Jacob Fatu, Damian Priest Segments Announced for Tonight’s Smackdown

In preparation for tomorrow’s big Backlash match between Jacob Fatu and Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Fatu will have the opening segment on tonight’s Smackdown. Reigns isn’t officially scheduled to be there as of yet, but as it’s the “go home” show before a Premium Live Event, some interaction between the two opponents seems more likely than not.

One night before he faces @WWERomanReigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at #WWEBacklash, @jacobfatu_wwe will KICK OFF #SmackDown TONIGHT!

📍: Jacksonville, FL
🎟️: https://t.co/sy3tmk5sDE
📺: 8 ET/7 CT on @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/fSnC6VfS3j

— WWE (@WWE) May 8, 2026

Meanwhile, on Solo Sikoa’s side of the family, the MFTs — a stable who’ve been made significantly smaller thanks to roster cuts — Talla Tonga will compete against Damian Priest, according to Fightful. Priest is one half of the World Tag Team Champions with R-Truth. Brother Tama Tonga and the recently departed JC Mateo were the previous champions, so there’s a measure of family payback involved in that one. Tama is currently out with an injury. Last week, Talla and Sikoa attacked Jacob Fatu at the close of the show; could Priest be caught in the middle of the family drama, or is this a way to start a new program for the MFTs to target the Tag Titles again?

These segments will join the following previously announced matches and moments:
* WWE Women’s United States Championship Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James.
* Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Fatal Influence.
* Gunther explains his attack on Cody Rhodes.
* A funeral for the Gingerbread Man.

411 will have live coverage of tonight’s show as per usual starting at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT.