WWE Friday Night SmackDown in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA, Live on the USA Network, July 3rd, 2026 — My Episode Review:
- robbyplaha
- Jul 4
- 5 min read
Date: Friday, July 3, 2026
Location: Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA.
TV: LIVE on the USA Network.
Streaming: LIVE on Netflix Internationally.
The July 3rd Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown Official Match Results:
The Opening Match: B-Fab, Jade Cargill & Michin defeated Charlotte Flair, Chelsea Green & Tiffany Stratton in a Six-Woman Tag Team Match | via Pin-Fall — (08:54)
The 2nd Match: Rey Fenix (c) defeated El Hijo del Vikingo in a AAA World Cruiserweight Title Match | via Pin-Fall — (08:54)
The 3rd Match: Lainey Reid (with Fallon Henley & Jacy Jayne) defeated Brie Bella (with Paige) in a Singles Match | via Pin-Fall — (03:18)
The Main Event Match: Cody Rhodes defeated Jey Uso in an Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender’s Match | via Pin-Fall — (15:31)
My Official Thoughts on the July 3rd Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown:
My Official Thoughts: This was actually not a horrible episode by any means. The first hour felt very strong; I did like the opening segment involving the Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn. I also thought the segment between Carmelo Hayes and WWE United States Champion Trick Williams was very strong as well; they are building towards that SummerSlam match, which I'm excited about. The matches on the show were mediocre outside of the awesome El Hijo del Vikingo and Rey Fenix Match for the AAA World Cruiserweight Title. I did like seeing Lainey Reid get a win, and that Fatal Influence will fight for the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles at MSG. The Main Event was mediocre; I don't care for Cody Rhodes winning the title off of Sami Zayn. I really want Cody Rhodes to branch away from the World Title Scene because it's annoying, and he’s done everything there is as Champion as a Face; now, if he turned heel that a whole different story. But very decent episode.
My Official Match Ratings for the July 3rd WWE Friday Night SmackDown Episode:
The Opening Match: B-Fab, Jade Cargill & Michin vs. Charlotte Flair, Chelsea Green & Tiffany Stratton in a Six-Woman Tag Team Match | The Match Rating: ** — Very below-average Six-Woman Tag Team Match; not mad at who won; very happy with the Team that got the win, but the action in the ring wasn't up to my liking. I do believe that SmackDown Creative and the Producers can do a better job helping out the women, as SmackDown as a whole is a very terrible product. But in the end, B-Fab, Jade Cargill & Michin took down Charlotte Flair, Chelsea Green and the WWE Women's United States Champion Tiffany Stratton in the process to secure the Six-Woman Tag Team Win.
The 2nd Match: Rey Fenix (c) vs. El Hijo del Vikingo in a AAA World Cruiserweight Title Match | The Match Rating: ***.75 — This was the best match of the night, easily. I know Vikingo got hurt before his match on Tuesday, but this was pre-tapped. But Rey Fenix has been booked very well; they have maximized like they should've when he debuted for WWE last year. This is probably his best stretch in a long time for him. But this was easily a very fun, fast-paced match. I thought that it did its job, and we saw Rey Fenix retain his AAA World Cruiserweight Title in the end, and a speedy recovery for El Hijo del Vikingo.
The 3rd Match: Lainey Reid (with Fallon Henley & Jacy Jayne) vs. Brie Bella (with Paige) in a Singles Match | The Match Rating: N/A — Now that SmackDown back to two-hours some of the matches, are going to be done in matter of minutes like this match right here, happy with the winner as Lainey Reid got the win for Fatal Influence, then we heard at Saturday Night’s Main Event in MSG it’s going to be Brie Bella & Paige defend thier WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles against Fatal Influence which would be the moment where they should crown Fatal Influence in the most famous arena in the world.
The Main Event Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Jey Uso in an Undisputed WWE Title No. 1 Contender’s Match | The Match Rating: **.75 — Nothing is happening during this match. Last time these guys both fought against each other, it was a very good Semi-Final King of the Ring Tournament Match; now, fast-forward to today, Jey Uso has regressed tremendously as a wrestler. But this match did nothing for me; as usual, Cody Rhodes gets another title shot, and assuming he'll win the title back in Illinois this Monday on RAW, the rumor that Cody Rhodes and CM Punk Match for SummerSlam is happening, which I'm excited about. Still, I wish they could've done a Batista vs. John Cena Non-Title Feud like they did in 2008 at SummerSlam. But Cody Rhodes is going to have his Undisputed WWE Title Shot on RAW against the Champion Sami Zayn.
My Official Match of the Night for the July 3rd Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown: Rey Fenix (c) vs. El Hijo del Vikingo in a AAA World Cruiserweight Title Match | The Match Rating: ***.75 — It was the best match of the night—fast-paced and fun. Vikingo was hurt before Tuesday's taping, but the match still showcased Rey Fenix's strong booking and recent peak performance. Fenix retained his title, and Vikingo's recovery was noted.
My July 3rd Official Episode Grade for WWE Friday Night SmackDown: 6.75/10 (C+) — This was a decent episode overall. The first hour was strong, especially the opening segment with Undisputed WWE Champion Sami Zayn and the Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams segment building toward SummerSlam. Most of the matches were mediocre, aside from the excellent AAA World Cruiserweight Title match between Rey Fenix and El Hijo del Vikingo. I also liked seeing Lainey Reid pick up a win and Fatal Influence earning a shot at the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles at MSG. The main event was underwhelming, and I’m not excited about Cody Rhodes potentially taking the title from Sami Zayn. Cody should move away from the world title scene for now unless they finally turn him heel. Overall, though, this was a solid episode.
Next Week Announced Appearances, Matches & Segments for the July 10th Episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA, Live on the USA Network:
Carmelo Hayes vs. Trick Williams (with Lil Yachty) in a Singles Match.
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