CM Punk

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WWE appears to be heading toward a packed house for this week’s SmackDown, with more than 14,000 tickets reportedly sold for the August 21 episode in Toronto after the company saw much smaller crowds for some SmackDown events only a few weeks ago. Friday Night SmackDown will take place on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. WWE's television broadcast begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on USA Network and internationally on Netflix. WWE is promoting CM Punk, Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes, Charlotte Flair and Sami Zayn among the featured names for the show. The biggest story heading into the event is the ticket count. According to a ticket-sales update, WWE has already moved more than 14,000 tickets, with the event expected to approach or reach a sellout. That represents a sharp rise compared with SmackDown events from only a few weeks earlier that were reportedly drawing around the 5,000 range. The surge comes despite SmackDown's decline in television viewership last week. According to Wrestlenomics data, the August 14 episode averaged 1.247 million viewers on USA Network, down from 1.470 million viewers on August 7. The 18-49 rating also dropped from 0.35 to 0.30. While the TV numbers moved in the opposite direction, WWE has loaded the Toronto event with one of SmackDown's strongest attractions in recent weeks.

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Paul Heyman has spent decades working alongside some of WWE’s biggest stars, but he has never been comfortable with being labeled simply as a “manager.” During his appearance on Six Feet Under, Heyman explained why he deliberately tried to change the role rather than be defined by its traditional image. Heyman recalled breaking into the wrestling business in 1987, when several veterans told him that managing was becoming a dying role. He said J.J. Dillon, Jim Cornette, Dusty Rhodes and Jim Ross were among those who encouraged him to become a commentator instead. “When I broke in in 1987, I was told by everybody that, Be a commentator. Why? Because a manager is a dead role. Everyone told me this. J.J. Dillon told it to me. Jim Cornette told me. And literally, I mean...” Heyman said Vince McMahon also gave him similar advice, telling him that the traditional manager role was disappearing and would eventually be replaced by other types of on-screen personalities. “Oh, well, you gotta transition over to be a commentator or something, because that manager, it's a dying role. It's gonna be beautiful women, to accompany the men to the ring, and one or two very, very old-timers.” Rather than leave the role behind, Heyman decided to reshape it. He wanted his work to feel different from what previous managers had done and eventually developed his own approach to working with wrestlers. “So my goal early on was to change that role, was to evolve it into something else. You know, wrestlers weren't wrestlers. They were superstars. Right. Elevate the role, do something different with it. So I don't get compared to anybody else. So I can find my own niche in the business to where I can say I'm the best that's ever done that role.” Heyman also explained that when he returned as part of the Dangerous Alliance, he asked to be called the CEO of the Dangerous Alliance rather than a manager because he felt the title represented the past. “When I came back to being a manager, which was in the Dangerous Alliance, I asked to be the CEO of the Dangerous Alliance so that I wasn't labeled a manager. Because I always figured, wow, that's the past. Let's not call it a manager because I'm just reminding people of a role that no longer exists.”Heyman’s career has since seen him work alongside Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, CM Punk and other top WWE stars, with his role often extending far beyond simply speaking for them.

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Roman Reigns’ transformation into The Tribal Chief changed the direction of his WWE career. After returning in 2020, Reigns aligned with Paul Heyman and moved away from the “Big Dog” persona that had defined much of his earlier run. He became a colder, more controlling figure who demanded understanding and established himself as the head of his family. Heyman has now explained that the character was not simply something Reigns performed during WWE television. The two worked on making Reigns understand The Tribal Chief so deeply that he could carry the character even when he was not cutting a promo or wrestling a match. While speaking on Six Feet Under with The Undertaker, Heyman recalled how he would deliberately speak to Reigns as The Tribal Chief during ordinary conversations, forcing him to think and respond as the character rather than simply memorizing lines. “When Roman and I first got put together, We would talk on the phone and at times I'd just out of the blue in the middle of a conversation talking about, you know, just how does your lawn look today? And just completely off topic, I'd say, what'd you have for breakfast today? Oh, you know, this many eggs and, you know, a bowl of oatmeal, whatever. Great, what did the tribal chief have? And I'd want him to talk to me as the tribal chief. And not just for a promo, like for five minutes. Talk to me for a while. Spend a half hour on the phone with me as the tribal chief. Do small talk with me as the tribal chief.” Heyman said the purpose was to make Reigns completely comfortable with the identity of the character. Instead of thinking about what Roman Reigns would say, he wanted Reigns to understand what The Tribal Chief would say and how he would behave in everyday situations. “Did the tribal chief take his kids to school today? Did the tribal chief pick his kids up from school today? What was that conversation like? So that just he learns how to... Walk in the skin of that character so much that he's just as comfortable being the tribal chief Roman Reigns as he is being Joe Anawai.” That approach became especially useful because The Tribal Chief was closely connected to Reigns’ real-life family background. Heyman explained that Reigns genuinely occupied a position of authority within the Anoaʻi family. “He is the head of his table. He is the tribal chief of that family. He legitimately is. And there always was. For a while, it was Afa and Sika together. Right. And Afa would handle the business, and Sika was the muscle. And then Rodney stepped up. Rodney, yeah. And for a while it was Junior. Junior was the undisputed head of that family for a long time. And it was time for Joe.” The partnership between Reigns and Heyman began in August 2020, shortly after Reigns returned from his hiatus. Heyman became his Special Counsel, later taking on the “Wise Man” identity, while Reigns built The Bloodline around his position as The Tribal Chief. The storyline eventually became one of WWE’s central stories for several years. Reigns’ battles with Jey Uso established the family dynamic, while The Usos, Solo Sikoa and other members of the Anoaʻi family were gradually brought into the story. Reigns’ championship run also became closely tied to the Bloodline narrative. Heyman believes the success came from treating every performer as an individual rather than trying to repeat what had worked with another wrestler. “What worked with Brock did not work with Roman. And what worked with Roman did not work with CM Punk. And what worked with CM Punk did not work with you or with Steve or with Rob Van Dam or anybody else that I've worked with. Everyone's an individual and we need to create and act like a marriage, like a professional marriage that I'm here to, if I understand my role right, I'm the supporting player.”

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WrestleMania 42 drew 97,126 fans across its two nights at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, according to newly released figures from the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, reported by Brandon Thurston. The number marks a clear drop from the 118,641 attendees recorded for WrestleMania 41, meaning this year's event drew 21,515 fewer fans across the two nights. Brandon Thurston reported 47,093 fans for Saturday, April 18, and 50,033 for Sunday, April 19. Compared with WrestleMania 41, Saturday was down from 58,538, while Sunday's figure fell from 60,103. Overall, the new figures represent an 18.1% year-over-year decline based on the Stadium Authority's numbers. Despite the lower attendance figure, WrestleMania 42 still featured a packed two-night lineup with several of WWE's biggest names. Night One was headlined by Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton. Rhodes managed to retain the title that also involved Pat McAfee. The situation did not end with the final bell, however, as Orton attacked Rhodes and delivered a Punt Kick to the champion after the match. The first night also featured Gunther defeating Seth Rollins, Liv Morgan defeating Stephanie Vaquer for the Women's World Championship, and Becky Lynch defeating AJ Lee to win the Women's Intercontinental Championship. Paige also made her WWE return and teamed with Brie Bella to win the Women's Tag Team Championship. The second night featured Roman Reigns defeating CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship, while Oba Femi defeated Brock Lesnar in one of the night's featured singles matches. Penta also retained the Intercontinental Championship in a Ladder Match against Je'Von Evans, Dragon Lee, Rusev, JD McDonagh and Rey Mysterio. The latest numbers add another data point to the discussion surrounding WWE's decision to hold WrestleMania in Las Vegas for a second consecutive year. WrestleMania 41 also took place at Allegiant Stadium, but the Stadium Authority recorded 118,641 attendees across the two nights. The decline was not entirely unexpected. WWE President Nick Khan previously acknowledged that bringing WrestleMania back to the same venue in consecutive years could affect the event, saying the decision was ultimately his and suggesting the company might not repeat the arrangement. Even with the decline, WrestleMania 42 remained one of the biggest events in WWE history. The latest figures do, however, show that the Las Vegas return did not bring the same attendance level as the previous year's WrestleMania, with the Stadium Authority recording more than 21,000 fewer attendees across the two nights.

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This Friday, WWE SmackDown will take place live from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on USA Network. For international viewers, WWE programming is available live on Netflix in most regions around the world. The biggest attraction on the card will be CM Punk defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Kevin Owens, while NXT Champion Oba Femi has also been advertised for the event. SmackDown Confirmed Match Card August 21, 2026 CM Punk (c) vs. Kevin Owens – Undisputed WWE Championship The only match officially announced for the August 21 episode of SmackDown is CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens for the Undisputed WWE Championship. The match was set after Owens earned his title opportunity by winning a Fatal 4-Way No. 1 Contender's Match against Sami Zayn, Gunther and Finn Bálor at SummerSlam. Owens had also returned from a potentially career-ending injury at the event. The rivalry became more personal on the August 14 episode of SmackDown when Punk and Owens went face-to-face. Their confrontation touched on their past outside WWE and their time in the independent wrestling scene. Owens made it clear that he has wanted the opportunity to face Punk, while the champion questioned whether Owens had lived up to his potential. WWE has now moved the rivalry from the microphone to the ring, with the Undisputed WWE Championship on the line in Toronto. Oba Femi advertised for SmackDown Oba Femi has also been advertised for the Toronto show, although WWE has not announced what he will be doing on the episode. Scotiabank Arena itself promoted Femi's appearance, noting that “The Ruler” will be in Toronto fresh off his SummerSlam victory over Brock Lesnar. Because no match or opponent has been announced for Femi, his appearance should not be listed as an official match at this point. He could appear in a singles match, a confrontation or another segment. Predicted WWE SmackDown Card – August 21, 2026 Randy Orton could target Cody Rhodes Another possible development on Friday night involves Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. Orton has repeatedly targeted Rhodes in recent weeks, and their feud has continued to grow ahead of their scheduled singles match at Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6. With the match around the corner, WWE could use the August 21 episode of SmackDown to show a little preview of what's coming later. One possible scenario is for Cody Rhodes to defeat Kevin Owens, only for Randy Orton to appear afterward and attack him. Rhodes could celebrate his victory or address the crowd following the match before Orton strikes. The attack would give Orton another opportunity to leave his mark on Rhodes before their September 6 showdown, while also allowing WWE to keep their feud separate from the Punk-Owens championship story. Giulia vs. Blake Monroe The two have an ongoing issue, making a match between them a possible addition to the Toronto show. This has been discussed in SmackDown previews, but it is not currently confirmed by WWE. Where and When to Watch WWE SmackDown The show is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on USA Network and in most international markets on Netflix.

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Trick Williams has quickly established himself as one of WWE's most outspoken Superstars, but his confidence has been put to the test whenever he finds himself trading words with CM Punk. Now, Williams has explained why he believes he can stand toe-to-toe with one of the most respected talkers in wrestling history. The verbal tension between Williams and Punk has grown as both Superstars have crossed paths on SmackDown. Punk has made it clear that he is willing to answer challenges from anyone looking to step up to the Undisputed WWE Championship, with Williams among the names mentioned as a potential challenger. Williams has also made no secret of his ambition. Following his rise to the main roster, he has increasingly found himself sharing the spotlight with established stars, including Punk and Cody Rhodes. His confidence has only grown as he has become a regular part of major SmackDown storylines. However, when asked what it is like to trade bars with Punk, Williams did not back down. Instead, he acknowledged Punk's reputation while making it clear that he believes his own ability to talk trash comes from somewhere much deeper than wrestling. “CM Punk is one of the greatest of all time, and he's proven that. You know, he's had his legendary moments when talking the trash talking,” Williams said. “But, you got to understand, Shaq, I come from a long, long line of trash talking who's been passed down from my cells. You know, since a little kid, it's in my DNA to talk trash like only Trick Williams can.” Williams' comments underline an important part of his character. His confidence on the microphone is not something he believes he developed simply after entering WWE. Instead, he views trash talking as part of his personality and something that has been passed down through his family. That is why Williams does not appear intimidated by the experience gap between himself and Punk. While Punk can point to decades of professional wrestling experience, Williams believes that experience does not automatically make him the superior trash talker. “So, if CM Punk thinks that he's ready because he has 30 years of wrestling and WWE experience, he has to understand, my trash talk goes back for decades and decades, you know, all the way back to times that none of us was born,” Williams continued. “So, you know, I'm that level of trash talker.” The comments come at an interesting point in Williams' WWE career. He has already established himself as one of SmackDown's most entertaining personalities, while his United States Championship reign helped elevate his profile even further. WWE has repeatedly placed him in programs and segments alongside some of its biggest names, reinforcing the company's confidence in his ability to hold his own.

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Friday, August 14, 2026, airing live at 8 p.m. ET on Netflix, WWE SmackDown emanated from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. It was a major night for championships, with three titles changing hands. Jacy Jayne defeated Tiffany Stratton to become the new WWE Women’s United States Champion, while Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga captured the WWE Tag Team Championship alongside Haku. Elsewhere, Baron Corbin successfully defended the United States Championship against Carmelo Hayes, CM Punk and Kevin Owens had a heated confrontation ahead of their Undisputed WWE Championship match, and Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton erupted into a wild brawl. Chelsea Green Forced to Relinquish Interim Women’s Championship The show opened with Nick Aldis informing Chelsea Green that he could not allow her to compete with a broken orbital bone. Aldis asked Green to relinquish the Interim Women’s Championship, but she refused, insisting that she had worked too hard to give it up. Aldis eventually gave Green 30 days to get medically cleared and return to action. The segment later turned physical when GUNTHER confronted Green, leading to Matt Cardona coming out to defend his wife. GUNTHER def. Matt Cardona GUNTHER dominated Matt Cardona after Cardona attacked him during the earlier confrontation. Despite Cardona using a low blow and hitting Radio Silence, GUNTHER kicked out and eventually put him in a Boston Crab, forcing Cardona to tap out. Afterward, Nia Jax demanded an Interim Women's Championship opportunity from Green, while Tiffany Stratton came out to help Green before Jax attacked her. Baron Corbin def. Carmelo Hayes to Retain the United States Championship Carmelo Hayes attempted to regain the United States Championship from Baron Corbin, but the champion survived Hayes' offense and finished him with End of Days. Corbin retained the title, although his celebration was cut short when Trick Williams and Lil Yachty attacked him after the match. CM Punk and Kevin Owens Come Face-to-Face CM Punk and Kevin Owens had a tense confrontation ahead of their Undisputed WWE Championship match next week. Owens brought up their history dating back 20 years and accused Punk of being a phony, while Punk fired back by questioning Owens' work ethic. Owens eventually told Punk that he would punch him in the face next week and beat him for the championship. MFT def. Damian Priest & R-Truth and The War Raiders to Win WWE Tag Team Championship Damian Priest and R-Truth defended the WWE Tag Team Championship against The War Raiders and Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga. The chaotic three-way match ended when MFT hit Brother's Keeper on R-Truth, giving Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga the victory and making them the new WWE Tag Team Champions. Haku accompanied the brothers to ringside. Jacy Jayne def. Tiffany Stratton to Win Women's United States Championship Tiffany Stratton put her Women's United States Championship on the line against Jacy Jayne. With assistance from Fatal Influence members Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley, Jayne survived Stratton's biggest attacks and caught her with Rolling Encore to score the victory. Jayne became the new Women's United States Champion. Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Brawl Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton's ongoing issues exploded into another violent confrontation. Orton attacked Rhodes from behind before their scheduled match with Sami Zayn could begin. The two eventually brawled through the crowd and around ringside, with both men using weapons and the environment around them. Officials struggled to separate them as SmackDown went off the air.

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Santino Marella has opened up about his time at Ohio Valley Wrestling and revealed how CM Punk immediately caught his attention long before either man became a major WWE star Speaking to Cody Rhodes on What Do You Wanna Talk About?, Marella reflected on the unique group of wrestlers who came through OVW during the mid-2000s. The developmental territory was home to several future WWE stars, including Rhodes, Punk, Beth Phoenix, John Morrison, Deuce and Domino, and others. Marella admitted that he initially did not understand why everyone at OVW was so excited about Punk. However, that changed quickly once he saw Punk in person and watched him wrestle. “I remember when Punk first came because I didn't watch Ring of Honor and this guy, CM Punk, CM Punk. And I'm like, why is everyone freaking out over this guy?” Marella then explained that Punk had something that was difficult to teach — an aura that immediately separated him from his peers. “And then I see him and he like literally had like an aura around him.” The former WWE star said Punk's wrestling ability made the impression even stronger. Marella recalled watching him perform and realizing that Punk was already operating at a level that many developing wrestlers were still trying to reach. “And then I watched him wrestle. I'm like, are they expecting me to become that good? He was already good.” Punk arrived in OVW in 2005 after establishing himself on the independent wrestling scene, particularly through Ring of Honor. He quickly became one of the standout performers in WWE's developmental system. His OVW run was not simply a period of learning the basics. Punk became a champion in the territory, winning the OVW Television Championship in November 2005 before eventually capturing the OVW Heavyweight Championship in May 2006. Marella also explained that the OVW locker room was packed with talent. Cody Rhodes recalled the atmosphere as well, noting that the group included several wrestlers who would eventually become important names in WWE. The former Intercontinental Champion said that when Punk arrived, he did not initially understand the reaction from the other wrestlers because he had not followed Punk's work in Ring of Honor. But after seeing him perform, Marella understood exactly why people were talking about him. Marella's own WWE career followed a very different path. While Punk became known for his serious, outspoken persona, Marella became one of WWE's most recognizable comedy characters. His in-ring career came to an end in July 2014 after he suffered his third significant neck injury. Marella announced his retirement at a WWE live event in Toronto, telling the crowd that his age and recurring neck problems could mean it was the end of his WWE in-ring career. WWE reported at the time that Marella hoped to remain involved with the company in another capacity. However, his association with WWE continued for another two years. Marella made several appearances for the company after his retirement, including as a guest General Manager, before WWE officially released him on May 6, 2016. WWE confirmed that Marella was among several performers released that day.

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Amazing Red has opened up about his 2005 WWE dark match against CM Punk, revealing that he believed the bout could be his chance to finally earn a WWE contract. However, Red claims several of his signature moves were vetoed before the match, leaving him unable to showcase the style that had made him stand out. Speaking with INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet, Red recalled that he initially expected to wrestle someone else in a quick squash match, but WWE changed the plans and paired him with Punk. His friends, including Jimmy Wang Yang, told him that being booked for a dark match meant WWE could be looking at him for a potential signing. Red said he and Punk discussed ideas for the match, but several of the moves he wanted to perform were rejected. “Being very transparent here where the moves that I wanted to do, Code Red, my Flatliner, my standing shooting star, I wanted to get that out in the world that I made this up at that point because you're on WWE. Once this happens, WWE, it's officially yours. And every time I mentioned something to him, I don't know if it was him, but every time I mentioned something to him, it came back and got vetoed. You can't do a shooting star. Kidman does it. And Kidman is going to get hot. You can't do Code Red because Ray does it and he's going to get hot. And you got this move. You can't do that move.” Red said Jimmy Wang Yang noticed what was happening and told him: “They're kiboshing all your stuff, bro. Purposely.” The match itself did not go the way Red had hoped, and afterward he spoke with John Laurinaitis. Red recalled that Laurinaitis asked about his experience wrestling in a larger ring before telling him, “Well, you look blown up, so, you know, we'll give you a call.” When Red asked what else he needed to improve, Laurinaitis simply replied, “Get bigger.” Red ultimately never received the WWE contract he was hoping for. Looking back, however, he no longer blames Punk for what happened, explaining that both men were simply trying to secure their own opportunities in WWE. “Two guys trying to get a job.” Red added that despite his previous bitterness, he has no hatred toward Punk: “No, no, I don't hate him. I love that dude, honestly.”

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Here are the complete results from WWE's live Summer Tour event, held on August 13, 2026, at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, NH. The show features Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes, Oba Femi, Gunther, Finn Bálor, and many more. WWE Live Event In Manchester Results 8/13/26 WWE Tag Team Championship Match: R-Truth & Damian Priest def. MFT's and the War Raiders. Kevin Owens def. The Miz via pinfall Gunther def. Finn Balor via pinfall World Tag Team Championship Match: Akira Tozawa & Oba Femi def. The Vision via DQ. WWE Women's United States Championship Match: Tiffany Stratton def. Jacy Jayne via DQ Tiffany Stratton, Alexa Bliss, & Charlotte Flair def. Fatal Influence via pinfall WWE United States Championship Match: Baron Corbin def. Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams, and Ricky Saints Street Fight: Cody Rhodes def. Randy Orton via pinfall This is how Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton in a street fight in the main event at #WWEManchester pic.twitter.com/KSOvsEduQG— Still Real To Us (@stillreal2us) August 14, 2026 Oba Femi and Bron Breakker finally clashed tonight at #WWEManchester pic.twitter.com/oZa445BsDn— Still Real To Us (@stillreal2us) August 14, 2026 Kevin Owens hit Danhausen with the Stunner to send a message to CM Punk at #WWEManchester pic.twitter.com/9LLfHBy3ba— Still Real To Us (@stillreal2us) August 14, 2026

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WWE SmackDown's August 7 episode on USA Network drew 1.470 million viewers, up from 1.379 million the previous week, with the 18-49 demo rating also rising to 0.35 from 0.31, per Wrestlenomics. The bump lines up with a stacked post-SummerSlam show from the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The episode opened with a tribute to Dory Funk Jr. following his passing, before Cody Rhodes called out Randy Orton, only to be interrupted by CM Punk, who said he didn't know about Orton's return. Kevin Owens confronted Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk, setting up tension for the title picture, while Owens and Sami Zayn also had a heated backstage argument after Zayn expressed frustration that Owens' return had cost him a title opportunity. In the ring, Baron Corbin retained the United States Championship against Trick Williams in a SummerSlam rematch, and Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid of Fatal Influence retained the Women's Tag Team Championship in a champions-vs-champions match against Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton. The night's biggest surprise came in the main event, where returning star Alexa Bliss and debuting Tatum Paxley showed up to help Charlotte Flair defeat Jade Cargill. Backstage, Carmelo Hayes attacked Baron Corbin and challenged him for the U.S. Title next week. That mix of returns, title defenses, and championship-picture drama appears to have helped push the show's numbers up week-over-week.

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This week's episode of Friday Night SmackDown will take place on Friday, August 14, 2026, live from TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. WWE has stacked the show with three championship matches, putting the United States Championship, Women's United States Championship, and WWE Tag Team Championship on the line. The show is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM ET in the United States on USA Network, while international viewers in most regions can watch SmackDown live on Netflix. WWE's official schedule confirms the Boston date and 8:00 PM ET start time. Baron Corbin (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes — WWE United States Championship Baron Corbin will make his second defense of the WWE United States Championship when he puts the title on the line against Carmelo Hayes in Boston. Corbin captured the championship from Trick Williams at SummerSlam and then retained it against Williams on the August 7 episode of SmackDown. After Corbin's latest victory, WWE moved quickly to announce Hayes as his next challenger. The matchup also carries an interesting hometown dynamic, as Hayes is from the Boston area and will have the crowd firmly behind him. Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jacy Jayne — WWE Women's United States Championship Tiffany Stratton will defend the WWE Women's United States Championship against Jacy Jayne after the two became increasingly involved in a dispute surrounding the Women's Tag Team Championship. On the August 7 episode of SmackDown, Fatal Influence interrupted Chelsea Green's celebration and Jayne made it clear that she wanted Stratton's title. Stratton subsequently offered Jayne a championship opportunity, turning the confrontation into an official title match for Boston. R-Truth & Damian Priest (c) vs. War Raiders vs. The MFT — WWE Tag Team Championship Triple Threat R-Truth and Damian Priest will defend the WWE Tag Team Championship in a three-way battle against the War Raiders and The MFT. The match continues a storyline that began when Priest and Truth accepted a challenge from the War Raiders. The two teams previously competed in a champion-versus-champion situation involving the WWE and AAA Tag Team Championships, and the rivalry has now developed into a three-team title fight. The addition of The MFT makes this particularly dangerous for the champions because Truth and Priest do not have to be pinned for their reign to end. War Raiders bring a major size and power advantage, while The MFT adds another unpredictable element to the contest. Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Face Off — Predicted Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton are both advertised for the Boston show, and another confrontation between the former friends looks highly likely. Orton shocked Rhodes at SummerSlam by interfering in his Undisputed WWE Championship match against CM Punk, costing Rhodes the opportunity to regain the championship. On the August 7 SmackDown, Rhodes confronted Orton, while Orton made it clear that his actions were deliberate and that he intends to prevent Rhodes from becoming champion again. WWE's official SmackDown highlights also featured the escalating Rhodes-Orton storyline. With both men advertised for Boston, WWE has an obvious opportunity to continue building the rivalry. A physical confrontation, a challenge for a future singles match, or an extended promo segment would all make sense. Given the history between the two former allies, this feud has the potential to become one of SmackDown's central stories following SummerSlam. CM Punk and Kevin Owens Continue Their Rivalry — Predicted CM Punk and Kevin Owens are also expected to remain at the center of SmackDown following their explosive confrontation in Philadelphia. Owens returned at SummerSlam and became the No. 1 contender to Punk's Undisputed WWE Championship. On the following SmackDown, the two exchanged heated words and nearly came to blows before officials intervened. Owens has already made it clear that he wants his championship opportunity, and the match has since been scheduled for the August 21 episode of SmackDown in Toronto. That makes Boston an important stop on the road to their championship match. WWE could use the episode for another face-to-face confrontation, a contract-signing segment, or a situation where one man attempts to gain a psychological advantage over the other. Since the actual title match is scheduled for the following week's SmackDown, the Boston show should be used to raise the stakes rather than give away the final physical confrontation too early. How To Watch WWE SmackDown, August 14, 2026 Fans in the United States can watch WWE SmackDown live on USA Network at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT / 5:00 PM PT on Friday, August 14. WWE's official viewing guide confirms that SmackDown remains on USA Network in the United States, while Netflix carries the weekly show live in most international markets. For viewers in India, SmackDown will begin at 5:30 AM IST on Saturday, August 15, with the show available on Netflix. The international broadcast schedule lists the August 14 Boston episode at 12:00 AM GMT, 2:00 AM CET, 5:30 AM IST and 10:00 AM AEST. UK viewers can watch at 1:00 AM BST on Saturday, while viewers in Central Europe can tune in at 2:00 AM CEST. Australian viewers will get the show at approximately 10:00 AM AEST on Saturday. In most of these international markets, SmackDown is available live through Netflix.