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WWE SmackDown delivered a chaotic night from Toronto on August 21. CM Punk defended the Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens. The hometown crowd strongly supported Owens throughout the main event. However, the biggest story involved Sami Zayn. His actions changed the WWE Championship picture in a major way. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton continued building toward their showdown.
Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Stay Apart
The show opened with Sami Zayn demanding justice from Nick Aldis. Zayn believes he deserves another WWE Championship opportunity. He also blamed Orton for ruining his previous opportunity. Orton eventually confronted Zayn backstage. Then, Cody Rhodes appeared from the arena. Rhodes wanted Orton to fight him immediately. Aldis refused to allow another brawl. Instead, he established a serious stipulation for their upcoming match. Neither man can attack the other before Sunday Night’s Main Event. If either wrestler breaks that rule, Aldis will remove them from the WWE Championship picture. Orton accepted the condition because he wants his 15th world championship. Rhodes also delivered a strong message to Orton. He believes he will eventually end Orton’s legendary career. Their rivalry now carries major championship implications.
MFTs Retain the Tag Team Titles
The MFTs defended the WWE Tag Team Championship against Damian Priest and Ron Killings. Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga entered the match with confidence. Priest and Killings controlled portions of the contest. They also hit several impressive double-team moves.
However, the champions survived the challengers’ biggest attacks. Tama and Talla eventually isolated Killings. The MFTs then hit Killings with the Red Cross. That move gave them the three-count and another successful title defense. Afterward, Priest helped Killings recover. The moment showed the respect between the two partners.
Blake Monroe Makes an Impact
Blake Monroe finally arrived on the SmackDown scene. However, she did not officially wrestle Giulia. Monroe previously talked about becoming a WWE Women’s Champion. She also made it clear that she expected a major debut. Instead, Monroe attacked Giulia before the bell. She slammed Giulia into the apron and steel steps. Monroe then delivered a Neutralizer inside the ring. The referee never started the match. Therefore, WWE did not officially record the contest as a match. Still, Monroe made her intentions very clear.
Lash Legend Defeats Tiffany Stratton
Tiffany Stratton faced Lash Legend in another important women’s match. Stratton entered with momentum despite her recent injuries. Legend focused on Stratton’s injured ribs throughout the match. Still, Stratton mounted several strong comebacks. She nearly finished Legend after connecting with a Stunner. However, Stratton could not complete the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Legend caught her opportunity and delivered the Lash Extension. She then pinned Stratton for the victory. Afterward, The Irresistible Forces continued attacking Stratton. Chelsea Green eventually ran them off with a kendo stick. The moment strengthened the developing relationship between Green and Stratton.
Trick Williams Gets Another Chance
Trick Williams also confronted United States Champion Baron Corbin. Lil Yachty accompanied Williams during the confrontation. Williams demanded another championship opportunity. Corbin rejected the request after reminding him about two previous losses. Then, Yachty attacked Corbin with the Trick Stick. Corbin responded with an unusual challenge. Yachty must survive five minutes against Corbin at Sunday Night’s Main Event. If Yachty survives, Williams earns another title opportunity. If Corbin defeats Yachty, Williams loses his championship opportunity. Yachty accepted the challenge after considering the stakes.
Kyoki Arrives in WWE
Shinsuke Nakamura also revealed his new tag team partner. Former New Japan star Hiromu Takahashi now goes by Kyoki in WWE. Kyoki promised more fights, gold and madness. Nakamura also warned the MFTs about their combination. The pairing could create a serious threat to the WWE Tag Team Championship. Their strong-style approach also gives SmackDown another interesting team.
CM Punk Survives Kevin Owens
The main event delivered the night’s biggest match. CM Punk defended his Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens. Owens received tremendous support from the Toronto crowd. He also pushed Punk to his limit during the match. Owens drove Punk through the announce table. He followed that attack with a Swanton Bomb. Later, Owens locked Punk inside the Sharpshooter. Punk eventually reached the ropes and forced the break.
The match then descended into chaos. Punk accidentally knocked out referee Dan Engler. Owens hit the Stunner, but nobody could make the count. Punk also hit the GTS while the referee remained down. Then, Sami Zayn suddenly entered the match. Zayn attacked Punk and helped Owens gain another opportunity. He eventually placed the championship belt inside the ring. Owens refused to use the belt against Punk. Zayn then struck Owens with the championship. Punk immediately hit the GTS once the referee recovered. He pinned Owens and retained his championship.
Sami Zayn Changes Everything
The biggest shock came after the match. Zayn attacked both Punk and Owens with the championship belt. He struck Punk several times before standing over both men. Zayn also accused Punk of stealing the championship from him. His actions completely changed the WWE Championship picture. Zayn now looks more dangerous than ever. Meanwhile, Punk remains champion despite another controversial defense. Owens also leaves Toronto with another painful defeat.
Overall, SmackDown created several major stories heading forward. Punk still holds the championship, but Zayn has entered the picture. At the same time, Orton and Rhodes must avoid each other. Williams also received another possible path toward Corbin’s championship. Therefore, WWE left Toronto with plenty of momentum heading into the next major shows.
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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