Add as a preferred source on Google Some within WWE creative are reportedly unhappy with how heavily the Gingerbread Man has been used in the feud between Sami Zayn and Trick Williams on Friday Night SmackDown.
According to WrestleVotes Radio, via Fightful Select, several members of the creative team pushed back against the direction of the storyline. One source close to the process described the angle as “hokey and archaic” during internal discussions about the show.
The feud took that turn after Trick Williams defeated Zayn at WrestleMania 42 to win the United States Championship. On the following SmackDown, Trick celebrated with Lil Yachty, only for the Gingerbread Man to reveal himself as Zayn in disguise before attacking the champion and the rapper with a themed cane.
WWE pushed the story even further the next week. Zayn attacked the Gingerbread Man in the ring, Trick called for medical help, and the character was later declared “cooked” within the storyline. Williams then accepted a title rematch against Zayn at Backlash.
Despite the backstage resistance, WWE has kept the character as a major part of the programming. This Friday’s SmackDown in Jacksonville will even feature a funeral led by Trick Williams on the final show before Backlash.
Zayn, meanwhile, recently said he does not believe he has fully turned heel, framing his character shift as something more ambiguous.
Williams will defend the United States Championship against Zayn at Backlash this Saturday, May 9.