Tonight’s WWE SmackDown, airing July 17, 2026, promises an action-packed night live from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York. The WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event go-home show sees Sami Zayn return. Plus, Undisputed WWE Champion “The Best In The World” CM Punk will make an appearance.
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 July 17, 2026
- RAW General Manager Adam Pearce will be SmackDown’s acting GM
- Sami Zayn will return
- Undisputed WWE Champion “The Best In The World” CM Punk will make an appearance
- “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes will make an appearance
- “The Ring General” GUNTHER will make an appearance
- Singles Match: Finn Bálor vs. Talla Tonga
WWE SmackDown Results (7/17/26): Live Match Updates and Highlights
The show opens up with a video package featuring Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk from last week when we found out the Undisputed WWE Title Match at SummerSlam and the tag team match for Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett then welcomes us to SmackDown.
GUNTHER’s music then hits and he makes his way down to the ring as he receives a chorus of boos from the WWE Universe. GUNTHER then grabs a mic and starts off by saying let’s address the elephant in the room. GUNTHER then says his whole career he has prided himself on being a professional wrestler, but ever since he joined SmackDown, he has been mistreated. GUNTHER then says Nick Aldis might be jealous of him. GUNTHER then says he should have been the Undisputed WWE Champion by now. GUNTHER then says Nick Aldis made things personal and Aldis forced him to team up with Sami Zayn against CM Punk and Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event. GUNTHER then calls Sami Zayn a bum and says Zayn is beneath him.
Adam Pearce then makes his way out and says he has heard enough. Pearce then says GUNTHER should thank Nick Aldis regardless of how he feels about him. Pearce then says Aldis saved GUNTHER’s job. Pearce then says GUNTHER attacked Cody Rhodes a few weeks ago and he attacked Aldis. Pearce then says if GUNTHER was on RAW he would have been fired. Pearce then says Aldis made sure GUNTHER’s SNME match goes on as scheduled, including a stipulation. Pearce then says if GUNTHER and Sami Zayn win this Saturday, they get added to CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam.
Cody Rhodes then makes his way out and he sends GUNTHER packing. Rhodes can’t believe the stipulation that was just added to their match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Rhodes then says GUNTHER isn’t going to make it past Saturday Night’s Main Event. Rhodes then says the road to Saturday Night’s Main Event runs through him. Rhodes then says he wants GUNTHER tonight and Adam Pearce makes it official.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett then talk about the tag match tomorrow night and how it will affect SummerSlam.
We then see Adam Pearce make an announcement earlier about Rhea Ripley’s medical status. Pearce says she is close to returning, but she will not be able to compete at SummerSlam. Pearce then says there will be an interim champion. Pearce then says over the next two weeks five women will have a chance to enter a ladder match to become the Interim Champion and that person will face Ripley when she returns.
We are then shown the pre-show arrivals of Jade Cargill, Michin, B-Fab, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, Tiffany Stratton and Fatal Influence.
Finn Bálor then makes his way down to the ring for the first match of the night and Talla Tonga follows with Tama Tonga.
Singles Match: Finn Bálor vs. Talla Tonga
The match starts off with Finn Bálor charging at Talla Tonga and Talla corners him. Bálor then hits Talla with a thunderous chop and Talla hits Bálor with a shoulder tackle. Bálor then tries to fight back and he sends Talla over the top rope and to the floor. Talla then gets on the apron and sends Bálor into then turnbuckle. Talla then hits a clothesline. The fight then spills to the outside. Talla then drops Bálor on the edge of the commentary desk. Tama then hits a cheap shot to Bálor behind the referee’s back. Back in the ring, Talla continues the beatdown on Bálor.
Talla then clotheslines Bálor in the corner and he hits a side slam for a near fall. Bálor then tries to fight back with a series of right hands and he hits a basement dropkick. Bálor then drives his elbow into the chest of Talla for a near fall. Talla then hits a modified Samoan Drop and both men are down. Bálor then drives his shoulder into the midsection of Talla. Bálor then hits a kick. Bálor then heads to the top rope, but Talla catches him in the air and Bálor counters with a DDT. Talla then hits Bálor with a headbutt. Talla’s leg is hung up between the ropes. Bálor then takes out Tama with a Sling Blade. Back in the ring, Bálor hits Talla with a shotgun dropkick. Bálor then heads to the top rope and hits a Coup de Grace. Bálor then goes for another one and hits it for the win.
The winner of the Singles Match, Finn Bálor!
We then see Adam Pearce in the backstage area and he is on the phone. CM Punk then walks up to him and says he wants to make sure that he heard correctly about the stipulation at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Punk then says he is going to talk to Cody Rhodes about his match against GUNTHER tonight.
We then see CM Punk run into Damian Priest. Priest says he appreciated the shout-out last week. Priest then puts Punk on notice if he is still the Undisputed WWE Champion after SummerSlam. Punk then entertains the thought of dethroning Priest and R-Truth for the WWE Tag Team Championships down the line. Priest then says it sounds good and Punk walks off. R-Truth then scares Priest from behind and asks, “What are you talking about?” Priest then asks R-Truth if he was there the whole time.
We then get a video package for Jade Cargill. Cargill says when opportunity comes, she takes her shot. Cargill then says you can’t see her when it comes to the title. Cargill then says they are not cut from the same cloth. Cargill then says none of them can compare to her. Cargill then says she will win the title.
Nia Jax then says the other women should feel the pressure. Jax then says she has been to the top before and she is ready to go back to the top. Jax then says she will be the champion at SummerSlam. Jacy Jayne then says they shook the table when they arrived. Jayne then says the other girls are getting comfortable so she will remind everyone who they are when she beats Tiffany tonight. Jayne then says Fallon and Lainey will win the titles tomorrow and she will win the ladder match at SummerSlam. Tiffany Stratton then says she will beat Jacy and Minnesota will get to see her win a second title.
Tiffany Stratton then makes her way down to the ring for the next match of the night and Jacy Jayne follows with Fatal Influence.
Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: WWE Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Fatal Influence’s Jacy Jayne
The match starts off with Fatal Influence taking Tiffany Stratton out in a three-on-one attack before Brie Bella and Paige come to her aid. Paige and Brie Bella then take the fight to Fatal Influence and they are brawling all over the arena. Stratton then hits a thunderous chop to Jayne. Jayne then tries to fight back, but Stratton hits her with another chop. Stratton then trips Jayne up and hits her with a hip attack. Stratton then hits a basement dropkick. Jayne then hits a kick. Jayne then pounds away at Stratton. Jayne then corners Stratton and hits her with several kicks into her midsection.
Jayne is now in complete control of Stratton. Stratton then tries to fight back with a series of right hands, but Jayne hits her back with multiple chops. Jayne then misses a senton. Stratton and Jayne then run into each other and both women are down and out. Both women then exchange strikes in the middle of the ring. Jayne then hits a big kick and she follows it up with a step-up enziguiri. Stratton then clotheslines Jayne and she hits a spinning elbow. Stratton then hits Jayne with an Alabama Slam. Stratton then heads to the top rope, but Jayne cuts her off. Jayne then hits Stratton with a modified neckbreaker. Jayne then goes for Rolling Encore, but Stratton hits her with a cutter. Stratton then hits a rolling senton and she follows it up with a Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the win.
The winner of the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier, WWE Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton!
We then take a look at Baron Corbin. Corbin says he has been watching the shows and these people think they are legitimately tough. Corbin then says their reality is about to crush down. Corbin then says he is the real deal. Corbin then says Trick is the first name on a long list. Corbin then says Carmelo you were collateral damage and it is a message to the roster. Corbin then tells Trick to smile while you can and enjoy what you have. Corbin then says he is coming for it all.
We then see Jackie Redmond in the back with Trick Williams. Trick says you jumped on him and Carmelo and he is the big man. Trick then says you are a big bald headed b***h. Trick then says he has a title that has more hair on it. Carmelo Hayes then shows up and Trick wants him to apologize for what he did to Yachty. Hayes says you found a way to avoid defending the title against him. Hayes then says you know that you are not better than him. Trick then asks Carmelo how long has he been on SmackDown and what have you done. Trick then says absolutely nothing. Trick then tells Carmelo to take some notes and mind his business while grown folk talk.
Wade Barrett then says Rhea Ripley is doing everything she can to get back as soon as possible, but medical predictions are difficult at the best of time and he isn’t sure when she will be back.
We then take a look at the Hell in a Cell Match at SummerSlam.
Nia Jax then makes her way down to the ring for the next match of the night and Jade Cargill follows with Michin and B-Fab.
Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: “The Irresistible Force” Nia Jax vs. Jade Cargill
The match starts off with Nia Jax hitting Jade Cargill with a Samoan Drop and he follows it up with a leg drop. Jax then heads to the second rope and launches herself, but Cargill moves out of harm’s way and hits a kick. Cargill then hits a Spinebuster. Charlotte Flair then ambushes Michin and B-Fab. Flair then enters the ring and hits a big boot to Cargill, forcing the referee to call for the bell.
The winner of the Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier due to a disqualification, Jade Cargill!
After the match, Flair brings out a steel chair to exact revenge on behalf of Alexa Bliss, but B-Fab and Michin drag her to the outside. Jax then ambushes Flair and leaves. Cargill then comes back and hits Flair with Jaded and she stands tall once again.
We then see Jackie Redmond and she asks GUNTHER about the stipulation for tomorrow’s tag match. GUNTHER says Cody Rhodes is typical golden boy. GUNTHER then says he forces his way into his business. GUNTHER then says Cody acts on emotions. GUNTHER then says he will knock some rationale into Cody. GUNTHER then says he doesn’t care about Sami, but he will win tomorrow and compete at SummerSlam. Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano then show up and Candice reminds GUNTHER that Sami would be in the match at SummerSlam if they win tomorrow. GUNTHER then tells Candice to tell Sami to show up and shut up and not get in his way. Blake Monroe then attacks Candice and sends her into the storage cases. Blake then introduces herself to Candice and says she will see her around. Blake then tells Johnny he needs a hair cut.
We then see Nia Jax and Lash Legend arguing with Adam Pearce in the backstage area after what went down with Jax’s match. Pearce says Jax will face Charlotte Flair next week, with the winner punching their ticket in the Interim Women’s Championship Ladder Match at SummerSlam.
Fraxiom are now in the ring for the next match of the night and The War Raiders make their way down to the ring.
Non-Title Match: AAA World Tag Team Champions The War Raiders (Erik and Ivar) vs. Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom)
The match starts off with Nathan Frazer and Erik and Erik slams Frazer down to the mat. Erik then puts Frazer down and tags Ivar in. Ivar then hits a splash on Frazer in the corner. Erik then clotheslines Frazer before heading out. Ivar then drives his elbows against the face of Frazer, but Erik is the legal man. Frazer then hits a kick and he tags Axiom in. The War Raiders are out on the floor. Frazer then goes for a suicide dive, but the War Raiders catch him mid-air. Axiom then hits a moonsault, wiping out everybody. Back in the ring, Erik knocks Axiom out with a forearm and he tags Ivar in. The War Raiders then continue the beatdown on Fraxiom.
Erik then launches Ivar into Axiom for a near fall. Erik then applies a chokehold and here comes Frazer. Frazer then hits Erik with a Sling Blade and he follows it up with a Shining Wizard. Frazer then heads to the top rope and goes for a Phoenix Splash, but Erik moves out of harm’s way and he hits a basement dropkick. Ivar then hits a Powerslam to Axiom. Ivar then stomps on Frazer. Ivar then stacks them up and goes for a moonsault, but Fraxiom gets out of the way. Fraxiom then superkicks the War Raiders. Axiom then hits a kick. Frazer then hits a 450 Splash on Ivar for a near fall. Ivar then clotheslines Frazer and hits Axiom with a spinning heel kick.
Erik then sends Ivar into the head of Axiom. Erik then hits a Splash and Frazer breaks the fall. Frazer then hits Ivar with a suicide dive. Axiom then sends Ivar in the ring. Back in the ring, Frazer launches himself over the top rope, taking out Erik. Ivar then hits a superkick to Axiom. Ivar then heads to the top rope, but Axiom gets back on his feet and hits a kick. Fraxiom then hit a superplex to Ivar. Frazer then heads to the top rope and he hits a Phoenix Splash, but Erik saves the match and all four men are down and out. Axiom and Erik are now going back and forth. Ivar then tags himself and he drops Frazer. The War Raiders then hits Axiom with a Ragnarok for the win.
The winners of the Non-Title Match, AAA World Tag Team Champions The War Raiders (Erik and Ivar)!
We then take a look at LA Knight, Solo Sikoa and Royce Keys at Fanatics Fest.
We then look at what else happened at Fanatics Fest.
We then see Cody Rhodes warming up backstage. CM Punk then walks up to him and says it’s not a good idea to face GUNTHER the night before Saturday Night’s Main Event. Rhodes then says he would have done the same thing. Punk then says he will be out there to make sure GUNTHER doesn’t hurt Rhodes purposely since he’s involved in this thing. Rhodes then says Punk can watch on the monitor and he will take care of the GUNTHER business. Rhodes then tells Punk that he will see him tomorrow, but Punk says he will see Rhodes out there.
We then get a video package for Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns.
We then see Jackie Redmond enter Danhausen’s lab and she asks about his match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Redmond then asks who is going to help him. Danhausen says he has a secret weapon. Danhausen then says he has a cat because if you cross a cat, you are cursed. They then leave the lab before the television explodes.
GUNTHER then makes his way out, but Cody Rhodes ambushes him and the fight is underway. They are now brawling all over the arena.
Singles Match: “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes vs. “The Ring General” GUNTHER
The match starts off with Rhodes sending GUNTHER into the barricade and he delivers some right hands at GUNTHER. Rhodes then slams GUNTHER into the side of the commentary desk. Rhodes then sends GUNTHER into the ring. Rhodes then pounds away at GUNTHER. GUNTHER then sends Rhodes over the top rope and to the floor. The fight then spills to the outside. Rhodes then struggles to get back on his feet. GUNTHER then plants Rhodes on the apron. Back in the ring, GUNTHER hits Rhodes with a series of chops. Rhodes then tries to lift GUNTHER, but GUNTHER puts him down. GUNTHER then continues his beatdown on Rhodes.
GUNTHER then chops Rhodes down. Rhodes then hits GUNTHER with a Cody Cutter. Rhodes and GUNTHER are now exchanging strikes in the middle of the ring. Rhodes then hits GUNTHER with a Scoop Slam. Rhodes then hits a Disaster Kick right to the temple of GUNTHER. Rhodes then hits a Cody Cutter. Rhodes then goes for a Cross Rhodes, but GUNTHER moves out of harm’s way and he hits a thunderous chop. GUNTHER then takes out Rhodes’ leg and he sends the legs into the post. CM Punk then makes her way out to check on Rhodes. GUNTHER then mocks Punk with a GTS gesture. GUNTHER then goes for a GTS, but Rhodes hits GUNTHER with a lariat and both men are down.
GUNTHER then works on Rhodes’ leg. Both men then exchange strikes in the middle of the ring. GUNTHER then puts Rhodes down again and he hits another chop. Rhodes is now favoring his left leg. GUNTHER then hits Rhodes with a Powerbomb and he applies a Half Crab. Rhodes then tries to reach for the ropes and GUNTHER pulls him into the center of the ring. Rhodes then kicks GUNTHER away. GUNTHER then misses a Yakuza Kick and his leg gets caught on the turnbuckles. Rhodes then hits a kick to the leg and he applies a dragon screw. Rhodes then goes for a figure four leg lock. Sami Zayn then comes through the crowd and he attacks Punk. Zayn then sends Punk over the commentary desk. Rhodes then releases the hold as GUNTHER gets to the ropes. Rhodes then sees Zayn and GUNTHER goes for a sleeper. Rhodes then hits a suicide dive onto Zayn. Rhodes then hits a punch and Zayn pulls Rhodes off the apron and the referee calls for the bell.
The winner of the Singles Match due to a disqualification, “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes!
After the match, Punk hits a clotheslines off the commentary desk to Zayn. Punk and GUNTHER then exchange punches while Zayn and Rhodes do the same. Officials then come to the ring and they try to separate the four combatants as the show comes to a close.
