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WWE held its weekly SmackDown event on May 8 2026 at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville Florida. The show included a segment dedicated to the Gingerbread Man's funeral with video packages and a eulogy by Trick Williams. Paul Heyman announced a WWE title match between Gunther and Cody Rhodes at Clash in Italy.
ForbesWWE SmackDown on May 8 2026 opened with a tribute to Ted Turner. Jacob Fatu then addressed the crowd and said he is taking the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Fatu was interrupted by the Usos who threatened him and said Roman would destroy him in front of his family. Fatu responded that his family would see him become the new champion because he was ready to die for it. Tiffany Stratton defeated Kiana James in singles action.
Stratton used an impressive handspring stunner and followed with a PME for the pinfall after knocking Giulia off the apron. James and Giulia argued after the match. Backstage Sami Zayn stood among mourners at a wake for the Gingerbread Man.
R-Truth appeared with a rose and told Zayn he was sorry for his loss which caused Zayn to laugh. Talla Tonga defeated Damian Priest in a hard-hitting match. Priest fought off interference from the MFTs.
R-Truth attempted to help Priest but was overwhelmed and Talla Tonga won with a chokeslam. Royce Keys then entered to prevent further attack on Truth. Paul Heyman interrupted Cody Rhodes and said he had brokered a deal for Gunther to face Rhodes for the WWE title at Clash in Italy.
Heyman stated the match would not take place in Jacksonville or even the United States. Heyman replied that sooner or later they all need the Wiseman.
Gunther then attacked Rhodes with a sleeper hold. Rhodes escaped and knocked Gunther off the apron three times confirming the match at Clash in Italy. Ricky Saints defeated Matt Cardona. Saints countered Cardona's Unprettier with a modified reverse DDT and later hit the Revolution DDT followed by the Ro Sham Bo for the victory.
A fan was removed from the arena during the match drawing chants from the crowd. Fatal Influence defeated Rhea Ripley Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss in a six-woman tag team match. Jade Cargill returned during the bout and attacked Ripley allowing Fatal Influence to score the upset.
After the match Cargill picked up the win over Alexa Bliss while B-Fab and Michin took out Flair before Cargill hit Ripley with a pump kick. Royce Keys defeated Tama Tonga. Keys aligned with Jacob Fatu and received support from the crowd with power moves including a spinebuster for the win.
After the match Solo Sikoa invited Keys to join the MFTs but Keys declined. The show featured multiple AI-generated video packages highlighting the Gingerbread Man's appearances at iconic WWE moments. Trick Williams delivered a eulogy wearing a black fur coat and poured one out for the character.
Williams rapped about the Gingerbread Man backed by a choir as fans waved lighters. Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore presented the funeral segment seriously. WWE also aired an additional AI video package during the segment.
Ticket sales for the event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena reached 7340 with 464 tickets still available. Recent SmackDown viewership figures included 1.153 million viewers on May 1 2026.
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