The WWE SmackDown preview for June 12, 2026, marks the return of the promotion to the states after an eventful WWE European Tour. Last week’s Friday Night Fight Night has a lot of things that need settling this Friday night on the Blue brand. The King and Queen of the Ring tournaments’ first round will conclude after four amazing Fatal 4-Ways, and we turn our attention to the semis as the format goes back to one-on-one. Plus, the “Ring General” names his terms for his Undisputed WWE Title Match.
We are back stateside in Providence, Rhode Island, as WWE spears forward to its next big WWE PLE, Night of Champions. With all that out of the way, here’s a WWE SmackDown preview for June 12, 2026. Let’s run it down.
The Conclusion to the King and Queen of the Ring 2026 1st Round
The King and Queen of the Ring 2026 tournaments began hot and heavy, with a couple of Fatal 4-Way Matches, which saw The Judgment Day reign supreme on their qualifiers last week on WWE SmackDown. This week, we’ll see another former Judgment Day member take the stage, as Finn Balor makes his SmackDown debut, taking on Jey Uso, LA Knight, and Royce Keys.
All four men have a chip on their shoulder, as winning this tournament means they can get a boost in their respective careers with a guaranteed main event slot and championship match at SummerSlam 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The same goes for the ladies in the Queen of the Ring tournament, as #AndNEW Women’s Intercontinental Champion Sol Ruca looks to add another notch in her belt as she takes on Lyra Valkria, Charlotte Flair, and Jade Cargill.
These competitors blend a mix of the present and future, and will be a massive showcase of what the WWE women’s division is all about. Ruca recently had her crowning achievement, thus far, in her burgeoning career. Valkyria, on the other hand, is looking for a direction as she looks to kickstart her dominance once again if she wins Queen of the Ring.
For Cargill and Flair, they’re hungry for another run with the WWE Women’s Title, and this tournament is a guaranteed ticket to possibly achieving that. The field is stacked as we close out the 1st round of these two massive tournaments and go full speed ahead to the semis!
The Ring General Enforces the Rules
On this past week’s SmackDown in Italy, Gunther went absolutely haywire with rage after his controversial loss to Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, demanding the champion grant him a “much-deserved” shot. Rhodes agreed, saying that if he wants it, he has it, and they can do it then and there in Italy. Unfortunately for Rhodes, Gunther is now more careful than ever, with his legal team even reaching out to SmackDown GM Nick Aldis.
The “Ring General” wants to name the stipulation for their title match in Kansas City, ensuring there would be no shady ending to their impending rematch. QB1 was more than forthcoming to the request, saying Gunther can name any stipulation he wants, and Cody Rhodes wants him to bring it. Bring it, he shall. Gunther will be back on WWE SmackDown this Friday night to lay down the law.
What will Gunther have in store for Cody Rhodes and their Undisputed WWE Championship Match?
WWE SmackDown Preview – Match Card (6/12/26):
- King of the Ring 2026 Tournament – Fatal 4-Way First Round: Jey Uso vs. LA Knight vs. Royce Keys vs. Finn Balor
- Queen of the Ring 2026 Tournament – Fatal 4-Way First Round: Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill
- Gunther Names His Stipulation for His Undisputed WWE Title Match
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