Tag: smackdown

Updated preview for WWE SmackDown Backlash fallout episode

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has made its first slate of announcements for tonight’s Backlash fallout edition of SmackDown.

– Gunther all but joined the SmackDown roster last week, but he’ll officially decide tonight if he’s going to be part of the brand going forward. If he does sign his SmackDown contract, Gunther challenging Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship will be confirmed for Clash in Italy on May 31.

– Tonight’s show is taking place at Colonial Life Arena on the campus of the University of South Carolina, where Trick Williams once played college football. A special homecoming celebration will be held for Williams on SmackDown. He’s coming off a successful United States Championship defense against Sami Zayn at Backlash.

– Last Friday, Jade Cargill returned for the first time since dropping the WWE Women’s Championship to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 42. She immediately set her sights back on Ripley, with Cargill, B-Fab & Michin interrupting a six-woman tag match and causing Ripley, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss to lose to Fatal Influence.

Cargill will appear on tonight’s show and address the fans following last week’s attack.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, May 15) —

  • Gunther decides whether to join SmackDown to challenge Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes
  • United States Champion Trick Williams returns to the University of South Carolina for a homecoming celebration
  • Jade Cargill addresses her attack on WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley

Chelsea Green heading back to WWE SmackDown following heart procedure

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Chelsea Green is already returning to work less than two weeks after undergoing a heart procedure.

No longer on bed rest, Green has announced that she’ll be in Columbia, South Carolina for WWE SmackDown tonight. She and husband Matt Cardona were in Los Angeles on Thursday to attend the premiere of the new Star Wars “Mandalorian and Grogu” movie.

“From #TheMandalorian and Grogu premiere tonight in LA straight to #SmackDown in Charlotte!,” Green wrote.

Green underwent a procedure around the start of May to correct an abnormal type of heart rhythm known as SVT (supraventricular tachycardia). Though the issue was present for years, it was not caught by doctors until Green suffered an episode around WrestleMania 42 where her heart rate reached 228 beats per minute for a 15-minute stretch.

At the time of this procedure, Green was already sidelined with an ankle injury. She’s remained on SmackDown while injured and even appeared last week in a pre-recorded video where she continued her storyline with United States Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, trying to make friends with Stratton despite Stratton rejecting her attempts.

Thursday was Cardona’s 41st birthday. He sent out a tweet overnight thanking everyone for the messages they’ve sent.

“Thanks everybody for the birthday wishes,” he wrote. “Had a great day with my hot wife. Flew to LA, ate steak and eggs, drank good coffee, trained legs, saw the new Star Wars movie, and now taking a red eye flight to #SmackDown.”

Jade Cargill returns on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

For the first time since WrestleMania Sunday, Jade Cargill has appeared in a WWE ring, making her return on Friday’s WWE SmackDown, attacking Rhea Ripley during a trios match. 

Ripley was teaming with Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss to take on the Fatal Influence team of Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid. Bliss was crawling to her corner to tag in Ripley when Cargill appeared at ringside, yanking Ripley off the apron and dropping her to the floor. Jayne immediately hit the isolated Bliss with the rolling encore and pinned her. 

After Fatal Influence left the ring, Michin and B-Fab also returned, joining Cargill in attacking the babyface team, though Ripley did attempt to rally.

Cargill was last seen losing the WWE Women’s Championship to Ripley at WrestleMania. Before that, her last loss in a one-on-one match on WWE TV came in another WWE Women’s Championship match, an unsuccessful challenge to Tiffany Stratton at SummerSlam last August.

Ripley earned her Mania title shot by winning the Elimination Chamber in February. Her victory over the Cargill was the fourth time she had won the WWE Raw Women’s Championship, WWE Women’s World Championship or WWE Women’s Championship. 

WWE’s Jacob Fatu explains why Tongan death grip is ‘sacred’

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

Last week on WWE SmackDown, Jacob Fatu and his cousins the Usos described the Tongan death grip as a “sacred” hold. We now know this was more than just a wrestling promo—it’s how Fatu really feels. 

Fatu discussed the history of the hold in a conversation with Peter Rosenberg. When he first moved to Florida, Fatu explained, he had no money, and it was Tonga Loa who paid for his bed. 

“Tonga Loa looked out, man,” he said. “This is why I’m so close with them. It ain’t because they’re Tongan. It ain’t because our dads used to tag. Nah, man, I know these brothers. I know I genuinely love my Tongan brothers. … This is why the Tongan death grip, it’s not about changing the name. I’m getting goosebumps right now because this move is a sacred move.”

As Fatu mentioned, his father Tama used to team with Tonga Loa’s father Haku as the Islanders in the World Wrestling Federation in the 1980s. He’s using the hold as a tribute to Haku.

“That’s a man that my dad was very scared of, but respected so much,” Fatu said. “For us to be all tied in and for me to bring this back out, it’s really to pay homage.”

WOL: Backlash notes, mystery partners, Lesnar’s future, WWE cuts, more!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm is back with tons to talk about including previews of Smackdown and Backlash, who Danhausen’s mystery partner might be and why, Brock Lesnar’s future, more on the WWE cuts of late, tons of questions from the listeners and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Updated WWE SmackDown preview with two new additions

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has made two new additions to the lineup for tonight’s SmackDown episode.

On the eve of Backlash, SmackDown is taking place from Jacksonville, Florida tonight. It’s been announced that an appearance by Jacob Fatu will kick off the broadcast. The segment will help finish off the build to Fatu challenging Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship in an all-Bloodline matchup at Backlash.

WWE.com wrote:

  • On Monday, Jacob Fatu took out World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns for the second week in a row, smashing The OTC through a table with the devastating Tongan Death Grip.
  • Just three days prior on last week’s SmackDown, The Samoan Werewolf ruthlessly attacked Solo Sikoa and slammed Talla Tonga through the announce table.
  • Fatu is set to kick off SmackDown on Friday, one night before he challenges Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at WWE Backlash. Find out what bedlam will be unleashed at 8 ET/7 CT on USA.

A new match announcement has also been made for tonight’s show with Damian Priest facing off against Talla Tonga, who attacked Priest, R-Truth, Nathan Frazer, and Axiom last week after Priest & Truth retained their WWE Tag Team titles over Fraxiom. Tonga & Solo Sikoa then declared war on Fatu, Reigns, and The Usos.

WWE SmackDown (Friday, May 8) —

  • Gunther addresses his attack on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes
  • United States Champion Trick Williams hosts a funeral for the Gingerbread Man ahead of title defense against Sami Zayn at Backlash
  • Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid)
  • Women’s United States Champion Tiffany Stratton defends against Kiana James
  • Damian Priest vs. Talla Tonga
  • Jacob Fatu kicks off SmackDown

WWE pre-taping July 4 weekend SmackDown episode

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE will be pre-taping the Fourth of July weekend episode of SmackDown.

While unveiling a new slate of Raw and SmackDown dates today, WWE announced that Atlantic City, New Jersey will host a combined Raw/SmackDown event on Monday, June 29. Raw will air live that night, with SmackDown then presumably being broadcast in its normal Friday time slot on July 3.

Jim Whalen Boardwalk Hall is hosting the show, which is the first time Atlantic City has hosted a televised WWE event since 2008. WWE is partnering together with Visit Atlantic City, the Atlantic City Sports Commission, and Oak View Group for the show.

This Independence Day marks the 250th anniversary of the United States.

The June 26 episode of SmackDown, at least for viewers in the US, is also set to be taped in advance with WWE announcing that London will host a SmackDown taping on Tuesday, June 23. That will be SmackDown’s go-home show for the Saudi Arabia PLE Night of Champions.

In total, WWE announced 16 new domestic Raw/SmackDown dates today ranging from the end of June through the beginning of September:

New WWE Raw & SmackDown dates —

  • Monday, June 29: Atlantic City, New Jersey — Raw/SmackDown, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
  • Monday, July 6: Chicago, Illinois — Raw, Allstate Arena
  • Friday, July 10: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — SmackDown, Paycom Center
  • Monday, July 13: Dallas, Texas — Raw, American Airlines Center
  • Friday, July 17: Albany, New York — SmackDown, MVP Arena
  • Monday, July 20: Detroit, Michigan — Raw, Little Caesars Arena
  • Friday, July 24: Oakland, California — SmackDown, Oakland Arena
  • Monday, July 27: Inglewood, California — Raw, Intuit Dome
  • Friday, July 31: Green Bay, Wisconsin — SmackDown, Resch Center
  • Monday, August 3: Des Moines, Iowa — Raw, Casey’s Center
  • Monday, August 10: Norfolk, Virginia — Raw, Scope Arena
  • Monday, August 17: Buffalo, New York — Raw, KeyBank Center
  • Friday, August 28: Cleveland, Ohio — SmackDown, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
  • Monday, August 31: Charlotte, North Carolina — Raw, Spectrum Center
  • Friday, September 4: Cincinnati, Ohio — SmackDown, Heritage Bank Center
  • Monday, September 7: Birmingham, Alabama — Raw, Legacy Center at BJCC

The general public on-sale date for each of these events is Friday, May 15 at 10 a.m. local time.

WWE adds Tuesday SmackDown date to summer European tour

Posted on by Joseph Currier

London’s O2 Arena is set to host WWE Raw and SmackDown on back-to-back days this summer.

WWE announced today that it has added a new SmackDown date to its June calendar. One night after Raw takes place at the venue, the O2 Arena in London will host SmackDown on Tuesday, June 23. Broadcast plans for the show were not disclosed. If it airs live on Netflix overseas, there would be a three-day gap between that airing and when the episode debuts in its normal Friday time slot in the United States.

This is SmackDown’s go-home show for WWE’s Night of Champions PLE that’s being held in Saudi Arabia the following weekend.

In addition to the SmackDown date, WWE has added a house show in Sheffield, England to the tour. That show is happening on Wednesday, June 24.

There are now 16 shows in total set for the tour, which has stops in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal. It includes WWE’s Clash in Italy PLE being held in Turin on May 31.

WWE summer 2026 European tour dates —

  • Thursday, May 28: House show at M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, England
  • Friday, May 29: SmackDown at Olimpic Arena Badalona in Barcelona, Spain
  • Sunday, May 31: WWE Clash in Italy at Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy
  • Monday, June 1: Raw at Inalpi Arena in Turin, Italy
  • Tuesday, June 2: House show at Zenith de Strasbourg in Strasbourg, France
  • Wednesday, June 3: House show at MEO Arena in Lisbon, Portugal
  • Thursday, June 4: House show at Palacio Vistalegre in Madrid, Spain
  • Friday, June 5: SmackDown at Unipol Arena in Bologna, Italy
  • Saturday, June 6: House show at Palazzo dello Sport in Rome, Italy
  • Sunday, June 7: House show at Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence, Italy
  • Monday, June 8: Raw at Accor Arena in Paris, France
  • Saturday, June 20: House show at Utilita Arena in Cardiff, Wales
  • Sunday, June 21: House show at Utilita Arena in Birmingham, England
  • Monday, June 22: Raw at O2 Arena in London, England
  • Tuesday, June 23: SmackDown at O2 Arena in London, England
  • Wednesday, June 24: House show at Utilita Arena in Sheffield, England

Tickets for the two newly announced shows are going on sale to the general public on Thursday, May 14 at 10 a.m. BST. A pre-sale will begin two days prior to that at the same time.

Chelsea Green undergoes ‘heart procedure’ for SVT

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

An ankle injury has kept Chelsea Green out of action for months. But now she’s dealing with a much more serious medical issue.

Green made a post on Instagram noting that she had undergone a “procedure” on her heart, and she was ready to start healing. 

The post showed Green smiling in her hospital bed, alongside her husband Matt Cardona. “After 10 years, doctors finally caught my SVT and I was able to get a heart procedure done!” she writes. “Three hours later and I’m on the mend.”

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) is a type of irregular heartbeat, also called an arrhythmia. It’s a very fast or erratic heartbeat that affects the heart’s upper chambers. SVT also is called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.”

Though Green gave no details on her procedure, it may have been an SVT ablation. “[SVT] ablation is a treatment for irregularly fast or erratic heart rhythms that affect the heart’s upper chambers,” the Mayo Clinic states. “It uses cold or heat energy to create tiny scars in the heart. The scars block faulty electrical signals and restore the heart rhythm.” This procedure typically takes three to six hours.

Green’s last match was a losing effort to Tiffany Stratton in an Elimination Chamber qualifier on SmackDown in early February, a match that also included Lash Legend. Since then she has mostly been seen in a wheelchair, being pushed around by Alba Fyre. With Fyre being released last week, Green appeared alone on SmackDown, popping out of her wheelchair and apparently forming an alliance with Stratton against Kiana James and Giulia. 

WOL: WWE cuts in detail, Kota Ibushi, Smackdown, more!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including all the WWE cuts over the past several days plus more inside notes on what happened, worrisome finishes on Smackdown with cuts happening now, Kota Ibushi apparently doesn’t have a femur right now, weekend news, reviews and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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WOR: WWE releases, weekend news and TV recaps!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including more WWE releases including New Day, John Cena at Backlash, what’s up with Roman Reigns, nonsensical story not true, New Japan, Smackdown and Collision recaps, all the news and more! A fun show as always so check it out!

Timestamps:
Start: More WWE departures & releases including New Day
11:19: Roman Reigns off the road in June, Backlash’s first hour to air on ESPN 2 & John Cena advertised, NXT Lowell event cancelled
19:20: NJPW Wrestling Dontaku night one thoughts
30:05: Most famous wrestlers by city
37:44: AAA & CMLL notes, Trevor Murdoch announces retirement
45:36: More on the AEW & WBD non-story from over the weekend
58:29: UFC notes
1:02:15: Lineups for the week, WWE SmackDown & AEW Collision notes

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WOL: It’s a New Day for Kofi, Xavier & a new group of talent parting ways with WWE

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s the Saturday Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.

It turns out the departure of talent from WWE isn’t finished yet. On Saturday, The New Day of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods and others parted ways with WWE. Jim will talks about the names, their history and where you might like to see them appear next.

Ricky Saints made his WWE SmackDown debut Friday facing off against Cody Rhodes, Fatal Influence is still shaking up the top of the women’s division, and Jacob Fatu continued his march of terror towards Roman Reigns and the World Heavyweight Championship.

Plus, an AEW Collision preview, NOAH, AAA and more.

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WOR: Smackdown to two hours, WWE and AI, Dynamite and NXT, more!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the death of Carol Sammartino, plans for Smackdown’s move to two hours, Night of Champions update, NXT and the CW, more from the WWE Town Hall meeting including what’s up with AI and creative, CMLL update, ratings, full Dynamite and NXT reviews, and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Carol Sammartino passes away, update on SmackDown returning to two hours
3:13: WWE & Saudi Arabia update, other town hall notes
14:52: NXT PLEs to CW & ESPN
17:56: Carlos Silva comments on pulling TNA talent from matches featuring AEW wrestlers
27:24: WWE signs Zoe Hines, Tiger Mask vs. DOUKI thoughts, NOAH & CMLL notes
36:35: Ratings
46:29: AEW Dynamite recap
1:03:03: WWE NXT recap

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Royce Keys reveals longstanding history with Jacob Fatu and The Bloodline 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Royce Keys unveiled his longstanding history with Jacob Fatu and The Bloodline. 

In an interview with Joey Karni, Keys initially discussed having to live up to expectations in his WWE debut. And the impact of making his first appearance at an event like the Royal Rumble which features notable talents from WWE and the industry. 

“It just meant a lot, just thinking about the names that came before you, living up to expectations. So, and while doing that, you got to create your own path. I did that. I mean, I made an impact in the (Royal) Rumble. It’s in history now. So, now we move forward and progress and take everything I want.”

Keys stated that WWE had already laid out a plan for him to skip NXT and directly work on the main roster after his January debut. He was further asked about potential alliances in WWE to which Keys responded that he has history with Jacob Fatu, and is familiar with The Usos and Solo Sikoa too. 

“Jacob Fatu and I have a history together. I’ve known that family for quite a while. So, The Usos, Solo, I’ve known that family a long time. So, there is some history there.”

Following his WWE debut match in January, Keys competed in dark matches which he later revealed was done on his request. He made his official SmackDown debut on April 10 against Berto.

On the SmackDown before WrestleMania 42, Keys won the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.