WWE SmackDown Tonight: Cody Rhodes-Gunther brawl; Rhea Ripley retaliates & other possible spoilers
(Courtesy : WWE.com)
The Backlash fallout show might include major announcements.
Tonight’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown takes over the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, featuring the aftermath of Backlash 2026. The PLE saw Trick Williams retain the US title over Sami Zayn, while Danhausen teamed up with Minihausen to defeat the team of Miz and Kit Wilson.
Now with Saturday Night’s Main Event and Clash in Italy on the horizon, WWE will deliver the fallout show while building towards the two events. Ahead of the WWE SmackDown, let us take a look at the four spoilers that might be in store for fans.
4. Matches announced for SNME
The May 23 edition of SNME is set to emanate live from the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana. WWE has already announced two matches for the show on Raw this past Monday.
While with Clash in Italy ahead, WWE is likely going to save the main event showdowns for the PLE, and similar to announced matches, might announce mid-card matches.
Also Read: WWE SmackDown (May 15, 2026): Preview, start time & where to watch
3. Solo Sikoa attacks Royce Keys
Solo Sikoa has been trying to recruit Royce Keys to the MFTs faction since the latter’s arrival on SmackDown. However, Keys has not only shown interest but has stood up to Sikoa and his faction.
Last week, Keys first aided WWE Tag Team Champions R-Truth and Damian Priest, then battled Tama Tonga in singles action, defeating the MFT member. Keys’ testing Sikoa’s patience might backfire on him, especially with the numbers game against him.
2. Rhea Ripley retaliates with backup
During last week’s show, Jade Cargill made her return, along with B-Fab and Michin, to attack Rhea Ripley, even taking down Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. This marked their first appearance since WrestleMania 42, where Jade dropped the title against Rhea.
Ripley is likely going to team up with Flair and Bliss to take on Cargill and Co. The angle will also help explore the tensions between Flair and Ripley, likely ending up in another title showdown, something fans have been waiting for a while.
1. Cody Rhodes-Gunther brawl
The feud between Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes and Gunther kicked off with an attack two weeks ago, where Gunther put the Champion to sleep. Last week, Paul Heyman revealed that Gunther has challenged Rhodes to a title clash at Clash in Italy.
What followed was another sneak attack by Gunther, but Rhodes was prepared as he retaliated and sent Gunther packing. With the tease by Heyman, the match is almost confirmed, barring an announcement from WWE and what better way to make the fans hyped than a massive brawl, which would likely be in store for fans tonight.
When and where will the May 15, 2026, edition of WWE SmackDown take place?
Tonight’s SmackDown will emanate live from the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.
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 can tune into Netflix (excluding select markets) to catch all the action live.
When and where will the upcoming edition of SNME take place?
The May 23 edition of SNME is set to emanate live from the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
When and where will Clash in Italy take place?
Inalpi Arena in Turin, Piedmont Region, Italy, will host the upcoming edition of the Clash in Italy PLE on May 31.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.