LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY — Cody Rhodes defeated Sami Zayn in the main event of WWE SmackDown on May 22, 2026, at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Rhodes pinned Zayn after hitting a Cross Rhodes.

The match was set after Zayn complained to SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis about his placement on the card and his lack of airtime, prompting Rhodes to issue a challenge. Zayn referred to Rhodes, known as the "American Nightmare," as "golden boy" and worked on Rhodes's left knee from early in the bout, also countering a rope attempt by knocking Rhodes to the floor.

Rhodes fought back with a Cody Cutter for a two-count, while Zayn attempted a Blue Thunder Bomb that failed to put Rhodes away. Gunther, Rhodes's challenger at Clash in Italy, interfered by applying a sleeperhold to Rhodes that the referee did not see, then later attacked Rhodes on the apron, prompting Zayn to knock Gunther off. After Rhodes secured the pin, Gunther returned to the ring and attacked him again. Zayn stared down Gunther, allowed him to continue the attack and walked away.

Gunther received his shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship through a favor from Paul Heyman. Rhodes entered the match expecting Gunther, his Clash in Italy challenger, to possibly attack him at any time.

Earlier in the evening, Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair defeated Fatal Influence's Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid. Afterward, Jade Cargill, Michin and B-Fab attacked Ripley, Flair and Alexa Bliss. During a backstage promo, Flair and Bliss reminded Ripley about their match at Saturday Night's Main Event and urged her to stay focused.

Ripley accepted a title match against Cargill at Clash in Italy. "So Jade, if you want your rematch, then I will happily beat you again. You vs. me at Clash in Italy for the WWE Women's Championship," Ripley said. Cargill, who lost to Ripley at WrestleMania 42, later delivered a post-match Jaded to Ripley.

Tiffany Stratton issued an open challenge for the Women's United States Championship, which Lash Legend answered accompanied by Nia Jax. Chelsea Green joined ringside to support Stratton. Jax grabbed Stratton's leg from the top rope, but Green sent Jax into the ring post. Stratton pinned Legend with a rollup to retain the title.

Talla Tonga defeated Shinsuke Nakamura. Solo Sikoa attempted a Samoan Spike on Nakamura but was stopped by Tama Tonga, who performed a pump fake before hitting Nakamura with a cutthroat maneuver. Damian Priest rushed in to stop further damage. Backstage, Tama Tonga told Sikoa he had to take on Priest alone for their family, and Sikoa agreed. In the subsequent match, Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga interfered ringside, contributing to Sikoa's victory. Royce Keys rushed out to save Priest from a post-match beatdown.

Trick Williams, accompanied by Lil Yachty, faced Carmelo Hayes in a non-title match. Ricky Saints distracted Hayes, allowing Williams to pin him with a Trick Shot knee. Blake Monroe made her SmackDown debut in a backstage segment with Green. Danhausen caused an electrical issue in the arena while continuing his experiment.