The September 25 edition of WWE SmackDown delivered a loaded night of championship action, Money in the Bank qualifying matches and several major developments heading into the next stage of the WWE schedule.
With the Money in the Bank Ladder Matches taking shape, the stakes were high from the opening bell. The night featured Trick Williams defending the United States Championship against Baron Corbin inside a Steel Cage, while CM Punk, Gunther and Finn Bálor battled for a spot in the men’s Money in the Bank match.
And by the time the night ended, CM Punk and Lash Legend had secured their places in the Money in the Bank Ladder Matches.
Trick Williams Survives Baron Corbin
The show opened with a brutal United States Championship Steel Cage Match between champion Trick Williams and Baron Corbin.
The cage gave their long-running rivalry an appropriately intense setting, with both men looking to settle their differences without outside interference becoming the deciding factor.
Corbin came dangerously close to taking the championship, including a spectacular superplex that sent Williams crashing from the top of the cage.
Williams refused to stay down.
After surviving Corbin’s best shots — including kicking out of the Trick Shot — the champion eventually regained control.
Williams hit three consecutive Book Ends to finally put Corbin away and retain the United States Championship.
The match felt like it could serve as the definitive conclusion to their feud.
Lash Legend Earns Her Money in the Bank Spot
The women’s Money in the Bank picture gained another entrant when Lash Legend defeated Charlotte Flair and Giulia in a Triple Threat qualifying match.
The match became increasingly chaotic as all three competitors looked for an opening.
Giulia appeared to have the victory within reach after taking out Charlotte with the Arrivederci/Northern Lights Bomb combination.
Before she could make the cover, however, Lash Legend intercepted her.
Legend hit the Lash Extension and scored the pinfall, officially qualifying for the Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
It was another important step for Legend as she continues to establish herself on the SmackDown roster.
Fatal Influence Takes Down Chelsea, Tiffany and Paige
The women’s division also delivered a six-woman tag-team confrontation.
Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid, collectively known as Fatal Influence, faced WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green, Tiffany Stratton and Paige.
The match was competitive, but outside interference ultimately played a major role.
Nikki Bella interfered against Paige, allowing Jacy Jayne to capitalize.
Jayne hit Paige with the Rolling Encore, giving Fatal Influence the victory.
Nikki’s involvement adds another layer to the increasingly personal situation surrounding Paige.
Randy Orton Sends a Message to Cody Rhodes
One of the night’s biggest storyline segments didn’t involve a match.
Randy Orton demanded an interview with Michael Cole and made it clear that he doesn’t believe Cody Rhodes has the killer instinct necessary to do what needs to be done.
Rhodes eventually responded with a message of his own.
The American Nightmare promised that he would kick Orton’s head off his shoulders, making it clear that he has no intention of backing down.
The confrontation continues to build tension between two competitors with a considerable amount of history between them.
CM Punk, Gunther and Finn Bálor Steal the Show
The main event featured one of the most anticipated Money in the Bank qualifying matches of the night:
CM Punk vs. Gunther vs. Finn Bálor.
All three brought completely different styles into the match.
Gunther relied on his trademark physicality and punishment.
Bálor used his speed and opportunistic offense.
Punk relied on experience, timing and veteran instincts.
The final sequence was outstanding.
Gunther had Punk trapped in the Sleeper, appearing to be seconds away from winning.
Bálor suddenly entered the equation and hit Gunther with the Coup de Grace.
That attack took Gunther out of position, but Bálor wasn’t able to capitalize quickly enough.
Punk recovered, rolled onto Gunther and scored the pinfall.
CM Punk qualified for the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
It was a classic Punk finish — survive, wait for the opening and take advantage when everyone else is down.
Sami Zayn and Johnny Gargano Continue Their Alliance
Another important storyline involved Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn and Johnny Gargano.
Zayn and Gargano continued working toward their agreement, with Gargano looking for his opportunity at the championship.
The situation became increasingly complicated as other Superstars entered the Money in the Bank picture.
The dynamic between the two continues to be one of the more interesting political storylines on SmackDown because neither man can completely ignore his own ambitions.
Giulia and Blake Monroe Settle on a Match
Backstage, tensions between Giulia and Blake Monroe boiled over again.
After another physical confrontation, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis stepped in and officially made a match between the two competitors for next week’s show.
That gives SmackDown another significant women’s match heading into the next episode.
Final Thoughts
The September 25 edition of SmackDown was built around one major theme:
opportunity.
Trick Williams successfully defended his United States Championship, Lash Legend secured a Money in the Bank spot, and CM Punk earned another chance to put himself in position for a future world championship opportunity.
The biggest match of the night belonged to Punk, Gunther and Bálor. Their Triple Threat delivered the kind of physical, unpredictable action that makes Money in the Bank qualifying matches worthwhile.
Punk’s victory also puts him back into a familiar environment.
The Money in the Bank Ladder Match is where Punk became one of WWE’s most recognizable stars, and now he has another opportunity to capture the briefcase.
Meanwhile, the Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton rivalry continues to simmer, Paige’s problems with Nikki Bella are getting more personal, and the women’s Money in the Bank field continues to grow.
Overall: SmackDown delivered a strong mix of wrestling and storyline advancement, with the final Triple Threat providing the night’s biggest payoff.
WDEP Radio Take: The CM Punk-Gunther-Finn Bálor match was the clear centerpiece, while Trick Williams’ Steel Cage victory provided a satisfying chapter to his rivalry with Baron Corbin. With Money in the Bank rapidly approaching, SmackDown is doing a good job making the briefcase feel like a major prize rather than simply another match on the calendar.
