WWE SmackDown airs at 8/7c on the USA Network and Netflix from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
‘WWE Then. Now. Forever. Together.’ kicks things off as always. We see a skyline shot of Toronto as Joe Tessitore welcomes us to the show. He mentions tonight’s big main event as we see a split-screen Superstar arrival shot showing CM Punk and Kevin Owens walking backstage inside Scotiabank Arena.
Cody Rhodes Calls Out Randy Orton
We see a Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton video package. It ends and we shoot live backstage where Sami Zayn talks in heated fashion to SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. He asks when he’s going to get justice. He talks about working through a broken hand. He asks if he’s not getting his shot because of Randy Orton.
As Zayn continues, we notice that Orton has snuck up behind Zayn. He tells Zayn to continue by all means. As Zayn goes to do exactly that, we hear Cody Rhodes yelling from the ring. They see it on a monitor beside them. Aldis walks off. Orton does, too. Zayn throws a fit. Aldis says he knows Rhodes is upset but we’re not doing this now.
Aldis says last week was almost a catastrophe. He says he’s got his match against Orton at WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta. Before he can say anything else, Aldis is cut off by Orton’s theme. Orton comes out and says in two weeks he’s gonna whoop Rhodes’ ass in front of his family in his hometown.
Rhodes says they don’t have to wait two weeks. They can do it right now. Orton goes to charge the ring, but Aldis stops him. Aldis says he’s sick of this. He says this is what is going to happen. At Sunday Night’s Main Event, they can tear each other apart, but not until then.
If either touches the other before then, neither will never, ever get another shot at the world title. Aldis tells Rhodes and Orton to look at him and know he’s dead serious. He asks if they want to keep screwing up his show or do they want another title shot. Orton says there is no way he’s gonna jeopardize becoming a 15-time champion.
He says you can call Orton from now on, “Mr. Professional.” Orton turns his attention to Rhodes. He says last week Rhodes was about to smash his head with a chair. Orton says Rhodes claims he was stopped, but he knows that’s a lie. He knows Rhodes wouldn’t be able to live with himself.
He says when Orton was in that position, he didn’t hesitate and smashed his dome with the steel. Orton says he knows how to go there. Rhodes, however, is a “good guy.” He says Rhodes has always been and will always be a good boy. He isn’t the American Nightmare, he’s the American Daydream.
Rhodes tells Orton he’s operating under a dangerous assumption by basing all of that off of his belief of why Rhodes ultimately did not swing the chair last week. Rhodes brings up Orton’s goal of passing the 15-time world champion mark and then ends by giving a spoiler, not a prediction, in Paul Heyman-fashion.
WWE Tag-Team Championships
The MFTs (c) vs. Damian Priest & R-Truth
We see The MFTs with their faces painted up, ready for war, doing a walk-and-talk into the camera backstage as they get ready for their tag-team title defense against former champions Damian Priest and R-Truth. Haku joins with his giant walking cane and says now they show them who is “The muddah-f**ker around here!” They beeped it, too.
From there, the show heads to a commercial break. When the show returns, the reigning tag champs make their way to the ring as split-screen footage is shown of them winning the titles last week in the three-team bout that also included The War Raiders.
We get an immediate attack at the bell, Tama and Priest wind up our first legal men. Priest with a series of elbows then his hopping shoulder block. Tama gets cornered and Priest unloads on him as we see the War Raiders watching TV in the back.
A boot from Priest then he corners Tama in the face corner. Truth tags in and hits a Stinger Splash. Talla gets low bridged, then knocked off the apron and then Tama gets tossed out as well. Priest tells Truth to dive, Truth with a plancha to Tama to a big pop.
On the floor Priest rams Talla into the barricade. Truth and Tama head back into the ring, Truth with punches but Tama misdirects him into a Stun Gun then a sliding clothesline to take over. Mounted punches from Tama then he tosses Truth out of the ring and tags in Talla.
With that said, we head to a mid-match commercial break as the action continues. When the show returns, we see the action still ongoing. Talla drops Truth across the barricade then asks for heat which he only kind of gets. Back in the ring Talla with his usual terrible control work.
Tama tags back in to land a headbutt then tags Talla. Overhand chop from Talla, then he tags out. Tama grabs a side headlock then corners Truth but misses a corner attack. Truth ducks a clothesline and hits a back heel kick to put both men down as we’ve come back to broadcast.
Both men tag out and Priest starts unloading on Tall with punches and a superkick. Priest with a ten punch but only gets five before Talla fights free but Priest boxes the ears then head kicks him into the corner. Lifting Flatliner to Tama then Priest drops Talla. Priest up top and hits a flying clothesline for a one count.
Priest wants South of Heaven on Talla but Talla grabs him by the throat as well. Priest has to fight free but runs into a clothesline from Talla. Talla corners Priest in the heel corner and stomps on him. Tama with a few cheap shots because he’s a jerk. Priest fights out of the heel corner and looks to tag out, Tama tags in though and blocks that.
Tornado kick from Priest and he tags Truth. Truth goes for the 5 Moves of Doom, he hits the 5 Knuckle Shuffle then the Attitude Adjustment but Talla breaks up the pin. Priest attacks Talla and sends him out of the ring then follows and runs around the ring to hit a leaping ax handle.
Talla still wont really go down and Tama knocks Priest off the apron into a Talla chokeslam onto the apron. Truth rolls up Tama for a near fall but Tama then hits his twisting neck-breaker. Talla tags in, poor Truth takes a Red Cross, it’s a high low move with Tama hitting a chop block and boot from Talla. It’s over. Champs retain.
Winners and STILL WWE Tag-Team Champions: The MFTs
Backstage With CM Punk & Randy Orton
Backstage, Cathy Kelley talks to Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk. Punk thrives in pressure and hostile territories, Owens has been fighting imaginary enemies. Punk has changed and grown while Owens is still the same guy from 20 years ago.
Randy Orton wanders over and warns Punk that after he deals with Cody in Atlanta he’s going to get number 15. Punk claims he’s looking forward to that. On that note, the show shifts gears and settles into another commercial break.
Backstage With Chelsea Green, Tiffany Stratton & Paige
We return to a video recap of the Chelsea Green situation from last week. It really was a good promo from Green. Green now has 23 days to get a title defense. In the back Green paces and here’s a banged up Tiffany Stratton. Green wants to take Tiffany out tonight, Tiffany knows Green was trying to help last week.
The two walk by Paige and Paige interjects. She knows what it’s like to have injury take things away from you. Fatal Influence come over and everyone yapps at each other. Paige wants a women’s US title shot, the heels then just leave.
Blake Monroe vs. Giulia
Now we see elsewhere backstage that Blake Monroe is getting ready for her match, Cathy comes over to talk to her. Blake says this isn’t the debut she envisioned, she should be in a WWE women’s title match. But instead she’s here in crappy Toronto looking for an outfit and fighting her old friend Giulia.
Cathy says Blake will look good in anything, and Blake agrees then thanks her and heads out as the show heads to a quick pre-match commercial break. When the show returns, we head to the ring for the match, which marks Monroe’s in-ring debut.
As Giulia is walking down to the ring, Blake Monroe hits her from behind. Blake throws Giulia into the ring steps and into the ring. Blake gets in the ring. Blake with the neutralizer. Blake’s music hits and she leaves the ring. Looks like no official in-ring debut, after all.
Winner: No Contest
Backstage With Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss & Jade Cargill
Now we head backstage, where we see Charlotte Flair is with Alexa Bliss. They talk about Alexa’s birthday celebrations and in comes Tatum Paxley. Flair asks Alexa what is happening. In comes Jade Cargill with B-Fab and Michin.
Jade says Flair needed this freak show to bail her out. Flair says this freak show can handle B-Fab and Michin alone. Michin challenges Tatum to a match next week and Tatum accepts. We then see Trick Williams walking backstage as we head into another commercial break.
Latest From Trick Williams, Lil Yachty & Baron Corbin
Trick’s music hits and out come Trick Williams and Lil Yachty to the ring. Trick says he got Lil Yachty back but he doesn’t have his title back. He says Corbin does not want to go against him one on one. He says since Corbin walks around backstage looking like a cue ball, he can come out and get hit with a Trick shot.
Corbin’s music hits and out he comes on a motorcycle. Corbin gets in the ring and Lil Yachty leaves the ring. Trick says he is the one he is looking for, he is the one he cheated out of his title. He tells Corbin to stop dodging him and give the people what they want.
Trick challenges him to a match tonight. Corbin says that title right now is getting a hair cut. He tells Trick that he isn’t getting another shot at the title. He says they had a title match, Trick lost and they had a rematch, Trick lost again. He says Trick has nothing to offer him, he beat him every single time.
He tells Trick it isn’t happening, not tonight, not anywhere. He tells Trick he can take Lil Yachty and leave. Lil Yachty hits Corbin with a kendo stick and Trick clotheslines Corbin to the outside of the ring. Corbin gets on the ring apron but Lil Yachty hits him with the kendo stick.
Corbin says if this is how he wants to do this, he challenges him to a match at Sunday Night’s Main Event. He says but first, he wants Lil Yachty in his home town, five minutes in that ring, if he lives, Trick gets his title shot. If he beats him, they are done. He tells Lil Yachty to put his money where his mouth is. Lil Yachty accepts.
Backstage With Kevin Owens, Finn Balor & Gunther
Backstage, Cathy Kelley is with Kevin Owens. As he is talking, in comes Finn Balor. He tells Owens he was glad to see him back but as his friend, he should have told him he was coming back in his match. In comes Gunther. He tells Owens a lot of pressure.
He says he can win the Undisputed WWE Championship and all of that can happen in front of his people. He says he doesn’t have to worry about Finn Balor because he is a shadow of himself. If he wins tonight, he will have to worry about him. Gunther walks away.
Owens asks Finn if Gunther is upset or if that’s his accent. Finn says he is upset but he has to focus on winning the title. And when he does, he will be waiting for him on the other side. Owens says he hopes he is and then Balor walks away.
Tiffany Stratton vs. Lash Legend
From there, we see Tiffany Stratton heading to the ring for our next match of the evening. She has got her ribs taped up but will take on Lash Legend as advertised when the show returns. On that note, we shift gears and head into a quick pre-match commercial break.
The show returns, Lash Legend makes her way out and then the bell rings and we are underway. Tiffany with a drop kick. She runs to the ropes but Lash with a right hand. Lash with a body slam. She goes for the cover but Tiffany kicks out. She gets Tiffany in a bear hug.
She throws Tiffany to the ropes and goes for a clothesline but Tiffany moves out of the way. Tiffany with a backstabber and Lash falls to the outside of the ring. Tiffany goes for a suicide dive but Lash grabs her and throws her into the ring post. We head into a mid-match break on that note.
When the show returns, we see things still ongoing. Lash with a suplex. She goes for an elbow drop but Tiffany moves out of the way. Tiffany with right hands and a stunner. She climbs the top rope and goes for a swanton but Lash moves out of the way.
Legend goes for a bit boot but Tiffany moves out of the way. Tiffany rolls her up but Lash kicks out. Tiffany climbs the top rope but Lash pushes her down. Lash grabs her and Lash with the Lash Extension. She goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Once the match wraps up, we see Nia Jax get in the ring after the match and she lands a leg drop. Nia and Lash double team Tiffany. Chelsea Green’s music hits and out she comes with a kendo stick. She hits Lash and Nia with the kendo sick and they roll to the floor as the post-match scene comes to an end.
Winner: Lash Legend
Shinsuke Nakamura’s New Partner
From there, we shift gears and head to the latest cryptic vignette from “The King of Strong Style” himself. A video of Shinsuke Nakamura airs where he says he found a tag team partner and in comes Kyoki. He says he has been fighting all over the world and now he is with him.
Undisputed WWE Championship
CM Punk (c) vs. Kevin Owens
It’s main event time!
We see the ring entrances and during Punk’s entrance in the ring, Owens pushes Punk and the referee breaks it up. The bell rings and we are under way. Owens with right hands and a clothesline. He clotheslines Punk to the outside of the ring. Owens to the outside, Punk gets back in the ring.
Owens gets in the ring and Punk with right hands. Punk goes for a suplex but Owens stops it. Owens lifts Punk and throws him onto the top rope. Punk on the ring apron and Owens with a right hand. Punk falls to the outside of the ring and Owens to the outside of the ring. Owens with chops to the chest.
Owens throws Punk back into the ring and Owens clears the announce table. Punk to the outside and he throws Owens back into the ring. Punk puts the announce table back together. Punk gets in the ring and Owens with a right hand and a senton.
Owens goes for the Stunner but Punk with a neck breaker. On that note, we head to a mid-match break. When the show returns, Owens hits a clothesline and right hands. Punk rolls to the outside of the ring. Owens to the outside and Owens with a clothesline.
Owens throws Punk back into the ring and Owens with a cannonball. He goes for the cover but Punk kicks out. Owens climbs the top rope but Punk rolls to the outside of the ring. Owens to the outside and Owens with a super kick. Punk falls onto the announce table. Owens climbs the barricade and he lands a frog splash onto Punk.
He throws Punk back into the ring. Owens climbs the top rope and Owens with a swanton. He goes for the cover but Punk kicks out. Owens throws Punk to the ropes and goes for the pop up powerbomb but Punk lands on his feet. Punk with right hands. He goes for the cover but Owens kicks out.
Punk with a running knee to the face and a clothesline. Punk climbs the top rope and he lands an elbow drop. He goes for the cover but Owens kicks out. Punk with the anaconda vice but Owens reverses it into a cover and Punk kicks out. Punk with a swinging neck breaker. Punk lifts Owens and goes for GTS but Owens lands on his feet.
Owens trips Punk and gets him in the sharpshooter but Punk gets to the ropes. Punk rolls onto the ring apron. Owens grabs Punk but Punk hangs him up on the top rope. Punk gets in the ring, Owens goes for the Stunner but Punk pushes him into the referee.
Punk goes for GTS but Owens pushes him into the referee and the referee falls to the outside of the ring. Owens with a Stunner and he goes for the cover but there is no referee. Owens looks at the referee and he turns around. Punk with the GTS. He goes for the cover but there is no referee.
Punk to the outside of the ring and out comes Sami Zayn. Zayn throws Punk into the ring post. Zayn throws Punk back into the ring. Owens with the Stunner. Zayn throws the referee into the ring. Owens goes for the cover but Punk kicks out.
Zayn grabs the title and he gives the title to Owens. He grabs the title and he looks at Zayn who gets on the ring apron. Owens tells him not like this and he gives Zayn the title. Zayn hits Owens with the title. Punk with the GTS. He goes for the cover and gets the pin to retain his title.
Following the victory, Punk is celebrating the win when in comes Zayn with the title belt. Punk turns around and Zayn blasts him with it. Owens rolls into the ring and Zayn hits him with the title. Zayn hits Punk with the title. He tells Punk that Punk stole the title from him. That’s how the show ends. Thanks for joining us!
Winner and STILL Undisputed WWE Champion: CM Punk
