WWE SmackDown Fallout: The Latest Developments Following Clash in Italy
Following the conclusion of Clash in Italy, the June 5, 2026, episode of WWE SmackDown served as a major turning point for several superstars. The broadcast featured a high-stakes confrontation between Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and Sami Zayn, while also advancing the brackets for the 2026 King and Queen of the Ring tournaments.
What happened between Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and Sami Zayn?
The tension on the blue brand reached a boiling point when Cody Rhodes returned to SmackDown following his victory over Gunther at Clash in Italy. According to official WWE reports, the interaction escalated quickly, resulting in a physical brawl between Rhodes, Gunther, and Sami Zayn. This segment follows a period of friction, as Sami Zayn had previously confronted the Undisputed WWE Champion backstage on May 29, 2026, demanding an apology regarding events from the prior week.
Who is advancing in the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments?
The road to crowning new royalty is underway, with recent episodes clarifying the tournament landscape. During the June 5 SmackDown, Dominik Mysterio secured a victory over Damian Priest, Bron Breakker, and Trick Williams to advance in the King of the Ring bracket, as detailed by WWE news updates. In the women’s division, Raquel Rodriguez successfully moved forward in the Queen of the Ring tournament. These matches are part of a broader series of qualifiers that have been taking place across both Raw and SmackDown throughout early June 2026.
What is the current status of the NXT roster?
The NXT brand is seeing significant internal conflict as well. On the June 2, 2026, episode of WWE NXT, a faction known as Naraku signaled a formal declaration of war against NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo. This follows a busy week for the brand, which included a title defense by D’Angelo against Kam Hendrix and a Speed Title defense by Lexis King against Romeo Moreno. The brand continues to build toward upcoming events with high-profile matchups, including teams like North American Champion Myles Borne and Tavion Heights facing DarkState.
Key Tournament and Roster Updates
- King of the Ring: Dominik Mysterio advanced after defeating Damian Priest, Bron Breakker, and Trick Williams on June 5.
- Queen of the Ring: Raquel Rodriguez secured her spot in the next round of the tournament.
- NXT Championship: Tony D’Angelo remains a target following Naraku’s signal of war on June 2.
- SmackDown Competition: Carmelo Hayes is scheduled to face Ricky Saints, while Royce Keys is set to collide with Talla Tonga.
As WWE moves further into June, the focus remains on the fallout from the international tour and the ongoing tournament brackets. Fans can expect further developments as the path to SummerSlam becomes clearer, with two-day combo tickets currently available for purchase.