Overview
- The Aug. 28 taped SmackDown in Ottawa ended with Sami Zayn attacking Kevin Owens, GUNTHER and Finn Balor and then assaulting champion CM Punk, which turned the scheduled triple‑threat title‑shot match into a disqualification or no‑contest.
- Chelsea Green made an in‑ring return wearing a protective face mask just 14 days after an on‑screen broken orbital storyline and, according to spoilers, teamed with Tiffany Stratton in a loss to Nia Jax and Lash Legend.
- Jacy Jayne retained the Women’s United States Championship against Paige, and Nikki Bella attacked Paige after the match, shifting momentum for the women’s division.
- Tatum Paxley won her first SmackDown match by defeating Michin and Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton had another heated verbal exchange backstage, both items building other storylines ahead of Sunday Night’s Main Event.
- WWE appears to be using repeated interference and no‑contest finishes to prolong the Punk–Owens–Zayn angle, which affects who will challenge for the Undisputed title and raises questions about medical clearance decisions and wrestler safety as the promotion builds to Money in the Bank.