Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for June 12, 2026

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis meets with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. Aldis says he has not heard from Gunther yet, but he is assured they will hear from him tonight. Cody hopes that they have a good show tonight. Cody then runs into The Usos (Jimmy and "Main Event" Jey Uso) and fist bumps them, then Jey says that tonight is his King of the Ring match, and he will win tonight, win the tournament and face him for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Cody hopes Jey is right, as Jey deserves to chase his title, but he hopes it is his decision and not Roman Reigns'.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Jade Cargill. Cargill says she has built a career off of pressure and has nothing to worry about, and "Michin" Mia Yim and B-Fab are certain that Cargill will win tonight. Cargill tells Rhea Ripley that she will get her lick back, and that she will see her at SummerSlam.

Charlotte Flair beats Lyra Valkyria, Sol Ruca and Jade Cargill by submission with a Figure Eight to Lyra to advance in the Queen of the Ring Tournament. During the match, Alexa Bliss and Tiffany Stratton show up to fight "Michin" Mia Yim when they get involved in the match, and this leads to a brawl that makes its way to the back.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Tiffany Stratton. Tiffany says that Jade Cargill should not be champion, and when "Michin" Mia Yim and B-Fab confront Tiffany, Chelsea Green comes to the rescue with a shinai.

Backstage, Jacob Fatu meets with The Usos (Jimmy and "Main Event" Jey Uso). Jacob Fatu says he is here for Solo Sikoa, and Jimmy says he is here to ensure nobody stops Jey. Solo says that they have their business and that he has his.

We see footage of Carmelo Hayes with the New England Patriots, who are seen in the front row.

We hear from Blake Monroe, who admires Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss as she writes in her diary, then says they have deluded themselves into thinking they are stronger together only to become weak and soft. She says that stars shine brighter alone before stating that she is coming soon to SmackDown.

Gunther meets with General Manager Nick Aldis backstage. Gunther says that he will be picking the referee for his match with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship, then says that he will know who the referee is by the end of the night.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Finn Balor, who is excited to be on SmackDown. He says that he has old friends and old foes and that his past is not erased by being here, then he is met by R-Truth, who declares that The Judgment Day is back together. Damian Priest shows up, and he and Finn are not exactly happy to see each other. Finn leaves for his match, and Priest says that all they need are each other and that they will still be champions after their match with The MFT's (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Talla Tonga).

Tiffany Stratton and Chelesa Green vs. "Michin" Mia Yim and B-Fab is official for later tonight.

Brie Bella and Paige beat Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid) after Brie reverses Fallon's inside cradle on Paige behind the referee's back as the referee ejects Jacy Jayne for pulling Fallon Henley out of a submission hold from the outside of the ring.

Backstage, Sami Zayn is talking to Johnny Gargano again while Candice LeRae is on her phone. Sami takes Candice's advice to Gargano to "get up and do something about it" as advice for himself, and Sami then leaves to look for General Manager Nick Aldis.

Backstage, Los Garza (Angel and Berto) meets with Danhausen, asking him to re-curse the New York Knicks. They then hand him a bag of human money, then leave as Matt Cardona shows up. After Matt Cardona hands Danhausen his watch and a ring to keep the New York Knicks uncursed, Kit Wilson shows up with an electrified Miz, and Danhausen's like for a Frankenstein's Monster-like Miz causes Kit Wilson to swing a metal rod at Danhausen only to miss and hit a wire, which in turn electrifies Kit Wilson.

Sami Zayn heads to the ring. Sami says that the "ride or dies" showed up in full force for him in Europe compared to Providence, Rhode Island, and says the fans can either sit there with a sour look on their faces and boo him or ride and die with "the last real good guy." Sami then says that something has been brewing for months and months, and that it needs to come to an end. He says that he needs to clear the air, and asks that "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes come to the ring. Cody comes to the ring, and Sami says they have had months' worth of misunderstandings where he helps Cody and ends up paying for it while Cody stands all, and wants to know if this is in an accident. Cody says that he cannot just turn this off and that they should not be in the ring this way. As Cody mentions WrestleMania 40, Sami says he was and still is happy for him, but mentions that Cody has lost past friends and wants to if it is them of if it is Cody. Cody says that he could not be honest with them like he can be honest with Sami, then tells Cody that the fans hate him and tell him that he sucks because he whines and cries and has become desperate. He says that the Undipusted WWE Championship is the only thing between them, then apologizes for holding the championship and that it means he never will. Sami slaps Cody, then starts apologizing. Cody slaps Sami back. Sami slowly leaves the ring, then comes back with a chair. Sami stands on the apron with the chair, then tosses it to the side and leaves.

Backstage, Jacob Fatu confronts Solo Sikoa with a message from Roman Reigns. He says it has been way too long and long enough, and that Roman needs him to come home. Solo says that is not home and that Jacob is Roman's lap dog, then wants to know what happened to Jacob. He says that Jacob used to be a killer that everyone was afraid of and was so close to beating Roman. Solo says Roman has done nothing but embarrass and humiliate him, which is not how someone treats somebody they love. Solo then tells Jacob to tell Roman that he can go to Hell. Jacob says he knows where Solo is coming from, but he has made his decision and he will stand on business, and if Roman sends him for him, he will come for him. Solo tells Jacob to tell Roman that if he wants him to come home, then he can come and get him.

Rey Fenix retains the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship against Axiom.

Backstage, Gunther meets with General Manager Nick Aldis, stating that he has made a decision. He says that he needs somebody with experience as well as their heart in the right place. He says he needs a good guy - the last real good guy - and says Sami Zayn will be the referee for next week's WWE Championship match.

Trick Williams and Lil Yachty show up at the arena.

Trick Williams and Lil Yachty head to the ring. Trick Williams is not happy that he lost in the King of the Ring Tournament, then says that it woke up something in him and lit a fire that he has not felt in a long time. Trick says he wants to step his game up and bring SmackDown to new heights. He says that he is the king of the new school and that he is still the United States Champion. All of a sudden, Ricky Saints shows up. As Saints makes his way to the ring, however, Carmelo Hayes shows up and shoves Saints out of his way to the ring. Saints beats Carmelo to the ring as Carmelo tells Trick to make up his mind, and Saints says that he beat Carmelo as Carmelo wants Trick to defend his title. Both men start arguing, and Trick tells them to battle it out so he can defend the title against the winner. As Trick leaves, Saints shoves Carmelo into Trick, and that leads to a brawl between Carmelo and Saints. Trick gets back into the ring and sends Carmelo into the ring post, then hits the Book End on Saints.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Royce Keys. All of a sudden, Solo Sikoa shows up and tells him that The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, "Main Event" Jey Uso, Jacob Fatu) is here to ensure Jey Uso wins tonight, and that Jacob Fatu is there to help him. He tells Royce that he does not have to fight with him, but he does not want Royce to be a casualty in Roman Reigns' war.

"Michin" Mia Yim and B-Fab beat Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green after Jade Cargill pulls Tiffany Stratton off the ring apron before Chelsea Green can tag her in, which allows Michin to hit Chelsea with Styles Clash for the win. After the match, Jade Cargill gets in the ring, and Tiffany Stratton ends up being the victim of a three-on-one beatdown.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Kiana James. Kiana says she did everything for Giulia and that Giulia needed her, and the one time she asks her for help, she is useful. Giulia says she needed help with English and with contract, but Kiana says she did not need her for anything. Giulia says Kiana used her momentum, but Kiana says she eclisped her. Giulia says her English is better now, then slaps Kiana in the face.

Backstage, Tama Tonga welcomes Finn Balor to SmackDown, and he is also not happy to see Finn.

Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis meets with "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. Cody says that Sami Zayn is an emotional wreck and all over the place before Sami suddenly shows up. Sami uses Cody's words against him before sarcastically wishing him good luck next week.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews LA Knight. Knight says that he saw it coming and that Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu are going to ensure Jey Uso wins tonight and are also trying to get Solo Sikoa back in the fold. He then says he will not make any promises, but if he can defy the odds, he will win the tournament and stomp Roman Reigns out.

"Main Event" Jey Uso beats Royce Keys, LA Knight and Finn Balor to advance in the King of the Ring Tournament after Royce hits Knight with a spinebuster only for Jey Uso to hit a top rope splash and pin Royce for the win. During the match, Solo Sikoa shows up to watch from ringside, and LA Knight ends up booting Royce Keys into him near the end of the match.

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!