WWE Smackdown 5/8/2026
Last week's show is here:
https://prowresblog.blogspot.com/2026/05/wwe-smackdown-512026.htmlWe are in Jacksonville, FL. Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett are on commentary.
We get a graphic for Ted Turner to start the show.
We see various wrestlers arrive and hang out. We then see wrestlers ling up for the funeral of The Gingerbread Man.
Jacob Fatu comes out to talk. Fatu says he's not fighting Roman for the title, he's taking the title. Fatu says nobody saw anything in him since he was young but now they want to be nice to him and tell him to fall in line. Fatu says people aren't checking in with him to protect him but to protect Roman.Fatu says Roman was born with opportunities while he was born with doubt.
The Uso's interrupt. Jimmy says they aren't here to change his mind. Jimmy says they are looking out for him. Jimmy says if he thought about what happens if he loses. Jey says Roman will beat that @ss tonight. Jey says the worst part is Roman will break down Fatu in front of his family. Jimmy says his family will see him lose. Jimmy says Fatu's family will have to acknowledge Roman.
Fatu says "hell nah". Fatu says he's not losing and he can't lose. Fatu says Jey never beat Roman. Fatu says there is no losing or acknowledging nothing. Fatu says this isn't for the main event, it's for his family. He says if there's one thing his family will see him do, it's becoming the new champ.
Fatu says he's ready to put it on the line and die for his. He asks if Roman is ready to die for his and says hell naw. He says Roman will learn he's all gas and no breaks with it. Fatu says if The Uso's even think of interfering, he says he will burn the whole family tree down.
Thoughts: I don't believe Fatu's going to win tomorrow. Roman likely not being around suggests he does, but I don't think it's time yet and I don't think him as a face is the way to do it.
Cathy Kelly talks to Nick Aldis. Cathy wants insight on Gunther. Aldis says what Gunther did was unacceptable. He says Gunther is part of Raw, for now. Ricky Saints interrupt and says they should be talking about him. Saints says he was up against QB1 last week but now faces QB4 in Cardona.
Matt Cardona comes in. Matt says he's not here to pass the torch to people like him but is here to light it for himself.
Aldis tells Fatu to get some rest. Royce Keys tells Fatu to forget what his cousins say. He says failure was never an option for them. He tells him to bring the title home and werewolf his @ss up. Keys says men like them take everything they want.
Keys talks to Solo Sikoa. He says Solo better have some smooth words as he wants to beat him up. Solo says Keys was in the wrong place at the wrong time last week. Solo says there's room in the family for him and he needs an answer as time is running out.
WWE Women's United States Title - Tiffany Stratton (c) vs Kiana James
Chelsea Green wishes Tiff luck via a video as she's at home injured. KJ comes out with Giulia.
Tiff shoves KJ. KJ side headlocks her. Tiff tornado side headlock takeovers her. Tiff lariats her. KJ goes over Tiff in the corner. KJ boots Tiff over the 2nd rope. KJ bangs Tiff's leg off the post.
We go to PiP break and return. KJ half crabs her. KJ boots her out. Giulia and KJ argue about Giulia not hitting Tiff. Tiff hits shots on KJ and then hits lariats. Tiff cartwheel backflip back elbows her. Tiff handspring stunners her and basement dropkicks her for 2.
KJ superkicks her. KJ cartwheels into a high kick on her. KJ running death valley drivers her for 2. KJ hits mounted shots on Tiff. KJ hits corner spears then backflips. KJ misses a corner spear and goes into the post. KJ rolls up Tiff but the ref is distracted by Giulia. Tiff spinning back elbows KJ. Tiff finlay rolls her into a double jump moonsault and wins.
Thoughts: I liked what we got here. These two really are similar and can work together. They teased KJ and Giulia having issues here and the sooner that pairing is over, the better.
KJ and Giulia talk some after.
Sami Zayn goes up to The Gingerbread Man's coffin. Sami asks Nick Aldis how this happened. Aldis says everyone needs closure and says to have respect for the proceedings. R-Truth then cries on Sami's shoulders, gives him a rose and says he's sorry for his loss. Truth says he can see the family resemblance. Truth says Ginger talked about him all the time. Sami thanks him and Truth tells him to be strong.
We get a video on Fatal Influence vs Flair, Rhea and Bliss.
Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss are interviewed. Rhea says Fatal Influence wanted to make an impression and did, but they chose the wrong one to attack. She says that's why she wants to remind them who she is. Flair says they can all get their hands on them together. Flair says she's not the only one who wants revenge. Rhea asks if they will have a problem tonight. Flair says she doesn't know and asks if they will. Bliss tries to play peacemaker. She says they teamed up before and can do it again. Rhea and Flair say they are fine and Bliss says let's go. Flair then says Rhea started it.
R-Truth goes up to Damian Priest. He says Sami is crying over The Gingerbread Man. DP says his mind is on The MFT's and Talla. Truth says they need to handle this. DP says he's not 100%. He says The MFT's will go after Truth to get to them. DP asks him to stay back. Truth says they are tag champs. DP agrees. DP says to trust him and says he knows how to handle these guys on his own.
Damian Priest vs Talla Tonga
Talla chokeslammed DP last week to set this up. The MFT's are down to Talla, Tama and Solo as JC and Loa are fired.
DP jumps on Talla and hits punches. DP flying punches him. DP flying elbows him off the apron then backs up Solo Sikoa. Talla knees DP in the gut. DP superkicks him. Talla rams DP into the post. Talla uppercuts DP and bangs his face off the mat. Talla slams DP on the commentary table.
We go to PiP break and return. Talla misses an elbow drop. Talla misses a corner charge. DP hits punches. DP pump kicks him and Talla uppercuts him. DP hits corkscrew kicks.
DP ear claps him and corkscrew kicks him. DP hits another corkscrew kick. DP jumps off the steps and double axe handles Solo. DP boots Solo over while he's in a chair. DP top rope diving lariats Talla for 2.
Tama Tonga runs down. DP grabs Solo over the apron but is pulled down over the top rope. Talla spinning lariats DP for 2. R-Truth runs out. He hits shots on Tama and Solo. Solo goes for the samoan spike but is sent into Tama. DP says he told Truth not to come out. Talla facekicks DP in the aisle. Talla chokeslams DP and pins him.
Thoughts: It went as expected. Truth was told not to come out then he did and cost DP the match. The match wasn't bad. I don't think they got as much out of the hoss concept that they could have but it was faster and more action packed than I thought.
Truth checks on DP in the corner. Truth is surrounded by The MFT's. Royce Keys comes out. Keys makes Tama back off.
The Miz, Danhasuen and Kit Wilson talk in the back. Dan has a table set up to find a Backlash tag partner. Miz mocks Dan for not being able to find a tag partner. Kit then joins in and says Dan is toxic. Kit reminds Miz of The Miz Method and says they will destroy him tomorrow. Kit says Dan has no friends. Kit says he's friends with Papa Shango, Curry Man and a catering guy named Bob. Kit says the only guy toxic enough to team with Danhausen is Danhausen. Dan says that's a great idea and he leaves. Miz says they beat the curse out of him and he can't disappear anymore.
We see fake photos of The Gingerbread Man at various big WWE moments.
Paul Heyman and Nick Aldis talk. Paul is given a contract. Gunther comes in and is given the contract. Nick says what Gunther did last week was unacceptable but he's happy to have him on the blue brand. Gunther asks if that's how he wants to talk to his future WWF champ. Cody Rhodes comes out as he is about to sign. Gunther complains and says he doesn't do business like this. Paul says he will handle it.
Cody Rhodes talks in the ring. Cody says last week's thing with Gunther was Gunther saying he's next in line. Cody says he'd love for Gunther to come out.
Paul Heyman comes out. Cody asks if Paul is an advocate for Gunther. Cody says they are both here and let's do this right now. Paul says he owes Gunther a favor and this is the favor. Paul says he's also an enormous fan of Cody Rhodes.
Paul says the contract for the title match isn't for Jacksonville or the US. He says it'll be at Clash in Italy. Paul tells Cody that if he wants Gunther's signature, he'll have to get it himself. Cody says Brock, Roman and Punk don't want to deal with Paul anymore. Cody asks Paul if he's out of options. Paul says he's not the one running out of options. He says sooner or later they all need The Wiseman.
Gunther tries to attack Cody but Cody catches him. Gunther grabs a sleeper. Cody hits Gunther with the mic. Gunther is sent out and Cody hits him. Gunther gets hit again as he tries to get in. Cody says he doesn't sweat him and tells him to come and get it if he wants the high ground.
The MFT's talk. Tama says Keys is a problem who needs to be dealt with. Solo says Keys is a solution. Tama says Keys embarrassed them in front of everyone. Tama says he will handle business and show them what he's about.
Ricky Saints vs Matt Cardona
RS side headlocks him then shoulders him over. Matt then shoulders him over. Matt lariat RS then puts his forearm in his face. Matt is pulled into the 2nd buckle and stomped. RS foot chokes him and chops him.
Matt flying forearms him in the corner then flapjacks him. Matt corner lariats him. RS slides out then RS dropkicks him through the ropes. RS kicks the rails in anger. We go to break and return.
Matt gets a 2 count on RS and they double clothesline each other. Matt boots him out of the corner and bangs RS' face off the mat. Matt hits a broski boo for 2. RS hits a sister abigail. RS goes out and trips up Matt. Matt leg lariats RS for 2.
RS tornado ddt's him then hits a roshambo to win.
Thoughts: RS won as expected here. It was the usual Cardona match with him hitting his signature moves and not a lot else. It was fine.
Sami Zayn is at the funeral. He complains to Johnny Gargano, who is laying on the table. Sami asks if Johnny Wrestling is still there. Johnny shakes his hand. Sami then tells Candice LeRae that Johnny moved.
Sami talks to Rey Fenix. Sami says this funeral is a shot at him and all these people support it. Rey says this isn't the place.
Brie Bella and Paige walk by. A ladder falls and we see Danhausen run in front of them.
We get a Blake Monroe video. We see her putting on makeup in the bathroom. She says she can take everything you love and make it hers.
Brie Bella and Paige come out to talk. Brie says there's a lot of teams saying they have what it takes to beat them. Brie says they showed last week that it's not so easy to take the title from them. Paige says she heard the "Nostalgia Tour" comment. She says she thinks of hasbeens trying to recreate magic when she hears that. Paige says they are the best they ever looked and the best they ever were. Paige tells Liv and Raquel to step up. She says they are the champs.
Fatal Influence comes out. Jacy says they are in over their heads. Jacy says they shouldn't be worried about Judgment Day. Jacy says Fatal Influence dropped them 2 weeks ago. Fallon says they are taking over SD and it means taking over the tag titles. Reid says there's plenty of gold to go around and Jacy will soon be the Women's champ. Jacy says if they are smart, they'd get out of the ring an watch how a real team gets the job done.
Lash Legend and Nia Jax come out. Nia asks who told Influence they could jump the line. Lash says this isn't NXT. The crowd chants "Whoop That Trick" at Lash. Lash tells Influence to get to the back of the line. Nia and Lash the nail Brie and Paige. Lash hits a lash extension on Brie.
Rhea Ripley comes out. Lash and Nia leave.
Charlotte Flair, Rhea Ripley and Alexa Bliss vs Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid)
Fallon throws Bliss backwards. Bliss hits shots on her and dances. Bliss dragon screws Fallon and meteora's her from behind on the ropes. Bliss double knee drops her and rolling sentons her. Fallon swinging facebusters Bliss.
Fallon boots Bliss in the corner. Reid and Jacy hit corner attacks on Bliss. Reid gutbusters Bliss on her shoulder. RR tags in. She drops Reid a few times and superkicks her. She drops Reid chest first on the mat and low dropkicks her. RR fallaway slams JJ. RR top rope dropkicks her. RR cannonballs the heels from the apron.
RR hits gut shots on Reid. Reid throws her down backwards. Reid does something like a neckbreaker to her. RR upkicks her. Flair comes in and cleans house on the heels. Flair forward handspring lariats JJ. Flair fallaway slams Reid.
Flair top rope double crossbodies the heels. Flair then hits a double natural selection for 2. Flair is sent into the commentary table by Fallon. JJ rolls up Bliss for 2. JJ running neckbreakers her. Jade Cargille comes down and pulls RR off the apron. JJ spinning forearms Bliss and wins.
Thoughts: It didn't get a ton of time. What we got was acceptable but nothing memorable. Fatal Influence winning was the better call here as they accomplished more by having the faces lose.
Jade tells Bliss to get up. Michin and B-Fab beat up on Flair. RR comes in and helps fight the heels. Jade drops RR and the heels stand tall.
The Uso's go up to Royce Keys. Jimmy says people don't know how long the family goes back. Jey tell Keys to stay in his lane out of family business or he might catch the eyes of The Tribal Chief.
Royce Keys vs Tama Tonga
TT dropkicks Keys then hits shots to the gut. Keys powerslams him then lariats him down for 2. Keys hits punches in the corner. TT clips Keys from behind and lariats him for 2. Keys overhead suplexes him. TT flatliners him. Solo stops Talla from hitting Keys outside. TT knocks Keys off the apron. Keys slams TT on the apron. Keys misses a charge and goes into the steps.
We go to break and return. Keys snapmares him. They trade punches. TT corner splashes him then swinging neckbreakers him for 2. Keys hits lariats then pounces him. Keys hits corner splashes. Keys powerslams him for 2. TT twisting reverse ddt's him for 2.
Keys fires up and lariats him over the top. TT comes off the 2nd rope. Keys catches him with a spinebuster and wins.
Thoughts: It was fine. Keys did all power offense here and won as expected. The MFT's did not get involved at all. I was a bit surprised they sacrificed Tama here since they are interested in pushing him.
Danhausen is making some kind of potion in the back with colorful chemicals. He's got a bunch of scientific stuff and a computer. He has some kind of cloning machine and says he will have a partner in time for Backlash. His machine then breaks.
Shinsuke Nakamura talks to Tama Tonga. He says he's disappointed in him. Talla comes in and tells him to stay away from his brother or they will have problems.
They have a funeral for The Gingerbread Man in the ring. Trick Williams comes out for it. Trick kind of signs with a backup chorus. We then see a video montage of Ginger.
Trick asks for a moment of silence. Sami Zayn interrupts and says enough. Sami says this is ridiculous. Sami says TV time on SD used to mean something. He says Trick is trying to make a joke out of him. He says Trick said nobody messes with him and his money and Sami brings up the expenses of this whole thing.
Sami says Trick spent all this money to make a joke out of him. Sami says he respects the fans too much to do that and says he's a working class hero. Sami says he has done everything in this industry and says he's not going anywhere. He says Trick got in his head and made him angry. Sami says this is now personal. He says he will make a joke out of him, expose him and disrespect him. He says he'll see him tomorrow then punches him. Trick does down. Sami shoves the title in his face and asks if he thinks this is a game.
The Gingerbread Man then wakes up from the coffin. It's Lil Yachty. He hits Sami with a candy cane and laughs. Trick hits a pumping knee on Sami. That ends the segment and show.
Thoughts: What was the plan here if Sami didn't come out?
Overall thoughts: Tiffany/Kiana was decent and I'd like to see them get time to do a long match one of these days. Priest/Talla was better than expected though they didn't get as much out of the hoss match concept that they could have. Saints' match was fine as was Keys' match and the women's trios match was acceptable. I didn't care for the stuff with Danhausen and The Gingerbread Man as it's not that believable and wasn't serious. I'd give it a 5 out of 10 as it was more of a kids show and not for me. I thought it was average.
