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Smackdown

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Contract Chaos Looms as SmackDown Heads to Clash in Italy
sports3 days ago

Contract Chaos Looms as SmackDown Heads to Clash in Italy

SmackDown builds toward next weekend’s Clash in Italy with Gunther challenging Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes for the title, but the contract sign remains unresolved. Sami Zayn tries to smooth things over with Rhodes but is rebuffed, and Rhodes wins the main event only to be attacked by Gunther afterward, signaling a ruthless path ahead. The women's scene edges toward Ripley vs. Cargill at Clash, Flair & Bliss spark a tag-team feud, and several midcard storylines thread through the show, which earns a mixed grade of C.

via Cageside Seats|
#clash-in-italy#cody-rhodes#gunther
Rhodes Rises, SNME Looms: SmackDown Delivers Mixed Momentum
sports3 days ago

Rhodes Rises, SNME Looms: SmackDown Delivers Mixed Momentum

On SmackDown May 22, Cody Rhodes defeated Sami Zayn in the main event after Gunther interference; Trick Williams defeated Carmelo Hayes; Tiffany Stratton defeated Lash Legend in an open US title challenge; Flair & Ripley teamed to beat Toxic Attraction with a post-match attack from Jade Cargill; Solo Sikoa defeated Damian Priest while Shinsuke Nakamura fell to Talla Tonga; the show teased SNME 43 and a Clash in Italy, delivering a mixed but solid episode.

via Bleacher Report|
#pro-wrestling#rhodes#smackdown
Gunther’s looming clash and Rhodes’ win cap SmackDown’s Italy-bound momentum
sports3 days ago

Gunther’s looming clash and Rhodes’ win cap SmackDown’s Italy-bound momentum

SmackDown on May 22, 2026 set the stage for WWE Clash in Italy: Cody Rhodes defeated Sami Zayn with Gunther looming, then Gunther viciously attacked Rhodes post-match to signal their title showdown. Jade Cargill and friends remained in feuds with Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, while Rhea Ripley returned to accept Jade Cargill’s title challenge for Clash in Italy. The show also featured Tiffany Stratton defeating Lash Legend with Chelsea Green’s help, Trick Williams beating Carmelo Hayes after Ricky Saints’ distractions, and Solo Sikoa defeating Damian Priest following interference by The MFTs.

via WWE|
#cody-rhodes#gunther#jade-cargill
GUNTHER Overplays Hand, Sets Rhodes Clash in Italy
sports-entertainment10 days ago

GUNTHER Overplays Hand, Sets Rhodes Clash in Italy

SmackDown from Columbia built toward Cody Rhodes’s title clash with GUNTHER at Clash in Italy after a tense contract segment where Nick Aldis warned that GUNTHER had overplayed his hand. The night’s main event pitted GUNTHER against Royce Keys to determine who earns a future title shot, with Rhodes delivering a post-match attack to seal the setup. Trick Williams enjoyed a hometown pop, Paige & Brie defended their titles in a functional match, and Jade Cargill’s promo advanced a faction storyline as WWE pushes toward big PLE showdowns while continuing several feuds for Raw and SNMEI. Overall, a solid episode that advances multiple programs and tees up Rhodes vs. GUNTHER in Turin.

via Cageside Seats|
#clash-in-italy#cody-rhodes#gunther
Heyman’s Favor Sparks Gunther vs Rhodes at Clash in Italy
entertainment17 days ago

Heyman’s Favor Sparks Gunther vs Rhodes at Clash in Italy

Paul Heyman revealed that his favor to Gunther will set up an Undisputed WWE Championship match against Cody Rhodes at WWE Clash in Italy (May 31, Turin). Rhodes pressed for a fast title shot on SmackDown, but the contract mandates the Italy date; Gunther attacked Rhodes recently, and the title picture remains hot with Rhodes having beaten Gunther at Crown Jewel 2024, leaving open the possibility of a longer reign depending on the result.

via WrestleTalk|
#clash-in-italy#cody-rhodes#entertainment
SmackDown May 8 recap: Gingerbread funerals, Bloodline tension, and Backlash on the horizon
entertainment17 days ago

SmackDown May 8 recap: Gingerbread funerals, Bloodline tension, and Backlash on the horizon

SmackDown May 8 leaned into Backlash-promising angles: a Bloodline-driven segment with Jacob Fatu challenging Roman Reigns, Gunther pitching a title showdown with Cody Rhodes, and a patchwork of midcard plots (Aldis’s run-ins, MFTs with Solo Sikoa and Royce Keys, and Ricky Saints vs. Cardona). Tiffany Stratton retained the US title with Giulia causing the split, Fatal Influence dominated Bliss/Flair/Ripley in a six-woman tag, and Jade Cargill returned with the new Baddies. The Gingerbread Man funeral gimmick and AI-heavy visuals drew mixed reception, while Sami Zayn confronted Aldis amid backstage twists and Trick Williams’ US title “funeral” segment ended with Zayn’s interference and a Lil Yachty casket moment, setting up Backlash rematches. Grade: C.

via Cageside Seats|
#backlash#bloodline#entertainment
SmackDown May 8 Spoilers Preview: Big Matches, Backstage Teases, and a Mystery Partner
sports17 days ago

SmackDown May 8 Spoilers Preview: Big Matches, Backstage Teases, and a Mystery Partner

Ringside News reveals the May 8, 2026 WWE SmackDown spoiler lineup, including Jacob Fatu in a segment, Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James for the Women’s United States Championship, Damian Priest vs. Talla Tonga, a Cody Rhodes segment, Rhea Ripley teaming with Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss to face Fatal Influence, and a Sami Zayn segment, plus a tease about Danhausen’s mystery partner at Backlash; note that last-minute changes can happen before air.

via Ringside News|
#may-8-2026#smackdown#spoilers
Fatu to Kick Off Go-Home SmackDown Ahead of Backlash
sports18 days ago

Fatu to Kick Off Go-Home SmackDown Ahead of Backlash

WWE stacks the final SmackDown before Backlash in Jacksonville, with Jacob Fatu opening the show ahead of his World Heavyweight Championship clash with Roman Reigns, plus Damian Priest vs. Talla Tonga, Gunther’s appearance, Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James for the Women’s US Championship, a Ripley/Flair/Alexa Bliss vs. Fatal Influence segment, and a Gingerbread Man funeral as the go-home episode heats up.

via Ringside News|
#backlash#damian-priest#jacob-fatu
Gingerbread Man funeral kicks off SmackDown's chaotic Backlash build
entertainment18 days ago

Gingerbread Man funeral kicks off SmackDown's chaotic Backlash build

SmackDown's May 8 episode leans into the controversial Gingerbread Man angle with a funeral segment as Backlash looms, while the rest of the card features a 6-woman tag match (Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, and Rhea Ripley vs. Fatal Influence), Tiffany Stratton defending the US title against Kiana James, and GUNTHER addressing Cody Rhodes with cross-brand implications teased.

via Cageside Seats|
#backlash#entertainment#gingerbread-man
WWE Sets Tuesday SmackDown Taping in London Amid European Tour
entertainment19 days ago

WWE Sets Tuesday SmackDown Taping in London Amid European Tour

WWE announced a rare Tuesday edition of SmackDown from London's O2 Arena on June 23, the night after Raw at the same venue, and added a Sheffield live event on June 24; the London show is still marketed as 'Friday Night SmackDown,' suggesting it will be taped in advance and aired later in the week, which could spark spoilers and raises questions about whether WWE should air it live internationally.

via Ringside News|
#entertainment#european-tour#london
Jayne Breaks Through as Saints Sparks SmackDown, Gingerbread Gaffe Falls Flat
sports-entertainment23 days ago

Jayne Breaks Through as Saints Sparks SmackDown, Gingerbread Gaffe Falls Flat

WWE SmackDown on 5/1/26 delivered a mix of highs and lows: Jacy Jayne scored a big win over Charlotte Flair (with Fatal Influence interference) signaling a serious push for an NXT call-up, Ricky Saints made his SmackDown debut with a strong promo and competitive match against Cody Rhodes, and Royce Keys got a meaningful backstage moment with Jacob Fatu, hinting at future alignments. However, the show leaned into a rehashed Ripley– Flair dynamic that echoes November’s WarGames, the goofy gingerbread man saga with Sami Zayn and Lil Yachty that felt overdone, and a Gunther vs. Rhodes segment that read as filler between bigger SummerSlam plans. The episode also teased a six-woman tag for next week, keeping fans guessing about how the Fatal Influence saga will unfold on the blue brand.

via Wrestling Inc.|
#charlotteflair#jacyjayne#rhearipley
Sami Zayn Poised to Close May 1 SmackDown After Spoilers Surface
sports24 days ago

Sami Zayn Poised to Close May 1 SmackDown After Spoilers Surface

Spoilers for the May 1 WWE SmackDown suggest Sami Zayn will close the show, following last week’s Gingerbread Man moment with Trick Williams, indicating WWE may have a major payoff planned. The announced lineup includes Cody Rhodes opening, Jacy Jayne vs. Charlotte Flair, Jacob Fatu appearance, Paige & Brie Bella vs The Irresistible Forces for the Women’s Tag Team Championship, and Royce Keys in action with an unannounced opponent, with Zayn delivering a closing segment to cap the night. Ringside News will provide live coverage and updates as the show unfolds.

via Ringside News|
#sami-zayn#smackdown#spoiler