Tonight we will once again enjoy a new live broadcast of WWE SmackDown, which this time will be live from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The show will feature several attractions, including a defense of the United States Championship in a Steel Cage Match.
Additionally, the qualifying matches for Money in the Bank will continue with two triple threats. Giulia, Charlotte Flair, and Lash Legend will compete for a spot in the women's Ladder Match, while CM Punk, Gunther, and Finn Bálor will do so on the men's side. As always, we invite you to comment on the post to give your opinion on what happened on the show.
WWE SmackDown begins on Netflix!
We see the arrival of some of tonight's protagonists at the venue: Finn Bálor, Charlotte Flair (accompanied by Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley), The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend), and Giulia.
Steel Cage Match for the United States Championship
Trick Williams (c) (with Lil Yachty) vs. Baron Corbin
Both men observe each other attentively before starting a quick exchange of punches. Trick is the first to knock down his opponent. Williams slaps Baron before kicking him in one of the corners to the rhythm of "Whoop that Trick!". Corbin gets his revenge by throwing Williams against the cage. Baron continues to hit the champion before applying a Death Valley Driver. 1..2..NO.
"The Lone Wolf" throws Trick against the cage again. After that, he delivers several direct punches to the champion's head. The fans boo Corbin. Trick takes advantage of this distraction to surprise him with a roll-up. 1..2..NO. Corbin knocks down his opponent once again before starting to climb the cage with the intention of leaving the structure. However, Williams catches him to apply a Michinoku Driver. 1..2..NO. Baron responds with a suplex. The audience boos him again.
Corbin smashes the champion's face against the cage. Baron unleashes a flurry of clotheslines on Trick. He dodges one of them to respond with a neckbreaker. Williams starts climbing the cage. Baron stops him at the top of the structure. Both exchange attacks while hanging on to one of the metal hooks. Trick unleashes a rain of punches on Baron, who retreats to the ropes. Williams tries to continue his way to the outside of the structure, but Corbin stops him just in time.
Baron holds Trick, whose legs hang over the top of the cage. Corbin prepares the champion, to execute a tremendous superplex! Sore, Baron covers Williams. 1..2..NO. Now it's Trick who turns to cover Corbin. 1..2..NO. Champion and challenger stand up with great difficulty to look for the exit. Corbin prepares to climb the structure. Trick, on the other hand, heads for the door. Baron quickly realizes this. Corbin prevents his rival from escaping before kicking the door, which hits Yachty. Corbin turns around, only to receive the impact of a spinning kick from Trick. 1..2..NO.
Williams executes a Trick Shot, but Corbin stops him with a lariat. Baron finishes off his opponent with a chokeslam. Both men are left lying on the canvas. Corbin crawls towards the door, but Yachty slams it shut, hitting "The Lone Wolf" in the face, avenging himself in the process. Williams finishes off Baron with a Trick Shot. 1..2..NO. Williams can't believe it.
The champion insists on finishing off his opponent with a Trick Shot. Baron dodges it, causing his rival's knee to hit the metal. He then applies a side slam to finish him off with a Deep Six. 1..2..NO. Williams blocks the End of Days to throw Baron against the cage. After that, he executes an uranage. Trick applies a second uranage on his rival. Instead of covering him, Williams decides to execute a third -and final- uranage. 1..2..3.
Winner and STILL United States Champion: Trick Williams
Cathy Kelley interviews Nia Jax and Lash Legend backstage. Kelley reminds Legend that her last ladder match didn't end as she expected. Nia points out that that is already in the past. Lash, on the other hand, acknowledges that their opponents tonight are great wrestlers, but she is not worried at all. "I am Lash Legend, the one and only, so I am not worried at all", she says. Jax assures that her partner is more talented, athletic, dominant, and beautiful than Giulia and Charlotte Flair. Lash thanks her for the comment. So much so that she suggests to her partner to continue the interview. Jax asks her what will happen next. Legend promises that she will win tonight and become Ms. Money in the Bank to bring a world championship to The Irresistible Forces. "That's how it's done, Cathy," says Nia to Kelley. "The Irresistible Forces" leave the place to end the segment.
Nick Aldis approaches CM Punk backstage. After greeting him with a handshake, the General Manager asks "The Best in the World" if he has a moment to discuss a matter with him in his office. CM Punk asks if he's in trouble. Aldis replies that he's not. Relieved, CM Punk accepts the British man's request. Both head towards the latter's office to end this brief segment.
It is announced that WWE x AAA Worlds Collide will air on Wednesday, September 30 on YouTube.
CM Punk and Nick Aldis enter the latter's office. There they find Kevin Owens, comfortably reclined on a sofa. Owens and CM Punk are surprised to see each other. Aldis informs CM Punk that he has already spoken with the Canadian, and he will tell him exactly the same. Nick asks both men to behave like professionals, hoping that the chaos they leave behind will end once and for all. "I hope I only have to say this once. I want to make this very clear," says Nick. "No, I understand. He has nothing I want. If he stays out of my way, I will gladly step aside from his orbit," says CM Punk. Nick asks Owens. He just looks at CM Punk in silence. After a few seconds, the Canadian leaves the place, hitting "The Best in the World's" shoulder as he passes by. Aldis and CM Punk look at each other in silence as the segment comes to an end.
We see a clip recorded off-camera after the interview that Michael Cole conducted with Cody Rhodes last week. As they shook hands, Cody whispered something in the commentator's ear. "When it happens again, I'm going to kick his damn head," he said in relation to his question about Randy Orton.
Next, we see a video recorded just before the show, when Michael Cole and Corey Graves were already at the commentary table. Randy Orton approached Cole to demand the same treatment he gave Rhodes last week. That's why he ordered him to interview him tonight. Scared, Michael complied with his wish.
We see a pained Giulia walking backstage. Blake Monroe approaches her. "Oh, is someone sad because they lost? I guess there's no Money in the Bank for you. Maybe it's time for you to go back to where you came from. The darkness. Goodbye," says "The Glamour." Furious, Giulia slaps him across the face with a tremendous slap. The Italian-Japanese continues to attack Monroe. Two referees manage to restrain "The Beautiful Madness." Blake takes advantage to slap her back. A furious Nick Aldis appears on the scene to restore order. The SmackDown General Manager makes it clear that he will not allow these attacks to continue week after week. That's why he schedules a one-on-one match between both women for the next episode of the brand. And this time the fight will take place, yes or yes. "Okay," says Giulia. "See you next week," she adds as she looks at Blake. "The Beautiful Madness" leaves to end the segment.
Michael Cole meets Randy Orton backstage. Both men are sitting facing each other. Orton expects Cole to start the interview, but the commentator remains silent. Randy suggests to Michael to remind him of what Cody Rhodes told him in his interview last week, specifically when the cameras stopped rolling. "He said he was going to kick your head," Cole replies. Orton asks him if he knows why he said it only when the interview had ended. "I'm not sure," Michael replies. Randy knows. Orton points out that Rhodes waited until that moment because he wants everyone to continue believing that he is a "committed" person, as he described himself last week.
Randy recalls Cody's beginnings in WWE, his career outside the company, and his return to it. Throughout all this time, Rhodes has changed. He, on the other hand, has never changed. He has always been "Randy Orton." And he always will be himself. "The Viper" acknowledges that he has done horrible things to achieve his goals, and those consist of winning championships. He has done it before and will continue to do so. Cody, on the other hand, needs to change again. Otherwise, he won't be able to move forward. But changing would mean losing his image as a "committed" person. That's why he's sure he won't be able to fulfill his threat. In any case, Randy asks Cole if he thinks he can kick him in the head. Michael doesn't think he's the right person to answer that question. Furious, Randy stands up to face the commentator, knowing that he is a close friend of Rhodes. "Do you think Cody has the ability to kick my damn head or not!? YES or NO!?", he shouts. "No," a scared Cole replies. "No. And I think you hit the nail on the head. I think you're absolutely right. Cole, the interview is over. Have a good rest of the show," says a calm Randy as he pats Michael's arm. "The Viper" leaves the place, allowing Cole to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Cathy Kelley interviews Sami Zayn backstage. Kelley asks Sami about Randy Orton's statements, who continues to plan to win his fifteenth world championship. Zayn is aware of this. He knows perfectly well that everyone wants his title. There are too many people who don't want to see him as WWE Champion, including Nick Aldis, who has not stopped putting obstacles in his way to prevent him from holding the championship. However, nothing he does can break him because, after all, he is the only man who does things the right way. Meanwhile, the rest of the talents who want to snatch the championship from him do it for the wrong reasons.
Finn Bálor interrupts the interview. "You've got it all wrong, Sami. The reason we're all going after you is because you decided to mess with us. You decided to mess with all of us on your way to the top, and now it's coming back to haunt you. So I'm here to tell you that I'm coming for you. And I don't care if I don't win the Money in the Bank briefcase. I'm coming for you and I'm coming for that title. And then we'll all see what justice really is," says the Irishman before leaving.
Zayn regains his spirits after seeing Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. The Canadian points out that they have a problem to worry about. Gargano, however, asks him when he will have the title opportunity he promised him. "Okay, you too?!" exclaims the champion. He calms down to explain something to Johnny. Sami assures him that no one deserves a chance more than him. That's why he went to talk to Nick Aldis about it. However, the General Manager flatly refused to schedule that match. However, he didn't leave his office empty-handed, as he has secured both him and Candice a qualifying match for Money in the Bank. Johnny asks if that's the way he can have his title match. Sami replies yes. One more week, Zayn asks if he will support him to the end. Johnny looks at his wife, who seems somewhat upset. Gargano smiles. "To the end," Gargano replies. The answer puts a smile on Sami's face, who can finally breathe easy. Johnny and Candice leave to end the segment.
Tag Team Match
Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid) vs. Chelsea Green, Tiffany Stratton, and Paige
Paige and Fallon start the match. Henley grabs Paige by the hair to take her to one of the corners. The referee orders the tag team champion to release the Brit. She gets her revenge with a tremendous slap. Paige continues to hit Henley, who gives way to Lainey. Paige, Chelsea, and Tiffany take turns punishing Reid in the ropes.
The action continues. Reid blocks a Alabama Slam from Stratton, but can't avoid a dropkick. 1..2..NO. Tiffany prepares to apply a handspring, at which point Henley grabs her arms to pull her out of the ring. Jayne hits her with a superkick. The heels return Tiffany to the ring for Reid to cover her. 1..2..NO. Fatal Influence takes turns punishing Stratton. Lainey taunts Chelsea. Tiffany takes advantage to surprise her opponent with a roll-up. 1..2..NO. Lainey gets her revenge with a rain of punches.
Jacy receives the tag to knock down Stratton, whom she crushes with a senton. Jayne catches Tiffany in a bodyscissors. Stratton frees herself, only to be knocked down with a flying back elbow. Lainey and Fallon team up against Stratton. Henley knocks down Tiffany so that Reid can finish her off with a spinning neckbreaker. 1..2..NO. Fallon receives the tag to continue the punishment. Henley and Stratton exchange blows. Tiffany tries to attack Henley, but she surprises her with a punch. Chelsea gets her revenge by slapping Fallon, who is expelled from the ring. Reid charges against the champion, only to be thrown out of the ring.
Fallon grabs Green by the legs to pull her out of the ring. Henley and Lainey approach, threatening the Canadian, at which point Stratton falls on them with a diving crossbody. Tiffany and Chelsea celebrate. Their happiness lasts very little, as Jacy jumps on both with a corner cannonball. Paige prepares to jump on Jayne, but Nikki Bella appears out of nowhere to grab her legs and make her stumble. Jacy takes advantage to knock out Paige with a Rolling Encore. 1..2..3.
Winners: Fatal Influence
Jacy and Nikki blow kisses with broad smiles on their faces. Fatal Influence retreats backstage while Paige, Green, and Stratton watch Bella leave through the stands.
We see a video recorded this week at the Performance Center. In it, R-Truth pointed out that Damian Priest found the worst way to make the change he so desired. In fact, he could have talked to him about it and done it together. Suddenly, the Puerto Rican appeared behind him to surprise him with a clothesline. Damian continued attacking R-Truth until he immobilized him with a chair, which he placed on his neck. Priest sat on it to send a final message to his former partner. "Are you understanding me, *****? Listen to me now! I am The Bad Guy! I don't need you!", he exclaimed in Spanish. "Do you understand? Understand me now, Truth. Being colleagues is over, the jokes are over, this sh*t is over. I should be a champion instead of wasting time with you. Go bother someone else!", he shouted in English before leaving.
Cathy Kelley interviews Gunther backstage. The Austrian describes it as "a disgrace" that a wrestler of his level has to go through a qualifying match to compete in Money in the Bank. However, the one with the most to gain in this match is Finn Bálor, a man who has become a shadow of what he once was. So, tonight we will have the opportunity to find out if the Irishman is still the legend he once was, or just the ghost he sees every week. Suddenly, Danhausen appears alongside "The Ring General". Danhausen fantasizes about both winning the Money in the Bank briefcase together and then splitting the money. Gunther stares him down. Danhausen understands that Gunther doesn't want to share the winnings with him, so he prepares to curse him. "You... Are...", he says before the Austrian grabs him by the throat. "Maybe everyone around here believes your nonsense, but I don't. Stay away from me!", he warns before leaving. Kelley asks Danhausen if he's okay. "No," Danhausen replies with a shaky voice. Danhausen leaves to end the segment.
Cody Rhodes makes his entrance in the ring. The fans greet him with a big ovation. "Well, Indianapolis, what do you want to talk about?" he asks. Rhodes suggests putting aside the topic of his Money in the Bank qualifying match next week to talk about the WWE Undisputed Championship. The one he failed to regain from CM Punk at SummerSlam. If he had succeeded, he would have added his fourth WWE top title. Rhodes makes it clear that the defeat was not due to CM Punk. Not even Randy Orton's interference. But now the title has changed hands, specifically to Sami Zayn. Cody knows he can defeat the Canadian, but also that what he needs to talk about now is Orton.
"The Viper" said tonight that Rhodes has changed several times throughout his career to reach this moment where he is "committed". A position where he can't win. Cody recalls that he has been in similar situations in recent years. His boss (The Rock) ordered him in front of 40,000 people to give him his soul. He was forced to defeat John Cena on his retirement tour. He had to face all the fan-favorite superstars during his first championship reign. "I am the king of unwinnable positions!", he exclaims. "And let's make it clear. Let's make it black and white. The situation... The situation you're going to find yourself in, Randy Orton, is the same one I doubted. But this time, I promise you that I'm going to kick your head off... But I can't promise you'll be the only one," says Rhodes to end his promo.
CM Punk appears on the scene!
CM Punk exchanges looks with Cody on the entrance ramp. Rhodes returns backstage. Meanwhile, CM Punk heads into the ring, where he will compete in the main event of the night.
Triple Threat Qualifying Match for Money in the Bank
Finn Bálor vs. CM Punk vs. Gunther
Gunther charges Finn into one of the corners to unleash a flurry of corner spears. CM Punk stops Gunther, whom he hits with several punches. The Austrian tries to deliver a chop, but his opponent dodges it time and time again. "The Ring General" changes strategy. Gunther takes CM Punk to the ropes area, where he finally manages to hit him with a chop. Finn approaches, only to receive the same punishment as CM Punk.
Bálor and CM Punk decide to team up against the Austrian. CM Punk catches Finn, ready to hit him with a GTS, but Gunther prevents it with a big boot. "The Ring General" traps CM Punk in a Boston Crab. Bálor interrupts the hold. Finn and CM Punk join forces again against Gunther, delivering a combo of Russian Leg Sweep + big boot. Once again, CM Punk tries to surprise Bálor with a GTS, but his opponent escapes his clutches. The Irishman catches CM Punk and Gunther to deliver a double DDT. Both end up at ringside. Finn dives onto his opponents with a twisting tope.
Bálor brings Gunther back into the ring. Finn seeks height on one of the turnbuckles, only to be struck by two chops from the Austrian. He stomps on CM Punk's head on the apron before throwing him into the crowd barrier. Gunther returns to the ring to boos. Gunther knocks down Finn with a clothesline. Gunther goes after CM Punk, but this time it's CM Punk who throws him into the metal steps. Gunther halts CM Punk's offense to throw him into the metal steps.
Gunther returns to the ring to attack Finn in the ropes area. Gunther targets the Irishman's neck with his legs. Gunther goes after CM Punk again to throw him once more into the crowd barrier. Gunther takes Finn to the top of one of the turnbuckles to damage his legs with a painful submission hold. Gunther goes back for CM Punk. He receives several punches. Gunther catches "The Best in the World" and drops him onto the crowd barrier.
Gunther returns for Finn. Both men exchange chops. Bálor surprises the Austrian with a Pelee Kick. CM Punk returns to execute a diving elbowdrop on Gunther. 1..2..NO. CM Punk delivers several running knee strikes on his opponents in opposite corners. After that, he performs a bulldog on Finn while knocking out Gunther with a running knee strike. CM Punk prepares to finish off the latter with a GTS, but the Austrian attacks him directly to the face to prevent it.
Finn and CM Punk team up to apply a full Boston Crab on Gunther. The Austrian tries to crawl to the ropes, but it's impossible for him. Suddenly, Bálor releases Gunther's leg to surprise CM Punk with a roll-up. 1..2..NO. Bálor hits a slingblade on CM Punk. After that, he executes a Shotgun Dropkick, followed by a Coup de Grace. 1..2..NO. Gunther pulls Bálor out of the ring to interrupt the count.
Finn returns to surprise Gunther with a slingblade. CM Punk catches Finn to hit him with a GTS. Immediately, Gunther surprises CM Punk with a Shotgun Dropkick. The Austrian finishes him off with a powerbomb. 1..2..NO. "This is amazing!" chant the fans. CM Punk dodges a clothesline from Gunther, but he can't avoid being caught in a sleeperhold. Gunther reinforces the hold by taking his rival to the mat. Bálor performs a Coup de Grace on Gunther's back to break the hold. CM Punk quickly covers the Austrian before Finn can reach them. 1..2..3.
Winner: CM Punk
CM Punk and Finn Bálor shake hands as a sign of respect to close the show.
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