WWE SmackDown Results 5/8/26

WWE SmackDown Results 5/8/26
VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Jacksonville, Florida

You can follow me on Twitter @TheHootsPodcast

Commentators: (Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett)

Ring Announcer: Mark Nash

Transcription by Josh Lopez

– As the show went on air, we got a memorial graphic for Ted Turner. The legendary television executive passed away this week at the age of 87.

Jacob Fatu & The Usos Segment 

Jacob Fatu: Tomorrow night at Backlash, I’m not fighting Roman Reigns for that title. Tomorrow at Backlash, I’m taking that title. Since we were young, all everybody seen in Roman was the future. Since we were young, all everybody seen in me was nothing. Now, they want to call Jacob, they want to talk nice to me, they want to try to tell me to fall back and fall in line. Hell, nah. Hey, I’ve seen this before with Roman. Oh, yeah, history repeats itself, but check this out, everyone tapping in with me, nah, they’re not trying to protect me, they’re trying to protect Roman. Hey, it’s all good, let’s keep it 100. See, when Roman was born, he was born with opportunity. See, when I was born, how I was born with doubt.

– The Usos come down to the ring.

Jimmy Uso: Alright, alright, we’re not out here to change your mind, Jacob, alright. Whatever we say tonight, we understand it ain’t gonna change what’s going to happen tomorrow night. I told you that I was proud of you, I mean, come on, uce. Listen to what I’m saying, main eventing Backlash, Samoan Werewolf versus “The OTC” Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship, damn, I respect that, because I understand where you’re coming from, uce. A part of me, a part of me is rooting for you. But the other part of me, man, the other part of me is looking out for you, man. I understand, we understand how important this W you’ve been eating on, this W that you need so damn bad, I know you need it, but have you ever sat still and just think, what happens if you lose tomorrow night, Jacob?

Jey Uso: No, he didn’t think, because I don’t think you think like that, Jacob. You’ve been popping off the rails a little bit like me. Yeah, YEET! But look though, I’ll tell you what’s going to happen tomorrow night. You want to know what’s going to happen tomorrow night? Because I lived it, Jacob. Tomorrow night, Tribal Chief going to beat that ass. Look, that ain’t even the worst damn part, you want to know what the worst part is? He’s going to break you down emotionally, physically, Jacob, and he’s going to do all that to you right in front of your family, uce.

Jimmy Uso: And tomorrow night at Backlash, your family will be sitting there in the front row watching this. And if you lose.

Jey Uso: When you lose.

Jimmy Uso: Your wife and your children.

Jey Uso: All of them.

Jimmy Uso: Everybody.

Jey Uso: All of them, Jacob.

Jimmy Uso: Will have to acknowledge your “Tribal Chief” “The OTC” Roman Reigns.

Jacob Fatu: What? Tribal Chief? Man, hell nah. Let me break it down to you two, real quick. I am not losing. Hell, I can’t lose. Matter of fact, “Main Event” Jey Uso, you trying talk to me about L’s, you trying to lace me up on game about losses to Roman. Hey, Jey Uso, guess what, flashback, you never beat Roman. Hey, Big Jim, trying to say if I lose, my family, what? There’s no losing. There’s no acknowledging nothing. See, this just ain’t a main event, this is for my family. So, if there’s one thing that my family will see me doing is becoming the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Hey, and y’all can tell by now, if you ain’t know, I’m ready to put it all on the line and die for mine. Can we say the same thing about Roman? Is Roman ready to die for his? Man, hell nah, because he’s going to know, tomorrow night at Backlash, that Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it. YADADAMEAN! FA-TU! And you know what, one more thing, tomorrow night at Backlash, if y’all two ever think about interfering in my match tomorrow night, oh, I swear to god, I will burn this whole god damn family tree down.

– Cathy Kelley had a backstage interview with Nick Aldis. Nick says that what GUNTHER did last week was completely unacceptable, and he’s going to make that crystal clear to him later on tonight. As for GUNTHER being on Raw, yeah that’s true, for now. Ricky Saints joins the conversation. Ricky says that he should be talking about the hottest newest signing to SmackDown, and he had a great debut against QB1 last week, and now he’s going toe-to-toe with QB4, Matt Cardona. Cardona calls Ricky, Rookie Saints. Ricky is always running his mouth. He’s not here to pass the torch to guys like Ricky Saints, he’s here to light a new one for himself. Cardona tells Ricky that he’ll see him out in the ring later.

– Coming out of the commercial break, we see Nick Aldis talking to Jacob Fatu. Nick tells Jacob to get some rest and make tomorrow night his night. Jacob runs into Royce Keys. Royce heard what The Usos said to Jacob, forget all that noise, failure has never been an option, even when they didn’t know when their next dollar was coming from. When has Jacob Fatu ever been afraid of any man that breathes the same air as him? Royce tells Jacob to werewolf his ass up, bring the title home, because Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes with it, because people like them take everything. Jacob shares a nice embrace with Royce. After Jacob walks away, Royce sees Solo Sikoa. Royce says that he’s about to beat the brakes off of Solo, right now. Solo’s next words better be smooth like a criminal. Solo tells Royce to calm down, he knows that he’s upset, but Royce was in the wrong place at the wrong time, it’s nothing personal. Understand this, Royce can still join The MFT’s, but Solo needs an answer soon, because time is running out.

First Match: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Kiana James w/Giulia For The WWE Women’s United States Championship 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Quick shoving contest. James drop steps into a side headlock. Stratton reverses the hold. Stratton with a side headlock takeover. James whips Stratton across the ring. Stratton showcases her athleticism. Stratton clotheslines James. Stratton plays to the crowd. Stratton whips James back first into the turnbuckles. James dives over Stratton. Stratton launches James over the top rope. Stratton rocks James with a forearm smash. James avoids the shoulder block. James kicks Stratton in the face. James sweeps out the legs of Stratton. James repeatedly wraps the left leg of Stratton around the steel ring post. James rolls Stratton back into the ring. James with a Vertical Suplex. James repeatedly stomps on the left hamstring of Stratton. James with a straight right hand. James puts her knee on the back of Stratton’s neck. James slams Stratton’s head on the top turnbuckle pad. James with forearm shivers. James with a knee drop for a two count.

James argues with the referee. James slams Stratton’s head on another turnbuckle pad. Stratton decks James with a back elbow smash. Stratton is throwing haymakers at James. James kicks the left knee of Stratton. James repeatedly kicks Stratton in the ribs. James DDTs’ the left knee of Stratton for a two count. Stratton with forearm shivers. James drives her knee into the midsection of Stratton. James goes back to repeatedly stomping on Stratton’s left knee. Stratton with a chop/forearm combination. Stratton whips James across the ring. Stratton goes for a Dropkick, but James holds onto the ropes. James applies the single leg crab. Stratton grabs the bottom rope which forces the break. James kicks Sratton out of the ring.

Giulia refuses to attack Stratton behind the referee’s back. James starts bickering with Giulia. Stratton with forearm shivers. Stratton with two clotheslines. Stratton follows that with Tiffy Time. Stratton drops James with The Handspring Stunner. Stratton with a Running Basement Dropkick for a two count. James kicks the left knee of Stratton. Stratton dodges The Running Boot. James SuperKicks Stratton. James with a Cartwheel Roundhouse Kick. James hits The Death Valley Driver for a two count. James transitions into a ground and pound attack. James slams Stratton’s head on the top turnbuckle pad. James with clubbing shoulder blocks. Stratton sends James shoulder first into the ring post. Giulia runs interference. James rolls Stratton, but the referee is trying to get Giulia off the ring apron. Stratton blasts Giulia off the apron with a running forearm smash. Stratton with The Discus Back Elbow Smash. Stratton with The Rolling Senton. Stratton connects with The PME to pickup the victory.

Winner: Still WWE Women’s United States Champion, Tiffany Stratton via Pinfall 

– Sami Zayn attended the wake of The Gingerbread Man. He’s greeted by Nick Aldis. Sami doesn’t know why Nick is allowing this to happen. Nick says that Sami made his feelings abundantly clear, but everyone needs closure, so he should have some respect for the proceedings. R-Truth joins the conversation. Truth gives Sami a flower and gives his condolences. Truth sees the family resemblance looking at the casket. Truth says that The Gingerbread Man was very proud of Sami and he talked about him a lot, he wouldn’t want Sami to cry. Truth tells Sami to stay strong.

– Cathy Kelley had a backstage interview with Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss. Do they have any final thoughts ahead of their 6-Woman Tag Team Match with Fatal Influence? Rhea acknowledges the fact that Fatal Influence made a statement, but the only problem is they chose the wrong ones to attack, that’s why she’s excited tonight, because she can’t wait to remind Fatal Influence who they are. Charlotte passive aggressively says that they all can get their hands on Fatal Influence, not just Rhea. Charlotte is just trying to be a team player. Does Charlotte really need to fight Rhea on everything? Does Charlotte trust Rhea? Charlotte says that Rhea is not the only one who wants to get revenge. Are they going to have a problem tonight? Charlotte asks Rhea the same question. Alexa tells Charlotte to stop flexing. Rhea and Charlotte have teamed up in the past before, and they can do it, again. Rhea tells Alexa that she’ll be fine if Charlotte is. Charlotte is standing right here. Charlotte says that she’s fine. Alexa says that they’re making progress.

– R-Truth tells Damian Priest that Sami Zayn is crying over The Gingerbread Man dying. Priest says that his mind is not on The Gingerbread Man, it’s on getting revenge on The MFT’s for what they did last week. Priest knows that Truth is not 100%, with his experience in The Judgment Day, he knows The MFT’s game plan, they’ll get to Truth to get to him, so he needs Truth to stay in the back. Truth wants some of the action, they’re the WWE Tag Team Champions. Priest is proud to be Tag Team Champions with Truth, he didn’t expect any of this, but he needs Truth to trust him that he knows how to handle The MFT’s on his own. Truth tells Priest to go handle his business.

Second Match: Damian Priest vs. Talla Tonga w/Solo Sikoa 

Priest attacks Tonga before the bell rings with a Leaping Back Elbow Smash. Priest with rapid fire haymakers. Tonga shoves Priest. Priest with another leaping back elbow smash Priest sends Tonga tumbling to the floor with a leaping shoulder block. Priest with a Diving Back Elbow off the ring apron. Solo backs away from Priest. Priest with forearm shivers. Tonga drives his knee into the midsection of Priest. Priest SuperKicks Tonga. Priest goes for a Spinning Wheel Kick, but Tonga catches him in mid-air. Tonga drives Priest ribs first into the steel ring post. Tonga uppercuts Priest. Tonga slams Priest’s head on the ring apron. Tonga slams Priest across the announce table. Tonga poses for the crowd. Tonga resets the referee’s ten count. Tonga slams Priest’s head on the announce table. Solo is loving what he’s seeing. Tonga dumps Priest face first on the ringside barricade. Tonga rolls Priest back into the ring. Priest with a forearm smash. Tonga uppercuts Priest. Tonga sends Priest to the corner. Tonga levels Priest with The Body Avalanche. Tonga with The Delayed Vertical Suplex for a two count.

Tonga applies the cravate. Priest with heavy bodyshots. Priest with forearm shivers. Tonga reverses out of the irish whip from Priest. Priest holds onto the ropes. Priest kicks Tonga in the face. Solo trips Priest from the outside. Tonga scores the elbow knockdown. Tonga with a Running Elbow Drop. Tonga tells Priest to bring it. Priest is fighting from underneath. Tonga uppercuts Priest. Tonga goes for a Running Elbow Drop, but Priest ducks out of the way. Priest side steps Tonga into the turnbuckles. Priest with three haymakers. Priest ducks a clothesline from Tonga. Priest with a Leaping Roundhouse Kick. Tonga uppercuts Priest. Priest dodges The Running Boot. Priest with Three Spinning Roundhouse Kicks. Priest blocks The Chokeslam. Priest nails Tonga with The Bell Clap. Priest follows that with Two Spinning Roundhouse Kicks. Tonga regroups on the outside.

Priest with a flying double axe handle strike off the steel ring steps. Priest knocks Solo off the chair at ringside. Priest rolls Tonga back into the ring. Priest plays to the crowd. Priest with The Flying Lariat for a two count. Priest prepares for The South Of Heaven Chokeslam. Priest gets distracted by Tama Tonga. Solo slams Priest’s head on the top rope. Tonga hits The Discus Lariat for a two count. Solo tells Tama to hit Priest. R-Truth joins the fray. Truth tees off on Solo. Tama grabs Truth from behind. Solo goes for The Samoan Spike, but Priest gets in the way. Priest shoves Solo into Tama. Priest yells at Truth for not listening to him. Tonga rocks Priest with a forearm smash. Tonga rolls Priest back into the ring. Tonga connects with The Chokeslam to pickup the victory. After the match, Truth checks on Priest. Truth gets surrounded by The MFT’s. Royce Keys storms into the ring to make the save. Solo tells Tama to back off.

Winner: Talla Tonga via Pinfall 

– Danhausen is sitting behind a table in the back looking for tag team partners for his match at Backlash. The Miz and Kit Wilson joins the conversation. Miz pokes fun at Danhausen for crying to Nick Aldis last week, and now he can’t find a tag partner. Miz yells at Kit Wilson for looking at himself in the mirror. Kit calls Danhausen toxic. Miz says that Backlash is about to start early. Kit tells Miz to think about The Miz Method. They’re two emotionally mature men who can wait to destroy Danhausen tomorrow night at Backlash. Miz says that Backlash is not going to happen, because Danhausen has no friends. Danhausen says that he’s friends with Papa Shango, The Curly Man and Bob The Catering Guy. Kit says that the only man toxic enough to team with Danhausen is Danhausen himself. Danhausen says that’s a great idea and runs away.

– Nick Aldis finds Paul Heyman in his office. Everything in the contract is in order as discussed. GUNTHER joins the conversation. Gunther shakes hands with Heyman. Before Gunther signs the contract, Nick just wants him to know that what he did last week was unacceptable, and he hopes that this is the last time they’ll need to have a conversation like this. With that being said, Nick is glad to have The Ring General on the blue brand. Gunther asks Nick if that’s how he wants to talk to his future WWE Champion? Cody Rhodes entrance music hits. Gunther gets pissed at Nick for Cody upstaging him. Gunther says that he doesn’t do business like this. Heyman tells Nick that he’ll handle this situation. Looks like Cody has something to say.

Cody Rhodes, Paul Heyman, GUNTHER Segment 

Cody Rhodes: So, Jacksonville. DUVAL! What do you wanna talk about? I guess, last week, “The Ring General” GUNTHER, I guess that was he way of saying that he’s next in line. I would love if he could come out here right now, look me in the eye and say just that.

Paul Heyman: Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. We have a bit of a problem, I’m here to solve the problem. I hold in my hand, a contract for a match for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Cody Rhodes: Let me stop you, let me stop you. I have to ask, have you now become an advocate for GUNTHER? Because this really isn’t a thing that we need paper for, we don’t need a contract. I’m medically cleared. I’m in Jacksonville, he’s in Jacksonville, let’s just do the thing, right here, right now.

Paul Heyman: No, sir, I am not an advocate for GUNTHER, I owe GUNTHER a favor, this is the favor. This, in full transparency, is the favor that I owe GUNTHER. I also, by the way, am an enormous fan of “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, which is why, sir, I wanted you to know that you do need a contract when the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship is at stake, but unfortunately, also by the way, my favorite song in the WWE. May, I? Just so you know, so that there’s no misunderstanding, the contract for this title match is not for Jacksonville, Florida. The contract for this title match is not even for the United States Of America. The fight with GUNTHER, if you accept, in Turino at Clash In Italy. If you seek a fight with GUNTHER, that, sir, is where the fight will have to happen. Just so you know, the favor that I owe GUNTHER was to set this up. If you want GUNTHER’s name on the contract, you’ll have to get his signature all by yourself. Goodnight, everybody.

Cody Rhodes: Mr. Heyman. Mr. Heyman. I’ve had quite a month, so I’m going to dismiss with my proclivity to be polite and ask you something directly. Brock Lesnar retired on you. The Tribal Chief wants nothing to do with you. CM Punk has discarded you. So, you’re standing in the ring, right here, you and I, I have to ask, is it because you’re out of options?

Paul Heyman: The way I look at it, Cody Rhodes, I’m not the one running out of options. Sooner or later, they all need The Wiseman.

Cody caught GUNTHER trying to cheap shot him as Paul Heyman was heading to the back. Cody is throwing haymakers at Gunther. Gunther ducks a clothesline from Cody. Gunther applies The Sleeper Hold. Cody clocks Gunther with the microphone. Gunther refuses to let go of the hold. Cody dumps Gunther out of the ring. Cody repeatedly knocks Gunther off the ring apron.

Cody Rhodes: Is that what you want to do? You want everybody to roll out the red carpet and kiss your ass? Keep coming. You think I sweat you, G, because you beat Goldberg, because you beat AJ Styles, because you retired the greatest of all-time? I don’t sweat you. You want the high ground, come and get it. On SmackDown, I’m easy to find, hard to beat.

– Tama Tonga is yelling at Solo Sikoa in the backstage area. Tonga says that Royce Keys is a problem that needs to be dealt with. Solo doesn’t see Royce as a problem, he sees him more of a solution, and he’s a perfect fit for their family. Tonga says that Royce Keys came into the ring and embarrassed them in front of everybody, but that doesn’t sit right with him. Tonga says that he’s going to handle business and show Royce what he’s all about. Solo stops Talla Tonga in his tracks. Solo says that if Tama wants to go out on his own, he can figure that on his own.

– Shawn Michaels is a special guest on Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” Podcast this week.

Third Match: Ricky Saints vs. Matt Cardona 

Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Cardona backs Saints into the turnbuckles. The referee calls for a clean break. Saints pie faces Cardona. Saints ducks a clothesline from Cardona. Saints is playing mind games with Cardona. Saints with a waist lock go-behind. Saints applies a side headlock. Cardona whips Saints across the ring. Saints drops Cardona with a shoulder tackle. Saints poses for the crowd. Cardona drops down on the canvas. Cardona runs around Saints. Cardona drops Saints with a shoulder tackle of his own. Cardona tells Saints to bring it. Cardona blocks a boot from Saints. Cardona clotheslines Saints. Cardona with two haymakers. Cardona rams his forearm across Saints face. Saints drives Cardona face first into the middle turnbuckle pad. Saints with a straight right hand. Saints repeatedly stomps on Cardona’s chest. Saints is choking Cardona with his boot. Saints with a chop/forearm combination. Cardona reverses out of the irish whip from Saints. Cardona with a flying forearm smash. Cardona whips Saints across the ring. Cardona with The Flapjack. Cardona with a corner clothesline. Cardona goes for The Broski Boot, but Saints exits the ring.

Cardona with The Wrecking Ball Dropkick. Saints is throwing a fit at ringside. Saints regains control of the match during the commercial break. Saints waste time gloating. Cardona with a double leg takedown. Cardona with a jackknife cover for a two count. Both guys are knocked down after a double clothesline. Cardona with a leaping double knee strike. Cardona clotheslines Saints. Saints reverses out of the irish whip from Cardona. Cardona with a Diving Face Plant. Cardona with a flying forearm smash. Cardona is choking Saints with his knee. Cardona plays to the crowd. Cardona delivers The Broski Boot for a two count. Saints denies The Unprettier. Saints drops Cardona with a Twisting Reverse DDT for a two count. Saints goes for The Roshambo, but Cardona counters with a Back Body Drop. Saints avoids The Rough Ryder. Saints takes a breather on the outside. Saints sweeps out the legs of Cardona. Cardona hits The Rough Ryder for a two count. Cardona is choking Saints with the bottom rope. Saints decks Cardona with a throat thrust. Saints delivers The Revolution DDT. Saints connects with The Roshambo to pickup the victory.

Winner: Ricky Saints via Pinfall 

– We head back to The Gingerbread Man’s Wake. Sami Zayn is talking to a despondent Johnny Gargano who’s laying down next to him. Sami says that this is a sick joke. Sami asks Gargano if Johnny Wrestling is still there? Candice LeRae tells Sami that Johnny doesn’t move. Sami is flabbergasted to see Rey Fenix at this wake. Fenix is here to pay respect to The Gingerbread Man. All of this is a shot at Sami Zayn. Fenix tells Sami to cool down, this is not the place for him to snap.

– As Paige and Brie Bella were heading to the ring, Brie nearly got hit by a falling ladder that Danhausen tipped over thinking that The Miz and Kit Wilson were walking by.

– Blake Monroe Vignette.

Paige, Brie Bella, The Irresistible Forces, Fatal Influence Segment 

Brie Bella: Jacksonville. You know, there’s a lot of teams in WWE right now saying they have what it takes to beat us, to be champions. But like we showed The Irresistible Forces last week, it’s not so easy to take these titles off Paige and I. So, whoever it may be, the result will always be the same.

Paige: That’s right, baby. And talking about other teams, I heard what The Judgment Day had to say about Brie and I, something about stopping, what they call it?

Brie Bella: The Nostalgia Tour?

Paige: The Nostalgia Tour. Now, when I think about The Nostalgia Tour, I think about has-been’s trying to recreate the magic that they don’t have anymore. But let me tell you something, Brie and I are the best we’ve ever looked, the best we’ve ever been. And if Raquel and Roxanne want to step up, well, then step up, babies. Whether it be Raw or SmackDown, we are the champions, and this is our house.

– Fatal Influence make their way down to the ring.

Jacy Jayne: Alright, alright, I’ve heard enough of this. You two are clearly in over your heads, and I hate to be the one to break it to you, but The Judgment Day are not the ones you should be worried about. I think you two forgot that, two weeks ago, Fatal Influence dropped you and left you laying in the middle of that ring.

Fallon Henley: I mean, maybe you’ve been too distracted to see that myself, Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne and Lainey Reid, well, we’re already taking over SmackDown. And part of that SmackDown Takeover means taking those Tag Team Championships.

Lainey Reid: But Fallon, why should we stop there?

Fallon Henley: We shouldn’t.

Lainey Reid: The way that I see it, there’s plenty of gold to around. And pretty soon, Jacy Jayne will be standing here as your new Women’s Champion.

Jacy Jayne: But, as for tonight, we have business to take care of. So, if you two were smart, you get out of your ring, walk back to the locker room, and watch how a real team gets the job done.

Nia Jax: Excuse the heck out of me. Now, when did anybody say that you can skip to the front of the line?

Lash Legend: Exactly. I mean, first of all, y’all pipsqueaks can’t possibly be thinking that y’all big and bad coming to SmackDown, this is clearly not NXT, okay. And secondly, they can’t possibly be thinking y’all gonna get in our way.

Nia Jax: The tricks. Trick, Trick, Trick. Actually, you look like some knockoff mean girls, tell them, Lash.

Lash Legend: Exactly, so y’all better get to the back of the line.

The Irresistible Forces rocks Paige and Brie with Stereo Forearm Smashes. Jax with a Running Leg Drop to Paige. Lash nails Brie with The Lash Exstention while pointing at Fatal Influence at the same time.

– We got multiple video packages throughout the night, practically trolling critics of The Gingerbread Man by putting pictures of him in multiple legendary moments at WrestleMania and him pretending to being an online reaction streamer.

Fourth Match: Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss vs. Fatal Influence In A 6-Woman Tag Team Match 

Alexa Bliss and Fallon Henley will start things off. Henley slides under a clothesline from Bliss. Henley with a hair pull takedown. Henley poses for the crowd. Bliss slaps Henley in the face. Bliss with a forearm smash. Bliss with a knee lift. Bliss follows that with a Hair Biel. Bliss mocks Henley. Bliss blocks a boot from Henley. Bliss with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Bliss with a Running Meteora across the back of Henley’s neck. Bliss follows that with a double knee drop. Bliss with a Flipping Senton Splash for a two count. Bliss kicks Reid in the face. Henley drops Bliss with a Running Twisting Flatliner. Henley repeatedly stomps on Bliss’s chest. Henley tags in Jayne. Jayne is choking Bliss with her boot. Jayne tags in Reid. Reid taunts Charlotte. Reid with a Running Uppercut. Jayne with a Running Hip Attack. Reid follows that with a Shoulder Breaker. Reid continues to taunt Charlotte. Bliss rolls under a clothesline from Reid. Bliss tags in Ripley. Ripley ducks a clothesline from Reid. Ripley applies a wrist lock. Ripley with two short-arm clotheslines. Ripley with a Ripcord Hook Kick. Ripley follows that with The Slam Dunk. Ripley knocks Henley off the ring apron. Ripley with a Running Dropkick. Ripley ducks a clothesline from Jayne. Ripley catches Jayne in mid-air. Ripley with The Fallaway Slam. Ripley with The Missile Dropkick. Ripley follows that with Flying Cannonball Senton off the apron. Ripley is fired up.

Ripley rolls Reid back into the ring. Henley runs interference. Ripley ducks a clothesline from Jayne. Reid with a Modified Heat Seeker as Ripley slid back into the ring. Reid transitions into a ground and pound attack. Reid with a Leg Drop. Reid slams Ripley’s head on the top turnbuckle pad. Reid tags in Henley. Henley repeatedly stomps on Ripley’s chest. Jayne tags herself in. Jayne with a Running Cannonball Strike for a two count. Jayne tags in Reid. Reid kicks Ripley in the gut. Reid with a knee smash. Reid hammers down on the back of Ripley’s neck. Ripley attacks the midsection of Reid. Ripley with a forearm smash. Reid reverses out of the irish whip from Ripley. Reid with a Running High Knee. Following a snap mare takeover, Reid stomps on Ripley’s face for a two count. Reid stomps on the left shoulder of Ripley. Reid with a southpaw haymaker. Reid knocks Charlotte off the apron. The referee is trying to calm down Charlotte. Reid tags in Jayne. Jayne is choking Ripley with her boot. Following a snap mare takeover, Jayne kicks Ripley in the back. Jayne SuperKicks Ripley for a two count. Jayne tags in Reid. Reid uppercuts Ripley. Ripley fights from underneath. Reid pulls Ripley down to the mat. Ripley with a forearm smash. Ripley is fingertips away from Charlotte. Reid ducks a clothesline from Ripley. Reid with a NeckBreaker. Reid blasts Bliss off the apron. Ripley catches Reid with a Caporeria Kick. Charlotte and Jayne are tagged in.

Charlotte with two clotheslines. Charlotte unloads a series of knife edge chops. Charlotte with a Walk Over Lariat to Jayne. Charlotte kicks Reid in the gut. Charlotte with The Exploder Suplex. Charlotte pops back on her feet. Jayne reverses out of the irish whip from Charlotte. Charlotte with a Big Boot from the apron. Charlotte kicks Henley in the face. Charlotte with a Flying Double Crossbody Block. Charlotte hits The Double Natural Selection for a two count. Charlotte drops Reid with The Big Boot. Charlotte tags in Bliss. Stereo SuperKicks from Fatal Influence. Henley pulls Charlotte out of the ring. Henley launches Charlotte over the announce table. Bliss avoids The Rolling Encore. Bliss goes for The Sister’s Abigail, but Jayne rolls her over for a two count. Bliss rocks Jayne with a forearm smash. Jayne drops Bliss with a Running NeckBreaker. Jade Cargill drives Ripley face first into the steel ring steps. Jayne connects with The Rolling Encore to pickup the victory. After the match, Fatal Influence backs away from Jade Cargill. Cargill talks smack to Bliss. Charlotte storms into the ring. Michin and B-Fab gangs up on Charlotte. Ripley dropkicks Cargill. Ripley ducks a clothesline from Fab. Ripley HeadButts Michin. Ripley SuperKicks Fab. Cargill responds with The Pump Kick. Fab nails Bliss with The Full Nelson Slam. Charlotte punches Fab. Michin SuperKicks Charlotte. Cargill, Fab and Michin stands tall over Ripley.

Winner: Fatal Influence via Pinfall 

– Royce Keys runs into The Usos in the backstage area. Jimmy mentions that Royce goes way back with their family. Jimmy was about to give Royce some advice before he got cut off by hothead Jey. Jey knows that Royce has ties to the family, but this is family business and he needs to stay in his lane or he’ll catch the eyes of The Tribal Chief. YEET!

Fifth Match: Royce Keys vs. Tama Tonga w/The MFT’s 

Tonga starts things off with a dropkick after the bell rings. Tonga with rapid fire haymakers. Keys reverses out of the irish whip from Tonga. Keys drops Tonga with a Running Powerslam. Keys with repeated lariats across the neck of Tonga. Keys clotheslines Tonga. Keys unloads a southpaw jabs in the corner. Keys goes for The Delayed Vertical Suplex, but Tonga lands back on his feet. Tonga delivers a chop block. Tonga with a Sliding Lariat for a two count. Tonga is throwing haymakers at Keys. Keys avoids The Flying Forearm Smash. Keys with a Northern Lights Suplex. Tonga HeadButts Keys. Tonga drops Keys with a Snap Flatliner. Keys regroups on the outside. Tonga knocks Keys off the ring apron with a Running Forearm Smash. Tonga wants The MFT’s to jump Keys behind the referee’s back. Solo tells Talla Tonga to stand back. Keys blocks The Baseball Slide Dropkick. Keys with The World’s Strongest Slam onto the edge of the ring.

Tonga sends Keys shoulder first into the steel ring steps. Tonga has complete control of the match during the commercial break. Tonga applies The Sleeper Hold. Keys repeatedly backs Tonga into the turnbuckles. Keys and Tonga are trading back and forth shots. Tonga reverses out of the irish whip from Keys. Tonga with The Stinger Splash. Tonga with The Swinging NeckBreaker for a two count. Tonga goes for The Double Underhook Lungblower, but Keys counters with a Back Body Drop. Keys avoids The Stinger Splash. Keys with three clotheslines. Keys delivers The Pounce. Keys levels Tonga with Two Body Avalanches. Keys Powerslams Tonga for a two count. Keys goes for another Powerslam, but Tonga lands back on his feet. Tonga hits The Tongan Twist for a two count. Tonga repeatedly kicks Keys in the face. Keys is pissed. Keys clotheslines Tonga over the top rope. Keys rolls Tonga back into the ring. Keys tells Talla Tonga to bring it. Keys dodges The Cutthroat. Tonga kicks Keys in the face. Keys catches Tonga in mid-air. Keys connects with The Ultimate SpineBuster to pickup the victory.

Winner: Royce Keys via Pinfall 

– Danhausen is doing science experiments in the back to find his tag team partner for Backlash.

– Coming out of the commercial break, Shinsuke Nakamura walks up to a dejected Tama Tonga. Nakamura says that he’s disappointed that Tama is still with The MFT’s. Talla Tonga tells Nakamura to stay away from his brother or they’re going to have problems.

– Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett breaks down the entire Backlash 2026 Match Card.

– Trick Williams runs into Nick Aldis in the backstage area. Trick says that he’s been doing better. Nick tells Trick that everything he requested for this funeral is in place and he has the rest of the broadcast to himself.

The Funeral Of The Gingerbread Man 

Trick Williams: Hey, cut the music. Y’all got to bear with me, I hope I can get through this. Rest In Peace, Gingerbread, I never thought I would see you dead. And I remember every word you said. Can I get some help, please? Remember when I took you out the oven when you lost your un-dropped button, and Sami rip out all your stuffing. Can someone please tell me something? When you said it would last forever, when we said that is now and over, when you bought my Lemon Pepper Steppers. Can somebody tell me why? Can somebody tell me why? Can somebody tell me why did The Gingerbread Man had to die? Can somebody tell me? Can somebody tell me why? Can somebody tell me why did Gingerbread had to die? Ginger-Bread.

– We got an emotional video package honoring the life of The Gingerbread Man.

Trick Williams: Can you give me a moment of silence for my friend, The Gingerbread Man?

Sami Zayn: Alright, enough. Hey, enough. Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me right now? Hey, everyone is putting up with this all night, this is ridiculous. Am I losing my mind? Am I really losing my mind that has been allowed to go on all night? Trick, maybe you don’t know this, because you’ve only been in this game for a cup of coffee, but guess what? Television time on SmackDown used to mean something? Closing out an episode of SmackDown used to mean something. There was a prestige holding that United States Championship. There was a prestige, and now you’re doing all of this with it, and you’re making a joke out of it. You’re trying to make a joke out of me? Didn’t you look me in the eyes, a couple weeks ago, and say, nobody messes with my money? Remember that? Nobody messes with my money? How much did you spend on all of this?

I counted a damn near a thousand roses? Do you know what that costs? I looked it up, it cost a lot of money. How much does it cost to rent a choir, which by the way, I was going to say anything, they were off key, I wasn’t going to say anything, okay? How much did that cost? I touched that casket backstage, it’s solid oak. Oak. They don’t make it like that anymore, ladies and gentlemen, trust me, you know what that costs, it cost a lot of money. You spend all this money for what, to make a joke out of me? I would never do that, Trick, and you want to know why? I have too much respect for myself. I have too much respect for SmackDown, for this show. I have too much respect for the hard-working people who paid their money to come in here. Because at the end of the day, that’s who I am, Trick, I am a working-class hero, and I represent them. I represent my ride or die fans till the end. Let me tell you something, Trick. You spent all this money, you gone through all these lengths, maybe you think you’re gonna be the one that finally does me in.

I want to remind you of something. I want to remind you of who I am. I am Sami Zayn. I have done everything there is to do in here. I have been with guys at the tippy-tippy top of this industry, all the way to the bottom, and everywhere in between, you understand me. Every one of them thought they were gonna knock me out, that they were gonna knock me out of my game. Every single one of them, guys bigger than you, smaller than you, faster than you, and I’m still standing, 20 years in the game, and I’m not going anywhere. But you wanted to get in my head? I hate to give it to you, but you did it, you got in my head, you made me angry, you got under my skin. But Congratulations, Trick, you played yourself, because now this is personal. It’s not just about taking back that United States Championship tomorrow night at Backlash, which I will do. I am going to do everything you did to me, back to you a thousand times worse. I’m going to make a joke out of you. I’m going to humble you, I’m going to embarrass you, I’m going to expose you, I’m going to disrespect you, Trick. So, enjoy your big night, and sorry for your loss, but I’ll see you tomorrow at Backlash.

Sami delivers a cheap shot as he was about to the exit the ring. Sami tees off on Trick. Sami grabs the United States Championship. Sami talks smack to Trick. Sami poses with the US Title. The Gingerbread Man sits up from the casket. It’s Lil Yachty. Yachty brutally attacks Sami with a kendo stick. Trick delivers The Trick Shot. Trick and Yachty stands tall over Sami as the show goes off the air.

 Checkout Episode Eight Of The SUR Files