WWE SmackDown took place live from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, for this Friday night, September 25, 2026. On the program, Money in the Bank qualifying matches continued.
– Trick Williams retains his United States Championship
– Lash Legend and CM Punk qualify for the Money in the Bank Ladder Match
Summary of WWE SmackDown on September 25, 2026
WWE SmackDown – Indianapolis, Indiana
The commentators were Michael Cole and Corey Graves. The French-language announcers are Christophe Agius and Nadir Mohammedi.
– Tonight it’s WWE SmackDown, the blue brand opens with the long-awaited Steel Cage Match for the United States Championship between Trick Williams and Baron Corbin… This rivalry has dragged on for weeks: it is time for it to end. To the roar of the Indianapolis crowd, the cage lowers, and the participants enter the ring.
United States Championship – Steel Cage Match
Trick Williams (c) vs Baron Corbin
Tension runs high between the two men: Lil Yachty takes advantage to heat up the arena. The United States Champion comes out strong, focusing his attack on the challenger. But with his power, Baron quickly gains the upper hand and dominates the bout for long stretches. Corbin attempts to escape the cage first, but Williams won’t let him. The two rivals do not hesitate to fight atop the cage itself.
Baron Corbin kicks the door of the cage, the door slamming into the rapper as well. To seek revenge, just as the challenger was about to exit the cage, Lil Yachty struck Baron Corbin with the steel door. Simultaneously, Corbin rises to his feet after a Trick Shot to the surprise of everyone, and Trick Williams escapes from a Deep Six. But ultimately, with a bloodied mouth, Trick Williams retains his US title by hitting three Book End finisher moves on his opponent… What a victory!
Winner : Trick Williams
– Accompanied by her friend Nia Jax, Lash Legend issued a message to her two opponents for the night, Giulia and Charlotte Flair. This Friday in Indianapolis, these three wrestlers will have a chance to qualify for Money in the Bank in two weeks’ time.
– While CM Punk trains backstage for his qualifying match against Gunther and Finn Balor, SmackDown’s general manager Nick Aldis asks him to come to his office. What does Aldis want to tell him? Aldis wants Punk and Owens to calm down so as not to disrupt the qualification matches. The two men confronted each other in the GM’s office.
– Behind the scenes, Chelsea Green looks panicked at the idea of the next Miss Money in the Bank cashing in on her. Tiffany Stratton and Paige try to reassure her. Then Nikki Bella threatens the WWE Champion…
Money in the Bank Qualifying Match – Triple Threat
Charlotte Flair vs Giulia vs Lash Legend
From the opening bell, Giulia and Lash Legend clash: the Japanese star viciously slaps the Boujee Bully, before Charlotte Flair intervenes in the confrontation. The three women brawl on the outside, but through sheer power, Lash Legend dictates the pace this Friday. And after an exciting contest, it is Lash Legend who qualifies for the ladder match! She lands a Lash Extension on the former United States Champion to pin her shoulders to the mat.
Winner : Lash Legend
– Michael Cole reveals that Randy Orton appeared just before the show to demand an interview. He too has things to say, especially in light of his rival Cody Rhodes’ remarks last week. In conversation with the announcer, the Viper spoke his truth. He asked Cole if he really thought The American Nightmare would take his head off. Cole replied no.
– While recovering from his painful loss, Giulia was provoked by her rival Blake Monroe. The Japanese wrestler did not hesitate to slap the Englishwoman. The two wrestlers fought, and Nick Aldis stepped in, announcing that they will settle the score next week on SmackDown. And this time, it will indeed take place.
– WWE Champion Sami Zayn remains visibly on edge… The Canadian is convinced he’s still being held back by this injustice: no one wants to see him champion here. Sami was quickly interrupted by Finn Balor, who also wants the title. Johnny Gargano wants his opportunity as well. Sami tells Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae that he has asked Nick Aldis to include them in Money in the Bank Ladder Match qualifying bouts. The champion tries to manipulate them once again…
Tag Team Match – 3 on 3
Chelsea Green, Paige & Tiffany Stratton vs Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid)
Fallon Henley and Paige start the bout. The Tag Team Champion attempted to show disrespect to the veteran Paige, but she didn’t stand for it, landing a strike. Thanks to their long-time teamwork, Fatal Influence dominated the three-on-three affair in Indianapolis. Amid the crowd’s cheers, the WWE Champion came out to neutralize the trio. But ultimately, due to Nikki Bella interfering behind the referee, Paige falls to Jacy Jayne’s Rolling Encore…
Winners: Fatal Influence
– Interviewed by Cathy Kelley, Gunther focuses on Finn Balor for his Money in the Bank qualifying match. The Austrian was interrupted by Danhausen, and tensions quickly escalated…
– WWE brings drama with the last two qualifying matches! On the women’s side, Tatum Paxley, Tiffany Stratton and Candice LeRae will battle to earn this ticket, while on the men’s side, Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens and Johnny Gargano also aim to secure a place in the ladder match in New Orleans.
– Cody Rhodes returns as a hero and wants to address first the match against CM Punk at SummerSlam. His defeat, due to Randy Orton, still rankles. But The American Nightmare faces his recent past and makes things clear: he will not hesitate anymore. Cody will go after Randy Orton’s head, and he is not the only one in danger… As the Atlanta native prepared to leave, CM Punk arrived and the two faced off before the main event began.
Money in the Bank Qualifying Match – Triple Threat
CM Punk vs Finn Balor vs Gunther
Gunther and Finn Balor wasted no time after one another. CM Punk tried to intervene in the fray, but the Austrian delivered his punishing armlocks. The Ring General dominated the bout. Finn Balor and Punk were forced to team up to counter Gunther. Just as Balor had connected his Coup de Grace for the win, the former NXT UK Champion interrupted the pin by pulling the referee out of the way. The finishers of each competitor followed in rapid succession. But while Finn Balor had just applied his Coup de Grace on the back of Gunther pinning Punk in a Sleeper Hold, the Chicago native seized the opportunity to pin Gunther… Thanks to this opportunistic victory, CM Punk will participate in this year’s ladder match as the elder statesman!
Winner: CM Punk