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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
MAY 15, 2026
COLUMBIA, S.C. AT COLONIAL LIFE ARENA
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 earlier today 9,022 tickets were distributed so far. Total seats made available were 9,572. The arena has a capacity of 19,000 spectators when configured for concerts. On the previous Smackdown visit to the arena, WWE drew 10,215.
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 PWTorch’s Javier Machado 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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[HOUR ONE]
-Joe Tessitore introduced the show as they showed an areal view of Columbia. Then they showed wrestlers arriving including Cody Rhodes. Tessitore said R-Truth wasn’t medically cleared, so Damian Priest would face Tama Tonga in a singles match. They showed Trick Williams in the local college stadium
-Trick made his entrance with Lil’ Yachty and talked about being from that area. He talked about when he came up with the name Lemon Pepper Steppers. He asked everyone to “look at the star you created!” Miz’s music interrupted.
Miz walked out with Kit Wilson. Miz told Trick his whole career is going to look like rejected mascots from his daughter’s birthday party. He asked if Big Bird was going to come out next. Kit didn’t like Yachty mouthing off, so he read an insult poem to him. Yachty fired back with some of his own, supposedly extemporaneous, but clearly planned given how elaborate it was. He closed with saying Miz had tiny balls. Miz raged that they’re not bringing that back. He called for a referee so he could fight Trick in front of his mama. When Kit walked up to Trick, Trick gave him a backhanded slap. Miz went after Trick, but Trick knocked him over the top rope, then played to a crowd chanting, “Whoop that Trick!” [c]
(1) THE MIZ (w/Kit Wilson) vs. TRICK WILLIAMS (w/Lil’ Yacty)
The bell rang 18 minutes into the hour. Miz took control after a Kit distraction (of course). Trick took over at ringside. Kit hit Trick with a flying back elbow, giving Miz the advantage again. Miz and Yachty went face to face as they cut to a double-box break at 4:00. [c/db]
Miz hit a Skull Crushing Finale after the break. Trick kicked out. Miz’s eyes popped out, looking stunned. Miz looked under the ring and pulled a kendo stick out. Yachty yanked it out of his hands and bashed Kit at ringside with it. He threw him into the announce desk. Miz yelled at Yachty, then turned back to Trick who landed a Trick Shot for the win.
WINNER: Trick in 11:00.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Carmelo Hayes backstage. She asked him about facing Ricky Starks. Hayes said he’s been gone for a month, and he has watched Sami Zayn make a mockery of the U.S. Title, a belt he took so much pride in. In walked Saints who said he didn’t even get a formal hello from him. Hayes said he’s not running for president, but rather he is focused on regaining his title. Saints said the world is different since he was last around and there are new tenants. Hayes said he’s the landlord of the arena. He said this place has a way of humbling people like Saint. Saint said Hayes needs an absolute lesson.
-Elsewhere, G.M. Nick Aldis chatted with Rey Fenix briefly. Then Rey walked away and Sami Zayn walked in. Sami told Aldis he knows he lost his match at Backlash and he’s ashamed of himself and he did things out of character. He said the pressure of people telling him to do things differently got to him. He said he has to go back to doing things the old way. He asked for another rematch. Aldis said he already had his rematch, so now he has to earn an additional rematch. Sami asked if he hasn’t earned more the last couple of years. He said his ride or die fans don’t forget him. He said he wants to redeem himself for them. Aldis said Sami is clearly dealing with some stuff, so his advice was to go deal with it because all he’s sensing from him is “entitled.” Rey Fenix walked up to him and said he doesn’t recognize him anymore. [c]
-Kelley interviewed Paige and Brie Bella backstage about how the target on their backs keeps getting bigger and bigger. Brie said Judgment Day correctly this time. Nia Jax and Lash Legend interrupted and said they’re getting a title shot at Saturday Night’s Main Event, so they hope they retain their titles tonight so they can face them. Their entrance music played and Brie and Paige headed to the ring, upsetting Jax and Lash.
(2) PAIGE & BRIE BELLA vs. KIANA JAMES & GIULIA – WWE Women’s Tag Team Title match
Wade Barrett downplayed the spats between Giulia and Kiana lately. The bell rang 43 minutes into the hour. After some back and forth action, Kiana tripped Paige on the ring apron and then Giulia threw her into the ringpost. They cut to a break at 2:00. [c]
Brie landed a Bella Buster at 7:00 on Kiana, but Giulia shoved her off at the count of two. Paige threw Giulia out of the ring. Giulia came back with a brainbuster suplex for a near fall, with a sloppy break-up of the cover by Paige at two. (I mean, it looked like she completely missed.) When Paige charged in, Kiana side-stepped her and she shoved her into Giulia. Kiana landed a superkick, but when she went for a standing moonsault, Paige lifted her knees. Paige then landed a Rampage DDT on Kiana for the three count. Barrett said Kiana and Giulia had another miscue to talk through.
WINNERS: Paige & Brie in 8:00 to retain the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.
-They went to Barrett and Tessitore at ringside. They aired a recap of the contract signing segment with Cody Rhodes, Paul Heyman, and Gunther last week. [c]
-Tessitore plugged Summerslam tickets.
-Kelley interviewed Tiffany Stratton backstage about how she fits into all the alliances as a singles champion. In the background, Giulia and Kiana were arguing loudly. Tiffany said she’d just be fine on her own compared to them. Chelsea Green walked in and said she was just talking about how she doesn’t like to be partnered up. Green said they’ve been bickering since Tiffany beat both of them. Tiffany said some people are oblivious to not being meant to be a team. Chelsea said that’s true, but not true with regards to them. Tiffany said, “That’s right, because we were never meant to be a team.” Tiffany walked away. Chelsea told Kelley that’s so like her to joke like that.
(Keller’s Analysis: Boy, Tiffany’s acting here was awful. Chelsea carried this segment as best she could.)
[HOUR TWO]
-Cody Rhodes made his ring entrance. He put a table in the ring and threw two chairs into the ring. He set everything up for a contract signing. Barrett said he was doing everything himself. Tessitore said he was “a one-man crew” Cody said it’s time for a contract singing.
Gunther walked out to his music. He stood on the stage and asked if he knew what it would take to embark on a roster transfer of the best wrestler in WWE. “And still, you find a way to make it all about yourself,” Gunther said. “Just like a typical American.” He said he can see it on Cody’s neck every week. He said when attention isn’t on him, he finds a way to make it all about himself. Gunther said this is his title match and it will be his title after they wrestle. “So golden boy, all I want you to do is be professional, address me nicely, and don’t forget to say ‘please,'” he said. “It’s very simple.”
Cody told Gunther he is the one who convinced Heyman to do this favor where he gets a title shot he didn’t even earn and he wouldn’t sign the contract last week and he apparently won’t this week. He said he needs to be in the ring and sign the contract. Cody said if he wants him to say please, then fine. He said please. He said he should sign the contract so he’s guaranteed to gets his ass kicked in Italy. Gunther said he should say, “Please, Mr. Gunther.”
Royce Keys marched out to his music and said if Gunther didn’t want the match, he’ll sign the contract. He shoved the mic into Gunther’s chest and marched to the ring. He eyed the contract. Cody told him he was free to sign it instead. He handed him the pen. Gunther charged in and yanked the pen out of Keys’ hands. They went forehead to forehead.
Aldis walked out onto the stage. He said the process was set up to be simple, but he complicated it. He told Gunther he overplayed his hand, so now his title shot is in play. He said he will face Keys later and the winner will face Cody at Clash in Italy. Tessitore said he loved it. Barrett said that was supposed to be a guaranteed thing. Cody told Keys he is easy to find, but difficult to beat. [c]
-Solo Sikoa told Tama Tonga backstage that his assignment is to take out Damian Priest. He told Talla Tonga they should go talk to Royce now. Solo walked away. Shinsuke Nakamura walked up to Tama. Talla attacked Nakamura. Officials ran in. [c]
-Aldis told an angry Gunther again that he overplayed his hand and now he has to earn a title shot. Gunther said Aldis should be thankful to have him on Smackdown.
(3) CARMELO HAYES vs. RICKY SAINTS
The bell rang 19 minutes into the hour. Saints took Hayes down early and struck a pose. They cut to an early double-box break. [c/db]
Saints controlled during the break. Hayes made a comeback and landed a top rope frog splash for a near fall at 6:00. Saints blocked a First 48 and delivered a turning powerslam high-angle driver. When Saints settled into a chinlock, they cut to an insert preview of a movie. Hayes rallied and scored another near fall. They had a rolling small package a minute later. Saints came out of it with momentum.
Hayes climbed to the top rope at 11:00 and leaped, but Saints moved and then hit a Revolution DDT for a near fall. Saints tried to score a pin with his boots on the middle rope. The ref caught him and Saints protested. Hayes then caught Starks with a roll-up from behind and he put his boots on the bottom rope to score a three count.
WINNER: Hayes in 12:00.
-R-Truth thanked Keys for helping them fend off the MFTs. He offered him an application to the Clubhouse. Keys said he’d think about it.
Priest walked up to Truth and asked what that was all about. Truth said Keys is going to join the new Judgment Day 2000. Priest said he wouldn’t even touch that. Priest said Keys hasn’t earned his trust yet because the MFTs go after everyone but Keys, so he told Truth to be careful. Priest reminded Truth he isn’t medically cleared and he can’t even go to the ring. He said whatever happens, will happen, but Truth is safe. When Priest walked away, Truth yelled, “I love you!” [c]
-Danhausen was backstage in his lab where he said he was going to build something bigger and better. He wheeled a gurney into the ring and then typed something into the computer, which then sparked.
(4) DAMIAN PRIEST vs. TAMA TONGA
The bell rang 41 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break with Tama in control at ringside. [c/db]
Priest knocked Tama onto the announce desk at ringside after the break. Then back in the ring, Tama knocked him off balance on the top rope (although Priest fell before Tama got there). Tama gave Priest a neckbreaker for a near fall. Priest came back with a South of Heaven chokeslam for the win.
WINNER: Priest in 10:00.
-Talla attacked Priest right afterward. Solo joined him. Talla picked up Priest and shoved him toward Solo who hit him with a Samoan Spike.
-Sami lamented to Johnny Gargano that things aren’t like they used to be around there and “guys like us” feel it the most. Candice LeRae said she is entitled to a husband who does more than just lie around every week. She stormed off. Gargano looked up. [c]
[HOUR THREE]
-Jade Cargill made her entrance with B-Fab and Michin. She said everybody acts tough when she’s not in the building. She said the WWE Women’s Title is coming back to her. Charlotte interrupted and then Alexa Bliss joined her on stage. Charlotte said it’s Flair Country and the crowd cheered. She said Jade pissed her off last week and it’s time for Jade to takea. seat and watch her and Bliss take on her “back up dancers.” Jade asked where Rhea Ripley was. She said she talked loud until she got Pump Kicked in the face. Charlotte said her back-up dancers are there to do Jade’s dirty work. She said she was bored with them and it’s now time for Jade to take some notes. [c]
-A Blake Monroe vignette aired where she called herself “The Glamour.”
(5) CHARLOTTE FLAIR & ALEXA BLISS vs. B-FAB & MICHIN (w/Jade Cargill)
They cut to a break after a near fall by B-Fab on Bliss. [c]
Michin and B-Fab landed a double pump kick on Charlotte. Bliss broke up the cover. Michin yanked Charlotte’s neck over the middle rope. B-Fab rolled her up, but Charlotte rolled through and then applied a figure-four. Michin intervened. Charlotte knocked her over the top rope. Michin charged into Charlotte’s boot. Bliss blind-tagged in and hit Sister Abigail. Jade interfered to stop the ref’s count, so the ref DQ’d Michin & B-Fab.
WINNERS: Charlotte & Bliss via DQ in 12:00.
-Charlotte threw Michin over the announce desk afterward. She then walked toward Jade.
-They cut backstage to Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid). Kelley interviewed them. They issued a warning to the women in the locker room that it’s only a matter of time before they fall at their feet. [c]
-Tessitore plugged the two-night TripleMania 34.
-Backstage, Charlotte told Bliss last week she tolerated Ripley and she is working hard at becoming a team player, “but where is she this week?” Charlotte said they’ve been outnumbered the last six months. Bliss said they are outnumbered and Ripley owes them one.
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett at ringside who threw to a video package on the Roman Reigns-Jacob Fatu segment from Raw. Tessitore said Fatu had hardly simmered down after Backlash.
-Solo approached Keys backstage and told him not to listen to Fatu, but listen to him. He said together they can take over everything. He said he’d hate to see what happened to Nakamura happen to him. Keys said he’s got things handled. Solo said Fatu said the same thing.
-Gunther made his ring entrance. [c]
-Tessitore and Barrett hyped Saturday Night’s Main Event. Barrett said they just confirmed Ripley & Charlotte & Bliss face Jade & Michin & B-Fab.
(6) GUNTHER vs. ROYCE KEYS – Winner Gets WWE Title match against Cody Rhodes
Barrett said Keys get bigger every time they see him and he’s a freak opponent for Gunther. The bell rang 42 minutes into the hour. Barrett said no one yet has remotely slowed Keys down. Gunther applied an early side headlock. Gunther and Keys took turns colliding into the other. Gunther went down, then got up and threw a chop. Key absorbed them and stood strong. Keys threw side elbow strikes and then punched away at Gunther in the corner. Keys powerslammed Gunther at 3:00 for a two count.
Keys took it to Gunther at ringside and threw him into the announce desk. (That spot is really overdone.) They cut to a double-box break as Keys beat up Gunther at ringside. [c/db]
Gunther took over during the break by reverse-whipping Keys into ringside steps. Keys caught Gunther leaping off the ring apron at him and then slammed him hard into the desk several times. He then threw him back into the ring. Gunther caught Keys with a boot rebounding off the ropes. Keys avoided a second running boot and then splashed him in the corner. Gunther came back with a lariat. Keys superplexed Gunther seconds later leading to a two count.
Gunther applied a sleeper. Keys dropped to the mat. Solo came to ringside and pounded the mat in encouragement to Keys. A fan held up a sign that said, “Gunther Ruined By Life.” (Yikes!) Keys backdropped Gunther after Gunther looked over at Solo in annoyance.
Gunther and Keys exchanged lariats mid-ring. Keys eventually knocked Gunther down with a lariat and scored a two count. He lifted Gunther, but Gunther slipped out and applied a sleeper again. Keys faded to his knees. Keys managed to stand and try to elbow out of it. Gunther slapped Keys, but Keys checked Gunther into the ref. With the ref down, Solo slid a chair to Keys. Keys picked it up and smiled, then surprised Solo by throwing it at his head. Gunther then clotheslined Keys from behind and then from the front followed by his powerbomb into a stack pin for a three count.
WINNER: Gunther in 16:00.
-Barrett said it’s official that Cody will face Gunther at Clash in Italy in two weeks, “but boy how we got there, the story of that will rage on.” Gunther yelled into the camera that Cody better be ready. Cody came up behind him and gave him a Crossroads and stood over him as fans cheered and chanted, “Cody! Cody!” Cody yelled down at Gunther, “Welcome to Smackdown!”
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 PWTorch’s Javier Machado 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.
VIDEO CALLER CODE: CLICK HERE
LINK TO BE A CALLER: https://streamyard.com/dmbxdpn3se
Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as “live video caller” (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).
OPEN TO EVERYONE – LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT: CLICK HERE
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