Der Ring General is going to face the SmackDown General Manager!?

After all the demands, the disrespect, and even the bullying, Gunther will now have to fight Nick Aldis at SummerSlam! But will they even make it there?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Brie Bella w/ Paige VS Lainey Reid w/ The Fatal Influence; Brie wins.
• Interim WWE Women’s Championship Qualifier: Chelsea Green VS Kiana James; Chelsea wins and advances to SummerSlam.
• Interim WWE Women’s Championship Qualifier: Charlotte Flair VS Nia Jax; Charlotte wins, by disqualification, and advances to SummerSlam.
• WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Qualifier Fatal 4 Way: Damian Priest VS Trick Williams VS Royce Keys VS Finn Balor; Finn wins and will face Sami Zayn at SummerSlam.

PLAY BY PLAY

Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis are in the ring.

And given the table and contract folder, we know what this is about to be. We get a quick recap of Saturday Night’s Main Event, and then the SummerSlam Kickoff Show, and the physical confrontation that erupted from it! Triple H made the match, and in the present, Pearce welcomes Oakland, California to the show. Pearce is here to help make official the match between his colleague, Nick Aldis, and Gunther, for SummerSlam. But before anyone puts ink to paper, there are some terms and conditions that need to be made clear. With that, let’s welcome Der Ring General, Gunther! The fans are a bit torn as Gunther indeed makes his entrance.

Surprisingly, Gunther’s not in a suit as he joins Pearce and Aldis in the ring. He and Aldis sit at the table, and Pearce says they’ve both reviewed the document, but Pearce must make it clear. Nick, protocol dictates that as SmackDown GM, Aldis cannot compete as a WWE Superstar. Which means the second Aldis puts his name on this contract, he voluntarily relinquishes his duties as a GM, and Pearce assumes those responsibilities. Furthermore, in this document, there is a Hold Harmless Agreement, which states that Aldis is returning to in-ring competition of his own free will, and that he agrees WWE bares no responsibility for what happens after the bell rings. Is all that crystal clear?

Aldis grabs a mic to say he knows exactly what he’s signing. And let him be crystal clear: He never wanted this> Gunther is the one who brought it to this situation, and like HHH said, every man has his breaking point. Congrats, Gunther, you found Aldis’. Aldis is willing to accept the consequences of his actions. And if that means relinquishing his position as GM, then so be it. Aldis signs, and the transfer of power is official. As for Gunther, he says they drag him out here, and look at them! All dressed up like this is a historic moment! TO be honest, it is for Aldis. Because this match will be the greatest moment of Aldis’ career!

Gunther wants Aldis to understand. All of this is beneath him! He should be focusing on and preparing for a WWE Championship match! And the only reason he’s wasting his time here is because Aldis doesn’t know how to do his job! And if they’re being honest, ever since joining SmackDown, Aldis has had an issue with Gunther. What was the issue? Gunther realized, Aldis is JEALOUS! Gunther knows it, because yes, Aldis is a former NWA World Champion. But let’s be honest, Nick… You never really “made it,” huh? Aldis always dreamed of something bigger, like wrestling for WWE and being a WWE Superstar. It never really happened.

Then there’s Gunther. He walks in, and he has it all! He had the titles, the had the records, and even this watch is half of Aldis’ yearly salary, huh? So Aldis had to ask himself, Why Gunther and not Aldis?” He had to be honest with himself and tell himself that he is just not good enough. The fans boo but Gunther says he’ll help fulfill Aldis’ dream. Here we are! Gunther signs, and Gunther will make Aldis a legend even! Because Aldis will join a list of icons and legends that read as following: Goldberg, AJ Styles, and John Cena, legends all STUPID ENOUGH to get in the ring with Gunther while they were chasing one more moment.

So here you go, Aldis, enjoy it! Gunther will end your WWE career before it even starts! Aldis says yeah, Gunther’s said that before, and he just keeps repeating himself over and over. The funny thing is, if Gunther actually believes any of that, he wouldn’t be saying it over and over. Aldis figured Gunther out. The reason Gunther keeps saying this stuff is because he’s trying to get Aldis to believe it, because Gunther never thought it’d come to this. Gunther thought he’d throw his tantrum, cheap shot Aldis, choke him out, pay a fine, and move on. But it didn’t go that way, did it? When Aldis smacked Gunther in New York City and Triple H made this match, Aldis saw it! Gunther doesn’t want any of this!

And here’s why! Gunther is the one who got himself in a situation he can’t get out of! Gunther is the one who put his career in jeopardy! Talk about Goldberg, Styles, Cena, but mate, Aldis hasn’t had a match in three years! He has nothing to lose. But when Aldis wins, Gunther goes from Career Killer, to the man who got made into a b*tch by his boss! Gunther grabs at Aldis, Aldis DECKS Gunther! The fans fire up as Aldis fires off hands on Gunther! Pearce tries but he can’t separate the two! Gunther shoves Aldis away, but Aldis comes back! Gunther shove Aldis into Pearce, then LOW BLOWS Aldis!

The fans boo, but Gunther hauls Aldis up! POWERBOMB through the table!! Pearce calls for reinforcements but it’s a little too late! Gunther talks trash on Aldis, then he takes his leave. Will Gunther do even worse when these two finally fight it out? Or will Aldis prove he’s still got it?

Cathy Kelley is on standby.

Cathy Kelley is just outside the trainer’s room, and then Sami Zayn hijacks th8ings! Sami says there’s something he needs to get off his chest! At Night of Champions, Sami did something “they” told him he’d never do, and that was win the WWE Championship! Sami did it! He did it! And it became clear to him that the “powers that be,” from Aldis to Pearce, they didn’t want Sami to be champion! Because within days, Sami had to defend the title he’s not even on! And within days, we had a NEW #1 contender, and lo and behold, it was the Golden Boy, Cody Rhodes! Can you imagine that?

And when Cody gets taken out, oh, don’t worry, we have CM Punk! Corporate poster boy number 2! He was just waiting, fresh as a daisy, ready to go! So congrats, you took the title off Sami! Hooray! You’ve got a marquee match-up for SummerSlam: Cody Rhodes VS CM Punk! That looks good on the posters, don’t it?! Aldis VS Gunther gets to be on SummerSlam, but what about Sami?! Sami SLAPS water bottles as he says 18 days ago, he was champion, and he’s gonna ride the bench!? Make it make sense! MAKE IT MAKE SENSE! Then Pearce steps in, and Sami says they gotta do something! They gotta fix this!

Pearce says he’s checking on Aldis, but Sami says no, as far as he’s concerned, Aldis deserves to be in that room! He didn’t just screw Gunther, he screwed Sami! Sami should be in the SummerSlam title match! Pearce asks what Sami wants him to say. Sami got caught in the crosshairs, it didn’t go his way, okay? Sami says YES, that’s what happened! So make it right! The WWE Championship match! Make it a Triple Threat. Punk VS Cody VS Sami. Pearce says no, the match is locked in. Oh, so he can’t just- SAMI, SHUT UP!! Have you even watched the show?! Pearce knows Sami got caught up in it, fine.

But Punk said there’s a list of guys he’d love to face. There’s a planned Fatal 4 Way tonight, Damian Priest VS Trick Williams VS Royce Keys VS Finn Balor. The winner of that will now go on to a #1 contender’s match at SummerSlam, against Sami Zayn. Sami can earn his way back to it. Oh, so, Sami wants to get this right. All they have to do is be mentioned, and they get an opportunity? All Cody had to do is “just say when,” and he gets an opportunity? CM Punk sat his ass at home for three months and he waited for an opportunity to fall out of the sky! But Sami, the former champion, has to earn his way back in!?

Pearce says he’s giving Sami an option. Take it or leave it. Sami seethes, but says fine. He’ll take it. But Pearce, no shenanigans, no surprises, no more funny business. Good? Yes, now Pearce will go check on Aldis. Yeah, give him Sami’s regards. The Last Real Good Guy is seething, but will he make the most of this opportunity? And who will be meeting him in Minneapolis to fight for that opportunity?

Brie Bella w/ Paige VS Lainey Reid w/ The Fatal Influence!

It was just last Saturday that #ScreamMode lost the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, but they’re not even mad because it was a rather savvy move from The Fatal Influence. But now it’s time for a comeback in 1v1 competition. Will it be all about #BrieMode tonight? Or will the Southern Belle show Brie Bella some toxic hospitality?

As Fatal Influence makes their entrance, they have mics, and Lainey has them cut the music, the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions have something to say! Lainey just finds it funny how Saturday Night’s Main Event was supposed to be the most important night of their careers, but it’ll be Paige & Brie who remember that night forever. Fallon says hell, they just got here, and already took out two legends! If she were them, that’d keep her up at night. Jacy Jayne says if only she had gold around her waist, then they’d be the perfect package! But thanks to these two IDIOTS helping Tiffany, Jacy is not even in the title match!

Jacy says that’s fine, because she came up with the perfect solution. Fatal Influnce goes to the ring, and Jacy tells Tiff that the Women’s US Championship will be hers, in due time. As for tonight, just like she did to Paige on Saturday, Lainey will humiliate Brie and finally put her out of her misery once and for all. Then Lainey takes a swing! Brie dodges, DECKS Lainey, and Paige dares the others to bring it. But Lainey trips Brie and drags her out of the ring! Lainey whips, but Brie goes up the steps to then FLYING LARIAT! Brie SMACKS Lainey off the desk, puts her back in the ring, and we finally get a bell!

Brie runs, dodges, and rolls Lainey, TWO! Brie blocks a boot, KNEES Lainey down, then brings her around. Brie bumps Lainey off buckles, stomps and whips, but Lainey reverses. Lainey runs up, Brie puts Lainey on the apron, and Lainey blocks to bump her off buckles! And off more buckles! Then she KICKS Brie back in! Lainey steps in and FLYING CUTTERS! Brie is down, Lainey takes a bow, and says “SUCK IT!” while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Lainey taunts Paige more, goes back to Brie, then throws her down by her hair! Lainey stomps Brie, soaks up heat, then stalks Brie to the corner. Lainey fires body shots, CLUBS Brie, then whips. Lainey arm-drags, runs, and AX HANDLES! Cover, TWO! Brie survives and Lainey argues the count, but Paige coaches Brie up. Lainey ELBOWS Brie in the head, then CHOKES her on the ropes! The ref counts, Lainey backs off at 4, and Brie sputters as she rises up. Lainey brings Brie around, bumps her off buckles, but Brie hits back! And hits again! Brie BOOTS Lainey down, then runs up, but into an UPPERCUT!

Lainey looms over Brie, then HIP DROPS her down! Lainey does a shimmy to taunt Brie, then she stands her up. Brie fires body shots, but Lainey whips her to the corner. Lainey CLUBS Brie down again, then looms over her. Lainey mocks the “Yes! Yes! Yes!” then- NO, Brie blocks the stomp! Brie stands and LARIATS! And LARIATS again! Brie whips, Lainey reverses, but Brie goes up, around, and under to then clinch and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Lainey toughs it out but Brie brings her up. Lainey TRIPS Brie, runs, but Brie avoids the elbow drop! Brie pounds the mat to rally the fans, but Jacy also coaches Lainey up.

Brie rises, fires up, and starts up the YES Kicks as SmackDown returns to single picture. Brie KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! The fans fire up for Brie while Lainey goes to the ropes. Brie Mode, activate! KNEE against the ropes! Cover, TWO! Lainey toughs it out but Brie brings her up. But Lainey RAMS Brie into the corner! Lainey hobbles, runs up, but Brie ELBOWS her away! Then BULLDOGS! The fans cheer as Brie rises and goes to a corner. Brie climbs up, but Fallon rushes in! Brie BOOTS Fallon down, but Lainey GAMANGIRIS! Lainey climbs up after Brie, but Brie fires body shots! Brie GOURD BUSTERS Lainey down!

Jacy gets up, but Paige YANSK her down! The fans cheer, Brie sunset fips, but Lainey sits down! ANd holds ropes! Paige poitns it out, the ref sees it in time! Then Brie sunset flips Lainey! BRIE WINS!

Winner: Brie Bella, by pinfall

Paige gest in the ring to celebrate, but Jacy CLOBBERS Brie & Paige! Fatal Influence beats up on Brie & Paige, but NIKKI BELLA RETURNS! And she SPEARS Jacy! The fans fire up as Nikki fires off on Jacy! Fallon drags her up, but Nikki BOOTS Lainey< ELBOWS Fallon, and Brie THROWS Fallon out! Then Nikki gets Jacy for the RACK ATTACK 2.0! The Bella Army is 100% again, and Nikki says, “So you b*tches think you can sneak up from the minor leagues, steal from my sisters and get away with it? No, no, no, we are the reason why you guys are here! So now it’s time for a wake-up call! Us three will be taking you three on in a Six Woman Tag at SummerSlam!”

The fans love that, but Fatal Influence does not! Will nothing stop these icons from proving they’ve still got it?

Backstage interview with Finn Balor.

Cathy Kelley is now with The Prince and says he has had quite the success since coming to SmackDown. How does he plan on riding that momentum to SummerSlam? Finn says when it comes to SummerSlam, he can’t help but think back to 2016. That was his first SummerSlam, but it was where he had both the best and the worst night of his career. He we are in 2026, and he’s been scratching and clawing the last ten years to get back to that glory of that night, and he is so close! But then Gunther steps in. Gunther says he heard what Finn said, great plan. The only issue is, Gunther is next in line.

And Gunther doesn’t care if it is Finn, Cody, or Punk, Gunther is taking what’s his. And 10 years? That’s a long time. Gunther laughs as he heads back out, but will Finn have the last laugh when he makes it and Gunther doesn’t?

Royce Keys is warming up.

Solo Sikoa steps in and says let’s go! Royce has it! He’s locked in, big match tonight, big match at SummerSlam! And best thing, they get to do it in front of Royce’s family and friends. And you mean to tell Solo that when Royce wins the Fatal 4, he’ll get another match at SummerSlam? Looks like they’re working both Saturday and Sunday! Royce says hold on, look. He knows what is at stake at SummerSlam, but Royce knows what’s at stake tonight. We in the East Bay, the Yay, he is home! Oakland, California! East Palo Alto! Don’t worry about Bloodline right now, this is about Royce becoming #1 contender in front of friends and family.

And then LA Knight steps in, “New #1 contender” is what he heard. But he also heard “Don’t worry about the Bloodline,” and brother, you always gotta worry about them. Knight hopes Royce smacks everybody back to factory settings and comes back with the world title shot, but he always has to worry about The Bloodline. Don’t get lost in the sauce, at SummerSlam, they handle The Bloodline. Tonight, Royce can handle business if he wants to, just keep eyes on the back of your head. Royce says check it out: He’s a whole grown-ass man, you ain’t gotta worry about him. But tonight, Royce takes everything he wants. Go ahead!

Solo says calm down, guys, same team here. The issue isn’t here, it’s with The Bloodline. Bloodline thinks they found a weakness, but no, they found an ass whooping at SummerSlam. The three here is all day! You got Mr. Solo Dolo right here, then Mr. East Palo Alto, Cali-for-ni-a, Royce Keys! And then we go from EPA all the way to LA, the one and only man they call the Mega Star, Mr. L A Knight. YEAH! Solo’s got your backs, yeah. Solo heads out, Knight asks if he’s serious. But Royce, go handle business, YEAH! Aight. Everyone is on the same page, if only for now. But will everything come up Royce Keys here in Oakland?

Tiffany Stratton talks with Chelsea Green.

Tiff knows Chelse is gonna do great tonight! The Hot Mess says imagine it! If Chelsea wins tonight, they can both go to SummerSlam! It’s giving “Biffles!” W-What? Uh, BFFFL. Best Friends Forever Fighting on Ladders. Oh, yes! Tiff asks if Chelsea remembers the last time they were in a ladder match together. It was the best, right? Y-yeah, but maybe they change it up and Chelsea can win the Interim Women’s Championship, since Tiff has the Women’s US title and it looks so great on her. Tiff says you know what else would be cute? #Tiffy2Belts!

Uh, yes, well, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Chelsea has to win the match, then they go to Cosmo’s! Chelsea will make the reservations! Tiff is excited as Chelsea heads out, but then Blake Monroe is here! But she says relax, she comes in peace. Because unlike the rest of this roster, she likes Tiff. Tiff is the kind of woman who likes the finer things in life, just like The Glamour. But a word of advice: Worry less about Chelsea, and more about this title. Polish it, admire it, because the higher you climb, the more people are looking up at what you have. Though, Tiff knew that, didn’t she? Blake heads out, does Tiff have a lot more to worry about than she realized?

Interim WWE Women’s Championship Qualifier: Chelsea Green VS Kiana James!

As Chelsea just said, this is Operation: BFFFL, and phase one is beating Miss Management to get her golden ticket. Will Chelsea have reason to celebrate at Cosmo’s later tonight? Or will Kiana clean up the Hot Mess and book a flight to Minneapolis?

SmackDown returns as Kiana makes her entrance, joining Chelsea in the ring. They argue about who gets what corner, but the ref says it doesn’t matter. The bell rings, the two tie up, and Kiana KNEES low! Kiana brings Chelsea around, bumps her off buckles, then Kiana runs up. Chelsea dodges, comes back, but Kiana goes up and over. Chelsea SLAPS Kiana! The fans cheer, and Chelsea says that’s what Kiana gets. Kiana scowls, runs up, but Chelsea puts her on the apron! Chelsea DROPKICKS Kiana down, then builds speed to DIVE into a haymaker! Kiana drags Chelsea out, KNEES low again and again, then KNEES her down!

Kiana drags Chelsea up, reels her in, and puts her on the barriers! Chelsea dangles, Kiana SUPERKICKS her down, then she talks trash. The ring count climbs, Kiana puts Chelsea in at 8. The fans rally as Kiana storms in, and Chelsea fires body shots! Chelsea fires forearms, then whips. Kiana reverses but Chelsea sunset flips! Kiana stays up, but Chelsea avoids the elbow drop! Chelsea hurries back to BASEMENT FLATLINER! The fans cheer as Chelsea hurries back up, and she JAPANESE ARM-DRAGS! And arm-drags again! Then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! The fans cheer Chelsea on, she runs, and ROUGH RYDER! Cover, TWO!

Kiana survives and Chelsea is a bit surpriesd, but she brings Kiana up. Chelsea chicken wings, but Kiana powers out! Chelsea blocks the superkick, says not today! But then the SUPERKICK on return hits! Kiana suplexes for the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Chelsea survives and Kiana is frustrated. Kiana says this is her time! Kiania pie faces Chelsea, mocks the salute, then runs, but Chelsea avoids the boot to roll up and stack! ONE, and Kiana CODE BREAKERS! Then a fireman’s carry, but Chelsea slips free! UNPRETTY-HER! Cover, Chelsea wins!

Winner: Chelsea Green, by pinfall (advances to SummerSlam)

The fans all salute and pledge allegiance, Chelsea is now going to Minneapolis! But will Chelsea win the title like she has the hearts of the people?

Damian Priest prepares backstage.

R-Truth says that’s what he’s talking about! Good to see him getting ready for their tag team title match tonight! Priest says no, the tag title match with The War Raiders is next Friday. Tonight, Priest is in a 4 Way. Truth isn’t sure that’s PG, DP. No, a Fatal 4 Way match! No, their tag match is tonight. 2v2 is 4. No, it’s a singles match. Then how is it a 4 Way? Huh. Is Priest confused? Or just frazzled over how Truth used his credit card to buy those hot dogs? Truth, those were free! Yeah, that’s what Truth said. Cody walks in and says he likes hot dogs. How’s Truth doing? Truth’s good, how you?

Cody says he heard what Punk said last week. Regardless of who’s Undisputed Champion, maybe Cody & Punk come for the tag titles next. Truth says they’re all so confused! Truth storms off and Cody says we’ll get it eventually. But Cody also heard what Priest said. SummerSlam #1 contender decided, hopefully Priest understands it’ll be Cody. No surprise Cody would say that. Priest respects Cody, and he respects Punk, but he and the boys are sick of the same people being the face of this brand. Priest WILL be #1 contender. So whether it is Cody or Punk, after SummerSlam, the champ gets dropped, end of story.

Well, as someone who used to be “one of the boys,” something you shouldn’t really worry about, by the way… But this might shock you to hear: Cody likes that attitude. Good luck. Cody heads out, but will it be him anticipating the Archer of Infamy’s challenge? Will it even be Priest who earns that opportunity?

Cody Rhodes goes to the ring!

SmackDown returns and Oakland cheers the American Nightmare as he makes his entrance. They sing along with Kingdom, “WHOA~ OH~!” and we get the pyro before Cody high-fives fans along the ramp. We then get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro before Cody steps inside. Cody gets the mic and hears the mix of cheers and jeers before he asks, “Oakland, California…! Whaddya wanna talk about?” Cody says let’s get right to it. His opponent in the main event of SummerSlam, THE Undisputed WWE Champion, The Best int eh World, please welcome out C M PUNK! The fans now cheer and sing along as Cult of Personality plays!

Punk makes his entrance, custom letterman’s jacket and the title on. “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” Punk walks down the ramp, high-fives fans, then goes to the ring as the fans chant his name. Cody goes to hand Punk a mic, but he fumbles. Cody says that was an accident. Punk puts the belt down, takes off the jacket, and steps to Cody. Punk is still heated after their own confrontation from the Kickoff Show, so he goes to get his own mic. “It’s a damn shame this is where we’re at right now. I don’t even wanna turn my back on my friend to grab a microphone? And I certainly don’t wanna bend down and pick one up because you dropped it ‘by accident,’ because I don’t know if you’re gonna try and kick me in my teeth!

“If that sounds paranoid, it’s because I’m not the only one! You’re paranoid, Cody!” Cody says they can just stop with “paranoia.” It is all mischaracterization, misdiagnosis. It was a misunderstanding. It was an accident, just like SNME was an accident. Cody accepts that. He’s not taking the easy way out, either. He will not tell Punk that the reason Cody needs to win is because Punk has the title that this entire company revolves around. Cody needs to beat Punk for Cody. Punk says there doesn’t need to be a reason beyond the title. And he told Cody, Punk didn’t want this title to come in between them, but Cody doesn’t seem to care about that.

So if there is another reason, then Punk is all ears! Please, explain it to all of us. Cody paces, and he says they’ve done a lot of these moments. And people have heard Cody respects Punk, that Cody even loves Punk, Doc Holiday to Wyatt Earp. But both those things can be true and yet so is this: Cody doesn’t like Punk. And Cody will tell us why. Cody will pull the armor off and share some new information. 2011, Punk sits on stage, cuts “The Pipebomb,” and shows Cody, the fans, and everyone backstage that there is another way, that there is a way out. Cody followed that promo to a T! Punk dropped a pipebomb on the industry, but Cody went and did all those things.

Punk dropped a pipebomb, but Cody dropped a nuke on it! They’ve talked about that, had that discussion, but what they never said is that from the bottom of Cody’s heart, that while he was the one doing all that, the fans all wished it was Punk every step of the way. And Cody completely lives with it, and he understands it. He just had someone tell him they were tired of the same faces. Cody is apologizing, but he’s done apologizing for what he has worked for. He knows that they want it to be Punk, and Cody is aware that there’s a reason he gets the talk show calls, the ESPN calls. Cody went from “the one who knocks” to “the one they knock for.” It is a list of one!

The fans cheer but Cody calms down. Cody says he has stood in this ring with the very best from both brands, perhaps the greatest roster WWE has ever assembled. Hats off to HHH and Nick Khan, and yet Cody does not sweat any of them but Punk. Just Punk. Cody doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder any more, but the moment Punk walks in and the fans sing the song and that energy fills the arena, all Cody does and it weighs the same as that WWE Championship. Cody could love Punk, respect him, dislike him, but for this story to have the proper ending, it is fair to say that Cody has to beat Punk at SummerSlam.

The fans duel a bit, but Punk says oh, Cody doesn’t like Punk? Or does he just not like Punk being champion? This is CM Punk, he casts a very large shadow that not only Cody but a few others can’t seem to get out from underneath. With some, it’s jealousy. With others, it’s envy. But with Cody, Punk can say brothers fight. This isn’t one-way traffic. If Punk did those great things and Cody watched and learned from them, then good, Cody was smart enough to pay attention. Did he do them bigger than him? Did he do them better than Punk? That’s not for Cody nor Punk to decide, that’s for the fans to decide. The fans cheer that!

Punk says it is also for the history books to decide. In 2022, Punk was the one learning from Cody, because Punk was on the outside looking in, and he watched Cody show us that there was a way back. Punk followed that path, and now, since that moment, or even before that moment, they’ve been chasing each other, haven’t they? But they’re not chasing each other anymore, that ends at SummerSlam. But listen to Cody! He loves Punk? Punk’s his brother, not his brother, respected but not liked? Cody is just lying to himself! Punk says Cody can’t handle the pressure of trying to take this off of someone he cares about!

Cody can’t handle the pressure and do what it takes to beat someone that he loves! Cody can’t handle the pressure of rising to the occasion of having an athletic contest with someone he respects, an equal! He has to make himself a victim and everyone else the enemy! If Kevin Owens an enemy, if randy Orton is an enemy, if John Cena is an enemy, what does that make Punk? That makes Punk his only friend. Punk promised he was never gonna stab Cody in the back, just stab him in the front, and that is exactly what happens at SummerSlam! Cody thinks the only way this ends is Cody beating Punk? Well, Punk’s gonna break his heart.

Cody now takes off his jacket and tie, and he tells Punk that, “You’re gonna break my heart? Sounds like we’ve said all we need to say here. And you know, tomorrow night in Stockton, you and I are tagging. The night after that, Bakersfield, you and I are tagging. Springfield next Thursday, that’s the last time we’re on a sheet together as tag team partners. And I’m gonna give you the obligatory main event gift on Thursday, I’m gonna bring it to you. But don’t misconstrue what that gift is about: That gift is an apology for when I whip your ass at SummerSlam!” The fans are conflicted, but Punk says wow, what a coincidence!

But Punk won’t give it to Cody on Thursday, no. He’ll give it to Cody at SummerSlam! And it is a monumental pillar-to-post ass whipping wrapped in a lesson called a loss! And if Cody’s smart enough, he’ll take the lesson from it, and the lesson is CM Punk is the Best in the World in this ring, on this mic, and nobody can touch me, “not even Dusty’s kid!” Punk shoves Cody but Cody says no, no music! That’s where Punk leaves it? Dusty’s kid? Okay. Play Cody’s song because this is the music you’re gonna here when Punk’s looking up at the lights and Cody’s won that title a FOURTH TIME! HIT IT! Cody’s song does play, but who has the last word when the bell rings?

Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair.

Cathy Kelley is with The Queen at gorilla and says last week, Charlotte attacking Jade Cargill essentially backfired as Jade got to advance into the Interim Women’s Championship Ladder Match. Does Charlotte regret her actions? Charlotte says no, she wasn’t really thinking about title opportunities or qualifiers, which is hard to believe coming from Charlotte. But y’know what she was thinking about? That she’s standing here and her best friend, Alexa Bliss, isn’t because Charlotte failed to protect her.

Charlotte can’t thank Bliss enough for what she’s done for her, but Jade will learn real quick that she can come after Charlotte all she wants, but you don’t go after her friends. So if that means going through Nia Jax tonight to get at Jade at SummerSlam and become her biggest obstacle, then Jade will learn payback is… Well, you know the rest of that sentence. WOO~! Charlotte makes her entrance, but can she earn her way to both title match and grudge match? Or will The Irresistible Force have her own revenge here tonight?

Interim WWE Women’s Championship Qualifier: Charlotte Flair VS Nia Jax!

SmackDown returns, Nia is in the ring, and the bell rings. The fans rally for Charlotte as she and Nia circle, then they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Nia KNEES low! Nia RAMS Charlotte into a corner, RAMS her again and again, but stops as the ref counts 4. Nia soaks up the heat, then she runs up, but into a BOOT! Charlotte goes up, up, and FLYING RANAS! Nia tumbles, Charlotte RAMS her into the corner, and RAMS her again and again! The ref counts, Charlotte stops at 4, then CHOPS! Charlotte whips, Nia reverses, but Charlotte goes up, out, and BOOTS Nia again! Charlotte then climbs the corner, and CROSSBODIES! Down goes Nia and Charlotte cover, TWO!

Charlotte runs, but Nia gets under the boot! POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Charlotte survives, Nia is frustrated, but SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Nia stalks Charlotte to a corner, winds up, and CHOPS! Nia mocks the “WOO~!” before going back, but Charlotte dodges to GAMANGIRI! Charlotte CHOPS, but Nia LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Nia has a smug smile as she kicks Charlotte around and eggs her on. Nia drags Charlotte into a chinlock and thrashes her around! Nia then grinds Charlotte down, but Charlotte endures. Charlotte fights up, up, and fires body shots. Nia THROWS Charlotte down by her hair! Nia soaks up more heat, then goes back to Charlotte for a COBRA CLUTCH! Charlotte endures but Nia leans on the hold. Charlotte fights up, up, and JAWBREAKERS free!

Charlotte whips but Nia reverses! Charlotte goes up but Nia CLOBBERS her in the corner! Nia then drags Charlotte into the drop zone, and goes up the corner! But Charlotte hurries to anchor a leg! Nia kicks Charlotte way, but Charlotte runs up, rolls, and STRATUSPHERE! Cover, TWO! Nia survives but Charlotte hurries after her. They talk trash on each other, and then Charlotte CHOPS! And CHOPS! Nia eggs Charlotte on so she CHOPS again! And again! And again! Nia HEADBUTTS Charlotte, Charlotte rebounds to BOOT! Charlotte runs to BOOT again! Nia rebounds, Charlotte keeps moving, HANDSPRING LARIAT!

Charlotte fires up, SmackDown returns to single picture, and the fans are with her! Charlotte has Nia in the drop zone, “SUCK IT!” Charlotte steps on Nia, goes up the corner, but Nia YANKS Charlotte right back down! Nia then puts Charlotte in place, goes back up, and “SUCK IT!” SUPER LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!! Charlotte survives and Nia is laughing in disbelief. The ref confirms, though, that was still only two. Nia drags Charlotte right into the corner, goes back up, but she soaks up heat too long! Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS a leg! Charlotte then gets under Nia, carries her out, and POWERBOMBS her down! High stack, TWO!!

Nia survives, Charlotte is stunned, but the fans continue to rally up! Charlotte drags Nia into position, goes up the corner, but JADE CARGILL is here! Charlotte says she just knew it! The Storm is in Oakland, The Baddies are with her, and Nia CLOBBERS Charlotte! Nia TOSSES Charlotte out, then she warns Jad eto mind her own damn business! #ThatB1tch says sorry, she’ll do whatever she wants! B-Fab & Michin close in, but Charlotte dodges to LARIAT Fab and ROCK Mia! Then Charlotte THROWS Mia, and SUPERKICKS Fab! Charlotte hurries back up the apron, HOTSHOTS Nia, then runs up! Charlotte dodges Nia, BLASTS Jade, but Nia yanks Charlotte in!

Nia fireman’s carries, but Charlotte slips free! Then she dodges Nia in the corner, BOOTS her back down, but here comes Jade! Jade DECKS Charlotte, and Charlotte wins!!

Winner: Charlotte Flair, by disqualification (advances to SummerSlam)

The fans boo as The Baddies mug Charlotte, so that’s another free ticket to SummerSlam! But then Jade drags Charlotte up, chicken wings, JADED! Nia is pissed that twice, she gets screwed over! She throws a fit by clearing off the desk! Nia says she will not accept this!! Will there be justice for the Irresistible Force before the field of five is set?

WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Qualifier Fatal 4 Way: Damian Priest VS Trick Williams VS Royce Keys VS Finn Balor!

The Archer of Infamy, Hollywood Trick, The Powerhouse, or The Prince. One of them will be facing Sami Zayn at SummerSlam, all in hopes of then challenging for THE Undisputed WWE Championship. Who defies the odds and takes one step closer to the top of the mountain?

SmackDown returns and Finn makes his entrance, joining Priest and Royce in the ring, leaving the WWE United States Champion for last, but certainly not least. The bell rings and Finn steps to Priest, former Judgment Day friends still bitter enemies right now. But then Royce DOUBLE LARIATS them down! The fans cheer as Royce CLOBBERS Trick, SPALSHES Finn in a corner, then THROWS Finn away! Priest stumbles into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Royce dodges a leg lariat, scoops, and FALL AWAY SLAMS! The fans fire up with Royce, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Royce is all fired up as he waits on someone, anyone, to get up. Royce goes out, he stalks Finn, then scoops him! Royce takes aim, and he runs to SNAKE EYES Finn off the apron! Royce turns around, Priest LEAPING LARIATS from the steps! Priest keeps moving, only for Trick to FLAPJACK him off the desk! Trick stands on the desk, gets fired up, then he goes back to the ring. Trick rusn up on Finn but Finn RAMS low! Finn slingshots and sunset flips, TWO! Finn headlocks, Trick powers up and out, then he RU NS Finn over! Trick does a shoulder shimmy, then he drags Finn back up. Trick suplexes, he holds Finn up, even as Finn tries to fight free!

Trick holds Finn to about FIFTEEN, then SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Finn goes to a corner, Trick whips him corner to corner, then Trick points at Finn. Trick runs up, STINGER SPLASH! Trick whips corner to corner, then STINGER FLOPS as Finn moves! Finn fires off forearms and stomps, then brings Trick up. Finn CHOPS Trick, follows him to another corner, then CHOPS! Finn again follows Trick to a corner, then he climbs up. Finn rains down fists, but Priest stops him at 7! RAZOR’S- NO, Finn slips free, trips Priest, and DOUBLE STOMPS! But Trick KNEES Finn low! Trick whips, Finn reverses, but Trick sunset flips!

Finn rolls through to basement DROPKICK! Cover but Royce breaks it! SmackDown returns to single picture as Royce scoops, but Finn slips free to WICKLOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Royce is tougher than that, and then Priest TOSSES Finn to a corner! Finn dodges, runs, dodges again, but the BOOT still finds him! Trick is back but Priest catches him, FLATLINER! Priest runs to ELBOW Royce in a corner! Priest powers up, the fans are torn, but Priest runs to- NO, Trick ducks the lariat to JUMP NECKBREAKER! Then he dodges Finn to FLAPJACK! Trick kips up, the fans fire up, and Finn ends up with Royce in a corner.

Trick storms over, and he stomps away! “WHOOP DAT TRICK! WHOOP DAT TRICK!” The fans fire up for them lemon pepper steppers, but Priest JUMP KICKS! Trick ducks the spin kick, waistlocks, then ducks an elbow! Priest BELL CLAPS, but the TRICK SLAP knocks him down! But then Finn DUMPS Trick out! Royce runs up, Finn DUMPS him out! The fans are torn, but they cheer Finn building speed! Finn FLIES and takes everyone else down! The fans fire up for Finn as he stands tall! But then Finn notices Solo Sikoa making his way out here. The Prodigal Son says chill out, and SmackDown goes picture in picture again.

Finn hurries to drag Royce up, but Royce POSTS Finn first! Royce then puts Priest in the ring, and that’s when he notices Solo. Solo nods and coaches his guy, and Royce goes to the ring. Royce scoops Priest for a POWERSLAM! Finn is up, he RAMS Royce, then stumbles back a moment. Finn GAMANGIRIS Royce down, then goes to the corner! But then Royce trips Finn up! Royce climbs the corner, scoops Finn, and TOP CHOICE ROYCE SLAM!! Cover, but Trick breaks it! Trick whips but Royce reverses to TOSS Trick out! But Priest JUMP KICKS Royce! Royce staggers to a corner, Priest runs up, but into an elbow!

Royce goes up, but Priest UPPERCUTS! Priest climbs up to join Royce, but Royce fires body shots! Priest drops back, Finn GAMANGIRIS Royce! Finn tells Priest they can do this together! Finn climbs up, brings Royce in, and Priest agrees to help! They both have Royce up, DOUBLE SUPERPLEX! But then Trick TOSSES Priest, TOSSES Finn, and he cartwheels to ripcord Royce up! SmackDown returns to single picture for the BOOKEND! Cover, Solo gives Royce the ropebreak! The ref reprimands, despite this being No Disqualifications. But then THE USOS are here! Jimmy & Jey go after Solo but he’s ready to brawl!

The fans fire up as Jimmy & Jey mug Solo, and then LA KNIGHT rushes out here! But from the crowd side! Knight CLOBBERS Jey, Solo is after Jimmy, and it is chaos at ringside! But then Priest ROUNDHOUSES Trick, goes up the corner, and he goes Old School, to SUPER CROSSBODY onto everyone else! Then Finn rolls Trick up! TWO!! SLINGBLADE! Trick staggers around, into a SHOTGUN from Finn! Trick is down, Finn goes up, COUP DE GRACE misses! Trick spins, TRICK KICK! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives and the fans fire up! We see Sami Zayn watching this backstage, alongside Candice LeRae & Johnny Gargano.

The fans rally up as Jimmy, Jey, Solo and Knight brawl their way to the back! Trick takes aim at Finn, but then Priest gets in and LARIATS Trick first! Then JUMP KICK on Finn! Priest guzels Trick, SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, but Royce breaks it! the fans cheer as Royce then POSTS Priest! Royce brings the straps down, eh gets Priest up, ULTIMATE SPINEBUSTER!! But then JACOB FATU drags Royce out! The Samoan Werewolf sends Royce into steel steps, then into the POST! Fatu runs up an Royce, HIP ATTACK against barriers! Priest guzels Finn, Finn slips free, SLINGBLADE! And then SHOTGUN! Priest is down, Finn goes up!

The fans are thunderous as Finn aims, COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, FINN WINS!!

Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall (advances to SummerSlam)

It was chaos from all sides, and Finn comes out on top! Now he and Sami Zayn will battle for that number one spot! Will The Prince make the ten year anniversary of his SummerSlam moment even better? Or will there be #Justice4Sami?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown that was borderline a go-home in some ways. Very good contract signing to start, and what a way for Nick Aldis to show he’s ready to get in the ring again with taking that table spot. The way they said it, it seems like Aldis is temporarily a superstar and will supposedly go back to his GM job after SummerSlam, but I personally hope Aldis “gets the bug” and wants to get other matches before truly calling it a career. Very good promo from Cody and Punk, though subject matter wise, it really just rehashes stuff we heard from like Drew McIntyre, and even from Cody with others, aka referencing Cody leaving WWE and founding AEW, all that.

I do appreciate Punk at least pointing out that Cody seems to be the common denominator in his own feuds, as if to plant the seed that Cody could just snap and become the Heel he’s always tried not to be. Very good promo from Sami crashing out and pointing out “injustices,” and even complaining to Pearce fits his current character. Sami getting put right in a contender’s match also works in story as he was the former champion who had this and that happen, so he should have this much. Great Fatal 4 Way main event, but given Trick has his US title, Priest has the tag titles, and Royce has the Six Man Tag, Finn was naturally winning this. For one, Gunther talked to Finn so that was kinda them showing their hand. Also, Finn VS Sami is gonna cook.

And great stuff from the Women’s Division tonight, dominating the card. Brie VS Lainey was good, and great to see Nikki back. The Six Woman Tag makes a lot of sense, and it can easily set up Nikki & Brie for a tag title match at like the next Saturday Night’s Main Event, which I believe is Sunday Night’s Main Event, AKA WWE’s attempt at countering All Out. Very good promo from Chelsea and Tiff, and even Blake with Tiff, but where is Candice wanting payback on Blake? Where is Giulia wanting payback on Blake? Maybe that happens later. But Chelsea getting the win over Kiana is good, we’ll see if “BFFFL” falls apart on them.

Jade returning the favor on Charlotte was kinda obvious, those two will fight it out during that ladder match, perhaps even costing each other. And you almost feel bad for Nia in this, but she’s been such a strong Heel that it’s all kinda deserved. One last spot, I think Lash is supposed to face someone? Maybe Nia tries to get that spot from Lash, or tries to help Lash, and it also backfires. At this point, if Tiff and Chelsea cancel out, and if Jade and Charlotte cancel out, the fifth woman is by default going to be interim champion, and that can be great for whoever it is.

My Score: 8.8/10