The WWE SmackDown 3 July 2026 episode delivered an exciting night as the blue brand officially kicked off the road to SummerSlam with several major developments. Fresh off his Undisputed WWE Championship victory at Night of Champions, Sami Zayn opened the show with an emotional celebration before being interrupted by Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso, both demanding a championship opportunity. WWE management quickly announced that Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso would battle in the night’s main event to determine the No. 1 Contender. Elsewhere, Jade Cargill teamed with Michin and B-Fab to face Charlotte Flair, Tiffany Stratton, and Chelsea Green in an entertaining Six-Woman Tag Team Match, while WWE also released the official highlights video featuring the show’s biggest moments and top matches.
The action continued with Rey Fenix successfully defending the AAA Cruiserweight Championship against El Hijo del Vikingo in one of the best matches of the night. Their fast-paced contest received loud “This is Awesome” chants from the WWE Universe before Fenix retained his title with an impressive finishing sequence. Lainey Reid also earned a notable victory over Brie Bella after taking advantage of outside distractions involving Fatal Influence. Another important segment saw United States Champion Trick Williams accept Carmelo Hayes’ challenge for a non-title match next week, while backstage attacks and confrontations further intensified several rivalries heading into SummerSlam season. Every match and storyline helped make this episode one of the strongest SmackDown editions in recent weeks.
The biggest moment of WWE SmackDown 3 July 2026 came in the main event when Cody Rhodes defeated Jey Uso in a highly competitive No. 1 Contender’s Match. After surviving multiple near falls and countering Jey’s offense, Rhodes connected with consecutive Cross Rhodes finishers to secure the victory and officially earn another Undisputed WWE Championship opportunity against Sami Zayn on the upcoming episode of Raw. The closing moments featured an intense staredown between Rhodes and Zayn, giving fans an exciting preview of their upcoming title clash. Match Winners: Jade Cargill, Michin & B-Fab, Rey Fenix, Lainey Reid, and Cody Rhodes. Major Highlights: Sami Zayn’s championship celebration, Cody Rhodes becoming the No. 1 Contender, Rey Fenix retaining the AAA Cruiserweight Championship, Trick Williams accepting Carmelo Hayes’ challenge, and several backstage attacks that continued ongoing rivalries. Fans can also watch the official WWE SmackDown 3 July 2026 highlights video to relive every match result, championship moment, surprise confrontation, and unforgettable ending from another action-packed edition of Friday Night SmackDown as WWE continued building momentum toward SummerSlam with several blockbuster storylines.
