Top storylines to watch on WWE SmackDown (September 11, 2026) - CM Punk vs Sami Zayn; Chelsea Green's first title defense in Mexico City & more

WWE makes history in Mexico City with five title matches on the line.

This Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown will air live from Arena CDMX in Mexico City, marking the blue brand’s first live show in the country in 15 years. CM Punk, Sami Zayn, Chelsea Green, Nia Jax, Nikki Bella and Paige are among the stars advertised for the historic broadcast.

Among other matches and segments, SmackDown is headlined by a fresh Undisputed WWE Championship defense, with champion CM Punk putting the title on the line against Sami Zayn in the main event.

With WWE and AAA’s biggest weekend in Mexico in full swing, let us take a look at the top five storylines that are likely to unravel on this week’s WWE SmackDown.

5. Rey Fenix defends AAA gold against Ricky Saints

Weeks of trash talk between AAA World Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix and Ricky Saints finally come to a head in Mexico City.

Their issue began back on August 7 when Saints confronted Fenix and insisted he should be more focused on defending his cruiserweight gold than chasing a shot at Roman Reigns’ World Heavyweight Championship.

The verbal back-and-forth continued over the following weeks, including a heated interruption of a Fenix–Fraxiom conversation, before Fenix finally accepted the challenge on the September 4 WWE SmackDown show.

With the title now on the line in Saints’ first real opportunity since his failed United States Championship bid at Night of Champions, the luchador gets a hometown audience for his statement match.

4. Nikki Bella and Paige settle the score

The Nikki Bella–Paige feud has gotten uglier by the week, and their backstage face-off ahead of Mexico City turned into one of the most personal exchanges of the year.

Paige invoked John Cena’s famous catchphrase against Nikki and took a swipe at her past relationship, while Nikki fired back with an equally biting insult of her own. WWE has since teased that the segment went “way out of hand,” and Nikki has already promised on social media to shut Paige up on Mexican soil.

With Brie Bella sidelined by a shoulder injury she suffered at SummerSlam, and Nikki laying the blame at Paige’s feet, this rivalry finally gets settled in the ring on WWE SmackDown.

3. Chelsea Green defends World title against Nia Jax

Chelsea Green’s first reign as WWE Women’s Champion has been defined by adversity. After suffering a broken orbital bone just days after winning the title at SummerSlam, GM Nick Aldis nearly stripped her of the championship before giving her 30 days to get medically cleared.

Green returned to action two weeks ago under a strict medical protocol and immediately found herself targeted by Nia Jax, who demanded and was granted a title opportunity in Mexico City.

Tiffany Stratton tried to intervene on Green’s behalf, only to be beaten by Jax with help from Legend. Now Green defends her title against arguably the most dominant challenger she has faced yet, with a target clearly still on her back.

2. Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton’s rivalry reaches a boiling point

‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton’s grudge match at Sunday Night’s Main Event ended in typically chaotic fashion, with Orton using a low blow before hitting the RKO for the win following a match marred by multiple official bumps.

The result levels their 2026 series at 1-1, and with no clean finish in either bout, speculation is already building toward a blow-off match with a major stipulation.

Fans will be watching to see how Rhodes responds this week, and whether SmackDown addresses what comes next for one of the year’s most personal rivalries.

1. CM Punk vs Sami Zayn for the Undisputed WWE Championship

After successfully defending his title against Johnny Gargano in Cleveland, CM Punk turned his attention to Sami Zayn and challenged him to a championship match in Mexico City.

Zayn has spent the past two months fending off Kevin Owens, Gunther, and Finn Balor, all of whom covet a shot at Punk’s title, and he now gets the opportunity many felt he deserved.

With Owens, Balor, and Gunther all likely lurking around ringside given their recent involvement, it will be intriguing to see whether Punk walks out of his historic WWE SmackDown Mexico City main event still the Undisputed WWE Champion.

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