Tonight’s WWE SmackDown, airing September 18, 2026, promises an action-packed night live from the Hilliard Center in Corpus Christi, Texas. The show sees Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn make his return after getting justice by defeating “The Best In The World” CM Punk to become the new champion. Plus, “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes will have his first exclusive interview with Michael Cole following his loss to “The Viper” Randy Orton at Sunday Night’s Main Event.
The show kicks off at 8:00 PM ET on the USA Network and is available for international fans on streaming platforms like Netflix. Ringside News will provide live, match-by-match updates and highlights throughout the night. Stay tuned to this page, refresh for the latest results as the action unfolds, and join the conversation in the comments below!
Matches & Key Moments Scheduled for WWE SmackDown on September 18, 2026
- Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss vs. “The Storm” Jade Cargill vs. Fatal Influence’s WWE Women’s United States Champion Jacy Jayne
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: “The Viper” Randy Orton vs. WWE United States Champion Trick Williams vs. AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix
- Non-Title Match: WWE Tag Team Champions MFT (Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga) vs. BAKUSAI (Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki)
- Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn make his return after getting justice by defeating “The Best In The World” CM Punk to become the new champion
- “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes will have his first exclusive interview with Michael Cole following his loss to “The Viper” Randy Orton at Sunday Night’s Main Event
WWE SmackDown Results (9/18/26): Live Match Updates and Highlights
The show opens up with Michael Cole and Wade Barrett welcoming us as we get a video package recapping last week’s Undisputed WWE Championship Match between CM Punk and Sami Zayn.
We then get the pre-show arrivals of Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Tatum Paxley, Jade Cargill, B-Fab, Michin, Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, Lainey Reid, Trick Williams, Lil Yachty, Rey Fenix and Randy Orton.
We then see SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis in the ring and he talks about dealing with the people who rub him the wrong way, but that he has to be professional. Aldis then welcomes new Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn and Zayn receives a chorus of boos as he makes his way down to the ring. Zayn then grabs a mic and starts off by saying it must be killing Nick Aldis to introduce him like that. Zayn then says he’s a little surprised by the reaction here tonight. Zayn then says justice for “Sami” was about justice for all. Zayn then says he was fighting for the WWE Universe. Zayn then says the justice has been served and he poses with the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Zayn then tells Aldis he strongly believes in equality. Zayn then says Aldis was a thorn in his side. Johnny Gargano’s music then hits and he makes his way down to the ring with Candice LeRae. Zayn then welcomes Johnny Gargano. Zayn then says he wouldn’t have been the Undisputed WWE Champion without him. Gargano then reminds Zayn that they had a deal last week. Gargano then says he wants a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship. Zayn then clarifies that they never made a deal. Zayn then says he said he would take care of Gargano. Gargano then says he’s first in line for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Gargano then says he wants his title shot tonight.
Nick Aldis then tells Johnny Gargano that he had an Undisputed WWE Championship match a few weeks ago. Aldis then says CM Punk is next in line for a title shot, but he’s not here tonight. Kevin Owens’ music then hits and Owens makes his way down to the ring. Owens then stakes his claim on the Undisputed WWE Championship. Candice LeRae then tries to argue with him, but Kevin Owens hits Gargano with a Stunner. Aldis then says he won’t reward bad behaviour after what Owens did last week. Owens then says Zayn screwed up multiple main events to get a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship. Owens then says this whole mess started with Zayn costing him the Undisputed WWE Championship. Aldis and Zayn then get into an argument. Aldis then tells Zayn to get his hands off of him. Aldis then tells Zayn to defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens tonight.
Sami Zayn then rolls out of the ring to talk to Aldis on his way out, but he gets interrupted by Randy Orton as Orton’s music hits for his match and he has some words for Zayn. Orton then makes his way down to the ring for the first match of the night and Rey Fenix and Trick Williams follow with Lil Yachty.
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: “The Viper” Randy Orton vs. WWE United States Champion Trick Williams vs. AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix
The match starts off with Randy Orton taking out Rey Fenix. Orton and Trick Williams then lock up. Williams then applies a side headlock and hits a shoulder tackle. Fenix then hits Williams with a dropkick. Fenix then hits a big boot to Orton. Fenix then sends Orton shoulder-first into the post. Fenix then hits a crossbody on Williams. Back in the ring, Fenix hits a moonsault on Williams for a near fall. Williams then hits Fenix with a thunderous chop. Williams then stomps on Fenix in the corner. Williams then sends Fenix over the top rope and to the floor. Orton then drops Fenix over the announce desk. Williams then suffers the same fate as Fenix. Orton then pokes Lil Yachty in the eye and drops him over the announce desk.
Back in the ring, Orton continues the beatdown on Fenix. Orton then hits an uppercut. Orton is now unloading on Fenix. Fenix then tries to mount a comeback. Fenix is now raining down right hands on Orton. Fenix then hits a superkick on Orton for a near fall. Williams then slams Fenix to the canvas for a near fall. Orton is now on the attack. Orton and Williams are now going back and forth. Williams then stomps on the chest of Orton. Williams then runs into an elbow. Orton then knocks Fenix off the apron. Orton then goes for a superplex, but Fenix takes both men out with a double powerbomb. Fenix then hits a Frog Splash on Orton for a near fall. Fenix then hits a series of kicks to Orton and Williams.
Fenix then hits a spinning heel kick to Orton. Fenix then does the same to Williams. Orton then hits a clothesline to both men. Orton then powerslams Fenix and Williams. Fenix then hits a Goodbye Amigo to Orton. Williams then sends Fenix to the floor. Williams then hits a Cyclone Boot on Orton for a near fall. Williams then goes for a Trick Shot, Fenix enters the fray and hits a Poisonrana for a near fall. Fenix then hits a superkick on Williams. Fenix then launches himself off the top rope, but Orton hits him with an RKO. Williams then sends Orton to the floor and hits a Trick Shot on Fenix for the win.
The winner of the Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match, WWE United States Champion Trick Williams!
We then see Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano in the backstage area. Sami Zayn then interrupts the couple and says they are trying to take the Undisputed WWE Championship off him again. Sami Zayn then tells Johnny Gargano that he deserves an opportunity at his title and he will work on it. Sami Zayn then says he cannot go through that again and lose his title in 7 days. Sami Zayn then says if he’s not the champion anymore, Johnny Gargano won’t get a shot at the Undisputed Title ever again. Sami Zayn then tells Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae to regroup later.
MFT then cut a promo on Shinsuke Nakamura. Tama Tonga says he never needed Shinsuke Nakamura. Tama then says Nakamura ran into Kyoki. Tama then says whatever happens to Kyoki tonight will be on Shinsuke Nakamura’s hands. Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki then respond with a promo of their own. Kyoki says something in Japanese and so does Nakamura. Nakamura then says you are confused. Nakamura then says you are not the hunter, you are the prey. They will be in action next.
We then see Charlotte Flair and Tatum Paxley trying to motivate Alexa Bliss ahead of her Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match. Alexa Bliss says she knows they got her back, but she needs to focus on what she needs to do on her own. Tatum Paxley then says this is the perfect opportunity to bond together because the tag titles are as good as theirs.
Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki then make their way down to the ring for the next match of the night and MFT follow.
Non-Title Match: WWE Tag Team Champions MFT (Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga) vs. BAKUSAI (Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki)
The match starts off with Kyoki and Tama Tonga and Kyoki goes after Talla Tonga and drops him off the apron. Tama then attacks Kyoki from behind and sends him back into the ring. Kyoki then takes out the MFTs with a missile dropkick on the floor. Back in the ring, Talla chops Kyoki. Shinsuke Nakamura then comes in and he continues to chop down Talla. Nakamura then hits a step-up enziguiri to Talla and he runs into a clothesline. Talla then hits a Splash to Nakamura in the corner and he follows it up with a Samoan Drop for a near fall. Tama then enters the fray and he hits a running clothesline to Nakamura.
MFT then continue the beatdown on Nakamura. After a back-and-forth, Kyoki comes in and brings the fight to Tama. Kyoki then hits a hurricanrana to Tama. Kyoki then hits a dropkick to Talla and he follows it up with a DDT. Kyoki then heads to the top rope and he hits a cannonball to MFT on the outside. Back in the ring, Kyoki hits another dropkick to Talla. Talla then slaps the taste out of Nakamura. Nakamura then hits a knee from the second rope for a near fall. Tama then sends Kyoki into the barrier. Nakamura then goes for a Kinshasa, but Tama intervenes. Haku then attacks Nakamura, forcing the referee to call for the bell.
The winners of the Non-Title Match, BAKUSAI (Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki)!
After the match, Haku places his stick right into Nakamura’s windpipe. Haku then sends Nakamura into the steel steps. Talla then hits Kyoki with a Chokeslam on the apron. Back in the ring, MFT put Kyoki down and stand tall.
We then see Cathy Kelley ask Kevin Owens for his thoughts about tonight. Owens says he had his first match in WWE against John Cena in this arena. Owens then says he beat Cena on that night. Owens then says he will beat Sami Zayn to become Undisputed WWE Champion. Finn Balor then shows up to say hello and he is happy to see the stars align for someone. Balor then points out that he is friends with Zayn and he helped him win last week. Balor then says he is coming for the winner and if he has to win Money in the Bank, he will do it. Balor then wishes Owens good luck before walking off.
We then see Nick Aldis with Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green. Aldis tells Green that she proved last week that she deserves to be the WWE Women’s Champion. Stratton then says she talked to Aldis and she will be in one of the Money in the Bank qualifiers. Stratton then says she hopes Green doesn’t mind. The two then walk into Nikki Bella. Bella tells Green to keep her name out of her mouth. Bella then says she’s coming after the WWE Women’s Championship after beating Paige. Bella then says she doesn’t need a Money in the Bank qualifier to get a title shot.
We then see Michael Cole sit down with Cody Rhodes for an exclusive interview. Michael Cole says it has become a pattern. Cole then says Rhodes wasn’t able to pull the trigger. Rhodes then admits Cole is not wrong. Rhodes then says he doesn’t want to give him any excuses. Cole then recalls Rhodes finishing the story. Cole then says all the people who lifted Cody Rhodes stabbed him in the back. Rhodes then says it’s not the end of QB1. Rhodes then talks about the list of people who turned on him. Cole then says Rhodes will be in the ring with Randy Orton again. Cole then asks him, “What are you going to do?” Rhodes says everyone is discussing his morality. Rhodes then addresses a potential heel turn. Rhodes then reminds Cole of his accolades since coming back at WrestleMania 38. Rhodes then says he defeated Orton at WrestleMania 42. Rhodes then says he doesn’t need to change. Rhodes then says he’s not going to make the same decision he made at Sunday Night’s Main Event.
We then see Cathy Kelley and she is with Jade Cargill and The Baddies. Jade Cargill makes it clear that her girls are next in line for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Cargill then says she’s coming for the WWE Women’s Championship.
Jade Cargill then makes her way down to the ring for the next match of the night with B-Fab and Michin and Jacy Jayne and Alexa Bliss follow.
Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss vs. “The Storm” Jade Cargill vs. Fatal Influence’s WWE Women’s United States Champion Jacy Jayne
The match starts off with Jacy Jayne slamming Alexa Bliss’ head to the canvas. Jayne then rolls out of the ring after seeing Jade Cargill. Bliss then drops Jayne on her face. Bliss then sends Jayne back into the ring. Jayne then drags Bliss out of the ring. Jayne then applies a side headlock on Cargill, but runs into a shoulder tackle. Cargill then slams Jayne into the mat. Jayne then hits a hurricanrana, sending Cargill into the ropes. Bliss then sends Cargill through the ropes. Cargill then sends Jayne into Bliss. Jayne then kicks Cargill in the midsection. Cargill then hits a Side Slam for a near fall.
Cargill then continues the beatdown on Jayne. Cargill then hits an Irish whip on Jayne. Jayne then tries to fight back, but Cargill puts her down. Bliss then goes for a crossbody, but Cargill counters with a fallaway slam. Jayne then hits Cargill with a backstabber. Jayne is now pounding away at Bliss. Jayne then hits a Senton. Jayne is now wearing down Bliss. Bliss then drives her shoulder into the midsection of Jayne. Jayne then slaps the taste out of Bliss. Cargill then sends both women to the mat from the top rope. Cargill then runs into the post. Bliss is now unloading on Jayne. Bliss then hits Jayne with a DDT.
Bliss then hits a hurricanrana to Jayne and she follows it up with a dropkick. Bliss then hits a cannonball, taking out Jayne on the floor. Cargill then hits Bliss with a knee. Jayne then sends Cargill into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Jayne takes out Aliss with a running knee for a near fall. Bliss then sends Jayne face-first into the turnbuckle. Bliss then heads to the top rope, but Jayne rolls out of the ring. Bliss then takes out Cargill and Jayne with a crossbody. Back in the ring, Bliss hits Jayne with a Sister Abigail and Cargill breaks the fall. Bliss is now unloading on Cargill. Bliss then goes for another Sister Abigail, but Cargill hits her with Jaded. Jayne then sends Cargill to the outside and gets the pin for the win.
The winner of the Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match, Fatal Influence’s WWE Women’s United States Champion Jacy Jayne!
We then see Cathy Kelley in the backstage area and she is with Giulia. Giulia talks about her upcoming Women’s Money in the Bank Qualifying Match. Nia Jax then walks up to Giulia and says she’s not ready for Lash Legend. Lash Legend then says she will clean house in the Women’s Qualifying Match and win the briefcase in New Orleans. Giulia then puts Lash Legend on notice before walking off.
We then see Trick Williams and Lil Yachty in the backstage area. Lil Yachty says Trick Williams is one step away from becoming a double champion. Trick Williams then says he’s got a plan for Baron Corbin. Williams then says he wants to focus on Money in the Bank. Trick Williams then runs into Sami Zayn and says, “Long time no see.” Williams then calls Sami Zayn Gingerbread. Sami Zayn then asks Trick Williams to show a little respect to the Undisputed WWE Champion. Sami Zayn then says he will stay the Undisputed WWE Champion. Trick Williams then vows to take title off Sami Zayn after Money in the Bank.
Kevin Owens then makes his way down to the ring for the main event of the night and Sami Zayn follows.
Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Sami Zayn (c) vs. “The Prize Fighter” Kevin Owens
The match starts off with
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