WWE SmackDown 5/22 Results: Trick Williams and Tiffany Stratton defend titles, Blake Monroe debuts

May 22, 2026 Jason Ounpraseuth NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

Rupp Arena — Lexington, Kentucky

Results

  • Talla Tonga def. Shinsuke Nakamura (9:21)
  • Women’s United States Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) def. Lash Legend (9:06)
  • United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) def. Carmelo Hayes (13:23)
  • Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley def. Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid) (10:58)
  • Solo Sikoa def. Damian Priest (9:21)
  • Cody Rhodes def. Sami Zayn (11:54)

Can they co-exist?

Rhea Ripley opened the show and said that Jade and her crew tried to send a message, but they’ve pissed her off. She’s also itching for a fight, so she’s willing to give Jade Cargill a rematch for the Women’s Title at Clash in Italy. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss came out, and Charlotte reminded Rhea of their trios match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. She also wondered where Rhea had been last week, to which Rhea responded that she had been with her family. They bickered back and forth over who asked whom for help and dealing with each other’s problems, and Fatal Influence came out. Jacy Jayne said she loved seeing the infighting in the women’s division because it meant an opportunity for Fatal Influence. Charlotte then challenged them to a match later in the night.

Courting Keys

Cathy Kelly tried to get a word from Talla Tonga before his match, but Solo answered for him, saying he was ready. He said he wanted everyone to watch, starting toward Tama Tonga’s direction, but Royce Keys confronted Solo for interfering in his match and costing him a title shot. Solo tried to say that if he didn’t want his help, he should have said so, and that Royce threw a chair at his face. He then told Royce that he needed someone to watch his back, and the MFTs could provide that.

Alexa swerve

Charlotte met up with Alexa backstage, and Alexa tried to say she wasn’t cleared, sarcastically pretending to be sick. She told Charlotte that every time she and Rhea fight, she’s in the middle of it, so they should team up against Fatal Influence.

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Talla Tonga

The crowd was somewhat into this match, but the result was expected. Nakamura got his signature moves in, but when he was setting up the Kinshasa, Solo Sikoa went up on the apron to distract him. Talla Tonga took advantage and won with the T-Bomb. Solo was about to hit Nakamura with a Samoan Spike after the match, but Tama Tonga stopped him. However, instead of turning on Solo, Tama took out Nakamura instead. Damian Priest came out for the save.

Sami-Cody crash out

Nick Aldis was backstage with Charles Robinson, where the lights briefly went out. (This happened earlier in the show, too.) Cody Rhodes went up to Aldis, who told him Gunther wasn’t in the building and that the contract hadn’t been signed, which obviously made Cody unhappy. Aldis said he had it handled. Then Sami Zayn approached Cody and offered his assistance as someone with experience beating Gunther. Cody said, “Thanks, but no thanks.” This set Sami off, as he took his frustrations out on Aldis, wondering what he had for him on the show. Despite there being little advertising, Aldis said he wasn’t sure if there was room for Sami, further pissing him off that he couldn’t have a few minutes to address his ride-or-die fans. He called out the “golden boy,” and Cody came back to tell Aldis that Sami should have time, especially because he’s always healthy. He then said they should have a match for later in the night.

Solo alone

Tama Tonga gave a pep talk in the locker room. He told Solo that everyone sees them and the MFTs as weak, so Solo needs to take care of Priest on his own, which Solo agreed to, putting him and Tama in lockstep.

United States Women’s Championship: Lash Legend vs. Tiffany Stratton (c)

A bit of a rough start to the match, but they recovered near the end. Lash had Tiffany set up for the Lash Extension, but Tiffany countered it into a crucifix bomb for a nearfall. Tiffany went up to the top rope, but Lash distracted the ref to allow Nia to get involved. Lash avoided a top-rope splash and caught Tiffany with a boot. Chelsea Green, who came out to support Tiffany during the start of the match, took out Nia. That distraction allowed Lash to roll her up for a win.

Power outages and curses

A staffer alerted Aldis to the source of the power outages: Danhausen was working on his cloning machine. They bickered, and that led to Cathy Kelly with The Miz and Kit Wilson. The Miz was insistent he wasn’t cursed, despite the Cleveland Cavaliers being down 0-2 against the New York Knicks. Fraxiom egged on The Miz more, and The Miz said he’d embarrass Axiom in his hometown next week, as Kit Wilson couldn’t keep up with the word association game The Miz kept going with.

Melo-Trick reunion

Trick Williams and Lil Yachty briefly played to the crowd until Carmelo Hayes interrupted. Melo called back to his history with Trick and noted the difference between carrying the belt and being a champion, referencing his U.S. Title open challenge. He challenged Trick to a match, but Yachty pulled out Trick’s schedule to note how busy he is, including hair and nail appointments. Trick didn’t seem happy with Yachty speaking for him, which Melo called out, saying Yachty was his secretary and that the old Trick wouldn’t let anyone tell him what to do, but he’s always been good at playing second fiddle. That set Trick off and agreed to a title match.

United States Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes

This was a solid match, especially when they were laying it in during the strike exchanges. Lil Yachty sort of played heel during the match, getting in Hayes’ way, but it was Ricky Saints who had the biggest impact. After countering a Trick Shot into a First 48 for a nearfall, Hayes went up to the top rope. Saints went ringside to distract Hayes, who was sent outside by Trick. Saints was talking trash to Hayes, but Trick pushed him out of the way. The Saints were angry and got on the apron. This distracted Trick, allowing Hayes to roll him up, but it also distracted the ref. Hayes tried to get Saints out, but Trick caught him with the Trick Shot for the win.

Sami, Gargano and water bottles

Sami is crashing out on water bottles backstage. He runs into Gargano, ranting about Cody and how he’s his friend and how he could just fight him so easily. He told Gargano never to change, and after he left, Gargano knocked over a water bottle.

Ricky-Melo feud continues

Cathy tried to get a word from Ricky, who said he wasn’t a rookie and that Hayes needs to learn. Hayes then attacked Saints and told him to stay out of his business.

Fatal Influence vs. Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley

Charlotte and Rhea were in control to start the match, but tension also came early when each blind-tagged themselves in. Jacy Jayne helped give Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid an advantage. Charlotte milked the hot tag to Rhea, who eventually got it. The finish saw Rhea duck a Lainey superkick, which caught Charlotte. Rhea hit the Riptide, but Charlotte blindtagged herself in and won with the Natural Selection. As Alexa was celebrating with Charlotte and Rhea, Jade, Michin and B-Fab attacked them from behind. Fatal Influence fought Charlotte and Alexa to the back as Jade hit Jaded on Rhea.

Cody’s message

Cathy interviewed Cody about his match with Sami. He noted he had a similar attitude of being overlooked and angsty 10 years ago and hopes to give Sami some accountability. He also told Gunther that he can do whatever he wants, but he can’t control the fact that they have a match at Clash in Italy.

Jade in control

Cathy caught up with Jade, B-Fab, and Michin, who talked about their trios match at SNME. Jade said everyone’s been talking too much, including the “bobbleheads” at Fatal Influence, and that luck won’t be on Rhea’s side at Clash in Italy.

Solo Sikoa vs. Damian Priest

Not a whole lot to this match. The MFTs distracted Priest enough to give Solo the win. After the match, the MFTs attacked Priest, and Royce Keys came out for the save. Solo avoided a confrontation, but Priest almost hit Keys with a South of Heaven. Keys told Priest he was trying to help him, and Solo still tried to play to Keys’ good side.

Paige and Brie’s declaration

Paige and Brie Bella cut a pre-taped promo about how they’ve come out ahead in every title match they’ve had. They talk about SNME and The Irresistible Forces, who accused them of cheating, but they’d call it experience.

Welcome to SmackDown, Blake Monroe

Chelsea Green was walking backstage when she ran into Blake Monroe, who said she had watched Chelsea out there but wished she hadn’t. The Irresistible Forces then attacked Chelsea.

Cody Rhodes vs. Sami Zayn

The tensions continued to start the match, this time over a handshake. Sami knocked Cody outside, and Cody favored his left knee, which Sami took advantage of throughout the match. Cody got his comeback going with a Cody Cutter for a two-count. Sami countered a Cross Rhodes and then sent Cody flying from the apron to the announce desk. Cody beat the 10-count and dodged a Helluva Kick to hit a super Cody Cutter for another nearfall. Sami caught Cody in a roll-up and then hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for two nearfalls for himself. Sami locked in a figure-four, but Cody reverses the pressure, forcing Sami to reach for the ropes and break the hold. Both men get into a strike exchange, and Cody got the better of it to turn it into a Disaster Kick. Gunther snuck up on Cody while the ref was checking in on Sami. Sami took Gunther out, and Cody hit him with the Cross Rhodes for the win. Gunther attacked Cody after the match and put Cody in a sleeper hold, with Sami watching on and walking away. Gunther held the title up high, and Sami looked regretful to end the show.

About Jason Ounpraseuth 114 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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