WWE SmackDown (April 3, 2026): Preview, match card, news, timings & telecast details
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WrestleMania 42 is just two weeks away!
WWE SmackDown rolls into the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, this Friday, April 3, 2026, for a show that carries some serious weight. This is Randy Orton’s hometown, and he has made it clear that his mystery caller will be revealed right there in front of the St. Louis faithful.
Last week in Pittsburgh, the blue brand delivered one of its most eventful nights of the season. Cody Rhodes returned from a brutal beatdown and got into an all-out brawl with Orton.
Sami Zayn answered Carmelo Hayes’ open challenge and recaptured the United States Championship, while GM Nick Aldis made Jacob Fatu vs Drew McIntyre official as an Unsanctioned Match at WrestleMania 42. The Bella Twins picked up a controversial win over Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin left Rhea Ripley down and out after a 3-on-1 assault.
With WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on April 18 and 19, everything happening this Friday matters. Here is everything you need to know.
Match card & segments announced for WWE SmackDown (April 3, 2026)
- Cody Rhodes to appear
- Randy Orton to reveal his mystery caller
- Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre to appear
- Rhea Ripley, Jade Cargill, Michin & B-Fab to appear
- Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Solo Sikoa, and Drew McIntyre are among the featured superstars
Randy Orton’s mystery caller steps out of the shadows in St. Louis
This is the segment everyone will be talking about heading into Friday. Orton posted a video on social media confirming that the mystery person who has been coaching him through his heel run will appear on WWE SmackDown this week, and the location could not be more fitting.
St. Louis is Orton’s hometown, and bringing his mystery ally into that building is a calculated move. Fans have been predicting Bob Orton Jr., the Apex Predator’s real-life father, as the most likely candidate, with the “Royal Family” angle pointing directly to a legacy storyline. Whatever the reveal is, it will send shockwaves straight into his WrestleMania 42 title clash against Cody Rhodes.
Ahead of the show, WWE.com has provided a sneak peek of what awaits on this Friday’s SmackDown. Cody Rhodes is set to crash Randy Orton’s homecoming on SmackDown in St. Louis.
Meanwhile, Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu are both scheduled to appear, with anticipation building around the chaos they could bring ahead of their unsanctioned match. Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill will also be featured, as questions linger over how Ripley will respond following the recent attacks.
WWE SmackDown (April 3, 2026) Start Time & Telecast Details
| Country | Time | Telecast |
|---|---|---|
| United States, Alaska, Hawaii & Puerto Rico | 08 PM ET / 07 PM CT / 05 PM PT (Friday) | USA Network |
| Canada | 08 PM ET (Friday) | Netflix |
| United Kingdom & Ireland | 01 AM GMT (Saturday) | Netflix |
| India | 05:30 AM IST (Saturday) | Sony LIV |
| Bangladesh | 06:00 AM BST (Saturday) | Sony Sports Network |
| Saudi Arabia | 03:00 AM AST (Saturday) | Netflix |
| Australia | 10:00 AM AEST / 11:00 AM AEDT (Saturday) | Netflix |
| France | 02:00 AM CET (Saturday) | AB1 |
| Brazil | 10:00 PM BRT (Friday) | Netflix |
| Mexico | 07:00 PM CST (Friday) | Netflix |
| Singapore | 09:00 AM SGT (Saturday) | Netflix |
| China | 09:00 AM CST (Saturday) | iQIYI |
| Nigeria | 02:00 AM WAT (Saturday) | SuperSport & Showmax |
| South Africa | 03:00 AM SAST (Saturday) | SuperSport & Showmax |
| Germany | 02:00 AM CET (Saturday) | ProSieben Maxx |
What time does WWE SmackDown start this week?
This week’s WWE SmackDown begins at 8 PM ET / 7 PM CT / 5 PM PT on Friday in the United States. International viewers can tune in at 1 AM GMT (UK and Ireland), 5:30 AM IST (India), 10 AM AEST (Australia), and 2 AM CET (Germany and France) on Saturday.
Where can fans watch WWE SmackDown on April 3, 2026?
In the United States, SmackDown airs live on the USA Network. International fans can stream it on Netflix, while viewers in India can catch it on Sony LIV, fans in Bangladesh on Sony Sports Network, China on iQIYI, and Nigeria and South Africa on SuperSport and Showmax.
Where does WWE SmackDown take place on April 3, 2026?
The April 3 episode of Friday Night SmackDown takes place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The show begins at 8 PM ET on the USA Network in the United States and is available on Netflix for most international audiences.
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