SmackDown May 22, 2026: Gunther Responds to Cody Rhodes' Attack
A look back at the key events from WWE SmackDown on May 22, 2026, including Gunther's reaction to Cody Rhodes' assault, Rhea Ripley's respon...
SummerSlam Contract Signing:: John Cena and Cody Rhodes will come face-to-face to sign the contract for their highly anticipated SummerSlam match. This follows Cena's win over CM Punk at Night of Champions and Rhodes' desire to regain the Undisputed Championship.
Stephanie Vaquer vs. Alba Fyre:: Fresh off her WWE Evolution Battle Royal victory, Stephanie Vaquer battles Alba Fyre of The Secret Hervice.
Fatal 4-Way Match:: Fraxiom vs. Motor City Machine Guns vs. Andrade & Rey Fenix vs. #DIY in a No. 1 Contender Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE Tag Team Titles, following The Wyatt Sicks' recent title win.
Jacob Fatu's Return:: Jacob Fatu returns to SmackDown after being taken out by The MFTs, seeking to confront United States Champion Solo Sikoa.
Charlotte Flair vs. Raquel Rodriguez:: Charlotte Flair faces Raquel Rodriguez in a one-on-one match after the explosive events of the Fatal 4-Way Tag Team Match at WWE Evolution.
SummerSlam Contract Signing: The main event segment will see John Cena and Cody Rhodes making their SummerSlam match official. The build-up to this match is intensifying, especially with Rhodes focused on reclaiming the Undisputed Championship he lost at WrestleMania 41. Randy Orton has observed that Rhodes seems to have learned from past mistakes, as evidenced by his calculated targeting of Orton's vulnerable back during the King of the Ring finals.
Other Key Matches:
Stephanie Vaquer, riding high from her WWE Evolution Battle Royal victory, will face a tough challenge against Alba Fyre.
The tag team division is heating up with a No. 1 Contender Fatal 4-Way Match. Fraxiom, Motor City Machine Guns, Andrade & Rey Fenix, and #DIY will battle for the chance to challenge The Wyatt Sicks for the WWE Tag Team Championship.
Jacob Fatu's return adds another layer of intrigue as he seeks to confront Solo Sikoa and the MFTs after their previous encounter.
Charlotte Flair and Raquel Rodriguez will clash in a singles match, promising more fall-out from WWE Evolution.
Additional Storylines:
Jelly Roll's chokeslam on Logan Paul on Jimmy Kimmel Live adds a personal edge to the SummerSlam build-up. It remains to be seen if Drew McIntyre will seek revenge for the attack on his tag team partner.
The severity of Seth Rollins’ knee injury, sustained against LA Knight at Saturday Night’s Main Event, raises questions about his timeline for return, with Paul Heyman potentially providing updates.
Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill appear to be on a collision course for a match at SummerSlam, with Nia Jax possibly entering the fray after Naomi's Women's World Championship win.
When and where is SmackDown?
SmackDown is on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 8 p.m. Eastern (7 p.m. Central) at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas.
How can I watch SmackDown?
You can watch it on USA Network, or stream it via FuboTV?ref=yanuki.com, DIRECTV?ref=yanuki.com, or Sling TV?ref=yanuki.com. It will also be available on Peacock?ref=yanuki.com later in the week.
What is SummerSlam?
SummerSlam is a major WWE Premium Live Event, taking place on August 2 and 3 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It will stream live exclusively on Peacock?ref=yanuki.com.
Stay tuned for a thrilling episode of SmackDown with high-stakes matches and the SummerSlam contract signing between John Cena and Cody Rhodes. Jacob Fatu's return and the Women's Tag Team division developments are also key storylines to watch.
What are your predictions for the SummerSlam contract signing? Who do you think will win the Fatal 4-Way match? Let us know in the comments below!
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