These WWE SmackDown results are part of the road to SummerSlam, which passed through the MVP Arena in Albany, New York. This was also the final stop before Saturday Night’s Main Event. Find out exactly how it all unfolded.
These WWE SmackDown results opened with “The Ring General” Gunther taking the ring in a fine suit. He accused general manager Nick Aldis of costing him the championship, but was quickly joined by Raw general manager Adam Pearce, who had quite the announcement.
Gunther and Zayn vs. “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes and Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk is scheduled for Saturday Night’s Main Event. Pearce announced that if The Ring General wins that match, his team will be added to the title match at SummerSlam. This caught Rhodes’ attention, who isn’t interested in shrinking the odds for his title match. He didn’t mince words, as he slid into the ring, and the brawl was on.
After Gunther powdered, Rhodes asked Pearce for a match against him later in the night. The general manager was quick to make it official, and the night’s main event was set.
The next segment was news about Rhea Ripley. She’s injured, but close to returning. That said, not close enough to return at SummerSlam, so there will be qualifiers to determine the five competitors for a championship ladder match to crown an interim champion.
Finn Balor vs. Talla Tonga, accompanied by Tama Tonga, was the first match of the evening. Talla’s move set is relatively limited; traditional big-man stuff. Balor did well to use his pace and reversals to aid in the contest.
There was some back-and-forth before a straightforward finish. Balor hit consecutive Coup De Graces before picking up the pinfall victory in these WWE SmackDown results.
The next match was the first qualifier for the women’s ladder match. This was WWE Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Jacy Jayne, accompanied by Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid. Henley and Reid also have a shot at the tag titles at Saturday Night’s Main Event. All three rushed Stratton, sending the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Brie Bella and Paige, to aid. The tag teams fought their way to the backstage area, leaving the other two women for their one-on-one.
The match lacked any flow, as they took turns with their slow offense and embarrassing strikes. Stratton hit her first attempted finisher to advance to the Interim WWE Women’s Championship ladder match.
The next women’s qualifier featured Jade Cargill, accompanied by B-Fab and Michin, against Nia Jax. Mere moments into the match, Charlotte Flair rushed the ring, taking out Cargill and friends. This was payback for recently injuring her friends and tag partner, Alex Bliss.
Jax was disqualified for Flair’s attack and didn’t take it lightly, knocking her out before leaving. Cargill took this opportunity to hit the fallen superstar with her finisher.
Fraxiom (Adam Frazer and Axiom) vs. AAA World Tag Team Champion War Raiders (Erik and Ivar) was the next match. Fraxiom tried to use their speed and high-flying advantage, but were consistently met with brute strength. Both teams showed off their great tandem moves, but the champs were ultimately too much for their undersized opponents.
Rhodes jumped Gunther during his introduction for their match to gain the early advantage. It worked temporarily until The Ring General exerted his superior strength.
Gunther smashed Rhodes’ foot off the ring post, so Punk decided to join them. The Ring General tried to get cocky by using the champ’s finisher to end his match, but he soaked in a little too much enjoyment.
Rhodes had Gunther in a figure-four leg-lock when Zayn blindsided Punk at ringside. All four started to brawl, and the match was thrown out. WWE officials tried to separate them as the show went off the air.
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That wraps up the final WWE SmackDown before Saturday Night’s Main Event tonight. Stay tuned to Stadium Rant for the latest on the road to SummerSlam.
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