Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for June 5, 2026

An angry Gunther shows up from out of the crowd and destroys the Italian comentary table before clearing the English commentary table, then takes a microphone. He says that the show will not start until he gets justice for what happened at Clash in Italy, as he lost despite his foot being under the bottom rope. He also says that "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes cheated and did not beat him. As he looks into the camera and addresses Cody, Cody shows up and slowly makes his way to the ring as he always does before addressing Gunther. Cody says that Gunther is right in his claim, then says that Gunther is a twenty-year pro and is being "big mad" about how he is handling it. He then says they can have their rematch right here tonight. Suddenly, Sami Zayn shows up and greets his "ride or die fans" for giving him the respect he has been looking for. He says he wanted Cody and Gunther to handle their own business, then says he knows where Gunther is coming from. He then says that both men did him wrong and neither man seems to note that, and when Gunther tells Sami to get out of his ring so they can handle World Championship business, Sami says he might not have held a world title, yet he knows about beating Gunther for championships. Cody wants to know what side Sami is on right now, and Sami says that Cody is always blowing him off and looking towards the next threat when he should realize that the biggest threat might be him. Cody says "Is that so?" Sami tells Cody that he said he would beat Gunther and teach him a lesson, then says he beat Gunther and wants to know when Cody will teach that lesson. Gunther goes on the attack, and this time, Sami fights Gunther when he goes for a sleeper on Cody. Cody hits Sami with a tope suicida meant for Gunther, and when Cody offers to help Sami up, Sami gets up and walks away.

The Miz finds out on the phone that Kit Wilson is not here due to his four emotional support cats, then The Miz lets Kit Wilson what he is doing to foil Danhausen's plans. Danhausen shows up, and The Miz starts messing with stuff until he shocks himself. Danhausen then finds some food on the floor and eats it.

Backstage, Gunther confronts General Manager Nick Aldis. He says that instead of being treated like a gift, he is treated like he does not belong. Aldis insists Gunther has always been treated with respect, but Gunther demands Aldis fix everything or else he will be drowning in so many lawsuits his grandchildren will need a lawyer.

We are introduced to the Italian commentary team of Michele Posa and Luca Franchini.

Raquel Rodriguez beats Kiana James, Jacy Jayne and Bayley to advance in the Queen of the Ring Tournament after Jacy yanks Kiana's feet off the middle rope, costing her the win, and Kiana blames Giulia for it. After the match, Kiana rebukes and shoves Giulia away when Giulia tries to help her up, and continues to blame Giulia for the loss before stating it is over. Giulia responds by hitting her with a Lou Thesz press and punching her, then knocking her out of the ring.

Backstage, Sami Zayn smacks another water bottle, then finds Johnny Gargano planking on a road crate and tells him about what happened tonight. General Manager Nick Aldis shows up and tells Sami Zayn to stay out of "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes' and Gunther's business, but Sami says they made their business his business, but Aldis tells Sami he made it worse. Aldis then says he has no time for Sami, and Sami asks who is so important that Aldis cannot give him a minute. Chad Gable shows up, mius the El Grande Americano mask, and stares Sami down before heading into Aldis' office.

Talla Tonga beats Royce Keys after Solo Sikoa distracts the referee and Tama Tonga distracts Royce Keys. After the match, Tama and Talla continue to go on the attack on Royce Keys. R-Truth runs into the ring, but he also gets attacked. Damian Priest shows up and pulls R-Truth out of the ring. With Priest and R-Truth gone, Tama Tonga hits Royce Keys with Cutthroat.

Backstage, Raquel Rodriguez shows up as The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan, JD McDonagh, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio) talk amongst each other. They celebrate Raquel's win, then Dominik says he will win the match so that The Judgment Day will win all the gold.

We hear from Finn Balor, who says that he has proven himself time and time again in this business, and that in any night, any situation and any match, he will shine every time an opportunity falls his way. He says that he can stand toe-to-toe with the best, but he wants it all. Finn Balor is part of the SmackDown roster now, and he will make his debut in the King of the Ring Tournament next week.

Backstage, Damian Priest wants R-Truth to stop helping Royce Keys, as he doesn't know what is going on between Royce Keys and the MFT's (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Talla Tonga). The War Raiders (Ivar and Erik) shows up with the AAA World Tag Team Championships, and Erik tells R-Truth that when he is ready, they want to defend their titles against the WWE Tag Team Champions. Ivar says they are ready, but nobody is ready for war. R-Truth says he has never met either of them a day in his life and leaves.

Rhea Ripley heads to the ring. Rhea says she has put Jade Cargill behind her, and while she did not come out completely unscathed due to her banged-up knee and Jade Cargill came in with a gameplan to take her out, Cargill failed to take her out, and she is still champion. She also says she had a nice, unexpected friend help her with the numbers game, and Charlotte Flair shows up and admits that while Rhea did not asks for her help, she had her back because she respects her and had fun teaming with her. Charlotte then says that Queen of the Ring is happening for the next few weeks and that she is a competitor at heart as well as a fourteen-time champion, and that she will be standing in front of Rhea at SummerSlam, because Rhea has what she wants. Tiffany Stratton shows up, and after refusing to apologize to Charlotte, Tiffany admits that while she looks good with the Women's United States title, she wants the WWE Women's Championship. Jade Cargill, "Michin" Mia Yim and B-Fab show up, and Cargill says that Tiffany, Rhea and Charlotte look stupid together before stating that Charlotte made herself next in line for what she pulled, and tells Tiffany to stay out of her business. Cargill then tells Rhea she is coming for what is hers, and she, Michin and B-Fab head to the ring before General Manager Nick Aldis shows up. After Aldis says that Rhea is not cleared to compete, Charlotte admits that she and Tiffany do not like each other, but challenges Cargill and company to a tag match. Aldis makes the match official, and the match takes place next.

Jade Cargill and "Michin" Mia Yim beat Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, Lainey Reid) Jacy is not in the mood for an interview. As she says that she is on another level compared to the rest of the women's division, she spies Brie Bella and Paige in a photoshoot. As Brie and Paige mention Jacy's loss tonight, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid jump Brie and Paige.

Backstage, R-Truth meets with Royce Keys. Royce tells R-Truth he appreciates what R-Truth has done for him, and R-Truth says he wants to return the favor. Royce acknowledges that he and Damian Priest cannot get along, however, and says that this is something R-Truth will have to handle.

Ricky Saints beats Carmelo Hayes after grabbing the tights on a roll-up.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Trick Williams. Trick says he is only concerned with himself, but he is entertained with people fighting over what he has. He hopes to win the King of the Ring Tournament, be on the same list with some greats, and win a world championship to become a double champion again. Bron Breakker then shows up and briefly stares down Trick Williams.

Backstage, Tiffany Stratton is met by Chelsea Green, who insists on wanting to team with Tiffany. Chelsea fails to figure it out that Tiffany wants nothing to do with her, even as Chelsea wants Tiffany in her corner for her match.

We hear from Blake Monroe. Blake is impressed by Tiffany Stratton and her trise to the top, and says that looking at her is like looking in a mirror. She calls a match with her a box-office event, but Tiffany is not used to getting her hands dirty, and Tiffy Time will soon run on "Monroe minutes." Blake Monroe is coming soon to SmackDown.

Lash Legend beats Chelsea Green.

Backstage, Royce Keys is met by Solo Sikoa. Royce tells Solo to watch what he says, and Solo asks Royce why he is being so difficult. Solo says that Roman Reigns made Jacob Fatu bow down like a dog and that Damian Priest wants nothing to do with him, and he is the only family Royce has. Royce asks if he really busted his ass for this, but Solo reminds him that he is the one who made the call to bring him to WWE just like he brought Jacob, Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga to WWE. Solo says that they need to get ready for war, and tells him to stop being so difficult or else he will make things difficult.

Backstage, Axiom congratulates Rey Fenix on winning the AAA Cruiserweight Champion. As Fenix tells Nathan Frazer that he has a title shot if he wants it, Chad Gable meets with Fenix and says they had a great match, but he had it under false pretenses as El Grande Americano. He says that he was made a mockery of lucha libre when he was should have been taking on a responsibility, and asks Fenix for forgiveness. Fenix says that Gable has learned a lot and has suffered from losing his match, and while he forgives Gable, he reminds him that he is not the only person he offended.

"Dirty" Dominik Mysterio beats Damian Priest, Trick Williams and Bron Breakker to advance in the King of the Ring Tournament and face Oba Femi in the semi-finals after JD McDonagh distracts Damian Priest and Liv Morgan hits Priest with a low blow following Bron Breakker clotheslining Damina Priest through the announce table.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!