The May 1, 2026, episode of WWE SmackDown paved the way for the long-awaited main roster debut of Ricky Saints against Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Saints looked impressive, but in the end, the WWE Champion picked up the win.
Saints made his presence felt early in the night by interrupting Rhodes’ promo. He said Rhodes was hurt and looked like he had aged 30 years in his three title reigns. He boasted about his former achievements and claimed that he was there to relieve Rhodes from his duties as a champion.
Rhodes accepted the challenge.
Ricky Saints loses on SmackDown debut against the WWE Champion
Saints tried a fake handshake, then ran the ropes and hit a shoulder block, followed by some quick arm drags. Rhodes backed into the corner. He then landed a knee and went for a delayed vertical, but Saints slipped out. Cody Rhodes turned it around and sent Saints across the ring. Saints jumped to the apron, only to get knocked down to the floor by an elbow.
Rhodes went after him and threw him back inside. Saints faked a kick, ducked a lariat, then hit a clothesline that sent Rhodes outside.
Saints then took control with a neck crank. Rhodes fought out and started getting fired up. However, Saints hit a big elbow and then targeted Rhodes’ injured eye. He followed it up with a hangman’s neckbreaker and a knee drop for a near fall. Saints even walked the ropes for Old School, but Rhodes caught him and hit a snap scoop powerslam.
Rhodes went for the Beautiful Disaster to set up a Cody Cutter, but Saints stopped him and tried a swinging inverted DDT. However, Rhodes countered with a sunset flip, although Saints reversed that attempt.
Saints then hit a springboard tornado DDT, but it was still not enough. He went for Roshambo, but Rhodes countered again and locked in the inverted facelock. He then turned around and finished the match with a Cross Rhodes.
Even though he succumbed to a defeat, going toe-to-toe with one of WWE’s top stars in his first main roster match showed Saints’ ability and potential.
Since joining WWE in 2025, Ricky Saints quickly became a top name in NXT, winning both the NXT Championship and the North American Championship.
However, the night didn’t end on a positive note for Rhodes. Right after the match, Gunther stormed the ring and locked in the Sleeper Hold. The Ring General then lifted the WWE Championship up as he clearly outlined his intentions.
Read More: Gunther’s Attack on Cody Rhodes May Be Linked to Subtle WWE SmackDown Moment