All superstars confirmed for WWE SmackDown tonight (May 22, 2026) ft. Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill, Tiffany Startton & more
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Tonight’s SmackDown is the go-home show before Saturday Night’s Main Event.
WWE SmackDown returns this Friday, May 22, 2026, with arguably one of its most important episodes in recent weeks. The Blue brand will emanate live from the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, serving as the final episode before Saturday Night’s Main Event (SNME) XLIV on May 23 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
With SNME just one night away and Clash in Italy looming on May 31, the stakes could not be higher. The May 15 edition of SmackDown delivered massive storyline developments, with Gunther defeating Royce Keys to officially become the Number One Contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship, and Cody Rhodes sending a brutal statement by laying out the Ring General at the close of the show.
Additionally, tensions within the MFTs faction continue to simmer as Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga find themselves at odds, while Jade Cargill’s return and her attack on Rhea Ripley’s alliance have set the stage for a fiery six-woman tag team clash tomorrow night at SNME.
WWE also has a busy European stint ahead with Clash in Italy on May 31, making tonight’s show a critical piece of the puzzle. For the May 22 show, WWE has announced a singles clash between Shinsuke Nakamura and Talla Tonga, after the latter attacked Nakamura, who was trying to create a rift between Tama and the MFTs.
Also Read: WWE SmackDown (May 22, 2026): Preview, start time & where to watch
All WWE Superstars confirmed for SmackDown (May 22, 2026)
- “Undisputed WWE Champion” Cody Rhodes
- “The Ring General” Gunther
- “WWE Women’s Champion” Rhea Ripley
- Jade Cargill, Michin & B-Fab
- “Women’s Tag Team Champions” Brie Bella & Paige
- The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend)
- Drew McIntyre
- “Women’s United States Champion” Tiffany Stratton
- Giulia & Kiana James
- Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
- Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae
- “United States Champion” Trick Williams
- Sami Zayn
- The MFTs (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga)
- Chelsea Green
- “WWE Tag Team Champions” R-Truth & Damian Priest
- Carmelo Hayes
- The Miz
- Kit Wilson
- Danhausen
- Rey Fenix
- Ilja Dragunov
- Shinsuke Nakamura
- Los Garzas (Angel & Berto)
- Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom)
- Matt Cardona
- “The Samaon Werewolf” Jacob Fatu
- Royce Keys
- Ricky Saints
- Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid)
- SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis
When and where will the May 22, 2026, edition of WWE SmackDown take place?
The May 22 edition of WWE SmackDown will emanate live from the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
Where can fans tune in to catch all the action live?
Fans in the United States can tune into the USA Network, while international fans (excluding select markets) can tune into Netflix to catch all the action live.
When and where will Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIV take place?
Saturday Night’s Main Event XLIV is set to emanate live from the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 8 PM ET, streaming exclusively on Peacock in the US and YouTube internationally.
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