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Jacob Fatu received some support from his pro wrestling colleague Royce Keys on “Friday Night SmackDown” ahead of his World Heavyweight Championship match at Backlash on Saturday.
Jey and Jimmy Uso had just given Fatu words of warning in the ring when cameras found him wandering around the back. Fatu caught up with Keys, who he has a history of being together with in West Coast Pro and other promotions before the two came to WWE.
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Jacob Fatu makes his entrance during SmackDown at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida on May 8, 2026. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE)
“I heard what your cousins said, forget about all that noise,” Keys said. “Failure has never been an option for us, right? Failure was never an option, even when we didn’t know where our next dollar would come from. Tell me this: when has Jacob Fatu ever been afraid of a man who breathes the same air as him?
“Go to Backlash, bring him home. Werewolf, you’re crazy because Jacob Fatu is all gas, no brakes. People like us, we’re going to take whatever we want.”
Keys and Fatu go back to the days of wrestling in the Bay Area. Keys recently recalled working on indies with Fatu in an interview with Pak Gazette Digital.
Meanwhile, before the two men met, Fatu cut a passionate promo when he will face Roman Reigns at the premium live event in Tampa, Florida.
The Usos interrupted Fatu’s opening speech and Jey Uso warned Fatu that he was going to lose.
MEET ROYCE KEYS: WWE SMACKDOWN’S NEW ‘MONSTAR’ SEEKS TO BRING THE PAIN
Jey Uso and Jacob Fatu speak in the ring during SmackDown at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida on May 8, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
“Do you want to know the worst part? He’s going to break you, emotionally and physically, and do all that to you in front of your family, Uce,” he said.
Fatu promised that he would not lose the match.
“This isn’t just a main event. This is for my family. If there’s one thing my family will see me do it’s become the WWE World Heavyweight Champion,” Fatu said, adding his own warning to The Usos before leaving the ring. “If you think about interfering, I will tear down this entire damn family tree.”
Jey Uso said that he met with Keys before Keys’ match against Tama Toga later that night and told him that he needed to stay in his lane or he would “draw the attention of the ‘Tribal Chief’.”
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Cody Rhodes avoids Gunther’s sneak attack
Gunther looked set to sign with the SmackDown roster and Paul Heyman looked to do “The Ring General” justice throughout the night. When Gunther met with SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis, Cody Rhodes came out to the ring.
Gunther was upset that Rhodes was taking his screen time. He then left Aldis’ office without signing the SmackDown contract. Rhodes was in the ring addressing Gunther’s attack from last week, when he came from behind and put Rhodes in a sleeping position.
Cody Rhodes speaks during SmackDown at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida on May 8, 2026. (Rich Freeda/WWE)
Heyman interrupted Rhodes and said that the contract he had in his hand was for a match for the WWE Undisputed Championship at Clash in Italy, which will take place on May 31. But Heyman said Rhodes would have to deliver the contract himself.
As Heyman left the ring, Gunther came out of the crowd to attempt to attack Rhodes. However, “The American Nightmare” stepped aside and launched his own attack.
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SmackDown match results
Tiffany Stratton defeated. Kiana James to retain the United States Championship.
Talla Tonga defeated. Damián Priest.
Ricky Saints defeated. Mateo Cardona.
Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid defeated. Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley after Jade Cargill torments Ripley.
Royce Keys defeated. Tama Tonga.
