WWE Friday Night Smackdown Review. 16.5.2026.

Written By Patrick O'malley.

Superstar Arrivals.

Cody Rhodes. Truth And Priest. The MFT's. Jade Cargill and her baddies. Team Blair, and. Trick Williams, were all seen showing up to work.

Trick Williams Segment And Impromptu Match Trick Williams vs The Miz.

I have to say it. I liked this. Trick Williams with his mate Lil Yachty was in his home state, and he got a great pop upon his return. This was great to see, because it showed that the hometown hero has come home, and has done good. He spoke about his education he got from his state of North Carolina, and his love for fried chicken. However good things don't always last, because outcame The Miz and Kit Wilson. Ok I'm going to pull this apart, because yes Kit getting showed up by Lil Yachty was funny having a rap off against him, and Kit was right to insult Buckinghamshire here in the UK. I live just 10  minutes drive away from High Wycombe, and this town has been voted one of the worst towns in the UK on several occassions. What came next was an impromptu Match between The Miz, and. Kit Wilson. I had fun watching this. I get that this wasn't for everyone, but when you take a look at this Match. It was set up for a one week run, and it worked. The Miz has become that trusted hand that younger talent need, because he has an ability to be able to guide a match from the back of his palms. This was a good solid TV Match, that did its job. Trick got the win, thanks to his mate Lil Yachty battering Kit Wilson with a kendo Stick.

Sami Zayn Heel Turn.

WWE need to get their act into gear with Sami Zayns heel turn, because even Johnny Gargano is getting bored of this.

WWE Womens Tag Team Championship Match Brie And Paige vs Kiana James And Giulia.

This did nothing for me. The in ring work felt flat, and what was even more worrying is the fact that it played out to crickets. Brie And Paige retained their belts. Also am I the only person who wants to see Chelsea Green, and. Tiffany Stratton become a Tag Team.

Cody Rhodes Segment. 

If Cody's in ring career comes to a sudden end, then he's got a career in production waiting in the wings, because he took it upon himself to set up the ring for Gunther to sign the contract, and you know what, he actually did alright. He went straight to work and called out The Ring General. Both men had a great promo dual, which led to Gunther stalling when it came signing on the dotted line, so outcame Royce Keys, who threatened to take Gunthers spot. Nick Aldis then put a stop to this, and said that because Gunther has tried to lowball his hand, he will now have to face Royce Keys  in the main event, and the winner will go on to face Cody Rhodes for the WWE Undisputed Championship At Clash In Italy. This was all over the place, and it didn't get to the point quick enough, and this was a real shame, because Gunther, and. Cody have been two of my favourite things about WWE over the past year.

Carmelo Hayes vs Ricky Saints.

So far as in the way of how NXT call ups go. I do like how WWE have booked Ricky Saints , and pairing him next to Carmelo Hayes was a stroke of genius, even if we did get a dodgy film ad during the Match. On paper this looked like a good idea, and it was, because i could've watched another half'n hour of this. Carmelo got the win, proving that cheating does work kids so give it a try.

Danhausen Segment.

I don't know about you guys, but I think that Danhausen is working on something very nice, but also very evil.

Damien Priest vs Tama Tonga.

This was another flat Match from what was a flat overall broadcast. Priest got the win, and Shinsuke Nakamura then got decked in the aftermath By Talla Tonga.

Jade Cargill Segment followed by Team Blair vs Bfab And Michin.

I was baffled watching this. Jade Cargill has never found her feet on the main roster, and if i'm being honest, I think she was booked better when she was with AEW. Her scripting her felt playful, and when you're in a feud like this, that has Fatal Influence intertwining, segments like these are just not good enough. Not even the appearance of Team Blair could save this. The Match however was thrown out when Jade Cargill got involved. This was a painsakingly bad waste of time.

Gunther vs Royce Keys.

This was my highlight of the show, and given that this weeks Friday Night Smackdown has been a mixed bag, the bar has been set a bit low. This resembled the art of two big men slapping some serious meat. Gunther got the win in what was an excellent tv main event, he mouthed into the camera in the aftermath, and was then attacked by Cody Rhodes, who looked like he was getting ready to wrestle a dark match to send the fans home happy. Gunther vs Cody, now that's more like it WWE, see you can book quality if you try. Oh and one other thing Hello Solo Sikoa.

Overview Of This Weeks WWE Friday Night Smackdown.

I've got an anology when it comes to how I feel about this weeks WWE Friday Night Smackdown. When me and my brother were kids. My mum and dad would take us into our local town Princess Risborough every weekend so we could spend our pocket money. Being a child who couldn't read, and who had learning issues my mum would try to get me to look at the comics, whilst my brother would be off looking at the toys. By the end of it all she would choose my Pick'n mix, that would normally consist of sweats that I liked and loathed in equal measure. What i'm trying to say is this. This weeks WWE Friday Night Smackdown was a bit like letting someone choose your pick'n mix. Eat the sweats that you like, and leave the ones that you don't.

This weeks WWE Friday Night Smackdown is a low 5/10.