WWE SmackDown (June 19, 2026): Cody Rhodes vs Gunther 2; Queen of the Ring tournament semi-final & more set for next week
(Courtesy : WWE)
The first-round matches of the tournaments concluded in Rhode Island.
The June 12 edition of Friday Night SmackDown emanated from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island. The show concluded the first-round matches of the 2026 King and Queen of the Ring tournament.
Charlotte Flair and Jey Uso won their respective first-round matches to advance into the semi-finals. Brie Bella and Paige defeated Fatal Influence (Lainey Reid & Fallon Henley) in a tag team match, which was set up after Fatal Influence attacked the Tag Champions last week.
On the other hand, Rey Fenix defeated Axiom to retain the AAA Cruiserweight title. Meanwhile, Michin and B-Fab defeated Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green in a tag team match. During this week’s show, WWE announced multiple matches for next week’s show.
Gunther picked Sami Zayn as the special guest referee for the rematch
On the June 12 edition, Gunther was poised to reveal the stipulation for the title rematch against Cody Rhodes, and the Ring General chose Sami Zayn as the special guest referee, as he didn’t trust GM Nick Aldis’ officials after the Clash in Italy fiasco.
WWE shortly announced the rematch between Cody and Gunther with the Undisputed title on the line and Sami as the special guest referee. Rhodes and Sami once again got into an argument and a slap fest this week, which has made things more complicated for the Champion as Zayn now holds all the cards.
On the other hand, after advancing into the semi-finals, Charlotte Flair will take on Liv Morgan next week. Both women are eyeing to win the semi-finals and advance into the finals, which will be contested at Night of Champions in Riyadh on June 27.
Meanwhile, after this week’s brawl, where United States Champion Trick Williams laid them both out, Carmelo Hayes and Ricky Saints are now set to battle in a number one contenders’ match next week on SmackDown, where the winner will battle the Champion at Night of Champions.
Additionally, R-Truth and Damian Priest will defend their WWE Tag Team titles against the MFTs (Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga). This will be their fifth title defense and first this month as Truth returns to action.
The June 19 edition of WWE SmackDown will air live from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Cody Rhodes, Rhea Ripley, Drew McIntyre, Jade Cargill, Tiffany Stratton, and Randy Orton are listed as featured superstars for the show.
Announced for WWE SmackDown next week (June 19, 2026)
- Cody Rhodes (c) vs Gunther – Undisputed WWE title match (with Sami Zayn as the special guest referee)
- Charlotte Flair vs Liv Morgan – 2026 Queen of the Ring semi-final
- Carmelo Hayes vs Ricky Saints – Winner earns U.S title match at Night of Champions
- R-Truth & Damian Priest (c) vs The MFT (Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga) – WWE Tag Team titles match
When and where will next week’s edition of SmackDown take place?
The June 19 edition of WWE SmackDown will emanate live from the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
What is the next PLE after Clash in Italy?
Night of Champions is the next WWE Premium Live Event after Clash in Italy. The show is set for June 27, 2026, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
When and where will the finals of the 2026 King & Queen of the Ring take place?
The finals of the 2026 King & Queen of the Ring tournament will take place at Night of Champions, with the winners earning a shot at the title of their choosing at SummerSlam.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram & Whatsapp.
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.