Who has the last word?

On the verge of SummerSlam weekend, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk will have one last face-to-face before their Undisputed WWE Championship match!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Tiffany Stratton & Chelsea Green VS B-Fab & Mia Yim w/ Jade Cargill; Fab & Mia win.
• WWE Tag Team Championships & AAA World Tag Team Championships, Winners Take All: Damian Priest & R-Truth VS The War Raiders; Double Disqualification, no titles change hand.
• AAA Cruiserweight Championship: Rey Fenix VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio; Fenix wins and retains the title.
• Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Lash Legend VS Giulia; Lash wins and advances to SummerSlam.

PLAY BY PLAY

Finn Balor is here!

Green Bay cheers as The Prince appears! Finn goes to the ring, grabs the mic, and says, “Y’know, whenever we get to this time of year, SummerSlam Season, I can’t help but think about 2016. My first SummerSlam, where I had simultaneously the best and the worst night of my career. I went from the highs and the euphoria of winning the championship, to moments later the lows and the heartbreak of being told I had to relinquish the title due to injury. And here we are in 2026, and I’ve spent the last ten years scratching and clawing, trying to get back the glory of that night! And now, we’re on the Eve of SummerSlam.

“And we’re in Green Bay, Wisconsin! I’ve got The Balor Club behind me, and we are so close to getting back to where we were-” But Sami Zayn interrupts! The fans boo as Sami has a mic to tell Finn, “I understand this is an emotional time for you, but there are some things that I need to get off MY chest! Because the truth is, this #1 contender’s match shouldn’t be happening to begin with! The main event of SummerSlam should be a Triple Threat between CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and the man who FOUR WEEKS AGO was still WWE Champion! But no, it’s okay, everyone’s happen now, you got your marquee match: CM Punk VS Cody Rhodes!”

And everyone is wondering, who’s gonna win? Well Sami’s got skin in the game, too! And personally, Sami would love to see Cody Rhodes as the WWE Champion again. You wanna know why? Because Sami already BEAT Cody clean as a whistle in the middle of that ring to become champion! And he knows for a fact that he could do it again! The fans continue to boo, but Sami spots a CM Punk sign. Sami says that’s also fine, because there’s a part of him that’d love to see Punk retain the title. “CM Punk, the biggest fraud, the biggest hypocrite, the biggest piece of trash in this company, bar none!”

The man who sat on the stage with the edgy “pie bomb” crying cuz he wasn’t on the cups. Well congrats, Punk, you’ve ascended to the high rank of corporate poster boy #2! And it’d be a treat for Sami to take the title back from the man who STOLE IT from him! So Finn, understand something. Sami has a lot of respect- Respect?! Then have some respect, grow some balls, and come down to the ring to say whatever it is to Finn’s face! The fans cheer, and Sami says fine. Sami heads down the ramp and to the ring. Sami says he does owe Finn that. Sami steps inside, and says the truth is, he has respect for Finn.

Anyone who has seen Finn the last ten years, they know how great Finn is. Everyone here knows how great Finn is! Finn should’ve been WWE Champion about four or five times by now. Well, no, maybe like two or three. But the point is, Finn needs to take his pulse of this moment, and understand the moment. This moment belongs to SAMI. The fans boo but Sami says Finn had his time. Now it’s Sami’s time. Sami taking the title back is bigger than the title, bigger than either of them! It’s about JUSTICE! #Justice4Sami! Oh, for Sami? What about Finn? Finn spent the last ten years trying to get back to this moment, so this IS his moment!

Sami says no disrespect, but if it took ten years and you didn’t even come close, just take the hint. Oh, okay. Sami, it took you the same ten years to even get a sniff of the title, and he’s not giving up, so why should Finn? And see, Finn had the title for one day, and had to relinquish the title from injury. Sami held the title for nine days, but not because he got hurt, or because he got screwed, but simply because he lost. The fans cheer, but Sami composes himself. Sami says those sound like fighting words. And if Sami didn’t respect Finn, he’d drop Finn where he stands. But he’s not going to. And do you know why? Because Sami is a GOOD GUY!

Sami is the Last Real Good Guy, so he’ll do what he always does and that is the right thing, by walking away. Sami will see Finn at SummerSlam. Finn says okay, see you at Summer- GUNTHER CLOBBERS FINN INTO SAMI! Then he short arm LARIATS Finn! And then ripcord LARIAT on Sami! Gunther grabs a mic to shout that these two are arguing over who is #1 contender when they’re both jokes! The rightful contender is standing here right now! The fans boo Gunther, but then he sees Pearce on stage. Gunther says good, Pearce is the guy Gunther needs to talk to. Pearce is in charge now, so what does Gunther have to do to get them to set this right?

Gunther goes up the ramp as he asks if he needs to bet Pearce’s ass, as well! But then Finn comes back to CLOBBER Gunther! The fans fire up as Finn HAMMERS Gunther, but then Sami SHOVES Finn aside so he can CLUB away on Gunther! Finn goes after Sami, they brawl, but Gunther CLOBBERS them both! And he sends Sami into railing! And he sends Finn into railing! BUT HERE COMES ALDIS! The fans fire up as Nick Aldis throws Gunther around, then into the ring! But Gunther kicks low! The fans boo as Gunther reels Aldis in, but Aldis trips Gunther! Aldis has the legs, TEXAS CLOVERLEAF!!

The fans are going nuts but security hurries to separate Aldis and Gunther! Pearce tries to reason with Aldis, but Gunther BOOTS Aldis down! The fans boo, security holds Gunther back and gets Aldis outta there. The fans fire up for Aldis, will he be the one to finally humble Der Ring General?

Tiffany Stratton & Chelsea Green VS B-Fab & Mia Yim w/ Jade Cargill!

While the Women’s US Champion and Hot Mess will be #BFFFL (Best Friends Forever, Fighting on Ladders) for SummerSlam, they’re willing to be a BFFTT (Best Friends Forever Tag Team) against The Baddies. Will it still be #TiffyTime the night before SummerSlam? Or will Fab & Michin make things that much easier for Jade in that ladder match?

The teams sort out and Tiff starts against Fab. They approach, Tiff dodges, but Fab blocks a kick to ROCK and KNEE! Fab whips Tiff to a corner, runs up and HEEL KICKS! Then she snapmares, runs, but Tiff dodges to DROPKICK Fab onto ropes! Mia tags in, runs up, but Tiff drop toeholds her to ropes! Tag to Chelsea and the fans fire up! The BFFs run, KNEES for Michin, HIP ATTACK for Fab! Then they trade, KNEES for Fab and HIP ATTACK for Michin! The fans cheer again as Chelsea runs, and slides for a DOUBLE BASEMENT FLATLINER! Green Bay pledges allegiance to Chelsea Green while SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Fab covers Chelsea, TWO! Fab pushes Chelsea around, eggs her on, and Jade enjoys what she sees. But then Chelsea fires body shots! Fab SLAPS Chelsea, Chelsea JAWBREAKERS back! Chelsea reaches for Tiff but Fab holds her back! Chelsea throws hands, reaches out, repeat! Fab dodges the haymaker, swings on Tiff, but Tiff dodges that! Chelsea ENZIGIRIS Fab! The fans fire up while both women are down! They crawl, hot tags to Mia and Tiff! The fans fire up as Tiff rallies on Michin! Then she blocks a kick, ELBOWS Mia, and SHOTGUNS Fab! Tiff runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then cartwheels to lift! ALABAMA SLAM!

Tiff drags Mia to a drop zone, goes up the corner, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Mia survives but Jade is still frustrated. Tiff fireman’s carry, Mia slips free, but Tiff BOOTS Mia! Chelsea tags in before Fab drags Tiff out! Fab whips, Tiff goes up the steps, and FLYING CODE BREAKER! Chelsea is up on the corner, but Mia distracts the ref so that Jade can POST Tiff! The fabs boo but the Mia UPPERCUTS Chelsea! Mia goes up, throws hands, but Chelsea HEADBUTTS! Mia falls back, stands up, into Chelsea’s MISSILE DROPKICK! Fab tags in, but Chelsea wrenches her to the chicken wings. But Mia SUPERKICKS!

The Baddies get Chelsea up, DOUBLE FACEBUSTER! #BTA! Cover, Baddies win!

Winners: B-Fab & Mia Yim, by pinfall

Jade joins her Baddies in the ring to mockingly salute Chelsea before kicking her out of the ring. But then CHARLOTTE FLAIR is here! The fans cheer as The Queen storms out on stage in a very big jacket, but then Chelsea & Tiff drag The Baddies out! They brawl off into the crowd, so now Jade is alone with Charlotte! Charlotte takes off the jacket, steps to the apron, and the brawl is on! The fans fire up but Jade ROCKS Charlotte! Charlotte BOOTS Jade, dodges a boot, then BOOTS again! Jade tumbles out of the ring, and Charlotte brushes herself off. Will The Queen make sure #ThatB1tch does NOT become (Interim) WWE Women’s Champion?

Rey Fenix talks with Fraxiom backstage.

But then the Judgment Day is here?! Axiom asks them why they’re here, they’re Raw Superstars! Dominik Mysterio says how dare you! JD McDonagh says Judgment Day does whatever they want. Second, they’re looking for Danhausen. Y’know, the weirdo with the face paint and little guys running around with him. You seen him? Fenix says no, they haven’t seen Danhausen. How would Fenix know? He’s been hiding out in Mexico? Hiding?! Fenix has been training! But now he’s back, ready to fight! Oh, is that so? Lucky for Fenix, Judgment Day’s been collecting titles, and that AAA Cruiserweight Championship would look great on JD.

Fenix says (mostly in Espanol) if Dom’s big headed friend wants his opportunity, go ahead and take it. JD asks for a translation on that one part but Dom says Fenix said yes. JD says fine, he’ll go talk with Pearce and grab this title for Judgment Day. Dom & JD head out, Fenix & Fraxiom can’t believe the attitude of those guys. But will the Firebird burn the Irish Ace up in the summer heat? Or will JD strike gold in Green Bay?

MFT speaks.

Tama Tonga says they’ve forgotten who they are, and why they’re here. But leaving Solo Sikoa was the right move. Talla says they were too busy fighting Solo’s battles, that they lost sight of chasing gold. It takes balls to walk away on their own. And from now on, they put their family first. Someone says, “Now these are the sons I need.” In steps HAKU! And he tells them, “Don’t forget who you are!” They are the Sons of Haku, the MOTHER EFFIN’ TONGANS! Now, go and make them fear us again! Tama & Talla head out, will they make their family tree proud?

WWE Tag Team Championships & AAA World Tag Team Championships, Winners Take All: Damian Priest & R-Truth VS The War Raiders!

Speaking of gold, both teams are putting up their titles so that the winners will become DOUBLE CHAMPIONS! Which dynamic duo dominates two companies with one win?

SmackDown returns as The War Raiders make their entrance, joining Truth & Priest in the ring. The introductions are made, all the belts are raised, and we see who leaves with them all after tonight!

The teams sort out, but Erik CLOBBERS Truth! The fans boo but Priest fires hands on Erik! Erik KNEES Priest, CLUBS away on him, then roars. The fans boo, but Erik stands Priest up. Priest THROWS Erik to the corner, and Priest fires haymakers! Priest then UPPERCUTS, tags Truth, and Truth runs for the ELBOW LEG SWEEP COMBO! The fans fire up and Truth says, “What’s Up?” The fans echo that, Truth does the splits, then he LARIATS in the corner! Ivar runs up, Truth dodges, and Truth DECKS Ivar! But Erik CLOBBERS Truth! Truth tumbles out, Erik BLASTS Priest, and then tag to Ivar.

The War Raiders go out after Truth, ACE TEN MAO! Truth falls, but Priest leaps, only for the Raiders to catch him! They RAM Priest into barriers, then Erik sends Ivar at Truth! CROSSBODY against barriers! Then Ivar is sent into Priest, another CROSSBODY against barriers! The fans boo but the Raiders are standing tall as SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Erik & Ivar storm over to Truth while Priest is down in a heap. Ivar drags Truth up, puts him in the ring, and he fires crossface forearms! Truth flounders but Ivar puts him in a corner. Ivar fires ELBOW after ELBOW, stops as the ref counts, and Truth flops against ropes. Ivar tags Erik, they get Truth up, and they mug him against ropes! The ref reprimands, the Raiders stop, and Ivar throws up Viking horns, definitely not popular in Green Bay. But Truth fires off on Erik! Truth runs, but Erik DECKS him! Cover, TWO! Erik keeps Truth down with a facelock! Truth endures, fights up, and Truth fights his way forward!

Erik holds Truth back from Priest, KNEES low, then ROCKS him with a forearm. Tag to Ivar, and Erik sends Ivar in, but Truth dodges! Ivar tumbles out, Truth DUMPS Erik out, and the fans cheer! Truth crawls, but Ivar hurries! Hot tag to Priest! Priest fires haymakers on Ivar, then whips. Ivar reverses, but Priest RUNS Ivar over! Erik runs up, Priest dodges, and he ELBOWS Erik down! ROUNDHOUSE for Ivar! ROUNDHOUSE for Erik! And repeat! Priest roars, runs the ropes, and he ELBOWS Erik in a corner! Then he runs to ELBOW Ivar! And back to Erik! Priest TOSSES Erik, clinches Ivar, FLATLINER! Cover, TWO!

Ivar survives and goes to a corner but Priest runs up. Ivar BOOTS Priest, but Priest JUMP KICKS as SmackDown returns to single picture! Priest has Ivar up top but Erik sneaks a tag! SUPER STEINER on Ivar, but Erik spins Priest around! Priest BELL CLAPS, then DECKS Erik! The fans fire up as the Archer of Infamy powers up his arm. Priest runs, but into MJOLNIR! Cover, but Truth breaks it! The fans cheer but Ivar puts Truth in a corner. The Raiders mug Truth! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but The Raiders shove the ref! The ref is upset, Priest fires off on the Raiders, and now Priest shoves the ref! The ref throws it out!

Double Disqualification; no titles change hand

The fans boo, but the brawl continues outside! Erik is sent into the title podium! Then into the timekeeper’s area! Ivar keeps after Truth, but Truth sends Ivar into the timekeeper’s area, too! The brawling goes into the crowd! The fans cheer as they’re getting closer to the action! The Raiders mug Priest, but where is Truth going? Truth is going along barriers to CROSSBODY! Down goes everyone! The fans fire up while all four men are down! The Raiders crawl away, but Priest hurries after them! Priest DOUBLE LARIATS The Raiders back to ringside! But then MFT STRIKES! Talla BOOTS Ivar, Tama DECKS Erik! Truth leaps, but Talla catches him!

Talla POSTS Truth! Tama CLOBBERS Priest! Tama rains down fists, Talla puts Erik in the ring, and Tama hurries after! CUTTHROAT STRIKE! The fans boo but Talla puts Priest in the ring! Guzel and TALLA T-BOMB! Haku joins his sons in the ring, and MFT picks up all the gold! Will this image become a reality in the near future?

Backstage interview with CM Punk.

Cathy Kelley is with the WWE Champion, and brings up that the last few weeks, the dynamic between him and Cody Rhodes has become more and more contentious. How is Punk reconciling the fact their title match with their friendship? Punk says this is competition. They’ve been running from this match for quite some time, and from the fact that they don’t have to be friends. Do they feel like friends right now? No. Will they be friends when the bell rings? Absolutely not. This is Punk’s job as champion to take on all comers, it doesn’t matter who they are.

If it’s someone he hates, great! If it’s someone he breaks bread with, it’s unfortunate but at the end of the night, he will still be Undisputed Champion. Trick Williams walks in and interrupts. He says he figured he’d let Punk know man to man, face to face, Punk should be grateful that Trick lost the contender’s match last week. Because one way or another, Trick is coming for that title. Punk appreciates the confidence. #2BeltTrick, not bad, a little greedy, but Punk digs it. In a way, Punk is sad Trick lost the match. He wanted Trick to win so that he can face new challengers. And when Trick does finally get to that rare air… Punk will Whoop Dat Trick.

Punk gives the US title a pat before he heads out. Trick nods, and has to go handle his own business. What will Hollywood Trick have to say about the Lone Wolf?

Nick Aldis speaks.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege, truly, to be the SmackDown GM. But it wasn’t my first dream. My dream was to be a wrestler. In fact, I won championships, defended championships. Multiple different companies, multiple different countries, different continents. Against Hall of Fames, icons, legends of our industry. That all means something to me, but I was fully committed to being the best GM I could be, so I guess that means leaving the active, full-time wrestler part of me behind. I was actually okay with that. Until Gunther… Because when Gunther put his hands on me, he pushed me too far. Then it became just about being a man.

“And when a man is pushed too far, he is left with choice. And in this case, that was choice was lace ’em up tight and face Gunther 1v1 like a man.” Is Der Ring General going to regret waking Magnus from his deep slumber?

Trick Williams goes to the ring!

Green Bay chant along, “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” as the WWE US Champion makes his entrance, but no Yachty so Trick does the Bookerisms for himself this week. SmackDown shares footage from after we went off the air last week, and Trick told Baron Corbin that they were going to see each other again in a champions match at SummerSlam! So now, 24 hours away from the Biggest Party of the Summer, he says, “Reporting to you live, the sexiest and most entertaining champion alive, Trick Williams, has finally arrived! And I can’t lie, tonight, I got a lot on my chest, so I’ma get straight to business.

“Over the past month, the big, bald-headed Baron Corbin decided to come back to SmackDown, just so he can hate on Trick Williams. So lemme get this straight, Baron. You woke up one morning, got outta that elastic king mattress, shaved your head, polished it up real nice, lookin’ like a big-ass Tommy Pickles, and think that you gonna hate on Trick Williams? Hate on Mr. Lemon Pepper Stepper? Hate on the Anointed One? Baron, you make me sick! So this what we gonna do about it. No more waiting, no more sneaking nobody. right here in Wisconsin, Baron, you gonna come out here with that cheese head so I can Trick Slap ya all the way to Minnesota!”

The fans cheer, and Corbin makes his entrance! He has a mic in hand, and he tells Trick that he bets Trick loves hearing the sound of his own voice. Corbin wants Trick to understand, in his time away, Corbin learned some very valuable lessons. One of those lessons as about patience, something Trick knows nothing about! The moment Trick arrived, they strapped the rocket to his back and sent him straight to the top! They gave him music that makes everyone believe Trick is more important than he actually is! Trick wants everything right now, and that will be his downfall. On Sunday, at SunmmerSlam, it’ll feel like Trick is in quicksand.

It will be suffocating and it will hurt. As the panic sets in, Corbin will wrap his arms around Trick’s neck, cutting off the blood and oxygen to his little brain. Trick tells Corbin to shut up! They both know Corbin ain’t doing nothing! Trick’s tired of Corbin walking around like he’s badder than he was the first time he was here. SO let’s cut to the chase. What is all this about? Corbin is collecting a check? A pension? The new summerhouse in Barcelona? The only thing Corbin is collecting is a size 15 lemon pepper stepper right up his ass! So like Trick said, tonight in Wisconsin- Corbin says he can guess, Trick wants to do this right here and now.

Trick says YES! Let’s go! Corbin says the fans all want a preview of Sunday, right? The fans cheer, but Corbin says that isn’t gonna happen, Trick. Corbin doesn’t care what anyone of them want, because Trick is just a dumb rookie that doesn’t understand. Trick storms up but Corbin backs off. That’s the lesson right there, Trick: Patience. Look Corbin in the eyes and understand that on Sunday, Corbin is taking that title, and there is legitimately NOTHING in this world that Trick can do about it! Mic drop from the Lone Wolf, but Trick says on Sunday, there won’t be no title taking. There’ll be 35 THOUSAND people in one accord chanting the same thig.

Wisconsin, tell ’em what we gon’ do. The fans cheer “WHOOP DAT TRICK!” Will Trick make it through this weekend with the gold? Or is the Nomad coming home to take it all back?

AAA Cruiserweight Championship: Rey Fenix VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!

The Firebird accepted the Irish Ace’s challenge, ready to burn it up here in Green Bay! Will Fenix return to Mexico still a champion? Or will Judgment Day continue to take over the world?

SmackDown returns as JD makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who shines on the night before SummerSlam!

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and JD kicks low. JD hooks a leg but Fenix bridges, JD sweeps the leg to cover, ONE as Fenix bridges again. Fenix kips up, JD still holds him back, but Fenix powers up. They spin, Fenix flips JD up and over, then kicks low. Fenix MONKEY FLIPS, it’s a double cover, TWO as both men bridge up! They both stand, JD breaks a grip to wrench, but Fenix wrenches and CHOPS! The fans cheer that, and Fenix goes up, up, and jumps around! FLYING ARM-DRAG! The fans cheer again, but JD ducks the heel kick to ROCK Fenix! JD whips, Fenix handsprings, but JD catches him!

JD heads for ropes but Fenix kicks off them to sunset flip! TWO, and JD runs up! Fenix avoids the Penalty Kick, avoids the Standing Moonsault, and JD hurries away before Fenix can kick! Dom fans JD off, JD rolls back into the ring, but then Dom swipes at Fenix! The ref reprimands, but JD DECKS Fenix! The fans boo but JD bumps Fenix off buckles. JD CHOKES Fenix in the corner, steps off, and flexes, all while the fans boo. JD whips, Fenix reverses, but JD goes out, only for Fenix to block and ROCK JD! JD ROCKS Fenix, goes for buckles, but Fenix blocks and GAMNGIRIS!

JD falls, Fenix builds speed, but Fenix tiger feints JD out! JD avoids the plancha, and he ASAI MOONSAULTS! Down goes Fenix, Dom cheers JD on, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Dom fans JD off again and the ref checks both guys. JD is up, he brings Fenix around, and he throws Fenix into barriers! Dom applauds, but Fenix CHOPS! JD SLAPS Fenix, then RAMS him into the apron! The ring count is climbing but JD rolls in. JD argues with the ref, and that lets Dom get a cheap shot! Dom acts innocent but the ref is wary of him. The count starts fresh on Fenix, but he rises up at 5 of 10. Fenix rolls in at 6, but JD ELBOW DROPS! JD brings Fenix up, Fenix fights the suplex, they trade body shots, and JD snap suplexes! Fenix writhes but JD brings him up again. Fenix fires body shots, but JD shoves him!

Fenix comes back, arm-drags, and LEG DROPS! JD flounders away to a corner but Fenix runs up. JD puts Fenix on the apron, Fenix lands safe, and he ROCKS JD! Fenix springboards, but JD ANTI-AIR DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Fenix survives and JD grows frustrated. JD puts Fenix on the ropes, CHOKES him, but stops as the ref counts. Dom sucker punches Fenix again! The ref is again wary but JD clamps onto Fenix with a GROUND COBRA! Fenix endures, even as JD grinds him down. JD claws at the mask, then twists the arm, but Fenix just eggs JD on. SmackDown returns to single picture as the fans rally up.

Fenix fights to his feet, fires body shots, but JD whips and ROCKS Fenix! Fenix flops against ropes then falls to the mat. Fenix flounders while Dom coaches JD. JD runs up but Fenix dodges! Fenix then BOOTS JD, goes up the corner, and jumps to CROSSBODY ATTACK! The fans fire up again as Fenix spins, but JD ducks the heel kick! Fenix ducks a haymaker, waistlocks, then ripcords to fireman’s carry! FIRE THUNDER DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! JD survives and Fenix is beside himself! The fans rally for Fenix as he stalks JD, and he drags JD up and around. JD clamps onto a foot, Fenix CLUBS away, but then JD SMACKS Fenix!

Fenix spins, JD ducks another heel kick, then fires a one-two combo! Fenix spins to HEEL KICK after all! The fans fire up as Fenix then SUPERKICKS, whips, but JD reverses! Fenix handsprings to CUTTER! And kip up! The fans fire up as Fenix then gets moving, but he runs into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! Fenix survives and Dom is furious! Dom argues the count, but JD drags Fenix up. JD lifts, Fenix fights the bomb, but JD ROCKS Fenix! JD kicks, whips, but Fenix goes Tiger Feint HEEL KICK! The fans fire up as JD falls! Fenix looks to the corner, and the fans cheer as he goes up! But Dom gest on the apron!

The ref stops Dom, the fans boo, but JD trips Fenix up! The ref says that’s it! He EJECTS Dom! The fans cheer as Dirty Dom gets what he deserves! And then DANHAUSEN is here! Green Bay cheers as The Very Nice, Very Evil Overlord tells Dom “YOU! ARE!” Dom DECKS Danhausen! Ain’t no curses here! But then the MINIHAUSENS are here! The fans cheer as they mug Dom! They chase Dom to the back, and JD can’t believe it! Fenix says ADIOS AMIGO! Then a ANIMO DOUBLE KNEE! Fenix puts JD up, tucks him in, and gives him the MEXICAN MUSCLE BUSTER!! Cover, Fenix wins!

Winner: Rey Fenix, by pinfall (still AAA Cruiserweight Champion)

Dom tried to cheat this one for JD, but it all backfired! Will Fenix keep lighting it up as the best Cruiserweight in the world? Will Danhausen and the Minihausens make sure those human moneys stay with them?

Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Lash Legend VS Giulia!

The fifth and final spot awaits, and while Nia Jax got screwed over twice, perhaps her bestie in the Bougie Bully can earn that golden ticket to the top. Will Lash prove she’s a legend in the making? Or will even she succumb to the Beautiful Madness?

SmackDown returns as Giulia makes her entrance, Lash already waiting in the ring. The bell rings, Lash runs up, but Giulia dodges! Giulia KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Lash guzels, THROWS Giulia to a corner, but Giulia dodges to come back, swing and IRON OCTOPUS! The fans cheer but Lash goes to ropes to DRIBBLE Giulia! The ref reprimands, counts, and Lash stops to then AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, but Lash rolls through, into the RINGS OF SATURN! Lash powers her way to a cover, TWO! Both women hurry to rise up, and Giulia runs to ARRIVEDERCI!! Cover, TWO!! Lash lives but Giulia keeps on her!

Giulia goes to scoop, but Lash is too tall! Lash ELBOWS away on Giulia, whips her to ropes, but Giulia ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl and GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Lash endures, powers up, and HEADBUTTS! Lash then scoops Giulia around for a swing and LASH EXTENSION! Cover, Lash wins!

Winner: Lash Legend, by pinfall (advances to SummerSlam)

Quick and dominant, Lash is going to SummerSlam! But will she stand tall over everyone else in Minneapolis? Or will someone else rise above to become (Interim) WWE Women’s Champion?

Cody Rhodes is here!

Green Bay sings along with Kingdom as The American Nightmare makes his entrance. Cody gets down on his knees, but NO pyro or even the “WHOA~ OH!” as CM Punk makes his entrance! Punk pats Cody on the head on his way to the ring, and fans sing with Cult of Personality. Cody follows Punk to the ring, and Punk already has a mic to say, “Doesn’t feel great, does it, pal?” Punk has them cut his music so he can say it again, doesn’t feel great, huh!? But that’s where they are now, isn’t it? Like Cody putting the elbow in Punk’s face at the house shows! Cody says back, “That’s where we’re at, huh?!”

Cody says they were “there” long before Punk “accidentally” smacked Cody with the belt and Punk knows it! Punk’s been watching Cody since he came up at 20 years old. That’s part of the friendship, Punk knowing Cody, Cody can’t be fake with Punk. But the part of the friendship they don’t talk about is that Cody knows Punk! Cody sees through Punk and through the games! We all knew they were already on this path long before, but Punk had to know, in Chicago, that title match falling in his lap, how that showed to Cody that they weren’t running away anymore, they were running towards each other! The fans are torn on that one.

Punk repeats, “Mind games, huh?” Pardon him if he deviates and asks a question: “Is it great to be alive on a Friday night in Green Bay, Wisconsin, or what?!” The fans cheer that! Punk asks if he knew he was gonna ruffle some feathers. Of course he did! Did he know he’d hurt feelings? He was counting on it! But what was he supposed to do? Be like one of these “piss babies” moaning about the same four people always being champion? Or maybe like Sami Zayn, talking like a bench player who thinks he’s a starter! Was Punk supposed to say no like those mediocre bums? NO!

He is CM Punk, when he gets asked to take a title match in Chicago, he HOPES it pisses people off! He ruffles feathers, it is what he does, it’s what he’s done for 20+ YEARS! And for ten of ’em, he was GONE! And the mere mention of his name sends shivers down men’s spines like he’s the bogeyman. So yeah, Punk knew this would set them on a path. Let’s stop talking about being friends and let’s start talking about what this is really about, and that’s the title! Punk doesn’t gotta be Cody’s friend now, and he certainly won’t be tomorrow. But at the end of the night, it’s up to Cody if they still can be.

Punk says he’s gotta know how the better wrestler is between them, y’know, for “business purposes.” Cody repeats that, “For business purposes? Forgive me, we got off to the wrong foot here, because you see, you interrupted me. So let me go ahead and ask this question. Green Bay, Wisconsin…!” The fans cheer but Cody gets them fired up again, “GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN! Whaddya wanna talk about?” The fans duel even now, but Punk smirks as the majority is for him. Cody says, “I believe you said, ‘Business purposes,’ correct? Sounds a bit like CM Double Talk, which I know all too well. You expect me, I should know that.

“But this isn’t business. You talked about those guys back there. This isn’t business, this is personal. You already knew how personal it was to me, and I damn well know how personal it is to you. It’s personal to everybody who ever won the WWE Championship, to everyone who hasn’t won the WWE Championship. This means that you are indeed The Best in the World. This means that’s the crown, you walk around here the king, you call the shots! But correct me if I’m wrong, cuz we’ve done a lot of ‘friends.’ I think everyone is tired of all the ‘friends,’ am I right? You’re the one who said you’re not here to make friends, you’re here to make money.”

Punk nods, and says yeah, make friends, as in new friends. But he didn’t come back to lose friends. But if it comes to losing a friend, or losing the title… Tomorrow’s not gonna be Cody’s night. Cody nods and says there’s a word that’s really bothering him. Can you guess it? The word that is bothering Cody is the word, “Tomorrow.” Because Punk made it clear what he’s prepared to do at SummerSlam tomorrow night. And Cody already asked what Green Bay what they wanna talk about. Now, what does Punk want to do about it tonight? The fans like where this is going! Punk drops his mic! And he takes the belt off to set it down between them.

Punk unzips his new merch windbreaker, puts the friendship bracelet in a pocket, and he squares up! Cody smirks and drops his mic. Cody unzips his merch windbreaker, and Cody throws it to the fans! Punk dares Cody to take a shot, and is anyone else getting deja vu? Cody and Punk stare down, but then the hands start flying! The fans fire up as the fists are fast ‘n’ furious! Punk whips, Cody ducks ‘n’ dodges, and Cody LARIATS Punk down! Cody hurries to LARIAT Punk outta the ring! Cody then follows Punk out, SMACKS him off the desk, then SMACKS him off the apron! Cody clears the desk and the fans fire up!

But Punk kicks Cody, TOSSES him over the desk, then goes up! The fans are all fired up and Punk mocks the ‘WHOA~ OH~!” But Cody trips Punk! Cody stands up, the fans do the “WHOA~ OH~!” but then Punk trips Cody up! They get up and brawl again! Cody CLAWS Punk’s eyes!? Punk pulls hair, the fists keep going, and now security and producers rush out here! The fans boo, Green Bay wants to “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Punk breaks loose, as does Cody, and they get on the desk to brawl! The fans are loving it, but the producers and even Pearce separate these two! The fans boo, but then Punk gets loose again!

Cody and Punk collide, brawl against a barrier, are separated, but then get loose again! The fists fly even as SmackDown is going off the air! Will these two just fight all the way to Minnesota at this rate? And who WILL win out when the title, and this friendship, is at stake?

My Thoughts:

A very good go-home SmackDown, but this was sadly too Go Home Syndrome, the exact opposite of what I was hoping for. Granted, we got another great AAA Cruiserweight Championship match just for the fun of it. Great win for Fenix, and Danhausen getting to beat up on Dom a bit was fun. But if that counts as go-home math, maybe that means Judgment Day wins the money back once and for all. Not sure what that does for them but maybe it’s meant to play into the larger story of Judgment Day, where Raquel won a title, Dom has his title and wins back the money, but Liv loses her title to Iyo Sky and that’s all Liv can think about after SummerSlam.

What was disappointing was that the main event match was not at all a main event but a glorified squash. Lash getting the win was fine, but there was no story continuity like Nia helping her as some kind of universal payback for Nia getting screwed over again and again. And it doesn’t make Giulia look very good as a former Women’s US Champion. The fans didn’t seem the care, either, they probably knew just from time constraints that Lash VS Giulia wasn’t gonna do much. Maybe if they didn’t shove in a final Roman VS Rollins package, one final Lesnar VS Oba package, and I think one other recap, there would’ve been more time for a real main event.

For that matter, the WWE VS AAA Tag Titles match was great, to start. But then we get a double disqualification because they were all shoving the ref. Then MFT attacks after to pick the bones, it felt like they could’ve consolidated and just had MFT be why things were disqualified. We’re still setting up some kind of Triple Threat Tag, so just do it with more efficiency. But we still have a great development in Haku returning to WWE, and now MFT stands for what it should’ve always stood for. I just wish they hadn’t let Tonga Loa go. Maybe Haku can convince WWE otherwise?

Good tag match from Chelsea & Tiff VS Baddies, and good win for The Baddies, Fab & Michin needed that to pull their weight. But of course Charlotte appeared to brawl with Jade, that’s good stuff. The ladder match can go any which way since it’s for an interim champion, and can have great feuds coming out of it. Very good promo from Trick with Corbin as they establish their US title match, but hard to say who wins out with Corbin just coming back but Trick doing so well. Very good promo from Finn and Sami, and then Gunther attacking them, only for Aldis to go after Gunther. Very good promo from Aldis, with footage from his TNA run. I personally really hope Aldis wins, that’d be awesome.

And then great promo segment to close from Punk and Cody. It started a little slow, but it got going by the end, and of course it ended with a brawl. This keeps the math even so it could be anyone’s game. I kinda want to see Punk retain so he has to answer for those comments about “piss babies” and “bench players.” What would be even greater is if Cody finally snaps and goes Heel the way he was on the indies and NJPW, that’s the Cody fans won’t be annoyed with.

My Score: 8.7/10