Tonight’s WWE SmackDown, airing May 22, 2026, promises an action-packed night live from Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. On the WWE Saturday Night Main Event home show, Shinsuke Nakamura will face MFT’s Tara Tonga in a singles match.
The show begins at 8pm ET and is available for international fans to watch on streaming platforms such as Netflix. Ringside News provides live match-by-match updates and highlights throughout the night. Please keep checking this page. Refresh to see the latest results as the action unfoldsjoin the conversation in the comments section below!
Matches and key moments scheduled for WWE SmackDown on May 22, 2026
- Single match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tara Tonga of MFT
- WWE Women’s United States Championship Open Challenge Match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. TBD
- Carmelo Hayes Messages WWE United States Champion Trick Williams and Lil Yachty
- WWE Women’s Champion “The Eradicator” Rhea Ripley kicks off SmackDown
- What does “Ring General” Gunther have in store for the undisputed WWE Champion “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes?
WWE SmackDown Results (5/22/26): Live Match Updates and Highlights
The show begins with a video package recapping last week’s SmackDown, featuring a match between Gunther and Cody Rhodes, and The Ring General defeating Royce Keyes to earn a ticket to Clash in Italy.
Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett then welcomed us to the show and we saw appearances by Cody Rhodes, Shinsuke Nakamura, MFT, and Tiffany Stratton.
Rhea Ripley’s music then plays and she makes her way down to the ring. Rhea then grabs the microphone and begins by welcoming the WWE Universe to Friday Night Mami. Leah then said that even though she had a week off, it seemed like someone had missed her. Leah said Jade Cargill and her crew tried to send a message, but the content of the message made her angry. Rhea then came back and said she wanted to fight. Rhea then tells Jade that if she wants a rematch, she will gladly defeat her again. Later, Rhea says they will compete for the WWE Women’s Championship at Clash in Italy.
Charlotte Flair’s music then plays and she walks out with Alexa Bliss. Flair said he appreciates that Rhea wants to defend the titles but doesn’t want to get ahead of herself as there is a six-man tag team match left tomorrow. Bliss then says they need to be on the same page. Flair said he has to address the elephant in the room. Flair then says that she needed Rhea’s help last week and asks Rhea where she was last week.
Rhea then tells that she went home to meet her family. Flair said he was glad he was able to go home to see his family, but they needed help. Flair then said that she and Bliss have their own fights. Rhea then says that Flare was the one who said she didn’t need her. Flair then tells Fatal Influence that he did say so, but now he needs Rhea’s help with Rhea’s problem. Rhea says she’s sorry for being ambushed, but it looks like Bliss took most of it. And she says if Flair can’t have his best friend’s back, how can he trust her? Flair then says that Rhea is trying to create a problem that doesn’t exist and plant a wedge between her and Bliss.
Then a deadly influence emerges. Jaycee Jayne loves it and says there’s nothing she loves more than watching the women’s division fall apart before her eyes. Jaycee then said that this was the beginning of the second deadly influence to set foot on the scene. Jaycee said they easily rose to the top of the division because they took advantage of opportunities when they saw them. Then Jaycee says he’s considering it now. Flair says she loves their confidence, but she’s not there for the interaction. And tonight, she challenges two of them to a match against herself and Bliss. Jaycee then says that’s all she wanted to hear. Flair’s music plays there.
Then take a look at Tara Tonga attacking Shinsuke Nakamura last week for talking to Tama Tonga.
Then we head to the back and Kathy Kelly shows up and talks to Solo Chicoa, Tara Tonga, and Tama Tonga. Solo said Tara Tonga is ready for her match against Shinsuke Nakamura and that she wants everyone to see it. Solo then turns to Tama Tonga, and Solo says he wants everyone to see what happens to Nakamura. Royce Keyes appears and tells Solo that he was robbed of his title opportunity last week. Solo then says that Keyes threw a chair at his face, but now he’s glad he didn’t get hit. Solo tells Keyes that if he wants someone to watch over him tonight, he can do that, and leaves.
He then meets Alexa Bliss and says she is not allowed and Flair says he was fine before. Alexa then says that she’s fine but that she’s tired of being at the center of everything and needs to team up with Leah.
Tara Tonga then comes down to the ring for the first match of the night, and he is escorted by the MFTs, followed by Shinsuke Nakamura.
Single match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Tara Tonga of MFT
The match starts with both men locking up and Tara sends Nakamura into the turnbuckle. Tara says she wants to test her strength and Nakamura teases a kick. Nakamura then hits several knees and forearms. Tara then hits a punch and a kick to the back. Tara then hits a headbutt and a corner kick. Tara then hits a series of kicks and chokes Nakamura. Tara then throws punches in the corner. Tara then delivers a hard Irish whip. Tara then hits a few knee drops and slams. Tara then hits an Irish whip but Tara misses a splash into the corner. Nakamura then hits a kick to the back and a flying knee off the turnbuckle. Nakamura then hits a jumping sidekick and a clothesline that sends Tara over the top rope, but she lands. Nakamura then hits Tara with a kick into the ropes, but Tara hits a chop.
Tara then sends Nakamura into the ringside barrier. Tara then sends Nakamura face-first into the ringside barrier. Tara hits another punch, sending Nakamura into the ring. Nakamura then tries a series of kicks, but Tara blocks Nakamura with a forearm. Tara then works on the neck. Nakamura continues to throw punches, but Tara hits a headbutt. Next, Nakamura hits a kick. Tara then catches Nakamura off the turnbuckle and Tara hits a short arm clothesline. Nakamura then hits a series of elbows from the apron, but Tara sends Nakamura back to the floor. Nakamura then throws a flurry of punches, and Tara hits an uppercut and a jumping elbow drop. Then Nakamura blocks a kick and Nakamura hits a roundhouse kick.
Tara then hits a powerslam. Nakamura then tightens the armbar and moves into a triangle. Tara goes for a one-arm powerbomb, but Nakamura counters with a guillotine. Nakamura then escaped a suplex and kicked Tara in the back of the leg, removing the boot from the turnbuckle. Furthermore, Nakamura hits Tara with a series of kicks. Tara then hits an Irish whip but misses the boot in the corner. Nakamura then kicks the leg and puts Tara on the turnbuckle for a running knee to the middle. Furthermore, Nakamura hits Scorpio Rising for a near fall. Nakamura then goes for the Kinshasa, but when Solo goes up to the apron, Nakamura knocks him off the apron with a punch. Tara then hit a powerslam and chokeslam for the win.
The single match winner is Tara Tonga from MFT!
After the match, Nakamura throws a punch, Tama stops him, and Solo attempts a Samoan spike. Tama then gets a bad throat hit. Solo then goes for the Samoan Spike, but Damian Priest leaves with a chair and Solo, Tara and Tama leave the ring. Afterwards, Priest checks Nakamura, and Solo, Tara, and Tama go to the rear.
Next, grab the Tribal Combat video package.
He then meets Nick Aldis and asks Charles Robinson for an update and to look into the lighting. Nick then tells Cody Rhodes that the deal isn’t done yet because Gunther isn’t here yet. Cody then gives Nick a contract and asks him to sign it. Nick then said he would handle it, and the match was decided. Nick then says he’ll make sure he signs the contract. Sami Zayn shows up and tells Cody that he hasn’t been feeling well lately. Sami then says that Cody only asks because he knows what it means to defeat Gunther. And Cody said, “Thank you,” but there was no “thank you.”
Sami then goes on a rant and blames everything on Nick. He then asks Nick what he is doing tonight. Then Nick says there might not be room for Sami tonight. Sami then asks if he has the right to respect him. He then said he wanted to know what he did wrong to be disrespected. And Cody said he would get whatever he wanted. Cody then approaches him and Sami begins to apologize. Cody then says Sami deserves to be on SmackDown. Cody then proposed a match with Sami and Cody said he would give Sami the match.
Next time we look at Tama Tonga, he says that solo chicoa is weak. Tama then says that everyone is attacking Solo and his family because they think they are weak. He then says he will take care of Priest himself. And he says he has to show that his family is not weak. Solo then says he will talk to Aldis.
Tiffany Stratton then steps into the ring for the United States Women’s Championship, followed by Rush Legends accompanied by Nia Jax. Nia said she intended to end the Nostalgia Tour once Brie Bella and Paige regained the tag titles. Rush then says that gold looks good on her and says he plans to take the title away from Tiffany.
WWE Women’s United States Championship Open Challenge Match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. “The Boosie Bully” Rush Legend of Irresistible Force
The match begins with both men locked up and Rush drives Tiffany to the mat. Tiffany then tightens the waistlock and Rush throws her to the mat. Rush then hits a beer. Rush then hits a boot and Rush tries to punch Tiffany, but Tiffany cartwheels and hits a dropkick. Rush also performs a shoulder tackle. Rush then misses a bicycle kick and Tiffany clips Rush a few times. Tiffany then hits a dropkick and Rush falls to the floor. Tiffany then hits a pescado on Rush. Rush then hits a chop and chokeslam to the apron. Rush and Nia then pose, but Chelsea Green comes down to the ring to check on Tiffany. Rush then hits an elbow drop to the back for a near fall.
Rush then drives Tiffany into the ropes and she hits a few forearms. Rush then hits some shoulders in the corner. Rush then delivers a powerful Irish whip. Rush then hits the Irish whip again, but Tiffany hits a boot as Rush charges. Tiffany then hits a back elbow and Rush catches Tiffany with a crossbody attempt. Rush then hits Snake Eyes. Rush then bounces Tiffany’s head between the top and middle ropes. Then she does it a second time. Rush then hits a short arm clothesline for a near fall. Rush then hits a forearm and some shoulders into the corner. Rush then hits a short arm clothesline. Rush then puts Tiffany in the corner and she hits some more shoulders. Rush then puts Tiffany on the turnbuckle, but Tiffany hits a sunset flip for a near fall. Rush then hits a forearm for a near fall.
Tiffany then hits a jawbreaker and Rush carefully goes over the top rope as Tiffany drops down. Rush then misses his shoulder in the corner and hits the ring post. Tiffany then hits a clothesline, but Rush gets back up and chokeslams her, Tiffany hits a jawbreaker. Tiffany then hits a handspring back elbow in the corner, followed by a handspring cutter for a near fall. Tiffany then misses a double stomp and Rush gets a rollup for a nearfall.
Tiffany then counters a powerbomb onto Lana. Tiffany then goes for the Alabama Slam, but Rush counters with a powerbomb for a near fall. Tiffany then counters with a rush extension and a cross bomb for a near fall. Tiffany then goes up top and Nia gets on the apron and Tiffany kicks her away. Tiffany then missed a move off the turnbuckle and ended up cartwheeling. Rush then hits a bicycle kick on Tiffany. Green then sent Nia into the ring post and Rush decided to grab Green’s hair instead of winning the match. Tiffany then gets a rollup and wins.
Open Challenge Match winner and current WWE United States Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton!
Lil Yachty is then seen knocking on Trick Williams’ door and walking down the hallway.
Nick Aldis is then seen walking in and says he needs to address the power issue. Nick is then told that it is coming from the room, and Nick enters Danhausen’s lab. Danhausen then says that he is conducting a scientific experiment. Danhausen then says it all depends on the code. Then Danhausen says he is doing a science experiment again. Nick sees a body under the sheet, but is told not to look down.
Then Kathy Kelly and The Miz and Kit Wilson appear. Miz says he’s not cursed and doesn’t care what happens to Danhausen. Cassie then says the Cavaliers are losing, and Miz says there’s no curse. Fraxiom then appears and says The Miz is cursed. The Miz then says that Danhausen is the reason the Cavaliers are in a playoff game. Cassie asks Miz why he doesn’t come courtside if he’s such a big fan. Miz then says he’s superstitious. The Miz will then challenge Axiom to a match in his hometown next week. Axiom then speaks in Spanish and leaves. The Miz then asks Cassie if she understands Spanish, and Cassie replies, “Un pocito.”
Trick Williams’ music then plays and he makes his way down to the ring with Lil Yachty. Trick then grabbed the microphone and started saying that he thought the WWE Universe loved Trick and Yachty. Yachty then gloats about his win over The Miz last week. And Trick says he’s a future Hall of Famer. Lil Yachty then says that’s debatable.
Carmelo Hayes then comes out to interfere with Trick Williams. Carmela says they both knew this day would come. Carmelo then told Trick to do the right thing. and blamed Trick for being barred from the U.S. Championships. Carmelo then says that if it wasn’t for the trick, he would still be the champion. Carmelo then says he’s not trying to discredit Trick. Carmelo then said that he has always believed in himself, but there is a big difference between carrying a title and being a champion. Carmelo said he defended the title every night after that. Carmelo then says he wants to compete in the U.S. Championship. Yachty then says that Trick would love to have a match, but he has a busy schedule.
Carmelo then calls Yoti to be his secretary. Carmelo then says he thinks the old trick would have been to not let someone tell him what to do and when to do it. Carmelo then says he thinks Trick Williams is better at playing second fiddle. Trick then told Carmelo to mind his own business. Trick then accepts Carmelo’s challenge, but states that the open challenge was made at the moment he won the United States Championship. Trick then says he’s going to have a match tonight because he likes Carmelo and respects what they’re doing, but there’s a lot of commotion going on in the house. So Trick asks for a referee.
Non-title match: WWE United States Champion Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes
The match begins with both men locked up, and Trick closes it out with a side headlock. Trick then performs a shoulder tackle. Trick then slams Carmelo to the mat. Carmelo then hits a dropkick. Carmelo then hits a chop on Trick in the corner. Trick then refuses and hits an uppercut followed by a Trick slap. Carmelo then hits Trick with a kick to the head. Carmelo hits more chops. Trick then hits Carmelo with a series of spinning heel kicks. Trick then hits Carmelo with a Uranage for a near fall. Trick then hits a spinning heel kick for a two count. Trick then hits a snap suplex. Trick then slams Carmelo into the ropes. Carmelo then sends Trick over the top rope. Lil Yachty checks out the trick.
The battle then spills outward. Carmelo then sends Trick into the iron stairs. Carmelo then slams Trick headfirst into the steel steps. Carmelo then hits a series of chops. Carmelo returns to the ring and hits Trick with punches. Trick then hits a series of right hands, but gets hit with a superkick. The fight then spills out into the open again. Trick then slammed Carmelo’s head onto the announce desk. Trick then hits a series of chops. Trick back in the ring is a side headlock. Both men then exchange strikes. Trick then hits a jumping neckbreaker and Ricky Saints is seen in the ringside area. Carmelo then hits a flying clothesline. Carmelo then hits Trick with the Dirty Diana for a near fall.
Trick then hits a pop-up uppercut. Both men then exchange kicks. Trick kicks him even more, forcing him into a near fall. Carmelo then hits a fast 48 to force Trick into a near fall. Carmelo then goes to the top rope, but Trick nails Carmelo with a right hand. Trick then pushes Ricky Saints out of bounds. Ricky is up on the apron. Carmelo then drops Ricky on the apron. Trick then hit Carmelo with a trick shot for the win.
The winner of the non-title match is WWE United States Champion Trick Williams!
Then we have Sami Zayn in the back and he hits some inanimate objects, but not Johnny Gargano. Sami says Cody is his friend and he may have said something, but now Cody wants to fight him. Sami then says that she was always by Cody’s side and did the right thing. Sami then says that Johnny is a really good guy in the end. Sami then says that she won’t let anyone change her. Sami then leaves and Johnny Gargano knocks over a water bottle.
Ricky Saints is then seen talking to himself and Kathy Kelly asks him why he is there. Ricky says he’s not new and starts talking about Carmelo Hayes, but Carmelo punches him in the face and tells him to stay out of the business.
Next, let’s take a look at Brock Lesnar’s return.
Charlotte Flair then makes her way down to the ring for her next match of the night, accompanied by Alexa Bliss, followed by Rhea Ripley. Fatal Influence then steps down to the ring.
Tag match: “The Queen” Charlotte Flair and WWE Women’s Champion “The Eradicator” Rhea Ripley vs. Fatal Influence (Lainey Reid & Fallon Henry)
The match starts with Charlotte Flair and Fallon Henry, Flair hits a clothesline. Flair then drops Laney Reed off the apron. Henry then applies a waistlock. Then Rhea Ripley appears and gives Reed a kick. Ripley then sends Reed to the mat and Reed follows up with a dropkick. Reed then hits a right hand and Ripley runs into a boot. Reed then goes for a crossbody, but Ripley catches him in the air and hits a fallaway slam. Flair then hits a big boot on Jaycee Jayne. The battle then spills outward. Henry then slams Flair headfirst into the announcer’s desk and Flair follows up with a clothesline.
Henry returns to the ring and continues the beatdown on Flair. Reed then joins the fight and she hits her opponent with an elbow to the chest. Reed then gets a side headlock. Flair then tries to fight back, but Reed takes her down again. Reed then drives a shoulder into Flair’s midsection. Henry then appears and performs a beatdown on his opponent. Flair then hits Fatal Influence with his signature chop. Flair then hits a big boot on Henry. Jayne then trips her into the back of the referee. Reed gets back in the ring and hits a twisting suplex. Henry is now a legal woman. Flair then tries to fight back with a series of forearms.
Henry then drops her onto his lap. Flair then takes down Reed. She then knocks Henry out and Reed cuts off her leg. The two women are currently dead in the collision. Ripley comes in and hits a clothesline on Reed and Henry. Ripley then hits a forearm on Reed and Reed follows up with a superkick. Ripley then hits a German suplex on Henry, which Henry follows with a right kick to Reed’s temple. Ripley then hits the Razor’s Edge and goes for the pin, but Henry breaks the fall. Flair then hits a big boot and she follows up with Fatal Influence with a cannonball. Back in the ring, Reed superkicks Flair. Ripley then attacks Reed with Riptide. Flair then hits the Natural Selection for the win.
The winners of the tag team match are “The Queen” Charlotte Flair and WWE Women’s Champion “The Eradicator” Rhea Ripley!
After the match, Flair, Ripley, and Alexa Bliss are attacked by Jade Cargill, Meechin, and B-Fab. Fatal Influence also attacks Flair and Bliss. Cargill and Ripley then remain in the ring and Ripley hits a headbutt. Cargill also hits a bicycle kick and Jaded.
Cody Rhodes is then seen in the locker room and Kathy Kelly enters. Cassie asked about his match and if it would be any different from next week’s match with Gunther. Cody says he and Sami are friends. Cody then says he understands the anger and passive-aggressive attitude. Cody then says he’s felt the same way for 10 years. Cody then looked in the mirror and said he felt responsible. Cody tells Gunther he can come watch the game.
Next, we look at Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu.
We then head to the backside and Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin are asked by Kathy Kelly about the messages they sent. Michin says it wasn’t a message, it was the truth. And she says they will prove to be a formidable team. Fab said he would save everything else for tomorrow. Then Jade says that everyone talks too much. Jade then says that the only thing that matters in the company is them, and that it is important for them to be at the top. She then said she was going to get the title back.
Damian Priest then makes his way down to the ring for the next match of the night, followed by a solo chicoa with MFT.
Single match: MFT Solo Chicore vs. WWE Tag Team Champion Damian Priest
The match begins with Damian Priest wasting no time attacking Solo Chicoa. Priest then jumps down the iron stairs and defeats Shikoa. Priest then sends Shikoa into the iron stairs. Back in the ring, Chicor hits a right hand. Cicor then slammed Priest’s head into the turnbuckle. Priest then hits a spinning heel kick. Priest then hits a kick. In addition, Chikoa hits a Samoan Drop on Priest. Then Tama Tonga hit a cheap shot behind the referee. Cicor then continues the beatdown on Priest. Tonga then tries to choke Priest, but the referee doesn’t see it. Priest then hits a powerful chop on Chicoa. Then Chicoa hits a superkick.
Then Cicor hits a hip attack in the corner. Priest then tries to fight back, but they both swipe it over the top rope. Priest then hits a superplex and both men are down. Priest then hits an impressive combination. Priest then hits a running elbow on Cicore in the corner. Priest then releases a Broken Arrow for a near fall. Tara Tonga then hit a right hand behind the referee’s back. Then, Cicor hit Priest with a spinning solo slam for a near fall. Then Chicoa runs for the kick. Priest then hits a lariat on Chicoa. Priest then drops Tama Tonga off the apron. Sicoah then takes off the Samoan spike. Priest then hits Tara Tonga with a kick. Cicor then hit Priest with a Samoan Spike for the win.
The single match winner is MFT Solo Chicoa!
After the match, MFT launches a 3-on-1 attack on Priest. Royce Keyes then came to Priest’s aid and Priest cleared the ring. Keys then confronts Sicore, who tumbles out of the ring. Priest then attempts a chokeslam on Keyes, but Keyes shoves Priest away. Keyes then says he was just trying to help Priest.
Next, the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions came out, and Paige said that she wanted to fight the champions when they won the titles. Then Paige says they don’t take things for granted. Brie Bella said Nia and Rush are walking all over everyone and making excuses. Bree then said they used tactics to survive. Page then says Rush and NIa may be underestimating them. Bree says Rush and Nia don’t know what’s going to happen.
Chelsea Green is then seen walking behind her and Blake Monroe stops her. Blake then introduces herself. Blake tells Chelsea, but she wishes she hadn’t. Nia and Rush then attack Green.
We then see Lois Keyes searching for Damian Priest. Keyes says he heard from R-Truth tonight. Priest then says that he doesn’t want Keyes to get involved in his work. Priest then says he believes Keyes may be working with MFT. Keyes then says that Priest has a problem now.
Sami Zayn then makes his way down to the ring for the main event of the night, followed by Cody Rhodes.
Non-title match: Undisputed WWE Champion “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes vs Sami Zayn
The match begins with both men locking up, and Cody Rhodes applies a side headlock. Sami Zayn then tries to test Rose early on, but Rose refuses to shake his hand. Rose then applies a side headlock again. Rose then slams Zayn to the mat. Zayn and Rose then trade chops. Rose then hits a powerslam. Rose then went for Cody Cutter, but Zayn tripped him. Rose goes limp and Zayn cuts her down to her knees outside the ring. Zayn then continues to work on Rose’s left leg. Zayn then hits a chop and follows up with a few more chops. Rose now has the advantage on his legs.
Zayn then slams Rose to the mat. Zayn then hits a series of forearms. Rose then hits a snap suplex on Zayn. Rose then landed a series of right hands. Rose then hits a Cody Cutter on Zayn for a nearfall, but Zayn narrowly beats the count. Rose then goes for the Crossroads, but Zayn blocks it. Zane then sends Rose to the announce desk. Rose then barely makes it back into the ring. Zayn then goes for a helluva kick, but Rose avoids danger and hits another Cody Cutter for a near fall. Rose then goes for the Crossroads, but Zayn hits the Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall.
Zayn then applies the Figure-4 in the middle of the ring. Rose then tries to reverse it, but he does. Both men then exchange blows in the center of the ring. Rose then hits a disaster kick. Then Gunter appears and performs a sleeper hold. Zayn then drops Gunther on the apron. Rose then hit Zayn with the Cross Rose for the win.
The winner of the non-title match is the undisputed WWE Champion “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes!
After the match, Gunther attacks Rose and hits him with a clothesline and a powerbomb. Zayn then gets in the ring and Gunther looks at Zayn and hits a sleeper on Rose. Zayn then leaves the ring and returns to the apron. Zayn then starts walking towards the back. Zayn then turns back to the ring and Gunther releases the hold. Gunther then holds the title belt over his head. Then, as the show draws to a close, Gunther poses with the Undisputed WWE Championship.
