Tonight we will once again enjoy a new live broadcast of WWE SmackDown, which this time will be live from the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The show will feature several attractions, including the last qualifying match for the Ladder Match that will determine the Interim WWE Champion at SummerSlam.
In addition, the WWE and AAA Tag Team Champions will face off in a match where all the gold will be on the line. Finally, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes will have one last confrontation before their title match at the biggest event of the summer. As always, we invite you to comment on the post to give your opinion on what happened on the show.
WWE SmackDown starts on Netflix!
We see the arrival of some of the protagonists of tonight's show: Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green, Jade Cargill, B-Fab, Michin, Lash Legend (accompanied by Nia Jax), Giulia, Damian Priest, R-Truth, and The War Raiders.
Finn Bálor is the one to open tonight's show. The Irishman heads to the ring to address the fans. Bálor admits that this time of year always brings back memories of SummerSlam 2016. At that event, he had the best and worst night of his professional career. He reached the top after winning the Universal Championship, only to hit rock bottom a few hours later when he was forced to relinquish the title due to injury. Finn points out that for the past 10 years he has been tirelessly fighting to get back to the top. And now we come to this moment, where he is just one step away from returning to that place.
¡Sami Zayn interrupts the segment!
Sami apologizes to the Irishman for interrupting him, but there is something he needs to say. And that is, he deserves to compete at SummerSlam in a triple threat for the WWE Undisputed Championship, not in a one-on-one with Bálor for a title shot. But he understands, because obviously what WWE management wanted was an individual match between CM Punk and Cody Rhodes. And all to have a brilliant and eye-catching poster to show for the biggest event of the summer.
Sami hopes that Rhodes regains the championship. The reason is that he already cleanly defeated him in a match to take the gold from him, and he can do it again. On the other hand, there is a part of the Canadian that would also like CM Punk to retain the gold. Sami describes "The Best in the World" as "the biggest fraud, the biggest hypocrite, and the biggest piece of trash in this company, without a doubt. The guy who sat on this stage so many years ago with his pipe bomb, crying because his face wasn't on the collector's cups. Well, congratulations, CM Punk, you have ascended to the prestigious position of corporate image number two", says Zayn. That's why it would be a great satisfaction for him to take the title from the man who stole it from him.
Sami once again addresses Finn to make it clear that he respects him. The Irishman, for his part, hopes that he shows that respect by having the courage to step into the ring and say things to his face. The Canadian accepts Bálor's proposal and heads to the ring. Once there, Sami assures that Finn is a fighter of enormous talent. So much so that he should have more world championships in his record. However, he had his moment. Now it's Sami's turn. And it's not just about winning a world championship. It's about justice. "Justice for Sami", he says.
"Justice for Sami, huh? What about justice for me? What about justice for Finn?", asks the Irishman. He insists that it took him 10 years of hard work to get back to this point. "I don't want to disrespect you, Finn, but if it took you 10 years, and you haven't even come close, maybe you should take the hint", says Sami. Bálor reminds Zayn that it took him a decade to win his first - and only - world championship. The difference is that the Irishman had to relinquish his title a day after winning it due to an injury, while Sami lost his 9 days after winning it in a clean finish match. Zayn points out that, in other circumstances, he would attack him for this lack of respect. However, he won't, because he is "the last good guy in this place." That's why he will now step out of the ring to return backstage. "I'll do the right thing and leave. And I'll see you at SummerSlam", says the Canadian. Finn is about to respond, but...
Gunther bursts onto the scene to attack both men!
Gunther delivers a clothesline to each of them before taking one of the microphones. The Austrian shouts at them in his native language before addressing the camera. "You're here talking about who's the number one contender! You're ridiculous! Both of you! The right number one contender is standing right here!", exclaims Gunther. Adam Pearce appears on the entrance ramp. The Austrian approaches the General Manager to ask him what he must do to receive what he deserves. "Maybe I should kick your ass too", says a threatening Gunther. Suddenly, Finn lunges at the Austrian. Sami quickly joins the fight. Zayn pulls Bálor away from "The Ring General" to attack him himself. Now it's Finn who separates Zayn from Gunther to attack the Canadian. Both men start their own fight on the entrance ramp. Gunther takes advantage of this to knock them down with a double clothesline. The Austrian then throws them against the metal barrier of the audience.
Nick Aldis bursts onto the scene to attack Gunther!
Aldis takes the Austrian into the ring, where he applies a King's Lynn Cloverleaf. Many officials and security members appear on the scene to separate the British from his victim. He escapes from security to surprise Aldis with a big boot. Finally, Nick is taken backstage while Gunther is held in the ring. Both men exchange threats as the segment comes to an end.
Tag Team Match
Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton vs. Michin and B-Fab (with Jade Cargill)
B-Fab and Stratton start the match. B-Fab is the first to strike. Tiffany dodges a kick from B-Fab to respond with a direct dropkick to her opponent's back. As a result, B-Fab ends up lying on the second rope. Michin receives the tag. Stratton makes her stumble, causing her to end up lying on the second rope, just on the opposite side of her partner. Chelsea receives the tag from Tiffany. Both women hit their opponents with a combination of Rope Hip Attack and double knee strike. Green finishes them off with a double facebuster.
Chelsea continues the fight with Michin. B-Fab applies a Rope Guillotine on Green, allowing her partner to regain control. Michin unleashes a flurry of punches on Chelsea before giving the tag to B-Fab. She continues attacking the Canadian. Michin receives the tag again to keep hurting Green. Michin kicks Chelsea's face before taking her to their corner. Michin and B-Fab take turns kicking Green. B-Fab finishes her off with a powerslam. 1..2..NO.
Chelsea surprises B-Fab with a jawbreaker, but her opponent refuses to release her. Green then applies an enzuigiri. Both women lie on the mat. Chelsea and B-Fab crawl to their respective corners to tag their partners. Tiffany enters with full force to take care of both opponents at the same time. Stratton executes an Alabama Slam on Michin before finishing her off with a Swanton Bomb. 1..2..NO.
B-Fab pulls Tiffany out of the ring with the intention of throwing her against the metal stairs, but the United States Champion doesn't allow it. Meanwhile, Chelsea seeks height in one of the corners. Jade takes advantage when the referee isn't looking to surprise Stratton, whom she finally throws against the metal stairs. Michin climbs the corner to exchange attacks with Green.
Chelsea knocks Michin down on the mat with a headbutt before executing a Missile Dropkick. B-Fab receives the tag. Green dodges a punch from B-Fab to catch her. Chelsea prepares to execute her Unprettier, but Michin prevents it with a superkick. Michin and B-Fab join forces to execute their combined finisher on the Canadian. B-Fab covers her. 1..2..3.
Winners: Michin and B-Fab
Charlotte Flair interrupts Cargill and her partners' celebration. The three women prepare for the arrival of "The Queen". However, Stratton and Green remove B-Fab and Michin from the ring to start a fight. Flair continues advancing towards the ring, where Jade awaits her. Charlotte enters the ring, where she doesn't wait long to throw a punch. A fight breaks out between both women. Flair surprises "The Storm" with a big boot, causing her enemy to end up at ringside. Charlotte poses in the center of the ring as Cargill retreats backstage.
Fraxiom (Axiom and Nathan Frazer) converse with Rey Fenix backstage when Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh appear on the scene. Axiom asks them what they are doing on SmackDown. McDonagh reminds him that The Judgment Day does as it pleases. However, tonight they are on the blue brand to find Danhausen. That said, he asks them if they have seen him. "No, we haven't seen him," Fenix quickly responds. "How would you know if you've been hiding in Mexico," says Dominik. The masked man makes it clear that he was training. But now he's back, and ready to fight. "Fortunately for you, The Judgment Day has been accumulating titles lately. And that Cruiserweight title would look very good on my boy, JD McDonagh," says Mysterio. "If the big head wants a shot at my Cruiserweight Title, he can have it," responds the Mexican. JD faces off with Fenix to indicate that he will talk to Adam Pearce to make that match happen. Dominik and McDonagh leave the scene to end the segment.
Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga carry out a promo backstage. In it, Tama points out that they had forgotten who they really are. Leaving Solo Sikoa was the right decision. Talla adds that they were so busy fighting their battles that they ended up losing sight of their main goal: winning gold. "From now on, we will put our family first," says Talla. Haku appears on the scene. "These are the sons I need. Don't forget who you are. You are Haku's sons! You Tongan sons of b*tches! Now go and make them fear you again!", exclaims the legend. Tama and Talla leave to end the segment.
Match for the WWE and AAA Tag Team Championships (winners take all)
Damian Priest and R-Truth (WWE) vs. The War Raiders (Ivar and Erik) (AAA)
Damian and Erik start the match with an exchange of punches. Priest teams up with R-Truth to take down Erik. The action moves to ringside. Erik knocks out R-Truth with a knee strike. Damian dives onto the AAA champions, but they stop him in mid-air. The War Raiders throw the Puerto Rican against the audience barrier. Erik assists his partner in executing two consecutive crossbodies on their two opponents directly against the barrier.
Ivar takes R-Truth back into the ring. Ivar corners his opponent in one of the corners to unleash a flurry of elbows. The War Raiders join forces to rain down punches on R-Truth. He tries to recover, but Erik knocks him down with a shoulder tackle. 1..2..NO. Erik traps R-Truth in a headlock, preventing him from reaching his corner. Finally, R-Truth gets rid of his rivals to tag Damian.
Priest unleashes a flurry of punches on Ivar. Erik joins his partner but also ends up falling into the Puerto Rican's clutches. He gets rid of Erik before applying a Flatliner on Ivar. 1..2..NO. Priest kicks Ivar on the top turnbuckle before throwing him to the mat. Erik tries to attack Damian, but ends up becoming his victim. Priest gains momentum on the ropes to execute a clothesline, but Erik prevents it by tossing him in the air so Ivar can apply a powerslam. 1..2..NO. R-Truth interrupts the count.
Furious, Ivar and Erik take R-Truth to one of the corners to hit him. The referee approaches them to order them to release the WWE champion, but ends up being pushed against the ropes. Damian comes to his partner's aid. The referee approaches again to restore order, but is pushed once more, this time by the Puerto Rican. The official then decides to end the match.
Match ends in a draw
The action doesn't stop. The four men continue entangled in a fight while exchanging blows in the audience area. R-Truth seeks some height to dive onto Damian, Ivar, and Erik. Priest delivers a double clothesline on The War Raiders, causing them to fall over the barrier. Thus, the action returns to the ringside area. At that moment...
Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga burst onto the scene to attack the WWE and AAA champions!
Talla surprises Ivar with a big boot. Meanwhile, Tama executes a forearm on Erik. Talla stops an attack from R-Truth to throw him against one of the ring posts. Meanwhile, Tama applies another forearm, this time on Damian. Talla takes Erik into the ring, where she finishes him off with a Cut Throat. Talla then takes Damian to finish him off with a chokeslam. Tama and Talla raise the four belts in the center of the ring with Haku posing in the middle. Thus, we reach the end of this segment.
Cathy Kelley interviews CM Punk backstage. "The Best in the World" points out that both he and Cody Rhodes have been avoiding facing each other for too long. Now that they will finally face off in a one-on-one for the WWE Undisputed Championship, perhaps they shouldn't see each other as friends. At least, that's what he will do. Once the bell rings, there will be no friendship in the ring. Just a title they will both fight for. A smiling Trick Williams appears on the scene to point out that CM Punk should be happy that he didn't win last week. But it doesn't matter, because he knows that, sooner or later, he will have a chance to face him. So he can become a double champion. CM Punk also regrets that Williams didn't win last week, as he needs new faces to face. "When you win a match to determine the number one contender, when you can finally breathe that strange air at the top of the mountain, I'm going to kick your ass (whoop that Trick)", says CM Punk before leaving.
Nick Aldis stars in a promotional video. Sitting in a chair in the locker room, Aldis makes it clear that it has been an honor and a privilege to be the General Manager of SmackDown. However, his dream has always been to be a wrestler. And he was before coming to WWE. He won championships, competed in numerous companies around the world, and faced legends. But then Gunther got his hands on him. The Austrian pushed him to the limit, leaving him with only one option: to put on his boots and fight. "Man to man, like a man," he says to end his promo.
Trick Williams makes his entrance in the ring. "Whoop that Trick!" chant the fans to welcome him. The United States Champion wants to get straight to the point. Trick recalls that Baron Corbin hasn't stopped provoking him since he returned to WWE, and he won't let him keep attacking him from behind. After repeatedly mocking his baldness, Williams challenges him to meet him in the ring and settle their issues here and now.
Baron Corbin appears on the entrance ramp
Corbin says he has learned a lot during his time away from the company. One of the most valuable lessons has been patience. Baron claims that Williams thinks he's more important than he really is. And that's exactly why he'll fall. Corbin promises that at SummerSlam he will leave him gasping for air. So much so that he'll end up panicking. And when that happens, he'll choke him out with his own arms. Trick tells him to shut up.
Williams wants to know what Baron is really after. Is he just here to cash a big paycheck so he can buy a better house in Barcelona? Because the only thing he'll be getting at SummerSlam is a beating. That said, he insists on settling this right here, right now, in front of the Green Bay crowd. Baron steps onto the apron, teasing that he's about to enter the ring. "Well, that's not going to happen, Trick," Baron says. "I don't care what any of you want," he adds while pointing toward the stands. "I don't care what you want either, because you're a dumb rookie who doesn't understand." Trick tries to attack him, but Corbin quickly retreats to ringside. "That's the lesson, Trick. Patience. Now I want you to look me straight in the eyes. I want you to understand something. This Sunday, I'm taking that title from you, and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it." Baron then heads back toward the backstage area. Trick grabs the microphone once more. "You're not leaving with the title on Sunday. Instead, it'll be 35,000 people chanting the same thing together. Wisconsin, tell him what we're gonna do!" he shouts. "Whoop That Trick!" the fans respond as the champion's entrance music echoes throughout the arena. Williams poses on one of the turnbuckles as the segment comes to an end.
We see a promotional video for the Hell in a Cell Match set to take place at SummerSlam.
AAA Cruiserweight Championship Match
Rey Fenix (c) vs. JD McDonagh (w/ Dominik Mysterio)
McDonagh kicks Fenix in the stomach as the two test each other's strength. Rey takes his opponent down with a Monkey Flip. Fenix uses the ropes to catch the Irishman off guard with a quick burst of offense. JD attempts a standing moonsault, but the champion avoids it. McDonagh rolls out to ringside to catch his breath. Meanwhile, Dominik distracts the masked star, allowing his partner to attack him from behind.
The action continues. Rey kicks McDonagh out of the ring. Fenix looks to dive onto the Irishman, but JD steps out of the way. McDonagh knocks the champion off the apron. Now it's McDonagh who connects with an Asai Moonsault. JD continues punishing Rey at ringside. Mysterio lands a right hand on the champion while McDonagh distracts the referee.
Rey gets back inside the ring, only for JD to catch him with a headbutt. McDonagh follows up with a Snap Suplex. Fenix surprises JD with an armdrag before hitting a legdrop. Rey dives off the top rope, but his opponent meets him with a dropkick. 1..2..NO. JD uses the ropes to choke Rey. The referee is forced to intervene. Mysterio takes advantage by landing another punch on the champion, allowing McDonagh to trap him in a painful submission hold.
Rey throws several punches to break free. Fenix continues his comeback, dropping his opponent with a Death Valley Driver. 1..2..NO. JD crawls toward the apron, forcing the masked wrestler to go after him. The two exchange strikes in the middle of the ring. Rey catches McDonagh with a handspring cutter. JD answers with a standing Spanish Fly. 1..2..NO.
Fenix lands a rebound spinning heel kick on JD before climbing to the top turnbuckle. Mysterio jumps onto the apron to create a distraction, allowing JD to shake the ropes and send Fenix off balance. Fed up with the interference, the referee ejects the AAA Mega Champion from ringside. Dom argues with the official, but ultimately has no choice but to leave.
Danhausen appears on the entrance ramp intending to curse Mysterio, but Dominik knocks him out before he can do it. Mysterio turns his back on his rival to mock him. Suddenly, three Minihausens swarm him. Danhausen holds Dominik in place while his companions unload on him. Mysterio flees backstage with Danhausen and the Minihausens hot on his heels. McDonagh has no idea what's happening. Rey catches the Irishman with a Tightrope P.K. before driving both knees into him in the corner. He then finishes him off with a Mexican Muscle Buster. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL AAA Cruiserweight Champion: Rey Fenix
We see a promotional video for the SummerSlam match between Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.
Qualifier for the WWE Women's Interim Championship Ladder Match
Lash Legend vs. Giulia
Giulia avoids a big boot from Legend before firing back with a series of stiff kicks. Giulia traps Legend in an Octopus Hold. Lash reaches the ropes and uses them as a weapon against "The Beautiful Madness," weakening her enough to slam her down onto the mat. Legend manages to escape the submission. Giulia keeps up the pressure with a running knee strike. 1..2..NO. The Italian-Japanese star catches Lash in a Guillotine Choke. Legend headbutts her opponent to knock her loopy before connecting with a Lash Extension. 1..2..3.
Winner: Lash Legend
Cody Rhodes makes his entrance. CM Punk interrupts him and heads straight to the ring. "The Best in the World" asks Rhodes how it feels to have his entrance music cut off like that. Cody reminds CM Punk that he knows him very well, including all of his mind games. Rhodes points out that Punk should have known their paths would cross the moment he accepted the title opportunity that fell into his lap in Chicago.
CM Punk says he knew exactly what would happen. He knew it would upset a lot of people, including Sami Zayn. But was he supposed to turn down that opportunity? CM Punk says he knew he would rub people the wrong way the very moment he accepted that title shot. That's what he's done his entire career. As for the two of them, Punk makes it clear that tomorrow's match won't be about friendship. Tomorrow is about finding out who the better man is. It's strictly business.
Cody addresses the fans. "Green Bay, Wisconsin, what do you want to talk about?" he asks. "CM Punk! CM Punk!" the fans chant. Rhodes turns back to the champion and says this isn't business. It's personal—not just for the two of them, but for everyone. Cody explains that holding the Undisputed WWE Championship makes its owner the best in the world. "That means this is the crown. You walk around here like the king," he says. "And correct me if I'm wrong. You're the one who said you're not here to make friends. You're here to make money."
CM Punk admits those were his words. However, he never intended to lose the friends he already had. "But if it comes down to losing a friend or losing a title, tomorrow won't be your night, buddy," says "The Best in the World." Cody says Punk keeps talking about tomorrow, but what about tonight? "You've made it clear what you're willing to do TOMORROW night at SummerSlam. And I've already asked Green Bay what they want to talk about. Maybe I should ask you what you want to do about it TONIGHT," Cody says. CM Punk tosses his microphone aside before removing the championship and dropping it in front of Rhodes. He then takes off his jacket and raises his fists, ready to fight. Cody follows suit, dropping his microphone before taking off his jacket and throwing it into the crowd. CM Punk dares Rhodes to hit him square in the jaw.
Cody gets face-to-face with CM Punk before throwing the first punch, igniting a brawl. The fight quickly spills out to ringside. Cody clears off the announce table, only for his rival to throw him over it. CM Punk poses on top of the table. Cody recovers and knocks him down. Punk returns the favor moments later. Dozens of officials rush out to separate them, but to no avail. CM Punk and Rhodes continue exchanging blows on top of the announce table. The officials repeatedly intervene, but the two rivals keep breaking free to go after each other again. This week's show comes to an end with the officials unable to restore order amid the chaos.
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