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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
AUGUST 21, 2026
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA AT SCOTIABANK ARENA
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 15,146 tickets were distributed so far. The arena has a capacity of 19, 800 spectators when configured for concerts.
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[HOUR ONE]
– It was a much hyped episode of Smackdown this week, headlined by the Undisputed WWE Champion C.M. Punk defending his title against number one contender Kevin Owens. Joe Tessitore welcomed the viewing audience to downtown Toronto and the Scotiabank Arena. Punk and Owens were shown arriving on a split-screen. Tessitore pointed out that this was the first time Punk and Owens have gone one-on-one in WWE, despite twenty years of history between them. They recapped the feud between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.
– They cut to Sami Zayn complaining to General Manager Nick Aldis. Zayn ran through every injustice that has happened to him over the past several weeks. He said that last week he went out for the number one contender match that Aldis put him in, despite having a broken hand, but since Orton interfered and the match got thrown out, Zayn still somehow doesn’t have a title shot. Zayn pointed out that Orton lost to Cody Rhodes at Wrestlemania as Orton walked up behind him. Orton told him to keep going, but Cody Rhodes was yelling from the ring for Orton to go to the ring. Aldis left to handle it. Orton wasn’t far behind. Zayn attacked his arch-nemesis…a water bottle.
Aldis tried to calm Cody down as he walked down the ramp. But Orton came out and yelled at Cody that they are scheduled for their match in two weeks at Sunday Night’s Main Event. Cody begged for Orton to come fight him now. Aldis yelled for them both to stop because he was sick of them disrespecting him and sick of them putting officials and fans in dangers. Aldis mandated that that if either of them puts their hands on the other before their match, then they will never get another shot at the WWE Championship. Orton said there was no way as hell that he would jeopardize his chance to become a fifteen-time world champion. Orton claimed that he was different than Cody because he has no remorse and knows how to be his worst self, while Cody doesn’t because he’s a “good guy.” He called Cody the American Daydream. Orton said that Cody would not be the person to kill the legend of Orton.
Cody said that Orton was operating under a dangerous assumption. He said that nothing would stop him because he’s still healing from when Orton punted him in the head at Wrestlemania. Cody said that no matter how many more world titles Orton wins, Cody would be the one to end him, and that wasn’t just a prediction, but a spoiler. From the ring by the ropes, Cody stared down Orton who was on the floor.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: First off, if Sami Zayn continues to make valid points about getting screwed 100% of the time, it will eventually turn him back into a babyface. I don’t care how much he whines about it. People like someone who shoots them straight. WWE needs to be careful with that. Second, Orton did a great job of trying to point out how he is a “bad guy” while Cody is a “good guy.” Hopefully, they finally got the message that there needs to be a clearer delineation of heels and babyfaces. This was a positive step in that direction.)
– In a backstage pre-tape, the new Tag Team Champions Tama Tonga an Talla Tonga dared anyone to step up and challenge them. Haku walked up and said that now they would show them who “the “mother f**ckin’” dominant (team) was here.” The swear was obviously bleeped.
– The former champions Damian Priest and R-Truth went to the ring for their rematch for the tag team titles. [c]
The MFT’s made their entrance, accompanied by Haku, for their first title defense.
(1) TAMA TONGA & TALLA TONGA (w/Haku) (c) vs. DAMIAN PRIEST & R-TRUTH – WWE Tag Team Championship match
The MFT’s attacked before the bell rang. The referee didn’t stop the bell from ringing anyway though. Priest and Tama slugged it out in the opening moments. Priest launched Tama into the corner and pummeled him with right hands, as The War Raiders watched from a monitor in the back. Priest with a big boot and a tag to his partner. Truth came in and did a split followed by a splash in the corner. He ducked a charging Talla who went careening over the top rope to the floor. Priest and Truth prevented the Tongas from re-entering the ring. Truth hit a plancha over the top rope to the floor onto Tama, which was impressive for a 54-year old man. Truth rolled Tama back into the ring, nailed him with a right hand and then grabbed it to signify how hard Tama’s head was. Tama took control by dropping Truth throat-first across the ropes. Tama tossed Truth to the floor as they went to a picture-in-picture break. [c]
Priest hit a flatliner on Tama and a modified facebuster on Talla when they came back from the commercial. Then, he hit a top rope clothesline and covered but only registered a one-count on Talla. The War Raider continued to observe from the sanctity of monitor room. Talla grasped Priest from the neck but Priest escaped, then immediately was dropped by a big clothesline. Talla stomped on him in the corner. Tessitore mentioned “the Haku effect” and how Haku transformed his sons. Priest hit an enziguri and made the hot tag to Truth. Truth hit the standard “Ron Cena” move set. After the five knuckle shuffle, he hit an AA and covered, but Talla broke it up. Priest came into the ring and clotheslined Talla over the top to the floor. Priest ran halfway around ringside and jumped off the steps to take out Talla again. He then climbed to the apron to attack again but Tama blindsided him from the ring, knocking him into Talla’s awaiting arms. Talla hit a t-bomb on the apron. Truth took advantage and school-boyed Tama for a two-count. They were both up quick. Tama hit a neckbreaker and tagged in Talla. The MFT hit the double-team Red Cross high-low (big boot/chop block) and Talla hooked the leg for the win.
WINNERS: Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga won by pinfall in 12:00. The MFT’s retained the tag team titles.
– Priest was frustrated after the match and slid into the ring to confront Truth. The fans sounded as if they were concerned about a possible turn. However, Priest hugged his partner instead.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: Priest definitely needs a change because this team is played out. Turning could be a smart move since the show lacks strong heels. This may have been the first hint.)
– Cathy Kelley interviewed Punk in the back. She asked about his gameplan for tonight, given that they were in Canada where Owens would be a favorite. Punk said he thrives in hostile territory and still sees Owens as the same guy from twenty years ago, while Punk has grown. Randy Orton walked up and warned Punk that after he defeats Cody he will be coming for his fifteenth championship. Punk said he was looking forward to it. (c)
– They replayed Nick Aldis changing his mind last week and not forcing Chelsea Green to relinquish her newly won WWE Women’s Championship. Back at arena, Green paced in the back until Tiffany Stratton arrived at the arena. Stratton was still nursing “injuries” suffered last week. Green offered to take Stratton to a nice dinner to make up for last week. Stratton said things were fine. The walked by Paige, who said she admired how Green handled herself last week. Fatal Influence interrupted and mocked their “bonding moment.” They said it was only a matter of time before they took the WWE Championship from Green to add to the others that they already have. Paige said she was going to take the United States title from Jacy Jayne.
– Cathy Kelley interrupted Blake Monroe in a room trying to pick out what she was going to wear to the ring in the “dump” of Toronto (Monroe’s words, not mine). Monroe said she felt like her debut should be in Milan or Paris instead, but now she was forced to find a jacket off the rack. Kelley said that whatever Monroe chose to wear she’d look great in. Monroe agreed and said she would do what she does best, which is make everyone talk about her. [c]
(2) BLAKE MONROE vs. GIULIA
Monroe attacked Giulia from behind during her entrance. The referee pleaded with Monroe on the floor to knock it off. She responded by throwing Giulia into the steel steps. Monroe rolled Giulia into the ring and then gave her a headbutt and boot to the face. Wade Barrett noted that the bell hadn’t rang. Monroe hit a Neutralizer and her music played. The crowd was dead quiet.
WINNER: No match.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: That failed miserably because WWE hasn’t made Giulia someone to be cared about and they don’t really know Monroe yet. The crowd was quiet from apathy.)
– Charlotte Flair told Alexa Bliss that she was excited to celebrate at Bliss’s birthday brunch. Bliss agreed that the three of them would have a good time. Tatum Paxley jumped into the middle of the frame and asked who Mary was and whether she needed to get her blood, referring to a Bloody Mary. Jade Cargill, B-Fab, Michin, and her pet kendo stick walked up to be mean. Paxley asked which one of them was Mary because she needed her blood. Flair pointed out that she might be weird but she handled them last week. Michin challenged Paxley to a match for next week, which made Paxley happy. She also hugged a disgusted Flair for “defending her.”
– A dejected Trick Williams and Lil’ Yachty were up next. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
– Trick Williams and Lil’ Yachty (with Trick Stick) went to the ring. Trick said that Baron Corbin didn’t want to see him one on one. He called Corbin a Cue Ball, which made him want to hit him with the Trick Shot. Th United States Champion rode his motorcycle onto the stage, got off it, made an awkward growl, and walked to the ring like a tough guy. (I’m not kidding, watch it). He notably didn’t have the title belt with him. When Corbin got to the ring, Yachty slid to the floor for safety. Trick told Corbin to stop ducking him and challenged him for a title shot right now in Toronto. Corbin said that the title was currently getting a “hair cut” meaning the furry belt is getting replaced. Corbin said that Trick wouldn’t be getting another shot because he already lost his rematch. Once again, a heel told the truth. Yachty was back in the ring and hit Corbin with the Trick Stick. Trick clotheslined him to the floor. Corbin tried to jump up on the apron but Yachty knocked him off again.
Corbin finally caved and said Trick could have another title shot at Sunday Night’s Main Event. However, he wanted Yachty for five minutes first in Atlanta, which is Yachty’s hometown. Corbin said if Yachty could last the five minutes, then Trick would get the title shot. Yachty accepted the stipulation. Corbin said it would be the longest five minutes of Yachty’s life.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: The Cue Ball/Trick Shot segue was actually clever. That’s all I have for this segment. Actually, I take that back. I still don’t understand giving a heel a “cool” motorcycle entrance. Corbin completely acted like a babyface during 90% of the segment. Is this creative team on crazy pills?)
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– Cathy Kelley asked Kevin Owens how great it was for him that he was getting a title shot in Canada. Finn Balor walked up because no one respects an interviewer trying to do their job and said he was very happy to see Owens back at Summerslam. However, Balor said his friend Owens could have given him a heads-up that he was coming back in his match. It was time for interruption number two, as Gunther walked up and said he’d take some pressure off Owens by saying he didn’t have to worry about Balor, who was a shadow of is former self. Gunther talked as if Balor wasn’t there. Gunther claimed that Owens only had to worry about him. Gunther left. Balor told Owens to only worry about winning the championship, but that when he does he will be waiting for him.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: This creative team drives me nuts. They do bad things, good things, pointless things, consequential things. This was a good thing. Once again, they have main event caliber wrestlers angling for a world title shot. The WWE Championship continues to feel like the big prize that everyone wants. Well done. With this anyway.)
– Tiffany Stratton came to the ring for the next contest. [c]
(3) TIFFANY STRATTON vs. LASH LEGEND (w/Nia Jax)
The match actually started without a pre-match attack and a befuddled referee. Stratton was hot out of the gates with a basement dropkick and handspring splash. But Legend quickly gained control using her power. Legend rag-dolled Stratton until Stratton tried to reverse into a sunset flip. Legend kept her balance and escaped but missed a big boot that got her leg caught on the ropes. Stratton chop blocked her and sent her to the floor, then attempted a dive through the ropes. Legend caught her and threw her back in the ring after a quick back-first detour into the ring post. [c]
Legend missed an elbow drop and a corner splash. Stratton went for a cartwheel but Legend caught her. Stratton got out of it and hit a back handspring cutter. She climbed to the top rope and missed a swanton bomb. Legend missed a boot and Stratton locked her in a crucifix pin attempt for a nearfall. Stratton went for the moonsault but Legend was up quick and crotched her on the ropes. Legend hit the Lash Extension for the surprisingly clean victory. The announcers pointed out that Stratton was wrestling hurt.
WINNER: Lash Legend via pinfall in 7:00.
– Jax and Legend double-teamed Stratton, so Green ran down with a kendo stick and fought them off. Tessitore noted that Green still wasn’t medically cleared but still came down to protect her friend.
– The announcers hammered home again that tonight was the first time Punk and Owens would wrestle in WWE in a singles match. They showed a highlight video of their story. [c]
– A pre-tape with Shinsuke Nakamura aired. The partner he teased last week was shown and it was Kyoki (formerly Takahashi), who said he was happy to be in WWE. He acted like he was kind of crazy. Nakamura said the clock was ticking and there would be an explosion.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: For those who don’t know him, Hiromu Takahasi is a multi-time IGWP Heavyweight Champion in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He is 36 years old, which means he’s a youngster by WWE ages. Should be a good addition to the roster.)
– The challenger Kevin Owens entered to a loud ovation. Owens was pumped up and when he got in the ring he yelled “play his stupid music. Let’s go. Come on.” The Undisputed WWE Champion C.M. Punk came out into “hostile territory” wearing a hockey mask. The fans still chanted “it’s clobberin’ time” with him because communal chants are cool.
– As Punk did his usual bounce around the ring prior to the match starting, Owens got annoyed and tried to swing at him. The referee and ring announcer Mark Nash tried to keep them apart. To be clear, they did a much better job than handfuls of officials ever do when skirmishes break out and they run down to break it up. Nash did the big match introductions. The referee was still trying to stay between them and hold them back from each other. Punk was heavily booed as expected. He kissed the belt before handing it over to the referee, who called for the bell with 23 minutes remaining in the show.
(4) C.M. PUNK (c) vs. KEVIN OWENS – Undisputed WWE Championship Match
They went after each other right away. Owen took control, much to the crowd’s delight, and sent Punk over the top to the floor with a clothesline. In a veteran move, Punk got some distance and got back in the ring first, so that when Owens got back in Punk was able to pounce on him. Owens reversed a suplex and dropped Punk onto the ropes, then knocked him back to the floor. Owens with two huge chops and a right hand. Owens cleared off the announced desk, but it gave Punk time to recover. He knocked Owens down and put the desk back together. Back in the ring, Owens went for a stunner but Punk countered with a neckbreaker. They went to a split-screen. [c]
Punk was in control after the break as the crowd surprisingly had dueling chants for Owens and Punk. Owens whipped Punk into the ropes and then leveled him with a clothesline. Barrett said it was the biggest clothesline Owens had thrown in twenty years. I mean…it WAS a pretty solid lariat. Owens stomped on Punk, letting out all the emotion built up for (you guessed it) twenty years! Owens did a crotch chop and hit his cannonball in the corner on a seated Punk, then covered for the first nearfall of the match. Owens went up to the top rope but Punk escaped to the floor with a smile on his face to show how smart he thought he was. Owens went to the floor and leapt off the barricade with a frog splash through the table onto the Champion! He quickly rolled him back into the ring and hit a top rope swanton bomb. Owens hooked the leg for the one…two…Punk kicked out!
Punk was on dream street back in the ring, but he rallied with a series of kicks. After a kick to the head, he covered and earned a nearfall. Punk yelled to the crowd that Toronto hadn’t won anything since 1967. Clearly he was only talking about hockey because the Blue Jays and Raptors exist. Punk hit the signature high knee into the face in the corner as the crowd booed again. Punk hit the top rope elbow, after a crotch chop of his own, and covered but Owens kicked out. Punk immediately locked in the Anaconda Vice. Owens rolled him up for a two-count, forcing Punk to release the hold. Punk hit a neckbreaker on the surgically repaired neck of Owens that cost him 17 months of his career. Punk with several forearms while Owens was on his knees. He battered him to a heap in the middle of the ring as the fans loudly booed. Punk called for the Go to Sleep. He lifted Owens into position but Owens escaped and locked Punk in the Sharpshooter. Barrett shouted out Canadian legend Bret Hart. Punk got to the ropes and Owens was forced to let go. The match continued.
From the outside on the apron, Punk dropped down, sling-shotting Owens back. Punk got in the ring, but Owens went for the Stunner again. Punk pushed off but pushed him right into referee Dan Engler. Engler stayed on his feet until Owens pushed Punk off and knocked Engler to the floor. Owens hit the Stunner and covered but there was no referee. Owens yelled out to Engler on the floor, then called for another referee to come down. Punk hit the GTS and covered but there still was no referee. Barrett pointed out that both men had the match won and had secured three counts if there had been an official. Punk tried to revive Engler. Sami Zayn ran in from the crowd and rammed Punk into the post, then back into the ring. Owens didn’t see what happened. Owen hit the Stunner. Zayn revived Engler and rolled him back into the ring just in time to count the one…two…Punk kicked out again in a tremendous nearfall!
Zayn was flummoxed on the floor. Zayn grabbed the title and slid it into the ring to Owens, who now clearly saw that Zayn was there. Owens picked up the belt and readied himself to strike Punk. The referee was down again for some reason. Owens yelled “not like this” and pushed the title back into Zayn’s arms on the apron. Zayn struck Owens with the belt! Punk hit another GTS and covered just as Engler recovered again. This time he counted to three.
WINNER: C.M. Punk via pinfall in 19:00. Punk retained the WWE title.
After the match, Zayn looked kind of disgusted but it was unclear about what or with whom. Punk mockingly flexed on the second rope for the crowd. When he came down Zayn clocked Punk with the belt too! Zayn stood over him wearing his “Justice for Sami” t-shirt. Owens and Punk both tried to get back up but Zayn hit them with the belt again. Zayn yelled at a toppled Punk that he’s stolen the belt form him and this was justice that it was back with him.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: That was a phenomenal television championship match. The screw job ending didn’t really take away from it and I implore you to watch it if you weren’t able to already. Two veteran main eventers with a storyline personal issue delivered. Zayn was incredible as always in his role too.)
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