Smackdown
Date: October 23, 2026
Location: Toyota Arena, Ontario, California
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

We’re rapidly approaching Crown Jewel and that means we could be seeing some title changes in the coming weeks. There are regular title defenses plus the Money In The Bank briefcases floating around, which very well could see the title picture shaken up. The rest of the card needs to be set up as well so let’s get to it.

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

Happy Birthday Wife/Happy wedding day in-laws.

We open with a look back at Roman Reigns and Sami Zayn arguing on Raw. Even Michael Cole says this is a battle for pride.

Here is Zayn, with Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae, to get things going. Zayn acknowledges that there are people who don’t like him but asks who is here to ride or die with him. There is this misconception that the alpha male is the biggest and strongest but the reality is that it’s the smart one who survives. He isn’t going to take this from anyone, including Penta, which brings Rey Fenix to interrupt.

Fenix says he isn’t sure what Penta is going to do. He and Zayn are still family but if Zayn disrespects his family, they have a problem. Zayn says there’s no problem between them, but rather with people who disrespect him. Cue Trick Williams, who says he doesn’t feel any threat from Zayn. He’s only been here ten months and look how far he’s come. Zayn has been here for twenty five years and still trying to convince people he’s the king of the jungle.

Williams says that Zayn is Timon and he’s Simba and a real champion. Williams wants a title shot, but Zayn says he could use his sharp tongue to destroy Williams. That won’t be happening though, because Zayn is a good guy. Sooner or later, the people will realize that Williams doesn’t have IT. Therefore, no title match. Williams demands the shot instead and threatens to beat it out of him, which has Zayn getting in a cheap shot and running. Nick Aldis comes out to make Williams/Fenix vs. Zayn/Gargano tonight. Good stuff here, as we’re getting a bunch of people lining up to come after a beatable champion.

Women’s Title: Roxanne Perez vs. Chelsea Green

Green is defending. Perez ties her up in la majistral for an early two so Green gets in her own rollup for two more. Something like a Zig Zag gives Green two more and a running dropkick sends Perez outside. Green gets in a suicide dive but Perez dropkicks the leg out and sends her into the post. The arm gets stomped into the turnbuckle rod and we take a break.

We come back with Green hitting a superplex and they’re both down. Green is up with some running knees in the ropes but the Unprettier is reversed into a small package to give Perez two. Green goes up again but here is Raquel Rodriguez to shove her off, allowing Perez to get in a running knee. Cue Iyo Sky to cut off Rodriguez, only to have Perez send Sky into the steps. Back in and Green hits a superkick into the Unpretty-Her to retain at 9:23.

Rating: C+. They’re playing up the idea that the title could change hands before Crown Jewel and that’s an interesting way to go. Unfortunately the problem is these issues basically go away as soon as the show takes place as everyone (in theory) goes back to their own show and moves on. Anything involving Green being around is a good thing though and it’s nice to see her beat someone like Perez.

Post match Liv Morgan runs in for the beatdown, with Rodriguez joining in. Sky tries to make the save but the numbers game is too strong. Tiffany Stratton runs in for the real save. Stratton tries to cash in but Judgment Day gets Morgan out of the ring before it’s official.

We look at Cody Rhodes Punting Baron Corbin last week (with the Punt being shown in the replay on Netflix after not being shown on the same platform last week).

Corbin is out of action for the time being.

Chelsea Green, Iyo Sky and Tiffany Stratton celebrate together. Apparently it’s martini time.

Giulia vs. Blake Monroe

Street fight. Giulia jumps her on the floor for the opening bell but can’t send her into a pile of chairs. Monroe gets in some kendo stick shots to take over but gets crotched on the barricade. That means Giulia can dropkick her over the barricade and now Monroe is sent through the chairs. We take a break and come back with Giulia in control as they fight to the stage.

The brawl goes through the Gorilla Position and into the back, where Monroe sprays hairspray in Giulia’s eyes. We pause for Monroe to look in a mirror though, with Giulia sending her into said mirror. Giulia beats her back through the aisle and into the ring, where a missile dropkick connects. A fire extinguisher blinds Giulia though and Monroe hits a superplex from the steps onto the chairs on the floor. Back in and a Neutralizer finishes Giulia at 10:54.

Rating: B-. I liked the tower of chairs, as it fits in with the Beautiful Madness thing. They didn’t really go far enough with the broken mirror thing, as you would think that would be a bigger deal. At least Monroe got what is supposed to be a big win but my goodness I have no idea what is happening to Giulia. This is the best they have for her?

Here is Randy Orton for a chat and yeah the fans like him. Orton brings up Cody Rhodes and the fans don’t seem as thrilled. He’s proud of Rhodes, dubbed “Kid”, for kicking someone in the head, because Orton is the only one to make Rhodes crack. Rhodes can kick anyone in the head but it doesn’t matter until he does it to Orton himself. Orton is the one who has done that to people for years around here but he knows that Rhodes won’t be able to pull the trigger again.

Cue Rhodes so Nick Aldis and the agents are immediately here on standby. Rhodes wants to know when Orton became a coward because he remembers Orton as the Apex Predator and the Legend Killer. The reality is that Orton is an anomaly from his OVW class as he’s the last one standing. Well Rhodes is the anomaly to Orton because he’s not scared of Orton anytime. So why are they waiting for?

The fight is teased but Aldis calls it off and makes the match at Crown Jewel. That works for Rhodes, but he wants it to be Last Man Standing. Orton is in too, but Rhodes asked for this. There’s your non-title main event and it feels big, though either have Rhodes kick him in the head or move on already.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Alexa Bliss/Tatum Paxley vs. Michin/B-Fab

Michin/B-Fab, with Jade Cargill, are challenging. Bliss and B-Fab start things off with the former taking over with some right hands. The sliding lariat gives B-Fab two so Bliss dropkicks her into the corner so Paxley can come in. Paxley is sent outside and scores with an enziguri from the floor before low bridging Michin to the floor as well.

We take a break and come back with Paxley hitting a step-up enziguri so Bliss can get the tag. The running Blockbuster looks to set up Sister Abigail so B-Fab grabs the hair for the break. Bliss high crossbodies B-Fab and it’s back to Paxley, who misses a 450 to Michin. Cargill gets in a cheap shot and Michin’s Styles Clash finishes Paxley for the titles at 7:57.

Rating: C+. They’re certainly rolling with the women’s matches tonight. I’m not wild on the title change as they’ve been moving around a lot lately and B-Fab and Michin are hardly a great team. I guess the theory is to keep up the idea that any title can change hands at any time, but this only felt so important.

Trick Williams is thrilled because he’s getting a World Title shot next week. Rey Fenix comes in to say they need to get ready, with Damian Priest coming in to sneer.

Danhausen is hosting next week’s Very Nice Very Evil Halloween special.

Tag Team Titles: MFTs vs. Bakusi

The MFTs, with Haku, are defending but Kyoki sneaks in from behind to steal Haku’s staff. Haku sends them after the stick and the big brawl is on in the aisle. Agents and referees break it up and there’s no match.

Earlier today, Nick Aldis sat down with CM Punk and Kevin Owens. Aldis announces a match between them in two weeks in Brooklyn. Punk blames Owens for losing the title, with Owens saying Punk cost Owens the title in Toronto. Owens brings up something that happened in a locker room twenty years ago and thought they were done after Money In The Bank. Punk says Owens will be a thorn in his side until Punk puts him down. They argue over each other and Aldis thinks that’s enough, with Punk calling Owens a piece of garbage as he leaves. They only had so much to talk about here but it was entertaining.

Sami Zayn/Johnny Gargano vs. Trick Williams/Rey Fenix

Candice LeRae is here with Zayn and Gargano. Williams and Zayn start things off but nah we’ll go with Gargano instead. Williams powers him around without much trouble so it’s off to Zayn. Hang on though as here is Ricky Saints to jump Fenix and it’s a DQ at about 1:20.

Post match the big beatdown stays on but Penta runs in for the save and let’s do that six man thing.

Sami Zayn/Johnny Gargano/Ricky Saints vs. Trick Williams/Lucha Bros

The Bros hit a big double running flip dive and we take a break before the bell. We’re joined in progress with Fenix elbowing Zayn out of the corner but Zayn powerbombs him down for a quick two. A Helluva Kick knocks the illegal Williams off the apron and it’s off to Gargano, who is kicked in the face. Penta comes in for a backbreaker to Gargano and some kicks to his partners.

The slingshot dropkick in the corner gets two on Gargano and Fenix dives onto Saints. The Penta Driver hits Gargano for two but the Mexican Destroyer is cut off with a superkick. It’s back to Williams to clean house but Saints cuts him off with a quick Revolution for two. Gargano poisonranas Fenix, only to get caught with Penta’s Mexican Destroyer. Williams cuts off the Helluva Kick and the Trick Shot hits Zayn, followed by a Bookend to pin Saints at 4:45 shown.

Rating: B-. They didn’t have much time here but the fans are way into Penta and it’s fun to see what he can do every time he’s out there. I can’t imagine Williams having any serious chance to win the title next week but this was as good of a build as he could have gotten. Zayn has everyone coming after him right now and he’s a vulnerable champion, making the pressure that much better. Good, fast paced main event here.

Zayn knows he’s in trouble to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was kind of a chaotic night but they did so many things that it never got boring. The action was mostly good, with the main event not lasting long but being fun while it was around. Crown Jewel is still a very hard sell and the idea seems to be keeping the ball moving so much that it’s hard to realize that on the way there. Solid show this week and a good preview for things to come.

Results
Chelsea Green b. Roxanne Perez – Unpretty-Her
Blake Monroe b. Giulia – Neutralizer
B-Fab/Michin b. Tatum Paxley/Alexa Bliss – Styles Clash to Paxley
Rey Fenix/Trick Williams b. Johnny Gargano/Sami Zayn via DQ when Ricky Saints interfered
Trick Williams/Lucha Bros b. Johnny Gargano/Sami Zayn/Ricky Saints – Bookend to Saints

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

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smackdown
Date: October 16, 2026
Location: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Corey Graves

We’re done with Money In The Bank and have a few weeks to go before Crown Jewel, wherever it is going to be taking place. That means it’s time for champion vs. champion matches, because this is still a thing that we’re doing. Other than that, Randy Orton is here to meet Cody Rhodes face to face again. Let’s get to it.

Here is Money In The Bank if you need a recap.

Here are Sami Zayn, Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae to get things going. Zayn hates to say he told us so but everyone who has been coming after his title has gotten what they deserve. This includes Trick Williams, who comes out to interrupt. Williams says this is personal because he makes Zayn see everyone turning on him. Zayn says Williams disrespected him by turning this into a joke because that’s all Williams knows how to do. Williams says Zayn looks like a joke and usually he says “let’s talk about it”, but he’s done talking. Gargano cuts Williams off, saying this is disrespectful to Zayn because Williams doesn’t have the gold. That doesn’t work for Williams and the match is on.

Trick Williams vs. Johnny Gargano

Non-title and Candice LeRae and Sami Zayn are here with Gargano. We’re joined in progress with Gargano working on a headlock but Williams drops him with a shoulder. A rather delayed suplex has Gargano bailing out to the floor so Williams throws him back in. Zayn offers a distraction though and Gargano scores with a suicide dive over the announcers’ table.

We take a break and come back with Williams knocking him into the corner. They trade some big shots in the corner with Gargano actually getting the better of things. Williams faceplants him down but LeRae offers a distraction, allowing Gargano to grab a tornado DDT for two of his own. The slingshot spear is kneed out of the air though and a Bookend finishes for Williams at 11:00.

Rating: B-. It was a good win for Williams, even without the title being on the line. Williams is on that weird border between the main event and the midcard scene, which makes wins like these more valuable. Gargano is in a strange place of his own, as he’s kind of a lackey but not an intentional one, which makes for a situation that could go in a few different directions.

We look at Tiffany Stratton winning Money In The Bank again.

Nick Aldis tells Blake Monroe that she’s facing Giulia in a street fight next week. Chelsea Green comes in to ask if Liv Morgan is here, with Aldis saying she isn’t. Judgment Day might be in the future though, as Roxanne Perez might be getting a title shot. Nikki Bella comes in to say she’s getting a title shot soon. Green isn’t impressed, which isn’t a surprise as Bella can take the fun out of anything.

Back in March, Randy Orton attacked Cody Rhodes.

Paige vs. Nikki Bella

Bella jumps her to start and they’re quickly on the floor, where Paige sends Bella into the barricade a few times. A baseball slide misses for Bella and Paige ties her in the ring skirt to hammer away again. Bella goes after the hip and slams her on the floor as we take a break.

We come back with Paige hitting some clotheslines and suplexes to put Bella in trouble. A rake to the eyes breaks up the Paige Turner and Bella grabs the STF. That’s broken up and Paige knocks her down again but Bella’s big forearm gets two. The referee almost gets bumped, allowing Paige to grab a rollup with feet on the ropes for the pin at 9:18.

Rating: C. I’m trying so hard to care about anything these two do and it’s not working at all. This was about Paige evening the score with Bella by pinning her again but as long as Bella is out there talking, it brings down anything they’re doing anywhere else. The match was fine enough, but I don’t care about the people involved and that’s hard to overcome.

R-Truth is ready to face Damian Priest, who has been stepping on his pinkie toe. And something about arroz con pollo.

Video on Penta winning the Money In The Bank briefcase.

Nick Aldis checks on Kevin Owens, who is happy because CM Punk didn’t win the briefcase. Punk comes in and Aldis tells them to not fight until he can sell tickets. Until then, stay away from each other.

R-Truth vs. Damian Priest

R-Truth jumps him before the bell to start but runs into a boot in the corner. The Broken Arrow drops R-Truth again and Priest chokes on the ropes. The double arm crank goes on for a bit, followed by the lifting Downward Spiral to cut off the comeback. Priest charges into a boot in the corner and R-Truth pulls himself up for a missile dropkick…but is hurt in the process. The medics come in and the match is thrown out at about 3:30. No rating, but they were starting to pick things up at the end.

Post match Priest grabs a chair so Fraxiom run in for the (non-physical) save.

Gunther rants about hurting Danhausen to Nick Aldis, who is in his chair and doesn’t respond. Well in theory at least, as Gunther turns the chair around to reveal Danhausen. Gunther promises to ruin Danhausen’s Halloween, which is notable as Danhausen is set to host NXT’s Halloween Havoc that night.

Here are Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley to celebrate their Women’s Tag Team Title win. Bliss talks about how Charlotte wanted to be involved in this match but she supports the two of them. As for Paxley, she may be new around here but she deserves this. Paxley thanks Charlotte for always being there for her and has a gift whenever Charlotte gets back.

This brings out Fatal Influence, with the injured Fallon Henley ranting about Tiffany Stratton stealing the Money In The Bank briefcase. Oh and Charlotte doesn’t think anything of them and Bliss is just a convenience for her. Paxley is ready for a rematch so the fight is on with Fatal Influence getting beaten down as the champions leave.

Rey Fenix is proud of Penta winning Money In The Bank but Sami Zayn interrupts. Zayn sucks up to him a bit and asks if he has talked to Penta. Fenix doesn’t know what Penta is planning, which leaves Zayn frustrated.

We look back at Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes at Summerslam.

Jade Cargill and the Baddies tell Fatal Influence they have the next Women’s Tag Team Title shot.

AAA Cruiserweight Title: Rey Fenix vs. Ricky Saints

Saints is challenging. They trade shoulders to start and Fenix snaps off a running hurricanrana, followed by the rope walk kick to the head. Saints is knocked outside for the big dive and we take a break. We come back with Fenix escaping the Roshambo and grabbing the handspring cutter for two.

There’s the frog splash for two more so Saints gives him a Death Valley Driver for the same. What looked to be a superplex attempt is countered into a failed Mexican MuscleBuster attempt. Instead a super hurricanrana brings Saints down, with Saints shoving the referee into the ropes. Now Roshambo can connect but the referee won’t count, with Saints arguing enough to get disqualified at 9:27.

Rating: C+. The ending was a bit of a surprise but I’m guessing the idea is to turn Saints into a longer term challenger for the title. That’s not the most exciting thing but I’ll take that over having the same nothing title defenses week after week. That has been the case for way too long and I don’t need to see it continue that way. Saints isn’t the best challenger in the world but he’s better than nothing.

Post match Saints lays Fenix out again.

We look at Randy Orton beating Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Rhodes comes up to Nick Aldis to ask about Orton. Aldis hasn’t seen him and Rhodes is off to the ring.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here is Rhodes, in a chair, for a chat. He was demanded a face to face with Orton but gets Baron Corbin of all people instead. Corbin is tired of hearing so much about Rhodes, because he just doesn’t have that killer instinct. The day Corbin came back, he took out everyone in the ring and now he’ll do it again here to Rhodes. The brawl is teased and Rhodes says get a referee out here.

Cody Rhodes vs. Baron Corbin

We’re joined in progress with Corbin knocking Rhodes (who is in workout gear) down for two. Corbin misses a charge in the corner though and they clothesline each other down. Back up and Rhodes hits the powerslam into the Bionic Elbow. The Disaster Kick connects but here is Orton to jump Rhodes for the DQ at 2:46 shown.

Post match Orton goes after Rhodes but gets taken down by the Cody Cutter. The super Cody Cutter puts Corbin down as well but Rhodes isn’t done. Rhodes gives Corbin a Punt (not shown on Netflix) and Orton knows he’s in trouble to end the show.

Overall Rating: C. I wasn’t exactly feeling this one as it had some moments, but there were too many times here where it stopped feeling interesting. The Orton/Rhodes stuff isn’t overly interesting until they actually have Rhodes pull the trigger in a match. That isn’t currently scheduled and it could be awhile before it happens. The only other big story is Zayn and the World Title, which is basically “I wonder if Penta is going to cash in on me”. Not the most thrilling show here and they have a lot to cover before Crown Jewel.

Results
Trick Williams b. Johnny Gargano – Bookend
Paige b. Nikki Bella – Rollup with feet on the ropes
Damian Priest vs. R-Truth went to a no contest due to referee stoppage
Rey Fenix b. Ricky Saints via DQ when Saints argued with the referee
Cody Rhodes b. Baron Corbin via DQ when Randy Orton 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:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smackdown
Date: September 25, 2026
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re closing in on Money In The Bank and as usual we’ll be seeing more qualifying matches. The other big story is of course the World Title picture, with Sami Zayn escaping as champion last week. That’s going to be a bigger issue on the way to next month’s pay per view so let’s get to it.

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

We recap Trick Williams vs. Baron Corbin, which has been going on for a few months now. Tonight, it’s a cage match. You might want to mention that on TV the week before next time.

US Title: Trick Williams vs. Baron Corbin

Williams, with Lil Yachty (we need Corbin to bring in Tugboat to even things out), is defending in a cage. A leg lariat puts Corbin down to start but he’s back up with a toss into the cage. Corbin plants him down hard and we take a break. We come back with the two of them sitting on top of the cage and slugging it out. Williams gets the better of things and goes down but Corbin cuts him off with a superplex back down for two.

A ticked off Corbin kicks the cage door into Yachty, allowing Williams to get in the Trick Kick for two. Corbin gets in a chokeslam and goes for the door but Yachty slams the door on his head in a bit of revenge. The Trick Shot connects for two and Corbin gets in Deep Six for the same. Williams plants him with a Book End and then does it again and a third time for the pin at 12:05.

Rating: C+. I’m really not sure if this was as epic as they were hoping it to be, as it didn’t exactly warrant a cage match with no build. The three Book Ends wasn’t exactly Hogan dropping three legs on Zeus at No Holds Barred. At least Williams gets to move on though, which is what matters the most.

Nia Jax and Lash Legend are ready for Alexa Bliss and Charlotte, with Jax interviewing Legend about what she’s going to do.

We look back at CM Punk costing Kevin Owens the World Title against Sami Zayn last week.

Nick Aldis comes up to Punk and wants to see him in his office. Punk: “I’m not in trouble am I?” Aldis insists he isn’t so Punk goes along.

Post break Punk and Aldis go into the office where Kevin Owens is laying on the couch. Aldis says this has to end between them, especially with Money In The Bank qualifying matches taking place. Punk says Owens has nothing he wants and he’ll leave Owens alone if Owens leaves him alone. Owens (wearing a Randy Orton hoodie) leaves without saying anything.

Chelsea Green is panicking over Money In The Bank and Nikki Bella. Tiffany Stratton and Paige try to come her down before leaving. Bella pops in, with a grand total of no way that none of them saw her standing two feet away. Anyway, Bella says that Green is a joke and can’t trust Paige. This brings Paige and Stratton back in to get rid of her.

Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Charlotte vs. Lash Legend vs. Giulia

Giulia goes after Legend and is knocked down to start but Charlotte is up for the chops. A double clothesline takes Charlotte and Giulia down but Giulia is back up with a guillotine to Legend. That’s broken up with Legend tossing her away, leaving Charlotte to hit a great looking high crossbody on Legend. The flip dive off the apron hits Legend (albeit in slow motion) but Giulia dropkicks Charlotte from the barricade.

We take a break and come back with Charlotte knocking Legend down again and giving Giulia a fall away slam. Giulia takes Charlotte up top so Legend powerbombs both of them down. Charlotte is up with a knee to Legend’s face but Legend muscles her up for a fall away slam. That earns Legend a missile dropkick from Giulia and Charlotte gives Legend a….well it was called a Backstabber but that’s a stretch at best.

Charlotte boots Legend off the apron so Giulia superplexes Charlotte, with Legend coming back in to steal the near fall. Legend goes for a Figure Four on Charlotte, which is quickly broken up. Instead Charlotte launches Giulia off the top into Legend and moonsaults onto both of them. The Natural Selection hits Giulia and Charlotte gets the Figure Eight (doesn’t look right) on Legend, with Giulia making the save. Giulia gives Charlotte the northern lights bomb but Legend is up with the Lash Extension for the pin at 12:43.

Rating: B-. Well, I’ll take that ending over Legend stealing a pin off of someone else’s move. They had some unique and fresh spots in here and it helped a lot, though it was hard to get interested in another triple threat. Legend belongs in the ladder match, though I’d be surprised if Charlotte doesn’t get in there either.

We look back at last week’s sitdown interview with Cody Rhodes. After the interview was over, Rhodes thanked Cole and said that he was going to take Orton’s f’ing head off.

Earlier tonight, Orton came up to commentary and demanded that Cole interview him tonight.

Blake Monroe blocks Giulia for her loss and gets slapped in the face. The brawl is on and Nick Aldis comes in to say they’re facing each other next week.

Michael Cole sits down with Randy Orton but isn’t sure what to ask him. Orton brings up the Cody Rhodes interview and what Rhodes said after it was over (the threat to Orton), which Cole explains again. Orton finds it funny that Rhodes only said that after the cameras were off and thinks it’s because Rhodes is compromised. The funny thing is that Rhodes has changed so much over the years and he’s still a good guy.

There is only one person who has never changed and that’s Orton himself. He’s been himself his entire time here and if Rhodes does go after him, Rhodes has compromised himself again. Otherwise, he has peaked, so Orton asks Cole what he thinks will happen. Orton yells at him for not responding and ends the interview. The mental chess continues, as Rhodes turning heel is starting to look more and more like a possibility.

Sami Zayn says Orton is back in the title picture and a lot of people don’t want Zayn to be champion. That’s the story of the title reign, because Zayn will survive no matter what. Zayn is going to keep his title because he’s doing this for the right reasons. Finn Balor pops up to say everyone is going after Zayn after he screwed them all over to get to the title. Balor is coming for the title, Money In The Bank or not.

Johnny Gargano comes up so Zayn wants his help. Gargano asks where his title match is and a frustrated Zayn finally says that Gargano deserves it. Zayn claims to have asked Nick Aldis for the title shot but got turned down. Instead Zayn has gotten Gargano and Candice LeRae Money In The Bank qualifying matches. Gargano asks if that’s how he gets his title match and seems to accept it. Zayn wants to know if Gargano has his back and after a less than happy look from LeRae, Gargano agrees. Zayn looks like he knows he dodged a bullet there.

Tiffany Stratton/Paige/Chelsea Green vs. Fatal Influence

Reid gets sent into the ropes to start for some running hip attacks. Henley is knocked down as well and we take an early break. We come back with Stratton in trouble. A running Blockbuster takes her down but she’s up for the tag off to Green a few seconds later. Everything breaks down and Paige hits a Paige Turner on Henley. Green is caught on the floor so Stratton dives onto the villains for the save. Paige loads up a dive but Nikki Bella pops up to cut her off. The Rolling Encore gives Jayne the pin on Paige at 7:30.

Rating: C+. This was all about the Bella interference because Bella has to have something to do around here. Her inclusion still feels totally forced in but the Bellas are going to be a thing no matter what. Other than that, I do appreciate a regular team of champions not losing, even with the shenanigans.

We look at Damian Priest attacking R-Truth at the Performance Center and blaming him for Priest not being a champion.

Gunther calls it a disgrace that he has to go to Money In The Bank. He’s most interested in Finn Balor and seeing what he’s dealing with here. Is it the legendary Finn Balor or is it his ghost? Danhausen pops up to say they can take the human money in the case and then split it to buy some nice watches and….hey wait. Gunther isn’t going to split the money at all is he? Gunther grabs him by the throat and chokes Danhausen away.

CM Punk threw out the first pit and sang Take Me Out To The Ballgame at a Cubs game.

Here is Cody Rhodes for a chat. Rhodes talks about how he had the World Title won at Summerslam until Randy Orton interfered. Now though, Punk has lost the World Title to Sami Zayn, but Rhodes can deal with that later. Instead, he needs to talk about the lunatic who talked to Michael Cole earlier. Orton is trying to put Rhodes in an unwinnable position.

Rhodes talks about things he’s had to do, such as not sell his soul in front of millions of people, beat John Cena on his retirement run and face all kinds of beloved wrestlers. He knows what it means to be in unwinnable positions and this time, he will not hesitate to kick Orton’s head off. The thing is, he might not be the only one. As Rhodes goes to leave, here is Punk for his match. Rhodes walks by him without saying anything. This wasn’t much to say here, as we’ve been here before and it doesn’t matter until Rhodes actually pulls the trigger.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: CM Punk vs. Gunther vs. Finn Balor

Gunther knocks Balor outside to start before hitting a big boot to Punk. The Boston crab goes on, with Balor making the save, which just earns himself a loud chop. Balor gives Gunther a Russian legsweep with Punk adding a running boot. A double DDT puts Punk and Gunther down but Gunther is back up to cut off Balor’s running dive. Balor is able to send Gunther outside though and now the flip dive connects as we take a break.

We come back with Gunther hammering on Balor before twisting his neck around. The standing choke in the corner has Balor in more trouble but Punk is back up. That doesn’t last long as Gunther drops him onto the barricade but Balor gives Gunther a Pele Kick. Punk is back in with the falling elbow drop to Gunther and a double clothesline to both of them. Gunther is back up with chops and tries a double powerbomb, which is countered into a double half crab.

That’s broken up with a small package and Gunther is knocked outside. Balor gives Punk a Sling Blade and the Coup de Grace connects but Gunther pulls Balor outside. The powerbomb to Punk is broken up with a Sling Blade, only for Gunther to knock him outside. The powerbomb gets two on Punk, who can’t hit the GTS. Instead Punk gets caught in the sleeper, with Balor hitting a Coup de Grace to break it up. Punk is able to cover Gunther and steal the pin at 11:55.

Rating: B+. That was kind of a reverse stolen finish and I’ll take that as a change of pace. This was a good case of a match where I didn’t know who was going to win and that is a very nice thing to see. Punk going forward is fine, especially if Sami Zayn winds up costing him the match in some way. Very good main event here, as it felt like something that belonged on a pay per view.

Post match Balor and Punk show each other some intense respect to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. The main event was rather good and the rest of the show worked well. You have a few stories here, with the qualifying matches as the thing tying them together. The best thing here though is that a lot of things feel important and it’s interesting to see where those stories go. You haven’t had that as the case on Smackdown in a long time and it’s working very well. Now, just stop having so many freaking triple threats and this show is that much better.

Results
Trick Williams b. Baron Corbin – Book End
Lash Legend b. Giulia and Charlotte – Lash Extension to Charlotte
Fatal Influence b. Paige/Tiffany Stratton/Chelsea Green – Rolling Encore to Paige
CM Punk b. Gunther and Finn Balor – Coup de Grace to Gunther

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

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smackdown
Date: September 18, 2026
Location: Hilliard Center, Corpus Christi, Texas
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’ve got a new World Champion as Sami Zayn beat CM Punk last week in Mexico City. The big story continues to be a bunch of people wanting the title and that fits perfectly with Zayn, as he’s always been good at running for his life. That should be the focus here, along with Money In The Bank qualifying matches of course. Let’s get to it.

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

We look at Zayn regaining the World Title last week.

Here is Nick Aldis to get things going. Aldis says sometimes you have to deal with some people who just drive you nuts, so here is Sami Zayn. He knows that it killed Aldis to introduce him as the World Champion but he’s a bit surprised by the reception he’s getting here. When he said JUSTICE FOR SAMI, it was for everyone including these people here and this is what it looks like. He also expects equality, which brings out Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae (not Michelle, Cole).

Zayn is glad to have them here for the celebration, but Gargano wants something else. They had a deal last week and he’s here to collect his title shot. Zayn said Gargano was the only one who said that and all Zayn said was he’d take care of Gargano. That doesn’t work for Gargano, who wants his title shot tonight. Aldis says not so fast because Gargano already got a title shot and lost. The man Aldis thinks is next in line isn’t here tonight, but that man is CM Punk.

This brings out Kevin Owens, who wants a title shot but LeRae says not so fast. Owens says hang on a second and Stuns Gargano, leaving Aldis to say bad behavior doesn’t get title matches. Owens: “Are you high?” He brings up Zayn causing all of the chaos in recent weeks and it got him a title shot. Aldis listens to Owens, including calling Zayn an arrogant jackass. Aldis: “Well I can’t argue with that one.”

Zayn snaps and grabs Aldis’ jacket, which has Aldis looking livid. That’s enough to earn Zayn a title defense tonight….against Owens. Aldis says the first title reign was nine days so let’s see if we can lower that. A panicked Zayn leaves and here is Randy Orton for his match, making sure to polish the title up on the way.

We look at the South American/Mexico tour.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Randy Orton vs. Rey Fenix vs. Trick Williams

Non-title. Fenix gets knocked down and Williams shoulders Orton but Fenix is back up to kick away. Fenix is back up to kick Orton down and dive onto Williams for two. Williams faceplants Fenix and stomps him down in the corner before knocking him outside. That means Orton can drop both of them onto the announcers’ table, with Lil Yachty getting dropped as well.

We take a break and come back with Orton giving Williams the circle stomp and taking him up top. Fenix is back in for a springboard sunset bomb to turn it into a Tower Of Doom and a near fall. Orton blocks a Fenix kick and throws it at Williams so Fenix gets a running kick to knock Orton down. The rope walk kick hits Orton but Williams shoves Fenix off the top. Back in and Fenix hits a heck of a superkick on Williams but dives into the RKO. Williams hits a quick Trick Shot on Orton though and pins Fenix at 10:28.

Rating: B. Some of Fenix’s spots were incredible of course and it’s cool to see him getting involved in the bigger matches. At the same time, he was the only choice to take the fall here as you don’t want the US Champion losing and Orton isn’t about to get pinned. It’s a good match as they packed a lot into a short amount of time and now we get to see Williams on a bigger stage.

Johnny Gargano is icing his face when Sami Zayn comes in to rant. Zayn thinks Gargano deserves a title shot but he can’t go through losing the title again so soon. He seems to hint that if Gargano wants a title shot, Zayn wants help tonight against Kevin Owens. Gargano seems to get it.

The MFT’s are ready for Kyoki and Shinsuke Nakamura, with the latter needing help and being the cause of Kyoki’s pain.

Kyoki and Nakamura are ready to fight.

Tatum Paxley has a bunch of candles to try to get Alexa Bliss ready but Charlotte (in what looks like a Flintstones skirt) comes in to blow them out. Paxley points out that one was bad luck and Charlotte tries to re-light it.

Bakusai vs. MFT’s

Non-title and Haku is here with the MFT’s. Kyoki and Tama start things off with Kyoki knocking him to the floor and hitting a running dropkick off the apron to both MFT’s. We take a break and come back with Tama striking away at Kyoki before Talla comes in. Kyoki counters a chokeslam into a DDT and there’s the big dive to take out both of them on the floor. Back in and Nakamura belly to back suplexes Kyoki onto Talla for two before kicking Talla in the head. The sliding German suplex drops Tama but Haku hits Nakamura with the walking stick for the DQ at 7:21.

Rating: C+. This had some moments but there was only so much here, especially with the ending being a way to save the champions. If nothing else, this makes me want to see Nakamura fight Haku and have all of the strikes do absolutely nothing. Odds are we’ll be seeing a rematch here and I’ve heard worse ideas, as these teams getting more time with higher stakes could be a good idea.

Post match Bakusai gets destroyed, including with a high/low.

Kevin Owens talks about how this is where he had his first WWE match, which happened to be against John Cena. He beat Cena that night and he’ll beat Sami Zayn tonight. Finn Balor pops up and suggests that there are some shenanigans behind Owens getting a title shot that fast. Balor is coming for the winner, even if that means with the Money In The Bank remake.

Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton are in the back with Nick Aldis, who congratulates Green on her win last week. Danhausen pops out of Aldis’ office with Aldis’ phone, saying Gunther isn’t happy. Also some guy named Mickie keeps calling and isn’t happy. Green and Stratton go off and Stratton is in a Money In The Bank qualifying match. That’s totally fine with Green but Nikki Bella comes in to say she’s a legend and is coming for the title.

We look back at Cody Rhodes pausing in his match with Randy Orton and getting hit low to set up Orton’s victory.

Rhodes sits down with Michael Cole and isn’t making any excuses for what happened. Cole takes us back to Rhodes winning the title at Wrestlemania XL and everyone praising him. Everyone in that ring has turned on him but that comes with being the champion. Rhodes is tired of everyone asking about going in a different direction but he has experimented and changed things up in wrestling like no one except for maybe Mr. Heyman (oh my).

He was uncompromised and won two Royal Rumbles and beat Roman Reigns. He’ll face Orton again and he won’t make the same mistake again. They’ve planted some seeds of Rhodes working with Heyman more than once now and that could be rather interesting, whenever it might wind up happening.

Jade Cargill, with the Baddies, is going to win Money In The Bank.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Jacy Jayne vs. Jade Cargill vs. Alexa Bliss

Non-title. Jayne pulls Bliss down by the hair and then rolls outside to pose on the announcers’ table. Bliss cuts that off and gets grabbed by Cargill, only to be sent outside by Jayne. That leaves Jayne to low bridge Cargill out to the floor, with Cargill pulling Bliss down with her. Back in and a Boss Man Slam gives Cargill two on Jayne as we take a break.

We come back with Cargill (kind of) powerbombing them down with a Tower Of Doom for two each. Cargill is sent outside and Bliss is up to take over on Jayne. A flip dive off the apron hits Jayne but Cargill knees Bliss in the face. Cargill is knocked down again and Bliss loads up Twisted Bliss, with Jayne rolling to the floor. Back in and the Sister Abigail DDT connects but Cargill pulls the referee out. Jaded plants Bliss so Jayne kicks Cargill away and steals the pin at 11:27.

Rating: B-. Good grief I could go a long time without the steal the pin finish to a triple threat. This is the second time in a show that someone (the US Champion in both cases) stole the pin and I have no idea how there is no better way to go. I like Jayne winning as she could become a threat to win the ladder match and again, at least the champion didn’t get pinned.

Giulia is ready for her Money In The Bank qualifying match next week but the Irresistible Forces interrupt. They mock the idea of Giulia beating Lash Legend, with Giulia threatening some kicking.

Lil Yachty hypes up Trick Williams and they run into Sami Zayn. Williams wants Zayn to keep the title so he can beat him again. Well that was cold.

Damian Priest says the only thing people should be asking why he took so long to turn on R-Truth. He was sick of R-Truth losing again and he’s a bad man.

Smackdown World Title: Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens

Owens is challenging and jumps him to start fast and stomps Zayn down in the corner. Zayn gets crushed on the floor and we take a break. We come back with Zayn snapping Owens’ neck across the top rope and slaps him on the mat a bit. Zayn stops to yell at the referee before hitting a middle rope elbow to the back of the head for two.

Owens avoids a charge though and hits a superkick, meaning the Cannonball can connect in the corner. An AA gives Owens two and the Stunner is countered into the Blue Thunder Bomb as we take a break. We come back again with Owens hitting a Swanton for two as the fans are rather invested.

Cue Johnny Gargano for a distraction so Candice LeRae can sneak in with a tornado DDT. That sets up the Helluva Kick for two so Zayn tries to try it again and charges into a pop up powerbomb. The Stunner connects but Gargano puts Zayn’s foot on the rope. Owens goes outside and loads up the powerbomb to put Gargano through the table until Zayn makes the save. Zayn goes through the table instead so Gargano tries a belt shot, which earns him a Stunner. Cue CM Punk to hit Owens with the belt….for two (that might have been a mistake) so Zayn hits a quick Helluva Kick to retain at 15:58.

Rating: B. Somehow this is their first World Title match in WWE and that continues to feel pretty special. They have incredible chemistry together just from knowing each other so well, though you know this isn’t likely to be the last match between the two of them. Punk continues to add another twist to the whole thing and you can pretty easily feel the multi-man title match coming at Money In The Bank.

Post match Punk gives both of them a GTS to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This show had another solid focus with the Money In The Bank matches and the World Title stuff as the big focal point. It’s something that has been done for years but it does make for an easy to follow show. I do like the World Title stuff and the Tag Team Title match has me wanting to see a rematch. This show was an efficiently put together two hours and had the matches to make it work. Well done here.

Results
Trick Williams b. Rey Fenix and Randy Orton – RKO to Fenix
Bakusai b. MFT’s via DQ when Haku interfered
Jacy Jayne b. Alexa Bliss and Jade Cargill – Jaded to Bliss
Sami Zayn b. Kevin Owens – 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:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

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:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

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:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smackdown
Date: July 17, 2026
Location: MVP Arena, Albany, New York
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event and the big story continues to be the setup for CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes in a little over two weeks at Summerslam. Gunther and Sami Zayn are less than thrilled with this situation and that means it is time for their final push towards tomorrow’s tag match. In addition, Gunther is having issues with GM Nick Aldis, which feels like a Summerslam match in the making. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the World Title situation and Gunther vs. Aldis.

Here is Gunther to get things going. He prides himself on being a professional but since he joined Smackdown, he has been treated horribly. Nick Aldis is the one who made this personal, and he made it worse by putting him in a tag match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. This brings out Adam Pearce, who says Gunther only owes Aldis for saving his job

Aldis has made sure that the match is still on and that the stipulation (this is new) is still on: if Gunther and Zayn win, they’re added to the Summerslam title match and it’s a fatal four way. Gunther absolutely approves but here is Cody Rhodes for the brawl. Rhodes yells about how Gunther had to know this was coming so he wants a match tonight. Pearce makes it official.

Earlier today, Pearce announced that Rhea Ripley is injured and will not be able to compete at Summerslam. There will be an Interim Women’s Champion crowned in a five way ladder match at Summerslam, with Ripley getting the shot against the winner when she gets back. Qualifying matches begin tonight. I’m really not wild on the interim thing, but if Ripley is going to be back relatively soon, it’s fine enough.

Finn Balor vs. Talla Tonga

Talla has Tama Tonga with him. Balor knocks him into the corner to start and gets choked on the ropes for his efforts. Talla gets tossed to the floor but comes back with a clothesline and we take an early break. We come back with Talla’s running powerslam getting two but he misses a charge into the corner. Balor knocks him down and goes up, where Talla’s chokeslam is countered into a DDT. Tama offers a distraction but gets crotched (and bounced) on the top, allowing Balor to dropkick him into the corner. The Coup de Grace finishes Talla at 9:35.

Rating: C+. Balor is getting a nice start to his run on Smackdown, at least after losing in the first round of King Of The Ring. He very easily could be a B show pay per view World Title challenger and they very well may be leading up to that. The Tongas are in the middle of nowhere at the moment but at least they’re putting people over.

CM Punk confirms the Saturday Night’s Main Event stipulation with Adam Pearce. Damian Priest comes up and says if Punk is retaining, he’ll be coming for the title. That works for Punk, who leaves in peace. R-Truth comes up to ask what that was about. Priest: “Dude, you were here the whole time.”

Various women are ready to win the ladder match.

Women’s Ladder Qualifying Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jacy Jayne

Non-title and the rest of Fatal Influence is here with Jayne. The three of them beat Stratton down but Brie Bella and Paige run in for the save. With the four non-participants gone, Stratton strikes away to officially start and gets two off a basement dropkick. We take an early break and come back with Jayne hammering away until they hit stereo crossbodies. Stratton is up with an Alabama Slam but gets crotched up top. The Rolling Encore misses though and it’s a Regal Roll into the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to give Stratton the win at 7:45.

Rating: C+. They only had so much time here but there is something to be said about Jayne having gotten so far that I could have seen her pulling the upset here. It is nice to see her doing so well on the main roster thus far and it should be interesting to see if she finds a way into the ladder match. Stratton has to be a favorite though, as she’ll be in her home state.

Baron Corbin talks about his return last week. He attacked Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes because he’s sick of hearing people pretending to be tough.

Williams wants some of Corbin, because he’s a big bald b****. Hayes comes in and argues a bit but seemingly wants Corbin as well.

We look at Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar’s near brawl from Raw.

Women’s Ladder Qualifying Match: Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax

B-Fab and Michin are here with Cargill. Jax wastes no time in knocking her down but misses a middle rope elbow. Cue Charlotte to go after B-Fab and Michin though, followed by a big boot to Cargill for the DQ at 57 seconds.

Post match a ticked off Jax lays out Charlotte, allowing Cargill to give Charlotte Jaded.

Gunther is ready for the main event and runs into Candice LeRae, with Johnny Gargano. LeRae wants Gunther to win for Sami Zayn’s sake tomorrow so Gunther says Zayn needs to show up. Blake Monroe runs in to jump LeRae and tells Gargano that he needs a haircut.

Lash Legend and Nia Jax yell at Adam Pearce over the DQ and Jax gets Charlotte next week as a result.

War Raiders vs. Fraxiom

The Raiders’ AAA Tag Team Titles aren’t on the line. Ivar drives Frazer into the corner to start but it’s off to Axiom for some running forearms. Frazer’s dive to the floor is cut off though, leaving Axiom to moonsault onto both of them. We take a break and come back with Ivar cleaning house, including the spinning powerslam to Frazer.

Ivar’s moonsault misses both of them but Erik drives Ivar into Axiom into the corner. Back up and the dives take out the Warriors on the floor, setting up the superplex into the Phoenix splash to Ivar. Erik makes the last second save though and the Raiders have had it, with Frazer getting crushed. Ragnarok finishes Axiom at 10:30.

Rating: B. I was expecting a squash here (Fraxiom were in the ring for the Raiders’ entrance) and wound up getting a heck of a match. The impressive thing about Fraxiom is that they have been able to do this time after time. They were able to make this work in NXT and they’re doing it again here and it would be nice to see them getting a better chance than what they’ve been doing lately.

We look at LA Knight and company being fired up at Fanatics Fest about their six man tag at Summerslam.

Video on Fanatics Fest.

CM Punk comes up to Cody Rhodes to talk about the Saturday Night’s Main Event stipulation. Punk will have Rhodes’ back tonight, but they’ll also see each other tomorrow and at Summerslam.

Video on Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins.

Saturday Night’s Main Event rundown.

Danhausen is reminded about his match with JD McDonagh at Saturday Night’s Main Event and has a black cat…but accidentally curses his computer. An evacuation is recommended.

Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther

Rhodes jumps him at the entrance to start fast and they get inside for the opening bell. Gunther cuts off a springboard and shoves Rhodes to the floor as we take a break. We come back with Gunther missing a clothesline and getting caught with the Cody Cutter. Another Cody Cutter drops Gunther but he’s back up to wrap the leg around the post. Cue CM Punk as they clothesline each other down.

We take a break and come back with Gunther holding a half crab but Rhodes slips out. Gunther misses a boot in the corner and Rhodes starts in on the leg, with a dragon screw legwhip bringing Gunther out of the corner. Rhodes grabs a Figure Four but here is Sami Zayn to go after Punk. That’s enough for Rhodes to let go of the hold and dive onto Zayn. The brawl is on and Rhodes gets posted for the DQ at 12:30.

Rating: B. This was getting going near the end but as usual, the two of them just do not get to have that big match. Granted in this case that wasn’t the point, as this was about pushing tomorrow’s tag match and that part worked. You also don’t want either of them losing a fall and the DQ made perfect sense here. Nice job.

The big brawl is on and can’t be broken up as the show ends.

Overall Rating: B+. Yeah this worked, if nothing else because I wasn’t bored out of my mind as the show went an extra hour. This show was focused around two big ideas, with the ladder match having to be set up in a hurry and the much bigger issue of the stipulation for Saturday Night’s Main Event Main Event.

That was a great example of what happens when you make a match more important, as Saturday Night’s Main Event has gone from ho hum to having a match that could make a big impact on Summerslam. I want to see where that match goes now and that’s an important upgrade for tomorrow night. This show did what it needed to do with a pair of hot matches to wrap it up. Well done here, though Saturday’s show is only looking so important outside of the main event.

Results
Finn Balor b. Talla Tonga – Coup de Grace
Tiffany Stratton b. Jacy Jayne – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Jade Cargill b. Nia Jax via DQ when Charlotte interfered
War Raiders b. Fraxiom – Ragnarok to Axiom
Cody Rhodes b. Gunther via DQ 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:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smackdown
Date: July 10, 2026
Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

And then everything changed, as CM Punk won the Smackdown World Title on Raw, despite not being a Smackdown wrestler. He might be now, but it’s not sure if that’s the case or not. Odds are we’ll hear something about that tonight as there is a good chance that Punk will be on the show. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of the Smackdown World Title situation on Raw, with Gunther attacking Cody Rhodes and costing him a chance to challenge Sami Zayn for the title. CM Punk stepped in and got the title shot instead, beating Zayn to become champion.

Here is Nick Aldis, who got Punk to challenge for the title, to say that he is officially back as Smackdown GM. With that out of the way, here is Punk for a chat. Aldis welcomes Punk to the show and steps aside, with Punk saying he missed the Smackdown fans. Punk has been negotiating to come to Smackdown and those discussions were expedited on Monday, when he got into his gear at his house and drove to the Allstate Arena where he won the title. When title opportunities fall out of the sky, he’s there to catch them and he’s ready to defend this title anytime.

If someone thinks he has something that belongs to them, come try and take it. Punk brings up Sami Zayn, who deserves a rematch, Gunther, knowing it’s a mistake to bring up, and Finn Balor, who can come get a third shot any time. He lists off a few other names but here is Cody Rhodes to interrupt. Rhodes asks about Punk’s black eye, with Punk saying he knows Rhodes wants to know something else…so what does he want to talk about?

Rhodes brings up the title matches falling out of the sky, but there are other matches that have been built up for years. Punk: “You mean like CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes?” That sounded like a Wrestlemania main event but they can’t run from each other much more. The challenge is made for Summerslam so they shake hands, with Aldis making it official. Yeah that’s a big time Summerslam match and worthy of a main event.

Jade Cargill, with Michin and B-Fab, has requested and received a match with Alexa Bliss tonight. This is part of Cargill ruining Charlotte’s life and she’s not responsible for taking Bliss out.

Finn Balor vs. Tama Tonga

Talla Tonga is here with Tama and this is fallout from the Tongas attacking Balor last week. Balor double legs him to start and hammers away but Tama gets in an elbow to the face. A clothesline puts Tama on the floor but Talla breaks up the big dive, allowing Tama to get in the shot from behind.

We take a break and come back with Balor striking away, setting up a Nightmare On Helm Street for two. A spinning belly to back suplex gets Tama out of trouble but Balor puts him right back into it with the Sling Blade. Tama cuts him off again and hits a spinning Pedigree for two so Balor backdrops him to the floor. The big running flip dive hits both Tongas and the Coup de Grace gives Balor the pin at 9:47.

Rating: B. I’m not sure what happened but they flipped a switch in the last few minutes and turned on the jets. The final two or so minutes here was an awesome fast paced slugfest with one big move after another. Balor can work well with anyone and Tama held up his end rather well here. It started good and then got very good, which made it even more fun than I was expecting.

Carmelo Hayes is ready to prove himself again because he wants to get his hands on Trick Williams.

R-Truth pays off Fraxiom over a lost bet but the War Raiders come in to say these games need to end. Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu come in, saying they’re looking for Solo Sikoa. R-Truth agrees to tell Sikoa they’re looking for him. Damian Priest comes up and seems ok with them, while also saying Royce Keys is here. R-Truth doesn’t like that, but Priest says Keys isn’t with them.

Sami Zayn, on a mental health break, is on the phone with Nick Aldis, who says he does have the authority to make a match between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes. Gunther comes in to slap the phone away and says he belongs in the World Title match. Aldis has until the end of the night to fix that.

Here are Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu to call out Solo Sikoa. Instead they get Royce Keys, who Fatu doesn’t think looks like Sikoa. Keys says their family business is starting to affect him and Fatu doesn’t like that. Fatu says Keys can say a lot, but please don’t go there about OTC business. Uso clarifies that Keys isn’t part of this family but Keys talks about all of the family members he has lost.

Fatu has been his brother and Keys isn’t letting him go. Uso says this is crossing a line that he can’t come back from and he doesn’t want to do this. Keys isn’t here to fight…but steps forward over a line. Uso says that the two of them are going to give Keys the worst beating they’ve ever given anyone. Keys: “We?” This is all on Uso so he says get a referee out here. Keys knocks Uso outside with a clothesline and we take a break with the referee arriving.

Jimmy Uso vs. Royce Keys

Keys knocks him down to start and fires away right hands in the corner. A suplex puts Uso down but they head outside, with Uso sending him into the steps. The chinlock goes on back inside but Keys is up, only to be sent back to the floor. Keys is sent over the announcers’ table and we take a break.

We come back with Keys getting two off a powerslam so it’s time for the straps to come down. Keys plants him onto the announcers’ table but gets posted to cut off the momentum. Cue Solo Sikoa behind Uso to load up the Spike, which brings out Jacob Fatu. The brawl is on, allowing Uso to spear Keys for the pin at 9:25.

Rating: C+. I’m not wild on Keys losing, though it’s even worse when he loses to Jimmy Uso’s spear. Trying to make it the family move is quite a stretch when only Reigns really has the power/explosiveness to make it look good and the Samoan drop already exists. Anyway, this was more of the Bloodline drama, which is going on underneath everything Roman Reigns has going on with Seth Rollins for Summerslam. That’s a lot at once and I’m still not even sure where this part is going.

Post match Fatu lays out Sikoa and then superkicks Keys. Fatu loads up the Umaga Attack on Sikoa, who has a chair around his neck, but hits the brakes and yells at him instead.

After losing the title on Monday, Sami Zayn went on a rant about how unfair the whole thing was.

CM Punk wants everyone to get in line to come after the title but here are Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano. LeRae yells at Punk for taking away their hope of Gargano getting better. Punk remembers him as Johnny Wrestling and says whatever this is, it isn’t working. As Punk goes to leave, Finn Balor welcomes him to the show, with an eye on the belt.

Fatal Influence have had fun taking out Brie Bella and Paige and they’re ready to do it again for the Women’s Tag Team Titles at Saturday Night’s Main Event. I’d certainly hope so.

Alexa Bliss vs. Jade Cargill

Charlotte and the minions are here too. An early Charlotte distraction lets Bliss go after Cargill’s leg and a knee to the face puts Cargill down. That just earns Bliss some backbreakers and we take a break. We come back with Cargill missing a boot in the corner so Bliss can hammer away. The running Blockbuster gives Bliss two but Sister Abigail is broken up. Charlotte gets in a neck snap across the top to give Bliss two so it’s time for the seconds to get in a fight. Cargill gets in a pump kick into Jaded for the pin at 7:04.

Rating: C+. This was another way to continue the path towards Cargill vs. Charlotte, which absolutely feels like a big showdown. I could go for seeing the two of them fight and hopefully they manage to make it work. Bliss and Charlotte have come incredibly far as a team and this was a good use of a story that has worked for years in wrestling.

Post match Charlotte fights off the minions for a bit but Cargill uses a chair to snap Bliss’ arm, allowing Bliss to do her arm out of joint deal.

Trick Williams can’t find his title but Lil Yachty comes up to present him a custom fur lined title.

Alexa Bliss is taken to the trainer’s room. I’m not sure why we needed to see this.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams

Non-title and Lil Yachty is here with Williams. Hayes gets knocked into the corner to start so Williams can stomp away. Back up and Hayes gets in a spinning crossbody, earning himself a Trick Slap as we take an early break. We come back with Hayes grabbing Dirty Diana for two and they both need a breather. Williams gets in some leg lariats, followed by a Rock Bottom for two.

Hayes flips out of a fireman’s carry though and grabs a middle rope DDT for two of his own. The jumping neckbreaker gives Williams two but Hayes knocks him off the top, setting up a frog splash for another near fall. The Trick Kick gives Williams two more but he misses a charge in the corner. Yachty gets dropped and the First 48 takes Williams down. Hayes goes up top…but Baron Corbin of all people is back to pull him into the ropes for the DQ at 10:30.

Rating: B-. They were having a good match before the big surprise return. Corbin isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but he could be a great addition to the midcard. As long as he doesn’t become the focal point of the show, he should be perfectly fine and could have some good matches with Williams, Hayes and more. The match itself was good, but these two are likely to have a big PPV match somewhere down the line after their lengthy history together.

Post match Corbin lays both of them out and drops the furry title on Williams.

Here is Gunther, with Nick Aldis coming in to say Gunther can have what he wants. Gunther can have Punk and Rhodes…at Saturday Night’s Main Event in a tag match, when he teams up with Sami Zayn. Summerslam isn’t changing one bit, which earns Aldis a beatdown. Gunther boots him in the face and grabs the sleeper a few times. Cody Rhodes runs in for the save (though the show cuts off when he’s still in the aisle) to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was designed to set up a few big matches for Summerslam, which certainly needs the help to boost things up with a few weeks ago to go. Punk vs. Rhodes being set up is a good move, as that’s absolutely a main event level match. Other than that, some of the matches which were either already set or close to it got a few nice upgrades. I liked this show, as it’s nice to have a more clear direction after everything has been shaken up in recent weeks.

Results
Finn Balor b. Tama Tonga – Coup de Grace
Jimmy Uso b. Royce Keys – Spear
Jade Cargill b. Alexa Bliss – Jaded
Carmelo Hayes b. Trick Williams via DQ when Baron Corbin 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:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smackdown
Date: June 19, 2026
Location: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s a big fight feel here as we have the World Title on the line, with Cody Rhodes defending against Gunther. That’s not all though as Sami Zayn, who isn’t happy with Rhodes, is the guest referee. That should make for a heck of a main event as we’re also closing in on Night Of Champions next Saturday. Let’s get to it.

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

We recap Gunther challenging Cody Rhodes for the World Title. Rhodes beat him at Clash In Italy but Gunther’s foot was underneath the rope. Gunther demanded a rematch and got to pick the stipulation, which is having Sami Zayn as guest referee, mainly because Zayn and Rhodes aren’t getting along either.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther

Rhodes is defending and Sami Zayn is guest referee. Gunther knocks Rhodes down to start and works on the arm but Zayn breaks up Rhodes trying to throw a right hand in the corner. Zayn cuts Rhodes off again and this time Gunther boots Rhodes in the face. Gunther elbows him in the face and commentary isn’t pleased with Zayn not getting on Gunther as much.

A Cody Cutter connects out of nowhere and Rhodes follows up with a powerslam. Gunther is right back with a knockdown into the Figure Four but Zayn catches him grabbing the ropes. Rhodes’ rollup gets a fairly counted two and he follows it up with Cross Rhodes but Zayn sees Gunther’s boot underneath the rope. For some reason Rhodes complains and Zayn shoves him, right into a sleeper from Gunther.

Rhodes gets the rope as well and Zayn has to drag Gunther off the hold, which isn’t going well for Gunther either. Gunther shoves him so Zayn comes back with a slap, earning himself a powerbomb. Rhodes makes the big comeback and hits Cross Rhodes for two from a second referee. Gunther’s shotgun dropkick and powerbomb get two, with Zayn pulling the referee out. Back in and Rhodes tries a sunset flip, with Gunther grabbing the rope. Zayn kicks his hands away though and the fast count retains Rhodes’ title at 11:19.

Rating: B-. Much like their previous match, I was expecting something a bit bigger than this, which was pretty much just good enough. That ending all but guarantees a third match, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Zayn added to make it a triple threat. That’s a good way to make it more interesting, and hopefully they go a bit bigger with the whole thing, as it deserves.

Post match Gunther yells at Nick Aldis and Zayn as Rhodes says get a proper referee out here and restart the match. Gunther decks Zayn and sprints to the ring with a regular referee and we’re back at it.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther

Rhodes is defending again and they slug it out before trading sleepers. Gunther’s works a bit better until Rhodes escapes, only to get caught in it again. Cue Zayn to Helluva Kick Gunther for the DQ at 1:09 (Rhodes and Gunther were both in the corner so it wasn’t clear who Zayn was aiming for but he screams at Gunther after to make things obvious).

Post match Zayn grabs the title and decks the regular referee before hitting Rhodes with the belt by mistake (though I’m not sure who else it was supposed to be). An upset Zayn leaves, ripping up a fan’s sign in the process.

We look at the recent issues between Jade Cargill/her minions and Charlotte/Alexa Bliss.

Cargill isn’t worried about what is going on and wants the Women’s Title.

We recap the whole World Title situation.

Gunther blames Aldis for what happened and wants another title match at Night Of Champions.

Jacob Fatu comes in to see Solo Sikoa about Roman Reigns wanting him in the Bloodline. Sikoa turns him down again but Fatu says that’s a bad idea. Sikoa is running out of time, which leaves him confused. Fatu leaves and the MFT’s come in to say Sikoa’s family business is starting to mess with their family business. Sikoa says he has this.

You know how Blake Monroe has been teasing her…well return actually? She still is.

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

Priest/R-Truth are defending. Talla shoves Priest into the corner, where Priest gives him a crotch chop. Priest gets sent into the corner for some stomping as the War Raiders are watching backstage. Tama comes in and gets knocked into the champs’ corner, with R-Truth coming in for the flying shoulders. The John Cena sequence is cut off as R-Truth is sent to the floor for a big boot and apron chokeslam from Talla.

We take a break and come back with R-Truth kicking Tama down and making the diving tag to Priest. Talla gets knocked to the floor but Tama is back with a swinging neckbreaker. Cue Solo Sikoa to yell at Talla and then get taken down by Priest. R-Truth grabs a rollup on Tama to retain the titles at 10:10.

Rating: C+. This was another match where it felt like Priest and R-Truth should have lost the titles, though the Raiders might be the ones to take the belts off of them. At the same time the Bloodline Lite issues continue and that has to clash with the main version of the team sooner or later. I’m just not sure if that is a good thing or not.

Post match the MFT’s walk away from Sikoa.

Sami Zayn does his weekly rant to Johnny Gargano when Nick Aldis comes in to ask what that was about. Zayn says he’s the one who keeps getting cheated and he’s not going anywhere.

Jey Uso and Je’Von Evans jaw at each other before their King Of The Ring semifinals.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints

For a future US Title shot. Hayes starts fast with a clothesline but Saints is back up with the strutting Old School. Well most of it at least as he dives into an atomic drop but at least he looked good in the process. Hayes hits a slingshot DDT to the apron and we take a break. We come back with Hayes fighting out of a chinlock. Saints’ bulldog out of the corner is countered into a belly to back suplex and Hayes’ springboard DDT gets two.

They clothesline each other down but Hayes is back up with Dirty Diana. The suplex cutter gets two but Hayes misses Nothing But Net. Saints’ tornado DDT is blocked as well so Hayes throws him off the top, only to get crotched on an exposed buckle. The Roshambo is countered into the First 48 but Saints kicks him into an exposed buckle for the pin at 14:25.

Rating: B. I can go for Saints getting the title shot as Hayes vs. Trick Williams is likely going to be a big deal when it finally happens. For now though, Saints is still getting established around here so a win over a former champion, even one that came through less than fair means, is a good idea. It helps that they can both work this style rather well and they have some chemistry despite not having a ton of experience against each other.

Cody Rhodes wants and receives a triple threat against Gunther and Sami Zayn at Night Of Champions.

Charlotte wants her fifteenth World Title.

We look at Danhausen being discussed in the fallout from the New York Knicks winning the NBA Championship. Danhausen going from nothing more than a comedy goof to being discussed on the Tonight Show and being interviewed on ESPN is insane, but also evidence of what can happen when you stick with something and get to showcase your talent.

Danhausen is doing experiments on the still messed up Miz and Kit Wilson when Los Garza come in. They lost a lot of money on the NBA Finals because of the curse but Matt Cardona comes in to clear the out (he’s happy because his team finally won). Danhausen thanks “Zack”, who corrects him and then touches Miz, which gives him a shock. Cardona: “Woo woo woo!” Danhausen asks if Cardona is ok. Cardona: “You know it.” Danhausen is all giddy.

Finn Balor comes in to see R-Truth, who talks about dragons, Rikishi and the Wild Samoans. He’ll help Balor when he needs it because when you’re Judgment Day, you’re Judgment Day for life. Damian Priest comes in (with R-Truth thinking they need to play water polo) and says he’s out of any celebration for Balor, because he doesn’t celebrate with people he doesn’t trust. R-Truth doesn’t get why Priest doesn’t trust him when they’re partners.

We recap the World Title situation again.

King Of The Ring Semifinals: Jey Uso vs. Je’Von Evans

Evans rolls him up to start and hits an early dropkick out to the floor. We take an early break and come back with Uso still in trouble but hitting a pop up Samoan drop. Evans loses his shirt and reveals tape around his ribs so Uso has a target. A backbreaker stays on the ribs and Uso shoves him off the apron and into the barricade.

We take another break and come back with Evans still in trouble but catching Uso on the top. A super Spanish Fly plants Uso and they’re both down for a breather. Evans fights up and they knock each other down, where at least they can see the Fireflies for some reason. Back up and the spear gives Uso two but he charges into a superkick. The spinning kick to the head drops Uso again but he’s right back up with another spear. The Superfly Splash pins Evans at 17:57.

Rating: B. I’m not sure how much the result was in doubt here but it was nice to see Evans getting to hang in there against a former World Champion. Evans is pretty clearly becoming an established name around here and it’s working, which is a good sign. Uso is the bigger deal here though and him facing Oba Femi could be rather interesting.

Post match Uso shows respect. That’s a bit of a surprise.

Jacob Fatu goes to see Solo Sikoa, who thinks Roman Reigns sent Fatu here to mess with their business. If Reigns keeps messing with things, Sikoa will be coming to Raw to mess with him.

Giulia wants to face Kiana James next week in London.

Tiffany Stratton is ready to defend the Women’s US Title at Night Of Champions when Chelsea Green comes up to offer her help. Stratton appreciates it but she’s got this on her own.

NXT Origins video on Alexa Bliss.

Liv Morgan talks about how Charlotte is always talking about her success because she lives in the past. Morgan is the present.

Paige and Brie Bella are ready for Bayley/Lyra Valkyria.

Fatal Influence blame their loss last week on the referee so they want another chance.

Jey Uso runs into Cody Rhodes and warns him about Summerslam, which is fine with Rhodes. Sami Zayn comes in to praise Uso but thinks he’ll be the champion at Summerslam. Uso says he’ll do what he has to do, so Zayn says say hi to the family for him.

Night Of Champions rundown.

Charlotte runs into Jade Cargill/Michin/B-Fab but doesn’t seem worried. That doesn’t seem to be a good idea as the three of them jump her and damage her knee.

Post break, Charlotte is getting looked at when Liv Morgan comes in to say she’ll see you out there.

Queen Of The Ring Semifinals: Charlotte vs. Alexa Bliss

Non-title and Charlotte limps to the ring, earning her an early chop block from Morgan. The medics and Nick Aldis come out to check on Charlotte but she insists she can go. That just means Morgan can go after the knee again, including ramming it into the ring skirt board. We take an early break and come back with Bliss wrapping the leg around the post. A dropkick puts it into the post and a suplex sends it into the rope.

Charlotte reverses another suplex though and uses the good leg for a big boot. For some reason Charlotte goes up top for a high crossbody before winning a slugout. Morgan fights back but gets booted out of the air but Charlotte’s knee gives out as she tries a moonsault. We take another break and come back with Morgan kicking her into the corner and going after the knee again. Charlotte’s backbreaker out of the corner doesn’t get her very far as Morgan ties her in the Tree Of Woe.

Somehow Charlotte fights out and hits a super Natural Selection. The Figure Four has Morgan in trouble for a change so she rolls out to the rope. A half crab puts Charlotte in trouble again so she makes the rope, which has the medics checking on her. Charlotte wants to keep going and Oblivion out of nowhere gets two. Morgan grabs a rather hard half crab and Charlotte gives up at 18:57.

Rating: B. So we have the Raw Women’s Champion vs. another Raw star for a shot at either the Raw or Smackdown Women’s Title in the finals? Anyway, this was a classic story with Charlotte fighting through the injury but not being able to make it in the end. It’s good enough that I barely remembered Je’Von Evans and Jey Uso doing the same thing in the previous match.

Overall Rating: B+. This was a rather busy show with a bunch of stuff happening, including the rather fun World Title situation. The story jumped forward a long way in one night and they made it work, which isn’t something I was expecting. Other than that you had good action up and down the card, with only the Sikoa/Bloodline stuff being less than interesting. Rather good show here, with Night Of Champions looking better as a result.

Results
Cody Rhodes b. Gunther – Sunset flip with a fast count
Gunther b. Cody Rhodes via DQ when Sami Zayn interfered
Damian Priest/R-Truth b. MFT’s – Rollup to Tama
Ricky Saints b. Carmelo Hayes – Kick into an exposed turnbuckle
Jey Uso b. Je’Von Evans – Superfly Splash
Liv Morgan b. Charlotte – Half crab

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

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Smackdown
Date: June 12, 2026
Location: Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, Rhode Island
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re back in America after the two week European tour and this week is about setting up something in the future. In this case, it’s Gunther getting to announce the stipulation for his title shot against Cody Rhodes, which takes place next week. That could go in a few directions, but it’s Gunther’s call. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a long Cody Rhodes/Gunther recap.

Rhodes arrives and runs into Nick Aldis, who says Gunther will name the stipulation tonight. That works for Rhodes and Aldis leaves, with the Usos replacing him. Jey says that he’s winning the King Of The Ring and coming for the title, but it’s not personal. That’s fine with Rhodes as well, but he hopes it’s what Jey wants and not Roman Reigns.

Commentary tells us that Rhea Ripley has a knee injury and is undergoing treatment so we’ll see where things go from there.

We look back at Jade Cargill and company winning last week’s six woman tag.

Jade Cargill, with B-Fab and Michin, is ready for the Queen Of The Ring and Charlotte, whose entrance cuts her off.

Queen Of The Ring First Round: Charlotte vs. Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Jade Cargill

Non-title. Everyone goes after Cargill to start so she suplexes Valkyria and Ruca at the same time. Charlotte is knocked outside and Cargill’s minions jump her, drawing out Alexa Bliss and Tiffany Stratton for the save. The four of them brawl off and Charlotte high crossbodies Cargill for two as we take a break.

We come back with Ruca rolling Cargill up for two but Valkyria throws Ruca outside. Charlotte goes up top but Ruca jumps up top with her, only to have Valkyria take Ruca out again. Cargill powerbombs Valkyria and Charlotte down at the same time but Ruca is back in for the save. Valkyria rolls Ruca up for two so Ruca moonsaults off the top onto all three at once for the huge crash.

We take another break and come back with Charlotte catching Cargill on top, where Ruca helps Charlotte with a double superplex. Ruca is back up with a springboard double flipping clothesline, only to have Cargill take her down. Cargill gives Charlotte Jaded but gets caught with the Sol Snatcher. Valkyria is back in but gets caught in Natural Selection. The Figure Eight makes Valkyria tap at 17:59.

Rating: B. This was a heck of a match with Charlotte getting the win but it didn’t feel like she dominated the whole match as she has been known to do before. Cargill was the big force here but the other two were hardly just cannon fodder. I liked this and Charlotte is oddly working as a heroine after so many years as the big evil.

In the back, B-Fab and Michin come after Tiffany Stratton again but Chelsea Green runs in for a save with a kendo stick, with one heck of a crazy look on her face. Stratton has no idea what to make of this.

Jacob Fatu comes in to see the Usos but he’s here to see Solo Sikoa.

Blake Monroe doesn’t like Charlotte either. Why did they have her pop up in that backstage segment if she’s just doing these “she’s coming” vignettes?

Gunther comes in to see Nick Aldis and makes the announcement: he gets to pick the referee for the title match next week. That’s fine with Aldis, but we have to wait to find out who the referee will be.

Finn Balor is fired up to be here when R-Truth comes in to say the Judgment Day is back together. Balor is confused but Damian Priest comes in for a rather tense reunion.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Paige/Brie Bella vs. Fatal Influence

Paige/Bella are defending after Fatal Influence jumped them last weeks. Henley takes Bella into the corner to start but it’s off to Paige to take over. Everything breaks down and the champs strike away to take over until Jacy Jayne trips Bella down. Bella has to fight out of the corner but another distraction means the referee misses the tag. That means Reid can grab her running Blockbuster for two and we take a break.

We come back with Bella getting over for the tag to Paige and house is cleaned. Henley gets caught in the Scorpion Crosslock, which is quickly broken up. The Rampaige drops Reid with Henley making the save. Jayne has to make another save and gets ejected, leaving Paige to small package Henley to retain at 10:34.

Rating: C. This was the latest time for the Cinderella run between the team no one was asking to see continues. It’s another case where the initial win was fine but it’s hard to buy that so many teams can’t beat Paige and Bella. The match wasn’t awful, but it’s become clear that there is nothing to the champs and they get less interesting together week to week. Then again it keeps us from them losing the titles and getting the Bellas’ magic moment so this could always be worse.

We look at Sami Zayn getting involved with Cody Rhodes and Gunther.

Zayn rants to Johnny Gargano again, with Candice LeRae asking when Gargano is going to get up and do something.

Los Garza gives Danhausen money and Matt Cardona comes in to say he doesn’t have money but gives Danhausen a watch and ring. Kit Wilson brings in Miz, who is only able to spout catchphrases since Danhausen electrocuted him. Danhausen electrocutes Wilson as well and leaves, with Wilson sparking. Pretty normal night.

Here is Sami Zayn for a chat. Zayn isn’t sure why he isn’t getting as nice of a reaction as he got in Europe but that’s ok. Do you want to boo him or ride or die with the Last Real Good Guy? Zayn is out here to clear the air with Cody Rhodes, who comes out to join him. Rhodes does his usual but Zayn doesn’t want this Rhodes for a change. A few weeks ago, Rhodes made Zayn feel terrible when he walked away while Rhodes was choked out.

That’s what Rhodes deserved on that day and Zayn wants Rhodes to tell him the truth. Rhodes says that Zayn is asking for an explanation of professional wrestling and Zayn is smarter than that. Zayn talks about being the first person to congratulate Rhodes when he won the title because he’s a good guy.

Rhodes snaps about how the fans telling Zayn that he sucks and it’s true right now because Zayn is whining. Let’s not pretend that this is about anything but the title. Zayn slaps him in the face and immediately realized he went too far. Rhodes says they’re done so Zayn grabs a chair, only to drop it and leave. I think you know where this is going and that’s a good thing.

Jacob Fatu comes in to see Solo Sikoa and has a message from Roman Reigns: it’s time to come home. Sikoa doesn’t know what has happened to Fatu, but Reigns is humiliating him. Sikoa gets fired up and wants Fatu to be himself but Fatu says he’s made his decision. When his business with Reigns is done, he’s coming for Sikoa. That’s fine with Sikoa, who says if Reigns wants him back, come get him.

We look at Rey Fenix winning the AAA Cruiserweight Title.

AAA Cruiserweight Title: Rey Fenix vs. Axiom

Fenix is defending and starts fast with a dropkick out to the floor, setting up the big running flip dive. Back in and Axiom snaps off a suplex but Fenix sends him outside for a crash. Axiom catches him with a dropkick on the floor though and the big moonsault takes him down again.

We take a break and come back with Fenix kicking away but getting caught on top. Fenix knocks him right back down and hits a frog high crossbody for two. Axiom counters a springboard into a German suplex but the Golden Ratio is cut off with a kick to the head. Something like a Death Valley Driver gives Fenix two but Axiom jumps the corner for a super Spanish Fly. Fenix kicks him in the head again in the corner and the Mexican MuscleBuster retains the title at 12:15.

Rating: B-. It was good, high flying action but at the same time I really hope that this is a one off title defense. I do not need to see another title on this show, especially from another company (even if it is owned by WWE). WWE has had Cruiserweight Titles before and it doesn’t need to be happen again.

Gunther comes up to Nick Aldis and picks Sami Zayn as the guest referee for next week’s title match.

Here are Trick Williams and Lil Yachty for a chat. Williams is not happy that he lost last week but he is still the US Title and the Lemon Pepper Stepper. This brings out Ricky Saints to interrupt but Carmelo Hayes interrupts his interruption. Hayes is tired of the catchphrases from Saints, who says he is the only one who should be getting a title shot. Bickering ensues but Williams tells them to shut up and figure it out themselves. Until then, let the grown folks talk. The brawl is on and Williams stands tall.

Royce Keys is interrupted by Solo Sikoa, who wants to help even the odds against the Bloodline. Sikoa doesn’t need Keys to fight with him, but he doesn’t want Roman Reigns to get his way.

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

Stratton and Michin start things off with Stratton giving her an Alabama Slam. It’s off to Green, who gets kicked in the ribs and head, followed by a double faceplant. We take a break and come back with Green getting rammed into the corner, setting up Michin’s middle rope hurricanrana for two. Back up and Green avoids a charge to send B-Fab into the post but here is Jade Cargill to pull Stratton off the apron. The Unprettier hits B-Fab but Michin is in with the Styles Clash for the pin at 8:07.

Rating: C. This was more of a step in what feels like a bigger story of Green and Stratton becoming friends. Stratton is going to want to thank Green for her help and that could make for a fun way to go. If nothing else, Green brings all kinds of energy to anything she does and that could be great to see.

Post match Cargill lays out Stratton with Jaded and holds up the US Title.

We look at Kiana James and Giulia splitting last week.

James rants about how she’s done everything she has done for Giulia, which brings in Giulia to interrupt. Giulia didn’t need James’ help in the ring and gives her a heck of a slap.

Finn Balor runs into Tama Tonga, who welcomes him to Smackdown.

Cody Rhodes talks to Nick Aldis and isn’t sure about Sami Zayn as guest referee. Zayn comes in to repeat Rhodes’ issues with him and says good luck next week.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

LA Knight isn’t worried about the Bloodline being in the building because Knight is in the building. He can’t wait for Jey and Jacob to be back in the Bloodline, barefoot and pregnant. He’s coming for the crown and then Roman Reigns.

King Of The Ring First Round: LA Knight vs. Finn Balor vs. Jey Uso vs. Royce Keys

It’s a brawl to start with Keys clearing out Uso and Knight, leaving Balor to take them out with a running flip dive. We take a break and come back with Uso striking away on Keys until Knight makes the save. Keys runs Knight over with a clothesline and gives Balor a super spinning powerslam. Uso knocks Keys to the floor but his dive is dropped onto the apron. Jimmy Uso pops up for a staredown with Keys and here is Solo Sikoa as we take another break.

We come back again with Keys planting Balor onto the apron but running into a superkick from Jey. With Keys down, the other three TripleBomb him through the announcers’ table. That allows Balor to knock Knight down for two with Jey making the save. Jey’s spear is cut off and the shotgun dropkick sends him into the corner.

Knight is cut off and the Coup de Grace connects but Keys makes the save. Sikoa yells at Keys, who gets dropkicked through the ropes by Knight. Back in and Knight gives Jey a Burning Hammer and drops the top rope elbow on Keys. Knight gets up but walks into the USB, only for Jey to hit the Superfly Splash for the pin at 18:41.

Rating: B. This was more of a hard hitting match and you could have had multiple options for the winner. Keys seems to be the wild card in the whole Bloodline story at the moment and that could go in a few directions, including not at all. Uso winning keeps things going with the Bloodline, though having Balor lose in his first match on Smackdown is a bit odd. I’m not sure where this leaves Knight either and I’m tired of that being the case.

Overall Rating: B-. The tournament matches were good but the rest of the matches left a little something to be desired, with nothing really standing out. Green joining forces with Stratton, and Stratton actually approving, is a good thing, but the match was hardly anything noteworthy. This show really needs to get back to two hours as soon as possible, as it’s going to tighten things up a lot and cut out a bunch of the filler. At least Gunther vs. Rhodes is going to be huge next week, especially with the Zayn issue. Not a great show here, but the good parts were enough to carry it by.

Results
Charlotte b. Sol Ruca, Lyra Valkyria and Jade Cargill – Figure Eight to Valkyria
Paige/Brie Bella b. Fatal Influence – Small package to Henley
Rey Fenix b. Axiom – Mexican MuscleBuster
Michin/B-Fab b. Tiffany Stratton/Chelsea Green – Styles Clash to Green
Jey Uso b. Finn Balor, Royce Keys and LA Knight – Superfly Splash to Knight

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

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6