WWE held its television tapings for this week’s SmackDown episode on Monday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
It’s important to note that the order of segments differs slightly from the initial rundown. Originally, the segment featuring Jimmy Uso and Sami Zayn was scheduled to air first, while the GUNTHER and Finn Bálor segment was listed later in the show. However, everything presented to the live crowd was taped, and it’s unclear whether the segments will air in the order they were taped or according to the initial rundown.
Here are the spoilers, courtesy of PWInsider.com:
– “The Ring General” GUNTHER made his way down to the ring and cut a promo, denying that he was scared during last week’s SmackDown segment. He said he was freaked out and was doing everyone a favor by taking out Danhausen. GUNTHER then said Finn Bálor’s career is hanging by a thread and he should just quit. He then accused Bálor of disgracing himself by playing along with Danhausen and challenged the “real” Bálor to confront him. Bálor then made his way down and said there was no smoke and mirrors, just a Demon waiting to come out. They then brawled and Bálor eventually backed GUNTHER up into the aisle.
– Bakusai’s Shinsuke Nakamura def. MFT’s Tama Tonga.
– WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: The Baddies (B-Fab and Michin) (c) battled Fatal Influence to an apparent no contest. Tatum Paxley then appeared and hit Jade Cargill with a body press, and everyone ended up brawling. Bayley, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss then arrived and cleared the ring.
– Nick Aldis then cuts a promo about Chelsea Green vs. Liv Morgan at WWE Crown Jewel and told Green he is proud of her and respects her as someone representing SmackDown as WWE Women’s Champion. Green also spoke and recalled how she said it didn’t matter what people thought about her, only what she thinks of herself. Green then said she doesn’t always believe in herself and is taking Morgan’s comments to heart. Green then continued to say that she fights the urge to doubt herself and questions if she deserves the title. Aldis then told her to listen to the people and she deserves it. Green then said she wants to leave a real legacy and will do that by beating Morgan at WWE Crown Jewel. Morgan then came out and said Green got lucky when Rhea Ripley got hurt. She then called Green talentless and a charity case and said she will prove the doubt in Green’s head true at the PLE.
– Trick Williams is then interviewed backstage and said he was expecting to be champion heading into Crown Jewel but said that it’s not the end of his story. He then said he would show everyone who he is.
– Damian Priest def. Nathan Frazer. Frazer got smashed into the announcers desk and the referee said he could not continue. Axiom then tried to help his tag partner, but got smashed into the ringpost.
– Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn then made his way out and addressed his match with Roman Reigns at WWE Crown Jewel. He said despite Reigns’ assertion otherwise, he survived his Undisputed WWE Championship defenses on RAW and SmackDown and is still headed to Crown Jewel as champion. Zayn then vowed not to be overlooked again by anyone, even Reigns, and said Reigns was looking up at him when RAW ended. Jimmy Uso then made his way out and confronted Zayn, saying Zayn was his guy, but he attacked Reigns while 946 was attacking them. Zayn then said he got why Jimmy was upset and said they are family, but he’s WWE Champion now and he thought Jimmy would understand. They then went back and forth, and Jimmy said Zayn made it personal, and Zayn is going to get a beating at Crown Jewel. Zayn then said he is glad he had Reigns’ attention. As Zayn was leaving, 946 attacked Jimmy from the crowd. Zayn then stayed on the apron for a while before walking off as the beatdown continued.
– No Holds Barred Match: Kevin Owens def. CM Punk. The match saw them brawl through the arena, with Punk thrown into a cameraman at one point before they made it back to Ringside. Owens then set up several tables, but was laid out with a chair shot. Owens then ended up back in control in the ring and put a trash can over Punk and hit him with a corner cannonball. Punk then made a comeback and they fought in the aisle. Punk then hit the GTS and pulled Owens back toward the ring on a cart, then slammed it and Owens into the ring. A flying elbow then got a two-count and Punk locked in an Anaconda Vice. Owens then fought back, but was DDT’d onto a chair. Punk went up and Owens went to the floor and was put on a table, which Punk sent him through with an elbow off the guardrail.
Punk then went for a GTS with a chain around his knee, but Owens blocked it, hit a headbutt and a Swanton. Owens then went for a superplex into chairs, but it was blocked and the fight went to the floor. Owens then ended up slammed off the top through the chairs, but he battled back, then hit a fisherman’s buster off the apron through the tables set up. Punk then kicked out of a stunner, but eventually fell to a shot from the chain for the pin.
