Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for September 25, 2026

Trick Williams retains the WWE United States Championship against Baron Corbin in a steel cage match.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend). Lash Legend gives credit where credit is due for her opponent, but says she is not worried. Nia Jax says that Lash is better than Charlotte Flair and Giulia, then "interviews" Lash, who says that she will win the gold.

Backstage, CM Punk is met by General Manager Nick Aldis. Aldis asks Punk to meet him in his office.

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Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis gets CM Punk in his office with Kevin Owens, and demands that both Owens and Punk stop attacking each other so it does not bleed into tonight's men's Money in the Bank qualifier. Punk agrees, and Owens walks out of the room.

Backstage, Tiffany Stratton meets with Chelsea Green, who is panicking about the Money in the Bank briefcase as well as Nikki Bella. Paige shows up and says he and Tiffany have her back, then Paige and Tiffany leave before Nikki shows up and says Chelsea is an idiot to listen to Paige. She says that last week was a warning before Tiffany and Paige come back and confront Nikki. Nikki leaves, and Chelsea says "Never meet your heroes."

Lash Legend beats Giulia and Charlotte Flair in a women's Triple Threat Money in the Bank qualifier after hitting Giulia with the Lash Extension after Guilia hits Charlotte with the Arrivederci Knee and the Northern Lights Bomb.

In backstage footage from last Friday, Michael Cole's interview with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes has ended. Cody says "If it happens again, I'll kick his fucking head off." We then see footage from before the show where Randy Orton shows up and mentions Michael Cole's interview with Cody before stating that Michael will interview him tonight and that he does not have a say in the matter.

Backstage, Giulia is met by Blake Monroe, who tells Giulia to go back to obscurity only for Giulia to slap her in the face. Officials get involved as Blake slaps back, and General Manager Nick Aldis makes a match between Giulia and Blake next week, and says that this time, it will happen.

Backstage, Michael Cole "interviews" Randy Orton. Orton mentions what Cody had said about kicking his head off after the camera stopped rolling, stating that everyone thinks Cody is a good guy and that he does not believe Cody to be a liar. He says that Cody is not the same man he was twenty years ago and that a lot of compromises were made a long way despite saying that he is not compromised, and that Cody has changed throughout his career despite still being a good guy. Orton says he has never changed and that he has always been himself, and says that if Cody really does kick his head off, he has been compromised; if he does not, he has peaked. Orton asks if Cody has the capability to kick his head off, Michael says no. Orton says that Michael is dead on with his answer, then ends the "interview," takes the clip-on microphone off and leaves the room.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Sami Zayn, who says that a lot of people who either want to be WWE Champion or do not want him to be WWE Champion. He says that he will prevail against whatever is thrown at him, as he is doing everything for the right reasons. He calls the Undisputed WWE Championship a lesson in hope and perseverance, and as he talks about his opposition, he is met by Finn Balor, who says that everyone is coming after Sami after he screwed everyone else on the way to the top. He says that he will come for Sami and the Undisputed WWE Championship, and when he does, everyone will see what justice is truly like. Finn leaves, then Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae show up, with Gargano wondering where his title match is. Sami says that Gargano deserves a championship match, but Nick Aldis said no. Sami says he was not going to leave empty-handed, and got Gargano and Candice qualifying matches for Money in the Bank. Sami says that he has Gargano's back, and wants to know if Gargano has his back and is "ride or die." Gargano looks at Candice, then says "ride or die."

Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, Lainey Reid) beat Chelsea Green, Tiffany Stratton and Paige in a six-woman tag match after Nikki Bella trips Paige on the outside. After the match, Jacy and Nikki blow kisses at one another.

In backstage footage from earlier this week, R-Truth is being interviewed in the trainer's room when he is attacked from behind by Damian Priest, who then chokes Truth with a chair and stating that he should be a champion instead of wasting his time with him. He then tells R-Truth to go bother somebody else.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Gunther, who considers it a travesty that he has qualify for a ladder climbing contest. He then says Finn Balor has a major opportunity tonight, but he does not have his emotions in check, and tonight, he will find out who he is dealing with: the legendary Finn Balor, or a ghost of Finn Balor. Danhausen shows up wanting Gunther to split the money, then realizes Gunther will not split the money with him and tries to curse him. Gunther shoves Danhausen to the wall and chokes him, telling Danhausen to get out of his way.

We see footage of CM Punk at the Chicago Cubs' recent game against the Florida Marlins.

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes heads to the ring. Cody mentions his recent issues with Randy Orton as well as CM Punk losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Sami Zayn - who he knows he can beat - then says what he knows and what he must do are two different things. He mentions Orton turning him kicking his head off into an unwinnable situation, then says he has been through stuff like this before and that he is "the king of unwinnable situations." Cody then says that Orton will be in the same position where he hesitated, but this time, he promises to kick Orton's head off his shoulders. He then admits he cannot promise that Orton will be the only one. As Cody leaves, CM Punk heads to the ring for the next match. Cody and Punk look at each other, then Cody heads to the back.

CM Punk beats Gunther and Finn Balor in a men's Triple Threat Money in the Bank qualifer after Finn Balor hits the Coup de Grace on Gunther as Gunther has Punk in a sleeper hold, allowing Punk to float over and pin Gunther for a three-count before Finn Balor can break it up. After the match, Finn Balor and CM Punk shake hands to end the show while Gunther is angry.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!