This week’s episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown is set to air live from the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina and the show will focus on the fallout from Backlash as well as the build for the Clash in Italy premium live event.
Ahead of SmackDown, WWE had announced that Damian Priest & R-Truth would be facing off against the team of Tama Tonga & Talla Tonga. However, Nick Aldis announced that R-Truth has been pulled from SmackDown because he is not medically cleared to compete, so Damian Priest will instead go one on one with Tama Tonga.
Aldis posted the following:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, R-Truth is not medically cleared to compete tonight, therefore Damian Priest will now go 1-on-1 with Tama Tonga. See you tonight on #SmackDown”
Ladies and Gentlemen, R-Truth is not medically cleared to compete tonight, therefore Damian Priest will now go 1-on-1 with Tama Tonga. See you tonight on #SmackDown @ArcherOfInfamy @TamaTonga01
— Nick Aldis (@RealNickAldis) May 15, 2026
WWE is currently focusing on the following points for tonight’s show:
– Gunther must decide whether to join SmackDown to challenge Cody Rhodes
– Trick Williams returns to the University of South Carolina for a special celebration
– Damian Priest vs. Tama Tonga
– Jade Cargill will address the WWE Universe after returning to attack Rhea Ripley
– Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss look to get retribution on Michin & B-Fab
– Carmelo Hayes vs. Ricky Saints
Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.