WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - July 3rd, 2026

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Sami Zayn returns to SmackDown the new Undisputed WWE Champion

New Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn returns to SmackDown after miraculously winning the title in a Triple Threat Match against Cody Rhodes and Gunther at Night of Champions. How will the new champ celebrate his victory?


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— The show kicks off with a video recapping the Undisputed WWE Championship Triple Threat Match between Cody Rhodes, GUNTHER, and Sami Zayn.

— Michael Cole and Corey Graves greet audiences at home as Zayn makes his way to the ring.

Zayn says it seems like a lot of folks came to ride or die with "The Last Real Good Guy". He says the overwhelming love he's gotten the last few days has touched him, but says he finds that reaction funny because he's been booed by the fans over the last several weeks. He says the people booing were the ones who wanted to see him as a World Champion and turned their backs on him, then says he could be petty but he won't because he's a good guy.

Zayn says he's holding the Undisputed WWE Championship because he never changed like people wanted him, then says people told him that he had to be cutthroat as a World Champion. He says he won the Undisputed WWE Championship his way and says the fans are celebrating the new Undisputed WWE Championship. He says he forever goes down as one of the all time greats and will be known as a WrestleMania main eventer, WWE Grand Slam Champion, and a World Champion. He says no amount of booing or hate can take that from him.

Cody Rhodes' music hits and he makes his way out. Zayn asks Rhodes what he wants to talk about, and Rhodes says it's very simple. He says Zayn reminded him that he was the first person to come to the ring and celebrate him winning the Undisputed WWE Champion, then says he wanted to be the first person to congratulate Zayn as a means of returning the favor. He extends his hand out to Zayn, and Zayn shakes it.

Rhodes looks to leave the ring, but Zayn stops him and asks him if that's it. He tells Rhodes to drop the act and says they both know Rhodes is in the ring for another reason, then says he has something Rhodes wants and is addicted to. He asks Rhodes to be honest with him about why he's in the ring.

Before Rhodes can answer, Jey Uso's music hits and he makes his way out. He says he's proud of Zayn and says he deserves the Undisputed WWE Championship, but says Zayn knows why he's in the ring. He puts Zayn on notice and says he needs to bring the Undisputed WWE Championship back to his family, but Rhodes asks Jey what year this is and asks when he reverted back to running errands for Roman Reigns. He says Rhodes and Zayn were just talking about Rhodes' rematch for the Undisputed WWE Championship, but Zayn says they aren't doing this. He says Rhodes and Jey have both had their chances as World Champions and it's now his time, then repeats Rhodes' words back to him: as long as he has this, it isn't his. He tells Jey that the Undisputed WWE Championship is still in the family as far as he's concerned and says no one is touching his title, then warns Rhodes and Jey by telling them to stay away from him.

Acting SmackDown General Manager Adam Pearce appears at ringside in light of Nick Aldis' suspension for getting into a backstage verbal confrontation with GUNTHER at Night of Champions. He says his first order of business is finding Zayn's first challenger, but Zayn asks if he has any say in who he defends his Undisputed WWE Championship at WWE SummerSlam. Pearce says he said nothing about SummerSlam, then says Zayn will be defending his Undisputed WWE Championship on Monday's episode of Raw. He says Zayn's challenger on Monday will be determined in a Number One Contenders Match between Rhodes and Jey later tonight.

— Back from a commercial break, Charlotte Flair, Chelsea Green, and Tiffany Stratton make their way to the ring. Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab follow.

Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab vs. Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green, and Charlotte Flair

Cargill and Stratton begin the action. The bell rings and the two lock up. Cargill sends Stratton crashing into the mat, but Stratton rocks Cargill with a dropkick. Michin tags in, but Stratton sends her crashing into the ropes and sets up for a cartwheel Alabama Slam on her. Michin intercepts Stratton and sends her crashing into the top turnbuckle face first, then tags in B-Fab.

B-Fab delivers a suplex to Stratton and pins her, but Stratton kicks out and tags out to Flair. Flair delivers a splash to B-Fab off the top rope, then sends Cargill crashing off the ring apron with a big boot and delivers a Fallaway Slam to B-Fab. She kips up and fires off chops on B-Fab, then delivers a cannonball off the ring apron to level Michin. Cargill runs over Flair with a clothesline on the outside.

Back from the break, Michin and B-Fab whip Flair into the ropes. Cargill delivers an uppercut to Flair and delivers a Fallaway Slam to her, then looks to land a splash on her in the corner. Flair moves out of the way to send Cargill crashing into the corner, but B-Fab tags in and prevents Flair from tagging out. She knocks Stratton off the ring apron, but Michin and Green tag in.

Green knocks Cargill off the ring apron and sends Michin crashing into the mat spine first, then delivers an open palm strike and an enzuigiri to her. Everyone else gets into the ring and takes one another out, but Green dumps Cargill out of the ring. Michin rolls up Green, but Green kicks out and delivers a hurricanrana to Michin off the top rope.

Cargill tags in and looks to land a pump kick on Green, but Green moves out of the way and sets up for Unprettier, Cargill avoids it and looks to land Jaded on Green, but Green counters into a roll up. Cargill kicks out, but B-Fab hops up on the apron to distract Green. Green takes her out with a forearm, opening the door for Cargill to catch Green with Jaded for the win.

Winners: Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab

— We then head backstage, where Adam Pearce yells at Nick Aldis over the phone. Sami Zayn approaches Pearce asking why he's defending the Undisputed WWE Championship on "Raw", and Pearce tells Zayn that he's given Zayn a great opportunity to show off his greatness in a new city. Zayn becomes frustrated and finds a nearby Johnny Gargano laying on a roadcase as Candice LeRae stands by. Zayn tells Gargano he didn't know if he would win the Undisputed WWE Championship from him and says Gargano has been his rock. He says the proof is in the Undisputed WWE Championship belt and says he's glad LeRae is there, then asks her to take a picture of him and Gargano.

— Back at ringside, Rey Fenix makes his way out. El Hijo del Vikingo follows.

:aaacruiser:

AAA World Cruiserweight Championship Match: Rey Fenix (c) vs. El Hijo del Vikingo

The bell rings and Fenix offers his hand to Vikingo. Vikingo rolls up Fenix, but Fenix kicks out and Vikingo delivers a hurricanrana to him. Vikingo rocks Fenix with a kick to his head, but Fenix delivers a splash to Vikingo off the top rope and goes for a pin. Vikingo kicks out, but Fenix delivers a springboard cutter to him and looks to fly out of the ring to take out Vikingo. Vikingo traps Fenix in the ring skirt and lands a dropkick on him through the middle rope, then connects with a springboard asai moonsault to take out Fenix on the outside.

Back from the break, Vikingo whips Fenix into the corner. Fenix responds by landing a kick on Vikingo off the top rope, then ascends back up to the top and delivers a Frog Splash to Vikingo. He goes for a pin, but Vikingo kicks out and rocks Fenix with an enzuigiri in the corner. He delivers a meteora to Fenix in the corner and ascends to the top, then connects with a hurricanrana on Fenix and goes for a pin. Fenix kicks out.

Fenix and Vikingo teeter on the ropes, but Vikingo lands a reverse hurricanrana on Fenix and pins him. Fenix kicks out, but Vikingo ascends back up to the top and looks to land a 450 Splash on Fenix. Fenix moves out of the way and lands a pair of knees on Vikingo in the corner, then follows it up with a Mexican Muscle Buster for the win.

Winner and STILL AAA World Cruiserweight Champion: Rey Fenix

— We head backstage, where Cathy Kelley looks to catch up with Giulia about Blake Monroe attacking her last Friday after her win against Kiana James. Giulia says she doesn't back down from a fight and will fight Monroe anywhere, but James comes across Giulia and Kelley and says it's just like Giulia to bite the hand that feeds her. Monroe attacks Giulia from behind and sends her crashing into a roadcase, with James telling Giulia she's the one in control here. Monroe then sends James crashing into a road case face first.

— We then head elsewhere and see Royce Keys confront Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso about Roman Reigns. Jimmy says Reigns sent himself and Fatu to find Solo Sikoa, but Keys says blood doesn't make family. He says loyalty makes family and tells Fatu he's been loyal to him over the last fourteen years, then tells Fatu that as far as he's concerned, he's Fatu's family. Jimmy intervenes and says Keys isn't Fatu's family anymore.

— Back at ringside, Trick Williams and Lil Yachty make their way out.

Before Williams or Yachty can speak, Carmelo Hayes' music hits and he makes his way out. Hayes says himself and Williams have no other choice but to run it back for the United States Championship after Ricky Saints was unsuccessful in dethroning him.

Williams doesn't answer Hayes, and Hayes admits he expected that. He says before he has to go where he has to go, he gives Williams his flowers for being larger than life in everything he does. He says Williams is unstoppable because he hasn't decided to stop him, then says he made the United States Championship a championship while Williams has made it an accessory. He says if Williams and Yachty want an accessory, he has a WWE Shop discount and says the United States Championship is for guys that are hungry unlike Williams who has had lots to eat. He tells Williams to prove him wrong and dares him to put the United States Championship on the line against someone who knows him better than anyone else.

Yachty asks Hayes who he thinks he's talking to, then says Williams has been nothing short of greatness since arriving on the main roster. He says he knows Hayes wants a United States Championship match and asks the live crowd if Hayes should receive a title match, and the crowd cheers. Yachty says Hayes has a match against Williams next week, but in a non-title match because titles are earned. He says when things get tricky next week, Hayes will have no more excuses as to why he can't get the job done.

Williams says with all the history he has with Hayes, he knows Hayes like the back of his hand. He blindsides Hayes with a strike and leaves the ring with Yachty, but Hayes flies over the top rope to take out Williams on the outside. He dares Yachty to come at him, but Williams gets Yachty to back down before anything else can happen.

— We to Danhausen's laboratory, with Matt Cardona finds Danhausen as he continues his experiments on Kit Wilson and The Miz. Danhausen reveals that he'll be wrestling JD McDonagh at WWE Saturday Night's Main Event on July 18 and says he already has backup with Cardona offers him backup on July 18. Danhausen invites Cardona to twist a knob, but things go awry when Wilson and The Miz begin convulsing and Danhausen makes a quick escape.

— Back at ringside, Brie Bella and Paige make their way out. Fatal Influence follows. We go to a break.

Lainey Reid (w/ Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley) vs. Brie Bella (w/ Paige)

The bell rings and Brie delivers a DDT to Reid. She goes for a pin, but Reid kicks out and sends Brie crashing into the middle rope face first. She delivers a back suplex to Brie and mocks her by doing Brie's signature yes chants, but Brie sends Reid crashing into the top turnbuckle left shoulder first. Reid returns the favor by sending Brie crashing into the corner and fires off a shoulder on her midsection, then sits Brie on the top rope and joins her up there.

Brie fights off Reid and delivers a dropkick to her, then fires off the Yes Kicks on her and executes a hair whip on her. She cinches in a crossface on Reid, but Henley pushes the bottom rope closer to Reid as a means of helping her out. Paige pulls Henley off the ring apron and levels Jayne on the outside, but Henley takes out Paige with a forearm. Brie whips Henley into the floor, but Reid is waiting in the ring with a knee strike on her for the win.

Winner: Lainey Reid

— We head backstage, where Finn Balor tells Cody Rhodes to go win back the Undisputed WWE Championship starting with tonight. Rhodes thanks Balor and leaves, but Tama Tonga finds Balor and tells him that he went to the elders for guidance on what to do next. Talla Tonga blindsides Balor from behind and Tama tells Balor that he's closing the books on everything from his past starting with Balor.

— Back at ringside, Jey Uso makes his way out. Rhodes follows.

Undisputed WWE Championship Number One Contenders Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Jey Uso

The bell rings and the two lock up. Rhodes sets up for Cross-Rhodes on Jey, but Jey avoids it and Rhodes delivers a knee to Jey's midsection. Rhodes lands a right hand on Jey's head and whips Jey into the corner spine first, but Jey sends Rhodes crashing out of the ring and lands a tope suicida on him to level him on the floor.

Back from the break, Jey fires off right hands on Rhodes. Rhodes delivers his signature open palm strike to Jey, then connects with a Cody Cutter on him and goes for a pin. Jey kicks out and looks to spear Rhodes on the outside, but Rhodes sees Jey coming and sends him crashing over the announce desk. Jey trips Rhodes on top of the announce desk and looks to fly, but Rhodes catches Jey with a strike and flies off the barricade in the timekeeper's area to level Jey. Rhodes then dumps Jey back in the ring, and the two men level each other.

Back from another break, Jey delivers an Uso Splash to Rhodes off the top rope. He goes for a pin, but Rhodes kicks out and delivers a Cody Cutter to Jey. He goes for a pin of his own, but Jey kicks out and spears Rhodes. Jey pins Rhodes, but Rhodes kicks out and Jey ascends to the top rope. He looks to fly, but Rhodes rolls out of the way and lands a spear on Jey. He follows it up with a Cross-Rhodes and goes for a pin, but Jey kicks out.

Rhodes ascends to the top rope and looks to land a splash on Jey, but Jey gets his knees up and rolls up Rhodes. Rhodes kicks out and exchanges right hands with Jey before Jey wears down Rhodes with a sleeper hold. Rhodes fights Jey off by sending him crashing into the corner spine first, then lands Cross-Rhodes on him for the win.

Winner and new Number One Contender: Cody Rhodes