By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@jakebarnett)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,407)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at Xfinity Mobile Arena
Simulcast on August 7, 2026, on USA Network and streamed internationally on Netflix
A tribute graphic for Dory Funk Jr. was shown on screen prior to the usual WWE introductory video for Smackdown. Joe Tessitore did a voiceover while Trick Williams, Baron Corbin, Charlotte Flair, and Jade Cargill walked into the building. They said the first 30 minutes of Smackdown are commercial free. Cody Rhodes then made his ring entrance to open the show. Footage of Randy Orton’s Summerslam return was shown while he continued his entrance.
Cody came out firing and demanded Randy Orton come out to the ring immediately. When he didn’t show, Cody asked the crowd what they wanted to talk about. A chant broke out for Orton, after which a chant broke out for Cody. He then recalled some fond memories from Philadelphia from the past, and then mentioned his loss to CM Punk from the weekend. Cody said he would assume that Punk was unaware of Randy Orton and the RKO….and then Punk immediately made his entrance.
Punk grabbed a microphone and asked Rhodes if he had a question for him. Rhodes said he didn’t want to ask him, but he would anyway, and asked him if he knew about Randy Orton. Punk said he’s hurt by the accusation, but he didn’t know, and he wasn’t particularly happy about it either. He offered to tear the place apart with Cody and kick his ass, but Rhodes declined. Cody said he would find him and kick his ass himself, but said they also had unfinished business.
He left the ring, and Punk told him to “say when” he wanted to finish their business. As he walked up the ramp, Kevin Owens made his ring entrance. Cody offered him the microphone and he took it from his hands. They spoke off the microphone and jawed back and forth with each other. Nick Aldis appeared behind them and tried to calm things down. They both got on the microphone and said they were professionals and they could handle it.
Punk took a potshot at Owens and asked if he wanted to wrestle since he was in his gear, but he was wearing a T-Shirt and pants. Owens said he wears shorts when he wrestles, and told Owens that he’s wanted nothing more than to be in the ring for the last 17 months. He went on to say that he’s been told for 3 years that Punk is a new man and he never bought it. Owens accused Punk of not changing, and said he looked past him when he told Rhodes “say when” instead of recognizing Owens as the number one contender.
He then called Punk an arrogant sociopath and that’s what he’d always been. Punk replied that some people like his arrogance, because his calling card was calling himself the Best in the World and the title proves his case. He then told Owens that he benefitted the most from Punk’s arrogance because he broke down doors that Owens walked through. Punk recalled being called skinny fat, and said no one was waiting around for anyone that looked like Owens.
Owens replied that it was a great thing that Punk was Champion because not only would he get to be WWE Champion again but he gets to beat his ass to claim it. Punk replied that it was good he has impossible dreams, because without him he would be working a 9 to 5 that he hates and calling Punk to get him tickets to a WWE show for his family. Owens fired back that he was grateful for Punk, because he showed him exactly what not to be, and that his example allowed him to never let this industry turn him into a miserable piece of shit like him.
They jawed with each other and had a shoving match, which was interrupted by WWE officials and broken up. Charlotte Flair was interviewed backstage and asked about Jade Cargill. She said she was fighting for Alexa Bliss, and thanked her for bringing her back to life. She said she would defeat Jade for her, and told her that if she was any kind of woman she could come alone. Elsewhere, Trick Williams told Baron Corbin he would beat his ass, and that they weren’t in the same league. He said he was going to do it for himself, and for Yachty.
In the arena, Trick Williams made his entrance. He was followed by Baron Corbin. This match is a rematch for the United States Championship.
My Take: A strong opening promo from Punk and Owens, with contempt oozing off the screen. Punk and KO having a 20 year beef over KO wrestling in a T-Shirt is one of the goofiest in wrestling history.
1. Baron Corbin vs. Trick Williams for the United States Championship: Trick rushed in and Corbin grabbed a double leg takedown. Trick got to his feet and took the action to the floor with a clothesline. He then landed some strikes and chops on the floor before tossing Corbin into the timekeeper’s area. Trick backed up and leapt over the barricade and tackled Corbin…[c]
Corbin ran Trick into the turnbuckles and then followed up with a lariat. Trick fired back with a heel kick and some stomps in the corner. He then delivered a Death Valley Driver and covered for a near fall. He then followed up with a Trick Kick and exposed his knee for the Trick Shot. Corbin countered with a Deep Six and covered for a near fall of his own.
Both men traded punches from their knees and then got to their feet. Trick landed a jumping neckbreaker and a lariat that sent Corbin to the floor. Corbin backed Corbin into the ring post and tossed him back into the ring. He then brought the title belt back in the ring, but the referee grabbed the belt. Trick landed a Book End off the distraction and covered for a close near fall. Trick lined up for the Trick Shot again and managed to land it, but Corbin grabbed the bottom rope on the cover.
Corbin rolled to the floor and grabbed the US Title while Trick argued with the ref. Corbin managed to hit Trick in the head with the belt and covered for the win.
Baron Corbin defeated Trick Williams at 10:10 to retain the US Championship
After the match, Sami Zayn spoke to Nick Aldis backstage. He congratulated him regarding Summerslam, and then asked Aldis if he was going to congratulate him. When Aldis deferred, Zayn said he screwed him again by adding Owens and Gunther at the 11th hour, and it seemed like it was on purpose. Owens walked up and had a cringe on his face. He told Aldis he wanted his title match in Toronto on August 22nd. Zayn told him he was happy he was back, but how he came back screwed him.
Owens apologized, but asked Zayn to acknowledge that he would have done the same thing if roles were reversed. Zayn said he would rather Owens be champion than Punk, and offered to help in any way he could. Owens said he would handle it himself, because he’s been waiting a long time to get Punk in the ring. Zayn said that’s fine, but don’t expect him to stop chasing what he wants just because Owens wants it too…[c]
My Take: Trick and Corbin felt like a rinse and repeat of Summerslam without Yachty. Owens and Zayn bickering was expected, and I fully expect the feud to involve Punk, Zayn, and Owens before too long.
Baron Corbin was interviewed backstage and rejected the idea that his wins over Trick Williams were upsets. He said he hopes everyone who doubted him feels stupid right now, and he’s telling everyone that Trick Williams will never get his hands on the title again. Corbin said there was nobody that was going to step to him, and that was a cue for Carmelo Hayes. He jumped Corbin and told him he had a match next week for the US Title in his hometown.
A video package was then shown that recapped Chelsea Green’s interim Women’s Championship win. In the arena, Chelsea made her entrance for a Title Celebration. Chelsea told the crowd she loved them, and a chant fired up for her. She told the crowd she appreciated them for sticking with her from the beginning and pledging their allegiance. Chelsea credited the crowd with being a big part of her victory, and then gave some credit to herself. Green then offered thanks to Tiffany Stratton, who made her ring entrance.
Chelsea said she knew they had their conflicts in the match on Sunday, but she knew their friendship was stronger than that. She started to make a toast, but they were interrupted by Fatal Influence. Jacy complained that she would be champion right now if it weren’t for Tiffanny, Fatal Influence would be dripping in gold. Fallon Henley said she was a joke, and the worst part of it is that she actually thinks she deserves it. Jacy said they weren’t there to ruin her tragic little moment, but since Tiffany took her opportunity, she would take the United States Championship from her.
Jacy said she would then be Tiffany zero belts, since her friend already ruined her dream of winning both titles. Tiffany offered Jacy a title shot next week if she gave them a Tag Title shot right now. After some thinking, they agreed…[c]
My Take: Seems like we might be headed for a friendship implosion between Chelsea and Tiffany, which is good news to me as Tiffany always clicked better as a heel to me.
2. Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green vs. Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid: Reid and Green started the match. Chelsea slammed Reid to the mat and then landed a double knee strike in the corner. She then tagged in Stratton, who landed a running body block on Reid in the corner. She followed up with a dropkick, but Reid managed to make a tag to Henley. She entered the match and landed some strikes and a running hook kick to Stratton.
Stratton fired back with a back handspring into a Stunner. Green and Stratton then performed tandem dives onto Henley and Reid on the floor…[c]
Green landed a suplex on Reid and tagged in Stratton, who entered the match fired up. She landed a kick and a cartwheel Alabama Slam. Stratton went up top and landed a Swanton, but Henley broke up the pin with a haymaker right hand. Green tagged in and went for an Unprettier on Reid, but she broke free. Green landed a Stunner on Henley and a set up for an Unprettier on Reid, but she got distracted by Jacy Jayne on the floor. Stratton tangled with Jayne, who hit the rolling encore on Green as she tried to intervene. Reid and Henley hit the Fatal Flaw on Green and got the win.
Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid defeated Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton at 7:51
After the match, Lash Legend and Nia Jax appeared and continued to attack Stratton and Green. Jax then posed over Green holding onto the WWE Women’s Championship. Backstage, Damien Priest was interviewed by Cathy Kelley. He got fired up about the MFTs being joined by Haku. The War Raiders walked up and said they wanted a shot at the Tag Titles, and then Ron Killings showed up to inform them that they would defend the titles next week against both the MFTs and War Raiders…[c]
My Take: The tag match was a bit sloppy at times, but Stratton and Green were very over with the live crowd. The finish looked a bit dangerous as they nearly dropped Chelsea on her head delivering the Fatal Flaw.
A video aired that recapped the WWE career of Brock Lesnar in tribute to his (alleged) retirement. It included footage of Brock’s retirement announcement from the Pat McAfee Show and numerous WWE talents commenting on his career and accomplishments. Back in the arena, Randy Orton made his ring entrance. Footage was shown of Cody retaining the WWE title at WrestleMania, and punting him after the match.
Before Randy could speak, Cody Rhodes made his entrance and ran down to the ring. Randy bailed to the floor and Cody got on the microphone and demanded he get in the right right now. Before a confrontation could occur, Nick Aldis and producers got in between them. Cody said he knows he doesn’t answer to anyone, but after 20 years he was owed an explanation. Orton told Rhodes he doesn’t owe him jack, and he was insulted by Rhodes “giving him permission” to be the best version of himself.
He said he played his game and got beat at WrestleMania. Afterward, the voices came back clearer than ever and told him to put Cody on all fours and kick him in the head as hard as he could. Orton continued and said the best version of him can never get number fifteen, but the worst version of him can and will. He said he didn’t care if it was Punk or Owens, but it would never be Rhodes because as long as he has air Cody would never be Champion again.
Rhodes replied that he’s no longer bound by being the champion and no longer has to be the good guy. He asked Orton to consider the worst version of him, and question which version of him would be the one to put Orton down for good.
Backstage, Zayn ranted to a comatose Johnny Gargano about being forced to earn his way back towards a WWE title shot. Punk walked up and told Zayn he didn’t have the courage to say anything to his face. Zayn called Punk a fraud, and if he didn’t have a broken bone in his hand he’d break his face right now. Punk said no he wouldn’t, because if he could he would have done it in Chicago. He then said that he would give Gargano a title shot before him, and then walked away.
Elsewhere, Jade Cargill and the baddies told Charlotte Flair they were tired of hearing her talk, and would put an end to it next…[c]
My Take: I like the Punk and Orton confrontation. If this is the catalyst for Cody to do something different, then it will be a worthwhile venture.
A video package aired where Nikki Bella complained about Paige. She blamed her for her sister being hurt, for costing her sister the Tag Titles, and promised whatever is left of her career would be pure misery. Jacy Jayne vs. Tiffany Stratton for the Women’s US Championship was confirmed for next week, along with Priest and R-Truth against the MFTs and War Raiders, and Carmelo Hayes vs. Baron Corbin for the US Title.
We then got a vignette for Shinsuke Nakamura where he swore revenge on the MFTs, and said this time he would not be alone. He claimed he was starting a war, and this was his warning that they were running out of time.
In the arena, Charlotte Flair made her entrance for the main event, followed by Jade Cargill.
3. Jade Cargill vs. Charlotte Flair: There was a staring contest early on, and then they tied up. They brawled all the way out to the floor, and then Jade drove Charlotte’s back into the ring. Jade landed a shoulder tackle and then taunted the crowd. Charlotte kipped up and took down Jade with a chop block and a kick. She then fired up the crowd and performed her “Queen’s Decree” somersault slams. Jade rolled to the floor and managed to slam Charlotte face first into the commentary table. She then tossed her over the barricade into the crowd…[c]
Charlotte was overwhelmed by Cargill during the break, but managed to land a German Suplex as the show returned. Both women traded heavy strikes and chops. Charlotte got the better of it and delivered a big lariat. She tried for a walkover clothesline, but Jade caught her with a kick, but didn’t get much of it. Charlotte replied with a big boot and a cross body, but Jade kicked out. Jade delivered a superkick and a sit out powerbomb for a close near fall.
Charlotte tried to go for a Stratusphere out of the corner, but Jade turned it into a huge avalanche sit out powerbomb for a 2.9 count. Jade attempted a pump kick, but Charlotte moved and landed a chop block. She locked in a Figure 8, but Michin and B-Fab appeared to cause a distraction and broke things up. Alexa Bliss showed up and held her doll Lily in her arms. She turned out the lights, and when they came back up, Tatum Paxley flew off the top turnbuckle and took down B-Fab and Michin at ringside.
Charlotte avoided another powerbomb and landed a Sister Abigail on Jade. She followed up with a Natural Selection for the win.
Charlotte Flair defeated Jade Cargill at 13:44
After the match, Charlotte celebrated with Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley to close the show.
My Take: Tonight was a tough one for Jade in the ring. She struggled quite a bit with taking bumps for Charlotte’s offense. She’s been much better recently but this was a rough outing. Tatum Paxley making her debut here is interesting, and I’m guessing Alexa’s reappearing with Lily could indicate we aren’t far from a Charlotte and Alexa feud. Overall, this was a good episode of Smackdown with some positive developments. The return of Orton and Owens helped quite a bit. I’ll have more to say in my audio review for members later tonight.
I love Joe Tess, but come on Tess. There’s only one Garden. And it ain’t in Boston!
I know, right? Long live the Maple Leaf Gardens!!!
Hahaha, well played Jason.
You misspelled Louisville Garden. Jim Corronette approved this correction.
Were we supposed to forget Bliss has a double jointed arm? God that’s annoying
Jason, could you please do me a favour, when you get the chance and ask want the WWE writers if they’re actually going somewhere with comatose Johnny Gargano?
Yeah Johnny needs to finally get over the fact that Chiampa’s gone.
It was nice of the referee to tell Nya Jax to go and get the title and then when she comes back in the ring to tell her to go stand over Chelsea.
Corbin and Cargill. Proof wrestling isn’t a meritocracy. Kudos to Charlotte for a complete carry, and Chelsea for keeping her neck in one piece.
“Nikki Bella … promised whatever is left of her career would be pure misery” – So the same as the rest of your career?