WWE SmackDown Results and Highlights (25/9/26): Trick Williams survives Steel Cage and retains, Money In The Bank Qualifiers Continue
WWE brought SmackDown to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the September 25 edition of the blue brand, with a major championship match featuring a stipulation positioned as one of the night’s biggest attractions. The show also continued the road toward Money in the Bank, with two qualifying matches scheduled to give several Superstars another opportunity to secure their place in the highly anticipated ladder match. With championship stakes and Money in the Bank opportunities on the line, the Indianapolis crowd was set for a packed night of action.
However, viewers watching the USA Network feed were treated to an unexpected moment shortly before the show officially got underway. Roughly 10 minutes before SmackDown began, Randy Orton appeared and interrupted Michael Cole, revealing that he planned to interview Cole before the night was over. The sudden appearance immediately created intrigue, particularly because Orton did not provide much explanation for what he had planned. Just as quickly as the moment arrived, the broadcast returned to a commercial break and then transitioned back to the programming that had aired before SmackDown, leaving fans waiting to find out what Orton’s promised interview would ultimately involve.
Baron Corbin vs Trick Williams (Steel Cage Match for United States Championship)
SmackDown got underway with the steel cage already hanging above the ring, setting the stage for Trick Williams and Baron Corbin to settle their United States Championship rivalry. Michael Cole described it as the final chapter between the two, and the match wasted no time getting physical as both men immediately traded heavy punches instead of going through the usual opening chain-wrestling sequence. Williams gained the early momentum, but Corbin quickly showed his veteran instincts by using the cage as another weapon. Their rivalry has been somewhat inconsistent, but the two have developed solid chemistry throughout their encounters, with their similar physical styles making for an evenly matched contest. The video package beforehand also did a good job of adding some extra weight to what was being presented as the conclusion of their feud.
While cage matches can sometimes feel limited by the structure itself, this one managed to deliver a few memorable moments without overstaying its welcome. Corbin embraced his role as the aggressor, repeatedly punishing Williams against the steel, while Trick continued to feed off the Indianapolis crowd whenever he mounted a comeback. One of the standout sequences came when Corbin kicked the cage door into Lil Yachty at ringside, only for Yachty to get some revenge by slamming the door into Corbin’s face when the champion’s challenger tried to escape. The superplex from the top of the cage was another impressive visual and gave the match the kind of dangerous spot fans expect from this stipulation. Corbin’s plan ultimately backfired, allowing Williams to capitalize and retain the United States Championship. Overall, it was not a match that reinvented the cage concept, but it was a perfectly serviceable opening contest and, more importantly, gave SmackDown something to sink its teeth into immediately rather than beginning with another extended talking segment.
Women’s Money In The Bank Qualifier
Charlotte Flair vs Giulia vs Lash Legend
The second match of the night continued the road to Money in the Bank as Giulia, Charlotte Flair and Lash Legend battled for one of the remaining spots in the women’s ladder match. On paper, Legend entered with the obvious strength advantage, while Giulia had to overcome a significant size disadvantage against both opponents. However, the triple-threat format worked in Giulia’s favor by constantly changing the dynamic and preventing either of the other two women from completely controlling the action. The match followed the familiar rhythm of a three-way encounter, giving each competitor opportunities to work one-on-one while also creating several chaotic sequences involving all three. Although it never reached another level, the bout was well-paced enough to keep the result from feeling completely inevitable and allowed each woman to showcase something different.
Charlotte was arguably the most obvious pick on paper given that she was the only former world champion in the match, which also made her victory the easiest one to predict. That made the possibility of Giulia or Legend earning the opportunity considerably more intriguing, and WWE ultimately went with the less expected route. The closing stretch provided the strongest action of the match, with Giulia appearing to be within touching distance of securing her place before Legend completely changed the outcome. Legend disrupted Giulia’s momentum, delivered her finishing move and secured the victory to officially punch her ticket to Money in the Bank. It was not an instant classic, but the finish gave the qualifier a worthwhile surprise and established Legend as a fresh addition to the upcoming ladder match.
Chelsea Green, Tiffany Stratton, Paige vs. Fatal Influence
Jacy Jayne, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley collided with Green, Stratton and Paige in a six-woman tag team showdown that brought together all of the current champions from SmackDown’s women’s division. Despite the star power involved, there were no championships at stake, with the match instead serving as a chance for the six competitors to settle things through bragging rights. Reid is still finding her footing on the main roster, while the other five have already established themselves as reliable performers, giving the match plenty of personality and entertaining exchanges. Green once again stood out, effortlessly balancing her comedic character work with solid wrestling ability. Her chemistry with different opponents continues to be one of her strengths, and the crowd remained invested whenever she was involved.
The bout never reached the intensity of a major title match, but the lack of high stakes arguably allowed everyone to wrestle with more freedom. Either team could have taken the victory without it feeling out of place, and the crowd seemed to appreciate the lighthearted competition. Just when the match appeared to be heading toward a normal conclusion, Nikki Bella made her presence felt by interfering, creating enough chaos for Jayne to capitalize. Jayne ultimately caught Paige and scored the decisive pinfall, giving her team the victory. It wasn’t the most explosive match on the show, but it accomplished its purpose by showcasing the depth of SmackDown’s women’s roster while adding another layer to the ongoing tension surrounding the division.
Men’s Money In The Bank Qualifier
Finn Valor vs CM Punk vs Gunther
Cody Rhodes opened the segment by addressing his ongoing issues with Randy Orton while also making it clear that his pursuit of the WWE Championship remains firmly in his sights. As Rhodes made his way out, CM Punk headed toward the ring for the night’s main event, where he faced Finn Bálor and Gunther with a spot in the Money in the Bank match on the line. The bell barely had time to ring before Gunther went straight after Bálor, only for Punk to jump into the action and refuse to be pushed to the side. What followed was easily the strongest match of the night, with all three men getting opportunities to take control. Punk delivered the kind of performance expected from him, but the real intrigue came from Gunther and Bálor repeatedly gravitating toward one another. Their interactions felt less like a coincidence and more like WWE quietly laying the groundwork for a future singles rivalry. The two-man Boston Crab on Gunther was also a particularly memorable moment, giving the match a unique visual.
The closing stretch delivered exactly the kind of chaos a three-way main event should have. Each competitor came within touching distance of victory, but Punk ultimately proved to be the opportunist. Bálor hit the Coup de Grace on Gunther, only for Punk to immediately swoop in, cover Gunther and steal the pinfall before either man could recover. Punk earned his place in the Money in the Bank match, while Bálor and Gunther may have walked away with something more valuable in terms of storyline momentum. As Punk celebrated, Cody Rhodes passed him on the aisle and the two exchanged a long, unmistakable stare, adding another intriguing layer to their ongoing paths. One other takeaway: Bálor’s continued evolution could benefit from another return to The Demon, a persona that once gave him a presence and identity that few WWE Superstars could match.
Other Notable Moments from the Show
– The second match of the night saw Giulia, Charlotte Flair and Lash Legend collide in a high-stakes women’s Money in the Bank qualifier, with all three looking to secure one of the remaining spots in the ladder match. Legend entered with a clear power advantage, while Giulia had to rely on her speed and technique to compensate for the size difference, making the triple-threat format particularly important because it prevented any one competitor from completely controlling the bout. The match followed the chaotic rhythm expected from a three-way encounter, featuring several one-on-one exchanges alongside moments where all three women were involved, and while it never reached the level of a standout match, everyone received enough offense to make the contest feel competitive. Charlotte initially appeared to be the obvious choice given her championship experience, but WWE wisely avoided the predictable route and instead delivered a more interesting conclusion. The closing sequence provided the match’s biggest spark when Giulia looked poised to capitalize, only for Legend to interrupt her momentum, hit her finishing move and secure the victory. With the win, Legend earned her place in the Money in the Bank ladder match, giving the upcoming field another powerhouse presence while handing Giulia and Flair unexpected setbacks.
– The uneasy interview between Michael Cole and Randy Orton finally took place backstage, with Cole admitting that he was not entirely sure how to handle the situation after Orton had insisted on speaking with him earlier in the night. Orton quickly turned the conversation toward Cody Rhodes and Cole’s interview with the Undisputed WWE Champion the previous week, making it clear that Cody was the real subject of his interest. The Viper did most of the talking, reflecting on Rhodes’ career and arguing that Cody has repeatedly reinvented himself over the years, while Orton claimed he has remained the same man throughout his own journey. Orton then made his intentions unmistakable: he wants to capture a record-setting 15th world championship, and if defeating Rhodes is what stands between him and that achievement, he is prepared to do exactly that. The opening moments were particularly effective, with Cole appearing genuinely uncomfortable while Orton carried an unpredictable edge that made it seem like the situation could explode at any second. As the conversation progressed, however, Orton became increasingly loud and frustrated rather than physically threatening, which gradually reduced some of the tension established at the beginning. Even so, the segment successfully put Rhodes on notice and made Orton’s championship ambitions crystal clear.
– A new women’s match was announced for next week’s SmackDown, with Blake Monroe set to go one-on-one with Giulia in what could be an intriguing clash of two rising talents. On paper, the matchup has plenty of potential, but given how often WWE’s advertised matches can change before the next show, fans may want to wait before treating it as a certainty. If Monroe and Giulia actually make it to the ring next week as scheduled, it would be a pleasant surprise and give both competitors an opportunity to make an early statement on the blue brand.
