Smackdown
Date: September 11, 2026
Location: Arena CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

We’re down in Mexico for the first time in about fifteen years (at least for Smackdown) and it’s a big card tonight. We have multiple title matches, with the big headliner being CM Punk defending the World Title against Sami Zayn. It’s hard to imagine a title change, but Zayn has been such a wildcard lately that anything is possible. Let’s get to it.

Here is Sunday Night’s Main Event if you need a recap.

We look back at Cody Rhodes once again falling for a ploy against Randy Orton and losing as a result.

Here is Orton to a hero’s welcome and he wants to talk about Rhodes. The reality is that Rhodes is not a killer but rather a good man, husband and friend. It takes a special man to take someone’s soul and Rhodes is not a killer. Orton is though and he doesn’t care if he’s perceived as a good person or not. No one gets in the way of his fifteenth World Title so he’s coming for whomever leaves as champion tonight, with promises of an RKO.

Nick Aldis tells Chelsea Green that she loses the Women’s Title if she’ gets injured again. Tiffany Stratton comes in for quite the pep talk as Green is off to find lip gloss.

AAA Cruiserweight Title: Ricky Saints vs. Rey Fenix

Fenix is defending and of course gets a massive reaction. Fenix starts things off with a springboard armdrag and hurricanrana but gets sent outside. Saints hits a suicide DDT and goes back inside to pose as we take a break. We come back with Saints getting caught on top and chopped a few times, setting up a super springboard hurricanrana.

A top rope moonsault gives Fenix two and he walks the rope to kick Saints in the face. Back up and Fenix flips off the top into a powerbomb. That and a springboard tornado DDT give Saints two but Fenix is back with his handspring cutter. Fenix superkicks him on top and the Mexican MuscleBuster retains the title at 9:29.

Rating: B. There is something so fun about seeing Fenix in the ring and that was the case again here. He just flies around so smoothly and it’s fascinating to see what he’s going to do next. That was the case again here, with Saints feeling more like a designated victim. That’s better than nothing, and Saints looked good here, even in defeat.

Post match Saints declines a handshake.

Sami Zayn rants about how for the sake of justice, he has to be the one to take the title from CM Punk. Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae come in to offer their support. Gargano insists that he’s next if Zayn wins, with Zayn agreeing.

Paige vs. Nikki Bella

Paige has to be held back before the bell and Bella misses a running clothesline to start. Some right hands and forearms put Bella on the floor, with Paige superkicking her onto the announcers’ table. Back in and Paige fires off her knees in the ropes but gets sent outside again. That’s fine with Bella, who sends Paige into the barricade. Back in and a quick ref distraction lets Bella grab a cradle with the ropes for the pin at 3:24.

Rating: C. Oh no we’re nowhere near done with this feud and that just sounds so thrilling. I’m sure we need to fill in time before the Bellas can both be healthy at the same time for their moment and all that jazz. At least we didn’t have to hear Bella trying to sound tough as it’s a miserable failure most of the time, though the slip on a banana peel ending wasn’t exactly great to see either.

Nia Jax is ready to break Chelsea Green’s face again, as she has done to others before. Lash Legend doesn’t want Tiffany Stratton to get involved either.

Here is Trick Williams, once again US Champion, for a chat and a fan gives him a soccer ball on the way in. The fans chant for a local soccer star and Williams holds up the ball, saying he kicked Baron Corbin’s head like this ball, which is then kicked into the crowd. Williams thanks Lil Yachty for helping him get the title shot on Sunday, so Williams brings him out, complete with a big hyped up intro. And never mind as here is Corbin to carry a banged up Yachty out. Williams chases Corbin off but Corbin comes back out with the Trick Stick to drops Williams from behind.

Finn Balor is in Nick Aldis’ office and says he wants the next title shot instead of Randy Orton. Danhausen comes in to clean the monitor but Aldis points Balor to Money In The Bank instead. Gunther comes in and Aldis isn’t happy, with Gunther saying Balor peaked ten years ago. As Gunther leaves, Balor says he isn’t bothered so Gunther comes back in and grabs him by the jacket. Balor drops him with a right hand and leaves, with Danhausen seemingly doing something to Gunther behind his back.

Women’s Title: Chelsea Green vs. Nia Jax

Green, with her facemask and Tiffany Stratton, is defending while Jax has Lash Legend with her. An early missed charge sends Jax to the floor, where she easily blocks a suicide dive. Green is knocked over the announcers’ table and Jax, in red white and blue, gives us a USA chant. Jax hammers away on the floor and takes her back inside for a backsplash and a near fall, with the fans approving the kickout.

Back up and Jax chokes her in the corner but gets thrown down, with Stratton playing cheerleader. Jax sends her outside and Legend loads up a right hand but Stratton runs in to take the bullet. Back in and the Annihilator misses, allowing Green to use the mask for a headbutt. The Unpretty-Her retains the title at 6:16.

Rating: C+. While it feels like a matter of time before Stratton turns on Green, I’m rather glad that it didn’t happen here. Green took so long to finally get to the title that it would have been a shame to see her lose it so soon. Let her be built up as champion a bit longer and then pull the trigger on the turn, which should make for a good moment.

CM Punk says being the champion is like winning the lottery, but he didn’t come to Mexico City to lose his title to someone who is so obsessed with his nine day title reign. Tonight, Punk is going to hit such a big GTS that Zayn’s jaw will need to be wired shut so we won’t have to hear from him again.

AAA Tag Team Titles: War Raiders vs. R-Truth/Damian Priest

The Raiders are defending and jump them to start fast. Ivar’s top rope splash gets an early two on R-Truth, who is taken into the wrong corner. That’s broken up and it’s back to Priest to strike away and hit the running corner elbows. The lifting Downward Spiral gets two on Ivar but the Raiders both bail to the floor.

That means a dive off the steps to drop them again as we take a break. We come back with R-Truth getting the tag and initiating the Cena finishing sequence on Erik, with an AA getting two on Ivar as Erik makes the save. A nasty spinning kick to the face drops R-Truth though and Ragnarok retains the titles at 8:20.

Rating: B-. That’s exactly what needed to happen as there was no reason to have the Raiders lose here. Priest and R-Truth have had their time with the titles and it should be time for them to go their separate ways. If that means Priest gets all evil again, so be it, as it’s a better fit for him anyway.

Post match Priest and R-Truth are good, with Priest handing him his sombrero. Then Priest lays him out with a clothesline, as he should have. South Of Heaven onto the sombrero leaves R-Truth laying. Yeah that needed to happen.

Alexa Bliss tries to calm Charlotte down over the mistake with Tatum Paxley. Fatal Influence comes in to mock them but Paxley pops in to remind them that they beat Fatal Influence. Paxley assures Charlotte that they’re teammates and Charlotte hopes it was just a rookie mistake. Charlotte leaves and Bliss says to give her time.

Video on CM Punk vs. Sami Zayn.

Rey Fenix is happy with his title win tonight and is ready for another defense at TripleMania. Ricky Saints comes in to say his anger got the better of him and Fenix was the better man. Saints offers a handshake and Fenix shakes it, only for Saints to jump him anyway.

Smackdown World Title: Sami Zayn vs. CM Punk

Punk is defending and starts fast by knocking Zayn into the corner for the right hands. The suicide dive connects as well and we take an early break. We come back with Punk’s knee in trouble and Zayn being smart enough to go after it. That means a chop block on the apron and the leg being wrapped around the post (with Punk on his stomach, which you don’t see very often).

Zayn punches at the knee but stops to yell at the referee, allowing Punk to score with some kicks. Punk goes after the padded wrist but the GTS is countered into a Figure Four. Punk makes it to the rope and we take another break. We come back again with Zayn having to take the cast off of his own wrist and Punk’s knee gives out on the corner bulldog attempt. Zayn’s bad wrist won’t let him try the Blue Thunder Bomb but he reverses another GTS and now the Blue Thunder Bomb connects.

Punk is back up for two and the Helluva Kick is countered with a GTS for two, with Punk not being able to follow up. That means a delayed two and here are Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae for a distraction. Zayn goes after Punk’s leg again and the Figure Four goes on, with LeRae getting on the apron. Punk reverses into the GTS for the unseen tap so Gargano comes in for a belt shot, with Punk reversing into a GTS. Cue Kevin Owens to take the title from Zayn but he hits Punk by mistake. Zayn low blows Owens and the Helluva Kick gives Zayn the title back at 13:15.

Rating: B. It felt like a big time match and I’m rather surprised at the result. While it does fit the story well enough, I’m surprised that they actually went there. Zayn winning the title and getting to run away from various challengers could be interesting and there are all kinds of people to come after the belt. It could be quite the story and Punk will be right there to chase him as well.

Zayn celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a case where the crowd boosted the show even further and it wound up being a very fun night. The big title change in the end was a bit of a stunner and I can go for seeing where they go from here. What matters the most is seeing a pretty stacked show in front of a red hot crowd as it definitely brought the energy. That should be enough of a bridge to Crown Jewel and I’m rather curious to see where they go there, as the field, at least at the top, is wide open.

Results
Rey Fenix b. Ricky Saints – Mexican MuscleBuster
Nikki Bella b. Paige – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Chelsea Green b. Nia Jax – Unpretty-Her
War Raiders b. R-Truth/Damian Priest – Ragnarok to R-Truth
Sami Zayn b. CM Punk – Helluva Kick

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: September 4, 2026
Location: Rocket Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

So the big story here is all about the World Title, with a bunch of people coming after CM Punk. That’s more than enough to carry things, but there is also Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes, with the two of them set to collide this Sunday. Other than that, we’re on the slow road to both Crown Jewel and eventually Survivor Series so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of Sami Zayn interrupting last week’s #1 contenders match.

Here is Gunther to get things going. He gets right to the point by calling out Sami Zayn, saying the show is sitting still until Zayn gets out here. Zayn pops up in the crowd to say he’s not coming to the ring with a broken hand but the reality is he is the real victim. He’s the last real good guy around here and CM Punk is a fraud. All he wants is his title back and no one gets theirs until he gets his, no matter what happens.

Gunther is tired of this and comes into the crowd, with Finn Balor popping up to cut Zayn off. Balor chases Zayn into the ring and up the aisle, where Kevin Owes shows up to send Zayn running into the crowd. Everyone hates Zayn is good, as Zayn is such a weasel of a heel that it’s easy to want to see him get what’s coming to him.

CM Punk is watching in the back when Nick Aldis comes in, to say we need a #1 contender (Punk agrees). Hold on as they pass Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae, with Punk saying we’re still doing this. Johnny Wrestling is still in there and we’re in his hometown…so what about a title match tonight? Gargano actually gets up and says let’s do it. Works for Aldis.

Fatal Influence vs. Charlotte/Tatum Paxley

Non-title and Jacy Jayne and Alexa Bliss are here too. In the back, Charlotte thinks she’s teaming with Bliss, even though Paxley was announced as the partner before the break. Shouldn’t she know that in advance? Anyway Reid takes over on Paxley to start but gets sunset flipped out of the corner. Henley comes in to knock Paxley down and we take a break. We come back with Paxley fighting out of trouble, allowing Charlotte to come in to clean house. Paxley is right back in to dive onto the other two on the floor and Charlotte kicks Reid into the Cemetery Drive for the pin at 6:48.

Rating: C+. This was quick and to the point with the break cutting out so much of the match. Paxley and Charlotte are another odd couple team and this at least gets their feet wet before the six woman tag on Sunday. I’m not sure how well it’s going to work long term, but it worked for one match. Now, get Charlotte and Paxley a title shot after beating the champs yes?

Post match Jade Cargill and the Baddies come in to help Fatal Influence with the beatdown.

Nikki Bella says Paige failed the “Bella Brand” but Paige comes in to say Nikki never liked her. Paige built her career on hustle, loyalty and respect while Nikki just slept with it. If Nikki doesn’t bring it next week, Paige will end it faster than Nikki’s last relationship. Yeah they’re basic cheap shots but they still work.

Gunther comes in to see Nick Aldis and can’t believe that Johnny Gargano is getting a title shot. He thinks Aldis is doing this to get back at him for the Summerslam loss but Danhausen comes in to greet Gunther. This goes badly again, but Danhausen whips out a photo naming himself the Employee Of The Month.

Nick Aldis is in the ring with the doctor and has Chelsea Green join them. Green isn’t about to have her title taken away from her and if anyone wants to try, let them come after her. She’s not worried about her health, but rather her legacy. The doctor approves Green to wrestle if she wears a facemask, but here are the Irresistible Forces to interrupt. Nia Jax wants a title shot right now so here is Tiffany Stratton for the save. Nick Aldis makes Green vs. Jax for the title next week and Stratton vs. Jax right now. The “Green is injured” story ending with “yeah she’s fine” is a bit jarring.

Nia Jax vs. Tiffany Stratton

We’re joined in progress with Stratton fighting out of a chinlock but getting dropped throat first across the top rope. Stratton breaks up the Annihilator though and grabs a handspring Stunner. A crucifix gives Stratton two but Jax is right back up with a Samoan drop. The Annihilator finishes Stratton at 2:42, as it should have.

Post match Jax rips off Green’s facemask so Green gets in to go after the Forces. Jax drops the mask and leaves. Well that seemed pointless.

Kevin Owens doesn’t like CM Punk but if Sami Zayn comes out there tonight, he won’t be alone.

Corey Graves sits down with Cody Rhodes but Randy Orton immediately interrupts to mock Rhodes for not being able to touch him. Orton keeps calling Rhodes’ mother trailer park trash and then mocks Rhodes’ wife and dog. He gets it though: Rhodes loves the title and following the rules so much that he cares about it more than his own family. That’s really sick. Rhodes says maybe he’s sick and if that’s true, Orton is screwed on Sunday. Orton seems to realize he’s in trouble.

Sunday Night’s Main Event rundown.

Lil Yachty ensures Trick Williams that he’s ready for Baron Corbin and we get a training montage. With money, dancing girls and alcohol of course. Corbin comes in to say Yachty is dead.

Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki are now known as Bakusai. They’re ready.

The Miz/Kit Wilson vs. Bakusai

Kyoki knocks Wilson into the corner to start and hits a basement dropkick, meaning it’s quickly off to Miz. Nakamura hits a running knee and the sliding German suplex in the ropes as we take a break. We come back with Miz kicking Nakamura in the face but getting sunset flipped. It’s back to Kyoki to clean house, including a missile dropkick to the floor. Miz comes in to hammer away until Kyoki gets in a jawbreaker. Nakamura’s running knee takes Miz down and Kyoki grabs a jumping jawbreaker to pin Wilson at 9:26.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure about Bakusai just yet but it’s more about giving Kyoki a rub to start things off. Nakamura is too talented and popular to be left sitting on the sidelines so let him be the veteran in a tag team. It’s better than nothing and it gave us Miz and Wilson again, so we’ll call this quite the good situation.

Post match Haku and the MFT’s come out for a staredown.

Video on the War Raiders vs. Damian Priest/R-Truth.

Blake Monroe still doesn’t think much of the venue or facing Giulia. Cue Giulia to jump Monroe and the brawl has to be broken up. Giulia gets in a cheap shot though and Monroe is left laying. No match, again.

Sami Zayn comes in to see Johnny Gargano and is glad that he’s back. Zayn calls this justice for both of them and makes sure he’s first in line if Gargano wins.

Smackdown World Title: Johnny Gargano vs. CM Punk

Gargano, with Candice LeRae, is challenging in his hometown. Gargano slips out of a slam to start and fires off the right hands, with the fans certainly approving. Punk’s early GTS attempt is countered into a hurricanrana and Punk is in trouble as we take a break. We come back with Gargano fighting out of a chinlock but getting caught with a leg lariat.

Punk hits a high crossbody so Gargano rolls through for two, followed by a superkick for the same. Gargano slugs away until a high kick gives Punk two. A slingshot spear gives Gargano the same so Punk loads up the GTS, which draws out Sami Zayn. LeRae gets in a distraction so Gargano grabs a quick One Final Beat for two.

Zayn grabs the belt and is quickly jumped by Kevin Owens, which draws out Gunther and Finn Balor to join in on the brawl. Zayn is up with belt shots as the GTS connects but LeRae distracts the referee. That means a belt shot to Punk for a rather near fall so Zayn whispers something to LeRae. Zayn is ejected and the GTS retains the title at 13:07.

Rating: B. Gargano wasn’t going to win here but it’s nice to have him back doing something after months of silence. I’m not sure why he’s been sitting around if he’s healthy but maybe he’ll be back in the ring after this. Either way, good main event here with Zayn continuing to be the agent of chaos, where he absolutely excels.

Post match Punk says he’s sick of this so Zayn gets a title shot next week. It’s time to go to sleep.

Overall Rating: B. This show felt more focused and it made for a good week, with the World Title situation carrying things again. Basically a bunch of people want the title and Punk is dangling it in front of them. That’s more than enough for a top story and it could go on for a good while. Throw in the Orton vs. Rhodes stuff and the top of the card is set. Chelsea Green is more than easy enough to like in the women’s division and that’s enough to carry most of the show. Good stuff this week.

Results
Charlotte/Tatum Paxley b. Fatal Influence – Cemetery Drive to Reid
Nia Jax b. Tiffany Stratton – Annihilator
Bakusai b. The Miz/Kit Wilson – Jumping jawbreaker to Wilson
CM Punk b. Johnny Gargano – GTS

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: August 28, 2026
Location: Canadian Tire Center, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Corey Graves, Michael Cole

We’re in the rare situation of the show being taped in advance this week as the company is getting ready for another big international tour. In this case, the show is going to be building towards next month’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, which should be a heck of a show. Kevin Owens is not going to be happy with Sami Zayn over….oh like it matters with those two. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of last week’s World Title match, with Sami Zayn costing Kevin Owens the title against CM Punk.

Here is Owens to get things going. Owens talks about how he has lost a lot of World Title matches over the last twelve years but last week was different. Everything was perfect and he was back after seventeen months away. He was back earlier than he should have been and his parents were even at the show. His mom had some health issues last year but she kicked out and is still around. But then Sami Zayn cost him the title.

He’s forgiven Zayn for a lot over the years but this one is different. For now though, he wants to focus on CM Punk, who was beaten last week and everyone knows it. Cue Punk to say they can do it again right now but Nick Aldis cuts them off. This brings out Gunther, who says Punk and Owens hate each other because they’re so alike.

Gunther: “I’m glad your mom kicked out, but last week, you didn’t.” This brings out Finn Balor, with Gunther calling him a ghost. Balor says everyone is getting tired of Gunther’s act and the line starts behind him. Aldis isn’t having this and makes a triple threat for the #1 contendership tonight. That was resolved quickly.

Tiffany Stratton asks Chelsea Green if she’s sure about their tag match tonight. Green is absolutely going out there but Stratton doesn’t want her to risk her injury getting worse.

Tiffany Stratton/Chelsea Green vs. Irresistible Forces

Legend ragdolls Stratton to start but gets dropkicked in the back for her efforts. A running hip attack hits Legend in the ropes, followed by a handspring Stunner. Green, in her protective mask, comes in for a Zig Zag to Legend but Jax is in with a headbutt. That leaves Green writing in pain and we take a break.

We come back with Stratton in a bearhug and Green being checked on by the medics. Jax runs Stratton over again and Legend has another bearhug. Jax’s middle rope legdrop misses though and Green is taken to the back, only to spring back in for a missile dropkick. Stratton is sent into the barricade though and Jax punches Green in the face, setting up the Annihilator for the pin at 9:41.

Rating: C+. They’ve got something with the idea of Green having to find a way to defend her title, as they very well could set up her title match against Jax. The fans want to see what Green is doing at the moment and while it is likely setting up a match with Stratton down the line, she has to defend the title sooner or later. Odds are it’s against Jax, but the injury is going to make that tricky.

Danhausen comes in to see Nick Aldis and thinks he should be the Employee Of The Month on Smackdown. Gunther comes in and completely ignores Danhausen’s offer of a handshake before complaining about the triple threat. Aldis promises that there will be no shenanigans or additions. Danhausen asks to be added to the match and is told no. Foiled again, but at least no curses.

Women’s US Title: Paige vs. Jacy Jayne

Jayne is defending and the rest of Fatal Influence is here too. Paige starts fast by sending her into the ropes and firing off the knees to the chest. A dive off the apron takes Jayne down again but a Fatal Influence distraction lets Jaye take over as we take a break. We come back with Jayne holding a chinlock but Paige fights up.

A double clothesline leaves both of them down before Jayne takes over off an exchange of shots to the face. Paige fights up again and tries Rampaige but has to dispatch the rest of Fatal Influence. That’s enough of a distraction for Jayne to grab a small package to retain at 7:41.

Rating: C. This was all about the numbers game for Jayne and that’s a simple enough story for the match. At the same time, it’s only so interesting as Paige on her own isn’t the most thrilling at the moment. She’s something of a legend but you know she’s going to have to deal with the Bellas, so there wasn’t much of a chance for her to pull this off, especially on her own.

Post match Nikki Bella runs in to lay Paige out.

Video on Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton.

Finn Balor comes up to Rhodes, who is worried about all these things. Balor tells him to not do anything too crazy and remember that Balor is going to win the title soon enough. They can see each other on the other side, with Balor extending his hand. Rhodes shakes it and they’re fine.

Trick Williams comes up to Lil Yachty and is going to try to get him out of the match with Baron Corbin. Yachty says it’s ok though and he wants to show what he can do and get Williams a title match. With that, Yachty leaves and Williams runs into Corbin, who is ready to whoop that trick, meaning Yachty.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. He wants to talk about Randy Orton, who is coming up on fifteen World Titles. That’s not a record, but it’s what Orton wants right now. Anyone who has watched Orton knows that when he starts going up, he messes up. Orton doesn’t have the shoulders to carry the company and at Saturday Night’s Main Event, Rhodes is killing Orton off for good.

Cue Orton to say that Rhodes had a driver’s side seat to a lot of Orton’s troubles. Rhodes was there to help make sure that Orton stayed out of trouble and got tucked into bed every night. Does Rhodes resent that? Does he want to take a swing? Rhodes fumes and Orton brings up Rhodes’ dog Pharaoh (implying that he’s dead, which doesn’t seem to be the case), which has Rhodes taking his jacket off. Orton brings up that their match will be in Rhodes’ hometown of Atlanta, and Rhodes’ trailer trash mother and wife might be there.

Orton poses and invites Rhodes to hit him but Rhodes says he’s counting the days. Rhodes brings up his father being a legend while Orton’s father was a world class screwup. Orton: “TOO FAR! THAT’S TOO FAR!” Orton is seething as Rhodes leaves. This was a mental chess game and it worked rather well, with Orton ticking Rhodes off and then getting the tables turned on him.

Tatum Paxley whispers something to Jackie Redmond, who immediately runs off. Charlotte and Alexa Bliss come in and they’re set for a six woman tag against Jade Cargill and the Baddies at Sunday Night’s Main Event. Paxley and Bliss hug Charlotte, which isn’t so well received.

Preview of Monday’s #1 contenders match, with Penta and Rey Fenix both ready to face their brother.

Fenix is ready to face his brother but Ricky Saints comes in to say Fenix can lose and then give him a title shot. Or Fenix could win the whole thing and come back to shut Fenix up for good.

Michin vs. Tatum Paxley

Their respective friends are here too. Michin talks a lot of trash to start and then poses in the ropes to frustrate Paxley even more. Back up and Paxley knocks her to the floor for a dive and we take a break. We come back with Michin grabbing a bow and arrow, which is quickly escaped. Paxley superkicks her down and hits an enziguri but walks into a sitout powerbomb. Back up and Paxley kicks her in the head, setting up the Cemetery Drive (Paxley has her back to Michin and grabs Michin’s leg to flip her over for a crash) to finish Michin at 7:52.

Rating: C+. Paxley looked fine in her debut on the main roster and I’m curious to see what how well she can do around here. The good thing is that she developed rather well while she was in NXT and came up to the main roster ready to go. Putting her with a trio is a good idea and the fact that she’s with this level of competition makes me think WWE has faith in her, which is a rather positive sign.

We look at Blake Monroe attacking Giulia last week.

Monroe says that match last week was beneath her and she isn’t having her debut until she has an opponent worthy of her. Giulia runs in to jump her and Monroe is laid out.

Kevin Owens comes up to Randy Orton, who says Owens was right about Cody Rhodes. No they aren’t friends, but Owens says they can talk later.

The MFT’s are ready for Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki. Haku wants them to be violent.

Damian Priest tells R-Truth that this was a great summer but they don’t have the titles anymore so it might be time to move on. Priest absolutely has R-Truth’s back but the War Raiders come in to mock them. The AAA Tag Team Title match is set for Mexico City, even with Priest not looking thrilled.

The Irresistible Forces come in to see Nick Aldis, with Nia Jax demanding a title shot against Chelsea Green. Miz and Kit Wilson come in to complain about Aldis being toxic, earning themselves a match with Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki next week.

Kevin Owens vs. Gunther vs. Finn Balor

For a future shot against CM Punk. Owens jumps Gunther to start fast and stomps him down in the corner but Balor is back in with a sunset flip for two. Owens cuts that off and Swantons Gunther for two more. Gunther chops his way out of trouble and then fires off another one to Balor. The sleeper is broken up and Gunther is sent through the ropes for a dive from Balor and we take a break.

We come back with Owens and Gunther striking it out and the former getting the better of things. Balor Peles Owens down but he’s right back up with the running corner clotheslines. The Sling Blade cuts Owens off but he catches Balor up top. Owens is knocked outside and Balor drops Gunther with the shotgun dropkick. The Coup de Grace connects, only for Sami Zayn to pull Balor out.

Zayn sends Balor over the announcers’ table and takes out the referee as Owens Stuns Gunther. Another referee runs in and is taken out by Zayn as well but here is CM Punk to go after Zayn. The threat of a belt shot sends Zayn inside, where Owens gets in a fight with Punk. Zayn belts Owens in the head and does the same to Balor and Gunther. One more belt shot drops Punk and Zayn poses with the title to end the show as we’ll call this a no contest at about 10:00.

Rating: B-. It was all action and I wasn’t sure where it was going, which made Zayn’s interference both logical and a bit annoying. The good thing is that the three of them are all going after the title and that’s before you add Zayn to the mix. It’s a story that has always worked in wrestling and it will work again here, as odds are we’re coming up on a big multiman match for the title, which could go in a variety of ways. Good enough main event here, but it’s about setting up something else down the line, which is a fine idea.

Overall Rating: B. This was mainly about the main event stories and I’m digging where both of them are going. Orton vs. Rhodes feels like a personal feud and the World Title situation could go in all kinds of ways. That’s in addition to all of the women’s stuff, which worked rather well too. Good show here but it’s more about where things are going, which has quite the potential. If it’s like this, we’re in for a good fall.

Results
Irresistible Forces b. Chelsea Green/Tiffany Stratton – Annihilator to Green
Jacy Jayne b. Paige – Small package
Tatum Paxley b. Michin – Cemetery Drive
Kevin Owens vs. Gunther vs. Finn Balor went to a no contest when Sami Zayn interfered

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: August 21, 2026
Location: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re closing in on Sunday Night’s Main Event and that means we should be getting ready for that show. However, there is one big match to cover on the way there, with CM Punk defending the Smackdown World Title against Kevin Owens, in a match which is actual weeks in the making. Or twenty years depending on who you believe. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a long recap of Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes, with Rhodes having to be stopped from giving him a Conchairto.

Sami Zayn rants to Nick Aldis about everyone getting put in front of him, including Randy Orton, who pops up behind him. Cue Cody Rhodes in the ring to call Orton out here to finish what they started last week. Aldis says no but Orton comes out to say it’s happening at Sunday Night’s Main Event. Rhodes says there is nothing stopping them right now, only for Aldis to say that if either of them goes after the other before their match, they will NEVER get another title shot.

Orton rants about how he’s going to take Rhodes out, calling him the American Daydream. Rhodes says he’ll be the one to take out the last legend (Orton), no matter how many World Titles he wins. It always comes back to QB1 and he’ll be waiting for Orton. This is the Rhodes that gets interesting, as his best work is often when he’s ticked off.

The MFT’s want some competition. Haku comes in to say who are the mother f****** Tongans.

Tag Team Titles: Damian Priest/R-Truth vs. MFT’s

The MFT’s, with Haku, are defending. The brawl is on to start fast with Priest taking over on Tama. R-Truth comes in for an elbow in the corner and everything breaks down. R-Truth’s dive hits Tama, who comes right back to take over inside as we take a break. We come back with Priest cleaning house but Talla cuts him off with a clothesline.

That just earns Tama a jumping enziguri and it’s back to R-Truth for the John Cena finishing sequence. The AA gets two on Tama, with Talla making the save. Priest takes Talla down on the floor but gets chokeslammed onto the apron. That leaves Tama to give R-Truth a rolling neckbreaker into the Red Cross (High/Low) to retain the titles at 11:35.

Rating: C+. There was pretty much no reason to believe that the titles were going to change hands here and that’s fine. After winning the titles in a triple threat, it makes sense to have the new champions win again in a regular match. Priest and R-Truth hit their shelf life as champions and it’s fine to move on to someone else, which is exactly what we’re seeing here.

Post match Priest looks frustrated but hugs R-Truth.

CM Punk is ready for Kevin Owens, who is dealing with these issues from twenty years ago, even if they’re only in his head. Randy Orton comes in to say he’s coming for his fifteenth World Title, with Punk saying he’s looking forward to it.

We recap Chelsea Green being given thirty days to defend her title or get cleared.

Green apologizes to Tiffany Stratton, who lost her Women’s US Title last week. They run into Paige, who praises Green for her courage. Fatal Influence comes in to mock them and Paige could go for a shot at the Women’s US Title. Fatal Influence isn’t overly impressed.

Blake Monroe is picking her gear to make her in-ring debut in a dump like Toronto. Cathy Kelly thinks Monroe will look great in anything, so Monroe takes off her robe and figures the gear she’s wearing will be fine, because she can make anything work.

Blake Monroe vs. Giulia

Hold on as Monroe jumps Giulia from behind and the beatdown is on, with a Neutralizer leaving Giulia laying. No match.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss are ready to do something when Tatum Paxley comes in. She can’t wait to go to brunch with them but wants to know if she needs to bring her own blood. Jade Cargill and the Baddies come in, with Paxley asking for their blood. This results in Paxley vs. B-Fab next week, with Paxley being happy that Charlotte had her back, which Charlotte seems to regret.

Here are Trick Williams and Lil Yachty for a chat. Williams is happy to have Yachty back but he doesn’t have his title back. Since Baron Corbin is backstage looking like a cue ball, why not come out here for a Trick Shot? Cue Corbin, with Williams saying he wants a title shot right now.

Corbin says the title is off getting a trim so Yachty takes him out with the Trick Stick. That’s enough for Corbin, who agrees to the title match at Sunday Night’s Main Event….but first he wants Yachty. If Yachty can last five minutes with him, he’ll give Williams the title shot. Otherwise, they’re done. Yachty actually agrees and Corbin promises it to be the longest five minutes of Yachty’s life. They’ve got to have something unique planned for that and I want to see what it is.

Kevin Owens is interrupted by Finn Balor, who is glad he’s back but could have gone for a heads up about Summerslam. Gunther interrupts as well, saying Owens needs to worry about him if he wins the title tonight. With Gunther gone, Balor gives Owens a pep talk.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Lash Legend

Nia Jax is here with Legend and Stratton is coming in with bad ribs. Legend gets dropkicked into the corner for a quick handspring elbow but comes right back with a slam. The bearhug goes after Stratton’s ribs but she avoids a running boot and grabs a Backstabber. The suicide dive is pulled out of the air and Stratton is rammed into the post as we take a break.

We come back with Stratton fighting out of trouble but the cartwheel Alabama slam is countered. The handspring Stunner works a bit better though and Stratton gets two off of a crucifix. The Prettiest Moonsault Ever is broken up though and the Lash Extension gives Legend the pin at 7:22.

Rating: C+. The point here was Stratton trying as hard as she could with the injury but ultimately falling short. The best sign out of all of this is that it doesn’t feel like an upset, with Legend coming off like a star on this level. I’m assuming this leads to Stratton going all evil, which is probably the best for her.

Post match the beatdown is on but Chelsea Green runs in for the save.

Video on CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens.

Shinsuke Nakamura does indeed have a new partner and it is indeed Kyoki, formerly known as Hiromu Takahashi. Kyoki wants more fights and madness and the clock is ticking.

Smackdown World Title: Kevin Owens vs. CM Punk

Punk is defending and Owens gets the home country reaction. We get the Big Match Intros and Punk is indeed soundly booed, as expected. Owens starts fast by winning a slugout and pounding Punk down in the corner. They’re quickly on the floor but Punk is able to stomp away back inside. That’s fine with Owens, who cuts him off and knocks him outside for the hard chops.

Owens loads up the announcers’ table, which Punk repairs and gives Tessitore a quick handshake. Back in and Punk counters the Stunner into a neckbreaker as we take an early break. We come back with Owens slugging away against the ropes and dropping Punk with a running clothesline. Owens just unloads on him and the Cannonball connects for two. Punk rolls outside, where Owens nails a superkick, meaning it’s a frog splash through the announcers’ table for a bit crash.

The Swanton gives Owens two back inside so Punk kicks him in the head for the same. Punk’s top rope elbow gets two more and he grabs the Anaconda Vice, which is quickly broken up. Owens counters the GTS into a Sharpshooter, because Canada, and Punk gets over to the rope.

Back up and the referee gets bumped, meaning Owens’ Stunner doesn’t get a count. The GTS connects as well but here is Sami Zayn to post Punk. Another Stunner gets a rather near fall so Zayn throws the belt in. Owens doesn’t want it that way so Zayn hits him with the belt, meaning the GTS can retain the title at 18:52.

Rating: B+. Zayn vs. Owens you say? With that required move out of the way, this was a more than very good TV main event and it felt like a huge showdown. The good thing is they have all kinds of people waiting to come after the title and that should open up some interesting options. Zayn costing Owens can set up whatever they’re doing next, while Punk can probably face whomever comes out of Rhodes vs. Orton.

Post match Zayn lays them both out with belt shots and screams about justice to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The World Title suddenly feels red hot again and that’s because it’s driving the motivations around here. Punk has it, a lot of people want it, and some are mad because they can’t get close to it. That’s how you set up a bunch of stuff at once and it should be fascinating to see where it goes. The rest of the show moved enough stuff forward to keep it interesting, but this was all about the main event and not much more. Good show, but it could have used another big angle or match outside of Punk vs. Owens.

Results
MFT’s b. Damian Priest/R-Truth – Red Cross to R-Truth
Lash Legend b. Tiffany Stratton – Lash Extension
CM Punk b. Kevin Owens – GTS

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: August 14, 2026
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re a week away from the Kevin Owens vs. CM Punk World Title match and that means it’s time for some rather big talking. That should be more than enough for the focal point out here but we also have the Tongans and the War Raiders getting a Tag Team Title shot against R-Truth and Damian Priest. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Here is Nick Aldis to get things going. He brings out the injured Chelsea Green, who suffered a broken orbital bone last week. Green’s injury means she can’t wrestle but she says she’ll do anything to keep going. She gives quite the speech about how she has done everything to get here, missed so many things and done anything asked of her, but she finally made it.

Aldis should understand this, especially after Summerslam. Green and Aldis both proved that it doesn’t matter what others think of them but rather what they think of themselves. Green hands the title away and leaves distraught, but Aldis stops her (the fans like that). As the GM, he can’t do anything….though as Aldis the man, he doesn’t care what medical says. She has thirty days to get cleared, get a mask or whatever it takes to defend the title.

Until someone takes it from her, she is still the champion. Green gives him a big hug but here is Gunther to interrupt. Gunther asks why Aldis pulled that stunt at Summerslam (having a fourth person in the #1 contenders match). He doesn’t think much of Green’s pitiful injury and asks why Owens was added to his match. Aldis: “I added you to Owens’ match.”

Green laughs at Gunther, who tells her to shut up. Green only sees one champion in this ring and here is Matt Cardona (Green’s husband) to run in. Gunther: “All the way from catering!” Gunther asks what Cardona could do to him and mocks Cardona for doing as Green says, meaning the fight is on as we take a break.

Gunther vs. Matt Cardona

Joined in progress and they’re both in street clothes. Gunther fires off the chops and sends him outside for a powerbomb onto the announcers’ table. Another powerbomb onto the apron has Cardona in bigger trouble and a Saito suplex makes it worse. Gunther stops to yell at Chelsea Green though, allowing Gunther to kick him low and hit the Rough Ryder. That’s only for two as Gunther powerbombs him into the Boston (hey) crab to make Cardona tap at 3:41.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here but the idea here was for Cardona to fight for his wife’s honor and it went well enough. Cardona isn’t supposed to be able to beat Gunther in the first place so it’s not like this was in any serious danger. I’m not sure what is next for Gunther, but I can go for him being a bully for a bit.

Post match Green checks on Cardona but here are the Irresistible Forces, with Nia Jax saying she wants the Women’s Title. She doesn’t mind the idea of breaking Green’s face again but here is Tiffany Stratton. That’s the extent of Stratton’s positives, as she runs in and is promptly crushed.

We look at Tatum Paxley debuting last week to help Charlotte beat Jade Cargill.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss are in the back, with Bliss talking about how Paxley is her friend too. Bliss opens a door and finds Paxley in a black room, complete with a bunch of candles and photos of Bliss and Charlotte on the walls. It’s their new locker room and they go inside, despite it being little more than a broom closet. Charlotte isn’t pleased but goes with it anyway.

We look at Randy Orton costing Cody Rhodes at Summerslam and the two of them wanting to fight last week on Smackdown but not getting around to it.

Rhodes comes up to Nick Aldis and wants a match with Orton. Aldis doesn’t know where Orton is but he’ll look into doing it at Sunday Night’s Main Event. Rhodes will take the match anywhere but here is Sami Zayn to interrupt. Zayn wants to know why Rhodes doesn’t have to wait to get anything he wants, which has Rhodes snapping.

If Zayn wants to do something like that, they can do it tonight. Zayn brings up beating Rhodes, who asks if he can do it again. Zayn says he’s hurt (broken hand), so Aldis asks what if he made it more interesting. We’ll make it a #1 contenders match, if Zayn is willing to go through with it. Let Aldis know.

US Title: Baron Corbin vs. Carmelo Hayes

Hayes is challenging and fires off a running flip dive to take Corbin down to start. A nice springboard spinning clothesline drops Corbin again and he misses a charge out to the floor. The Fadeaway connects but the First 48 is countered into a powerbomb. Corbin sends him outside and into the post as we take a break.

We come back with Hayes hitting a springboard DDT into a frog splash for two. The First 48 is blocked again so Corbin boots him in the face, meaning Deep Six can get another near fall. Now a pair of First 48’s can connect but Corbin shoves him off the top and into the barricade. The End Of Days retains the title at 9:23.

Rating: B-. They had a nice speed vs. power match here, which is where Corbin tends to do well. Corbin isn’t looking bad since his return and it’s all but guaranteed that Trick Williams will get another chance at him, if it doesn’t mean that Williams is moving up the ladder. Having Corbin win the title shows that he still has it and that’s a good thing. This worked well, even with Hayes losing again.

Post match here is Trick Williams on the stage but Lil Yachty runs in from behind with a Trick Stick shot to Corbin. Williams runs in with the Trick Shot to save Yachty from destruction.

Chelsea Green thanks Tiffany Stratton for the save and Stratton says she’s good to defend her title tonight. Cue ominous music. Well first find something that can play ominous music and cue that. Then cue the music.

Here are Kevin Owens and CM Punk to go face to face. Punk knows that Owens was about to say something about him so go ahead and say it to his face. Well after Punk hits his catchphrase of course. Owens says the camera caught Punk calling him something close to a fat slob last week. Punk suggests he would say that to Owens’ face, but Owens says their story started twenty years ago. Punk: “Go ahead. Smarten them up.”

Owens talks about how they used to wrestle for an independent promotion, where Punk was the top star. That night, Punk berated him in front of the locker room when Owens was just trying to make a name for himself. Punk can’t believe this is what the whole thing was about but Owens says that Punk has treated Owens’ friends over the last twenty years. Punk’s going to need more than that, because Owens’ friends hate him.

Owens says Punk is probably thinking of three of them (oh here we go) but Owens means all of them. Punk is fine with having losers hate him if it means not being one of them. Owens is the one guy left in the back who doesn’t like him because Punk is a phony. The reality is that Punk has screwed up everywhere else but he’s been in this ring consistently for twelve years without getting hurt until his recent injury. He’s been World Champion and headlined Wrestlemania against Steve Austin.

Punk says that wouldn’t have happened if he had been here, with Owens saying that Punk still sees him as a fat indy slow. Punk: “Is that how I see you or is that how you see yourself?” He called out Oba Femi and got endometriosis instead. When Punk looks at Owens he sees potential but in the form of a bum who avoids the hard work. Punk is always trying to be better and if Owens had put in that work, maybe he could have avoided Goldberg’s spear.

Owens is convinced that Punk hates himself, but Owens doesn’t feel that way when he looks in a mirror. And what about Punk not avoiding that Roman Reigns’ spear at Wrestlemania. Punk sees the same guy he saw twenty years ago, but Owens regrets not hitting him in the face twenty years ago. Owens knows that if he had, Punk would have ruined his career.That’s why he’s waiting seven more days, because he can hit Punk in the face and take the title. Punk is ready to put him to sleep next week.

They had a good idea here, but the “this started twenty years ago” took  so much out of me. Not only was it something from another promotion, but it happened backstage so we won’t even know what they’re talking about. Throw in the AEW references and this was a good bit too inside baseball for me. Not everything has to be some big historic moment and that was the case here.

Finn Balor is in Nick Aldis’ office and wants to do….something, but Gunther interrupts. Aldis isn’t happy, but Gunther says he only sees a shadow of Balor. That goes as well as expected, with Balor saying he wants a title shot and will gladly beat Gunther to get there.

Smackdown Tag Team Titles: R-Truth/Damian Priest vs. War Raiders vs. MFT’s

Only Priest and R-Truth are defending (the Raiders’ AAA Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line) and Haku is here with the MFT’s. R-Truth, Erik and Tama start things off, with Talla tagging himself in. Everything breaks down and the challengers go to the floor, with Priest hitting a big dive to take them out.

We take a break and come back with Priest getting a tag to clean house and hopefully bring the crowd back to life a bit. Everything breaks down and Talla chokeslams the champs down. The Raiders give Tama the pop up powerslam for two before Ivar and Priest get together to drop Talla. R-Truth adds in the STF, which is quickly powered off. Erik knocks Priest through the announcers’ table, leaving R-Truth to initiate John Cena’s finishing sequence on Tama. Talla is back in though and the Brother’s Keeper to R-Truth gives Tama the pin and the titles at 9:50.

Rating: B-. It’s kind of hard to get mad at this one as R-Truth and Priest got just about all they could out of what felt like a thrown together title reign. The Raiders already have their own titles so let the MFT’s do something. They’re a pair of monsters with an even scarier manager so this is all good enough.

Women’s US Title: Jacy Jayne vs. Tiffany Stratton

Jayne, with Fatal Influence, is challenging and jumps her to start, with some shoulders to the bad ribs in the corner. A bodyscissors has Stratton in more trouble and Jayne knocks her down again as we take a break. We come back with Chelsea Green at ringside as the two of them hit running hair takedowns.

Stratton is up with the cartwheel Alabama Slam into the Swanton for two. A handspring Stunner sets up the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, which hits Jayne’s raised knees. Fatal Influence goes after Green so Stratton dives onto the two of them, only to charge back into the Rolling Encore to give Jayne the (four count, as she moved slightly and the referee restarted) pin and the title at 8:36.

Rating: C+. They’re not exactly being subtle about what’s going on with Stratton and Green and it’s good to see Jayne get some gold of her own to complete the Fatal Influence title trio. They’ve hit the ground running around here and I could go with seeing them as more of a focal point. The good thing is that the women’s division has a bunch of stuff going on and that’s a nice development.

Jade Cargill and the Baddies are fine with having a new victim in Tatum Paxley.

Sami Zayn vs. Cody Rhodes

For the #1 contendership and never mind because here is Randy Orton to jump Rhodes before Zayn ever comes to the ring. Orton hits him in the face with the steps and they brawl into the crowd with Rhodes fighting back. Zayn, cheated again, is ticked as they get back to ringside, with Rhodes having to get in a low blow to block a Pillmaniazing. The chair is taken away from Rhodes to prevent him from doing the same thing to end the show. Given that they had about five minutes left for the match, it was more would the bell ever ring, as Orton pretty much had to come in and do something.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a show where a lot happened, with things going in quite a few directions. They pushed towards Rhodes vs. Orton, with a variety of people not being happy, along with a pair of title changes. That’s in addition to the rather intense Punk vs. Owens segment, though dang they could have done better with less really old outside of WWE history. You don’t get that kind of development on a single show, and if the in-ring action was that much better, the show would have been an even better result. Good show overall, but with some better wrestling, it would have been great.

Results
Gunther b. Matt Cardona – Boston crab
Baron Corbin b. Carmelo Hayes – End Of Days
MFT’s b. War Raiders and Damian Priest/R-Truth – Brother’s Keeper to R-Truth
Jacy Jayne b. Tiffany Stratton – Rolling Encore

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: August 7, 2026
Location: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re done with Summerslam and CM Punk is still World Champion, having turned back the challenge of Cody Rhodes thanks to the help of a returning Randy Orton. While Punk might still have to deal with Rhodes, he also has a new #1 contender in the form of the returning Kevin Owens. That’s quite the surprise as Owens had been gone for about a year and a half but now he wants the title again. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

In Memory Of Dory Funk Jr.

Here is a ticked off Cody Rhodes who wants Randy Orton out here for a fight right now. With no Orton, Rhodes pays a quick tribute to Dory Funk Jr. and talks about winning the WWE Title right here in Philadelphia. He also brings up the loss to CM Punk, who comes out to join Rhodes. Punk asks if there is something Rhodes wants to ask him and Rhodes gets right to the point: did Punk know? Punk did not know and is willing to go help take care of Orton together.

Rhodes wants to do it himself and leaves Punk alone in peace. Punk stops him though, saying their unfinished business can be taken care of whenever he says when. As a pleased Rhodes leaves, here is Kevin Owens to join Punk. They waste no time in arguing but here is Nick Aldis to call it off. Owens and Punk say they’re both professionals and Punk thinks Owens is here in his gear.

That’s not true as Owens wrestles in shorts instead of pants, but yes he wants to wrestle. That’s all he’s wanted to do for seventeen months, with the fans saying he’s still got it. Owens: “I never lost it.” He’s been told that Punk is a changed man but Owens isn’t buying it. Rhodes can have his title match anytime but Owens is the #1 contender. That’s because Punk is arrogant enough to look past him, which doesn’t work for Punk.

The reality is that Punk is the best in the world and he acts like it. Were these people really standing around waiting for Owens? Punk thinks Owens should thank him for paving the way for him, as otherwise Owens would be working on the indies and calling Punk for tickets to the WWE shows. Owens says Punk must be lonely on that pedestal and calls him a piece of s***. Now the agents have to come in and hold them back. Yeah this worked, as Owens can hang with Punk on the mic and showed it here.

Charlotte has known Jade Cargill has something for years and tonight, Charlotte is giving her a beating.

Trick Williams is ready to beat up Baron Corbin and get his US Title back.

US Title: Trick Williams vs. Baron Corbin

Corbin is defending and comes in on a motorcycle. They go right to the brawling with Williams knocking him outside early on. Williams knocks him over the announcers’ table and we take a break. We come back with Williams kicking his way out of trouble and the Trick Kick connects.

The Trick Shot is countered into the Deep Six though and Corbin gets a breather. They slug it out from their knees and Corbin is knocked outside, where Corbin grabs the belt. That just lets Williams grab a Rock Bottom for two, followed by the Trick Shot, but Corbin is in the ropes. Corbin is knocked outside again and with the referee shoved away, it’s a belt shot to retain the title at 8:26.

Rating: C+. I still like Corbin winning like this, as he’s not doing anything insane or complicated to win. He’s literally just hitting Williams in the head with a hard object to win the matches and that’s a good way to make him look like a villain. Williams will be fine in the end I’m sure, though I’m not sure if he’s going to go after Corbin again or do something else.

Sami Zayn congratulates Nick Aldis for getting his GM job back before yelling at Aldis for adding Gunther to the #1 contenders match. Aldis doesn’t seem bothered as here is Kevin Owens to interrupt. Owens wants his title shot in two weeks in Toronto, which works for the departing Aldis. That leaves Owens and Zayn to do their usual semi bickering and suggest that they’re fine with fighting each other for the title. Owens: “Six days. I’ve been back six days.”

Baron Corbin does not like his wins being called upsets. The reality is Trick Williams will never get the title back and no one can take the title from him. Carmelo Hayes jumps him and the title match is already set for next week.

We look at the ladder match from Summerslam, with Chelsea Green becoming the new Interim Women’s Champion.

Here is Green for her championship celebration. She thanks herself for the win, but also the blonde bombshell best friend, Tiffany Stratton. Cue Stratton, with Green saying she knows their friendship can handle what happened at Summerslam. Green offers a toast but here is Fatal Influence to interrupt. The brawl is teased and….let’s do it for the Women’s Tag Team Titles, with Jacy Jayne getting a Women’s US Title shot next week in return.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Tiffany Stratton/Chelsea Green vs. Fatal Influence

Fatal Influence is defending as Green starts with Henley. Green quickly brings in Stratton for the armdrags and some double knees to the back send the villains outside as we take an early break. We come back with Stratton Swantoning Reid for two, allowing Green to slam Reid off the top. Everything breaks down and Jayne’s Rolling Encore knocks Green silly Henley comes back in and the Fatal Flaw to Green retains the titles at 7:28.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure about how much sense the title stipulation made, but I’m really not sure about seeing the new champion, who won as a huge underdog, getting pinned less than a week after winning the title. That’s something you see every so often and it’s annoying to see it happen. Even with the interference, there isn’t much good about seeing Green take the pin here as she only has so much status at the moment.

Post match the Irresistible Forces come in to beat down Green and Stratton to pose with their titles.

Damian Priest doesn’t get why the MFTs are coming for them again when the MFTs have already been beaten. The War Raiders come in to say they want their own title shot and R-Truth comes in to say the title match is on next week. Priest points out that the AAA Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line and isn’t pleased.

Video on Brock Lesnar’s career, which is still rather cool to see. Lesnar has officially announced his retirement, which I’ll believe when I don’t see it happening again.

Here is Randy Orton for a chat but before he can get anywhere, a ticked off Cody Rhodes (in different clothes than he was wearing earlier) interrupts. Orton immediately bails out and Rhodes demands an explanation, which has Orton confused. Remember during the road to Wrestlemania when Rhodes told him to be the evil Orton?

Yeah Rhodes beat him at Wrestlemania but that’s the time when Orton realized he needed to go full blast. The best version of Orton isn’t going to bring home #15, but the worst version of him sure will. From now on, he’s not going to let Rhodes be champion again. Rhodes doesn’t have to be a champion anymore, so now the worst version of him is coming out again. So now, who kills Orton?

Sami Zayn rants to Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae about being jealous of Kevin Owens getting a title shot but here is CM Punk to interrupt. Punk asks if they’re still doing this and says that if Zayn could do anything about this, he would have when he lost. Now Zayn is at the back of the line.

Jade Cargill and the Baddies want the Women’s Title.

Nikki Bella says she rebuilt Paige’s career and now it’s Paige’s fault that the Bellas aren’t together right now. Therefore, revenge is promised.

Shinsuke Nakamura says the MFTs need to remember who he is. He’s back and starting a war…but he isn’t coming alone.

Charlotte vs. Jade Cargill

They fight over a lockup to start and crash out to the floor without letting go. Back in and Cargill shoulders her down but Charlotte nips up and gets in a knockdown of her own. The Queen’s Decree (the flipping figure four necklock slams) connects but they head outside, with Cargill ramming her into the barricade.

We take a break and come back with Charlotte avoiding a charge in the corner and grabbing a German suplex. Cargill rolls through a high crossbody for two more though but Charlotte bridges up to try the backslide. That doesn’t work so Charlotte takes her up, where the Stratusphere is blocked.

Instead Cargill gives her a big jumping sitout powerbomb for two but a bit boot misses. That lets Charlotte come right back with a chop block into the Figure Eight so here are the Baddies to break it up. Cue the returning Alexa Bliss…and the lights go out. NXT’s Tatum Paxley is on the top and dives onto the Baddies, leaving Charlotte to grab a Sister Abigail DDT. A top rope Natural Selection pins Cargill at 13:17.

Rating: B-. This was kind of a weird way to debut Paxley but she’s a good choice to move up. Outside of a surprise NXT Women’s Title win, there wasn’t much left for her to do down there and she seems like she could be an interesting addition up here. Other than that, Charlotte beating Cargill with some help in the name of revenge isn’t a bad way to go, though I’d assume we’re far from this being over.

Overall Rating: B. This show was more about the talking and advancing the big developments coming out of Summerslam. The World Title situation is rather interesting here and they’re doing some good stuff by having so many people want the belt. That’s how you make the title chase hot and it’s working here. While there was only so much in the ring, the show felt very busy and flew by, which is a rather nice feeling to have. Good stuff here, as things are looking interesting at the moment.

Results
Baron Corbin b. Trick Williams – Belt shot
Fatal Influence b. Tiffany Stratton/Chelsea Green – Fatal Flaw to Green
Charlotte b. Jade Cargill – Top rope Natural Selection

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Summerslam 2026 Night Two
Date: August 2, 2026
Location: US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

It’s time to get back at this as we have another six matches to go. The biggest of those by far is Seth Rollins challenging Roman Reigns for the Raw World Title, which is part of a very long running feud. Other than that, there are human monies on a pole and that should be more than enough. Let’s get to it.

Here is Night One is if you need a recap.

We open with a recap of last night.

Minnesota Viking Justin Jefferson talks about how everything can change at the half, leading into a preview of tonight’s card.

Sami Zayn vs. Finn Balor

For a future World Title shot….but hang on. Nick Aldis (once again Smackdown GM) says that in the interest of fairness, he’s adding someone to the match.

Sami Zayn vs. Finn Balor vs. Gunther

For a future World Title shot….but hang on again as Aldis wants to add in someone else.

Sami Zayn vs. Finn Balor vs. Gunther vs. Kevin Owens

For a future World Title shot and of course Zayn’s jaw drops open as the music hits. Owens wastes no time in wrecking Gunther and Balor to start and it’s time for the showdown. Zayn and Owens hug and then fight (fitting for them), with Owens knocking him to the floor and hitting a big flip dive onto the pile.

Back in and the Swanton hits Gunther, who is back up to take over on the other three. Gunther chops away at Zayn and powerbombs Balor right into the Boston crab. Owens is back in for the save and stomps on Gunther, followed by the clothesline. The swinging superplex plants Gunther for two, with Zayn making the save.

Owens breaks that up as well and tries a Swanton but Zayn gets his knees up. Gunther breaks up the Helluva Kick with a sleeper, which is broken up by the Coup de Grace Zayn. Gunther’s save breaks it up (and by fingertips) so Owens gives Balor and Gunther a Stunner each. Zayn Blue Thunder Bombs Owens for two but Owens is back up with a superkick and Stunner for the pin and the title shot at 8:24.

Rating: B. I mean, Owens vs. Zayn is one of those things that can be heated up in the span of no time and it’s great to see Owens back. Owens vs. Punk is certainly interesting and it should be fascinating to see someone who can hang with Punk on the microphone. At the same time, having Gunther there almost as a red herring of a surprise was great, as the place was very happy to see Owens. While I’m not wild on the last second change, I’m happy with the result so I’ll take it.

US Title: Baron Corbin vs. Trick Williams

The returning Corbin is challenging and thinks Williams, with Lil Yachty, is soft. Williams hits him in the face to start and takes over, allowing Williams to set up a table of all things. That takes too long and Corbin takes over, including some shots on the floor. Back in and Williams is busted open as Corbin keeps pounding him down in the corner. Corbin sends him outside again but stops to go after Yachty, who holds him off with the Trick Stick.

Back in and Williams gets in a faceplant but Corbin knocks him down again. We pause for Yachty to be WAY out of position, with Corbin having to wait around forever before standing next to the rope for the stick shot. A sitout Death Valley Driver gives Williams two but he slides out of End Of Days.

The Trick Kick gets two so Williams loads up the Trick Shot. That sends Corbin to the floor where he grabs the belt, only to have Yachty break it up. Williams knocks Corbin into Yachty though, sending him through the table (thank goodness it was there for no other reason). A belt shot and End Of Days give Corbin the title at 8:53.

Rating: C. This was a match that felt like it could have been in the main event of the first hour of a Smackdown. It doesn’t help that the ending was horrible with one of the worst table bumps in recent memory. That being said, this very well may free Williams up to move into the main event scene. If that’s where they’re going then it’s quite the speedy push but you have to roll the dice at some point.

Interim Smackdown Women’s Title: Jade Cargill vs. Tiffany Stratton vs. Chelsea Green vs. Charlotte vs. Lash Legend

Ladder match for the vacant title. Cargill goes right after Charlotte to start and Legend sends Green crashing into the ladder. Legend tosses her over the barricade but Charlotte grabs the ladder before it can be set up. With Charlotte knocked down, we get a Legend vs. Cargill staredown. That’s broken up by Stratton and Green, who hammer away in the corner until they get knocked back down.

Cargill suplexes Legend to the floor but gets high crossbodied by Charlotte. The ladder is set up and Stratton takes Legend out for the showdown with Charlotte. The two of them are knocked down so Green goes up, earning herself a Jaded onto the ladder. Stratton is back in and tries a super hurricanrana to Legend, who calmly powerbombs her onto a bridged ladder for a horribly painful looking crash.

Charlotte goes for the title but has the ladder pulled out from underneath her, meaning it’s a crash. Stratton, who is somehow still able to move, goes up but has to hurricanrana Legend into a ladder in the corner. Stratton goes back up but Green pushes the ladder over, with Stratton flip diving onto the other three.

Green goes up but here are the Baddies to cut her off. The two of them beat up Chelsea, who winds up hanging from a ladder, and Charlotte so the other three all climb. Stratton and Legend crash down but Charlotte is up to cut Cargill off…and Green pulls herself up to grab the belt and win 13:04.

Rating: B-. This was a good example of a match where you knew the gist of what you were going to get and it didn’t really veer away from that. Green is certainly a surprising choice to win but the fans love her and that’s always a good place to go. I’m not sure I’d call her a traditional Women’s Champion as she now has to wait for the ACTUAL champion to show up, but it’s a cool moment in a match with some fun spots.

We recap Danhausen vs. Dominik Mysterio. So the Judgment Day invested in Danhausen’s experiments and they didn’t pay off so the team wants their money back. Danhausen won’t do it so let’s put the Human Monies On A Pole, because “haven’t you ever watched wrestling?”.

Dominik Mysterio vs. Danhausen

Human Monies On A Pole (and in a bag with a dollar sign on it of course) and Danhausen is here in the Danhausenmobile. Mysterio jumps him to start and hits a clothesline but Danhausen fights back with the reverse DDT. Cue JD McDonagh to cut Danhausen off so it’s time for the Minihausens to get involved.

McDonagh chokeslams them down, with Cole pointing out that one of them used to be El Torito. That one gives McDonagh a springboard spinning DDT so the Minihausens go up. That’s cut off by Mysterio, who is sent to the floor for a big running flip dive (with Toritohausen hitting the barricade). Cue Joe Hendry for the guitar shot to McDonagh so Mysterio goes up, only to get cursed with exploding pyro. Danhausen gets the money for the win at 6:48.

Rating: C+. Honestly, I was kind of expecting something more. This was one of the most obvious results of the entire weekend as there is pretty much no reason for Danhausen to lose anything anytime soon. Let him do his shenanigans and comedy stuff, as it’s not like pulling something off a pole first is going to make Mysterio into a loser.

Post match Danhausen says something to the referee and Danhausen throws out some money to the fans. Naturally it appears to be Danhausen Bucks but better than nothing.

The Killer Bees, Rick Martel (!) and Molly Holly are here.

Intercontinental Title: Penta vs. Chad Gable

Gable, the home star, is challenging and Penta is the person who beat him twice, including causing the match where Gable’s shoulder was hurt to put him out of action for a year. They shake hands to start before Penta grabs a running hurricanrana. Gable is right back with a rolling kick to the head but Penta cuts him off with a backbreaker.

Penta gets knocked away but is fine enough o superkick a moonsaulting Gable out of the air. Back up and Gable is sent outside for the big flip dive from Penta, leaving Gable holding his shoulder. They get back inside and chop it out until Gable (bleeding slightly) sends him into the corner. Gable goes up but dives right into the Sacrifice for two, but Gable’s shoulder is in big trouble.

They fight out to the apron where Gable gets in a German suplex, sending Penta crashing out to the floor. That lets Gable follow up with a big moonsault but Penta is able to come back with a Mexican Destroyer on the apron (more like a Mexican Backstabber but close enough). Back in and Gable gets the ankle lock, completely with a grapevine, for the tap at 10:58.

Rating: B. Well, they didn’t have another option here as Gable is on the run of a lifetime and needed to FINALLY win something. This is the title he’s been chasing for the better part of ever and it’s great to see him actually get there. Throw in having his family there and it’s even better. Good stuff here and this was an awesome moment at the end of a good match.

Post match Penta presents him with the title and Gable’s family gets in the ring (with his son in a wrestling singlet and his parents in Chad Gable #1 and #2 Fan shirts). Gable thanks his family for helping him over the years in a nice call back to the mask vs. mask promo. Naturally this moment is turned into an ad for root beer, because it must be a commercial.

We recap Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins. This is part of a story that started almost fourteen years ago, with the two of them being major forces throughout that time. Reigns is the top star around here but can’t beat Rollins, who wants to take the title from him one more time. That’s fine with Reigns, who wants one more chance to put Rollins away for good.

Raw World Title: Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins

Rollins, looking like he’s merged with an exploding peacock, is challenging. They bell rings and they stare at/talk to each other, with almost two minutes passing before they get physical. Rollins takes him into the corner and does the Scott Hall spooky fingers. Rollins’ headlock doesn’t last long so he settles for an early Sling Blade to put Reigns in the corner.

Reigns misses a clothesline and gets taken down with a superkick as the idea is that Reigns just can’t get anything going on him. Back up and Reigns gets him in the corner for some clotheslines, followed by a big boot. The Superman Punch misses though and Rollins is sent outside for the suicide dives. Rollins teases going after the announcers’ table and gets kicked in the head for his efforts.

They fight out into the crowd so they can walk around a bit, with Rollins hitting him with a piece of the barricade. Reigns is fine enough to grab a suplex on the floor and they both need a breather. They go back to ringside, where Rollins tries a spear for some reason. That’s countered into a powerbomb through the announcers’ table in the big crash. Reigns loads up another one but Rollins reverses and hits one of his own to leave them both down.

They both dive back in to beat the count, with Rollins hitting a Pedigree for two. The Stomp is countered into a Superman Punch for two and they’re both down again. Back up and Reigns tries a spear, which only hits turnbuckle, allowing Rollins to hit the Stomp for two of his own. Rollins takes him up for the superplex but the Falcon Arrow is countered into a guillotine. Rollins tries to power out but gets cut off with a spear for two more (with a very close kickout).

Reigns talks a bunch of trash and tries another spear, with Rollins hitting one of his own for two of his own. The buckle bomb looks to set up a Stomp, only for Reigns to reverse into the same two moves for another near fall. They yell at each other and then start trading right hands until the referee gets bumped. Reigns hits a double arm DDT (Cole: “Homage to the third Shield member!” Who will not be named!) but accidentally spears the referee.

Rollins Stomps Reigns again and they’re both down for a bit. That’s enough for Rollins to go grab a chair, which Reigns knocks away from him. Reigns loads up the chair but throws it down and says they’re ending this one on one. They forearm it out with Rollins slapping him to keep things going. A Superman Punch doesn’t even knock Rollins down and he reverses the spear into a Pedigree. The Stomp misses for Rollins so he…hits it a few seconds later. The top rope Stomp misses though and Reigns hits another spear. A third spear connects and Rollins is done at 33:40.

Rating: B. This was flirting with being even lower as they spent A LOT of time just staring at or talking to each other. The idea here was that they were fighting man to man until one of them couldn’t hang in there anymore. Reigns finally puts Rollins down and it should end their feud, with both of them needing something new to do. The focus being on Reigns being willing to go that much further to win makes sense, though it never hit that epic level they were trying for here.

Post match Cole says that Reigns has now tied up all loose ends. As I try to remember when Reigns got his win back over Cody Rhodes, Rollins and Reigns do the Shield pose to officially bury the hatchet. Reigns poses to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show flew by and in a good way, as the main event was done at just after 9:00 EST. That’s a pretty swift pace and the matches pretty much all worked, save for maybe Corbin vs. Williams. It didn’t quite hit the heights of last night’s half but this show only had one main event. It’s a good show, but a step down from last night, which shouldn’t be surprising. Still though, more than solid enough here, with some nice surprises and enough quality wrestling.

Results
Kevin Owens b. Gunther, Finn Balor and Sami Zayn – Stunner to Zayn
Baron Corbin b. Trick Williams – End Of Days
Chelsea Green won a ladder match – Green pulled down the title
Danhausen b. Dominik Mysterio – Danhausen pulled down the bag of money
Chad Gable b. Penta – Ankle lock
Roman Reigns b. Seth Rollins – Spear

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Well the fight night worked and now we get to see if they can do it again. This side of the card isn’t quite as stacked though, with only one top level main event compared to Night One’s double shot. The match does feel huge though and hopefully that is enough to carry the top half. The rest of the card certainly doesn’t look bad though so let’s get to it.

Sami Zayn vs. Finn Balor

This one intrigues me as I don’t remember the last time WWE did a #1 contenders match on PPV. The good thing is that you have a situation where both guys could conceivably win. Zayn was champion less than a month ago and Balor has been sniffing around the main event scene in recent months. There isn’t an obvious choice here and that leaves things rather wide open.

The more I think about it, the more I think Balor wins here. We’ve done Punk vs. Zayn recently enough and Balor vs. Punk, while having been done earlier this year, would feel like a fresh match. Balor getting into the title picture, especially if Zayn gets cheated again somehow, offers something a bit different and I can always go for seeing Zayn freak out as he does it so well. I’m not at all sure, but I’ll take Balor here.

Interim Smackdown Women’s Title: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill vs. Chelsea Green vs. Lash Legend vs. Charlotte

This is a ladder match for the shot at Rhea Ripley, whenever she gets back from her knee injury. Hopefully that isn’t too long, as an interim title is still one of the most ridiculous concepts in all of wrestling. The question here basically gets down to who is the best option to face Ripley in (what we can only hope is) a short stretch. I do like the relatively smaller field here so who wins?

While Charlotte is the most likely result, I think I’ll go with Cargill. Ripley vs. Cargill is certainly a heck of a showdown if that is where we go but the question now is whether anyone else is a realistic option. Of course Charlotte is there, but I can’t imagine Green, Stratton or Legend having much of a real chance. While I would like to see Legend in there, I don’t see it happening. I’ll take Cargill here.

United Stated Title: Trick Williams(c) vs. Baron Corbin

The more I think about this, the less sure I am about what is going to happen. Bringing Corbin back in and having him lose here would be one heck of a death blow to his return run, but I’m also not sure I can imagine Corbin winning the title. Maybe they have some kind of shenanigans set up, but otherwise it’s not a good idea to have either of them actually lose here.

I think I’ve talked myself into thinking Corbin actually wins here, as they have at least teased Williams moving into the main event picture. That would be a heck of a move up the ladder in a hurry and I wouldn’t do it just yet, but Corbin being there to have someone else slay him in the future would be fine. It’s another case where I could be completely wrong because I could see it going either way, but I’ll take Corbin winning the title here.

Dominik Mysterio vs. Danhausen

This might be the most confident pick of the entire weekend and that shouldn’t be a surprise. At the end of the dan, Danhausen is one of the most popular stars in all of the promotion right now and it would be insane to have him lose in pretty much any spot at this point. The question is how he manages to pull that off, though this is a Human Monies On A Pole match so it’s far from impossible.

Of course I’ll go with Danhausen to win here, likely with some kind of interference. The question is which form that takes, and I’m wondering if it involves either the cloning machine or whatever is under that sheet in his lab. Danhausen pretty much has to win here and there is no reason to think otherwise. It’s not like he’s pinning Mysterio so go with the fun moment again here.

Intercontinental Title: Penta(c) vs. Chad Gable

Of all the things that are absolutely bizarre in WWE these days (and remember that Danhausen is a thing), Gable’s story might be the most impressive. Gable was given a whole new character for the sake of not being able to beat luchadors and it really got over because he was injured and the replacement, who got the spot because he had nothing to do, got over huge and Gable lost in his return. Now Gable is one of the hottest good guys in WWE and here we are.

There is no reason I can put together to pick Penta to retain. Penta has had a nice reign with the title but Gable has moved past him right now and it’s time for him to move on. Let Gable win here and move on to everything else, as Gable needs to actually win something. He’s never been more over than he is right now so let him have the title and see where it goes from here. He’s earned that at this point.

Raw World Title: Roman Reigns(c) vs. Seth Rollins

This has been treated as the real main event for the two nights and that shouldn’t be a surprise. This story really started almost fourteen years ago and while it isn’t likely to be the final chapter, it’s a match that can be put together this quickly with all of the potential for a huge showdown. The build has been good, though I’m still not sure which way they’re going to go.

I’ll take Reigns to retain here, as Rollins has already beaten Reigns time after time. This is a mostly different Reigns than most of the previous times though and he can hopefully wrap things up with Rollins for the time being. I’m not sure if that means he gets the fabled chair shot here but it wouldn’t be a terrible idea. Rollins winning isn’t crazy, but with the Bloodline out there if needed, I’ll take Reigns.

Overall Thoughts

This half doesn’t seem to be as big as the previous night, but I’ve seen worse options out there. The show very well could wind up being a hit, especially if the midcard matches live up to their hype. Rollins vs. Reigns is more than good enough for a main event and Zayn vs. Balor should hold up as a main event style singles match. Other than that, Danhausen is usually fun and Gable’s win should be a great moment. I’m hopeful here, though not quite as much as I was about the first night.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: July 31, 2026
Location: Resch Center, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’ll wrap up the build to Summerslam with the last show before Summerslam Night One and the next to last show before Summerslam Night Two. That is likely going to mean a big push towards CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes, which will serve as the Smackdown main event. Other than that, we have a winner take all double Tag Team Title match. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Here is Finn Balor to get things going. Around this time of the year, he always thinks about 2016 because it was the peak of his career, but the next day, he was right back to the lowest. Now it’s ten years later and he is close to getting back to the top. This brings out Sami Zayn, who respects Balor but knows he should be in the main event instead.

Zayn calls out a fan’s sign saying he wanted CM Punk to retain because Punk is now just a corporate poster boy. He wants to take the title from someone who stole it from him but Balor wants Zayn to come say something face to face. That brings Zayn to the ring and while he respects Balor, this is a lot bigger than him. Balor brings up trying to get back here for ten years, with Zayn responding that if it took ten years, maybe he should take the hint.

Balor points out that it took Zayn ten years to get to the title and he never gave up. Zayn isn’t going to fight him though because he’s a good guy. Instead here’s Gunther to jump both of them because he is the rightful #1 contender. Cue Adam Pearce, with Gunther asking what he needs to do to get what is rightfully his.

Balor and Zayn are up to go after Gunther but he fights right back against the two of them. Cue Nick Aldis to go after Gunther and even get him in a quick King’s Lynn Cloverleaf. Balor and Zayn needed something like this to set up their match, which kind of came out of nowhere last week. Aldis looked good out here and Summerslam should be a hit.

Tiffany Stratton/Chelsea Green vs. B-Fab/Michin

Jade Cargill is here too and B-Fab starts with Stratton. A quick dropkick puts B-Fab in the ropes and it’s off to Green to take over as we take an early break. We come back with Stratton and Michin coming back in so the former can clean house. The Swanton gives Stratton two and everything breaks down, with Cargill posting Stratton. Green is back in with a missile dropkick to Michin but the Unprettier is broken up. The BTA finishes Green at 6:51.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here but the ending worked well, with Stratton being a wrecking ball until Cargill cut her off. The match was a surprising win for the Baddies, as they typically are just there to make other people look good. At least Stratton and Green are seemingly having fun together, which is something for Stratton to do for the time being. It worked for Charlotte and Alexa Bliss.

Speaking of Charlotte, here she is to go after Cargill as the other four brawl off.

Fraxiom and Rey Fenix are here and run into Judgment Day. Fenix vs. JD McDonagh is set for tonight.

The Tongas talk about being too obsessed with doing Solo Sikoa’s issues and ignoring what they were supposed to be doing. This brings in HAKU, their father, who wants his sons to remember who they are. Well that was an amazing cameo.

Tag Team Titles/AAA Tag Team Titles: Damian Priest/R-Truth vs. War Raiders

Titles for titles. Priest and Erik slug it out to start and R-Truth is back in for a crossbody/Lie Detector combination. That earns R-Truth a trip to the floor and a big knee to the face knocks him silly. Ivar crushes R-Truth against the barricade and we take an early break. We come back with a pop up powerslam planting R-Truth. The referee gets shoved down by the Raiders so Priest comes in…and shoves him down too, which is a double DQ at 6:06. Not enough shown to rate but this was pretty much nothing, with the whole thing feeling like “we gave you the match and that’s enough”.

Post match the brawl goes into the crowd but the Tongas show up to wreck both of them. They hold up all four belts and Haku appears to approve.

We look at CM Punk and Cody Rhodes almost getting into a fight at a house show last night.

Punk knows that he and Rhodes have been friends for a long time but now it’s time to fight, whether he’s a friend or not. Trick Williams comes in to say he’s coming for the title and Punk likes that idea. But he’ll beat Williams anyway.

Nick Aldis talks about how his first dream was to be a wrestler and we hear about some of his time in the ring, including a look at some of his success in TNA (and he did have quite a bit). Then he was offered the chance to be GM of Smackdown and he was ready to give it his all. Then along came Gunther, and now he’s going to be a wrestler again. Good, intense promo here that also showed fans something they might not have known about Aldis before.

Here is Trick Williams for a chat. He isn’t happy with Baron Corbin coming back with a shaved head all polished up, looking like a “big a** Tommy Pickles”. Williams wants and receives Corbin out here right now, with Corbin promising to make Williams feel like he’s in quicksand. Williams says they both know Corbin isn’t doing anything so he wants the fight right now. And that’s a no, of course.

Video on Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar in the Cell.

Summerslam rundown.

AAA Cruiserweight Title: Rey Fenix vs. JD McDonagh

Fenix is defending and starts with an early wristdrag. The threat of a kick to the face sends McDonagh outside so Dominik Mysterio offers a quick distraction. Fenix misses a dive and gets taken out with an Asai moonsault as we take an early break. We come back with Fenix ducking a shot to the head and grabbing a Death Valley Driver for two.

Fenix strikes away and hits a handspring cutter but charges into a Spanish Fly. Mysterio’s distraction lets McDonagh crotch Fenix on top and that’s an ejection. This brings out Danhausen to load up the Curse so Mysterio jumps him…and is promptly destroyed by the Minihausens. The distraction lets Fenix kick him in the head, setting up the Mexican MuscleBuster to retain at 10:31.

Rating: C+. I still don’t really see the need for another promotion’s Cruiserweight Title on this show but it’s a good enough way to fill in some time. At the same time, it was at least somewhat just background noise for the Danhausen/Mysterio stuff. Good match of course, but the AAA stuff is only so interesting outside of AAA.

Long video on Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns. All this really did was show how much Reigns has destroyed him on the microphone in recent weeks.

Women’s US Title Ladder Qualifying Match: Lash Legend vs. Giulia

Legend misses the pump kick to start but Legend catches her in something close to an Air Raid Crash. Giulia’s running knee gets two and she spins into a guillotine. That’s broken up and the Lash Extension finishes for Legend at 2:00. What in the name of GiveDivasAChance was that?

We get a quick video on CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes.

Here is Rhodes for the big final speech but Punk interrupts, patting Rhodes on top of the head on the way to the ring. Punk brings up the (accidental) elbow to the face at last night’s house show but Rhodes suggests that Punk getting a title shot in Chicago was quite the lucky situation.

After hitting his catchphrase, Punk says he isn’t about to say no and talk like a bench player like Sami Zayn who thinks he’s a starter. If he’s offered a title shot in Chicago, of course he’s going to take it. For Summerslam though, Punk has to know who the better wrestler is. You know, for business purposes.

Rhodes hits his own catchphrase and talks about the meaning of the title Punk is wearing. He brings up Punk’s line about being here to make money instead of friends. Punk says it might not be a good Saturday for Rhodes when it comes to losing a friend. Rhodes doesn’t want to worry about Saturday so let’s see what we’re doing tonight. They take their time sizing each other up and the fight is on. The brawl goes outside and they fight on the announcers’ table and floor to end the show. This was pretty run of the mill stuff but it’s another case where the feud is set.

Overall Rating: C. This was the often annoying show right before the big pay per view, with not much happening in the ring (such as the rather lame Tag Team Title match) and the main focus being on the talking. The problem is the talking was only so interesting, as the matches are already set. I liked the closing brawl, but this was definitely not a show you needed to watch in full. Except for Haku, as he’ll eat your face if you don’t.

Results
B-Fab/Michin b. Tiffany Stratton/Chelsea Green – BTA to Green
Damian Priest/R-Truth vs. War Raiders went to a double DQ when both teams shoved the referee
Rey Fenix b. JD McDonagh – Mexican MuscleBuster
Lash Legend b. Giulia – Lash Extension

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Smackdown
Date: July 24, 2026
Location: Oakland Arena, Oakland, California
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We’re done with Saturday Night’s Main Event and the main event of Summerslam is staying the same. CM Punk and Cody Rhodes defeated Gunther and Sami Zayn to avoid the title match becoming a four way, albeit with some help from Nick Aldis. That won’t sit well with Gunther so let’s get to it.

Here is Saturday Night’s Main Event if you need a recap.

We look at HHH making Gunther vs. Nick Aldis official for Summerslam.

Adam Pearce and Aldis are in the ring for the contract signing with Gunther, who joins them. Pearce gets to the point: Aldis has to vacate his role as GM to face Gunther and WWE is not responsible for what happens in the match. That’s fine with Aldis, who signs without a second thought, saying he’s willing to accept those terms. Gunther says that the match will be the greatest moment of Aldis’ career and this is beneath him.

The reality is that Aldis is jealous of him. Gunther knows that Aldis is a former NWA World Champion but he never really made it. But Gunther walked in and became a huge star, with a watch worth about half of Aldis’ salary. Gunther signs, saying that he’ll put Aldis’ name on a list of legends dumb enough to face him. As Gunther goes to leave, Aldis says that Gunther is trying to buy into this himself. Aldis knows that Gunther is scared because he can’t get out of this situation.

The reality is that Aldis hasn’t had a match in three years and has nothing to lose. When he beats Gunther, all that makes Gunther is the guy whose boss made him a little b****. The brawl is on and Gunther kicks him low, with the powerbomb putting Aldis through the table. The match should be pretty much a lock for Gunther, but it does help that Aldis is an accomplished wrestler so it’s not going to be some big mess.

Post break Sami Zayn interrupts an update on Aldis and says he won the title at Night Of Champions. It became clear that the higher ups didn’t want to be champion and he wound up facing Punk on a show they weren’t supposed to be on. Aldis and Gunther have a match at Summerslam but the guy who was champion EIGHTEEN DAYS AGO isn’t on the card? Adam Pearce comes in and Zayn wants it made right. Make the title match a triple threat

Pearce shuts that down and yells at him, but says that there is a four way match tonight. The winner of that can face Zayn at Summerslam in a #1 contenders match. Zayn hates having to earn it but takes it as Pearce says that’s all he’s getting. WWE doesn’t often do #1 contender matches on PPV so that’s a change of pace.

Brie Bella vs. Lainey Reid

Their associates are her too. Before the match, Reid says Saturday was a big night for them but Bella and Paige are the ones who will remember it forever. Jacy Jayne wants gold around her waist too so she wants the Women’s US Title. Reid jumps Bella to start and they go to the floor, with Bella sending her into the announcers’ table. Back in and the bell rings, with Bella being sent face first into the buckle. A cutter drops her again and we take an early break.

We come back with Bella hitting her running knee in the ropes, followed by a bulldog out of the corner. Bella tries a sunset flip out of the corner but Reid grabs the rope. That doesn’t work and said sunset flip gives Bella the pin at 5:48. Not enough shown to rate but they kept to the point here.

Post match Fatal Influence runs in to beat down Bella and Paige but Nikki Bella runs in for the save. The six woman tag is set for Summerslam.

Finn Balor, in the four way tonight, can’t help but think about his first Summerslam in 2016, when he won the title but got hurt. He has spent ten years trying to get back to that moment and now he is so close. Gunther comes in to say he’s next in line and says ten years is a long time.

Video on the six man tag at Summerslam, with LA Knight/Solo Sikoa/Royce Keys vs. the Bloodline.

Keys is warming up when Sikoa comes in to say Keys might be working twice at Summerslam. That’s fine with Keys, who is from this area and ready to fight in front of his friends and family. Knight comes in to say Keys can handle his business tonight as long as he stays ready for Summerslam. Sikoa continues to talk about the team, sounding more and more like an Uso every day.

Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton both want to win, with Green wanting the Interim Women’s Title. With Green gone, Bake Monroe comes in to say she likes Stratton, but wants her to shine that title up for her.

Interim Women’s Title Qualifying Match: Chelsea Green vs. Kiana James

James powers her into the corner to start but gets dropkicked out to the floor. They fight on the floor with James firing off some knees to the ribs and it’s time to go back inside. Green gets in a faceplant but James superkicks her into a Falcon Arrow for two. The Codebreaker connects for James, only for Green to come back with the Unprettier for the pin at 3:27.

Rating: C. They didn’t have much time here but Green going on to the ladder match is a great way to go, as she has done some very good things in previous ladder matches. The fans are behind her right now and that should be the case again at Summerslam. James is pretty firmly locked into this spot as the designated jobber of the division, which isn’t overly surprising.

R-Truth is confused about what Damian Priest is doing (hot dogs and four ways are involved) but Cody Rhodes comes up. Rhodes and Priest say they’ll be winning at Summerslam and Priest promises to win the title. That’s an attitude Rhodes can appreciate and he leaves in peace, which seems to surprise Priest.

We look at the Saturday Night’s Main Event tag match, where Cody Rhodes accidentally hit CM Punk, and the ensuing issues between the two of them.

Here is Rhodes for a chat and he’s in a hurry tonight, as he hits the catchphrase and brings in Punk to join him. Rhodes drops the mic as he hands it to Punk, which Rhodes calls an accident. Punk takes his jacket off though and they go face to face but goes to get his own mic. Punk says it’s a shame that it’s come to this because he doesn’t know if he can trust his friend. Rhodes says he’s going to explain why he needs to win and it isn’t about the title.

That’s what Punk doesn’t get, because the title is more than a good enough reason. Rhodes talks about how they respect each other but he doesn’t like Punk. Back in 2011, Punk cut the Pipe Bomb and Rhodes followed what he said to the letter. What Rhodes also knows is that while he was going around the world doing everything Punk talked about, everyone wanted it to be Punk instead of him.

Rhodes is tired of apologizing though because he’s become the star of WWE. He was on the Tonight Show and he’s going to be on ESPN. Everyone has come for him but the only one he worries about is Punk. For the story to have the proper ending, he has to beat Punk. With Rhodes done, Punk talks about how he casts a big shadow around here and it’s up to the people to decide what he’s done.

Back in 2022, Punk was learning from Rhodes as he showed Punk that there was a way back here. Now though, Punk knows that Rhodes is lying because he has to make himself the victim. If everyone is Rhodes’ enemy, Punk is his only friend but at Summerslam, he’s breaking Rhodes’ heart. Rhodes unbuttons his collar and talks about how they’re going to be teaming on the upcoming live events and he’ll give Punk the traditional main event gift.

Punk says he’s got a gift for Rhodes at Summerslam in the form of a loss. He’s CM Punk and no one can touch him in the ring or on the mic, including Dusty’s kid. Punk goes to leave but Rhodes stops him, saying we’ll play Kingdom so Punk can get a preview of what he’ll hear at the end of their match. Good exchange here and it was easy to follow, though Rhodes’ last ling was pretty weak.

Charlotte doesn’t regret costing Nia Jax a match last week. What she does regret is Alexa Bliss being injured and promises payback on Jade Cargill.

We look back at Fanatics Fest.

Charlotte vs. Nia Jax

Jax powers her into the corner to start so Charlotte kicks her in the face. Charlotte’s Flair Flip in the corner doesn’t do much good as Jax grabs a sitout powerbomb and we take a break. We come back with Jax knocking her down and hitting a middle rope legdrop for two. The Annihilator is countered into a better powerbomb for two more but here are Jade Cargill and the Baddies. Charlotte fights them off and escapes Jax’s Samoan drop, only to get hit in the face by Cargill for the DQ at 8:14.

Rating: B-. This was about all it needed to be as Cargill has a reason to go after Charlotte after last week. The good thing here is that Charlotte has evolved a good bit, as back in the day it wouldn’t have been insane to expect Charlotte to win here despite being down 4-1. It’s nice to see that isn’t the case anymore, as Charlotte has evolved a good bit and it has been a notable improvement.

Post match Cargill and the Baddies beat Charlotte down but Jax freaks out, as she’s lost another match due to a feud she isn’t involved in two weeks in a row.

Summerslam rundown.

Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams vs. Royce Keys vs. Finn Balor

Non-title and for a shot against Sami Zayn at Summerslam in the #1 contenders match. Keys takes over to start fast and we take a break about thirty seconds in. We come back with Balor escaping Keys’ powerslam and Priest faceplanting Williams. Back up and Williams sends Balor and Keys into the corner for a double stomping but has to deal with Priest. With everyone else on the floor, Balor is up with a big running flip dive but here is Solo Sikoa as we take another break.

We come back again with the Usos coming out to brawl with Sikoa so here is LA Knight to even things up a bit. Priest dives onto all four of them and Balor misses a Coup de Grace on Williams. That means a Trick Kick for two as Knight, Sikoa and the Usos brawl to the back. Priest gives Williams the South Of Heaven for two so Keys grabs the USB, only to be pulled out by Jacob Fatu. Keys is quickly wrecked and Balor Coup de Graces Priest for the pin at 12:03.

Rating: B. There was A LOT going on here but the good thing is that it all tied together and made sense. They had all of those other people involved and it fit with Keys being involved in both stories at once. Balor is the logical choice to move forward and I’m not completely sure who wins when he faces Zayn. Good main event here after a show without much wrestling.

Overall Rating: B. The wrestling wasn’t the focus here, as they pushed the stories towards Summerslam quite a bit. The six man got a nice bump and Balor vs. Zayn is interesting. Other than that you had the good talking segments and the Jax story has me oddly intrigued. They’re doing a nice job with Summerslam, though unfortunately it isn’t leading to the best in ticket sales. Either way, good PPV build show here.

Results
Brie Bella b. Lainey Reid – Sunset flip
Chelsea Green b. Kiana James – Unprettier
Charlotte b. Nia Jax via DQ when Jade Cargill interfered
Finn Balor b. Damian Priest, Trick Williams and Royce Keys – Coup de Grace to Priest

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