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:

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Smackdown
Date: October 9, 2026
Location: Cajundome, Lafayette, Louisiana
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

Twas the night before Money In The Bank and that’s the end of the poetry corner. As usual, this is the big show that comes before the pay per view and in this case we have a Women’s Tag Team Title match, with Charlotte and Tatum Paxley getting a shot at Fatal Influence. Other than that we have the big push towards tomorrow, which should be good enough. Let’s get to it.

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

Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce are here and have some friendly banter about Money In The Bank. Trick Williams comes in to say he wants to face Sami Zayn. Bron Breakker pops in to say he’s wasting his time here but Williams doesn’t like that. The GM’s make Breakker vs. Williams for the main event.

Here is CM Punk for a chat and the ladders are set up in the ring. After getting the catchphrase out of the way, Punk says some people have been asking him why he’s getting in this ladder match at this point in his career. He’s won this thing twice before and he’s taking a chance to make history, because that’s what he does. It won’t be a cakewalk and Punk goes over the other participants in the match.

Punk praises some of the younger stars but gets cut off by Kevin Owens, who Punk doesn’t sweat. Owens, calling Punk “Phil”, says he thinks tomorrow night gives him a chance to do the most important thing in WWE. More importantly though, it gives him the chance to stop Punk from getting the briefcase again. Punk calls that a fail safe for Owens and that’s why he’s on top of the ladder looking down at Owens.

Naturally Owens climbs the other ladder and says this is what he sees in Punk’s eyes. Owens promises to prevent Punk from winning and then taking the title from Sami Zayn, who comes out to interrupt. Zayn climbs a third, shorter ladder, so Owens says “hi shorty”. Zayn finds it symbolic that he’s on the smallest ladder and beneath the other two but they should both know he’s a survivor. He always finds a way, including beating Punk, who blames Owens for the loss.

Zayn says that wasn’t an accident but rather him being exceptionally intelligent. Punk is left looking at Zayn with the title and it drives him crazy and that kind of hatred is going to make sure neither of them win tomorrow. I can’t really picture either of them winning, but Punk knows how to paint a picture and the ladders were used well here.

Jacy Jayne/Lash Legend/Tiffany Stratton vs. Roxanne Perez/Sol Ruca/Lola Vice

Jayne and Ruca start things off with Ruca hitting an X Factor so Perez tags herself in for a fast two. Legend comes in and lunges for Perez, with Ruca and Vice dropping to the floor in a smart move. It’s off to Vice, who gets thrown into the corner but comes back with some more kicks. Ruca moonsaults to the floor to take Legend down and then hits another moonsault onto everyone else as we take a break.

We come back with Ruca fighting out of a chinlock and avoiding Jayne’s Cannonball. Perez isn’t about to tag though and Jayne gets in a clothesline to keep Ruca down. That lasts all of a few seconds, allowing Vice to get the tag and fire off kicks. The running hip attacks connect and now Perez is willing to tag herself in. Stratton comes in to take Perez down but Legend tags herself in as well. The Lash Extension is escaped and it’s Ruca back in with a dropkick. A DDT drops Legend again and it’s time for the parade of knockdowns. The Sol Snatcher accidentally hits Vice and the Lash Extension gives Legend the pin on Ruca at 11:14.

Rating: B-. Now this was more like it, as it was one match rather than having a bunch of “building momentum” matches for weeks on end. Since getting a pinfall over someone means pretty much nothing on the way to a ladder match, this only means so much. The good thing though is that the match happened and now we’re ready to move on to the ladder match, which is a much more streamlined build and far more appreciated.

Post match Legend takes out her partners, which shouldn’t be a surprise.

Chelsea Green is ready to face whomever wins the briefcase but Nikki Bella comes in to say she’s what Green should worry about. Bella calls Green a bootleg version of her and suggests that Matt Cardona wants her. As usual, Bella sounded as robotic as imaginable around here.

Hold on though as we cut to the Baddies jumping Charlotte.

Post break Charlotte’s shoulder is banged up but she’s not letting the title match be postponed. Alexa Bliss can take her spot instead, with Nick Aldis banning everyone from ringside, including Jacy Jayne.

MFT vs. War Raiders

Non-title and Haku is here with MFT. Erik and Talla start things off with Talla taking over Everything breaks down rather quickly and they go outside, with Ivar hitting a flip dive off the apron as we take an early break. We come back with Erik and Tama getting up to slug it out and Erik handing it back to Ivar.

Talla cuts off the Doomsault attempt and Tama’s hanging neckbreaker out of the corner gets two. Cue Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki and Ivar sits on Tama in the corner. Erik gets to come back in but is knocked down, leaving Tama to go after Kyoki. The Viking Experience (erg) plants Tama but Haku gets in a cheap shot from the floor. The Brother’s Keeper finishes Erik at 7:56.

Rating: B-. This was good enough as it was two teams beating the daylights out of each other. I was hoping for more brawling and time but the title match against Nakamura and Kyoki should be good. Good enough match here, with Haku being a nice addition to the MFTs. And getting them away from the Bloodline stuff, which wasn’t exactly working.

Post match Nakamura and Kyoki come in to clear the ring but the Raiders go after them, only to get knocked down as well.

Danhausen, with his Evil Detector, comes in to see Adam Pearce. Nick Aldis comes in and the detector beeps, but it beeps a lot louder when Finn Balor comes in. Pearce is off to drink while Aldis tells Balor that Gunther wants a match tonight. That’s fine with Balor, but Gunther wants to face Danhausen. Balor doesn’t think this is a good idea and leaves his detector behind, with Balor freaking out when it beeps a lot.

We look at John Cena making his 17th appearance on the Tonight Show and giving host Jimmy Fallon a belt as a thank you.

We look at Randy Orton costing Cody Rhodes a Money In The Bank qualifying match last week.

Earlier today, Miz was complaining that his birthday wasn’t celebrated enough but Nick Aldis went over to Orton. Aldis told him to leave because Aldis can’t have any more chaos. Orton said that he’s not worried because Cody Rhodes will hesitate to take him out again next time before leaving anyway.

Miz and Kit Wilson storm the arena, with Miz saying he deserves a birthday party. Wilson loads up Happy Birthday but Cody Rhodes interrupts instead. Miz doesn’t want this kind of interruption and tells Rhodes to stay out of his ring. Cross Rhodes drops Miz fast but Nick Aldis comes in to say he can’t let this keep happening. Rhodes and Orton are taking this show off the rails and wants to talk to Rhodes about how the feud can progress.

Instead Rhodes wants to stay in HIS office, meaning the ring. He recaps the feud with Orton and says he felt fear when he couldn’t pull the trigger. Now he’s taking that fear everywhere he can go and take out Orton for good. He wants to deal with the Michael Myers slow motion walking tramp stamp wearing Orton. That’s a good promo for a match tomorrow, if that’s what was actually happening.

Money In The Bank rundown.

Damian Priest says he should be Mr. Money In The Bank again but R-Truth ruined the whole thing. Priest goes over to Fraxiom, who don’t like what he’s been doing to R-Truth. That earns them a beatdown but R-Truth runs in for the brawl.

Danhausen vs. Gunther

Even Danhausen knows this isn’t going to go well. He stops the referee from calling for the bell and loads up the Curse but Gunther isn’t having any of this and boots Danhausen in the face. Some powerbombs and chops have Danhausen even more dead and Gunther lays him on top for the boot choke. Cue Finn Balor for the save and Gunther is knocked outside, where he runs through the crowd. Balor goes to check on Danhausen but Gunther is back to take Balor out. A powerbomb onto the announcers’ table has Balor laying. No match.

Sami Zayn rants to Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae again, with LeRae not being convinced. Bron Breakker comes in and looks at Zayn’s title. Breakker: “See you soon.”

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Fatal Influence vs. Tatum Paxley/Alexa Bliss

Paxley and Bliss are challenging. Bliss and Reid start things off with Bliss taking over but Henley is in off a blind tag. That means a Blockbuster can take Bliss down but it’s already off to Paxley, who gets superkicked off the apron. We take a break and come back with Paxley knocking Henley off the apron. That’s enough for the tag to Bliss so house can be cleaned. Sister Abigail is broken up and Reid’s running knee gives Henley two. Paxley gets in a jumping enziguri but Henley’s cheating rollup is broken up. Sister Abigail on the floor drops Reid and the Cemetery Drive finishes Henley for the titles at 8:16.

Rating: C+. I’m not sure what to think about this one, as I was liking Fatal Influence as champions but Paxley and Bliss winning is an interesting chance of pace. They might be a better choice than Bliss and Charlotte, though I’m not wild on seeing Charlotte possibly being a singles star again. Either way, goo enough match here, though the commercial taking up about half of the match hurt things.

Bron Breakker vs. Trick Williams

Non-title and Lil Yachty is here with Williams, who actually powers Breakker into the corner to start. Breakker is sent outside but pops up for the diving clothesline off the apron to knock Williams over the announcers’ table. We take a break and come back with Breakker hitting a German suplex to put Williams down again.

The Super Spear is blocked though and a double clothesline leaves both of them down. Back up and some side kicks have Breakker in trouble, followed by a spinning kick to the face. Breakker counters the Trick Shot into a gutbuster so Williams connects on the second attempt. Cue Austin Theory to jump Williams for the DQ at 6:46.

Rating: C+. There was barely enough to be shown here but that wasn’t the point. Not even WWE is crazy enough to have either of these two take a fall, especially the night before Money In The Bank. Either of them are options to win the briefcase and you don’t take away their momentum here. This is why you have stablemates around, as Theory saving his partner made perfect sense.

Post match Logan Paul is here to go after Yachty, with Je’Von Evans coming in for the save. Penta runs down as well but Bronson Reed runs in for the big beatdown to….actually not end the show.

A quick hype video for Money In The Bank really ends the show. Kind of odd there.

Overall Rating: B-. This show was in the not so great place as they had Saturday’s show ready and there wasn’t much else for them to do here. The matches designed to set up the ladder matches were fine, inoffensive, and standalone, which covers everything I needed. Other than that, there wasn’t much to do here outside of the title change, but Money In The Bank is a show that can change everything so they didn’t need to do anything here. Saturday is the big one and it should be more than good enough.

Results
Jacy Jayne/Lash Legend/Tiffany Stratton b. Roxanne Perez/Sol Ruca/Lola Vice – Lash Extension to Ruca
MFT b. War Raiders – Brother’s Keeper to Erik
Tatum Paxley/Alexa Bliss b. Fatal Influence – Cemetery Drive to Henley
Trick Williams b. Bron Breakker via DQ when Austin Theory interfered

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

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Smackdown
Date: October 2, 2026
Location: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

We’re in the fourth quarter of the year and just over a week away from Money In The Bank. The big story this week is another qualifying match, but we also have the issue of basically everyone being mad at World Champion Sami Zayn, which will have to be solved. That should be enough to carry things here so let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of CM Punk beating Gunther and Finn Balor last week to qualify for Money In The Bank.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Candice LeRae vs. Tatum Paxley

LeRae gets smart early on by throwing Paxley at Stratton. That sends Paxley outside, leaving Stratton to get back up with a running hip attack in the ropes. Paxley is back in and they trade rollups for two each until LeRae and Stratton are knocked out to the floor. A moonsault takes the two of them out and Paxley is rather giggly as we take a break.

We come back with everyone down so Paxley gets up to clean house. Cole thinks it will change Paxley’s career trajectory if she wins here. No Cole, it won’t. Stratton gives LeRae an Alabama Slam into a Swanton but walks into a spinwheel kick from Paxley. LeRae’s Lionsault is broken up and the Cemetery Drive hits Stratton, with LeRae making the save this time. Paxley hits LeRae with her 450 but the Prettiest Moonsault Ever breaks it up, allowing Stratton to pin LeRae at 9:36.

Rating: B-. This was more of a showcase for Paxley than anything else but, you know, triple threat and stealing the pin and all that. I will be so glad when we get to the pay per view next week and can stop with these qualifying matches. They’ve been good for the most part, but my goodness mix it up a bit already.

Chelsea Green isn’t sure who is winning the briefcase. Nikki Bella comes in to say she’s taking the title anyway but Paige comes in with a challenge for Bella. They can fight in two weeks, but for now Paige will just slap her.

Rey Fenix/Fraxiom vs. War Raiders/Ricky Saints

Ivar and Frazer start things off with Ivar knocking him down without much effort. Erik comes in and gets enziguried, allowing the tag off to Axiom. Fraxiom fire off the dives and Fenix tries one of his own but messes it up pretty badly and doesn’t make a ton of contact. Everyone is down on the floor and we take a pretty quick break.

We come back with Saints hammering on Axiom and going after the mask as any villain should do to a masked wrestler. Erik grabs a front facelock but Axiom fights his way out, allowing Fenix to come in for the handspring cutter. The rope walk kick sends Erik outside and a superkick puts Ivar down. The frog splash connects with Erik making the save as everything breaks down. Axiom has to moonsault onto the floor to save Frazer and Fenix goes up top, only to get Roshamboed down to give Saints the pin at 10:33.

Rating: B-. It’s another good enough match, though seeing Saints challenge Fenix for the Cruiserweight Title isn’t the most interesting idea. If nothing else, it’s nice to see some people getting some TV time, even if neither of the teams has much going on right now. Perfectly fine match here, though I’m a sucker for this kind of six man tags.

Cody Rhodes knows that he and Kevin Owens have history but he’ll deal with Owens and Johnny Gargano. Trick Williams comes in to say he hopes Rhodes wins but Rhodes is losing at Money In The Bank. Williams: “Let’s talk about it.” Rhodes: “Sounds like we just did.”

Damian Priest is in New York City and says he’s getting back to what he was before. Yes it was personal when he attacked R-Truth and he’ll do it again.

Charlotte has gotten herself and Tatum Paxley a Women’s Tag Team Title shot. Paxley is thrilled but wants Paxley to be serious.

Here is Sami Zayn for a chat. Zayn says he hears the noise here and asks how many people are here to ride or die with him. The reaction is a bit disappointing to them but he’s still playing with injustice in the form of inequality. WWE Champions are supposed to get respect but there are a lot of people saying they are going to beat him. He knows he can overcome any of them and if you don’t believe him, ask Cody Rhodes or CM Punk.

Cue Raw’s Je’Von Evans of all people to say Zayn is sounding worried before moving on to Money In The Bank. Zayn cuts him off, saying he’s been where Evans is before. Evans suggests he might cash in on Zayn if he wins the briefcase, which brings out Penta. Zayn doesn’t seem happy as Penta promises to cash in on someone and win a World Title.

Trick Williams, Gingerbread Man jokes, respect, same thing Penta said. Zayn says he’s look at at least two losers, if not three, and gets in Williams’ face to say no one can do what Zayn can do. As Zayn goes to leave, Finn Balor comes out to say that he’s coming for the title. Cue Gunther to choke Balor out and send Zayn into the ladders.

Tiffany Stratton are very happy over Stratton’s win.

Gunther is asked why he did that and is interrupted by Danhausen (who appears to have a Ghostbusters PKE meter). This doesn’t work for Gunther, who is sick of this and leaves Danhausen laying.

Blake Monroe vs. Giulia

Giulia goes right after her to start but gets stomped down in the corner. A running hurricanrana out of the corner gives Monroe two so Giulia kicks her in the face. They go to the floor and Monroe knees her in the face as we take a break. We come back with Giulia shouldering her down a few times and getting two off a missile dropkick. Monroe’s Neutralizer is broken up so Giulia hits the running knee. A curb stomp gives Giulia two so she goes up top, with Monroe knocking her face first into the post. That’s enough to knock Giulia cold for the pin at 8:22.

Rating: C+. That’s certainly an interesting way to go as Giulia was dominating and then got knocked silly with one single shot. You don’t see it happen very often and it lets Monroe brag about her win without really beating Giulia. Odds are they’ll do a rematch where Giulia can lose again because that’s pretty much all she does these days.

We look at Jaida Parker taking out Jacob Fatu and joining 946 on Raw.

Johnny Gargano tells Candice LeRae that the night can still be salvaged but Sami Zayn comes in to give Gargano a big pep talk.

Money In The Bank Qualifying Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens vs. Johnny Gargano

Rhodes hammers away at Owens to start before rolling Gargano up for two. Gargano is back up and Rhodes is knocked down, with Gargano knocking Owens out to the floor. We take a break and come back with Owens setting up a table but Candice LeRae saves Gargano. Rhodes is back up with a snap powerslam but gets caught in the Gargano Escape. Owens breaks that up and tries a Stunner, only to be pulled into the Gargano Escape as well.

That’s broken up as well and Rhodes drops Gargano onto Owens. LeRae tries another distraction so Rhodes knocks Gargano into her and…well not really through the table, which just cracks. Gargano is knocked through the rest of the table, leaving Owens to knock Rhodes down as we take another break. We come back again with Owens hitting Gargano with his swinging superplex and going up again. This time Rhodes cuts Owens off but gets shoved down, allowing Owens to hit a Swanton.

Gargano superkicks Owens to steal a near fall, earning himself a Stunner. Rhodes breaks up the cover by diving in front of the referee, which leaves Owens rather unpleased. Owens and Rhodes slug it out until Rhodes counters the Stunner into Cross Rhodes. This time it’s Randy Orton making the save so Rhodes goes after him with some rams into various hard items. Gargano jumps Rhodes though and grabs One Final Beat for two on Owens. Back up and Owens powerbombs Gargano, with Orton cutting Rhodes off to give Owens the pin at 17:03.

Rating: B. This was pretty much all you would have expected, with Orton’s interference being a nice bonus. If nothing else, it was cool to have the finish be anything other than a version of someone stealing the pin. If nothing else, Gargano can continue to pester Sami Zayn while Rhodes goes after Orton, likely in a big grudge match at Money In The Bank.

Post match Orton runs away from Rhodes to end the show.

Overall Rating: B-. This was a perfectly fine show, with the two qualifying matches being the focal points and people now talking about what happens when the briefcases actually get into play. That’s going to be one of the bigger stories for the next few months, though Zayn needs a challenger at the moment. Good enough show here, though it should be interesting to see what happens next week when they don’t have the qualifying matches to eat up so much of the show.

Results
Tiffany Stratton b. Candice LeRae and Tatum Paxley – Prettiest Moonsault Ever to LeRae
Ricky Saints/War Raiders b. Fraxiom/Rey Fenix – Roshambo to Fenix
Blake Monroe b. Giulia – Ram into the post
Kevin Owens b. Cody Rhodes and Johnny Gargano – Stunner to Gargano

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

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Smackdown
Date: September 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:

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Sunday Night’s Main Event
Date: September 6, 2026
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

Yeah that’s a weird name for this thing after decades of going with Saturday. This show is currently a four match card, though a US Title match could be added. The likely main event will see Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes, which is more than big enough to headline a show. Other than that, the Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker showdown should be a heck of a clash. Let’s get to it.

Quavo narrates the opening video, talking about how big of a night this is in Atlanta. We also get part of one of his songs.

Quavo, with a shopping cart full of $100 bills, performs live.

Lil Yachty vs. Baron Corbin

Non-title with a five minute time limit, and if Yachty wins/lives, Trick Williams gets a US Title shot later tonight. Being the match, Corbin gives Yachty one more chance to run away but Yachty knocks him down for a quick two. Yachty gets smart by going outside and trying to run, earning himself a whip into the barricade. Corbin is bleeding from the ear as he throws Yachty over the barricade, where Yachty’s entourage tries to drag him away. That doesn’t work either as Yachty whips out the Trick Stick (apparently legal here) to beat on Corbin as we have less than three minutes to go.

Back in and Corbin hits him with a clothesline to cut that off before beating up the entourage. Yachty uses the distraction to get in a hurricanrana and a high crossbody as we have 1:45 to go. Corbin pulls him into End Of Days but doesn’t cover, instead hammering away and hitting another End Of Days. Corbin goes to yell at him with 1:00 to go and heads outside to find a table. They’re back inside with less than thirty seconds to go and Corbin loads up a superplex, with Yachty hitting him low to save himself with ten seconds left. Time expires as Corbin collapses at 5:00.

Rating: C. This was what it was, as there was no reason to have Corbin win here as otherwise it would be quite the mess. At the same time, the psychology here is all messed up, as it should be the good guy trying to get his hands on the heel manager, but at least it gets Williams in the ring and that’s a good thing. Total mess of a match, but that was the point of course.

Post match Corbin puts him through the table anyway. And we’re having the US Title match right now.

US Title: Baron Corbin vs. Trick Williams

Corbin is defending and gets kicked down to start. They head outside so Williams can check on Yachty, allowing Corbin to post Williams. Yachty is thrown over the barricade and Williams is back up with a jumping clothesline. A flapjack drops Corbin but he knocks Williams off the apron for a crash into the announcers’ table.

Back in and Corbin elbows him down for two and we’re off to the chinlock. That doesn’t last long so Corbin drops him with a clothesline, but his own ribs are banged up. The chinlock goes on again but this time Williams fights up and we get a double clothesline. They both get up to slug it out until Williams grabs a jumping neckbreaker. Corbin grabs a chokeslam and Deep Six for two but Williams gets in a bulldog.

That doesn’t get him very far though as Corbin sends him shoulder first into the post and heads outside. Corbin grabs the title but Yachty grabs the other side, allowing Williams to hit the Trick Kick for two. The referee checks on Yachty as Corbin grabs the belt and clocks Williams for two more, with the fans being way into these kickouts. Back up and another End Of Days is countered, allowing Williams to hit the Trick Shot for the title at 11:31.

Rating: B-. The near falls were red hot near the end, but dang did they do enough to make Williams look weak? Not only did Corbin get banged up (and busted open) by the manager before the match but Yachty interfered here too. Williams getting the title back is fine and it felt like a big moment, though the whole thing felt completely backwards.

We recap Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker in a battle over the future of WWE. Breakker was the future but got hurt, so Femi took his spot, which doesn’t work for Breakker, who wants to prove his worth. Therefore, it’s hoss fight time, with Paul Heyman as an X factor as he’s a fan of both guys.

Bron Breakker vs. Oba Femi

They shout at each other a lot and then trade shoulders, with Femi getting the better of things. They head outside with Femi getting posted but he does the same to Breakker, with the crash making a crazy sound. Breakker is right back up to send him into the announcers’ table, setting up the big dive from the apron to clothesline Femi over the table. Back in and Breakker hits the fireman’s carry gutbuster for two, followed by a German suplex.

Femi slugs away but gets kneed in the face, only to pop up from another German suplex. This time Femi runs him over with a clothesline before hitting a flying version to drop Breakker again. They go outside where Femi runs him over with a flying shoulder but has to cut off Austin Theory. A spear drops Femi on the floor and the Super Spear gives Breakker two. Cue Logan Paul to distract the referee so Maxxine Dupri can hand Breakker the brass knuckles. Femi throws Breakker….and Bronson Reed is back to chair Femi down for the DQ at 14:01.

Rating: B. That was about the only way this could have ended, as there was no reason to have either of them take a clean loss. There’s nothing wrong with the smart ending, but it’s not like the match was tearing the house down. You could tell they were both gassed and that’s not a great sign. The match was good enough, but this was more about setting things up for later rather than some big moment.

Post match Reed destroys Femi with a bunch of Tsunamis, with Wade Barrett calling each one perfectly.

Paul Heyman is asked about what just happens but takes a phone call from someone instead.

Charlotte/Alexa Bliss/Tatum Paxley vs. Jade Cargill/Michin/B-Fab

Cargill and company have TLC gear, even though this is a one fall match. Paxley fights them all off to start and kicks Cargill to the floor, only to get pulled down to the floor and kneed in the face. Back in and it’s off to Bliss, who kicks away but gets slammed down by B-Fab. Michin’s assisted moonsault gets two and B-Fab is there to cut Bliss off from the attempted tag. As usual, said tag goes through a few seconds later and Charlotte is in with the hurricanrana for two.

Cargill is back in for the Sandstorm to Charlotte but Paxley makes the save as everything breaks down. Jaded is broken up so Charlotte moonsaults onto Cargill and Michin. The double Natural Selection is broken up as B-Fab pulls Bliss to the floor and sends her into the steps. The Figure Four doesn’t work as B-Fab makes the save, so Charlotte and Paxley try stereo versions. That’s broken up as B-Fab kicks them together, allowing Jaded to finish Charlotte at 9:47.

Rating: C+. This was the weakest match on the card by far and there was no way around it. They have a bunch of ways to go out of this, but it seems like we’re on the road to Charlotte vs. Cargill somewhere down the line. For now, Charlotte and Paxley having issues is fine, but there was only so much of a way to keep this one interesting.

Miz and Joe Tessitore recap the show and preview the upcoming shows in Mexico City.

We recap Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton. Rhodes had the World Title won at Summerslam but Orton returned to cost him the match. Now they hate each other and keep insulting the other’s family, with no contact allowed until the match.

Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton

Orton tries to sneak in with the RKO from behind but Rhodes is waiting on him, sending Orton slowly back to the floor. Naturally Rhodes follows him and they brawl into the crowd, where Rhodes gets in a trashcan to the head. Orton fights back and they slug it out before heading back to ringside.

This time Rhodes gets posted and they get inside for the opening bell, with Rhodes sweeping the leg for the Figure Four. That’s broken up so Orton takes over and chokes on the rope, meaning it’s time to pose. Rhodes is dropped ribs first across the top rope and then dropped back inside, setting up the chinlock. They head back to the floor with Rhodes blocking the drop onto the announcers’ table.

Back in and Rhodes fires off the right hands in the corner but gets sent right back to the floor. This time the drop onto the table works a bit better so Orton goes over to yell at Brandi Rhodes. That just earns him a tossed drink, allowing Rhodes to come back with a powerslam. Orton makes a quick clothesline comeback and grabs a powerslam of his own. The hanging DDT drops Rhodes again but the RKO is countered into the Cross Rhodes for a near fall.

Naturally the referee gets bumped and there’s the RKO to lay Rhodes out. The Punt misses and another Cross Rhodes sends Orton crashing out to the floor. That means a suicide dive, which crushes the referee AGAIN. Rhodes posts him a few times and fires off some hard right hands. The steps are loaded up as Orton is busted open and Rhodes takes him back inside for the Cody Cutter.

Three straight Cross Rhodes has Orton bleeding quite a bit and Rhodes seems to realize this is a lot. The fans chant for Orton, who begs off from the Punt. Another referee comes out to check the cut but Orton hits Rhodes and the referee low. The RKO hits Rhodes and the original referee awakens from his coma to count the pin at 18:34.

Rating: B. Oh boy this was nuts and I’m not sure what to make of it. The match was absolutely intense, but it felt a lot more like an angle to move things forward than anything else. It seems like they’re leaning towards a double turn, though it didn’t take place here. Rhodes going evil could be interesting, though we’ve got a long time to go with these two as there is no way this was the big finale.

Rhodes looks distraught to end the show.

In Memory Of Bill Dundee. Kind of a weird place to put such a graphic but certainly better than nothing.

Overall Rating: B. This show was a crisp two hours long and covered a lot, with the title change and Reed return being the big ones. I’m not sure where the ending is going just yet, but it certainly felt like a part of an important angle. That’s a good way to keep things moving with a solid show on a Sunday night. Nice job here, though the name just feels wrong on a lot of levels.

Results
Lil Yachty vs. Baron Corbin went to a time limit draw
Trick Williams b. Baron Corbin – Trick Shot
Oba Femi b. Bron Breakker via DQ when Bronson Reed interfered
Jade Cargill/Michin/B-Fab b. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss/Tatum Paxley – Jaded to Charlotte
Randy Orton b. Cody Rhodes – RKO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tiffany Stratton/Chelsea Green vs. Irresistible Forces

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

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

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

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

Women’s US Title: Paige vs. Jacy Jayne

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

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

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

Post match Nikki Bella runs in to lay Paige out.

Video on Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Michin vs. Tatum Paxley

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

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

We look at Blake Monroe attacking Giulia last week.

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

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

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

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

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

Kevin Owens vs. Gunther vs. Finn Balor

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Post match Priest looks frustrated but hugs R-Truth.

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

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

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

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

Blake Monroe vs. Giulia

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

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

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

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

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

Tiffany Stratton vs. Lash Legend

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

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

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

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

Video on CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens.

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

Smackdown World Title: Kevin Owens vs. CM Punk

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gunther vs. Matt Cardona

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

US Title: Baron Corbin vs. Carmelo Hayes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sami Zayn vs. Cody Rhodes

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

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

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

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NXT
Date: June 30, 2026
Location: Capitol Wrestling Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Vic Joseph, Booker T.

We’re done with the Great American Bash and the big story coming out of the show was Lola Vice losing the Women’s Title to Kendal Grey. We’ll get to see where things go for the new champion going forward, probably in the form of meeting a new challenger. Other than that, Tony D’Angelo turned back a challenge from Naraku and he’ll be needing a new challenger of his own. Let’s get to it.

Here is the Great American Bash if you need a recap.

We open with a long Great American Bash recap.

Here is Kendal Grey for a chat. She’s more nervous to be out here now than she was in the main event on Sunday. Ever since John Cena picked her to be in the Women’s Iron Survivor, her life has been crazy. No one puts pressure on her like she does and she kept dropping the ball. This Sunday, she proved she belonged here, even though she doesn’t look like a normal champion.

No she isn’t going to dress like a Barbie but when the bell rings, she’ll be wrestling like a champion. Sooner or later, everyone is going to find out they can’t keep up with Kendal. Cue Wren Sinclair with a cake but before they can celebrate, here is Kelani Jordan to say she wants the title shot she has earned. Tatum Paxley pops up out of the crowd to dive onto Jordan as Wren and Kendal have cake.

Keanu Carver has attacked El Hijo del Vikingo, saying the title match is off.

Izzi Dame is complaining about how she doesn’t have a title but Zaria isn’t pleased with her issues. Lizzie Rain comes in and annoys both of them with loud music.

Kelani Jordan complains about everything to Robert Stone, who has no time for this. Stone gives her Tatum Paxley in tonight’s main event before going to deal with Keanu Carver. Thankfully Carver is a few feet away and says that he doesn’t like being overlooked. His reward: a match with EK Prosper tonight. WWE is getting annoying with announcing things and then changing them lately.

Tag Team Titles: Vanity Project vs. Galeno/El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.

The Project is defending. Baylor shoves Galeno into the corner to start and gets punched by Wagner as a result, with Wagner hitting a big running flip dive to take the champs out. We take a break and come back with Wagner enziguring his way out of the corner and bringing Galeno in again. House is quickly cleaned, including a toss dropkick to send Wagner up for a dropkick to Smokes.

The Project is right back with a dropkick Hart Attack for two on Wagner but Galeno’s reverse suplex connects for the same. Wagner climbs onto Galeno’s shoulders for a splash on Baylor but Galeno accidentally backdrops Smokes onto the cover to break it up. Jackson Drake offers a distraction as well and a top rope double stomp/reverse DDT combination to Wagner retains the titles at 10:10.

Rating: B-. This worked well enough for a team of guest stars popping in for the sake of a one off title match. It’s not like there is any story to the match and the Project are seen as weak enough that they could lose the titles at any time. It wasn’t great but it was the Project getting to capitalize on a mistake, which does make sense for them. Or anyone really.

A bunch of tag teams want a title shot so Robert Stone makes a four team #1 contenders match next week. Romeo Moreno/Noam Dar are left out as Stone says they need to build up their resume first (fair and accurate).

Mason Rook vs. Jackson Drake

The rest of the Vanity Project is here with Drake. Rook blocks an early headlock takeover attempt and gets two off an early powerslam. Hold on though as Kam Hendrix calls Booker T. to say he’s about 60% cleared to return to the ring and will be back soon. But did he get a new sling to cut down on the chaffing?

Anyway Rook misses a backsplash but does a Samoa Joe sidestep of a springboard moonsault. Rook’s second backsplash attempt connects and Drake rolls outside as we take a break. We come back with Drake getting two off a cutter but Rook drops him with a toss Blue Thunder Bomb. The cannonball crushes Drake in the corner but he avoids a sitdown splash.

Drake hits a Lionsault double stomp (OUCH) for two, only for Rook to slam him down again. Another powerbomb is countered into a heck of a Code Red to give Drake two. Back up and Rook’s sitout powerbomb gets two more and the fans are (rightfully) losing it over this stuff. The Project gets up for a distraction though and Drake gets a Backstabber, with Myra Lockwood holding Rook’s foot for the pin at 11:51.

Rating: B+. Well where in the world did that come from? These two just happened to have great chemistry together and I was wondering where this was going. This was a couple of guys trading one big move after another and while Rook has been treated like a big deal since he debuted, I didn’t know Drake had this in him. Shockingly awesome match here and I could go with a rematch.

Post match Rook wrecks the Project.

Tate Wilder gives EK Prosper a pep talk.

Kali Armstrong comes in to Robert Stone’s office and wants a chance. He tells her that actions speak louder than words.

EK Prosper vs. Keanu Carver

Carver powers him into the corner to start and grabs an early armbar. Prosper is up with a dropkick and a low bridge to the floor, naturally setting up the big running flip dive. Back in and a top rope splash gives Prosper two and we take a break. We come back with Prosper fighting out of a chinlock and seeing Carver hitting a great looking release German suplex during the break.

Carver’s powerslam is countered into a Stunner (that was different) but he cuts off a dive to drop Prosper onto the announcers’ table. Cue Hank to knock Carver through the barricade (in revenge for Carver attacking Tank at the Great American Bash) for nine, leaving Prosper to hit a moonsault for the pin at 10:12.

Rating: C+. There is something to be said about having Carver run through people but getting taken out as a result of his own actions. That’s a far cry from Carver slipping on a banana peel or getting cheated unfairly as it also keeps him strong. Prosper is looking good too and it is nice to see him getting a chance of his own, including being the kryptonite to Carver.

Kendal Grey is in Robert Stone’s office where he announces a four way Women’s North American #1 contenders match next week. Nattie and her new friends come in with Nattie praising them and then asking for a title match. Stone and Grey are in so the match is set for next week.

Jaida Parker vs. Karmen Petrovic

Nattie, Layla Diggs and Nikkita Lyons are here with Petrovic. Parker powers her into the corner to start and grabs a quickly broken headlock. Back up and Parker sends her into the corner for the Tear Drop but a Nattie distraction lets Petrovic drop Parker onto the apron. Petrovic stomps away inside and a suplex sends Parker flying for two. Parker reverses a kick to the chest into the Rings Of Saturn, sending Petrovic straight to the rope. A baseball slide drops Petrovic so Nattie and company get in some cheap shots. Back in and Parker shrugs it off, setting up the Hipnotique and Deja Vu for the pin at 4:48.

Rating: C. I would hope that we’re not going to see Parker run through Nattie’s group to get at Nattie because I don’t want to see Nattie around that long. I do like Petrovic getting a chance to do something but losing in about five minutes is hardly some big upgrade. At least Parker got a win, and her getting even more would be a nice thing to see.

Shiloh Hill and Tatum Paxley talk about enjoying fun and knowing how to turn into their dark versions when necessary. Paxley leaves and Niko Vance comes in, saying they need to get rid of weak stars one by one. Hill doesn’t like the implication that Paxley is weak and Vance says the toothless look makes for a nice smile.

Sean Legacy comes up to Dorian Van Dux (who wasn’t in the tag team meeting earlier) and says they need to be on the same page. Dux says they will be.

Myles Borne and Wren Sinclair are happy with their wins on Sunday but Tavion Heights comes in. Heights says that no matter what, friends stay together no matter what, in an effort to erase what he had said to Borne. It doesn’t quite work, as Borne says that’s what he’s been trying to tell Heights all along before leaving.

Here is Tony D’Angelo for a chat. When you do things every day, you start taking them for granted. Last week he got his eye burned and had to sign a document before he was able to fight at the Great American Bash. That made him stop for a second, because he wasn’t sure if he was going to risk his health to defend the NXT Title. Of course he was, and that’s why he gave it his all against Naraku.

There is no one in that locker room willing to swim deep enough to take the title from him. And that’s that, with Kendal Grey coming out for the main event but Naraku comes in to chair D’Angelo down. An STO onto the chair leaves D’Angelo down. I’m really not getting the reason for this feud continuing when D’Angelo beat him clean.

After a break, we see Naraku backstage before the attack, where he misted D’Angelo to leave him completely blinded before laying him out. That’s a nice touch that didn’t come across earlier.

Tatum Paxley vs. Kelani Jordan

They fight over a lockup to start and go to the mat, with Jordan taking over. Jordan’s headlock doesn’t last long as Paxley is up with a dropkick to the floor. Jordan is right back up but misses an Asai moonsault, allowing Paxley to hit a superkick to the chest. We take a break and come back with Paxley forearming away and seeing Kali Armstrong jumping Kendal Grey on commentary right before the break.

With Grey gone, Paxley strikes away at Jordan, including a step up kick from the floor to the head. Paxley misses a 450 though and tweaks her ankle (which was also banged up during the break). Jordan stomps her down and cranks on the leg, with Paxley rolling her out to the floor. The Cemetery Drive is countered and Jordan goes after the leg to set up something like an Angle Slam. One Of A Kind finishes Paxley at 12:20.

Rating: B-. I’m not happy to see Paxley losing here but at least Jordan’s push towards the big showdown for the title is being built up. It might not be interesting, but at least it’s coming together. Paxley is in a weird place as she doesn’t have much to do right now and she’s on a losing streak, which is hardly a great sign for her future.

Post match Jordan leaves but a woman (Vic: “We all know who that is!”) comes in to jump Paxley and lay her out to the end the show. Naturally commentary never said the newcomer’s name but it’s Nikki Blackheart.

Overall Rating: B-. I liked the show for the most part as it followed a logical path, save for Naraku vs. D’Angelo continuing. You can see where a lot of these feuds are going and I want to see how some of those stories play out. This was a bit of an upgrade over the last few weeks of NXT and I’m glad to see that, as the Great American Bash was only so interesting. Throw in the rather awesome Rook vs. Jackson match and it was a nice show this week.

Results
Vanity Project/Galeno/El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. – Top rope double stomp/reverse DDT combination to Wagner Jr.
Jackson Drake b. Mason Rook – Backstabber with assist from Lockwood
EK Prosper b. Keanu Carver – Moonsault
Jaida Parker b. Karmen Petrovic – Deja Vu
Kelani Jordan b. Tatum Paxley – One Of A Kind

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