The SmackDown live Report
It’s Friday Night and we are live and bright as the August 7th edition of SmackDown takes place at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, PA. We’re sizzling the fallout from the 2026 SummerSlam last weekend with two big returns, a new Interim champ, and two rivals battle it out. Bitter rivals Charlotte Flair and Jade Cargill, who both came up short in the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match, will square off one-on-one in a highly anticipated matchup. Chelsea Green returns to SmackDown as Interim WWE Women’s Champion after besting Charlotte Flair, Jade Cargill, Lash Legend and Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton to climb the ladder and win the Interim WWE Women’s Title at SummerSlam. The path was long and arduous, but the WWE Universe saw an earth-shattering return as Kevin Owens made his way back after missing more than a year and stunnered everyone by winning what turned into a Fatal 4-Way Match to become the No. 1 Contender to the Undisputed WWE Championship. And “The Viper” Randy Orton made his shocking return at SummerSlam, striking Cody Rhodes with an RKO during The American Nightmare’s title match against Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk.
This is the live report for Friday Night SmackDown on August 7th, 2026.
Before we begin we’re shown the graphic remembering Dory Funk, Jr., who recently passed away this week.
We begin with our superstars shown walking into the arena. Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett are our commentators. They announced that the first 30 minutes of SD is commercial-free. Let’s hope that doesn’t mean we’re getting a 30-miniute promo to start.
The live show begins with Cody Rhodes making his way to the ring. We’re shown what happened at SummerSlam where Randy Orton made his return and attacked Rhodes.
In the ring, Rhodes immediately calls out Orton to have a match right now. Orton doesn’t show, so he asks Philly what they want to talk about. He said we lost a great champion’s champion in Dory Funk, Jr. John Cena, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens and Randy Orton were here when he won at WrestleMania 40, and then they went against him. Then, Rhodes said he will assume CM Punk didn’t know Orton was going to hit him with an RKO.
Out comes Punk. Rhodes asks, and Punk says he didn’t know Orton was there, but they should go to the back and find Orton together. Rhodes refuses, saying Orton is his and the ring is now Punk’s.
Cue Kevin Owens, the #1 contendere to Punk’s WWE Championship. Rhodes givers KO his mic and walks off as Owens gets in the ring. Loud “Welcome Back~!” chants. Owens and Punk get in each other’s faces and have a chat until Nick Aldis shows up by ringside. Punk asked if he’s here to wrestle. Owens said yes. For 17 months he’s lived in uncertainty if he’ll ever wrestle again. But here he is.
For three years, Owens said people have asked him to give “Phil” a second chance. And maybe they’re right. But he’s still looking past Owens, and that’s why he’s right that Punk is still arrogant. Punk says he’s arrogant, and the title he has means he’s the Best In the World. Punk said he knocked down doors for people like Owens.
Owens said it’s been ten years since he’s been champion. He never imagined something would happen to make that moment of being champion again better. Because now he gets to humble Punk in the process.
Punk said he should show a little gratitude because he wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. Punk doesn’t think he’s the Best in the World. He knows.
Owens said he should be grateful. But he said Punk also showed him what not to become, that someone’s ego can get so inflated they start believing their own crap. It must be so lonely on that pedestal he puts himself on. Then he thanks Punk, that seeing what he’s become has made him determine to not let this business turn him into a miserable piece of s*** like him.
Aldis and the refs rush the ring as it now nearly comes to a fight. Punk leaves the ring as his music plays.
Charlotte Flair is now interviewed. She is asked what it is about Jade Cargill that really gets under her skin. Flair said when Cargill arrived three years ago she saw strength and presence. Someone who wanted to be the top girl. Today, she’s not fighting to be the top girl, she’s fighting for Lexi. She said if she’s half the woman she says she is, she’ll come alone. “WOOO~!”
Next, Trick Williams is at the Gorilla Position saying Baron Corbin is out smiling and doing podcasts with his title. The only reason he got the title is he cheated. At the end of the day we doesn’t have what it takes. Tonight Baron is going to Whoop That Trick, and Trick is going to whoop that ass.
Williams comes out for his rematch with Corbin. We’re shown what happened at SummerSlam at the end of their match with Corbin and Lil Yachty. Next, Corbin comes out on a motorcycle and heads to the ring. He still has the white faux fur US title.
United States Championship: Baron Corbin (c) vs Trick Williams:
They start things right off the bell beating each other down. Corbin tries to escape out of the ring but Williams follows him and smashes him against the steel post and into the timekeeper’s area.
It goes back and forth until Corbin tried to use the US title in the match, but the ref stopped him. Bookend by Willians for a close call. Finally Williams hit the Trick Shot, but Corbin grabbed the bottom rope. Corbin rolled out of the ring and the ref tried to stop Williams from following him. He shoves the ref out of the way, distracting the ref enough for Corbin to hit Williams with the title and the three count.
WINNER: Baron Corbin
Now backstage, Sami Zayn is complaining about being screwed again at SummerSlam by GM Nick Aldis, adding GUNTHER and then KO. Up walks Owens. Zayn said he’s happy for Owens that their last match in Toronto wasn’t their last match. Of course he’s happy for him. And now, he comes back all this time later hand he gets a title opportunity? Zayn needs Owens to acknowledge his return 100% came at his expense.
Owens said him coming back that way did, and he’s sorry. But, they can acknowledge Zayn would have done the same thing. Owens said he’ll take case of Punk in the ring. Zayn said it’s fine. Owens can handle it himself. Zayn said don’t expect him to stop chasing what he wants, just because it’s what Owens wants.
Corbin is now interviewed that he has two upsets over Williams in under a week. Corbin said he’s been there for a cup of coffee and already he’s got a title. How is he the underdog? He said Williams will never get his hands o the title again. There’s not anyone in the locker room that can challenge him.
Suddenly Corbin gets attacked by Carmelo Hayes. He challenges Corbin in Boston in his hometown nest week.
We’re back live in the arena as it’s announced that Chelsea Green is the WWE Women’s Champion (not interim). She gets into the red carpeted ring as pyros go off.
Green said she loves everyone. She appreciates everyone who stuck with her from the beginning. Everyone cheering is a huge part of why she walked out of SummerSlam the new WWE Women’s Champion. She also thanks herself, because she’s the reason they’re all here. And lastly she wants to thank her blonde BFF, Tiffany Stratton.
Out comes the Women’s US Champion Stratton. Green says she’s sorry about Sunday, but their friendship is stronger than that. She wants to make a toast to their friendship. But Stratton wanted to talk to her about something.
Out comes Fatal Influence. Jacy Jayne was complaining about Stratton as the reason why she wasn’t in the Ladder Match and she’d be WWE Women’s Champion. Reid said that all of them would be draped in gold as it was meant to be. Henly trashed Green for thinking she deserved it. Green wanted to celebrate her moment. Jayne told Stratton she’s going to take away the Women’s US Title that Stratton holds. Jayne was in the ring telling Stratton she’ll be “Tiffy No Titles”. Stratton said that she’ll give Jayne a title match next week if Fatal Influence gives them a title match right now. Jayne said they accepted. A ref ran out there to make it official.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Fatal Influence (c) – Lainey Reid & Fallon Henley (w/ Jacy Jayne) vs Chelsea Green & Tiffany Stratton:
Give Green and Stratton a title match now, and Jayne gets a title match next week. That’s the deal.
The champs once again take advantage of the numbers game and eventually get the better hand of the challengers with their finishing move, the Fatal Flaw.
WINNERS: Fatal Influence
After the match, the Irresistible Forces of Lash Legend and Nia Jax sneak attack Stratton and Green from behind. Jax grabs the Women’s Championship and stands over Green.
Now backstage, Damian Priest is interviewed about his match against the War Raiders last week where the MFT attacked them. Priest said they beat the MFT for the tag titles. Then they beat them again. Last week, they did what they do best and jumped them. They have a coup now. So if the MFT’s want to get their butts kicked again…
The War Raiders walk in and say they will beat Priest and R-Truth for the tag team titles to become double champions. But first, the MFTs have a hard lesson to learn.
R-Truth walks up and says they’re not scared of the Road Warriors, or the Legion of Doom. Not even Hawk or Animal. Priest said those are the same people. Truth said he’ll talk to Aldia and, next week, they’ll defend the titles against both the War Raiders and the MFTs. Priest gets upset tht last week it was title-for-title, but next week he forgot to mention the War Raider’s titles being on the line. Truth looked sad.
After a break, we’re shown the career of Brock Lesnar as he announced his retirement on the Pat McCafee show after SummerSlam.
Now back live, “Voices” hits and out comes the return of Randy Orton to the ring with the crowd sing-along. We’re shown what happened last WrestleMania 42 last April which was the last time Orton was seen. He punted Rhodes and gave him a bloodied eye (even though it was reported it happened during the match).
Before Orton can even say a word, Rhodes comes out looking for a fight, but Orton ducks out of the ring. Rhodes asks him what he’s waiting on and tells Orton to get in the ring. Aldis and officials come out. Rhodes tells Orton he knows Orton doesn’t answer to anybody. Rhodes said after twenty years, and especially recently, he owes him an explanation.
Orton said he doesn’t owe Rhodes jack. Rhodes was the one who asked him for the very best version of Orton. He calls Rhodes cocky and arrogant. He gave Orton Permission. A 14-time Champion, The Viper, The Legend Killer. He played his game and gave him the very best version of Orton. And Rhodes beat him in the ring. Suddenly, the voices came back louder and louder. And kicked him down as hard as he could. Then he realized the best version of Orton isn’t going to bring home number 15, but the worst will. He doesn’t care who has it. And he will make sure Rhodes is never WWE Champion again.
Rhodes said he’s not held to the standards of the championship anymore. What about the worst version of Rhodes? He doesn’t have to be a good guy anymore. Orton calls himself The Legend Killer. He asked Orton to look around. Orton is the last legend left in the WWE. So, “who kills you?”the last legend left in the WWE. So, “who kills you?”
We’re now backstage for another segment of “When Will This End?” starring Zayn, Johnny Gargano (on another crate) and Candice LeRae. Zayn said he’s on the outs again and has to earn his way back in again. The truth is that he is a little jealous of Kevin Owens. Not because he gets to wrestle CM Punk for the title.
Punk was suddenly there. He asked Zayn he was still crying behind his back. He knows both Zayn and Owens are jealous. Zayn tells Punk he’s a fraud and his days are numbered. Zayn shows a brace on his left hand. Punk tells Zayn he’s at the back of the line. Zayn yells at Gargano how can he let Punk talk to them like that. Zayn walks off.
Next up, Jade Cargill and The Baddies are interviewed. B-Fab tells her they don’t care about what Flair said. They’ve proven that Flair is nothing compared to Jade. Michin says Jade is the greatest wrestler of all time and the only thing missing is the Championship. Cargill and Flair battle after the break.
A video promo for Nikki Bella airs. Looks like she’s turning heel as she blames Page for injuring Brie.
Another promo video airs now about Shinsuke Nakamura. He said he’s back. And not alone.
Now live in the arena, Flair comes out to “WOOO~!”s. Next comes Cargill. It looks like Michin and B-Fab are leaving. We’ll see if this is one-on-one after all.
Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill:
The bell ring sand both women are just staring each other down. Finally, they lock up with neither superstar giving an edge. All they do is grapple and brawl, refusing to let go of each other as they tumble to the outside.
These two power women go back and forth until Michin and B-Fab finally show back up and distract the ref so Flair’s Figure Eight submission on Cargill can be broken up. But who’s this coming down the ramp? It’s Alexa Bliss in a left arm brace. And she has a gigantic Lilly doll. But then the lights go out. Once back on, Tatum Paxley of NXT is on top of the turnbuckles and dives onto The Baddies.
Flair grabs Cargill and hits the Sister Abigail DDT. She goes up top and nails The Natural Selection for the victory!
WINNER: Charlotte Flair
Both Bliss and Paxley raise Flair’s arms as the credits roll. Fin.
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