WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (May 22, 2026): Sami Zayn refuses to aid Cody Rhodes against Gunther's attack; Blake Monroe debuts & more

Rhea Ripley & Charlotte Flair team up, Tiffany Stratton defeats Lash Legend & more!

On May 22, 2026, Friday Night SmackDown returned with arguably one of its most important episodes in recent weeks. The Blue brand’s show emanated live from the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, serving as the final episode before Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 23 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

With SNME just one night away and Clash in Italy looming on May 31, the promotion announced matches for the PLE while building towards the upcoming SNME. The show also featured multiple title clashes along with a major debut and sneak attacks.

Get the full summary, highlights, results, and winners list from this Friday’s go-home show of SNME, the 5/22 episode of WWE SmackDown.

WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights

WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley kicked off the show, accepting Jade Cargill’s challenge to set up the title rematch at Clash in Italy. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss then interrupted, with Flair asking where Ripley was last week. The two bickered while Bliss tried to diffuse the situation, and Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid) arrived.

Jayne boasted about the faction’s success, while Flair didn’t had any interest in the back and forth and challenged either of the two for a match against her and Bliss, which Jayne agreed to. Backstage, Alexa informed Flair that she would team up with Rhea, not her, for the tag team match.

In the first match of the show, Talla Tonga defeated Shinsuke Nakamura. Post-match, Tama Tonga and Solo Sikoa attacked Nakamura until Damian Priest arrived with a steel chair to make the save. Backstage, Cody Rhodes questioned Nick Aldis about Gunther’s whereabouts when Sami Zayn arrived and offered to help him against Gunther, which Rhodes declined.

Sami then asked Nick Aldis about what’s in store for him on the show, and Aldis said he kind of figured on leaving him the night off. Zayn went on a rant about him not getting the time, while Cody gets the time to talk because he is the golden boy. Rhodes was still in the room and challenged Sami to a match.

Lash Legend walked out with Nia Jax to answer Tiffany Stratton’s Women’s United States title open challenge. During the match, Chelsea Green arrived to aid Tiffany, shoving Nia into the ring post, which helped Stratton pick up the win via roll and retain the title.

Backstage, a crew member informed Nick Aldis that the power issue is coming from the room next to them. Aldis entered the room to discover that it was Danhausen’s laboratory. Aldis ranted about the power issue, while Danahusen assured that everything is up to code.

In another segment, The Miz, accompanied by Kit Wilson, assured that he’s not cursed, despite all the various bad things that have happened recently. Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) then appeared, leading to a tag team match being set for the next week.

Furthermore, Carmelo Hayes interrupted US Champion Trick Williams, challenging him for a title showdown. Yachty said that Williams had a busy schedule, while Hayes pointed out that Trick was used to playing second fiddle. Trick then accepted the challenge, leading to the match where Ricky Saints’ interference helped Williams retain the title. Hayes attacked Saints moments later during a backstage segment.

The team of Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley defeated Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid), but were ambushed by Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin. Jade laid Ripley out with Jaded. Backstage, Cody Rhodes vowed to make Sami accountable for the anger and passive aggressiveness, and welcomed Gunther to watch the match if he wanted to, but he would have to sign the contract for Clash in Italy.

Backstage, Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin boasted after the attack, with Jade stating she’s the only thing that matters in this company, and at Clash in Italy, luck won’t be on Rhea’s side.

Back in the ring, Solo Sikoa defeated Damian Priest, and the MFTs once again attacked him after the match, when Rocye Keys arrived to make the save. Backstage, Blake Monroe made her SmackDown debut in a segment with Chelsea Green. Nia Jax and Lash Legend then attacked Green for the interference in the US title match earlier.

In the main event of the show, Cody Rhodes defeated Sami Zayn in a non-title match. Gunther attacked Rhodes after the match, and Sami stepped in but didn’t help Cody as Gunther locked in the sleeper hold, while Sami exited the ring. Gunther put Cody to sleep and flaunted the Undisputed title to end the show.

WWE SmackDown 5/22 Results

• Talla Tonga defeated Shinsuke Nakamura
• Tiffany Stratton (c) defeated Lash Legend – Women’s US title
• Chelsea Green aided Tiffany in the defense
• Trick Williams (c) defeated Carmelo Hayes – US title; Ricky Saints interfered
• Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley defeated Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid)
• Jade Cargill, B-Fab & Michin attacked Charlexa & Ripley after the match
• Solo Sikoa defeated Damian Priest
• Blake Monroe made her SmackDown debut
• Nia Jax & Lash Legend attacked Chelsea Green
• Cody Rhodes defeated Sami Zayn
• Gunther attacked Cody Rhodes after the match

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