WWE SmackDown takes place tonight live from VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida as the go-home show for Backlash, which takes place this Saturday in Tampa.
Tiffany Stratton will make her first defense of the WWE Women’s United States Championship against Kiana James in what figures to be one of the more anticipated in-ring matches of the night. Stratton won the title from Chelsea Green and has been one of the standout acts on SmackDown in recent months, while James was most recently endorsed by Charlotte Flair on ESPN First Take as a future main event player in WWE.
The women’s division heading into Backlash gets further attention tonight with Rhea Ripley teaming with Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss to take on Fatal Influence in a six-woman tag match. Fatal Influence, consisting of Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid, have been one of the more impactful call-ups from NXT in recent weeks, with Jayne having already defeated Charlotte Flair in singles competition with outside assistance.
Gunther will deliver an in-ring promo following his attack on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes last week, with his challenge for the title taking shape as one of the more anticipated programs in recent SmackDown history. Sami Zayn will also appear in a segment building toward his United States Championship rematch against Trick Williams at Backlash this Saturday.
The Gingerbread Man funeral segment will also take place tonight following Sami Zayn’s killing of the character last week, a moment that generated significant reaction both from fans and within WWE’s creative team, where multiple members had reportedly pushed back against the heavy use of the gimmick throughout the storyline.
The full announced card for tonight’s WWE SmackDown is as follows:
- Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Fatal Influence (six-woman tag)
- Women’s United States Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Kiana James
- Gunther in-ring promo
- The Gingerbread Man funeral with Sami Zayn
