WWE SmackDown 5/15 Results: Gunther beats Royce Keys to face Cody Rhodes at Clash in Italy

May 16, 2026 Jason Ounpraseuth NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

Colonial Life Arena — Columbia, South Carolina

Results

  • Trick Williams def. The Miz (11:18)
  • Women’s Tag Team Championship: Brie Bella & Paige (c) def. Giulia & Kiana James (9:01)
  • Carmelo Hayes def. Ricky Saints (12:14)
  • Damian Priest def. Tama Tonga (9:57)
  • Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair def. B-Fab & Michin via DQ (11:57)
  • Gunther def. Royce Keys (15:53)

Trick Homecoming

Trick Williams opened the show in his hometown with Lil Yachty and South Carolina’s mascot, Cocky, alongside him. Trick talked about coming home and pointed out his parents in the crowd. The Miz and Kit Wilson interrupt. Miz mocked Cocky and said Trick’s career looks like a bunch of rejected mascots. He also asked if this was WWE or Sesame Street. Yachty questioned why Miz and Kit would interrupt Trick in his hometown and said that’s why they’re cursed. The crowd chanted, “Whoop That Curse.” Kit then went into some slam poetry, and Yachty also dropped some bars, making it look like he came up with his material off the cuff. He ended with a “tiny balls” jab, which elicited a chant. Miz talked about how he’d whoop Trick’s ass in front of his mama, which angered Trick, sending Miz and Kit outside.

The Miz vs. Trick Williams

After a picture-in-picture ad break, Miz tried to go for a Skull-Crushing Finale, but Trick countered with a roll-up. Miz then caught him with a DDT. The crowd singing “tiny balls” distracted The Miz while delivering It Kicks. Trick took advantage, but Miz hit the Skull-Crushing Finale. However, Trick kicked out at two, and Kit went up to the apron to protest. While the ref was distracted, Miz went outside and took out a kendo stick from under the ring. Yachty took it away from him and hit Kit with it. Trick hit a Trick Shot for the win.

Melo meets Saints

Carmelo Hayes returned and told Cathy Kelly that he’s been watching what’s going on, including Trick’s matches with Sami Zayn. He said he’s shooting for the United States Championship, and Ricky Saints went up to him before their match later in the night. They traded barbs, with Melo getting under Ricky’s skin.

Sami wants a rematch

Rey Fenix and Nick Aldis were talking backstage, and Sami went up to Aldis, saying the pressure’s been getting to him. He said he wanted to get back to who he is and asked for a rematch. Aldis pointed out that he already got one and needed to earn it. Sami believed he’s already earned it from what he’s done in his career and wanted a rematch for his ride-or-die fans. Aldis called Sami entitled and walked away. Sami got mad, and Fenix needed to hold him back.

Women’s Tag Team Championship: Brie Bella & Paige (c) vs. Giulia & Kiana James

Before the match, The Irresistible Forces confronted Brie and Paige and said they hope to retain tonight and on Monday so they can beat them for the titles at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Heels took advantage early on after knocking Paige off the apron while the ref was distracted. She eventually got the hot tag to Brie, who hit running knees on Giulia and Kiana, followed up by Yes Kicks. Brie landed a Bella Buster, but Giulia broke up the pin. Kiana hit a Code Breaker, and Giulia hit a northern lights bomb, but Paige broke up the pin after a one count. Kiana landed a superkick, but Brie got the knees up on a standing moonsault. She tagged in Paige, who hit a Rampage for the win. Kiana and Giulia stared at each other angrily after things fell apart in the end.

Tiffy + Chelsea Time?

Cathy Kelly asked Tiffany Stratton how she feels about being a solo wrestler amid the pairings and teams around her. Giulia and Kiana James were arguing behind them, which prompted Tiffany to say she liked being alone. Chelsea Green returned, but Tiffany said some people aren’t meant to be together. That disappointed Chelsea, but she played it off.

A new challenger enters

Cody Rhodes entered the arena with a contract and set up chairs and a table for a signing. He told Gunther to come sign to make him officially part of SmackDown and get his title shot at Clash in Italy. Gunther was angry about what happened last week and talked about how much time it took to set everything up. He said Cody always makes it about him, just like an American. He wanted Cody to be professional and say “please”. Cody said it was Gunther who attacked him from behind and made things weird. He wanted to keep things simple and said, “Please come into the ring.” Gunther mocked Cody, saying his “please” wasn’t genuine and asked to be addressed as Mr. Gunther. That’s when Royce Keys’ music played. He stared right at Cody and gave a glance toward Gunther before going into the ring and signing the contract, since Gunther won’t. Gunther prevented him from signing, and Aldis came out before things escalated. Aldis said Gunther overplayed his hand and that the title shot is open to anyone. He said Gunther and Keys will face off later in the night to decide a No. 1 contender. Cody told Keys he’s easy to find, hard to beat.

Gunther and Aldis were still arguing backstage, where Aldis reiterated that Gunther overplayed his hand, and Gunther told Aldis he should be thankful.

MFT business

MTTs were backstage, and Solo Sikoa didn’t get a quick response from Tama Tonga, but he eventually got a nod from him after asking if Tama knew what he had to do tonight: take on Damian Priest. Solo and Talla left to find Keys after his title challenge. Shinsuke Nakamura came in and asked Tama what he’s doing, and he knows he’s already made his answer. Talla came running back and took out Shinsuke, putting him through a table after warning him to stay away from his family.

Ricky Saints vs. Carmelo Hayes

There were some rough chemistry issues throughout this match, but the closing stretch saw Hayes escape a Revolution DDT attempt and hit First 48 for a nearfall. Ricky hit the Revolution DDT, but his pin was too deep, allowing Melo to kick out at two. Saints pushed Melo into the corner and tried to go for a roll-up with his feet on the ropes. Referee Charles Robinson saw it, and as they were arguing, Melo rolled up Saints and got his foot on the ropes without the ref seeing for the win.

Priest-Keys tension

Keys was getting ready for his match, and R-Truth came up to him to thank him for the save last week. He told Keys to apply for the new Judgment Day. Priest didn’t want to talk about “Judgment Day 2000,” and pointed out to Truth that the MFTs have taken out everyone in front of them, except Keys, which is why he hasn’t earned his respect and trust yet. He added that Priest isn’t medically cleared to go out, so he’s safe.

Mad Scientisthausen

Danhausen was in his lab, mentioning that the Minihausens are on vacation. He’s still working on the cloning machine and brings out a corpse. He’s typing something into a computer after talking to someone on an old phone, where he wanted to make something bigger and larger.

Tama Tonga vs. Damian Priest

Both men hit their big moves back and forth. In the end, Priest carried Tama from his neck when he tried a sunset flip. He landed the rebound lariat and South of Heaven for the win. Talla Tonga attacked Priest after the match, and Solo hit him with the Samoan Spike.

Sami rant

Sami Zayn was still hung up on Aldis’ “entitled” comment. It turned out he was ranting at a planking Johnny Gargano. Candice LeRae called Gargano entitled, and Sami told him not to listen to the noise and remember who he is. Gargano stared at Sami into the distance.

Jade calls out Rhea

Jade Cargill spoke before B-Fab and Michin’s match. She said that everyone acts all tough when she’s not around, but when her music plays, everybody gets quiet. Rhea Ripley found out last week, and she claimed the women’s title will come home at Clash in Italy. Charlotte and Alexa Bliss interrupted, and Charlotte finally pissed her off due to last week. Jade called them backup dancers and wondered where Rhea was. Alexa chimed back that Jade’s backup dancers are supposed to make her look good, as they prepared for their match.

Blake Monroe coming soon

Another Blake Monroe vignette, where she was looking for an outfit. She said she’s not your hero, she’s your glamour. She told the women’s division that they’ll see the difference between them and her as she got into a car.

Alexa Bliss & Charlotte vs. B-Fab & Michin

There wasn’t a whole lot to this match, mostly generic heel schtick from B-Fab and Michin. The finish saw Alexa Bliss hit the Sister Abigail on B-Fab. Jade Cargill pulled Bliss off the pin attempt and took her out. Charlotte took care of B-Fab and Michin and stared Jade down.

Fatal warning

Fatal Influence was watching the match backstage. Fallon Henley said you either have to be the predator or the prey, and they are at the top of the food chain. Lainey Reid added that everyone on SmackDown acts like friends, and Jacy Jayne said that loyalty is their currency. She proclaimed they’ll be draped in gold, sending a warning to the rest of the division.

Women’s tag fallout

Charlotte and Alexa were recovering backstage. Charlotte told Bliss she’s trying to be a team player but wondered where Rhea was. Bliss said they need help. Charlotte replied, “Do I look like a ‘I need help’ kind of person?” Bliss told Charlotte that they’re outnumbered, and Rhea owes them.

MFT recruitment

Keys was still getting ready for his match, and Solo came up to him. He offered to help Royce beat Gunther and become champion. Solo told Keys to listen to him, not Jacob Fatu. He added that he’d hate to see what happened to Shinsuke happen to him. That got Royce mad, and he told Solo he got this. Solo pointed out that Jacob said the same thing.

Royce Keys vs. Gunther

This was a solid spotlight for Keys. Both men threw heavy shots after the picture-in-picture break. On the outside, Keys caught a boot and hit a series of World Strongest Slams on the announce desk. Both men continued to hammer in big shots, ending with a superplex from Keys for a two-count. Gunther caught Keys with a rear-naked choke, and as Keys was about to fade, Solo ran in to motivate Keys. That was enough to break the hold, and Keys escaped with a back-body drop. They traded lariats, and Keys went back to work with big shots to Gunther, ending with a big lariat for a two-count. Solo was still cheering on Keys as he went for a powerslam. Gunther locked in the sleeper again, and Solo encouraged the crowd to support Keys, who escaped again. Royce knocked Gunther down in the corner, knocking the ref down, too. Solo threw a chair in, but Royce rejected it. Gunther took advantage and won with the stacked powerbomb.

After the match, Gunther talked trash straight into the camera. Cody surprised him with a Cross Rhodes to welcome him to SmackDown and stare down his Clash in Italy opponent.

The following was announced for SmackDown next week:

  • Talla Tonga vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss & Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill, B-Fab & Michin was added to Saturday Night’s Main Event.

About Jason Ounpraseuth 107 Articles
Jason Ounpraseuth is a journalist from Massachusetts. He writes and reports about New England and Boston sports and professional wrestling.
Website LinkedIn