WWE SmackDown Notes: Michael Cole & Corey Graves Fills In for Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett, Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga Splits from Solo Sikoa, SmackDown Announced To Return As Two-Hour Weekly Show on 7/3, Blake Monroe Appears & Attacks Giulia

Jun 26, 2026

Michael Cole & Corey Graves Fills In for Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett for SmackDown Commentary Team

Friday’s taped WWE SmackDown show featured RAW commentators Michael Cole and Corey Graves filing in for Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett for the commentary team for the show.

Cole stated that Tessitore was away due to Zuffa Boxing duties and Barrett went to NXT to cover for Booker T for this past Tuesday’s show.

Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga Splits from Solo Sikoa

Friday’s taped WWE SmackDown show also featured Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga splitting from Solo Sikoa and his MFTs group.

Tama’s split from Sikoa was initially setup over recent months shows over Tama’s growing issues and dissent with Sikoa and his leadership of the group. During tonight’s show, Sikoa was seen backstage with Tama and Talla Tonga. Tama told Sikoa that they saw what he did on RAW to Jey Uso and how that was a problem. Tama continued stated that they are tired of being dragged into Solo’s war with Roman Reigns and how they told him to stay back last week and he didn’t listen. Talla responded talking about how Solo is now helping out LA Knight and they got word from the elders. Talla told Solo that him and Tama are out. Sikoa responded stating that they can’t leave which Tama responded saying that they just did. Tama and Talla left as Sikoa responded saying they can’t just walk away.

Talla Tonga and Tama Tonga have left The MFTs

“We got word from the elders. Me and Tama, we're out.”#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/fkm08e7HaO
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) June 27, 2026

WWE SmackDown Announced To Return As Two-Hour Weekly Show on July 3

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured SmackDown commentator Michael Cole announcing SmackDown will be returning as a weekly two-hour show on USA Network starting with next week’s show on July 3.

Michael Cole announced that #SmackDown will officially be going back to two hours starting next week, running from 8pm-10pm. pic.twitter.com/V0RAVeQsiX
— Pro Wrestling & MMA News (@PWMMANews) June 27, 2025

Blake Monroe Makes Surprise Appearance & Attacks Giulia

Friday’s taped WWE SmackDown show also featured Blake Monroe making an in-person appearance.

Following Giulia’s victory over Kiana James in a singles match, Monroe came out to interrupt Giulia’s victory celebration and attacked her laying her out with a new finishing move.