WWE Friday Night SmackDown: Season 28
2026 season of WWE SmackDown
Season 28 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of WWE Friday Night SmackDown Season 27.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Season overview
2026 season of WWE SmackDown
Episode Guide
Season 28 Progress Shield
January 2, 2026
Jan 2, 2026 · 130 min
An Eight-Woman Tag Team Match features Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY taking on The Kabuki Warriors, Nia Jax and Lash Legend.
January 9, 2026
Jan 9, 2026 · 130 min
Drew McIntyre became the new Undisputed WWE Champion by outlasting Cody Rhodes in an epic Three Stages of Hell Match after Jacob Fatu returned and attacked each Superstar
January 16, 2026
Jan 16, 2026 · 130 min
Qualifying Matches begin in London to decide who will fight at Saturday Night's Main Event to earn an Undisputed WWE Title Match at Royal Rumble.
January 23, 2026
Jan 23, 2026 · 130 min
Montreal hosts a Triple Threat Match to decide the new No. 1 Contenders to the WWE Women's Tag Team Title. The Wyatt Sicks duel The MFTs.
January 30, 2026
Jan 30, 2026 · 130 min
After Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre interfered to end the match between Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn and World Tag Team Champion Jey Uso against The Vision, chaos er
February 6, 2026
Feb 6, 2026 · 126 min
Following a historic Royal Rumble, the Superstars of SmackDown begin The Road to WrestleMania 42 with a big night in Charlotte, N.C.
February 13, 2026
Feb 13, 2026 · 125 min
Jade Cargill defends the WWE Women's Championship against SmackDown newcomer Jordynne Grace. Elimination Chamber Qualifying Matches continue.
February 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026 · 124 min
Qualifying Matches resume with Damian Priest, Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams vying for a spot in the Men's Elimination Chamber Match.
February 27, 2026
Feb 27, 2026 · 119 min
The Irresistible Forces set their sights on RHIYO and the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. Uncle Howdy tangles in the ring with Solo Sikoa.
March 6, 2026
Mar 6, 2026 · 132 min
A rematch between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre for the Undisputed WWE Championship threatens to shake up The Road to WrestleMania 42.
March 13, 2026
Mar 13, 2026 · 123 min
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton sign the contract for their title fight at WrestleMania 42. Michin seeks payback on Jade Cargill.
March 20, 2026
Mar 20, 2026 · 124 min
Drew McIntyre's recent ambush lands him in a showdown with Jacob Fatu. The Bella Twins aim for championship gold against The Irresistible Forces.
March 27, 2026
Mar 27, 2026 · 121 min
Giulia defends the Women's U.S. Championship against Tiffany Stratton. Jelly Roll and Kit Wilson escalate their war of words into a one-on-one match.
April 3, 2026
Apr 3, 2026 · 125 min
Randy Orton prepares to meet a mystery guest as The Road to WrestleMania 42 stops in his hometown of St. Louis
April 10, 2026
Apr 10, 2026 · 126 min
Pat McAfee continues to shake up the Undisputed WWE Title picture as he reappears on The Road to Wrestlemania 42 in San Jose, Calif.
April 17, 2026
Apr 17, 2026 · 134 min
The annual Andre the Giant Battle Royal ensues on the eve of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. The Wyatt Sicks battle the MFTs in an Eight-Man Street Fight.
April 24, 2026
Apr 24, 2026 · 128 min
The Superstars of SmackDown touch down in Texas to face the consequences of a historic Wrestlemania 42 weekend.
May 1, 2026
May 1, 2026 · 124 min
Charlotte Flair sets her sights on Jacy Jayne of Fatal Influence. Ricky Saints makes his SmackDown debut.
May 8, 2026
May 8, 2026 · 124 min
Rhea Ripley joins a wary Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss to battle Fatal Influence. Tiffany Stratton defends the Women's U.S. Title against Kiana James.
May 15, 2026
May 15, 2026 · 123 min
Gunther considers moving to SmackDown to continue his pursuit of Cody Rhodes. Trick Williams brings the U.S. Title home to South Carolina.
May 22, 2026
May 22, 2026 · 124 min
After being attacked by Talla Tonga, Shinsuke Nakamura gets the opportunity to retaliate when they meet one-on-one.
May 29, 2026
May 29, 2026 · 124 min
Axiom arrives in Barcelona for a homecoming showdown against The Miz. Clash in Italy fast approaches.
June 5, 2026
Jun 5, 2026 · 124 min
King and Queen of the Ring Qualifiers resume in Bologna, Italy. The fallout from WWE Clash in Italy continues to ripple through SmackDown.
June 12, 2026
Jun 12, 2026 · 126 min
The first round of the King and Queen of the ring Tournament concludes. Gunther lays out the terms for his rematch against Cody Rhodes.
June 19, 2026
Jun 19, 2026 · 125 min
Cody Rhodes and Gunther meet again in an Undisputed WWE Title rematch with Sami Zayn as special guest referee. The Queen of the Ring Semifinals begin.
June 26, 2026
Jun 26, 2026 · 123 min
Cody Rhodes, Gunther and Sami Zayn cross paths on the eve of their Night of Champions showdown. Former friends Giulia and Kiana James collide.
July 3, 2026
Jul 3, 2026 · 83 min
After defeating Cody Rhodes and Gunther at Night of Champions, Sami Zayn begins his inaugural reign as Undisputed WWE Champion.
July 10, 2026
Jul 10, 2026 · 82 min
Finn Bálor seeks payback against Tama Tonga following a backstage attack. Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes reignite their rivalry.
July 17, 2026
Jul 17, 2026 · 120 min
A Saturday Night's Main Event of epic proportions looms over the Superstars of SmackDown as they arrive in Albany, New York.
July 24, 2026
Jul 24, 2026 · 77 min
Nia Jax seeks payback and opportunity in a showdown against Charlotte Flair with a spot in the SummerSlam Ladder Match on the line.
July 31, 2026
Jul 31, 2026 · 120 min
On the eve of SummerSlam, Giulia and Lash Legend compete for the last spot in the Interim WWE Women's Championship Ladder Match.
August 7, 2026
Aug 7, 2026 · 102 min
The Superstars of SmackDown navigate the aftermath of SummerSlam. Charlotte Flair and Jade Cargill escalate their rivalry into a one-on-one showdown.
August 14, 2026
Aug 14, 2026 · 120 min
Carmelo Hayes comes home to Boston for a U.S. Title fight against reigning champion Baron Corbin. Jacy Jayne challenges Tiffany Stratton.
August 21, 2026
Aug 21, 2026 · 121 min
In a showdown two decades in the making, CM Punk and Kevin Owens collide for the Undisputed WWE Championship in Toronto.
August 28, 2026
Aug 28, 2026 · 79 min
CM Punk and Kevin Owens reckon with the brutal ending of their Undisputed WWE Title Match. Tatum Paxley battles Michin in her Smackdown in-ring debut.
September 4, 2026
Sep 4, 2026 · 81 min
The Undisputed WWE Title picture is in chaos after Sami Zayn's rampage. Cody Rhodes addresses Randy Orton before Sunday Night's Main Event.
September 11, 2026
Sep 11, 2026 · 120 min
CM Punk puts the Undisputed WWE Title on the line against a desperate Sami Zayn in Mexico City. Nia Jax challenges WWE Women's Champion Chelsea Green.
September 18, 2026
Sep 18, 2026 · 84 min
Money in the Bank Qualifying Matches continue. Cody Rhodes sits down with Michael Cole for an exclusive interview to discuss Randy Orton and more.
September 25, 2026
Sep 25, 2026
Men's and Women's Money in the Bank Qualifying Matches resume with CM Punk, Finn Bálor and Gunther joining the fray.