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Rhea Ripley is introduced before her match against Jade Cargill for the WWE Women's Championship during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

This Friday’s episode of WWE SmackDown emanates at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

It will be the Backlash go-home edition of SmackDown, with a couple of matches already announced. There are also a couple of segments involving Gunther and a funeral for Trick Williams‘ gingerbread man.

WWE SmackDown Preview for May 8, 2026

GettyCharlotte Flair celebrates the win after taking down Raquel Rodriguez during the WWE 2025 SummerSlam at MetLife Stadium on August 02, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Last week on SmackDown, Rhea Ripley came out to make the save on Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss against Fatal Influence.

The trio of Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid are making a name for themselves since making their main roster debut two weeks ago. Jayne has already faced Ripley in her first match on SmackDown and even defeated Flair last week.

In this week’s show, Fatal Influence are set to take on Ripley, Flair and Bliss in a six-woman tag team match.

Another match scheduled is Tiffany Stratton‘s first-ever defense of her Women’s United States Championship. Stratton will face Kiana James, who has seemingly bypassed the former champ, Giulia.

Tiffy Time might have also found an ally in Chelsea Green, who is back on her own following the release of Alba Fyre.

However, Green might be out for a while after undergoing heart surgery to address supraventricular tachycardia, a condition she has had for 10 years.

Segments for WWE SmackDown

GettyGunther is introduced before his match against Seth Rollins during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 18, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In addition to a couple of matches, there are going to be two segments announced for this week’s SmackDown.

Gunther is set to address his attack on Cody Rhodes last week. The Ring General put the Undisputed WWE Champion to sleep after applying the sleeper hold following his win over the debuting Ricky Saints.

On the other hand, Trick Williams is set to hold a funeral for the gingerbread man who was “killed” by Sami Zayn last week. Williams has promised revenge for the character he introduced to mock his rival.

It’s going to be an interesting segment, considering Williams will defend the United States Championship against Zayn at Backlash this Saturday.

Zayn has been on a tear since losing the title at WrestleMania 42. He attacked Williams and took out Lil Yachty two weeks ago on SmackDown before his heinous “crime” last week.

What To Expect From This Week’s WWE SmackDown?

GettyDanhausen is introduced during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium on April 19, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In addition to the matches and segments announced, stars like Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill, Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton are advertised to appear.

Cards are subject to change, especially with Cargill, McIntyre and Orton being absent since WrestleMania 42.

With Backlash this Saturday, the build to the event is likely to continue.

Aside the United States Championship match, another SmackDown match at the PLE is a tag team match featuring Danhausen and a mystery partner against The Miz and Kit Wilson.

Danhausen has yet to name his partner, though he could reveal it this Friday on SmackDown.