WWE Changing Plans For New SmackDown Stars

An impressive start on WWE SmackDown has reportedly led the company to change plans for a main roster newcomer.

On the first WWE SmackDown episode after WrestleMania 42, the new WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley was in the ring celebrating her title win and also looking ahead to the future.

That’s when Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid of the former NXT group Fatal Influence interrupted. Jayne is a former 2-time NXT Women’s Champion and TNA Knockouts Champion who spent over five years in NXT, along with Henley.

When Jayne did her promo toward Ripley, the fans booed Jayne very loudly, so much so that you could barely hear her speak for most of it. Jayne and Ripley went on to have a match that ended in a disqualification, likely because WWE didn’t want Jayne to lose her first match by pinfall.

In the two weeks since then, Jayne beat Charlotte Flair in singles action, and Fatal Influence beat the trio of Ripley, Flair, and Alexa Bliss. They weren’t necessarily clean wins, but clearly, it shows WWE has a lot of faith in Jayne and Fatal Influence as a group.

It was reported by Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select that fans hating Fatal Influence, especially Jayne, is prompting some changes from the creative team.

“Creative plans surrounding the Fatal Influence group have already begun to shift due to the crowd reactions for the group.”

The report went on to note that changes are being made to feature Jayne more prominently.

“Several in the creative process have said that they have rearranged some plans in the women’s division to feature Jacy Jayne more prominently after the group’s strong performances.”

Whether those changes mean that Jayne will get a shot at the WWE Women’s Title held by Ripley remains to be seen. Ripley also has to deal with the former WWE Women’s Champion, Jade Cargill.

WWE SmackDown Will Feature A Celebration

The WWE Backlash PLE took place last Saturday with Trick Williams beating Sami Zayn to retain the United States Title. It was a WrestleMania rematch that Trick won thanks in part to his buddy Lil Yachty.

As a follow-up, WWE has announced that on the May 15th SmackDown in Columbia, SC, Trick Williams will return to the University of South Carolina, which is where he went to college, and celebrate being the US Champion.

In addition, WWE is advertising other segments on the show.

• Gunther decides whether to join SmackDown to challenge Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes
• United States Champion Trick Williams returns to the University of South Carolina for a homecoming celebration
• Jade Cargill addresses her attack on WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley

Regarding the Gunther story, if he does join SmackDown, then he will earn a shot at Cody Rhodes’ WWE Championship at the Clash In Italy PLE on Sunday, May 31st, which will be the first time a WWE PLE takes place in Italy.

Rhodes has made it clear to Gunther that he wants the match, but Gunther must agree to join SmackDown for it to happen.

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