WWE SmackDown results:
Cody Rhodes strikes Gunther with Cross Rhodes after Gunther defeats Royce Keys
The Miz crashed Trick Williams’ homecoming
Trick Williams def. The Miz
After being confronted by The Miz, United States Champion Trick Williams took on The A-Lister in Trick Willy’s hometown, Columbia, S.C.
Behind the referee’s back, Kit Wilson interfered, taking down Williams, giving The Miz the chance to gain the upper hand.
The Miz gave everything he had to Williams, delivering an earth-shattering Skull Crushing Finale, but the U.S. Champ kicked out.
Miz then grabbed a Kendo stick but Lil Yachty stole the weapon from The Awesome One, whacking Wilson with it instead.
This distraction was enough for Williams to nail the Trick Shot to get the non-title win.
Brie Bella & Paige def. Giulia & Kiana James
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella and Paige took on Giulia and Kiana James in a non-title match.
Bella and Paige brought out all the classics as Bella nailed both Giulia and James with the Yes Kicks.
Despite some good teamwork from Giulia and James, Paige was able to put away James with the Ram-Paige.
Royce Keys barged into Gunther and Cody Rhodes’ contract signing
Carmelo Hayes def. Ricky Saints
Carmelo Hayes took on Ricky Saints in Hayes’ return to SmackDown.
Saints proved a tough cookie to crack for HIM, but Hayes managed to rally, hitting Dirty Diana but Saints managed to kick out in the nick of time.
Saints went for the Revolution DDT, however, Hayes countered this into the First 48 and still Saints survived.
Saints eventually managed to plant Hayes with the Revolution DDT but Hayes eked out of the pinfall.
Saints then tried using the ropes to his advantage but he was caught by the referee.
As Saints argued with the official, Hayes shocked Saints, rolling up his opponent and using the ropes to get the win.
Damian Priest def. Tama Tonga
With his partner, R-Truth, not medically cleared, WWE Tag Team Champion Damian Priest faced Tama Tonga one-on-one.
Priest tried hitting the crucifix powerbomb but Tonga turned it around into a sleeper hold that Priest had to power out of.
Priest executed the South of Heaven Chokeslam to get the hard-fought victory.
Immediately following the match, Talla Tonga and Solo Sikoa brutalized The Archer of Infamy.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss interrupted Jade Cargill’s return address
Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss def. Michin & B-Fab via Disqualification
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss took on Michin and B-Fab, Jade Cargill’s allies.
Flair continued to taunt Cargill at ringside, leading to Cargill’s interference, distracting The Queen long enough for Michin to capitalize.
Bliss nailed the Sister Abigail on B-Fab but as Bliss was covering B-Fab, Cargill pulled Bliss out of the ring, ending the match in a DQ.
Gunther def. Royce Keys to become No. 1 Contender to Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Title
After Royce Keys interrupted Gunther’s contract signing with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes for a match at Clash in Italy, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis scheduled the two to a No. 1 Contender’s Match.
Outside the ring, Keys manhandled The Ring General, dropping him with World’s Strongest Slams on the announce table.
Gunther hit a massive lariat to get back into the match, before heading up to the top turnbuckle. Keys met him there, however, and delivered a superplex that shook the ring.
Gunther managed to lock on the Sleeper Hold, but Solo Sikoa made his way down to ringside, helping Keys escape the submission move.
Keys pounced Gunther straight into the referee, knocking down the official.
Sikoa then gave a steel chair to Keys but Keys instead clobbered Sikoa with it.
This allowed Gunther to get back into it, as he nailed Keys with a powerbomb to win the match.