Category: SmackDown

Rhea Ripley Reveals Knee Injury, SummerSlam Status Remains Uncertain

WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley has confirmed that she is currently recovering from a knee injury that has kept her out of in-ring action for more than a month.

Speaking with Nina Drama during the July 10 Power Slap event, Ripley disclosed that she suffered a slight meniscus tear and is still working through the recovery process. While she noted that her knee has improved since the injury occurred, she admitted that it continues to limit her mobility.

According to Ripley, the injury has made it difficult to fully bend her knee, and certain movements still cause discomfort. She explained that the tear occurred in an unusual area, making it difficult to predict exactly how long recovery will take.

The reigning WWE Women’s Champion said she has been sidelined for approximately six weeks and is gradually regaining strength, though lingering pain and stiffness remain concerns. Ripley also noted that crouching, bending down, and moving laterally can still be challenging due to the injury.

Ripley’s most recent match took place at a WWE live event in Portugal on June 3. During that bout, she teamed with Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton in a victory over Fatal Influence. Footage from the event showed Ripley competing while wearing a knee sleeve, the same protective gear fans recently noticed during her appearance on SmackDown.

Despite not wrestling in recent weeks, Ripley has remained a prominent figure on WWE programming. Her latest appearance saw her confront several potential challengers, signaling that the women’s championship scene continues to revolve around her even while she recovers.

With SummerSlam now just weeks away, Ripley’s condition has become a major topic of discussion. Previous reports suggested WWE had already begun considering creative alternatives in case the champion’s recovery timeline extends longer than expected.

At this stage, WWE has not officially announced whether Ripley will be cleared to compete at the two-night premium live event. For now, fans will have to wait and see whether “Mami” can return to action in time for one of WWE’s biggest shows of the year.

As Ripley continues her rehabilitation, the status of the WWE Women’s Championship picture heading into SummerSlam remains one of the company’s biggest question marks.

Baron Corbin Makes Surprise WWE Return on SmackDown, Targets United States Championship

A familiar face made an unexpected return to WWE television during this week’s episode of SmackDown as Baron Corbin resurfaced for the first time in two years and immediately inserted himself into the United States Championship picture.

The surprise appearance came during a non-title matchup between reigning United States Champion Trick Williams and longtime rival Carmelo Hayes. With the two former NXT standouts renewing their rivalry, Hayes had an opportunity to earn a future championship match by defeating Williams.

After a competitive back-and-forth contest, Hayes appeared to be closing in on victory. He climbed to the top rope looking to connect with his signature Nothing But Net finisher, but the match took an unexpected turn when Corbin appeared on the ring apron.

Corbin locked eyes with Hayes before shoving him off the top rope, causing the referee to call for a disqualification. The interference abruptly ended the match and denied fans a definitive winner.

The former United States Champion wasn’t finished there. After the bell, Corbin attacked both Hayes and Williams, leaving the champion laid out in the ring. To punctuate his return, Corbin picked up the United States Championship and stood tall with the title as the segment came to a close.

Corbin’s actions strongly suggest that he has his sights set on the championship he once held. His lone singles title reign on WWE’s main roster came with the United States Championship in 2017, a run that lasted 70 days.

While Corbin’s career has included several notable accomplishments—including winning the Money in the Bank briefcase in 2017 and capturing the NXT Tag Team Championship alongside Bron Breakker in 2024—he has yet to add another singles championship to his résumé.

Now back on SmackDown, Corbin has immediately made his intentions clear. With Trick Williams holding the gold and Carmelo Hayes still looking for his own title opportunity, Corbin’s return could shake up the United States Championship scene in a major way over the coming weeks.

WWE SmackDown Preview 7/10/2026

WWE SmackDown live tonight at 8/7c on USA Network and Netflix internationally.

  • New Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk returns to SmackDown
  • Non-Title Match: WWE US Champion Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes
  • Finn Bálor vs. Tama Tonga

WWE SmackDown Preview 7/3/2026

WWE SmackDown airs tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network in the US and on Netflix for international fans. This episode was taped this past Monday at the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

  • More fallout from Night of Champions
  • Charlotte Flair, Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green vs. Jade Cargill, B-Fab and Michin
  • AAA Cruiserweight Championship Match: Rey Fenix (c) vs. El Hijo del Vikingo
  • Newly crowned Undisputed WWE SmackDown Sami Zayn to speak
  • Brie Bella vs. Lainey Reid

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/26/2026

WWE SmackDown airs tonight on the USA Network and Netflix for international fans taped a few days ago from the O2 Arena in London, England.

  • AAA World Cruiserweight Championship Match: Rey Fenix (c) vs. Nathan Frazer
  • Trick Williams, Ricky Saints, Jey Uso, Oba Femi, Gunther, Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes all to appear
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Paige vs. Jacy Jayne
  • Danhausen & Matt Cardona vs. Los Garza
  • Jade Cargill vs. Chelsea Green
  • Giulia vs. Kiana James

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/19/2026

WWE Smackdown live tonight at 8/7c on USA Network and Netflix internationally from T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.

  • Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Gunther (Special Guest Referee: Sami Zayn)
  • WWE Tag Team Championship Match: R-Truth and Damian Priest (c) vs. MFTs
  • Queen of the Ring tournament Semifinal Match: Charlotte Flair vs. Liv Morgan
  • WWE United States Championship #1 Contenders Match: Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/12/2026

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on at 8pm ET the USA Network in the United States and Netflix intentionally from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.

  • Gunther reveals his stipulation for challenging Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship on next week’s show
  • King of the Ring Tournament Match: Jey Uso vs. LA Knight vs. Royce Keys vs. Finn Balor
  • Queen of the Ring Tournament Match: Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill

Report: CM Punk Could Be Headed to SmackDown When He Returns to WWE

After spending the last two months away from WWE television, CM Punk has been at the center of plenty of speculation regarding his status with the company. Rumors ranging from alleged creative frustrations to reports of backstage issues and even release requests have circulated online in recent weeks.

However, several reports this week pushed back on those claims, indicating that there is no significant tension between Punk and WWE. Instead, the expectation remains that “The Best in the World” will make his return to television sometime in July.

Now, a new report suggests that WWE may have specific plans for Punk once he returns.

According to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is expected to move Punk to SmackDown as part of an effort to better balance the company’s top-tier talent across both brands.

With Raw already featuring major stars such as Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Liv Morgan, and Oba Femi, the belief is that Punk could have a larger impact on Friday nights. A move to SmackDown would place him alongside names like Cody Rhodes, GUNTHER, and Randy Orton, creating several fresh matchups and storyline possibilities.

That said, the report notes that Punk could still make an appearance on Raw before any official brand switch takes place. The July 6 episode of Raw is scheduled for Chicago, Punk’s hometown, making it an obvious location for a high-profile return.

A move to SmackDown would also align with a storyline tease WWE planted before Punk’s absence. Prior to stepping away from television, Punk hinted at a future confrontation with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Given Rhodes’ position at the top of the blue brand, Punk’s arrival on SmackDown could quickly place him in the championship picture.

With SummerSlam approaching and rumors suggesting Punk is expected to be involved in one of the event’s major programs, fans are already speculating about a potential showdown between Punk and Rhodes. WWE has not confirmed any plans, but the possibility would undoubtedly rank among the biggest matches the company could present.

Before taking time away from television, Punk suffered a major setback at WrestleMania 42 when he lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Roman Reigns. His eventual return could mark the beginning of a new chapter, potentially on a new brand and with a new championship target in sight.

For now, all eyes remain on July as WWE fans await the return of one of the company’s most talked-about stars.

WWE SmackDown Preview 6/5/2026

WWE SmackDown airs tonight at 8/7c on USA Network from Unipol Arena in Bologna, Italy. The event begins at 2:00 pm ET/11:00 am PT.

  • Cody Rhodes returns to SmackDown after a controversial victory over Gunther
  • Find out what’s next for Rhea Ripley after her victory over Jade Cargill
  • Queen of the Ring Tournament: Bayley vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Jacy Jayne vs. Kiana James
  • King of the Ring Tournament: Damian Priest vs. Trick Williams vs. Bron Breakker vs. Dominik Mysterio
  • Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints

Report: WWE SmackDown Is Expected To Return To Two-Hour Format on July 3

A familiar scheduling change appears to be on the horizon for WWE SmackDown, as the blue brand is reportedly set to move back to a two-hour format the first week of July.

According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, the final three-hour edition of SmackDown is currently expected to air on June 26, with the show returning to its traditional two-hour runtime beginning the following week (July 3).

The three-hour format has been a topic of debate among fans since it was reintroduced, with many viewers feeling the additional hour often leads to pacing issues and filler content. Based on Meltzer’s report, WWE and its television partners appear to be sticking with a plan that alternates between two-hour and three-hour versions of the show.

Meltzer noted that he had previously been told the arrangement would consist of approximately six months of three-hour programming followed by six months of the standard two-hour format, a pattern that could continue throughout WWE’s current media rights agreement.

“Three hours until the end of the month. June 26 is the last three-hour show,” Meltzer said. “I was told six months on, January to July, and the idea that’s going to be it for the entire five-year thing. Six months on, six months off.”

The veteran wrestling journalist also admitted he initially believed the switch back to two hours might happen sooner. Part of that expectation stemmed from the return of Braun Strowman’s “Everything On The Menu” series, which recently benefited from having SmackDown as its lead-in on USA Network.

Despite the show’s strong ratings performance, USA Network is reportedly keeping Everything On The Menu in the 11 p.m. ET timeslot through the end of June. The series is then expected to move back to 10 p.m. ET in July, coinciding with SmackDown‘s reported return to a two-hour broadcast.

While Meltzer questioned the decision to keep a successful program in the later timeslot for another month, there appears to be confidence that WWE’s audience will continue to provide a strong lead-in for the network’s programming.

For now, fans can expect SmackDown to remain three hours through the remainder of June, with the widely anticipated return to a two-hour format reportedly set to begin after the June 26 episode.