WWE Smackdown results (8/28): Barnett’s live review of CM Punk and Kevin Owens, Cody Rhodes’ message for Randy Orton, Jacy Jayne vs. Paige for the Women’s U.S. Title, Tatum Paxley vs. Michin

By Jake Barnett, ProWrestling.net Co-Senior Staffer (@jakebarnett)

WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,410)
Taped August 24, 2026, in Ottawa, Ontario, at Canadian Tire Centre
Simulcast on August 28, 2026, on USA Network and streamed internationally on Netflix

A video package aired at the top of the show that recapped Kevin Owens vs. CM Punk from last week’s show. It focused on Sami Zayn attacking both Kevin Owens and CM Punk leading to the conclusion of the match. Kevin Owens made his ring entrance in the arena to start the live portion of the show. He grabbed a microphone and said this was not the way he was hoping to come back to Ottawa. Owens said he has lost many WWE title matches, but none hurt like the one he lost last week.

He recalled his struggle to get cleared to return to the ring, and how important it was to return at Summerslam and capture the WWE Championship in Toronto in front of other Canadians including his parents. Owens then told the story of his Mom being rushed to the hospital fighting for her life, and how difficult it has been for her to travel and watch him wrestle, and how Sami Zayn had cost him an opportunity to win the title in front of her.

Owens said he and Sami Zayn have done many heinous things to each other, but this one is unforgivable, because the opportunity to beat CM Punk for the title in front of his family and Canadian fans may never come again. He then addressed Punk and said he had him beat, and if he thinks they are done, you’re dead wrong bitch. Punk stormed down to the ring and told Owens he’d send him packing from Ottawa like his name is Tkachuk.

Nick Aldis walked alongside Punk to the ring, and soon Gunther was at ringside. He told Punk and Owens that he wasn’t concerned with their nonsense from 20 years ago. He told Owens he was happy his Mom kicked out, but last week he didn’t. Finn Balor walked out and called Gunther a prick. He said neither Owens or Gunther have beaten him, so if there’s a line for World Title shots he wanted to be in it.

Nick Aldis made a triple threat between them in the main event of tonight’s show. Backstage, Chelsea Green spoke to Chelsea Green, who was holding a face mask. She asked Chelsea if she was sure she wanted to be out there, and Chelsea insisted she was good to go. The Irresistible Forces made their way to the ring in the arena…[c]

My Take: A decent opening segment to set up the main event. Seems like another instance where Sami Zayn will get himself involved.

Tiffany Stratton made her ring entrance after the break, followed by Chelsea Green. Video was shown of Lash Legend defeating Tiffany Stratton last week by targeting her injured ribs.

1. Nia Jax and Lash Legend vs. Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green: Stratton and Legend started the match. Lash delivered a backbreaker, but Stratton replied with a handspring into a Stunner. Chelsea tagged in and they sent Lash to the floor. Nia tagged in shortly afterward and delivered a headbutt to the face of Green. The official checked on Green, who had to scramble to make a tag…[c]

Chelsea broke up a pinfall as the match returned, but Jax quickly kneed her in the face and sent her to the floor. WWE medical checked on her, and Stratton continued to be isolated and beaten down by Jax and Legend. Lash landed a big right hand and covered for a two count. The heels made quick tags and dominated the offensive output. Stratton showed fire at a couple of points, but was quickly shut down. Jax trash talked Green on the floor as she struggled with recovering from the earlier attack.

Jax missed a leg drop from the top rope. Stratton struggled to make a tag, and Green had to run away from WWE officials trying to get her to leave the match. She tagged in and took down both Jax and Legend with a missile dropkick and a cross body. Legend sent Stratton into the barricade on the floor. Jax pie faced Green and delivered an Annihilator for the win.

The Irresistible Forces defeated Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton at 9:43

Backstage, Danhausen spoke to Nick Aldis. Gunther walked up and confirmed with Nick Aldis that it was just a triple threat later tonight. Aldis confirmed, and Gunther said he can’t wait to defeat Kevin Owens and the ghost of Finn Balor. Danhaused asked if he could be added to the match, and he said no. Back in the arena, Paige made her ring entrance, she will face Jacy Jayne up next…[c]

My Take: The match and finish makes sense given the story of both Stratton and Green fighting off the effects of injuries.

Jacy Jayne made her entrance with Fatal Influence as the show returned.

2. Paige vs Jacy Jayne for the Women’s United States Championship: Jayne tripped up Paige and landed running senton. She attempted a second but nobody was home. Paige landed a kick and some knee lifts that sent Jayne to the floor. Paige then landed a cannonball off the apron and screamed about it being her house, but the crowd did not react. Lainey Reid delivered a running kick to Paige while Jayne distracted the referee…[c]

Both women collided with a double clothesline as the show returned. They then got to their feet and traded strikes, and Jayne got the better of it. Paige returned fire with a fisherman’s suplex and a Paige turner for a near fall. She attempted to apply the PTO, but Jacy avoided it and landed a headbutt. Reid and Henley jumped up on the apron, and that allowed Jayne to roll up Paige in a small package and get the win.

Jacy Jayne defeated Paige at 7:50

After the match, NIkki Bella ambushed Paige from behind and landed a series of elbow strikes. She then stomped on her several times before landing the Rack Attack 2.0 to end the segment. A video package then aired for the upcoming Rhodes and Orton match at Sunday Night’s Main Event. Backstage, Cody Rhodes and Finn Balor spoke about their upcoming matches. Balor advised Cody to keep his cool so they can face each other for the World Title after Finn becomes number one contender…[c]

My Take: You could have taken a sweet nap during that match in the crowd. It was quiet out there. This show has suffered greatly from taping after Raw this past Monday.