Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for July 3, 2026

Sami Zayn heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Sami says it seems a lot of people came to ride or die with "the last real good guy," then thanks the fans for their support before finding it hilarious that the people who were previously booing him once wanted him to be world champion. He says he could be petty and tell those who gave up on him to kiss his ass, but he will not, because he is a good guy and he never changed. He says that he did not become selfish to win the WWE Undisputed Championship and that he won it his way and the right way. He also says that he could tell those who said he could never win the big one to kiss his ass, but he will not, because this is a celebration and he will forever go down as one of the all-time greats, a WrestleMania main eventer and a Grand Slam champion. As Sami states that nobody can take this away from him, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes suddenly shows up and heads to the ring. Sami asks Cody what he wants to talk about. Cody says that Sami was the first to celebrate with him when he won his first WWE Championship, and that he is here to return the favor before he shakes his hand. Cody is about to leave when Sami asks him to stay and just be himself for a moment, as he has something that Cody once had and will want again, and asks Cody why he is really out here when "Main Event" Jey Uso shows up. Jey Uso and Sami Zayn do their old friendship handshake before Jey tells Sami that he is proud of him and that he deserves it, but tells him that he wants to bring the gold back to the family and that it is just business. Cody asks what year it is and asks when Jey was reduced to running errands for Roman Reigns, and Sami Zayn says that as far as he is concerned, the WWE Championship is still in the family and that it is not going anywhere. He tells Jey and Cody to stay away from him. Raw General Manager Adam Pearce shows up as Sami Zayn leaves, and says that as his first order of business taking over for Nick Aldis is to find a new challenger for Sami. Sami wants some say on his SummerSlam opponent, but Pearce says his new challenger will face him next week on Raw and it will be whoever wins between Jey and Cody tonight.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Charlotte Flair, who says that Jade Cargill got what she deserved and that she will keep teaching Cargill lessons until she gets the picture. Alexa Bliss shows up wishing that Charlotte told her she was at Night of Champions. As Alexa and Charlotte argue, Tiffany Stratton shows up and says she did not need her help, but thanks her. Chelsea Green shows up and says Jade Cargill should be worried about them, then Charlotte says "You're welcome" to Tiffany.

Jade Cargill, "Michin" Mia Yim and B-Fab beat Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green and Charlotte Flair in a six-woman tag match.

Backstage, General Manager Adam Pearce ends an angry phone call with Nick Aldis when Sami Zayn shows up. Pearce says he has given him a great opportunity to show he is a great champion on a great show, then runs off. Sami almost smacks another water bottle, then smacks it anyway when he sees Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae and tells Gargano that he won the big one and could not have done it without him. Sami says that one must stay true to themselves to win championship gold, then has Candice take a picture of him with Gargano.

Rey Fenix retains the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship against El Hijo del Vikingo.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Giulia. Giulia says she does not back down from any fight, and if Blake Monroe stops being a coward, she will fight her anytime and anywhere. Kiana James shows up and says that Giulia is the kind of person to bite the hand that feeds her and that Giulia got lucky. Suddenly, Giulia is attacked from behind by Blake Monroe, and when Kiana mouths off at Giulia, Blake Monroe attacks her, too.

Backstage, Jimmy Uso is talking to Jacob Fatu when Royce Keys shows up. Jimmy wants to know where Solo Sikoa is on family business, and Royce says that blood does not make one family and that he has been loyal to Jacob for fourteen years, which makes him his family. Jimmy says "Not no more. Right, Jacob?" Jimmy leaves, and Jacob follows suit.

Trick Williams and Lil Yachty head to the ring. Before Lil Yachty can speak, Carmelo Hayes suddenly appears and makes his way to the ring. Carmelo says that Trick got the job done and that they have no choice but to run it back for the WWE United States Championship, then gives credit where credit is due to Trick Williams and says Trick is only unstoppable because he has not chosen to stop him. He says that Trick has changed the WWE United States Championship from a title to an accessory and that he can just buy him a replica title from WWEShop, then says the United States title is the workhorse title for those who are starving, and Trick looks like he has had too much to eat. As Carmelo tells Trick to put the title up against someone he knows best, saying that Trick has "two left feet and a mouth full of marbles" when in the ring with him, then Lil Yachty interrupts and tells Carmelo he has his match next week. He then says the match is not for the title, as Carmelo has had his chance and Trick needs to get his reps in, and that when Trick wins, Carmelo will have no more excuses as to why he cannot get the job done. Trick acknowledges that given their history, he knows Carmelo like the back of his hand, then turns around and backhands Carmelo before leaving with Lil Yachty. Carmelo responds with a dive over the top rope that takes out Trick. Trick has to stop Lil Yachty from retaliating.

Backstage, Danhausen has Kit Wilson and The Miz in his lab when Matt Cardona shows up. Danhausen mentions that he has a match with JD McDonagh on Saturday Night's Main Event, then says he has back-up local to New York City for the match. Dahausen then has Cardona twist a knob on a machine, which smokes when Cardona does so, and Danhausen thinks The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Roxanne Perez, JD McDonagh, "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio) sabotaged his equipment before leaving while Miz and Kit get shocked.

Lainey Reid beats Brie Bella after Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley get involved on the outside.

Backstage, Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom), R-Truth and Damian Priest have a hot dog eating contest, which R-Truth wins. Fraxiom leaves, the The War Raiders (Ivar and Erik) show up and Ivar eats the hot dog while Erik asks if they will accept their challenges with both of their tag team titles on the line. R-Truth accepts their challenge to a winner takes all match, as does Priest, and Priest says it will happen on SmackDown.

Backstage, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes is met by Finn Balor. Cody welcomes Finn to SmackDown, and Finn says he has wanted to face him. He hoped that it would be for the title, however, and tells Cody to get the WWE Championship back. Cody leaves, then Tama Tonga shows up and says that he has thought about what Finn told him. Talla Tonga shows up from behind and attacks Finn, then Tama says he is closing the books from everything in his past and that Finn is next.

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes beats "Main Event" Jey Uso to become #1 contender for the Undisputed WWE Championship next week on Raw after hitting Cross Rhodes following a sleeper hold attempt by Jey Uso in the corner.

Here are the highlights for tonight's show!