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.
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