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WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS
AUGUST 21, 2026
TORONTO, ONTARIO AT SCOTIABANK ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of showtime that 15,818 tickets were distributed. The arena is set up for 15,999. The arena has a capacity of 19,800 spectators when configured for concerts. The previous visit to this arena on Jan. 26, 2026 for a Raw house show, they drew 16,095.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Kelly Wells to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpostshow@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
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[HOUR ONE]
-They opened with an aerial view of Toronto as Joe Tessitore introduced the show. He said there is 20 years of resentment between CM Punk and Kevin Owens. He said 18,000 have gathered to watch Owens try to beat Punk for the WWE Title. “You can feel it,” he said.
They went to Tessitore and Wade Barrett at ringside. Tessitore said they’re two long-time headliners, but this is their first time ever facing off one-on-one. They threw to a video package on the Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton saga including the show-closing brawl from last week.
-Backstage, Sami Zayn was mid-rant against GM Nick Aldis. He said it should be him out there in the WWE Title match. He said he wants good things for KO, but it’s still an injustice. He said now Aldis is telling him to go earn it even with a broken hand, and he put his boots on and went out there anyway, but then Orton got involved. Orton walked up behind Sami as Sami ranted about Orton having lost to Cody. Orton told Sami, “By all means, Sami, continue.” Cody then yelled from the ring, “Randy! Randy!” Orton patted Sami on the chest and then headed to the ring with a serious look.
Aldis stepped onto the stage and said they weren’t doing this because they’re scheduled for SNME in Atlanta. He said last week was a near catastrophe. Orton stepped out to his music and said they already have a time and place. He said he’s going to whip his ass in front of his family in the front row. Cody said neither of them want to wait two weeks. Aldis blocked Orton and said they aren’t doing it again. Aldis said he’s sick of them putting officials and fans in danger and he’s sick of them disrespecting him. He said since they’re obsessed with being WWE Champion, if they touch each other before SNME, they will never get another shot at the WWE Title. Aldis asked if they want to screw up his show or ever have another title shot.
Orton gave Aldis his word and said he can call him Mr. Professional. Orton had more to say to Cody, though. He said if Cody swung that chair at him last week, he wouldn’t have been able to live with himself, whereas he feels no remorse. “I know how to go there,” he said. “I know how to do what needs to be done and I know how to be the worst version of myself.” He said Cody is “a good guy” and he always has been and he always will be. He called him a Golden Boy and an American Daydream.
Cody said Orton shook his hand and called him his brother, then painted the table with his blood, and then he kicked him so hard on his skull at WrestleMania that he still has make-up covering it up. He said maybe Orton wins his 15th and 16th title and becomes the greatest ever, but when he comes back to him, he’s the one who kills the Legend Killer. “And that is not a prediction, that’s a spoiler!” he said.
(Keller’s Analysis: So one could extrapolate from that last comment that Cody is on the verge of turning heel and aligning with Paul Heyman, while Bron Breakker turns face and Oba stays babyface after their match. If they land there, it’d make their hedging on Orton actually turning into a heel make more sense. It would be a big spark for Cody’s character and just freshen up the main event scene. It would also explain Orton leaning so hard into Cody being a “good guy” forever who has a line he won’t cross and painting him as a “golden boy,” which if it ring true, starts laying the foundation for fans to look at Cody not as an inspirational second-generational role model athlete but someone whose just a little too pure and precious. Sami, as usual, was a pleasure to watch. Orton continues to play a role in a lane all his own where he justifies his heelish tactics because Cody authorized it and that’s just who he is. He does so with a charm and confidence that keeps fans on his side, which only make sense if ultimately they are committed to him being a babyface wrestling heels after this Cody saga.)
-A promo aired with Talla & Tama Tonga and Haku backstage.
-Damien Priest and R-Truth made their entrance. [c]
(1) TAMA TONGA & TALLA TONGA (w/Haku) vs. DAMIEN PRIEST & R-TRUTH – WWE Tag Team Title match
The bell rang 20 minutes into the hour. Truth slingshot himself onto Tama at 2:00. Priest then went after Talla at ringside. They cut to a double box break at 4:00 with the heels in control of Priest. [c/db]
Truth got the hot-tag at 10:00 and went into his John Cena tribute sequence including an AA of Tama. Talla broke up the cover. Priest went after Talla in the ring and clotheslined him over the top rope. Priest ran and leaped off the ringside steps and knocked Talla down with a double-axe handle. Tama knocked Priest off the ring apron and then Talla slammed him on the edge of the ring apron. Truth rolled up a distracted Tama for a very near fall. Tama and Talla double-teamed Truth with their Red Cross high/low for the win.
WINNERS: Talla & Tama Tonga in 12:00 to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles.
-Priest entered the ring afterward with body language that indicated he was upset with Truth. He helped him stand and they hugged, though. Truth’s music played and Priest seemed to forgive him and exhale his disappointment.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed CM Punk backstage. She asked if the hostile environment changes his gameplan. Punk said he thrives in situations like this. He said KO has been fighting these imaginary one-sided things in his head for 20 years. He said while Owens said he is proud he hasn’t changed, he has changed and he is proud of his evolving. He said he does see the same KO as he saw 20 years ago. Orton walked up to Punk and said he wanted to give him a heads up that he’s coming for no. 15. As Orton walked away, Punk said, “I’m looking forward to it.” [c]
-Tessitore plugged TripleMania at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Nev.
-A clip aired of the Chelsea Green-Nick Aldis segment last week with Gunther and Matt Cardona.
-Backstage, Green came up to Tiffany Stratton and apologized for last week. Tiffany winced when she touched her ribcage area. Green said she’ll make up for last week and take her to a steak restaurant. Tiffany said that was nice, but she didn’t want her to risk her title reign. They passed Paige. Paige said she knows what it’s like to have an injury take away something that you love. Fatal Influence then walked up to them and took some digs at them. Paige issued a challenge for the US Title.
-They cut to Blake Monroe who was picking out her clothes from a wardrobe backstage. Kelley asked if a match against Giulia is the debut she imagined. Blake said she deserves her debut to be for the Women’s Title in Paris or Milan “instead of this dump, Toronto.” Blake said everyone will be talking about her after this match. [c]
-Tessitore plugged upcoming events.
(2) BLAKE MONROE vs. GIULIA
As Giulia made her entrance, Blake attacked her from behind in the aisle. The ref yelled at her as she kicked away at Giulia. She rammed her head into the ring apron. She continued on the attack in the ring as the ref ordered her to step back. Blake gave her a Neutralizer. The ref refused to count. Blake just left the ring. Barrett said since the bell didn’t ring, it probably doesn’t qualify as a debut.
WINNER: It didn’t officially happen.
(Keller’s Analysis: They did a terrible job explaining what happened. How many dozens of matches this year began with a heel attacking a babyface and the ref either rewarding the illegal attack by calling for the bell right away or giving the babyface a few seconds to recover before checking with them and then starting the match. In this instance, the match just didn’t happen and nobody seemed to think it was strange for Blake to just walk to the back as her music played. It’s just stupid.)
-Tatum Paxley came up to Alexa Bliss and Charlotte and said how cool it was to hang out with them. Paxley asked who brings the blood or if she brings her own blood. Charlotte asked Alexa, “What is happening?” Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab walked up to them. Tatum asked if they were coming to brunch with them and asked who was supplying the blood. Charlotte said she might be strange with no concept of personal space, but “this freak handled the two of you.” Michin challenged Paxley to a match next week. Paxley said she’d love that and got giggly as she hugged Charlotte said, full of appreciation, “You defended me!”
-They showed Trick Williams and Little Yachy backstage. [c]
-Trick made his entrance with Yachty. He said it’s been a minute, but he’s got his dog Yachty back. He said he doesn’t have his title back, though. He called Corbin a bald-headed bum who looks like a cue ball. He offered to hit him with his Trick Shot and take his title back. Corbin rode a motorcycle out onto the stage and then walked to the ring. He made a move toward Yachty, who jumped to ringside. Trick said he should be the focus of his attention because he’s the one whom he cheated out of a title. He told him to stop ducking and dodging him. He challenged him to a match right there, right now.
Corbin said that title is off getting “a pretty little haircut.” He said Trick isn’t getting another shot at the title. He said he lost the title match and the rematch. “You got nothing to offer me,” he said. “I beat you every single time we stepped in the ring.” He said it won’t happen tonight or anywhere. Yachty hit Corbin with the Trick Stick. Trick clotheslined him over the top rope. Fans chanted, “Whoop that Trick!” Corbin at ringside said he’d face him at SNME in Atlanta. He told the fans in Toronto they aren’t worth it, but first he wanted Yachty in his hometown for five minutes. He said if Yachty lives, he gets his title shot, but if he beats him within five minutes, they are done for good. “What do you say?” Corbin asked. Yachty thought it over and seemed concerned, but then yelled, “You’re on!” Corbin said, “Good.” He said it’ll be the longest five minutes of his life.
Tessitore said he gave Yachty credit for confidence and guts, but asked if he really believes he can last five minutes with Corbin.
-Kelley interviewed KO backstage. Balor walked up to KO and said he was so glad to see him back at Summerslam, but he wishes he got a heads up. Gunther then walked up to them. He said KO is about to face the pressure of wrestling in his hometown. He said if he survives tonight, he has to worry about him, not Balor. Balor gave KO a pep talk and said he’ll be waiting for him on the other side. KO said he hopes he is. [c]
-Barrett commented on a recap of Jacy Jayne winning the US Title.
(3) TIFFANY STRATON vs. LASH LEGEND (w/Nia Jax)
The bell rang 13 minutes into the hour. Tessitore said Chelsea acted like a loyal friend last friend. Barrett said it cost her the US Title because of the rib injury. “You have to pick your moments,” he said. Tiffany leaped through the ropes, but Lash caught her and rammed her onto the ring apron. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Lash avoided a top rope Swanton Bomb. Tiffany rolled up Lash for a two count. Lash knocked Tiffany off balance on the top rope and then hit the Lash Extension for the clean win. Barrett said, “That was a sub-100 percent Tiffany Stratton.”
WINNER: Lash in 7:00.
-As Nia and Lash double-teamed Tiffany, Chelsea ran out. “Are you kidding me?” asked Tessitore. She bashed the heel duo with a kendo stick. He said she isn’t medically cleared, but she came to the aid of her friend who helped her a week ago, but took damage doing so.
-They went to Barrett and Tessitore at ringside. They threw to a video recap of recent comments by both. They added some ROH photos to provide visual context. [c]
-Tessitore reminded viewers Raw airs live at 6 ET this Monday.
-A vignette aired with Shinsuke Nakamura. He introduced Kyoki (a/k/a Hiromu Takahashi) as his partner. Nakamura said he doesn’t fear chaos, he enjoys it. Kyoki called for madness. Nakamura said when maddness and strong style collides, there will be an explosion. “The clock is ticking!” he said.
(4) CM PUNK vs. KEVIN OWENS – WWE Title match
Owens made his entrance. Tessitore said it’s been ten years since he was champion. He looked at the camera and said, “Twenty years, bitch, twenty years.” Barrett said tonight is his opportunity to win the WWE Title against the man he hates most in the industry, CM Punk. Tessitore said he regretted every day he didn’t punch Punk in the mouth going back to when he humiliated him 20 years ago. He touted a crowd of 17,761. Punk then came out to boos. Punk wore all white and absorbed the boos with glee. KO sat on a top turnbuckle and glared at Punk. He then went after Punk before the bell. The ref stepped between them. Mark Nash did formal ring introductions.
The bell rang 37 minutes into the hour. KO charged at Punk and got the better of the first exchange. He clotheslined him to the mat and then clotheslined him over the top rope to ringside. He went right after him. Punk rolled into the ring and then stomped on KO as he rolled into the ring. Fans booed. KO dropped Punk abdomen-first over the top rope and then punched him back down to the floor. He again went after him at ringside and chopped him. He took the lid off the announce desk. Punk kicked him from behind. (If you thought they’d shoot on each other or get stiff, those kicks showed no such thing.) Punk put the lid back on the table. Barrett said no one has done that before. Punk shook hands with Tessitore.
Back in the ring, KO took control and went for a stunner, but Punk avoided it and then dropped KO with a neckbreaker. They cut to a double-box break at 2:00. [c/db]
Punk stayed in control during the break. KO made a comeback and stomped away at Punk. Tessitore said, “Look at the emotions being released by Kevin Owens!” Back in the ring, KO signaled for and then landed a cannonball for a two count 9:00. Barrett said KO is going at 110 percent. He said Punk has absorbed it and was hanging in there. KO climbed to the top rope. Punk rolled to the floor. KO went after him and kicked him onto the announce desk. KO leaped off the ringside barricade and landed a frog splash that collapsed the announce desk. KO threw Punk back into the ring as fans chanted “Holy shit!” KO landed a top rope swanton for a near fall. Fans roared for the landing and then sighed at the kickout. Then they chanted, “This is awesome!”
KO lifted Punk by his hair and slapped him. He went for a Pop-Up Powerbomb, but Punk avoided it and then landed three kicks and scored a two count. They both crawled to opposite corners and stood. Punk said Toronto’s NHL team, the Maple Leafs, hasn’t won anything since 1967. Barrett said Punk took time to take a shot at the local NHL team but should focus on KO. Punk landed a running knee. Tessitore said he has regained momentum. Punk leaped off the top rope with a flying elbow, but he did a mocking crotch chop first. He scored a two count, then shifted to an Anaconda Vice. KO leveraged Punk’s shoulders down for a two count.
Punk landed a neckbreaker and then signaled for a Go To Sleep. The announcers talked about KO’s spine issues. KO blocked the GTS and then applied a sharpshooter. Fans roared wildly as Punk sold the pain. He crawled over and reached the bottom rope. Fans booed as KO released the hold.
Punk snapped KO’s neck over the top rope. Fans booed. KO ducked a kick and then set up a stunner. Punk shoved KO into the ref. KO shoved Punk into the ref. The ref dropped to the floor. KO hit the stunner. Fans counted to ten and beyond. KO looked up in dismay. He yelled down at the ref. Punk recovered and hit a GTS. KO sold being knocked out cold. Punk rolled him over and made the cover. Fans counted to ten and beyond. Punk punched away at KO. Punk stood and looked around for a referee in frustration. He slid to the floor and checked on the ref. There was a roar as Sami Zayn ran to ringside and threw Punk into the ringpost. He then threw Punk into the ring and hid at ringside. KO landed a stunner and made the cover. Sami threw the ref into the ring. The ref counted and Punk kicked out at 2.99. Fans were deflated.
Sami threw the belt into the ring and encouraged KO to use it. KO picked up the belt, but shook his head no at Sami. Sami begged him to do it. He shoved the belt back at Sami and said, “Not this way.” Sami hit KO with the belt. Punk hit a GTS for the three count.
WINNER: Punk in 19:00 to retain the WWE Title.
-As Punk gloated and celebrated, Sami attacked him with the belt too. Fans fell silent. Sami hit them each again. Sami yelled at Punk that he stole it from him. He held the belt in the air as fans booed.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch’s Kelly Wells to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpostshow@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
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Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).
OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
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