According to Fightful Select, behind the scenes in WWE regarding the Gingerbread Man angle, multiple members of the creative team pushed back against the heavy use of the gimmick in recent weeks.
The report notes that one person close to the situation reportedly described the character and storyline presentation as “hokey and archaic.” It was added that there was said to be notable disagreement internally while discussions about the storyline’s future were taking place.
The introduction of the Gingerbread Man on SmackDown began with Trick Williams and Lil Yachty, following Williams capturing the US Championship from Zayn at WrestleMania 42.
WWE did an angle on the May 2 episode of SmackDown in which Sami Zayn attacked the Gingerbread Man, setting up a funeral segment on the May 8 episode.