Join 411’s Live WWE Smackdown Coverage

Keep Refreshing For The Latest Results

Alright everyone, it’s Friday and time for WWE Smackdown. The fallout from SummerSlam is here, most notably two returns. The unsurprising return was that of Randy Orton, who cost Cody Rhodes the WWE title match, and will be keeping that feud going. More surprising was Kevin Owens, who returned and won the somewhat impromptu Fatal 4-Way to become number one contender to CM Punk’s WWE title. Punk and Owens should start their issues tonight, but one does have to wonder what former champion Sami Zayn will be up to beyond just making everything smell like boiled cabbage and old garlic. Sami was part of that number one contenders match and has been back on the downward spiral of conspiracy and whining lately so this probably continues and the fact that Owens pinned Sami to win on Sunday could easily reignite the eternal battle between those two. Baron Corbin won the US title, which is shocking on about every level especially when you consider the number of talented workers just benched while that guy gets a title. We’ll see if Trick Williams wants that belt back or will be trying to move on to bigger things. Chelsea Green won the interim WWE women’s title, which should just be the full title now that we know Rhea Ripley had surgery and will be out for probably about the rest of the year. How long will Green keep her title? Well it’ll be fun to find out. On the tag front we’re trying yet again to get Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga over as a team, apparently. Can we just stop already with them, please? So that’s mostly the lay of the land. Still no sightings of Ilja Dragunov, Jordynne Grace, Shinsuke Nakamura, or a reliable presence for Blake Monroe. We’ve got a stretch of time before the next major event as Money in the Bank isn’t until October, so expect a lot of people to hype up SNME for September. But that’s the preamble, so let’s get to the action.

We open with a “WWE remembers Dory Funk Jr.” image, Dory passed away this week and was a legend of professional wrestling.

Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett welcome us to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the episode. After that we see wrestlers arriving, we’ll be getting a rematch between Baron Corbin and Trick Williams for the US title, Corbin still holding the fuzzy belt which still just looks tacky. We’re also getting Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill. Oh the first 30 minutes are apparently going to be commercial free, I’ll try and update at reasonable intervals during that time.

Cody Rhodes heads to the ring in dress clothes, no jacket though, and gets a mic. He gets right to business and calls for Randy Orton to come out here. Cody wants a fight, the crowd want one too and we get a “Randy” chant. Well while we’re waiting Cody wants to know what the people want to talk about. Some alternating chants for both Randy and Cody, the people still don’t want to boo Randy I guess. Cody brings up the passing of Dory Funk Jr., talks about how everyone who was in the ring with him at Mania 40 have turned on him. He lost to CM Punk at SummerSlam, he’s assuming Punk didn’t know Randy was going to get involved with anything. That brings out Punk, apparently he’s still incredibly thin skinned. Punk gets a mic and says it sounds like Cody wants to ask him about Randy. Cody didn’t really want to ask him but since he’s here he will, and asks if Punk knew. Punk says this kind of hurts but he’s happy to say it, he didn’t know Randy was there. He isn’t as mad about that as Cody is, but he’s not happy about it and if Cody wants a two man power trip they can go find Randy and beat his ass. Cody declines, he’ll find Randy tonight and kick his ass himself, then he heads to do that while leaving Punk in the ring. Punk says the unfinished business between them can end whenever Cody wants. Cody seems to appreciate that, and as he’s heading up the ramp here comes Kevin Owens. Owens and Cody stare on the ramp, Cody then offers Owens his mic which Owens accepts then they both pass peacefully. Both these two are staring at each other like the other is already dead. Loud “welcome back” chants for Owens. They talk without using mics as they insult each other a bit. Smackdown GM Nick Aldis shows up to try and keep things calm, Owens uses the mic to say they’re professionals. Punk chimes in and asks if Owens wants his title shot since he’s in his gear, Owens corrects him because he wrestles in shorts not sweats. Owens does want to wrestle, he’s wanted that for 17 months. That whole time he’s been told he might not be able to do this again, but he’s been proving people wrong his whole career and now stands here again. Punk golf claps for that. Owens says Punk is proving him right, for years people have been telling Owens to give Punk another chance. Well he never bought that for one second, he knows who Punk is and Punk is just proving him right. He knows Punk is overlooking him, and thinks he’s better than everyone, which still proves Owens right that Punk is still an arrogant sociopath. Punk calls himself the best in the world and people responded, now people may not like that but Punk proves it every time including holding the WWE title which means he’s the best. He says if anyone has benefitted from his arrogance it’s Owens because Punk knocked down doors for him. This place called Punk “skinny fat”, do you think they were anxious to hire Kevin Owens? Owens considers that, it’s been 10 years since Owens was world champion and he’s visualized winning it back over and over. But now, even better than his dreams, he doesn’t just get to win the WWE title, he gets to humble Punk. Punk says it’s good to have impossible dreams like that, but have some gratitude because without Punk you’d be a weekend warrior on the indy scene working a 9 to 5 he hated. Punk doesn’t think he’s the best in the world brother, that doesn’t work for him because he knows it. Now look at Owens. Owens says he should be grateful for Punk’s work, that’s true. But he should also thank Punk for showing him what not to do, what not to become, and how not to treat people around you. He learned from Punk that you can delude yourself, and Punk must be lonely on the pedestal he puts himself on. Well Owens will not let this business turn him into a miserable piece of shit like Punk. They both drop mics and yell, Owens shoves Punk but the officials are in here to keep things from escalating beyond that. Kind of tame first exchange between them given what they could be drawing on emotionally, but still effective overall.

In the back Cathy talks with Charlotte Flair, Charlotte knows Jade has been strong and wanted the top spot ever since Jade showed up. But now she’s not fighting for her spot, she’s fighting for Alexa Bliss and if Jade is half the woman she claims to be she’ll leave the flunkies in the back.

Trick Williams talks at gorilla, he runs down Baron Corbin for cheating to win the US title. At the end of the day Corbin doesn’t have what it takes to beat Trick, and tonight nothing is going to stop Trick from regaining the title. Trick heads to the ring, his chant is a bit more over in Philly than it was at SummerSlam. US champion Baron Corbin and his terrible music follow. Corbin does enter on a motorcycle, because that counts as personality right? No real reaction for Corbin.

Match #1 – US Title Match: (c) Baron Corbin vs. Trick Williams

Almost 30 minutes before the first match is pushing it. Corbin gets on offense early but Trick lands a leaping clothesline. Corbin powders, Trick follows and we’ve got some ringside brawling. Trick tosses Corbin into the time keeper’s area, then leaps over the barricade onto Corbin. That sends us to break.

More ringside brawling from Trick then both men head back into the ring. Shoulder block from Trick and Corbin rolls out of the ring again. This time when Trick follows Corbin cuts him off and rams him into the ring steps, then asks for heat which he doesn’t really get. Back in the ring Corbin again asks for heat, they’re sweetening his crowd response and it’s becoming grating to the ears with the audio mixing. Back elbow from Corbin then some corner work. More crowd work from Corbin, there’s a section behind commentary that seems to be willing to play with him a bit. Trick fights back with some punches as we rejoin the broadcast. Clothesline from Corbin then he again yells at the people behind commentary. Trick ducks a clothesline and lands some side kicks then a Flapjack. Backhand from Trick then some corner stomps. Samoan Driver from Trick gets 2, then he tries the Book End but Corbin avoids that only to take a tornado pump kick. Trick wants the Trick Shot, but Corbin counters with Deep Six for a 2 count. Both men trade punches from their knees then up to their feet. Now clotheslines, before Trick ducks one and hits a neckbreaker then he sends Corbin out of the ring. On the floor Corbin rams Trick into the ring post then lands some elbows. Corbin grabs the belt, the ref tries to take it from him and does, Trick then hits the Book End for a 2 count. Trick lines up another Trick Shot, he has to avoid an End of Days but hits the Trick Shot only for Corbin to be in the ropes to break the pin. Corbin rolls out of the ring, grabs the belt again and this time hits Trick behind the refs back. That gets the win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Baron Corbin retained the title in 10:08

Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: Slow start but the crowd did get into things by the end. Trick should be onto something else now, a prolonged issue with Corbin probably wouldn’t help him, while the US title has been devalued pretty much since Trick’s time with it so we’ll see what Corbin can do to elevate it.

In the back Sami Zayn talks with Nick Aldis. Sami puts over Aldis for getting a match, then Sami starts whining again. Sami would still be champion if not for Sami, would be top contender if not for Aldis adding Owens. Owens walks over after that, and Owens says he wants Punk in Toronto in August 21. Aldis heads out. Sami is happy Owens is back but doesn’t sound sincere, he tries to sell being happy but needs Owens to acknowledge that his return completely came at Sami’s expense. Owens said his return did mess things up for Sami, but if Sami were in his position he’d have done the same thing. Owens brings up beating Sami before he had to take time off, and Sami does want to see Owens as champion than Punk. He offers to help but Owens declines, and Sami gets offended again. Sami does warn Owens that he wont stop chasing the title just because Owens also wants it. That sends us to break.

Post break we find Corbin walking in the back, Cathy finds him and he says his wins aren’t upsets. He’s got the US title, the first of many, and he’s done being an underdog. He hopes everyone who doubts him feels real stupid, and Trick will never hold the title again. There’s no one in the locker room who can challenge him. Carmelo Hayes is nearby and jumps Corbin, next week he’s getting a US title shot in Boston.

Next a recap of Chelsea Green winning the interim WWE women’s title at SummerSlam.

Chelsea Green then heads to the ring for her celebration, they’re just calling her WWE women’s champion so I guess the interim part is done since we’ve got more concrete news about Ripley. Green gets a mic and plays with the crowd, she’s in her gear so either a match or some kind of fight is forthcoming. The crowd give Green love and Green thanks them for their support in helping her become the champion. She wants to thank herself as well, and thank her blonde bombshell best friend Tiffany Stratton. That brings out women’s US champion Tiffany, also in gear. Tiffany gets a mic of her own and Green apologizes for what happened on Sunday but their friendship is stronger than that right? Green wants to toast to strong female friendship. Tiffany has something to talk with Green about, but before she can elaborate here’s Fatal Influence because more revolving door promos am I right? Jacy Jayne whines about not being champion, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley agree to no heat. Jayne says Tiffany took away her shot at the title, so they’re going to take Tiffany’s US title. Man this is not good. Tiffany says Jayne can have a title match next week in exchange for a tag team title shot tonight. Fatal Influence huddle up and agree. A ref runs down and we head to break because they’ve got to clear the ring.

Match #2 – Women’s Tag Team Title Match: (c) Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid) w/ Jacy Jayne vs. Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton

The bell rings as we come back to broadcast then Green and Reid start, Reid knocks her down then misses a right hand and Green powders. Green misses an elbow drop as both women get back in the ring, but then avoids a senton and slams Reid down for 1. Corner attack from Green and Tiffany tags in then splashes Reid in the corner. Reid avoids a dropkick, but then Tiffany back hand springs out of a Codebreaker and lands a dropkick. Fallon tags in and corners Tiffany then unloads on her. Fallon is making more noise than the crowd is as she lands a House Call kick. Tiffany with a handspring Stunner, then avoids a cheap shot from Reid, tags in Green and they double team the heels. Double suicide dive from Green and Tiffany to send us picture in picture.

Jayne distracts Green so Fallon can yank her out of the corner and take over. Reid tags in, both women flail a bit then Reid hits a backbreaker fora 2 count. Fallon tags back in and keeps control going, she’s still making a ton of noise hoping the crowd will start reacting. Reid tags in, Fallon hits a Blockbuster then Reid follows with a diving Stunner for a 2 count. Cheap shot to Tiffany who doesn’t really sell it, that looked awkward. Jawbreaker from Green, but Fallon tags in and stops her tagging out. Reid tags back in but Green fights out of the corner and knocks Fallon out of the ring. Green reaches for a tag as we rejoin the broadcast, she hits a German suplex on Reid then tags in Tiffany. Tiffany gets to unload on Reid, dropkicks Fallon, then hits a cartwheel Alabama Slam on Reid. Tiffany up top, Swanton Bomb connects but Fallon then clubs her with a right hand. Green accidentally tagged in there, low bridges Fallon then counters a diving attack. Reid lands a kick then climbs up top but Green kicks her then tosses her down to the mat. Green with a Cutter to Fallon, then tries an Unpretty Her but Jayne attacks Tiffany to distract things. Rolling Encore to Green, then the Fatal Flaw to Green and Fallon pins her to win.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Fatal Influence retained the titles in 7:48

Rating: 2 stars
Thoughts: Pinning your new WWE women’s champion in a tag match just feels like a giant mistake. We all know Green’s character isn’t like Ripley or Tiffany but pinning her here just feels like it’s devaluing her. The women’s division does really need some direction, this and the follow up stuff does help a bit with that at least. The crowd just also do not care about Reid and Fallon in the ring, Jayne has some heat but none of it seems to be transferring to the other two.

Post match Lash Legend and Nia Jax show up to attack Tiffany and Green. Jax gets the women’s title and poses with it.

In the back Damian Priest brings up getting jumped by the Tongans last week, again just like before. He’s sick of this. The War Raiders come over to complain about things, they want to be double champions, R-Truth shows up to call them all kinds of teams they aren’t. Truth says next week they’ll put the titles on the line in a triple threat tag match with them and the Tongan boys. The War Raiders leave, and Priest gets annoyed with Truth that their titles are on the line but not the AAA ones. When Priest snaps on Truth it’ll be heartbreaking but might be the closest we’ll get to Batista almost killing Rey Mysterio that one time. That sends us to break.

Post break we get another retirement video for Brock Lesnar now that he’s retired again. It’s basically the same one they were showing after WrestleMania.

Randy Orton’s music hits and he heads to the ring. Randy keeps checking behind him as he walks to the ring, because he’s not stupid and is expecting Cody to attack him. Eventually Randy gets to the ring and gets a mic. He paces and enjoys some “Randy” chants then before he can say anything here’s Cody now dressed for a fight. Cody charges the ring but Randy immediately rolls out of the ring and plays a little cat and mouse as Cody gets his own mic. Cody wants the fight right now. Randy declines as officials show up. Cody says we know where this ends up, but after 20 years and everything they’ve been through Randy owes Cody an explanation. Randy doesn’t agree, he doesn’t owe Cody anything. If you’ll remember Cody asked for this, asked for the best version of Randy and gave him permission to do this you cocky arrogant son of a bitch. You gave permission to a 14 time world champion, the viper, the legend killer, and gave Cody the best version at Mania and Cody beat him fair and square. Congratulations, but something snapped in Randy after that. And it got louder, the voices told him to Punt Cody as hard as he could. In that moment he realized the best version of Randy wouldn’t bring home 15, but the worst version can and will do that. He doesn’t care who has it, Owens, Punk, but he wont be taking it from Cody because as long as Randy breathes Cody will never ever hold the WWE title again. Cody mocks Randy not having the title, and Cody doesn’t have to turn the other cheek or the other eye, now Cody doesn’t have to be the damn good guy anymore. Forget about the title, news flash for Randy well you’re the last legend left in WWE so who kills Randy? OK, Cody getting to show more of his edge is a definite benefit to this feud and both men leading into the worst versions of themselves now could be fun.

In the back Sami whines to depressed Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. Sami is jealous that Owens can look Punk in the eye and tell him he’s a fraud. Punk is, of course, behind Sami. Punk knows Sami and Owens are jealous, but Owens is at least honest enough to say it to his face. Sami calls Punk a fraud, and if he didn’t have a broken bone in his hand he’d break Punk’s face. Punk: No you wouldn’t, if you could have you would have before. Punk says he’ll give Johnny or Candice a title shot before Sami earns one. Sami yells at Johnny, Candice sticks up for her useless husband and Sami leaves.

In the back Jade is with her goons, Cathy comes over and B-Fab and Michin do all the same usual talking points. Jade says she’s going to end Charlotte. That match will be up after this break.

Post break we get a video from Nikki Bella after turning on Paige, after Brie broke her shoulder leading to none of this really being able to be paid off. I really need to know why we’re doing the Bellas at all in the year of our Lord 2026. Nikki promises the rest of Paige’s career will be misery.

Commentary run down next week’s card.

Shinsuke Nakamura video, he speaks to the Tongans because they’re the Poochie of the midcard now. Nakamura says they need to remember who he is, the King of Strong Style. He’s back and this time he wont be alone. He’s starting a war, and he and his partner will show who are warriors and pawns. Your warning is that you’re running out of time. Nice that they remembered Nakamura is under contract at least.

Charlotte heads to the ring. Jade and her goobers follow, oh wait the goobers stay on the stage and don’t follow her to the ring.

Match #3: Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill

38 minutes between matches, no bueno. They stare, slowly circle, then in the time honored tradition of hate filled brawls they do the collar and elbow tie up. They fight for position and fall to the floor where Jade rams Charlotte into the edge of the ring. Back in the ring Jade with a shoulder block then she poses but Charlotte kips up and poses back. Charlotte with a chop block, thrust kick, and shoulder block of her own then she asks for a reaction from the crowd. The rolling head scissors spot, apparently the Queen’s Decree, then they roll to the floor and Jade with an Electric Chair drop onto the announce table. Jade awkwardly throws Charlotte over a barricade and we head picture in picture.

Jade looks to take the count out but Charlotte gets back in the ring. Suplex from Jade. Someone tries to get a “Charlotte, Charlotte Flair” song going but that dies. Chops go back and forth then Charlotte with a boot but runs into an Eye of the Storm for a 2 count. Push ups from Jade, then Charlotte jumps into a really awkward palm strike as I’m not sure what was going on there. Chin lock from Jade. Some elbows from Charlotte then she grabs her own chin lock, but runs into a spinebuster as we come back to broadcast which gets a 2 count. Charlotte avoids a corner splash then hits a German suplex and both women are down. They start trading elbows for a bit then Charlotte gets to chopping. Clothesline from Charlotte, then they slightly mistime Jade hitting a pump kick to counter a walkover clothesline but Charlotte sells anyway and Jade finds a 2 count. Charlotte heads to the apron and lands a boot then heads up top for a crossbody but Jade rolls through for a 2 count. Jackknife pin from Jade, Charlotte eventually bridges out and tries a backslide counter but Jade is too big and knees her then lands a superkick. Jade with a Torture Rack Bomb in slow motion for another 2 count. Now Jade goes up top, Charlotte tires a hurricanrana but Jade powers her up and hits a sick avalanche sit out powerbomb for a near fall.

Jade complains about the count, then they trade slaps but Charlotte dodges a pump kick an lands a chop block. Figure 8 from Charlotte but Michin and B-Fab show up to distract the ref and break the hold. That draws out Alexa Bliss, Bliss has her arm in a brace but she’s also got a Lilly doll and the lights go out. The fireflies come out, but here’s Tatum Paxley to leap off the ring post to land on Michin and B-Fab. Paxley is with Bliss it seems. In the ring Jade and Charlotte botch a move then Charlotte hits the Sister Abigail’s DDT. Charlotte up top again, leaping Natural Selection and that’ll do it.

OFFICIAL RESULT: Charlotte Flair won in 13:16

Rating: 2.5 stars
Thoughts: A little too long, Jade has never thrived in matches that have to really hold attention. It doesn’t help that neither Jade nor Charlotte is the crispest worker and the execution definitely hurt the match overall.

The newly formed trio stand tall in the ring to end the episode.