WWE SmackDown Results 08.28.26: Sami Zayn Ruins No. 1 Contender Match

CM Punk during the Men's Royal Rumble match during the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

WWE SmackDown results for August 28, 2026, featured Sami Zayn wreaking havoc during the No. 1 contender match between Kevin Owens, Gunther and Finn Balor. CM Punk also became involved as SmackDown built toward WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event.

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WWE SmackDown Results Championship Chaos & Sunday Night’s Main Event Fallout Main Event No. 1 Contender Triple Threat

Kevin Owens, Gunther and Finn Balor battled for a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship.

⚠️ Result: No Official Finish Women’s Championship Champ Gets Pinned

Nia Jax and Lash Legend defeated Tiffany Stratton and WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green.

🏆 Nia Jax Pins Chelsea Green Women’s United States Championship Jacy Jayne Retains

Paige challenged for the title, but interference from Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid helped Jayne retain.

🏆 Jacy Jayne Retains SmackDown Debut Tatum Paxley Wins

Paxley defeated Michin and showcased her Cemetery Drive finisher ahead of Sunday’s six-woman tag match.

⭐ Paxley’s SmackDown In-Ring Debut 🔥 Biggest Storyline Developments CM Punk / Kevin Owens Owens, Punk, Gunther and Balor collided over the Undisputed WWE Championship picture. Cody Rhodes / Randy Orton Orton delivered a heated response to Rhodes ahead of their WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event showdown. Nikki Bella Turns Up Bella attacked Paige following the Women’s United States Championship match. Sunday Night’s Main Event Multiple SmackDown storylines moved forward heading into Sunday’s event. Quick Take Strong top of the card, weaker middle card

SmackDown advanced the Undisputed WWE Championship picture, intensified Rhodes vs. Orton, and built several matches for WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event.

Kevin Owens Vs. CM Punk Fallout

Owens, after losing his Undisputed WWE Championship match to Punk last week, largely due to Sami Zayn, opened SmackDown with an in-ring promo. Owens explained the various reasons why that night was special to him and how Zayn ruined it, but that’s not where his focus lies right now.

Kevin Owens enters the arena during the WWE Undisputed Championship match during the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Punk heard his name and quickly joined the fray, but even the champ didn’t make it to the ring before being interrupted by “The Ring General” Gunther. Finn Balor returned the favor, interrupting him, as the four stars made different claims. General manager Nick Aldis announced a triple-threat match later in the evening to determine the number one contender.

The Irresistible Forces Vs. Tiffany Stratton & Chelsea Green

The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend) vs. Tiffany Stratton and WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green was the first match of the evening. The match never developed much momentum, with several exchanges feeling slower than the surrounding championship angles. Green continued to work the injury with a face mask, and in the end, it was her downfall. Jax attacked it multiple times to pick up the pinfall victory over the champ.

Paige Vs. Jacy Jayne: WWE Women’s United States Championship

Paige had a shot at Jacy Jayne (with WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid) and her WWE Women’s United States Championship. The lack of athleticism truly ruined their near-fall attempt, with the challenger hitting a slow-motion Paige Turner, and the kickout happening far too early. The finish was also shallow booking, with Henley and Reid helping the champion retain the title.

Nikki Bella, after her recent heel turn, rushed Paige after everyone else cleared. Bella hit her finisher, and the crowd went wild.

Cody Rhodes Vs. Randy Orton: WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event

“The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes cut a promo ahead of his match against “The Viper” Randy Orton at the upcoming WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event. Orton punted Rhodes back at WrestleMania, turning heel at his expense.

Apr 7, 2024; Philadelphia, PA, USA; United States Championship match between Logan Paul and Randy Orton and Kevin Owens during Wrestlemania XL Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Orton didn’t like the dialogue, so he joined Rhodes in the ring, and actually brought genuine heat to that promo. The Viper mentioned that The American Nightmare used to be his chauffeur, that his daughters buried their dog in the backyard, and he called his mother trailer park trash.

Just as it seemed the insults were done, Orton took a shot at his wife, before wearing an ear-to-ear grin. Rhodes tried to bring his opponent’s father into it, but it didn’t land the same. The two will face off at WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event.

Michin Vs. Tatum Paxley

Michin (with B-Fab and Jade Cargill) had a singles match against Tatum Paxley (with Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair), ahead of their upcoming six-woman tag match on Sunday. The match itself was not noteworthy, but Paxley won her SmackDown in-ring debut and showed the audience her finisher, Cemetery Drive.

Kevin Owens Vs. Gunther Vs. Finn Balor

It was time for the number-one contender match, and the guys weren’t concerned about it being on SmackDown, delivering Premium Live Event-quality intensity and physicality. It seemed Balor had the match in hand, when he was pulled out of his pinfall attempt by Zayn, who then knocked out the referee. Another ref rushed down the ramp to count for Owens, but was also taken out by the distraught star.

Nov 21, 2021; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Finn Balor (top) and Seth Rollins (bottom left) attack Sheamus (bottom right) during the men's five on five elimination match during WWE Survivor Series at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Punk tried to stop him, but Zayn knocked out everybody with the Undisputed WWE Championship belt. Owens, Gunther, Balor, Punk, and two referees all lay lifeless around him as the show went off the air, without an official bell to signify the end of the match.

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End Of My WWE SmackDown Results Rant

These WWE SmackDown results advanced the Undisputed WWE Championship picture, intensified the Rhodes-Orton rivalry, and set up matches for the upcoming WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event. It also felt top-heavy, with the middle card failing to deliver this week.

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