Sami Zayn turns his back on Cody Rhodes during Gunther's post-match attack

Sami Zayn vs. Cody Rhodes could beryllium a main arena to beryllium featured connected immoderate awesome show that nan WWE runs, but connected Friday nighttime fans successful Lexington, Kentucky, were treated to nan lucifer connected "SmackDown."

The booking stemmed from Zayn’s continued complaints astir not getting capable airtime and emotion for illustration he’s been pushed to nan backmost of nan line. Zayn complained to SmackDown wide head Nick Aldis, but besides caught nan attraction of Rhodes erstwhile he called nan "American Nightmare," "golden boy." Rhodes didn’t return excessively kindly to that and nan lucifer was made.

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Sami Zayn makes his entranceway during SmackDown astatine Rupp Arena successful Lexington, Ky., connected May 22, 2026. (Michael Marques/WWE)

Rhodes entered nan lucifer pinch nan imaginable of Gunther – his Clash successful Italy challenger – coming down for a sneak onslaught astatine immoderate time. The wrestlers’ rivalry heated up complete nan past fewer weeks since Paul Heyman fulfilled his favour for Gunther – getting him a changeable astatine nan Undisputed WWE Championship.

Zayn wanted a conflict – and a conflict he got.

The 2 traded blows successful nan opening of nan lucifer pinch each of them trying to get 1 complete connected nan other. Rhodes was trying to extremity nan lucifer early. He went to nan statement for either a Cody Cutter aliases a Disaster Kick, but Zayn caught him and knocked him down to nan floor. He went connected nan onslaught from there, taking retired Rhodes’ near knee.

Zayn would proceed to activity connected nan knee arsenic nan lucifer wore on. But Rhodes would conflict done nan symptom and deed a Cody Cutter seemingly retired of nowhere. Zayn wouldn’t enactment down for long. After a 2 count, Zayn flipped Rhodes onto nan apron. Rhodes staggered and Zayn bounced disconnected nan statement and pushed Rhodes onto nan denote table.

Rhodes hit nan 10 count, rushing backmost to nan ringing astatine nine. Zayn tried for a Helluva Kick and missed. Rhodes countered pinch a Cody Cutter and sewage a 2 count. Zayn tried a Blue Thunder Bomb and couldn’t put Rhodes away.

Gunther attacks Cody Rhodes during SmackDown astatine Rupp Arena successful Lexington, Ky., connected May 22, 2026. (Cooper Neill/WWE)

Rhodes was astir to statement up Zayn for a Cross Rhodes erstwhile Gunther came retired and put him successful a sleeperhold, but nan referee didn’t spot it. Zayn bounced disconnected nan statement and deed Gunther down to nan level arsenic Rhodes moved retired of nan way. Rhodes past deed a distracted Zayn pinch a Cross Rhodes.

Gunther sewage backmost into nan ringing and started his assault. Zayn sewage into nan ringing and stared down Gunther. It appeared nan 2 were going to travel to blows, but Gunther ignored him and choked retired Rhodes.

Zayn shook his caput and fto Gunther proceed his attack. Zayn turned his backmost to Rhodes and walked away.

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Rhea Ripley group for WrestleMania rematch

WWE Women's Champion Rhea Ripley makes her entranceway during SmackDown astatine Rupp Arena successful Lexington, Ky., connected May 22, 2026. (Cooper Neill/WWE)

Jade Cargill has vowed to get backmost nan WWE Women’s Championship backmost astir her waist aft losing to Rhea Ripley astatine WrestleMania 42. The changeless attacks appeared to person unit Ripley’s hand.

She started Friday addressing Cargill, Michin and B-Fab.

"Jade and her crew, they decided to effort to nonstop a message. But each they managed to do was really p--- maine off. So, now that I’m back, I’m itching for a fight," Ripley said. "So Jade, if you want your rematch, past I will happily hit you again.

"You vs. maine astatine Clash successful Italy for nan WWE Women’s Championship."

Cargill seemingly accepted arsenic she, Michin and B-Fab came retired to onslaught Ripley and Charlotte Flair aft their tag squad lucifer against Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid later successful nan night. The 3 took attraction of Ripley, Flair and Alexa Bliss, sending different connection earlier their six-woman tag squad lucifer astatine Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Flair and Bliss came retired during Ripley’s promo and reminded her astir nan lucifer and that they each needed to enactment focused.

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SmackDown lucifer results:

• Talla Tonga def. Shinsuke Nakamura.
• Tiffany Stratton def. Lash Legend to clasp nan Women’s United States Championship.
• Trick Williams def. Carmelo Hayes.
• Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley def. Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid.
• Solo Sikoa def. Damian Priest.
• Cody Rhodes def. Sami Zayn.