By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,395)
Columbia, South Carolina, at Colonial Life Arena
Simulcast live May 15, 2026, on USA Network and internationally on Netflix
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore checked in on commentary and narrated arrival shots of Cody Rhodes, split screen shots of Damian Priest and R-Truth on one side and Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Talla Tonga on the other, another split screen shot of Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair on one side, and Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin on the other, and Trick Williams standing at midfield on the University of South Carolina’s football field… A WWE Backlash recap video aired…
U.S. Champion Trick Williams made his entrance with Lil Yachty and the University of South Carolina’s mascot. Yachty held up a Gamecocks’ jersey with “Trick Williams” on the back. Trick said he grew up on the same street as the host venue. Trick pointed out that his mom and dad were in the crowd. He also raved about a local chicken and waffles restaurant.
The Miz and Kit Wilson made their entrance and spoke as they walked to the ring. Miz pointed to the mascot and recalled Gingerbread Man while saying that Trick’s career is starting to look like rejected mascots from his daughter’s birthday party. Yachty mocked Miz for being cursed.
“Kit Willy” read a poem about how Trick wouldn’t last a day on the streets where he came from. Yachty fired back with his own rhymes, which included a reference to Miz having tiny balls. Miz got upset and called for a referee while saying he was going to whoop Trick in front of his mama. Wilson tried to echo Miz’s line, but Trick backhanded him. Trick cleared the heels from the ring. Miz was on the floor yelling at Trick’s parents before the first commercial break. [C]
1. U.S. Champion Trick Williams (w/Lil Yachty) vs. The Miz (w/Kit Wilson) in a non-title match. Wade Barrett checked in on color commentary. Trick was getting the better of Miz on the floor when Wilson hit him with a flying elbow while the referee was distracted. Miz kicked Trick through the ropes. Miz went face-to-face with Yachty before a picture-in-picture break. [C]
Miz had a run of offense that included him hitting a kneeling Trick with a DDT for a near fall. Trick came back and was setting up for a move when Wilson grabbed his foot. Miz took advantage of the distraction by rolling him up for a two count, and then Trick rolled him over to get a two count of his own.
Miz performed a Skull Crushing Finale for a near fall. A frustrated Miz went to ringside and returned with a kendo stick. Miz wound up to use the kendo stick, but Yachty took it away and ended up working over Wilson with it on the floor. Trick hit Miz with a Trick Shot for the win.
U.S. Champion Trick Williams defeated The Miz in 11:15 in a non-title match.
Powell’s POV: A basic match that the live crowd ate up due to hometown hero Trick. It was fun to see Trick’s proud parents cheering him on again. The pre-match verbal exchange was good for some laughs. Trick was the star, but Wilson’s poem and antics were highly entertaining. As much as I look forward to Smackdown going back to two hours, they made good use of the extra time by dedicating over 25 minutes to Trick’s homecoming. On a side note, WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 9,572 with 9,022 tickets distributed. The listed capacity is 20,545. The last time WWE ran the venue, 10,215 tickets were distributed for the October 18, 2024, Smackdown.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Carmelo Hayes about facing Ricky Saints. Hayes rattled through some of his standard lines before he was interrupted by Saints. Hayes said he’s the landlord in the ring and the rent is due on Saints’ ass. Hayes spoke about humbling Saints and then said it was like looking in a dirty mirror…
Nick Aldis spoke briefly with Rey Fenix and praised him for tearing it up in AAA. Fenix said he has his eyes on something big. Sami Zayn approached Aldis after Fenix exited. Zayn said he was ashamed of the way he handled himself in his U.S. Title match. Zayn asked for a rematch. Aldis said Zayn had his rematch and said Zayn would need to earn it. Zayn got upset and said he tried to redeem himself for his ride or die fans. Aldis said Zayn sounded entitled. Fenix returned after Aldis walked away and tried to calm down Zayn…
Tessitore hyped one of the women’s tag team matches for after a break… [C]
Cathy Kelley interviewed WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Paige and Brie Bella on the Gorilla position set. Paige and Brie talked about all of the teams coming after them, including Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez, who will challenge them for the titles on Raw.
Nia Jax and Lash Legend confronted Paige and Brie and spoke about beating them to get their titles back at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Jax said they don’t want to face any other team than Paige and Brie, who took the belts from them. The champions headed out once their entrance theme played, and the entrance of their opponents followed…
2. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Paige and Brie Bella vs. Giulia and Kiana James in a non-title match. Paige worked over Giulia with some kicks. As the referee was checking on Giulia, James tripped Paige while she was on the apron. Giula slid to the floor and ran Paige into the ring post. [C]
James performed a Codebreaker on Brie, and then Giulia hit her with a Northern Lights Suplex. Giulia covered Brie, but Paige broke up up the pin. Giulia and James set up for a double team move, but Paige tackled Giulia, and they fell slowly through the ropes to the floor.
Brie rolled up James for a two count. James superkicked Brie. James went for a standing moonsault, but Brie put her knees up. Paige tagged in and hit her RamPaige DDT finisher before pinning James.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Paige and Brie Bella beat Giulia and Kiana James in 9:00 in a non-title match.
Powell’s POV: These four had the unenviable task of following Trick in his hometown. The live crowd was quiet yet attentive while coming down from Trick’s segment, but they got louder as the match went on. I don’t know how much it would have helped, but it wouldn’t have hurt had they come up with a way to turn this into a title match.
Footage aired of last week’s segment involving Cody Rhodes, Paul Heyman, and Gunther. Cody was shown walking backstage with the WWE Championship belt and a contract signing folder… [C]
Cathy Kelley tried to interview Women’s U.S. Champion Tiffany Stratton, who was interrupted by Giulia and Kiana James bickering in the background. Chelsea Green showed up and said there had been a lot of bickering between Giulia and James ever since the second-greatest Women’s U.S. Champion beat both of them. Stratton said some people aren’t meant to be a team and are oblivious to it. Green said that would never be her and Stratton, who said she was right because they would never be a team…
[Hour Two] WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance with the contract folder. Cody tossed two chairs in the ring and then slid a table under the ropes. Cody set up the table and chairs to form a makeshift contract signing set. Tessitore called Cody a one-man crew, and the crowd applauded Cody’s quick setup.
Cody asked the fans what they wanted to talk about. Cody said he had all the ingredients for a contract signing. He said he had a contract for Gunther to come to Smackdown and another for a WWE Championship match at Clash in Italy.
Gunther made his entrance and spoke from the stage. Gunther asked Cody if he knew how much time and planning went into roster transfer for the best wrestler in WWE. Gunther said Cody still found a way to make it all about himself, just like a typical American.
Gunther said Cody cries and complains when it’s not all about him. Gunther said it’s his deal, his title match, and it will be his title. Gunther said he just wanted Cody to be professional and told him not to forget to say please. Cody said Gunther convinced Paul Heyman to negotiate for a title shot that he never earned.
Cody said he’s the one with the American flag tattoo on his neck, but Gunther was the one who was making it weird. Cody asked Gunther to please sign the contract to come get his ass kicked in Italy. Gunther said he didn’t think Cody really meant it when he said please. Gunther suggested that Cody refer to him as “Mr. Gunther.”
Royce Keys made his entrance and stopped on the stage next to Gunther. “If you won’t sign it, I will,” Keys said before shoving the mic into Gunther’s chest. Keys headed to the ring. Cody handed him a pen. Gunther entered the ring and took the pen away. Keys took it back. Gunther took it away again and went face-to-face with Keys, who shoved him.
Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis came out and said the contract was supposed to have Gunther’s name on it, but he had yet to sign it. Aldis said Gunther overplayed his hand. Aldis announced that Gunther would face Keys later in the show, and the winner will challenge Cody at Clash in Italy. Gunther stormed out of the ring and was barking at Aldis as they headed to the back. Cody told Gunther that he’s easy to find, and then he looked at Keys before saying, “and hard to beat”…
Powell’s POV: The addition of Keys to this storyline was an unexpected twist. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of match he and Gunther can put together.
Backstage, Solo Sikoa asked Tama Tonga if he understood the assignment. Tama didn’t respond, so Solo repeated himself, and then Tama nodded. Solo said R-Truth wasn’t cleared, but Damian Priest was still walking around. Solo told Tama to take him out. Solo told Talla Tonga that they would go talk to Royce Keys.
Shinsuke Nakamura showed up and said he had waited so long. He said he knew that Tama had already decided. Tama started to reply, but Talla returned and attacked Nakamura. Talla chokeslammed Nakamura through a table and left him lying… [C]
Backstage, Aldis raised his voice while telling Gunther that he overplayed his hand, and Paul Heyman should have told him not to play games with him. Aldis said Gunther would have to earn this shot. Gunther said Aldis should be thankful he was there…
Carmelo Hayes made his entrance, and then Rick Saints’ entrance followed…
3. Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints. Saints jumped Hayes once the bell rang. Saints performed his cocky version of Old School. Saints came back with a springboard leg drop while Saints was on the apron and leaning through the ropes, which sent Saints to the floor. Hayes hit Saints with a flip dive. [C]
The match continued while a split-screen movie ad played. Saints showed frustration over not being able to finish Hayes, who came back with the First 48 for a near fall. Hayes went up top and had to roll through when Saints moved. Saints hit a Revolution DDT for a near fall. Saints showed more frustration.
Saints had Hayes pinned while using the ropes for leverage, but the referee spotted it. Hayes came right back and returned the favor by using the ropes for leverage while he got the three count. Saints acted furious after the match over the referee missing Hayes using the ropes.
Carmelo Hayes defeated Ricky Saints in 12:15.
Powell’s POV: Is Saints being tested with his early losses on the main roster? Are they telling a story? Either way, I enjoyed the match and got a kick out of Hayes beating Saints at his own game.
Backstage, R-Truth thanked Royce Keys for helping out him and Damian Priest with the MFTs. Truth spoke about building a new Judgment Day clubhouse and said he’d make sure Keys gets in if he fills out an application. Keys said he’d think about it and then made his exit.
Damian Priest showed up and questioned what was going on with Keys. Priest spoke about how the MFTs took him, Truth, and Shinsuke Nakamura, but they haven’t taken out Keys. Priest said Keys hasn’t earned his respect or trust. Priest told Truth he’d be careful if he were him. Priest told Truth that he can’t be at ringside because he wasn’t medically cleared. Priest said whatever happened would happen, but at least he knew Truth would be safe. “I love you,” Truth yelled after Priest exited the picture…
Tessitore hyped the Priest vs. Tama Tonga match… [C]
Danhausen was shown in the room where he assembled the “cloning machine.” He said now for something even bigger and better. He wheeled a stretcher into the room and then typed away on a computer until there was a spark…
Damian Priest made his entrance. Tama Tonga came out with Solo Sikoa and Talla Tonga, but he went to the ring alone…
4. Damian Priest vs. Tama Tonga. Tama attacked Priest to start the match. A short time later, Tama ran and jumped off the ring steps before hitting Priest with a shot on the floor. [C]
Priest battled back and used a shoulder block to send Tama flying over the broadcast table. Priest rolled Tama back inside the ring. Priest went up top. Tama ran toward Priest, who slipped and crotched himself on the top turnbuckle before Tama arrived. Ouch. Tama performed a neckbreaker and got a two count.
Tama went for a double underhook move, but Priest stuffed it and backdropped him. Tama tried and failed to roll Priest into a pin. Priest lowered the straps on his gear and hit the South of Heaven chokeslam for the win…
Damian Priest beat Tama Tonga in 9:55.
Priest was slow to get to his feet and was immediately hit with a big boot from Talla Tonga, who was joined in the ring by Solo Sikoa. Talla picked up Priest and shoved him toward Solo, who dropped him with a Samoan Spike…
Powell’s POV: I’m surprised they didn’t have Tama steal a win. The Priest and Truth vs. Tama and Talla match that was booked for this show was billed as a non-title match. Tama beating Priest would have been enough to justify having a title match once Truth is medically cleared.
Backstage, Sami Zayn was venting about Nick Aldis calling him entitled. Zayn said the place isn’t what it used to be, and “guys like us” feel it the most. The camera pulled back to reveal that Zayn was talking to Johnny Gargano, who was lying on a production crate next to him while acting comatose. Candice LeRae showed up and said she’s entitled to having a husband who does something more than just lie there. After LeRae stormed away, Zayn said you have to remember who you are and don’t let anyone take it away from you. Zayn walked away, leaving Gargano, who looked up…
Tessitore hyped comments from Jade Cargill… [C]
Powell’s POV: Candice is entitled to have a husband who does something more than just lie there? Do the writers have my house bugged? Anyway, the Gargano planking bit isn’t getting much of a reaction. It’s time to move to the next chapter.
[Hour Three] Jade Cargill made her entrance with B-Fab and Michin. Jade said everyone acts tough when she’s not in the building. She said people seem to get quiet when her music hits. Jade said pressure bursts pipes. She said the WWE Women’s Championship will come home from Clash in Italy with her.
Charlotte Flair made her entrance and was followed by Alexa Bliss, who joined her on the stage. Flair had a microphone and told Jade that the fans didn’t want to hear her talk. Flair asked the crowd if it was Flair Country, and then woooed.
Flair said she and Jade have been doing this dance for a few years, but Jade finally pissed her off last week. Bliss said she thought Jade’s backup dancers were supposed to make her look good. Flair said it was time for Jade to take a seat and watch the match. Jade said she was getting bored with Flair and Bliss. [C]
A Blake Monroe vignette aired. She referred to herself as The Glamour and said the women in the locker room would see the difference between her and themselves. A graphic listed Monroe as “coming soon”…
5. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Michin and B-Fab (w/Jade Cargill). Jade sat in a chair next to the broadcast table. Bliss dove from the second rope, but B-Fab caught her, slammed her to the mat, and covered her for a two count. [C]
The heels isolated Bliss, who eventually made a hot tag to Flair. The fans “woooed” along as Flair threw chops at B-Fab and Michin. Flair put them both down with kicks. Flair kipped up and then looked at Jade while doing a crotch chop. Flair walked over B-Fab and headed to the ropes. Jade climbed on the apron and distracted Flair, who was pulled off the ropes by B-Fab.
A short time later, Flair put B-Fab in a Figure Four. Flair avoided Michin trying to break the hold with an elbow drop. Flair released the hold and clotheslined Michin over the top rope. Bliss made a blind tag. Flair hit both opponents with big boots. Bliss hit B-Fab with Sister Abigail and had her pinned, but Jade pulled Bliss to the floor and hit her for the DQ.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss beat Michin and B-Fab by DQ in 12:00.
After the match, Flair tossed Michin over the broadcast table. Flair returned to the ring and took out B-Fab with a big boot. Flair jawed at Jade…
Backstage, the Fatal Influence trio of Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid looked unimpressed by what they watched. Cathy Kelley entered the room and interviewed them. Henley and Reid took their turns talking before Jayne spoke about how they would take all the gold…
Tessitore hyped a Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu recap… [C]
Tessitore hyped the two-night AAA Triplemania for September 11 and 13…
Backstage, Flair told Bliss that she was working hard on becoming a team player. Flair asked where Rhea was this week. Bliss said they were outnumbered and needed help. Flair asked if she looked like an “I need help” person. Bliss said they are outnumbered, and Ripley owed them one…
The broadcast team set up a video package that recapped the Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu segments from Monday’s Raw…
Backstage, Solo Sikoa approached Royce Keys, who was warming up for his match. Solo spoke about how he could help Keys. He said he would hate to see what happened to Shinsuke Nakamura happen to Keys. Royce stopped arming up and told Solo he had this. “Jacob said the same thing,” Solo said before he walked away…
Gunther made his entrance… An ad for Monday’s Raw focused on Roman Reigns firing back at Jacob Fatu, and Oba Femi’s open challenge… [C]
Tessitore listed Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Talla Tonga for next week’s Smackdown in Lexington, Kentucky… Barrett added Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss vs. Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin to the Saturday Night’s Main event card…
Royce Keys made his entrance for the main event while being introduced by ring announcer Mark Nash…
5. Gunther vs. Royce Keys for a shot at the WWE Championship at Clash in Italy. Tessitore noted that it was only Keys’ fourth match on Smackdown. Gunther backed Keys into the corner and shoved his face twice while asking who Keys thinks he is. Keys hit Gunther with a forearm shot, and then Gunther scurried to the floor.
A short time later, Keys got the better of Gunther on the floor and ran him into the barricade. Keys broke the referee’s count and then returned to the floor. “Announce table, announce table,” Gunther said before Keys threw him over the broadcast table before a PIP break. [C]
Keys picked up Gunther and slammed him on the broadcast table a couple of times. Back in the ring, Gunther put Keys down with a clothesline. Gunther went up top, but Keys cut him off and superplexed him before covering him for a near fall. Keys had a bloody lip.
Moments later, Gunther caught Keys in a sleeper hold. There was a commotion in the crowd, and then Solo Sikoa showed up at ringside in front of the broadcast table. Solo pounded the mat and encouraged Keys to get up. Keys powered his way up and then backdropped Gunther. Keys and Gunther traded clotheslines. Keys ducked a clothesline and then hit a leaping clothesline. Keys put Gunther down with a clothesline and covered him for a two count.
Gunther caught Keys in the sleeper again. Keys got to his feet and tried to elbow his way free. Gunther released the hold and threw chops until Keys put him down with a shoulder block. Keys lowered the straps on his gear. Solo slid a chair inside the ring. Keys picked it up and acted like he was going to hit Gunther, but then he threw the chair at Solo. Gunther took advantage of the distraction by clotheslining Keys from behind. Gunther ran the ropes and clotheslined him again. Gunther powerbombed and pinned Keys.
Gunther defeated Royce Keys in 15;50 to earn a shot at the WWE Championship at Clash in Italy.
Gunther grabbed a camera and held it while yelling to Cody Rhodes, who appeared in the ring behind Gunther. Cody put Gunther down with CrossRhodes. The fans chanted Cody’s name, and then his theme played. Tessitore said Gunther had arrived on Smackdown, but Cody isn’t playing games. The executive producer credits were shown. Tessitore hyped their match for Clash in Italy while Cody played to the crowd to end the show…
Powell’s POV: The match was plodding at times, the crowd hasn’t fully embraced Keys yet, and Gunther may as well have just looked into the camera and called that broadcast table spot, but it was still fun to see this first-time matchup. Keys was protected via the spot with Solo. It also put an end to the speculation that Keys will join Solo. Hopefully, Keys won’t get caught up feuding with The MFT’s for too long.
Overall, a long, underwhelming episode. Two-hour Smackdown episodes can’t return soon enough. The Trick Williams opening and the final segment were good, but a lot of what happened in between felt uneventful. I will be back shortly with my weekly same-night audio review of Smackdown for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below. Have a great weekend.
I feel bad for WWE wrestlers being forced to crowbar lame catchphrases into every promo. Cody’s “easy to find, hard to beat” line is the latest example. A good line when he first said it, but repeating every week just sounds forced and artificial.
Agree with your points in this one. Also love Fatal Influence but not a fan of the way Saints is being booked. I enjoyed the match with him and Hayes but I just don’t like him taking this many losses so soon after his call up.