Category: SmackDown

Haku Returns To WWE, Leads Sons Tama And Talla Tonga On SmackDown

A WWE Hall of Famer made a shocking return on the final SmackDown before SummerSlam, as Haku appeared alongside his sons Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga to officially cement their new direction.

The surprise appearance came during the July 31 edition of WWE SmackDown, where Tama and Talla continued to distance themselves from Solo Sikoa and the MFT faction.

Haku Delivers Powerful Message To His Sons

Earlier in the show, WWE aired a vignette featuring Tama and Talla Tonga discussing their recent split from Solo Sikoa’s group.

The brothers explained that their pursuit of championships had taken a backseat while they were focused on internal family conflicts. They emphasized that it was time to put family first and return to what truly mattered.

The segment took an emotional turn when Haku appeared on screen.

The legendary wrestler spoke about the family’s Tongan heritage and reminded his sons of the legacy they carry every time they step into the ring. Haku’s appearance immediately drew attention, marking his first significant WWE television involvement in quite some time.

Champion Vs. Champion Match Breaks Down

Later in the evening, WWE Tag Team Champions Damian Priest and R-Truth faced AAA World Tag Team Champions The War Raiders in a non-title champion-versus-champion showdown.

The match quickly spiraled out of control.

As tempers flared, the referee was knocked down while attempting to restore order. With no official able to maintain control, the bout was ruled a disqualification. Even after the bell, the four competitors continued brawling throughout the arena.

The MFTs Make A Statement

As chaos unfolded, Tama and Talla Tonga stormed the ring.

The duo attacked everyone in sight, laying out both teams in dominant fashion. Tama connected with the Cut Throat on Erik, while Talla delivered a devastating chokeslam to Priest.

With the ring cleared, the brothers stood tall holding both the WWE and AAA Tag Team Championships.

Moments later, Haku made his way to the ring and joined his sons, creating a memorable image as the show headed toward its conclusion.

New Chapter After Solo Sikoa Split

Tama and Talla officially severed ties with Solo Sikoa on the June 26 episode of SmackDown.

At the time, the brothers claimed they were acting on instructions from “the elders” and voiced frustration over Sikoa’s obsession with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline power struggle.

Since then, they have begun carving out their own path, and Haku’s return appears to solidify that direction.

Now being presented as The MFTs, Tama and Talla have added one of the most respected figures in wrestling history to their corner as they continue their pursuit of championship gold.

SummerSlam Implications

The timing of Haku’s return is particularly noteworthy with SummerSlam just around the corner.

After standing tall over both the WWE Tag Team Champions and the AAA World Tag Team Champions, Tama and Talla have sent a clear message to every team in WWE.

With Haku now serving as their mentor and on-screen leader, The MFTs appear poised to become a major force in WWE’s tag team division moving forward.

Whether their actions on SmackDown lead directly to a championship opportunity remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the Tonga family made a statement just one night before SummerSlam.

WWE SmackDown Preview 7/31/2026

WWE SmackDown live tonight at 8/7c on USA Network and Netflix internationally from the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

The last show before this weekends two night SummerSlam.

  • WWE Tag Team Championship Match: Damian Priest & R-Truth (c) vs. AAA World Tag Team Champions The War Raiders
  • Interim WWE Women’s Title Ladder Match Qualifying Match: Giulia vs. Lash Legend
  • Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk goes Face-to-Face with Cody Rhodes ahead of their title match at SummerSlam

Nikki Bella Returns On WWE SmackDown, SummerSlam Six-Woman Tag Match Made

Nikki Bella is back in WWE.

The WWE Hall of Famer made a surprise return during Friday night’s SmackDown, coming to the rescue of Brie Bella and Paige after a post-match assault from Fatal Influence. The appearance marked Nikki’s first major WWE television appearance in months and immediately set the stage for a blockbuster match at SummerSlam.

Nikki Bella Saves Brie And Paige

The chaos unfolded after Brie Bella scored a victory over Lainey Reid, one-half of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Following the match, Reid’s Fatal Influence allies Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley stormed the ring and launched an attack on Brie and Paige. With the numbers advantage in their favor, the champions appeared poised to leave their challengers laid out.

That changed when Nikki Bella’s music hit.

The WWE Hall of Famer rushed to the ring and quickly turned the tide, helping clear out Fatal Influence and giving Brie and Paige the chance to recover. Nikki capped off the return by planting Jayne with the Rack Attack 2.0 before standing over her fallen opponent.

As the crowd erupted, Nikki made her intentions clear, shouting that she was back before confronting Jayne face-to-face.

SummerSlam Match Confirmed

After Fatal Influence regrouped on the outside, Nikki grabbed a microphone and addressed the trio directly.

Bella accused the group of believing they could arrive from NXT, capture championship gold, and avoid consequences. She reminded them that veterans like herself, Brie, and Paige helped pave the way for the current generation of WWE women’s wrestlers.

She then issued a challenge that immediately became official.

Nikki announced that she, Brie Bella, and Paige will team up to face Fatal Influence in a six-woman tag team match at SummerSlam 2026.

The announcement adds another high-profile attraction to WWE’s biggest event of the summer and marks a rare in-ring reunion for the Bella Twins.

Legends Versus The New Generation

The matchup presents an intriguing clash between WWE legends and one of the company’s fastest-rising groups.

Fatal Influence has made a major impact since arriving on the main roster, capturing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships and establishing themselves as one of the division’s most dominant factions. Their success has often come at the expense of veteran stars, including Paige and Brie.

Now, with Nikki Bella entering the picture, the rivalry has escalated significantly.

For Nikki, the match will provide an opportunity to prove she can still compete at a high level while standing alongside two of the most influential figures in WWE women’s wrestling history.

For Fatal Influence, defeating three Hall of Fame-caliber names on one of WWE’s biggest stages would further cement their status as a force in the division.

SummerSlam Continues To Take Shape

With the six-woman tag match now official, SummerSlam continues to add major attractions ahead of the two-night event.

The return of Nikki Bella brings additional star power to the card and creates one of the most anticipated women’s matches of the weekend. Whether the veterans can roll back the clock or Fatal Influence can continue their rise remains to be seen, but Friday’s surprise return ensured that the rivalry just became one of the hottest stories heading into SummerSlam.

Nikki Bella’s comeback appearance received one of the loudest reactions of the night, and her reunion with Brie and Paige gives SummerSlam a marquee showdown between WWE legends and one of the company’s most controversial rising factions.

WWE SmackDown Preview 7/24/2026

WWE SmackDown live tonight at 8/7c on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans from the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California.

  • Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Charlotte Flair vs. Nia Jax
  • Interim WWE Women’s Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Chelsea Green vs. Kiana James
  • Cody Rhodes to speak
  • Undisputed WWE Champion CM Punk to speak
  • Gunther to speak

Rhea Ripley Ruled Out Of WWE SummerSlam, Interim Women’s Champion To Be Determined In A Ladder Match At SummerSlam

WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley will not be competing at SummerSlam, forcing WWE to make a major change to the championship picture heading into one of the company’s biggest events of the year.

Ahead of Friday night’s SmackDown, WWE announced that Ripley remains sidelined as she continues recovering from a torn meniscus. As a result, an interim WWE Women’s Champion will be crowned at SummerSlam in a high-stakes ladder match.

The announcement was made by WWE official Adam Pearce in a video shared on social media. While Pearce noted that Ripley has been making significant progress and is working closely with WWE’s medical team, he explained that the nature of the injury has prevented her from being medically cleared in time for the premium live event.

According to Pearce, Ripley’s return timetable remains uncertain, leading WWE to establish an interim champion until the reigning titleholder is able to return to competition.

To determine who will compete for the interim championship, WWE will hold a series of qualifying matches beginning on SmackDown and continuing over the next two weeks. Five women will earn spots in the SummerSlam ladder match, where they will battle for the right to carry the interim championship.

Pearce also confirmed that the situation will eventually be resolved when Ripley is cleared to return. At that point, the interim champion and Ripley will meet to determine the undisputed WWE Women’s Champion.

Ripley’s absence is a significant setback for WWE, as she has remained one of the company’s most prominent stars and a centerpiece of the women’s division. Despite the injury, Pearce emphasized that the champion has been working hard behind the scenes and appears to be nearing a return.

For now, though, the focus shifts to the upcoming qualifying matches and the ladder match at SummerSlam, where a new champion will be crowned while Ripley continues her recovery.

With one of WWE’s top titles now up for grabs, the race to become interim Women’s Champion is set to become one of the biggest storylines heading into SummerSlam.

Tiffany Stratton And Jade Cargill Advance To Interim Women’s Title Ladder Match At SummerSlam

Two spots in WWE’s upcoming Interim Women’s Championship Ladder Match at SummerSlam have officially been filled.

During Friday night’s SmackDown, Tiffany Stratton and Jade Cargill secured victories in qualifying matches to earn their places in the high-profile bout that will determine an interim champion while Rhea Ripley remains sidelined with injury.

Tiffany Stratton Overcomes Chaos To Qualify

Stratton’s path to SummerSlam wasn’t without obstacles.

Before her match against Jacy Jayne even got underway, members of Fatal Influence attempted to gain an advantage by attacking Stratton. However, the situation quickly escalated when Paige and Brie Bella rushed to ringside and went after Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley, leading to a wild brawl that spilled away from the ring.

Once the match officially began, Stratton quickly established control. She punished Jayne with a series of strikes and showcased her athleticism throughout the contest. After connecting with an Alabama Slam, Stratton maintained momentum despite a brief comeback from Jayne, who landed a swinging neckbreaker.

Jayne attempted to finish the match with her Rolling Encore, but Stratton countered the move and followed up with a rolling senton before delivering her signature Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the victory.

The win officially punched Stratton’s ticket to the SummerSlam ladder match.

Jade Cargill Advances Following Charlotte Flair Interference

The second qualifier of the night featured Jade Cargill taking on Nia Jax, with plenty of drama unfolding both inside and outside the ring.

Cargill entered the match accompanied by Michin and B-Fab, but outside interference ultimately played a major role in the outcome. After an evenly contested battle that saw Jax connect with a Samoan Drop and Cargill answer with a powerful spinebuster, Charlotte Flair became involved.

Flair attacked Michin at ringside before entering the ring and striking Cargill with a dropkick. The interference immediately brought the match to an end, resulting in Cargill being awarded the victory via disqualification.

Flair’s involvement didn’t stop there. Following the bell, she grabbed a steel chair and appeared ready to continue the assault, but Michin and B-Fab stepped in to even the odds. Moments later, Nia Jax attacked Flair before leaving the ring, creating another twist in the ongoing rivalry.

With Flair laid out, Cargill capitalized by planting her with Jaded and standing tall to close the segment.

Another Qualifier Set For Next Week

Following the match, WWE official Adam Pearce addressed the situation and announced that Nia Jax will receive another opportunity to qualify for the SummerSlam ladder match. Next week, Jax will face Charlotte Flair in a new qualifying bout, with the winner advancing to the championship contest.

With Stratton and Cargill now officially qualified, the field for the Interim Women’s Championship Ladder Match is beginning to take shape. Additional qualifying matches are expected over the coming weeks as WWE builds toward SummerSlam and the crowning of a temporary titleholder during Rhea Ripley’s absence.

WWE SmackDown Preview 7/17/2026

WWE SmackDown live tonight at 8/7c on USA Network and Netflix internationally from the MVP Arena in Albany, New York.

  • Adam Pearce addresses Nick Aldis & Gunther situation.
  • CM Punk appears ahead of Saturday Night’s Main Event tag team match
  • Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill, Tiffany Stratton, Gunther & Trick Williams advertised

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