By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,400)
Kansas City, Missouri, at T-Mobile Center
Streamed live June 19, 2026, on USA Network and internationally on Netflix
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore checked in on commentary and noted that Kansas City was the site of the first edition of Smackdown, and this is episode 1,400. Tessitore narrated split-screen shots of Je’Von Evans and Jey Uso, and Charlotte Flair, who was with Alexa Bliss, and Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan, followed by single shots of Gunther, Sami Zayn, and WWE Champion Cody Rhodes…
Tessitore and Wade Barrett checked in from their broadcast table and hyped that they would be kicking things off with the WWE Championship match. A video package recapped Cody beating Gunther at Clash in Italy while the referee missed Gunther’s foot on the bottom rope…
Powell’s POV: My guess for this match is that it sets up a Triple Threat with Cody, Gunther, and Zayn at Night of Champions. WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 7,014 with 6,618 tickets distributed. The listed capacity is 18,500. The last time WWE ran the venue, 7,598 tickets were distributed for the December 8, 2025, Raw show.
Sami Zayn made his entrance dressed in a referee shirt. He greeted a supportive fan and pulled a “Sami Sux” sign away from another fan. Gunther’s entrance followed. Cody Rhodes made his entrance, and the fan had the “Sami Sux” sign again…
1. Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther for the WWE Championship with Sami Zayn as special referee. Mark Nash delivered in-ring introductions for the championship match. Zayn and Gunther were booed, while Cody was cheered.
Tessitore mentioned that Triple H beat The Rock to retain the WWE Championship, and he noted that Shawn Michaels “was one of the guest referees” (he did not mention that Shane McMahon was the other guest referee).
Cody threw punches at Gunther in the corner. Zayn counted and then stepped in to move Cody out of the corner. Gunther took advantage of the situation by dropping Cody with a big boot to the head, which drew boos from the crowd.
Cody came back with a Cody Cutter and a powerslam. Gunther caught Cody’s leg when he tried to throw a kick in the corner. Gunther wrenched Cody’s knee over the middle rope and eventually put him in a Figure Four. Gunther used the ropes for leverage. Zayn spotted it and made him release the hold. Gunther argued with Zayn until Cody rolled him up for a two count.
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