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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
MAY 1, 2026
TULSA, OKLA. AT BOK CENTER
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of today 6,007 tickets were distributed so far. The arena has a capacity of 19,199 spectators when configured for concerts.
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by ProWrestling.net’s Jake Barnett to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
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[HOUR ONE]
-As they showed an aerial view of the arena and then fans lining up outside the arena earlier, Joe Tessitore introduced the show. He said fans in Tulsa “struck it rich” because this Smackdown was “gushing with star power” on tonight’s show and said much of it revolved around the family drama of Roman Reigns, the Usos, and Jacob Fatu.
-A video package aired on Reigns and Fatu.
-Tessitore said they are told Fatu was on his way to the arena. Then they showed the arrivals or backstage footage of wrestlers including Brie Bella & Paige, Nia Jax & Lash Legend, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, Fatal Influence, and Sami Zayn. When they showed the inside of arena, he said it was “a great crowd.” The focused on the lower bowl since only 7,000 or so were in attendance.
-Cody Rhodes made his ring entrance. Tessitore talked about the rough road Cody has had since WrestleMania, noting the still-vislbe black eye two weeks after WrestleMania. Pyro blasted as he entered the ring and looked into the crowd. He asked the fans what they wanted to talk about. He didn’t much of a reaction. He said he met with WWE’s medical staff earlier and G.M. Nick Aldis to find out if he would be medically cleared for action. He paused for drama and then said he is cleared for action. He said that begets a question of what is next for “Cody Rhodes” on Smackdown. (He referred to himself in the third person.) Ricky Saints interrupted.
Barrett said the spotlight loves Saints and follows him wherever he goes. Fans booed. Saints said, “You boo what you don’t understand!” He said if you don’t know about him, you should know he is the “hottest, newest, fliest Smackdown free agent.” He said he is “young successful, rich, debonair, suave, everything your baby mamma wishes you were.” He looked at Cody and said, “Wow, there you are.” He said he knows Cody feels a change in the air. He said that change is a revolution and there is one man leading that revolution. “Welcome to Friday Night Saints.” (Naming the show after yourself is a bit overdone.) Fans chanted “Cody! Cody!”
Cody asked what the difference is “since the last time you stepped up to me.” Saints said he has staples in his head and his eye is busted up. He said his title reigns have aged him 30 years. He said he might be wrong about all that, but he is a former NXT Champion and North American Champion. He said he is “absolute.” He said he has congratulated him behind the scenes “milestone after milestone when it was a detriment to my career.” He said he wants the same extended to him “because I’m here to relieve you of your duties, champ.”
Cody said this is an easy thread to pull. He said since he’s cleared, they should fight tonight. Tessitore chuckled that Cody got cleared and he’s already ready to fight. Saints said he didn’t come out there to make a statement, but rather change who the show is about. Cody said he is “easy to find, hard to beat.” Cody’s music played.
(Keller’s Analysis: Saints was good here. The challenge for him is to get past this introductory promo that he’s given many times over the years and have nuance and layers beyond the early nicknames and catchphrases and boasting. Cody and Saints have been close in real life for years, but WWE seemed to assume that was common knowledge here. The uninitiated viewers will pick up on the theme here of a protege stepping up to a mentor, though.)
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett at ringside. Tessitore said Ricky is the new kid in town. Barrett said it was a bold move to step up to Saints on his first night on Smackdown and they’d find out later if it paid off if the match is indeed made.
-A clip aired of Fatal Influence arriving on Smackdown last week.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Charlotte and Bliss backstage. She asked if they were worried about Fatal Attraction’s numbers advantage. Ripley walked in and said she was ambushed last week, so she was willing to put her differences aside if they were to help out. Bliss said that was really nice of her, but looked nervously to Charlotte. Charlotte said just because they’ve teamed before doesn’t mean they should team again. Charlotte told Bliss she only needs her and “threes kind of a crowd.” She asked Bliss to follow her. Bliss told Ripley she better leave.
-Charlotte made her entrance accompanied by Bliss. [c]
-Tessitore got in some plugs, then announced Cody vs. Saints tonight.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m interested in what they have in mind for that, as it seems rushed for Saints’s debut on Smackdown.)
(1) CHARLOTTE FLAIR (w/Alexa Bliss) vs. JACY JAYNE (w/Fallon Henley, Lainey Reid)
Jayne talked on her way to the ring and said she’s taking on legends one at a time. She said she’s starting with Charlotte and then let out a “wooo!” The bell rang 25 minutes into the hour. Charlotte fended off an early attack and took Jayne down and then kipped up and strutted. Charlotte swept Jayne and began setting up a figure-four. Jayne rolled to ringside in a panic and then fell backwards when Bliss stepped toward her. They cut to a double-box break at 3:00. [c/db]
Jayne took over during the break and settled into a chinlock. Charlotte made a comeback and landed a top rope moonsault for near fall. (Her moonsault impact was near zero, landing on her knees.) Jayne kicked out. Barrett said Charlotte was showing frustration as she didn’t know “the depth of durability” of Jayne. Jayne came back with a a running knee to the chin for a two count at at 9:00. When she went for a Rolling Encore, Charlotte avoided it and applied a figure-four. She then bridged into a Figure-Eight, but Fallen broke it up. Bliss went after her. Reid attacked Bliss. Charlotte turned to knock Reid off the ring apron. When Charlotte turned around, Jayne hit her with the Rolling Encore for the win.
WINNER: Jayne in 10:00.
-Afterward, Fatal Attraction triple-teamed Charlotte. Bliss made a quick save. Fans chanted “Rhea! Rhea!” and then Ripley then came out to even the odds. Fans popped. Jayne escaped Rip Tide and shoved Ripley toward Charlotte. Charlotte and Ripley had a tense moment. Charlotte turned away from Ripley. Barrett said Charlotte might not like it, but she showed Charlotte that they need her help.
-They cut backstage to Brie Bella and Paige. Byron Saxton walked up to them and asked for their reaction to Fatal Influence. Brie said they are impressed so far. Paige said karma is real and they’ll pay soon enough. Saxton asked about how they plan to defeat Jax & Lash later. Brie expressed confidence with Paige as her partner.
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett at ringside who reacted to the previous segment.
-A clip aired from earlier of R-Truth chatting with Axiom and Nathan Fraser. Damien Priest walked up to them. Truth was getting confused, thinking Fraxiom were Los Americanos. Priest said Fraxiom deserves a tag title match. Truth looked confused. Fraser said they’d take them up on their offer. When they walked away. Truth revealed he was talking to them about taxes, not a title match. Truth said he’s the best at tax advice. Truth said now he had to get dressed for a match. [c]
-Miz and Kit Wilson were standing in front of a sign that said “Free Human Monies” backstage. Frasier said they can catch Danhausen if he opens the briefcase and temporarily disappears. Danhausen walked up and saw the sign and then opened the briefcase and took wads of cash out of it. He said it was $400 and said he could buy “so much things of this.” Miz and Frasier then stepped out of their hiding spot and said Danhausen just walked out with $40,000. Miz complained about the briefcase not blinding Danhausen. He opened the briefcase and it sprayed both Miz and Kit. Miz was upset.
(2) R-TRUTH & DAMIAN PRIEST vs. FRAXIOM (Axiom & Nathan Fraser)
Truth and Priest made their entrance. A fan held up a helpful sign in the front row that said: “Tell R-Truth This is Tulsa, Oklahoma.” When Fraxiom made their entrance, Barrett said Truth thinks they’re Dos Americanos. The bell rang 49 minutes into the hour. Tessitore said Priest must feel pressure to win considering he handed out this title shot after misinterpreting the conversation Truth was having earlier. Axiom escaped a Razor’s Edge. Fraser and Axiom knocked both Priest and Truth to ringside. When they set up a dive, Priest and Truth dispersed. They cut to a break at 3:00. [c/db]
Back from the break, Truth was in control against Axiom. He hot-tagged in Priest who fended off both Axiom and Frasier. He played to the crowd and then clotheslined Fraser. Frasier blocked a South of Heaven. Truth tagged in and did two shoulder blocks and a side slam. He then landed a fistdrop. Axiom yanked Truth off the ring apron. Fraser rolled up a distracted Priest for a two count. Chaos broke out leading to Frasier landing a running flip dive onto both Truth and Priest. Axiom flipped onto them seconds later.
Fraser and Axiom threw Truth into the ring and landed a signature double-team top rope dropkick. Priest broke up the cover, then lowered his straps. He tagged himself in and then landed South of Heaven on Fraser. Then he gave Axiom a Razor’s Edge for the clean win.
WINNERS: Truth & Priest in 10:00 to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
-Afterward, Talla Tonga attacked Priest, Truth, Fraser, and Axiom as Solo Sikoa admired his work. [c]
-A replay aired of Talla’s attack.
-Solo and Talla were still in the ring. Solo said last week on Smackdown, Fatu made a big mistake. They happened to have a clip of exactly what he was talking about ready to play instantly as Solo paused talking. Fans chanted “Fatu!” after the replay. Solo said Fatu took out his family, “and his family is my family, his blood and my blood.” He told Fatu, “When your ass gets to this building, you’re a dead man walking.” The Usos theme then played and the Usos walked out.
Jimmy entered the ring and said they understand that Solo has an issue with Fatu. He said he isn’t the only one who has an issue with him. He said Roman Reigns (mild cheers) has a problem with him, too. He said the mistake Fatu made wasn’t taking out Solo’s crew, but it was when he put his hands on Reigns. He said it was especially egregious because he used the Tongan Death Grip, which is sacred and typically a last resort. Solo said there is “plenty of Jacob to go around for all of us.” Jey told Solo that they’re not asking him, they’re telling him. Solo laughed and said he didn’t have time for that. He turned his back. Then he nodded at Talla. Talla attacked the Usos. Solo kneeled and told the Usos to tell Roman that he isn’t his Tribal Chief “and what he says, we don’t give a damn.” He said whether Roman likes it or not, Fatu is a dead man.
-Sami approached Cody backstage and asked if he really called him “sarcastic and condescending.” He said when he called him Golden Boy, that wasn’t an insult. He said that’s what Cody wanted and they all want that. He asked if he’s really upset that he got to wear a gold crown and cap on his way to the ring at WrestleMania. He said he is tired of the misunderstandings between them. He said they are a dying breed “and the last of the true good guys.” He said they are friends and they are the same. Cody said there’s a lot of truth there, but they’re not the same. He turned and walked away.
-Tessitore hyped Cody vs. Saints was up next. [c]
-A graphic noted that Goldberg was born in Tulsa.
-Tessitore announced that Solo & Talla would face the Usos later. Tessitore said Danhausen uncursed the Knicks and they won. Then they showed Jalen Brunson talking about acknowledging Roman Reigns before every game in a post-game press conference.
-Danhausen then said they took credit for the Knicks winning after uncursing them, but told Stephen A. Smith he is still cursed.
(3) CODY RHODES vs. RICKY SAINTS
Cody made his ring entrance first. Then Saints came out. Barrett said Saints was “built for the big time.” The bell rang 22 minutes into the hour. Saints got an early advantage and then struck a casual pose. Cody knocked Saints off the ring apron a minute later. Saints got the better of him at ringside and then pounded his chest in the ring. They cut to a double box break less than two minutes in. [c/db]
Saints controlled the action during the break. Cody came back with a snap powerslam, a Disaster Kick, and a Cody Cutter. Saint escaped Cody’s next move and landed a signature neckbreaker style faceplant for a two count at 8:00. Fans chanted “Cody! Cody!” Saints landed a Revolution DDT seconds later for a two count. Cody blocked a Roshambo and delivered a Crossroads for the win.
WINNER: Cody in 9:00.
-Afterward, Gunther attacked Cody with a sleeper and knocked him out. Three referees entered and tried to get Gunther to release the hold. Gunther finally did. Gunther held up the WWE Title belt and snarled and then left the ring.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m not sure I understand this booking, rushing Saints into a match against Cody on his debut and having him lose clean. I was expecting Saints to come to Cody’s aid when Gunther attacked him, but he was out at ringside. Cody dropped Saints on his head in a way that looked potentially legitimately rough for someone with a history of neck and concussion issues.) [c]
-Tessitore and Barrett commented on a replay that aired of Gunther’s attack on Cody.
-Danhausen made his entrance next in his custom vehicle. Barrett was dismayed with his arrival. He introduced himself and said he is “very nice, very evil.” He said he found $400 in the back and threw it to the crowd so they could buy his merch. Barrett said it was actually $40,000. He then asked who wanted a free t-shirt. Miz’s music interrupted him He walked out and said ever since he arrived in WWE, bad things have been happening to him. He listed all the bad things. Miz said he has come to realize he is cursed. Fans chanted, “Yes, you are!” He offered to be Danhausen’s mentor if that meant ending the torment. They were about to shake hands when Kit’s music interrupted. He said, “No, no, no!” He told Miz that he has lost his mind because he is mentoring him. Kit said Danhausen is a little goblin and told him to wake up.
Miz told Kit that Danhausen has mastered the curse and forged a bond with fans all over the world. He said he has zoned in on what it truly takes to be a WWE Superstar. “Can you say the same?” Miz said. He told Kit he’s not even in the same league. They were about to shake hands again, but Kit begged him not to. “Give us a chance!” he said. “I wrote a poem!” Kit told Danhausen he should be banned and told Miz to shake his hand. Danhausen told Miz to shake his hand. Miz moved toward Kit, then turned to Danhausen. Fans booed, then cheered. He eventually chose Danhausen. Kit was dismayed. Miz said there was only one thing left to do. Danhausen was about to curse Kit when Miz attacked Danhausen. Kit laughed and fistbumped Miz. “It was a trap!” exclaimed Barrett. Miz then gave Danhausen a Skull Crushing Finale. Tessitore said it was too good to be true that Miz and Danhausen aligned. Miz and Kit gloated.
-Backstage, Royce Keys was working out with a stretch band. [c]
(4) ANGEL GARZA (w/Berto) vs. ROYCE KEYS
The end of Angel’s entrance aired. Keys then came out. Tessitore talked about how likable Keys is and how he’s overcome so much. The bell rang 51 minutes into the hour. Angel threw his jacket at Keys, but Keys knocked him to the floor seconds later. Keys smashed Angel in the corner, then knocked Berto off the ring apron. When Angel dove at Keys off the second rope, Keys caught him and placed him on the top turnbuckle. He then delivered a turning powerslam followed by a spinebuster for the win.
WINNER: Keys in 2:00.
-Kelley interviewed Tiffany backstage. She said she feels people should be coming to her for title opportunities and she wanted to do an open challenge. Chelsea Green popped up from wheelchair and she’s now walking “and it’s a miracle.” She asked to go out for birthday drinks. Tiffany said she couldn’t think of a worse way to celebrate her birthday. Kiana James and Giulia walked in. Kiana said her job is to secure Giulia a rematch. Tiffany said she’s giving James a match instead. Green wished her the best. Giulia glared at James.
-Workers carried the Gingerbread Man outfit to the ring. [c]
-Tessitore got in some plugs.
-Keys was shown finishing a phone call with someone when in walked Fatu. (What’s the supposed reason WWE cut live to Keys having a phone conversation?) They hugged and smiled. Keys said he’s known him for 14 or 15 years and he’s still the same guy. He reminisced about his 1989 Honda Accord and pulling a 12 hour shift at the warehouse. He said the Usos are back on top. He told Fatu to “werewolf your ass up.” He told him not to let Roman take food off his table. “Or maybe being in WWE made you forget the smell of streets,” he said. “People like us, we take everything we want.” Talla attacked Keys. Solo joined in. They fended off Fatu. Referees and officials ran to the scene.
-The Gingerbread Man was standing in the ring. Sami made his ring entrance. They replayed a brief clip of last week’s reveal of Sami in the costume. He asked the fans, “Are we having fun or what?” He said he doesn’t say this in every city, but he loves coming to Tulsa. He said he went to Bob Dylan Center. He said Dylan was a folk legend until the day he chose to pick up an electric guitar. He said the fans turned on him when he did that and they booed him. “I said to myself, man, I can relate,” he said. He said he didn’t understand what he did to get the reaction he got. He said he can deal with it and it doesn’t bother him, because he knows his Ride or Die Fan Club is in the house tonight. He said he knows they are there and millions around the world have his back. He said he can deal with some bad reactions. He said what he doesn’t deal with well is disrespect. He looked at the Gingerbread Man costume as he talked about Trick Williams. Fans chanted, “Whoop that Trick!”
Sami said the Gingerbread Man is a “shell of a man wearing a costume,” which is what Trick is. He said Trick has an entrance, dance moves, and catch phrases. He said he could do that in his sleep. He said what’s hard is doing what he does, which leaving it all in the ring, night in and night out. He said Trick isn’t taking him seriously. He said every time he looks at the Gingerbread Man, he just wants to punch it. He wound up, but then said he’s actually losing his marbles. He apologized to the fans and shook hands with the Gingerbread Man costume. He knocked him down after a low kick and then dropped an elbow and punched him. He tore off his arm and pulled off a button. Trick’s music played and ran out “for the save.”
Trick punched away at Sami. Sami rolled to the floor and retreated into the crowd. Trick’s music played again as fans chanted for him. Trick lifted Gingerbread Man and looked concerned. He did the X arm gesture. Barrett said that’s never a good thing. Trick called for medical help for Gingerbread Man.
-They aired a sponsored recap of the WrestleMania women’s tag title match.
-Saxton interviewed Jax and Lash backstage. Lash said they prepared f0r the Bellas not Paige & Brie at WrestleMania, but they’re ready this week. Jax said they’d send Brie back to the couch with Nikki. [c]
-Kelley interviewed Trick backstage outside of the trainer’s room. Trick stepped out looking concerned. He said last week Sami took out Lil’ Yachty and he isn’t sure if he’ll make it. He said now he took out the Gingerbread Man. He said now he’s messing with his money. “Trick Williams doesn’t play around with his money,” he said. He said he has a match with Sami at Backlash and he’ll beat him again just like he did at WrestleMania. A doctor poked his head out of the trainer’s room and shook his head solemnly. Trick paused to mourn the end of Gingerbread Man. He said he’s going to whoop that trick at Backlash.
(5) BRIE BELLA & PAIGE vs. LASH LEGEND & NIA JAX – WWE Women’s Tag Team Title match
Brie and Paige made their entrance first. Then Lash and Jax. The bell rang 21 minutes into the hour. Jax and Lash dominated early. Paige hot-tagged out to Brie who dropkicked Jax off the top rope. They cut to an early break. [c/db]
Lash caught a flying Paige after the break. Brie tagged in. Paige gave Lash a Paige Turner. Brie then gave her a Bella Busta seconds later. Jax broke up the cover. Jax took over a minute later and set up an Annihilator. Paige knocked Jax off balance. The ref didn’t see. Brie then leveraged Jax’s shoulders down. Tessitore called it “brilliant work.” Barrett said they cheated. Tessitore said, “That is what experience looks for!”
WINNERS: Paige & Brie in 8:00 to retain the Women’s Tag Team Titles.
-Tessitore said Trick wanted to share an In Memoriam Message for Gingerbread Man who was listed as “2026-2026” and it said “Rest in Pieces.” [c]
-Tessitore said Trick would be overseeing a funeral of Gingerbread Man next week on Smackdown.
-Sami asked Aldis if this TV time being given to Gingerbread Man is a joke. Aldis asked Sami to have a modicum of respect since “everyone is grieving.” Sami said he’s trying to get under his skin. Sami wanted the U.S. Title match at Backlash to become official. Aldis said that was fine with him. Sami left. Danhansen walked up to him and demanded a match. Aldis suggested he faced Miz & Kip if he can find a partner. Danhausen said, “That’s bad, that’s work.” Danhausen then walked away.
-The Usos were in the concourse with their “loser” fans about to make their entrance for the main event. [c]
(6) SOLO SIKOA & TALLA TONGA vs. THE USOS
Solo and Talla made their entrance after the break. The bell rang 45 minutes into the hour. They cut to an early double-box break. [c/db]
Jey hot-tagged in after the break and rallied and superkicked Solo and then speared him. When he went for the pin, Talla hit Jey and the ref stopped his count even though Jey still had Solo covered and Solo’s shoulders were still down. Anyway, the Usos clotheslined Talla over the top rope. When Jimmy dove through the ropes, Talla knocked him out of mid-air with a punch. Jey leaped at him. Talla knocked him down and threw him into the ringside barricade.
Talla cleared the announce desk. Fatu then leaped off the barricade and attacked Talla. He threw Talla into the ringpost a couple times. Then he picked up the ringside steps and hit Talla with it. Fatu then put the Tongan Death Grip on Solo. Fatu dove through the ropes at Talla, but Talla caught him and set up a chokeslam. Fatu put Talla in the Tongan Death Grip and then delivered a Samoan Drop through the ringside table. He played to cheering fans. Fans chanted, “Fatu! Fatu!”
Fatu entered the ring and eyed the Usos, who got back to their feet. Fans chanted “OTC!” Fatu let out a yell and then walked through the Usos and bumped them on his way. His music played as the Usos looked at each other to assess what happened.
Tessitore plugged Reigns vs. Fatu at Backlash. They went back to Fatu at ringside who told the Usos to tell Roman that he’s “going to dog-walk his ass at Backlash.” He said he’s all gas, no brakes.
WINNERS: Does it matter?
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by ProWrestling.net’s Jake Barnett to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpostshow@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
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