WWE's Gingerbread Man Angle Facing Internal Backlash (WWE News)
There was "creative pushback" on Sami Zayn's Gingerbread Man angle before WWE SmackDown.
WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select reports that some behind the scenes at WWE viewed Sami Zayn's attack on an empty Gingerbread Man costume from the latest SmackDown "hokey and archaic". The reborn heel initially seemed split on tearing the outfit to shreds, but then he kicked the lifeless mascot in the balls (ahem) and attacked.
Trick Williams came out to "save" Gingerbread, and he even flashed up an "X" signal whilst doing so. For those not in the know, that hand signal is one referees might use to tell management backstage that a wrestler is seriously hurt. It's a longstanding gesture, but it was used for comedic effect on this occasion.
Some weren't laughing behind the curtain - they'd already pushed back against the idea, because they didn't think it'd work or do much for the simmering Zayn vs. Trick feud. Unfortunately, the Gingerbread Man stuff will continue on Friday's 'go home' episode before Backlash.
There, GM Nick Aldis has promised to give Gingerbread a fitting send off by working a funeral segment in "his" honour. That infuriated Zayn, and it's apparently causing several on the creative side to tear their own hair out in frustration over the direction WWE has decided to take.
Sami will challenge Williams for the United States Title at Backlash in Tampa on Saturday night. He lost that same belt to Trick Willy at WrestleMania 42 last month. It remains to be seen if rapper Lil Yachty will be at ringside with Trick, or if he's going to be phased out alongside Gingerbread.