WWE SmackDown Results and Highlights (11/09/26): Randy Orton opens the show, Sami Zayn wins WWE Undisputed Championship
WWE Friday Night SmackDown made its way to Arena CDMX in Mexico City for a loaded night of action as WWE continued its presence in Mexico ahead of AAA’s TripleMania. The episode delivered multiple championship showdowns alongside several high-profile singles and tag team encounters. Rey Fenix put his AAA Cruiserweight Championship on the line against Ricky Saints, while Chelsea Green stepped into her first Women’s Championship defense against the formidable Nia Jax. The card also featured Nikki Bella going one-on-one with Paige, adding another major attraction to an already stacked night.
The biggest spotlight, however, was reserved for the Undisputed WWE Championship, with CM Punk putting his title on the line against Sami Zayn. Zayn entered the match determined to reclaim championship glory, while Punk looked to silence another challenger and strengthen his reign. Elsewhere, Damian Priest and R-Truth joined forces for what could be one of their final opportunities to capture tag team gold as they challenged AAA Tag Team Champions The War Raiders. With title fights, personal rivalries and cross-promotional intrigue throughout the evening, SmackDown in Mexico City delivered a particularly eventful chapter for WWE’s ongoing Mexican tour.
Opening Segment
Randy Orton opened the segment by borrowing Cody Rhodes’ familiar catchphrase and asking the crowd what they wanted to talk about before making it clear that he had one name on his mind: Cody. Orton claimed that Cody had finally revealed his true self to the world, but rather than portraying him as a ruthless competitor, The Viper described Rhodes as a fundamentally good person—a loving father, devoted husband and even a good friend. However, Orton admitted that his own journey as the “Legend Killer” came at a price, taking away a part of his soul over the years. According to Orton, Cody never became like him because he simply wasn’t built that way.
The tone changed when Orton turned his attention toward his own ambitions. With his sights firmly set on capturing a record-setting 15th world championship, The Viper issued a chilling warning to anyone who dares stand between him and another title reign. Orton made it clear that he is no longer concerned about whether his opponents like him or whether his actions leave a bitter taste—if someone gets in his way, he intends to eliminate the obstacle without hesitation or remorse. He then delivered a message to every current world champion, making his intentions unmistakable: Randy Orton is hunting for championship gold, and the entire WWE roster should be prepared for his arrival.
Rey Fenix vs Ricky Saints (AAA Cruiserweight Championship Match)
Rey Fenix put the AAA Cruiserweight Championship on the line against Ricky Saints on SmackDown, giving fans an early taste of the action ahead of TripleMania. Fenix immediately showcased his trademark speed, opening with a lightning-fast hurricanrana before overwhelming Saints with a series of high-flying attacks, while Saints responded with a cocky attitude that drew the ire of the Mexico City crowd. The challenger eventually shifted momentum with a suicide dive into a DDT at ringside and maintained control through the commercial break, later attempting a superplex from the top rope. Fenix escaped the dangerous position and stunned Saints with another spectacular hurricanrana before following it with a moonsault from the top rope for a near fall. The champion continued taking risks, launching another moonsault from the middle rope to the floor, but Saints fought back with a powerbomb and Revolution DDT, only managing a two-count. Fenix answered with a cutter and eventually hit the decisive Mexican Muscle Buster to secure the victory and successfully retain his AAA Cruiserweight Championship. In a show of sportsmanship, Fenix extended his hand after the match, but Saints rejected the gesture, leaving their rivalry with plenty of unfinished business.
Paige vs Nikki Bella
Paige stepped into the ring on SmackDown with revenge on her mind as she faced Nikki Bella, the former friend who betrayed her at SummerSlam, and the long-awaited showdown quickly turned into a heated fight. Receiving a strong reaction from the Mexico City crowd, Paige skipped the pleasantries and charged straight toward Nikki, determined to settle their differences inside the ring. With Michael Cole noting that the two had not competed against each other in singles action for 11 years, the bout soon spilled beyond the ropes, where Paige dominated the early stages with relentless aggression, driving Nikki into the announce table and delivering a vicious kick to the head. Just when it appeared Paige had complete control, Nikki changed the complexion of the contest by using the referee as a human shield, creating the opening she needed to strike back. The controversial finish came when Nikki trapped Paige in a pin while secretly using the ropes for extra leverage, allowing her to steal the three-count and escape with the victory. Although Nikki walked away with the win, the underhanded finish only added more fuel to the personal rivalry between the two former friends.
Nia Jax vs Chelsea Green (WWE Women’s Championship Match)
Chelsea Green stepped into her first WWE Women’s United States Championship defense this week, putting the title on the line against the powerhouse Nia Jax. With Lash Legend and Tiffany Stratton stationed at ringside, the match quickly became a clash of styles and strength. Jax arrived in patriotic USA-inspired gear, while Green represented Mexico with her ring attire. The champion started aggressively, but Jax soon used her size and power to overwhelm Green, who was already dealing with an injury. Green briefly fought back with an enzuigiri and missile dropkick that sent Jax outside, only for Nia to drag her from the apron and launch her into the barricade. Jax continued her assault with a uranagi and senton, but Green refused to stay down.
Jax then attempted to remove Green’s protective mask, but the distraction gave the champion an opening to strike from the corner. Nia answered with a sudden pop-up Samoan Drop that nearly ended Green’s reign, but the champion survived another two-count. The chaos at ringside intensified when Lash Legend tried to interfere, only for Tiffany Stratton to step in and protect Green. Jax later went for the Annihilator, but Green escaped the devastating move and rallied as the crowd erupted in support. Chelsea climbed to the top rope and delivered the Un-Pretty-Her, scoring the three-count and successfully retaining the WWE Women’s United States Championship in her first title defense.
Damien Priest & R-Truth vs The War Raiders
Erik and Ivar put their AAA Tag Team Championships on the line against Damian Priest and R-Truth, knowing that another title defense awaited the winners at TripleMania Night Two on Sunday. The War Raiders wasted no time taking control, with Ivar overpowering Truth before tagging Erik in to keep the challengers under constant pressure. Truth was trapped in the wrong corner for an extended stretch as Erik and Ivar methodically isolated him and exchanged punishing attacks. Eventually, Truth managed to reach Priest, who exploded into the match with a furious assault on Ivar. When Erik pulled his partner outside the ring to regroup, Priest charged down the steps and launched himself at both champions, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
Back inside, Truth found a second wind and connected with the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but his first attempt to lift Ivar for the AA was unsuccessful. He refused to give up, hoisting the much larger champion on his second attempt and driving him down with the move. Just as Truth appeared to have the championship within reach, Erik broke up the pinfall. The War Raiders soon regained control and hit Truth with Ragnarok to secure the victory and retain their AAA Tag Team Championships. Priest initially appeared to accept the defeat and even seemed ready to put the loss behind them, but the mood suddenly changed. During their post-match celebration, Priest blindsided Truth with a clothesline before delivering South of Heaven, making it crystal clear that their partnership was over and completing his return to the dark side as a heel.
Sami Zayn vs CM Punk (WWE Championship Match)
CM Punk wasted no time taking control of his showdown with Sami Zayn, launching an early attack that sent Zayn crashing to the outside before Punk followed up with a suicide dive just ahead of the commercial break. The Mexico City crowd was fully invested in the hard-hitting encounter, but the momentum shifted when Zayn noticed Punk was struggling with a knee injury. Sami immediately targeted the damaged leg, forcing the referee to check on Punk before Zayn delivered a vicious chop block that left Punk hurting on the apron. Punk attempted to battle through the pain and found an opening by attacking Zayn’s injured wrist, even tearing away the protective padding around it. Zayn nevertheless remained dangerous, countering the GTS and trapping Punk in a Figure Four. After the final commercial break, Punk managed to drive Zayn into the corner with a knee strike, but his injured leg prevented him from following with the bulldog. Zayn also struggled to execute the Blue Thunder Bomb because of his wrist, but he eventually connected on his second attempt, only for Punk to survive the ensuing pinfall. Sami followed with an exploder suplex and prepared for the Helluva Kick, but Punk answered with a sudden GTS. Punk’s injured knee delayed the cover long enough for Zayn to kick out at two, keeping the match alive.
The closing moments descended into complete chaos when Johnny Gargano appeared at ringside to support Zayn, inadvertently creating a distraction that allowed Punk to trap Sami in the Anaconda Vise. Although Zayn appeared to tap out, the referee failed to notice because Candice LeRae had his attention. Punk then dropped Gargano with a GTS, but the situation quickly spiraled further when Kevin Owens stormed in with the intention of using the championship against Zayn. Owens accidentally struck Punk instead, giving Sami the opening he desperately needed. Zayn responded by taking Owens down with a low blow before turning his attention back to Punk. With the challenger vulnerable, Sami connected with the Helluva Kick and secured the three-count, bringing a dramatic end to the battle. As fireworks erupted behind him near the stage, Zayn celebrated his victory, while the Mexico crowd responded with a chorus of boos. Despite suffering through a battered wrist and Punk’s relentless assault, Zayn emerged victorious in one of the night’s most unpredictable and chaotic matches.
Other Notable Moments from the Show
– Sami Zayn made his intentions clear during a backstage interview on SmackDown, insisting that he believes it has to be him who dethrones CM Punk and captures the Undisputed WWE Championship. Zayn explained that defeating Punk would represent more than simply winning the biggest prize in WWE—it would be a matter of justice after everything he has endured. Before Sami could say much more, Johnny Gargano approached and embraced him, offering a brief show of support before making his own ambitions known. Gargano told Zayn that if Sami manages to defeat Punk later in the night, he expects to be next in line for a shot at the championship. With both men openly eyeing the title, Sami’s mission suddenly came with an additional challenger waiting in the wings.
– Trick Williams received a huge reaction from the Mexico City crowd as he made his way to the ring to celebrate reclaiming the United States Championship from Baron Corbin at Sunday’s event. Williams embraced the atmosphere, joking with the fans and even getting into the spirit of the occasion by talking football and drawing a comparison between himself and a popular Mexican player. The celebration took another turn when Williams invited rapper Lil Yachty to join him, but the party was quickly interrupted by Corbin, who dragged Yachty onto the stage and attempted to turn the moment into another confrontation. Williams immediately chased The Nomad away before checking on his friend, but Corbin wasn’t finished. Moments later, he returned armed with a kendo stick and attacked both Williams and Yachty, sending a clear message that his rivalry with the United States Champion is far from over. What began as a championship celebration ultimately ended with Corbin reigniting their bitter feud.
