Friday night’s SmackDown from TD Garden in Boston delivered major championship changes and several heated confrontations heading toward the next big WWE events.
Baron Corbin retained the United States Championship, defeating Carmelo Hayes.
Jacy Jayne defeated Tiffany Stratton to become the new WWE Women’s United States Champion. Interference involving Fatal Influence helped swing the match in Jayne’s favor.
The MFTs — Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga — won the WWE Tag Team Championship in a Triple Threat over Damian Priest & R-Truth and The War Raiders. Haku was at ringside for his sons.
CM Punk vs. Kevin Owens
The final face-to-face between CM Punk and Kevin Owens before their WWE Championship showdown was intensely personal. The two traded verbal shots about their long history, with Owens making pointed references to Punk’s past relationships in wrestling and Punk questioning Owens’ career and potential. Their championship match in Toronto now has an even more personal edge.
Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton
Cody Rhodes wanted Randy Orton, but Orton struck first. The Viper attacked Rhodes from behind before Cody’s match with Sami Zayn, leading to a chaotic fight around ringside and the arena. The confrontation continued until the show went off the air.
Chelsea Green’s title survives
Women’s Champion Chelsea Green, dealing with an orbital injury, was initially in danger of being stripped of her championship. General Manager Nick Aldis ultimately gave her 30 days to recover and receive medical clearance, allowing her to remain champion.
SmackDown was a championship-changing night. Jacy Jayne and The MFTs left Boston with new gold, while the Punk–Owens and Rhodes–Orton rivalries reached another level. The major question coming out of the show is whether anyone can stop the momentum of the new champions—and whether Punk and Owens can keep their personal rivalry under control when the WWE Championship is on the line.
