Hilliard Center Arena
Corpus Christi, Texas
Commentators: Michael Cole and Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
WWE SmackDown featured the beginning of Sami Zayn’s second reign as Undisputed WWE Champion, two Money in the Bank qualifying matches and a championship main event between Zayn and Kevin Owens.
Sami Zayn’s Championship Celebration
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis opened the show and reluctantly introduced new Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn.
Zayn took exception to Aldis’ delivery and the negative response from the Corpus Christi crowd. He claimed his “Justice for Sami” campaign had never been solely about himself, but represented “justice for all.”
Zayn described the WWE Championship as a symbol of hope and perseverance. He said fans were not accustomed to having a champion with such a strong moral code.
The champion then addressed Aldis and demanded equality for anyone requesting a title match. Zayn wanted other contenders to face the same obstacles Aldis had repeatedly placed in his path.
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae interrupted. Gargano embraced Zayn before reminding him about their agreement from the previous week. Gargano believed helping Zayn defeat CM Punk had guaranteed him the first championship opportunity.
Zayn denied making an explicit deal and insisted he had only promised to take care of Gargano.
Gargano challenged Zayn to defend the title against him immediately. Aldis stepped in and reminded both men that only he had the authority to make championship matches.
Aldis also pointed out that Gargano had already received a title opportunity in Cleveland several weeks earlier. He considered CM Punk the next rightful challenger, although Punk was not at the arena.
Kevin Owens then joined the segment. Candice attempted to prevent him from speaking and insisted Gargano was next in line. Owens responded by dropping Gargano with a Stunner.
Owens argued that he deserved a championship match. Aldis initially rejected the request, saying he could not reward Owens’ behavior from the previous week.
Owens called out the contradiction, noting that Zayn had sabotaged several SmackDown main events before receiving his title opportunity. He also blamed Zayn for costing him the championship in Toronto.
Aldis acknowledged Owens’ points and began reconsidering. Zayn became angry and accused Aldis of attempting to repeat what happened during his first title reign, when Punk was placed against him at short notice.
Zayn grabbed Aldis, prompting the general manager to order him to let go. Aldis then made his decision official: Zayn would defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Owens in the main event.
Aldis also reminded Zayn that his previous reign lasted nine days and questioned whether the current one would make it beyond seven.
Randy Orton entered for the opening match and told Zayn to keep the championship warm for him.
WWE then aired highlights from its three-event weekend in Mexico City.
Randy Orton vs. Trick Williams vs. Rey Fenix – Men’s Money In The Bank Qualifier
Randy Orton attacked Rey Fenix at the opening bell before locking up with Trick Williams.
Williams dropped Orton with a shoulder tackle, but Fenix entered with a dropkick and attacked both opponents. Fenix sent Orton shoulder-first into the ring post before knocking Williams outside and wiping him out with a flying crossbody.
Back inside, Fenix delivered a double-springboard moonsault press to Williams for two. Williams answered by dropping Fenix onto the canvas, delivering the Trick Slap and stomping him in the corner.
Williams clotheslined Fenix outside, allowing Orton to return. Orton delivered two back suplexes to Williams across the announce table.
Lil Yachty patted Orton on the back, but Orton responded with a thumb to the eye and back suplexed him onto the announce table.
Orton controlled the contest through the commercial break and positioned Williams on the top turnbuckle. He attempted a superplex, but Fenix intervened with a springboard sunset-flip powerbomb.
Fenix followed with a frog splash for two. He later attacked Williams with kicks before catching Orton with a rebound spinning heel kick.
Orton fought back with clotheslines and powerslams to both opponents. He attempted the draping DDT on Fenix, but the AAA Cruiserweight Champion countered with the Goodbye Amigo kick.
Williams sent Fenix outside and dropped Orton with the Cyclone Boot for two. Williams attempted the Trick Shot, but Fenix countered with a hurricanrana for another near fall.
Fenix superkicked Williams and attempted a double-springboard splash. Orton intercepted him in midair with the RKO, but Williams immediately struck Orton with the Trick Shot and stole the pin.
Winner: Trick Williams
Sami Zayn Reassures Johnny Gargano
Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae argued backstage. Candice reminded Gargano that she had warned him he would be disappointed by Zayn.
Zayn interrupted and complained about WWE management trying to take the championship from him. He said Aldis’ claim that Gargano was no longer among the leading contenders was unfair.
The champion apologized for their earlier miscommunication and promised to do everything possible to secure Gargano another title opportunity.
Zayn said he could not afford to lose the championship after only seven days because he did not want to experience another brief reign. He also argued that if Owens defeated him, Gargano might never receive another chance.
Gargano accepted Zayn’s explanation, and the champion told him they would speak again later.
WWE then aired a vignette featuring MFT and Bakusai.
Charlotte Flair Tries To Keep Alexa Bliss Focused
Alexa Bliss spoke with Tatum Paxley in their customized locker room before Charlotte Flair entered.
Charlotte asked whether Bliss was prepared for the Women’s Money in the Bank qualifier. She dismissed Jacy Jayne’s experience and noted that they already knew Jade Cargill well.
Paxley lit several candles to create positive energy, but Charlotte blew one out and told Bliss she needed focus rather than candles.
Bliss assured Charlotte and Paxley that they would have their own qualifying opportunities soon. She said her immediate priority was doing whatever was necessary to win.
Paxley suggested that she and Charlotte could use the evening to strengthen their relationship. After Bliss left, Paxley offered Charlotte a candle representing serenity.
Charlotte accidentally blew out a different candle, which Paxley revealed had represented bad luck.
MFT vs. Bakusai
Tama Tonga opened against Kyoki, who immediately threw punches and knocked Talla Tonga from the apron.
Tama attacked Kyoki from behind and rolled him back into the ring, but Kyoki quickly dropkicked him outside. Kyoki then hit both members of MFT with missile dropkicks from the apron.
MFT controlled the match through the commercial break. When the show returned, Kyoki connected with consecutive running crossbodies.
Tama caught a third attempt and prepared a powerbomb, but Kyoki escaped. Talla made a blind tag and caught Kyoki in midair.
Kyoki escaped a powerslam and avoided a big boot before connecting with a shotgun dropkick. He then countered Talla’s chokeslam with a DDT and followed with a diving senton to the outside.
Bakusai returned Talla to the ring and brought Shinsuke Nakamura into the match. Kyoki delivered a basement dropkick before the team connected with an assisted reverse exploder for two.
Talla responded with an uppercut, but Nakamura sent him into the turnbuckles and landed an enzuigiri and flying knee for another near fall.
Nakamura prepared the Kinshasa as Tama attacked Kyoki at ringside and sent him into the barricade. Nakamura responded by hitting Tama with the sliding German suplex.
Haku then struck Nakamura with his cane, forcing the referee to call for the disqualification.
Winners by disqualification: Bakusai
Haku used the cane to drive Nakamura’s throat against the steel steps. Talla chokeslammed Kyoki onto the apron before MFT delivered a big boot and chop-block combination.
Kevin Owens Reflects On His WWE Debut
Cathy Kelley interviewed Kevin Owens ahead of the championship main event.
Owens noted that the Corpus Christi arena was where he had competed in his first official WWE match, defeating John Cena in his debut.
He believed the stars were aligning for him to defeat Zayn in the same building and become Undisputed WWE Champion.
Finn Bálor interrupted and sarcastically said it was good that the stars were aligning for someone.
Bálor considered it convenient that Owens had received the first championship match after inadvertently helping Zayn defeat Punk.
Finn said Owens could take his path while he did things properly. Regardless of who won the main event, Bálor intended to pursue the championship—even if that required winning Money in the Bank.
Bálor wished Owens luck and left.
WWE announced that WWE Radio will move to SiriusXM channel 93 beginning October 1.
Nikki Bella Targets Chelsea Green
Nick Aldis congratulated Chelsea Green on her first successful defense of the WWE Women’s Championship. He said Green had demonstrated why she deserved to hold the title.
Green was about to credit Tiffany Stratton for assisting her when Danhausen emerged from Aldis’ office.
Danhausen said GUNTHER was angry and wanted to discuss Money in the Bank. Aldis then noticed Danhausen had his phone.
Danhausen explained that someone named “Mickie” had repeatedly called while sounding angry, but assured Aldis that he had blocked the number.
Stratton informed Green that she would compete in an upcoming Women’s Money in the Bank qualifier. Green supported the idea and said they could both hold championships.
They encountered Nikki Bella, who referenced Green’s appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen and warned her to keep Nikki’s name out of her mouth.
Nikki said she had seen Green narrowly retain against Nia Jax, while Green had also witnessed what Nikki did to Paige.
Bella declared that she was pursuing the WWE Women’s Championship. She added that unlike Stratton, she did not need qualifying matches to receive title opportunities because she was a legend and an icon.
Michael Cole Interviews Cody Rhodes
Michael Cole sat down with Cody Rhodes and asked why he had again been unable to “pull the trigger” on someone he cared about at Sunday Night’s Main Event.
Rhodes acknowledged that he had shown Randy Orton mercy but refused to use that as an excuse.
Cole spoke about previously calling Cody “QB1” and praised him as a representative of WWE. However, he noted that many of the wrestlers who had celebrated alongside Rhodes at WrestleMania XL had since betrayed him.
Rhodes admitted he perhaps should have anticipated those betrayals after spending his life around the wrestling industry.
He named Sami Zayn, John Cena, Kevin Owens and Orton as people who had been seduced by WWE’s biggest championship. Rhodes conceded that he may have been arrogant or naive to believe things would be different with him as champion.
However, Cody disagreed that the betrayals represented the end of his time as QB1 because his team extended beyond the wrestlers pursuing the title.
Cole asked what Rhodes would do when he eventually stood across the ring from Orton again.
Rhodes addressed the constant discussion surrounding his morality and whether he needed to follow a darker path.
He said his uncompromising approach had brought him back-to-back Royal Rumble victories, two wins over Brock Lesnar and the victory that ended Roman Reigns’ four-year championship run.
Cody also referenced defeating John Cena at SummerSlam and Orton at WrestleMania.
Rhodes said he was amused by the suggestion that he needed to change. Nevertheless, he admitted that another confrontation with Orton was inevitable and promised he would not make the same decision he made at Sunday Night’s Main Event.
Jade Cargill Promises To Win Money In The Bank
Cathy Kelley interviewed Jade Cargill and The Baddies before the Women’s Money in the Bank qualifier.
The group rejected the idea that Charlotte Flair and Tatum Paxley deserved the next WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship opportunity.
Cargill said she intended to return to the WWE Women’s Championship picture and would not allow Alexa Bliss or Jacy Jayne to prevent her from qualifying for Money in the Bank.
Jade Cargill vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Jacy Jayne – Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifier
The three women exchanged words after the bell before Jacy Jayne pulled Alexa Bliss down by the hair.
Jayne mocked Bliss and posed for the crowd until she backed into Jade Cargill. Jayne immediately escaped outside and continued posing on the announce table.
Bliss followed and dropped Jayne face-first onto the table before returning her to the ring.
Jayne attempted to avoid Cargill and pulled Bliss outside. Cargill then overpowered Jayne with a shoulder tackle and bodyslam.
Jayne answered with a running hurricanrana and sent Cargill outside, but Cargill tripped her from the floor. Bliss capitalized with a wrecking-ball dropkick.
Bliss repeatedly stomped Jayne before Cargill pulled her from the ring and threw Jayne into her.
Cargill later caught Jayne with a sidewalk slam for two and remained in control through the commercial break.
Jayne positioned Bliss on the top turnbuckle and attempted a superplex, but Cargill joined the exchange and delivered a Tower of Doom. Cargill covered both women but earned only two-counts.
Cargill drove Bliss into the middle turnbuckle and sent Jayne into the top pad before landing consecutive leaping back elbows.
Jayne sent Cargill shoulder-first into the ring post, allowing Bliss to begin her comeback. Bliss delivered her signature combination, a DDT and running head-scissors before knocking Jayne outside.
Bliss followed with a cannonball senton from the apron. Cargill recovered with a pop-up knee and returned Bliss to the ring.
Jayne sent Cargill hip-first into the steel steps before dropping Bliss with a running knee for two.
Bliss answered by sending Jayne into the turnbuckle and prepared for Twisted Bliss. Jayne escaped outside, so Bliss changed direction and landed a flying crossbody onto her.
Back inside, Bliss connected with Sister Abigail, but Jayne kicked out. Bliss continued with a Lou Thesz press until Cargill returned.
Bliss avoided the pump kick and attempted Sister Abigail on Cargill. Jade countered with Jaded, but Jayne broke the cover with a superkick to Cargill.
Jayne then fell across Bliss and stole the victory.
Winner: Jacy Jayne
WWE announced two additional Money in the Bank qualifiers for next week’s SmackDown in Indianapolis:
CM Punk vs. GUNTHER vs. Finn Bálor
Charlotte Flair vs. Giulia vs. Lash Legend
Giulia And Lash Legend Exchange Threats
Cathy Kelley asked Giulia whether she felt any anxiety about facing Charlotte Flair and Lash Legend.
Giulia said she was not nervous, but The Irresistible Forces interrupted.
Nia Jax mocked Giulia for taking Blake Monroe’s false teeth and questioned whether that was meant to intimidate Legend.
Giulia said she disliked The Irresistible Forces and tended to beat up people she did not like.
Legend promised to dominate the qualifier, win the Money in the Bank briefcase and bring the WWE Women’s Championship to The Irresistible Forces—all while looking good.
Giulia challenged that confidence and said they would see how Legend looked after having her teeth kicked out.
Trick Williams Confronts Sami Zayn
Lil Yachty celebrated Trick Williams qualifying for Money in the Bank and said he was one step away from becoming “Tricky Two Titles.”
Yachty reminded Williams about Baron Corbin’s recent attack, but Trick said he already had a plan for Corbin.
Williams then encountered Sami Zayn. The champion reminded Trick that he was now a two-time Undisputed WWE Champion and demanded respect.
Trick predicted that Zayn’s second reign might be even shorter than his first. He hoped Zayn retained against Owens so Trick could win Money in the Bank and take another championship from him.
Damian Priest Explains His Attack On R-Truth
Damian Priest addressed his betrayal of R-Truth.
Priest said fans should not ask why he attacked Truth, but why it had taken him so long.
He blamed Truth for repeatedly offering championship matches during their six-month tag-team title reign and said Priest had been responsible for winning those matches.
Priest admitted that instead of laughing and complaining about change, he should have recognized that he needed to change himself.
After losing the titles, Priest attempted to end the partnership, but Truth continued failing to understand. Priest said he had therefore explained his position in the only way he knew how.
Priest accepted being called a villain or backstabber but insisted Truth also call him “a bad man.”
Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens attacked Sami Zayn during the championship introductions and repeatedly stomped him in the corner.
Owens chased Zayn outside and knocked him down with a running clothesline and senton. He then grabbed Zayn by the beard and delivered chops around ringside.
Zayn repeatedly attempted to escape, but Owens continued pursuing him until the champion landed a kick and DDT inside the ring.
Zayn pressed his knees against Owens’ neck and repeatedly stomped his face. The two exchanged strikes until Owens delivered a blistering chop.
Zayn used the ropes to stop his momentum and snapped Owens’ head across the top strand. He followed with palm strikes and drove Owens into the turnbuckles.
A flying double axe handle earned Zayn a two-count. He attempted to continue from the ropes, but Owens answered with a superkick.
Owens delivered two sentons, a cannonball and an Attitude Adjustment for two. He attempted the Pop-up Powerbomb, but Zayn landed on his feet and countered the Stunner with a Blue Thunder Bomb.
The champion followed with a big boot for another near fall before positioning Owens on the top turnbuckle.
Owens won the exchange with headbutts and landed a Swanton Bomb for two.
Johnny Gargano then distracted the referee, allowing Candice LeRae to hit Owens with a tornado DDT.
Zayn immediately delivered the Helluva Kick, but Owens kicked out. Zayn argued with the referee and attempted another, only for Owens to counter with the Pop-up Powerbomb.
Owens followed with the Stunner and appeared to have the championship won, but Gargano placed Zayn’s foot on the bottom rope.
An enraged Owens attacked Gargano and repeatedly threw him into the barricade. Owens cleared the announce table and attempted a powerbomb, but Zayn intervened.
Owens instead delivered a back suplex that sent Zayn through the announce table. He dragged the champion back into the ring as Gargano grabbed the championship belt.
Owens stopped Gargano with another Stunner, but LeRae again distracted the referee.
CM Punk appeared and struck Owens with the WWE Championship. Zayn then kicked Punk from the apron and crawled into the cover.
Owens kicked out just as the referee’s hand approached the mat for three, causing uncertainty over the count. Zayn became furious and argued with the official.
The champion then delivered another Helluva Kick and secured the pinfall.
Winner and still Undisputed WWE Champion: Sami Zayn
CM Punk attacked Zayn after the match and unloaded with punches before dropping him with the GTS.
Punk celebrated with the Corpus Christi crowd as SmackDown went off the air.
