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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
SEPTEMBER 11, 2026
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO AT ARENA CDMX
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY ERIC CORBRIDGE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Alicia Taylor
Attendance: WrestleTix reported as of this afternoon that 1,044 tickets were distributed. The arena has a capacity of 22,300 spectators when configured for concerts.
[HOUR ONE]
Like wrestling, the best stories are told with well-developed characters. BadWill is my workplace comedy comic about the colorful employees and customers of a thrift store that only accepts donations from past relationships. Episodes 1 and 2 are available now at BadWillComic.com
– For the first time in fifteen years, WWE held a televised event in Mexico. It felt like a big show because there were four title matches, including two from AAA. Wrestler arrivals were shown of Sami Zayn and Undisputed WWE Champion C.M. Punk. Michael Cole and Wade Barrett to the show by using some third grade Spanish phrases in a way that Cole sounded like a goof as usual. Barrett spoke about the passion of Mexican fans and then introduced the Spanish language announcers who did not choose to mock the English language.
Randy Orton made his entrance to a loud ovation and crowd karaoke because fans adore cool heels. Orton played into it because who cares about storytelling. The fans chanted Randy’s name as he posed for his beloved fans and soaked it all in. Orton asked what the fans wanted to talk about. He wanted to talk about Cody Rhodes. Orton said that Rhodes showed last week that he is a good man, a good father, a good husband, and a good friend. Orton said it takes a lot to put down a legend, which he can verify since he systematically took down legends himself. Orton claimed that Cody was no killer, but Orton is and that he will pull the trigger on anyone who comes between him and his 15th world championship. Orton said he was challenging whoever wins the championship match tonight with the three most dangerous letters in WWE… R…K…O. The crowd chanted his name again as he exited down the ramp.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: Orton pits himself against a babyface but acts like one himself. It’s extremely counterproductive for what WWE seemingly wants to accomplish with this feud. Cody Rhodes continues to have to fight an uphill battle to be seen as the “good guy”, no matter how many times Orton literally calls him one.)
– In the back, Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis told Interim(?) WWE Women’s World Champion Chelsea Green that if her face mask comes off during her championship match tonight and she gets hurt, then he will have no choice but to strip her of the title. Green said she understood and thanked him for letting her keep the title. He said she earned it. Green walked up on Tiffany Stratton, who said she’d be in Green’s corner tonight to make sure Lash Legend didn’t get involved.
– Michael Cole recapped the horrific events of 9/11/2001 in the United States. Cole finished with “Never forget.” A very well done video was shown to remember the events of that awful day in history 25 years ago. It was narrated by Paul Levesque. [c]
(Corbridge’s Analysis: I criticize the WWE’s storytelling efforts often. But as proud U.S. citizen and retired Air Force veteran I greatly appreciate the company’s continued patriotism.)
– Ricky Saints was in the ring when they returned from the commercial break. AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix entered for his title defense. The crowd was happy to see him.
(1) REY FENIX (c) vs. RICKY SAINTS – AAA Cruiserweight Championship Match
Barrett said that Saints hoped to spoil Fenix’s homecoming. Fenix exploded out of the gate by showing off his speed with hurricanrana, top-rope assisted deep armdrag and a dropkick. Saints executed an armdrag himself and posed, much to the crowd’s disgust. Renix responded with another hurricanrana. Saints countered with a dive through the ropes into a Revolution DDT on the floor. Saints feigned like he was going to go for another but stopped short so he could pose again. [c]
Saints gyrated across the top rope and came off with an “Old School”. He perched Fenix on the top rope and climbed up for a superplex attempt. Fenix fought his way out and springboarded from the second rope up to the top, then gave Saints a hurricanrana. Fenix climbed up to the opposite top rope and hit a moonsault for the one…two…Saints kicked out. Fenix with the Goodbye Amigo kick, then a moonsault from the second rope to the floor. The crowd chanted for him. Fenix rewarded them with a frog splash cross-body that earned another two-count. Fenix, seemingly not tired at all, went for a flip off the second rope, but Saints caught him with a powerbomb. Saints covered for a two-count. Saints immediately hit the Revolution DDT and hooked the leg for the one…two…Fenix kicked out.
Fenix caught Saints with a small package but again Saints escaped it. Fenix spun back into the ring and almost collided with the official. Fenix hit a handspring stunner and covered. Saints kicked out at 2.5. Saints called for “Lucha” and ran into a boot in the face. Fenix kept control and hit a Mexican Muscle Buster off the top rope for the three count.
WINNER: Rey Fenix by pinfall in 10:00. Fenix retained the AAA Cruiserweight title.
After the match, Fenix offered a handshake but Saints refused. The crowd booed.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: It was one Fenix highlight move after another. Saints didn’t get much of a chance to show what he could do and remains buried on the Smackdown depth chart.)
– Sami Zayn was interviewed by Cathy Kelley. The crowd booed at the sight of Cathy. I kid! She is a lovely woman.They didn’t like Zayn. Cathy asked for his final thoughts before his title match tonight. Zayn said this wasn’t about him. It was about justice. He said he would have been happy with Kevin Owens or Johnny Gargano defeating C.M Punk. He tried to help them. But now, Zayn realized it could never be them because it had to be him. Zayn said that tonight he would take back the WWE Championship. Gargano walked up and said wanted to make sure Zayn agreed to give him the first shot if he won the title, just like Zayn professed last week if Gargano had won. Zayn just wanted to get through tonight first.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: As always, Zayn was passionate and believable in his delivery. The dynamic between he and Gargano is very intriguing, especially now that Gargano rejoined the land of the living. Wrestlers on Smackdown also continue to want to win the title, which is key to the main event scene feeling important.)
– Nikki Bella entered for the next match. [c]
– Paige entered after the break. She wasted little time in running to the ring and charging at Bella as soon as the bell rang.
(2) PAIGE vs. NIKKI BELLA
Pagie pummeled Bella with some strikes and called her a stupid b*tch. She threw Bella by the hair and smacked her, then kicked her in the face. Bella bailed to ringside. Paige chased after her and threw her into the barricade, then stepped on her. Paige continued the onslaught by draping her on one of the announced desks and then kicking her in the face. Paige rolled her back in the ring and gave her several knees to the face through the ropes from the apron.
Bells swept Paige’s legs out from under her and pulled her back to the floor. Paige quickly reversed the tide again and whipped Bella into the steel steps. Paige mocked the Bella…ummm… twirl. Back in the ring, Bella pulled the referee between her and Paige as Paige went to strike her. Bella weakly drove Paige’s head into the buckle then used leverage from the second rope to stack her up and steal a quick pin. It looked absolutely pathetic.
WINNER: Nikki Bella via pinfall in 3:00.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: It started off appropriately as a Paige beatdown to get revenge on Bella’s brutal post-match attack on her weeks ago. But the abrupt and poorly executed finish ruined it.)
– Cathy Kelley asked Nia Jax in the back whether Chelsea Green’s physical condition would factor into her approach for her title match tonight. Jax said she never should have been the champion in the first place and that her reign was a travesty. She said that she may be known for making careers when she breaks someone’s face, but tonight she would end Green’s career. Lash Legend said that Tiffany Stratton better not have any smart ideas or else she’d break Stratton’s ribs. [c]
(Corbridge’s Analysis: For anyone who’d like a history lesson, Jax’s line about making careers by breaking faces was a well-done nod to her accidentally breaking Becky Lynch’s face in the ring years ago. That incident ended up being a catalyst for Lynch’s historic babyface run that culminated in a Wrestlemania main event match championship victory.)
– The new United States Champion Trick Williams made his way to the ring, whooping those tricks the whole way. He was by himself. Trick said that he was sexiest and most entertaining superstar alive, and that he’d arrived. He sucked up to the fans by calling them beautiful and naming a superstar footballer. He picked up a football/soccer ball that he brought with him. He said he took Baron Corbin’s head and smacked a few times (mimicking it on the ball) and then said he kicked his ass all over the ring. Trick punted the ball into the crowd. He called out his boy that allowed him to get his title shot, Lil Yachty. Yachty didn’t come out.
Trick said that Yachty was such a diva that he had to announce him the right way. He asked for a drum roll. The crowd obliged. He announced Yachty as the “five-minute man” (not usually a thing to brag about), “the self-proclaimed greatest man alive, Lil Yachty. “ Instead of Yachty, Baron Corbin dragged a hurt Yachty out onto the stage. An aghast Trick ran to the top of the ramp to help his friend. Corbin retreated. When Trick checked on Yachty, Corbin returned and laid out Trick with a kendo stick. Corbin yelled that they weren’t done yet. The crowd called him a mean name in Spanish.
– Finn Balor told Nick Aldis in his office that he didn’t envy his job. Balor said that he was ready for whoever won the title match tonight. Danhausen was wiping down a TV monitor in the background. Aldis told Balor to concentrate on the Money-in-the-Bank match. Danhausen interrupted and asked if he heard him say something about the human monies in the bank. Aldis said he’d explain another time, so Danhausen left. Balor was intrigued by the money-in-the-bank mention. Gunther barged in and Aldis was annoyed by it. Gunther told Balor that he peaked ten years ago and that perhaps it would take someone beating some sense into him. Gunther started to leave as Balor called him a whiny b*tch. Gunther heard him and returned only to have Balor drop him with a forearm. Balor and Aldis left. Gunther got up. Danhausen momentarily snuck up behind him, but then sleaked off.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: Balor, Gunther, and possibly even Danhausen want a title shot. The title matters.)
– The Irresistible Forces entered for Jax’s title shot. The crowd immediately booed because Jax and Legend always act like heels and are effective. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
– The Interim(?) WWE Champion Chelsea Green came to the ring with Tiffany Stratton in tow holding the Mexican flag. Green was wearing red/white/green wrestling tights.
(3) CHELSEA GREEN (c) vs. NIA JAX (w/Lash Legend) – Interim WWE Women’s Championship Match
Green started with a dropkick and Jax tumbled to the floor. Green dove through the ropes but Jax caught her and sent her flying over the Spanish announced desk. Jax did a “U.S.A.” chant which was not appreciated by anyone. Back in the ring, Jax toyed with her prey as Green through ineffective strikes to Jax’s bread basket. Green dodged a corner splash and hit a step up enziguri, then hit a poor looking missile dropkick that drove Jax to the floor. Jax pulled Green down and launched her into the barricade. Cole speculated that he was sad to say that Green’s first title defense might be her last. Jax rolled Green back into the ring.
Jax rammed Green’s head into two different turnbuckles. Green tried to fight back at the third but Jax hit a sit-down uranage and a senton splash. Jax hooked the leg for a two-count. Barrett said that splash crushed Green’s sternum. Jax attempted to choked Green out while sitting on the top rope. Green gave her a rocket launcher off the top as Stratton tried to rally her friend. Green hit a hurricanrana and double knees to a draped Jax. Jax caught her with a Samon drop but again only earned a nearfall. Jax ripped the protective mask off Green’s face and chucked her to the floor.
Legend went to strike the unprotected face of Green, but Stratton pushed her out of the way and took the full force of Legend’s blow instead. Green pushed Legend into the post and got back in the ring, only to get dropped by Jax right in the corner. Jax climbed up and went for the Oblivion. Green moved out of the way and put her mask back on. Green dropped Jax face-first across the top rope then climbed to the top. She headbutted Jax with the mask, then flipped over Jax and hit the Unpretty-her. Green hooked the leg in the corner for the one…two…three.
WINNER: Chelsea Green by pinfall in 6:00. Green retained the Women’s title.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: It was a better told story than it was executed match. The end in particular was pretty sloppy. Overall though it accomplished what it meant to, which was to have the popular Green overcome the odds stacked against her..)
– Cathy Kelley talked to C.M. Punk in the back. She asked him why he was giving Sami Zayn a title shot, considering everything he’s done lately. It was hard to hear Cathy because the crowd was chanting loudly for Punk. He said that sometimes you have to reward bad behavior so it can be taught a lesson. Punk said that guys like Zayn and Owens were part of the problem. Punk said he didn’t come to Mexico City, where some of the greatest pro wrestling fans in the world reside, to lose to a guy who broke his hand “jerking it to his nine-day fluke title win”, then you’ve got another thing coming. He said that at elevation 8,000 feet he was going to lift Zayn up high into the clouds and then drop his ugly face down onto his knee and hopefully shatter his face so that his mouth has to get wired shut, and that they never have to hear his excuses that are thinner than the air in Mexico City. At the end, he said ‘my name is C.M. Punk and I approve this message.”
(Corbridge’s Analysis: It was “just” a backstage interview, but it was further proof that Punk understands what a wrestling promo for a babyface champion should be. I highly suggest everyone watch it if they missed it. )
– Damian Priest and R-Truth walked to the ring for their title shot. Truth was wearing a sombrero. [c]
– The AAA Tag Team Champions The War Raiders sauntered to the ring looking confident.
(4) THE WAR RAIDERS (Erik & Ivar) vs. DAMIAN PRIEST & R-TRUTH – AAA Tag Team Championship Match
The War Raiders attacked from behind prior to the match start. Idiot rookie 30+ year veteran referee Charles Robinson saw that as his cue to start the match. Erik drove Ivar into Truth who was fallen in the corner. Ivar splashed Truth and hooked the leg for an early nearfall due to the pre-match attack. The crowd booed as the War Raiders double-teamed Truth. They continued to dominate until Truth managed to make a not-so-hot tag to Priest. Priest came and dropped Ivar with a clothesline and Erik with a jumping elbow. Priest continued to lay it in with corner splashes and a flapjack that earned a two-count on Ivar. Priest called for the big lariat that got the crowd into it. Erik pulled Ivar to the floor. Priest took out both Raiders on the floor. [c]
Truth was doing the Cena move set after the break. Truth wasn’t able to AA Ivar at first but used momentum off the ropes to hit it. He covered but Erik broke it up. Priest came in to help his partner but the Raider double teamed him into a powerslam. Truth and Ivar slugged it out. Ivar dropped him with a spinning heel kick and tagged in Erik. They hit the Ragnarok powerbomb and Erik pinned Truth.
WINNERS: The War Raiders via pinfall in 8:00. The War Raiders retained the AAA Tag Titles.
Post match, Priest helped Truth to his feet. Truth apologized for losing. Priest had an official hand him the sombrero and he put it on Truth’s head. As Truth celebrated Priest gave him the big lariat! The crowd booed and called him names. Truth tried to beg Priest not to do it, but Priest gave him the South of Heaven chokeslam on the steel hat.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: There is the heel turn from Priest. I know that not everyone wanted this, but Smackdown needs heels and Priest needed to be freshened up. Doing the turn in Mexico was a smart move too, since it felt more personal to the live crowd.)
– Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss were walking in the back and Fatal Influence taunted them. Tatum Paxley snuck up from behind and startled them. She said they should hang on to the tag titles really tight. Fatal Influence left. Paxley said she hated what happened last week at Sunday Night’s Main Event and promised that Flair could still trust her. Flair said she hoped it was just rookie mistake. She left. Bliss stopped Paxley from going after her, saying “she will be fine, give her time.”
– Cathy Kelley asked Rey Fenix in the back what it would mean to their family if his brother PENTA defeated Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship on RAW Monday night. Fenix said it would be a big deal. Ricky Saints walked in and apologized for not shaking his hand earlier. Fenix shook his hand and pretended to leave. Then he attacked Saints from behind and told Fenix he was the better man.
– The challenger Sami Zayn made his way to the ring for the main event of the evening. The Undisputed WWE Champion C.M. Punk entered in the champion’s position to a hero’s welcome. Ring announcer Mark Nash gave the championship introductions. The referee made sure both grapplers were ready before calling for the bell to start the match with seventeen minutes left in the show.
(5) C.M. PUNK (c) vs. SAMI ZAYN – Undisputed WWE Championship Match
Punk forced Zayn to retreat to the corner as he unloaded on him. Punk seemed to come down gingerly on his kneed after some top rope turnbuckle punches, but it didn’t stop him from executing a dive through the ropes onto Zayn as they went to the first picture-in-picture break of the show. [c]
Zayn chop blocked Punk’s knee. Cole pointed out that he thought Zayn just picked up on the fact that Punk’s knee was bothering him. The referee checked on Punk. Zayn went out to the floor and took Punk’s knee out again, then rammed it repeatedly into the ring post. Zayn returned to the ring and stomped on the knee some more. He ripped the knee pad down and begun punching the injured limb. Punk retreated to the hopeful safety of the opposite corner while Zayn argued with the referee. Punk tried to fight back with punches and a swinging neckbreaker. Punk started attacking Zayn’s broken left hand. He lifted Zayn onto his shoulders for the Go to Sleep but Zayn escaped and cinched in a figure four leglock. Punk writhed in pain while reaching for the ropes, then rolled into the ropes to force a break. They abruptly went to another split screen. [c]
Zayn went for a blue thunder bomb but couldn’t do it because of his injured wrist. Punk went for another AA but Zayn slipped out again and hit the blue thunder bomb using Punk’s momentum. He covered for a two-count. Zayn hit the exploder suplex in the corner and called for the Helluva kick. The crowd booed. Punk erupted out of the corner with a clothesline and hit the Go to Sleep but immediately grabbed at his knee. By the time he was able to make the cover, Zayn had enough time to recover and kick out at a two-count. Punk called for another Go to Sleep.
Johnny Gargano ran down to ringside and distracted Punk. Zayn rolled him up from behind for a nearfall. Zayn locked in the figure four again. Punk escaped and locked in the Anaconda Vise but Candice LeRae was on the apron distracting the referee. Zayn was tapping. Punk let go and tried to get the referee to do his job. Gargano got in the ring and Punk gave him a Go to Sleep, then fell to the mat clutching his knee again. The referee tried to get Gargano out of the ring. Kevin Owens ran into the ring and prevented Sami Zayn from grabbing the belt to use against Punk. Owens went to strike Zayn with the belt but he ducked and Owens nailed Punk with it. Cole said it was an accident but Barret questioned that since Owens hates Punk too. Zayn hit a low blow on Owens. Zayn hit the Helluva kick and covered Punk for the one…two…three!
WINNER: Sami Zayn via pinfall in 15:00. Zayn won the Undisputed WWE Championship for the second time.
After the match, Zayn celebrated as the crowd loudly booed. Punk was laying out cold on his back. Coel said “brace yourselves. This man is going to be hell to live with. Sami Zayn is the Undisputed WWE Champion.” Fireworks went off as fans booed and Zayn taunted some fans with the belt.
(Corbridge’s Analysis: That was unexpected for me, but I’m thrilled because Zayn has been firing on all cylinders as a performer for several months (years?) and deserved more than a nine day title reign. Punk was also tremendous tonight and during his reign. I’m excited to see what happens next, which makes me a happy pro wrestling fan.)
If you enjoy colorful characters, comedy, personal rivalries, and ongoing stories that leave you wanting the next episode, check out BadWill. Episodes 1 and 2 of my workplace comedy comic are available now at BadWillComic.com
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