Acting SmackDown GM Adam Pearce announced Rhea Ripley is currently injured, and WWE would be crowning its first-ever interim WWE women’s champion.
WWE SmackDown ResultsFinn Balor def.
Jacy Jayne | WWE Women’s Interim Title QualifierJade Cargill def.
Nia Jax by DQ | WWE Women’s Interim Title QualifierThe War Raiders vs. FraxiomCody Rhodes def.
Adam Pearce Announces Interim WWE Women’s ChampionshipAmid a Rhea Ripley injury, Adam Pearce announced that five women will be able to win their way to a Ladder Match at WWE SummerSlam.
Cody Rhodes brawls with Gunther on SmackDown. WWE
WWE SmackDown emanated from Albany, N.Y. ahead of Saturday Night Main Event, where Cody Rhodes and CM Punk face Sami Zayn and Gunther. If Gunther and Sami win, they will be added to the WWE Championship match at SummerSlam between Rhodes and Punk.
Acting SmackDown GM Adam Pearce announced Rhea Ripley is currently injured, and WWE would be crowning its first-ever interim WWE women’s champion. Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton became two of the five qualifiers for a women’s Ladder Match at SummerSlam.
WWE SmackDown Results
Finn Balor def. Talla Tonga
Tiffany Stratton def. Jacy Jayne | WWE Women’s Interim Title Qualifier
Jade Cargill def. Nia Jax by DQ | WWE Women’s Interim Title Qualifier
The War Raiders vs. Fraxiom
Cody Rhodes def. Gunther by DQ
WWE SmackDown Ratings And Viewership
June 19, 2026 | 1.191 million
June 12, 2026 | 1.038 million
June 5, 2026 | 1.089 million
May 29, 2026 | 1.096 million
May 22, 2026 | 1.258 million
WWE SmackDown Ticket Sales On July 17, 2026
WWE SmackDown Venue: (Albany, N.Y.)
WWE SmackDown Ticket Sales: 7,220
What Time Does WWE SmackDown Start? How To Watch
WWE SmackDown Date: Friday, July 17, 2026 (Aired June 23, 2026)
WWE SmackDown Start Time: 5:00 pm PST (8:00 pm EST)
Where to Watch/Stream WWE SmackDown: USA Network
WWE SmackDown Results And Highlights On July 17, 2026
Adam Pearce Announces Major Stipulation for SNME Main Event
MORE FOR YOU
Gunther called out Nick Aldis’ incompetence for putting him and Sami Zayn in the main event of Saturday Night’s Main Event. Aldis called Sami a “bum" before being interrupted by Adam Pearce. Pearce said Gunther should thank Nick Aldis for saving his job.
Adam Pearce announced that if Sami Zayn and Gunther win Saturday Night’s Main Event match, they’re added to the SummerSlam main event between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk.
Gunther had very little time to celebrate before Cody Rhodes hit the ring and attacked him. Cody Rhodes called out the logic of Gunther being rewarded after kicking Cody in the head with a car door. Cody essentially called out WWE’s booking here, and he’s right.
Cody Rhodes challenged Gunther to a main event on SmackDown, and Pearce made it official.
Adam Pearce Announces Interim WWE Women’s Championship
Amid a Rhea Ripley injury, Adam Pearce announced that five women will be able to win their way to a Ladder Match at WWE SummerSlam. The winner of the Ladder Match will be crowned WWE interim women’s championship. The qualifiers include: Nia Jax vs. Jade Cargill Tiffany Stratton vs. Jacy Jayne
