WWE SmackDown 7/3 Results: Cody Rhodes defeats Jey Uso, will challenge Sami Zayn for Undisputed WWE Title on Raw

July 3, 2026 Jason Ounpraseuth NEWS, RECOMMENDED, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall — Atlantic City, New Jersey

Results

  • Jade Cargill, B-Fab & Michin def. Charlotte Flair, Chelsea Green & Tiffany Stratton (8:54)
  • AAA World Cruiserweight Championship: Rey Fenix (c) def. El Hijo del Vikingo (8:54)
  • Lainey Reid def. Brie Bella (3:18)
  • Undisputed WWE Championship No. 1 Contendership: Cody Rhodes def. Jey Uso (15:31)

The show opened with a recap of Sami Zayn winning the Undisputed WWE Championship at Night of Champions.

Celebration swerve

Sami Zayn came out with a full entrance to a mostly positive reception. He thanked everyone for the reactions he’s received since winning the title, but he pointed out that for the past six months, he’s been booed, and those same people wanted to see him as WWE Champion. He admitted he could be petty and tell those people who turned their back on him to “kiss my ass,” but he won’t because he’s a good guy. He is holding the title because he never changed. People told him to be selfish and to be cuthroat, but he did it his way and the right way. Sami said he wanted to celebrate, and there was a “Sami” chant. He said he will go down as one of the all-time greats, WrestleMania main eventer and Grand Slam Champion. No amount of booing, no amount of booing or any amount of hate will change that.

Cody Rhodes’ music played, and he did his full entrance on his way to the ring. Sami threw the “what do you wanna talk about” right at Cody. Rhodes said he didn’t want to wait in line, and he congratulated Sami on winning the title like he did for him. Cody was about to walk away, but Sami stopped him. Sami told Cody to drop the act and tell him why he’s really out here.

Jey Uso interrupted, and he came into the ring and hugged Sami, while also doing their handshake. Jey denied a run-back and also congratulated Sami, but he’s out here for Bloodline business. Jey gave Sami a warning shot and told him that he needed to bring the title back to the family. Cody questioned what year this was. He wondered when former heavyweight champion Jey Uso became a lapdog for the Bloodline, and he noted that this is about his title shot. Sami told them that it’s his time to be WWE Champion. Sami turned back Cody’s words about him not being WWE Champion. Sami said it’s still in the family and will stay on his shoulders.

Adam Pearce halted Sami’s retreat and reminded everyone that he is the acting GM of SmackDown, and his first order of business is to find his challenger. Sami asked if he had a word on who he would face at SummerSlam, but Pearce noted that he’s not talking about SummerSlam. He threw a jab at how Nick Aldis probably would have done what he wanted, but he’s setting up a match for next Monday on Raw. It will be the winner of Cody versus Jey tonight.

Cathy Kelly was backstage with Charlotte Flair and asked why she interfered in Jade Cargill’s match at Night of Champions. She said she would teach Jade a lesson and would continue doing so. Alexa told Charlotte that a heads-up would have been nice, and Charlotte pointed out that she had seen her teaming up with Tiffany Stratton at home. Tiffany said she didn’t need Charlotte’s help, but thanked her, and Chelsea Green was being Chelsea Green as the audio started getting echoed.

Charlotte Flair, Chelsea Green & Tiffany Stratton vs. B-Fab, Jade Cargill & Michin

This match had real house show vibes. The crowd was hot for Chelsea Green with “We want Chelsea” chants while the heels cornered Charlotte. Chelsea eventually got her hot tag, and everyone got in the ring to hit their big moves. Chelsea landed a springboard huracanrnna. She knocked down B-Fab after countering Jaded, but while celebrating, Jade caught her with Jaded for the win.

We got a recap of Gunther and Aldis’ backstage encounter. Michael Cole read off a statement from WWE HQ about how Aldis was placed on administrative leave, and Pearce is in charge of both shows.

Pearce got off the phone with Aldis as Sami complained about having to defend his title on Monday. Pearce said it was a great opportunity, and he might invite other SmackDown stars to make it a supershow. He left, and Sami was about to crash out on a water bottle, but he spotted Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. He gave a planking Johnny an inspirational speech about what he could do, and he asked Candice to take a picture of them.

AAA World Cruiserweight Championship: Rey Fenix (c) vs. El Hijo del Vikingo

For those who don’t watch AAA, like Michael Cole, Corey Graves helped fill in the gaps. This crowd was lukewarm throughout. They got up for the big spots, like when Fenix hit a springboard cutter, spiking Vikingo’s head. Vikingo has been wrestling with a bit more of an edge, and he showed that when he trapped Fenix between the ring skirt. The two pushed the pace after the commercial break. Fenix hit a frog splash for a nearfall. Vikingo countered Fenix in the corner and hit an enzuigiri, followed up by a Meteora. Vikingo got off a rolling hurricanrana pin for a two-count and hit a round kick. Fenix met Vikingo up top, but Vikingo got off a poisonrana for a nearfall. Vikingo went up to the ringpost and missed a springboard 450. Fenix finished Vikingo with a Mexican Muscle Buster.

A recap of Giulia’s win over Kiana James and Blake Monroe’s post-match attack is played.

Cathy was backstage with Giulia, and Giulia said she doesn’t back down from any fight. If Monroe stopped being a coward, she would fight her anytime and anywhere. Kiana interrupted and told Giulia that she got lucky. Monroe snuck up on Giulia and slammed her onto a crate, telling her she was Blake Monroe and it was great to see her again. Kiana talked trash to Giulia about who is in control, and Monroe slammed Kiana onto the crate, telling her it was great to meet her.

Top of the hour, and a Raw recap of the Seth Rollins-Roman Reigns segment played.

Royce Keys met up with Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu backstage. Jacob tried to goad Jacob about Roman being in charge of him. Jimmy told Royce to stay out of their business unless he knew where Solo Sikoa was. Royce said blood doesn’t make family; loyalty does. He told Jacob that he’s been with him since Day 1, so he’s his family. Jimmy said, “Not no more,” and Jacob didn’t say anything while staring at Royce.

A rivalry renewed

Before Lil Yachty could talk, Carmelo Hayes entered. Hayes wanted to run it back for the United States Championship after Ricky Saints didn’t get the job done. He gave Trick his flowers, but he noted that he made the championship, and he’s only champ because he hasn’t gone after it yet. He also noted that the title is a workhorse title and threw in a jab about Trick possibly putting on a few pounds. He told Trick to prove him wrong because he’s not buying Trick’s talk. Yachty talked up Trick and asked the crowd if they should give Melo a match, which they wanted. Yachty said Melo got a match next week, but it’s not for the title because titles are earned, not given. He said Melo won’t have any more excuses after next week. Trick said he knew Melo like the back of his hand and slapped him for not minding his business while grown folks are talking. Trick and Yachty were celebrating, but Melo came in with a tope con hilo. The two stared each other down.

Danhausen was backstage with Miz and Kit Wilson as Matt Cardona came in. Danhausen said he has a match with JD McDonagh at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cardona said he had Danhausen’s back, but Danhausen said he had it handled. Cardona tried to help with Danhausen’s experiment, but something went wrong, maybe the Judgment Day? It seemed like Miz and Kit swapped catchphrases?

Brie Bella vs. Lainey Reid

According to Cole, this was Brie’s first singles match in 10 years. This was also a continuation from Paige’s win over Jacy Jayne last week. The match probably went about as well as it could, given Brie’s ability combined with Lainey’s inexperience. Brie had Lainey in the Yes Lock, and Paige stopped the other Fatal Influence members from interfering. Fallon knocked out Paige, and Brie went in to assist. Lainey caught Brie with a running knee as she got back into the ring for the win.

R-Truth and Nathan Frazer were having a hot dog-eating contest in the locker room. The War Raiders came in and asked Truth and Priest about their tag title match, and Ivar grabbed and ate a hot dog. Truth made a joke about how Ivar ate Priest’s weiner. “You’re supposed to swallow it.” Truth accepted the match in a hot dog-eating contest. Priest noted that Aldis wasn’t there, but he accepted the challenge for a match on SmackDown. Truth got the final word through Little Jimmy, and Erik asked Ivar why he ate the hot dog.

In the last half hour of the show, we got a vignette of the Oba Femi-Brock Lesnar segment.

Cody ran into Finn Balor while making his way to his match. Cody welcomed Finn to SmackDown, and Finn admitted that he only came to SmackDown to face Cody for the title, so he wished him luck in winning it back. Tama Tonga came in and told Finn that he went to the “elders” for guidance. Finn wondered what that had to do with him, and Talla Tonga snuck up on him and slammed him onto a crate. Tama said he’s closing the books on everything from his past, and Finn is next.

Undisputed WWE Championship No. 1 Contendership: Cody Rhodes vs. Jey Uso

This was a solid back-and-forth affair. After the final commercial break, Cody caught Jey with a kick and hit a Cody Cutter for a nearfall. Jey countered a Disaster Kick with a superkick, followed up by a spear for a two-count. Cody dodged a splash and hit a spear of his own, and he nailed the Cross Rhodes, but Jey kicked out at two. Cody went up to the top rope for a splash, but Jey got his knees up and got Cody into a small package for another nearfall. Both men were on their knees and trading strikes. Jey ducked a punch and tried to lock in a sleeper. Cody flipped over Jey, and Jey tried to lock in the sleeper again. Cody forced a break, and Jey charged in, but Cody caught him for the Cross Rhodes for the win.

The following was confirmed for next week’s SmackDown:

  • Trick Williams vs. Carmelo Hayes
  • Finn Balor vs. Tama Tonga
About Jason Ounpraseuth 150 Articles
Jason Ounpraseuth is a journalist from Massachusetts. He writes and reports about New England and Boston sports and professional wrestling.
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