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WWE SmackDown Results (5/22/26): Cody Rhodes in Action, Tiffany Stratton's Open Challenge & More

The road to Clash in Italy ran through Lexington for tonight's episode of WWE SmackDown.
Matt Black|
Cody Rhodes
Cody Rhodes | Netflix

Tonight's episode of WWE SmackDown took place at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.

Last week's episode saw Gunther defeat Royce Keys in the main event to secure his shot at WWE Champion Cody Rhodes later this month at Clash in Italy.

You can check out the quick match results for tonight's episode of SmackDown by scrolling to the bottom of the article.

This week's episode of WWE SmackDown kicked off with WWE Women's Champion Rhea Ripley coming out to the ring to respond to what Jade Cargill did to Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss last week. Ripley tells Cargill that if she wants her rematch, she'll happily beat her again later this month at Clash in Italy. This brought out Bliss and Flair, who are teaming with Ripley tomorrow at Saturday Night's Main Event.

Bliss tried to make it clear that everyone needed to be on the same page, but Flair was more concerned about why Ripley wasn't there last week when they needed her. Ripley responded by telling Flair that she had gone home to see her family. Bliss tried to keep the peace, but Flair and Ripley continued to jump down one another's throats. That brought out Fatal Influence, who takes credit for the three of them bickering. A tag match was made for later on in the show.

The MFTs are backstage, and Solo Sikoa puts over what Talla Tonga is going to do to Shinsuke Nakamura. They are interrupted by an angry Royce Keys, who said Solo cost him a shot at the WWE Title last week. Sikoa told Keys that if he didn't want his help, all he had to do was say so and not throw a chair in his face. Sikoa said they could attack him right now, but they won't because they are family. Elsewhere backstage, Bliss told Flair that she needs to team up with Ripley tonight and get along.

In the opening contest of the evening, Talla Tonga defeated Shinsuke Nakamura with a poorly executed chokeslam thanks to a timely assist from Solo Sikoa. After the match, Sikoa tries to hit Nakamura with the Samoan Spike, but Tama Tonga stops him, teasing a babyface turn before laying out Nakamura himself. Before any more damage could be done, Damian Priest hit the ring with a steel chair, sending the MFTs running.

Nick Aldis and Cody Rhodes speak backstage. Aldis informed Rhodes that Gunther still hasn't signed the contract for Clash in Italy, but promises he'll take care of it. Sami Zayn came in and offered Rhodes his help with Gunther, but Rhodes declined. Zayn has a hissy fit at Aldis, furious he wasn't being given any time on tonight's show.

Rhodes returns and tells Aldis he wants a match with Zayn tonight. Back in the MFT's locker room, Tama tells Solo everyone is coming at them because they think he's weak, and tells Sikoa he needs to take care of Damian Priest on his own for the family.

Lash Legend answers Tiffany Stratton's open challenge

Lash Legend answered Tiffany Stratton's open challenge for the Women's United States Title. The finish saw Chelsea Green attack Nia Jax at ringside, leading to Legend being distracted long enough for Stratton to roll her up for the three count.

Backstage, Nick Aldis confronts Danhausen about the power issues the venue is dealing with. Danhausen is continuing his experiments from last week. Many fans believe Baron Corbin is underneath the sheet, but it will be revealed soon enough.

Trick Williams and Lil Yachty came out to speak to the WWE Universe. They talk about what they did to The Miz last week before being interrupted by Carmelo Hayes. Melo puts over Williams, but reminds him that if it weren't for him, he'd still be the champion right now.

Hayes asked for a title shot tonight. Lil Yachty made excuses for why the match can't happen tonight. Hayes gets under Williams' skin, and he agrees to give him a match tonight, but it's going to be non-title.

Carmelo Hayes had the match well in hand before Ricky Saints interfered, annoying both competitors in the process. But it was Hayes' undoing as Williams hit Melo with a Trick Shot to score the pinfall victory.

Sami Zayn is still backstage ranting and finds Johnny Gargano on a production crate and vents to him about how he believes he's the only good guy left in wrestling. Gargano, of course, said nothing in return.

Cathy Kelley tried to interview Ricky Saints backstage, but Carmelo Hayes showed up and decked him, telling him to stay out of his business.

Can Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair co-exist?

Back in the ring, Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair teamed up to take on Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid of Fatal Influence. Despite not being able to truly get along, Ripley and Flair picked up the victory. After the match, Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin attacked Ripley, Flair, and Bliss.

Cody Rhodes spoke with Cathy Kelley backstage. Rhodes noted he doesn't recognize the Sami Zayn he's fighting tonight anymore, but believes he's in a similar position to where he was ten years ago, and he looked in the mirror and held himself accountable. Rhodes said he will defeat Zayn tonight and make Sami hold himself accountable.

Despite Tama Tonga telling Solo Sikoa earlier that he needed to handle Damian Priest on his own, their match was pretty much a glorified handicap match that eventually saw Sikoa pick up the win. After the match, Royce Keys made the save, and Sikoa backed down. Keys tried to help Priest up, but was almost attacked for his troubles.

Chelsea Green interacts with Blake Monroe backstage, who isn't kind to Green. When Blake leaves, Nia Jax and Lash Legend attack Green before security breaks things up. Royce Keys and Damian Priest argue backstage. Keys informs Priest that R-Truth asked him to have Priest's back. Priest said he doesn't trust him.

In the main event of the evening, Gunther's interference backfired and allowed Cody Rhodes to hit Sami Zayn with a Cross Rhodes to score the victory. After the match, Gunther attacked Rhodes. Zayn thought about helping Rhodes out, but left instead as WWE SmackDown went off the air.

WWE SmackDown quick results:

  • Talla Tonga defeated Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Tiffany Stratton defeated Lash Legend to retain the WWE Women's United States Title
  • Trick Williams defeated Carmelo Hayes in a non-title match
  • Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair defeated Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid
  • Solo Sikoa defeated Damian Priest
  • Cody Rhodes defeated Sami Zayn in a non-title match
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Published
Matt Black
MATT BLACK

Matt Black got involved in the wrestling media industry over two decades ago, covering WWE video games released by Acclaim, THQ, and 2K. He has been covering professional wrestling for multiple digital outlets since 2019. He is the former Senior Editor of WrestleZone and has extensive knowledge of the entire wrestling industry. In his spare time, Matt enjoys cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Los Angeles Lakers. He's also a diehard comic book movie fan and doesn't pick sides when it comes to the endless debates of Marvel versus DC.

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