WWE SmackDown Results – July 17, 2026 – Fallout From Gunther’s Attack on Nick Aldis, Cody Rhodes & CM Punk Appears, Finn Balor vs. Talla Tonga

WWE SmackDown Results
Jul 17, 2026

July 17, 2026
Albany, NY – MVP Arena
Commentary: Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett
Results via Jerome Wilen of WrestleView.com

Quick Match Results

  1. Finn Balor defeated Talla Tonga via Coup de Grace (pinfall)
  2. Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Qualifier match – Tiffany Stratton defeated Jacy Jayne via Prettiest Moonsault Ever (pinfall)
  3. Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Qualifier match – Jade Cargill defeated Nia Jax via Disqualification
  4. War Raiders defeated Fraxiom via Ragnarok (pinfall)
  5. Cody Rhodes defeated Gunther via Disqualification

Video: CM Punk, Sami Zayn, Cody Rhodes, Gunther, Nick Aldis

The show begins with a recap of CM Punk defeating Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship. We then go to a package with the issues between Gunther and Nick Aldis.

In-Ring: Gunther, Adam Pearce, Cody Rhodes

The show begins with a recap of CM Punk defeating Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship. We then go to a package with the issues between Gunther and Nick Aldis.

We go live inside the arena, as the lights are down and Gunther’s music hits. The Ring General makes his way out and down to the ring. Gunther has a mic in hand, as the fans boo him. He tries to get a word in, but before he can start, the fans boo him and begin a loud “You Suck” chant. He shakes his head no. He starts to address the elephant in the room. He says that he his entire career he has tried to be a professional, but ever since he came to SmackDown, he has been mistreated. He says Nick must be jealous and he (Gunther) is the best and everyone knows it. Gunther says Nick Aldis is the one who is keeping him from champion and keeping it personal, being forced to team up with Sami Zayn vs. Cody Rhodes and CM Punk. Gunther says Sami is beneath him and he won’t stand for it.

Acting SmackDown GM Adam Pearce interrupts him. Pearce says he should thank Nick Aldis for saving his job. Pearce hits the ring and reminds Gunther he choked out Aldis. Pearce says if this was Monday, Gunther would be fired. Aldis begged the higher-ups to keep the match on SNME. Pearce says he doesn’t get. Pearce says if he had waited, if he and Zayn win at SNME he – Gunther is added to SummerSlam and the title match becomes a fatal 4-Way.

Cody Rhodes music hits, as he makes way out and then runs to the ring, attacking Gunther, sending him to the floor. Cody says “ENOUGH” – another stipulation and where is the logic. Cody says Gunther won’t make it pass SNME. Cody says its Friday night and he is ready – one on one tonight! Cody says he just needs Mr. Pearce to give it the okay. The fans go crazy. Pearce says, “Mr. Rhodes, it is official!” The fans go wild!

We go to commentary talking about SNME tomorrow night, on how the main event is now a must see.

Video: Adam Pearce

Adam Pearce makes an announcement, that Rhea Ripley will not be able to compete at SummerSlam. Beginning tonight will begin the start to have ladder match qualifiers for an interim Women’s Champion crowned at SummerSlam.

Pre-Show Arrivals

Backstage arrivals of Jadi Cargill, Tiffany Stratton and Fatal Influence.

Finn Balor vs. Talla Tonga

The music of Finn Balor hits, as he makes his way out and down to the ring for our first match of the night.

Back from the break, we have an outside shot of the MVP Arena and the Albany area. Balor is in the ring, as his music continues.

Next up, the music of Talla Tonga, as he makes his way out with Tama behind him. They make their way slowly and head to the ring.

The bell rings as they attempt a test of strength. Finn gets Talla in the corner. Talla goes for a chop, but Balor ducks and chops the left leg of Talla, but he takes down Finn and stomps on him. Talla sends Balor to the corner, as he falls on is face. Balor is set up on the second rope, as Talla uses it to choke out Finn. Talla scoops up Finn, but he escapes and sends Talla to the apron. Finn runs the ropes, but Talla won’t go down. Talla sends Finn to the top turnbuckle, as he falls to the mat.

Back from the break, Talla sends Finn to the corner and then powerslams him. Talla covers Finn, but he kicks out at two. Finn comes back and kicks Talla. He connects with a running drop kick, then drops Talla on his back. Finn grabs Talla, but Talla drops Balor on his back. Finn is on the apron. Finn kicks Talla in the head. He goes to the top rope, but Talla is up and grabs Finn, but Finn counters with a big DDT! Finn goes for a shotgun drop kick, but is met with a big boot. Talla covers Finn for only a two count. Talla miss a running kick to Finn. Finn then takes down Tama on the floor with a sling blade. Finn drop kicks Talla and lands on him with a Coup de Grâce and then lands a second. Finn covers Talla to get the win.

Winner: Finn Balor via Pinfall.

Backstage: Adam Pearce, CM Punk, Damian Priest, R-Truth

We go backstage with CM Punk talking to Adam Pearce about the stipulation for SummerSlam if Gunther and Zayn win at SNME. Punk says he is going to talk to Cody, but runs into Damian Priest and says he appreciates the shout out last week. Priest says that he hopes Punk has title after SummerSlam because he will coming after him. Punk then says he and Cody will go after the tag titles and he will be a double champion. R-Truth sneaks up from behind after Punk leaves.

Video: Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, Jacy Jayne, Tiffany Stratton

We go to a vignette with Jade Cargill, Nia Jax, Jacy Jayne, Tiffany Stratton on whow they all will win tonight and go to SummerSlam to win the Women’s Title.

Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Qualifier Match
Tiffany Stratton vs. Jacy Jayne

Back in the venue, the lights are out, as Tiffany Stratton’s music hits. She makes her way out for the Interim Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier.

Back from the break, the music of Fatal Attraction hits, as the faction make their way out and down to the ring.

Fatal Attraction attack Stratton as the bell has not rung yet. The music of the women’s tag champs run out to make the save! Fallon Henley and Laney Reid and the women’s tag champs fight to the back.

The rings, as Stratton goes after Jacy from behind. Jacy comes back, but Stratton fires back with a big chop. Stratton trips Jacy and then connects with a big running drop kick and covers her only a two count.

Back from the break, Jacy covers Stratton for a two count. Jacy lays into Stratton, but she comes back…both women take each other down with running crossbody’s. Both women come back. Jacy kicks Tiffany, dropping her to the mat. Stratton comes back with lariats on Jacy and a spinning elbow. Stratton drops Jacy with an Alabama slam. Tiffany is up top, but Jacy is up and slams the top rope. Jayne grabs Stratton and drops her with a with a hanging neck breaker. Stratton comes back with a cutter off the ropes…Tiffany hits the PME on Jayne and covers her for the win.

Winner: Tiffany Stratton via Pinfall.

Video: Baron Corbin

We go to a vignette with Baron Corbin, who made his surprise return last week. Corbin has his sights set on the US Championship.

Backstage: Trick Williams, Carmelo Hayes

Backstage, Jackie Redmond is with Trick Williams, who addresses Baron Corbin, calling him a big bald headed “b—” Carmelo Hayes comes in. Williams says he wants an apology for next week. Hayes says that Trick found a loophole not to defend the title against, because he is not better than him (Hayes). Williams asks Hayes what he has done since he’s been on SmackDown.

Video: Paul Heyman, Brock Lesnar, Oba Femi

Back from the break, we get a hype video package for the Hell in a Cell match with Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar that will take place at SummerSlam.

Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Qualifier Match
Nia Jax vs. Jade Cargill

Nia Jax is already in the ring and gets her ring introduction from Mark Nash.

The lights go out in the venue, as the music of Jade Cargill hits. She makes her way out and down to the ring with her baddies (Michin and B-Fab).

The bell rings, as Jax picks up Jade and is dropped. Jax covers Jade for a two count. Jax is up on the second rope and comes down, but Jade moves and then slam Nia. Charlotte Flair is at ringside and takes out Michin. Charlotte hits the ring as this match is over. Flair grabs a steel chair and sets it on the arm of Jade and goes to stop on it, but Michin and B-Fab make the save. It is announced that Cargill wins by disqualification.

Winner: Jade Cargill via Disqualification.

Jax, upset, takes out Flair from behind. Jade picks up Charlotte and drops her with the Jaded.

Backstage: Gunther, Candice LeRae, Johnny Gargano, Blake Monroe

We go backstage with Jackie Redmond talking to Gunther about his match at SNME and the chance to be in a fatal-four way at SummerSlam. Gunther calls Cody Rhodes a golden boy. Candice LaRae wheels in Johnny Garagno and says that she and Gargano needs this win. Gunther says that Sami needs to shut up and stay out of his way. Blake Monroe runs in from behind and attacks Candice, taking her out, then introducing herself as the new girl. Blake walks past Gargano and tells him he needs a haircut.

Backstage: Adam Pearce, The Irresistible Forces

Backstage, Jax with Lash Legend is upset and tells Pearce about how she lost. Next week, it will be Jax vs. Charlotte Flair in a ladder qualifying match.

Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) vs. War Raiders (Ivar & Erik)

The bell rings as Nathan Frazer is taken down by Erik. He comes back and tags in Ivar. Ivar sends Frazer to the corner as Erik is tagged in. Erik nails Frazer, sending him down. Axiom is tagged in. He and Frazer send War Raiders to the floor. Axiom comes off the top with a huge moonault on Erik and Ivar.

Back from the break, Frazer misses with a splash. Axiom is tagged in. Ivar comes in and takes out Fraxiom. He stacks them on each other and comes off with a moonsault, but Fraxiom moves out of the way. Axiom kicks Ivar. Frazon comes off with a 450 on Ivar and covers him for a near fall. Ivar catches Axiom and then sends him down with a spin kick. Erik is tagged in. He picks up Axiom and slams him. Frazer makes the save, avoiding Axiom getting pinned. Axiom sends Erik to the floor. Frazer runs the ropes and misses hitting Ivar and hits the edge of the announce table. Frazer leaps over the top, taking out Erik on the floor. Axiom kicks Ivar. Fraxiom superplexes Ivar off the top! Frazer hits a big Phoenix splash and covers Ivar, but Erik makes the save, to avoid a pin.

The fans are loving this match! Erik and Axiom are tagged in. Erik picks up Axiom and then grabs Frazer who is in and drops him on his back. Erik and Ivar pick up Axiom and drop him, with Ivar covering Axiom for the win.

Winner: Fraxiom via Pinfall.

Video: LA Knight, Solo Sikoa, Royce Keys

We go to an earlier today at Fanatics Fest NYC with LA Knight, Royce Keys and Solo Sikoa, with Knight trash talking Jey and Jimmy Uso. We get more highlights of Fanatics Fest.

Backstage: Cody Rhodes, CM Punk

Backstage segment with Cody Rhodes and CM Punk. Punk asks Cody if the match against Gunther is a good idea. Punk says he will watch Cody’s back. Cody tells him he catch watch from the back on a monitor. Cody tells Punk he will see him tomorrow.

Video: Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins

We get a video package hyping up Seth Rollins challenging Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Title at SummerSlam.

WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Show Card Rundown

Commentary runs down the card for tomorrow night’s SNME at Madison Square Garden.

Backstage: Danhausen

We go backstage with Jackie Redmond talking to Danhausen about his opponent JD McDonagh at SNME. Danhausen pulls out a cat cage and says if you cross paths with a black cat, you are cursed…things start act like they will explode. He tells Jackie to run before she is cursed.

Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes

Back in the venue, Gunther’s music hits, as Cody attacks him from behind as soon as he makes his way out. Cody sends Gunther into the barricade, then head first into the ring apron. Both men are in the ring, as the bell ring rings.

Cody goes for a springboard, but Gunther pushes him to the outside.

Back from the break, Gunther is in control. He chops Cody and then connects with a knee to the mid-section. Gunther drops Cody and then picks him up. Cody runs the ropes, connects with a cutter on Gunther. Cody tries to take Gunther down. He then scoop slams Gunther. Cody connects with another cutter on Gunther! Cody goes for a CrossRhodes, but Gunther blocks it. Gunther levels Cody with a big kick, dropping Cody. Gunther grabs Cody and sends him left leg into the ring post. CM Punk’s music hits, as the champion makes his way to the ringside area to cheer on Cody. Gunther signals for a GTS, looking at Punk. Both men take each other down with a double lariat!

Back from the break, Gunther has Cody in a half crab. Cody tries to make his way to the bottom rope, but Gunther pulls him away. Cody fights out of the hold. Gunther charges at Cody, but misses. Cody takes down Gunther with a dragon screw and then applies a figure four. Sami Zayn comes out and takes out Punk at ringside. Zayn sends Punk over the announce table. Cody dives over the ropes, taking out Sami. Cody is then sent into the ring post by Sami.

Winner: Cody Rhodes via Disqualification.

Gunther grabs Cody, but Punk comes off from the announce desk. Punk and Gunther brawl, Sami and Punk brawl. Officials hits the ring to break up the chaos, as the show goes off the air.

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