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CM Punk recently got a new tattoo dedicated to his late dog Larry, featuring a portrait of Larry with a heart in the background positioned under his left pec. This is Punk's second Larry tattoo, as he previously got one based on Larry's actual paw print, and he explained that the placement of the new tattoo was inspired by where Larry would put his paw when climbing on Punk's chest to get his attention.
Longtime WWE employee Gavin O'Shea has confirmed his departure from the company after 25 years, with his exit coming as part of WWE's recent wave of cuts that followed the April 24, 2026 releases. O'Shea, who most recently served as Director of TV Production since 2020, announced his departure through a LinkedIn statement where he described the job loss as unexpected and part of broader changes affecting long-tenured staff behind the scenes.
WWE Women's World Champion Liv Morgan stated that she was given creative freedom when creating her Trouble music video. Morgan indicated that WWE allowed her to have control over the creative process for the project.
WWE Performance Center signee Jessica Bogdanov made her debut at an NXT live event under the ring name "The Unknown." Bogdanov is a recent signing to WWE's developmental program.
During the May 1 WWE SmackDown in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jacob Fatu attacked multiple wrestlers including applying a Tongan Death Grip to Solo Sikoa and attacking Talla Tonga with steel ring steps during a tag team match between The Usos and Solo Sikoa & Talla Tonga. After his rampage, Fatu grabbed a microphone and promised to "dogwalk" Roman Reigns at Backlash, with the ongoing storyline centering around the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Paige and Brie Bella successfully defended their WWE Women's Tag Team Championships on SmackDown. The duo had previously won the titles at WrestleMania 42.
WWE has announced several matches and segments for the May 8 episode of SmackDown in Jacksonville, Florida. Tiffany Stratton will defend the Women's United States Title against Kiana James, and there will be a six-woman tag team match featuring Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss against Fatal Influence. Additionally, GUNTHER will appear to follow up on his attack on Cody Rhodes, and Trick Williams will hold a funeral for the Gingerbread Man following Sami Zayn's actions.
During the May 1 episode of WWE SmackDown, Danhausen tricked The Miz by taking $40,000 and using it to buy t-shirts for fans, leading to The Miz turning on him after initially acting like he would mentor him. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis booked a tag team match for Backlash pitting Danhausen against The Miz and Kit Wilson, with the condition that Danhausen must first find a tag team partner.
Danhausen and a tag team partner are set to face Kit Wilson and The Miz in a tag team match at WWE Backlash 2026. The identity of Danhausen's partner has not been revealed.
Nick Aldis added a WWE United States Championship defense and a tag team match involving Danhausen to the WWE Backlash 2026 card during SmackDown. The championship match and Danhausen's tag team bout were both announced as new additions to the pay-per-view card.
A United States Championship rematch between Trick Williams and Sami Zayn has been confirmed for WWE Backlash 2026. The match has been officially added to the event's card.
During the May 1 episode of WWE SmackDown in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a United States Championship match was added to the WWE Backlash 2026 card after Sami Zayn attacked the Gingerbread Man mascot costume in the ring. Trick Williams, who won the United States Title from Sami Zayn at WrestleMania, booked the title match for Backlash after confronting Zayn about the attack on his mascot.