WWE SmackDown Live Updates, Results and Highlights From July 24

Kiana James got the commercial break entrance, suggesting a trip to SummerSlam may not be in the cards for her this year.

That did not stop her from being aggressive from the start and seizing control of the bout. As the match returned to the squared circle from the floor, though, Green mounted an offensive, dodged an elbow drop, and took James over with a pair of arm drags.

Green delivered a Rough Ryder, ala husband Matt Cardona, but could not put her opponent away.

James recovered, rocked the babyface with a superkick, and drove her to the mat with a Falcon Arrow for a two-count. Green recovered, caught James with the Unprettier, and cashed her ticket to SummerSlam.

WINNER: CHELSEA GREEN

Anytime Green enjoys any kind of success, it is a great thing. No one works harder to make the most of what is given to her creatively than the Hot Mess.

Backstage, R-Truth and Damian Priest bantered before Cody Rhodes arrived on the scene. The American Nightmare reminded Priest that, if he does seek out a title shot, it could be Rhodes he faces and not CM Punk.

Priest exclaimed, "We're tired of the same people being the face of this brand," and said it does not matter who emerges with the title because he is dropping them.

"I like that attitude," Rhodes said.

Backstage, Royce Keys prepared for his Fatal 4-Way Match for the right to face Sami Zayn at SummerSlam when Solo Sikoa interrupted.

Sikoa gassed his friend up before LA Knight slid into frame and reminded Keys to stay focused on The Bloodline at SummerSlam. Keys shut both men down, reminding them that he is a "grown-ass man."

That did not stop Sikoa from hyping both men up and claiming to have their back.

Elsewhere, Women's United States champion Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green discussed their futures at SummerSlam.

When The Hot Mess exited the picture, Blake Monroe appeared and admitted that she likes Stratton. She added that when she climbs the ladder in Minneapolis, everyone will be left looking up at what she has. "But you already knew that, didn't you?"

Monroe walked off to close out the segment.

In the arena, Green made her entrance for her qualifying match.

Commercial break.

Bella fought her way back into the match coming out of the break, unloading on Reid with a barrage of "YES!" Kicks and catching her with a running knee. She added a running bulldog as the least experienced member of Fatal Influence reeled.

A momentary distraction by Fallon Henley allowed Reid to stun Bella with a kick to the head. The Hall of Famer still tossed the heel off a superplex attempt. Paige prevented interference from Jacey Jayne and Bella countered a rollup for the win.

WINNER: BRIE BELLA

After the match, Fatal Influence attacked the victor and her tag team partner until Nikki Bella hit the ring, making the save for her sister. From there, she laid down the challenge for a Six-Woman Tag Team Match pitting the Bellas and Paige against Jayne, Henley, and Reid.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Finn Balor, who recalled scratching and clawing for 10 years to get back in title contention, only for Gunther to interrupt. The Ring General claimed he was next in line.

Tease for Balor vs. Gunther? Hell yes!

Jacey Jayne led Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid, the new Women's Tag Team champions, into the Oakland Arena for the latter's match with Brie Bella.

Jayne expressed her frustration over losing to Tiffany Stratton last week and missing out on the SummerSlam Ladder Match for the Interim WWE Women's Championship.

She vowed to take the Women's United States Championship from Stratton sooner rather than later, then turned Reid loose on her Hall of Fame opponent.

Reid withstood an early onslaught from Bella, downed her, and stood tall entering the timeout.

Commercial break.

As Cathy Kelley attempted to provide an update on Aldis' health, Sami Zayn interrupted, grabbed the camera, and cut an impassioned promo.

He called Cody Rhodes the golden boy who magically became the No. 1 contender and referred to CM Punk as "poster boy No. 2" before imploring someone to make sense of The Last Real Good Guy being left off the SummerSlam card.

He caught Pearce entering the trainer's room and tried to convince him to add him to the Undisputed WWE Championship Match at SummerSlam.

Instead, Pearce informed Zayn that there is a Fatal 4-Way Match tonight. The winner of it will face the former champion at SummerSlam.

A reluctant Zayn accepted the opportunity, but was clearly frustrated.

Conspiracies? Zayn? The last time those two things went together, the future Hall of Famer ended up an Honorary Uce. Might be worth keeping an eye on.

Raw general manager Adam Pearce stood inside the squared circle, introducing the contract signing between SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and Gunther for their match at SummerSlam.

Pearce revealed that Aldis cannot be the general manager and compete as a WWE Superstar. As a result, the moment he signs on the dotted line, the Raw authority figure will take over for his peer.

"I know exactly what I'm signing," Aldis said in response to Pearce informing him of the hold-harmless agreement in the deal.

The former NWA world champion said Gunther found his limit, pushed him past it, and wasted little time signing the contract.

"This match will be the greatest moment of your career," Gunther said. He continued, "All of this is beneath me because I should be focusing on and competing for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. The only reason I am sitting here is that you were not doing your job."

He told Aldis that he never really made it; that he never became a WWE Superstar. Gunther, on the other hand, walked in the front door, and he had it all. "You have to tell yourself that you're just not good enough," he added.

"All legends stupid enough to get in the ring with the Ring General when they were chasing one more moment," Gunther said after rattling off the names of John Cena, Goldberg, and AJ Styles, men he will happily have Aldis join at SummerSlam.

Aldis called his bluff. "I haven't had a match in three years. You have everything to lose because you go from being the Career Killer to the bitch who got beat by his boss."

A brawl ensued that ended when Gunther delivered a low blow and drove his SummerSlam opponent through the table in a great, visual moment.

Earlier today, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes arrived at the arena ahead of their confrontation tonight.

Also earlier, Brie Bella arrived, seconded by Paige, ahead of her match with Fatal Influence's Lainey Reid. Reid and Fallon Henley defeated Bella and Paige at Saturday Night's Main Event to win the Women's Tag Team Championship.

From there, the commentary team introduced a quick video package recapping the recent events between Nick Aldis and Gunther.