WWE SmackDown Live Updates, Results and Highlights From June 12

After cutting an intense backstage promo on The Bloodline, LA Knight entered the ring last for Friday's main event and wasted little time incensing Jey Uso, mocking his "run it back" shtick.

Uso attacked him, and the match got underway, with Balor striking first via a plancha as the show headed to the commercial break.

Back from the timeout, Balor continued his dominance, stomping Knight. Keys entered the squared circle and immediately utilized his power advantage, bowling over the inaugural Universal champion with a shoulder block.

A spinebuster to Uso followed, but Knight made the save, breaking up the pin and keeping his King of the Ring aspirations alive.

Keys continued to control the match, delivering a Top Choice Royce slam from the ropes to Balor. Knight broke up the pin.

During the split-screen commercial break, Keys battled Balor on the floor, taking him into the timekeeper's position. The Irishman fought back, catching him with a Sling Blade on the arena floor. Keys shook it off, though, thwarting a running dropkick attempt by swatting Balor down like a fly.

As the former Powerhouse Hobbs continued his dominant performance, Solo Sikoa appeared at ringside, providing a momentary distraction that allowed Balor the chance to fight back. An ill-fated dive over the ropes, though, ended with him eating a slam into the ring apron by the heavyweight.

Uso rocked Keys with a superkick before joining Knight and Balor for a triple powerbomb through the announce table.

Knight and Uso rekindled their rivalry with an exchange of right hands before Balor re-entered the picture. He delivered the Sling Blade to Jey but ate a superkick. He recovered, delivered a second Sling Blade, and added a shotgun dropkick.

As Balor scaled the ropes for the Coup de Grace, Knight met him on the ropes. The Prince dropped Knight onto Uso and delivered his finisher, only for Keys to break up the pin and hurl Balor on the floor.

A ringside confrontation with Sikoa halted the Texan's momentum and allowed Knight to build an offensive. The Enforcer cut The Megastar off with a Samoan Spike and Keys delivered the Ultimate Spinebuster.

Before he could score the win, Uso delivered the top-rope splash for the victory.

WINNER: JEY USO

After the match, Uso exclaimed, "mine!" while standing alongside the King of the Ring crown and celebrated to close out the show.

The Bloodline story encompasses both Raw and SmackDown as WWE hopes to rekindle the magic of the original epic. Time will tell if it works, but that feels like the most logical reason for Uso winning here at the expense of the other three, all of whom could have benefited from it.

Backstage, Cody Rhodes asked Nick Aldis if they were really going through with the Undisputed WWE Championship Match next week with Sami Zayn as guest referee.

"Sami is a wreck," he said.

The Last Real Good Guy appeared. When asked by the American Nightmare about next week, Zayn sarcastically responded, "I don't know, Cody. I'm a wreck. My emotions are all over the place."

He added a cheeky, "Good luck with your match next week."

Speaking of next week, the commentary team ran down the jam-packed card:

A stacked show, live from Kansas City.

Backstage, Finn Balor was seen heading toward the arena for his King of the Ring match when Tama Tonga appeared.

The current MFT said it had been a long time, but Balor did not respond.

Instead, he walked off, intensely focused on advancing in the tournament and earning a championship opportunity at SummerSlam.

Balor and Tonga are well-documented founders of The Bullet Club, along with Karl Anderson. Longtime fans of both understandably found the interaction intriguing, especially amid mounting tension between Tonga and Solo Sikoa.

The unlikely duo of Chelsea Green and Women's United States champion Tiffany Stratton, looked to put their issues with Michin and B-Fab behind them in tag team action.

The babyfaces started hot, with Stratton frustrating the heels early before tagging her partner in. Green entered the ring to chants of "Chelsea Green!" as fans in Rhode Island expressed their admiration and appreciation for the consummate entertainer.

Green found herself down and isolated from her partner in short order, though, as the show went to break.

Back from the break, Green pushed free of Michin's grasp, then rocked B-Fab with a kick. She cleared the former out of the ring, then dodged a corner charge from the latter, and appeared ready to make the tag.

Jade Cargill appeared, though, and pulled Stratton off the apron.

The resilient Green delivered the Unprettier to B-Fab, but Michin was the legal competitor and delivered the Styles Clash for the win.

WINNERS: MICHIN AND B-FAB

After the match, Stratton attempted to fend off the heels but Cargill flattened her with Jaded, then insinuated that she has her sights set on the US title.

While Cargill in a title picture of any kind is a good thing, is going back to the well with her vs. Stratton so soon after their lengthy rivalry in the second-half of 2025 really the best direction?

Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett recapped the split between Giulia and Kiana James from last week's show. Backstage, the former US champion interrupted her business associate's promo and claimed she needed her to help The Beautiful Madness learn English and for contractual purposes.

She said, "Now I finally have the words to say..." before slapping James.

Following his encounter with Jacob Fatu earlier in the show, Solo Sikoa interrupted Royce Keys as he prepared for his King of the Ring match in the night's main event.

Sikoa warned Keys that The Bloodline is in the building to make sure that Jey Uso advances in the King of the Ring Tournament.

The former enforcer of the family told Keys that he did not need him to fight for him and cautioned the big man not to let The Bloodline's business interfere with his.

Keys appeared to cautiously consider Sikoa's words.

United States champion Trick Williams hit the ring alongside Lil Yachty for a promo.

"Trick Williams is the leader of the new school," he said, before admitting that last week's loss in the King of the Ring Tournament pissed him off.

"I'm still Hollywood Trick! I'm still Mr. Lemon Pepper Stepper! I'm still Trick James, bitch!

Ricky Saints' music played, and the former NXT world champion interrupted. Carmelo Hayes immediately cut that entrance off, brushing past Saints and joining his former friend and partner in the ring.

"Look, Trick, you got two guys killing themselves for a shot at your title, and you don't want to defend it," Hayes said.

"It doesn't matter, I'm gonna stomp you both out anyway," Williams said. He told both men to "shut the hell up while grown folks are talking" and exited the ring.

Hayes and Saints brawled, only for Williams to re-enter the squared circle, send his former associate into the ring post, and lay Saints out with a Rock Bottom.

Triple Threat Match, anyone?

Gunther joined SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis back in his office.

Perhaps inspired by the events that unfolded earlier in the show, Gunther informed the authority figure that he has selected his special guest referee for his match against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship next week: Sami Zayn!

A smart, sensible revelation that adds even more drama to next week's blockbuster main event.

Still celebrating his victory over Laredo Kid at AAA Noche de Los Grandes, new AAA Cruiserweight champion Rey Fenix squared off with Axiom.

Fenix wasted no time showcasing his high-flying arsenal, wiping Axiom out at ringside. Back in the ring, though, he found out quickly that his fellow masked superstar intended to wrestle a more technical-based match.

Fenix stayed off the mat, though, and leapfrogged his opponent, only to be rocked with a dropkick. Axiom added a picture-perfect springboard moonsault plancha, entering the commercial break.

Back to the action, the competitors exchanged strikes. Fenix gained the upper hand and delivered a high cross-body block for a near-fall. He teed off on Axiom, but the former NXT competitor escaped his grasp and delivered a missile dropkick for his own two-count.

Axiom nearly delivered his Golden Ratio finisher, but the champion evaded it and delivered a Death Valley Driver. He could not keep the challenger down.

Both men battled to the top rope, where Axiom shrugged off a chop and delivered an avalanche Spanish Fly. Fenix kicked out at two, then proceeded to recover and deliver a trio of spinning Animo Kicks and a Mexican Muscle Buster for the pinfall victory.

WINNER: REY FENIX

Fenix earned the win in his first title defense and the first time that particular gold has been defended on WWE TV. As Joe Tessitore exclaimed on commentary, "Give me more!"

Former allies-turned-enemies came face-to-face backstage as Jacob Fatu approached Solo Sikoa about the possibility of him rejoining The Bloodline.

Sikoa stopped the Samoan Werewolf and asked him what had happened to him. He questioned how he went from nearly knocking off Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship to becoming his backup.

Fatu told him he made his choice, and now Sikoa has to.

"If Roman wants me to come home, he can come get me himself," Sikoa said to end the segment.

A good, tense backstage promo segment that continued the latest chapter in the Bloodline story and reminded the audience that Sikoa is still an engaging promo when he has something of note to work with.

New AAA Cruiserweight champion Rey Fenix made his entrance for the night's next match.

Sami Zayn took to the squared circle, clad in an excellent "Last Real Good Guy" T-shirt, to address the WWE Universe.

"The day ones showed up in full force in Europe!" he exclaimed, taunting the audience in Rhode Island by totally, definitely not comparing them to the overseas members of the WWE Universe.

The self-righteous star called out Cody Rhodes, one week after the Undisputed WWE champion accidentally wiped him out with a tope suicida during a brawl with Gunther.

The American Nightmare entered next to a thunderous ovation and chants of his name.

Rhodes told Zayn that last week was an accident and that he does not have to explain professional wrestling to him. He recalled Zayn joining him in the ring at WrestleMania 40, when he finished his story and won the WWE title.

Zayn reminded Rhodes that he was there first, before his peers, even though he had plenty of reason to have sour grapes over the champion's win that night, because he is a good guy.

"And how many of those guys are still your friends?" Zayn asked, referring to Jey Uso, Randy Orton, John Cena, CM Punk, and Kevin Owens.

A fired-up Rhodes told Zayn that fans are booing him and chanting "Sami sucks" because, recently, he has. "I'm sorry I have this...and that you never will," he told the longtime hopeful world champion. Zayn answered with a slap to the face, then tried to apologize for it. It earned him a slap in return.

Zayn bailed out of the ring and grabbed a steel chair, teasing that he would attack Rhodes, only to drop it and walk off, nearly in tears.

This was a great segment, featuring the extraordinary character work we have come to expect from the antagonist over the years.

Los Garzas approached Danhausen in his laboratory and attempted to get him to -re-curse the New York Knicks, claiming to have "a lot of money" on the Spurs. They handed him a bag full of "human monies," much to his delight.

Matt Cardona entered next and offered up his watch for Danhausen not to listen to the heels.

Kit Wilson arrived next and introduced The Miz, his head standing upright after being electrocuted last week. The Hollywood A-Lister, looking the part of Marv from Home Alone 2, was stoic, occasionally uttering his previous catchphrases.

The entire ordeal ended with Wilson being electrocuted in what was a fun, inoffensive backstage bit.

Tessitore and Barrett announced that, following events earlier in the night, Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green will battle B-Fab and Michin later tonight.

Back in the arena, Fatal Influence made their entrance, with Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley tapped to battle Paige and Bella. Jacy Jayne rooted on the heels at ringside.

Bella frustrated Henley early before tagging her partner in and joining her for a double bulldog for a quick two count. Henley made the tag, but Reid failed to fare much better as the champions rolled.

Paige unloaded with knee lifts to the chest of Henley while Bella unloaded with her YES! kicks to the chest of Reid. A well-timed trip-up from Jayne at ringside allowed the heels to gain the advantage.

The referee missed a tag to Paige, allowing Reid and Henley to continue their offense as they entered the break.

Back from the commercial, Bella finally created separation and tagged her partner into the match. The inaugural NXT and former Divas champion exploded into the match, teeing off on her opponents and dropping Reid with the Ram-Paige.

The apparently inattentive official missed a schoolgirl rollup by Paige that may have won her the match, then was distracted by Bella and missed a PTO submission.

Jayne attempted to get involved, but the referee finally caught the interference and ejected her from the ringside area. The distraction allowed Paige and Bella to use some hijinks of their own, the former pinning Henley with a small package.

WINNERS: PAIGE AND BRIE BELLA

The outcome was somewhat surprising given the upward momentum Fatal Influence has had since arriving on the main roster, but Paige and Bella would have felt like lame duck champions with a loss here.

Backstage, Sami Zayn talked to the still-despondent Johnny Gargano and said he was going to the ring to address Cody Rhodes.

NXT export Blake Monroe returned with her latest diary entry, this one focused on Charlotte Flair.

She has yet to make her in-arena debut on Friday nights, but these brief vignettes have gone a long way in creating ready-made feuds for her when she does.

Backstage, Gunther informed SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis that he would name the special guest referee for his match against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. When pressed, the No. 1 contender said it was too significant a decision, and he was still contemplating.

Also backstage, WWE tag team champion R-Truth interrupted Cathy Kelley's interview with Finn Balor, welcoming him to SmackDown. Damian Priest arrived on the scene. The tension between him and his former Judgment Day teammate-turned-rival was obvious, and the confrontation ended with Balor leaving to prepare for his King of the Ring match.

Women's tag team champions Paige and Brie Bella made their way to the ring for the next match.

Cargill cut a pre-match promo ahead of her Queen of the Ring Match against Charlotte Flair, Lyra Valkyria, and Women's Intercontinental champion Sol Ruca.

The match kicked off with all four women unloading on each other, looking to gain the upper hand in the high-stakes match, a date in the semifinals of the tournament at stake.

Flair rolled early, tossing Cargill with a fallaway slam. Before she could build too much momentum, Michin and B-Fab made their presence felt, attempting to give Cargill a numbers advantage.

Alexa Bliss made the save, followed shortly thereafter by Women's United States champion Tiffany Stratton, and the two babyfaces cleared the heels from ringside, entering the commercial break.

Back from the timeout, Valkyria dominated until Flair caught her with Natural Selection. Rocua just narrowly broke up a pinfall, ensuring the contest would continue.

Ruca showed off some of her trademark athleticism, landing on her feet after Flair shoved her off the top rope. Valkyria replaced her and grabbed The Queen in a slam position, only for Cargill to bring both women off the top in a Tower of Doom spot.

Flair and Cargill, who the commentary team hyped as budding rivals entering the contest, squared off next, with The Queen downing the former women's champion with a step-over clothesline.

Ruca re-entered the contest and fended off her opponents before wiping all three out on the floor. Back inside, she added a springboard frog splash to Valkyria for a two-count.

During a second commercial break, Cargill re-established dominance, teeing off on her competition and utilizing her power advantage to neutralize them. A momentary delay on the ropes allowed Flair and Ruca to recover and deliver a double superplex that brought her crashing to the mat.

The action broke down from there, with the pace quickening. Ruca delivered the Sol Snatcher to eliminate Cargill from the equation. Valkyria again broke up the pin, but this time, fell victim to the Figure Eight as Flair earned the win.

WINNER: CHARLOTTE FLAIR

Flair will now square off with Women's World champion Liv Morgan in the tournament semifinals, in what is arguably their highest-profile match-up to date.

Backstage, Stratton attempted to explain saving longtime rival Flair, only for B-Fab and Michin to reappear. Chelsea Green, Stratton's new associate, made the save and chased them off with a kendo stick.

Also backstage, Jimmy Uso told Jacob Fatu that he is there to make sure no one gets involved in Jey's match. "You handle your business, and I'll handle mine," Fatu ominously responded.

Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett revealed on commentary that WWE women's champion Rhea Ripley suffered a knee injury during her title defense against Jade Cargill at Clash in Italy.

They promised further updates on her and the status of her title as they become available.

A recap of last week's confrontation between Undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and Sami Zayn kicked off the show, highlighting the tension that exists between The American Nightmare and The Underdog from the Underground.

Backstage, Rhodes encountered Jimmy and Jey Uso. The latter claimed he would win the King of the Ring Tournament, then warned WWE's QB1 that he would choose to challenge him for the gold at SummerSlam.

"I hope that is your decision...not Roman's," Rhodes said, implying world heavyweight champion Roman Reigns was pulling the strings in The Bloodline once again.

WWE continues to drop hints of another showdown between the long-time rivals.