{"id":216888,"date":"2026-05-22T19:40:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T00:40:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=216888"},"modified":"2026-05-22T20:42:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-23T01:42:51","slug":"wwe-smackdown-results-5-22-kellers-report-on-nakamura-vs-talla-tonga-tiffany-stratton-open-challenge-cody-and-gunther-appearances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/05\/22\/wwe-smackdown-results-5-22-kellers-report-on-nakamura-vs-talla-tonga-tiffany-stratton-open-challenge-cody-and-gunther-appearances\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS (5\/22): Keller\u2019s report on Nakamura vs. Talla Tonga, Tiffany Stratton Open Challenge, Cody and Gunther appearances"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-4188877486\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><h3><strong>WWE SMAC<\/strong><strong>KDOWN REPORT<br \/>\nMAY 22, 2026<br \/>\n<\/strong><strong>LEXINGTON, KY. AT <a href=\"https:\/\/www.centralbankcenter.com\/rupp-arena\/\">RUPP ARENA<\/a><br \/>\nAIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK<br \/>\nREPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><em>Commentators: <\/em><em>Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Ring Announcer: Mark Nash<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Attendance:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/wrestletix\/posts\">WrestleTix<\/a> reports as of today 8,579 tickets were distributed so far. The arena has a capacity of 23,000 spectators when configured for concerts.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><strong>JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by PWTorch\u2019s Joshua White to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We\u2019ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!<\/p>\n<p>Email our post-show at <a href=\"mailto:wadekellerpostshow@gmail.com\">wadekellerpostshow@gmail.com<\/a> with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We\u2019ll read your emails live during the post-show.<\/p>\n<p>If you can\u2019t 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 \u201cwade keller\u201d and \u201cpwtorch\u201d in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.<\/p>\n<h3>VIDEO CALLER CODE: <a href=\"https:\/\/streamyard.com\/3pj923ujki\">CLICK HERE<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><strong>LINK TO BE A CALLER:<\/strong> https:\/\/streamyard.com\/3pj923ujki<\/p>\n<h3>Click that link during the post-show to enter the waiting room as \u201clive video caller\u201d (or just audio if you turn off your cam, which is fine).<\/h3>\n<p><strong>OPEN TO EVERYONE \u2013 LINK TO WATCH LIVE RIGHT AFTER WWE SMACKDOWN TONIGHT:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/live\/mxz0W_vDkkk?si=T6NaddJDjU_sdtoN\">CLICK HERE<\/a><\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3673954891\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Wade Keller Post-show (5\/22) - WWE Smackdown w\/Keller &amp; White\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mxz0W_vDkkk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>[HOUR ONE]<\/h3>\n<p>-They showed the exterior of the Rupp Arena and then excited fans in the lobby. Joe Tessitore introduced the show and said they are just eight days away from the Clash in Italy.<\/p>\n<p>-A two minute recap aired of the Cody-Gunther contract signing last week.<\/p>\n<p>-They showed Cody backstage, then a split screen of Shinsuke Nakamura and Solo Sikoa with his (remaining) MFTs. Then they showed Tiffany Stratton. Then they\u00a0cut to interior of the arena as Tessitore talked about the history inside that arena.<\/p>\n<p>-Rhea Ripley made her ring entrance. A clip aired of Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin attacking her. Ripley said it seemed like someone really missed her last week. She said Jade and her crew tried to send her a message, but all they did was piss her off. She said she&#8217;s now itching for a fight. She told Jade if she wanted her rematch, she&#8217;ll happily beat her again. She suggested a match at Clash in Italy for her title. Charlotte Flair&#8217;s music interrupted.<\/p>\n<p>Charlotte came out with Alexa Bliss. Ripley&#8217;s demeanor shifted to tense curiosity. Charlotte talked about the six-woman tag match tomorrow on Saturday Night&#8217;s Main Event. She said she and Alexa missed her last week. &#8220;Where were you?&#8221; she asked. Ripley said she was sorry she wasn&#8217;t there, but she wanted to go home to see her family. She asked if it&#8217;s okay she had a day off. Charlotte said she understands, but they have battles to fight. Ripley told Charlotte she told her she didn&#8217;t need her. Charlotte said she is now saying she and Alexa need help with her problem. Ripley said Charlotte should have protected Bliss more than she did. Bliss tried to play peacemaker. Charlotte accused Ripley of trying to drive a wedge between them. Ripley said she&#8217;s the one causing issues. Fatal Influence interrupted the bickering.<\/p>\n<p>Jacy Jayne said she was happy to see the Smackdown Women&#8217;s Division unravel before her eyes. She said while they&#8217;ve been at each other&#8217;s throats, they&#8217;ve ascended to the top of the division with ease. She said they are looking at an opportunity right now. Charlotte said she loves her confidence. She challenged two of them to face her and Alexa tonight. Jayne said that&#8217;s perfect.<\/p>\n<p>-They went to Tessitore and Barrett at ringside to react. They commented on a clip of Talla Tonga attacking Shinsuke Nakamura as he was having a heated discussion with Tama Tonga.<\/p>\n<p>-They went backstage to Solo, Talla, and Tama backstage where Cathy Kelley approached them. She asked for Talla&#8217;s thoughts on his upcoming match. Solo said he was ready and everyone should watch. He glared at Tama as he said that. Royce Keys walked up to them and told them to stay out of his business. Solo held Talla back. Solo said he just had to ask if he didn&#8217;t want them in his business last week. He said it&#8217;s good to have family watching his back.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-2045743819\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>-Talla made his entrance, accompanied by Tama and Solo.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Keller&#8217;s Analysis: I dont think the Solo-Nakamura drama in recent months has added up to much that the typical WWE viewer could be expected to care about at all.) [c]<\/em><\/p>\n<p>-Bliss waved her finger at Charlotte and said she wants Charlotte and Ripley to team together and get their acts together because she&#8217;s tied of playing peacemaker.<\/p>\n<p><strong>(1) TALLA TONGA (w\/Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga) vs. SHINSUKE NAKAMURA<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The end of Talla&#8217;s entranced aired. Then Nakamura&#8217;s ring entrance took place. The bell rang 23 minutes into the hour. A brief &#8220;Nakamra!&#8221; chant rang out. Nakamura showed confidence early, but Talla took over seconds into the match. Talla&#8217;s methodical offense was almost nap-inducing. Nakamura avoided a Talla charge into the corner and then landed a couple strikes. He clotheslined Talla over the top rope. Talla avoided a kick and dragged Nakamura to ringside and threw him into the ringside barricade. They cut to a break at 3:00. [c]<\/p>\n<p>After the break, Talla thwarted a comeback attempt by Nakamura. He pounded his chest. Nakamura went for a triangle choke, but Talla resisted. Nakamura landed a leaping sidekick followed by roundkicks to the chest. Solo cut off Nakamura&#8217;s rally with a distraction. Talla powerslammed Nakamura and then landed a chokeslam for the win.W<\/p>\n<p>WINNER: Talla in 9:00.<\/p>\n<p>(Keller&#8217;s Analysis: Rudimentary action that is a throwback to some not-so-glamorous Smackdown eras such as Jinder Mahal&#8217;s run as champion.)<\/p>\n<p>-Afterward, Tama entered the ring and blocked Solo hitting Nakamura with a Solo Spike. Fans cheered, anticipating Tama turning on Solo. Solo jerked his arm away and yeleld at Tama. Tama had a few words and then hit Nakamura with a side elbow. Solo then set up a Solo Spike. When Damien Priest&#8217;s music played. Solo stopped and turned to watch Priest run out. The heel trio bailed out of the ring. Priest wielded a chair. The heel trio retreated.<\/p>\n<p>-They went to Tessitore and Barrett. They discussed Tribal Combat at Clash in Italy on May 31 at 2 p.m. ET \/ 11 a.m. PT,<\/p>\n<p>-A video aired on Tribal Combat.<\/p>\n<p>-Backstage, Nick Aldis was chatting with ref Charles Robinson when the lights flickered. (What a coincidence they were showing that conversation just seconds before the lights flickered!) Then Cody walked in. Aldis said he will make sure Gunther signs the contract. Cody turned and Sami Zayn was standing there. He said he knows how to deal with Gunther. He offered Cody any help, just ask. Cody said, &#8220;Sami, thanks but no thanks.&#8221; Sami was offended. &#8220;But of course, right?&#8221; he said. &#8220;Because how could the Sami Zayn help the great Cody Rhodes?&#8221; Sami then turned to Aldis and said he was texting him all day. Aldis said time is tight and he doesn&#8217;t have time for him to be on the show. Sami asked if he isn&#8217;t one of his top stars. He ranted about how Cody &#8220;the golden boy gets anything he asks for.&#8221; Cody walked in. Sami apologized. An agitated Cody said Sami should get time on Smackdown. Cody said he wanted to wrestle him. &#8220;Let&#8217;s do it tonight!&#8221; he said. &#8220;See you later.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>-As Tiffany began her ring entrance, Barrett said regarding Sami, &#8220;Be careful what you wish for.&#8221; Tessitore said Tiffany is acting like a fighting champion. [c]<\/p>\n<p>-A clip aired of Solo&#8217;s crew running from Priest earlier.<\/p>\n<p>-Backstage, Tama told Solo that everyone is coming at them because they think they are weak. He told Solo that he has to handle Priest on his own to show their family isn&#8217;t weak. &#8220;For the family,&#8221; he said. He held up his hand. Solo stood and shook his hand and said he&#8217;d go talk to Mr. Aldis.<\/p>\n<p><strong>(2) TIFFANY STRATTON vs. LASH LEGEND (w\/Nia Jax) &#8211; U.S. Title Open Challenge match<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As Tiffany waited in the ring, Nia Jax and Lash Legend walked out. Nia said tomorrow, she and Lash are ending &#8220;this pathetic nostalgia tour&#8221; of Paige &amp; Brie Bella when they take back the tag titles. Lash said gold looks so good on them, so she&#8217;s going to take the U.S. Title tonight too. The bell rang 47 minutes into the hour.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Advertised Matches &amp; Appearances<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Talla Tonga<\/li>\n<li>Cody to appear<\/li>\n<li>Gunther to appear<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-1268178221\"><div id=\"pwtor-1464344144\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT MAY 22, 2026 LEXINGTON, KY. AT RUPP ARENA AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett Ring Announcer: Mark Nash Attendance:\u00a0WrestleTix reports as of <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/05\/22\/wwe-smackdown-results-5-22-kellers-report-on-nakamura-vs-talla-tonga-tiffany-stratton-open-challenge-cody-and-gunther-appearances\/\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS (5\/22): Keller\u2019s report on Nakamura vs. Talla Tonga, Tiffany Stratton Open Challenge, Cody and Gunther appearances\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":185189,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,48,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-216888","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tvshowsandevents","category-tv_wwesmackdown","category-tv_wwetvreports"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2024\/09\/Screenshot-2024-09-20-at-5.49.57\u202fPM.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216888","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=216888"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216888\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":216891,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/216888\/revisions\/216891"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/185189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=216888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=216888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=216888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}