WWE SmackDown Results – June 19, 2026 – King & Queen of the Ring Semifinals Matches, Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther

Jun 19, 2026

June 19, 2026
Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
Commentary: Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett
Results via Roy Nemer of WrestleView.com and Marc Quill of F4WOnline.com

Quick Match Results

Undisputed WWE Championship Special Guest Referee match – Cody Rhodes (c) defeated Gunther via Sunset Roll-up (pinfall)
Undisputed WWE Championship Special Guest Referee match – Gunther defeated Cody Rhodes via Disqualification
WWE Tag Team Championship – R-Truth & Damian Priest (c) defeated The MFTs via Roll-up (pinfall)
WWE United States Championship #1 Contender match – Ricky Saints defeated Carmelo Hayes via Pinfall
2026 King of the Ring Tournament Semifinal Round match – Jey Uso defeated Je’Von Evans via Uso Splash (pinfall)
2026 Queen of the Ring Tournament Semifinal Round match – Liv Morgan defeated Charlotte Flair via Half Crab (submission)

Pre-show Arrivals

Superstar Arrivals include the semifinalists for the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments that will compete tonight and the key players in tonight’s WWE Championship match.

Video: Gunther, Cody Rhodes, Aami Zayn

We cut to a video package looking back at Gunther’s loss at Clash in Italy and the setup for tonight’s match. With the issues mounting between Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes, Gunther decided to use his special rematch stipulation to name Zayn as the special guest referee.

Undisputed WWE Championship Special Guest Referee Match
Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes (c)

Sami Zayn makes his entrance, a mixture of boos and the crowd singing along with his theme as he heads to the ring. It seems we’re getting the commercial-free portion of the night done early, as Gunther makes his way out next (and I have a laugh about this match with the Ring General being sponsored on the ring by, uh, The General Insurance on the USA Network feed). Cody Rhodes gets a big pop as he enters, the crowd singing along with his theme as well as he acknowledges the fans on his way to the ring. We get introductions for the ref, the challenger, and the champion before getting this match underway!

The two men circle the ring before Cody looks for gain an edge on his challenger, only to be taken to the mat by Gunther. Gunther grabs the champ but is taken to the corner by Rhodes, who is forced to make a clean break by Zayn. Gunther sees his opening and takes it, sending Cody to the ropes before raking his back.

He lays some more shots into the champs, forcing him to the corner…only for Rhodes to fire back, sending him across the ring. Zayn begins a count before intervening, bringing the champ away…which allows Gunther to sneak a big boot in the process! Crowd are not a fan of Sami’s strict officiating here as Gunther continues to beat the champ down for a nearfall.

Cody crawls toward the ropes, where Gunther goes after his face before Zayn intervenes with a less forceful count for the break. Still, he admonishes the challenger as Cody gets back to his feet, firing up to send Gunther to the corner. He charges to the opposite side but is intercepted by Gunther, who starts laying some more strikes on the champ before applying a figure four leglock!

Zayn is focused on checking if Cody is ready to submit, missing the moment Gunther grabs the ropes for leverage…but when he does catch it, he calls for a break. Gunther is not happy that Sami is, you know, doing his job as a special guest ref, allowing Cody to roll him up for a two count! Gunther starts to argue with Zayn again before going back to work on the champ.

Cody starts to fight back once again, landing a Cross Rhodes on the challenger before making the cover…but Gunther has his foot under the ropes much like Clash in Italy, only this time the ref sees it and stops the count! Rhodes gives out to Zayn about the call, going so far as to shove the special guest ref…who shoves him back, and sends the champ into the arms of Gunther for a sleeper hold!

Sami is shocked about what just happened, hesitant for a moment before checking on Cody. This hesitation allows the champ to make it to the ropes for a break, with Gunther arguing with Sami once more before shoving him…and Zayn slaps him in the face in response! This incites a riot of sorts inside the Ring General, who drops his appointed special guest ref with a powerbomb!

Another referee comes out as Cody fights back, but he only gets a nearfall for his efforts. Gunther fights back, landing a hard powerbomb on the champ for a stacked pin…but the second ref’s count is stopped at two when he is pulled out of the ring by Zayn! Sami yells at Gunther about disrespecting his authority before Cody goes for a sunset flip on the challenger…and an irate Zayn kicks Gunther off the ropes, making a fast three count to give Cody the win!

Winner: Cody Rhodes via Pinfall to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Sami quickly leaves the ring, telling Gunther he lost as he escapes up the ramp. Nick Aldis comes out to have it out with Zayn, who refuses to deal with the GM as he leaves to the back. He is followed by Aldis, and both men are followed by Gunther making a beeline up the ramp as we cut to commercial.

Backstage: Nick Aldis, Cody Rhodes, Gunther, Sami Zayn

Backstage, we see Aldis arguing with all three of the men invovled in our opening contest, with Cody admitting he didn’t like how that ended either as he rushes back out to ringside. He grabs a microphone and tells Kansas City they deserve more than this, calling for a “correct” referee to come out here so we can start this match over. Sure enough, the referee that came out earlier follows behind a charging Gunther, and we get this “reboot” match underway!

Undisputed WWE Championship
Gunther vs. Cody Rhodes (c)

Gunther looks to catch the champ by surprise with a sleeper hold, and Cody looks like he is fading…but fights back long enough to counter with a sleeper hold of his own! The challenger fends him off by sending him into the corner…but before anything else can happen, Sami comes running into the ring with a Helluva Kick on Gunther! The ref calls for the bell, and I’m assuming Cody’s just lost this match by DQ unless I see otherwise, so…

Winner: Gunther via Disqualification.

Winner via disqualification: Gunther

Chaos ensues as Sami takes the WWE Title away from the ref, inadvertently taking out Cody Rhodes with it before escaping the ring and heading up the ramp to the back. Commentary looks back at what just happened.

Video: Jade Cargill, Tiffany Stratton

A look at the issues between Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton.

Backstage, Jade and her amazing baddies talk about Rhea being “re-injured” as well as Tiffany Stratton getting involved in business she shouldn’t be. They run Stratton down some more before walking off, and we get a look at the upcoming King and Queen of the RIng semifinal matches before going to commercial

Video: Gunther, Sami Zayn, Cody Rhodes

We take a look back at all the chaos that has gone on since the night started, from the opening match’s finish to the call for a reboot and the non-finish that resulted.

Backstage: Gunther, Nick Aldis

Backstage, an angry Gunther shouts at Aldis to give him another match for the title at Night of Champions, telling him to “get it done” before storming off.

Video: Royce Keys, Jey Uso, LA Knight, Finn Balor, Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga

We take a look back at last week’s KOTR quarterfinal, which saw Solo and his MFT get involved before Jey Uso picked up the win to advance.

Backstage: Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, The MFTs

Backstage, Solo Sikoa is confronted by Jacob Fatu, who tells him that he is here under orders from Roman Reigns to make sure nobody gets involved in Jey’s match tonight…and to tell Sikoa he’s running out of time on the decision he needs to make.

Fatu leaves as Solo is now confronted by Tama and Talla Tonga, who tell him to stay in the back when they challenge for the tag titles. If he comes out there there’s no telling who will follow…and that Solo’s family business is starting to mess with their family business.

Video: Blake Monroe

We get a vignette for Blake Monroe, who is focused on Giulia as she promises to make her debut soon.

WWE Tag Team Championship
The MFTs (Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga) vs. R-Truth & Damian Priest (c)

We start off with the big men as Priest and Talla circle the mat. They lock up, only for Talla to shove Damian to the corner. Priest climbs the turnbuckle and pulls a Triple H, telling Talla what he can do with a certain gesture before going on the attack…but Talla won’t go down, sending Priest to the mat with a shoulder tackle.

War Raiders watch on from backstage as Talla continues going to work on Priest before making a tag to Tama, but Damian takes the fight to him by bringing him to the corner for some right hands and a tag to Truth. They double-team Tama before Truth lands a running corner charge, followed with a nod to his “childhood hero” John Cena as he lands the shoulder tackle into a Protoplex and five-knuckle shuffle. He looks to end things with an AA but Talla gets involved, distracting Truth long enough for Tama to send him out of the ring.

With the ref focused on Tama in the ring, Talla looks to sneak attack Truth before Priest comes after him, only to be caught with a chokeslam as we go to commercial break.

Back from break, Truth manages to take Tama to the mat with a dropkick as we see the War Raiders still watching on backstage. Priest gets the tag as he goes after Tama, knocking Tall off the apron before sending Tama to the corner for a shoulder attack. Third time is not a charm as Tama fights back, but he takes a Flatliner and Damian gets a nearfall.

Talla looks for some revenge as he comes into the ring for a chokeslam, but Priest sends him to the outside. Tama takes him down but is struggling to capitalize as we see Solo out at ringside. Talla argues with him about being here before being shoved out of harm’s way as Priest gets a double ax handle on Sikoa…and somewhere in all of this, Truth made a tag. I say that because as Tama starts to choke out Priest he gets rolled up by Truth, allowing the champs to win and retain!

Winner: R-Truth & Damian Priest via Pinfall to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship.

The champs celebrate up the ramp as MFT continue to sort out their issues.

Backstage: Sami Zayn, Johnny Gargano, Nick Aldis

Sami Zayn is talking to Johnny Plank-gano about trying to do the right thing to no avail, before Nick Aldis comes in shouting at him over what happened. Sami reminds the GM that he made Zayn the ref for this match, saying he’s had enough before shoving the ref’s shirt into Nick’s hands and walking off as we go to commercial.

Backstage: Jey Uso, Je’Von Evans

We head backstage where Jey Uso is hyping himself up for his KOTR semifinal match. He is approached by Je’Von Evans, who wishes the “unc” the best of luck in their match tonight. Jey doesn’t like the implication of that word there, offering to see to it that he makes Evans his “son” tonight as he gets riled up.

WWE United States Championship #1 Contender Match
Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints

Back at ringside, Carmelo Hayes makes his entrance for our next match as we take a look at the previous match between Hayes and Saints, which ended with a bit of controversy as Ricky had his foot on the ropes while being pinned. Speaking of Ricky, Saints makes his entrance next as it seems at least some folks in the front row are happy to see him tonight, though he mocks one of them before getting into the ring to get this match underway!

Saints looks for an early advantage but gets caught by Hayes, who lands a springboard clothesline to take Ricky to the corner. Saints fights back, setting up for a rope walk…but gets caught with an inverted atomic drop by Melo! Thrust kick is evaded as Saints leaves the ring, but that just opens him up for a somersault plancha by Hayes. He brings Ricky back in the ring before going up top, but Saints dodges him and lays in a few shots for good measure.

Hayes goes to the corner but gets caught by Saints, who brings him right back to the mat before sending him into the ropes. Hayes fights back, setting Ricky up for a DDT onto the apron as we go to picture-in-picture.

Picture-in-Picture: Melo continues the attack as he brings Saints back into the ring, sending him to the corner to set up for some mounted punches. He lands a few kicks as well before the ref calls for a break. Ricky starts fighting back but it leads to a trade of strikes. Saints wins out, going for the cover for a nearfall. He takes Melo to the ropes before landing a delayed vertical suplex, but that only gets him a two count as well. He brings Melo back to the ropes, setting up for a rope walk that connects with a clubbing blow this time. Knee drop by Saints, who mocks Melo (and even sneaks in a “6 7” gesture) before we return from break.

Ricky sends Melo to the corner, dropping him to the mat for a chinlock. Hayes starts to fight back but is sent to the mat by Saints, who covers for a two. He lands some stomps as we get a dueling “let’s go Melo” and “let’s go Saints” chant (so I retract my previous “no reaction” statement for the time being), while Saints takes Melo down hard to the mat but struggles to get back to his feet.

This allows Melo to set up for a no look DDT off the ropes, but that is not enough to get the three as Saints kicks out. They get back to their feet as Melo lands some hard shots on Ricky, sending him to the corner. Saints fights back with a knee, countering a Dirty Diana to get a nearfall. Hayes counters a submission hold for a two count of his own, only for Ricky to catch him with a flapjack for a two.

He sets up Hayes for a Roshambo but Melo counters, only to take a lariat from Saints that ends with both men down on the canvas. Saints is back up as he goes for a suplex, but Hayes fights out and lands a Dirty Diana followed by a cutter for the cover…but Ricky kicks out!

Hayes goes up top, but it’s a flying nothing as Ricky goes for the Revolution DDT…only for Hayes to break free, pulling off the turnbuckle cover before looking for a rollup. This goes back and forth with each man getting a nearfall. The action heads to the corner where Melo sends Saints off to the mat…but he gets knocked down by Saints, landing on the exposed turnbuckle! He sends Hayes face first back into it before getting the cover for the win.

Winner: Ricky Saints via Pinfall.

Ricky celebrates.

Video: Nick Aldis, Cody Rhodes

we go backstage, where Nick Aldis is approached by Cody Rhodes. Cody understands the situation Gunther has put the GM in, and how Sami Zayn can be…and suggests the only way to settle this is for him to beat them both, calling for Aldis to make a Triple Threat Match official for Night of Champions. Aldis agrees and they shake hands.

Backstage: Charlotte Flair

Elsewhere, we hear from Charlotte Flair who talks about what it means to win the Queen of the Ring tournament before promising to beat Liv Morgan and prove why she’s the queen then, now, and forever. Woo!

Video: Danhausen

We take a look at the New York Knicks celebrating their NBA Championship win as well as Danhausen talking to Stephen A. Smith for a truce of sorts.

Backstage: Danhausen, The Miz, Kit Wilson, Los Garza, Matt Cardona

Backstage, Danhausen continues his experiment on Miz and Kit Wilson when he is interrupted by Los Garza. They’re angry at him for not cursing the Knicks again, when Matt Cardona comes in to confront them. He says if they have a problem with Danhausen, they have a problem with Cardona.

Los Garza decide not to get involved in all this as they walk off, and Danhausen thanks “Zack Ryder” for his help. They shake hands and Cardona accidentally touches the cloning machine, muttering “woo woo woo” as he favors his hand. Danhausen asks him if he’s okay, and Cardona replies “you know it” before walking off.

Backstage: R-Truth, Finn Balor, Damian Priest

Elsewhere, R-Truth has a reunion of sorts with Finn Balor as he talks about their past and claims that once you’re in Judgment Day, you’re in Judgment Day “for life.” Damian Priest steps in, none too pleased about the idea of hanging out with Finn as he says he doesn’t hang with people he doesn’t trust before walking off. Truth is confused as to why Priest would have issues with him as we move on.

Video: Cody Rhodes, Gunther, Sami Zayn, Night of Champions 2026

Commentary confirms the Undisputed WWE Championship Triple Threat Match for Night of Champions, with Cody Rhodes defending against Gunther and Sami Zayn. We take yet another look back at how we got here, on the off chance you’ve just tuned in after watching anything else, where we see the crazy finish to the opening match and the chaos that followed.

2026 King of the Ring Tournament Semifinal Round Match
Jey Uso vs. Je’Von Evans

They go at it quickly, locking up and exchanging offense until Evans psychs Jey out from the ropes for a nearfall. Jey is not pleased by what happened, shouting at Evans until he gets sent out of the ring with a dropkick by Je’Von, who is favoring his ribs as he hits the ropes for speed…and catches Jey with a dive over the top rope before we go to commercial break!

Back from break, both men are in the ring with Evans down on the canvas. Jey brings him to his feet and to the ropes, but Evans dodges him before landing a kick and a vertical suplex. Posing for the crowd only makes things rough on his ribs as he goes back to work on Jey. He hits the ropes…and runs into a big Samoan drop by Jey instead! He pulls the shirt off Je’Von, revealing that his ribs are taped up…and immediately targets that with some stomps.

Evans escapes to the corner, getting to his feet to fire back with some right hands before Jey lands a backbreaker to continue the damage on Je’Von’s ribs. He mocks the Young OG, who heads to the corner to get back up…but Jey sends him off the turnbuckle and to the barricade outside instead!

Je’Von is down as we go to picture-in-picture.

Picture-in-Picture: Jey goes after Evans on the outside, continuing the attack while mocking him before sending Je’Von into the barricade. He brings Evans back into the ring, mocking him some more as the Young OG slowly gets to his feet. Jey lands a shot on Evans, sending him to the outside before following him…and walking into a superkick by Je’Von! Evans is fired up as he charges at Jey, sending himself over the barricade in the process. This allows Jey to get back into it, bringing Je’Von back into the ring for a cover…but only gets a two as we come back from break.

The action heads to the corner, where Jey looks to go after the Young OG only to be sent to the canvas with a Spanish Fly! Evans with the cover, but he gets a two as Jey kicks out. Evans talks some smack about the Bloodline and this fires up Jey, with both men trading strikes until Jey sends Evans to the ropes…and takes a superkick from Je’Von! He fires back again, but gets dropped hard by Evans.

Evans hits the ropes but leaps into a superkick by Jey, who follows with a spear but only picks up a nearfall for it. Jey heads to the corner as Evans is crawling to the opposite side…where he catches Jey with a superkick when the latter goes for another spear. Evans to the ropes, connecting with a Red Dot off the ropes…but Jey stops an OG Cutter attempt to land a spear instead! He goes up top and lands the Uso Splash for the win.

Winner: Jey Uso via Pinfall.

Jey celebrates as we get an updated bracket, reminding us that Jey will face Oba Femi in the KOTR Final at Night of Champions. Jey helps Evans to his feet, shaking hands with the Young OG in a show of respect before leaving the ring to continue the celebration.

Backstage: Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa

Backstage, Jacob Fatu is watching on before he is confronted by Solo Sikoa, who insists that Roman had him come here just to get involved in his business. He suggests that he should go to Roman’s show to get in HIS business before walking off, as SmackDown rolls on.

Video: Giulia

We get a vignette with Giulia addressing her issues with Kiana James, calling her out to bring things to an end in London.

Backstage: Tiffant Stratton, Chelsea Green

Backstage, we hear from Tiffany Stratton about her match against Jade Cargill at Night of Champions. Chelsea Green comes in to talk about things as well, but Stratton remembers the trash talk Green made in the past and says she can do this all on her own before walking off.

Video: Alexa Bliss

We get a NXT Origins vignette featuring Alexa Bliss before commentary hypes up NXT Great American Bash, live on CW on Sunday, June 28. I feel like there’s another wrestling show on that night, I just can’t put my finger on it.

Backstage: Liv Morgan

We get a few words from Liv Morgan, who looks to beat Charlotte Flair tonight to move on to the Queen of the Ring Final.

Video: Scream Mode

We hear from Brie Bella and Paige, with the Women’s Tag Team Champions addressing their opponents for Raw on Monday as they defend against Bayley and Lyra Valkyria.

Video: Fatal Influence

Holy moley, FOUR segments in a row as we hear from Fatal Influence. They still have their issues with the tag champs, looking to take the gold from them if they leave Raw still champions. Jacy Jayne says she will demand a match against Paige next week in London, looking to prove a point.

Backstage: Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, Dami Zayn

There were five of these segments, it took five of them…and this time we head elsewhere backstage as Cody Rhodes talks to Jey Uso about making it to the King of the Ring final. One more to go, and then Jey can potentially face Cody for the title at SummerSlam. Cody walks off, with Sami stepping in to suggest that Jey might be facing Zayn for the title instead. Jey acknowledges that, saying he’ll do what he needs to do if it comes to that before walking off.

Night of Champions 2026 Card Rundown

With that, commentary hypes up the lineup so far for Night of Champions. In addition to the King of the Ring Final, we’ll see:

Triple Threat Match for the Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes defends against Gunther and Sami Zayn
Steel Cage Match: Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
WWE Women’s United States Championship: Tiffany Stratton defends against Jade Cargill
Queen of the Ring Final Match: IYO SKY vs. Charlotte Flair or Liv Morgan

Backstage: Charlotte Flair, Jad Cargill, B-Fab, Michin

With that, we head backstage one more time to see Charlotte Flair heading toward Gorilla position…only to be confronted by Jade Cargill and her pals, who insist that Charlotte shouldn’t be here. Flair tells Jade she should find friends who are more effective before walking past them…only to be blindsided by the trio!

They target her previously-injured leg before officials rush in to stop them, and the three walk off as we see Charlotte favoring her leg before we go to commercial.

Backstage: Charlotte Flair, Nick Aldis, Liv Morgan

We head to Replay City as we take another look at what happened moments ago, before going backstage where Aldis and Bliss check on Charlotte. Liv feigns feeling bad for Flair before making her way out for our main event. After the Women’s World Champion enters the ring, we cut backstage again where Flair shoves past Aldis to tell “Billy” to play her music. She makes her entrance, limping down the ramp to get to the ring…only for Morgan to shove her off the apron!

Aldis and other officials rush down to check on Flair, who insists she needs to do this as she gets back in the ring, calling for the ref to get the match underway.

2026 Queen of the Ring Tournament Semifinal Round Match
Charlotte Flair vs. Liv Morgan

Morgan immediately looks to make Charlotte regret this, landing some shots on her before sending Flair over the top rope to the outside. Flair slowly gets to her feet, but is cut off by the champ who sends her into the ring steps for added damage. Charlotte is struggling something fierce here, even shouting “MY KNEE” as we go to commercial break.

Liv continues the attack on Flair’s leg as we come back from break, wrapping it around the ring post before bringing her back into the ring. We get another look at the pre-match attack on Flair as Morgan continues attacking the leg. She looks for a figure four leglock but Charlotte kicks her away, sending the champ to the ropes. She heads to the corner to get back on her feet, climbing the turnbuckle for a missile dropkick and the cover…but that only gets her a two.

She gets to her feet again, egging Liv on as the two trade strikes back and forth. Charlotte gets the advantage as she sends Morgan to the corner, only for the champ to send her across the ring and to the mat. Flair gets back into it as she looks to bring Liv up, but Morgan fights back before heading to the corner…where Flair catches her with a Queen’s Boot for the cover and a nearfall!

Flair gets back up, hopping toward the corner as she climbs the turnbuckle for a moonsault…but Morgan intercepts her, rolling Charlotte up for a two count before we go to picture-in-picture.

Picture-in-Picture: Liv continues to keep Charlotte off her game, sending Flair to the outside before slamming her face into the announce table. The ref begins a count as Morgan rolls back into the ring, but so too does Charlotte who catches the champ with a suplex of some sort for a nearfall. Morgan fights back, introducing the Queen to her Three Amigos as we return from break…

…just in time for Liv to get a two count before Flair kicks out! Morgan goes up top but the Frog Splash doesn’t work out as she gets caught in a cradle by Flair for two. Liv responds with a backcracker, picking up a nearfall before Flair crawls to the corner to rest her leg. She talks some smack on Charlotte as she gets to her feet, but is taken back down with a chop block by the champ.

Morgan keeps on top of this by setting Flair up in a tree of woe, stomping away at the knee before Flair manages to knock her down to the canvas. She breaks free, setting up for a Natural Selection and a two count on the champ…who catches Flair with a backpack bridge for a nearfall of her own!

Charlotte manages to counter out, setting up for a figure four leglock. Morgan struggles for a bit, managing to turn the pressure around on Flair…who counters back before Liv reaches the ropes for a break. Morgan gets back to her feet and goes after the leg once more, this time cinching in a half crab on the Queen.

Flair manages to get to the ropes for a break, leaving the ring as the medical team and Aldis check on her. Bliss asks if she’s good and Flair insists she is, saying this is worth it to her before Morgan reaches for her hair…only to be pulled into the ropes! Flair gets onto the apron on her way back in the ring, and Morgan catches her with Oblivion…but it only gets a two as Charlotte kicks out!

Morgan transitions back into the half crab, wrenching the leg back…and Flair has finally had enough, tapping out as Liv picks up the win.

Winner: Liv Morgan via Submission.

Liv celebrates her win as officials check on Flair, raising questions about her status following this match as SmackDown comes to a close.