WWE SMACKDOWN

Segment: Jacob Fatu / The Usos

Jacob Fatu opened the show by declaring he was coming to take Roman Reigns’ World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash. He reflected on how Reigns always had the spotlight and the belief of the family, while Fatu received nothing. The Usos interrupted and asked Fatu if he had really thought about what happens if he loses, with Jey telling him the Tribal Chief is going to make him acknowledge him. SmackDown ended with Fatu walking away from The Usos — a man choosing his own path over family, heading into the biggest match of his career completely alone.

Fatu continues to be one of the most compelling acts in WWE right now. This was a strong, emotional promo to close out the Backlash build.

WWE Women’s United States Championship

Tiffany Stratton (c) def. Kiana James (Stratton retains)

Stratton defended her Women’s United States Championship for the first time since dethroning Giulia. During the match, there was visible tension between James and Giulia, with miscommunication between the two allowing Stratton to land the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the win.

A functional title defence that did more for the James/Giulia storyline than for the match itself. Stratton looked every bit the champion heading into Backlash weekend.

Ricky Saints def. Matt Cardona via Rochambeau

Ricky Saints scored his first win on SmackDown, connecting with a Rochambeau on Matt Cardona for the pinfall victory. A brief showcase for the newest addition to the blue brand, serving its purpose of getting Saints on the board.

Royce Keys def. Tama Tonga

After Royce Keys backed up Damian Priest and R-Truth against The MFTs, Tama Tonga looked to punish him. Keys pummeled Tonga with pounces and powerslams in the centre of the ring as Tonga weathered the onslaught before Keys put him away. A squash-style win that continues to establish Keys as a force on SmackDown.

Talla Tonga def. Damian Priest

Talla Tonga defeated Damian Priest via pinfall. Part of the ongoing MFTs/Priest storyline playing out on the blue brand.

Segment: Cody Rhodes / Paul Heyman / Gunther

Gunther was backstage signing his SmackDown contract when Cody Rhodes interrupted. Rhodes called Gunther out to the ring, but Paul Heyman appeared with a contract — revealing the favour he owed Gunther was a title shot, not at Backlash, but against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Clash in Italy. Rhodes questioned whether Heyman was becoming Gunther’s advocate, pointing out that Brock Lesnar retired on him, Roman wants nothing to do with him, and CM Punk discarded him. Heyman responded: “I’m not the one running out of options.” Heyman handed Rhodes the contract, telling him he’d have to get Gunther’s signature himself. Gunther attempted a blindside attack, but Rhodes was ready and sent him out of the ring.

A well-constructed segment that sets up a big title match in Italy. Heyman planting the seed that Rhodes might eventually “need a wise man” of his own adds an intriguing layer.

Segment: Fatal Influence / Paige & Brie Bella / The Irresistible Forces

Fatal Influence hit the ring with Jacy Jayne declaring she would be the next Women’s Champion and Fallon Henley staking a claim to the Women’s Tag Team Championships. After Paige and Brie Bella were confronted by Fatal Influence, they were subsequently laid out by The Irresistible Forces. The Women’s Tag division continues to get crowded.

Six-Woman Tag Team Match

Fatal Influence (Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid) def. Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss ⭐⭐½

Bliss started the match for her team, with the built-in dysfunction between Ripley and Flair adding an interesting dynamic throughout. Fatal Influence controlled long stretches before Ripley exploded into the match with a flurry of offense — a drop kick, Fallaway Slam, missile drop kick, and a cannonball to Jayne and Reed outside the ring. Jayne attempted the Rolling Encore on Bliss, but Bliss countered with a Sister Abigail that didn’t connect. Just as Bliss was about to tag in Ripley, Jade Cargill returned to pull Ripley off the apron, allowing Jayne to connect with the Rolling Encore on Bliss for the victory. Cargill — alongside Michin and B-Fab — returned and annihilated everyone in sight after the bell.

The match had its moments, largely down to the Ripley/Flair tension, but Cargill’s interference derailed what looked to be a building Ripley/Jayne feud before it even got going.

Segment: Gingerbread Man Funeral / Sami Zayn / Trick Williams

During the funeral for the Gingerbread Man, the coffin opened to reveal Lil Yachty dressed in the Gingerbread Man costume. He attacked Sami Zayn with a candy cane before Trick Williams hit the Trick Shot to stand tall over Zayn. This was the go-home segment for their US Championship match at Backlash, with Carmelo Hayes also confirmed to be added to make it a triple threat.

Exactly the kind of absurd WWE spectacle that either lands completely or falls flat depending on your tolerance for it. The addition of Carmelo Hayes to the title match is the more meaningful development here.

Overall Show Rating:  A go-home show that felt more like a placeholder than a final push. The Cody/Gunther/Heyman segment was the clear highlight and did its job in setting up Clash in Italy. Fatu’s opening promo was genuinely compelling. Beyond those two moments, the show was largely underwhelming — with the Women’s division booking in particular leaving a lot to be desired. As a Backlash send-off, it just about did enough.