Smackdown – June 19, 2026: Fast Forward

Smackdown
Date: June 19, 2026
Location: T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, Missouri
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

It’s a big fight feel here as we have the World Title on the line, with Cody Rhodes defending against Gunther. That’s not all though as Sami Zayn, who isn’t happy with Rhodes, is the guest referee. That should make for a heck of a main event as we’re also closing in on Night Of Champions next Saturday. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We recap Gunther challenging Cody Rhodes for the World Title. Rhodes beat him at Clash In Italy but Gunther’s foot was underneath the rope. Gunther demanded a rematch and got to pick the stipulation, which is having Sami Zayn as guest referee, mainly because Zayn and Rhodes aren’t getting along either.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther

Rhodes is defending and Sami Zayn is guest referee. Gunther knocks Rhodes down to start and works on the arm but Zayn breaks up Rhodes trying to throw a right hand in the corner. Zayn cuts Rhodes off again and this time Gunther boots Rhodes in the face. Gunther elbows him in the face and commentary isn’t pleased with Zayn not getting on Gunther as much.

A Cody Cutter connects out of nowhere and Rhodes follows up with a powerslam. Gunther is right back with a knockdown into the Figure Four but Zayn catches him grabbing the ropes. Rhodes’ rollup gets a fairly counted two and he follows it up with Cross Rhodes but Zayn sees Gunther’s boot underneath the rope. For some reason Rhodes complains and Zayn shoves him, right into a sleeper from Gunther.

Rhodes gets the rope as well and Zayn has to drag Gunther off the hold, which isn’t going well for Gunther either. Gunther shoves him so Zayn comes back with a slap, earning himself a powerbomb. Rhodes makes the big comeback and hits Cross Rhodes for two from a second referee. Gunther’s shotgun dropkick and powerbomb get two, with Zayn pulling the referee out. Back in and Rhodes tries a sunset flip, with Gunther grabbing the rope. Zayn kicks his hands away though and the fast count retains Rhodes’ title at 11:19.

Rating: B-. Much like their previous match, I was expecting something a bit bigger than this, which was pretty much just good enough. That ending all but guarantees a third match, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Zayn added to make it a triple threat. That’s a good way to make it more interesting, and hopefully they go a bit bigger with the whole thing, as it deserves.

Post match Gunther yells at Nick Aldis and Zayn as Rhodes says get a proper referee out here and restart the match. Gunther decks Zayn and sprints to the ring with a regular referee and we’re back at it.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther

Rhodes is defending again and they slug it out before trading sleepers. Gunther’s works a bit better until Rhodes escapes, only to get caught in it again. Cue Zayn to Helluva Kick Gunther for the DQ at 1:09 (Rhodes and Gunther were both in the corner so it wasn’t clear who Zayn was aiming for but he screams at Gunther after to make things obvious).

Post match Zayn grabs the title and decks the regular referee before hitting Rhodes with the belt by mistake (though I’m not sure who else it was supposed to be). An upset Zayn leaves, ripping up a fan’s sign in the process.

We look at the recent issues between Jade Cargill/her minions and Charlotte/Alexa Bliss.

Cargill isn’t worried about what is going on and wants the Women’s Title.

We recap the whole World Title situation.

Gunther blames Aldis for what happened and wants another title match at Night Of Champions.

Jacob Fatu comes in to see Solo Sikoa about Roman Reigns wanting him in the Bloodline. Sikoa turns him down again but Fatu says that’s a bad idea. Sikoa is running out of time, which leaves him confused. Fatu leaves and the MFT’s come in to say Sikoa’s family business is starting to mess with their family business. Sikoa says he has this.

You know how Blake Monroe has been teasing her…well return actually? She still is.

Tag Team Titles: Damian Priest/R-Truth vs. MFT’s

Priest/R-Truth are defending. Talla shoves Priest into the corner, where Priest gives him a crotch chop. Priest gets sent into the corner for some stomping as the War Raiders are watching backstage. Tama comes in and gets knocked into the champs’ corner, with R-Truth coming in for the flying shoulders. The John Cena sequence is cut off as R-Truth is sent to the floor for a big boot and apron chokeslam from Talla.

We take a break and come back with R-Truth kicking Tama down and making the diving tag to Priest. Talla gets knocked to the floor but Tama is back with a swinging neckbreaker. Cue Solo Sikoa to yell at Talla and then get taken down by Priest. R-Truth grabs a rollup on Tama to retain the titles at 10:10.

Rating: C+. This was another match where it felt like Priest and R-Truth should have lost the titles, though the Raiders might be the ones to take the belts off of them. At the same time the Bloodline Lite issues continue and that has to clash with the main version of the team sooner or later. I’m just not sure if that is a good thing or not.

Post match the MFT’s walk away from Sikoa.

Sami Zayn does his weekly rant to Johnny Gargano when Nick Aldis comes in to ask what that was about. Zayn says he’s the one who keeps getting cheated and he’s not going anywhere.

Jey Uso and Je’Von Evans jaw at each other before their King Of The Ring semifinals.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints

For a future US Title shot. Hayes starts fast with a clothesline but Saints is back up with the strutting Old School. Well most of it at least as he dives into an atomic drop but at least he looked good in the process. Hayes hits a slingshot DDT to the apron and we take a break. We come back with Hayes fighting out of a chinlock. Saints’ bulldog out of the corner is countered into a belly to back suplex and Hayes’ springboard DDT gets two.

They clothesline each other down but Hayes is back up with Dirty Diana. The suplex cutter gets two but Hayes misses Nothing But Net. Saints’ tornado DDT is blocked as well so Hayes throws him off the top, only to get crotched on an exposed buckle. The Roshambo is countered into the First 48 but Saints kicks him into an exposed buckle for the pin at 14:25.

Rating: B. I can go for Saints getting the title shot as Hayes vs. Trick Williams is likely going to be a big deal when it finally happens. For now though, Saints is still getting established around here so a win over a former champion, even one that came through less than fair means, is a good idea. It helps that they can both work this style rather well and they have some chemistry despite not having a ton of experience against each other.

Cody Rhodes wants and receives a triple threat against Gunther and Sami Zayn at Night Of Champions.

Charlotte wants her fifteenth World Title.

We look at Danhausen being discussed in the fallout from the New York Knicks winning the NBA Championship. Danhausen going from nothing more than a comedy goof to being discussed on the Tonight Show and being interviewed on ESPN is insane, but also evidence of what can happen when you stick with something and get to showcase your talent.

Danhausen is doing experiments on the still messed up Miz and Kit Wilson when Los Garza come in. They lost a lot of money on the NBA Finals because of the curse but Matt Cardona comes in to clear the out (he’s happy because his team finally won). Danhausen thanks “Zack”, who corrects him and then touches Miz, which gives him a shock. Cardona: “Woo woo woo!” Danhausen asks if Cardona is ok. Cardona: “You know it.” Danhausen is all giddy.

Finn Balor comes in to see R-Truth, who talks about dragons, Rikishi and the Wild Samoans. He’ll help Balor when he needs it because when you’re Judgment Day, you’re Judgment Day for life. Damian Priest comes in (with R-Truth thinking they need to play water polo) and says he’s out of any celebration for Balor, because he doesn’t celebrate with people he doesn’t trust. R-Truth doesn’t get why Priest doesn’t trust him when they’re partners.

We recap the World Title situation again.

King Of The Ring Semifinals: Jey Uso vs. Je’Von Evans

Evans rolls him up to start and hits an early dropkick out to the floor. We take an early break and come back with Uso still in trouble but hitting a pop up Samoan drop. Evans loses his shirt and reveals tape around his ribs so Uso has a target. A backbreaker stays on the ribs and Uso shoves him off the apron and into the barricade.

We take another break and come back with Evans still in trouble but catching Uso on the top. A super Spanish Fly plants Uso and they’re both down for a breather. Evans fights up and they knock each other down, where at least they can see the Fireflies for some reason. Back up and the spear gives Uso two but he charges into a superkick. The spinning kick to the head drops Uso again but he’s right back up with another spear. The Superfly Splash pins Evans at 17:57.

Rating: B. I’m not sure how much the result was in doubt here but it was nice to see Evans getting to hang in there against a former World Champion. Evans is pretty clearly becoming an established name around here and it’s working, which is a good sign. Uso is the bigger deal here though and him facing Oba Femi could be rather interesting.

Post match Uso shows respect. That’s a bit of a surprise.

Jacob Fatu goes to see Solo Sikoa, who thinks Roman Reigns sent Fatu here to mess with their business. If Reigns keeps messing with things, Sikoa will be coming to Raw to mess with him.

Giulia wants to face Kiana James next week in London.

Tiffany Stratton is ready to defend the Women’s US Title at Night Of Champions when Chelsea Green comes up to offer her help. Stratton appreciates it but she’s got this on her own.

NXT Origins video on Alexa Bliss.

Liv Morgan talks about how Charlotte is always talking about her success because she lives in the past. Morgan is the present.

Paige and Brie Bella are ready for Bayley/Lyra Valkyria.

Fatal Influence blame their loss last week on the referee so they want another chance.

Jey Uso runs into Cody Rhodes and warns him about Summerslam, which is fine with Rhodes. Sami Zayn comes in to praise Uso but thinks he’ll be the champion at Summerslam. Uso says he’ll do what he has to do, so Zayn says say hi to the family for him.

Night Of Champions rundown.

Charlotte runs into Jade Cargill/Michin/B-Fab but doesn’t seem worried. That doesn’t seem to be a good idea as the three of them jump her and damage her knee.

Post break, Charlotte is getting looked at when Liv Morgan comes in to say she’ll see you out there.

Queen Of The Ring Semifinals: Charlotte vs. Alexa Bliss

Non-title and Charlotte limps to the ring, earning her an early chop block from Morgan. The medics and Nick Aldis come out to check on Charlotte but she insists she can go. That just means Morgan can go after the knee again, including ramming it into the ring skirt board. We take an early break and come back with Bliss wrapping the leg around the post. A dropkick puts it into the post and a suplex sends it into the rope.

Charlotte reverses another suplex though and uses the good leg for a big boot. For some reason Charlotte goes up top for a high crossbody before winning a slugout. Morgan fights back but gets booted out of the air but Charlotte’s knee gives out as she tries a moonsault. We take another break and come back with Morgan kicking her into the corner and going after the knee again. Charlotte’s backbreaker out of the corner doesn’t get her very far as Morgan ties her in the Tree Of Woe.

Somehow Charlotte fights out and hits a super Natural Selection. The Figure Four has Morgan in trouble for a change so she rolls out to the rope. A half crab puts Charlotte in trouble again so she makes the rope, which has the medics checking on her. Charlotte wants to keep going and Oblivion out of nowhere gets two. Morgan grabs a rather hard half crab and Charlotte gives up at 18:57.

Rating: B. So we have the Raw Women’s Champion vs. another Raw star for a shot at either the Raw or Smackdown Women’s Title in the finals? Anyway, this was a classic story with Charlotte fighting through the injury but not being able to make it in the end. It’s good enough that I barely remembered Je’Von Evans and Jey Uso doing the same thing in the previous match.

Overall Rating: B+. This was a rather busy show with a bunch of stuff happening, including the rather fun World Title situation. The story jumped forward a long way in one night and they made it work, which isn’t something I was expecting. Other than that you had good action up and down the card, with only the Sikoa/Bloodline stuff being less than interesting. Rather good show here, with Night Of Champions looking better as a result.

Results
Cody Rhodes b. Gunther – Sunset flip with a fast count
Gunther b. Cody Rhodes via DQ when Sami Zayn interfered
Damian Priest/R-Truth b. MFT’s – Rollup to Tama
Ricky Saints b. Carmelo Hayes – Kick into an exposed turnbuckle
Jey Uso b. Je’Von Evans – Superfly Splash
Liv Morgan b. Charlotte – Half crab

 

 

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6