Report: Backstage Unhappiness To Giovanni Vinci's Re-Debut On SmackDown

After several weeks of vignettes had teased the return to TV of a new-look Giovanni Vinci, he was finally set to make his re-debut under a new character (which resembles his NXT gimmick quite closely) on last night’s September 6 episode of Friday Night SmackDown.

Vinci emerged on SmackDown to do battle with Apollo Crews, who is currently a part of WWE’s undercard and involved in a tag team with Baron Corbin. Vinci was taking off his entrance jacket as the bell rang, looking in the opposite direction to his opponent. This allowed Crews to quickly sneak up behind him with a Crucifix Pin and keep him down for the three count, defeating him in only four seconds. SmackDown’s new “star” was left shocked and angry in the ring after this result.

It seems as though the response to this creative decision was not universally popular in WWE though. As noted by WrestleVotes on X, the backstage reaction was not a good one.

It was said that “key figures within creative absolutely hated” what went on involving Giovanni Vinci on SmackDown, with the direction not being something that was liked. It remains to be seen if this means any change for Vinci going forwards.