WWE has revealed that this week’s SmackDown will feature a Steel Cage Match for the United States Championship, with Trick Williams set to defend his title against Baron Corbin. This bout will headline Friday’s show, which will also include two Money in the Bank qualifying matches ahead of the October 10 event at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.
Williams and Corbin’s rivalry ignited when Corbin made his WWE return on the July 10 SmackDown, interrupting a match between Williams and Carmelo Hayes by delivering End of Days to both competitors. This marked Corbin’s first appearance since his release in late 2024, ending a two-year hiatus from the company after a 12-year tenure. The feud intensified after Corbin launched an attack on Williams following the July 24 SmackDown and challenged him to a SummerSlam match, where Corbin captured the United States Championship on the event’s second night. The controversial finish saw Corbin and Williams’ manager, Lil Yachty, tussle over Williams’ custom title belt at ringside. Corbin then threw Yachty through a table, used the belt to strike Williams while the referee was distracted, and finished with End of Days.
Corbin secured a win in a rematch the following week on SmackDown through a similar sneaky tactic involving the belt. He then defeated Hayes the subsequent week, but Yachty’s interference backfired during that match when he struck Corbin with a Trick Stick, allowing Williams to deliver a victorious Trick Shot. The storyline took a new turn when Yachty requested his own match with Corbin. At the September 6 Sunday Night’s Main Event, Corbin agreed on the condition that Williams would earn another title shot if Yachty could survive five minutes against him. Williams won the match and reclaimed the United States Championship, marking his second reign, while Corbin is a two-time titleholder himself.
The Steel Cage stipulation removes the outside interference that has heavily influenced their feud, as both title changes since July were shaped by distractions involving the belt or Yachty at ringside. Neither competitor has defended the championship inside a cage throughout their rivalry until now. Additionally, Friday’s show will feature a men’s Money in the Bank qualifying match with Finn Balor, CM Punk, and Gunther, as well as a women’s qualifier including Giulia, Charlotte Flair, and Lash Legend.
Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn is expected to make an appearance following his initial successful title defense, although no official segment has been announced. Bakusai is also anticipated to respond to WWE Tag Team Champions MFT. Williams first won the United States Championship at WrestleMania 42 in April, defeating Zayn, and successfully defended it against him at Backlash in May before his feud with Corbin began. Williams arrived on SmackDown in January with two NXT Championship runs behind him, immediately making an impact by interrupting Zayn on his debut night. His reign has been characterized by his signature white “lemon pepper steppers” shoes, the “Whoop That Trick” entrance theme, and the consistent involvement of manager Lil Yachty in his matches, especially in the conclusion of bouts against Corbin.
The Money in the Bank event is shaping up with Roman Reigns set to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against LA Knight in New Orleans on October 10. Friday’s qualifying matches will decide one participant each for the men’s and women’s ladder matches. Notably, this year’s Money in the Bank takes place in October, later than its usual summer timing, and marks the first time the event is hosted in New Orleans.
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Fan Take: This Steel Cage Match promises to be a thrilling chapter in the intense Williams-Corbin rivalry, as it eliminates outside interference and forces a definitive winner. For fight fans, it’s a vital test of pure wrestling skill and resilience, setting the stage for high stakes and possibly shifting momentum ahead of Money in the Bank.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
