WWE SmackDown Live Updates, Results and Highlights From MITB Qualifiers, US Title Match, More

Back from the break, the babyfaces shook off a punishing attack from Gunther and downed him. They applied a double Boston Crab to the Ring General, who screamed in agony but was ultimately able to break free.

Balor took down Punk and looked to be en route to a big win but the former WWE champion caught him in Go To Sleep and delivered the finisher, seemingly ending his night.

Gunther drove Punk to the mat with a powerbomb, but could not keep him down as chants of "this is awesome" poured from the stands.

The babyface and heel traded reversals before Gunther trapped him in the sleeper. The Best in the World countered a powerbomb attempt, but The Career Killer fought out of Go To Sleep and stunned him with a chop to the back.

He reapplied the sleeper but Balor came out of nowhere with a Coup de Grace. An alert Punk rolled through, pinned Gunther, and earned the victory, sending him to New Orleans.

After the match, tension between Punk and Balor was clear, but they exchanged a nod of respect and acknowledgement while an irate Gunther looked on from the arena floor.

A great match to close one of the strongest episodes of SmackDown in months. Everything meant something; the in-ring action was mostly great, and there are multiple layers at the top of the card. Big thumbs up.