In what has been a developing story, WWE returns live on tonight's show at 8/7c on the USA Network. Netflix with the post-SummerSlam broadcast of WWE Friday Night SmackDown from Xfinity Mobile Premium live event center in Philadelphia, PA.
Dory Funk Jr. Tribute As always, ‘WWE Then.. Meanwhile, Forever. Now. Together.’ kicks things off. We see an “In Memory Of’ tribute for late WWE Hall of Fame legend Dory Funk Jr. — who passed away earlier during the past seven days at the age of 85. We are then welcomed to the show by Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett.
CM Punk, Kevin Owens & Cody Rhodes Kick Things Off The commentators inform us that the maiden 30 minutes of on the night's program’s presentation will air commercial-free. We then hear the familiar sounds of Cody Rhodes theme music, as “The American Nightmare” makes his way out to kick things off on during the past seven days’s show.
Rhodes yells out Randy Orton and he asks where Orton is at. To add further context, he tells Orton to come down to the ring right now. He says to do it right now and Cody begins to unbutton his collar. Cody asks the enthusiasts what they want to talk about, and what's more, he says to talk about memories.
He says this week, the wrestling world lost a champion in Dory Funk Jr. He says 200 yards from here was The showcase of the immortals 40 where it was John Cena, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Randy Orton. More memories this weekend where he lost with his boots on to the best in the world and the Undisputed WWE Champion, CM Punk.
He says he is going to assume that CM Punk did not know that Randy Orton was going to roll into the ring and hit him with an RKO. Equally important, on that note, CM Punk’s music hits and out comes the reigning Undisputed WWE Gold holder to join Cody in the ring.
Punk says he heard his name and he buzzed the truck because his friend hopes to to ask him a question. He asks Punk if he knew about Randy Orton. Cody says he doesn’t want to ask him although he will. Punk says no, he didn’t know that Orton was there or hit a drive by RKO.
He says he is pretty pissed about it, if he has set sights on to two man power trip this place, they can go back together, find Orton and conquered his ass together. Cody tells him that they have unfinished business however his answer is the one he needs from Orton and he guarantees he will find Orton on the night's program.
He tells Punk the ring is his, the Champion CM Punk and Cody leaves the ring. He begins to walk to the back and Punk tells him that the unfinished business between them, say when. Kevin’s music hits and out comes Kevin Owens to the ring. On a related note, owens and Punk are beloved star to face.
They begin to argue without the microphones and out comes Nick Aldis. In a separate but related matter, he gets on the ring apron and Owens tells Aldis he didn’t see him there although not to worry. Punk asks him if he is there to get his title shot, Owens says he wants to wrestle, that is all he has wanted to do for the final 17 months.
He says 17 months is a long time to be told that you might never get to do what you love again, particularly when you haven’t decided. Yet he has been proving people wrong his entire career and here he is. He says he didn’t decide to leave, he had to leave. Punk nods and applauds.
He says Punk is out there proving Owens right because for three years, people have told him that you have to give Punk a second chance. Phil has changed, he is a latest guy yet he never bought it, not for one second because he knows who CM Punk and Punk is proving him right by having the arrogance to just say when for the belt shot.
When in fact, he is the number one contender for the crown. He says he is not surprised that Punk is looking passed him because he thinks he is better than him and everyone. Sociopath he has always known him to be, and that is what proves to him that he is right and Punk is still the same arrogant.
Punk says to talk about his arrogance, some people love it, it’s what got him to the dance. It’s why they chanted for him for 10 years while he was gone. What's more, he understands the flip side of the coin, some people might not like that he calls himself the best in the world on the flip side he backs it up.
He says the gold means he is the best in the world. What he doesn’t understand is why Owens can’t appreciate the arrogance because if anyone has benefited from Punk’s arrogance, it’s Owens. Thing he did to knock down doors for people like Owens.
He says people called him skinny fat or if he thought that people waited for Kevin Owens to episode up. Owens says it has been 10 years since he was Titleholder and he has imagined it several times. Additionally, still he never knew that something would happen to make that moment even better.
Because now he doesn’t just get to win the Undisputed WWE Gold, he gets to humble Punk and conquered his ass for it. Punk says it’s commendable to have impossible dreams, sometimes he dreams big and he can tell that Owens is scared. Punk says if it wasn’t for him, Owens wouldn’t be here right now.
He would be working a 9-5, being a part time indie, asking him to tickets to a WWE episode for him and his kid. Because he knows he is the best in the world, punk says Owens tells him that he thinks he is the best in the world nevertheless that doesn’t work for him brother.
Owens says Punk kicked doors down for people like him, that’s true. To add further context, but he should also thank Punk for showing him what not to be, how not to treat people around you. He showed him that some people’s ego can be so inflated that they start to believe when they say they are the best in the world.
Owens tells him that he must be so lonely on that pedestal he put himself on. Building on that, meanwhile, thank you, because seeing what Punk has become has made him realize not to let the business switch into a miserable piece of shit like him. They drop the microphones still in comes Nick Aldis and WWE officials. Owens pushes Punk but officials break it up.
Charlotte Flair Vows Revenge On Jade Cargill
The commercial-free opening thirty minutes continues from there, as we shift gears and head behind the curtain where we see Cathy Kelley is standing by with Charlotte Flair. She tells Kelley that when Jade Cargill arrived in WWE three years ago, she saw someone who wants to be the top girl on the flip side on the night's program — she is not fighting for that.
She is fighting for her best friend, Alexa Bliss, who brought her back to life. Equally important, when she held Alexa’s daughter a few weeks ago telling her that her mom will be okay, it lit something. Flair tells Jade two alpha’s, one ring, and if Jade is half the woman she says she is — she will come alone for their encounter during tonight's broadcast.
Trick Williams With A Message For Baron Corbin
Now we shift to another brief off-camera moment, as the owner of “The Lemon Pepper-Steppers” himself, Trick Williams is shown. Trick-Willy tells Baron Corbin that tonight, he gets his rematch for the WWE United States Championship he was unable to retain to him at WWE SummerSlam this past weekend.
Williams says he sees Corbin doing podcasts with his belt but the only reason he got his title is because he hit him in the head with it. Because as %s came to a close the day, he doesn’t have what it takes to overcame him straight up. He says no matter what, on the night's program Philly is going to “Whoop that Trick” and Trick is going to “whoop that ass.”
WWE United States BeltBaron Corbin (c) vs. Trick Williams With that stated, Williams quick pre-contest backstage in-ring promo wraps up. Furthermore, williams makes his way to the ring for his SummerSlam rematch for the U.S. Inside the event center, the familiar horns for Trick Williams’ theme hits and the loud “Whoop that Trick!” chants spread throughout the Philadelphia crowd. title against Baron Corbin.
The reigning and defending U.S. Reigning champion Baron Corbin comes out next, riding a motorcycle that he parks on the top of the entrance ramp. Notably, the newly crowned U.S. crown-holder makes his way to the ring and after the formal pre-match ring introductions for the champ and challenger, the bell sounds to get things opened with.
We see Corbin with right hands straight out of the gate, on the flip side Trick connects with a clothesline that slows the recently introduced champ down. Trick heads to the outside to avoid allowing that to happen. Corbin rolls to the outside of the ring to regroup. He lands a chop to the chest.
From there, Trick throws Corbin into the steel ring post and connects with another notable chop. He throws Corbin into the time keeper’s area and then hits a cross-body over the barricade and onto Corbin on the outside of the ring on the unforgiving floor.
On that note, the commercial-free opening thirty minutes of on the night's program’s show wraps up, as the program heads into the initial advertising break of the evening, with the title tilt still ongoing. When the show returns, we see Corbin working over Williams some more.
Trick hits a modified flap-jack. Trick with the Trick Slap and he goes for the cover but Corbin kicks out. Trick goes for the Book End but Corbin with right hands. Trick throws Corbin to the ropes and Trick with a Trick kick. Trick runs towards Corbin but Corbin with the deep six.
He goes for the cover but Trick kicks out, and trick with a right hand but Corbin with a right hand. Corbin goes for a right hand but Trick with a neck breaker and he clotheslines Corbin to the outside of the ring. Interestingly enough, trick to the outside and he grabs Corbin but Corbin pushes Trick into the ring post.
He throws Trick back into the ring. On another front, corbin grabs the United States belt and gets in the ring. Trick with the Book End. The referee grabs the title from him and he throws the title to the outside. He goes for the cover yet Corbin kicks out. Trick runs towards Corbin but Corbin goes for End of Days, Trick lands on his feet and Trick with the Trick Shot.
He goes for the championship on the flip side Corbin gets his arm onto the ropes. Corbin rolls to the outside of the ring and he grabs the United States title. Trick goes to grab Corbin but Corbin hits him with the title and the referee doesn’t see it. Corbin goes for the cover and gets the pinfall to retain his U.S. title with a successful maiden defense.
Winner and STILL WWE United States Titleholder: Baron Corbin In the back With Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens & Nick Aldis
After the opening prize contest wraps up, we head in the gorilla position area where we see reinstated SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis is speaking on the phone. In comes Sami Zayn and he congratulates Aldis on SummerSlam, He says when his son was in the ring and hugged Aldis, he cried. He asks Aldis if he is going to congratulate him too.
He says he would still be WWE Reigning champion if it wasn’t for Aldis. He added Gunther and Kevin Owens to his match, he says he gave Punk a gold encounter. On a related note, owens tells Aldis he knows when he aims to that title match, on August 21 in Toronto. In comes Owens and Aldis says they have unfinished business. Aldis says he will make some calls.
Once Aldis leaves, Zayn welcomes Owens back. Zayn says he is happy for him, he is back and he has a gold opportunity. On a related note, owens says he doesn’t sound sincere. He says of course he is happy on the flip side he needs him to understand and acknowledge that his arrival back 100-percent screwed him — came at his expense.
Owens says yes, it did mess things up for him, and zayn asks him to say sorry. Owens says he is sorry on the flip side had Zayn been in his position, he would have done the same thing. Owens says Phil (CM Punk) can imply that he didn’t earn it but the last match he had before leaving, he won and he overcame Zayn before he departed.
Zayn says strong for him and he is looking to to see him being titleholder and if there is anything he can do to make that happen to let him know. Owens says he appreciates that on the flip side he knows how long he has been waiting. Zayn tells Owens not to expect him to stop chasing what he wants just because it’s what Owens wants. We head to a break.
Carmelo Hayes Attacks Baron Corbin
When we arrival back, we shoot in the gorilla position area and see Cathy Kelley standing by with Baron Corbin. She tells him that is two upset wins against Trick Williams. He tells her upset and asks her if he is the underdog in this story. On a related note, he says he already has a belt, the first of many. He says he hopes everyone that doubted him feels stupid right now.
Corbin says there is no one in that locker room that can step to him for that gold. Furthermore, in comes Carmelo Hayes and he hits Corbin with a right hand. As an added layer to this, he throws Corbin into the garage door. He says he just spoke to Nick Aldis and he will go up against him next week for the United States title in his home town.
Chelsea Green’s Interim Women’s Prize Celebration Gets Interrupted
From there, footage is shown of Chelsea Green winning the ladder encounter to become the latest Interim WWE Women’s Reigning champion at WWE SummerSlam 2026 this past weekend. Back live inside the arena, Green makes her way to the ring, which is decked out for her Interim Women’s Strap Celebration.
It’s a red carpet in the ring with balloons in all four corners. She says she loves them, she appreciates them sticking with them since the beginning and pledging their allegiance. As a result of them cheering her, they are a huge part of the reason why she walked out of SummerSlam as the in recent days introduced WWE Women’s Titleholder.
She says and while they are thanking people, it’s only right that she thanks herself because she’s on top of that the reason why they are all there this evening. She says she is eager to to thank her beautiful, stunning, blonde bombshell of a best friend, Tiffany Stratton. As an added layer to this, her music hits and out she comes to the ring.
Chelsea tells her she is sorry for what happened on Sunday but she knows that their friendship is stronger than that. She says she has set sights on to make a toast to strong, female friendships. On a related note, jane says that’s enough of this cringy little soap opera. Tiffany says she wanted to talk to her about something but out come Fatal Influence.
She says if it wasn’t for Tiffany, she would have been in that ladder match and she would be the one standing in the ring as the WWE Women’s Champion. And they all know it. As an added layer to this, they talk about how they should all be champions yet instead they have Chelsea Green, the self proclaimed hot mess.
However what makes it worse is that Chelsea actually thinks she deserves it. Jane tells her they are not out here to ruin her tragic little moment. She is celebrating her moment, chelsea says that was rude. As an added layer to this, now she leaves her no choice but to take away the thing that she loves the most — jane tells Tiffany that she took away her chance at the championship.
They get in the ring and Jane says since Chelsea’s best friend ruined her chance of being Tiffy two belts, why not take her United States crown. And after that, Tiffany can be Tiffy no titles. Tiffany tells her she will give her a title contest next week if they give them a tag title match right here, right now. We head to a break. Fatal Influence accepts.
WWE Women’s Tag-Team ChampionshipsFatal Influence (c) vs. Chelsea Green & Tiffany Stratton
The event returns from the commercials and we head right into the WWE Women’s Tag-Team gold tilt that was set up heading into the break. Furthermore, the bell rings and we are under way. They double team Reid and Tiffany with a drop kick. Chelsea with right hands onto Reid and Tiffany is tagged in.
Henley is tagged in and Tiffany with an arm drag. She goes for another arm drag although Henley with a right hand and a kick to the side of the head. In comes Reid but Chelsea with a right hand.. Meanwhile, She throws Tiffany to the ropes but Tiffany with a stunner.
After that, Stratton and Green throw Fatal Influence to the outside of the ring. They follow that up with a pair of double suicide dives onto the Fatal Influence members outside of the ring. On that note, the episode shifts gears and heads into a mid-clash commercial break as the action continues.
When the event returns, we see things still ongoing.. Meanwhile, Chelsea and Reid are in the ring. Henley gets on the ring apron although Tiffany with a drop kick. Tiffany is tagged in and she clotheslines Reid. Tiffany with an Alabama Slam onto Reid. She climbs the top rope and lands the Swanton.
In comes Henley who hits her with a right hand. Chelsea is tagged in.. Meanwhile, She throws Henley to the outside of the ring. Chelsea goes for the Unpretty-Her onto Reid yet Reid gets out of it. Building on that, she climbs the top rope but Chelsea with a gorilla press slam. To add further context, reid on the ring apron and she kicks Chelsea.
Now we see Henley come in, but Chelsea connects with a cutter. She goes for the Unpretty-Her but Jane drags Tiffany to the outside. Reid distracts the referee. On a related note, henley to the outside. Chelsea grabs Jane but Jane hits her with a Rolling Encore.
She throws Tiffany into the barricade.. Meanwhile, Reid and Henley with the Fatal Flaw onto Chelsea to win. After the match, we see even more unfold from those involved in this one. Beyond that, in come Nia Jax and Lash Legend.. Meanwhile, Beyond that, they hit Green and Tiffany. Nia grabs the Interim WWE Women;’s Strap and poses with it to end the post-match scene.
Winners and STILL WWE Women’s Tandem Champions: Fatal Influence
In the gorilla position area With Damian Priest, R-Truth & The War Raiders
Backstage, we see Cathy Kelley standing by with Damian Priest. He tells her it’s the same thing over and over. After that, the MFT’s jumped them, they hit them again and MFT’s hit them again. They beat MFT’s for the tag titles. He says they have Haku although he has Ron Killing and he is Damian Priest.
In come the War Raiders. They tell Priest that they will be double champions. He says he will talk to SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. In comes R-Truth who tells them they aren’t afraid of luchadores, the Road Warriors, the Legion of Doom, Hawk or Animal.
They appears poised to defend their titles against them and the MFTs the week ahead. Priest says concluding week they went championship for title and next week they have to defend theirs. The program moves on to another commercial break. He asks him if Aldis mentioned the AAA Tag Titles and R-Truth says he didn’t.
Brock Lesnar’s WWE Retirement When the show returns from the break, we shoot to a Brock Lesnar video package — where we see Oba Femi getting the win against Brock Lesnar inside Hell In A Cell at WWE SummerSlam this past weekend. They show the clip of Brock Lesnar announcing his retirement on the Pat McAfee Show.
Randy Orton’s SmackDown Re-emergence Interrupted By Cody Rhodes
Inside the stadium, Randy Orton’s music hits and out he comes to the ring. As he is about to speak, Cody’s music hits and out he comes. He gets in the ring and Orton rolls to the outside of the ring. As an added layer to this, he tells him to get in the ring right now. It's worth noting that cody grabs a microphone and he asks Orton what he is waiting on.
Orton puts the microphone down but he backs off. Cody asks if that is how they are going to do it.. Meanwhile, Out come Nick Aldis and WWE officials. Furthermore, he says after 20 years, after everything they have been through, especially recently, he says Orton owes him an explanation. Orton says he doesn’t owe him anything.
He says Cody asked for this, on the road to WrestleMania, he asked for the very best version of Randy Orton. He gave him permission to be the best version. He calls Cody a cocky, arrogant, son of a bitch. HE says Cody gave permission to him, a 14 time World Reigning champion, the viper, the legend killer.
He says he played Cody’s game, he gave him the best version and Cody conquered him. He congratulates Cody for that. He says although in that moment, he snapped. He felt an echo that got louder and the voices came back more clear than they ever were in his entire career and they told him to kick Cody in the face as hard as he could.
And in that moment, he realized that the best version of Randy Orton wasn’t going to bring home number 15 still the worst version of Randy Orton can and will. He says he doesn’t care who has it. Cody says the worst version. If it’s Owens, Punk but he knows that it earned’t be Cody because as long as there is air in his lungs — he will make sure that Cody is never a WWE Champion again.
He asks where the belt is right now. He doesn’t have to character change the other cheek, he doesn’t have to turn the other eye. In a separate but related matter, he says what about the worst version of him. He doesn’t have to be the commendable guy anymore. He is the most fresh legend departed, he says Orton calls himself the legend killer despite this to look around. “Who kills you?” Mic drop.
Backstage With Sami Zayn, CM Punk, Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae
Now we shift gears and head to a in the back part.. Meanwhile, We see Sami Zayn is with Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. Zayn says the truth is that he is a little jealous of Kevin Owens. Gargano is still laying down doing the depressed planking thing. Not because he gets to wrestle CM Punk for the championship.
No not that. But instead because he gets to tell Punk what a fraud he is. LeRae points behind Zayn and it’s CM Punk. He doesn’t know what Johnny is but at least Owens says it to his face, he says he knows Zayn and Owens is jealous. He asks if they are still doing this and by this he means Zayn crying behind his back.
Zayn calls Punk a fraud, his days are numbered. He would break his face right now, zayn says he has a broken bone in his hand still if he didn’t. Punk says if he could have, he would have. He says Zayn was unable to retain, just like Owens will lose. Punk says he would give Gargano and LeRae a belt contest before he gives Zayn a title shot.
In the back With Jade Cargill, B-Fab & Michin
Now in a different area backstage, we see Cathy Kelley standing by with Jade Cargill, B-Fab and Michin. To add further context, b-Fab tells her they don’t care what Charlotte Flair has to say. They have proven that Flair is nothing compared to Jade. In a connected development, michin says Jade is the greatest title of all time and the only thing missing is the Strap.
The Latest From Shinsuke Nakamura & Nikki Bella A Nikki Bella rule-breaker video airs where she vows to make Paige’s life a living hell. We on top of that get a vignette teasing the reappearance of “The King of Strong Style” and Japanese pro wrestling legend Shinsuke Nakamura. In his video, Nakamura addresses The MFTs and says he’s starting a war — be that as it may he’s no longer a one-man army because he’s not coming alone.
Three Title Matches Set For 8/14 SmackDown In Boston Declared for the following week’s WWE SmackDown on August 14 in Boston, MA. is Baron Corbin vs — carmelo Hayes for the U.S. crown, Tiffany Stratton vs — jacy Jayne for the Women’s U.S. title, and Damian Priest & R-Truth vs. Furthermore, war Raiders vs. MFTs for the WWE Tag-Team titles.
Charlotte Flair vs, while jade Cargill It’s closing match time!
Closing out the post-SummerSlam episode of SmackDown in Philadelphia this evening will be a women’s singles showdown — with “The Queen” Charlotte Flair going one-on-one against Jade Cargill. The two make their respective ring entrances, and then the bell sounds to get things officially off-and-running.
Flair and Cargill right away grapple to the outside of the ring. Cargill pushes Flair into the ring apron and back into the ring. Cargill gets back in the ring.. Meanwhile, Cargill to the ropes and a shoulder tackle onto Flair. Cargill goes for a right hand although Flair with a chop block.
Flair with a shoulder tackle, while flair with a snap mare and a head scissor take down. They grapple to the outside of the ring and Cargill gets Flair on her shoulders. Building on that, she throws Flair beloved star debut onto the announce table. Cargill throws Flair over the barricade, while we head to a mid-clash break on that note.
When the event returns, we see Flair with a German suplex. Flair with right hands on the flip side Cargill with right hands. Flair with chops to the chest and a clothesline — flair to the ropes but Cargill with a jump kick. She goes for the cover but Flair kicks out.
Cargill throws Flair to the turnbuckle yet Flair flips over and onto the ring apron. Flair with a significant boot. It's worth noting that flair climbs the top rope and lands a cross body but Cargill rolls Flair into a cover but Flair kicks out. Cargill with a super kick and she lifts Flair up, slamming her.
She goes for the cover however Flair kicks out. Cargill climbs the top rope but Flair gets to her feet. Flair goes for a leg scissor take down but Cargill pulls her up and powerbombs her. She goes for the cover but Flair kicks out. Cargill goes for a kick but Flair moves out of the way and Flair with a chop block.
Flair with a kick to the fan favorite. Flair with the Figure Four Leg Lock and she bridges into the Figure Eight. B-Fab gets on the ring apron and distracts the referee. Alexa Bliss’ music hits and out comes Alexa Bliss with Lilly. Michin pulls Flair and breaks it up.
The lights go out, and tatum Paxley hugs Bliss. It's worth noting that the lights dramatic pivot back on, Tatum Paxley of NXT is standing on the top rope and lands a cross body onto B-Fab and Michin. In the ring, Cargill lights Flair up, however Flair then answers back with Alexa Bliss’ Sister Abigail finisher.
After that, “The Queen” climbed to the top rope.. Meanwhile, We see Flair with the Natural Selection. She goes for the cover and gets the pinfall and the victory to end this one. Once the match wraps up, we see Flair, Bliss and Paxley hug. What's more, this week’s SmackDown wraps up on that note — thanks for joining us!
Winner: Charlotte Flair