WWE SmackDown Notes: Ted Turner Memorial Graphic Airs, Gunter Joins SmackDown & Mystery Favor from Paul Heyman Revealed To Be Undisputed WWE Title Match with Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill Makes Surprise Return, Danhausen To Reveal His Mystery Tag Partner at Backlash

WWE
May 8, 2026

Ted Turner Memorial Graphic Airs

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida featured WWE airing a memorial graphic for former WCW owner Ted Turner at the start of the show.

Gunter Joins SmackDown & Mystery Favor from Paul Heyman Revealed To Be Undisputed WWE Title Match with Cody Rhodes

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured the reveal of Paul Heyman’s favor he owed to Gunther after Gunther recently saved him from Seth Rollins’ attack.

This favor reveal was initially setup over last week’s show following Gunther running out and choking out Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes after Rhodes defeating Ricky Saints in a singles match. During tonight’s show, Heyman was seen backstage walking into SmackDown GM Nick Aldis’ room. In another follow-up segment, Heyman was seen inside Aldis’ office with Aldis’ holding a contract in his hand. This led to Gunther showing up and Aldis handing him the contract and officially welcomed him to the SmackDown brand. This led to some banter between the two over Aldis not being happy with what Gunther did to Rhodes last week and Gunther taking offense to Rhodes’ entrance being shown on the television interrupting him saying he doesn’t do business like this. Gunther handed the contract back to Aldis and walked away. Heyman responded telling Aldis he will handle it.

In another follow-up segment, Rhodes came out to the ring and talked about Gunther’s actions towards him last week and if that was his way of saying he’s next in line, then he would like if Gunther could come down to the ring and say that. This led to Heyman showing up instead and talked about the contract he had in his hand and confirmed that this was the favor he owed to Gunther. Heyman continued stating that this contract was for a match implying it was for Rhodes’ title. After some words by Rhodes in response about not wanting to wait and for them to just have the match now, Heyman stated he is not an advocate for Gunther, he owes Gunther a favor and this is the favor. After some more words, Heyman stated that if Rhodes accepts, this will be for his title against Gunther at Clash in Italy. Heyman continued stating that the favor for Gunther was to set it up but if Cody wants Gunther’s signature on the contract, he will have to do that himself.

Heyman then gave the contract and started walking away only for Rhodes to tell him if he’s doing this because he is out of options and brought up Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk no longer being with him. Heyman gave some words in response and then left which led to Gunther running out and attempted to ambush attack Rhodes. This led to a brawl breaking out that ended with Rhodes clearing the ring of Gunther and constantly striking him every time Gunther tried to re-enter to no avail.

Jade Cargill Makes Surprise Return

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured Jade Cargill making a surprise return.

Near the end of the Six-Women Tag Team match between Fatal Influence (Lainey Reid, Fallon Henley, & Jacy Jayne) and Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, & Rhea Ripley, Cargill ran out and yanked Ripley off the apron while the referee was not looking. Cargill then slammed Ripley face first into the steel steps leading to Flair getting distracted and being hit with a Rolling Encore for the pinfall victory.

Following the match, Cargill got into the ring leading to Fatal Influence not wanting anything to do with her and gave her the ring as they left. Cargill proceeded to mock Bliss in the corner telling her to get up. This led to Flair getting in the ring only to get attacked by Michin and B-Fab. This then lead to Ripley getting in the ring and after managing to take out B-Fab and Michin, Cargill laid her out. Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin continued their attack on Flair and Bliss and celebrated together in the ring.

This was Cargill’s first appearance since this past April’s WrestleMania 42 Night 2 event.

Danhausen To Reveal His Mystery Tag Partner at Backlash 2026

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured Danhausen revealing when his mystery tag team partner for his tag team match against The Miz & Kit Wilson at Backlash 2026 will be revealed.

During the show, Danhausen was seen sitting at a table backstage and asked who wants to sign up to be his tag team partner at Backlash. This led to The Miz and Wilson showing up and proceeded to insult Danhausen over him not having friends. Miz stated that why wait when they can just beat him up now only for Wilson to tell him to save it for Backlash. After some more words, Wilson put a mirror in front of Danhausen and stated that the only person crazy enough to be Danhausen’s tag team partner is the person in the mirror implying its just him. Danhausen looked at the mirror and stated that’s a great idea. Danhausen then got up and left.

In a follow-up segment, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Brie Bella & Paige were seen walking backstage only to stop after a ladder fell behind them. This led to Danhausen speedily walking in front of them and and plucked a piece of Bella’s hair.

In another follow-up segment, Danhausen was seen in room backstage with some potions and a large mystery box contraption similar to the mystery box he came out for his WWE debut. After fidgeting around with some stuff, the machine started going haywire and Danhausen stated that n 24 hours he will have his tag team partner for Backlash and they will take over the world at Backlash. Danhausen’s clone machine then broke leading to Danhaunsen swearing in response.

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