By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,394)
Jacksonville, Florida, at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Simulcast live May 8, 2026, on USA Network and internationally on Netflix
[Hour One] A memorial graphic was shown for Ted Turner… Joe Tessitore checked in on commentary and narrated arrival shots of Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair with Alexa Bliss, the Fatal Influence trio, Solo Sikoa and Talla Tonga, and Damian Priest. A shot aired of a group of wrestlers and WWE personnel gathered for the Gingerbread Man funeral…
A video package recapped the build to the Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu match that will headline WWE Backlash…
Jacob Fatu made his entrance while ring announcer Mark Nash introduced him. Wade Barrett checked in on color commentary. Once in the ring, Fatu said he wasn’t fighting Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship. Rather, he said he was taking that title.
Fatu said that since they were children, Reigns was considered the future, while he was nothing. Fatu said he’d seen it before. He said Reigns is being protected. Fatu said Reigns was born with opportunity, while he was born with nothing.
Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso’s entrance music interrupted Fatu. The Usos came out via the stage and joined Fatu inside the ring. Jimmy said they weren’t there to change Fatu’s mind. He played up Fatu challenging Reigns, and said he was proud of him. Jimmy said that part of him was rooting for him, but he questioned what would happen if Fatu lost.
Jey stepped up and said he knew how it would go at Backlash because he’s lived it. “The Tribal Chief is going to beat that ass,” Jey said. Jey told Fatu that Reigns would break him down emotionally and physically right in front of his family. Jimmy said that Fatu would be fighting in front of his family. Jimmy said that if Fatu loses (Jey said “when” he loses), Fatu and his entire family will need to acknowledge Reigns.
Fatu said he can’t and won’t lose. Fatu took issue with Jey talking about him losing to Reigns, and then pointed out that Jey never beat Reigns. Fatu said there’s no losing or acknowledging. He said his family would see him become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Fatu said he was ready to put it all on the line and battle for his. He questioned whether Reigns was ready to die for it. “If y’all think of interfering in my match tomorrow night, oh, I swear to God I will burn this whole goddamn (censored) family tree down,” Fatu said before exiting the ring…
Tessitore noted that Barrett would be calling Backlash and had him break things down. Barrett spoke about the championship match, and then footage aired of Gunther attacking Cody Rhodes last week…
Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviewed Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis and asked why Gunther was in Jacksonville when he’s on the Raw roster. Aldis confirmed Gunther’s status as a Raw wrestler “for now.” Ricky Saints interrupted and spoke about going toe-to-toe with QB1. He said he would be going against QB4. Matt Cardona entered the picture and told “Rookie Saints” that he would see him in the ring…
Tessitore hyped the Women’s U.S. Championship match heading into a commercial break… [C]
Powell’s POV: It’s actually comical that Kelley asked about Gunther being a Raw wrestler when we’ve seen countless wrestlers bounce back and forth between the brands without explanation. Apparently, they wanted to work in Aldis stating that Gunther is on the Raw roster “for now.” Meanwhile, Fatu’s confidence in the opening segment was a nice push for the match. Finally, an hour before showtime, WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 7,804 with 7,340 tickets distributed. The listed capacity is 15,000. The last time WWE ran the building was on May 17, 2024, when they distributed 10,093 tickets.
Backstage, Aldis told Fatu to rest up for Backlash and wished him well. Fatu encountered Royce Keys, who gave him a pep talk about his title match. Keys asked when Fatu had ever feared another man. After Fatu left, Solo Sikoa approached Keys, who said he should beat the brakes off his ass. Solo told him to calm down. He reminded him that there’s room in his family, but he added that he needed an answer and told him time was running out…
Tiffany Stratton made her entrance. Tessitore said Chelsea Green was resting after having a procedure (he didn’t mention any specifics). A clip aired of Chelsea Green lying in bed while wishing Stratton good luck. Kiana James made her entrance with Giulia…
1. Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James (w/Giulia) for the Women’s U.S. Championship. James targeted Stratton’s left knee, which included slamming it into the ring post before a picture-in-picture break. [C]
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