WWE SmackDown was taped at the Barclays Center in New York City. The episode served as the blue brand’s final show before Crown Jewel. The main match featured CM Punk taking on Kevin Owens in a No Holds Barred contest.
Fatal Influence also challenged the Baddies for the Women’s Tag Team Championships, while Damian Priest faced Nathan Frazer in singles action. The show also featured a singles match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Tama Tonga.
WWE SmackDown Highlights
Sami Zayn Responds to Roman Reigns on WWE SmackDown
Sami Zayn addressed Roman Reigns’ comments and pointed to his recent title defenses on Raw and SmackDown as proof that he could remain WWE Champion. He said he would no longer allow anyone to overlook him, including Reigns. Jimmy Uso then confronted Zayn, accusing him of attacking Roman while the Bloodline was dealing with its war against the 946. Zayn explained that winning and defending his championship had to come first. Uso revealed that Reigns had promised to beat Zayn at Crown Jewel, but Sami welcomed the challenge. As Zayn prepared to leave, the 946 attacked Uso. Zayn eventually walked away as Carmelo Hayes hit Nothin’ But Net on Jimmy.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Tama Tonga
Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Tama Tonga by pinfall with the Kinshasa. Both men traded strikes early, with Nakamura gaining momentum through a knee in the corner, Good Vibrations and a sliding German suplex. Talla Tonga later distracted Nakamura with a boot, allowing Tama to take control after the break. Tonga hit a reverse STO and a sheerdrop brainbuster, but Nakamura refused to stay down. He fought back with an inverted exploder suplex and dealt with Talla’s interference. Kyoki then stopped Talla, briefly distracting Tama and giving Nakamura the opening to land Kinshasa for the win.
GUNTHER Calls Out Finn Bálor as The Demon Threatens to Return
GUNTHER called out Finn Bálor and questioned his decision to continue wrestling, saying he had embarrassed himself by relying on paint and smoke effects. He demanded that Bálor face him without any tricks. Bálor appeared and admitted that GUNTHER might be right about the paint and effects but reminded him that he was the one who put him through a table. He then warned that the Demon inside him was ready to come out. GUNTHER attacked first, but Bálor fought back with a plancha, Sling Blade and shotgun dropkick. He stood tall after GUNTHER moved away from his top-rope attack.
Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid) vs the Baddies (B-FAB & “Michin” Mia Yim) (c) (WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship)
Fatal Influence’s Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid faced the Baddies’ B-FAB and Michin for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships, but the match ended in a no-contest after Tatum Paxley and Alexa Bliss attacked the wrestlers at ringside. The two women took out Jacy Jayne and Jade Cargill before entering the ring and fighting everyone. After the match, the heels briefly joined forces against Bliss and Paxley, but Bayley arrived to help. Jade knocked Bayley down, bringing out the returning Charlotte Flair, who confronted Cargill. The four babyfaces eventually worked together to send all six heels out of the ring.
Liv Morgan Mocks Chelsea Green Ahead of Championship Match
Nick Aldis invited Chelsea Green to address Liv Morgan’s comments ahead of their Crown Jewel Championship match. Green admitted that Morgan’s criticism had affected her confidence, revealing that she sometimes questioned whether she deserved to be champion. She said defeating Liv would help her establish a place in WWE history and prove that her title win was no fluke. Liv then interrupted and mocked Green for winning the championship after Rhea Ripley’s injury. She called Chelsea a charity case and claimed the fans supported her because they saw themselves in someone without talent. Liv promised to defeat Green and become a two-time Women’s Crown Jewel Champion.
CM Punk vs Kevin Owens (No Holds Barred)
Kevin Owens defeated CM Punk in a No Holds Barred Match with a loaded punch after a brutal fight that moved from the ring to the crowd and stage. Both men used chairs, tables, a trash can and other weapons, with Punk hitting a Go to Sleep on the stage and a diving elbow through the announce desk. Owens survived several near-falls, including a DDT onto a chair and a military press slam into a stack of chairs. After the two fought through the tables at ringside, Owens hit a Stunner, but Punk kicked out. Owens then wrapped his hand with a chain and landed a loaded punch to secure the victory.
FAQs
Q. What did Sami Zayn say in response to Roman Reigns?
A. Zayn said his recent title defenses showed he could remain WWE Champion and welcomed Reigns’ challenge.
Q. How did Shinsuke Nakamura defeat Tama Tonga?
A. Nakamura pinned Tonga after hitting Kinshasa.
Q. What warning did Finn Bálor give GUNTHER?
A. Bálor warned that the Demon inside him was ready to return.
Q. How did Kevin Owens defeat CM Punk?
A. Owens used a chain-wrapped loaded punch to secure the victory in their No Holds Barred Match.
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