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.
Gunther came right back with a big boot and a clothesline. Cody caught Gunther with CrossRhodes and went for the pin. Gunther put his foot under the bottom rope. Zayn almost made the three count, but he spotted Gunther’s foot under the rope and stopped at the last moment.
Cody questioned Zayn’s decision. Zayn tugged his referee shirt to signify that he was in charge. Cody swatted Zayn’s hand. Zayn shoved Cody right into Gunther’s sleeper. Cody reached the ropes. Gunther didn’t release the hold, so Zayn fish-hooked Gunther and pulled him away from Cody. Gunther pie-faced Zayn, who slapped him. Gunther kicked and powerbombed Zayn.
Cody ducked a clothesline and performed a Cody Cutter from the top rope. Cody hit CrossRhodes and covered Gunther, but Zayn was down. A second referee ran out and counted the pin, but Gunther kicked out. Gunther rallied with a shotgun dropkick and a powerbomb. Gunther had Cody pinned, but Zayn pulled the second referee out of the ring. Barrett noted that Zayn could have disqualified Gunther, but he was letting the match continue.
Cody went for a sunset flip, but Gunther held the top rope. Zayn returned to the ring and kicked Gunther’s hands off the top rope. Zayn made a fast three count to give Cody the win.
Cody Rhodes defeated Gunther in 11:15 to retain the WWE Championship.
After the match, Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis walked onto the stage and yelled at Zayn before they headed backstage. Gunther was not far behind Zayn and Aldis, and the show abruptly cut to a commercial break… [C]
Powell’s POV: The match was laid out nicely to create mystery about whether Zayn would play favorites. Zayn played it down the middle until Gunther powerbombed him. I would not be a fan of this finish had it taken place on a premium live event, but it worked for me as a television match.
After the broadcast team recapped highlights of the match, the cameras to the Gorilla Position, where Cody and Gunther were arguing with Aldis. Cody walked away and headed to the ring, while Zayn stepped in and argued with Gunther and Aldis.
In the ring, Cody called for a referee and for the match to be restarted. Backstage, Zayn questioned why the match would be restarted and told Aldis “absolutely not” regarding the restart. Gunther hit Zayn and tossed him into a wall. Aldis sent Gunther and a referee to the ring…
2. Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther for the WWE Championship. Gunther entered the ring and fought with Cody, so the referee called for the opening bell. Cody applied a sleeper, but Gunther escaped and put Cody in a sleeper, which Cody eventually broke.
Cody went for another sleeper, but Gunther avoided it and put Cody in the sleeper. Cody backed Gunther into the corner. Sami Zayn entered the ring and charged toward Cody and Gunther. Cody slipped out of the sleeper, and Zayn drilled Gunther with a Helluva Kick.
Cody Rhodes fought Gunther to a no-contest in 3:20 in a WWE Championship match.
Afterward, the referee was handed the WWE Championship belt. Zayn took the belt away and hit the referee. Cody approached Zayn from behind. Zayn hit Cody with the title belt. Zayn immediately showed remorse. Barrett said he didn’t think Zayn saw it was Cody. Zayn exited and went to the stage, where he took the “Sami Sux” sign and tore it up before going backstage…
Powell’s POV: This was all really well done. The Cody and Zayn saga has been terrific, and now they’ve added Gunther, presumably for that Triple Threat match, as I suspected. Everyone involved in this did a good job, but Zayn’s work has been exceptional.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Jade Cargill, who was with B-Fab and Michin. All three women complained about Tiffany Stratton costing Jade the four-way Queen of the Ring match. Jade boasted that she injured WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley. Jade challenged Stratton to put the Women’s U.S. Championship on the line at Night of Champions…
The broadcast team hyped the King of the Ring semifinal match for later in the show… [C]
The broadcast team recapped the WWE Championship match drama…
Backstage, Gunther accused Nick Aldis of screwing him twice. Gunther said Aldis is the only reason he’s not the champion. Aldis recalled that Gunther selected Zayn to be the special referee. Gunther said he wanted another championship match at Night of Champions. “Get it done,” Gunther barked at Aldis…
The broadcast team recapped Jey Uso winning the four-way King of the Ring match on last week’s show…
Solo Sikoa was shown seated in his dressing room when Jacob Fatu showed up. Solo asked what the hell Fatu wanted. Solo told Fatu to tell Roman Reigns that his answer is still no regarding Roman’s request that he rejoin the family.
Fatu said Reigns ordered him to make sure no one gets involved in Jey Uso’s match. Fatu told Solo that Reigns won’t wait long for Solo to make the right choice. Solo asked what that meant. Fatu told him to take it how he wants. Fatu said it’s not up to him, it’s up Solo, and then he exited.
Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga showed up after Fatu left. Tama asked what Solo’s conversation with Fatu was all about. Solo told him not to worry about Reigns wanting him to rejoin the family. Solo said they should focus on their WWE Tag Team Title match. Tama told Solo to stay backstage because there was no telling who would follow if Solo joined them at ringside. Solo started to protest, but Talla cut him off and said that the Bloodline isn’t their problem, the WWE Tag Team Titles are…
WWE Tag Team Champions Damian Priest and R-Truth made their entrance… [C]
A Blake Monroe vignette aired. She wrote in her diary and spoke about meeting Giulia once before in Japan. Monroe congratulated Giulia on making it, but told her not to cry when she passes her by…
Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga made their entrance…
2. Damian Priest and R-Truth vs. Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga for the WWE Tag Team Titles. Solo Sikoa was not in his team’s corner when the match started. AAA Tag Team Champions “The War Raiders” Erik and Ivar were shown watching the match on a television backstage.
R-Truth played to the crowd after stopping Talla from entering the ring when he wasn’t the illegal man. Tama hit Truth from behind and sent him to the floor. Talla dropped Truth with a big boot while the referee was arguing with Tama. Priest went after Talla, who chokeslammed him on the apron.
[Hour Two] Priest extended Talla’s streak of being clotheslined over the top rope and landing on his feet. Solo Sikoa showed up. Talla spoke with Solo, who shoved him out of the way and sacrificed himself when Priest jumped off the ring steps and hit him.
Talla grabbed Priest and went for a chokeslam, but Priest slipped away. Talla charged Priest, who moved, causing Talla to crash into the ring post. Tama reached over the top rope and grabbed Priest by the hair. R-Truth rolled up Tama and got the three count.
Damian Priest and R-Truth defeated Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga in roughly 10:00 to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles.
The champions exited. Tama and Talla were upset with Solo, who stood on the apron. Tama and Talla left without Solo, while Tessitore said Solo was a major distraction who may have cost them the title match…
Powell’s POV: The Priest and Truth title reign isn’t doing much for this viewer, but the drama with Solo and the Tongans kept things interesting.
Backstage, Sami Zayn spoke to a comatose Johnny Gargano, who was lying on a production crate, while an annoyed Candice LeRae stood by. Zayn called himself the last real good guy.
Nick Aldis showed up and took exception to Zayn using that description. Aldis was upset with Zayn for making a fast count during the WWE Championship match. Zayn said Aldis asked him to be the referee.
Zayn said he called it down the middle until Gunther powerbombed him. Aldis said Zayn put his hands on Gunther. Zayn assumed that Aldis thought he was going to screw over Cody, who should be thanking him for still being the WWE Champion. Zayn said he didn’t ask to be involved in any of this, but he wasn’t going away that easily…
Tessitore hyped the No. 1 contenders’ match for a shot at the U.S. Championship… [C] Tessitore hyped a Zuffa Boxing event that will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden. Tessitore said Liv Morgan would attend the event…
Jey Uso was fired up as he looked into the camera and spoke about his match and “blazing past” Je’Von Evans to get to the finals of the King of the Ring tournament and said he would face Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship.
Je’Von Evans clapped as he entered the picture. Evans said Jey was overlooking him, but he’s a big fan of Jey. Evans called Jey “unc” while wishing him good luck. Jey didn’t like it and told Evans to keep the same energy in the ring when he slaps the taste out of his mouth and makes him his son. Evans told him to watch himself…
3. Ricky Saints vs. Carmelo Hayes for a shot at the U.S. Championship at Night of Champions. Both entrances were televised. Saints stalled by taking his sweet time removing his jacket before starting the match. With Saints on the apron, Hayes jumped over the top rope and spiked Saints’ head on the apron. Hayes looked into the camera while motioning for a title belt and said, “I’m coming for it, let’s talk about it,” before a PIP break. [C]
Hayes performed a springboard and then hit Saints with a DDT on the way down. Hayes covered Saints for a two count and was surprised when Saints kicked out. Saints came back with a flapjack for a near fall. Moments later, Hayes hit Dirty Diana, followed by a neckbreaker for a near fall of his own.
Saints pulled Saints out of the corner, causing the turnbuckle pad to come off. Saints rolled Hayes into a pin, and then Hayes reversed it, only to have Saints roll him over and hold the rights while getting a two count.
Saints argued with the referee and then blocked the First 48. Hayes and Saints went to the corner with the missing turnbuckle and fought on the ropes. Hayes shoved Saints off the ropes, but Saints crotched him. Saints set up for his finisher, but Hayes slipped away and hit the First 48. Saints kicked Hayes into the corner, where his head hit the exposed turnbuckle. Saints covered Hayes and got the three count…
Ricky Saints beat Carmelo Hayes in roughly 14:00 to earn a shot at the U.S. Championship at Night of Champions.
Powell’s POV: An entertaining match. I thought they were going to set up a Triple Threat when the feud started, but it’s logical to go with a singles match for the U.S. Title if the Triple Threat for the WWE Championship will be held at Night of Champions.
Backstage, Nick Aldis was on the phone when Cody Rhodes showed up. Aldis ended the call. Cody told Aldis that there was only one solution. Cody said he wanted to beat both Gunther and Sami Zayn. Cody requested a Triple Threat. Aldis agreed and shook Cody’s hand after booking the match for Night of Champions…
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Charlotte Flair about her Queen of the Ring semifinal match. Flair said she hasn’t won a world championship in a few years. She said she’s proven time and time again why she’s the queen with or without the crown. She said beating Liv Morgan would put her back on top of the mountain and give her a chance to win her 15th world championship. She said she would show Liv Morgan why she’s the queen then, now, and forever…
Tessitore hyped Flair vs. Morgan… [C] A clip aired of the New York Knicks championship parade, followed by footage of Danhausen being interviewed by Stephen A Smith, who set up a clip of Jalen Brunson appearing on The Tonight Show. Brunson said he was skeptical of Danhausen un-cursing his team, but he has to believe it now…
Danhausen was in his lab with The Miz and Kit Wilson hooked up to some device. They were still out of it after being electrocuted last week. Angel and Berto showed up and were mad at Danhausen for not cursing the Knicks, which cost them money they lost betting against the team. Danhausen tried to curse them, but they cut him off. Berto had Danhausen by the neck when Matt Cardona showed up and defended Danhausen, causing Angel and Berto to leave. Danhausen referred to Cardona as Zack Ryder. Cardona corrected him and then asked if Miz and Wilson were okay. Danhausen said they’ve never been better and told Cardona to check them out. Cardona poked Miz with his finger, and it led to a power surge. Cardona sold arm pain, but said “you know it” when Danhausen asked if he was okay…
R-Truth was shown polishing his title belt in his dressing room. Finn Balor showed up and congratulated him for winning his match. Truth said he and Damian Priest just beat the Wild Samoans, and they need to get Balor a title. Balor said Truth didn’t need to help him. Truth said once you’re in Judgment Day, you’re Judgment Day for life.
Damian Priest showed up while Truth was hugging Balor. Truth said something about playing water polo. Priest said to count him out of whatever celebration that he has planned, because he doesn’t go places with people he doesn’t trust…
Jey Uso made his entrance… [C] The broadcast team recapped the events involving Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and Sami Zayn from throughout the show… Je’Von Evans made his entrance…
4. Jey Uso vs. Je’Von Evans in a King of the Ring semifinal match. Evans rolled up Jey for a two count. Evans sat on the mat and clapped. Jey took offense and ended up shoving Evans, who dropkicked him. Evans sold rib pain while Tessitore recalled that he was recently speared by Bron Breakker. Jey Evans caught Jey with another dropkick. Jey rolled to the floor. Evans dove over the ropes onto Jey on the floor. [C]
[Hour Three] Jey hit a pop-up Samoan Drop. Evans sold his ribs. Jey spotted it and tore off the t-shirt that Evans was wearing, revealing that Evans had his rips wrapped. Jey targeted the injured ribs. Moments later, Evans hit a charging Jey with an elbow. Evans went up top, but Jey shoved him to the floor, and Evans’ face hit the barricade before a PIP break. [C]
Evans caught Jey on the top rope and performed a Spanish Fly for a near fall. Jey came back with a spear for a near fall. Jey showed frustration while the broadcast team questioned how Evans was able to kick out while nursing bad ribs.
Jey charged for another spear, but Evans superkicked him. Evans put Jey down with the Red Dot. Evans played to the crowd and then went for the OG Cutter, but Jey cut him off on the ropes. Jey speared Evans and followed up with an Uso Splash for the win.
Jey Uso defeated Je’Von Evans in 17:55 to advance to the King of the Ring final.
After the match, Jey squatted in a corner of the ring and pointed at Evans, who was down on the mat. The updated bracket showed that Jey will face Oba Femi in the King of the Ring final at Night of Champions. Jey shook Evans’ hand and then raised his arm before leaving the ring…
Powell’s POV: Je’Von’s rib injury made it feel pretty obvious that he would lose, but the match was laid out in a way that made him look really good in defeat.
Jacob Fatu was shown watching Jey Uso’s celebration on a backstage television. Solo Sikoa approached Fatu and said he had it all figured it out. Solo assumed that Roman Reigns sent Fatu to Smackdown to get in his head. Solo told Fatu to tell Reigns that if he keeps messing with his family, then maybe he needs to mess with Roman’s family…
A Giulia promo video aired. She said next week’s Smackdown will be held in London, where she was born. She asked what better place for her and Kiana James to find out who is better off without the other…
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Women’s U.S. Champion Tiffany Stratton, who agreed to face Jade Cargill at Night of Champions. Chelsea Green showed up and spoke about how she and Stratton are equals. After Kelly exited, Green said she was mapping out their road to stardom.
Stratton said Green spent the last year calling her names. Green denied it. Stratton mentioned Green saying, “Tacky Time.” Green replied, “Yeah, but that was funny.” Stratton said Green watched people beat her up for the last year and accused Green of kicking her while she was down, but now she wants to be her friend. Stratton said she doesn’t need Green’s help and can do it all on her own…
Tessitore hyped the Queen of the Ring semifinal match… [C]
An ad for Monday’s Raw in London listed the King and Queen of the Ring finalists speaking, and the previously advertised WWE Women’s Tag Team Title match and the World Tag Team Title match… [C]
Powell’s POV: The ad showed Oba Femi and Iyo Sky when the narrator said we’d hear from the King and Queen of the Ring finalists. It’s unclear whether the winners of tonight’s King and Queen of the Ring semifinal matches will also appear on Raw.
Alexa Bliss’s NXT Chronicle aired… Tessitore hyped the NXT Great American Bash show for June 28 on The CW Network… Liv Morgan was featured in a sponsored video…
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella and Paige were featured in a promo video. They spoke about their title defense against Lyra Valkyria and Bayley on Monday’s Raw. Brie said it’s honorable that the challengers stepped up, but also misguided. She said they still respect the hell out of them, and they are the perfect matchup, but they intend to keep the titles…
“Fatal Influence” members Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid delivered a promo from their dressing room. Reid said she and Henley had Brie Bella and Paige right where they wanted them last week, and they knew it. Reid said that if Brie and Paige walk out of Raw as champions, then she and Henley will be there to take the titles off their shoulders. Jayne said she was going to march into Nick Aldis’s office and demand a match against Paige for next week in London…
Backstage, Cody congratulated Jey Uso, who said he has one more to go, and then the blitz will be on for the QB1. Cody told him not to forget about Oba Femi. “Besides, Jey, I’m easy to find,” Cody said before walking away.
Sami Zayn showed up and spoke with Jey. Zayn said Jey is doing great, and he thinks he’s going to win King of the Ring and face the WWE Champion. Zayn said he thinks he will be the WWE Champion, not Cody. Zayn asked what they would do if that happened. Jey said he would do what he has to do. Zayn told Jey to say hi to his family for him…
The broadcast team ran through the WWE Night of Champions lineup… A “Did You Know?” graphic noted that the King and Queen of the Ring winners will get championship opportunities at SummerSlam…
Charlotte Flair was walking backstage. Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin approached her. Jade said they both know that the only reason Flair is in the Queen of the Ring match is because of Tiffany Stratton. Flair stressed that Stratton is not her friend. Jade said Flair shouldn’t be there. Flair said Jade should focus on finding more effective friends. Flair said Jade can always be Queen of the Ring next year.
Flair walked past the trio, but they turned around and attacked her left knee. Producers arrived as Flair was clutching her knee… [C]
Flair was still down coming out of the break. Alexa Bliss was by her side while a trainer tended to her as Nick Aldis stood by. Liv Morgan showed up and laughed before saying she would see Flair out there…
Liv Morgan made her entrance. Charlotte Flair limped through the backstage area and then as she made her entrance. Once Flair climbed on the apron, Morgan kicked her bad knee. Nick Aldis and a couple of trainers showed up. Aldis said Flair was hurt and told her to think about her career and what she was doing…
5. Liv Morgan vs. Charlotte Flair in a Queen of the Ring semifinal match. Morgan targeted Flair’s knee. Morgan ran Flair’s knee into the ring steps. [C] Tessitore said Flair this was Flair’s 25th main event, the most of any woman in WWE history.
Morgan had Flair down on the mat as she stood on the floor. Morgan swung Flair’s bad knee into the ring post twice and then dropkicked the knee into the post. Morgan entered the ring and covered Flair for a two count. Flair fought back, but Morgan continued to exploit the bad knee going into a PIP break. [C]
Tessitore said Flair was delivering one of the most courageous performances ever seen. Flair jumped from the middle rope and hit a Natural Selection. Flair applied a Figure Four, but Morgan rolled it over. Flair reached the ropes to break it. Morgan put Flair in a single crab. Flair nearly reached the ropes, but Morgan pulled her back to the middle of the ring. Flair struggled and eventually reached the ropes to break the hold.
Flair rolled to the floor. Aldis, Alexa Bliss, and two trainers rushed over. Aldis told Flair this wasn’t worth it. Flair said it was worth it to her. Morgan grabbed Flair, who ended up clotheslining Morgan over the middle rope. Flair returned to the ring. Morgan hit Oblivion and went for the pin, but Flair kicked out. Morgan reapplied the single crab, and Flair finally taped out…
Liv Morgan defeated Charlotte Flair in 18:25. to advance to the Queen of the Ring final.
A graphic listed Iyo Sky vs. Liv Morgan in the Queen of the Ring final for Night of Champions. The referee handed Morgan her title belt while Bliss and the trainers tended to Flair. The executive producer credits were shown while Tessitore wrapped up the show…
Powell’s POV: WWE’s overprotection of losing wrestlers is out of control. It would have been fine to have either Je’Von Evans or Charlotte Flair show heart before succumbing to an injury exploited by their opponent, but doing the same thing twice in both tournament matches was too much.
Overall, though, I really enjoyed the show. Every match had something at stake, and they did a nice job of setting things up for Night of Champions. I will be back later tonight with my Smackdown audio review, which will be available for everyone as this week’s Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast. Let me know what you thought of Smackdown by grading it below. Happy Father’s Day weekend to all of the grade dads out there.
Why do they put Champions in tournaments? Liv should win her matches, otherwise, the belt is meaningless.
I never disliked Charlotte, but, like Roman, you get tired of the promoters pushing their favorites. A comment like, “she has main evented more times than any other female in history” is just an example of that. What a random bit of praise.
I’m not a fan of Liv entering. I guess the idea is that she wants to win both titles, which actually makes the other champions look bad for not wanting to do the same.
I actually liked the stat about Flair. I doubt Paul Levesque or anyone from creative asked Joe Tessitore to say that line. While it’s possible, it seems more likely that Tessitore or whoever helps the broadcast team with the stats came up with.