It’s a big money match kind of SmackDown!

While SmackDown holds two more Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threats, Baron Corbin and Trick Williams step inside a STEEL CAGE, finally deciding who is WWE United States Champion once and for all!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE United States Championship Steel Cage Match: Trick Williams VS Baron Corbin; Trick wins and retains the title.
• Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Charlotte Flair VS Lash Legend VS Giulia; Lash wins and advances to MITB.
• Six Woman Tag: Chelsea Green, Tiffany Stratton & Paige VS The Fatal Influence; Fatal Influence wins.
• Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: CM Punk VS GUNTHER VS Finn Balor; Punk wins and advances to MITB.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE United States Championship Steel Cage Match: Trick Williams VS Baron Corbin!

From SummerSlam to Sunday Night’s Main Event, these two are 1-1, and it is time to finally break the tie! But will Tricky Two-Times make sure this is the last time? Or will Corbin make this Trick’s End of Days?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who survives being locked inside the steel!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. The two run up and throw hands! Corbin shoves Trick, but Trick comes back with a LEG LARIAT! Trick whips, FLAPJACKS, then kips up! The fans cheer while Corbin goes to a corner. Trick gets fans to join in with “Whoop Dat Trick!” TRICK SLAP! Corbin sits down, Trick stomps away, “Whoop Dat Trick! Whoop Dat Trick!” Trick drags Corbin up to fireman’s carry, but Corbin slips free to THROW Trick into the steel! Trick scrapes down, Corbin CLOBBERS him against steal! Corbin HAMMERS away on Trick, then drags him back in for a fireman’s carry, and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer as Trick survives but Corbin says that’s how it’s gonna be! Corbin snarls and fans boo while SmackDown goes picture in picture. Trick sputters at center but Corbin drags him up. Corbin THROWS Trick into the steel! Trick falls back, Corbin paces around, and Corbin sits Trick back up. Corbin ROCKS Trick, talks trash, then ROCKS him again. The fans rally for Trick but Corbin tells them to knock it off. The fans boo, Trick rolls Corbin up, TWO! Corbin KNEES low, then THROWS Trick into steel! Corbin climbs, but Trick hurries to CLUB his legs! Trick fireman’s carries, and he DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS! Cover, TWO!

Corbin toughs it out and flounders back to a corner. Trick storms up, but Corbin kicks a leg! Corbin brings Trick around and suplexes! Corbin looms over Trick while he soaks up heat, then warns Yachty on the outside. Corbin drags Trick up, puts him through ropes, and GRINDS him into the cage! Corbin stops, scowls at the fans as they boo, then CLUBS Trick. Corbin brings Trick around to CLUB Trick in the chest! Corbin CLUBS Trick again, and again, then runs. But Trick ducks to then JUMP NECKBREAKER! Trick manages to stand, and he looks to the cage. Trick climbs, but he’s already sore, he isn’t going very fast.

Trick reaches the top of the cage, but Corbin pursues! SmackDown returns to single picture as Corbin CLUBS away at Trick’s legs! Corbin then goes to the very top, and they start throwing hands! The fans cheer Trick but boo Corbin as the shots go back and forth! They throw shots faster and faster, then Trick fires a flurry! Trick CLUBS Corbin, and Corbin starts to slump back to the inside. Trick scoots back, gets his leg over, and he’s starting to climb down! But Corbin anchors Trick with a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Trick flails but Corbin drags Trick back in! Corbin ROCKS Trick, then hits a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Corbin crawls to the cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Trick survives, and now he tries a cover, TWO!! Corbin survives, too, and the fans rally as hard as they can for Trick. Trick and Corbin stir, but Corbin growls as he drags himself up with the ropes and cage. Trick crawls for the door! The door opens for Trick, and Corbin realizes that! Corbin rushes Trick, THROWS him back, and the door closes. But then Corbin BOOTS the door open to SMACK Yachty!! The fans boo as Corbin grins, but Trick hits a TRICK KICK! Cover, TWO! Trick is frustrated, but he aims from the far side. The fans rally, Corbin rises, and TRICK- LARIAT! Corbin hits first but both men are down!

Corbin growls as he pushes back up, and he storms up on Trick. Guzel and CHOKE SLAM! But Corbin falls back, he can’t make the cover! Corbin pushes up again, and he crawls for the door! The door opens, but Yachty is up! Yachty gets revenge as he SLAMS the door on Corbin! TRICK SHOT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Trick is shocked, no one’s survived a Trick Shot before! Yachty is starting to worry, too! “This is Awesome!” as Trick waits on Corbin, and Corbin rises again. Trick reloads, runs up, but is sent into the cage! Then a GERMAN SUPLEX! Corbin stalks Trick, whips him, and scoops him, DEEP SIX! Cover, TWO!

The fans fire up as Trick survives! Corbin is frustrated, and he shouts as he rises up. Corbin brings Trick around, reels him in, but Trick slips through! Trick dodges Corbin, sends him into the steel, then does it again! BOOKEND! The fans fire up for Trick and he fires up with them! Trick grabs Corbin’s hand, lets his hair down, and cartwheels for the RIPCORD BOOKEND! But that’s not enough! Trick steps on Corbin, then has the hand again. Cartwheel and RIPCORD BOOKEND!! Cover, Trick wins!

Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)

The tie has been broken, and Trick may have broken Corbin! Now, Trick prepares for Money in the Bank! Will Trick soon go from two-times to two titles?

Backstage interview with The Irresistible Forces.

Cathy Kelley is with Lash Legend & Nia Jax and brings up that Lash is in tonight’s qualifier for the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder match. However, last time she was in a ladder match, it didn’t go well- Nia stops Cathy there to say that is ancient history. Ask about the now, against Charlotte and Giulia. Lash says if Cathy had asked, Lash would say that Charlotte has done a lot of great stuff, and Giulia is tough, but this is the one and only Bougie Bully and she isn’t worried. Nia says the reason Lash isn’t worried is because she is more talented, more athletic, more dominant, and more gorgeous! Lash loves how Nia said that.

But Lash will say everyone should take notes. Nia, you interview her. Nia asks Lash what she thinks happens after she wins tonight. Lash says the reality is, she’s gonna win, she’ll become Miss MITB, and she’ll bring home the WWE Women’s Championship. Now take notes. That’s how you do it. Nia & Lash leave, but will they be headed to New Orleans?

CM Punk is warming up backstage.

Nick Aldis walks over, shakes hands and asks if Punk’s feeling good. Punk says yeah, and Aldis asks if they could just talk in his office real quick. Punk asks if he’s in trouble. No, he’s not. Then Punk has all the time in the world. They go to Aldis’ office while SmackDown goes to break. If Punk isn’t in trouble, what could it be?

BREAKING NEWS for Worlds Collide!

The major crossover between WWE, NXT, and AAA will be happening on Saturday, but it will air exclusively on WWE’s YouTube channel this Wednesday, 7 PM Eastern! Be ready to see the stars of sports entertainment and lucha libre all shine in the Second City!

SmackDown returns as Aldis and Punk step into the office.

Aldis says this shouldn’t take too long, but Punk’s already annoyed, because Kevin Owens is there. Aldis says yes, he had a conversation with Kevin, and now he’ll have it with Punk. Now, he knows they’ll never be on each other’s Christmas card lists, but this has to stop. They are here to compete at the highest levels, not spend all their time trying to sabotage each other. Now, after what happened in Mexico City, and last week, they cannot have this bleed over into Money in the Bank. Aldis has great respect for both of them, so he hopes he only has to say this once and has made himself abundantly clear.

Punk says he understands, because Kevin has nothing Punk wants. If Kevin stays out of his way, Punk will gladly stay out of Kevin’s orbit. Kevin just up and leaves. Punk and Aldis both sigh, but will The Prizefighter behave himself tonight?

Tiffany Stratton checks in with Chelsea Green.

Tiff asks Chelse if she’s okay, and Chelse says no! This whole MITB making her a target thing is becoming very real. Tiff says not to panic, but Chelsea says too late! Anyone of those girls could win the briefcase and cash in on Chelsea. And then Nikki Bella, why is she doing this to Chelsea?! Paige steps in and asks what’s going on. Tiff says Chelsea’s panicking. Between the briefcase (Chelsea shouts, “Briefcase!”), Nikki (Chelsea shouts, “Nikki!”), and- Paige gets it, okay? Relax. Nikki’s a snake. If she tries anything, Paige and Tiff have her back, okay? Okay. Okay? Okay. Chelsea thanks them, she says they can go on while she gets through her minor panic attack.

Paige & Tiff head out, and now Nikki steps in! Nikki says Chelsea is such a joke of a champion, and an idiot! How stupid is Chelsea to listen to Paige? By the way, what Nikki said last week was not a suggestion but a warning. And she doesn’t care if Chelsea has goth girl Malibu Barbie protecting her! Chelsea asks why Nikki is doing this, and Nikki says because nothing is stopping her from becoming champion again. Paige & Tiff return and they tell Nikki that’s enough. Nikki says fine, she’s going. Nikki leaves, Chelsea says never meet your heroes. Are the walls closing in on the Hot Mess? Can Paige & Tiff help her find a way out?

Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Charlotte Flair VS Lash Legend VS Giulia!

Speaking of that briefcase, The Queen, The Bougie Bully, and The Beautiful Madness are squaring off for a spot in the ladder match! But who earns their trip to The Big Easy the hard way here in Indy?

SmackDown returns as Giulia makes her entrance, joining Charlotte in the ring. That leaves Lash for last but certainly not least. Giulia and Lash talk trash and push each other even before the bell, then Giulia SLAPS Lash! Lash LARIATS Giulia! Charlotte RAMS Lash! Charlotte brings Giulia up but Giulia ROCKS Charlotte! And ROCKS her again! charlotte CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Lash runs up to DOUBLE LARIAT Charlotte and Giulia! The fans boo but Lash soaks up heat. Lash THROWS Giulia to a corner, then runs up on Charlotte. Charlotte dodges to GAMANGIRI! Giulia hops onto Charlotte for a SLEEPER!

Charlotte THROWS Giulia down, but Lash BOOTS her down! Lash goes after Giulia to whip, but Giulia tilt-o-whirls and GUILLOTINE FACELOCKS! Lash endures, the fans rally, and Lash fades! Giulia squeezes tight, but Lash fights up! Lash powers up to suplex Giulia! Lash marches around before she SLAMS Giulia down! Lash kips up, not the cleanest, but Charlotte is up top! Charlotte CROSSBODIES and down goes Lash! The fans fire up s Charlotte then LARIATS Lash up and out! Charlotte then CANNONBALLS to the floor! But Giulia MISSILE DROPKICKS to the floor! The fans fire up while Giulia rises, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as the fans rally for Charlotte, and she BOOTS Lash away! Charlotte CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOP, but Lash shoves Charlotte. Charlotte dodges, then dodges again, handspring LARIAT! The fans fire up for Charlotte, Giulia runs up, but Charlotte scoops her! FALL AWAY SLAM! Charlotte kips up, struts, and the fans cheer. Charlotte scoops Giulia again, fireman’s carries, then goes up the corner. The fans fire up already, but Lash joins in! TOWER OF DOOM, SAMOAN DROP BOMB STYLE! Cover on Charlotte, TWO! Lash hurries to cover Giulia, TWO!

Lash is frustrated, but the fans fire up as she goes to Charlotte. Lash talks some trash, then scoops Charlotte, only for Charlotte to slip free. Charlotte goes to ropes, catches Lash, and BACKBREAKER to HOTSHOT! Charlotte goes up the corner, leaps, and- NO, Lash catches her! Lash powers Charlotte around into a scoop and FALL AWAY SLAM of her own! Lash kips up and it’s much smoother this time. Lash grins, but Giulia MISSILE DROPKICKS again! Cover, TWO! Lash survives but Giulia stomps away on her! The fans rally as Giulia stomps Lash on the apron! Charlotte rolls Giulia, Giulia rolls through, and Giulia BOOTS Charlotte!

Giulia kicks away on Charlotte, fires hands, but Lash is back! Lash THROWS Giulia by her hair! Charlotte CHOP BLOCKS Lash! Then BACKSTABBER! Charlotte has the legs, “WOO~!” FIGURE FOUR- NO, Giulia ROCKS Charlotte! Giulia fires more shots, then HEADBUTTS Charlotte to a corner. Giulia whips corner to corner, but Charlotte goes up and out! Charlotte BOOTS Giulia, then hurries to BOOT Lash! Charlotte goes up, up, but Giulia SHOTEIS! Giulia goes up to get Charlotte, but Charlotte fights the underhooks! Giulia goes to the very top, SUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX! But Lash THROWS Giulia out, covers Charlotte, TWO!!

Lash is shocked but the fans fire up! Lash talks trash on Charlotte, drags her up, but Charlotte ROCKS her! Lash swings, Charlotte ducks, and Charlotte RAMS Lash into Giulia, to then GERMAN SUPLEX! Charlotte holds on, drags Lash back up, but Lash elbows free! Lash trips Charlotte, and she grins as she steps through! But Charlotte BOOTS Lash away! Giulia KNEES Lash! Charlotte BOOTS her! Charlotte goes after Giulia, and ROCKET LAUNCHES her at Lash! Both women are down, the fans fire up, and Charlotte steps on them both as she goes to the corner. Charlotte goes up,  up, and DOUBLE MOONSAULTS!! Double cover, TWO!?!

The fans fire up as Charlotte is shocked! Charlotte waits on Lash and Giulia both to rise up, and she DOUBLE- NO, just Giulia gets NATURAL SELECTION! And Lash scoops Charlotte, but Charlotte slips free! Charlotte trips Lash, and she steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Charlotte bridges, FIGURE EIGHT!! Lash endures, but Giulia AX KICKS Charlotte down! Giulia fires up, the fans are torn, and ARRIVEDERCI, Charlotte!! But Giulia isn’t done yet! Giulia scoops Charlotte for a NORTHERN LIGHTS BOMB! And then Lash stretches Giulia out, LASH EXTENSION!! Cover, LASH WINS!

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

The Bougie Bully is becoming an ultimate opportunist, and now she’s in the ladder match! But now that she’s in it, will she win it?

WWE shares some behind-the-scenes footage.

As last week’s interview between Michael Cole and Cody Rhodes wrapped, they stood up, Cody thanked Cole for this, and they shook hands. Cole said that went really well. Cody assured Cole that not only will he pull the trigger, but he’ll kick Randy Orton’s effin’ head off. The American Nightmare headed out, surprising Cole with those comments. And then, in the little USA Network cut-in blurb, Randy Orton interrupted Cole’s spiel to respond to Cody! The Viper has a lot to get off his chest, so tonight, Cole WILL interview him before they go off the air. And Cole does not have a choice in the matter. Right?! Right. See you in a bit.

Randy Orton sits backstage.

The Viper says he has a seat for Cole nice and warm for him, let’s get going. Cole hurries from commentary to the backstage area, what will Randy have to say? We’ll find out, after the break.

Giulia returns backstage.

Blake Monroe is there to mockingly ask if Giulia’s upset they lost. No MITB for her. Maybe Giulia goes back to where she came from: Obscurity. Bye bye~! There’s the door. Giulia SLAPS Blake! Giulia fires off, Blake freaks out, but refs rush in! They get Giulia back, but Blake SLAPS Giulia! Aldis storms in, the refs separate Giulia and Blake, and Aldis says no more sneak attacks, no more cheap shots! Next week, they go 1v1, and it WILL happen! Blake and Giulia say fine! See you next week! Will things only get uglier than The Beautiful Madness and The Glamour?

SmackDown returns as…

Michael Cole sits with Randy Orton. Orton waits on Cole, asking if Cole’s gonna ask him something. Cole isn’t sure why he’s here, or what Orton wants. Orton says he’ll help Cole do his job. Start with this: In regards to Cody’s interview last week, what exactly did Cody say? Cole recalls Cody saying he didn’t want to compromise himself, that he didn’t feel he needed to change, and felt disappointed. Orton remembers that. But there was something else that he can’t quite recall. It must’ve been after the cameras were rolling, because Orton only just saw it pop up on WWE social media, when a fellow 14-time world champion (HHH) posted it.

Cole says Cody promised to kick Orton’s head off… Orton says right, he forgot. Thank you. Now, why did Cody say that when the cameras stopped rolling? Cole isn’t sure, but Orton says it was rhetorical. Orton will tell us why, and it’s that Cody doesn’t want the whole world to see how he has been “compromised.” Cody thinks he’s a good guy. Hell, Orton thinks Cody’s a good guy, everyone here thinks he’s a good guy. Now, Cody’s not a liar, but he believes all the gibberish that comes out of his mouth when he talks about being uncompromised. If anyone has been compromised, it’s Cody!

Orton will put it this way: The Cody Rhodes today wasn’t the Cody from 20 years ago. There has been a lot of changes, a lot of compromises, between then and now. Let’s go back to his debut: Cody was “Dusty’s kid,” then he was Orton’s protege; then he was in Legacy, then he was “Dashing Cody Rhodes,” then he was Stardust, and then he left WWE. Cody found himself, got a neck tattoo, a three-piece suit, a pocket watch, rebranded himself as The American Nightmare, has come back and had a hell of a run. But if there’s one thing Cody has done again and again, it’s change. Still a good guy, though.

Now, if Orton were to ask, who in the locker room has never changed? Who has never been compromised? Who would Cole’s answer be? The answer is the man sitting in front of him, Randy Orton! Orton’s never changed, Orton’s never comprised, he has always been himself. WWE Superstars do interviews all the time and say you just gotta be you with the volume turned up, you times ten. There’s no math here, Orton is Orton times one! He is Randy Freakin’ Orton! Check the birth certificate, driver’s license, tax records, it all says, “Randy Orton.” Randy will always be Randy.

He has done despicable, horrible things in this business to get what he wants, and what does he want? World titles! He’s had 14 of ’em, he wants 15! And then more, and more, and more! And he will be who he needs to be, which is himself, to get that job done. Now, he doesn’t believe in grey, he believes in black and white. Cole said Cody would again be across the ring from Orton eventually, and Cody either kicks Orton or he doesn’t. But in Cody’s fantasy land, if he does, he’s no longer a good guy, and he is compromised! But if Cody doesn’t, then Cody has peaked!

So let Orton ask another question: Do you think Cody’s gonna do it? Cole hesitates but Orton asks if he thinks Cody will kick Orton int he skull. Cole doesn’t feel he’s in the position to answer that. Orton says of course Cole is! He’s practically Cody’s best friend! QB1 and all that. Orton’s seen the whispers and the hugs. Answer the question! Does Cole think Cody has the capability of kicking Orton in the head or not?! Yes or no?! Orton is up in Cole’s face, and Cole says no. No. And Orton thinks Cole is dead-on right about that. The interview is over, have a great rest of the show. Orton pats Cole on the shoulder and leaves.

Will the American Nightmare not kicking the head off the snake when he had the chance? Or can he find it in himself to do what must be done?

Sami Zayn finishes watching this.

Cathy Kelley walks over and asks Sami if she could have a moment of his time. Clearly, Sami is already navigating multiple challengers to the Undisputed Championship, but what does he think of Randy Orton adding his name to the chase? Sami says of course Orton wants to be WWE Champion, a lot of people do, okay? But there are also a lot of people who don’t want Sami to be champion, either, especially Nick Aldis! You saw what he did to Sami the first time around with CM Punk. He tried to do the same thing again with Kevin Owens. But this time, Sami prevailed, and that will be the story going forward with this title!

Whatever they try and throw at him, Sami will prevail. And you wanna know why? Because he’s the only one around here doing things for the right reasons! As long as Sami has this title, it is a symbol of hope and a lesson of perseverance for millions of kids around the world! That you can do things the right way, stay true tow ho you are, be WWE Champion, and still be the Last Real Good Guy! And all these other guys breathing down his neck, these vultures and sharks circling, they’re all doing it for the wrong reasons! They’re all addict- Sami stops when he spots Finn Balor walk over.

Finn says Sami has it all backwards. The reason they’re all after Sami is because Sami chose to screw them all over! He chose to screw them all over on his way to the top, and now it’s coming back to haunt him! Finn is telling Sami to his face, Finn is coming after Sami! Finn doesn’t care if he doesn’t win MITB, he’s coming for Sami and the title, and then we will all see what justice really looks like! The Prince storms off, Sami stresses out, and then he spots Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae. Sami says perfect timing! They have a bit of a situation, they can talk about it. Gargano says yeah, they do need to talk.

Gargano helped Sami again, so where’s his title match? Sami is flustered and says Gargano, too, huh?! Let’s level with you here, Johnny. You’re right. Gargano deserves the match more than these other guys. That’s why Sami talked with Aldis today to talk about giving Gargano his match, and Aldis said no. Aldis said no, but Sami said he would not leave the office without something. Sami wasn’t leaving emptyhanded, and he didn’t. Sami sees Candice looking at him but this pertains to her, too. Sami got Gargano an opportunity. Gargano has a qualifier for MITB, and Candice, too! They all deserve to be champions!

So this is how they move forward. They can win MITB, Gargano becomes Mr. MITB and Sami is the champion. So that’s how Gargano gets his match? Y-Yes, Johnny, that’s how. But the point Sami is trying to make is, he has Gargano’s back. Sami needs to know Gargano still has his. Is Gargano a Ride or Die? Candice shrugs, and Gargano says Ride or Die! Sami is relieved and excited, and Gargano & Candice head out. Is Sami really trying to help Johnny Wrestling? Or is he just using Gargano to cover his own ass?

Six Woman Tag: Chelsea Green, Tiffany Stratton & Paige VS The Fatal Influence!

The Hot Mess, Wrestling Barbie & The Gothic Knight didn’t appreciate Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid talking down on the WWE Women’s Champion, and now they look to humble these mean girls here tonight. But can Chelsea focus when she’s the number one target during MITB season? Or will she and her team end up under The Influence?

SmackDown returns as Tiff makes her entrance to join Chelsea and Paige in the ring. Then Fatal Influence makes their entrance, and the trios sort out. Paige starts against the Toxic Cowgirl, and the fans cheer as the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Fallon pulls hair to put Paige in a corner! The ref counts, Fallon backs off, but Paige CHOPS! The fans fire up while Fallon staggers away. Paige headlocks, Fallon powers up and out, but Paige slips around to mule kick. Lainey tags in, but Paige dodges her to DROPKICK her down! Lainey goes to the apron, Paige shouts, ‘This is MY house!” Paige has Lainey in the ropes to fire off knee after knee!

Paige goes to seven, then tags Chelsea before she KICKS Lainey down. Chelsea runs to DOUBLE KNEE! Tag to Tiff, and she HIP ATTACKS! Tiff & Chelsea celebrate, but Jacy rushes up, only for Tiff & Chelsea to dodge, SUPERKICK from Paige! The fans cheer as Paige group hugs with the besties, and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns as Tiff endures a body scissors squeeze. She pushes back to cover, TWO as Jacy lets go! Tiff hurries to fire body shots! The fans cheer as Tiff runs, but Jacy ELBOWS her down! The fans boo but Jacy drags Tiff over, tag to Fallon. Fallon tags Lainey, they double whip Tiff. FLAPJACK, BLOCKBUSTER, and Lainey stacks Tiff for a cover, TWO! Lainey complains about the count, then bumps Tiff off buckles. Tag to Fallon, and Lainey sucker punches Paige! Lainey takes another swing but Chelsea avoids getting hit. Fallon sends Lainey in, but Tiff BOOTS her away! Tiff DECKS Jacy, too!

Fallon SOBATS Tiff, then whips her to ropes. Tiff and Fallon hit DOUBLE FACEBUSTERS! The fans fire up while both women crawl, hot tags to Lainey and Chelsea! The fans fire up as the champion dodges Lainey, then JAPANESE ARM-DRAGS! Then another! Then a waistlock, ripcord, SLAP, and ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up with Chelsea as she runs, SLIDING FLATLINER! The fans fire up again as Chelsea climbs, and she BOOTS Fallon away! Chelsea aims, but she has to leap over Lainey! Lainey SUPERKICKS On return! Lainey scoops, Chelsea slips free, and she shoves Lainey away, hot tags to Paige and Jacy!

The fans fire up as Paige dodges, GERMAN SUPLEXES, then reels Jacy in! FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Jacy flounders, Paige brings her around, “This is MY house!” And the PAGE TURNER! Cover, but Fallon breaks it! Tiff runs up, Fallon dodges to DECK her! Fallon grins, but Chelsea SMACKS her! Chelsea TOSSES Fallon, but here comes Lainey! Chelsea TOSSES her out, too! But Fallon trips Chelsea up and drags her out! Chelsea sees she’s outnumbered, but Tiff SUPER CROSSBODIES Fallon & Lainey! The fans fire up for the besties, but Jacy CANNONBALLS them both! Jacy talks trash, but the fans cheer Paige!

Paige builds speed, but NIKKI trips her up!! The fans boo as #FearlessNikki hides like a coward! ROLLING ENCORE on Paige! Cover, Fatal Influence wins!

Winners: The Fatal Influence, by pinfall

Nikki and Jacy wave and blow a kiss to each other, and Fatal Influence leaves with the gold and the win. Nikki taunts Paige and Chelsea, who will get what they want? And who will get what they deserve?

WWE shares footage of R-Truth at the Performance Center.

Truth says that Damian Priest found the worst way possible to make this change he wanted to make. Whatever change could’ve been made together. But then DAMIAN PRIESTS ATTACKS FROM BEHIND! Priest knocks Truth down, stomps him down, then KICKS him in the side! Priest asks if Truth understands now. Is this still funny to him? Is this still funny?! Priest THROWS Truth against the wall! The doc tells Priest to stop but Priest says shut up! Priest grabs a chair, and he uses it to CHOKE Truth while sitting on him! Priest dares Truth to say something now! Priest told Truth that he’s the bad guy and he doesn’t need truth! Understand?!

Priest says no more buddies, no more jokes, no more BS! He should be world champion instead of wasting time with Truth! Go bother someone else, pend*jo! Priest storms off, leaving Truth coughing and sputtering in WWE Medical.

Backstage interview with Gunther.

Cathy Kelley notes that we are still waiting on a medical update for Truth, but turns to Der Ring General and mentions his major opportunity tonight, where he will face two men he has considerable history with in CM Punk and Finn Balor. How is he approaching tonight? Gunther says it is a disgrace that a wrestler of his caliber has to qualify for a ladder climbing contest. But someone who has a major opportunity today is Finn Balor. Finn has got Gunther, that’s still a really solid right hook. But what Gunther’s said about Finn is the truth, and Finn proved he doesn’t have his emotions in check.

So today, we find out who we’re dealing with. Is it the legendary Prince? Or is it who Gunther sees the whole time, this ghost of Finn Balor? Danhausen pats Gunther on the shoulder! And he tells “Gooner” that no worries, he has it from here. What we’re gonna do is climb the ladder, grab the human money briefcase, split the money and buy some nice watches. Gunther scowls at Danhausen and Danhausen says wait, Gunther’s gonna hog the money, isn’t he? Hold on, it’s been a minute, but Danhausen can still do this. You! Are! Gunther CHOKES Danhausen and tells him that everyone may fall for this BS, but Gunther does not! So stay away from him!

Gunther lets Danhausen go, storms off, and Cathy asks Danhausen if he’s okay. Danhausen croaks out a “No,” then walks away. Will the Very Nice, Very Evil Overlord learn to pick his spots? Will Gunther earn his spot in the MITB ladder match?

Cody Rhodes is here!

The fans cheer as the American Nightmare makes his entrance, and they sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets the pyro, then he high-fives fans as he continues down the ramp. Cody goes to the ring, grabs the mic, and the fans are a bit torn, maybe 70-30 in favor of Cody. Cody says, “So, Indianapolis…! Whaddya wanna talk about? Now, we could talk about the money in the Bank briefcase, the opportunity that that presents, but that is next week’s battle. Let’s keep it simple. Let’s make it black and white. At SummerSlam, I had CM Punk defeated, I was about to go on and win the Undisputed WWE Championship for a fourth time.

“And that didn’t happen. not because of CM Punk. No, that didn’t happen because of the interference of Randy Orton. And I know that’s not politically correct, none of this is going to be, but it’s a fact and I frame it with respect because I greatly respect CM Punk. Now, CM Punk has gone on to lose the title to Sami Zayn.” The fans definitely boo there, and Cody knows that he can beat Sami Zayn. But what he knows and what he needs to do are two very different things. What he needs to do is “address the lunatic ranting and raving to Michael Cole earlier, and that being Randy Orton.” Randy Orton talked about all the changes in Cody’s career.

Orton has framed it to where if Cody were to punt Orton, that it’s somehow a good thing and a bad thing. He’s making it as an unwinnable position for Cody. Huh. Unwinnable position? Cody’s been asked by his boss in front of 40 thousand people to give him his soul. Cody had to beat John Cena on his retirement run. Cody’s entire first reign as WWE Champion was against all the beloved and deeply connected WWE Superstars. Cody is the KING of unwinnable positions! The fans do cheer that. Cody says let’s keep this simple, black ‘n’ white. Position? The position that Orton will be in is the same one where Cody hesitated.

But this time, Cody promises, he will kick Orton’s head off his shoulders! The fans cheer that, too, and Cody says he can’t promise Orton that he’ll be the only one. A mic drop, and perhaps another bit of cryptic message within the whole. But will The American Nightmare make Orton’s life a living nightmare the next time they face off? And well, well! As Cody makes his exit, Punk makes his entrance for the main event! Punk and Cody look each other in the eyes on stage, and while Punk smiles and nods, Cody just heads out. Will these two also be on a collision course over what comes next?

Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: CM Punk VS GUNTHER VS Finn Balor!

We know all three men want their spot in the ladder match to have their chance at the briefcase, which will also be their chance at some payback on Sami Zayn. But only one man can move on to New Orleans! Who defies the odds in Indy?

SmackDown returns as Finn makes his entrance, joining Punk in the ring, leaving Gunther for last but certainly not least. The bell rings and Gunther RAMS Finn into a corner! Gunther RAMS Finn again and again, but Punk turns him around to throw hands. Punk dodges a chop to CHOP, then he fires another shot. Gunther winds up but Punk dodges another chop to CHOP again! Gunther puts Punk on the ropes to finally CHOP him! Finn storms up and throws hands on Gunther! Gunther CHOPS Finn down! Gunther talks trash, the fans boo, but Punk CHOPS! Finn CHOPS! Punk CHOPS again! Finn ROCKS Gunther!

Punk and Finn double whip to DOUBLE CHOP! The fans cheer as Gunther falls, but then Punk fireman’s carries Finn! Gunther BOOTS Punk down! But the accidental SAMOAN DROP means Punk falls onto a cover! But Gunther drags Punk off Finn to put him in a BOSTON CRAB! Punk endures, even as Gunther sits deep! But Finn KICKS Gunther! And KICKS! But Gunther blocks one to CHOP Finn down! The fans boo but Gunther stalks Finn. Finn stumbles to the ropes, but Gunther is on him with a whip. Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirls, and Punk helps out, BOOT LEG SWEEP COMBO! Then Punk fireman’s carries Finn again!

Finn slips free, dragon sleepers Punk, then kicks Gunther! Finn reels Gunther in, DOUBLE DDT COMBO! The fans fire up with Finn, and he runs to LARIAT Punk up and out! Punk is on the floor, Finn builds speed, but Gunther catches Finn into a SLEEPER! But Finn FLINGS Gunther out! Punk fireman’s carries Gunther, Gunther slips free, and Finn FLIES! Down go Punk and Gunther while the fans fire up, and SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Finn puts Gunther in, GAMANGIRIS him down, then goes to the corner! The fans cheer, but Gunther CHOPS Finn! Gunther huffs ‘n’ puffs, then CHOPS Finn again! Gunther drags Finn down, but Punk drags himself into the ring. Gunther stands on Punk’s head! Gunther then goes out to stomp Punk, and he brings Punk around. Gunther whips Punk hard into the barriers! Gunther then goes back to the ring, but Finn fires hands! Finn runs, but Gunther LARIATS him back down! Gunther looms over Finn, then goes back outside to fetch Punk. Gunther whips, Punk reverses, and Gunther hits barriers hard! Then Punk fires off!

Punk CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! But Gunther THROWS Punk into the steel steps! Punk tumbles, the ref reprimands, but Gunther goes back to the ring. Finn fires more hands! Gunther CLAWS Finn’s face, then turns him around to CLUB him in the chest! SmackDown returns to single picture as Gunther CLUBS Finn on the back and shoves him away. Gunther then stalks Finn to a corner, snapmares and NECK TWISTS! Finn writhes, but Gunther goes back out to THROW Punk into more barriers! The fans boo but Gunther goes back to Finn again! Finn fires more hands! Finn CHOPS, but Gunther scoops and puts him on the corner!

Gunther CHOPS Finn, then climbs up to STAND on Finn! Finn is being bent back as the fans boo, but Gunther stops just to soak up heat. Gunther then takes his time going back for Punk. Punk CHOPS! And CHOPS! Punk fires haymakers and he backs Gunther down, but Gunther hits a BARRIER BACK SUPLEX! Punk flops into the timekeeper’s area, Gunther goes back to the ring and he pie faces Finn. Finn SLAPS! And CHOPS! And KICKS! And CHOPS! Then Finn ducks a chop to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! But Gunther CHOPS! Finn PELES! Finn and Gunther are down and the fans fire up! Wait, Punk is up top! MACHO ELBOW on Gunther! Cover, TWO!

Punk is frustrated, but the fans rally up. Punk runs at Finn, SHINING WIZARD! Then SHINING WIZARD for Gunther! SHINING WIZARD on Finn again, then a LARIAT BULLDOG COMBO! The fans fire up as Punk calls for bedtime! Punk fireman’s carries Gunther, but Gunther CLAWS the eyes! Gunther reels Punk in but Finn CHOPS! Gunther KNEES Finn low! Gunther reels both men in, but they trip him up! Finn and Punk work together, DOUBLE HALF CRAB!! Gunther endures, flails, reaches out, and he crawls around! Finn and Punk glare at each other, understanding they can’t both win if Gunther taps.

So Finn drags Punk down into an inside cradle! TWO!! Punk escapes, fireman’s carries, GO TO- NO! Finn blocks the knee, shoves Punk into Gunther, then rolls Punk! TWO, and Finn rebounds to SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up as Finn aims, SHOTGUN! Punk hits buckles and falls into the drop zone! Finn climbs up as the fans fire up again! COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, but Gunther YANKS Finn out of the ring! The fans boo but Gunther storms in after Punk! Gunther reels Punk in, but Finn is back! SLINGBLADE on Gunther! Finn reloads, and SHOT- NO, SLEEPER from Gunther! But Finn snapmares free!

Finn tries again, but Punk fireman’s carries! GO TO SLEEP for Finn! Finn falls outta the ring, Gunther T-REX SHOTGUNS Punk!! Gunther reels Punk in, for the GENERAL BOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Punk survives and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as all three men are down. But then the fans boo as Gunther rises up. Gunther drags Punk to his feet, runs the ropes, but Punk ducks a lariat! Fireman’s carry! Gunther slips free, ripcords, but Punk fireman’s carries again! Gunther slips down, to have a SLEEPER!! Gunther spins Punk around, but Punk slips free of the bomb! Punk fireman’s carries but Gunther slips free!

Gunther CHOPS Punk’s back, and has the SLEEPER!! Gunther smothers Punk, but Finn hits a COUP DE GRACE!! But then Punk snipes the cover! PUNK WINS!!

Winner: CM Punk, by pinfall (advances to MITB)

Finn is beside himself! He hit the bull’s eye, but he doesn’t get credit for it! Punk realizes how lucky he is, too, and now he heads for New Orleans! Will the Best in the World become a historic THREE-TIME Mr. Money in the Bank? Or did he use up all his luck just to get this far?

My Thoughts:

A very good SmackDown with an awesome main event. It’s a shame Finn, Gunther, and Punk can’t all be in the ladder match, but they’ve been building Finn VS Gunther as its own feud, they can fight on the side while Punk goes for a third MITB win while having to deal with everyone else. I also liked the interaction of Punk and Cody before the main event, it keeps that feud teased, but I don’t think Cody is getting into MITB when he and Orton are still feuding. Orton had a very good promo, Cody had a very good promo, and I continue to be intrigued by how Cody is teasing being Heel here much better than he ever did in AEW.

Very good promo from Nia & Lash, and Lash winning the women’s Triple Threat was great stuff for her. Not quite as predictable as the other results, though I will say they love the concept of sniping a finish this time around. Charlotte will be fine, there’s still the story of her and Tatum trying to be the new odd couple tag team going against Fatal Influence. Then we saw Giulia and Blake have it out to set up their match so that it finally happens. And with this heat, I really hope these two get to give it their all like it’s still Stardom/Japan Joshi Strong Style. With that, I feel like Blake is going to win, even if she has to cheat, so that she actually gets going after the inexplicably long delay on her creative.

Back to Fatal Influence, very good Six Woman Tag with them and the trio of Paige, Chelsea & Tiff. Given the promo beforehand, of course Nikki had to cost Paige’s team this one. Maybe we get one more Nikki VS Paige before someone challenges Chelsea directly for the title. Chelsea’s concern of being cashed-in on, there’s a good chance the 100% success rate continues, and there are quite a few possibilities here. Maybe Tiff wins and betrays Chelsea? That’d be a shame, Tiff is doing well as a Face, so it’d be harsh to change her back to a Heel like this. But fans love Chelsea even more, so maybe it’d work.

Very good Steel Cage match, but these are still hard for WWE to innovate these days. Very surprised Corbin survived a Trick Shot, but a trio of Bookends was a great way for Trick to win. Now Trick moves on, maybe/hopefully to a new feud with Carmelo Hayes. And very good stuff with Sami interacting with Gargano & Candice. I like that “Ride or Die” is this close to being their faction name, and Sami all but gaslighting Gargano is some real savvy stuff. I kinda want Gargano to win so that Sami gets stuck between a rock and a hard place, because there’s nothing stopping Gargano from cashing in on Sami to force the issue.

My Score: 8.8/10