4 Mistakes WWE made on SmackDown from Indianapolis (September 25, 2026)

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The former Divas Champion played a role in Green’s match later in the night. Damian Priest attacked R-Truth at the Performance Center earlier this week.

Randy Orton demanded Michael Cole interview him after he did the same for Cody Rhodes last week. Some storylines moved along while others did not. WWE made the next four mistakes on SmackDown from Indianapolis.

#4. No mention of the WWE Tag Team Championships

WWE is in another cycle of ignoring its tag team champions. Bron Breakker and Austin Theory were in Money in the Bank qualifiers instead of defending the World Tag Team Titles.

Part of the problem is that Triple H has done next to nothing to build the tag divisions on both RAW and SmackDown. The MFTs fought Shinsuke Nakamura and Kyoki last week in a non-title match.

This week’s SmackDown didn’t address last week’s showdown. There weren’t pre-taped promos or a backstage segment. Money in the Bank is obviously more important, but WWE could give a few minutes to one of the brand’s champions.

#3. Paige gets pinned again

Paige’s return to WWE at WrestleMania 42 was an exciting moment. She won the Women’s Tag Team Titles with Brie Bella but has done nothing but lose since dropping those titles.

The Anti-Diva has fallen in her last five matches and has been pinned in her last four contests. Nikki Bella cheated in a one-on-one showdown by pulling the tights during the pin attempt.

Nikki then tripped her rival on SmackDown, leading to Jacy Jayne getting the pin. This booking is usually reserved for someone at the bottom of the roster. That isn’t Paige.

#2. The Lone Wolf has dull teeth

Baron Corbin came back to WWE earlier this summer. He immediately targeted United States Champion Trick Williams. Corbin eventually defeated Trick for the title at SummerSlam. He beat him in another messy rematch.

Trick “earned” another shot because his rapper friend lasted for five minutes in a match with Corbin at Sunday Night’s Main Event. Corbin lost twice that night. He lost to Williams yet again, only this time inside of a steel cage on SmackDown.

The match quality has been mediocre and marred with interference. The money may be good, but Corbin doesn’t seem like a threat to anyone. He lost to a non-competitor in one contest. Corbin looks like a wolf without teeth after losing again.

#1. Did CM Punk really need to qualify?

Finn Balor, CM Punk, and Gunther battled for a spot in next month’s Money in the Bank match. The Best in the World has already held both the WWE and World Heavyweight Titles this year.

He’s also been part of the ongoing chaos around the Undisputed Championship. Since he’s held both major titles this year, Balor or Gunther should have earned the spot in Money in the Bank.

Punk beat The Prince twice this year already, but Balor hasn’t had a fair one-on-one title shot since moving to SmackDown. Gunther had plenty of title opportunities this year but would have been a key part of the ladder match.

Most fans would root against him winning the briefcase. Instead of allowing a different veteran to qualify for Money in the Bank, Triple H handed another big spot to a guy who’s had plenty of them this year. Gunther also loses more steam after another big loss. He’ll probably blame Danhausen.