SmackDown results, May 22, 2026: Gunther viciously attacks Cody Rhodes to signal that their Clash in Italy showdown is inevitable

WWE Women's Champion Rhea Ripley returned to accept Jade Cargill's title challenge for Clash in Italy. Ripley and Charlotte Flair argued ahead of the Six-Woman Tag Team Match at Saturday Night's Main Event. Fatal Influence confronted Ripley, Flair and Alexa Bliss. 
 

03:25

Jacy Jayne, Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley step to an arguing Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss and spark an impromptu tag team match. Catch WWE action on the ESPN App, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network, Peacock and more.

Talla Tonga def. Shinsuke Nakamura
When Shinsuke Nakamura knocked an interfering Solo Sikoa off the apron, the distraction allowed Talla Tonga to secure the victory with the Chokeslam. 

After the bell, Sikoa looked to get retribution on Nakamura. Tama Tonga, however, stopped him in order to attack The Artist himself. 

Only the emergence of Damian Priest with a chair stopped the assault from getting out of hand. 

03:10

The MFTs celebrate Talla Tonga’s victory over Shinsuke Nakamura by launching a post-match attack on The Artist. Catch WWE action on the ESPN App, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network, Peacock and more.

Tiffany Stratton def. Lash Legend in a Women's United States Title Open Challenge
 

03:10

Tiffany Stratton gets some unexpected help from Chelsea Green after Lash Legend answers the Women’s United States Championship Open Challenge. Catch WWE action on the ESPN App, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network, Peacock and more.

When Nia Jax interfered in Tiffany Stratton's Women’s United States Championship Open Challenge Match against Lash Legend, Chelsea Green hurled The Irresistible Force into the steel ring post. Legend quickly grabbed Green by the hair, but this allowed Tiffany to roll her up for the quick pin.  

United States Champion Trick Williams decided to battle the outspoken Carmelo Hayes in an impromptu matchup.
 

03:44

United States Champion Trick Williams decides to battle the outspoken Carmelo Hayes in an impromptu matchup. Catch WWE action on the ESPN App, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network, Peacock and more.

Trick Williams def. Carmelo Hayes 
 

03:23

Ricky Saints costs Carmelo Hayes a high-stakes match against United States Champion Trick Williams. Catch WWE action on the ESPN App, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network, Peacock and more.

Ricky Saints appeared at ringside, which caused two distractions that worked against Hayes. 

The first allowed Trick to knock Hayes to the ringside area. The second came when Saints was on the apron and the official did not see Hayes' pin attempt. 

Seconds later, Trick hit Hayes with the Trick Shot for the pinfall  

Rhea Ripley & Charlotte Flair def. Lainey Reid & Fallon Henley
 

03:15

WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair defeat Fatal Influence’s Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley in a showdown that results in a brawl between three groups and ends with Jade taking out The Eradicator. Catch WWE action on the ESPN App, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network, Peacock and more.

WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair attempted to put aside their differences to battle Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley of Fatal Influence. 

After getting kicked off the apron in the final moments, an angry Flair tagged herself into the match as Rhea was hitting Riptide. This allowed The Queen to pick up the win with Natural Selection. 

Moments after the bell, Jade Cargill, Michin and B-Fab attacked, resulting in a wild brawl that concluded with Jade hitting Jaded on The Eradicator. 

Solo Sikoa def. Damian Priest 
 

03:07

Moments after The MFTs help Solo Sikoa defeat Damian Priest, Royce Keys is grabbed by Priest while attempting to stop an assault on the WWE Tag Team Champion. Catch WWE action on the ESPN App, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network, Peacock and more.

Moments after constant interference by The MFTs allowed Solo Sikoa to defeat Damian Priest with the Samoan Spike, Royce Keys emerged to stop a 3-on-1 attack on the WWE Tag Team Champion. 

Unfortunately, when Priest turned around, he grabbed Keys by the throat, which caused friction between the two Superstars. 

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes def. Sami Zayn
 

13:41

Cody Rhodes battles Sami Zayn with Gunther looming in the shadows. Catch WWE action on the ESPN App, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network, Peacock and more.

After interference from Gunther backfired and led to Cody Rhodes defeating Sami Zayn with the Cross Rhodes, The Ring General viciously attacked The American Nightmare and held the Undisputed WWE Title high to signal that their battle at WWE Clash in Italy is inevitable.
 

02:27

After Cody Rhodes defeats Sami Zayn, Gunther viciously attacks The American Nightmare before holding the Undisputed WWE Title high to signal that their battle at WWE Clash in Italy is inevitable. Catch WWE action on the ESPN App, Netflix, USA Network, CW Network, Peacock and more.