The latest WWE SmackDown results delivered a chaotic night in Cleveland, with CM Punk defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Johnny Gargano, Nia Jax defeating Tiffany Stratton, and Shinsuke Nakamura teaming with Kyoki for their SmackDown debut.
The September 4 episode also intensified several major storylines heading into Sunday Night’s Main Event, including the ongoing tension between Sami Zayn, CM Punk, Kevin Owens, Gunther and Finn Bálor
WWE SmackDown Results – September 4, 2026
Here are the results from Friday night’s show:
- CM Punk def. Johnny Gargano to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.
- Nia Jax def. Tiffany Stratton.
- Charlotte Flair & Tatum Paxley def. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid in a non-title match.
- Bakusai (Shinsuke Nakamura & Kyoki) def. The Miz & Kit Wilson.
- Giulia and Blake Monroe’s scheduled match did not take place after the two brawled before the bout.
CM Punk Retains the Undisputed WWE Championship
The biggest match of the night saw CM Punk defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Johnny Gargano.
Gargano, competing in front of his hometown Cleveland crowd, pushed Punk in an explosive championship match. The situation became increasingly chaotic when Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Gunther, Finn Bálor and Candice LeRae became involved.
Sami Zayn attempted to help Gargano and eventually used the WWE Championship as a weapon. Gargano came extremely close to defeating Punk after the interference created an opening.
However, Punk survived the chaos and ultimately defeated Gargano with the Go to Sleep to retain his championship. After the match, Punk turned his attention toward Sami Zayn and challenged him to an Undisputed WWE Championship Match in Mexico City next week.
Sami Zayn Continues to Cause Chaos
Sami Zayn remained one of the central figures of the latest SmackDown.
Zayn had already disrupted the previous week’s No. 1 Contender’s Match involving Kevin Owens, Gunther and Finn Bálor. On September 4, those three competitors were once again looking for Zayn.
The situation escalated during Punk’s championship defense when Zayn interfered on Gargano’s behalf.
Zayn eventually attacked Punk with the WWE Championship, while Owens, Gunther and Bálor also became involved in the chaos.
The storyline now appears to be heading toward Punk vs. Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship in Mexico City.
Nia Jax Defeats Tiffany Stratton
Nia Jax picked up a victory over Tiffany Stratton after an earlier confrontation involving Interim WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green.
Green was cleared to compete but was required to continue wearing a protective face mask because of her healing orbital bone injury.
After Stratton helped Green during a confrontation with Jax and Lash Legend, General Manager Nick Aldis announced that Green will defend the Interim WWE Women’s Championship against Jax next week in Mexico City.
Jax then defeated Stratton after Lash Legend created a distraction, allowing Jax to hit the Annihilator.
After the match, Jax ripped off Green’s protective mask, sending a clear warning ahead of their championship match.
Charlotte Flair and Tatum Paxley Win
Charlotte Flair and Tatum Paxley defeated WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid in a non-title match.
Flair and Paxley secured the victory when Paxley hit Reid with the Cemetery Drive.
The celebration did not last long.
After the match, Jade Cargill, B-Fab and Michin attacked Flair, Paxley and Alexa Bliss. Fatal Influence then joined the attack, creating another major confrontation in the women’s division.
Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki Win Their Debut
Shinsuke Nakamura and his new tag team partner Kyoki made their SmackDown tandem debut against The Miz and Kit Wilson.
The new team looked impressive and picked up the victory when Kyoki hit a Reverse Stunner to score the three-count. The victory gives Nakamura and Kyoki momentum as they look to establish themselves in the SmackDown tag team division.
Giulia and Blake Monroe Brawl
Fans expecting the scheduled Giulia vs. Blake Monroe match were left waiting after the two competitors began fighting before the match could officially take place.
During an interview with Monroe, Giulia attacked her and delivered the Arrivederci Knee directly to Monroe’s jaw.
As a result, their rivalry continues without a completed singles match between the two.
Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton Exchange Words
Cody Rhodes also confronted Randy Orton ahead of their upcoming showdown at Sunday Night’s Main Event.
The two continued their war of words while remaining under the restrictions surrounding their upcoming match.
Their confrontation added another layer of tension heading into the weekend’s major event.
WWE SmackDown Results: Full Match List
| Match | Winner |
|---|---|
| CM Punk vs. Johnny Gargano – Undisputed WWE Championship | CM Punk |
| Nia Jax vs. Tiffany Stratton | Nia Jax |
| Charlotte Flair & Tatum Paxley vs. Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid | Charlotte Flair & Tatum Paxley |
| Shinsuke Nakamura & Kyoki vs. The Miz & Kit Wilson | Nakamura & Kyoki |
| Giulia vs. Blake Monroe | Did not take place |
The results above are based on WWE’s official September 4 SmackDown results.
What Happened After SmackDown?
The biggest development coming out of the show is the next Undisputed WWE Championship direction.
After defeating Gargano, CM Punk challenged Sami Zayn to a championship match in Mexico City next week.
The women’s division also has a major match ahead, with Nia Jax scheduled to challenge Chelsea Green for the Interim WWE Women’s Championship. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton are heading toward their highly anticipated showdown at Sunday Night’s Main Event.
Source: WWE