WWE SmackDown Notes: Rhea Ripley Dealing with Knee Injury, Charlotte Flair Advances in Queen of the Ring, Jey Uso Advances in King of the Ring, Gunther Reveals Sami Zayn as Special Referee Stip for Undisputed WWE Title Match at 6/19 Show, WWE U.S. Title Match Set for Night of Champions 2026, 6/19 Show Card

WWE
Jun 12, 2026

Rhea Ripley Dealing with Knee Injury

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhodes Island featured the announcement of WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley currently being out of action due a knee injury.

During the show, SmackDown commentators Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett announcing that Ripley had suffered a knee injury during her WWE Women’s title match against Jade Cargill at Clash in Italy. Barrett stated that based on how Ripley’s knee responds to treatment that will determine how long she will be out of action.

Charlotte Flair Advances in 2026 Queen of the Ring Tournament

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured one First Round match for this year’s Queen of the Ring tournament.

This match was Charlotte Flair defeating Lyra Valkyria, Sol Ruca, and Jade Cargill in a Fatal Four-way match.

As a result of her victory, Flair will be facing off against Liv Morgan in the Semifinal Round of this year’s Queen of the Ring tournament.

Jey Uso Advances in 2026 King of the Ring Tournament

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured one First Round match for this year’s King of the Ring tournament.

This match was Jey Uso defeating LA Knight, Royce Keys, and Finn Balor in a Fatal Four-way match.

As a result of his victory, Uso will be facing off against Je’Von Evans in the Semifinal Round of this year’s King of the Ring tournament.

Gunther Reveals Sami Zayn as Special Referee Stip for Undisputed WWE Title Match at June 19 Show

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured Gunther officially revealing the stipulation for his rematch against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at next week’s show on June 19th.

This new stipulation was initially setup over last week’s show following Gunther airing his grievances over the controversial ending to his match against Rhodes for the title at Clash in Italy and Rhodes agreeing with Gunther and offering him a rematch for the title and agreeing to the mystery stipulation for it. During tonight’s show, SmackDown GM Nick Aldis was seen backstage on his phone talking to someone about Gunther’s mystery stipulation. This led to Gunther showing up and Aldis asking him what is the stipulation for his title match against Rhodes. Gunther responded stating that his stipulation is that he gets to handpick the referee for it. Aldis then asked Gunther who is the person he wants to be the referee and Gunther responded stating he will tell him by the end of the show.

In a follow-up segment, Aldis was seen seated in his office and got up when Gunther entered the room. Gunther told Aldis that he has made his decision and he needs a someone with a heart in the right place, a good guy, maybe the last real good guy. Gunther then revealed his choice being Sami Zayn and told Aldis to make it happen for his title match next week.

It was announced afterwards that this new stipulation and Zayn as the special guest referee has been made official for the title match at next week’s show.

WWE U.S. Title Match Announced for WWE Night of Champions 2026

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured one new match announced for the card of Night of Champions 2026, which takes place on June 27 at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This new match announced was a WWE United States Championship match of winner of Carmelo Hayes/Ricky Saints vs. Trick Williams (c).

This new match was setup following an in-ring promo segment involving Williams, Lil Yachty, Hayes, and Saints that turned physical and ended with Williams laying out both Hayes and Saints.

Current card for WWE Night of Champions 2026:

  • WWE United States Championship – winner of Carmelo Hayes/Ricky Saints vs. Trick Williams (c)
  • 2026 King of the Ring Tournament Finals – TBD vs. TBD
  • 2026 Queen of the Ring Tournament Finals – TBD vs. TBD

Current Card for Next Week’s Show

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured four new matches announced for the card of next week’s show on June 19th at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

It was announced that the Undisputed WWE Championship Special Guest Referee match will be commercial free during next week’s show.

Current card for June 19th WWE SmackDown show:

  • Undisputed WWE Championship Special Guest Referee match – Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes (c) (with special guest referee Sami Zayn)
  • WWE Tag Team Championship – The MFTs (Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga) vs. R-Truth & Damian Priest (c)
  • WWE United States Championship #1 Contender match – Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints
  • 2026 Queen of the Ring Tournament Semifinal Round match – Charlotte Flair vs. Liv Morgan
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