WWE SmackDown before WrestleMania: Royce Keys wins Andre Battle Royal

Winning the battle royal has proven to lead to big years, so a successful 2026 may be in store for the newcomer.

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria

An apparent confusion sparks a quick brawl between all four people, but it doesn't take long for the Women's Tag Team Champions to emerge and take matter into their own hands. Nia Jax and Lash Legend wipe out the field and let the other teams know who is standing tall heading into the match.

Trick Williams speaks

There's no denying the aura of "Whoop that Trick," with Williams coming out to a raucous reaction. He calls out his WrestleMania opponent in Sami Zayn for attacking his friend Lil' Yachty at the last SmackDown episode and wants to settle their dispute now.

Zayn's music plays, but what comes out is a man in a Gingerbread Man costume. Williams has fun with the character, but eventually, Zayn does come out, clearly frustrated. The crowd boos him as he mentions he hasn't been having much fun lately, and still understands why he is disliked.

The United States Champion said while he agrees Williams is the future of the business, he hasn't shown anything impressive in the ring. Williams delivers his own disses back, and the two trade blows before Zayn sends Williams out of the ring.

However, the Gingerbread Man is still in the ring, and Zayn delivers a Helluva Kick to the mascot. It distracts him long enough that Williams enters the ring and lands Trick Shot on Zayn, then holds the U.S. title over his WrestleMania opponent.

Women's United States Championship No. 1 contender match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jordynne Grace

A fast-moving opening sequence allows both fighters to feel each other out, each displaying what makes them so good in the ring. There isn't a real clear advantage taken thanks to plenty of counters, even though there are pin attempts to try and change it.

Still, it's an impressive athletic display going on in the ring, and after several back-and-forth moments, it leaves both competitors on the mat. Grace seizes the opportunity with a powerbomb on Stratton for the first major blow of the match, yet she can't turn it into a victory. Stratton quickly recovers with a powerful hit to Grace, dropping her to set up the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. She lands it to secure the pin, officially becoming the No. 1 contender for the Women's United States Championship.

After the win, Stratton stares down Giulia, knowing she now gets to challenge for the gold.

Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley face-off

With Michin and B-Fab on her side, the WWE Women's Champion grabs the microphone, but before she can say anything, Ripley interrupts her.

The challenger threatens Cargill but said she wants to wait until WrestleMania so she can "embarrass" her. When B-Fab interrupts her, much to the displeasure of the crowd, Ripley notes Cargill spends too much time hiding and she can't beat her on her own. She has B-Fab and Michin leave so the two stars can meet face-to-face so she can make her own prediction.

"Sunday, I'm putting belt-to-(expletive)," Cargill said.

Ripley calls Cargill a few names to let her know it will be a quick match and that she will take the title.

WWE Tag Team Championship match: Damian Preist and R-Truth (c) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller)

Waller has some initial problems with the champions, but he finds his footing not too long after the opening attack, and Kingston comes in to join in on the fun. The challengers target R-Truth during their offensive role, even stealing one of his shoes.

There's some disagreement between Kingston and Waller, and that gives R-Truth enough time to break up their flow and get the tag to Priest, who quickly showcases his power to both opponents. R-Truth recovers, and he does the Five-Knuckle Shuffle with Priest for the signature moment. Priest then puts the finishing touches on it to retain the titles.

Jacob Fatu rides in police car

"The Samoan Werewolf" makes quite the entrance, riding in on a police car. He gets on top of the vehicle to deliver some words at Drew McIntyre, reminding him there won't be anyone to stop him during the unsanctioned match at WrestleMania.

"Drew, you try to put me back in a jail cell," Fatu said. "I put that in my rearview. When I get done beating your (expletive), that's what I'm doing to you. Putting you in my rearview."

Danhausen appears

After placing a new curse on Maryse, crowd-favorite Danhausen arrives and thanks the fans for buying his merchandise. He notes he still hasn't seen John Cena in WWE, so to let him know if anyone sees him. He may get a chance to at WrestleMania since Cena is the host.

Also, you better watch WrestleMania, or else.

Eight-man tag team street fight: The Wyatt Sicks vs. MFT

Chaos erupts with the Wyatt Sicks charging the ring and catching MFT by surprise with an early attack. The group are clicking until Talla Tonga uses the steel steps to wipe out his opponents and turn the tide.

The assault continues with Solo Sikoa taking out a kendo stick, unleashing several shots at Uncle Howdy to show his dominance over the other leader. The Wyatt Sicks try to get some offense in, but the dominating presence of Tonga proves to be a lot for them to overcome.

It takes Erick Rowan to be over to take down the enforcer. He goes flying outside of the ring to take out Tonga, and pays tribute to Brodie Lee with his signature gesture. That's when the Wyatt Sicks bring out the toys, from steel chairs to garbage cans, although MFT uses it to their advantage and are the ones to unleash the ultimate pain.

The Wyatt Sicks try to get out of the struggle, but MFT is too much. Tama Tonga gets ready to the knockout shot to Uncle Howdy, but Sikoa comes in to deliver the Samoan spike instead and gets the pin. While it is a victory, there's clear tension between Sikoa and Tonga.

Randy Orton voices frustrations with Cody Rhodes

About to face a one-time friend, Orton said how his WrestleMania opponent constantly takes and how many times he had the back of "The American Nightmare." He details all the beatings he has taken just to defend Rhodes, and how much it hurt his credibility.

"All Cody Rhodes does is take, take, take," Orton said. "At WrestleMania, I am going to fix my legacy."

Randy Orton, Pat McAfee kick off show

The duo part of the night one main event roll into T-Mobile Arena. While McAfee gets plenty of boos from the crowd, there are plenty of cheers when Orton makes his way into the ring.

Cody Rhodes speaks on stage during The Game Awards at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California, on December 11, 2025.

What time is SmackDown? start time

SmackDown on Friday, April 17 begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

SmackDown how to watch

WWE SmackDown airs on USA Network. It can be streamed with a subscription to Sling.

SmackDown match card, schedule

Not in order

• Cody Rhodes delivers message to Randy Orton and Pat McAfee
• Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre face-off
• Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
• Eight-man tag team street fight: The Wyatt Sicks (Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy) vs. MFT (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Talla Tonga and/or JC Mateo)
• Women's United States Championship No. 1 contender match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jordynne Grace

When is WrestleMania 42?

WrestleMania 42 is on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19.

WrestleMania stage revealed

The stage for WrestleMania is complete, with WWE releasing it one day before the event begins.

WrestleMania 42 weekend schedule

SmackDown is just the start of a loaded slate for WWE. Here is the full WrestleMania weekend schedule:

• **Smackdown:**Friday, April 17 at 8 p.m. ET (T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada)
• **WWE Hall of Fame ceremony:**Saturday, April 18 at midnight ET (Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas, Nevada)
• **WrestleMania 42 night one:**Saturday, April 18 at 6 p.m. ET (Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada)
• KillTony WrestleMania Vegas: Sunday, April 19 at midnight ET (Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas, Nevada)
• **WrestleMania 42 night two:**Sunday, April 19 at 6 p.m. ET (Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada)
• **Raw after WrestleMania:**Monday, April 20 at 8 p.m. ET (T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada)

Nikki Bella injury update

Nikki Bella may miss WrestleMania 42 as her status is up in the air as she is dealing with an injury.

She hurt her ankle during the March 27 edition of SmackDown in a tag team match against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and it's still nagging her. A decision has not been made whether she will go as WWE's major show is less than 24 hours away from kicking off.

“I’m gonna have to keep wearing my boot to keep resting my foot so we’re all good for tomorrow," she said on the Nikki & Brie Show on Friday, April 17.

When does WWE Hall of Fame start?

After SmackDown is the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, where the next class of wrestling greats are immortalized into history.

The 2026 Hall of Fame ceremony takes place Saturday, April 18 on the East Coast, Friday, April 17 in the other time zones. It begins at midnight ET/9 p.m. PT.

SmackDown crowd

It's a noticeably smaller crowd than usual for the last SmackDown before WrestleMania.

Roughly more than half of the upper bowl in T-Mobile Arena is covered up, a major difference from the filled up arena last year.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WWE SmackDown go-home show for WrestleMania 42: Highlights, results