WWE Friday Night SmackDown returned to the United States after its European tour with a three-hour episode from Providence, Rhode Island that was effective when it slowed down and allowed its strongest stories to breathe, but noticeably less impressive whenever it tried to force too many ideas into the same match or segment.
Charlotte Flair survived a chaotic Fatal 4-Way to advance in the Queen of the Ring tournament. Jey Uso punched his ticket to the King of the Ring semifinals in a main event surrounded by Bloodline tension. Rey Fenix successfully defended the AAA Cruiserweight Championship against Axiom in the cleanest match of the night. Jade Cargill continued to improve while redirecting her attention toward Tiffany Stratton’s WWE Women’s United States Championship. Chelsea Green attempted to force her way into Tiffany’s life as her new best friend. Giulia officially walked away from Kiana James.
However, the episode belonged to Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn and GUNTHER.
After weeks of misunderstandings, misplaced anger and growing resentment, Cody and Sami finally stopped pretending everything was fine. Their confrontation became personal, physical and uncomfortable. GUNTHER then took advantage of the situation by naming an emotionally compromised Sami as the special guest referee for next week’s Undisputed WWE Championship rematch against Cody.
SmackDown was not consistently great. The women’s division was overbooked. Several finishes relied too heavily on interference. Paige and Brie Bella still do not feel like a fully developed championship team. Some of the background comedy remains difficult to care about because WWE has not revealed where it is going.
Still, the show created a compelling reason to watch next week and made meaningful progress toward Night of Champions on June 27th while planting several seeds for SummerSlam.
Here Are The Full Results
- Charlotte Flair defeated Jade Cargill, WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Sol Ruca and Lyra Valkyria (Fatal 4-Way Queen of the Ring first-round match)
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Paige and Brie Bella defeated Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid of Fatal Influence
- Rey Fenix (c) defeated Axiom (AAA Cruiserweight Championship)
- Michin and B-Fab defeated WWE Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green
- Jey Uso defeated LA Knight, Finn Bálor and Royce Keys (Fatal 4-Way King of the Ring first-round match)
Breakdowns & Reactions
Cody Rhodes Questions Jey Uso’s Independence
Grade: B-
SmackDown opened with Cody Rhodes asking Nick Aldis whether GUNTHER had revealed the stipulation for their Undisputed WWE Championship rematch. Aldis told him that GUNTHER would make his decision later in the night.
Jimmy and Jey Uso then approached Cody backstage. Jey made it clear that he intended to win the King of the Ring tournament and challenge Cody for the championship at SummerSlam.
Cody told Jey that he deserved the opportunity, but he also questioned whether the decision would truly belong to Jey or whether Roman Reigns would still be pulling the strings from the background.
That was the right line to include because it tied Jey’s tournament run into his larger history. Jey has spent years trying to escape Roman’s shadow, and Cody immediately challenged the idea that he has completely succeeded.
The problem is that the segment ended before Jey could respond with anything memorable. WWE planted the seed but did not allow the tension to fully develop.
What worked: Cody questioning Jey’s independence, Jey establishing his SummerSlam goal and Roman influencing the episode without appearing.
What didn’t: The segment felt more like setup than a complete opening statement.
Charlotte Flair Defeats Jade Cargill, Sol Ruca And Lyra Valkyria
Queen Of The Ring First Round
Grade: C+
The opening Queen of the Ring Fatal 4-Way had enough star power to keep the crowd invested, but it was far sloppier than it needed to be.
The match began with a good presentation choice. Jade Cargill spoke backstage about repeating as Queen of the Ring and eventually reclaiming the WWE Women’s Championship from Rhea Ripley. Charlotte Flair’s music then interrupted the promo without requiring an unnecessary argument.
That was clean and effective.
Once the bell rang, the match became increasingly messy.
With Charlotte and Jade positioned as two of the biggest stars in the division, WWE had an easy opportunity to protect their first meaningful exchange. Instead, the match broke down quickly and gave viewers several minutes of direct interaction almost immediately.
That did not ruin a future singles match, but it removed some of the anticipation WWE could have preserved.
Jade continues to improve, and WWE clearly trusts her more than it did previously. She was asked to work an extended Fatal 4-Way with Charlotte, Lyra Valkyria and Sol Ruca rather than being hidden inside a short power-based showcase.
However, improvement does not mean the rough edges should be ignored.
The Tower of Doom variation was a creative idea because Jade converted the expected suplex into a Samoan Drop. The setup took far too long. Jade stood around waiting for Charlotte and Lyra to reach their positions, which made the entire sequence look rehearsed.
That problem appeared repeatedly throughout the match. Several spots looked rushed, delayed or overly choreographed. The main-roster women’s division has too many matches where the wrestlers appear focused on reaching the next planned moment instead of allowing the current one to breathe.
Then Jade nearly lost her wig during the closing stretch.
It was funny because it was impossible not to notice, but it also happened at the worst possible time. Jade had almost no chance to recover and spent the final minutes attempting to continue the match while keeping everything in place.
The interference made the match even more cluttered.
Michin and B-Fab attacked Charlotte. Alexa Bliss ran out. Tiffany Stratton became involved. Every person had a storyline reason to appear, but the match did not need all of them.
WWE tried to advance several women’s division stories in one segment and ended up making the entire thing feel overproduced.
Charlotte forced Lyra to submit to the Figure Eight, protecting Jade and Sol while advancing to face Liv Morgan in the semifinals.
The result was genuinely surprising. The match itself was entertaining in stretches, but the execution never matched the ambition.
What worked: Charlotte interrupting Jade’s promo through her entrance music, Jade continuing to improve, Sol Ruca’s athleticism and the unexpected winner.
What didn’t: Sloppy timing, visible waiting during spots, too much interference and a closing stretch that became distracting for the wrong reason.
Chelsea Green Tries To Become Tiffany Stratton’s New Best Friend
Grade: B
Chelsea Green rescued Tiffany Stratton from Michin and B-Fab with a kendo stick and immediately acted like the two had become best friends.
Tiffany’s facial expressions told the entire story. She did not trust Chelsea, did not ask for Chelsea’s help and clearly did not know how to get rid of her.
This worked because Chelsea is one of the few people on the roster who can turn an intentionally ridiculous idea into something entertaining without dragging the show down.
There are several possible directions.
Chelsea could become Tiffany’s unwanted tag-team partner. Blake Monroe could eventually align with Tiffany. Chelsea could also be staying close because she wants another opportunity at the WWE Women’s United States Championship.
WWE does not need to reveal the answer immediately. The story is better while Tiffany remains suspicious and Chelsea remains delusional.
What worked: Chelsea’s character work, Tiffany’s reactions and a simple story with several possible directions.
What didn’t: WWE rushed the partnership into a tag match later in the same episode instead of allowing the idea to breathe.
Rhea Ripley’s Injury Status Adds Uncertainty To The Women’s Division
Grade: B-
Commentary revealed that WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley is being evaluated after suffering a knee injury during the European tour.
No return timetable was announced.
That is a major development because Ripley is one of the most important women on the roster and the division’s larger SummerSlam direction may depend on her availability.
Jade entered the show openly discussing another title opportunity against Ripley before losing her Queen of the Ring qualifier and redirecting her attention toward Tiffany Stratton.
WWE handled the update correctly by acknowledging it without pretending to know more than it currently does.
What worked: A direct update without unnecessary speculation.
What didn’t: Ripley’s uncertain status leaves the women’s championship picture without a clear direction.
Jacob Fatu Delivers Roman Reigns’ Message To Solo Sikoa
Grade: B+
Jacob Fatu told Solo Sikoa that Roman Reigns wanted him to come home.
Solo rejected the offer and described Roman’s version of home as a doghouse. He reminded Jacob that Roman once forced him to kneel publicly and questioned why Jacob had become Roman’s messenger.
Jacob understood Solo’s anger but made it clear that he had chosen Roman’s side.
This was one of the better segments of the night because Solo did not sound unreasonable and Jacob did not sound blindly loyal. Both men acknowledged the history and reached different conclusions.
That matters because WWE has spent years asking viewers to accept Bloodline loyalty without always explaining why anyone would willingly return to Roman after everything he has done.
The segment also added weight to Roman’s announced RAW return. Roman did not appear on SmackDown, but his presence shaped the episode.
What worked: Strong continuity, believable motivations and a clear reason to care about Roman’s return.
What didn’t: WWE needs to be careful not to surround every major match with Bloodline interference.
Finn Bálor Begins His SmackDown Chapter
Grade: C+
Finn Bálor’s move to SmackDown created several possible directions without giving him a real storyline yet.
R-Truth welcomed him back as though The Judgment Day had reunited. Damian Priest reminded everyone that he had not forgotten Finn’s history with him. Tama Tonga later greeted Finn before the main event.
The segment was harmless and mildly entertaining, but WWE has spent too much time treating Finn like a useful piece instead of a major player.
A move to SmackDown only matters if the company gives him a clear purpose.
What worked: Existing history with Priest, R-Truth’s comedy and several possible directions.
What didn’t: Finn still feels like someone WWE inserts wherever it needs an extra name rather than someone with a meaningful story.
Paige And Brie Bella Defeat Fatal Influence
Grade: C-
Paige and Brie Bella defeated Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid in a non-title match, but the result did very little to make the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions feel important.
There was no good reason for WWE to leave two recognizable champions off television during the European tour and then bring them back for a routine match after returning to the United States.
The division needs consistency. It does not need occasional reminders that the titles exist.
The match itself was forgettable.
Jacy Jayne interfered until the referee ejected her. Brie distracted the referee while Paige attempted to win, which did not actually help her partner. Brie eventually reversed a small package to steal the victory.
WWE needs to stop booking Paige and Brie like a team that survives through luck.
Roll-ups and small packages have a purpose, but repeated flash-pin victories make champions look less credible. Paige and Brie need matching gear, a recognizable tag-team finisher and a presentation that makes them look like an actual team instead of two established names carrying belts.
The referee confusion could eventually lead to tension between them, but WWE has not provided enough evidence to make that assumption yet.
What worked: Paige remains naturally easy to support and Fatal Influence’s interference fit the story.
What didn’t: A weak finish, no tag-team identity and another match that failed to make the champions feel significant.
Sami Zayn Mistakes Candice LeRae’s Advice For His Own
Grade: C
Johnny Gargano remained nearly unresponsive while Sami Zayn attempted to talk through his problems backstage.
Candice LeRae told Johnny to do something. Sami mistakenly believed she was talking to him and walked away with the confidence to confront Cody Rhodes.
The misunderstanding served a purpose because it pushed Sami into the most important segment of the show.
The larger Johnny and Candice story remains difficult to care about because WWE still has not revealed where it is going.
Johnny acting almost catatonic may eventually lead somewhere. Right now, it feels like a recurring joke without a punchline.
What worked: The segment gave Sami a reason to confront Cody.
What didn’t: Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae’s story still feels directionless.
Sami Zayn And Cody Rhodes Finally Stop Pretending Everything Is Fine
Grade: A
This was the best segment of the night.
Sami called Cody to the ring and asked for an honest conversation. He explained that every time he attempted to help Cody, he ended up paying the price.
Cody initially attempted to answer diplomatically. Sami rejected the vague responses and demanded the truth.
Cody finally stopped protecting Sami’s feelings.
He told Sami that the crowd had turned on him because he had become consumed by whining, crying and desperation. Cody said Sami was no longer the person fans originally supported.
Then he said the one thing Sami could not accept: Cody had the WWE Championship, and Sami never would.
Sami slapped him.
He immediately realized that he had crossed a line and apologized. Cody slapped him back. Sami briefly grabbed a steel chair before dropping it and walking away.
The segment worked because neither man was completely right or completely wrong.
Sami has legitimate reasons to feel disrespected. Cody also has every reason to be frustrated with a friend whose obsession with the championship has gradually changed him.
The story feels real because it is not built around a simple heel turn. It is built around two people who understand each other well enough to say the exact thing that will cause the most damage.
What worked: Strong dialogue, believable emotion, a physical escalation that felt earned and a conflict with no easy resolution.
What didn’t: Nothing significant.
GUNTHER Names Sami Zayn As The Special Guest Referee
Grade: A
GUNTHER chose the perfect stipulation for next week’s Undisputed WWE Championship rematch against Cody Rhodes.
After losing at Clash in Italy because the referee failed to notice his foot beneath the bottom rope, GUNTHER used his leverage to choose a new official.
He selected Sami Zayn.
The decision was calculated without becoming complicated.
Sami had just slapped Cody. Cody had just told Sami that he would never become WWE Champion. GUNTHER placed the match in the hands of someone who desperately wants to prove that he is fair while clearly being in no condition to remain emotionally neutral.
GUNTHER did not need to attack Cody. He did not need to manipulate Sami with a long speech. He simply waited for the friendship to collapse and took advantage of it.
That is exactly how GUNTHER should be booked.
What worked: A logical stipulation, perfect timing and a smart continuation of the Cody-Sami story.
What didn’t: Nothing.
Rey Fenix Defeats Axiom
AAA Cruiserweight Championship
Grade: B+
Rey Fenix and Axiom delivered the best match of the night from bell to bell.
The match was fast without becoming completely reckless. Fenix attacked early with a dive. Axiom responded with sharp counters and nearly won the title after a top-rope Spanish Fly.
Fenix recovered and retained with the Mexican Muscle Buster.
There were a few imperfect moments, including a stumble and a kick that did not connect as cleanly as intended. The difference is that these mistakes did not dominate the match or become the entire story.
The AAA Cruiserweight Championship also felt important because WWE allowed it to be defended on SmackDown in a match that received real time.
What worked: Strong pace, clean storytelling, a believable near fall and meaningful exposure for the title.
What didn’t: A few minor execution issues.
Trick Williams, Ricky Saints And Carmelo Hayes Collide
Grade: B-
United States Champion Trick Williams arrived with Lil Yachty and addressed his loss in last week’s King of the Ring qualifier.
Ricky Saints and Carmelo Hayes interrupted and continued arguing over who deserved the next title opportunity.
Trick told them to settle the issue themselves.
Saints and Hayes will now face each other next week, with the winner challenging Trick for the United States Championship at Night of Champions.
The segment did what it needed to do. It gave Trick confidence, created a logical contender’s match and moved the title picture forward.
It was not especially memorable, but it was clear and effective.
What worked: Trick carrying himself like a champion and a straightforward path to Night of Champions.
What didn’t: The physical ending was predictable and the segment never rose above functional.
Giulia Finally Walks Away From Kiana James
Grade: B-
Kiana James attempted to explain how much she had helped Giulia.
Giulia acknowledged that Kiana once assisted her with English but made it clear that she no longer needed her.
Then she slapped her.
The segment was simple and effective.
Giulia has outgrown the partnership. Kiana believes that Giulia abandoned her after benefiting from her help. WWE now has an easy singles feud that should help Giulia continue establishing her identity.
The challenge is making the follow-up matter.
A basic television match followed by an immediate move to another story would make the breakup feel pointless.
What worked: Clear motivations and an uncomplicated breakup.
What didn’t: WWE still needs to prove that the feud will receive enough time to matter.
Michin And B-Fab Defeat Tiffany Stratton And Chelsea Green
Grade: C
Chelsea Green’s attempt to become Tiffany Stratton’s new best friend continued in a tag match that arrived too quickly.
Chelsea spent most of the match trying to tag Tiffany. When Tiffany finally reached the apron, Jade Cargill pulled her down while the referee was distracted.
Michin pinned Chelsea after a Styles Clash.
Jade then attacked Tiffany, hit Jaded and placed the WWE Women’s United States Championship on her chest.
The final image clearly established Jade’s next target. That part worked.
The problem is that WWE already used the same group of women during the opening match. By returning to them later in the episode with another interference-heavy finish, the company made the division feel overloaded.
Chelsea and Tiffany needed more time to develop their uneasy partnership before WWE rushed them into a match.
What worked: Jade clearly targeting Tiffany’s championship and Chelsea’s character work.
What didn’t: Another overbooked finish and too many storylines competing for attention.
Cody Rhodes Questions Whether Sami Zayn Can Remain Impartial
Grade: B
Cody confronted Nick Aldis after learning that Sami Zayn would referee next week’s championship rematch.
Cody questioned whether WWE should allow someone in Sami’s emotional state to control a match of that importance.
Sami overheard the conversation and responded sarcastically.
The segment worked because Cody’s concern was completely reasonable, while Sami interpreted it as another insult.
That is the strength of the story. Neither man needs to behave irrationally for the relationship to keep deteriorating.
What worked: A logical continuation of the earlier confrontation and another reason for Sami to feel disrespected.
What didn’t: The segment was brief and could have used a slightly longer exchange.
Jey Uso Defeats LA Knight, Finn Bálor And Royce Keys
King Of The Ring First Round
Grade: B
The main event combined a solid Fatal 4-Way with the latest Bloodline complications.
Royce Keys was presented as the dominant force. Jey Uso, LA Knight and Finn Bálor eventually worked together to powerbomb him through the announce table.
Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa appeared at ringside. Solo hit Knight with the Solo Spike. Keys followed with the Ultimate Spinebuster.
Before Keys could finish the match, Jey landed a splash and stole the pinfall on Knight.
The finish protected Keys and advanced Jey into the semifinals, but Solo’s interference also made the tournament feel secondary to the Bloodline story.
That is the tradeoff.
Jey vs. Je’Von Evans is an interesting semifinal. Knight now has a legitimate issue with Solo. Keys remains protected. The match accomplished several things at once.
It also felt like another WWE main event where outside involvement mattered more than the actual wrestling.
What worked: Royce Keys looking dominant, the announce-table spot, Jey advancing and multiple future storylines coming out of the finish.
What didn’t: Another interference-heavy main event and a tournament result that felt secondary to the larger Bloodline angle.
Best Match Of The Night
Rey Fenix vs. Axiom
AAA Cruiserweight Championship
The King of the Ring main event had more storyline importance, but Rey Fenix and Axiom delivered the cleanest match from bell to bell.
It was fast, athletic and easy to follow without becoming overloaded with interference or unnecessary complications.
The top-rope Spanish Fly created a believable near fall, while Fenix retaining with the Mexican Muscle Buster gave the match a definitive ending.
Best Segment Of The Night
Cody Rhodes And Sami Zayn’s Confrontation
Nothing else came close.
Cody and Sami turned weeks of misunderstandings, frustration and resentment into a believable personal conflict.
Cody stopped speaking like a polished champion and told Sami exactly what he thought. Sami crossed a line, recognized it immediately and still could not completely calm himself down.
GUNTHER naming Sami as the special guest referee afterward made the segment even better because it gave every line of dialogue a consequence.
Current King Of The Ring Tournament Standings
Semifinals
- Jey Uso vs. Je’Von Evans
- Oba Femi vs. Dominik Mysterio
The tournament winner will earn a championship opportunity at SummerSlam.
Current Queen Of The Ring Tournament Standings
Semifinals
- Charlotte Flair vs. WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan
- Iyo Sky vs. Raquel Rodriguez
The tournament winner will earn a championship opportunity at SummerSlam.
What Was Announced For Next Week’s Monday Night RAW And Friday Night SmackDown
The road to Night of Champions continues with two loaded episodes of WWE television next week.
Monday Night RAW will host the first two King and Queen of the Ring semifinal matches alongside the return of Roman Reigns. SmackDown will follow with an Undisputed WWE Championship rematch surrounded by uncertainty, the remaining Queen of the Ring semifinal and two matches with championship implications.
Announced For Monday Night RAW — June 15th, 2026
- Roman Reigns returns to RAW.
- Oba Femi vs. Dominik Mysterio (King Of The Ring Semifinal)
- Iyo Sky vs. Raquel Rodriguez (Queen Of The Ring Semifinal)
Announced For WWE Friday Night SmackDown — June 19th, 2026
- Cody Rhodes vs. GUNTHER with Sami Zayn as special guest referee (Undisputed WWE Championship)
- Charlotte Flair vs. WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan (Queen Of The Ring Semifinal)
- Damian Priest and R-Truth (c) vs. The M.F.T. (WWE Tag Team Championship)
- Ricky Saints vs. Carmelo Hayes (WWE United States Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match)
The winner of Ricky Saints vs. Carmelo Hayes will challenge Trick Williams for the WWE United States Championship at Night of Champions.
Final Thoughts
SmackDown was effective without being especially consistent.
The opening Queen of the Ring Fatal 4-Way was entertaining despite its visible flaws. Charlotte Flair advancing was a legitimate surprise. Jade Cargill continues to improve, but WWE should not pretend that every part of her development is complete. The women’s division has enough talent and enough stories. It does not need every story happening at the same time.
Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton could become one of the more entertaining dysfunctional partnerships on the show if WWE allows the idea to breathe. Paige and Brie Bella need stronger booking, matching gear and a real tag-team finisher if the company expects viewers to treat them as meaningful champions.
The Bloodline story remains compelling because Roman Reigns did not need to appear to influence the entire episode. Solo Sikoa’s refusal to return home and Jacob Fatu’s decision to stand with Roman created a believable family conflict. Jey Uso advancing in the King of the Ring tournament gives the story another possible direction heading into SummerSlam.
Rey Fenix and Axiom delivered the best match of the night because their championship match was allowed to stand on its own without becoming overwhelmed by outside involvement.
Still, Cody Rhodes, Sami Zayn and GUNTHER carried the episode.
GUNTHER did not need to attack Cody. He did not need to manipulate Sami through a long speech. He simply waited until their friendship cracked and placed Sami directly in the middle of next week’s championship match.
That is the story SmackDown needed.
Overall Show Grade
Grade: B-
What worked: Cody, Sami and GUNTHER, Rey Fenix vs. Axiom, Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa, Jey Uso advancing and the Night of Champions setup.
What didn’t: Sloppy execution, repetitive interference finishes, weak women’s tag-team booking and too many storylines fighting for attention.
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I’m the quiet one until the bell rings then I’ve got takes. I live for WWE NXT and TNA, I want every promotion to succeed, and I will absolutely roast the bad decisions on sight (because someone has to). Anime taught me to respect long-term storytelling; wrestling taught me that sometimes the plan is “we panicked” and called it “unpredictable.” The Miz got me into all of this, so yeah I appreciate confidence, commitment, and the art of talking like you’re already the main event. Now I bring that same energy to the page as the main writer for Late Night Crew Wrestling because if you’re not here to be must-see and tell the truth, why are you here?!