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Your announcers are Wade Barrettt and Joe Tessitore.
We take a look back at last week when we found out the WWE Title match at SummerSlam and the potential monkey wrench in the gears for Saturday night.
Gunther makes his way to the ring.
Gunther says we need to address the elephant in the room. He says his whole career, he prides on being a professional. Since he has joined Smackdown, he has been mistreated. He says he does not know if Nick is jealous, but he should be the champion right now, and you know it. Gunther says the only thing that has prevented him from being champion is Nick Aldis. Nick has made it personal. Nick is forcing him to team up with Sami Zayn for Saturday Night's Main Event to face Cody and Punk. Sami is a punk and he is beneath him. This is unacceptable. He says he won't stand for it.
Adam Pearce comes out in the role of Nick Aldis. He tells Gunther to feel how he wants. The only thing you should be saying to Nick Aldis is 'thank you'. Thank you for saving your job. Pearce mentions Gunther costing Cody his title match in Chicago. You put your hands on your boss and choke him out. Pearce says Gunther would be fired if it is Monday. The decision was made from high up. Nick wanted to make sure that your tag match goes on as scheduled, including the stipulation.
Adam says Gunther doesn't get it and he doesn't deserve it. Pearce says if him and Sami are successful tomorrow, you will be added to the match at SummerSlam and it will become a Fatal Four Way.
Cody Rhodes' music plays and he makes his way to the ring.
Cody with a double leg take down and punches to send Gunther to the floor.
Pearce tells Cody to calm down.
Cody says Gunther is handed another population. Where is the logic? You kicked his head in the car and you didn't expect him to kick your ass on sight. You won't make it past Saturday night. Cody says it is Friday and the road to Saturday Night's Main Event runs through Albany. Cody suggests a one on one match. He asks Pearce to okay the match.
Pearce tells Cody he has it match.
Joe and Wade talk about the tag match tomorrow night and how it will affect SummerSlam.
Adam Pearce earlier made an announcement about Rhea Ripley's medical status. He says she is close to returning, but she will not be able to compete at SummerSlam. Adam says there will be an interim champion. 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 Rhea when she returns.
Match Number One: Finn Balor versus Talla Tonga
Talla wants a test of strength and Talla backs Finn into the corner but Finn escapes and he punches Talla. Talla blocks an Irish whip and Talla sends Finn into the corner. Finn with a chop. Finn with kicks to the back of the leg and Talla with a shoulder tackle. Talla with kicks to Finn. Talla sends Finn into the turnbuckles sternum first. Talla with a punch. Talla sits on Finn's neck while he discusses something with the referee. Finn with punches and Talla with a punch to Finn and he gets Finn up for a slam but Finn escapes and Talla dives over the top rope when Finn pulls down the ropes. Talla grabs Finn from the apron and Finn with punches. Talla goes for a choke slam but Finn blocks it. Talla sends Finn into the turnbuckles and hits a clothesline.
Talla picks up Finn and he hot shots Finn on the announce table.Talla and the referee talk in the ring and Tama with a clothesline to Finn. Finn struggles to get back to his feet but he powers up right before the referee gets to ten. Talla kicks Finn and chokes hiim. Talla with a hard Irish whip. Talla gets a near fall. Talla works on the neck. Talla sends Finn to the mat and then chokes him in the ropes. Talla with a nerve hold and Finn tries to get back to his feet. Finn gets back to his feet and he connects with elbows. Talla with a clothesline into the corner followed by an Irish whip. Finn tries to float over and Talla catches Finn and hits a power slam for a near fall. Talla misses a splash into the corner and Finn with punches and kicks. Finn with a drop kick to the thigh and a GTR for a near fall. Talla gets Finn up for a Samoan drop. Finn rolls to the apron.
Finn with a shoulder and kick from the apron. Finn looks around and he goes up top. Talla grabs Finn by the throat and Talla goes for a choke slam but Finn counters with a DDT. Finn knocks Tama off the apron. Talla with a boot to the head for a near fall. Talla puts Finn in the ropes and Talla with a head butt and he misses a boot and gets caughtin the ropes. Tama talks to the referee and Finn pulls the rope to irritate Talla's nether regions. Finn with sling blade to Tama and a running drop kick to Talla followed by Coup de Grace. Finn goes up top for a second one and he gets the three count.
Winner: Finn Balor
Pearce is on the phone and Punk waits for Pearce to be done.
Punk asks about the stipulation for tomorrow's match.
Punk says he hates it and he likes one on one matches. Punk says Gunther is going to try to hurt Cody.
Pearce says Cody wants his receipt.
Punk says he is going to talk to Cody.
Punk and Priest say hello.
Priest appreciates the shout out and he says he will be waiting for Punk if Punk wins at SummerSlam.
Punk says he hopes Priest still has the tag titles because him and Cody will be coming for the tag titles.
R Truth shows up and he asks Priest what are they talking about.
We have a video package for Jade Cargill.
She says when opportunity comes, she takes her shot. She says you can't see her when it comes to the title. They are not cut from the same cloth. None of them can compare to her. She will win the title.
Nia says the other women should feel the pressure. She has been to the top before and she is ready to go back to the top. She will be the champion at SummerSlam.
Jacy says they shook the table when they arrived. The other girls are getting comfortable so she will remind everyone who they are when she beats Tiffany tonight. Fallon and Lainey will win the titles tomorrow and then she will win the ladder match at SummerSlam.
Tiffany says she will beat Jacy and then Minnesota will get to see her win a second title.
Match Number Two: Tiffany Stratton versus Jacy Jayne in a Qualifying Match for the WWE Women's Championship Ladder Match (without any ladders tonight)
Jacy says something to Fallon and Lainey before the match starts.
Tiffany fights off Lainey and Fallon for a moment before Jacy joins in.
Brie Bella's music plays so the attack stops. Brie and Paige take care of Fallon and Lainey. They all fight to the back so the match can start.
Tiffany with a forearm when Jacy finally turns around. Tiffany with elbows and she sends Jacy into the turnbuckles. Tiffany with kicks but Jacy with a kick and she sends Tiffany into the turnbuckles. Tiffany with a chop and Jacy with a kick. Tiffany with a drop toe hold and Jacy goes into the ropes. Tiffany with a running hip and she gets a near fall. Jacy rolls away when Tiffany goes up top and Tiffany stops Jacy from escaping the ring. Tiffany with a sunset flip but Jacy rolls through and kicks Tiffany. Jacy with punches and a back senton. Jacy sends Tiffany into the turnbuckles and kicks her. Jacy with more kicks and she chokes Tiffany in the corner.
Jacy chokes Tiffany in the ropes again. Jacy with a running back elbow and she gets a near fall. Jacy with an Irish whip and a running hip into the corner. Jacy with a snap mare and kicks to the back. Jacy gets a near fall. Jacy with a rear chin lock. Jacy takes Tiffany back to the mat when Tiffany tries to get free. Tiffany with a jaw breaker and punches. Jacy with chops and she gets a near fall. Jacy with elbows to the clavicle. but misses a back senton. Tiffany and Jacy go for cross body presses at the same time and both go down. Tiffany and Jacy exchange forearms. Jacy with a thrust kick and a front kick followed by an enzuigiri. Jacy runs into a clothesline or two from Tiffany. Tiffany with a back elbow and she goes for the cartwheel but Jacy blocks it. Tiffany is still able to hti the Alabama Slam. Tiffany goes up top but Jacy hits the ropes to crotch her.
Jacy with forearms to the back. Jacy with a hanging swinging neck breaker for a near fall. Jacy misses a rolling elbow and Tiffany with a handspring cutter. Tiffany with a Finlay Slam and she goes up top and hits the Prettiest Moonsaut Ever for the three count.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
We take a look at Baron Corbin.
He says he has been watching the shows and these people think they are legitimately tough. Their reality is about to crush down. He says he is the real deal. Trick is the first name on a long list. Melo, you were collateral damage and it is a message to the roster. He tells Trick to smile while you can and enjoy what you have. He says he is coming for it all.
Jackie Redmond is in the back with Trick Williams.
Trick says you jumped on him and Melo and he says he is the big man. You are a big bald headed bitch. Trick says he has a title that has more hair on it.
Carmelo Hayes shows up and Trick wants him to apologize for what he did to Yachty. He says you found a way to avoid defending the title against him. You know that you are not better than him.
Trick asks Melo how long has he been on Smackdown and what have you done? Absolutely nothing. He tells Melo to take some notes and mind his business while grown folk talk.
We go to commercial.
We take a look at Hell in a Cell at SummerSlam.
Match Number Three: Nia Jax versus Jade Cargill in a Ladderless Ladder Match Qualifying Match for the WWE Interim Championship at SummerSlam
Jade misses a bicycle kick and Nia iwth a Samoan drop and leg drop for a near fall. Nia goes to the turnbuckles and Michin tries to distract her. Nia misses a leg drop off the turnbuckles and Jade with a spine buster.
Charlotte Flair attacks Fab and Michin and gets Jade's attention.
Flair with a boot to Jade and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: Jade Cargill (by disqualification)
After the match, Flair puts the chair on Jade's arm but Michin and Fab pull Jade to safety.
After the match, Nia is pissed about what happened and she hits a splash on Flair.
Nia leaves the ring and Jade returns to the ring to hit Jaded.
Jackie asks Gunther about the stipulation for tomorrow's tag match.
Gunther says Cody is typical golden boy. He forces his way into his business. Cody acts on emotions. He will knock some rationale into Cody. He says he doesn't care about Sami but he will win tomorrow and compete at SummerSlam.
Candice and the physical form of Johnny Gargano show up and Candice reminds Gunther that Sami would be in the match at SummerSlam if they win tomorrow
Gunther tells Candice to tell Sami to show up and shut up and not get in his way.
Blake Monroe attacks Candice and sends her into the storage cases.
Blake introduces herself to Candice and she says she will see her around.
Blake tells Johnny he needs a hair cut.
We go to commercial.
Nia and Lash are arguing at Pearce and they want consequences for what happened. Nia says Flair ruined the match so much that Nia cannot speak.
Pearce says Nia will get another chance to qualify and it will be against Charlotte Flair.
Match Number Four: Axiom and Nathan Frazer versus Erik and Ivar in a Non title Match
Frazer and Erik start things off and Erik with a few waist lock take downs. Erik with an Irish whip and Frazer floats over and flips into a victory roll for a near fall. Erik with a running forearm. Ivar tags in and he hits a clothesline into the corner and Erik with a forearm. Ivar with lawnmower elbows to Frazer. Ivar sends Frazer into the turnbuckles and Erik tags in. Frazer with punches but Erik with a knee to the midsection. Erik with a forearm. Frazer lands on his feet and he hits an enzuigiri and Axiom tags in. Axiom and Frazer with forearms. Frazer with a DDT to Erik and then Ivar joinds Erik on the floor. Erik and Ivar catches Frazer on a suicide dive but Axiom with a moonsault onto Erik and Ivar.
Erik with a forearm to Axiom and Ivar tags in and they connect with punches to Axiom. Erik tags back in and Ivar with a slam and then Erik slams Ivar onto Axiom. Erik gets a near fall. Erik with a punch and he tags in Ivar. Ivar with a knee to Axiom and then Erik connects with a knee to the midsection. Erik with a front face lock. Axiom tries to get back to his fet and Erik with an Irish whip into a forearm from Ivar. Erik with a guillotine and Axiom tries to escape or get to the ropes. Axiom with punches and he escapes. Axiom with more punches but Erik keeps Axiom from making the tag. Erik with an Irish whip but Axiom with a forearm to Ivar and he avoids Erik to make the tag. Frazer with a forearm and he flips over and hits sling blade. Frazer with a Shining Wizard. Frazer goes up top for a Phoenix Splash bu Erik moeves and hits a drop kick. Ivar and Axiom tag in and Axiom with punches and Ivar with a spinning power slam.
Ivar puts Axiom on top of Frazer for a moonsault and he misses. Erik runs into a double super kick. Axiom with a kick and Frazer tags in and hits a springboard 450 for a near fall. Axiom tags in and Ivar with a clothesline to Frazer and Ivar catches Axiom but Axiom gets re. Ivar with a spin kick of doom. Erik tags in and he runs Iar into Axiom in the corner. Erik with a uranage for a near fall when Frazer makes the save. Ivar tags in and Axiom with a leg sweep to Ivar. Axiom with a kick to Erik. Frazer tags in and Axiom tags in and Frazer misses a suicide dive. Axiom sends Ivar into the announce table. Frazer with a flip dive onto Erik.
Ivar with a kick to Axiom and Axiom with a kick to stop Ivar on the turnbuckles. Frazer tags in and they set for a double superplex and hit it. Frazer goes up top for a Phoenix Splash and he hits it but Erik with a knee to break up the cover. Erik tags in and so does Axiom. Axiom with strikes but Erik with a kick and forearm. Ivar tags in and Erik with a full nelson back breaker and they hit hit a pop up toss power slam to Frazer. Erik and Ivar with Ragnarok for the three count.
Winners: Erik and Ivar
We take a look at LA Knight, Solo Sikoa, and Royce Keys at Fanatics Fest.
We look at what else happened at Fanatics Fest.
Cody is in LOCKER ROOM and Punk shows up.
Punk asks why Gunther.
Cody says Punk should understand.
Punk asks if it is a good idea.
Cody says it isn't a good idea.
Punk says he will go out there and watch Cody's back.
Cody tells Punk to watch on the monitor and enjoy.
We go to commercial.
We are back with a video package for Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns.
Jackie enters Danhausen's lair and she asks about his match at Saturday Night's Main Event.
She asks who is going to help him.
He says he has a secret weapon. He says he has a cat because if you cross a cat, you are cursed.
They leave the lab before the television explodes.
Match Number Four: Cody Rhodes versus Gunther
Cody attacks Gunther from behind and they fight in the aisle. Cody sends Gunther into the apron and then into the ring steps. Cody Irish whips Gunther into the ringside barrier and then sends Gunther into the announce table. Cody sends Gunther into the ring.
The referee starts the match and Cody with punches. Cody lands on his feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt. Gunther stops a springboard move by pushing Cody to the floor. Gunther breaks the count and returns to the floor. Gunther with a back drop driver onto the apron. Gunther with a chop and a slap. Cody with a chop and Gunther with a hard Irish whip and chop. Gunther blocks a slam and he chops Cody. Gunther with a punch. Gunther chokes Cody in the ropes. Gunther with a forearm to the back. Cody with a kick and he tries for a slam but he collapses under Gunther's weight and Gunther gets a near fall.
Gunther with a top wrist lock. Gunther backs Cody into the ropes and Gunther with a back elbow. Gunther with a chop and knees to the midsection. Gunther with a chop. Gunther goes for a belly-to-back suplex but Cody lands on his feet. Gunther catches Ody off the ropes on a springboard move. Cody with a Cody Cutter and then he punches Gunther. Cody with a running forearm n and he floats over and hits a power slam. Cody with Beautiful Disaster and he hits another Cody Cutter. Cody sets for a CrossRhodes but Gunther with a snap mare and chop. Gunther with an Irish whip and Gunther blocks a kick. Gunther kicks Cody in the hamstring and another kick to the back of the leg. Gunther wrings the leg into the ring post.
CM Punk's music plays and he comes to the ring to check on Cody.
Gunther mocks Punk and gets Cody on his shoulders but Cody gets to his feet and both with clotheslines and both are down. They get back to their feet and Cody and Gunther exchange punches. Gunther with a kick Gunther with a chop. Cody avoids a chop and he connects with jabs and he hits the Bionic Elbow. Cody goes for a Pedigree and he hits it, but aggravates his injured knee. Gunther with a chop and he goes for a power bomb and hits it for a near fall. Gunther with a single leg crab. Cody tries to reach for the ropes and Gunther pulls him into the center of the ring. Cody kicks Gunther away. Gunther misses a Yakuza Kick and his leg gets caught on the turnbuckles. Cody with a kick to the leg and a dragon screw. Cody goes for a figure four leg lock.
Sami Zayn comes through the crowd and he attacks Punk. Sami sends Punk over the announce table. Cody releases the hold as Gunther gets to the ropes. Cody sees Sami and Gunther goes for a sleeper. Cody with a suicide dive onto Sami. Cody with a punch and Sami pulls Cody off the apron. The referee calls for the bell
Winner: Cody Rhodes (by disqualification)
Punk with a clotheslines off the announce table to Sami. Punk and Gunther exchange punches while Sami and Cody do the same.
Officials come to the ring and they try to separate the four combatants.
We go to credits.
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