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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JUNE 12, 2026
PROVIDENCE, R.I. AT AMICA MUTUAL PAVILION
TELECAST ON DELAY ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of today 6,769 tickets were distributed so far. The arena has a capacity of 14,000 spectators when configured for concerts.
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.
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[HOUR ONE]
-A video recap aired of Gunther’s gripes last week about Cody Rhodes pinning him despite his foot being under the bottom rope, Cody admitting he was right, and Gunther saying he wanted to name his stipulation for a rematch.
-Backstage, G.M. Nick Aldis said Gunther hasn’t told him anything since last week, but he told him he would reveal it tonight. Cody was fine with that. The camera stayed on Cody as he met the Usos. Jey Uso told Cody he is going to win the whole tournament and he said he’s coming after his title at Summerslam. Cody said he hopes he wins, and he hopes it’s his decision and not Roman’s.
-As Joe Tessitore introduced the show, they showed LA Knight walking backstage. They also showed Royce Keys signing autographs for fans. Then Finn Balor arrived in a new style outfit. Tessitore said it was a new start for him on a new brand.
-They went to Tessitore and Wade Barrett at ringside. Tessitore talked about the knee injury to Rhea Ripley in Italy. Barrett said it’s being evaluated and how she responds to treatment will determine the ETA for her return. A video recap aired from last week’s Smackdown of Jade Cargill pinning Charlotte Flair.
-Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Jade Cargill with Michin and B-Fab. She asked Jade if she’s feeling pressure to repeat as Queen of the Ring. Jade said she’s built a career on pressure. She said she can win it twice if she won it once. Michin and B-Fab then backed her up with some comments. Jade looked into the camera and told Rhea she’s taking her title back at Summerslam.
(1) CHARLOTTE FLAIR vs. JADE CARGILL vs. SOL RUCA vs. LYRA VALKYRIA – Queen of the Ring Opening Round match
Charlotte made her ring entrance first. Sol Ruca came out next. Tessitore called her “a fresh-faced rookie.” Lyra came out third. Barrett noted Lyra was the rookie of the division last year, but now that’s Ruca. Jade came out fourth. The bell rang 12 minutes into the hour. Jade was triple-teamed by her opponents, but she powered her way out of it and then posed mid-ring. Charlotte and Jade then faced off after Ruca and Lyra rolled to ringside. Charlotte landed chops and sent Jade to the mat. B-Fab and Michin yanked on Charlotte’s legs and pulled her to ringside. Alexa Bliss ran out to stop the beatdown. She was swarmed by B-Fab and Michin. Tiffany then ran out to even the battle at ringside.
Back in the ring, Charlotte leaped off the top rope onto Jade who stood and waited for her. Jade sorta kicked out after Sol was very late for the save. Tessitore absurdly said Sol made the save when all she did was hit Charlotte after Jade had already kicked out. [c]
(Keller’s Analysis: Terrible timing at the end there with Jade just standing and staring at Charlotte waiting for Charlotte to leap at her with a crossbody and then yet another late, sloppy pin interruption/break-up attempt.) [c]
Lyra rallied after the break and high-kicked Charlotte in the head. She then suplexed Sol. Jade went after Lyra, but Lyra DDT’d her. Charlotte then gave Lyra a Natural Selection (which, as usual, looked terrible, although it’s not necessarily usually Charlotte’s fault). Ruca rallied after that until Jade powerbombed Lyra who had Charlotte on her shoulders. It took forever for them to set this up. Jade scored a two count on Flair. A “This is awesome!” rang out. (It wasn’t.) Charlotte and Jade exchanged chops. Charlotte landed a handspring clothesline that was awkward because she came to a complete stop to regain her balance before hitting the clothesline, thus gaining no momentum from the handspring set-up.
Lyra and Ruca battled mid-ring alone next. Lyra landed a wrecking ball kick on Jade. Ruca then landed a flip dive off the top rope onto all three opponents who were dutifully gathered and waiting for her below. Ruca played to the crowd with all three opponents down. Ruca landed a slingshot splash on Lyra for a near fall at 10:00. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
Back from the break, Charlotte knocked Jade off-balance on the top rope. Ruca joined Charlotte to double-suplex Jade. The ref checked on Jade who tended to her wig/weave coming loose during the spot. Ruca landed a springboard somersault clothesline onto both Charlotte and Lyra. Jade continued to hold her hair in place with one hand as she tried to dish out offense. She gave Charlotte a Jaded and made the cover. Lyra kicked Jade off of Charlotte at the count of two. Lyra lifted Jade, but Jade slipped free and continued to use one hand to hold her wig in place. Sol surprised Jade with a Sol Snatcher for a two count, with Lyra yanked Sol off of the cover. Lyra then leaped off the top rope and landed a ledrop to the back of Jade’s neck. Charlotte gave Lyra a Natural Selection, but Lyra leveraged Charlotte’s shoulders down for a two count.
Charlotte put Lyra in a figure-four and then quickly bridged into a Figure-Eight for the tapout win.
WINNER: Charlotte in 18:00 to advance in the King of the Ring.
(Keller’s Analysis: Jade desperately trying to keep her loosened weave on her head was a massive distraction during the closing few minutes. Lots of sloppiness, but they also pulled off some of the sequences pretty well.)
-Kelley interviewed Tiffany and asked why she helped Charlotte. Tiffany said she and Charlotte aren’t best friends, but they both don’t want Jade as their champion. When Michin and B-Fab charged at Tiffany, Chelsea Green arrived immediately with a kendo stick to save Tiffany. Fans chanted, “Chelsea! Chelsea!” Tiffany made cartoon faces at Chelsea, acting “amazed” Chelsea saved her.
-Jacob Fatu approached The Usos backstage. Jimmy asked what he was doing there. Fatu said he was sent by the Tribal Chief. Jimmy said he already called the play and Jey is handling his business on his own. Fatu said he’s not there for Jey, he’s there to speak to Solo Sikoa. Jacob then asked Jimmy what he was doing there. Jimmy said he was there to make sure nobody would interfere. Fatu said they can each handle their own business. [c]
-They showed Carmelo Hayes visiting a workout with the New England Patriots. Then they showed some Patriots players at ringside and one of their coaches.
-A vignette aired with Blake Monroe discussing Charlotte Flair. She said she is one of the greats. She said said she and Bliss are “a match made in co-dependent heaven.” She said she’s never burdened herself with friends.
-They went backstage to Gunther approaching Aldis. Aldis asked what the stipulation would be. Gunther said he can’t trust his vetting of officials, so he will pick the referee for the match. Aldis asked who it would be. Gunther said he was contemplating and he’d let him know by the end of the night.
-Kelley interviewed Balor backstage. He said he couldn’t be happier to be on Smackdown down and said it was a new chapter. R-Truth walked in and welcomed Balor to Smackdown. He put his arm around him and said The Judgment Day is back together again. Truth said he wants to figure out the proper way to introduce Royce into The Judgment Day. He confused “constipate” and “consummate.” Damien Priest walked in and glared at Balor and sternly welcomed him to Smackdown. Truth said it’s awkward, but Balor would become KOTR tonight and then they can build the castle behind the mote. Truth said, “We love you, Finn!” Priest said they don’t. He said he thought he knew Balor, but then “look what he did to me.” Priest said they will retain the titles tonight “because it’s just me and you, and that’s all we need.” Truth said The Judgment Day is on the rise again.
-Brie Bella and Paige made their entrance. [c]
-Tessitore and Barrett said Stratton & Green vs. Michin & B-Fab was just booked for tonight. [c]
(2) PAIGE & BRIE BELLA vs. FATAL INFLUENCE (Falon Henley & Lainey Reid w/Jacy Jayne)
They aired a clip of the backstage brawl that set up this match last week. The bell rang 50 minutes into the hour. Jayne tripped Brie as she rallied at 2:00. Reid pounded on Paige and then landed a legdrop. Paige tagged in, but the ref didn’t see the tag. Fans chanted, “Ref, you suck!” They cut to a break at 4:00. [c]
Paige got the hot-tag after the break. Paige landed a Rampaige made a cover on Reid, but Henley shoved Paige off of her partner at two. Paige had Henley rolled up, but the ref had his back turned. Paige put Henley in a PTO, but Jayne yanked Henley to the bottom rope. The ref caught her and kicked her out of ringside. Jayne threw a fit. Henley small packaged Paige, bur Brie reversed the small package and the ref turned around and made a three count.
WINNERS: Paige & Brie in 10:00.
[HOUR TWO]
-They went to Barrett and Tessitore at ringside who commented over clips of the Sami Zayn-Cody Rhodes-Gunther saga last week.
-Backstage, Sami was talking to Johnny Gargano about how he just can’t win no matter what he does. Candice LeRae told Gargano to do something. Sami took it as advice for him and thanked Gargano as he said he was heading to the ring.
-A commercial pushed CM Punk at a fan fest. [c]
-Backstage in Danhausen’s lab, Berto and Angel asked him to re-curse the Knicks. Angel said they’ll get a huge payoff if the Knicks lose tomorrow. Berto handed Danhausen a duffel bag. Berto told him something about Mexico national team. Matt Cardona walked in and asked him something. Danhausen said he’d need money. Ryder said he didn’t have money. Danhausen told him he liked his watch. Ryder gave him his watch. Kit Wilson said Miz is stuck in some strange mode since he cursed him. Kit ordered him to reverse the curse. Danhausen said he liked Miz this way. Kit then electrocuted himself.
(Keller’s Analysis: WWE really thinks they’re onto something with these laboratory skits and the curse gimmick, and it is getting them p.r. and some crowd laughs, but it’s so amateur sketch comedy in nature that it just makes WWE feel like a farce. Sure, many viewers are used to compartmentalizing, but it’s a net-negative when it’s this zany. It doesn’t help that the segment was mic’d badly and everyone was talking too fast to understand.)
-Sami made his way out to the ring. Sami said the Ride or Dies showed up in full force for him in Europe, and asked where they were for him back in the US. He said they can boo him or ride or die with “the last real good guy.” He wore his new “Last Real Good Guy” t-shirt. He called Cody to the ring to clear the air once and for all. Cody made his entrance. Barrett recapped Sami’s issues with Cody lately.
Cody asked what they want to talk about. Sami asked him to stop being the American Nightmare for just one second and just have an honest conversation. He said he keeps helping Cody, but finds himself paying the price for it each time. Fans chanted, “Cody, Cody Rhodes!” Sami said he left Cody, but he deserved it that time. He said when he did decide to help him, he ended up flat on his back and Cody was standing tall. He said he now has to ask if it’s an accident. He asked him to tell him the truth. Fans chanted, “Sami sucks!”
Cody told Sami he’s asking him basically explain pro wrestling to him, but he doesn’t need that because Sami’s one of the best. He said these things happened in the midst of competition. Cody brought up Sami’s new official t-shirt and he said believes it more than Sami. He said they shouldn’t be standing there. He said the biggest moment of his career from WrestleMania 40 is special to him with Sami there. Sami said he was the first guy in the ring when Cody finished his story and won the title. He listed other wrestlers who arrived after him. He said he was happy for him on that night. “That’s because I am a good guy!” He asked how many of those other guys are his friends now? He asked if the problem was all of those guys “or is the problem you?”
Cody said everything is about change. He said you have to be better than you were the day before. Sami asked him to level with him. Cody said he was. He said he wasn’t able to be honest with the others in a way he can be with him. Sami told him not to talk in platitudes. Cody yelled that he taking all this fire and listening to all this b.s. He said they are chanting “Sami sucks!” because lately all he does with his whining and crying. “You’re not the Sami Zayn they fell in love with,” he said. “You’re something else. If anything, you are desperate.” He told him not to pretend it’s about anything other than the WWE Championship. He said since he has the WWE Title, “you never will.” Sami slapped Cody. Sami immediately said he was sorry. Sami said off-mic that he was out of line. Cody slapped Sami, then yelled, “We done? We good?” Sami turned and left the ring. Then he picked up a chair and jumped onto the ring apron. Sami threw the chair down and walked away as Cody stared him down. Sami looked like he was breaking down as he walked to the back.
-They cut backstage to Solo when Fatu walked in. Solo asked, “What the hell do you want?” Fatu said the OTC has a message for him. He said it’s been way too long and long enough, so he wants him to come home. Solo chuckled and said that isn’t home, that’s a dog house. “And your his lapdog,” he said. “What the hell happened to you?” He said he used to be a killer who everyone was afraid of. He said he was close to beating Roman, but now he’s just delivering messages. He told Fatu that Roman made him kneel down like a dog in front of the whole world. He yelled that that isn’t how you treat somebody you love.
Solo said he’s not going back, so he should tell Roman he can go to hell. Fatu said he gets it and understands everything he’s talking about and where he’s coming from. He said he made his decision already and he’s going to stay on business. He said he’s now coming for Solo. Solo smiled and said, “Okay, Jacob.” He said to tell Roman if he wants him to come home, he can come get him.
-They went to Barrett and Tessitore at ringside who reacted to that segment. They threw to a clip of Rey Fenix winning the AAA Cruiserweight Title.
-Rey Fenix made his ring entrance. [c]
(3) REY FENIX vs. AXIOM – AAA Cruiserweight Title
The bell rang 34 minutes into the hour. They went back and forth early with fast-paced spots. Fenix landed a dive to ringside seconds into the match. They cut to a break at 3:00. [c]
They cut to a wide angle of the crowd at 10:00 as both were down and slow to get up. Fenix landed a leaping reverse sidekick on Axiom in the corner. Fenix stumbled a bit jumping to the second rope, but recovered. They both stood on the top rope and Axiom landed a Spanish Fly for a near fall. Fenix landed two more “spinning Animal kicks,” although the last one showed light. Fenix came back with a Mexican Muscle Buster for the win. Tessitore said it’s the first time that title has been defended on “major network WWE programming.”
WINNER: Fenix in 12:00 to retain the Cruiserweight Title.
-Gunther told Aldis he has made a decision. He said for the match to go smoothly he needs someone who knows the rulebook and has experience, but he realized he needed to factor a human element into it and choose a true good guy. He said his choice is Sami.
-A car arrived in the parking lot and Trick Williams stepped out of the passenger seat. Lil Yachty was driving. [c]
-The announcers plugged Cody vs. Gunther next week on Smackdown with Sami as the special ref.
-Trick made his entrance with Yachty. Trick said he lost last week. Yachty said it was because of Dominik Mysterio. Trick said he still lost and it didn’t feel good, but it woke up something in him. He said he wants to bring his game up and take Smackdown to new heights. Ricky Starks interrupted and came out to his music. Carmelo Hayes interrupted and made his way to the ring to his music.
Hayes said he feels like he’s listening to a Dr. Seuss book. Saints interrupted him. Hayes said they need to cut him out of the picture. Saints said he beat Hayes last week so there’s nothing more to talk about. Trick said he wanted both of them to “shut the hell up.” He said it doesn’t matter who deserves an opportunity at his title. He told them to battle it out and then whoever wins can come find him. “Until then, shut the hell up when grown folks are talking.” He dropped the mic and turned to leave. Saints shoved Hayes into Trick, knocking him to the floor. Trick then re-entered and cleared the ring of Hayes and then Saints. He stood as his music played.
[HOUR THREE]
-Solo told Royce Keys that Jacob is there to help Jey advance. He said Jacob kneeled in front of Roman. He told Keys he doesn’t have to fight for him or with him, but he didn’t want to see him become a casualty of Roman’s war.
-Green made her entrance. Then Tiffany joined her. Green got handsy and a little too enthusiastic with Tiffany, who looked annoyed by her. [c]
(4) TIFFANY STRATTON & CHELSEA GREEN vs. MICHIN & B-FAB (w/Jade Cargill)
The ring entrance for Michin & B-Fab took place after the break. The bell rang 9 minutes into the hour. Tessitore said Tiffany and Green were growing into their relationship. They cut to a break at 3:00. [c]
Green reached for a tag after the break, but came up short on the first couple tries. She then stood and avoided a charging B-Fab and then leaped for the tag, but Jade yanked Tiffany off the ring apron. The ref didn’t see it. Green avoided a charging B-Fab and then delivered an Unpretty-her. Michin then gave Green a Styles Clash for the win.
WINNERS: Michin & B-Fab in 14:00.
-Jade, B-Fab, and Michin celebrated together afterward. Tiffany attacked them from behind, but then got triple-teamed. Jade gave her a Jaded. Jade placed the US Title belt on Tiffany’s chest. Barrett said she might have her eye on taking that away from Tiffany now.
-They went to Tessitore and Barrett at ringside. They reacted to the previous match and then commented on a clip from last Friday of the break-up of Giulia and Kiana James.
-Kelley interviewed Kiana backstage. Kiana said it’s not juicy gossip, it’s her life. She said Giulia needed her and she did everything for her, but the one time she needed her help, she was wasn’t there for her. Giulia said she needed help with English, but her English is better now. She said she knew the words to say, but then slapped Kiana and turned and left.
-Balor was walking backstage when Tama Tonga welcomed him to Smackdown. He wished him luck. Balor didn’t say anything. [c]
-Cody asked Aldis if they were really actually going through with Sami as the special ref. Aldis said Gunther got lawyers involved and he wanted to name the stip. Cody said Sami is a wreck and emotionally all over the place. Sami was right behind Cody. Cody asked Sami to assure him they’re good since Sami hit him and he hit Sami back. Sami said he’s not sure because he’s a wreck emotionally.
-Tessitore and Barrett hyped next week’s matches including Starks vs. Hayes with the winner earning a US Title match against Trick at Night of Champions, Cody vs. Gunther, The MFTs vs. Priest & Truth, and Charlotte vs. Liv Morgan in a QOTR semi-final. Tessitore said it’s an absolutely incredible Smackdown next week.
-Kelley interviewed Knight backstage. She brought up that The Bloodline is in the building. He said he’s in the building. He threw out insults at Reigns and said the odds are against him. He said if he can defy the odds, “I’ll wear that king” (he meant crown.) to the front door of Reigns and stomp him out.
-They cut to the concourse where Jey was surrounded by fans. [c]
(5) LA KNIGHT vs. FINN BALOR vs. ROYCE KEYS vs. JEY USO – King of the Ring opening round match
Balor, Keys, and Knight made their entrances. The bell rang 39 minutes into the hour. They cut to a very early double-box break after Balor did a flip dive onto Knight and Jey at ringside. [c/db]
Keys got in a stretch of offense after the break. He drove Knight into the ringpost, but then Jey superkicked him off the ring apron to ringside. Jey then leaped through the ropes and tried to tackle Keys, but Keys blocked him and then dropped him onto the edge of the ring apron. Jimmy showed up at ringside and had a staredown with Keys. Solo then walked out and they cut to an immediate double-box break. [c/db]
Balor took control after the break. He leaped over the top rope at Keys, but Keys caught him. Barrett said Keys didn’t need encouragement from Solo as he was showing he could do it himself. Keys lifted Balor, but Jey superkicked him at ringside. Knight then landed a wrecking ball kick to Keys. Jey and Knight shoved each other. Balor stepped between them and said they should focus on Keys. They cleared the announce desk together and then powerbombed him Shield-style onto the table.
Balor, Knight, and Jey battled in the ring next. Knight leaped onto the ropes in the corner, but Balor blocked him and dropped him onto Jey. Balor then landed a Coup de Grace for a near fall. Keys yanked Balor off of the cover. He threw Balor over the barricade into the time keeper’s area with Jey. Solo cheered him on. Knight then kicked Keys from behind, and Keys knocked into Solo.
Knight hit Keys with a flying clothesline and then landed a Russian leg sweep. Knight then gave Jey a Death Valley Driver. Knight gave Keys an inverted DDT. Knight did his double-leap top rope elbowdrop for a two count. He followed with a BFT attempt, but Keys shoved him off. Solo then gave Knight a Solo Spike. Keys landed the Ultimate Spinebuster. He made the cover, but Jey landed a top rope splash on Keys and then covered Knight for the win.
Solo looked on at ringside in dismay how that played out as Jimmy celebrated with Jey in the aisle.
WINNER: Jey in 19:00 to advance in the KOTR tournament.
-Tessitore and Barrett discussed the semi-finals of Je’Von vs. Jey and Dom vs. Femi as the show ended.
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/y2gtruu99w
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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