Cody Rhodes defeated Sami Zayn in the main event of the May 22, 2026 [1], episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown.
The broadcast shifted major storylines by introducing new talent and establishing a feud between former allies, impacting the current championship landscape.
The event took place in Lexington, Kentucky [2]. The night was marked by a series of high-profile shifts, including a women's U.S. title open challenge and the surprise appearance of Rhea Ripley [1, 3].
One of the most significant developments involved the relationship between Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes. During the show, Zayn turned his back on Rhodes, even allowing Gunther to attack him [3]. This betrayal served as a primary catalyst for the evening's tension, leading directly into the main-event match where Rhodes emerged victorious [1, 3].
The episode also served as a platform for new talent. Blake Monroe made his official debut during the broadcast [2]. Other featured performers included Tiffany Stratton, Carmelo Hayes, and Trick Williams [1].
Following the live event, WWE released a retrospective video highlighting 10 [4] of the top moments from the night. The compilation focused on the most impactful segments, including the open challenge and the fallout from Zayn's betrayal [4].
The show was distributed across multiple platforms, including Netflix, ESPN, the CW Network, USA Network, and Peacock [2].
“Sami Zayn turned his back on Cody Rhodes”
The betrayal by Sami Zayn transforms a cooperative partnership into a rivalry, creating a new central conflict for the SmackDown brand. By pairing this narrative shift with the debut of Blake Monroe and the return of Rhea Ripley, WWE is simultaneously refreshing its roster and deepening existing emotional stakes to maintain viewer engagement ahead of future premium live events.
