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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JUNE 19, 2026
KANSAS CITY, MO. AT T-MOBILE CENTER
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 6,362 tickets were distributed so far. The arena has a capacity of 19,252 spectators when configured for concerts.
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[HOUR ONE]
-They opened the show with a scene from Kansas City. Joe Tessitore introduced the show as they showed split-screens of Jey Uso and Je’Von Evans and of Charlotte Flair & Liv Morgan and of Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and Sami Zayn. Tessitore noted it was episode 1,400 of Smackdown.
(1) CODY RHODES vs. GUNTHER – WWE Undisputed Title match with Sami Zayn as special referee
Tessitore touted the commercial-free World Title match to open the show. He talked about the backstory of Sami becoming referee and they showed a video of the ref missing Gunther’s boot under the bottom rope. Tessitore said on the first Smackdown ever, Triple H beat The Rock for the World Title with Shawn Michaels as special referee.
Sami enforced a clean break for Cody. Gunther snuck in a cheap shot that Sami didn’t see. Later, when Cody had Gunther pinned, Sami noticed his boot was under the bottom rope. Cody didn’t know why Sami stopped his count.
Gunther eventually got upset with Sami and took him out with a big boot and a powerbomb. A second ref ran out. Cody landed a CrossRhodes for a near fall. When Gunther had Cody covered a short time later, Sami yanked the replacement ref out of the ring as Gunther had Cody covered, upset with Gunther. When Cody went for a sunset flip, Gunther held onto the top rope to resist. Sami kicked Gunther’s hands off the top rope and then made a fast three-count.
WINNER: Cody to retain the WWE Title in 12:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Going “commercial-free” in a 12 minute match isn’t quite the brag they were marketing. The match was just a set-up for a Triple Threat, which isn’t surprising, but it really felt like they saved almost everything for another match.)
-G.M. Nick Aldis yelled at Sami and as Gunther stormed to the back for a sudden abrupt break. [c]
-The announcers commented on a recap of the controversial finish. Then they cut backstage to Aldis, Cody, and Gunther arguing over what happened. Aldis restarted the match. Gunther threw Sami into a wall when he protested the restart. Cody ran back to the ring and said he wanted a new ref and the match to be restarted. Fans cheered.
(1) CODY RHODES vs. GUNTHER – WWE Undisputed Title match
Gunther ran out to the ring with a new referee following behind. Cody put Gunther in a sleeper, but Gunther reversed it. They exchanged sleepers again. Sami the ran into the ring and charged at Cody and Gunther. Sami hit Gunther with a Helluva Kick and the ref called for the bell.
WINNER: No contest in 3:00.
-Sami hit the referee with the belt afterward. When Cody approached Sami from behind, Sami hit Cody with the title belt. Sami expressed regret, as if he didn’t know it was Cody. Fans chanted “Sami Sucks!”
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin backstage. They complained about Tiffany Stratton costing Jade the four-way Queen of the Ring opening round match. Jade said at least she injured Rhea Ripley, then challenged Tiffany to defend her U.S. Title against her at Night of Champions. [c]
-The announcers commented on a recap of the WWE Title match.
-Gunther yelled at Aldis backstage that he was screwed twice and blamed him for not being champion. Aldis said he selected Sami and that didn’t go well. Gunther told Aldis to give him a title match at NOC.
-A recap aired of Jey Uso advancing last week in the King of the Ring tournament.
-Solo Sikoa was sitting in his dressing room when Jacob Fatu arrived. Solo stood and asked what he wanted. Solo told him to tell Roman Reigns the answer is no. Fatu told him to make the right choice because he was running out of time. Solo asked what that meant. Tama and Talla asked what that was about and Solo shifted to telling him they need to focus on the tag team titles. Tama told Solo not to go out there later because his family business is starting to affect their business. He said who knows who will follow him out.
-Damien Priest and R-Truth made their entrance. [c]
-A Blake Monroe vignette aired where she talked about meeting Giulia once before in Japan. She said she’ll soon pass by Giulia and Giulia shouldn’t cry. Barrett said they could all do with more glamour in their lives.
(2) DAMIEN PRIEST & R-TRUTH vs. TAMA & TALLA TONGA – WWE Tag Team Title match
Talla and Tama made their entrance. Solo did not come out with them. They showed The Viking Raiders watching backstage.
[HOUR TWO]
Solo came to ringside at 9:00. Talla asked what he was doing, losing focus on the match. Priest dove toward Talla, but Solo pushed him out of the way. Priest hit Solo instead. Priest went to chokeslam Talla, but Priest avoided a charging Talla leading to Talla hitting the ringpost. R-Truth then rolled up a distracted Tama for the win.
WINNERS: Priest & Truth in 10:00 to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles.
-Talla and Tama were upset with Solo afterward.
-Sami talked to Johnny Gargano backstage, lamenting his bad luck and said he is the last real good guy. Aldis showed up and said he was upset with Sami for the fast count earlier. Sami said he called it down the middle until Gunther powerbombed him. Aldis said he shouldn’t have put his hands on Gunther. Sami said Cody should be thanking him. He said he’s not done with this situation. [c]
-Tessitore got in some plugs.
-Jey Uso cut a promo about his match, predicting victory. Je’Von Evans walked up to Jey and called him “Unc.” Jey said he’s goign to make him his son when he slaps the confidence out of it.
(3) RICKY SAINTS vs. CARMELO HAYES – U.S. Title No. 1 Contendership match
Advertised Matches & Appearances
- Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther (with guest referee Sami Zayn) – Undisputed WWE Title match
- Charlotte Flair vs. Liv Morgan – Queen of the Ring Tournament Semifinals match
- Jey Uso vs. Je’Von Evans – King of the Ring Tournament Semifinals match
- Damian Priest & R-Truth vs. Talla Tonga and Tama Tonga – WWE Tag Team Title match
- Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints – U.S. Title No. 1 Contender’s match
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