Tonight we will once again enjoy a new live broadcast of WWE SmackDown, which this time will be live from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York. The show will feature several attractions, including an appearance by CM Punk and Cody Rhodes 24 hours before they join forces against Gunther and Sami Zayn in WWE Saturday Night's Main Event.
In addition, Finn Bálor will face Talla Tonga in a singles match. On the other hand, Adam Pearce will resume his duties as General Manager after the brutal attack suffered by Nick Aldis last week. As always, we invite you to comment on the article to give your opinion on what happened in the show.
WWE SmackDown starts on Netflix!
We see a video recap of last week's episode.
Gunther is the one to open tonight's show. "The Ring General" is greeted with loud boos. The Austrian heads to the ring, where he grabs a microphone. The audience intensifies the boos. Gunther assures that he has always prided himself on being an outstanding professional. However, since his arrival on the blue brand, he has been mistreated. Gunther wonders if this is because Nick Aldis is envious of him. What is true is that the General Manager is directly responsible for the fact that the Austrian is not yet the WWE Champion. "He's the one who made this personal!", he exclaims. Gunther recalls that it is Aldis who is forcing him to team up with Sami Zayn to face CM Punk and Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night's Main Event. "Sami Zayn is lazy and below my level. Putting me in this situation is unacceptable!", exclaims the Austrian.
Adam Pearce enters the scene!
Pearce heads to the ring while pointing out that Gunther should be thankful to Aldis. "The Ring General" doesn't understand why he should. Adam assures that Gunther still has a job thanks to the Brit. Two weeks ago, "The Ring General" kicked Cody Rhodes' head, costing him his title shot. Later, he attacked Aldis, his boss. Pearce makes it clear that if it had been him, Gunther would have been fired. However, Aldis not only didn't take that measure, but also made an effort to get an opportunity for the Austrian. And if Gunther had let Nick finish speaking, he would have known that a victory at Saturday Night's Main Event will have direct implications at SummerSlam, as the Austrian and Zayn would be added to the Undisputed WWE Championship match, turning it into a fatal four-way match. A smiling Gunther celebrates the news. Suddenly...
Cody Rhodes bursts onto the scene!
Rhodes runs to the ring to launch an assault on Gunther, who ends up being expelled from the ring. Furious, Cody recalls that Gunther kicked him in the head, and tonight he comes to exact his revenge. Rhodes makes it clear that he is ready to fight, and he believes the Austrian is too. Furthermore, the path to Saturday Night's Main Event goes through Albany first, so he challenges "The Ring General" to a singles match tonight. All that is needed is for Pearce to give the green light. "Mr. Rhodes, it's official", says the General Manager to confirm the match. A disgruntled Gunther heads back to the backstage area as Rhodes' theme music resonates in the arena.
We see a backstage recorded video before the event. In it, Adam Pearce announces that Rhea Ripley will not be able to compete at SummerSlam. The Australian is still recovering from her injury and does not yet have an approximate date for her return. That is why he has made the decision to schedule a Ladder Match at the biggest summer event, where the winner will be crowned the Interim Women's Champion of WWE. In total, there will be five superstars competing in that match. Starting tonight, there will be five qualifying matches. Finally, Pearce announces that once Ripley is back, she will face the interim champion to determine the one and only Women's Champion of WWE.
We see the arrival at the venue of some of tonight's protagonists: Jade Cargill (accompanied by B-Fab and Michin), Nia Jax (alongside Lash Legend), Tiffany Stratton, and Fatal Influence in full.
Finn Bálor vs. Talla Tonga (with Tama Tonga)
Talla corners Finn in one of the corners. The Irishman dodges his opponent's first attack, but he is soon caught and thrown against the nearby corner. Bálor hits the Powerhouse, but his attacks barely affect him. Talla starts a strong counterattack. Talla throws Finn against one of the corners before punishing him with the help of the ropes. Bálor escapes the pressure from his opponent to throw him out of the ring.
Talla returns to knock down Finn with a clothesline from the apron. Talla takes Bálor out of the ring to carry him on one of his shoulders. Talla drops him on the commentator's table. The referee is distracted by Talla, allowing Tama to illegally attack Finn with a clothesline. Bálor returns to the ring before the official's count reaches ten. However, Talla was waiting for him to unleash a rain of kicks.
Talla violently throws Finn against one of the corners. After that, he covers him. 1..2..NO. Talla continues to punish the Irishman, once again with the help of the ropes, leading the referee to intervene. Talla traps Bálor in a painful submission hold. Finn throws several elbows to free himself, but soon he is crushed in one of the corners. Talla finishes him off with a running powerslam. 1..2..NO.
Finn dodges a charge in one of the corners to respond with a direct dropkick to one of his opponent's knees, whom he finishes off with an inverted DDT. 1..2..NO. Bálor returns to his rival, but he surprises him with a samoan drop. The action continues. Finn hits Talla with an enzuigiri from the apron before seeking height in one of the corners. Talla grabs the Irishman by the throat to prevent him from jumping on him. Bálor escapes with a DDT! Finn prepares to execute a Shotgun Dropkick, but Talla stops him with a big boot. 1..2..NO.
Talla tries to apply a new big boot. Bálor dodges the attack, causing his opponent's groin to hit the top rope. Finn moves the rope up and down to harm his opponent. The referee approaches Talla to check on his condition. Meanwhile, Tama tries to attack Bálor, but he prevents it with a slingblade. Finn returns to the ring to execute a Shotgun Dropkick on Talla, whom he finishes off with two Coup de Grace. 1..2..3.
Winner: Finn Bálor
Finn celebrates in the center of the ring to end the segment.
CM Punk approaches Adam Pearce to ask about the stipulation of his match tomorrow night. The General Manager confirms that a victory by Sami Zayn and Gunther will turn his title defense at SummerSlam into a fatal four-way match. "I don't like it. I'm more of a classic school guy. I like one-on-one matches", says CM Punk. Pearce doesn't like it either, but he can't do anything about it, as the decision has already been made. CM Punk points out that Gunther's goal tonight is not to win, but to hurt Cody Rhodes. Pearce is fully aware of this, but "The American Nightmare" wants to get his revenge. CM Punk informs the General Manager that he will talk to Rhodes about it.
"The Best in the World" leaves, but soon he meets Damian Priest. He shakes hands with the Undisputed WWE Champion, whom he thanks for mentioning his name last week. Damian warns CM Punk that he will be ready to compete for his title if he retains it at SummerSlam. CM Punk hopes it will be so, as he also wishes that the Puerto Rican remains the tag team champion, because he and Cody may want to compete for those belts. "Alright. Sounds fair. Sounds good, brother. Good luck," says Priest as he fist bumps CM Punk. He leaves, at which point R-Truth appears behind his companion. "¡Wepa!" exclaims R-Truth to startle Damian. He asks him if he had been there the whole time. R-Truth remains silent. And so we reach the end of this segment.
Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, Jacy Jayne, and Tiffany Stratton star in a promotional video before their qualifying matches for the Ladder Match at SummerSlam that will take place tonight.
Tiffany Stratton makes her entrance into the ring. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid) are the next to appear on the scene. The three women pose in the center of the ring before launching a surprise attack on Stratton! The referee tries to stop them, but to no avail. Suddenly, Brie Bella and Paige burst onto the scene to start a fight with Fallon and Lainey, whom they expel from the ring! The fight soon moves backstage, at which point the bell rings.
Qualifying Match for the Ladder Match for the Interim Women's Championship of WWE
Tiffany Stratton vs. Jacy Jayne
Jacy remains in the ropes area calling for her partners to return. A recovered Tiffany surprises a distracted Jacy with a right hook to take control. Jayne tries to recover, but her opponent makes her stumble against the ropes. Stratton gains momentum in the ropes area to execute a running hip attack. After that, she finishes Jacy with a direct dropkick to the face. 1..2..NO.
Stratton continues to attack Jayne. She blocks a sunset flip to respond with a Penalty Kick. Jacy finishes her opponent with a senton. Jayne punishes the United States Champion in one of the corners and in the ropes area. Jacy crushes Stratton in one of the corners before throwing her to the mat. Jayne finishes her with two kicks to the back. 1..2..NO.
Jayne traps Tiffany in a crossface. Stratton frees herself by applying a jawbreaker, but soon falls back into the clutches of the Fatal Influence leader. Tiffany dodges a senton, causing her opponent's back to hit the mat. Both women knock each other down with a clothesline in unison. Stratton and Jayne exchange attacks in the center of the ring. Jacy knocks down Tiffany with an enzuigiri.
Stratton recovers to unleash a counterattack. Tiffany executes an Alabama Slam on her opponent before seeking height in one of the corners. A recovered Jayne hits her to make her fall before applying a spinning neckbreaker. 1..2..NO. Stratton dodges Jacy's Rolling Encore to respond with a handspring cutter. Tiffany finishes Jayne with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. 1..2..3.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
Baron Corbin carries out a promo video. "You know what's funny? I've been watching the shows and all these guys around here thinking they're really tough. They think they can lead by example. Well, their reality is about to collapse. I'm authentic, and the world knows it", says "The Lone Wolf". He points out that Trick Williams is just the first name on a long list. Carmelo Hayes, on the other hand, was just collateral damage, but he will take care of him as well if he gets in his way. "Trick, I'll give you some advice: smile while you can. Enjoy what you have. Because I'm Baron Corbin, and I'm coming for everything", he says to end the video.
Jackie Redmond interviews Trick Williams. He attacks Baron for his assault last week. "You call yourself a Bad Big Wolf, but I think you're a Big Bald Headed Bitch", he says. "You don't like Trick Williams because he's a champion? No, that's not your problem. Your problem is that Trick Williams carries a championship that has more hair than you." Carmelo Hayes appears on the scene, prompting Redmond to leave.
Trick hopes that Hayes has approached him to apologize for what he did to Lil Yachty last week. "You want an apology? I'm sorry Yachty could walk away with both legs", Hayes replies. He acknowledges that Corbin represents a problem he needs to deal with, but his main goal is still to face Williams for the United States Championship. Carmelo knows that Trick clings tightly to the belt every time he sees his former partner because he knows he is better than him. Williams reminds him that in two and a half years, Hayes has done absolutely nothing on SmackDown. Meanwhile, he has become one of the biggest stars on the brand since arriving seven months ago. "You should take notes. In fact, take out your notebook and write: 'I'll take care of my business while the adults talk'", says Trick before leaving.
We see a video recap of the segment starring Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar, and Oba Femi in the last episode of WWE Raw.
Qualifying Match for the Ladder Match for the Interim Women's Championship of WWE
Jade Cargill (with B-Fab and Michin) vs. Nia Jax
Nia dodges a pump kick to respond with a samoan drop. Jax finishes "The Storm" with a legdrop. 1..2..NO. Nia seeks height in one of the corners while Michin and B-Fab try to distract her. "The Irresistible Force" jumps with a diving legdrop. "The Storm" dodges it to respond with a spinebuster. Suddenly, Charlotte Flair appears to attack Michin and B-Fab. "The Queen" enters the ring, where Jade awaits. She tries to attack her with a pump kick, but Flair dodges it to respond with a big boot.
Winner by disqualification: Jade Cargill
Flair gets out of the ring to find a metal chair with which to smash Cargill's arm to avenge what happened last week. However, Michin and B-Fab grab their partner to keep her safe. Mark Nash announces Jade's victory by disqualification. Furious at the result, Nia attacks Charlotte from behind. "The Queen" is left lying on the mat. "The Irresistible Force" heads back to the backstage area. Cargill returns to the ring to execute a Jaded on Flair. The heels pose over "The Queen" to end this segment.
Jackie Redmond interviews Gunther backstage. The Austrian accuses Cody Rhodes of once again interfering in his path just because things are not going as he would like. An attitude, on the other hand, typical of a Golden Boy. Gunther points out that Cody only acts on emotions, so tonight he will make him see reason with punches. As for his match tomorrow, "The Ring General" makes it clear that he doesn't care at all about Sami Zayn. All he cares about is reaching SummerSlam with the title opportunity he deserves. At that moment, Candice LeRae appears dragging a production box with her husband lying face down on it. Meanwhile, we see Blake Monroe watching the scene in the background.
Candice is well aware that Gunther doesn't care about Sami, but he'll be his partner tomorrow night. And if they both win, the Canadian will earn the right to become the fourth participant in the SummerSlam title match. "So tonight, don't do anything stupid, because tomorrow we need that victory," LeRae says. Gunther asks Candice to deliver a message to Zayn when she sees him. "Tell your friend that if he wants to win, all he has to do is show up, keep quiet, and stay out of my way," the Austrian says before walking off. Blake rushes toward LeRae and attacks her from behind. "The Glamour" repeatedly slams Candice into several production crates. Monroe crouches beside her victim. "Candice, this seemed like the perfect time to introduce myself. My name is Blake Monroe, and I'm the new girl around here. I'll be seeing you," says the Brit. Before leaving, Blake stops beside Johnny Gargano. "You need a haircut," "The Glamour" says before continuing on her way.
Nia Jax and Lash Legend complain to Adam Pearce about what happened earlier tonight. Lash doesn't care how he runs Raw. This is SmackDown, and she expects there to be consequences. Nia wants revenge for the way she lost her match tonight. Pearce says he saw what happened, so next week she'll get another chance to qualify for SummerSlam when she faces the woman who cost her the match tonight, Charlotte Flair. "The Irresistible Forces" leave satisfied with the General Manager's decision.
Tag Team Match
The War Raiders (Ivar and Erik) vs. Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom)
Erik and Nathan start things off. Erik knocks the European down. Nathan tries to recover, but his opponent floors him with a hard right hand. Ivar tags in to crush Frazer. Ivar unloads with a barrage of elbows on Nathan in the corner. Erik tags back in to continue punishing Frazer. Nathan catches his rival with an enzuigiri before tagging in Axiom. The Europeans combine flawlessly to send their opponents to the outside. Nathan dives through the ropes with a suicide dive, but the AAA World Tag Team Champions stop him. Axiom then launches himself onto everyone with a Moonsault to free his partner.
The action returns to the ring. Erik catches Axiom with a thunderous right hand to the face. Ivar and Erik work together against the Spaniard. Erik delivers a powerslam onto his own partner, sending him crashing down on top of the masked superstar. Ivar covers him. 1...2...NO. The War Raiders continue wearing down the Spaniard, who can do little more than survive. Axiom finally escapes and makes the tag to Nathan, who comes in on fire.
Frazer drops Erik with a slingblade before following up with a Shining Wizard. Nathan looks to finish things with a Phoenix Splash, but Erik rolls out of the way and answers with a running knee strike. The War Raiders knock the Europeans down and stack them near one of the corners. Ivar goes for a moonsault, but Axiom and Nathan roll away to avoid the impact and launch a counterattack. Frazer connects with a springboard 450 Splash on Ivar. 1...2...NO.
The match descends into chaos. Erik plants Axiom with an uranage. 1...2...NO. Nathan breaks up the pin. The Europeans send their opponents to the outside. Frazer and Axiom hit stereo suicide dives on Ivar in front of the announce table. The Europeans roll Ivar back into the ring. Nathan wipes out Erik with a tope before returning to join his partner. Together they deliver a combined superplex to Ivar, and Nathan follows up with a Phoenix Splash. 1...2...NO. Erik breaks up the count. "This is awesome!" the fans chant.
Axiom and Erik exchange strikes in the middle of the ring. Erik drives a knee into Axiom's back. Frazer tries to help his partner, but The War Raiders immediately answer with the Viking Experience. With Nathan out of the equation, the AAA World Tag Team Champions hoist Axiom up and finish him off with a devastating Ragnarok. 1...2...3.
Winners: The War Raiders
We see footage recorded at Fanatics Fest NYC. During it, LA Knight (accompanied by Solo Sikoa and Royce Keys) cuts a promo mocking Jacob Fatu, Jey Uso, and Jimmy Uso, his SummerSlam opponents.
CM Punk approaches Cody Rhodes backstage. CM Punk asks Cody if he really thinks it's a good idea to face Gunther just one day before their tag team match at Saturday Night's Main Event. Rhodes reminds him that the Austrian kicked him in the head, which is why he wants payback. Besides, he knows Punk would do the same if their roles were reversed. "The Best in the World" understands, but still believes it's a bad idea. Gunther could injure him, which would have serious consequences for both of them at Saturday Night's Main Event and SummerSlam. That's why he'll be keeping a close eye on tonight's match in case he needs to have Cody's back. Cody thanks him but says he hopes Punk watches him take care of Gunther from the locker room monitor. CM Punk insists he'll be watching from ringside. Rhodes heads toward the ring, bringing the segment to an end.
We see a video recap of the closing segment from the latest episode of WWE Raw, where Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns signed the contract for their SummerSlam match.
Jackie Redmond interviews Danhausen in his laboratory. Redmond reminds Danhausen that tomorrow he'll face JD McDonagh at Saturday Night's Main Event, and that Dominik Mysterio will be in his opponent's corner. That's why she doesn't understand why he turned down Matt Cardona's help. Danhausen insists he has everything under control. Redmond asks whether he'll have any help tomorrow night. Danhausen says yes before revealing a cage containing a black cat. The reporter quickly realizes it's just a stuffed cat. Danhausen points out that anyone who crosses paths with a black cat is cursed. His words immediately cause his computer to short-circuit. Danhausen advises Jackie that they should leave immediately. The two exit the room, with Danhausen carrying the cage containing the stuffed cat.
Gunther makes his entrance. However, after taking only a few steps down the entrance ramp, Cody Rhodes attacks him from behind! "The American Nightmare" continues beating down the Austrian as he drags him into the ring. Once inside, the referee calls for the bell.
Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther
Rhodes connects with a Drop Down Punch before looking for a Disaster Kick. However, Gunther shoves him, sending him crashing to the floor. Cody remains down as Gunther goes after him and rolls him back into the ring, where he continues the assault. Gunther uses the ropes to crush Cody's head.
The Austrian attempts a suplex, but Cody blocks it. Rhodes tries to counter with a powerslam, but Gunther's weight crushes him down onto the mat. 1...2...NO. Gunther continues attacking Rhodes with several elbow strikes. Cody blocks one of his holds, but Gunther immediately answers with a back elbow. The Austrian drives several knees into his opponent before dropping him with a thunderous chop.
Rhodes ducks a clothesline and catches Gunther with a Cody Cutter. "The American Nightmare" follows up with a scoop powerslam and a Disaster Kick, then lands another Cody Cutter. Gunther blocks the Cross Rhodes and responds with authority. The Austrian attacks Cody's left leg before smashing it against the ring post. At that moment, CM Punk makes his way to ringside.
"The Best in the World" stands on the apron, cheering Rhodes on. Gunther mocks CM Punk as he prepares to deliver a GTS to Cody. Rhodes slips free, and both men knock each other down with simultaneous clotheslines. Clearly in pain, Cody gets back to his feet and begins exchanging strikes with "The Ring General." Gunther grabs his opponent's arm and delivers a vicious chop. Gunther goes for another one, but Rhodes avoids it and answers with a Pedigree. Both men are left laid out on the mat. "Cody! Cody!" chants the crowd.
Gunther catches Rhodes and plants him with a powerbomb. 1...2...NO. Gunther immediately locks in a Single Boston Crab on Cody's injured leg. Unable to reach the ropes, Cody rolls over and kicks Gunther to force the break. Rhodes avoids a big boot in the corner, causing the Austrian to injure his own leg. Cody immediately targets Gunther's leg, twisting it with a painful Dragon Screw before applying a Figure Four Leglock.
Suddenly, Sami Zayn rushes out and attacks CM Punk. Sami sends "The Best in the World" crashing into the announce table. The distraction allows Gunther to lock Rhodes in a Sleeper Hold. Cody escapes before the hold is fully applied and launches himself onto Zayn with a suicide dive. Rhodes tries to get back into the ring, but Zayn grabs his legs and trips him. Sami then hurls Cody into the ring post. The referee calls for the bell.
Winner by disqualification: Cody Rhodes
Sami clears off the announce table while Gunther prepares to powerbomb Rhodes through it. CM Punk rushes back in and attacks "The Ring General," foiling his plans. A wild brawl breaks out. Rhodes trades punches with Zayn while Gunther and CM Punk battle elsewhere at ringside. Soon all four men return to the ring. Numerous officials rush out in an attempt to restore order, but they are unable to separate them. The show comes to a close with absolute chaos reigning inside the ring.
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