Make FightsATW Your Preferred Combat Sports Source
Enjoy our boxing and wrestling coverage? Add Fights Around The World as a Preferred Source on Google so our latest stories can show up more often in your Top Stories.
Add FightsATW on GoogleWWE Friday Night SmackDown was live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the Xfinity Mobile Arena after the blue brand’s champion, CM Punk, successfully defended his WWE Undisputed World Championship against Cody Rhodes on night one. Punk was not without assistance in the match as Randy Orton returned “out of nowhere” to hit Cody with the RKO.
The SmackDown after-show was booked as the return to weekly TV for Kevin Owens and a celebratory segment for the new interim women’s WWE champion, Chelsea Green.
CODY RHODES AND CM PUNK SQUASH THEIR HEEL HEAT, “FACE” TO “FACE”
One of the more interesting storylines heading into last weekend’s SummerSlam event in Minnesota was the world title showdown between champion Punk and challenger Cody Rhodes. The two vets did terrific work in the buildup, arguably too good, as many fans expected a potential heel turn from CM Punk after his schtick had become very “Hollywood” (as in Hogan).
However, in the show’s opening segment, Cody Rhodes called out Orton, and though unsuccessful, he did manage to get the champ’s attention. Punk came out to make it clear that he was unaware of Randy’s ‘Pippen-like assist’ during their title match. As Cody civilly made his way to ‘Gorilla,’ Punk called Cody’s name to let him know his rematch is good anytime and that Cody need only say when.
Cody seemed appreciative of the sentiment, but the recently returned #1 contender for Punk’s strap, Kevin Owens, was not supportive of his shot being overlooked for more ‘top guy on top guy’ action. Owens and Punk spent the early part of their promos straight talking to each other in a full-on conversation that happened off-mic.
By the time they started speaking into the mic, it was clear that “K.O.” was resorting to the same program themes as we saw in Punk’s feuds with Seth and Drew McIntyre. Owens claimed to know ‘the real’ CM Punk, and he claimed that so many in the back told him that Punk is different today, showing a real change—Owens did not believe the ‘boys.’
Owens exists as a character with a heel streak that is constantly cheered by the fans for doing heelish things while Punk maintains his place as one of the most over ‘good guys’ in wrestling today. While that is terrific for their monthly merch checks, it limits the story you can tell and, thus, the payoff. Owens asked for the title match against Punk on SmackDown in Toronto on August 21st, and Aldis said he would “make some calls.”
SAMI ZAYN STAYS MAD
Sami was speaking with Aldis before Owens interrupted their conversation to discuss scheduling his title match, and things only got more contentious from there. Owens acknowledged that his return ‘messed things up’ for Sami, though he also ‘stood 10-toes down’ by making Sami acknowledge that he would have done the same thing in his position.
It felt like Sami was not quite sold, so Owens further reminded him that before he was injured, he earned a #1 contender’s spot by defeating Sami himself. The tension lessened after that, for a bit, and Sami said he was happy for Owens, going as far as to claim he is rooting for him to defeat ‘Phil.’ Still, Sami made it clear that his “chase” is not over just because Owens has entered the race.
Even after the turmoil, Punk and Sami both got into it, and the champ now said his place was in the back of the line.
RANDY ORTON SPEAKS… SORT OF
Orton did not even get to finish the word “Philadelphia” before Cody’s music hit and he was chasing down the man that cost him the title last Saturday. Cody wanted to know why Orton interfered, and Randy blamed Cody by claiming he ‘asked for this’ at WrestleMania. During their Mania program, Cody pushed Orton to become ‘The Viper’ again, so that is exactly what happened and why he punted Cody at Mania.
Randy said the best version of him won’t become champion, but the worst version of him can become champion.
CHELSEA QUEEN OF THE FIELD… THEY LOVE HER, THEY REALLY REALLY LOVE HER
Chelsea was successful in Sunday’s ladder match by snatching the strap and becoming the new WWE world champion after Rhea Ripley was forced to vacate due to injury—Rhea gave an update on social media following her surgery, and it appears to have been successful (FightsATW wishes the champ a speedy recovery).
It was a huge moment for Chelsea and one of the genuine feel-good moments of this year’s SummerSlam. From being ‘scared of heights’ in a ladder match several years ago to winning her first major title under that very stipulation, she has solidified herself as a face. However, the ‘heel’ tactics are hard to break, and she tried buttering up the competition, specifically Tiffany Stratton.
Chelsea and Stratton developed a real friendship in their time working together, and now they both have belts around their waists. Fatal Influence came down with gold in sight, and that is when Tiffany Stratton said she would give Jacy Jayne a shot at her U.S. title if they gave her and Chelsea a shot at their tag titles.
FATAL INFLUENCE DEFENDS
Fatal Influence won by delivering the “Fatal Flaw” to Green before picking up the pinfall. Lash Legend and Nia Jax came in the ring to beat down Green and Stratton.
BARON CORBIN(c) VS TRICK WILLIAMS—United States Title
Trick received his U.S. title rematch after losing the belt to the recently returned Baron Corbin. This was one of the more surprising outcomes of either night of SummerSlam, but it did not feel very surprising when Corbin successfully retained the title in tonight’s sequel. Like the SummerSlam outcome, Corbin ‘cheated’ to win by using the U.S. title while the ref was distracted.
After the match, Corbin was approached for a backstage interview, where he grew upset over the interviewer’s use of the word “upset” when referencing his back-to-back wins over Trick. At the end of the segment, we found out that Carmelo Hayes will challenge Corbin for the title next Friday.
CHARLOTTE FLAIR VS JADE CARGILL
The match has been building for some time, but it was still surprising when WWE announced that this match would main event tonight’s episode of SmackDown. It had a big match feel even without the title. The crowd was into the biggest spots, and that includes Jade’s sit-down powerbomb from off the middle turnbuckle.
It was not without its clunkiness, but despite the lack of accuracy, the match had a fun ending. B-Fab and Michin came down to ringside to give Jade the assist, and that is when the injured Alexa Bliss, out since June with an arm injury, did her voodoo with her Lilly doll in hand and the other arm in a brace.
Bliss cut the lights with her spooky powers, but when the lights came back on, former NXT women’s champ Tatum Paxley was standing on the top turnbuckle before diving to take out Jade’s faction. Flair picked up the win and celebrated with Bliss and Paxley in the ring to close the show.
OTHER TIDBITS
– Priest and R-Truth will defend their tag titles against both the MFTs and AAA’s tag team champions, the WAR Raiders.
Discover more from Fights Around The World
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
