WWE SmackDown Results, Winners And Grades On May 8, 2026

Tiffany Stratton Def. Kiana James

• Tiffany Stratton pulled out an impressive handspring stunner on Kiana James. Between the Devil’s Kiss, the Sol Snatcher and Thunderstruck, this is a golden era for cool moves in women’s wrestling.
• Stratton knocked Giulia off the apron and hit a PME for the win. After the match, James and Giulia bickered. These two won’t be long for the summer.
• Backstage, Sami Zayn was in the middle of a sea of mourners for the Gingerbread Man’s wake. R-Truth appeared with a rose, telling Sami he’s sorry for his loss. “He talked about you all the time.” Of course, Truth made Sami corpse.

Match Grade: B-

Talla Tonga Def. Damian Priest

• Damian Priest and Talla Tonga had a hard-hitting brawl. Despite rumors suggesting otherwise, reports of Tama Tonga’s demise were greatly exaggerated.
• Priest fought off constant interference from the MFTs while also wrestling Talla Tonga. Fans chanted “we want Truth,” and right on cue, R-Truth came to make the save. Truth was overwhelmed and Talla got the win with a chokeslam.
• After the match, the MFTs circled R-Truth like sharks, but Royce Keys hit the ring and they backed down.

Match Grade: B-

Paul Heyman Confronts Cody Rhodes

• Cody Rhodes did his opening line and was somewhat booed in Jacksonville like it was AEW. Rhodes was interrupted by Paul Heyman, who also did his opening line. Rhodes challenged Gunther, through Heyman, to a match. Heyman said he owed Gunther a favor, and the favor was brokering a deal to make this match (we’ll see about that.)
• With Heyman now antagonizing Rhodes, Jacksonville was 100% behind Cody Rhodes, chanting for Rhodes and singing the Cody Rhodes song. Heyman said that the contract for the title match was not for Jacksonville, Fla. or even the United States of America. The fight will be at Clash in Italy. This prompted loud “USA” chants.
• Heyman reiterated that his favor to Gunther was to set this up. But if he wanted to get Gunther’s signature, he’d have to do so all by himself. Rhodes said Brock Lesnar retired on Heyman, the Tribal Chief wanted nothing to do with him and CM Punk wants nothing to do with him. “I have to ask, is it because you’re out of options?” Heyman responded: Sooner, or later, they all need the Wiseman.
• Gunther hit the ring and put Rhodes in a sleeper. Rhodes escaped and knocked Gunther off the apron three different times.

Gunther and Cody Rhodes will face off at WWE Clash in Italy.

WWE

Ricky Saints Def. Matt Cardona

• Ricky Saints is a clear heel, kicking the guardrails in frustration in the opening moments of his match against Matt Cardona. Cardona got a lot of offense, including a facebuster and his patented running kick in the corner.
• Cardona went for the Unprettier, but Saints countered with a modified reverse DDT. Cardona came back with a Rough Ryder and Saints kicked out. Somebody got kicked out of the arena, which captured fan attention as they chanted the “goodbye” song.
• Saints hit the Revolution DDT followed by the Ro Sham Bo for the win. A good match, but if WWE wants to get Saints over, he should not be going 50/50 with Matt Cardona, especially after losing his debut match.

Match Grade: B

Jade Cargill Returns, Fatal Influence Def. Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair And Alexa Bliss

• Fans were relatively quiet for Paige and Brie’s promo, but Fatal Influence interrupted to a chorus of boos. Now getting immense heat for three straight weeks, Fatal Influence is established a top heel stable on SmackDown.
• The Irresistible Forces interrupted as Wade Barrett compered Nia Jax’s new hairstyle to Beyonce. Fans chanted “Whoop that Trick” at Trick Williams’ fiance Lash Legend. Lash and Nia took out Paige and Brie. Fatal Influence backed down.
• Rhea Ripley’s theme music hit as she joined Charlotte and Alexa in a six-woman tag team match against Fatal Influence.
• Lainey Reid mocked Charlotte Flair with Fatal Influence in control, but then Rhea Ripley made the hot tag and ran wild on their whole squad. Fatal Influence scored the upset after Jade Cargill interfered and attacked Rhea Ripley. Fatal Influence gave the ring to Jade and Jade Cargill picked the bones of Alexa Bliss.
• B-Fab and Michin hit the ring and took out Charlotte Flair. Ripley reentered and took out the Baddies, but Cargill blasted her with a pump kick.

Match Grade: B

Royce Keys Def. Tama Tonga

• Royce Keys had tensions with the Usos all night for his alignment with Jacob Fatu and getting involved with the Anoa’i family. Throughout the match, Solo Sikoa held back Talla Tonga and insisted on Tama doing it himself.
• Fans really got behind Royce Keys, who shined with power moves like power slams and a pounce. Tama Tonga was impressive as well, but just he went in for a second-rope move, Keys caught him in a spinebuster for the win.
• After the match, Solo Sikoa tried to extend an invitation to Keys to join the MFTs, but Keys declined.

Match Grade: B+

Gingerbread Man’s Funeral And Trick Williams’ Eulogy

• WWE had spent the entire show promoting Gingerbread Man’s funeral with AI video packages of the Gingerbread Man at iconic WWE moments like Steve Austin stunning Vince McMahon in the Garden, Brock Lesnar ending the Streak and Cody Rhodes winning the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40.
• Trick Williams walked out with a Black fur coat and poured one out for the Gingerbread Man. To their credit, Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore played this straight, making it seem like the Gingerbread Man’s passing was legitimately sad.
• Trick Williams rapped about the Gingerbread Man and received backing from a beautiful, Black choir. Fans waved lighters in the air before WWE cut to an AI video package of the Gingerbread Man. Fans applauded the video package when it was over and chanted “Gingerbread.”
• Sami Zayn interrupted to a chorus of boos and said how ridiculous all of this was. Zayn called the choir off-key and got a lot of heat. Fans chanted “Whoop that Trick!” during Zayn’s rant. Sami attacked Trick. Gingerbread man rose up to a huge pop and revealed himself to be Lil Yachty. Tessitore went crazy as Yachty battered Zayn with a candy cane stick. Trick finished off Sami with the Trick Knee. Phenomenal commitment from all involved.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com