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 as 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]
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