WWE has officially added two more matches to the upcoming Backlash event in Tampa, following developments on the May 1 episode of SmackDown.

Trick Williams vs Sami Zayn Set for Backlash

A new title match was confirmed after an unusual segment involving Sami Zayn and Trick Williams.

Zayn brought the Gingerbread Man costume to the ring and reacted angrily to being mocked, eventually tearing the outfit apart. Williams later appeared and treated the situation as if an actual injury had occurred, confronting Zayn backstage and accusing him of crossing a line.

The segment led to WWE confirming that Williams will defend the United States Championship against Zayn at Backlash.

Danhausen Match Confirmed with Partner to Be Named

Another match was set involving Danhausen after a confrontation with The Miz and Kit Wilson.

Earlier in the show, Miz and Wilson fell into a trap set by Danhausen, ending up covered in powder. The situation escalated when Miz turned on Danhausen, delivering a Skull Crushing Finale.

Backstage, Nick Aldis informed Danhausen that he would face Miz and Wilson at Backlash, but would need to find a tag team partner.

Updated WWE Backlash Card (May 9)

• World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu
• United States Championship: Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn
• Iyo Sky vs. Asuka
• Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker
• The Miz & Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen and partner TBD

The additions continue to shape the Backlash lineup, with multiple storylines from SmackDown now carrying over to the premium live event.

Two New Matches Added to WWE Backlash Card

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WWE has confirmed several segments and matches for the May 8 edition of SmackDown following developments on this week’s show, setting up a mix of title action, faction rivalry, and an unusual storyline segment.

Women’s United States Title Match Confirmed

Giulia confronted Tiffany Stratton backstage, pushing for a rematch for the Women’s United States Championship. Stratton agreed to defend the title, but made it clear she was more interested in facing Kiana James instead.

Giulia accepted that decision, confirming that Stratton will defend her championship against James on next week’s show.

Six-Woman Tag Match Announced

A major tag team match is also set, with Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and Rhea Ripley joining forces to take on Fatal Influence.

The match stems from Friday’s events, where Jacy Jayne picked up a notable win with help from her stablemates Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid. After the match, Henley and Reid continued the attack on Flair and Bliss before Ripley made the save, despite earlier tension between her and Flair.

GUNTHER Set to Appear

GUNTHER is also scheduled to appear live on SmackDown. His return follows his attack on Cody Rhodes after Rhodes’ victory over Ricky Saints.

The segment established GUNTHER as a likely challenger for the Undisputed WWE Championship, and his appearance next week is expected to continue that direction.

Funeral Segment Announced

In a more unusual addition, WWE has announced a funeral for “The Gingerbread Man,” a character involved in a segment with Sami Zayn and Lil Yachty.

The character was “killed” during Friday’s show when Zayn destroyed the costume during a segment meant to embarrass him. Trick Williams attempted to intervene but arrived too late. Later in the show, it was stated that the character had “passed away,” leading to the announced funeral segment.

Confirmed SmackDown Lineup (May 8)

• Women’s United States Championship: Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James
• Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and Rhea Ripley vs. Fatal Influence
• GUNTHER to appear live
• Funeral of The Gingerbread Man

With multiple storylines advancing and a title match confirmed, next week’s SmackDown continues to build momentum heading toward upcoming events.

WWE SmackDown May 8 Lineup: Matches, GUNTHER, Funeral

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I thought the storyline tension between WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley and Charlotte Flair felt familiar last week, and when I thought through it a bit more this week after their backstage segment ahead of Flair’s match against Jacy Jayne, I realized we’re rehashing their story from November. Back at WarGames, Flair had to be convinced to team with Ripley to take on the other team of Asuka, Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, Lash Legend, and Kairi Sane. There were plenty of segments, including a heavily produced backstage sitdown, where Flair and Ripley met to make peace with one another, at least enough to get through the match on the same team.

In their current story, where Ripley keeps trying to tell Flair, alongside Alexa Bliss, that she should be helping them even the numbers game against Fatal Influence, Flair isn’t having it. Sure, at the end of the post-match angle where Fatal Influence had the upper hand and Ripley ran out to make the save, they shook hands, but I can’t imagine that’s the end of it, considering November’s storyline. It took them weeks to be good with one another, and even then, they barely tolerated one another (though they really didn’t cross paths or need one another in the match, anyway).

Toward the end of the night, it was revealed that Ripley, Bliss, and Flair will take on Fatal Influence in a six-woman tag team match next week. While I’m hoping Flair and Ripley can work together, I really don’t see it. Fatal Influence is still so new on the roster, and Jayne just beat Flair — they have to get the win, and I’m assuming it will be through Ripley and Flair not getting along.

Things are obviously different now than they were in November, with Ripley now holding the WWE Women’s Championship, but Flair hasn’t gone after that title for awhile now — not since changing her heelish ways in her tag team with Bliss. And, surprising for Flair, she really hasn’t given any indication she wants to at the moment. Flair’s turned over a new leaf, but apparently not enough of one to be entirely good with Ripley outright, even after all the work she did six months ago, and now, alongside Bliss. I’m sure this ends with Flair and Ripley going to war over the WWE Women’s Championship, as Ripley has no challengers for the gold, and I don’t know how I feel about the way we might be getting there.

Written by Daisy Ruth