The final stop before Backlash at Jacksonville was full of pure thrills. Between Cody Rhodes receiving massive news from Paul Heyman, the dominance of Jacob Fatu, and the jaw-dropping return of Jade Cargill, the blue brand delivered a go-home show that felt genuinely unpredictable. From the opening bell to the shocking main event upset involving Royce Keys, SmackDown ensured that every champion is walking into the weekend looking over their shoulder. Check the full result from May 8, Friday night, below.
Gunther vs Cody Rhodes Set for Italy
The night’s biggest bombshell came from the mouth of Paul Heyman. In a rare appearance, the Wiseman brokered a deal that sent shockwaves through the arena: Cody Rhodes will defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against Gunther at Clash in Italy.
Gunther didn’t wait to make his presence felt. After Cody was medically cleared to compete, the Ring General delivered a promo. He didn’t just challenge the champion but promised to dismantle the very soul of the ‘American Nightmare’ legacy.
“The favor that I owed GUNTHER was setting this up. If you want GUNTHER’s name on the contract, you’ll have to get his signature.”
PAUL HEYMAN REVEALS THE FAVOR HE OWED GUNTHER WAS A TITLE MATCH WITH CODY RHODES 👀#SmackDown
pic.twitter.com/9X0TFPxi1I— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) May 9, 2026
Jacob Fatu Sparks a Bloodline Civil War
The Bloodline saga took a darker turn as Jacob Fatu opened the show with a promo, uncomfortably real. Fatu’s claim that he was “born with doubt” while Roman Reigns was “born with opportunity” added another layer of class warfare to the Samoan family drama.
The chaos spilled into the ring as Talla Tonga outlasted Damian Priest, thanks to heavy interference from Tama Tonga. However, the night ended on a massive shocker: Royce Keys pinned Tama Tonga in the main event. In a move that clearly rattled the locker room, Solo Sikoa extended an invitation for Keys to join the MFTs.
Jade Cargill’s Hostile Takeover
In the women’s division, the status quo was set on fire. A “super-team” consisting of Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, and Alexa Bliss seemed unstoppable on paper, but Fatal Influence (Jayne, Henley, and Reid) pulled off the upset of the year.
The turning point was the stunning return of Jade Cargill. She didn’t just come back; she decimated Rhea Ripley, aligning herself with B-Fab and Michin. This new alliance looks poised to systematically dismantle the icons of the division. Earlier, Tiffany Stratton retained her Women’s U.S. Title against Kiana James, but even Tiffy’s “Prettiest Moonsault Ever” felt like a footnote compared to the arrival of Cargill’s new faction.
WWE Smackdown Results:
| Match Type | Winner(s) | Opponent(s) | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s U.S. Title | Tiffany Stratton (c) | Kiana James | B- |
| Singles Match | Talla Tonga | Damian Priest | B+ |
| Singles Match | Ricky Saints | Matt Cardona | B+ |
| 6-Woman Tag | Fatal Influence | Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss | B+ |
| Main Event | Royce Keys | Tama Tonga | B+ |
