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WWE SmackDown delivered a chaotic night from TD Garden in Boston. The August 14 episode featured three championship matches. It also pushed several major rivalries toward their next big showdowns. CM Punk and Kevin Owens dominated the biggest storyline of the night. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes continued his hunt for Randy Orton. Several championship developments also changed the landscape.
Chelsea Green Keeps Her WWE Women’s Championship
The show opened with Nick Aldis addressing Chelsea Green’s injury. Green suffered a broken orbital bone during last week’s SmackDown. Aldis initially planned to strip Green of the WWE Women’s Championship. However, Green made an emotional plea to keep her title. She reminded Aldis about everything she sacrificed for her opportunity. Aldis ultimately gave Green 30 days to recover and receive medical clearance.
Green then faced another problem when GUNTHER confronted Aldis. GUNTHER questioned why Kevin Owens received his SummerSlam opportunity. Aldis explained that Owens had negotiated with WWE for months. GUNTHER then traded insults with Green. Matt Cardona soon arrived and confronted GUNTHER. The confrontation led to a match between the two men. GUNTHER defeated Cardona by submission.
Baron Corbin Survives Carmelo Hayes
Baron Corbin defended the United States Championship against Carmelo Hayes. The Boston crowd strongly supported Hayes throughout the match. Hayes attacked Corbin before the opening bell. He then brought tremendous energy into the championship contest. Corbin absorbed the punishment and eventually regained control.
Hayes nearly captured the championship several times. He hit a springboard DDT and later connected with a frog splash. Corbin survived both attempts. The champion eventually stopped Hayes and retained his United States Championship. Afterward, Trick Williams and Lil Yachty confronted Corbin.
CM Punk and Kevin Owens Take Their Feud Personally
The biggest segment featured CM Punk and Kevin Owens. The two men held their final face-to-face confrontation before their title match. Owens made it clear that their history goes back nearly two decades. He said he never believed Punk’s apologies to him and his friends.
Punk acknowledged Owens’ success but questioned his evolution. Owens responded by saying he waited 20 years to punch Punk. He promised to do exactly that in seven days. Punk fired back with his own insults. He also promised to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship. The confrontation made their upcoming title match feel deeply personal.
MFT Capture the WWE Tag Team Championships
The WWE Tag Team Championships changed hands in a wild Triple Threat Match. Damian Priest and R-Truth defended against The War Raiders. The MFTs also entered the fight with Haku in their corner.
The match quickly turned into a six-man brawl. All three teams exchanged punishment around the ring. Priest and Truth fought hard to protect their championships. However, Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga eventually seized the opportunity. The MFTs defeated the champions and The War Raiders to win the titles. Haku then celebrated alongside his sons after their victory.
The victory represents a major moment for Tama and Talla Tonga. Haku’s presence adds another layer to their growing tag team story. The MFTs now enter the next chapter as WWE Tag Team Champions. Their title reign also gives the division a fresh direction.
Jacy Jayne Wins the Women’s United States Championship
The Women’s United States Championship also changed hands. Tiffany Stratton defended her championship against Jacy Jayne. Jayne entered the match with Fatal Influence beside her. Stratton also dealt with the physical effects from earlier action.
Fatal Influence eventually made its presence felt. Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid helped create an opening for Jayne. Jayne capitalized and defeated Stratton to capture the championship. The victory gives Fatal Influence even more championship power.
Jayne’s victory also continues Fatal Influence’s momentum. The faction now holds multiple championships across WWE. Stratton’s reign ended after a hard-fought defense in Boston. Jayne now has a major opportunity to establish herself on SmackDown.
Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Head Toward Another Fight
Cody Rhodes spent much of the night looking for Randy Orton. Rhodes wanted an immediate confrontation with his former Legacy teammate. However, Nick Aldis had another idea.
Aldis booked Rhodes against Orton for Sunday Night’s Main Event. Sami Zayn then confronted Rhodes about the decision. Zayn argued that Rhodes receives opportunities too easily. Aldis offered Zayn another path toward the championship.
If Zayn defeats Rhodes, he will challenge the winner of Punk and Owens. That development gives Zayn an important opportunity. It also creates another layer around the Undisputed WWE Championship picture.
SmackDown Sets Up a Huge Week Ahead
The August 14 episode packed several important stories into one night. Chelsea Green kept her championship despite her injury. GUNTHER continued creating problems for Nick Aldis. Baron Corbin survived another United States Championship challenge.
Most importantly, Punk and Owens made their upcoming championship match personal. The MFTs also became WWE Tag Team Champions. Jacy Jayne captured the Women’s United States Championship. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton now have another major confrontation ahead.
Overall, SmackDown created plenty of momentum for WWE’s next events. The championship picture looks different after three major title matches. At the center are Punk and Owens. Their long-awaited showdown now feels even more intense.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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