WWE SmackDown Review & Results (May 8, 2026) – Twas the night before Backlash and a funeral for the United States Title

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The Usos told Royce Keys to stay out of family business and not support Jacob Fatu, his friend. It feels like another chore to get through the three hours of SmackDown ahead of Backlash Tampa.

#9. Jacob Fatu addresses WWE Backlash

Fatu claims that the family always saw the future in Roman Reigns when they were younger, but didn’t see anything in him. Those same people want him to fall in line now that he’s stood out on his own.

The Usos interrupt Fatu because they have to be on both shows. Jimmy claims he said he was proud of him for stepping up, but he and Jey demanded he fall in line a few times.

Jey says The Tribal Chief is going to beat him up tomorrow, physically and psychologically, in front of his family. The twins say that Jacob’s family, who will be present for Backlash, will have to acknowledge Reigns after he loses tomorrow.

So they can talk about his family, but others cannot talk about the Bloodline? Just a lot of uneven jibberish. Fatu then warned the Usos about interfering and what he’d do if they meddle in the match.

#8. Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James

Chelsea Green sends a recorded ‘good luck’ message ahead of Stratton’s first defense. James targets Stratton’s leg early on. When Tiffie takes over, she doesn’t sell the injury, hitting her usual flips and moves.

Kiana hits a Death Valley Driver for a near fall. She goes for a shoulder block but hits the ringpost. James rolls Stratton up as Giulia gets up on the apron to distract the referee. She’s mad, and it allows Stratton to hit a back elbow, her Death Valley Driver, and moonsault for the win.

GRADE: C+

#7. Talla Tonga battles Damian Priest

Priest attacks Talla before the bell to offset the numbers advantage with Solo Sikoa ringside. It doesn’t last long. The largest MFT dominates the middle of the match. Priest tries to ground Talla with a series of kicks.

It sends the big man to the outside near Solo, who Priest kicks out of his chair. Priest goes to the top for a clothesline, but Talla kicks out. He goes for a chokeslam, but Tama Tonga rushes out to distract the ref.

Solo gets on the other apron, and Talla takes advantage to hit a big Lariat. Priest kicks out. Truth then comes out, and Priest has to save him.

Talla kicks him and hits a chokeslam for the win. What’s left of the MFTs is about to attack Truth, but Royce Keys comes out and stops further damage.

GRADE: B

#6. Cody Rhodes and Gunther’s favor

Paul Heyman shows up to get Gunther signed to SmackDown, but Cody Rhodes goes out to the ring to interrupt the backstage segment. He calls Gunther out, but gets Heyman instead.

The Wiseman reveals that getting The Ring General a title match at Clash in Italy and signed to SmackDown was the favor he wanted, which feels like a complete waste of the favor.

Cody then mocks how most of Heyman’s meal tickets either retired or don’t want to deal with him anymore. Gunther tries to blindside him, but the champ is ready.

#5. Matt Cardona faces Ricky Saints

Saints mocked Cardona backstage, leading to this match on SmackDown. The Absolute One controls most of the action. Cardona fights back with the Broski Kick. Saints lands a Sister Abigail-type move for a near fall.

Ricky ducks when Cardona goes for the Rough Ryder, but gets hit with it anyway. Saints regains control to hit his DDT and finisher for the win.

GRADE: C

#4. Paige and Brie Bella address the division

The champs address all the challengers and how the Judgment Day called them a ‘nostalgia tour,’ but Paige says they’re at their best. Fatal Influence then interrupts instead.

Jacy still gets a lot of boos from the WWE fans. They say they’ll be getting all the gold on SmackDown. Nia and Lash interrupt despite losing last week. The Irresistible Forces attack the champs and tell Fatal Influence to get to the back of the line.

#3. Frenemies Unlimited vs. Fatal Influence

WWE goes with the “can they co-exist” tactic we haven’t seen in a long time between Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair. Wait, weren’t they on the same side for WarGames last November?

Anyways, as is usually the case, Alexa gets beat on until a tag to Ripley. She gets beaten on so Flair can get the hot tag. She hits her usual series of moves, including the crossbody and Natural Selection.

Bliss and Jayne are left as the legal competitors. As Rhea waits on the apron, Jade Cargill comes from out of the crowd to pull her to the ground.

Jacy hits her rolling forearm on Bliss for the win, marking another pin for her in a tag team match. Cargill and her lackeys attack the heroes and stand tall on SmackDown.

GRADE: B- (for the match)

#2. Tama Tonga vs. Royce Keys

Keys overpowers Tama early on. Solo stops Talla from attacking Keys on the outside. Again, the commercial break hurts the momentum. Royce fights back and hits a powerslam for a two count.

The action spills to the outside again, and Solo prevents Talla from going after Keys. Keys hits a Spinebuster for the win.

GRADE: C+

#1. Funeral for a Costumed Space Filler on SmackDown

Trick sings with a few backup vocalists. I guess this is partially why WWE cuts nearly 30 people after WrestleMania 42. We get an entire career retrospective with AI marking all the “milestones” of his life, like prom and signing a letter to play college sports.

WWE gave this funeral on SmackDown as much time as it does to a Roman Reigns feud. Nice to see they’re using AI instead of actual artists. Sami Zayn thankfully interrupts to the anger of the live crowd. Don’t forget, they’re feuding over the United States Championship.

He says TV time on SmackDown used to mean something, and it used to be prestigious. The fans boo when Sami says he respects the people who pay their hard-earned money to come to shows.

They even have the heel SmackDown commentator, Wade Barrett, mad at Zayn for taking wrestling seriously. The Gingerbread Man then rises with Lil Yachty in the costume. They team up on Zayn because they’re supposed to be the good guys, I guess.