These WWE SmackDown Results, September 11, 2026, include a heartbreaking heel turn and three successful title defenses. Nonetheless, it was Sami Zayn defeating CM Punk for the Undisputed WWE Championship that stole the show. The complete recaps and insights from the special stop at the Arena CDMX are below.
Sami Zayn shocked WWE SmackDown by defeating CM Punk to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion. The night also featured three successful title defenses and a major heel turn from Damian Priest.
Def. Ricky Saints
AAA World Cruiserweight Championship retained.
Def. Paige
Bella won the grudge match after using the ropes for leverage.
Corbin Attacks
Baron Corbin attacked Trick Williams and Lil Yachty with a kendo stick.
Def. Nia Jax
WWE Women’s Championship retained.
Heel Turn
Priest turned on R-Truth after their AAA World Tag Team Championship match.
Def. CM Punk
New Undisputed WWE Champion after Kevin Owens’ interference.
Opening Segment
Orton demanded a shot at the winner of Punk vs. Zayn.
Major Moments
Three title defenses, a shocking heel turn, and a new Undisputed WWE Champion.
“The Viper” Randy Orton came to the ring for an in-ring promo to open the show, clearly soaking in the victorious Mexican audience. Orton is fresh off a controversial win over “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes at WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event and had some things to say. In short, he wants the winner of the Undisputed WWE Championship match later in the night between Punk and Zayn.
The first match of the evening was “Absolute” Ricky Saints challenging Rey Fenix for the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship. This one had a lightning-quick pace, smooth reversals, and athletic high spots. The biggest issue was the believability and physicality of the moves, but it was certainly entertaining, and Fenix picked up the pinfall victory via Mexican muscle buster.
After weeks of betrayal and ambush, Paige got her grudge match against WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella. Like the storyline, the match was soulless. Pair that with their lack of athleticism and overly cautious work, and it was a tough watch. Bella picked up the pinfall victory, using the rope for leverage without the referee’s knowledge.
After winning back the WWE United States Championship at WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event, Trick Williams called out Lil Yachty to join the celebrations. Yachty had earned the opportunity by lasting five minutes in the ring with former champion Baron Corbin. He was, however, dragged out from the back by Corbin, who got the better of them both with a kendo stick.
Nia Jax (with B-Fab) had a shot at Chelsea Green (with Tiffany Stratton) for her WWE Women’s Championship. Jax used her size to dominate early, because it certainly wasn’t athleticism. She spent more time taunting the crowd than preparing her next move or segment. Green tried an avalanche UnprettyHER for the win, but slipped and was forced to use her standard finisher to pick up the victory.
AAA World Tag Team Champions, War Raiders (Erik and Ivar), defended those belts again against Damian Priest and R-Truth. This rivalry has gone stale, and there’s nothing new emerging in their matches. Furthermore, Truth pretending to be John Cena and a champion looks tacky for any title. After he was pinned, Priest turned heel on his former partner, ending with a South of Heaven Chokeslam.
Zayn has been ruining championship matches ever since losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Punk after a nine-day reign in Chicago. It was a tale of two injuries, as Zayn focused on an injured knee, while Punk targeted the cast on his hand. The near falls went back and forth as both wrestlers targeted their opponent’s injuries, until Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae came to aid the challenger.
It seemed Zayn had the win lined up when Kevin Owens arrived for his revenge for his previous interference. Owens, however, accidentally hit Punk instead. One Helleuva Kick later, there was a new Undisputed WWE Champion. He did well to lean into the deafening boos to further the heel-heat on him.
This episode of SmackDown had a Premium Live Event feel. War Raiders, Fenix, and Green defended their championships, while Zayn became the new Undisputed WWE Champion in a chaotic brawl with Punk.
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