WWE SmackDown Results 7/17/26
MVP Arena
Albany, New York

You can follow me on Twitter @TheHootsPodcast

Commentators: (Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett)

Ring Announcer: Mark Nash 

Transcription by Josh Lopez

GUNTHER, Adam Pearce, Cody Rhodes Segment

GUNTHER: Alright, let’s address the elephant in the room, shall we. My whole career, I pride myself with being an outstanding professional, but ever since I joined SmackDown, I have been mistreated, that’s right. And I don’t know what it is with Nick, he might be jealous, if he is, I get it, at the end, I am the greatest professional wrestler in WWE, and I should be WWE Champion, right now, and all of you know it. The only thing that’s been preventing me from being champion is Nick Aldis, himself. He’s the one who made this whole thing personal. So, now we’re walking into SummerSlam, and what is his great idea? He’s forcing me to team up with Sami Zayn at Madison Square Garden, Saturday Night’s Main Event to against Cody Rhodes and CM Punk. Sami Zayn is a bum, and Sami Zayn is beneath me. To put me in this position is unacceptable, and I won’t stand for it.

Adam Pearce: Enough, enough, enough, enough. Are you done? I’ve heard enough, I’m sure the people of Albany have heard enough. Feel however you want, because when it comes to Nick Aldis, the only thing, the only thing you should be saying is thank you.

GUNTHER: Are you out of your mind? Thank you for what?

Adam Pearce: Thank you for saving your job. Think about it, rewind a couple weeks, GUNTHER, you kicked Cody’s head in a car door, you cost him a championship match in Chicago, and then when it’s not enough, you put your hands on Nick Aldis, your boss, I might remind you. You choke him out, you leave him for laying, and for what? If it were up to me, if you were on Monday’s, you would be fired. But lucky for you, it wasn’t up to me, you know, that decision was made from way above both of us. And for a reason I have yet to understand, Nick went into position, he asked, he begged, he petition to make sure that your tag match tomorrow night on Saturday Night’s Main Event goes on as schedule, including the stipulation.

GUNTHER: Of course, stipulations, so the guy is not even going to be here tonight?

Adam Pearce: You don’t get it, do you? You still don’t get it, and you don’t deserve it, because if you waited before you choked Nick out, he would have told you, if you and Sami are successful tomorrow night in The Garden, you’re added to the WWE Championship Match at SummerSlam, and it becomes a Fatal Four-Way.

– Cody Rhodes music hits. He does the Aura Farming Pyro Pose. Cody storms into the ring. Cody drops Gunther with a double leg takedown. Cody transitions into a ground and pound attack. Cody is throwing haymakers at Gunther. Gunther tumbles to the floor.

Cody Rhodes: Enough! Look at you, handed another stipulation, that’s great, but where’s the logic? You said it, you kicked my head in the car, and you don’t expect me to whip your ass, on sight? You’re not gonna make it past Saturday Night’s Main Event, with myself and my partner CM Punk, but guess what? It’s Friday Night, the lights are bright, and the road to Saturday Night’s Main Event runs through Albany. I’m ready, I know you’re ready. One-on-one, tonight. I just need Mr. Pearce to give it the okay.

Adam Pearce: Mr. Rhodes, it is official.

Adam Pearce Announcement On Rhea Ripley’s Injury Status 

As many of you know, WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley has been spending the last several weeks recovering from a Torn Meniscus. Throughout her recovery, she’s worked tirelessly with WWE Medical and she’s close to returning. But due to the tricky nature of the injury, it is my unfortunate duty to report that Rhea Ripley will not be able to compete at SummerSlam. With her timetable uncertain, we have made the decision to crown an Interim WWE Women’s Champion. Beginning tonight, and over the next two weeks, five women will have the opportunity to win their way into a Ladder Match at SummerSlam. The winner of the ladder match becomes the Interim WWE Women’s Champion. And when Rhea does return to competition, we find out who the one and only WWE Women’s Champion truly is. And that is official.

First Match: Finn Balor vs. Talla Tonga w/Tama Tonga 

Balor signals for the test of strength. Tonga backs Balor into the turnbuckles. Balor ducks a clothesline from Tonga. Balor with a gut punch. Balor with rapid fire haymakers. Tonga blocks the irish whip. Tonga launches Balor to the corner. Balor ducks another clothesline from Tonga. Balor with a knife edge chop. Tonga is pissed. Balor repeatedly kicks the left hamstring of Tonga. Tonga drops Balor with a shoulder tackle. Tonga repeatedly stomps on Balor’s chest. Tonga whips Balor chest first into the turnbuckles. Tonga rocks Balor with a forearm smash. Tonga is choking Balor with the middle rope. Tonga sits on the back of Balor’s neck. Bodyshot Exchange. Tonga goes for a Running Powerslam, but Balor lands back on his feet. Balor sends Tonga tumbling to the floor. Tonga climbs up the ring apron. Balor with two haymakers. Tonga stops Balor in his tracks. Tonga goes for The Chokeslam, but Balor counters with a back elbow smash. Tonga drives Balor face first into the top turnbuckle pad. Tonga clotheslines Balor from the apron. Tonga poses for the crowd. Tonga has complete control of the match during the commercial break.

Tonga with a corner clothesline. Tonga catches Balor in mid-air. Tonga with The Running Powerslam for a two count. Tonga argues with the referee. Balor side steps Tonga into the turnbuckles. Balor with a haymaker/hamstring kick combination. Tonga whips Balor across the ring. Balor ducks a clothesline from Tonga. Balor dropkicks the left knee of Tonga. Tonga goes for The Running Powerslam, but Balor counters with The Wicklow Drop for a two count. Tonga responds with The Samoan Drop. Tonga is struggling to get back on his feet. Balor with a shoulder block from the apron. Balor with The Apron Enzuigiri. Balor ascends to the top turnbuckle. Tonga goes for The Chokeslam, but Balor counters with a DDT. Balor blasts Tama Tonga off the apron. Balor goes for The Shotgun Dropkick, but Tonga counters with The Big Boot for a two count. Tonga gets Balor tied up in the ropes. Tonga talks smack to Balor. Tonga HeadButts Balor. Balor dodges The Running Boot. Tonga’s right leg gets caught on the top rope. Balor starts shaking the ropes. Balor nails Tama with The SlingBlade on the floor. Balor blasts Tonga with The Shotgun Dropkick. Balor connects with Two Coupe De Graces to pickup the victory.

Winner: Finn Balor via Pinfall 

– We go to the back. CM Punk appears as Adam Pearce was having a conversation with someone on his cellphone. Punk just wanted to make sure that he heard Pearce correctly, tomorrow night, in The Garden, if Sami and GUNTHER win, they’re in the match at SummerSlam and it’s a Fatal Four-Way? Punk hates the idea. He’s not trying to be a chicken, he’s just more old school and wants a one-on-one match. Pearce shares Punk’s sentiments, but that’s the decision and that’s what they’re doing. Speaking of decisions, Punk says that Pearce knows damn well that Gunther is not gonna try to win, he’s planning on hurting Cody Rhodes in the main event. Pearce says that he would’ve done the same thing if he was in Gunther’s shoes. Cody wants his receipt, tonight is his chance to get it. Punk tells Pearce that he’s gonna go have a conversation with Cody. Punk turns around and sees Damian Priest. They shake hands. Punk asks Priest if they’re good. Priest says that they’re good, and he appreciated the shoutout from last week. Priest tells Punk that he’s going to be waiting for him on the other side of SummerSlam if he remains the WWE Champion. Punk says that him and Cody are gonna go on a tear at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and who’s to say they don’t come after the WWE Tag Team Championships. Double Champion Punk sounds pretty good to him. Priest wishes Punk good luck. Priest gives Punk a fist bump. R-Truth appears from behind. Truth makes a random comment about scars. Priest has no idea what Truth is talking about. Was Truth eavesdropping on Priest’s conversation with Punk? Truth says absolutely nothing and looks in the other direction.

Jade Cargill Promo 

When opportunity comes knocking, I kick down the damn door. You’re telling me, I have a clear shot at my title after taking out Rhea? Bet. See, what these women don’t understand is, they can’t see me when it comes to this champ talk. We are not cut from the same cloth. Not one woman in that locker room, including Nia can step to me or stop me. And at SummerSlam, I’m taking my title home with me.

Nia Jax Promo

I’m not feeling any pressure coming for my third World Championship. These women, these women should feel the pressure. I mean, even Jade knows just how dominant I am. I’ve been at the top before, and I think it’s about time I climb up and take that home, because at SummerSlam, everyone is going to call me your new champion.

Jacy Jayne Promo 

Fatal Influence shook the table when we arrived on SmackDown a few months ago. But since then, it seems like the girls around here are getting a little too comfortable. So, we’re going to remind everyone exactly who we are, when I put Tiffany out of her misery tonight, my girls winning the tag team championships tomorrow, and then I go on to win the title at SummerSlam.

Tiffany Stratton Promo 

At SummerSlam, I have the home field advantage. And tonight, I beat Jacy Jayne, and then in a couple weeks, Minnesota is going to have a front-row seat to Tiffstory, because Tiffy Two-Belts has a very nice ring to it.

Second Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jacy Jayne w/Fatal Influence In An Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier 

Fatal Influence jumps Stratton before the bell rings. Fatal Influence are putting the boots to Stratton. Paige and Brie Bella storm into the ring to make the save. A pier six brawl ensues in Albany. Jayne tells Paige and Brie to bring it. Their brawl with Fatal Influence continues on the outside. Stratton rocks Jayne with a forearm smash. Stratton slams Jayne’s head on the top turnbuckle pad. Stratton with a knife edge chop. Stratton hammers down on the back of Jayne’s neck. Stratton slams Jayne’s head on another turnbuckle pad. Toe Kick Exchange. Jayne slams Stratton’s head on the top turnbuckle pad. Stratton with a knife edge chop. Stratton whips Jayne across the ring. Jayne kicks Stratton in the chest. Stratton with a drop toe hold into the middle rope. Stratton with a Running Hip Attack against the ropes. Stratton follows that with a running basement dropkick for a two count. Stratton poses for the crowd. Jayne regains control of the match during the commercial break.

Jayne hooks the outside leg for a two count. Jayne mocks Stratton. Jayne with hammer elbows. Jayne goes for a Running Senton Splash, but Stratton ducks out of the way. Stratton ducks a clothesline from Jayne. Both ladies are knocked down after a Double Crossbody Block. Forearm Exchange. Jayne shoves Stratton. Jayne thrust kicks the midsection of Stratton. Jayne kicks Stratton in the chest. Jayne with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Stratton fires back with two clotheslines. Stratton blocks a boot from Jayne. Stratton with a Discus Back Elbow Smash. Stratton with The Cartwheel Alabama Slam. Stratton drags Jayne to the corner. Jayne has Stratton perched on the top turnbuckle. Jayne with clubbing blows to Stratton’s back. Jayne with The Draping Fisherman’s NeckBreaker for a two count. Jayne starts playing her air guitar in the corner. Stratton dodges The Rolling Encore. Stratton with The Handspring Stunner. Stratton with The Rolling Senton. Stratton connects with The PME to pickup the victory.

Winner: Tiffany Stratton via Pinfall 

Baron Corbin Promo 

You know what’s funny? I’ve been watching the shows, and I see all these guys running around, thinking they’re legitimately tough, thinking they can walk the walk and talk the talk. Well, their reality is about to be crashing down. I am the real deal and the world knows it. Trick, you’re the first name on the long list. And Melo, unfortunately for you, you’re just collateral damage, but that’s a message to everybody on this roster, top to bottom. You get in my way, you get run over. But Trick, I’m gonna give you some advice, smile while you can, enjoy what you have, because I am Baron Corbin and I am coming for it all.

– Jackie Redmond had a backstage interview with Trick Williams. Baron Corbin came out last week and wanted to dial, 1-800-Whoop-That. He hopped on Trick Williams, he hopped on Carmelo Hayes, and he’s calling himself The Big Bad Wolf. Trick calls Corbin a Big Bald-Headed Bitch. Trick knows that Corbin’s issue with him is not the fact that he’s the United States Champion, his problem is that Trick has a championship that has more hair on it than he does. Carmelo Hayes joins the conversation. Trick says that Melo better be ready to apologize for what he did to Lil Yachty last week. Melo apologizes for the fact that Yachty was able to walk out on his two feet, but what he needs to talk to Trick about is way deeper than that. Somehow, someway, Trick was able to find another loophole to not defend his championship against Melo. Now, Melo is not going to blame Trick for that, he’s putting that on Baron Corbin. Melo says that Corbin decided to get out of unemployment, but they’re going to handle that. Melo sees the hesitation in Trick’s eyes, when he gets close, Trick holds that US Title very tight, but that’s only because he knows that he’s not better than Carmelo Hayes. Trick takes exception to that comment. Trick says that Melo has done absolutely nothing in the two years that he’s been on SmackDown, let’s talk about it. Trick says that Melo needs to take notes, because he’s been the hottest thing on SmackDown for the last seven months. In that notebook, Melo should write, I will mind my own business while grown folk is talking. Melo gives Trick a smirk as he walks away.

– We got a video recap of Brock Lesnar/Oba Femi’s Confrontation from last week’s Raw.

– Emmy Award Winning Actor Matthew Rhys is in the house tonight.

Third Match: Jade Cargill w/The Baddies vs. Nia Jax In An Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match

Jax dodges The Pump Kick after the bell rings. Jax hits The Samoan Drop. Jax with a Running Leg Drop for a two count. Jax drags Cargill to the corner. Jax goes for The Annihilator, but Cargill ducks out of the way. Cargill SuperKicks Jax. Cargill drops Jax with The SpineBuster. Cargill is fired up. Charlotte Flair attacks The Baddies at ringside. Charlotte dodges The Pump Kick. Charlotte nails Jade with The Big Boot which forces the disqualification. After the match, Charlotte grabs a steel chair. Charlotte wraps the chair around the right shoulder of Cargill. Charlotte goes for The Running Boot, but The Baddies were able to pull Cargill out of the ring. Jax levels Charlotte with The Body Avalanche. Jax storms out of the ring completely frustrated. Cargill plants Charlotte with Jaded.

Winner: Jade Cargill via Disqualification 

– Jackie Redmond had a backstage interview with GUNTHER. How is he feeling about the massive stakes that were added to his tag team match on Saturday Night’s Main Event? Did you see what Cody Rhodes did out there? Typical Golden Boy, when things don’t go his way, if the attention is not on him, he finds a way to force himself into his business. Gunther says that Cody only acts on emotion, so he’s going to beat some rationale into him. As for tomorrow night, he doesn’t care about Sami Zayn, but he’s going to take what’s his and that’s going into SummerSlam to compete for the WWE Championship. Gunther gets distracted by Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano. Candice tells Gunther to not do anything stupid tonight, because they need Sami Zayn to be in that Fatal Four-Way Match at SummerSlam. Gunther wants Candice to tell her friend to show up tomorrow night, shut up and stay out of his way. Blake Monroe jumps Candice. Monroe throws Candice into multiple production crates. Monroe introduces herself. She’s the new girl and she’ll see Candice around. Monroe says that Johnny Gargano needs a hair cut.

– Coming out of the commercial break, we see The Irresistible Forces arguing with Adam Pearce. They want consequences for what happened during Nia’s match. Lash doesn’t care how Pearce runs things on Monday Night Raw, they expect consequences for people acting stupid. Nia says that Charlotte ruined her opportunity to compete at SummerSlam. Nia is completely pissed. Pearce tells Nia that she’ll have another opportunity to qualify for the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match at SummerSlam, when she faces Charlotte Flair next week on SmackDown. Pearce tells The Irresistible Forces to have a good weekend.

Fourth Match: The War Raiders vs. Fraxiom 

Erik and Nathan Frazer will start things off. Erik with a double leg takedown. Erik with a waist lock takedown. Erik sends Frazer to the corner. Frazer dives over Erik. Frazer rolls Erik over for a two count. Erik scores a forearm knockdown. Erik backs Frazer into the turnbuckles. Ivar tags himself in. Ivar with a corner clothesline. Erik drops Frazer with a running forearm smash. Ivar with repeated back elbow smashes in the corner. Ivar sends Frazer face first into the top turnbuckle pad. Ivar tags in Erik. Frazer with heavy bodyshots. Erik drives his knee into the midsection of Frazer. Erik rocks Frazer with a forearm smash. Erik pulls Frazer off the ropes. Frazer with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Frazer tags in Axiom. Fraxiom with a flurry of running forearm smashes. Axiom clotheslines the back of Erik’s neck. Frazer leapfrogs over Ivar. Ivar spills to the floor. War Raiders catches Frazer in mid-air. Axiom with The Orihara MoonSault. Axiom rolls Erik back into the ring. Axiom gets distracted by Ivar. Erik rocks Axiom with a forearm smash. Erik tags in Ivar.

Erik with a gut punch. War Raiders gang up on Axiom. Ivar with The Mongolian Chop. Ivar tags in Erik. Ivar bodyslams Axiom. Erik bodyslams Ivar on top of Axiom for a two count. Erik with another forearm smash. Erik tags in Ivar. War Raiders with a pair of knee lifts. Erik applies a front face lock. Erik whips Axiom chest first into the turnbuckles. Erik reapplies the front face lock. Axiom with heavy bodyshots. Axiom is throwing haymakers at Erik. Axiom knocks Ivar off the ring apron. Axiom dives over Erik. Axiom tags in Frazer. Frazer punches Erik from the apron. Frazer slips over Erk’s back. Frazer ducks a clothesline from Erik. Frazer with The SlingBlade. Frazer drops Erik with The Shining Wizard. Frazer goes for The Phoenix Splash, but Erik ducks out of the way. Ivar made the blind tag. Erik blasts Frazer with The Shotgun Knee. Axiom tags himself in. Axiom unloads a flurry of strikes. Ivar drops Axiom with The Black Hole Slam. Frazer side steps Ivar into the turnbuckles. Ivar with a Leaping Seated Senton. Ivar stacks Axiom on top of Frazer. Ivar goes for The MoonSault, but Fraxiom ducks out of the way. Fraxiom avoids the double clothesline from Erik. Double SuperKick. Axiom blasts Ivar with The PK.

Axiom tags in Frazer. Frazer hits The Springboard 450 Splash for a two count. Frazer tags in Axiom. Axiom ascends to the top turnbuckle. Ivar clotheslines Frazer. Ivar catches Axiom in mid-air. Ivar goes for a Powerslam, but Axiom lands back on his feet. Axiom ducks a clothesline from Ivar. Ivar with The Spinning Heel Kick. Ivar tags in Erik. Assisted Running Hip Attack. Erik with The Assisted Uranage Slam for a two count. Erik tags in Ivar. Axiom ducks a clothesline from Erik. Axiom sweeps out the legs of Ivar. Axiom decks Erik with a back elbow smash. Axiom with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Fraxiom delivers The Dive Train. Frazer lands The SomerSault Plancha. Ivar drops Axiom with The Big Boot. Ivar ascends to the top turnbuckle. Axiom with another Step Up Enzuigiri. Frazer tags himself in. Fraxiom with The Double SuperPlex. Frazer delivers The Phoenix Splash for a two count. Axiom and Erik are tagged in. Axiom and Erik are trading back and forth shots. Axiom goes for The Rebound German Suplex, but Erik holds onto the ropes. Ivar tags himself in. Erik with The Full Nelson Knee Lift. Double Irish Whip. War Raiders delivers The Viking Experience. War Raiders connects with The Ragnarok to pickup the victory.

Winner: The War Raiders via Pinfall 

– We got a clip of LA Knight, Solo Sikoa and Royce Keys poking fun at The Bloodline at Fanatics Fest.

– We see CM Punk talking to Cody Rhodes in the locker room. Punk is questioning Cody’s decision to fight GUNTHER the night before their tag team match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cody says that Punk more than anybody should understand where he’s coming from. Punk says that he understands, but is it a good idea? It’s not a good idea, but Punk would’ve done the exact same thing. Punk tells Cody that he’s going to have his back tonight. Punk says that he’s going to make sure that GUNTHER doesn’t hurt Cody, purposely. Punk feels like he’s responsible for this stipulation being added to their match tomorrow night. Cody says that Punk can watch from the monitor while he handles business with Gunther. Cody tells Punk that he’ll see him tomorrow. Punk says that he’ll see Cody at SummerSlam after he walks away.

– Don’t forget, The 2026 Survivor Series is coming to Daikin Park in Houston, Texas.

– We got a video recap of Roman Reigns/Seth Rollins SummerSlam Contract Signing from Raw.

– Jackie Redmond had a backstage interview with Danhausen. Jackie mentions the numbers game always being The Judgment Day’s favor. Danhausen says that he a secret weapon. He gets handed a cage with a stuffed cat inside of it. Danhausen says that you never cross cats, because you will get cursed, a reference to Karl Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks.

Fifth Match: Cody Rhodes vs. GUNTHER 

Rhodes attacks Gunther during his entrance. Rhodes and Gunther are brawling around the ringside area. Rhodes slams Gunther’s head on the steel ring steps. Gunther kicks Rhodes in the gut. Rhodes with a reverse hammer throw into the ringside barricade. Rhodes is raining down haymakers. Rhodes slams Gunther’s head on the announce table. Rhodes rolls Gunther back into the ring. The referee finally rings the bell. Rhodes with a drop-down uppercut. Rhodes with a double leg takedown. Rhodes continues to tee off on Gunther. Gunther ducks a clothesline from Rhodes. Gunther goes for a Belly to Back Suplex, but Rhodes lands back on his feet. Gunther blocks The Cody Cutter. Gunther sends Rhodes crashing to the outside. Gunther has complete control of the match during the commercial break. Gunther with a blistering chop. Gunther with Two Kitchen Sinks. Gunther follows that with an overhand chop. Gunther does the title pose. Gunther goes for another Belly to Back Suplex, but Rhodes lands back on his feet. Gunther catches Rhodes in mid-air. Rhodes dodges The Ripcord Lariat. Rhodes finally hits The Cody Cutter.

Rhodes with two haymakers. Rhodes with a running forearm smash. Rhodes dives over Gunther. Rhodes Powerslams Gunther. Rhodes with The Disaster Kick. Rhodes plays to the crowd. Rhodes nails Gunther with another Cody Cutter. Rhodes goes for The CrossRhodes, but Gunther counters with a snap mare takeover. Gunther with a knife edge chop. Gunther sends Rhodes to the corner. Gunther blocks a boot from Rhodes. Gunther with a knee lift. Gunther kicks out the legs of Rhodes. Gunther drags Rhodes to the corner. Gunther wraps the left leg of Rhodes around the steel ring post. CM Punk makes his way down to the ringside area. Gunther mocks Punk. Gunther goes for The GTS, but Rhodes lands back on his feet. Rhodes ducks a clothesline from Gunther. Both guys are knocked down after a double clothesline. Rhodes and Gunther are trading back and forth shots. Gunther kicks the left knee of Rhodes. Gunther applies a wrist lock. Gunther with a blistering chop. Rhodes unloads a flurry of left jabs. Rhodes with The Bionic Elbow.

Rhodes kicks Gunther in the gut. Rhodes hits The Pedigree. Gunther slaps Rhodes in the chest. Gunther PowerBombs Rhodes goes for a two count. Gunther applies the single leg crab. Gunther talks smack to Punk. Rhodes breaks free with three up kicks. Rhodes avoids The Helluva Kick. Rhodes kicks the right hamstring of Gunther. Rhodes with The Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Rhodes applies The Figure Four Leg Lock. Sami Zayn attacks Punk from behind. Zayn launches Punk over the announce table. Zayn is completely unhinged, rocking a Justice For Sami shirt. Rhodes escapes The Sleeper Hold. Rhodes ducks a clothesline from Gunther. Rhodes lands The Suicide Dive. Rhodes punches Gunther from the apron. Zayn yanks Rhodes off the apron. Zayn drives Rhodes face first into the steel ring post which forces the disqualification. After the match, Zayn clears the announce table. Gunther gets Rhodes in position for a PowerBomb. Punk with a Flying Clothesline off the announce table. Punk tackles Zayn. All hell starts breaking loose in Albany as the show goes off the air.

Winner: Cody Rhodes via Disqualification 

Checkout Episode 18 of The SUR Files