By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,398)
Bologna, Italy, at Unipol Arena
Streamed live June 5, 2026, internationally on Netflix, same-day delay on USA Network
NOTE: This review was written as the episode streamed live internationally this afternoon. For those watching USA Network at the regular time on Friday night, don’t scroll past what’s aired on television if you want to avoid spoilers.
[Hour One] A Clash in Italy recap video opened the show… Michael Cole checked in on commentary. A quad screen display showed The Judgment Day (minus Roxanne Perez, Damian Priest, Bron Breakker, and Trick Williams, and then another showed another shot of Judgment Day, Bayley, Fatal Influence, and Kiana James, while Cole hyped the King and Queen of the Ring matches…
Michael Cole and Wade Barrett checked in from their broadcast table. Cole said he was filling in for Joe Tessitore, who had Zuffa Boxing duties this weekend.
Gunther hopped the barricade and started throwing items off the broadcast table. Gunther hopped on the table and said nothing would happen until he got justice for what happened at Clash in Italy.
Gunther recalled his foot being under the bottom rope when the referee counted the pin. Gunther said the ref and Cody know it. Gunther accused Cody of cheating and stealing what rightfully belongs to him. Gunther looked into the camera and was about to address Cody, but he was interrupted.
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance and stood in the ring while Gunther stood on the broadcast table. Cody said Gunther was right. The fans sang Cody’s name. Cody said that if Gunther wanted a rematch, they could do it tonight.
Sami Zayn made his entrance to boos and spoke from the entrance aisle as he walked toward the ring. Zayn thanked his ride-or-die fans, and then a “Sami” chant broke out with some fans. Zayn said he tried to mind his own business, but he couldn’t take it anymore.
Zayn said Gunther was robbed of his championship opportunity. Zayn, who was in the ring, said he knows what that’s like, and he also referred to Cody as the golden boy. Zayn said Cody and Gunther both did him wrong. Gunther told him to shut up and get out of the ring.
Cody told Zayn that he was a little busy. Zayn said Cody was always blowing him off when the biggest threat to his championship might be looking him in the eyes. Cody asked if that was so. Zayn recalled Cody saying he would teach him a lesson after he beat Gunther. Zayn said Cody beat Gunther and asked when he was going to teach him that lesson.
Gunther entered the ring and shoved Cody into Zayn. Gunther fought with both men and ended up on the floor with Zayn. Cody went for a suicide dive, but Gunther moved, and Cody took out Zayn on the floor. Cody looked remorseful and offered a hand to Zayn, who blew him off and got up on his own…
Powell’s POV: They didn’t make anything official, but it looks like they are moving from Cody vs. Gunther to a Triple Threat with them and Zayn. Cody wanted the rematch with Gunther tonight, but I’m guessing they’ll go with the Triple Threat at WWE Night of Champions.
Backstage, The Miz was Facetiming with Kit Wilson. Miz vented about the Cleveland Cavaliers losing and Myles Garrett being traded by the Cleveland Browns. Miz found Danhausen’s lab. Danhausen warned Miz not to touch something. Miz ignored him and ended up being electrocuted. Danhausen found some food on the floor, said he’d been looking all over for it, and ate it before leaving Miz lying…
Raquel Rodriguez made her entrance and was accompanied onto the stage by Liv Morgan, who headed backstage before a commercial break… [C]
Backstage, Gunther vented to Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis about the lack of respect he’s been shown. He told Aldis to fix the problem, while threatening lawsuits if he failed to do so…
Bayley was making her entrance while being introduced by ring announcer Mark Nash. Jacy Jayne walked onto the stage with Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid, who headed backstage. The Italian broadcast team checked in. Cole labeled Jayne a future women’s champion. Kiana James made her entrance and was accompanied by Guilia, who followed her to ringside…
1. Bayley vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Jacy Jayne vs. Kiana James (w/Giulia) in a four-way Queen of the Ring match. Rodriguez performed a running crossbody block onto all three opponents in the ring. Cole said he considered Rodriguez the favorite to win the match. [C]
Rodriguez performed a corkscrew elbow on Bayley, and then covered her and James simultaneously for a near fall. A short time later, Rodriguez performed a double chokeslam on Bayley and James and tried to pin them both, but James broke it up. [C]
Late in the match, Jayne hit Giulia with a cheap shot on the floor. Jayne climbed on the apron, but Bayley sent her back to the floor. James rolled up Bayley and used the ropes for leverage, but Jayne shoved her feet off the ropes to break up the pin.
Giulia punched Jayne. James thought Giulia knocked her feet off the ropes and argued with her. Bayley put James down with a Rose Plant. Jayne dropped Bayley with her Rolling Encore finisher. Rodriguez blasted Jayne with a big boot. Rodriguez performed the Tejana Bomb on James and got the three count.
Raquel Rodriguez defeated Kiana James, Bayley, and Jacy Jayne in 14:05 in a four-way to advance in the Queen of the Ring tournament.
The updated brackets showed that Rodriguez will face Iyo Sky in the semifinals. Giulia checked on James and helped her to her feet. James shoved Giulia and told her to get off her. James shoved her again and said they were done. The fans booed. Giulia attacked James and hit her with a kick before James rolled out of the ring…
Powell’s POV: That was a fun and well-executed finishing sequence. Going into the show, I thought Jayne might go over, but that changed when Henley and Reid didn’t accompany her to the ring. And you had to know that James was going to lose when Giulia walked out with her. That said, it was a good call to have James and Giulia split up in Italy, where Giulia is over with the fans. Rodriguez is a dark horse tournament winner if they want to have her face Liv Morgan, similar to the way some fans thought they might do with Roxanne Perez.
Backstage, Sami Zayn vented to a comatose Johnny Gargano while waiting for Nick Aldis, who showed up and told Zayn to stay out of Cody Rhodes’ and Gunther’s business. Aldis accused Zayn of making a bad situation worse. Zayn questioned how he did that.
Aldis said he had to get to a meeting. Zayn was upset about being blown off again. Zayn asked who was so important that he couldn’t get a minute of the Smackdown GM’s time. “Well, if you must know,” Aldis said while motioning behind Zayn. Chad Gable was behind Zayn and had a brief staredown with him before entering Aldis’s office…
Cole said Gable is a hot property right now. He also hyped Royce Keys vs. Talla Tonga for after the break… [C] Cole hyped the WWE Podcasts… Entrances for the next match took place…
2. Talla Tonga (w/Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga) vs. Royce Keys. Solo sat in a chair near the broadcast table while Tama stood next to him. Keys performed the weekly spot of clotheslining Talla over the top rope, and Talla landed on his feet. [C]
Keys powerslammed Talla. Keys lowered the straps on his singlet, but he was distracted by Solo, who climbed on the apron. Tama got involved.
[Hour Two] Keys went to the floor to go after him. Keys ducked a clothesline, and then Tama jumped off the ring steps into, um, nothing. Keys returned to the ring and ate a big boot. Talla followed up with the Talla T-Bomb and scored the pin.
Talla Tonga beat Royce Keys in 8:00.
After the match, Solo ordered his guys to attack Keys. R-Truth ran out. Barrett said Truth was not medically cleared. The heels got the better of Truth. Damian Priest showed up and pulled Truth out of the ring. Priest asked Truth what he was doing. Priest said Truth is doing this every week and has to stop. Priest escorted Truth away from ringside, leaving Keys alone with the heels. Solo took a knee by Keys, who was lying on the mat. Solo said it didn’t have to be like this, but Keys won’t listen. Solo told Keys to join his family…
Powell’s POV: There was clearly miscommunication on that spot on the floor with Keys and Tama. I’m not sure if it’s intentional, but Priest is coming off unlikable for not helping Keys.
Liv Morgan, Dominik Mysterio, and JD McDonagh stood in a stairwell and applauded Raquel Rodriguez. Liv said if they both win, they could meet in the finals of the tournament, and then one of them could take the WWE Championship away from Rhea Ripley. Liv said something about her and Dom being king and queen, which upset Rodriguez…
Cole hyped the King of the Ring four-way match… [C] A Finn Balor vignette aired. He spoke about how he has proven he can go toe-to-toe with anyone, but he wants more…
Cole said Balor is the newest member of the Smackdown roster and will make his “debut” in a King of the Ring match against Jey Uso, LA Knight, and Royce Keys next week…
Backstage, R-Truth asked why Damian Priest didn’t want to help. Priest said Truth is his priority because they are the WWE Tag Team Champions. Truth asked Priest if he should check on Royce Keys. Priest asked what Truth was doing while saying that he’s not a doctor. Truth said his brother is a doctor. Priest said Truth doesn’t have a brother. Truth acted offended while saying that the Doctor of Thuganomics is his brother. Priest exited.
AAA Tag Team Champions “The War Raiders” Erik and Ivar approached Truth. Erik and Ivar had their tag team title belts over their shoulders and told Truth to let them know when he wants to put the WWE Tag Team Titles on the line against the AAA Tag Team Titles. Truth blew them off while saying he’d never met them before…
Cole hyped Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill in a four-way Queen of the Ring tournament match for next week’s Smackdown…
WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley made her entrance. Cole noted that Ripley’s grandparents were born in Italy and eventually moved to Australia, where Ripley was born. Ripley said Jade Cargill tried to play the numbers game at Clash in Italy, but she failed to take her out. Ripley said she got a little help from someone unexpected.
Charlotte Flair made her entrance. Flair said she knew Ripley didn’t ask for her help, but she had Ripley’s back because she respects her. Flair said she’s had fun teaming with her lately. Flair spoke about winning the Queen of the Ring qualifier and then beating Ripley for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam.
Women’s U.S. Champion Tiffany Stratton made her entrance. Flair asked if Stratton was there to apologize to her. Stratton said that would be crazy. Stratton said she was actually there for Ripley. Stratton said she looks damn good with the Women’s U.S. Title, but she wants “that one.”
Jade Cargill came out with B-Fab and Michin. Jade said the women in the ring looked stupid. Jade said that she would make sure Flair’s “side quest” was rewarded, telling her to look at her “stupid friend Alexa (Bliss).” Jade told Stratton to stay out of grown folks’ business. Jade told Ripley to enjoy her title while she could. Jade said she was coming for what was hers and started to walk toward the ring.
Nick Aldis came out and told Jade and her crew to stop. Aldis mentioned that Ripley was not cleared. Flair suggested that she and Stratton face Jade and one of her “backup dancers.” Aldis booked Jade and Michin vs. Flair and Stratton in an immediate match… [C]
3. Women’s U.S. Champion Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill and Michin (w/B-Fab). Flair got the better of Michin to start the match. Stratton and Jade tagged in, and Jade put her down with a spinebuster for a two count. Jade tagged out. Flair tagged in before Stratton put Michin down with a clothesline. Flair performed a top rope crossbody block.
Moments later, Flair stood on the apron, played to the crowd, and then performed a crossbody block onto Jade and B-Fab. Michin hit Flair with a crossbody block that left both women doing before a break. [C]
Michin performed a Styles Clash on Flair and had her pinned, but Stratton broke it up. Moments later, Stratton tagged in and put Michin down with an Alabama Slam. Stratton hit a Swanton Bomb for a near fall.
Jade tagged in, but Stratton hit a Stunner and had her pinned until Michin broke it up. Jade came back with a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Stratton reached for a tag, but Michin pulled Flair off the apron. Flair ran Michin into the ring post, and then B-Fab dropped Flair with a big boot.
Jade hit a distracted Stratton with a pump kick and set up for Jaded, but Stratton countered into a pin. Stratton hit Jade with a rolling senton and down and was about to go for her finisher, but Jade cut her off and hit Jaded for the win…
Jade Cargill and Michin beat Women’s U.S. Champion Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair in 11:25.
Powell’s POV: A bounce-back win for Jade in an entertaining tag team match.
Backstage, Jacy Jayne was venting to Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid about losing her four-way match when Cathy Kelley showed up. Jayne spotted something off-camera and walked away from Kelley.
Jacy approached WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Paige and Brie Bella, who were taking part in a photo shoot. Henley and Reid attacked Paige and Brie. Henley and Reid picked up the tag team titles and looked at them before dropping them next to the champions…
Cole hyped the Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints match, and then a video aired of a family that won a contest to hang out with Cody Rhodes at the Universal Orlando Resorts… [C]
Backstage, R-Truth told Royce Keys that Damian Priest can be a tough nut to crack, but Keys will love him once he gets to know him. Keys said Priest doesn’t give a damn about him. Keys said he and Truth are all good, but if Priest wants an issue with him, then he’ll get one…
Ricky Saints made his entrance. The announcers narrated highlights of the Saints vs. Carmelo Hayes match from last week. Hayes made his entrance and was attacked before the bell…
4. Ricky Saints vs. Carmelo Hayes. The referee checked with Hayes and then called for the bell. Hayes hit a frog splash for a near fall while still wearing his ring jacket. Hayes clotheslined Saints over the top rope to the floor. [C]
Late in the match, Hayes went up top for Nothing But Net, but Saints ran into the ropes, which sent Hayes to the floor. Saints followed. Hayes dove at Saints, who caught him with a shot to the throat. Hayes barely beat the referee’s count. Saints argued with the referee before being rolled up for a two count. Moments later, Hayes rolled up Saints, who rolled through and held the tights while getting the three count.
Ricky Saints beat Carmelo Hayes in 9:00.
Powell’s POV: Another entertaining match. The finish was nothing special, but it’s logical to keep these two looking fairly even if they’re going to challenge Trick Williams in an eventual Triple Threat for the U.S. Championship.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Trick Williams, who said he’s only concerned with himself, but he was entertained watching “those Siamese twins” going after what he has. Trick shifted the focus to the King of the Ring.
Bron Breakker entered the picture with a World Tag Team Title over his belt. Breakker got in Trick’s face, and they stared each other down. “I’ll see you out there,” Breakker said before walking away…
[Hour Three] Backstage, Chelsea Green told Tiffany Stratton she was surprised that she didn’t have her at ringside. Stratton said she didn’t think she’d need her. Green hoped Stratton would be in her corner, but Stratton blew her off…
Lash Legend made her entrance with Nia Jax… [C] A Blake Monroe vignette aired. Yes, she’s still listed as “coming soon”… Chelsea Green made her entrance…
5. Lash Legend (w/Nia Jax) vs. Chelsea Green. Legend rag-dolled Green and then dumped her to the floor, where Jax got a shot in. Back in the ring, Legend dropped Green with a pump kick and then covered Green for a two count.
Later, Green went up top and performed a crossbody block onto both heels on the floor. Green tossed Legend back inside the ring. Green went to the top rope and performed a missile dropkick for a two count. Green set up for the Unprettier, but Legend countered into a Lash Extension and got the pin…
Lash Legend defeated Chelsea Green in 4:30.
Powell’s POV: The question remains whether Tiffany Stratton will eventually save Green and join forces with her, or turn heel on her.
A video package aired on the Acknowledgement Ceremony from Monday’s Raw…
Backstage. Solo Sikoa approached Royce Keys and told him that Roman Reigns made Jacob Fatu kneel like a dog. Keys asked what that had to do with him. Solo said Keys had no one left. Solo said Fatu, the Usos, and Roman Reigns aren’t calling Keys, but he is. Solo took credit for bringing Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Talla Tonga to WWE. Solo said they need to get ready for war. He told Keys to stop making things so difficult, or he would make things difficult for Keys…
Cole hyped the King of the Ring four-way… [C] Cole set up a highlight package of the El Grand Americano vs. Original El Grande Americano mask vs. mask match, calling it the match that the world is talking about…
Rey Fenix spoke with Axiom and Nathan Frazer in a backstage area. Fenix said he wants to defend the AAA Cruiserweight Championship all over the world, and told them they just need to ask if they want a shot at it.
Chad Gable showed up and asked for a word with Fenix. After Axiom and Frazer left, Gable recalled having a great WrestleMania match with Fenix, but he said he did so under false pretenses. Gable said he made a mockery of lucha libre and asked for forgiveness. Fenix forgave him, yet reminded him that he’s not the only one Gable offended…
Backstage, Nick Aldis said Gunther’s lawyers are willing to accept the rematch under one condition. Aldis said Gunther insists that they wait, and he’ll tell them the condition next week. Cody said they would be in Kansas City the week after next, and he didn’t want to wait any longer to hold the title match. Aldis said that it worked for him…
Powell’s POV: Why would Gunther’s character get to call the shots when he’s the challenger?
Damian Priest made his entrance for the main event… [C]
The following matches were advertised for Monday’s Raw in Paris: Seth Rollins vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Talla Tonga vs. Ricky Saints in a four-way King of the Ring match, and Liv Morgan vs. Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Chelsea Green in a four-way Queen of the Ring match…
Dominik Mysterio and Liv Morgan made their entrance. Bron Breakker came out next. Trick Williams had the final entrance…
6. Dominik Mysterio (w/Liv Morgan) vs. Bron Breakker vs. Trick Williams vs. Damian Priest in a four-way King of the Ring match. Bron performed a German suplex on Trick, and then the referee rang the bell to start the match. A short time later, Breakker ran around the ring and hit Dom with a shoulder tackle. Breakker jumped onto the English broadcast table. [C]
Breakker speared Priest. Trick hit Breakker with a Trick Shot. Trick covered Priest, but Dom broke it up. Trick got a shot in on Dom, and then Breakker clotheslined him to the floor. Breakker hit his diving clothesline from the apron, which sent him and Trick over the broadcast table.
In the ring, Priest dropped Dom with a clothesline. Priest lowered the straps on his gear and signaled for his finisher. JD McDonagh showed up and dove at Priest, who chokeslammed him. Liv Morgan ran in and low-blowed Priest. Dom hit Priest with a 619 and followed up with a frog splash for the win…
Dominik Mysterio defeated Damian Priest, Bron Breakker, and Trick Williams in 17:00 in a four-way to advance in the King of the Ring tournament.
The updated brackets showed Dom will face Oba Femi in the semifinals of the tournament. Dom celebrated on the stage with Liv and McDonagh while the executive producer credits were shown. On commentary, Cole wrapped up the show by mockingly wishing Dom good luck in his match with Oba Femi…
Powell’s POV: The first big upset of the four-way matches. Will Brock Lesnar or someone else help Dom score an even bigger upset over Oba in the semifinals? King Dom has a lovely ring to it. If “rey” is Spanish for king, would that make Dom the new (and improved, of course) Rey Mysterio?
Overall, this was a solid show. The tournament helps give the show some meaningful matches. 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.
“Once you get to Know Dp, you’ll love DP… … I don’t even know if that was PG”
Comedy Gold
I would have said Fatu was injured for Clash in Italy and hotshotted Chad Gable to have won against Roman.
This is why they really shouldn’t listen to fans. LOL