WWE SmackDown Spoilers From 8/28 Taping In Cleveland Reportedly Revealed

Matches feature CM Punk defending his championship against Johnny Gargano, Penta becoming the new number one contender against Roman Reigns, and multiple new team debuts.

Professional wrestling fans received an early look at forthcoming autumn programming this week following a pair of television tapings in Ohio.

Sami Zayn Makes His Case as CM Punk Fends Off Johnny Gargano on SmackDown

The Friday night episode scheduled for September 4 kicks off with Sami Zayn explaining his recent interferences around the promotion. Zayn defends his actions by arguing that only a good guy should hold the Undisputed WWE Championship, asserting that he is that person and demanding his shot at the title before anyone else. His declarations prompt immediate confrontations from GUNTHER, Finn Balor, and Kevin Owens.

Later in the program, the current Undisputed Champion CM Punk offers Johnny Gargano a pep talk that quickly escalates into an impromptu title challenge. Gargano accepts the proposal after leaping out of a comatose state to the champion’s astonishment.

Tag Team Debuts and Championship Bouts Set for September 11 in Mexico City

The SmackDown card also features the debut of a new tag team pairing. Shinsuke Nakamura and Hiromu Takahashi—the former New Japan Pro-Wrestling star now performing alongside Nakamura as Bakusai—secured a victory over The Miz and Kit Wilson in their first match together. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton exchanged verbal barbs ahead of their scheduled encounter at Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6.

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In the women’s division, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis informed WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green that she will defend her title against Nia Jax on September 11 in Mexico City. Jax subsequently defeated Tiffany Stratton. Additional matches booked for the Mexico City show include a physical confrontation between Paige and Nikki Bella, following Paige approaching Bella during a backstage interview. In other women’s action, Tatum Paxley and Charlotte Flair picked up a non-title win over Women’s Tag Team Champions Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid, while Giulia settled scores with Blake Monroe.

Raw Taping Brings Intercontinental Contendership and Brotherly Rivalry

The Monday night episode taped alongside SmackDown establishes fresh challengers for Raw’s championship divisions. Raquel Rodriguez successfully defended her WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship against former titleholder Sol Ruca, aided by an interference from Lyra Valkyria. In another women’s segment, a vignette aired promoting the forthcoming main roster debut of former WWE NXT and AAA standout Lola Vice, while Becky Lynch and Stephanie Vaquer exchanged backstage words ahead of Vaquer’s upcoming Women’s World Championship match against Liv Morgan on September 7.

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Men’s division action saw Dragon Lee defeat Ethan Page to earn the position of number one contender for Chad Gable’s Intercontinental Championship. Additionally, AAA Mega Champion “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio and JD McDonagh defeated Je’Von Evans and Joe Hendry following an interference by McDonagh in Mysterio’s singles match against Evans. Paul Heyman also appeared to address the impending clash between Oba Femi and Bron Breakker at Sunday Night’s Main Event.

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The Bloodline Turmoil Sets Up Roman Reigns’ Next Challenger

Backstage drama involving The Bloodline intensified when Royce Keys and OTM ambushed Jimmy and Jey Uso. Jacob Fatu intervened to clear the attackers before taking to the ring to call them out directly.

Before Roman Reigns learned whether Penta or Rey Fenix would emerge as his next World Heavyweight Championship challenger for the September 14 event in Mexico City, he engaged in a heated in-ring promo exchange with LA Knight. During their confrontation, broadcast cameras cut backstage to reveal Solo Sikoa laid out.

The evening culminated in a brother-versus-brother main event where Penta defeated Fenix to claim the status of number one contender. The OTC then returned to the ring, locking eyes with Penta and raising his championship in the air as his new challenger watched on.