WWE SmackDown took place on July 3, 2026, from the Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The show opened with a recap of the Undisputed WWE Championship Triple Threat Match from WWE Night of Champions, where Sami Zayn ended Cody Rhodes' 113-day reign as champion in a match that also involved GUNTHER. Zayn then appeared on SmackDown to share something on his mind.
Zayn began by acknowledging the support he has received, noting that the overwhelming love he's gotten the last few days has touched him. He stated he finds the reaction funny because he's been booed by the fans over the last several weeks, and that the people booing were the ones who wanted to see him as a World Champion and turned their backs on him. Zayn emphasized that he won the Undisputed WWE Championship his way and that fans are celebrating the new champion. He declared that he forever goes down as one of the all-time greats and will be known as a WrestleMania main eventer, WWE Grand Slam Champion, and a World Champion, stating no amount of booing or hate can take that from him.
“it seems like a lot of folks came to ride or die with "The Last Real Good Guy". the overwhelming love he's gotten the last few days has touched him, but says he finds that reaction funny because he's been booed by the fans over the last several weeks. He says the people booing were the ones who wanted to see him as a World Champion and turned their backs on him.”“I won the Undisputed WWE Championship my way and the fans are celebrating the new Undisputed WWE Championship. I forever go down as one of the all time greats and will be known as a WrestleMania main eventer, WWE Grand Slam Champion, and a World Champion. No amount of booing or hate can take that from me.”
Cody Rhodes' music hit and he made his way to the ring. Zayn reminded Rhodes that he was the first person to come to the ring and celebrate him winning the Undisputed WWE Champion, and stated he wanted to be the first person to congratulate Zayn as a means of returning the favor. Rhodes extended his hand out to Zayn, and Zayn shook it.
“Zayn reminded him that he was the first person to come to the ring and celebrate him winning the Undisputed WWE Champion, then says he wanted to be the first person to congratulate Zayn as a means of returning the favor.”
Rhodes looked to leave the ring, but Zayn stopped him and asked him if that was it. Zayn told Rhodes to drop the act and said they both know Rhodes is in the ring for another reason, then said he has something Rhodes wants and is addicted to. He asked Rhodes to be honest with him about why he's in the ring.
“drop the act and says they both know Rhodes is in the ring for another reason, then says he has something Rhodes wants and is addicted to. He asks Rhodes to be honest with him about why he's in the ring.”
Before Rhodes could answer, Jey Uso's music hit and he made his way to the ring. He stated he's proud of Zayn and says he deserves the Undisputed WWE Championship, but stated Zayn knows why he's in the ring. He put Zayn on notice and said he needs to bring the Undisputed WWE Championship back to his family.
“I'm proud of you, man and I say you deserve the Undisputed WWE Championship. but you know why I'm in the ring. I'm putting you on notice, man, and I need you to bring the Undisputed WWE Championship.”
Acting SmackDown General Manager Adam Pearce appeared at ringside. He announced that Zayn would be defending his Undisputed WWE Championship on Monday's episode of Raw, with his challenger determined by a Number One Contenders Match between Rhodes and Jey Uso later that night.
Scheduled Matches
Tonight's SmackDown also featured several matches. Jade Cargill, Michin, and B-Fab took on Women's United States Champion Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green, and Charlotte Flair. Cargill had previously won a match against Green on SmackDown, but was unsuccessful in dethroning Stratton as Women's United States Champion at Night of Champions.
Reigning AAA Latin American Champion El Hijo del Vikingo challenged Rey Fenix for the AAA World Cruiserweight Championship in his first match on SmackDown. Fenix had made successful defenses of his title against Axiom and Nathan Frazer on June 12, 2026, and the previous Friday's show, and against Laredo Kid and Lince Dorado on the June 20 episode of AAA on Fox.
Lainey Reid of Fatal Influence was scheduled to compete against Brie Bella, one half of the reigning Women's Tag Team Champions. Reid, alongside stablemates Jacy Jayne and Fallon Henley have expressed their interest in Brie and her partner Paige's Women's Tag Team Championship. Paige had scored a win against Jayne on the previous Friday's show.
Featured names
- Boardwalk Hall
- Atlantic City
- Triple Threat
- Jade Cargill
- United States
- Champion Tiffany
- Chelsea Green
- Charlotte Flair
- Latin American
- World Cruiserweight
- Nathan Frazer
- Lince Dorado
- Fatal Influence
- Champions Brie
- Fallon Henley
- Championship Triple
- Threat Match
- Michael Cole
- Corey Graves
- The Last Real
- World Champions
- Roman Reigns
- World Champions
- General Manager
- Contenders Match
- Tiffany Stratton
- Alabama Slam
- Fallaway Slam
- Johnny Gargano
- Mexican Muscle
- Cathy Kelley
- Blake Monroe
- More Welcome
- Championship The
