Chairshot Wrestling News Report (9/26/2026): Punk Gets MITB, Lash Breaks Through & Trick Survives

CM Punk and Lash Legend qualify for Money in the Bank, Trick Williams survives Baron Corbin, and All Out and Worlds Collide arrive.

CM Punk is going back to Money in the Bank.

Punk survived Finn Bálor and Gunther in Friday’s SmackDown main event to claim the fifth spot in the men’s Ladder Match, while Lash Legend defeated Charlotte Flair and Giulia to continue WWE’s youth-heavy approach to the women’s field. Trick Williams also retained the United States Championship inside a Steel Cage against Baron Corbin, while Cody Rhodes made it very clear that his hesitation with Randy Orton is gone.

It’s the Chairshot Wrestling News Report for September 26, 2026!

CM Punk Qualifies for Money in the Bank

CM Punk defeated Finn Bálor and Gunther in Friday’s Triple Threat qualifier to become the fifth confirmed entrant in the men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Bálor appeared to have the opening after hitting Gunther with Coup de Grace, but Punk capitalized and pinned Gunther before Bálor could finish the job.

Punk joins Bron Breakker, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams and Penta, leaving one position still open before the October 10 event in New Orleans. WWE has built a field that mixes former world champions with wrestlers still trying to establish themselves at that level, which gives the match more variety than simply loading it with familiar main-event names.

The result also gives Punk another route back toward Sami Zayn without requiring WWE to immediately book another Undisputed WWE Championship match. Punk has unfinished business with Kevin Owens at the same time, so putting the briefcase in play lets both stories remain active rather than forcing one to disappear.

WWE SmackDown Results — September 25, 2026

Friday’s SmackDown from Indianapolis featured two Money in the Bank qualifiers, a United States Championship Steel Cage Match and Fatal Influence scoring a significant six-woman tag victory.

• WWE United States Championship Steel Cage Match – Trick Williams defeated Baron Corbin
• Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier – Lash Legend defeated Charlotte Flair and Giulia
• Fatal Influence defeated Paige, Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green
• Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier – CM Punk defeated Finn Bálor and Gunther

The Money in the Bank results produced two very different additions. Punk adds another established former world champion to the men’s field, while Lash becomes another wrestler in the women’s match who is being given the chance to move into a substantially larger position.

Lash Legend Beats Charlotte Flair and Giulia to Qualify

Lash Legend defeated Charlotte Flair and Giulia to secure the fifth position in the women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. Flair had Giulia and Lash under control late, but Lash ultimately caught Giulia with the Lash Extension and scored the pin.

Lash joins Sol Ruca, Lola Vice, Jacy Jayne and Roxanne Perez, meaning none of the five women currently qualified has previously held a WWE main-roster world championship. That is a significant departure from the usual Money in the Bank structure, where established former champions often occupy several positions.

WWE has been aggressively moving new names upward throughout this qualifying cycle, and Lash fits that approach perfectly. Beating a field that included Charlotte and Giulia also gives the result considerably more weight than simply slipping past two wrestlers at the same level.

Trick Williams Survives Baron Corbin Inside the Cage

Trick Williams retained the United States Championship against Baron Corbin inside a Steel Cage after a violent match that included a superplex from the top of the cage and repeated interference from Lil Yachty. Trick finally put Corbin away after countering End of Days and hitting three consecutive Book Ends.

The result should finally allow WWE to move both men beyond a rivalry that has dominated the United States Championship picture since SummerSlam. Corbin took the championship from Trick, Trick eventually won it back and Friday’s cage match gave WWE a natural conclusion without requiring another rematch.

Trick is already qualified for Money in the Bank, which gives him an immediate next direction even if the Corbin program is finished. Holding the United States Championship while entering the Ladder Match also gives Trick something different from most of the field because he already has gold and is chasing an even larger opportunity.

Cody Rhodes Says He Will Not Hesitate With Randy Orton Again

Randy Orton continued pushing Cody Rhodes during a sit-down interview with Michael Cole, repeatedly asking whether Cody was actually capable of kicking him in the head if given another opportunity. Cody later responded in the ring by saying the situation Orton created was the same one that caused him to hesitate before, but promised that hesitation would not happen again.

That continues WWE’s effort to make the Rhodes-Orton feud about Cody’s willingness to cross a line rather than simply whether he can beat Orton in a wrestling match. Cody’s hesitation already cost him once, so the rematch now has an obvious question attached to it without WWE needing to manufacture another championship issue.

Cody also mentioned his own upcoming Money in the Bank qualifier, meaning WWE is keeping him close to multiple major stories at once. The Orton issue still feels personal, but Cody remains firmly connected to the championship picture rather than being pulled completely away from it.

Dani Luna Has Reportedly Joined AEW

Dani Luna has joined AEW and is expected to debut in the near future, according to Fightful Select. Luna departed TNA earlier this year after being granted her release, and Fightful had previously reported that she was expected to land with AEW.

Luna adds another experienced wrestler to an AEW women’s roster that has become considerably deeper over the past several months. Her work in TNA and on the independent scene means AEW is adding someone who can enter television immediately rather than requiring a lengthy developmental period.

The larger question remains how AEW manages the growing number of women available across Dynamite and Collision. Depth is valuable, but Luna’s signing becomes more meaningful if the company has an actual role ready for her instead of simply adding another recognizable name to the roster.

KAIRI Is Not Signed to AEW and Is Not Expected at All Out

Fightful Select reported Friday that KAIRI has not signed with AEW and is not currently planned for Saturday’s All Out pay-per-view. Talks between the two sides have continued, but one source told Fightful that an All Out appearance would be nearly impossible legally under the current circumstances.

That is a useful clarification because KAIRI had become an obvious candidate for speculation surrounding Persephone’s TBS Championship open challenge. The conversations with AEW remain noteworthy, but Friday’s update separates a potential future agreement from an immediate surprise appearance.

If a deal eventually happens, Fightful reported that a dual-contract arrangement is expected to be part of the conversation. For Saturday, however, AEW appears to be looking elsewhere for whoever answers Persephone’s challenge.

Roman Reigns Says Veterans Have Less Everyday Access to Younger Wrestlers

Roman Reigns said his reduced schedule has changed the way younger wrestlers can learn from him compared with previous generations. Speaking with Complex, Reigns explained that veterans such as The Undertaker were regularly present in the locker room during an era with different travel arrangements, while today’s younger talent does not have the same constant access to him.

Reigns said he feels a responsibility to make time for younger wrestlers and allow them to learn from his experience and approach. That is an interesting admission from someone who has spent the last several years working a substantially lighter schedule while remaining one of WWE’s most important performers.

The comments also underline how developmental learning has changed. Younger wrestlers can still work with veterans, but the old model of spending hundreds of nights on the road beside them no longer exists in quite the same way for WWE’s biggest stars.

WWE Worlds Collide Preview — September 26, 2026

WWE and AAA return to Chicago today for Worlds Collide, with the card bringing together talent from Raw, SmackDown, NXT and AAA. WWE has advertised CM Punk, Rey Mysterio and El Grande Americano against Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh and Omos in the six-man tag match, while Penta and Rey Fenix will face Daga and Berto of Los Perros del Mal.

• AAA Reina de Reinas Championship – La Catalina vs. Roxanne Perez
• CM Punk, Rey Mysterio & El Grande Americano vs. Dominik Mysterio, JD McDonagh & Omos
• Penta & Rey Fenix vs. Daga & Berto
• Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid vs. Flammer, La Hiedra & Maravilla
• AAA World Cruiserweight Championship No. 1 Contender Match – Axiom vs. Mini Vikingo vs. Je’Von Evans vs. EK Prosper
• La Parka, Mr. Iguana, Mascarita Sagrada & Adelicious vs. Mini Abismo Negro, Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes & Myka Lockwood
• Dragon Lee vs. Jack Cartwheel
• Oba Femi is also scheduled for a special appearance.

Catalina against Roxanne has received meaningful television support through Raw and NXT rather than being treated like an isolated crossover match. Roxanne already defeated Catalina indirectly in the Money in the Bank qualifier, while Catalina has remained protected enough that the actual singles championship match still feels separate from that result.

The card also continues WWE’s attempt to make AAA talent part of its broader weekly ecosystem. Penta, Fenix, Catalina and several NXT names are crossing between shows frequently enough that Worlds Collide feels more connected to ongoing WWE television than earlier crossover specials did.

AEW All Out Preview — September 26, 2026

AEW also runs Chicago today with All Out, headlined by Will Ospreay defending the AEW World Championship against Jon Moxley. Ospreay specifically requested Moxley for his first major championship defense after Moxley helped prepare him for the journey that eventually led to the title, turning the match into something built around respect, history and a very obvious clash over what leadership in AEW should look like.

• AEW World Championship – Will Ospreay vs. Jon Moxley
• AEW World Tag Team Championship Three-Way Ladder Match – Cage & Cope vs. FTR vs. The Young Bucks
• AEW International Championship – Kazuchika Okada vs. Tommaso Ciampa
• AEW World Trios Championship – Swerve Strickland & The New Level vs. Hangman Page & Brodido
• AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship Chicago Street Fight – The Brawling Birds vs. Divine Dominion
• Willow Nightingale vs. Thekla – Winner receives an AEW Women’s World Championship opportunity
• Darby Allin & Steven Borden vs. Kyle Fletcher & Kevin Knight
• AEW National Championship – Andrade El Idolo vs. PAC
• TBS Championship – Persephone vs. opponent to be announced
• The Tailgate Brawl will also feature David Finlay, Clark Connors, Wheeler Yuta and Daniel Garcia against the Bang Bang Gang.

Ospreay-Moxley has the clearest main-event story, but the Tag Team Championship Ladder Match may be the most representative match on the card. AEW has Cage and Cope, FTR and the Young Bucks all occupying different eras of elite tag-team wrestling, while the company has simultaneously added teams such as The New Level and Motor City Machine Guns around them.

Saturday is unusually crowded even by modern wrestling standards. Worlds Collide gives WWE and AAA another chance to deepen their crossover relationship, while All Out carries multiple major championships and Ospreay’s first major test as AEW World Champion.

This report includes information from: WWE.com, Fightful.com, WrestlingInc.com, Netflix Tudum, AllEliteWrestling.com, and Complex interview coverage.