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.

Michael Cole Interviewed Cody Rhodes

Last Time in Action: Cody Rhodes lost to Randy Orton (Sunday Night's Main Event, September 6)

Michael Cole interviewed Cody Rhodes and pointed out that all of the men who celebrated alongside the American Nightmare at WrestleMania 40 have stabbed him in the back. He then questioned whether there is a team for him to QB, to which the babyface claimed that WWE is a bigger team than the men fighting for the title.

When asked if he needs to change, Rhodes recalled beating Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42 and said he found it amusing that he needs to change. He wrapped things up by claiming he will not make the same mistake twice by showing mercy when he faces The Viper next.

Grade

A

Top Takeaways

• Backstage, Tiffany Stratton informed Chelsea Green that she is entering a Money in the Bank Qualifying Match. Nikki Bella entered the scene, disrespected both women, and warned the latter that she is coming for the WWE Women's Championship.
• Rhodes was great here. He was poised and professional early, but the moment he was faced with the idea of changing who he is to accomplish what he wants to, he became visibly frustrated. Some want a sudden and immediate heel turn. While it remains to be seen if that is the direction things ultimately head, it is fun to watch him tease the slow burn journey to heeldom.

Women's Money in the Bank Qualifying Match: Alexa Bliss vs. Jacy Jayne vs. Jade Cargill

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Last Time in Action: Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and Tatum Paxley lost to Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin (Sunday Night's Main Event, September 6); Jacy Jayne defeated Paige (SmackDown, August 24)

Jacy Jayne is one step closer to earning more gold following her victory in the Money in the Bank Qualifying Match Friday night on SmackDown.

The reigning Women's United States Champion outlasted Cargill and Bliss, doing what she did so many times during her run in NXT by overcoming expectations, seizing openings, and picking up a hard-fought win.

Late in the match, Cargill countered out of Sister Abigail and delivered Jaded to Bliss. Jayne rocked her with a kick, covered Bliss, and scored the resourceful and alert victory.

Result

Jayne defeated Cargill and Bliss

Grade

C+

Top Takeaways

• Don't let the grade fool you; this was still a fun match. The energy was off the charts, there was a decent amount of action and the finish was excellently executed.
• Jayne winning was the right call and sets her and Fatal Influence up to be an even greater force in WWE. Constantly exceeding expectations, the US champion is a fantastic success story.
• Cargill was well protected here and Bliss remains perpetually over, regardless of her win-loss record.

Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn

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Last Time in Action: Sami Zayn defeated CM Punk (SmackDown, September 11); Kevin Owens fought Gunther and Finn Balor to a no-contest (SmackDown, August 24)

For the first time in the legendary rivalry, Owens and Zayn squared off in one-on-one action with the WWE Championship on the line.

The Last Real Good Guy controlled a large portion of the match, keeping his former friend and tag team partner grounded and on the defensive through two commercial breaks.

Owens fought out of a superplex attempt late, knocking his opponent to the mat below and delivering a beautiful Swanton Bomb for a near-fall.

Johnny Gargano hit the ring and distracted the official, allowing Candice LeRae to deliver a tornado DDT to KO. Zayn covered, but could not keep his challenger down.

Owens recovered and dropped the champion with a stunner, then teed off on Gargano at ringside. Owens set Gargano up for a powerbomb through the commentary table but Zayn made the save, only to endure the bump himself.

Moments later, CM Punk appeared on the ring apron and delivered a belt shot to Owens. Zayn took advantage and successfully retained his title.

Punk delivered Go To Sleep to the champion, leaving him lying. He added one to Owens for good measure.

Result

Zayn defeated Owens

Grade

B

Top Takeaways

• Any Owens vs. Zayn match is better than most and while that was the case here, this match was clearly the background for the run-ins and storyline advancement in its closing moments.
• Punk popping up was somewhat predictable, but it also added an exclamation point to the end of a show that was so-so for the most part.

MVP and Overall Grade

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MVP: Sami Zayn

The show was the Zayn show, with the heel champion at the center of the show-long story and doing his best impression of The Tribal Chief as he manipulated his way into earning the support of Johnny Gargano.

Pro wrestling is always at its best when there is a detestable heel champion leading the way and popular babyfaces chasing the gold. Time will tell if Zayn can continue that historical trend.

Overall Grade: B-

There was plenty to like about Friday's show, but it lacked the energy and pop of other broadcasts.

The WWE title picture stuff was mostly strong, and the layers at play are reminiscent of Triple H's best booking, but the rest of the show failed to live up to the bar set by that story.