{"id":217892,"date":"2026-06-12T22:50:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T03:50:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=217892"},"modified":"2026-06-13T02:10:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T07:10:25","slug":"wwe-smackdown-results-6-12-corbridges-alt-perspective-report-on-jey-vs-knight-vs-balor-vs-keys-in-king-tournament-valkyria-vs-ruca-vs-cargill-vs-flair-in-queen-tournament-gunther-c","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/06\/12\/wwe-smackdown-results-6-12-corbridges-alt-perspective-report-on-jey-vs-knight-vs-balor-vs-keys-in-king-tournament-valkyria-vs-ruca-vs-cargill-vs-flair-in-queen-tournament-gunther-c\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS (6\/12): Corbridge\u2019s alt-perspective report on Jey vs. Knight vs. Balor vs. Keys in KOTR Tournament, Valkyria vs. Ruca vs. Cargill vs. Flair in QOTR Tournament, Gunther chooses WWE title match stipulation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-922520709\" 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><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT<br \/>\nJUNE 12, 2026<br \/>\nPROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND AT <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amicamutualpavilion.com\/\"><strong>AMICA MUTUAL PAVILION<\/strong><\/a><strong><br \/>\nAIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK<br \/>\nREPORT BY ERIC CORBRIDGE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Commentators: <\/em><em>Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Ring Announcer: Mark Nash<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>Attendance: As of Friday morning,\u00a0<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/wrestletix\/posts\"><strong><em>WrestleTix<\/em><\/strong><\/a><em>\u00a0reported that 6,769 tickets were distributed headed into the show. The arena has a capacity of 14,000 spectators when configured for concerts.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/episode\/wwe-smackdown-post-show-6-12-keller-machado-talk-sami-cody-jey-advancing-in-kotr-is-roman-a-heel-or-a-face-more--72509365\">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST<\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN POST-SHOW (6\/12) - Keller &amp; Machado talk Sami-Cody, Jey advancing in KOTR, is Roman a heel or a face, more\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?episode_id=72509365&amp;theme=light&amp;playlist=false&amp;playlist-continuous=false&amp;chapters-image=true&amp;episode_image_position=right&amp;hide-logo=false&amp;hide-likes=false&amp;hide-comments=false&amp;hide-sharing=false&amp;hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>[HOUR ONE]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Joe Tessitore introduced the show and welcomed everyone to Providence before turning it over to a recap of the Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther feud, as well as Sami Zayn\u2019s involvement in it.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Back live, Cody Rhodes walked into the arena holding the WWE Championship and Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis was there to meet him. Aldis told Cody that Gunther hadn\u2019t said anything yet about the stipulation he\u2019s decided on for their upcoming championship match. Cody kept walking and encountered Jimmy and Jey Uso. He fist-bumped them, though he was a bit hesitant with Jey. Jey told Cody that he was going to win King of the Ring and then come after Cody\u2019s title. Cody said he hoped that was true and said he deserved it, but that he hoped it was Jey\u2019s decision rather than Roman\u2019s. Cody left.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-469612661\" 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 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Superstar arrivals were shown including L.A. Knight, Royce Keys, Finn Balor who is making his \u201cdebut\u201d on Smackdown. Tessitore again welcomed the crowd and reiterated that the winners of the King and Queen of the Ring Tournaments will each receive a championship match at Summerslam. The announcers then said that Rhea Ripley\u2019s knee injury is still being evaluated and they hope for a speedy recovery.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Cathy Kelley asked Jade Cargill if she was feeling pressure to repeat her Queen of the Ring win from last year. She said of course not. Michin and B-Fab talked some trash about Ripley and Charlotte Flair. Cargill told Ripley to rest up because she\u2019d see her at Summerslam.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: They covered a lot to open the show. The most notable is Ripley\u2019s apparent knee injury. Hopefully good news will come out about that soon. \u00a0.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>(1)\u00a0 LYRA VALKYRIA vs. SOL RUCA vs. JADE CARGILL (w\/Michin, B-Fab) vs. CHARLOTTE FLAIR &#8211; \u00a0Queen of the Ring Tournament Qualifying Match <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>My DirecTV satellite cut out periodically during this match due to a thunderstorm, so apologies for anything I missed.<\/em>\u00a0 Cargill dominated early on. At one point Michin and B-Fab got involved so Alexa Bliss came out to help her buddy Flair. Then Tiffany Stratton came out to help Flair too. She and Bliss fought B-Fab and Michin to the back. Back in the ring, Cargill caught and rolled through on a Ruca springboard but then Valkyria knocked them both down with a dropkick. Valykria took control for a stretch, dropping Ruca with a fisherman\u2019s suplex. She countered a suplex from Cargill into a DDT. Ruca broke up the subsequent cover. Flair was back in and executed a Flair flip in the corner and tried to go up to the top rope. Ruca met her there, backflipped off and was promptly sent to the floor by Valkyria. Cargill then powerbombed both Valkyria and Flair off the top. Cargill covered Flair for a two-count.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The crowd chanted \u201cthis is awesome\u201d as Cargill and Flair traded blows in the middle of the ring. Flair hit her walkover clothesline <em>as Cargill looked silly just standing there waiting for it<\/em>. Flair fired up the crowd and went for the Figure 8. Ruca hit her with a missile dropkick and kipped up. She leaped over a Cargill charge and got rolled up for a two-count by Valkyria. Valkyria sensed a chance and hit a sliding dropkick through the ropes on Cargill. Ruca followed up that with a moonsault off the top rope to the floor that all four grapplettes out. Ruca rolled Valkyria in and hit a frog splash for a good nearfall. They went to a split screen with Ruca in control. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cargill hit a spinebuster for another two-count on Ruca. She went up to the top but took too long and Flair met her there. Ruca got back up and climbed up too as they hit a double superplex. Valkyria rolled back into the ring at the top of the screen and covered Ruca. She only earned a one-count. Valkyria missed a splash in the corner. Ruca springboarded into the ring, did a full flip, and then hit a double clothesline on Flair and Valkyria. <em>In reality, the flip was completely unnecessary and really just slowed her down<\/em>. Cargill gave Ruca a big pump kick and picked up Flair for Jaded. She hit it and hooked the leg but again Valkyria broke it up with a dropkick. Valkyria got sent out of the ring by Cargill and immediately Ruca hit a perfect Soul Snatch and hooked the leg for a one&#8230;two\u2026 Valkyria pulled her to the floor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Valkyria hit a top rope legdrop on Cargill but then she was immediately hit by a Flair Natural Selection. Flair went for a cover but Valkyria reversed it into a crucifix for a one&#8230;two\u2026Flair kicked out! Valkyria tried to stay on her by lifting her up again. Ruca hit a thrust kick to Valkyria allowing Flair to escape. Flair then hit a thrust kick on Ruca. Flair locked in the Figure Eight on Valkyria and she tapped.<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-1160362969\" 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 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WINNER: Charlotte Flair by submission in 14:00. Flair advanced to the Queen of the Ring Tournament Semi-Finals.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: The first half of the match was a bit sloppy with some poorly timed moves and awkward moments. However, the last five minutes things really picked up. I typically dislike Ruca\u2019s finisher because it take such a precise setup, but it was executed perfectly here. Valkyria also really shined in the match. Personally, I\u2019ve felt like these Tournament first-round matches have been exciting because there are no \u201cobvious\u201d winners.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; After the match, Flair has a big smile on her face as she kissed the glass case on stage that held the Queen\u2019s crown. The tournament graphic showed that Flair will wrestle Liv Morgan in the semifinals.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Tiffany Stratton was walking in the back looking like she was trying to get out of the arena. Cathy Kelley, ever the busy interviewer, caught up to her and asked why she just helped Flair. Stratton said that while she isn\u2019t besties with Flair, neither of them wants Cargill to be the champion. B-Fab and Michin ran up to take out Stratton but suddenly Chelsea Green jumped in front with a kendo stick to protect Stratton. Stratton looked shocked as Green yelled like a woman possessed and drove off the heels.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: The crowd popped huge when Green showed up to defend Stratton. The WWE really has a marketable star with her and they appear to finally be trying to capitalize on it .)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Jey Uso was in the locker room with his brother getting hyped for his match tonight. Jacob Fatu walked in and they wondered why. Fatu said he was there to talk to Solo Sikoa. Jimmy said he was there to make sure no one got involved in Jey\u2019s match. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; They showed footage of Carmelo Hayes visiting the NFL\u2019s New England Patriots training camp this week. Then they showed that some Patriots players were in the crowd.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; A \u201cDear Diary\u201d vignette for Blake Monroe was shown. This week she talked about Charlotte Flair. She mentioned that she was soft, weak, and co-dependent with Alexa Bliss.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Gunther told Nick Aldis in his office that for his WWE title match next week on Smackdown against Cody Rhodes he will get to choose the referee. Gunther said he will tell him who he\u2019s chosen by the end of the night.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Cathy Kelley asked Finn Balor about being on Smackdown. He said he was excited. R-Truth walked up and thought Cathey was Raquel Rodriguez. Truth rambled about still thinking they were all in the Judgment Day. Damian Priest walked up and there was tension between he and Balor since they had a falling out during their actual Judgment day times. Balor left to get ready for his match. Truth yelled that he loved him and Priest said that they didn\u2019t. Priest continued to hammer home his point that all that mattered was them and the tag team titles.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; The Women\u2019s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella and Paige entered for a non-title match. Fatal Influence followed suit.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>(2) \u00a0BRIE BELLA &amp; PAIGE vs. FALLON HENLEY &amp; LAINEY REID (w\/JACY JAYNE)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Henley started against Bella. Bella exploded out of the corner with a clothesline, then a Russian leg sweep and cover for an early two-count. Paige tagged in and they hit a double bulldog. Paige with a running knee and cover for a one-count. Henley tagged out. Bella hit some \u201cYes\u201d kicks while Paige hit some knees on Henley on the ring apron. Jacy Jayne saw a chance to interfere and tripped up Bella to halt their momentum. The heels took over with good teamwork. Reid distracted the referee so he missed Bella tagging out. He forced Paige back out of the ring as the beaten down Bella continued to get pummeled. The fans chanted \u201cref you suck.\u201d [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0According to the announcers, Bella rallied during the break and was in control despite all the punishment she\u2019d absorbed. She made the hot tag and Paige was on fire taking out both opponents. She hit a good snap German suplex on Henley and a fisherman\u2019s suplex on Reid. Paige reminded the crowd that it was her house <em>with a very high rent<\/em>. Paige hit a rampage DDT but again Henley kicked out. The referee got distracted again and missed another cover attempt. Things broke down as Paige went for a PTO on Henley. Jayne pulled Henley to the ropes but the referee caught her and threw her out.\u00a0 Meanwhile, Henley trapped Paige in a small package. While the referee\u2019s back was still turned, Bella came in and reversed the package. The referee turned back around and counted Henley\u2019s shoulders down for the three count.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WINNERS: Paige &amp; Brie Bella by pinfall in 11:00.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: That match was better than it seemed to have any right to be. The reason was the psychology. There was a clear story being told throughout which allows a viewer to get invested in something besides a sequence disjointed moves. The heels kept taking advantage of the referee\u2019s back being turned, they finally got busted, and the babyfaces used their own tactics against them. Sometimes it is that simple.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Sami Zayn talked to his planking comatose friend Johnny Gargano again about how he was damned if does and damned if he doesn\u2019t. Zayn was wearing a \u201cThe Last Real Good Guy\u201d shirt. Candice LeRae was also standing there playing on her phone. She responded to what Zayn said by leaning down toward her husband Gargano and said, \u201cwhen are you going to get up and do something about it?\u201d Zayn heard that and thought she was talking to him. He said that he was going to do something about it by going to talk to Cody Rhodes and clearing the air once and for all. He thanked Gargano and left. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>[HOUR TWO]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Danhausen was in his \u201clab\u201d and talked to Angel and Berto. They begged him to re-curse the New York Knicks because they\u2019d put a lot of money on the San Antonio Spurs to win the NBA Finals. He refused. They gave him a big bag of \u201chuman monies\u201d as a bonus if he would do it and then they left. He was more excited by that. Matt Cardona walked in and Danhausen greeted him as \u201cZack.\u201d Cardona wanted Danhausen to keep the Knicks un-cursed so Danhausen made him give him his watch for that. Kit Wilson walked in wearing a \u201cHello I\u2019m Not Toxic\u201d shirt and demanded that Danhausen un-curse the Miz. He yanked Miz onto the screen and Miz looked like he was in a trance and head hair like a Treasure Troll. His shirt was the same design as Wilsons\u2019 but it read \u201cHello I\u2019m Not Cursed.\u201d \u00a0Miz was uncontrollably spitting out all of his old catchphrases and couldn\u2019t stop. Wilson started yanking on wires and electrocuted himself. Danhausen said see ya later while Wilson writhed in pain and Miz yelled \u201cAwesome.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: I was a lot. But I did laugh so there\u2019s that.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Sami Zayn made his entrance to what came across as a positive reaction. It\u2019s sometimes difficult to sift through the crowd karaoke for their real reaction to the wrestler\/character as they enter though. One he got in the ring there were a lot of boos, which Zayn soaked in. Zayn said it was a strange reaction and said he wouldn\u2019t compare a European crowd from last week to this one in the United States. And then he did exactly that by saying they all showed up for him in Europe. He said they could keep booing him or they could ride or die with the last real good guy. Zayn switched gears and said he wanted to clear the air with Cody Rhodes and called him out to the ring.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes went to the ring wearing a suit <em>because Cody Rhodes wears suits<\/em>. He asked Zayn what he wanted to talk about. Zayn asked him for one time to just be Cody and not the American Nightmare. He said they\u2019d had a series of misunderstandings over the last few months. He wondered why he always tries to hep Rhodes yet seemed to pay the price for it every time. He brought up last week and how he tried to help Rhodes against Gunther and yet he still ended up on his back. Now he wondered whether it was an accident and asked Rhodes to tell him the truth. The crowd yelled \u201cSami sucks.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rhodes said that Zayn was asking him to explain pro wrestling to him, which he didn\u2019t need because he\u2019s one of the best. Rhodes brought up Wrestlemania 40 and how Zayn was in the ring with him when he finished the story. Zayn clarified out that he was the first person there to help him. He continued and said that if anyone could have had sour grapes about Rhodes winning the WWE Championship that night it could be him. However, Zayn almost angrily stated that he was still happy for him to this day because he\u2019s a good guy. Zayn asked how many of the people that helped him that night were still his friends. (And since they aren\u2019t) he speculated that perhaps Rhodes was the problem. Rhodes said he wasn\u2019t able to be honest with those guys including John Cena, C.M. Punk, and Kevin Owens in the same way. Zayn begged him to be honest with him. Rhodes fired up and said \u201cyou want me to be honest with you Sami? They are booing you because lately you do suck. You\u2019re whining. You\u2019re crying. You\u2019re not the same Sami Zayn.\u201d He called him desperate and that it had nothing do with their relationship and was only about the WWE Championship. He apologized to Zayn for having the title because he said that since he does, Zayn never well. That great line got a strong reaction from Providence.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zayn smacked Rhodes across the face and then immediately tried to apologize for it. Rhodes was trying not to lose his cool as Zayn profusely apologized over and over. Rhodes smacked him back, much to the crowd\u2019s delight. Rhodes asked if they were good. Zayn turned around and left the ring on the announce table side and pondered. He grabbed a chair and jumped back up on the apron. After a bit he threw the chair down and walked back around the ring and up the ramp as Rhodes stared back at him.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: Tremendous segment. Zayn is on fire right now and frankly it\u2019s lifting up my interest in Rhodes too. As the confident babyface champion, Rhodes is hurt that friend is acting the way he, but he\u2019s also annoyed because Sami has been acting like a baby. Rhodes knows he shouldn\u2019t feel guilty that he\u2019s the champion and basically told his longtime friend that. Zayn is so understandably conflicted and as WWE viewers we\u2019ve seen the journey he\u2019s been on, which is why it resonates so well. I was VERY against turning Zayn heel because I believe he is the best natural babyface in the company (aside from maybe Rey Mysterio). But I\u2019m embracing it now because a) Zayn is an incredible performer in all facets b) he makes me feel like he really does WANT to be the good guy he\u2019s always been, but he just can\u2019t help himself and for every little step he takes forward, he then does something that sets him back even further. As a fan of babyface Sami Zayn I think \u201cno Sami don\u2019t say that! Don\u2019t do that! You\u2019re better than that!\u00a0 And that\u2019s why this works so well. \u00a0)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Jacob Fatu talked to Solo Sikoa in the locker room. Solo wasn\u2019t happy to see him. Fatu said he was there to deliver a message from Roman Reigns. The message was that it had been too long and it was time for Solo to come home. Solo laughed at that and said that it wasn\u2019t a home, it was a doghouse. He asked Fatu what happened to the killer, the werewolf that he used to be? Solo said all that Roman did was embarrass and humiliate him. Solo got mad as he told Fatu that he embarrassed Fatu in front of their family. He told Solo to tell Roman to go to hell. Fatu said he made his decision and will stand on business. Solo told Fatu to tell Roman that if he wants him to come home than he can come and get him.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; New AAA Cruiserweight Champion Rey Fenix entered for a title defense.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>(3) REY FENIX (c) vs. AXIOM \u2013 AAA Cruiserweight Championship Match\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Axiom\u2019s partner Nathan Fraser walked him halfway down the ramp, gave him a hug and wished him luck, then left. Fenix hit a big dropkick and a somersault flip over the top rope to the floor to get off to a fast start. He went for a springboard but Axiom caught him. Tessitore mentioned the blistering pace they were going at as Axiom hit an explosive high angle German suplex and covered for a one count. Axiom drove Feni to the mat with an armbar and Fenix escaped by hugging the bottom rope. Axiom dodged a top rope leap and hit a beautiful dropkick. Then he stood on the top rope with ease and moonsaulted to the floor onto Fenix. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tessitore remarked that Axiom knew he couldn\u2019t out-lucha Fenix so he was trying to ground him instead. Fenix hit a spin kick and perched himself on the top rope. But Axiom recovered quickly and met him there. Fenix fought him off and hit the Adios Amigos and a high cross-body. He covered for a nearfall. Fenix went for a springboard but Axiom slid threw his legs to escape in an innovative maneuver. Axiom hit a missile dropkick that earned a two-count. Axiom went for the Golden Ration flying kick but Fenix swept his legs out. Fenix hit a Death Valley Driver (<em>that almost looked like a brain buster<\/em>) and covered but again Axiom kicked out at two. Axiom trapped him in an armbar as things went back and forth. Fenix crunched him in the corner and Axiom reach out to grab his leg that he\u2019d be selling earlier in the match.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They fought on the top rope, holding hands. Axiom hit a Spanish Fly off the tope and covered for the one\u2026two\u2026kick out again. Fenix hit two spinning animal kicks and the Mexican Muscle Buster. He covered and finally scored the pinfall.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WINNER: Rey Fenix via pinfall in 11:00. Fenix retained the AAA Cruiserweight title.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: Sign me up for more AAA Cruiserweight title matches on Smackdown, especially since we don\u2019t have any more U.S. title open challenges.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Gunther told Nick Aldis in his office that he\u2019d made his decision on the referee for his title match. He said he needed someone with their heart in the right place, perhaps the last real good guy. After beating around the bush some more, he finally revealed that the referee would be Sami Zayn. Aldis was less than thrilled but Gunther told him to make it happen.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: They shouldn\u2019t have tried to build the reveal of Zayn as the guest referee as a dramatic thing. As soon as Gunther said there would be a special referee there was only one person that made any storyline sense. I\u2019ll be very surprised if there is a conclusive ending to the title match next Friday.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Trick Williams got out a car wearing his United States title around his waist. Lil Yachty got out of the driver\u2019s side. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(<\/em><strong>Quick plug: <\/strong>I created a comedy-drama comic series called <em>BadWill<\/em> about a thrift store that only sells the emotional leftovers of failed relationships. Think Goodwill but for breakups. If you\u2019re curious you can grab a print copy of Episode 1 for $7.99 plus shipping or go digital for $4.99 at <a href=\"https:\/\/badwillcomic.com\/\"><strong>https:\/\/badwillcomic.com<\/strong><\/a>. I\u2019d love to hear what you think!<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; United States Champion Trick Williams went to the ring with his friend Lil Yachty. Yachty was carrying the \u201cdiamond-encrusted Trick Stick.\u201d Yachty started to introduce him but Trick said he needed to get something off his chest. Yachty said the crowd expects them to party but Trick was mad because he lost last week. Trick said it made him feel a fire and step his game up. Trick said he was going to be the man carrying the brand and the leader of the new school. He reminded everyone who he was and finished with \u201cI\u2019m Trick James bitch.\u201d Cue Ricky Saints. And then immediately Carmelo Hayes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hayes pushed right past Saints and walked to the ring. Saints ran down to the ring and demanded a microphone. Hayes said anytime Trick talked he sounded like a Dr. Seuss book. Saints and Hayes both said they should be the number one contender. They demanded that Trick pick one of them. Saints and Hayes argued with each other. Trick told them to shut up and said it didn\u2019t matter because he was going to beat either one of them. He told them to battle it out and until then to shut up while grown folks are talking. Trick left. Saints and Hayes brawled. Trick got back in the ring and cleaned house. He hit a Bookend on Saints and his music played to end it.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: Smackdown is doing a good job at making wrestlers want to go after each championship. It would be nice to see more matches to establish a pecking order of contenders though. It shouldn\u2019t just be champion and number one contender. That way when someone earns a title shot it would be mean they worked their way up to it.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Cathy Kelley asked Royce Keys how we was approaching the King of the Ring Qualifying (really Quarterfinals) match. Before he could answer, Solo Sikoa walked up and told him that the Bloodline was in the building to make sure Jey Uso advances in the tournament. He also pointed out that Keys\u2019 friend Jacob Fatu was there to run that play too. Solo said that Keys didn\u2019t have to work with him, but that Solo didn\u2019t want Keys to become a casualty in Roman\u2019s war.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: The compelling story between Fatu, Keys, and Solo seems to be coming to a head, perhaps tonight. Solo, as usual, made some valid points.)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton made staggered entrances for the next match. (c)<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>[HOUR THREE]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>(4) \u00a0CHELSEA GREEN &amp; TIFFANY STRATTON vs. B-FAB &amp; MICHIN (w\/JADE CARGILL) <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Stratton started off in control over Michin. They botched a leapfrog in the corner but it wasn\u2019t too bad so they just did it again in the other corner. Green tagged in and immediately got a two-count. The crowd chanted her name. B-Fab and Michin then took control as Green became the in-peril babyface.\u00a0 The heels showed some good teamwork. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Michin was still in control and put Green on the top rope. She hit a hurricanrana and covered for another two-count. Green rallied with a suplex but got cut off twice trying to make the tag. She tossed Michin to the floor and was about to make the tag but Jade Cargill came to ringside and pulled Stratton off the apron and prevented the tag. The referee didn\u2019t see it. Green hit an Unprettier on B-Fab. But Michin, the legal woman, hit a Styles Clash and pinned her.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WINNERS: B-Fab &amp; Michin by pinfall in 9:00.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; After the match, the heels beat down Stratton. Cargill hit the Jaded.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>(Corbridge\u2019s Analysis: When Cargill doesn\u2019t win Queen of the Ring (again) she will be in a feud with Stratton for the U.S. title)<\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Kiana James was interviewed by Cathy Kelley in the back. James said that Giulia needed her and then Giulia betrayed her. Giulia walked up and told James that she needed James to help English and contracts. James said she eclipsed Giulia. Guilia responded by saying her English was better now so she finally had the words to say. She smacked James.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Finn Balor was walking in the back and Tama Tonga said it had been a long time (<em>their careers crossed paths in Japan<\/em>) and welcomed him to Smackdown. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Cody Rhodes talked to Nick Aldis. Rhodes questioned whether they were really letting Sami Zayn be the referee since he\u2019s an emotional wreck. Zayn was standing right behind him. Rhodes asked if they were good now. Zayn said he wasn\u2019t sure because he\u2019s an emotional wreck. He wished Rhodes luck and walked off.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; The announcers ran down the stacked Smackdown card for next week. It includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther \u2013 Sami Zayn will be the referee. Tessitore pointed out that it will be commercial-free.<\/li>\n<li>Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints \u2013 Winner earns a U.S. Championship match at Night of Champions.<\/li>\n<li>WWE Tag Team Championships: Damian Priest &amp; R-Truth vs. MFTs<\/li>\n<li>Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Charlotte Flair vs. Liv Morgan<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Cathy Kelley interviewed L.A. Knight about the main event. Knight called himself Knight-tradamus (like Nostradamus) because he predicted that the Bloodline would be here to help Jey Uso win the match tonight. He also called Roman Reigns \u201cNostradumbass.\u201d He screwed up the names of them at one point and corrected himself. Knight said that if he could defy the odds then he\u2019d stomp out Roman Reigns.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Jey Uso made his entrance through the crowd. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The rest of the participants entered for the main event.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>(5) <\/strong><strong>JEY USO vs. L.A. KNIGHT vs. FINN BALOR vs. ROYCE KEYS &#8211;\u00a0 King of the Ring Tournament Qualifying Match\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">L.A. Knight was the last grappler to enter and when he did me motioned for them to \u201crun it back\u201d in a way to mock Jey Uso. His music played again and he got up on the ropes. That pissed off Jey and he hit him from behind. The bell rang. Keys squared off with Balor as Jey and Knight continue to brawl. Keys hit his running corner splash on all three competitors. Balor hit a somersault splash over the top onto Knight and Jey as they went to a split screen. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the break, Keys apparently took out Jeyu. Knight went for a neckbreaker but Keys slipped off and it looked bad. Keys destroyed Knight with a clothesline and powerslam. He covered but Balor broke it up. Balor jumped of the top but Keys caught him and gave him a backbreaker. Knight and Jey charged at Keys as he was beating on Balor in the corner. But he turned around and dropped them both with a clothesline. Keys hit a spinning powerslam off the second rope and covered but Knight broke it up this time. Knight dragged Keys to ringside but Keys rammed him back-first into the ringpost. Jey Uso dove through the ropes onto Keys but Keys caught him and dropped him onto the apron. He then tossed him into the steps and continued his domination. Jimmy Uso walked to ringside and got in Keys\u2019s face. Solo Sikoa walked down too as they went to a picture-in-picture break. [c]<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Balor fought back and knocked Keys off the apron. He springboarded over the top to the floor but again Keys caught him. He wanted to hit a powerslam but Jey hit him with a superkick. Knight hit a sliding kick through the ropes to take Keys down. Jey called for he, Knight, and Balor to team up against Keys so they hit the triple powerbomb on him through the table. Back in the ring, Knight and Jey traded Yeah\/Yeet punches. Jey wont that battle but then Balor rolled him up and nearly got the three count. The three fought until Balor hit a Slingblade on Jey. Balor was going to go for a dropkick but Jey caught him with a superkick. Balor hit another Slingblade and connected this time with the dropkick. Balor had Jey in the drop zone so he went to the top. Knight leapt to the top and met him there. However, Balor shoved him off and he landed on Jey. Knight rolled off and Balor came off the top with the Coup de Grace on Jey. Balor covered for the one\u2026two\u2026Keys was alive again and pulled Balor out to the floor.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keys launched Balor over the barricade into the timekeeper. It took out Jimmy Uso too. Solo walked over to Keys and clapped for him. You could audibly hear Solo say \u201chere he comes\u201d Knight was about to hit another diving kick through the ropes on Keys as his back was turned from the ring to face Solo. Knight\u2019s kick took out Solo too. Back in the ring, Knight tried to capitalize and hit a DVD on Jey and then escaped a Keys powerslam attempt and dropped him with a reverse DDT. Knight got to his feet and hit his top rope elbow drop. He went for the BFT but Keys escaped. Solo quickly jumped onto the apron and hit Knight with the Samoan Spike. Keys didn\u2019t see it but capitalized with a big spinebuster. He covered but Jey Uso came off the top with a splash onto both Keys and Knight. Jey laid across a face-down Keys and hooked Knight\u2019s leg as the referee counted one\u2026two\u2026three.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WINNER: Jey Uso by pinfall in 19:00. Jey advanced to the King of the Ring Tournament Semi-Finals.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the match, Jimmy and Jey celebrated as they backed up the aisleway. Jey stood by the crown display and said it would be his. They showed the King of the Ring Tournament graphic that now showed the two Semifinals matches of Jey Uso vs. Je\u2019von Evans and Oba Femi vs. Dominik Mysterio that will take place at Night of Champions.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>**Follow me on Instagram (<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ecorbridge22\/\"><em>https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/ecorbridge22\/<\/em><\/a><em>) or Facebook (<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/eric.corbridge\"><em>https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/eric.corbridge<\/em><\/a><em>) and hit me up if you want to chat more WWE or \u00a0give feedback. I always enjoy talking about wrestling!** <\/em><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.spreaker.com\/episode\/wwe-smackdown-post-show-6-12-keller-machado-talk-sami-cody-jey-advancing-in-kotr-is-roman-a-heel-or-a-face-more--72509365\">CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO OUR POST-SHOW PODCAST<\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN POST-SHOW (6\/12) - Keller &amp; Machado talk Sami-Cody, Jey advancing in KOTR, is Roman a heel or a face, more\" src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?episode_id=72509365&amp;theme=light&amp;playlist=false&amp;playlist-continuous=false&amp;chapters-image=true&amp;episode_image_position=right&amp;hide-logo=false&amp;hide-likes=false&amp;hide-comments=false&amp;hide-sharing=false&amp;hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"200px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-3630105536\"><div id=\"pwtor-3568254272\"><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 JUNE 12, 2026 PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND AT AMICA MUTUAL PAVILION AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK REPORT BY ERIC CORBRIDGE, PWTORCH CONTRIBUTOR Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett Ring Announcer: Mark Nash Attendance: As <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/06\/12\/wwe-smackdown-results-6-12-corbridges-alt-perspective-report-on-jey-vs-knight-vs-balor-vs-keys-in-king-tournament-valkyria-vs-ruca-vs-cargill-vs-flair-in-queen-tournament-gunther-c\/\" title=\"WWE SMACKDOWN RESULTS (6\/12): Corbridge\u2019s alt-perspective report on Jey vs. Knight vs. Balor vs. Keys in KOTR Tournament, Valkyria vs. Ruca vs. Cargill vs. Flair in QOTR Tournament, Gunther chooses WWE title match stipulation\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":42,"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_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,48,20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-217892","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\/217892","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\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=217892"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/217892\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":217945,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/217892\/revisions\/217945"}],"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=217892"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=217892"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=217892"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}