WWE Smackdown results (8/14): Barnett’s live review of Tiffany Stratton vs. Jacy Jayne for the Women’s U.S. Title, Baron Corbin vs. Carmelo Hayes for the U.S. Title, Triple Threat for the WWE Tag Team Titles

By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@jakebarnett)

WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,408)
Boston, Massachusetts, at TD Garden
Simulcast on August 14, 2026, on USA Network and streamed internationally on Netflix

The weekly walk-ups featured CM Punk, KO, Carmelo Hayes, Baron Corbin, Tiffany Stratton, and Fatal Influence walking into the building. In the arena, Nick Aldis was in the ring to address the crowd. He spoke about Chelsea Green’s injury and said he had come to an agreement with WWE Medical. Aldis brought Chelsea Green out to the ring, who got chants as she stood in the ring. Green sported a black eye.

Aldis told her that he knows how hard she’s worked and how much that moment meant to her at SummerSlam. He said he can’t in good conscience allow her to compete. Chelsea begged him not to say what she thought he was going to say. Aldis said that he hates this part of her job, but he needs her to relinquish her WWE Women’s Championship. Chelsea said she knew it was too good to be true. She continued and said that she was just waiting for the other shoe to drop, because every accomplishment in her career has been followed by a tragedy.

She said she was always the perfect opponent for the other girls, but never the champion. She was always the best opponent for the other girls. Chelsea recalled throwing herself in dumpsters, humiliating herself by throwing her face into pies and cakes, and breaking bones to achieve her dreams. Chelsea compared her situation to Nick Aldis’ experience at SummerSlam, and how they had both proven that it didn’t matter what “they” thought of them; it matters what “we” think of ourselves. She said that as far as she’s concerned, that title was hers until someone took it from her.

Chelsea said Nick and his wife were champions, and they had a beautiful moment in the ring with them at SummerSlam, and she thought if anyone could understand what she was going through, it was him. She handed the title to him and started to leave. Aldis called her back to the ring and told her that he felt he was doing the right thing as a GM, but as a man, he felt he needed to give her 30 days to get cleared, get a mask, and do whatever she needed to do. She thanked him and took back the championship.

Gunther then made his ring entrance and told Aldis it was time to get onto other business that people actually cared about. Chelsea looked offended, but didn’t say anything right away. He demanded Aldis tell him why he inserted Kevin Owens into his match at SummerSlam. Aldis told him that he put Gunther in Owens’ match, as they had been negotiating with KO for his return for months, and it wasn’t his fault KO couldn’t get the job done.

Chelsea said that was a good burn, and Gunther told Chelsea to shut up. She then asked if she hurt his fragile little ego, because that’s all he had left since she was the only Champion left standing in the ring. Gunther puffed up, which prompted Matt Cardona to appear and defend his wife. Gunther told Cardona that there was nothing he could do to him. He said he could call his wife every slur in the book, and he’s never going to do anything about it. Chelsea called Cardona down, which prompted Gunther to say that every good dog listens to its owner.

Gunther attacked Cardona, who rolled to the floor and started taking off his coat…[c]

My Take: A good setup for a Gunther and Cardona match. Nice to see Chelsea get 30 days to heal up. I assume that means she will not require surgery and will be able to wrestle with a mask for a while.

1. Matt Cardona vs. Gunther: The match was joined in progress as the show returned from commercial. Gunther dominated the offense as things spilled to the floor. He powerbombed Cardona onto the commentary desk and then the ring apron. Chelsea fired up Cardona to get him back into the match. In the ring, Gunther landed a Saito Suplex and jawed with Green. Cardona used the distraction to deliver a kick below the belt and a Rough Ryder for a near fall.

He attempted a second one, but Gunther landed back-to-back powerbombs and applied a Boston Crab to get the tap-out win.

Gunther defeated Matt Cardona via submission.

The Irresistible Forces made their entrance after the match, and Nia Jax spoke. She told Green that she was a ticking clock, and that she wanted the WWE Women’s Championship. Jax said if she doesn’t get what she wants, she has a history of breaking faces around here. Tiffany Stratton made her entrance, but was quickly overwhelmed by Legend and Jax. Green screamed for help while Jax delivered a running leg drop on Stratton.

Footage was then shown of Alexa Bliss and Tatum Paxley showing up at the conclusion of last week’s Smackdown to give an assist to Charlotte Flair. Backstage, Flair thanked Bliss for saving her last week. Bliss said that was all Tatum and thanked Charlotte for being nice to her. Flair indicated that was a one-time thing. Bliss said Tatum had a surprise for them, and opened the door to a weird shrine that Tatum had built for Flair and Bliss, calling it their new “locker room”. Both Flair and Bliss seemed immediately creeped out…[c]

My Take: Gunther looked dominant as you’d expect against Cardona. The hope spot with the Rough Ryder got a nice reaction though. I’m curious where they go with Paxley. The stalker gimmick isn’t a new one. Hopefully they have some fresh ideas.

A video recap aired for the Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton confrontation from last week. Backstage, Cody asked Nick Aldis to get him a match with Orton on paper. Aldis proposed Saturday Night’s Main Event coming up in Atlanta. Rhodes said whenever, and turned around to Sami Zayn. He whined about Cody being the golden boy and getting whatever he wanted. He had to earn a title shot in a four-way match, but Cody just has to say when.

Cody told him he used to allow him to walk up and filibuster because of their previous friendship, but he was tired of his whining, so if he wanted to do something about it, then he should do it. Zayn said the last time they were in the ring together, he pinned him clean as a whistle for the WWE Championship. Cody questioned whether he could do it again tonight, and Zayn said he was hurt. Cody told Aldis he wanted the match.

Zayn said he couldn’t, but Aldis said he was hurt at SummerSlam and he made the choice to compete, so if he competes tonight and wins he would face the winner of Punk and KO…[c]

My Take: I have to imagine Orton gets involved in Zayn vs. Rhodes to further both storylines.

Carmelo Hayes made his entrance, followed by Baron Corbin on his Motorcycle. Hayes came over the top rope to attack Corbin on the floor.

2. Baron Corbin vs. Carmelo Hayes for the WWE United States Championship: The bell rang when both competitors were in the ring. Hayes landed some chops and mounted punches in the corner. Melo continued to use his speed to stay out of range of Corbin’s offense and landed a springboard leg drop near the ring apron. He went for First 48, but Corbin caught him and delivered a powerbomb. He then landed a kick that sent Hayes to the floor. He then followed up and sent him into the timekeeper’s area…[c]

Corbin remained in control during the break, but Hayes created some room by slipping out of a running powerslam and landed a springboard elbow for a two count. He then followed up with a top rope frog splash for a near fall. Melo went for First 48 again, but ate a kick to the face for his trouble. Hayes replied with a kick of his own, but Corbin shut him down with a Deep Six for a near fall. Corbin tried End of Days, but Melo avoided it and landed two back-to-back First 48s.

He then went up to the top rope, but Corbin shoved him off the top rope to the floor. Corbin then landed End of Days and got the win.

Baron Corbin defeated Carmelo Hayes at 9:18

After the match, Trick Williams appeared on the stage. Lil’ Yachty then appeared behind Corbin and hit him with a kendo stick. As Corbin turned around to deal with him, Trick snuck into the ring and landed a Trick Shot. Backstage, Tiffany Stratton assured Chelsea Green she was fine and would compete in her match against Jacy Jayne later on in the show…[c]

My Take: A solid match. Melo was supposed to crash into the barricade when he got shoved off the ropes, but didn’t quite make it, so the finish didn’t come off quite as sharp as it could have. I’m not a huge fan of Yachty being back so soon. I think Trick needs to be his own man at this point.

Kevin Owens made his ring entrance and grabbed a microphone. Before he could speak, CM Punk’s music played, and he made his way to the ring. Punk said Owens is a lot of things, but a coward isn’t one of them, and so he can go ahead and say whatever he was going to say to his face. He then said his “great to be alive” shtick.

Owens said he was surprised that he was talking about saying things to his face, since he waited until he was off camera last week to call him something like a “fat slob”. Punk asked if he thinks he would be afraid to say that to his face, and Owens said no. He recalled a confrontation he had 20 years ago in an independent promotion where he saw fit to insult him in front of a locker room of his peers. Punk questioned if he’s really upset about that after all these years. Owens then went on to explain that he didn’t treat any of his friends well either.

Punk asked him to be a little more specific, and Owens said he’s probably thinking of three people, but every one of his friends in this business hates Punk. He accused Punk of being a phony, and he only came back to WWE because he had no choice after screwing things up everywhere else he went. Owens said he did pretty well for himself, including Main Eventing WrestleMania with Steve Austin. Punk then asked Owens if he thought he would have gotten those opportunities if he was still there.

Owens said he should tell everyone why he thinks he would have gotten those opportunities over him, and asked if he still thought he was a fat indie slob who is a fan on the other side of the guardrail. Punk evaded the question at first, but then told Owens he doesn’t put in the work. He said he has a lot of potential, but he wasted it by not working at being 1% better than the day before. Punk said he puts in the work that Owens refuses, and maybe if he did, he could have avoided that Bill Goldberg spear that ended his last title reign. Owens responded by saying he doesn’t want to be anything like Punk.

He then said that he’s the same guy he was 20 years ago, and he’s standing in the same ring as Punk competing for the WWE Championship. He then said he regretted not punching Punk in the face in that locker room 20 years ago. Punk dared him to do it. Owens said he could wait 7 more days, and he could beat his bitch ass for the WWE Championship in the process. Punk said 20 years ago he was a greenhorn who stepped into his locker room and thought he could speak to him disrespectfully. If he wanted to wait 7 days, he can wait 7 more days and do it when he puts his fat ass to sleep.

Backstage, Finn Balor and Gunther got into an argument in front of Nick Aldis. Gunther called Balor a shadow of his former self, and Balor called him a condescending prick and told him he’d show him who the real Finn Balor is and beat his ass in the ring. R-Truth and Damien Priest made their entrance in the ring…[c]

My Take: Another interesting Owens and Punk promo. I’m surprised they centered it on their locker room confrontation from 20 years ago, since Owens is on record over the years saying it wasn’t a big deal. But it was effective nonetheless.

The MFT’s made their ring entrance, followed by the War Raiders.

3. R-Truth and Damian Priest vs. Tama and Talla Tonga vs. Erick and Ivar in a Triple Threat for the WWE Tag Team Titles: Three men were active in the ring at a time. The MFTs and War Raiders ended up on the floor early, where Priest splashed them…[c]

Truth sent Tama to the floor and made a hot tag to Damien Priest. Truth had been beaten down by Ivar and Tama during the break. Priest took down Erick and Ivar with some strikes and a Uranage. Priest and Truth then went for a double team superplex, but Talla Tonga broke it up. Ivar took out Talla with a cannonball from the top. Erick and Ivar then landed a pop-up powerslam on Tama for a close near fall.

Talla made the save on the pinfall and then cleaned everybody up in the ring. He delivered a powerslam to Truth, but then got overwhelmed by Priest and Ivar. They then delivered a double-team suplex. Truth applied an STFU to Talla in the ring, but Erick broke it up. He delivered a knee to the back of Truth. Priest knocked Ivar off the top rope and then took down Erick on the floor. He backed up to take out Ivar through the barricade, but got powerslammed through it by Ivar instead.

Tama tried to capitalize on Truth, but he started a comeback doing John Cena’s five moves of doom. Talla cut him off, and they landed their Brother’s Keeper double team powerbomb to get the win and capture the titles.

“The MFT’s” Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga defeated Damian Priest and R-Truth and The War Raiders in a Triple Threat at 7:01 to capture the WWE Tag Team Titles

Fatal Influence were shown backstage making their way to the ring…[c]

My Take: A bit of a chaotic and clumsy match, but I’m glad to see Priest freed up to do something else.

Fatal Influence made their entrance, followed by Tiffany Stratton.

4. Tiffany Stratton vs. Jacy Jayne for the WWE Women’s US Championships: Early on, Tiffany Stratton got off to a hot start, but Lainey Reid jumped on the apron to cause a distraction, and Jacy took over with a backstabber to Tiffany’s injured ribs…[c]

Jacy controlled the action during the break. Chelsea Green walked down to check on her while she recovered on the floor and held her ribs. Stratton started a comeback and fired up with some punches and strikes. She then landed a cartwheel Alabama Slam. She then went up top and landed a Swanton, but only got a near fall.

Stratton went for a running senton, but Jayne slipped out and landed a superkick. Tiffy responded with a springboard stunner. She then landed a running Senton. She went for a PME, but Jayne got her knees up and rolled her up for a near fall. Fallon and Lainey interfered with Green on the floor, but Tiffany dove onto them on the floor. Jacy rocked Tiffany with a Rolling Encore as she returned to the ring and covered for the win.

Jacy Jayne defeated Tiffany Stratton to win the WWE Women’s United States Champion

Fatal Influence celebrated on the stage. Jade Cargill was interviewed backstage with Michin and B-Fab. They said all Charlotte and Alexa had done was give them another victim, and called Smackdown their show.

Cody Rhodes made his ring entrance for the main event…[c]

My Take: A good outcome for Jayne, but there was quite a bit of sloppiness in the match itself. I bet they wish they could get a take 2 on a few of those spots.

Sami Zayn made his ring entrance, but Randy Orton attacked Rhodes before Zayn got halfway down to the ring. He landed a draping DDT. The brawl spilled into the crowd where Rhodes threw a drink into Orton’s face, and they brawled into the stands. They made a half circle back into the ringside area where Orton slammed Rhodes onto the commentary desk. Orton put Rhodes into position for a chair shot, but Cody kicked him in the balls to turn the tables. WWE officials then prevented Rhodes from using the chair on Orton’s head…[c]

My Take: A hot close to the show. I guess Sami has something new to bitch about next week. It’ll be interesting to see where Orton vs. Rhodes takes place, and how long the feud extends. This feud seems to be a catalyst for Rhodes to adopt a personality that’s a bit less of a Boy Scout, which is a positive development.