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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
AUGUST 14, 2026
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS AT TD GARDEN
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY ERIC CORBRIDGE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: As of Friday morning, WrestleTix reported that 7,786 tickets were distributed headed into the show. The arena was setup to for 8,583 spectators.
[HOUR ONE]
– Commentator Joe Tessitore welcomed the audience to Smackdown at the TD Garden, which in his words is the only thing better than a butter-soaked lobster roll. On that tasty note, they showed the weekly superstar arrivals including WWE Champion C.M. Punk, number one contender Kevin Owens, United States Champion Baron Corbin and his challenger tonight Carmelo Hayes, Women’s United States Champion and her challenger Jacy Jayne, accompanied as always by Fatal Influence members Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid.
– Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis started off in the ring with an announcement that due to the broken orbital bone she suffered last week, he’d conferred with the medical and come to a decision regarding the WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green. He called her out to the ring. Green walked down to the ring looking dour but trying to soak in the support of the fans. Aldis acknowledged how hard she’s worked and how much it means to her, but he said he couldn’t let her compete with a broken eye socket. Green cut him off and said she’s healing as they showed a close-up of the blackened area around her right eye. She begged him not to say what she expected him to say. Aldis apologized but said he needed her to relinquish the championship. The crowd booed.
Green said she knew that it was too good to be true, even when she was climbing the ladder to with the title at Summerslam, because this is what always happens to her. She dejectedly said that she’s just the comic relief and the perfect opponent for the rest of the girls. The crowd chanted “you deserve it.” Green raised her voice and told Aldis that she’s broken bones, missed weddings and funerals, put her face into cakes and pies, had the entire world laugh in her face, but every night she still told herself it was all worth it because “this moment” would come. Green – “I made it.” Green told Aldis that he, of all people, should understand after Summerslam. Adlis said that isn’t the same thing, but Green frantically interrupted with “it’s exactly the same thing!” She said that the entire world applauded him and his whole family in the ring, and then Green went out there and also proved that all that mattered is what they thought about themselves. She said that until someone takes it off her, then the title is hers. Green took the belt off from around her waist and handed it over, while saying “I thought of all people you would understand that.” Green left the ring.
Aldis called after her, yelling “Chelsea, wait. As the general manager I think I’m doing the right thing. But as Nick Aldis the man, I don’t give a damn what medical says.” He said he’d give Green 30 days to get cleared, get a face mask, and do whatever it takes to defend the championship, but as far as he was concerned [the title] was hers. Green ran back to the ring, hugged Aldis, and took her belt back much to the delight of the fans. Gunther’s music played and he came out with a microphone.
Gunther said, “enough of that sob story, no one wants to hear it.” He asked Aldis why he pulled that stunt on him at Summerslam. Aldis told him that this wasn’t the time nor the place. Gunther dismissed what Green accomplished at Summerslam and said she bumped into a doorframe and now she’s crying about it. Gunther said that he pulled double duty and made someone tap out in front of their family. Gunther asked again why Aldis added Kevin Owens to his match at Summerslam. Aldis corrected him in that he added him to Kevin Owens’ match. Gunther didn’t like that. Aldis told Gunther he’s welcome for adding him to the match and sorry he couldn’t get the job done. Chelsea said that was a good one so Gunther told her to shut up. Green said go ahead and have his temper tantrum and stroke his tiny male ego, since that’s all he had left. Green said she looked around and she was the only champion in the ring. Matt Cardona ran down and got in Aldis’s face for talking to his wife like that. Gunther joked that Cardona ran all the way from catering to the rescue. (good line). Gunther claimed that there was nothing Cardona could do to him, whether he called his wife every slur in the world. Green told Cardona to leave and as he started to, Gunther shouted “like a dog listening to its owner.” Cardona attacked Gunther and knocked him from the ring. Gunther complained as they went to an abrupt commercial. [c]
(Corbridge’s Analysis: That was tremendous for Green and Aldis. They were already babyfaces, but this ingratiated them both to the audience even more. It also gives WWE a new dynamic to use in the future. My only nitpick was that they didn’t mention the difference between having to strip Green immediately after finding out she was injured, while former champion was given several weeks and it took the announcement of her having surgery for her to finally get stripped of the title.)
(1) GUNTHER vs. MATT CARDONA
Aldis apparently made the match during the break. Gunther dominated early with his power. Cardona ducked a chop and briefly had a couples rallies but Gunther cut him right back down each time. Cardona hit a dropkick through the ropes to the floor but Gunther recovered quickly and gave him a back suplex on the barricade. Gunther powerbombed Cardona on the announce desk and then again on the side of the ring apron as Green watched from ringside. Green yelled for Cardona to get up. He rolled into the ring and Gunther dropped him with a big lariat. Gunther taunted Green. Both grapplers were wrestling in jeans and sneakers. Gunther took his time and taunted Green more, so she jumped onto the apron. She distracted the referee so Cardona kicked Gunther in the balls and gave him the Rough Ryder. Cardona hooked the leg for the one…two…he kicked out.
Cardona went for another Rough Ryder but Gunther caught him and powerbombed him again. He powerbombed him one more time then turned him over into a Boston crab (in Boston). Cardona immediately tapped out.
WINNER: Gunter via pinfall in 5:00.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: There was a powerbomb per minute. Not a recipe for success if you’re the outmatched Cardona.)
After the match, Nia Jax and Lash Legend came out on stage looking smug. Jax called Green for pathetic for getting injured less than a week into her title reign. Jax said she got screwed out of a title opportunity at Summerslam and she demanded a title shot. Jax threatened to break her face even more. Tiffany Stratton ran out to help her friend but was overcome quickly by the numbers (and weight) advantage. Green called for help since she couldn’t help. No one came.
– Charlotte Flair hugged Alexa Bliss in the back and thanked her for kicking B-Fab and Michin’s butt last week. Bliss gave the credit to Tatum Paxley. Bliss was proud of Flair for being nice to Paxley, but Flair said it was a one-time thing. Bliss told her to be nice to her more, since Paxley had a surprise for them. Bliss opened a door and Paxley was sitting in there with a bunch of lit candles and Bliss and Flair posters all over the walls. She said it was their new locker room that she’d been working on all day. Bliss and Flair pretended to like it. [c]
(Corbridge’s Analysis: That was really stupid. Paxley said it was their new locker, though it just looked like a creepy vigil. I’m not encouraged by the direction of Paxley’s character.)
– Cody Rhodes interrupted Nick Aldis having a conversation in the back. He said they needed to get the contract signed for a match between he and Orton. Aldis said he hadn’t seen Orton but Sunday Night’s Main Event was right around the corner, so he’d get in touch with Orton and try to make it happen. Cody was happy with that. He turned around and Sami Zayn was standing there. Zayn said that as always Cody wanted something and Aldis was ready to move heaven and earth to make it happen, while Zayn had to wrestle a number one contender match with a broken hand that turned into a fatal four-way match to try and earn a title shot. But Cody just had to ask. Cody said he used to allow Zayn to talk and talk and talk but he said that now if Zayn wanted to do something about it, then do it. Zayn reminded Cody that he did something no one else had been able to do, which was pin Cody clean for the WWE Championship. Cody challenged Zayn to a match tonight. Cody left.
Zayn said of course Cody would challenge him on a night that he couldn’t wrestle, while pointing at his wrapped wrist. Aldis questioned whether he couldn’t…or wouldn’t. He sweetened the pot by telling Zayn that if he could defeat Cody tonight, then he would get a title shot at whoever wins between C.M. Punk and Kevin Owens. Zayn’s jaw dropped and reminded Aldis that he was hurt. Aldis reminded Zayn that he was hurt at Summerslam too, but he’d made that choice. Now he had another. Aldis walked off, leaving Zayn to contemplate.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: More terrific, logical booking and performances from all involved.)
– Carmelo Hayes made his way to the ring for his title opportunity. [c]
– New United States Champion Baron Corbin entered on a motorcycle as he likes to do now. He was still wearing the furry title belt. Commentator Wade Barrett reminded the viewers that Corbin made his return to WWE after 18 months by interfering in a Hayes match. Hayes somersaulted over the top rope onto Corbin before the match began. Both men still had their jackets on. As soon as they got into the ring, the inept referee called for the bell to start the match without checking on the heel who got attacked pre-match.
(2) BARON CORBIN (c) vs. CARMELO HAYES – United States Championship match
Hayes with a nice dropkick. Corbin missed a corner splash and Hayes hit an enziguri and a springboard clothesline. He covered but only registered a one count. Tessitore pointed out that Hayes was trying to win back the title in front of friends and family in his hometown. Corbin caught him off the top but Hayes escaped and hit his springboard no-look legdrop. Hayes went for a first 48 but Corbin caught him and powerbombed him, then dumped him to the floor. Corwent out after Hayes and pummeled him all around ringside, chucking him into the timekeeper’s area as they went to a split screen. [c]
Corbin was in firm control after the break until Hayes used his speed to rally with a springboard back elbow. Hayes hit a frog splash and covered for a nearfall. Hayes got caught while going for a First 48 again and Corbin leveled him with a big boot. He went for another powerbomb but Hayes rolled over him and rolled him up for a one…two…another nearfall. Corbin hit the Deep Six and covered, but Hayes kicked out. The crowd chanted for Hayes, who finally hit not one, but two First 48 codebreakers, then slowly went to the top rope again. Hayes tried to ready himself for a big leap as the fans roared, but Corbin sprung to his feet and dumped him to the floor. Corbin nailed Hayes with the End of Days and covered for the pin and the win.
WINNER: Baron Corbin won by pinfall in 9:00. Corbin retained the U.S. title.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: Good effort from Hayes as always, though some of the moves were a bit repetitive. Corbin just doesn’t do it for me as a character or a wrestler. I wish they’d given him a different type of edge, but he’s just the same ol’ Baron.)
Post match, Trick Williams’ music played and he came out on stage as if he were making his entrance for a match, complete with rotating spotlight. Corbin stared at him as Lil’ Yachty got in the ring from behind with a kendo stick…err… “trick stick.” Yachty hit Corbin in the back but in only angered him because apparently he’s the Incredible Hulk. Yachty tried to hit him again but Corbin caught it and took it from him. Yachty bailed while Trick ran to the ring and hit the Trick Shot on Corbin. Trick’s music played to end it, as Corbin laid on the outside.
– Tiffany Stratton was in the locker room, grimacing from the beating she took earlier. Green came in and apologized to her. Stratton said she wasn’t going to let her be out there by herself and she would still be competing tonight. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
Kevin Owens entered to a big reaction, wearing his new “KO, The Return” t-shirt. They showed a graphic while Barrett said that “stunningly C.M. Punk and Kevin Owens would wrestle for the first time ever next Friday on Smackdown, and it would be for the Undisputed WWE Championship. WWE Champion C.M. Punk entered right away too.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: Huge match for Smackdown. I expect shenanigans and a non-finish. Also…when was the last time the championship was actually “disputed.” Can we finally stop calling the title that?)
Owens sat on the top turnbuckle as Punk talked. Punk told Owens to go ahead and say whatever he was going to say before to his face. Punk continued with his “is it great to be alive” schtick. Owens said it was ironic that Punk would tell him to say things to his face when last week the camera caught him with his back turned to Owens while basically calling him a “fat slob” (but using more colorful language). Owens said that their story started twenty years ago. Punk gave him permission to tell their history. Owens said that twenty years ago, he and “Phil” were in an independent promotion (Ring of Honor) together. Owens was trying to make a name for himself while Punk was the top guy. Owens said that that night Punk chose to berate him in front of his peers in the locker room. Punk questioned whether Owens had been holding onto that for twenty years. Owens said it wasn’t just that, but also that over the last twenty years he treated people Owens cared about poorly. Punk wanted to know who he was talking about, since Punk was pretty sure that Owens’ friends hated him. Owens said that Punk might think it was only three of them, but in fact it was every friend Owens had in the business. Punk claimed that being hated by losers was the price he paid for not being one of them. Owens said that was another example of why he despised Punk.
Owens said he understood why a locker room full of people look up to Punk for coming back, making amends, and he’s the only one left who doesn’t like him and he never well. Owens said that everything Punk says in performative. Owens “look at me when I’m talking to you!”. He got in Punk’s face. Owens called him a phony and said the only reason he had to come back and make amends was because he had nowhere left to go. He stepped back, telling Punk that “his breath was a little rough.” Owens said he did pretty well himself, main eventing everywhere, becoming Universal Champion, and main eventing Wrestlemania against Steve Austin, which was something Punk would never do (and always wanted to do). Punk mockingly clapped while Owens listed off his accolades.
Punk said he was happy for him then and now, which Owens immediately disputed. Punk said that if he’d been here, then he’d have been chosen for those opportunities over Owens. Owens said why…was it because he’s a fat, indy slob. He demanded that Punk say it to his face. Punk asked Owens if he thought that’s what Punk thought of him, or if that’s what Owens thought of himself? The crowed reacted big to that. Punk said no matter what Owens says, Punk is the Undisputed WWE Champion. He said he called out Oba Femi and got “endometriosis” instead.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: I’m very proud to reveal that I spelled endometriosis right on the first try. I’m not as proud to say that I had to look up what it meant.)
Punk said when he looks at Owens he sees a tough guy and wouldn’t take him lightly next week in Toronto. He said he also sees a guy who spoke two languages and is smarter than him. He said he also sees a guy who avoids doing the work and that makes him stupid. He said he sees a tough guy, but a bum. Punk said that he adapted and overcame, trying to be 1% better every day and said that if Owens had that mindset maybe he would have had more success. Owens claimed that he spent an entire career trying not to be like Punk. Owens told Punk that he loved who he is but was convinced that when Punk goes home and looks in the mirror he hates himself. He followed by saying that regardless of where they came from or what Punk thinks of him, they are both standing in the same ring and Owens will be facing Punk for the WWE Championship next week. Owens reminded Punk that he wasn’t able to avoid that Roman Reigns spear at Wrestlemania either. Punk said that when he looks at Owens he sees himself, but he also still sees the same guy he saw twenty years ago. Owens asked if it bothers Punk that he never sought out his guidance. However, Owens only regretted not punching him in the mouth twenty years ago. Punk dared him to do it now. Owens said that if he had back then, Punk would have ruined his career. And that he wouldn’t do it now because now he can just beat his “bitch ass” for the WWE title after he does it next week.
Punk closed by telling Owens that twenty years ago, Owens was disrespectful to him in his locker room and hasn’t stopped crying about it since. Punk said that in Toronto he will look up to him, when he puts his “fat ass” to sleep.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: Two gifted orators sold their points well. However, they could have done it in about 2/3 the time. They hammered home the few points they wanted to get across ad nauseum, to the point that if you’d taken a shot every time they said “twenty years” you’d probably need to visit the emergency room medical facility. When the clip this segment to show next week it will be great though. I’m thankful they didn’t lean too hard on the “friends of Owens” that I feared they would. Leave it be. It’s not for this crowd.)
(QUICK PLUG: The Kickstarter for BadWill, my workplace sitcom comic series, successfully funded! Late pledges are still open for a limited time if you’d like to learn more and/or grab a copy just check out the link: Kickstarter- BadWill Episode 2.
BadWill is about a motley crew of people working at a thrift store that only accepts items donated from past relationships. If you enjoy tv shows like The Office, Ted Lasso, Superstore, or even LOST, then I think you’ll love it!)
– Fin Balor told Nick Aldis that a little heads up to him that he was adding Kevin Owens and Gunther to his number one contender match at Summerslam would have been nice. Aldis agreed, but Balor wanted to move on. Gunther barged in and yelled at Aldis for making him wrestle in street clothes. Aldis said that Gunther was interrupting his conversation. Gunther pretended he didn’t see Balor, but only the shadow of Balor. Balor called Gunther a condescending prick and said he was about to tell Aldis he was willing to do whatever it takes to get a title shot, including beating Gunther’s ass and showing him who the real Finn Balor is.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: I’m sure WWE wanted to move on from that ridiculous plot hole too. Balor was the only one who had to earn his way into that match. I give them credit for at least acknowledging it.)
– The WWE Tag Team Champions R-Truth and Damian Priest entered for their title defense. Tessitore noted that they’d been the champions since March. [c]
(Corbridge’s Analysis: an ominous comment from Tessitore?)
(3) R-TRUTH & DAMIAN PRIEST (c) vs. THE WAR RAIDERS (Erik & Ivar) vs. TAMA TONGA & TALLA TONGA (w/Haku) – WWE Tag Team Championship match
Truth, Erik, and Tama started things off. Talla tagged in right away, so Priest did the same. All six men came in and brawled, squaring off one on one. The Raiders pulled Talla to the floor and brawled with he and Tama. Priest jumped off the tope rope with a cross-body to wipe out everyone. [c]
Priest handled things against the Raiders with corner splashes and a flatliner on Ivar. He tagged in Truth and they went up top to superplex Ivar. Talla came underneath and chokeslammed them both. Ivar cannonballed off the top onto Talla. Erik squared off with Tama who headbutted him. The Raiders hit a pop-up powerslam and covered Tama for a nearfall. They went for another but Talla took them both out. He leveled Priest with a big boot and powerslam on Truth. Haku was proud. Priest and Ivar teamed up against Talla, executing a suplex. Truth locked in an STF on Talla, who pried his hands off him. Erik with a northern lights suplex on Priest. Priest knocked Ivar off the top rope to the floor as they were going for their double-team finisher on Truth.
On the floor, Ivar powerslammed Priest through the barricade (ala Fatu vs. Keyes from Raw). In the ring, Truth hit the Cena move-set on Tama including the five knuckle shuffle. He went for an AA but Tama raked his eyes. Tama and Talla hit a double team powerbomb that Tessitore referred to as “The Brother’s Keeper” and covered for the one..two..three. They raised the belts as Haku stood between them. [c]
WINNERS: Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga via pinfall in 10:00. Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga won the WWE tag team titles.
(4) TIFFANY STRATTON (c) vs. JACY JAYNE (w/Lainey Reid, Fallon Henley) – Women’s United States Championship match
Jayne attacked the ribs early and often. Stratton avoided a senton and hit a seated dropkick, then covered for an out of nowhere nearfall. Stratton knocked Reid off the apron, but it gave Jayne and opportunity to hit a back cracker. [c]
Chelsea Green was at ringside now to support her friend. Tessitore reminded that Green was still not medically cleared. Back in the ring, both women were down. Stratton was up first and hit a clothesline, spinning back elbow, and an Alabama slam. She climbed to the top and hit a swanton bomb. Stratton hooked the leg for a two-count. Jayne missed a pump kick and Stratton rolled her up for another nearfall. Stratton with a springboard stunner and rolling senton to set her up for the moonsault. However, Jayne got her knees up and hooked the leg herself for a two-count. They traded kicks. Green pulled Henley off the apron and then Stratton dove off the top rope and took out the heel henchwomen. When she got back in the ring Jayne nailed Stratton with the Rolling Encore forearm and covered for the one…two…three. Green looked on in shock.
WINNER: Jacy Jayne via pinfall in 8:00. Jayne won the Women’s U.S. title.
Wade Barrett noted that all three members of Fatal Influence now held gold as fireworks went off.
– Cathy Kelley, who surprisingly hasn’t had much to do tonight, talked to Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin somewhere in the back. Cargill said that these women Flair, Bliss, and now “Tater-Tot” can’t mind their own business. She said she’d line them all up and knock them all down. B-Fab said Paxley was just another victim.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: B-Fab’s gonna receive a call from Taz(z) for stealing his lines.)
– Cody Rhodes came out again, presumably for his “match” against Sami Zayn. [c]
Sami Zayn came out in his wrestling gear but also looking at his wrist. Suddenly, Randy Orton attacked Cody from behind. Zayn stood on the stage with his mouth agape. Orton hit Cody with the draping DDT and pounded the mat to setup for the RKO. Cody avoided it and tried to hit a Cross Rhodes. Orton gouged his eyes and threw him to the floor. Cody still had his ring jacket on. Orton hit him in the shoulder with the stairs, sending Cody over the barricade. Zayn was arguing with the referee up on the ramp.
Orton and Cody brawled on the floor. Cody hit him with a garbage can. At some point, Orton pushed a “security guard” face first into the ringside mat, which was honestly pretty funny. Orton laid Cody between the steps and the announce desk as Nick Alidis and officials finally arrived to … watch and try to talk him out of whatever he was planning to do. What he did was grab a chair but then Cody kicked him in the balls and smashed him with said chair. The officials continued to play the role of looky-loo to a tee. Finally, an official grabbed the chair and they broke things up as the show went off the air.
(QUICK PLUG: The Kickstarter for BadWill, my workplace sitcom comic series, successfully funded! Late pledges are still open for a limited time if you’d like to learn more and/or grab a copy just check out the link: Kickstarter- BadWill Episode 2.
BadWill is about a motley crew of people working at a thrift store that only accepts items donated from past relationships. If you enjoy tv shows like The Office, Ted Lasso, Superstore, or even LOST, then I think you’ll love it!)
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