WWE SmackDown Results – May 22, 2026

WWE SmackDown Results – May 22, 2026 – Welcome to WrestlingAttitude’s live coverage results of WWE SmackDown on May 22, from the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

Rhea Ripley heads to the ring and welcomes everyone to the show. She says she took one week off — one — and apparently that was enough for Jade Cargill and her crew to start acting bold. Rhea says whatever message they were trying to send only succeeded in pissing her off. She’s itching for a fight, and if Jade wants her rematch, she’ll gladly beat her again. Rhea lays it out plainly: you versus me at Clash in Italy.

Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss come out to address their partner ahead of tomorrow night’s match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Flair says she respects Rhea wanting to defend her title, but they have a six‑woman tag against Jade, B‑Fab, and Michin, and they need to be on the same page. Flair brings up the elephant in the room — last week, they needed Rhea’s help. Where was she?

Rhea says she went home to see her family. Doesn’t she deserve a day off? Flair says she’s glad Rhea saw her family, but they still could’ve used her. Rhea fires back, reminding Flair she said she didn’t need her help. Flair clarifies — that was with Fatal Influence. This is Rhea’s problem they’re dealing with now.

Rhea points out Alexa took most of the damage last week. If Flair can’t be there for her own friend, how is Rhea supposed to trust her? Flair and Rhea argue, accusing each other of driving a wedge into the team.

Fatal Influence interrupt.

acy steps forward with a grin and tells them not to stop — she loves every second of it. She says nothing brings her more joy than watching the women’s division fall apart right in front of them. According to her, this all started the moment Fatal Influence arrived on SmackDown. While the others have been too busy tearing each other apart, they’ve been climbing to the top and taking full advantage of the chaos.

Charlotte Flair fires back, saying she admires Jacy’s confidence. She then throws down the challenge: any two members of Fatal Influence against her and Alexa Bliss tonight.

Backstage With Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga & Tama Tonga

We get a replay of Talla Tonga blindsiding Shinsuke Nakamura last week after Nakamura dared to talk to Tama Tonga. Backstage, Cathy Kelley stops Solo, Talla, and Tama for a quick word before tonight’s match.

Cathy asks Talla for his thoughts, but Solo steps in immediately. Solo says he’s ready, and he wants everybody watching tonight — then he turns his head and locks eyes on Tama to make the point crystal clear.

Royce Keys walks up and cuts Solo off, reminding him that Solo cost him a title shot last week. Royce tells him to stay out of his business.

Solo fires back, saying if Royce didn’t want help, he could’ve said it to his face — instead, Royce threw a chair at him.

Results for WWE SmackDown on May 22, 2026, continue after a commercial break.

Alexa, Charlotte & Rhea — Tension Continues

Alexa tells Charlotte she isn’t cleared to compete. Charlotte fires back that Alexa seemed fine earlier. Alexa insists she is fine — but she’s done being stuck in the middle of their constant arguing. If she has to team tonight, she’s teaming with Rhea. She’s tired of being the glue holding everything together.

Talla Tonga vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

They lock up and Talla immediately muscles Nakamura into the turnbuckles. Talla calls for a test of strength, but Nakamura fakes a kick to keep him honest. Nakamura fires knees and forearms. Talla answers with a heavy punch and a kick to the spine. A headbutt drops Nakamura into the corner, where Talla unloads more kicks and a choke.

Talla keeps hammering away — punches in the corner, a hard Irish whip, knee drops, and a slam. Another Irish whip sends Nakamura into the corner, but Talla misses the follow‑up splash. Nakamura fires a kick to the back and a jumping knee off the turnbuckles. A jumping side kick lands clean, and a clothesline sends Talla over the top — though he lands on his feet.

Nakamura tries a rope‑hung kick, but Talla chops him out of mid‑motion.

Talla hurls Nakamura into the ringside barrier, then drops him with a hot‑shot across the top of it. He follows with a heavy punch and rolls Nakamura back into the ring. Nakamura fires kicks, but Talla shuts him down with a forearm and clamps onto the neck. Nakamura punches free, only for Talla to crack him with another headbutt. Nakamura answers with a kick, but when he leaps off the turnbuckles, Talla catches him and drills a short‑arm clothesline.

Nakamura elbows from the apron, but Talla knocks him back to the floor. Nakamura fights up with punches, Talla blasts him with an uppercut and a leaping elbow drop. Nakamura blocks a kick and hits a roundhouse, but Talla plants him with a powerslam. Nakamura counters into an armbar, transitions into a triangle, and Talla powers him up one‑armed — Nakamura shifts into a guillotine. Talla tries a suplex, Nakamura slips out, kicks the back of the leg, and hits a turnbuckle boot.

Nakamura strings together more kicks. Talla whips him into the corner but misses a big boot. Nakamura kicks the leg again, puts Talla on the turnbuckles, and drills a running knee to the midsection. Scorpio Rising lands for a near fall. Nakamura lines up Kinshasa, but Solo jumps on the apron — Nakamura knocks him off.

Talla takes advantage, hits a powerslam, then a chokeslam, and that seals it.

Winner: Talla Tonga

Solo slides in and sets up for the Samoan Spike — Nakamura punched him earlier, and Solo wants payback. Tama steps in and stops him, hitting the Cutthroat gesture over Nakamura. Solo readies the Spike again…

…but Damian Priest storms out with a chair. That’s enough to make Solo, Talla, and Tama back off and head up the ramp.

Priest checks on Nakamura as The Bloodline trio disappear backstage.

Backstage — Nick Aldis, Cody Rhodes & Sami Zayn

Nick Aldis checks in with Charles Robinson about the arena lights, then turns to Cody. He tells him Gunther still hasn’t arrived, meaning the contract for their Clash in Italy match remains unsigned.

Cody asks for the contract so he can get it signed. Nick refuses, saying he’ll handle it — the match is set, and he’ll make sure the paperwork is finished.

Sami Zayn walks in. He tells Cody they’ve been up and down lately, but he knows exactly what it means to beat Gunther. If Cody needs anything, all he has to do is ask.

Cody politely declines.

Sami immediately turns his frustration toward Nick. He rants that this is all Nick’s fault. He asks what Nick is even doing with him tonight.

Nick says he might not have a spot for Sami on the show.

Sami snaps. He asks if he isn’t entitled to respect. What did he do wrong to be treated like this? He says Cody would get whatever he wants — but him? Nothing.

Cody returns, and Sami starts apologizing, trying to walk it back.

Cody stops him and says Sami does deserve time on SmackDown. Cody then looks at Nick and says if Nick won’t give Sami a match… Cody will.

Results for the May 22, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown continue after a commercial break.

Backstage — Tama Tonga, Solo Sikoa & Talla Tonga

We return backstage where Tama tells Solo he’s weak. He says everyone is coming after them because they think Solo is weak — and if Solo doesn’t prove otherwise, the entire family looks weak. Tama tells him he’ll handle Damian Priest alone tonight. No help. No excuses. Solo has to show the family still has teeth.

Solo nods and says he’ll go talk to Nick Aldis.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Lash Legend — Women’s United States Championship

Before the match, Nia Jax cuts in and says she and Lash are ending the nostalgia tour of Brie and Paige when they take back the Women’s Tag Titles. Lash adds that gold looks good on them — and tonight she’s taking the U.S. Title off Tiffany Stratton.

They lock up and Lash immediately muscles Tiffany to the mat. Tiffany grabs a waist lock, but Lash tosses her again and follows with a biel. Lash charges, runs into a boot, tries another biel, but Tiffany cartwheels out and hits a dropkick. Lash answers with a shoulder tackle. She misses a bicycle kick, and Tiffany clips the leg repeatedly before landing another dropkick that sends Lash to the floor. Tiffany follows with a pescado.

Lash recovers fast, chopping Tiffany and chokeslamming her onto the apron. Lash and Nia pose, but Chelsea Green rushes down to “check on her friend” Tiffany. Lash drops an elbow to the back for a near fall, then traps Tiffany in the ropes with forearms. Corner shoulders follow, then a hard Irish whip. Another whip, but Tiffany boots her on the charge, hits a back elbow, and leaps — Lash catches her and plants a short‑arm clothesline.

Tiffany elbows from the apron, but Lash knocks her back to the floor. Tiffany fights up with punches, Lash cracks her with an uppercut and a leaping elbow drop. Tiffany blocks a kick and fires a roundhouse, but Lash slams her with a powerslam. Tiffany counters into an armbar, transitions into a triangle, and Lash powers her up one‑armed — Tiffany switches into a guillotine. Lash tries a suplex, Tiffany slips out, kicks the leg, and hits a turnbuckle boot.

Tiffany strings together kicks. Lash whips her into the corner but misses a big boot. Tiffany kicks the leg again, puts Lash on the turnbuckles, and hits a running knee to the midsection. Scorpio Rising gets a near fall. Tiffany lines up the finish, but Lash rolls to the apron. Tiffany drops down, sending Lash gingerly over the top rope. Lash misses a shoulder and hits the post. Tiffany clotheslines her, but Lash stays upright and grabs for a chokeslam — Tiffany breaks free with a jawbreaker.

Tiffany hits the handspring back elbow, then the handspring cutter for a near fall. She goes for the double stomp, misses, and Lash rolls her up for a close two.

Tiffany counters a powerbomb into a rana, then tries an Alabama Slam, but Lash muscles through and plants her with a powerbomb for a close two. Lash goes for Lash Extension, but Tiffany rolls through into a Crucifix Bomb for another near fall. Tiffany heads up top — Nia jumps on the apron — and Tiffany kicks her straight off.

Tiffany leaps, misses, and rolls through. Lash blasts her with a bicycle kick. Chelsea Green sends Nia crashing into the ring post, and instead of finishing the match, Lash grabs Green by the hair. That hesitation costs her — Tiffany rolls her up and steals the three.

Winner: Tiffany Stratton (retains the Women’s United States Championship)

– Lil Yachty gets to play Trick Williams’ personal Doug Dillinger, knocking on Trick’s locker room door as they walk down the hallway together.

The show cuts to a commercial break. We will be back for more WWE SmackDown results for May 22, 2026.

Nick Aldis, Danhausen’s Lab & The Miz’s Meltdown

Nick Aldis is walking backstage, saying he needs to get the arena’s power issues under control. A crew member tells him the surge is coming from a specific room. Nick opens the door… and finds Danhausen’s lab.

Danhausen, wearing goggles and surrounded by questionable equipment, insists he is doing a science experiment. Everything is “up to code, very safe, very legal.” Nick notices a body‑shaped figure under a sheet. Danhausen immediately warns him not to look under it.

Cathy Kelley With The Miz & Kit Wilson

Cathy asks Miz and Kit what exactly is going on inside Danhausen’s lab. Miz immediately insults Danhausen, calling him a clown and dismissing the idea that anything he does could matter.

Cathy pivots to the Cleveland Cavaliers being down 2–0 in the playoffs. Miz snaps that there is no curse.

Nathan Frazer and Axiom walk in. Frazer says, actually, there is a curse. Miz rolls his eyes.

Cathy asks Miz why he isn’t courtside supporting the Cavs. Kit jumps in, saying disrespecting the locker room leader is toxic behavior.

Miz fires back, saying he’ll embarrass Axiom in his hometown next week.

Axiom responds calmly — in Spanish — leaving Miz fuming as the segment ends.

Carmelo Hayes Confronts Trick Williams

Trick Williams hits the stage with Lil Yachty beside him. Trick asks Yachty if he knows what he’s thinking — the people love him, and they love Yachty too. Yachty says especially after what happened last week.

Trick calls The Miz a future Hall of Famer. Yachty immediately says that’s debatable. Trick lists Miz’s accomplishments, and Yachty still isn’t convinced.

Right as Yachty jokes about what might happen if someone interrupts Trick again… Carmelo Hayes’ music hits.

Hayes steps into the ring and says they both knew this day would come. He tells Trick to do the right thing. They both know Trick screwed him out of the United States Title — Hayes says he’d still be champion if not for that. He’s not here to discredit Trick; Trick did take over SmackDown. Hayes always believed in him. But there’s a difference between carrying a title and being a champion.

Hayes says he defended that title night after night and won over the crowd. He tells Trick to give him what he wants — a match.

Yachty says the people would love to see it, but Trick is a champion now, and champions have schedules.

Hayes mocks him, asking if anyone can even understand what Yachty is saying. He tells Trick to find time to defend the title — if his “secretary” allows it. Hayes says they go way back, and the old Trick Williams would never let anyone tell him what to do. Maybe Trick was always best at being second fiddle.

Trick steps forward and says he doesn’t play with leftovers. But since they’re in Lexington and the people want it — let’s do the match.

Trick says the open challenges ended when he won the title… but the ass‑whooping is on the house.

We will return after a break with more results from the May 22, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown.

Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes — Non‑Title Match

They lock up and Trick snatches a side headlock, then drops Hayes with a shoulder tackle. They trade standing switches until Hayes pops up with a crisp dropkick. Trick fires back, sending Hayes into the turnbuckles, but he whiffs on a chop. Hayes answers with his own chops. Trick swings wildly and misses, so Hayes lights him up again. Trick finally blocks one, cracks Hayes with an uppercut, then a back‑hand slap, and stomps him down in the corner.

Hayes catches a kick and fires an enzuigiri. He chops Trick against the ropes, but Trick explodes with a jumping side kick and a spinning heel kick. Hayes snatches a sunset flip for a count of two, then springs for his trademark clothesline — Trick sidesteps and plants him with a uranage for only a two count. Trick follows with a heavy chop.

Trick cracks Hayes with a hard Irish whip, then nails a spinning back heel kick for a count of two. He follows with a suplex, then hot‑shots Hayes across the top rope. Trick goes for another jumping side kick, misses, and gets hung up on the ropes. Hayes knocks him to the floor, lines up a dive — but Lil Yachty steps in the way and forces Hayes to stop.

Hayes rolls outside instead and slams Trick into the ring steps. The referee warns Yachty to stay out of it. Hayes smashes Trick into the steps again and peppers him with chops. Back inside, Hayes climbs the turnbuckles and rains down punches. He doesn’t throw the signature Trick‑style kicks… then shrugs and does them anyway. Trick blocks one and fires punches. Hayes answers with a thrust kick for only a two count.

Hayes springboards, but Trick shoves him over the top rope. Trick chops him on the floor and bounces Hayes off the announce table. Back in the ring, Trick clamps on a reverse chinlock. Hayes breaks free with a jawbreaker. Trick punches him, Hayes punches back, and they trade shots until Hayes knees the midsection. Trick fires back with a jumping neckbreaker.

Ricky Saints appears at ringside.

Hayes counters the uranage into an arm drag. Trick avoids First 48, Hayes avoids the jumping side kick, and Hayes connects with the springboard clothesline. He follows with La Mistica for a count of two. Trick counters a suplex with a sharp uppercut, but Hayes fires back with a jumping thrust kick, then kicks Trick again when Trick flinches and covers up. Trick answers with a cyclone kick for only a two count.

Trick lines up the running knee, but Hayes counters into First 48 for a close call. Hayes climbs for Nothin’ But Net, but Ricky Saints jumps onto the apron. Trick uses the distraction to punch Hayes off the turnbuckles. Trick shoves Ricky away, and they reset in the ring.

Saints hops onto the apron again. Hayes rolls Trick up, but the referee is tied up with Saints and can’t count. Hayes knocks Ricky off the apron — and Trick blasts Hayes with the running knee for the three.

Winner: Trick Williams

Backstage — Sami Zayn & Johnny Gargano

Sami paces in the back, furious, swinging at anything that isn’t Johnny Gargano. He stops, breathing hard, and unloads his frustration. He says Cody is his friend — he might’ve said some things he didn’t mean, but now Cody wants to fight him. Sami insists he was always there for Cody. He always did the right thing.

Sami looks at Johnny and says Johnny is the last real good guy left. He never lets anyone change who he is.

Sami walks off, still seething… and Johnny quietly knocks over a water bottle, the only thing he’s willing to hit.

Results for WWE SmackDown on May 22, 2026 continue after a commercial break.

Backstage — Ricky Saints, Carmelo Hayes

Ricky Saints is pacing and muttering to himself when Cathy Kelley approaches, asking why he was out there during Trick’s match. Ricky insists he’s not some rookie and starts ranting about Carmelo Hayes, saying Hayes doesn’t—

He doesn’t get to finish. Hayes storms in and punches him straight in the face, telling him to stay out of his business.

Ricky stumbles, furious, as Hayes walks off.

– We then cut to a video package highlighting the return of Brock Lesnar, showcasing the shock, the crowd eruption, and the fallout that’s still shaking SmackDown.

Results for the May 22, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown continue following a commercial break.

Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley vs. Lainey Reid & Fallon Henley

Fallon and Flair start things off. Flair blasts her with a clothesline and knocks Reid off the apron. Fallon grabs a waist lock, avoids an elbow, but Flair drops her with a drop toe hold and rolls her around the ring in the figure‑four headscissors. Flair lights her up with a chop and Rhea tags in. Flair throws Fallon down, and Rhea has a few choice words for her — long enough for Reid to tag in.

Rhea fires a back heel kick and slams Reid face‑first into the mat. A dropkick follows, then she misses a corner splash. Reid misses one of her own, leaps off the turnbuckles, and Rhea catches her clean for a fallaway slam. Flair tags herself in.

Flair boots Jacy off the apron, but Reid chops her. Fallon tags in and rams Flair into the announce table and the apron. She does it again, then levels Flair with a clothesline. Back inside, Fallon lands a punch. Flair fires back, but Fallon drops her with another clothesline. Fallon sends Flair into the turnbuckles and tags Reid. Reid hits a splash and a bulldog. Fallon kicks Flair, and Reid covers for a count of two. Reid kicks Flair again, then clamps on a reverse chinlock.

Flair punches free, floats over, but Reid elbows her and gets another two count. Reid unloads punches and shoulders in the corner. Fallon tags in and hits Flair. Reid tags back in — Flair kicks Fallon away and nails Reid with a forearm. Flair chops Fallon repeatedly. Reid blocks a thrust kick, but Flair lands the second one.

Flair hits the Flair Flip and kicks Fallon from the apron, but Jacy yanks Flair down. Reid follows with a kick. Reid hits a twisting suplex, Fallon adds a kick, and Reid covers for a count of two. Fallon clamps on a rear chinlock. Flair fights up, Fallon blocks a kick, and Flair rocks her with a forearm. Fallon cuts off the tag again, kicks the knee, and whips Flair — but Flair knocks Reid off the apron with another forearm. Flair boots Fallon off the turnbuckles. Reid clips Flair’s leg, but Flair rolls her up for a count of two. Both women hit clotheslines at the same time and collapse.

Rhea tags in and steamrolls Reid and Fallon with clotheslines. She blasts Reid with a forearm, floats over, and kicks her clean. Fallon charges to save her partner, but Rhea snatches her into a German suplex. Rhea kicks Reid, hoists her for the Razor’s Edge, and plants her — only a two count.

Flair kicks Fallon after she breaks up the cover, then wipes out Jacy and Fallon with a cannonball off the apron. Rhea tries the Razor’s Edge again, kicks Reid into the corner, and Flair gets knocked off the apron. Flair makes the blind tag, Rhea hits RipTide, and Flair follows with Natural Selection for the three.

Winners: Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley

Flair, Rhea, and Alexa are immediately jumped by Jade, Michin, and B‑Fab. Fatal Influence pile on Flair and Bliss as well.

When the dust clears, only Jade and Rhea remain in the ring. Rhea headbutts her — but Jade fires back with a bicycle kick and finishes her with Jaded.

Cody Rhodes Backstage With Cathy Kelley

Cody is in his locker room when Cathy steps in. She asks whether tonight’s match feels any different from what he’ll face next week against Gunther.

Cody says he and Sami are friends. He understands the anger, the passive‑aggressive tone, all of it. Cody says he felt the same way himself ten years ago — until he looked in the mirror and held himself accountable. That’s how he grew.

Cody then turns his attention to Gunther, saying he’s welcome to show up and watch the match tonight if he wants.

The show heads to a commercial break. More WWE SmackDown results from May 22, 2026 are coming up next.

Jade, B‑Fab & Michin Backstage With Cathy Kelley

Cathy asks Jade, B‑Fab, and Michin about the message they sent earlier.

Michin says that wasn’t a message — it was the truth. They’re going to prove they are the dominant team.

B‑Fab says they’ll save everything else for tomorrow.

Jade says everyone is talking too much. She says they are all that matters in the company, and she is all that matters on top. Jade says she’s going to get her title back.

Solo Sikoa vs. Damian Priest

Solo steps into the ring — and Priest blasts him immediately with a clothesline that sends Solo over the top rope to the floor. Priest leaps off the steps with another clothesline, then hurls Solo into the ring steps. Solo fires back with an uppercut and rams Priest into the turnbuckles. Priest answers with a jumping back elbow, goes to the apron, and kicks Solo across the jaw.

When Priest slides back in, Tama grabs his leg. Solo catches Priest and plants him with a Samoan drop. Solo follows with a forearm to the back of the head. Tama sneaks in a punch while Solo distracts the referee. Priest fights back with punches and gets a count of two. Solo traps him in the corner and unloads with shots. Solo distracts the referee again, and Tama chokes Priest from the floor.

Solo monologues, talking trash, and Priest slaps him across the face. Solo unloads with more punches and crushes him with the running hip attack in the corner. Solo climbs up top, but Priest meets him with a forearm and a string of punches. Priest hammers away from the turnbuckles, but Solo headbutts him. Priest boxes the ears and muscles Solo over with a superplex.

They stagger up and collide in the center of the ring. They trade punches, forearms, and kicks, neither man going down. Priest finally drops Solo with a flying shoulder tackle, then hits an elbow in the corner. Another shoulder follows. Solo charges and misses, smashing into the ring post. Priest hits Broken Arrow for a count of two.

Priest signals for the rebound clothesline, but Tama distracts him. Talla cracks Priest with a punch, and Solo plants him with a uranage for only a two count.

Solo charges and runs straight into a boot, then a cyclone kick. Priest follows with the rebound clothesline. Tama jumps onto the apron and Priest knocks him down. Priest avoids the Samoan Spike and hits a leaping flatliner. He kicks Talla on the apron, but Talla hangs on.

Priest turns around and Solo drills him with the Samoan Spike for the three count.

Winner: Solo Sikoa

After the match, Talla and Tama jump Priest and start beating him down.

Royce Keys’ music hits and he storms to the ring. Keys blasts Tama with a forearm and sends Talla over the top rope when Talla drops down.

Solo and Keys stand face‑to‑face in the center of the ring. Solo slowly backs out and leaves.

Keys checks on Priest — and Priest grabs him by the throat. Keys demands to know why he did that when he was trying to help him.

The show goes to a commercial break. Results from the May 22, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown will continue shortly.

Paige & Brie Backstage

Paige says that when they won the titles, they wanted to be fighting champions. They aren’t taking anything for granted. Brie says Nia and Lash walk over everyone and then make excuses when things don’t go their way. Brie says they used survival tactics. Paige says Lash and Nia can underestimate them all they want. Brie says Nia and Lash won’t know what hits them.

Chelsea Green, Blake Monroe & The Attack

Chelsea Green walks in the back and Blake Monroe stops her. Blake introduces herself. Blake tells Chelsea she saw what happened out there but wishes she didn’t.

Nia and Lash attack Green from behind.

We’ll return after the break with more results from WWE SmackDown on May 22, 2026.

Backstage — Damian Priest & Royce Keys

Royce Keys demands to know why Priest grabbed him like that. He says Truth asked him to have Priest’s back, and that’s exactly what he was doing.

Priest says he doesn’t know Keys, doesn’t trust him, and for all he knows Keys might be working with Solo. Priest asks him what he would have done in that situation.

Sami Zayn vs. Cody Rhodes — Non‑Title Match

Sami has a few words for Cody and they shake hands. They lock up and Cody takes a side headlock. Sami answers with an arm drag. Sami asks for another handshake and Cody gives it to him. Another lock‑up, another Cody headlock. Cody hits a kick, then the drop‑down punch. Cody follows with a gourdbuster and offers his hand again, but Sami refuses this time.

They lock up and Sami grabs a side headlock. Sami chops Cody. Cody hits a shoulder tackle and goes for the double‑jump Cody Cutter, but Sami trips him on the turnbuckles. Cody falls to the floor and the referee checks on him. Cody limps around ringside. Sami goes out and clips the leg, then kicks Cody in the back of the knee.

Sami keeps targeting the leg. He drapes it in the ropes and stretches it. Sami adds more chops. Sami climbs the turnbuckles, but Cody drops him across the top. Sami fires back with clotheslines and a slam. Sami hits a spinning toe hold and a knee drop. Cody punches his way free. Sami tries a suplex, Cody blocks it. Sami hits forearms. Cody answers with a suplex. Cody fires punches and jabs, then the Bionic Elbow. Cody hits the Cody Cutter for a count of two.

Cody sets for CrossRhodes, but Sami snap mares him and sends Cody over the top rope to the apron. Sami charges and hits a running shoulder tackle that knocks Cody off the apron and onto the announce table.

Cody beats the referee’s count and Sami is furious. Sami lines up the Helluva Kick, but Cody moves and Sami crashes into the turnbuckles. Cody hits the double‑jump Cody Cutter for a count of two. Cody sets for CrossRhodes, but Sami counters with a rollup for a count of two. Sami follows with a Blue Thunder Bomb for another two count. Sami kicks the hamstring and goes for the figure‑four, but Cody rolls through to reverse it. Sami reaches the ropes and reverses it back.

They trade punches. Cody lands Beautiful Disaster.

Gunther gets on the apron and clamps on a sleeper while the referee is turned away. Sami charges for the Helluva Kick but hits Gunther instead. Cody grabs Sami and hits CrossRhodes for the three count.

Winner: Cody Rhodes

Gunther attacks Cody with a clothesline and a powerbomb. Sami gets in the ring. Gunther looks at him, then reapplies the sleeper on Cody. Sami steps out of the ring, walks to the apron, and starts heading up the ramp.

Sami looks back toward the ring. Gunther releases the hold.

Gunther raises the title belt over his head as the show goes to credits.

–– Here is what’s in store for tonight’s show ––

• Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Gunther continue the build to their Clash in Italy match
• Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton issues an open challenge
• Carmelo Hayes has a message for United States Champion Trick Williams and Lil Yachty
• Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Talla Tonga
• WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley kicks off the show and responds to Jade Cargill’s challenge

WWE SmackDown Preview – May 22, 2026

Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley opens tonight’s show. She has something to say after last week’s events. Ripley teams with Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss tomorrow at Saturday Night’s Main Event to face Jade Cargill, Michin, and B‑Fab. Last Friday, Cargill called Ripley out and challenged her to defend the Women’s Championship at WWE Clash in Italy on May 31. With that match now looming, Ripley’s message tonight will set the tone.

Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton brings back the Open Challenge. Stratton has defended the title only once since beating Giulia on April 24, with her most recent defense coming against Kiana James on May 8. Now she invites anyone in the locker room to step up and try to take the gold.

Carmelo Hayes appears tonight to address United States Champion Trick Williams and Lil Yachty. Hayes beat Ricky Saints last Friday by rolling him up with his feet on the ropes, moments after Saints tried the same trick. Hayes now turns his attention toward Williams and his ally as tensions continue to rise.

GUNTHER will also be on the show. He faces Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Clash in Italy. GUNTHER earned the title shot by defeating Royce Keys in a Number One Contender’s Match last Friday. But Rhodes struck back after the match and left GUNTHER laid out. Tonight, the Ring General responds.

In singles action, Shinsuke Nakamura goes one‑on‑one with Talla Tonga. Talla attacked Nakamura backstage last Friday and sent him crashing through a table. Nakamura now looks for payback.

WWE SmackDown Results – May 22, 2026

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