The May 15, 2026 episode of Friday Night SmackDown airs live from the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, as WWE deals with the fallout from the Backlash Premium Live Event. With Clash in Italy quickly approaching, several major storyline developments are expected throughout the night.
Cody Rhodes is scheduled to appear following the announcement that he will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against GUNTHER at Clash in Italy on May 31. The title match was revealed to be the favor Paul Heyman had been referencing, and now fans are waiting to hear Rhodes respond.
GUNTHER will also make a major decision during tonight’s broadcast. WWE confirmed that “The Ring General” will decide whether he is officially joining the SmackDown roster. If he signs the contract tonight, his Undisputed WWE Championship match against Cody Rhodes will become official.
United States Champion Trick Williams is also set for a special homecoming celebration at the University of South Carolina, where he previously played college football before becoming a WWE Superstar.
In addition, Jade Cargill will address her actions after returning last week and attacking Rhea Ripley during a six-woman tag team match involving Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, B-Fab, Michin, and Fatal Influence.
The show kicks off at 8:00 PM ET on USA Network and is available for international fans on streaming platforms like Netflix. Ringside News will provide live, match-by-match updates and highlights throughout the night. Stay tuned to this page, refresh for the latest results as the action unfolds, and join the conversation in the comments below!
Matches & Key Moments Scheduled for WWE SmackDown on May 15, 2026
- Gunther to make a decision regarding Cody Rhodes and SmackDown
- Jade Cargill scheduled to speak
- Trick Williams returns to South Carolina for a celebration
- Damian Priest vs. Tama Tonga
- Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Michin & B-Fab
- Brie Bella & Paige vs. Giulia & Kiana James
WWE SmackDown Results (5/15/26): Live Match Updates and Highlights
Your announcers are Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore. We look back at Backlash.
The show kicked off with Superstar arrivals. WWE also noted that R-Truth was not cleared to compete, so Damian Priest will now face Tama Tonga in a singles match.
Trick Williams was then shown at the nearby University of South Carolina stadium ahead of his special celebration.
WWE aired a video package looking back at Backlash before returning to the arena. Trick Williams came out with the University of South Carolina mascot, Cocky, and received a big reaction from the hometown crowd. The crowd chanted “Whoop That Trick” as the United States Champion entered the ring. Trick posed on the turnbuckle before grabbing a microphone.
Trick talked about being back in South Carolina and showed love to the university. He brought up some of his favorite memories, including Kiki’s Chicken & Waffles and his time playing football for the Gamecocks. He also mentioned his family being in attendance and the advice his mother gave him. Trick said the fans helped create the star standing in the ring.
Before he could continue, The Miz interrupted him. Miz mocked Trick’s homecoming celebration and brought up the Gingerbread Man funeral from last week, saying it looked like rejected mascots from his daughter’s birthday party. Yachty yelled at The Miz for interrupting Trick Williams. He brought up Miz and Carmelo Hayes losing at Backlash and said Miz is cursed.
Miz denied being cursed. Kit Wilson then told Trick to wake up and said they clearly did not understand what “the master” was saying. He said he would speak in a language they could understand: slam poetry.
Yachty asked if he could respond, then brought up Miz’s history by mentioning his “tiny balls.” Miz told everyone to be quiet and said they were not saying that again. He said he wanted to get out of the city and claimed that if he lived there, he would volunteer to move to Tennessee. Miz then said he would beat Trick in front of his mother. Trick had enough and punched Kit before clotheslining Miz. He then sent both Kit and Miz to the floor.
Trick Williams vs. The Miz in a Non Title Match
The match started with both men locking up before Trick Williams sent The Miz to the outside early on. Miz recovered and hung Trick across the ropes before staying on the attack with a kick off the ropes. Miz continued targeting the champion’s back, driving his knee into Trick and keeping him grounded. The crowd started chanting “tiny balls” at Miz before Trick fired back with a neckbreaker to shift momentum. Williams followed up with stomps in the corner as fans chanted “Whoop That Trick.”
Miz tried to hit the Skull Crushing Finale, but Trick blocked it and sent Miz retreating to the outside. Williams chased after him and threw Miz into the barricade before sending him back into the ring. Kit Wilson then blindsided Trick from behind to slow the champion down.Miz took advantage and connected with a dropkick before trash talking Lil Yachty as the show headed to picture-in-picture. Picture-in-picture showed The Miz staying on the attack as he placed Trick Williams near the barricade in front of his family.
Trick eventually turned things around and sent Miz back into the ring. Williams tried to build momentum, but Miz stopped him with a clothesline. Miz then mocked Trick’s family before connecting with a running boot. He also taunted Lil Yachty at ringside. That distraction gave Trick an opening to fight back and take Miz down to the mat. Both men were left down as they slowly got back to their feet heading into the commercial break return.
Back from break, Trick Williams fed off the energy from the hometown crowd and started taking over with multiple scoop slams before picking up a two count. The Miz tried to regain control in the corner, but Trick countered a Skull Crushing Finale attempt into a roll-up for a near fall. Miz quickly went back on offense afterward, but he could only manage another two count. The Miz connected with the It Kicks, but Trick Williams countered into another roll-up for a near fall. Trick kipped up, only for Kit Wilson to trip him from the outside.
Miz rolled Trick up for two before Williams answered with another near fall of his own. Miz then hit the Skull Crushing Finale and went for the cover, but Trick kicked out at two. As Miz argued with the referee, Wilson distracted the official, allowing Miz to grab a kendo stick. Before he could use it, Lil Yachty pulled it away and cracked Wilson with it instead. Miz turned back around into a Trick Shot from Williams, giving the United States Champion the win.
Winner via pinfall: Trick Williams
Trick celebrated the victory as WWE headed backstage. Carmelo Hayes appeared and said people like Sami Zayn and Trick Williams were making a mockery of the United States Championship. Hayes also mentioned fans chanting “We Want Melo” before declaring that now they’ve got him.
Ricky Saints interrupted the promo and said he never properly got a hello from Hayes. Melo responded by saying he was not trying to run for President — he just wanted his United States Championship back. Hayes then mocked Ricky Saints before Saints walked away. Melo finished things off by saying looking at Ricky was like staring into a dirty mirror as SmackDown continued.
Backstage, Nick Aldis was shown talking with Rey Fenix about having his eyes on something big. Sami Zayn then walked in and admitted he was ashamed of how things went at Backlash. He said he acted out of character and called it a wake-up call. Sami asked for another title match so he could do things the right way. Aldis reminded Sami that he already got his rematch and said if he wanted another opportunity, he would have to earn it. Sami pushed back and questioned whether everything he had done over the last several weeks, months, and years had suddenly been forgotten. He added that his loyal fans had not forgotten him.
Aldis responded by saying nobody had forgotten Sami, but added that Sami was clearly dealing with personal issues. Aldis told him to handle those issues because, from his perspective, Sami was starting to sound entitled. Rey Fenix stepped in and told Sami to calm down. Sami responded by saying he was still the same Sami Zayn and claimed everything else around him had changed.
Cathy Kelley caught up with Brie Bella and Paige backstage to ask about the growing list of challengers coming after the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Brie said it feels like they are swimming in a shark tank because everyone wants a shot at them. She also reminded everyone that they will defend the titles again on Monday. Paige added that it will not be easy for anyone to take the championships away from them. Lash Legend then interrupted and said she hopes Brie and Paige keep the titles through tonight and Monday because she wants to personally take them back at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Brie Bella and Paige vs. Kiana James and Giulia in a Non Title Match
Brie Bella and Kiana James started the match, with James backing Brie into the corner during the early exchange. Brie avoided a big boot and answered with a leg sweep. Paige tagged in and the champions briefly took control. Kiana tried to fight back, but Brie hit a bulldog before Paige followed with a knee strike for a near fall.
Giulia was then tagged in and immediately went after Paige. The champion responded with kicks after sending Giulia into the ropes. Giulia distracted the referee long enough for Kiana James to trip Paige from the outside, sending her crashing onto the apron. Giulia then took over as WWE headed to commercial break.
Back from break, Giulia placed Paige on the turnbuckle before the champion started fighting back. Paige escaped and connected with a sunset powerbomb to bring Giulia down. Kiana James tagged in and tried to stop Paige from reaching Brie Bella, but Paige managed to make the hot tag. Brie came in firing with knees to both opponents as “Brie Mode” took over. She followed up with the Yes Kicks before planting Kiana with a Bella Buster for a near fall until Giulia broke up the pin.
Giulia tagged back in and teamed with James to double-team Brie. Giulia then hit a Northern Lights Bomb, but Paige broke up the cover. Kiana avoided Paige, who then sent Giulia to the outside. Brie connected with a double knee strike for another near fall before tagging Paige back in. Paige finished things off with the RamPaige to secure the victory for her team.
Winners via pinfall: Brie Bella and Paige
Cody Rhodes is shown walking to the ring with contract in hand.
Cathy Kelley caught up with Tiffany Stratton backstage and asked where she sees herself fitting into the current state of the women’s division. Before Tiffany could fully answer, she stopped talking after noticing Giulia and Kiana James arguing nearby.
Tiffany brushed off the drama and said she was perfectly fine on her own. She also hinted that other people in the division could deal with all the numbers games and alliances if they wanted to.
Chelsea Green then walked into the conversation and started talking about the issues between Giulia and Kiana. Tiffany didn’t seem interested in getting involved, saying some people are simply oblivious before walking away.
After the backstage segment wrapped up, Cody Rhodes came out to a huge reaction from the crowd and started setting up the ring himself. Cody tossed a pair of office chairs into the ring before bringing in a table, clearly acting as the ring crew for what he called an “impromptu” contract signing.
After getting everything set up, Cody asked the Columbia crowd what they wanted to talk about. He then explained that all the formal pieces were now in place for a contract signing.
Cody revealed that the contract was for Gunther to officially join SmackDown and challenge for the WWE Championship. As soon as he said it, Gunther’s music hit and the Ring General made his way out with a microphone in hand. Gunther mocked the setup for his SmackDown contract signing and accused Cody Rhodes of turning the entire situation into something about himself. The Ring General said that despite all the preparations, Cody still found a way to steal the spotlight.
Gunther then said he only wanted one thing from Cody — professionalism. He told Cody to address him properly, show some respect, and simply say “please.” Cody Rhodes fired back by reminding Gunther that he was the one who blindsided him and convinced Paul Heyman to pull strings for a WWE Championship match that Cody believes Gunther did not earn.
Cody said Gunther was now acting like he might not even sign the contract. He joked that while he may have an American flag tattooed on his neck, Gunther was the one making the whole situation strange. Still, Cody decided to play along and sarcastically invited Gunther to the ring, telling him, “Please,” come down and sign the contract. Royce Keys then made his way out and stood next to Gunther, refusing to even look at the Ring General at first until Gunther finally turned toward him.
Keys said that if Gunther was not going to sign the contract, then he would. He entered the ring and asked for the pen, leading to a tense moment as Gunther repeatedly stopped him from signing. The two briefly fought over the pen before things escalated further.
Nick Aldis came out and addressed the situation, saying the contract process was supposed to be simple. Aldis pointed out that Gunther’s name was meant to be on the contract, but because he overplayed his hand, the championship opportunity was now up for grabs. Aldis then officially announced that Royce Keys would face Gunther later tonight, with the winner earning a WWE Championship match against Cody Rhodes in Italy. Cody Rhodes showed support for Keys and told him he was proud of him. Cody added that while they may be friends, Keys should understand that he is easy to find and hard to beat.
Backstage, Solo Sikoa spoke with Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga about the unexpected developments. Solo reminded Tama that R-Truth was not medically cleared, but Damian Priest was still walking around backstage. He instructed Tama to take care of Priest, while he and Talla planned to speak with Royce Keys. Shinsuke Nakamura then appeared and told Tama Tonga that he needed to make a decision. Before Tama could respond, Talla Tonga attacked Nakamura from behind and chokeslammed him through a table backstage.
Back from break, Gunther confronted Nick Aldis backstage and yelled about what happened with the contract situation. Aldis reminded Gunther that they already had a deal, but Gunther backed out of it. Nick told him that he does not play games, and now Gunther has to earn his WWE Championship match.
Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints
Ricky Saints started fast with punches and chops before Carmelo Hayes fired back with a pie-face. Ricky answered with a kick, but Hayes responded with an arm drag. Ricky connected with an arm drag of his own before both men missed dropkicks. Hayes then took control with punches and chops before sending Saints into the turnbuckles and chopping him again in the corner. Ricky Saints grabbed a wrist lock before heading to the top rope and hitting an Old School-style move. He followed it up with a punch, a pose for the crowd, and another chop.
Carmelo Hayes recovered and sent Ricky onto the apron. Ricky missed with a shoulder attempt through the ropes, allowing Hayes to connect with a kick and a springboard leg drop. Hayes kept the pressure on with a flip dive to the outside that nearly overshot Ricky before landing another punch on the floor. Carmelo Hayes connected with a flip dive to the outside that nearly cleared Ricky Saints before landing a punch and bringing the action back into the ring.
Ricky turned things around moments later by sending Hayes to the floor and dropping him across the apron. He followed that up with a leg drop on the apron. Back inside the ring, Hayes landed a chop, but Ricky answered with a boot from the corner for a near fall. Ricky then hit a suplex for another two count before Hayes fought back with a back elbow and a suplex of his own.
Hayes missed a clothesline, allowing Ricky to connect with one of his own for another near fall. Ricky stayed aggressive with punches and kicks before placing Hayes on the top turnbuckle. The two exchanged forearms on the ropes before Ricky tried for a superplex. Hayes countered with a gourdbuster off the turnbuckles and followed it with a frog splash, but Ricky still kicked out. Ricky Saints blocked First 48 and fired back with a punch before hitting a package powerslam. He slowed the pace down with a reverse chin lock as Carmelo Hayes tried to recover.
Hayes battled back with two superkicks. Ricky flinched on the next attempt, which allowed Hayes to fake him out before landing another superkick and a springboard clothesline. Hayes then connected with La Mistica for a near fall. He tried to follow it up with a suplex, but Ricky blocked it and landed punches in response. Hayes countered another suplex attempt into an inside cradle, but Ricky reversed it before connecting with a kick and a spinning side slam for another close near fall.
Ricky Saints tried to lift Carmelo Hayes, but Hayes collapsed to the mat before Ricky could finish the move. Ricky stayed on the attack with forearms and kicks to the back to keep Hayes down. Ricky then went for the tornado DDT, but Hayes blocked it and connected with First 48. Hayes went for the cover, but Ricky managed to kick out at two. Carmelo Hayes went to the top rope and looked for Nothin But Net, but Ricky Saints moved out of the way. Hayes rolled through the landing, only for Ricky to answer with a tornado DDT for a near fall.
Ricky then tried to hit Roshambo, but Hayes blocked it. Moments later, Ricky sent Hayes into the turnbuckles and attempted to use the ropes for leverage during a pin, but the referee caught him. Hayes quickly took advantage of the distraction and rolled Ricky up with his feet on the ropes for extra leverage to steal the win.
Winner: Carmelo Hayes
R-Truth stopped by to speak with Royce Keys backstage and thanked him for helping them recently. Truth said they were building a new clubhouse for the New Judgment Day and even offered Royce a chance to join the group. Royce did not commit to anything and simply said he would think about it.
Damian Priest then walked in and immediately questioned what was going on. Priest brought up the fact that Solo Sikoa’s crew has been attacking everyone lately, but they have not touched Royce at all. He made it clear that Royce still has not earned his trust or respect. Truth apologized to Priest for what happened last week and admitted they used him to get to Priest. Damian responded by pointing out that Truth cannot even compete tonight because of everything that happened. Priest finished by saying at least he knows Truth will be safe.
Danhausen was shown walking backstage and said the “mini-hausens” were officially on vacation. He claimed the experiment was a success and teased that it was now time for something bigger, better, and larger. Danhausen then rolled a gurney into the area and started pressing a bunch of keys on his computer, hinting that he was working on his next strange creation.
Damian Priest vs Tama Tonga
Tama Tonga attacked Damian Priest as soon as Priest entered the ring, leading the referee to immediately call for the bell. Tama stayed aggressive early with punches and a flying strike, but Priest answered back with a leaping back elbow. Tama landed a kick moments later, though Priest nearly caught him with South of Heaven before Tama escaped.
Priest fired back with punches, but Tama surprised him with a sunset flip for a near fall. Priest then knocked Tama to the floor with a kick and tried to attack from the ring steps. Tama saw it coming and cut Priest off with a clothesline off the steps to take control on the outside. Tama Tonga kept control by sending Damian Priest into the announce table before bringing the action back into the ring. He targeted the back of Priest’s head with forearms and picked up a near fall before staying on offense with punches and a knee drop.
Tama continued wearing Priest down in the corner with shoulder strikes and headbutts to the back of the head. He attempted a superplex, but Priest fought him off with forearms and forced Tama back to the mat. Tama recovered quickly and knocked Priest onto the apron before trying another superplex attempt.Priest stopped him again and landed a kick from the apron. He tried to set up Razor’s Edge, but Tama countered into a rear naked choke on Priest’s back. Priest escaped by backing Tama into the corner and snapping him over with a snapmare.
Tama answered with more forearms before blocking a kick and hitting a dragon screw. He followed it with a jumping DDT for another near fall, then slapped Priest across the head, which only fired Priest up. Priest exploded with punches before landing a flying shoulder tackle. After getting his kick blocked, Priest boxed Tama’s ears, connected with a cyclone kick, and hit a flatliner. He followed up with a jumping back elbow in the corner and a Broken Arrow for a close two count.
Priest looked for the rebound clothesline, but Tama rolled to the outside. Priest chased after him and launched Tama over the announce table with a huge pounce before tossing him back into the ring. Priest climbed to the top rope, but he slipped on the turnbuckles and crotched himself. Tama quickly took advantage and hit a swinging neckbreaker for another near fall. Tama Tonga went for a Tiger Driver, but Damian Priest blocked it and countered with a backdrop. Tama then tried to surprise Priest with a sunset flip, but Priest grabbed him and planted him with South of Heaven. Priest followed up with the rebound clothesline before hitting another South of Heaven to pick up the win.
Winner: Damian Priest
After the match, Talla Tonga stormed the ring and nailed Priest with a boot before stomping him down. Solo Sikoa then stepped in, raised his thumb in the air, and delivered the Samoan Spike. Solo, Tama Tonga, and Talla Tonga stood tall over Priest as the segment ended.
Backstage, Sami Zayn was shown talking with Johnny Gargano about what Nick Aldis said to him earlier in the night. Sami questioned whether wrestling used to be about simply going out there and performing at a high level while the fans supported you for it. Candice LeRae walked in and said the conversation was not going to fix anything. She told Johnny that she deserves a husband who is not sitting around doing nothing. Sami responded by telling Johnny that he has to block out the noise and remember who he really is. He said nobody should be allowed to take that away from him.
Back from break, Jade Cargill came to the ring with B-Fab and Michin. The three made their way to the ring together as the crowd reacted. Jade Cargill said everyone likes to act tough when she is not in the building, but things get quiet once her music hits. She brought up Rhea Ripley finding that out last week and warned everyone about what is coming next. Jade then turned her attention to Clash in Italy and said she plans on breaking champions. She promised that the championship is coming home with her before starting to say that everyone already knows she is “that” woman in the division.
Before Jade could finish, Charlotte Flair’s music interrupted her. Charlotte then made her way out alongside Alexa Bliss. Charlotte Flair interrupted Jade Cargill and immediately said the crowd did not want to hear Jade talk anymore. Alexa Bliss followed that up by declaring the arena was now “Flair Country” before Charlotte let out a loud “Woo.”
Charlotte told Jade they have been doing this dance for years, but now Jade has finally made things personal. She then challenged Jade by saying it was time to play. Jade fired back by calling Charlotte and Alexa “backup dancers” before asking where Rhea Ripley was. Alexa laughed at the comment and questioned whether B-Fab and Michin were only there to make Jade look better.
Charlotte then accused Jade of having others do her dirty work and suggested they stop talking and have the match right now. She told Jade to pay attention and take notes. Jade closed the exchange by saying Charlotte and Alexa better entertain her because she was already getting bored with them.
Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair vs. B-Fab and Michin
Charlotte Flair and Michin started the match, with Charlotte taking early control using a waist-lock takedown. Michin got to the ropes and briefly rolled to the floor before Flair pulled her right back down with another takedown.
Michin tried to fight back with a back elbow and escaped a belly-to-back suplex attempt before clipping Flair and landing a Pele Kick. She followed with strikes in the corner, but Charlotte answered with chops after sending Michin into the turnbuckles herself. Michin escaped a fallaway slam and took Flair down before connecting with slaps, a headscissors takedown, and a round kick. Flair avoided a dropkick and trapped Michin in a figure-four headscissors, rolling her around the ring.
Alexa Bliss and B-Fab then tagged in. Alexa quickly took over with a drop toe hold, kicks, and a dropkick before driving double knees into B-Fab against the ropes. Alexa followed with a double knee drop, but she missed a flip senton after Michin distracted her from the apron. B-Fab capitalized with a clothesline and punches before nearly scoring a win with an elevated flatliner. Michin tagged back in and teamed with B-Fab for a double suplex that nearly finished Alexa Bliss. Michin stayed aggressive afterward, choking Alexa against the ropes while B-Fab added extra pressure from the outside.
Michin continued controlling the match with kicks and corner offense before tossing Alexa across the ring by her hair multiple times. Alexa tried to fight back with punches, but Michin quickly shut her down and drove her face-first into the mat for another near fall.
Michin locked in a bow-and-arrow submission, but Alexa escaped. B-Fab and Michin continued making quick tags while taking turns kicking Alexa down in the corner. Michin later slowed things down with a bear hug, though Alexa managed to counter with a sunset flip for a two count.
Michin then knocked Charlotte Flair off the apron with a forearm before she and B-Fab hit some double-team offense on Alexa while the referee was distracted. Alexa finally escaped a slam attempt and connected with a tornado DDT to create an opening.
Charlotte and B-Fab both tagged in, and Flair exploded into the match with a top-rope crossbody. Charlotte followed up with chops to both Michin and B-Fab before dropping B-Fab with a clothesline. Charlotte Flair started taking over with a fallaway slam on B-Fab before hitting another one on Michin. Charlotte then went to the top rope, but Jade Cargill got on the apron and distracted her long enough for B-Fab to pull her down.
B-Fab connected with a boot before Michin tagged in and landed a missile dropkick. Michin and B-Fab followed with kicks to Flair and nearly picked up the win after a close near fall. Michin dropped Charlotte across the middle rope and B-Fab followed with a roll-up for another two count. Charlotte finally fought back by locking in the Figure Four Leglock, forcing Michin to miss an elbow drop before sending her to the floor.
B-Fab grabbed Charlotte from behind, but Flair escaped and Alexa Bliss tagged herself in. Charlotte then hit a Flair Flip and knocked Michin down with a boot while Alexa connected with Sister Abigail. Before Alexa could finish things, Jade Cargill pulled her out of the ring and attacked her, causing the disqualification.
Winners: Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair by disqualification
After the match, Jade threw Alexa into the ringside barricade. Charlotte responded by sending Michin over the announce table before taking out B-Fab as well. Charlotte then checked on Alexa after briefly yelling toward Jade.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Fatal Influence about their recent dominance. Fallon Henley said you are either the predator or the prey, and claimed their group is now on top of the division.
WWE then headed to commercial break.
Back from break, Charlotte Flair talked about trying to work with Rhea Ripley last week and questioned where Rhea was now. Alexa Bliss told Charlotte they could use some help, but Flair quickly asked if she looked like someone who needs help. Alexa responded by saying maybe Charlotte does not, but Rhea still owes them.
WWE then showed a replay of what happened between Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu on RAW.
Backstage, Solo Sikoa spoke with Royce Keys before his match against Gunther. Solo told Royce he could help him beat Gunther and become champion, while also warning him not to listen to Jacob Fatu.
Solo said they could run SmackDown together and warned Royce that he would hate to see what happened to Shinsuke Nakamura happen to him too. Royce told Solo he had it handled before Solo walked away.
Gunther vs. Royce Keys in a Number One Contender Match
Gunther and Royce Keys locked up to start the match before backing into the corner. Gunther pie-faced Royce, which led to Keys firing back with a forearm that sent Gunther to the floor. Gunther got back into the ring but quickly rolled outside again to slow things down. Once he returned, Gunther landed a kick and locked in a side headlock before trying a shoulder tackle that barely moved Keys.
Gunther followed with a chop and another side headlock, but Keys refused to stay down. After another shoulder tackle attempt failed to move him, Keys bounced off the ropes and finally knocked Gunther to the mat.
Gunther answered with several hard chops, but Keys blocked one and fired back with forearms and jabs. Gunther landed a boot, though Keys recovered and slammed him down with a running powerslam for a near fall. Gunther rolled back out to the floor to regroup after the close call. Royce Keys stayed on the attack by whipping Gunther hard into the ringside barricade. He repeated it a second time before landing a punch right to Gunther’s forehead. Keys kept the pressure on and then sent Gunther crashing over the announce table at ringside. Royce Keys broke the referee’s count on the outside, but Gunther quickly turned things around by reversing an Irish whip and sending Keys into the ring steps.
Back inside the ring, Gunther targeted Keys’ arm with kicks and a knee drop before locking in a double wrist lock. Keys tried to power out by slamming Gunther, but Gunther released the hold and posed confidently in the ring.
Gunther kept attacking the arm and followed with several short-arm clotheslines, but Keys refused to go down. Keys finally answered with a clothesline of his own to stop Gunther’s momentum. Gunther came right back with a chop and tried to hit a suplex, but Keys blocked it. Keys then attempted a suplex himself, but Gunther countered before landing another chop. Keys eventually powered through and connected with a suplex.
Royce Keys fired back with forearms, but Gunther cut him off with knees near the ropes before landing another hard chop for a near fall. Gunther sent Keys to the floor and followed him outside, where he connected with a kick to the head from the apron. Keys caught Gunther’s next kick attempt and grabbed him before repeatedly slamming Gunther onto the announce table three times in a row.
Keys rolled Gunther back into the ring, but Gunther answered with a boot to the head. Gunther then missed a Yakuza Kick in the corner, allowing Keys to respond with a splash and an Irish whip. Gunther exploded out of the corner with a clothesline before heading to the top rope. Keys stopped him and connected with a huge superplex, leaving both men down in the ring.
Keys nearly won the match after getting a close near fall. He followed with short-arm clotheslines, but Gunther refused to go down. Gunther then ducked another clothesline attempt and locked in a sleeper hold. He dragged Keys down to the mat and kept the hold applied as Solo Sikoa appeared at ringside. Royce Keys fought his way back to his feet as Gunther tried for a powerbomb, but Keys countered with a back body drop. The two traded clothesline attempts while bouncing off the ropes before Keys finally connected with a flying clothesline.
Keys kept the momentum going with several short-arm clotheslines before taking Gunther down for another near fall. He followed with a splash in the corner, an Irish whip, and another splash as Gunther struggled to recover. Gunther locked the sleeper hold back in, but Keys escaped with elbows. Gunther answered with a chop before Keys leveled him with a shoulder tackle that accidentally knocked the referee down.
Solo Sikoa then slid a chair into the ring and handed it to Keys. Instead of using it on Gunther, Keys smashed Solo with the chair. The distraction allowed Gunther to recover and blast Keys with a forearm to the back of the head. Gunther followed with a clothesline and a powerbomb to score the win.
Winner: Gunther
After the match, Gunther grabbed a cameraman and had a few words for Cody Rhodes while celebrating his win. Before Gunther could say much more, Cody suddenly attacked him from behind and planted him with CrossRhodes to close the show. SmackDown then went off the air.
