WWE Friday Night SmackDown June 19th, 2026 Results & Recap: Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther Ends In Sami Zayn Chaos, Jey Uso Beats Je’Von Evans To Reach King Of The Ring Finals

We are less than a week away from WWE Night of Champions on Saturday, June 27th, 2026, and last night’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown finally gave the premium live event the championship weight it needed. This was not a perfect show, and at times WWE got in its own way by adding extra layers to stories that were already working, but it was still a productive episode that reshaped the Night of Champions card in a meaningful way. Cody Rhodes and Gunther opened the show with an Undisputed WWE Championship match that had the right drama, the right stakes and the right controversy before WWE made the finish more complicated than it needed to be. Sami Zayn’s unraveling continued to become one of SmackDown’s most interesting character arcs, Jade Cargill officially shifted from the WWE Women’s Championship scene into Tiffany Stratton’s Women’s United States Title picture, Ricky Saints earned a shot at Trick Williams, Liv Morgan punched her ticket to the Queen of the Ring finals, and Jey Uso vs. Je’Von Evans delivered the best match of the night while quietly proving why this year’s King of the Ring tournament has been one of WWE’s better tools for pushing the company’s future.

Here are the full results

• Cody Rhodes (c) defeated Gunther (Undisputed WWE Championship with Sami Zayn as special guest referee)
• Damian Priest and R-Truth (c) defeated Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga (WWE Tag Team Championships)
• Ricky Saints defeated Carmelo Hayes to become No. 1 contender to Trick Williams’ United States Championship.
• Jey Uso defeated Je’Von Evans (King of the Ring semifinal)
• WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan defeated Charlotte Flair (Queen of the Ring semifinal)

Breakdowns & Reactions

Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther For The Undisputed WWE Championship With Sami Zayn As Special Guest Referee

Grade: B-

Opening last night with Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther was the right decision. It instantly made SmackDown feel important, gave the show a big-fight atmosphere and put the world title at the center of the episode instead of saving all the meaningful business for the final segment.

The match itself was strong because Cody and Gunther are too good not to deliver when the bell rings. Gunther controlled the pace like only he can, chopping Cody down, targeting the leg and bringing a cold, punishing energy that made Cody fight from underneath. Cody sold the pressure well and kept the match moving with the urgency of a champion who knew this was not just about retaining the title, but about proving the Clash in Italy controversy did not define him.

The best part of the match was Sami Zayn actually making the right call when he saw Gunther’s foot under the rope after Cody hit Cross Rhodes. That was smart storytelling. It called back to Clash in Italy, where Gunther’s foot under the rope was missed, and it briefly made Sami look like someone trying to do the right thing despite his issues with Cody.

Then the segment started stacking complications on top of complications.

Sami shoving Cody, Gunther powerbombing Sami, the second referee running down, Sami pulling that referee out, kicking Gunther’s hands off the ropes and fast-counting Cody’s pin was already enough. That finish gave everyone a valid issue. Gunther got screwed. Cody did not get the clean win he wanted. Sami became the problem. Nick Aldis had every reason to make a triple threat.

The restart was where WWE overplayed its hand. Cody demanding it made sense for his character, but creatively, the original finish did the job. Restarting the match just to have Sami run back in, hit Gunther with a Helluva Kick, attack the official and accidentally blast Cody with the title felt like WWE did not trust the audience to understand the controversy that was already sitting right there.

The destination is good. The route was messier than it needed to be.

What worked:

• Cody and Gunther still feel like a major world-title pairing.
• Sami’s officiating added real tension before it became too much.
• The rope-break callback to Clash in Italy was one of the smartest details of the night.
• Cody wanting a restart fit his character.
• Cody vs. Gunther vs. Sami at Night of Champions feels big.

What didn’t work:

• WWE already had a strong controversial finish before adding another one.
• The restart made the segment feel overbooked.
• Gunther once again left with an excuse instead of momentum.
• The second finish weakened the impact of the first finish.

The Bigger Cody Rhodes, Gunther And Sami Zayn Story

Grade: B

The Cody, Gunther and Sami story works because all three men believe they are right.

Cody is the champion trying to protect the credibility of his reign. He beat Gunther at Clash in Italy, but the missed rope break gave Gunther a legitimate argument. Cody’s character is built on legacy, honor and proving he belongs at the top, so winning with an asterisk bothers him more than it would bother most champions.

Gunther is the challenger who believes the system keeps failing him. He has a point. He had a case after Clash in Italy, and after last night, he has another one. The problem is not Gunther’s motivation. The problem is what WWE has slowly done to his aura.

Gunther used to feel like the final boss of wrestling. He was not just a top guy chasing belts. He was discipline, violence, punishment and wrestling purity. Every match felt like someone was trying to survive him. Lately, WWE has started to water him down by only knowing how to book him in two lanes: title feuds or programs where he is positioned as the guy who might retire someone.

That is too narrow for someone as special as Gunther.

He does not need a championship or a legend standing across from him to matter. He should be able to exist anywhere on the card and still feel dangerous. Instead, WWE keeps giving him protected losses, controversial finishes and valid complaints. That protects him on paper, but perception matters. If Gunther keeps losing while commentary keeps explaining why it does not really count, eventually it still starts to count.

Sami is the most interesting piece of the story because he is not acting like a traditional villain. He keeps calling himself the “last good guy,” but every week he makes more selfish, emotional and destructive choices. That is what makes this version of Sami compelling. He believes he is the victim. He believes he is misunderstood. He believes Cody, Gunther and everyone around him are forcing him into impossible positions. But last night made the truth obvious: Sami did not get pulled into the chaos. He became the chaos.

What worked:

• Cody’s desire to win clean keeps him consistent as champion.
• Gunther’s frustration is believable because he has legitimate complaints.
• Sami’s spiral gives the triple threat real emotional weight.
• The Night of Champions match feels earned even if the path was clunky.

What didn’t work:

• Gunther is being protected too often without being rebuilt through dominance.
• WWE needs to find non-title stories for Gunther that still feel important.
• Sami’s character work is strong, but the execution last night needed fewer moving parts.
• The triple threat got made in the loudest, messiest way possible.

Damian Priest & R-Truth vs. Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga For The WWE Tag Team Championships

Grade: C+

This was a functional title match that advanced a story, but it did not do much to elevate the tag titles themselves.

Damian Priest and R-Truth are still entertaining together, and the crowd clearly enjoys the odd-couple dynamic. Priest brings credibility and presence, while Truth adds personality and timing. That combination works, but last night’s match was more about Solo Sikoa hurting his own side than it was about the champions proving anything.

Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga had already warned Solo to stay backstage because his family drama was getting in the way. Solo came out anyway, distracted Talla, threw off the timing and Truth capitalized with the roll-up to retain.

That finish made sense for the story, but it also made the tag titles feel like background props. Priest and Truth retained, but the main takeaway was Solo causing problems. That is fine once in a while, but the tag champions need to feel like the focus of their own division.

What worked:

• Priest and Truth remain a fun pairing.
• Talla Tonga’s size gave the match a different physical dynamic.
• Solo accidentally costing his side pushed that internal tension forward.
• Tama and Talla walking away from Solo was a good character beat.

What didn’t work:

• The tag titles felt secondary to Solo’s story.
• The finish was predictable once Solo appeared.
• Priest and Truth need a stronger title direction.
• The division still lacks urgency.

Jade Cargill Challenges Tiffany Stratton For The Women’s United States Championship

Grade: B

Jade Cargill moving into Tiffany Stratton’s Women’s United States Championship picture was one of the most important developments from last night because it gave Night of Champions another title match that actually feels worthy of the event name.

The move makes sense, but it also shows how uneven Jade’s direction has been since WrestleMania. Jade lost the WWE Women’s Championship to Rhea Ripley, came back targeting Rhea, beat her in a six-woman tag, then failed to win the title back at Clash in Italy. At that point, WWE had to move Jade somewhere else because she could not keep chasing Rhea, keep losing and still feel like a monster.

Tiffany is the right next stop because there is already history there. Tiffany beat Jade at SummerSlam 2025 to retain the WWE Women’s Championship, and Jade later ended Tiffany’s 301-day reign at Saturday Night’s Main Event. That gives this match more weight than a random challenger stepping up for a midcard title.

The key is making sure the Women’s United States Championship does not feel like a consolation prize. Jade should not feel like she is dropping down because she failed to beat Rhea. She should feel like someone trying to take control of SmackDown by taking Tiffany’s title and reminding everyone that she is still one of the most dangerous women on the roster.

Right now, Jade’s direction has potential, but it is crowded. She is tied to Rhea, Tiffany, Charlotte, Michin, B-Fab and the larger women’s division power structure. That can make her feel dangerous, but WWE needs to keep the focus clean.

What worked:

• Jade vs. Tiffany has real history.
• The Women’s U.S. Title gets a much-needed major spotlight.
• Jade feels dangerous again after falling short against Rhea.
• Michin and B-Fab give Jade’s presentation more edge.

What didn’t work:

• Jade’s motivations are starting to pile up.
• Tiffany needed a stronger champion’s response.
• WWE has to avoid making the Women’s U.S. Title feel like a backup plan.
• Jade is involved in a lot of stories at once.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints — United States Championship No. 1 Contender’s Match

Grade: B+

This was one of the cleanest in-ring pieces of last night’s SmackDown. Carmelo Hayes and Ricky Saints have strong chemistry because they wrestle with different kinds of confidence. Melo is smooth, quick and flashy without feeling careless. Ricky is arrogant, calculated and just underhanded enough to make every exchange feel like he is looking for a shortcut.

The match had a good pace, especially compared to some of the more storyline-heavy segments around it. The exposed turnbuckle finish protected Melo while giving Ricky the win he needed. It was cheap, but it fit Ricky’s character and set up Trick Williams vs. Ricky Saints for the United States Championship at Night of Champions.

That match is needed. Trick has been U.S. Champion since WrestleMania, and the title needed a real PLE defense. Ricky winning by taking advantage gives Trick a challenger who can talk, cheat and force the champion into a different kind of fight.

What worked:

• Melo and Ricky worked well together.
• The match had a sharper pace than most of the show.
• Ricky winning made sense for Night of Champions.
• Melo stayed protected by the finish.
• Trick finally has a meaningful U.S. Title defense lined up.

What didn’t work:

• The crowd needed time to fully get into it.
• The cheap finish worked, but it capped the match’s ceiling.
• Melo needs a real follow-up or he risks feeling stuck.

Cody Rhodes Gets The Triple Threat Made Official

Grade: B

Cody pushing Nick Aldis to make the triple threat was a necessary follow-up. Cody looked like a champion who wanted the issue settled instead of hiding behind a messy win, and Aldis had more than enough chaos in front of him to justify Cody vs. Gunther vs. Sami at Night of Champions.

The problem is that WWE created extra damage just to arrive at the obvious conclusion. Cody could have asked for the triple threat after Sami’s fast count, and it would have made perfect sense. The restart gave the segment more drama, but not necessarily more value.

What worked:

• Cody looked like a champion who wanted clarity.
• Aldis making the match was logical.
• The triple threat immediately became one of the biggest Night of Champions matches.

What didn’t work:

• WWE made the road to the announcement more complicated than necessary.
• Gunther again felt like someone reacting to chaos instead of creating fear.
• Sami’s involvement was strong, but the story did not need the extra loop.

Danhausen, The Miz, Kit Wilson, Angel, Berto, Matt Cardona And Finn Bálor Backstage Comedy

Grade: C

This was harmless, but harmless is not always enough when the show is less than a week away from Night of Champions.

Danhausen gives SmackDown something strange and different, and there is value in having weird character flavor on a two-hour show. The Finn Bálor and R-Truth exchange had some comedy to it, especially Truth casually offering Finn a spot in Judgment Day. Matt Cardona also staying visible is not a bad thing.

Still, this felt like filler. It did not hurt the show, but it did not elevate it either. On a night where WWE was trying to build a premium live event, this segment felt more like something placed between the important parts than something that mattered on its own.

What worked:

• Danhausen gives SmackDown a different flavor.
• Truth and Finn had a funny exchange.
• Cardona being used keeps him in the mix.

What didn’t work:

• The segment felt disposable.
• It did not match the urgency of the Night of Champions build.
• It was more time-filler than storyline movement.

Jey Uso vs. Je’Von Evans — King Of The Ring Semifinal

Grade: A-

This was the best match of the night.

Jey Uso and Je’Von Evans delivered exactly what a tournament semifinal should be. It had urgency, selling, pace, emotion and a finish that moved one man forward while still elevating the other. Je’Von came in with taped ribs after Bron Breakker’s spear on Raw, and Jey wrestled like a veteran who knew exactly how to exploit a weakness.

This was not Jey coasting on crowd reactions. He wrestled with purpose. He targeted the ribs, slowed Je’Von down and made the match feel like a fight instead of just a highlight reel. Je’Von, meanwhile, looked like a future star. His explosiveness, dropkicks, timing and selling made the match feel bigger as it went on. He did not just do impressive moves. He fought through damage and made the audience believe he could steal it.

The finish was clean and effective. Jey countered the OG Cutter, hit the spear and followed with the Uso Splash to advance. The post-match respect mattered just as much as the result. Jey raising Je’Von’s hand told the audience that Je’Von belonged in that spot.

The King of the Ring tournament this year has quietly done a strong job pushing younger talent who are clearly part of WWE’s future. The semifinalists and finalists show that balance:

• Je’Von Evans: 22 years old.
• Oba Femi: 28 years old.
• Dominik Mysterio: 29 years old.
• Jey Uso: 40 years old.

That is three younger or prime-age names in the semifinal mix with Jey as the veteran emotional anchor. Oba Femi feels like a future world champion. Je’Von Evans feels like a breakout star being tested in real spots. Dominik Mysterio continues proving he is one of WWE’s most reliable younger TV characters. Jey gives the final star power and Bloodline weight.

This is what the tournament should be doing.

What worked:

• Jey and Je’Von had the strongest chemistry of the night.
• Je’Von looked like a future main-event player even in defeat.
• Jey wrestled with more focus and edge than usual.
• The rib injury gave the match a clear story.
• The post-match respect elevated Je’Von.
• The tournament is actually helping younger talent instead of just recycling safe names.

What didn’t work:

• Je’Von losing stings because his momentum is real.
• WWE needs to follow up with him immediately.
• Jey vs. Oba is strong, but Oba cannot just become a sacrifice for Bloodline storytelling.

Paige, Brie Bella, Bayley, Lyra Valkyria And Fatal Influence Segment

Grade: C+

This segment did its job, but it did not feel hot enough for the names involved.

Paige and Brie Bella hyping their Women’s Tag Team Title defense against Bayley and Lyra Valkyria gives the division a notable match, while Fatal Influence staying angry after missing out on the titles gives the story a natural next step. Jacy Jayne wanting Paige also gives next week some connective tissue.

The issue is that the women’s tag division still feels like it is waiting for a real identity. There are names, there are teams and there are matches, but the division needs sharper stakes. This segment was functional, but it did not make the title picture feel must-see.

What worked:

• Paige and Brie vs. Bayley and Lyra is a solid title match.
• Fatal Influence staying involved makes sense.
• Jacy vs. Paige is a logical follow-up.

What didn’t work:

• The segment lacked urgency.
• The women’s tag division still needs stronger week-to-week storytelling.
• It felt more like an announcement than a major angle.

Tiffany Stratton And Chelsea Green Backstage Segment

Grade: C+

Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green’s backstage exchange was fine, but it needed more bite.

Chelsea wanting to attach herself to champions makes sense because that is her character. Tiffany questioning her motives also worked because Tiffany should not be trusting anyone right now, especially with Jade Cargill coming for her title.

The problem is that Tiffany needed to feel bigger here. She had just been challenged by Jade for Night of Champions, and this should have been a stronger champion’s response. Instead, it felt like a side conversation. Tiffany is the Women’s United States Champion, and if WWE wants the title to feel important, she needs moments that make her feel like more than someone reacting to everyone else’s chaos.

What worked:

• Tiffany not trusting Chelsea made sense.
• Chelsea being opportunistic fit her character.
• It kept Tiffany on-screen before Night of Champions.

What didn’t work:

• Tiffany needed a stronger statement.
• Chelsea’s involvement felt more comedic than dangerous.
• The segment did not fully sell the importance of Tiffany vs. Jade.

Jade Cargill, Michin And B-Fab Attack Charlotte Flair

Grade: B

Jade attacking Charlotte Flair before the Queen of the Ring semifinal was effective because it immediately changed the entire main event. Charlotte was no longer walking into a fair fight against Liv Morgan. She was walking into a match already damaged.

Jade saying it should have been her was simple, direct and believable. From her perspective, she lost her Queen of the Ring opportunity, Tiffany cost her, and now Charlotte was standing in a spot Jade believed belonged to her. Targeting Charlotte’s knee gave Liv something to attack later and protected Charlotte in defeat.

The only thing that held the segment back was the audio issue. In a segment where motivation matters, not clearly hearing the beginning hurts the impact. Still, the physical angle worked. Jade looked ruthless, Charlotte looked tough for trying to compete anyway, and Liv benefited from the damage.

What worked:

• Jade looked dangerous.
• Charlotte was protected before the loss.
• The knee attack gave the main event a clear story.
• Jade’s presence across the division feels threatening.

What didn’t work:

• The audio hurt the opening.
• Jade is now attached to a lot of moving pieces.
• Charlotte losing after the attack became predictable.

Liv Morgan vs. Charlotte Flair — Queen Of The Ring Semifinal

Grade: B-

Liv Morgan beating Charlotte Flair made sense after the injury angle, and Liv wrestled the match exactly how she should have. She did not try to prove she could beat Charlotte at full strength. She saw the injury, attacked it and kept attacking it until Charlotte had nothing left.

That was the right character choice. Liv looked ruthless and smart. Charlotte looked tough for fighting through the damage. Alexa Bliss showing concern helped sell that Charlotte was nowhere near 100 percent, and the finish with Liv forcing Charlotte to tap made the injury feel meaningful.

The downside is that the match was boxed in by the angle. Once Jade attacked Charlotte’s knee, the outcome became pretty obvious. That does not make the match bad, but it limited how much suspense it could have. It was strong storytelling, not a great in-ring match.

Liv moving on to face IYO SKY in the Queen of the Ring final gives Night of Champions a good women’s tournament final because the motivations are different. IYO wants the crown and the future title opportunity. Liv already has the Women’s World Championship and wants more power.

What worked:

• Liv looked smart and vicious.
• Charlotte was protected.
• The injury story gave the match structure.
• Charlotte tapping felt important.
• Liv vs. IYO is the right Queen of the Ring final.

What didn’t work:

• The injury angle made the result easy to see coming.
• Charlotte was limited by the story.
• The match could not fully reach its potential.

Best Match And Segment Of The Night

Best Match: Jey Uso vs. Je’Von Evans

Jey Uso vs. Je’Von Evans was the clear standout. It had the best pace, the best emotional arc and the best balance of veteran polish and young-star energy. Jey got the win, but Je’Von got the performance. That is exactly how a tournament loss should work when WWE is trying to build someone for the future.

Best Segment: Cody Rhodes, Gunther And Sami Zayn’s Opening Chaos

Even with the overbooking, the Cody/Gunther/Sami angle was the biggest and most important story on the show. It reshaped Night of Champions, deepened Sami’s spiral, gave Cody a moral dilemma and gave Gunther another reason to be furious. It was messy, but it mattered.

What Was Announced For Next Week’s Show

• Next week’s SmackDown will be the final SmackDown before WWE Night of Champions.
• Cody Rhodes, Gunther and Sami Zayn are expected to remain the central Undisputed WWE Championship story heading into the PLE.
• Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill is now official for the Women’s United States Championship at Night of Champions.
• Trick Williams vs. Ricky Saints is now official for the United States Championship at Night of Champions.
• WWE did not heavily load next week’s SmackDown with a full advertised lineup yet, but the show will function as the Night of Champions go-home episode.

Current King And Queen Of The Ring Tournament Standings

King of the Ring Final

• Jey Uso vs. Oba Femi

King of the Ring semifinalists

• Jey Uso defeated Je’Von Evans.
• Oba Femi defeated Dominik Mysterio.

Queen of the Ring Final

• IYO SKY vs. Liv Morgan

Queen of the Ring semifinalists

• Liv Morgan defeated Charlotte Flair.
• IYO SKY defeated Raquel Rodriguez.

Updated WWE Night Of Champions Card

• Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Gunther vs. Sami Zayn (Undisputed WWE Championship)
• Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill (Women’s United States Championship)
• Trick Williams (c) vs. Ricky Saints (United States Championship)
• Jey Uso vs. Oba Femi (King of the Ring Final)
• IYO SKY vs. WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan (Queen of the Ring Final)
• Seth Rollins vs. WWE World Tag Team Champion Bron Breakker (Steel Cage Match)

Final Thoughts

Last night’s SmackDown was productive, but not flawless.

WWE did a lot right. Night of Champions finally feels like Night of Champions because the card now has real championship weight. Cody vs. Gunther vs. Sami gives the show a heated world-title match. Tiffany vs. Jade gives the Women’s United States Championship its biggest spotlight yet. Trick vs. Ricky gives the U.S. Title a real PLE defense. Jey vs. Oba and IYO vs. Liv give both tournaments clean finals with different kinds of stakes.

The show’s biggest flaw was WWE making simple things more complicated than they needed to be. Cody vs. Gunther did not need a restart to get to the triple threat. The original fast-count finish already had enough controversy. Sami’s involvement was strong, but the extra layer made the segment feel less sharp than it could have been.

Gunther remains the concern coming out of all this. He is still one of the best wrestlers in the company, but WWE has to stop relying on protected losses and valid complaints as a substitute for dominance. Gunther should not only matter when he is chasing a title or threatening a legend. He is too good for that. He needs stories that restore his final-boss aura instead of constantly asking the audience to remember it.

Jade moving toward Tiffany is the right call as long as WWE commits to making the Women’s U.S. Title feel like a prize, not a detour. Jade cannot keep chasing Rhea and losing. Tiffany gives her a fresh title, real history and a rivalry that can help both women if it is kept focused.

The best part of last night was Je’Von Evans. He lost, but he did not feel like a loser. He felt like someone WWE trusts more each week. Jey Uso advanced, Je’Von got elevated, and the King of the Ring tournament once again did what tournaments are supposed to do: make the future feel closer.

Last night’s SmackDown had issues, but it moved the pieces where they needed to go. It gave Night of Champions a stronger card, delivered one excellent tournament match, advanced the biggest stories and created enough tension to make the final week before the PLE matter. The writing was messy in places, but the show left WWE in a better position than where it started.

Overall Show Grade: B

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