Tonight we will once again enjoy a new live broadcast of WWE SmackDown, which this time will be live from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The show will feature several attractions, highlighting three title defenses, two of them with the United States Championships at stake.
In addition, Damian Priest and R-Truth will defend the WWE Tag Team Titles against War Raiders and MFT in a triple threat match. On the other hand, we will have the continuation of the rivalries between Cody Rhodes/Randy Orton and CM Punk/Kevin Owens. 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 the arrival of some of tonight's protagonists at the venue: CM Punk, Kevin Owens, Baron Corbin, Carmelo Hayes, Tiffany Stratton, and Fatal Influence in full.
Nick Aldis is in charge of opening tonight's show. The General Manager confirms Chelsea Green's injury (who suffered an orbital bone fracture in last week's show) before giving her the floor. The WWE Interim Champion heads to the ring. We see the bruises on her face. "Chelsea! Chelsea!" chant the fans. Aldis is fully aware of how hard the Canadian has worked to get to where she is. However, after speaking with the medical team, he has been informed that Green does not have medical clearance to compete. That's why she must... Chelsea asks him not to finish the sentence. Green knows what he's about to say, and hopes he doesn't. Nick regrets this part of his job, but at this point he has no choice but to ask her to vacate her title. "No, no, no!" chant the fans.
Green knew this would eventually happen. She knew it the moment she unhooked the championship at SummerSlam. And it's because every major achievement in her career comes with a setback. "That's my story, right? That's Chelsea Green. The comic relief. The perfect opponent for the rest of the girls. Never the champion. Never the quarterback", says the Canadian. "You deserve it!" chant the fans to cheer her on. "You know how much I've sacrificed to be here. I've missed weddings. I've missed funerals. I've had broken bones. I've left all my blood, sweat, and tears in this ring. I've had my face smashed into birthday cakes and pies. I've been thrown into trash containers. I've had the whole world laughing in my face, Nick. And every night, when I went to bed, I told myself that all that was worth it, because this moment would come. And now here we are. I did it!", she exclaims. "You should understand, especially after SummerSlam," she adds. Aldis points out that it's not the same. "It's exactly the same!" Green responds. "You went out there and everyone applauded you, with your wife and son in this ring. And then I went out there. And together we showed that it doesn't matter what others think of us. What matters is what we think of ourselves. You were a champion. Your wife was a champion. This is mine until someone takes it from me," says Chelsea. "Yes! Yes! Yes!" chant the fans. "I thought that, of all people, you would be the one who would understand it best", says the Canadian before handing the belt to the General Manager.
Green leaves the ring to head back backstage. "Chelsea, wait!" exclaims Aldis. "As Nick Aldis, General Manager, I believe I am making the right decision. As Nick Aldis, the man, I don't care what the doctors say. I'm going to give you 30 days to get clearance. Put on a face mask. Do what you have to do to defend this championship. As far as I'm concerned, until someone takes it from you, this is yours," says the General Manager. Chelsea returns to the ring to pick up the championship and hug Aldis. The fans respond with a heartfelt ovation.
Gunther interrupts the segment!
Gunther believes it's time to end this tearful story to talk about really important matters for the company. "The Ring General" steps into the ring to ask Aldis why he took a risk at SummerSlam. Nick doesn't think this is the time or place for this, so he suggests they have this conversation in his office. In addition, the Austrian interrupted his conversation with Chelsea. Gunther addresses the Canadian to point out that they had very different roles at SummerSlam. Green climbed some stairs to win a championship. A week later she hit her face against a door frame and now she's here complaining about it. He, on the other hand, competed both days of the event. "One of those nights I made a man surrender in front of his family", says the Austrian to taunt Nick. That said, he directly asks Aldis why he added Kevin Owens to his match. "It's funny, because I didn't add Kevin to your match. I added you to Kevin's match", says the Brit. He reveals that he had been negotiating with Owens for months to bring him to the blue brand. "I did you a favor. You're welcome, by the way. Too bad you weren't able to finish the job", he says.
Chelsea congratulates Nick on his comment. "Chelsea, do me a favor and shut up," says Gunther. "Okay, okay. Go ahead, puff out your chest in front of a woman. Go ahead. Throw your little tantrum. Feed that little fragile male ego. It's really the only thing you have left after SummerSlam, right? I'm looking around this ring and I only see one champion. Oh, that's me," says Green to provoke the Austrian. He approaches the Canadian. Nick tries to calm Gunther, at which point Matt Cardona bursts onto the scene. Cardona stands in front of "The Ring General," warning him that he'll have problems if he keeps disrespecting his wife. "There's nothing you can do to me. I can dedicate all the insults in the world to your girl in front of you and there's nothing you can do to me," says the Austrian. Green tries to calm Matt, pointing out that it's not worth confronting the European. Finally, Chelsea convinces Cardona to return backstage. "Hey, look at that! A dog obeying his mistress," says Gunther. Furious, Matt lunges at "The Ring General" to unleash a flurry of punches. The European flees to ringside. Several officials rush into the ring to calm Cardona. "Nick, do something about it!" exclaims Gunther as the segment comes to an end.
Matt Cardona (with Chelsea Green) vs. Gunther
We return from commercial to see Gunther knocking down Cardona time and time again. Matt dodges a chop from his opponent to respond with a flurry of punches in one of the corners. Gunther leaves the ring to avoid a Broski Boot, but he can't avoid a Rope Dropkick. Gunther surprises Matt by hitting him along the audience barrier. The Austrian performs a powerbomb on the commentator's table. After that, he repeats the move on the apron.
Gunther returns to the ring, where he awaits victory by count-out. Encouraged by Chelsea, Matt returns to the ring, where he is knocked down with a clothesline. Gunther performs a Saito Suplex on his opponent. Gunther faces off with Green, who is on the apron. The referee approaches the Canadian to ask her to return to ringside, a moment that Cardona takes advantage of to surprise his rival with a low blow. Matt finishes him off with a Rough Ryder. 1..2..NO. Cardona prepares to repeat his finisher, but Gunther reverses it into a powerbomb. Gunther performs a second powerbomb, followed by a Boston Crab. Matt has no choice but to submit. 1..2..3.
Winner by submission: Gunther
Chelsea tends to her husband when "The Irresistible Forces" appear on the scene. Microphone in hand, Nia Jax taunts Green for her unfortunate injury. Jax and Lash Legend head to the ring. Nia recalls that she couldn't compete at SummerSlam because she was played several times. "They left me out of SummerSlam. And you know what I want", says Jax as she climbs onto the apron. "Chelsea, if you don't give me what I want... well, let's just say I have a reputation for breaking jaws around here." The Irresistible Forces approach Green in a threatening manner.
It's Tiffy Time!
Tiffany Stratton bursts onto the scene to attack Jax and Legend, thus protecting her friend. Lash stops the offensive of the United States Champion, who is caught in a Bear Hug. Nia crushes Stratton while she is still trapped in Legend's arms. Jax applies a headbutt to Tiffany for Legend to finish her off with a right hook. Nia concludes the assault with a leg drop. Two referees enter to stop the attack. Desperate, Chelsea asks the officials to remove the aggressors from the ring. Green tends to her friend while Lash and Nia return backstage.
Charlotte Flair thanks Alexa Bliss for her help last week. Alexa reminds her that it was Tatum Paxley who really helped her. Charlotte acknowledges that it was fine... for one night. However, she just wants to have a better friend, and that's Bliss. She insists on talking about Tatum, a girl she really likes because she reminds her of herself. That's why she knows that Charlotte will end up liking her too. Alexa opens a door, revealing that it's Paxley's "dressing room." A small room (probably a maintenance room) dimly lit, adorned with several photos of Charlotte and Alexa. Paxley welcomes them to her dressing room. She's been preparing it all day and now wants to show it to both of them. Alexa cautiously enters the room, encouraging Charlotte to follow her. "A collage," says Flair as she looks at the photos. "What do you think?" asks Bliss. "This is why I prefer to have my own dressing room," whispers "The Queen" as the door closes behind them. And so we reach the end of this brief segment.
We see a video recap of the rivalry between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.
Cody Rhodes approaches Nick Aldis backstage to ask for a match against Randy Orton. The General Manager suggests doing it at Saturday Night's Main Event. Rhodes agrees, pointing out that he doesn't care where or when it takes place, as long as he can put an end to this story once and for all. "The American Nightmare" is about to leave when he comes face to face with Sami Zayn. Once again, the Canadian confronts the General Manager for granting Cody everything he wants. Meanwhile, he has to earn a rematch for his WWE Undisputed Championship, which ended up turning into a fatal four-way match. "I have to fight with a broken hand, but Cody wants a shot at the WWE Championship, and all he has to say is 'when,' right?" says Sami.
Furious, Rhodes confronts the Canadian, making it clear that he has changed a lot. So much so that he no longer seems like the same man he once called a friend. Cody also makes it clear that he owes nothing to anyone, especially not to Zayn. Finally, he challenges him to do something about it. "Cody, let me remind you that the last time we shared the ring, I did something that no one else has been able to do there. Not Drew McIntyre. Not CM Punk. Not Roman Reigns. Not Brock Lesnar. I beat you in the center of that ring cleanly and flawlessly, no nonsense. I covered you. 1.2.3. And I did it for the WWE Championship, by the way," says Sami. "Do you think you can do it again?" asks Rhodes before challenging him to a match later that night. Cody leaves the place. Zayn indicates to Aldis that he can't compete, as he has a broken hand. Nick tries to convince him by adding a stipulation to the match: if the Canadian beats Rhodes, he will receive a shot at the WWE Undisputed Championship against CM Punk or Kevin Owens. The Canadian insists that he is not in a condition to fight. "Can't or won't?" asks Aldis. He reminds Sami that he was already injured at SummerSlam, but still chose to compete. So tonight he will have the opportunity to make a new choice. The General Manager returns to his office, where he will await Zayn's response.
United States Championship Match
Baron Corbin (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes
Hayes charges at the champion as he makes his entrance. Melo takes him into the ring, where he applies a dropkick. Meanwhile, the referee rings the bell. The challenger continues to attack Corbin, who he knocks down with a springboard clothesline. Carmelo crushes Baron in one of the corners. Corbin tries to counterattack, but Hayes pushes him out of the ring.
Baron prepares to return, but his opponent kicks him. Corbin is supported on the second rope. Hayes gains momentum on the ropes to perform a springboard back legdrop. Baron blocks a facebreaker to respond with a powerbomb. Corbin executes a big boot. Hayes falls to ringside. Baron goes after Carmelo. He applies several chops to the champion, who responds by throwing him against the metal steps. The fans boo "The Lone Wolf." He brings his opponent back into the ring. Baron punishes Hayes in one of the corners. "Come on, Melo!" chant the fans. Carmelo tries to counter, but a new clothesline sends him back to the mat. Carmelo escapes from Baron's clutches to unleash a counterattack. Hayes performs a springboard DDT. 1..2..NO. Carmelo seeks height to execute a frog splash. 1..2..NO.
Baron blocks a facebreaker to respond with a big boot. Melo reverses a powerbomb into a roll-up. 1..2..NO. Carmelo charges at the champion, who receives him with a Deep Six. 1..2..NO. Hayes blocks an End of Days to execute two consecutive facebreakers. Melo seeks height, at which point Corbin pushes him to ringside. Carmelo lands against the audience barrier. Baron brings him back into the ring to finish him off - now - with the End of Days. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL United States Champion: Baron Corbin
Trick Williams appears on the entrance ramp, interrupting Corbin's celebration. He distracts the champion, and Lil Yachty appears behind him to hit him with a kendo stick. However, Baron barely flinches. Corbin tries to catch the rapper, but he manages to escape to ringside. Williams storms into the ring to surprise Corbin with a Trick Shot. Baron picks up his belt to take refuge at ringside. Williams and Yachty approach the ropes to confront him. And so we reach the end of this segment.
Chelsea Green approaches Tiffany Stratton to thank her for her help tonight. However, the last thing she wants is for her to suffer any kind of injury before her title match. "I wasn't going to leave you out there alone. Besides, I'm fine. Everything's fine, and I'll compete tonight," says Stratton. "Wait, are you sure?" insists a concerned Green. "Yes," responds the United States Champion before leaving.
Kevin Owens makes his way to the ring. The Canadian grabs a microphone, at which point CM Punk appears on the scene. Owens takes a seat on one of the turnbuckles to wait for the Undisputed WWE Champion. CM Punk enjoys the crowd's chants before addressing Kevin. CM Punk knows Owens isn't a coward and that he was about to talk about him. That's why he invites him to go ahead with his promo. Kevin remains seated on the turnbuckle. The Canadian recalls that they had a face-off last week. However, CM Punk chose to wait until later to call him a "fat slob". An insult that, moreover, ended up being caught on camera. "You think I wouldn't have said it to your face?" asks "The Best in the World". Owens gets down from the turnbuckle.
Kevin knows he would have. This leads him to recall an incident they both experienced twenty years ago, when they worked for the same promotion on the independent scene. CM Punk was the number one guy there. He, on the other hand, was just trying to make a name for himself. But one night CM Punk insulted him, humiliated him, and yelled at him in front of all his friends. CM Punk asks if he still holds a grudge against him for that. The Canadian replies that this is just one of the reasons he doesn't like him. Owens points out that over the past two decades, CM Punk has treated many of his friends very badly. "The Best in the World" asks him to be more specific. "Trust me. Every friend I've ever had in this business hates you because they see you for exactly who you are", says Kevin. "Being hated by losers is the price I have to pay for not being one of them", CM Punk replies. "This is another perfect example of why I can't stand you," says KO.
Owens recalls how CM Punk repaired all the damage from his past in order to return to WWE and make amends with everyone. However, there is one man in the locker room who still hates him, and that's him. "The Best in the World" appears to ignore the Canadian, who quickly gets in his face and demands that he look at him when he's talking to him. "You're a fraud. The only reason you came back and did the right thing was because you had no other choice. Because the kind of person you are has led you to screw things up everywhere you've gone. You had no other choice, and I don't respect people like you", says Kevin. He takes pride in having succeeded in every company he has worked for, including WWE over the past twelve years. Among his accomplishments are becoming Universal Champion and competing against "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in the main event of WrestleMania, one of CM Punk's biggest wishes, which he will never get to fulfill. "The Best in the World" congratulates him for it. In fact, he assures him that he was very happy for him that night. And he still is now. However, does Kevin really think he would have had all those opportunities if he had been in WWE? Owens asks him to tell him to his face what he really thinks of him. "What am I? A fat slob on the wrong side of the guardrail? Tell me to my face," Owens exclaims. "Is that what I think of you, or is that what you think of yourself?" asks "The Best in the World".
CM Punk reminds Kevin that he is the current Undisputed WWE Champion and that he shares a locker room with countless men who want what he has. He could call Oba Femi, but all he'd accomplish is getting endometriosis. As for Owens, "The Best in the World" describes him as a tough guy. A man who can also speak two languages fluently (which makes him smarter than he is). However, he also sees a man with wasted potential because he avoids hard work. CM Punk claims that he has evolved. Now he wants to be a better man. He simply needs to be 1% better than the man he was yesterday. And if Owens had done the same, perhaps he would have avoided the spear from Goldberg that ended his last world title reign.
Kevin has no intention whatsoever of being like CM Punk. In fact, he has spent his entire career doing everything he can not to resemble him. The Canadian is convinced that CM Punk hates the man he sees when he looks in the mirror. "Not me. I love who I am. I've always been the same guy. I'm the same person you yelled at twenty years ago. And you know what? This fat loser from the independent circuit is in the same ring as you right now. He's going to face you for the WWE Championship next week. And you know what else? Being like you probably wouldn't have helped me, because after all, you couldn't dodge that spear from Roman Reigns at WrestleMania," says KO.
CM Punk points out that Owens is still the same man he was 20 years ago. Kevin wonders if that bothers him, because he has never cared in the slightest about what "The Best in the World" thought of him, much less wanted him to guide him in this business. Owens admits that he has spent two decades regretting not punching him that night in that locker room. CM Punk tells him to do it now. The champion even crouches down to make it easier for him. "You know why I didn't do it then? Because if I had, I would've ruined my career and that would've been it. You know why I'm not going to do it now? Because I'll do it next week in Toronto. I'm not just going to punch you in the face. I've waited twenty years. I can wait seven more days and beat the living hell out of you to take the WWE Championship from you," says Owens.
"Twenty years ago, you were a rookie who showed up in my locker room thinking you were going to get away with disrespecting me. And you've complained about the consequences for twenty years. You want to wait seven days? Fine by me. You say you've never admired me? Fine by me. Because in Toronto, that's exactly what you'll do when I put your fat ass to sleep," says CM Punk before raising the championship in front of the Canadian. "Cult of Personality" plays throughout the arena. CM Punk leaves the ring and heads back to backstage.
Nick Aldis is talking with Finn Bálor in the General Manager's office when Gunther appears on the scene. The Austrian insists that Aldis needs to correct the mistake he himself created at SummerSlam. Nick points out that the Austrian has interrupted him again. Gunther doesn't understand what he means. Aldis tells him that he is currently in a meeting with Bálor. "I don't see Finn Bálor. Wait. If I look closely, I can see the shadow of what Finn Bálor once was," says Gunther mockingly. The Irishman gets in "The Ring General's" face, pointing out that he is sick and tired of his entitled attitude. Gunther asks what he's going to do about it. Finn tells him that, before they were interrupted, he was about to tell the General Manager that he is willing to do whatever it takes for another opportunity. And if that means going through Gunther, he will be more than happy to do it. Annoyed, the Austrian leaves the room, bringing the segment to an end.
Triple Threat for the WWE Tag Team Championships
R-Truth and Damian Priest (c) vs. War Raiders (Ivar and Erik) vs. MFT (Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga) (w/ Haku)
All six men start a wild brawl that ends with the challengers at ringside. R-Truth assists Damian as he dives onto War Raiders and MFT. Priest brings Ivar back inside the ring. The champions hit a combined attack on Ivar. R-Truth covers him. 1..2..NO. Tama and Erik break up the count. MFT eject all of their opponents from the ring.
Tama brings R-Truth back inside the ring. MFT combine forces against R-Truth. Talla punishes R-Truth against the ropes. Talla gets rid of Priest and Ivar before going back after R-Truth, whom he violently launches into his corner. Tama gets the tag and finishes him off with a sliding clothesline. 1..2..NO. Tama strikes Ivar to send him out of the ring before tagging in Talla, who continues the assault on R-Truth.
R-Truth escapes the Tongans and tags in Priest, who storms into the match. Damian crushes Ivar and Erik into opposite corners. R-Truth gets the tag. The champions prepare to execute a double superplex on Ivar, but Talla stops them with a double chokeslam. Ivar hits Talla with a cannonball. The match descends into chaos. Ivar and Erik hit a War Machine on Tama. 1..2..NO.
Talla appears on the scene to wreak havoc. Ivar and Damian team up against the Tongan giant, hitting him with a combined suplex. R-Truth locks Talla in an STF. Talla tries to get back to his feet, at which point Erik strikes him with a knee strike. Damian returns to rescue his partner. The action spills to ringside, where War Raiders take out Damian, who ends up crashing through the crowd barricade after taking a War Machine.
Tama shoves Erik over the commentary table before returning to the ring, where he hits a Cut Throat on R-Truth. He slips out to avoid the finisher and counters with John Cena's classic combo. R-Truth goes for an Attitude Adjustment on Tama, but Tama hits him with an eye poke to escape. Tama shoves the champion into Erik to prevent him from getting back into the ring. After that, he teams up with Talla to hit a Brother's Keeper on R-Truth. 1..2..3.
Winners and NEW WWE Tag Team Champions: MFT
United States Women's Championship Match
Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jacy Jayne (w/ Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley)
Jacy drives Tiffany into one of the corners, where she unleashes a barrage of attacks. Jayne crushes the champion with a senton before trapping her in a bodyscissors. Unable to escape the hold, Stratton uses her weight to pin Jayne. 1..2..NO. The challenger has to release her opponent to avoid the loss. Tiffany avoids another senton, causing Jacy to crash onto the mat. Stratton trips her opponent into the ropes, where she hits her with a rope hip attack, followed by a dropkick. 1..2..NO.
A clothesline sends Jayne to ringside. Tiffany prepares to dive onto her, but Reid gets up on the apron to distract her. The champion quickly gets rid of Lainey, allowing Jacy to return to the ring and catch her off guard with a backstabber. Jayne punishes the champion in one of the corners, forcing the referee to intervene. Reid takes advantage of the situation to illegally attack Stratton, who also takes a cannonball from the challenger.
Tiffany tries to fight back, but Jacy stops her by sending her into the ropes. Jayne taunts the fans before driving her knees into Stratton's back and trapping her in a headlock reinforced with a bodyscissors. Tiffany gets to her feet and throws herself backward into one of the corners, forcing Jacy to release the hold. Jayne crushes Sratton in the corner before looking for a superplex. However, the champion sends her crashing to the mat. Tiffany prepares to dive onto her opponent, but Jacy gets back to her feet and shoves her toward ringside.
Chelsea Green appears on the scene to help Tiffany. Jayne takes the latter back inside the ring before confronting Green. The action continues with Stratton and Jacy simultaneously taking each other down with a faceplant. Tiffany catches Jane and executes an Alabama Slam. She follows up with a Swanton Bomb. 1..2..NO. Both women struggle with each other. Stratton catches Jayne off guard with a handspring stunner. Tiffany catches the challenger and hits her with a rolling senton. Stratton goes up top to hit a Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Jacy stops her with her knees. 1..2..NO.
Tiffany stops a Rolling Encore with a superkick. She then knocks Jacy out with a knee strike. The champion hits another rolling senton on Jayne before setting up for her Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Fallon gets up on the apron to distract Stratton, but Chelsea knocks her down. Lainey quickly joins Henley. The two approach the Canadian menacingly. At that moment, Tiffany decides to dive onto them to protect her friend. The champion returns to the ring, where Jayne catches her with an emphatic Rolling Encore. 1..2..3.
Winner and NEW United States Women's Champion: JACY JAYNE
Fatal Influence celebrate on the entrance ramp as fireworks go off throughout the arena. "I told you! I told you! Everything is right in the world now," exclaims Jayne as she poses with her new championship.
Cathy Kelley interviews Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab backstage. Cargill doesn't understand why Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss keep interfering in her business. And now they're bringing Tatum Paxley in as backup? Jade doesn't care, as she'll take them all out. B-Fab points out that the only thing Alexa has accomplished is giving them a new victim. "We can't wait to give Tatum a proper welcome to our show," says B-Fab. Jade ends the interview and walks away with her teammates.
Cody Rhodes makes his entrance, ready to face Sami Zayn in tonight's main event. The Canadian soon appears, at which point Randy Orton storms into the ring and attacks "The American Nightmare" from behind. Orton hits a Modified DDT on Cody before attempting to finish him off with an RKO. Rhodes blocks "The Viper's" finisher and looks to respond with a Cross Rhodes, but his enemy attacks him directly in the eyes. Orton throws Cody out of the ring.
The action moves to ringside. Randy smashes Rhodes' head against the steel steps, which he quickly takes apart. Orton uses the steps as a weapon against Cody before propping them up against the commentary table. Randy goes back after Rhodes, but Cody responds by throwing a fan's drink in his face. The fight continues into the crowd area. Cody throws a trash can over Orton's head. He recovers and attacks Rhodes, taking him back to ringside. "The Viper" shoves a WWE crew member so hard that he is left unconscious on the floor.
Randy takes "The American Nightmare" toward the commentary table. Nick Aldis tries to calm Orton down, but Randy refuses to listen. Orton places Cody on the steps before grabbing a steel chair. Randy stands in front of Rhodes, ready to smash him over the head, but his victim reacts just in time by kicking him with a low blow. The tables have turned. Now Cody has the steel chair in his hands, while Orton lies sprawled across the steps. Rhodes prepares to strike him and get his revenge, but Shawn Daivari and Jason Jordan stop him just in time. Jordan and two officials restrain "The American Nightmare" while Aldis tries to calm him down. Cody breaks free from all of them and goes back after Randy, but just as he grabs him, the broadcast comes to an end.
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