WWE Friday Night SmackDown remained in Italy today as the blue brand took over the Unipol Arena in Bologna for the first episode following Clash In Italy.
The three-hour show streamed live internationally on Netflix at 2 p.m. EST before its scheduled tape-delayed airing in the United States on the USA Network at 8 p.m. EST. Anyone waiting for the domestic broadcast should stop reading now because the recap below contains full spoilers.
Today’s SmackDown was not built around one spectacular match. Its biggest strength was how much ground it covered without completely losing focus. GUNTHER demanded justice after the controversial ending to his Undisputed WWE Championship match against Cody Rhodes. Sami Zayn continued to become a problem Cody cannot ignore. Dominik Mysterio stole his way into the King Of The Ring semifinals. Raquel Rodriguez advanced in the Queen Of The Ring Tournament. Chad Gable returned to WWE television. The War Raiders appeared with their newly won AAA World Tag Team Championships. Jade Cargill pinned Tiffany Stratton. Fatal Influence targeted Brie Bella and Paige.
There was too much repetition in certain areas, particularly the ongoing Royce Keys storyline, but SmackDown left Bologna with a clearer direction than it had entering the afternoon.
Here Are The Full Results
- Raquel Rodriguez defeated Bayley, Jacy Jayne and Kiana James (Queen Of The Ring Tournament first-round Fatal 4-Way Match)
- Talla Tonga defeated Royce Keys.
- Jade Cargill and Michin defeated Charlotte Flair and WWE Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton.
- Ricky Saints defeated Carmelo Hayes.
- Lash Legend defeated Chelsea Green.
- AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio defeated Damian Priest, Bron Breakker and Trick Williams (King Of The Ring Tournament first-round Fatal 4-Way Match)
Breakdowns & Reactions
GUNTHER interrupted the opening moments of the show by dismantling the announce area and refusing to allow SmackDown to continue until WWE addressed the finish of his Undisputed WWE Championship match against Cody Rhodes at Clash In Italy.
His frustration was justified. GUNTHER’s foot was underneath the bottom rope when the referee counted the decisive pinfall on Sunday. Cody admitted the challenger had a legitimate grievance and offered him an immediate rematch in Bologna.
Sami Zayn complicated the situation by inserting himself into the conversation. Sami reminded everyone that he has defeated GUNTHER with a championship on the line and made it clear that Cody should not overlook him either. The argument turned into a fight. Sami saved Cody from GUNTHER’s sleeper hold, but Cody accidentally wiped him out with a dive after GUNTHER moved out of the way.
Later in the show, Nick Aldis informed Cody that GUNTHER accepted the rematch under one condition. GUNTHER will reveal that stipulation next Friday. Cody agreed but refused to wait longer than two weeks. The title match is scheduled for the June 19th episode of SmackDown in Kansas City.
This worked because nobody involved felt unnecessary. GUNTHER deserves another opportunity. Cody is trying to do the honorable thing. Sami continues to become increasingly frustrated because he believes the champion does not treat him like a legitimate threat. WWE does not need to rush into a Triple Threat Match, but it has several directions available.
Grade: A-
The first Queen Of The Ring Tournament match of the afternoon saw Raquel Rodriguez face Bayley, Jacy Jayne and Kiana James in a Fatal 4-Way Match.
The format allowed Raquel to showcase her power without forcing the match to revolve around her from beginning to end. Bayley brought the experience. Jacy remained opportunistic. Kiana attempted to steal the victory by using the ropes for leverage.
The finish came after a misunderstanding between Kiana and Giulia. Kiana mistakenly believed Giulia cost her a pinfall attempt. Bayley planted Kiana with the Rose Plant. Jacy knocked Bayley down with a rolling elbow. Raquel capitalized by hitting Kiana with the Tejana Bomb to advance.
After the match, Kiana shoved Giulia. Giulia responded by attacking her and kicking her out of the ring.
Raquel winning was the right decision. She needed an accomplishment of her own instead of constantly existing in the background of Liv Morgan and Dominik Mysterio’s story. The post-match angle also finally moved Giulia away from a partnership that had limited her more than it helped her.
Result: Raquel Rodriguez defeated Bayley, Jacy Jayne and Kiana James
Grade: B
Sami Zayn attempted to vent his frustrations to Johnny Gargano backstage before Nick Aldis told him to stay out of Cody Rhodes and GUNTHER’s business. Aldis then excused himself because he had a meeting with Chad Gable.
Gable later approached Rey Fenix and apologized for disrespecting lucha libre and the importance of the mask. Fenix accepted the apology but reminded Gable that he was not the only person who had been offended.
This was a quiet return, but it raised the right questions. Gable appeared noticeably more reflective than the arrogant figure who previously treated lucha libre like a joke. Whether the remorse is genuine or another layer of manipulation remains to be seen.
Grade: B
Royce Keys showed flashes of strength against Talla Tonga and eventually managed to slam the giant. The match ended when Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga created a distraction, allowing Talla to hit a chokeslam for the victory.
The MFTs attacked Royce after the bell. R-Truth attempted to make the save, but Damian Priest pulled his tag-team partner away from the situation because he did not want Truth dragging them into someone else’s war.
Later in the show, Solo approached Royce and told him that the MFTs were the only family he had left. Solo warned him that a war was coming and told him to choose a side.
The storyline has potential, but SmackDown spent too much time repeating the same point. Royce does not trust Priest. Truth wants to help. Priest wants to focus on the WWE Tag Team Championships. Solo wants to manipulate Royce. WWE established all of that clearly without needing to circle back to it several times.
Result: Talla Tonga defeated Royce Keys
Grade: C+
After Damian Priest walked away from R-Truth, The War Raiders approached Truth while carrying their newly won AAA World Tag Team Championships.
They made it clear that they were interested in challenging Priest and Truth for the WWE Tag Team Championships. Truth responded by claiming he did not know who they were before walking away.
The comedy landed, but the more important takeaway is that WWE introduced a legitimate championship program. The War Raiders immediately feel like a credible threat, and the possibility of a champions-versus-champions match adds another layer to the growing relationship between WWE and AAA.
Grade: B
WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley entered the ring after defeating Jade Cargill for the second consecutive Premium Live Event at Clash In Italy.
Charlotte Flair interrupted and declared that she intended to win the Queen Of The Ring Tournament before challenging Rhea at SummerSlam. Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton joined the conversation and revealed that she also had her eyes on Ripley’s championship. Jade Cargill and The Baddies eventually arrived because Jade was not ready to move on from her rivalry with Rhea.
Nick Aldis stopped the confrontation from turning into a brawl because Rhea was not medically cleared. Charlotte proposed teaming with Tiffany against Jade and a partner of her choosing.
The segment was crowded, but it gave the women’s division several directions. Rhea remains the champion everyone wants to defeat. Charlotte has a clear path through the tournament. Tiffany continues to aim higher while holding the Women’s United States Championship. Jade remains frustrated after losing to Rhea twice.
The issue is Jade. She cannot continue pursuing Rhea indefinitely without changing something about her character or rebuilding her momentum.
Grade: B
Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton were never going to operate like a completely united team, but they held their own against Jade Cargill and Michin.
Charlotte spent much of the match absorbing punishment before Tiffany eventually entered with momentum. The closing sequence broke down when Charlotte and Michin fought outside the ring. Tiffany attempted the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Jade stopped her and hit Jaded for the victory.
Jade pinning Tiffany was the correct result. She needed a meaningful victory after losing to Rhea Ripley again at Clash In Italy. Tiffany could afford the defeat without losing much because the match was thrown together on short notice and her partnership with Charlotte was never stable.
Result: Jade Cargill and Michin defeated Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton
Grade: B-
Fatal Influence confronted WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella and Paige during a backstage photoshoot.
Brie and Paige attempted to fight back, but Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid overwhelmed them before posing with the championships.
The segment was simple, direct and effective. Fatal Influence did not need a long explanation. They wanted the championships, attacked the champions and made their intentions obvious.
The question is whether WWE will consistently invest television time into the Women’s Tag Team Championships after establishing the challengers.
Grade: B-
Ricky Saints attacked Carmelo Hayes before the bell, immediately setting the tone for another competitive match between two wrestlers trying to establish superiority.
Hayes survived the Revolution DDT and continued fighting after Saints attempted to steal a count-out victory. The finish came when Ricky reversed a pinfall attempt and grabbed the tights to secure the three-count.
The result kept the rivalry alive without making either man look weak. Saints needed the victory, but he did not prove that he was unquestionably better than Carmelo. Hayes now has a valid reason to demand another match.
The wrestling has been good. The rivalry still needs a stronger personal edge to become more than a series of athletic contests.
Result: Ricky Saints defeated Carmelo Hayes
Grade: B
Chelsea Green attempted to convince Tiffany Stratton to accompany her to ringside, but Tiffany declined after losing earlier in the afternoon.
Chelsea then faced Lash Legend with Nia Jax at ringside. Despite interference and a late rally from Chelsea, Lash countered the Unpretti-Her and finished the match with the Lash Extension.
The match was fine for what it needed to accomplish. Lash earned another victory. Chelsea remained sympathetic because she fought through outside interference. Tiffany refusing to support Chelsea introduced another small crack in their relationship.
WWE also aired another Blake Monroe vignette teasing her interest in Tiffany’s Women’s United States Championship.
Result: Lash Legend defeated Chelsea Green
Grade: C+
The main event featured Damian Priest, Bron Breakker, Trick Williams and Dominik Mysterio in a King Of The Ring Tournament first-round Fatal 4-Way Match.
Breakker immediately looked like the most dangerous wrestler in the match. His explosiveness forced the other three competitors to account for him at all times. Priest brought the power. Trick remained opportunistic. Dominik survived by relying on Liv Morgan and JD McDonagh.
The closing stretch was chaotic in the right way. Liv prevented Priest from pinning Dominik. Breakker speared Priest. Trick attempted to steal the pinfall, but Dominik pulled the referee out of the ring. Breakker drove Trick through the announce desk. JD interfered. Liv delivered a low blow to Priest, allowing Dominik to steal the pinfall.
Dominik advancing was the most interesting decision WWE could have made. Breakker remained protected because he looked dominant. Trick remained protected because Breakker took him out of the equation. Priest remained protected because blatant interference cost him the match. Dominik advanced while staying completely true to his character.
The victory also added another layer to Judgment Day. Raquel Rodriguez advanced earlier in the afternoon, but Liv Morgan immediately tried to redirect the conversation toward the possibility of herself and Dominik becoming Queen and King Of The Ring. Raquel clearly did not appreciate it.
Result: Dominik Mysterio defeated Damian Priest, Bron Breakker and Trick Williams
Grade: B+
What Was Announced For Next Friday’s SmackDown?
- GUNTHER will reveal the condition for his Undisputed WWE Championship rematch against Cody Rhodes.
- Finn Bálor will face LA Knight, Jey Uso and Royce Keys in a King Of The Ring Tournament first-round Fatal 4-Way Match.
- Charlotte Flair will face Jade Cargill, Lyra Valkyria and Sol Ruca in a Queen Of The Ring Tournament first-round Fatal 4-Way Match.
- Cody Rhodes will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against GUNTHER on the June 19th episode of SmackDown in Kansas City.
Final Thoughts
Today’s SmackDown was not an unforgettable episode, but it was a productive one.
The strongest material involved Cody Rhodes, GUNTHER and Sami Zayn. GUNTHER deserves a rematch after the controversial Clash In Italy finish. Cody’s willingness to defend the championship again makes sense. Sami’s frustration continues to add tension without forcing WWE to rush into a Triple Threat Match.
Dominik Mysterio stealing the King Of The Ring main event was the right closing angle. Raquel Rodriguez advancing added another wrinkle to Judgment Day. Chad Gable’s return created intrigue. The War Raiders immediately gave the tag-team division another credible championship program. Jade Cargill recovered from another major loss by pinning Tiffany Stratton.
The biggest weakness was the amount of repetition surrounding Royce Keys, Damian Priest, R-Truth and the MFTs. The story is not bad, but SmackDown explained the same conflict too many times. That is where the three-hour format continues to hurt the show.
Still, WWE accomplished what it needed to accomplish. SmackDown moved beyond Clash In Italy, advanced both tournaments and established several reasons to watch next Friday.
Overall Grade: B
Best Match
Dominik Mysterio vs. Damian Priest vs. Bron Breakker vs. Trick Williams
Best Segment
GUNTHER, Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn open the show with a chaotic confrontation
Biggest Development
Cody Rhodes will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against GUNTHER again on June 19th, but GUNTHER’s mystery condition will not be revealed until next Friday.
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