WWE Smackdown Highlights: WWE SmackDown took place at the MVP Arena in Albany, New York. The show continued the road to SummerSlam. It also served as the final SmackDown before Saturday Night’s Main Event. The show followed up on Baron Corbin’s return from the previous week. Corbin had attacked Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams during his comeback.
WWE Smackdown Highlights
GUNTHER Learns SummerSlam Stakes
GUNTHER complained that he had been treated unfairly since joining SmackDown. He blamed Nick Aldis for keeping him out of the WWE Championship picture and criticized being forced to team with Sami Zayn against CM Punk and Cody Rhodes. Adam Pearce interrupted and reminded GUNTHER that Aldis had actually saved his job after his recent attacks.
Pearce also revealed that if GUNTHER and Sami win their tag match at Saturday Night’s Main Event, both men will be added to the SummerSlam title match, making it a four-way contest. Before GUNTHER could celebrate, Cody Rhodes rushed to the ring and attacked him. Cody demanded a singles match with GUNTHER later that night, and Pearce made it official.
Finn Balor vs Talla Tonga
Finn Balor defeated Talla Tonga after surviving the size advantage of his opponent. Talla controlled much of the match with power moves, including a running powerslam and a Samoan drop, while also using Tama Tonga’s interference to his advantage. Balor stayed in the fight with leg kicks, a DDT, and a shotgun dropkick. After knocking Tama off the apron with a Sling Blade, Balor hit a Coup de Grace but chose not to cover immediately. He climbed back to the top rope and delivered a second Coup de Grace to pin Talla Tonga.
Jacy Jayne vs Tiffany Stratton (Interim WWE Women’s Championship Qualifying Match)
Tiffany Stratton defeated Jacy Jayne to qualify for the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match at SummerSlam. Tiffany started fast with strikes and controlled the early action before Jacy fought back and briefly took over. After the break, Jayne nearly scored the win and even cut Tiffany off on the top rope. Stratton recovered, hit the Finlay Roll, and finished the match with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to secure the victory.
GUNTHER Brushes Off Sami Zayn
Backstage, GUNTHER criticized Cody Rhodes for attacking him earlier in the night. He called Cody emotional and said he would teach him a lesson in the ring. GUNTHER also said he did not care about Sami Zayn, but planned to win their tag match so he could earn a place in the SummerSlam title match.
As he walked away, he found Johnny Gargano sitting silently on a road case. Candice LeRae warned GUNTHER not to do anything that could cost Sami the opportunity. GUNTHER dismissed the idea of working together but told her to stay out of it because he would handle everything himself.
Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes Trade Barbs Backstage
Backstage, Trick Williams mocked Baron Corbin for attacking him the previous week and insulted him during an interview. Carmelo Hayes interrupted, and Trick demanded an apology for what happened to Lil Yachty. Hayes sarcastically apologized for letting Yachty leave the arena on his own two feet. He also pointed out that Trick avoided defending the United States Championship because of Corbin’s interference and said Corbin would get what was coming to him. Trick fired back by saying Carmelo had accomplished nothing since joining SmackDown and told him to stop worrying about his business.
Fraxiom (Axiom & Nathan Frazer) vs War Raiders (Erik & Ivar)
The War Raiders defeated Fraxiom in a hard-fought tag team match. Erik and Ivar used their power to control much of the action, while Axiom and Nathan Frazer answered with speed and high-flying offense. Fraxiom came close to winning after a springboard 450 splash and later a superplex into a Phoenix Splash, but Erik broke up the pin. The War Raiders recovered, hit Nathan Frazer with a powerslam, and finished Axiom with Ragnarok to earn the victory.
“American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes vs GUNTHER
Cody Rhodes defeated GUNTHER by disqualification after outside interference ended their hard-fought main event. Cody started fast, but GUNTHER took control by targeting his leg. Rhodes fought back with two Cody Cutters and later locked in the Figure Four Leglock. CM Punk came to ringside to support Cody, but Sami Zayn arrived and attacked Punk.
The distraction allowed the chaos to spill outside the ring. Sami knocked Cody off the apron and into the ring post, leading to the disqualification. After the match, Cody, Punk, GUNTHER, and Sami Zayn brawled until referees and WWE officials separated them ahead of their tag team match the following night.
FAQs
Q. Who won the match between Finn Balor and Talla Tonga?
A. Finn Balor won after hitting two Coup de Grace finishers.
Q. How did Tiffany Stratton qualify for SummerSlam?
A. Tiffany Stratton defeated Jacy Jayne with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever.
Q. Who won the main event between Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER?
A. Cody Rhodes won by disqualification after outside interference.
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