CM Punk faces Finn Balor and GUNTHER in Money in the Bank qualifier

"

SmackDown airs tonight (Sept. 25) with a live show emanating from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. This is the eight episode of SmackDown during the ten week build to Money in the Bank, which takes place on October 10. CM Punk is too old to be in the Money in the Bank ladder match I remember back in 2021 writing about WWE’s very old roster that resulted in the oldest average age for an Elimination Chamber match in history, as well as a men’s 30-man Royal Rumble match that featured 16 wrestlers over 40 years old, and only two participants under 32 years old. That feels like a very long time ago, especially given how WWE is clearly embracing youth with most of the participants in this year’s Money in the Bank ladder matches. So far the men’s side includes Je’Von Evans (22 years old), Bron Breakker (28), and Trick Williams (32) all qualified for the ladder match, with Penta (41) being the only older star in the mix. The pattern continues in the women’s division, with Roxanne Perez (24), Sol Ruca (27), Lola Vice (28), and Jacy Jayne (30) all winning their qualifying bouts. The men’s qualifying match tonight on SmackDown is CM Punk (47) vs. Finn Balor (45) vs. GUNTHER (39). The Ring General is the young one here by default, so perhaps this trend bodes well for his chances to win. Punk might just be too old for these kinds of chaotic ladder matches where bodies are splattering all over the place from start to finish. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kevin Owens interferes tonight to get revenge on Punk for screwing him over in last week’s match against WWE champion Sami Zayn. The women’s qualifier tonight is Charlotte Flair (40) vs. Giulia (32) vs. Lash Legend (29). The Queen is the older star in the ring here, but I think she has a decent chance to buck this year’s MITB youth movement. Giulia is booked a like a low card talent, and Lash Legend was in way over her head during SummerSlam’s interim women’s championship ladder match. Charlotte looks like a great choice to add some star power to Money in the Bank, especially given the latest rumors about Punk and Seth Rollins’ uncertain status for the event. Will WWE continue to keep most of its older stars out of the Money in the Bank ladder matches, or is it time for that to change? Tune into SmackDown tonight to find out. The rest of the card The feud between United States Champion Trick Williams and very tall Baron Corbin might see its final chapter play out tonight whey they fight over the belt in a steel cage match. In theory the cage is there to prevent outside interference, but it doesn’t often work out that way in practice. With that in mind, will Lil Yachty find a way to get involved and be the difference-maker, or will Trick and Baron settle things on their own? Will WWE get to work ASAP on a new racist t-shirt for Williams if he wins? Other stuff to keep an eye on – After defeating Paige in a quick grudge match, Nikki Bella is now coming after WWE Women’s Champion Chelsea Green. Meanwhile, Green’s ally Tiffany Stratton says she will be competing in a Money in the Bank qualifying match. Could the final women’s qualifier be announced as Bella vs. Paige vs. Stratton? – Sami Zayn has held the WWE championship for two weeks, blowing right by his previous personal best mark of nine days. Johnny Gargano played a key role in Zayn winning and retaining the belt, and naturally wants his underhanded efforts to be rewarded with a title shot. Zayn isn’t interested in stepping in the ring against Johnny Wrestling, and is instead deflecting the blame for the match not happening onto GM Nick Aldis. How will Sami weasel his way out of agreeing to fight Johnny Wrestling this week? – Damian Priest turned on R-Truth two weeks ago and then beat the shit out of him at the WWE Performance Center yesterday. Does Truth have any prayer to survive whenever the match is officially booked? – Cody Rhodes told Michael Cole that he plans to kick Randy Orton’s fucking head off the next time the opportunity arises. Now that Orton has failed to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match, will the American Nightmare find him tonight and demonstrate his new, ruthless killer instinct? – How angry is Alexa Bliss after losing last week’s Money in the Bank qualifying match to Women’s United States Champion Jacy Jayne? Will Bliss and Tatum Paxley take out their frustrations tonight on WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Fatal Influence? Do Jade Cargill and her Baddies have any interest in winning any of these belts? – After Haku and WWE Tag Team Champions MFT laid out Bakusai last week, will Kyoki bring a whole new level of chaos and madness to the Tongans tonight? – Is Blake Monroe recovered from mouth surgery and finally ready for her debut match on the main roster? Will it happen before 2027 gets here? – Will tonight’s angle between Ricky Saints and AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix make the cut for SmackDown TV, or is it doomed to be another digital exclusive after the fact? – Where the f*** are Carmelo Hayes and Jordynne Grace? What will you be looking for on SmackDown?