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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
JULY 3, 2026 (Taped Monday, June 29)
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. AT BOARDWALK HALL
TELECAST ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of today 11,932 tickets were distributed so far. The arena has a capacity of 14,770 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.
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]
-The show opened with clips of Sami Zayn’s WWE Title win over Cody Rhodes and Gunther at Night of Champions last Saturday including on-camera social media reactions and crowd shots.
-Sami made his entrance to his theme song, smiling wide and looking at the crowd. He wore a t-shirt that said: “Undisputed WWE Champion – Last Real Good Guy.” Sami said it seems to him that a lot of folks in the crowd tonight “came to ride or die with the last real good guy.” Mixed reaction from fans followed. He said he has been touched by the reaction. He said it meant it from the bottom of his heart. He then pointed out that for the last six months, he’s been “booed out of the building every single time.” He said they were the same people three years ago who were dying to see him become WWE Champion, but then they thought he’d never do it and gave up on him.
He said he could be petty and tell all of those fans to kiss his ass. “But I won’t,” he said. “Do you want to know why? Because I am a good guy.” He said he never changed. He said people told him if he was going to win, he needed to be selfish and more cut-throat. He said he didn’t, though. He said he did it my way, the right way. He said this is a celebration. Fans chanted, “Sami! Sami!” He said they are right, they are celebrating him. He said he will now go down as one of the all-time greats. He said he’s a WrestleMania main eventer and a Grand Slam Champion. He said no amount of booing or noise would ever take that away from him.
Cody Rhodes’s theme interrupted and Cody walked out. Graves said it felt strange seeing Cody walk out without the title was uncomfortable. Sami asked Cody, “What do you want to talk about?” Cody said when he won the title Sami now holds, Sami was the first to congratulate him. Cody said he wanted to the first to publicly congratulate him. He offered his hand. Sami paused, then shook his hand. Cody turned and began to leave the ring. Sami asked, “What, that’s it? Come back here a sec. Let’s not play this game. For once, let’s just drop the act.” He said he knows Cody didn’t just come out for that. He said he knows Cody wants the belt back because he’s addicted to it. “Tell me why you’re really out here?” he said. Jey Uso’s music then played.
Jey cheerfully congratulated Sami. Jey said he wasn’t going to run it back because this was about Sami Zayn. He said he earned and deserved the title, but he wanted to give Sami his warning shot. He said he needs to bring the gold back to the family. Cody asked, “The family? What year is this?” He told Jey he has been World Champion, so since when did he revert to just running errands for the Tribal Chief. Cody said they were just talking about his title match.
Sami told Jey no one was happier than he was when Jey won, and he told Cody he never gunned for his title when he won it. He emphatically said now it’s his time to be WWE Champion. He noted that Cody told him that as long as he was champion, he (Sami) never would. “Well, now it’s mine.” He told Jey as far as he is concerned, the title is still in the family, but it’s staying on his shoulders. “No one is touching this,” he said. He told them stay away from him.
Acting Smackdown GM Adam Pearce said his first order of business is to find him a challenger. Sami said as champion, he should have some say over who he faces at Summerslam. Pearce said he didn’t say anything about Summerslam. He said without Nick Aldis there, they’re doing things his way. He said he’s going to defend his title this Monday on Raw against the winner of Cody Rhodes vs. Jey Uso later tonight.
-They went to Cole and Graves who reacted to the opening segment. He noted they were in for Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett tonight.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Charlotte Flair backstage. She asked Charlotte why she interfere in Jade Cargill’s match. Charlotte said Jade ruined her opportunity, so she ruined hers. She said she’d keep doing that until Jade got the picture. Alexa Bliss told her she didn’t know she’d be at Night of Champions. Charlotte said it wasn’t personal, but she noticed last week Bliss was on the screen with Tiffany Stratton. Tiffany happened to walk up to them and said she never needed her help, but thanks. Chelsea Green showed up and told Charlotte and Bliss that Jade should be very worried about them. Charlotte said she’d see them out there. Green reacted awkwardly and put her arm around Tiffany.
-Charlotte and Bliss made their ring entrance. [c]
(1) CHARLOTTE FLAIR & CHELSEA GREEN & TIFFANY STRATTON vs. JADE GARGILL & B-FAB & MICHIN
The end of Tiffany’s entrance aired. Then Jade, B-Fab, and Michin made their entrance. A clip aired of Jade & Co. attacking Charlotte two weeks ago on Smackdown. The bell rang 28 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break at 2:00 after Jade clotheslined Charlotte at ringside and gloated. [c]
Back in the ring, Michin and B-Fab were double-teaming Charlotte. Chelsea eventually hot-tagged in and then leaped off the top rope with a huracanrana on Michin, although Green basically ended up taking a powerbomb bump onto the back of her head. Graves gasped and said Green might’ve done more damage to herself. Green and Jade battlee next. B-Fab jumped on the ring apron, distracting Green, leading to Jade landing a Jaded for the win.
WINNERS: Jade & B-Fab & Michin in 9:00.
-They went to Cole and Graves at ringside. Cole hyped WWE Unreal, season 3. Then Cole threw to the confrontation between Aldis and Gunther after NOC last Saturday. Cole then noted Aldis was put on administrative leave and Gunther was sent home.
-They cut backstage to Pearce ranting to Aldis that he doesn’t care what he thinks because he’s doing the job he couldn’t get done. Sami then asked Pearce why he had to go to Raw since he’s a Smackdown roster member. Pearce said he’s giving him the opportunity to show he’s a great fighting champion in a great city. Sami wasn’t happy and was about to smack a water bottle when he noticed Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. He smacked the bottle anyway, then told Gargano he’s not sure if he could have won without him being an ear for him when he needed someone. He said he learned he had to stay true to himself. He asked Candice LeRae to take a photo of Sami posing with Gargano.
-Rey Fenix made his ring entrance. [c]
(2) REY FENIX vs. EL HIJO DEL VIKINGO – AAA Cruiserweight Title match
The bell rang 46 minutes into the hour. Rey made a comeback at 2:00 with an Ace Crusher. Vikingo trapped Fenix in the ring apron and then dropkicked him in the back of his head. He flipped onto Fenix after that. He struck a pose as they cut to a break. [c]
Fenix rallied after the break and then landed a top rope frog splash for a near fall at 7:00. Vikingo took Fenix down with a leap off the ringpost into a poison rana leading to a near fall. A “This is awesome!” chant broke out. Fenix avoided a springboard 450 and took over. He landed a spinning Muscle Buster for the win.
WINNER: Fenix in 9:00 to retain the AAA Cruiserweight Title.
-Kelley interviewed Giulia backstage and asked if she had a message for Blake Monroe. She said she doesn’t back down from any fight. Kiana James walked up to her and said it would be just like her to bite the hand that feeds her. Blake attacked Giulia from behind and said it’s so good to see her again. James said as fun as that was to watch, she is in control. Blake rammed James’s head into a crate and said it’s so fun to see them. [c]
[HOUR TWO]
-A video recap aired of the Seth Rollins-Roman Reigns segment on Raw.
-Jimmy Uso was chatting with Jacob Fatu when Royce Keys walked up to them. He asked Fatu if Roman tells him who his partners are how. Jimmy said they’re looking for Solo Sikoa. He said it’s family business. Keys said blood doesn’t make you family, loyalty does. He told Fatu that he’s been loyal to him for 14 years, so as far as he’s concerned, he’s his family. Jimmy said, “Not no more, right Jacob?” Then he left. Fatu shrugged his shoulder at Keys and walked away.
-Trick Williams made his entrance with Little Yachty. Carmelo Hayes interrupted. Fans chanted “Melo! Melo!” He told Trick they need to run it back for the US Title. Trick didn’t respond. Hayes said everything Trick does is larger than life, but his success is “only because I haven’t decided to stop you yet.” He said he has turned that title into accessory. He told him he can get him a discount code on WWE Shop to buy a belt. He said the US Title is for workhorses who have the match of the night. He told him to prove him wrong. He said he has two left feet and a mouth full of marbles when he stands opposite of him.
Yachty said this isn’t NXT anymore and since getting called up to the big leagues, he’s been nothing short of greatness. Yachty said it’s clear he wants a match. He asked the fans, “Should we give this young, small man a chance?” Yachty said next week he gets a match, but it’s not for the title. Trick said with all the history they have, he really does know him like the back of his hand. He then backhand slapped Hayes.
Hayes flip dove onto Trick at ringside, then returned to the ring as his music played.
(Keller’s Analysis: So Trick and Yachty are heels again?)
-They went backstage to Danhausen’s labratory where Miz and Kit Wilson were still zombified, sitting listless behind him. Danhausen was on an old phone when Matt Cardona walked in. Danhausen called him Zach Ryder. Miz blurted, “Woo woo woo.” He said he is wrestling JD McDonagh on Saturday Night’s Main Event at Madison Square Garden. He said he could help him finish his new experiment. Cardona twisted a knob which seemed to send an electric current to Miz and Wilson.
(Keller’s Analysis: This is right out of some 1980s or ’90s Saturday Morning Kids TV sketch comedy show.)
-Paige and Brie Bella made their entrance, smiling and slapping hands. Cole said it would be Brie’s first one-on-one match in more than a decade. [c]
(3) BRIE BELLA (w/Paige) vs. LAINEY REID (w/Fallon Henley, Jacey Jayne)
The bell rang 23 minutes into the hour. Brie threw Yes Kicks. Laney took over after a ringside distraction. Brie came back with a Yes Lock mid-ring. Henley was going to interfere, but Paige stopped her. When Jayne and Henley attacked Paige, Bella came to her aid. Lainey then caught Bella with a surprise knee strike leading to the three count.
WINNER: Lainey in 3:00.
-They went backstage to R-Truth and Damien Priest winning a hot dog eating contest over Nathan Fraser and Axiom. Truth said he loves eating. The Viking Raiders walked in and asked for an answer to their challenge. When Rowan ate a hotdog, Truth told Priest, “He just bit your wiener; you’re supposed to swallow it.” (Is Vince McMahon back in charge?) Priest accepted their challenge for a title vs. title match, but said Aldis isn’t around so he’s not when it will happen. Truth told the Raiders they’ll lose their match and their Lucha status. [c]
-A video recap aired of the Brock Lesnar-Oba Femi segment from Raw.
-Cole hyped the Hell in a Cell match now booked for Summerslam.
-Finn Balor approached Cody Rhodes. Cody welcomed Balor to Smackdown. Balor said he came to Smackdown in great part to face him for the title. He told Cody to go get it back starting tonight. Cody left and then Tama Tonga walked up to Balor. He said he asked the elders what he should do next. Balor asked what that had to do with him. Talla Tonga attacked Balor from behind. Tama said he’s closing the books on everything from his past, and he told Balor that he’s next.
-Jey Uso made his way through the concourse and then through the crowd toward the ring. [c]
-Cole and Graves hyped next Friday’s Smackdown; Trick vs. Hayes and Balor vs. Tama. Then SNME featuring Danhausen vs. JD and Paige & Brie vs. Fatal Influence. Graves said Fatal Influence “have all the momentum” after their win earlier.
(Keller’s Analysis: I get that’s a thing WWE says, but how was that match with the interference any sort of generator of “momentum”?)
(4) CODY RHODES vs. JEY USO – Winner Gets Title Shot Against Sami Zayn on Monday on Raw
The bell rang 44 minutes into the hour. They cut to a very early break after Cody dove through the ropes and tackled Jey. [c]
Cody rallied after the break to very little reaction. Cody threw Jey over the announce desk at ringside. Cody stood on the announce desk, but Jey swept his legs and took over. When Jey dove through the ropes, Cody blocked him and then leaped onto Jey. They brawled at ringside and then collided with simultaneous clotheslines mid=-ring. With both men down, they cut to another break at 7:00. [c]
Jey landed a top rope splash after the break for a two count. Graves said Jey didn’t execute the best leverage on the cover. Cody landed a Cody Cutter for a near fall at 11:00. Cody played to the crowd, then turned and went for a springboard toward Jey, but playing to the crowd first cost him and Jey recovered and kicked Cody out of mid-air. Jey then speared Cody for a near fall. Both were down and slow to get up. Jey leaped off the top rope, but Cody avoided him and then speared him. he followed with a Cross Rhodes for a near fall. Cole said Cody had to be questioning what he had to do to put Jey away. Cody climbed to the top rope. Graves said Cody was looking desperate. Jey lifted his knees on a Cody splash and scored a two count.
Jey and Cody punched each other from their knees and then stood. Jey ducked a big Cody swing and applied a sleeper. Cole said that move won him the World Title at WrestleMania. Cody backdropped Jey. Jey landed on his feet and rolled up Cody. Cody countered Jey with a Cross Rhdoes for a three count.
WINNER: Cody in 15:00 to earn an Undisputed WWE Title rematch agaiinst Sami on Raw on Monday.
(Keller’s Analysis: A combination of the fans not having a heel to root against and this coming at the end of double-tapings, the crowd heat was weaker than ideal throughout the match. The match itself was fine.)
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/zi3wawrrjn
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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