Edited by Paul Elegbeleye
WWE Smackdown returned to the BOK Centre in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Friday, 1 May 2026, delivering one of its most eventful episodes in weeks.
Eight days out from Backlash, the blue brand used the night to shake up its title picture, introduce a new star to the main roster, and add another chaotic chapter to the increasingly complicated Bloodline saga. By the time the credits rolled, the show had done exactly what a go-home episode should: it created questions that only a pay-per-view can answer.
However, the biggest story of the night had nothing to do with a match. After Cody Rhodes saw off Ricky Saints in a non-title contest, Gunther hit the ring and applied the Gojira Clutch. He choked the Undisputed WWE Champion unconscious. Then he did it again.
Gunther, “The Ring General” dropped Rhodes, waited for him to stir, then locked the hold in again. He wanted to make a point. His intentions could not have been clearer if he had held up a title belt and pointed at his own chest. With Rhodes still carrying the scars of WrestleMania 42, Gunther has picked the perfect moment to make his move.
Meanwhile, Jacob Fatu continued to exist in a WWE where every faction wants a piece of him. Solo Sikoa wants revenge, Roman Reigns wants him at Backlash, and The MFTs want him neutralised.
On Friday night, Fatu handled all of them simultaneously and left Tulsa standing tall, alone on the ramp. He sent a message to anyone still paying attention. For a man without allies, he is somehow the most dangerous person in the building.
Table of Contents
Full Smackdown Results: May 1, 2026
- Non-Title Match: Cody Rhodes defeated Ricky Saints via pinfall (Cross Rhodes).
- Singles Match: Jacy Jayne defeated Charlotte Flair via pinfall (rolling elbow, with Fatal Influence interference)
- WWE Men’s Tag Team Championship: Damian Priest and R-Truth (c) defeated Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) via pinfall to retain Singles Match: Royce Keys defeated Angel Garza via pinfall (spinning spinebuster)
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Brie Bella and Paige (c) defeated The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend) via pinfall to retain
- Tag Team Match: The MFTs (Solo Sikoa and Talla Tonga) defeated The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) via disqualification after Jacob Fatu’s interference
Gunther Plants His Flag in the Title Picture
Cody Rhodes opened the show by announcing his medical clearance, eight days after taking a Punt Kick from Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42 Almost immediately, Ricky Saints interrupted. Saints, a former NXT Champion and NXT North American Champion who spent 14 months in WWE’s developmental brand before his call-up, wasted no time establishing himself as a problem. He pointed to the staples in Rhodes head, the black eye, and the wear of three title reigns, suggesting that the champion was held together with bubble gum. Bold words for a debut.
They shook hands and agreed to a non-title match. This match itself delivered more than expected. Saints countered Rhodes throughout with a swinging inverted DDT, a springboard tornado DDT, and a near-match-ending Roshambo attempt. Rhodes survived each of them, eventually reversing the Roshambo into Cross Rhodes for the win. Not a dominant victory, it was a hard-fought one. How long before Saints forces his way into the title picture properly?
Then Gunther arrived. No music buildup, no extended entrance. He walked to the ring, locked in the Gojira Clutch, and choked the champion out. When referees tried to pull him off, he waited for Rhodes to show signs of life and re-applied the hold. This sets up a natural sequel to their 2024 Crown Jewel clash, which Rhodes won, and with Backlash eight days away, the timing of this attack was too deliberate to be anything other than an announcement.
Why Gunther Makes Sense as the Next Challenger
Gunther is the most credible threat to Rhodes on SmackDown right now. He defeated Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 42 Night 1, he has held the Intercontinental Championship for the longest combined reign in modern history, and he has never once looked like someone a champion can dismiss. Rhodes, battered and increasingly isolated after Orton’s betrayal, faces the worst possible version of this matchup. Therefore, the storyline writes itself.
The Bloodline Chaos Continues
Jacob Fatu arrived in Tulsa with a target on his back and left having put two of his pursuers through furniture. For the night’s main event, The MFTs (Solo Sikoa and Talla Tonga) faced The Usos, with both factions claiming prior ownership of the grievance against Fatu. Talla Tonga’s interference and the broader tension between the Sikoa and Reigns factions produced a disqualification finish after Fatu appeared at ringside and drove the story to its natural conclusion.
Fatu choked Sikoa with the Tongan Death Grip, cut off Tonga’s counter, applied the same hold to him, and then put Tonga through the announcement desk with a Samoan Drop. He walked into the ring, cold-shouldered both Usos, and grabbed a microphone on the ramp. The message to Roman Reigns was direct: he will dogwalk him at Backlash.
What Fatu’s Alliance With Keys Means
Earlier in the show, Fatu shared a backstage moment with Royce Keys, his long-time friend from outside WWE. Keys reminded him of their shared background, ten-hour drives to wrestling shows, warehouse shifts between bookings, and told him to stop forgetting who he is.
It was the closest thing to a heartfelt scene SmackDown has produced in weeks. However, the MFTs immediately ambushed them both, which tells you everything about where this storyline is heading. Fatu needs allies. Keys may be the first one willing to stand with him.
The Rest of the Card
Charlotte Flair vs. Jacy Jayne delivered the most technically complete match of the night before Fatal Influence’s numbers proved decisive. Fallon Henley broke up a figure four leglock, Lainey Reid dropped Alexa Bliss, and Jacy rolled through for the pin with a rolling elbow. Rhea Ripley made the save post-match and accepted a handshake from Charlotte Flair, a development that has been building across several weeks.
Priest and R-Truth retained the Tag Team Championship against Fraxiom in a match that went back and forth convincingly. Nathan Frazer’s tope con giro and Axiom’s Orihara moonsault generated the biggest reactions before Priest ended it with a Razor’s Edge. Talla Tonga then hit the ring and put all four men down, including a chokeslam directly onto the title belt. Solo Sikoa stood tall as the scene cleared.
Trick Williams granted Sami Zayn a United States Championship rematch at Backlash after Zayn tore the Gingerbread Man mascot apart in the ring, including kicking it in a sensitive area. Later, the referee announced the Gingerbread Man’s death to a sombre Tulsa crowd, and a memorial graphic followed. Professional wrestling, ladies and gentlemen.
Brie Bella and Paige retained the Women’s Tag Team Championships against Nia Jax and Lash Legend. Paige kicked Jax off the top rope as she set up the Annihilator, and Brie rolled her up for the pin. The champions head into Backlash with their titles intact and their momentum building.
Also Read: WWE’s Post-Mania Purge: Big Names Released After WrestleMania 42
Looking Forwards to Backlash 2026
SmackDown’s contribution to Backlash is beginning to take shape. Trick Williams defends the United States Championship against Sami Zayn. Kiana James challenges Tiffany Stratton for the Women’s US title. Bloodline conflict enters its next chapter. And somewhere in the background, a title match between Cody Rhodes and Gunther is forming into the most compelling programme on the blue brand.
Rhodes holds the gold but looks more vulnerable than at any point in his reign. Gunther has never been more dangerous. Come Backlash, or wherever this leads, their reckoning is coming. Do not miss our Backlash 2026 preview, dropping later this week on Geeky Nigeria.
