WWE SmackDown aired the May 22 episode from the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. It was the go-home show for Saturday Night’s Main Event, featuring exciting matches, including an open US title challenge. The show was capped by a major main event match between Cody Rhodes and Sami Zayn, which saw a shocking sight after the match.
What happened in the opening segment of WWE SmackDown?
The show opened with Rhea Ripley, who offered Jade Cargill a rematch for her WWE Women’s title at Clash in Italy. Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair came out and told her to focus on their six-woman match against Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab instead. Things got heated between Flair and Ripley, leading to Fatal Influence to come out. Flair threw out the challenge for any two of them against herself and Bliss. Later, Bliss backed out and put Ripley instead of her to team up with Flair.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Talla Tonga
This was an exciting singles match to kick off SmackDown. Shinsuke Nakamura put a great effort, but Talla Tonga overpowered him and delivered a Talla T-Bomb for the win. Later, he and Solo Sikoa attacked Nakamura again, only for Tama Tonga to stop Solo Sikoa. However, he only took out Nakamura, but then Damian Priest ran to save him.
Tiffany Stratton’s US title open challenge
Lash Legend answered Tiffany Stratton’s open challenge for the WWE Women’s title. Nia Jax was on Lash’s side, and Chelsea Green came down to support Stratton. The final moments of the title match saw Chelsea stop Jax from interfering. This distracted Lash enough for Stratton to roll her up for the pin and retain her title.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams
This was a singles match between the former allies on SmackDown. Ricky Saints came down to watch the bout. In the final moments, Saints got into an argument with the referee, leading to Trick Williams hitting a Trick Shot on Carmelo Hayes and winning the match.
Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley vs. Lainey Reid & Fallon Henley
This was a tag team match between both sides. The final moments of the exciting bout saw Rhea Ripley deliver the Riptide on Lainey Reed. Charlotte Flair blind tagged her and hit Reid with a Natural Selection for the win.
Damian Priest vs. Solo Sikoa
This was a singles match after the events that took place earlier in the night. The enthralling bout saw Talla Tonga run interference and allowed Solo Sikoa to hit the Samoan Spike on Damian Priest to win. As MFTs began to attack him, Royce Keys came out to help him, but it led to an argument between them.
Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn
This was the main event of the night. It was a spectacular bout befitting a SmackDown headliner with both going back-and-forth against each other. As the final moments approached, Gunther appeared on the ring apron and locked Cody Rhodes in the sleeper hold. Sami Zayn hit a running boot, which took out Gunther and allowed Rhodes to hit the Cross Rhodes for the win. The show ended with Zayn watching as Gunther had Rhodes locked in the sleeper hold and then walked away.Also read: WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event (May 23, 2026): All matches, date, main event, start timings, how to watc
