WWE SmackDown recap, reactions (July 3, 2026): Riding and dying

ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY - JULY 3: Sami Zayn, Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes speak during SmackDown at Boardwalk Hall Arena on July 3, 2026 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images Ah, a two-hour wrestling show. Really the ideal length for one, at least one of the episodic weekly variety. Sure, there’s going to be less screen time for people on a roster already using talented people as extras. But that was the case when SmackDown was a three-hour show too. The extra time ends up feeling like padding; it doesn’t appear WWE has a real plan for how to utilize the additional 60 minutes to maximize opportunities for more people to connect with the audience. That was my big takeaway from the SmackDown that was taped Monday night after Raw and premiered Fri., July 3 at its usual time on USA Network or Netflix. Other than that, to steal the catchphrase the new WWE champion stole from and used on the former one in Atlantic City, New Jersey, “