WWE
The SmackDown Report SLAM for 07/24/26
The SmackDown Report for July 24th from the Oakland Arena in Oakland, CA
The SmackDown Report SLAM!
THE ONLY BLVD WHERE WE LOVE YOU
Welcome to the July 24th edition of Friday Night SmackDown from the Oakland Arena in Oakland, CA. On the tap for tonight are two Interim WWE Women’s Title Qualifying Matches: Charlotte Flair and Nia Jax will battle for a spot (since Jax was screwed via DQ by Flair), and Chelsea Green takes on Kiana James to qualify. We will also get the fallout from Saturday Night’s Main Event last weekend as Gunther and the SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis will have a contract signing for their match at SummerSlam. Also, Cody Rhodes and the Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk will have a face-to-face after their altercation, preparing for their one-on-one match for the title.
We’re on the road to the SummerSlam tour – so let’s get to the SLAM because there’s more for sure!
We start the show with some superstars walking into the arena including Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Brie Bella & Paige, and Fatal Influence.
We’re then shown a clip from the SummerSlam Kick-Off last Sunday. Gunther comes out to confront Triple H about Nick Aldis screwing him at last weekend’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. Aldis came out and said Gunther was the one who pushed him over the edge. A brawl breaks out as officials try to hold them back while Trips makes the match at SummerSlam: Gunther vs Aldis.
ANALYSIS: Well, there it finally is. It’s been one of the worst kept secrets that they would be having a match soon. And now it’s happening. I sort of liked the slow burn of the storyline how Gunther kept bossing Aldis around and attacking him, calling Aldis jealous of him. Until, finally, Gunther got his when Aldis interfered in his tag team match at SNME.
We’re now live in a fancy carpeted ring for a contract signing between Aldis and Gunther. RAW General Manager Adam Pearce is in the ring alongside Aldis who is standing. Pearce greets Oakland, then said before anyone puts ink to paper there are some terms and conditions. So he brought out the “Ring General” Gunther. Gunther comes out in an odd casual pure white tee and blue jeans.
Once Gunther and Aldis sit, Pearce said protocol dictates that as the General Manager of SmackDown, Aldis cannot compete as a WWE superstar. Which means soon as Aldis signs the contract he relinquishes his status as GM and Pearce takes over as the GM of SmackDown. There is also a hold-harmless agreement in the contract stating Aldis is not only returning to in-ring competition of his own free will, and that WWE bears no responsibility what happens after the bell between him and Gunther.
Aldis said he knows exactly what he’s signing, and said Gunther is the one who’s brought it to this. Gunther found his breaking point to he’s willing to accept the consequences. He signs the contract, stating if it means relinquishing his executive responsibilities, so be it.
Gunther said both Aldis and Pearce are all dressed up like this is a historic moment, and this match will be the greatest moment of Aldis’ career. He said this is all beneath him because he should be focused on winning the WWE Championship at SummerSlam, and the only reason he is wasting his time is because Aldis doesn’t know how to do his job. Gunther said ever since he came to SmackDown Aldis has been jealous of him. He said he knows Aldis is a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion. Gunther said Aldis wanted more but he never made it to becoming a WWE superstar. Gunther said he walked in and got it all. He got the titles, broke the records, he’s a multi-millionaire. He said that Aldis is just not good enough. But he’s going to fulfill Aldis’ dream. Gunther signed the contract and said he’s going to turn Aldis into a legend. He lists legends like Goldberg, AJ Styles, and John Cena. Legends who were stupid enough to step into the ring with the “Ring General” chasing one more moment. He threw the contract at Aldis and said he’s going to end Aldis’ career before it’s even started.
Aldis got back on the mic and said Gunther keeps repeating himself. He said he figured Gunther out. The reason Gunther keeps telling him this is because Gunther is trying to get him to believe it, because Gunther never thought it would come to this. Aldis said Gunther thought he was going to throw his tantrums, choke him out, pay his fines, and move on. At New York City, when he smacked Gunther with a right hand and Triple H made the match for SummerSlam, he saw it in Gunther’s eyes. Gunther doesn’t want any of this and has put himself into a situation he can’t get out of. Gunther talks about the legends, yet Aldis said he hasn’t had a match in three years, and he’s got nothing to lose. So when he beats Gunther, he’ll go from the career killer to the man who got made a bitch by his boss.
Gunther put his hand on Aldis’ chest, so Aldis punched Gunther with the mic. Aldis punched and kicked Gunther in the corner until Pearce backed him off. Aldis charged again, but Gunther shoved Aldis into Pearce and then delivered the dreaded low-blow kick. Gunther Powerbombed Aldis through the table. Pearce called for some officials to escort Gunter out of the ring. It’s time for our first, of likely many, breaks of the evening.
ANALYSIS: Great promo by both guys. Gunther kept up his thing about how Aldis was jealous of his success while Aldis never made it to the big leagues, and that the “Career Killer” is going to end his before it even gets started. Aldis made some good points, too, by saying Gunther wanted to bully him and didn’t want any of a guy who hasn’t wrestled in about three years with nothing to lose. It was nice that Gunther at least acknowledged Aldis was a former NWA Champion.
This definitely should not be a squash match for Gunther. Give them plenty of time to tell the end of their story. I would love for Aldis to win at SummerSlam, but if this is going to be a straight-up match I don’t think that’s going to happen. I was maybe hoping for a stipulation added in, like no DQ or something, giving Aldis a fighting chance. What would really be awesome is if they could get those three guys Gunther mentioned whose careers he ended (Goldberg, Styles, and Cena) and have them show up at SummerSlam for the Gunther distraction. Or maybe just one. That gives Cena something to do. We’ll see.
Once back from break we’re given an instant replay of the contract signing fight between Gunther and Aldis.
We then go backstage in front of the DOCTOR/TRAINER room with Kathy Kelley saying Aldis is inside being attended to. When suddenly Sami Zayn came up and grabbed the camera. Kelley told him we’re live, but Zayn said there’s something he has to get off his chest. After years, he won the WWE Championship. Soon as he won it became clear the powers that be didn’t want him as champion. Then, within days, he had to defend the title on a show he wasn’t even on. In days, we had a brand-new number one contender, the golden boy Cody Rhodes. And, when Rhodes got taken out, in comes corporate poster boy number two, CM Punk (they were in Chicago, who knew) fresh as a daisy and ready to go. The marquee matchup of Punk vs Rhodes. Aldis and Gunther have a match at SummerSlam and get to resolve their issues. Everybody’s happy. And Zayn, he’s supposed to ride the bench.
Pearce tried to walk into the DOCTOR/TRAINER room when Zayn confronted him to fix this situation. Aldis didn’t just screw Gunther, he screwed Zayn. He said to make the WWE Championship match at SummerSlam a triple-threat, but Pearce refused. Pearce mentioned a fatal four-way tonight with Damien Priest, Trick Williams, Royce Keys, and Finn Balor. The winner of that match goes to SummerSlam in a number one contender’s match against Zayn. Pearce said to earn your way back in. Zayn said the guys in the fatal four-way were mentioned by Punk and they get an opportunity, Rhodes said, “just say when” and he gets his opportunity, and Punk sits on his couch for three months and waits for his opportunity to fall out of the sky. But he has to earn his way back in. Pearce said he’s been given an option so take it or leave it. Zayn said he’ll take it, but no more shenanigans, surprises, or funny business. Pearce left into the room to check on Aldis.
ANALYSIS: Dynamite promo from Zayn as he made some good points during his vicious rant. Now he has his own match at SummerSlam to get back into the chase. “#JUSTICEFORSAMI!”
The SmackDown team tonight is the usual Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett on commentary with Mark Nash as the ring announcer.
Now live in the arena, Brie Bella is already in the ring alongside Paige. Then out comes one-half of the new Women’s Tag Team Champs, Fatal Influence’s Lainey Reid with Jace Jayne and Fallon Henley.
Reid said that your Tag Team Champions have something to say. Reid said that SNME was supposed to be the most important night of their career, but Brie Bella and Paige will remember that night forever. Henley said they just got here and already took out two legends. Jayne said if only se had gold around her waist they would be the perfect package. But thanks to Brie and Paige, she’s not even in the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match. Jayne said it’s fine, because Tiffany Stratton’s Women’s US Championship will be hers in due time. As for tonight, Reid is going to humiliate Brie and put her out of her misery.
Reid immediately charges Brie, but Brie ducks and nails Reid with a forearm sending her to the outside. Brie and Paige argue with Jayne and Henley when Reid yanks Brie down onto the ring apron. Reid tried to send Brie into the steel steps, but Brie ran up them and gave Reid a Flying Clothesline. Brie sends Reid’s head onto the announce desk, then throws her into the ring as we finally get the bell.
Lainey Reid (w/ Jacy Jayne & Fallon Henley) vs Brie Bella (w/ Paige):
Brie immediately tried to roll-up Reid for a two-count. Reid tried to kick Brie, but Brie caught it and gave her a knee. Brie throws Reid into the corner, then Reid threw Brie into the other corner. Reid charged and was lifted up and out to the ring apron. Reid smashes Brie’s head against the top and middle turnbuckles. Kick to Brie head and Reid hits a Leaping Cutter on Brie. Reid goes up to Paige showing off and gives her the D-X “suck it” chop as we go to a mid-match break.
We return as suddenly Brie is in control with “YES~!” kicks to Reid. Running Knee on the jaw of Reid against the ropes and a close call. Reid lifts Brie up and slams her into the corner. Reid charges and gets hit with an elbow and a Bulldog by Brie. Brie goes up top, Henley hops on the apron so Brie kicked her down, but Reid kicked Brie to stop her on the top. Reid hops up top with Brie but Brie punches her back down to the mat. Now Jayne gets on the apron and screams at Brie when Paige comes behind her to take her out. Brie hops down for a Sunset Flip and Reid sat down on her. Reid tried to hold the ropes for a pin attempt, but she got caught by the ref. While distracted with the ref, Brie counters with the “ROLLUP OF DEATH~!” for the win.
WINNER: Brie Bella (7 minutes)
ANALYSIS: **
Just a match, that’s all. Simple and quick. Something used to further their storyline with the numbers game with Fatal Influence. And it set up what came next…
Paige goes into the ring and hugs Brie for finally getting one over on Fatal Influence. But Jayne and Henley immediately leaped into the ring and started beating down Brie and Paige. When suddenly Nikki Bella’s music hits and she runs down the ramp to even the odds. Nikki takes town Jayne and punches her on the mat. Henley picks Nikki up and Nikki kicks a charging Reid down. Back elbow on Henley. Brie hit the Rack Attack 2.0 on Jayne.
The other girls grabbed Jayne as Nikki grabbed a mic. Nikki said they think they can sneak up from the minor leagues, steal from her sisters and get away with it. She said they are the reason Fatal Influence is there. Nikki said it’s time for a wakeup call, so it will be the Bella Twins & Paige against Fatal Influence in a 6-woman tag at SummerSlam.
ANALYSIS: Cole said it just keeps getting better and better, and it really does. Yet another match confirmed for SummerSlam. The veteran trio team giving the up-and-coming newcomers a spanking they deserve. This one should be good.
And welcome back, Nikki! It’s been rumored for a bit she’s healthy enough for a return, so we were hoping it would be for SummerSlam. It’s great to see the band back together. Let’s see where this goes far as Brie and Nikki possibly tag teaming together again alongside Paige instead of Paige being Brie’s partner. Or maybe Nikki will be the outside cheerleader role. It should be interesting where this goes.
Now backstage again to Kelley who’s interviewing Finn Balor. She said Balor has had quite the success since coming to SmackDown. Balor said when he things about SummerSlam, he can’t help but think about the 2016 SummerSlam where he had both the best and worst night of his career. Now here he is in 2026, scratching and clawing for exactly ten years trying to get back to glory.
Suddenly, Gunther walks up to him. Gunther said it’s a great plan, except he’s next in line. He doesn’t care if it’s Balor, Rhodes, or Punk. He’s going to take what’s his. He then comments that ten years is a very long time.
ANALYSIS: Balor was referring to what happened back at the 2016 SummerSlam. “Demon King” Balor made history by winning the inaugural Universal WWE Championship, but at a severe cost by dislocating his shoulder and tearing his pectoral and bicep tendons. His reign lasted only one day as he was forced to relinquish the newly won title the next day on RAW, then be on the sidelines recovering from surgery. Now he has a chance to rectify that. These promos are getting good.
We watched a replay of last week’s match between LA Knight and Jacob Fatu, which led to chaos at the end. Starring Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, Royce Keys, Jey Uso. They all have a six-man tag team match at SummerSlam.
Now backstage where Keys is working out. Sikoa appeared and said Keys was locked in and how they have a big match at SummerSlam. But he mentioned Keys could get two matches at SummerSlam if he wins this 4-way match. Keys said don’t worry about the Bloodline right now. He talked about how he’s in his hometown area near East Bay, so the fans gave a cheap pop. LA Knight walked up to Keys and told him to smack everyone back to factory settings, but he’s always got to worry about The Bloodline. Keep eyes in the back of your head. Keys said he’s a grown-ass man, so tonight he takes everything he wants. Sikoa tells them both that they’re on the same team. The Bloodline thinks they found a weakness, but they didn’t. They found an ass-whoopin’. You got your Solo-Dolo Sikoa, the man from Californ-I-A Mr Royce Keys, and all the way from Los Angeles they call the man the mega-star Mr L-A-Knight “YEAH~!”.
ANALYSIS: Uh, wow. Sikoa was more fired up than I’ve ever seen him. Talking in super-fast jive. He’s really leaning into the character they’re letting him have in these promos. But it’s still important that they all warn each other about The Bloodline lurking around and they have each other’s backs.
Elsewhere backstage, Chelsea Green talked to her buddy Tiffany Stratton, the Women’s US Champion. Straton said she’s going to do amazing out there. Green said just imagine if she qualifies for the Ladder Match at SummerSlam and they get to go to the Inaugural WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match together. Green came up with being best friends forever fighting on a ladder and she should win the Interim title because Stratton has the Women’s US Championship. Stratton said Tiffy-two-titles sounds better. Green said they were getting ahead of each other so first she will win her qualifier match. Green left.
ANALYSIS: Just a bunch of BFF’s arguing about who gets to win the Inaugural title. I kind of like Tiffy-two-titles myself.
Then, Blake Monroe walked up to Stratton saying she comes in peace and she actually likes Stratton. Monroe said that Stratton likes the finer things in life, like her. Monroe told her to worry less about Green and worry more about that championship because the higher you climb, the more people are looking up at what you have. She said but Stratton knew that. Blake left.
ANALYSIS: There’s the tease for Monroe battling Stratton for the US title. It could happen soon. I don’t think she’ll be pulling double-duty at SummerSlam. Probably soon after.
Now live, Green comes to the ring for her Interim WWE Women’s Title Qualifying Match. We go to break as she gets ion the ring. Kiana James is already in the ring when we come back. Poor thing can’t even get her entrance on television.
Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier – Chelsea Green vs Kiana James:
They lock up and James throws Green to the mat and into the corner. She charges, but Green rolls out of the way. James Leapfrogs over a charging Green. Green slaps James, which just makes her mad. James charges at Green, and Green sends James to the ring apron and Dropkicks her all the way to the outside. Green went for a Suicide Dive but got stopped by a punch. James with multiple knees to the gut of Green. James plants her on top of the timekeeper barricade and kicks her in the head. She throws Green back into the ring. James charges but Green punches away at James. Green is thrown to the ropes, then she tries for a Sunset Flip. James tried to block it with an Elbow Drop, but Green moved. Gren slams James to the mat, then two arm drags and a Russian Legsweep. Green nails a Rough Rider for a close call. She now looks for Unpretty-her, but James reversed it. Green caught a kick from James, but she let go and got hit with a Superkick. Falcon Arrow by James for a two count.
James went for a Running Kick, but Green avoided it and got a rollup attempt for a one-count. James hit a Codebreaker. Jame went for a Running Slam, but Green slipped out and nailed the Unpretty-her for the pinfall win.
WINNER: Chelsea Green (4 minutes)
ANALYSIS: ** ½
It was just an average, shortened match. I really wish these qualifier matches would mean so much more than what they’re doing with them. Last time we got a one-minute match. Now, even though it was a nice clean finish for Green, it’s only a four-minute match. Well, at least we get to see BFF’s Straton and Green in a frenemies ladder match.
In the backstage area, once again, Damian Priest was shown stretching when R-Truth walked up to Priest about their Tag Team Title match tonight. R-Truth said he’s staying loose as a goose. Priest said the tag team match against the War Raiders is next Friday, and tonight he has a four-way. Truth sad that’s not even PG. They went back and forth confusing each other when Rhodes walked up. He said he heard what CM Punk said last week that maybe they’ll come for their tag team titles next. Truth said both of them were confused and left.
Cody said that if Priest is coming for the WWE Title, it’s going to be Cody. Priest said he knows he respects Rhodes. But he said that the boys are sick of the same people being the face of this brand. Priest said he’s going to be the number-one contender and, whether it’s Rhodes or Punk, he’s going to drop the WWE Champion after SummerSlam. Cody said that as somebody who was once one of the boys, he liked that attitude and wished Priest good luck. Commercial break.
ANALYSIS: We’re getting some good promos from the superstars in the fatal four-way tonight. And the usual schtick from R-Truth. I can’t get enough of that guy. Silly Truth.
We’re back and we get an instant replay of Rhodes & the Undisputed WWE Champ CM Punk vs Sami Zayn & Gunther. After Rhodes and Punk win, Punk threw his title belt over his shoulder, and what looked like the leather strap flipping back and whipping Rhodes hard on the left eye. At the SummerSlam Kick-Off, Rhodes confronted Punk and said that wasn’t an accident. Punk said it was an accident and he apologized. But this is on purpose, and he shoved Rhodes’ face. In come what looked like NY officers to break up any fighting.
Face to Face – CM Punk and Cody Rhodes:
“Kingdom” hits live in the Oakland are a and Rhodes comes out to the ring in dress clothes. Rhodes asks what do you wanna talk about. He tells Oakland, CA, let’s get right to it. He introduces his opponent at SummerSlam, the Undisputed WWE Champion, the “Best in the World”, CM Punk. Punk comes out to the ring in his Punk lightning jacket with the title around his waist.
Now that they’re face-to-face, Rhodes had two mics in his hand and tried to hand Punk one but dropped it. Rhodes said that was an accident. Punk angrily takes his title and coat off and gets in Rhodes’ face. Instead of picking up the mic, he asks for another mic from the stagehand on the outside. Punk said it’s a shame this is where they’re at where he doesn’t want to turn his back at his friend for a mic. He doesn’t want to bend down and pick it up because he doesn’t know if Rhodes is going to kick him. Punk said it sounds paranoid and he’s not the only one.
Rhodes jumped in and said to stop using the term paranoid because it’s a misdiagnosis. He’s not paranoid, same as what happened at SNME. It was an accident and he accepted that. Rhodes is not going to tell him that the reason he needs to beat him is because he has the title this entire company revolves around. He’s going to tell him why he needs to beat him, “for me”.
Punk said there doesn’t need to be any other reason other than the title, and Punk told him he didn’t want the title to come in between them. But he said Rhodes doesn’t care about that, so if Rhodes has another reason, he’s all ears.
Rhodes said they’ve done a lot of these moments. People have heard from Rhodes that he respects him, even that he loves him. Those two could be true and so is that Rhodes doesn’t like him. He gives Punk some new info: 2011, Punk sat up the ramp and cut the pipe bomb. He showed everyone that there’s another way. Rhodes followed that promo. Punk dropped a pipe bomb on the industry, and Rhodes dropped a nuke on the business. But Rhodes never told Punk that he’s well aware that while he was doing that, the WWE Universe wished it was you every step of the way. Rhodes understood that. He just had someone tell him they were tired of the same faces (Priest), and he’s apologizing. But he’s done apologizing for what he’s worked for. He’s aware the fans wanted it to be you. He went from the one who knocked to the one they knock for, and it’s a list of one. Rhodes has stood in that ring with the very best this roster had on both brands, the greatest roster in any wrestling company. And he doesn’t sweat any of them, but just Punk. He doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder, but when he comes down and the audience is singing to his song he does and it weighs as much as that WWE Championship. Rhodes said he could love him, respect him, doesn’t like him. But for this story to have a proper ending, it’s fair to say he has to beat him at SummerSlam.
Punk asked if he doesn’t like him or if he just doesn’t like that he’s the champion. He’s CM Punk and he casts a large shadow that only Rhodes and a few other people can’t get out from underneath. With some people it’s jealousy, it’s envy. But with Rhodes it’s brothers’ fight. If Punk did all those great things and he learned from them, he was smart enough to pay attention. Punk asked Rhodes if he did them bigger and better than him. That’s not for them to decide, it’s up to the people. It’s for the history books. Punk said in 2022 he was learning from Rhodes because he was on the outside looking in, and Rhodes showed him there was a way back. Punk said they aren’t chasing each other anymore because it ends at SummerSlam. Punk said Rhodes loves him, he’s his brother or not his brother, respects him but doesn’t like him. Rhodes is lying to himself. He can’t handle the pressure of taking the title off of someone he cares about and beat somebody he loves. He has to make himself the victim and everybody else the enemy. Punk mentions Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, John Cena. If they’re his enemy, then that makes Punk his only friend. Punk promised him years ago he would stab him in the front, not the back, and that’s what he’s going to do at SummerSlam. He asked Rhodes if he thinks the only way this ends is by beating him. Then he’s going to break his heart.
Rhodes said they’ve said all they can say. Rhodes mentions several live non-televised events where they’re going to be a tag team: Stockton, Bakersfield. But on their last date in Springfield next Thursday he’s bringing a gift. An apology for when he whips his ass at SummerSlam.
Punk said it’s a coincidence he also got him a gift he’ll give him at SummerSlam. A monumental pillar-to-post ass-whoppin’ wrapped in a lesson called a loss. The lesson Is he’s CM Punk, the Best in the World, in that ring, on that mic, nobody can touch him. Not even Dusty’s kid.
Punk’s music hits as he starts to leave but Rhodes says no, to kill it. He said to play “Kingdom” in a second because he wants Punk to hear the music he’s going to hear at SummerSlam when Punk’s looking up at the lights, and Rhodes has won the WWE Championship for a fourth time. Hit it!
Rhodes music hits and he slowly walks back up the ramp as Punk is on the corner singing along with the crowd.
ANALYSIS: That dueling promo was about 11 minutes long, but it felt longer and kept me interested. That’s how good these two are, two of the best promo talkers in the business today. I wouldn’t say this was one of their best ever, but it was pretty good. Going over their friendship and Punk saying Rhodes won’t be able to pull the trigger when the times comes to take the title from him. I don’t think it got me more excited about their match as I was already excited about it. For some reason the crowd didn’t really get into it, either.
Who am I going to pick? I would have to say Punk will retain as he’s likely going to have a nice run with the title for a while.
On a side note: They keep bringing up that smack with the side of Punk’s title strap whacking Rhodes across his left eye, and if that was an accident. I think it was. Accidents happen and I don’t think Punk meant for that to happen when he whipped his title over his shoulder with Rhodes right behind him. But the way they rolled with it and even strongly pushed it into the storyline was brilliant storytelling.
Another instant replay of last week was shown, this time when Charlotte Flair ruined the Nia Jax vs Jade Cargill qualifier match in just less than one minute with a DQ when she ran into the ring and booted Cargill. Jax squashed Flair in the corner and left while Cargill hit Jaded on Flair.
Backstage with another Kelley interview, this time with Flair who is waiting at the Gorilla Position. She said when Flair attacked Cargill last week it backfired, causing Cargill to advance to the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match. Flair said that she wasn’t thinking about title opportunities or qualifying matches. But she was thinking about that she’s standing there and her best friend Alexa Bliss wasn’t. She can’t thank Lexie enough for what she’s done this year in her career. Cargill is going to learn real quick she can come after her all she wants, but she’s not coming after her best friend. Flair said if she has to go through Nia Jax to get to Jade at SummerSlam and become her biggest obstacle, then she’s going to learn that payback is a…you know the rest of that… “WOOO~!” Flair made her entrance and her pyros just went off as we go to a “WOOO~!” break.
We’re back, and Nia Jax is already in the ring in her red tight wrestling suit.
Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Charlotte Flair vs Nia Jax:
They start off by locking up, but Jax gives Flair a knee to the gut. Jax throws her to the corner, attacking with Shouldertackles until the ref has to break it. Jax shows off and goes back to Flair, but Fair boots her in the face. She goes up top and hits a Headscissors taking Jax down. Now Flair backs Jax up into the corner and attacks with Shouldertackles of her own. Flair with a Flair Chop. She sends Jax to the other corner, but Jax reversed it, Flair hits the corner, flips up and out to the apron and boots a charging Jax. Flair goes up top for a Cross Body for a two. Flair bounces off the ropes, but Jax catches her and hits a Sit-Out Powerbomb for a two-count. Break.
Once we’re back, Jax is flat in the middle of the mat and Flair is in control. Flair does the D-X chop (why is that so popular here) walks over Jax and climbs up top, but Jax gets up and just yanks her off the ropes and back down to the ground. Jax turns her around and climbs the ropes herself, does the D-X chop and hits a big Leg Drop off the second rope for a close call. Jax now drags Flair to the other corner as she goes up for the Annihilator. But Flair gets up and strikes Jax’s left knee. Flair picks up Jax from the ropes and hit a Powerbomb for a close call. Flair starts to go up top, when out comes Cargill and the Baddies. As Flair is distracted, Jax trips up Flair back top the mat and tosses her to the outside. As Jax was telling Jade to mind her own business, B-Fab and Michin attacked Flair. Flair clotheslined B-Fab, punched Michin and tossed Michin into the barricade. Superkick to B-Fab. Flair tried to get back into the ring and hit a Necksnap on Jax on the top rope. Flair ducked a Clothesline by Jax and punched Cargill off the apron. Jax picked up Flair for the Samoan Drop, but Flair got out into the corner. Jax charged as Flair moved, and Flair hit a big boot knocking Jax out of the ring. Cargill came into the ring and nailed Flair with a forearm for another DQ finish.
WINNER by DQ: Charlotte Flair (9 minutes)
ANALYSIS: ***
I liked this match more than the other Jax match last week because it was given much more time and showed off each of the superstar’s skills well. Jax was the aggressive cocky heel with power moves, and Flair was the veteran face that fought back really well and held her own. This continues two storylines: the first being Flair’s issues with Cargill and her Baddies. And two: Jax gets screwed out of yet another qualifier match yet again.
I like that Flair was added to the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match. Flair is a veteran that can add some star power and she can help guide the others involved.
After the match, Cargill is barking orders at B-Fab and Michin to beat up Flair. The Baddies lift Flair up into position for Cargill as she hits Jaded on Flair. Flair is then announced as the winner by disqualification.
Jax freaks out on the outside after being screwed by DQ for a second time in a qualifying match. She tears apart the announce desk and clears it off.
We’re now shown the current card for SummerSlam:
- Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match: Jade Cargill vs Tiffany Stratton vs Chelsea Green vs Charlotte Flair vs the winner of one more qualifier match
- Hell in a Cell Match: Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs Seth Rollins
- Intercontinental Championship: Penta (c) vs Chad Gable
- Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs Iyo Sky
- LA Knight, Royce Keys & Solo Sikoa vs Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso & Jacob Fatu
- Danhausen vs Dominik Mysterio
- The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie Bella) & Paige vs Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid)
- Undisputed WWE Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
- Gunther vs. Nick Aldis
- Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Sami Zayn vs the winner of the fatal four-way tonight
We’re now ready for our main event of the evening! Priest comes out first for the fatal four-way match. The winner will battle Zayn in the WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Match at SummerSlam. Break.
Back from ‘mercial, Balor is on his way to the ring. Keys is already in the ring. Poor guy didn’t even get his ring entrance shown. The United States Champ Trick Williams is the last one to the ring.
Fatal Four-Way Match – Damian Priest vs Royce Keys vs Finn Balor vs Trick Williams:
From the start, Priest and Balor start jawing off at each other as they have a history together. Suddenly, Keys Double-Clotheslines them both down. Williams charges but gets knocked down by Keys. Keys splashes Balor in the corner and tosses him out of the ring. Sidewalk Slam to Priest, and a Fallaway Slam to Williams. Keys is the only one remaining in the ring. Cut to break.
We’re back as Keys carries Balor into the middle of the ring. Balor gets out of it and hits a Reverse DDT on Keys to the mat for only a one. Priest comes up from behind Balor and throws him into the corner. Balor ducks a Clothesline and hits the ropes. He dodges another Clothesline from Priest, bounces off the ropes on the other side and gets nailed by a big boot by Priest. Priest hits a Flatliner on Williams. Priest runs from the opposite corner and splashes Keys. Williams ducked a Spinning Clothesline from Priest and hits a Jumping Neckbreaker on Priest. Then he hits a Flapjack on Balor. Balor is on top of Keys in the corner, so Williams starts kicking them in the corner to “Whoop That Trick~!” chants. Williams moves away into a Roundhouse Kick from Priest. Williams dodges another, Priest nails a Bell Clap, then Williams hits a hard backhand slap sending Priest to the outside. Balor picks up Williams and sends him over the top to the outside. Keys charged but Balor held the top rope to send the third member of the match outside. Balor gets the crowd riled up as he hits a Somersault Dive on top of everyone. The crowd is chanting for one more time. In comes Sikoa. How about a break.
Back just as Keys and Williams are in the ring, with Williams hitting a Book End on Keys, but Sikoa puts Keys’ foot on the ropes breaking the count. Suddenly “U-Sos!” Here comes the Usos, Jey and Jimmy. Both Usos are attacking Sikoa on the outside. Now here comes LA Knight. The Usos get ready for him down the ramp, but Knight comes up from behind the timekeeper’s area for a sneak attack. There’s brawling on the outside as, inside the ring, Priest Is on the ring apron and kicks Williams. Priest goes up top holding onto Williams’ arm and walks the top rope in old-school fashion. But he leaps onto the guys on the outside instead. Balor tried to roll up Williams and gets a near fall. Balor hits a Slingblade on Williams. Shotgun Dropkick on Williams. Balor went up and wanted the Coup de Grace, but Williams moved. Williams with a Cyclone Kick for a close call. We then see Zayn watching the match backstage with Johnny Gargano on top of a crate and Candice LeRae next to him. Back to ringside the Usos, Sikoa and Kight fight to the back. Williams was getting ready for Trickshot on Balor, but Priest interrupted with a clothesline on Williams and a Superkick on Balor. South of Heaven on Williams and a cover, but Keys is back in it stopping the pin attempt. Keys throws Priest into the steel post. Keys pulls down the straps and hits the Ultimate Spinebuster on Priest for a cover. But Jacob Fatu pulls Keys out of the ring and slams him into the steel steps. Then Fatu sends Keys into the ring post. Fatu gets a running start and hits a Running Hip Attack on Keys against the barricade. Meanwhile, in the ring Balor escapes out of a South of Heaven from Priest and hits a Slingblade. Shotgun Dropkick on Priest by Balor. The crowd is going nuts as Balor climbs to the top and nails the Coup de Grace for the win.
WINNER: Finn Balor (13 minutes)
ANALYSIS: *** ¾
This was an excellent fatal four-way match to end the show with so close to SummerSlam. Keys was the powerhouse that started off taking out everybody, then Priest cleaned house, Balor held his own, and Williams kept the fans excited with “Whoop That Trick~!” Everyone took the right bumps really well at the right time, they all had their moments to shine, and it was all timed perfectly.
And then, the 6-man tag match chaos near the end. Usos, Sikoa, and Knight giving us some action on the outside while the match was still going on inside the ring. Near the finish, Fatu interfering with Keys winning by pulling him out and putting a beating on him was the right move. Priest and Balor were the only two let, and it was right to give Balor the win so he can try to redeem himself after ten years since his best/worst day of his career.
The win means that Balor will face Zayn in the Universal WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Match at SummerSlam.
Finn Balor celebrated the win. Tessitore reminded us we are only 8 days from SummerSlam. And that rolled the credits and fade to black.
ANALYSIS: As much as I would like to see “#JUSTICEFORSAMI”, I think Balor will win the #1 Contender’s Match. He won the inaugural Universal WWE Championship on August 21st during the 2016 SummerSlam, Balor’s very first PPV on the main roster. I did a lil’ research on my calendar and there’s a SmackDown taping on August 21st, 2026, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Precisely a decade from when Balor won his one and only world championship title and subsequently had to relinquish it the next night due to being injured during the match. How ironic would it be to have him cash in on his #1 Contender’s Match exactly 10 years to the date. Please make it happen.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE…
In a DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE on WWE’s TwitterX, After the show went off the air Williams was going around ringside greeting the fans in the front row. When suddenly Baron Corbin came from over the fan barricade and Clotheslined Williams down. Corbin punched Williams and threw him into the steel steps. Then Corbin tossed him into the ring. Corbin held onto Williams’ arm and kept kicking him. Then he hit another vicious Clothesline on Williams. He yelled at Williams, saying he’s going to take everything. Then Corbin left up the ramp.
As Corbin was up the ramp, Williams grabbed a mic. Here’s what Williams had to say:
“Hey look here, you big, bald-headed bum. Maybe where you’re from, it’s okay to sneak a man while they ain’t looking, fight when he don’t know what’s about to happen. But where I’m from, you knuckle up, look a man face to face and fight like a real man. So prove to me that you ain’t scared. Prove to me that you don’t belong in retirement. Prove to me that you ain’t a bitch. And you fight me one on one at SummerSlam.”
Corbin replied while the camera was on him:
“SummerSlam. It’s done. And I’m taking that title. You ain’t s***, Trick. You’re nothing.”
ANALYSIS: Well, Corbin has only been back for a few weeks and already he’s going to be in a championship match for the US Championship at SummerSlam. Imagine the horror if they actually gave the title to Corbin. Don’t get me wrong, he looks pretty good so far. But it’s just wa-aay too early.
And that’s the SLAM, my jabronis! And we got more hype and more SummerSlam matches for our buck!
Next week’s Monday Night RAW on July 27th will be at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood (or Los Angeles), CA. This also serves as the official RAW go-home show for SummerSlam. Here’s the loaded card for RAW next week:
- A face-to-face confrontation between Reigns and Rollins (again)
- The Vision will battle The Alpha Academy in a non-title matchup (foreshadowing much?)
- The Women’s IC Championship: Sol Ruca (c) vs Raquel Rodriguez of The Judgment Day (an IC title rematch this close to SummerSlam?)
- Joe Hendry & Danhausen Concert (um, yay?)
- “The Ruler” Oba Femi and “The Beast” Brock Lesnar in a face-to-face weigh-in. (let’s see how much these behemoths weigh before they reinforce the Cell)
Friday Night Smackdown on July 31st takes place at the Resch Center in Green Bay, WI, and will be the official go-home show the day before the SummerSlam PLE. Thus far, the only matchup we can assume is the last of the qualifiers for the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match. Don’t be too surprised if Nia Jax will get another shot after being DQ’ed twice over. Third time’s a charm.
And don’t forget SummerSlam takes place inside the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MI on August 1st and 2nd. Here’s the loaded card for both nights, including the few we got added tonight:
- Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match: Jade Cargill vs Tiffany Stratton vs Chelsea Green vs Charlotte Flair vs the winner of one more qualifier match
- Hell in a Cell Match: Oba Femi vs Brock Lesnar
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs Seth Rollins
- Intercontinental Championship: Penta (c) vs Chad Gable
- Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan (c) vs Iyo Sky
- LA Knight, Royce Keys & Solo Sikoa vs Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso & Jacob Fatu
- Danhausen vs Dominik Mysterio
- The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie Bella) & Paige vs Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid)
- Undisputed WWE Championship: CM Punk (c) vs Cody Rhodes
- Gunther vs Nick Aldis
- Undisputed WWE Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Sami Zayn vs Finn Balor
- (ASSUMED MATCH) United States Championship Match: Trick Williams (c) vs Baron Corbin
So stay safe, get ready for the summer wherever you are, and see y’all along the BLVD!