joe with another vicious chop.
13:03And look at Joe go.
13:06And AJ with a step up enziguri.
13:09And Joe's down and Styles down.
13:11Styles has bought himself some valuable time.
13:14But Samoa Joe is the rare case where a bigger superstar is actually favored the deeper the match goes.
13:20Samoa Joe's endurance and cardio is freakish.
13:23Let's take a look at these.
13:25Like a grizzly bear pawing at Styles.
13:27Like a grizzly bear pawing at Styles.
13:29And Styles out of the way just in time to buy some time with a well placed kick.
13:35And a kick right to the ear dropped Joe.
13:38But Joe almost back up to a vertical base before the champion.
13:43Neck and neck here.
13:44Well, Styles gets there a fraction of a second before.
13:49Ah, now Styles with a chop.
13:51Styles with a chop.
13:56Knife edge chops from Joe are absolutely thunderous.
14:08Uh oh, Styles looking for the Styles Clash perhaps.
14:11Hasn't fared well for AJ in the past.
14:13Joe's a little bit too big.
14:17AJ second rope.
14:18Oh!
14:19Down goes Joe.
14:20Cover by Styles and a kick out.
14:32Samoa Joe doing a wise thing rolling to the outside to compose himself.
14:38The WWE Universe rallying behind the champion Styles.
14:42Even this deep into the match Renee.
14:44Do you think AJ wants to change strategy or does he stick with what works in the past?
14:48Oh!
14:49Delivering the forearm as he launches himself over the top rope.
14:52I think AJ might have to stick with some old tricks.
14:54He knows what can work against Samoa Joe.
14:56He's had victories over him before.
14:58If he can stick to that game plan which we're getting to right now.
15:01AJ looking for perhaps the phenomenal forearm as he launches himself off the second rope.
15:06Joe able to duck underneath.
15:07And once again Samoa Joe.
15:09Cover to win the championship.
15:10Two and a half almost had him.
15:12That point to counter it Renee.
15:14Samoa Joe knows every move AJ Styles is about to make.
15:18Almost before Styles makes it.
15:19What an impact on AJ Styles body.
15:23The speed with which Joe just drove Styles body down to the mat.
15:28It was horrific.
15:31Kick right to the back of Joe's knee.
15:33To this point in the match.
15:35Oh!
15:36And Styles landed hard on his neck.
15:38That is it.
15:39And a cover now.
15:40By Joe and a kick out by AJ.
15:42How the hell did Styles kick out.
15:44Turned inside out.
15:45Landed on the back of his neck.
15:47I have no idea how the champion fought through that one.
15:50That was one of the most brutal lariats I have ever seen.
15:54Let's take another look.
15:56How to make Stan Hansen blush.
16:00I can't believe Styles survived that.
16:03I can't believe Styles survived that.
16:06The last time I heard a club to the body like that was these two at Super Showdown in Melbourne, Australia.
16:12AJ and Joe down middle of the ring for the WWE Championship.
16:18We are sold out tonight at Crown Jewel.
16:25Samoa Joe back to his feet.
16:27Styles back to his feet as well.
16:29Styles once again looking for the calf crusher.
16:31Can he get it locked in on Joe?
16:33Looking for the calf crusher now.
16:35AJ Styles.
16:37Joe's got much thicker legs than a usual superstar.
16:40It could help him as far as buying some time goes.
16:42But this is incredibly agonizing.
16:44Especially on the injured knee.
16:45Joe gets it to the rope and gonna force the break.
16:53Joe's lower body just been beaten apart by Styles.
16:57What's the mark of a champion?
16:59AJ Styles knew coming into this battle that he requested what weak spots, if any, exist in the armor of Samoa Joe.
17:06It's the knee.
17:07And Styles is doing his best.
17:16And look at Styles from behind.
17:18O'Connor roll succeeds.
17:20Cover.
17:21And the Coquina Clutch.
17:23It's in.
17:24Joe just like that.
17:25Locks the clutch in on AJ Styles.
17:28The champion with nowhere to go.
17:30Will he tap out?
17:31Will he pass out?
17:32Will Joe win his first WWE title?
17:35Joe has put Styles to sleep on numerous occasions.
17:38Oh, look at this though.
17:39The bad leg.
17:41AJ Styles now torturing Joe.
17:44What a great counter by AJ Styles.
17:46And Joe makes it to the ropes.
17:50It was a desperate situation for the champion.
17:53But great, great awareness to grab the injured knee of Samoa Joe.
17:58Forcing Joe to break the Coquina Clutch.
18:00Thus preserving Styles' title a bit longer.
18:05This has been a relentless and vicious attack on Joe's lower body by the champion AJ Styles.
18:13Styles once again looking for the calf crusher.
18:16Joe hanging on in the corner.
18:18Elbows back of the neck in the upper back of Styles.
18:21And that rungs.
18:22Oh, and Pele kick.
18:24Right between the eyes of Samoa Joe.
18:32Both men giving it their absolute all for their right to be called WWE champion.
18:44Now AJ launched out to the apron.
18:46Oh, and a big right hand.
18:47Big right hand.
18:48Joe on spaghetti legs.
18:49Styles could be perched.
18:51Here it comes.
18:53Phenomenal forearm.
18:54This is it.
18:55To retain the championship.
18:57Got him.
18:58AJ Styles.
19:01Here is your winner and still the WWE champion.
19:08The phenomenal AJ Styles.
19:13I'll tell you, it has been an unbelievable title reign for AJ Styles.
19:17Closing in on one year.
19:20360 days as champion.
19:24And once again, the wolf in Samoa Joe came knocking at the door.
19:30But the WWE champion defended his title in the house that AJ Styles built.
19:37What a phenomenal effort by the champion.
19:42And much respect to Samoa Joe for bringing the big fight.
19:46This is wild.
19:47Joe taking it high risk.
19:50Throwing everything he had and then some at the champion.
19:54But Styles would not be denied.
20:01In the end, the familiar sight soaring through the sky.
20:05A phenomenal forearm found its mark.
20:11And drove away the threat that is Samoa Joe once more.
20:17A triumphant champion, AJ Styles.
20:21On top of the world from SmackDown Live.
20:26Coming up next, we guarantee we will crown a new universal champion.