5 Mistakes WWE made on SmackDown (June 19, 2026)

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Officials tried to paint Charlotte Flair as a valiant babyface for refusing to give up after a backstage attack from Jade Cargill. That type of match should have had fans on their feet to end the show, but instead, it ended SmackDown flatly.

With the King and Queen of the Ring finals set, WWE made the next five mistakes on the latest episode of SmackDown.

#5. Starting the show with the WWE Championship match

Whether it was for the World Cup or another reason, starting SmackDown with the WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Gunther was a big letdown.

The entire situation was to get to the predictable triple threat match at Night of Champions. Whenever a major title opens a regular show, it heavily telegraphs that the champ will retain.

Putting the bout on last gives it the allure that the title could change hands. Having it at the top of the show meant that Rhodes was going to leave the show with the belt.

Even though it took some messy booking, that’s what happened. Unless they’re on a PLE, major title matches need to have more anticipation.

#4. A pre-taped promo parade invades SmackDown

Between the Jey Uso/Je’Von Evans match and the main event, WWE had four pre-taped promos in a row. They reaired the Alexa Bliss NXT Origins piece.

Liv Morgan then delivered a pre-taped message ahead of her Queen of the Ring match with Charlotte Flair. Brie Bella and Paige addressed their match with Lyra Valkyria and Bayley on RAW.

Fatal Influence ended the pre-taped promo parade by calling out the women’s tag champs. Jacy Jayne challenged Paige to a match on next week’s SmackDown from London.

Having that much space between in-ring segments made it seem like WWE was trying to kill time because of a mistake or a production botch.

One or two pre-taped promos between segments is fine. Running four in succession kills the momentum of the in-ring action.

#3. Going with messy booking in nearly every match

The WWE Championship match was a mess that anyone who’s watched wrestling for the last year could see coming. Ricky Saints beat Carmelo Hayes only because of an exposed turnbuckle.

Because Solo Sikoa came out and stood ringside, Damian Priest and R-Truth were able to defeat Tama and Talla Tonga in tag team action. While one or two is fine, WWE opted for messy finishes in the first three contests of the night.

It paints a picture of hesitancy and wanting to protect people rather than having a clean finish. Jade Cargill and her lackeys even attacked Charlotte Flair as she was on her way to the ring. Je’Von Evans and Jey Uso needed Je’Von’s bruised ribs to help explain his loss.

#2. A loss is a loss for Carmelo Hayes

Carmelo Hayes was on fire as United States Champion ahead of WrestleMania 42. He kept the spirit of John Cena’s Open Challenge matches alive, giving fans at least one fantastic contest each week.

Once he lost the title to Sami Zayn so Zayn could lose it to Trick Williams, it’s been all downhill for Hayes and the title. He’s traded wins with Ricky Saints and hasn’t picked up a clean victory since his time as Champion.

He lost again to Saints with a shot at the US Title on the line. Even though he’s somewhat protected because of the exposed turnbuckle issues, he hasn’t been booked in a clean finish in a few months. Whatever momentum he was building was wasted for Williams.

#1. Painting Sami Zayn as completely responsible for the WWE Title match chaos

No matter what he did and who won on SmackDown, Sami Zayn was going to take the blame for the outcome. He didn’t favor one star over the other, but did have confrontations with both competitors.

Despite that, he made the correct call when Gunther’s foot was under the ropes again. Fans booed it. When Gunther slapped and powerbombed him, he could have disqualified the Ring General. He didn’t.

If Zayn blatantly let one star get away with everything, then fans would be justified with their booing. But since Zayn is there, he’s the scapegoat regardless of what happens.

Even though he called the first half down the middle for both stars, he’s vilified by fans and Nick Aldis. The match “restarted” because Cody wanted it.

Aldis also did nothing when Gunther attacked Sami backstage. Sami even claimed he didn’t want to be the referee, but his feelings don’t matter.