WWE SmackDown Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From September 18

WWE SmackDown emanated from Corpus Christi, Texas, with a show featuring the latest Money in the Bank Qualifying matches, the continuation of Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton's heated rivalry, and an appearance from new Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn.

What went down, how did each segment grade out, and why?

Find out in this recap of the September 18 broadcast.

Lineup

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Announced in advance of Friday's show were:

• Sami Zayn appearance
• Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton appearances
• Men's Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Trick Williams vs. Randy Orton vs. Rey Fenix
• Women's Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss vs. Jade Cargill vs. Jacy Jayne
• Non-Title Match: Bakusai vs. The MFTs

Nick Aldis Introduces Sami Zayn, Sets Up Championship Main Event

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Last Time in Action: Sami Zayn defeated CM Punk (SmackDown, September 11)

SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis kicked off the show inside the squared circle and wasted no time introducing someone who "rubs him the wrong way," new WWE Champion Sami Zayn.

The Last Real Good Guy drew a chorus of boos as he made his way to the ring, overzealously rubbing his championship victory in the fans' faces.

Zayn claimed that justice had been served and if the fans do not understand that now, hopefully, they will one day.

Johnny Gargano hit the ring to stake his claim to a title opportunity while Aldis said he considers former champion CM Punk to be the real No. 1 contender. Kevin Owens arrived, voiced his desire for a title match, and cut off Candice LeRae's protestations with a stunner to Gargano.

KO pled his case, to great success, and Aldis awarded the Prizefighter a title opportunity. After reminding Zayn that he was champion for nine days last time, the authority figure warned, "Let's see if you can get past seven."

Grade

B+

Top Takeaways

• Hopefully, Gargano gets a chance at revenge on Owens, if only because he had momentum on his side of late and that stunner made him look like an afterthought in the title picture. Funny, yes. Productive? The jury is still out.
• Zayn getting himself in trouble by putting his hands on Aldis, who resisted to level him like he did Gunther, was a great way to set up his title match as his own hubris and uncontrolled frustration cost him.
• Aldis announced Punk is not there tonight, which almost certainly means he is.

Money in the Bank Qualifier: Trick Williams vs. Randy Orton vs. Rey Fenix

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Last Time in Action: Trick Williams defeated Baron Corbin (Sunday Night's Main Event, September 6); Randy Orton defeated Cody Rhodes (Sunday Night's Main Event, September 16); Rey Fenix defeated Jack Cartwheel, Mini Vikingo, and Nathan Frazer (AAA Triplemania, September 13)

Trick Williams is heading to Money in the Bank, for a chance to earn a future world title opportunity following an incredibly energetic qualifying match.

He bested Randy Orton, who dominated the action and looked the sure-fire winner, and Rey Fenix, who continued his momentous week with another reminder of his excellence.

Lil Yachty attempted to get involved on behalf of Williams at one point but paid for it with a big bump on the commentary table. Later, Williams seized the opening created by Orton's RKO to Fenix, blasted the future Hall of Famer with a Trick Shot, and earned the hard-fought win in a damn fun match.

Result

Williams defeated Orton and Fenix

Grade

B

Top Takeaways

• If Lil Yachty felt bad after the match with Baron Corbin, wait until he wakes up tomorrow after that side suplex on the announce table by Orton.
• Fenix had a few moments to shine in this one, more than expected, and he made the most of them. It has been a big week-to-10-days for the AAA Cruiserweight Champion, during which he has shined brightly.
• Considering how much attention was on Orton, and how high-profile the third-generation star is, Williams winning was a pleasant surprise.
• Backstage, Sami Zayn implored Johnny Gargano to help make sure he does not lose the WWE title tonight, gaslighting and manipulating him like Roman Reigns did the Last Real Good Guy during his time with The Bloodline. The student learns from the master...

Non-Title Match: Bakusai vs. The MFTs

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Last Time in Action: Bakusai defeated The Miz and Kit Wilson (SmackDown, August 28); The MFTs defeated Damian Priest and R-Truth (SmackDown, August 21)

Shinsuke Nakamura's rivalry with former associate Tama Tonga continued Friday night on SmackDown as The Artist teamed with Kyoki to battle Tama and his brother, Talla, in non-title action.

The reigning WWE Tag Team champions dominated the action through the commercial break, wearing Nakamura down and cutting him off from his partner. When he finally did create separation and tagged Kyoki into the match, it sparked a babyface comeback.

Sensing his sons were in danger, Haku attacked Nakamura with his walking stick, drawing a disqualification. The heels laid their prospective No. 1 contenders out and stood tall to close out the segment.

Result

Bakusai defeated the MFTs via disqualification

Grade

C+

Top Takeaways

• The tag division was shortchanged here, with most of the match taking place during the commercial break. The heels entire heat portion was unseen by the viewing audience by the time the finish was in motion, it ended abruptly.
• Haku has done wonders for the MFTs, adding an element of danger that simply was not there, no matter how hard WWE tried to manufacture it.