WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (April 17, 2026): Cody Rhodes & CM Punk appear; Royce Keys wins; final face-offs before WrestleMania & more
(Courtesy : WWE.com)
Tiffany Stratton pins Jordynne Grace, Solo Sikoa steals the pin & more!
The April 17 edition of SmackDown served as the go-home show for the highly anticipated WrestleMania 42. Stars set to clash at the ‘Grandest Stage’ faced off for the final time at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The show also featured the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, along with multiple matches and appearances from top names before the ‘Grandest Stage.’ Jorydnne Grace also made her return to partake in the Women’s US title number one contenders’ match.
Get the full summary, highlights, results, and winners list from this Friday’s final stop on the Road to WrestleMania 42, the 4/17 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
Randy Orton and Pat McAfee arrived in the arena when GM Nick Aldis handed McAfee an agreement. McAfee signed it without reading, while Randy Orton walked into the arena to kick off the Blue Brand‘s show.
In his promo, Orton said that he doesn’t need Pat McAfee, but he wants him, as McAfee is the only straight shooter in the company who tells him what he needs to hear, not what he wants to. Orton then cut a promo on Cody Rhodes, recapping how every time he was there for his friend, he suffered devastating injuries.
Orton added that Cody’s been all about taking without giving back, and in just two years, Pat McAfee has contributed more than Rhodes has in decades. But tomorrow at WrestleMania, he plans to change that narrative and reclaim number fifteen where it belongs.
In the first match of the show, the MFTs (JC Mateo, Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga, & Tama Tonga) battled the Wyatt Sicks (Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, & Uncle Howdy) in an eight-man Street Fight. Solo picked up the win by pinning Uncle Howdy, just when Tama Tonga was lining up for his finisher on Howdy.
Jacob Fatu pulled up into the arena in a police car and cut a promo on Drew McIntyre, stating that he isn’t afraid or ashamed about his past and reminded McIntyre that tomorrow they will meet in an unsanctioned match, which means no Nick Aldis, no police, no security, no management, no army, no navy, not even the SWAT team can’t even stop him from beating Drew’s ass!
Furthermore, WWE Tag Team Champion R-Truth and Damian Priest defeated Grayson Waller and Kofi Kingston to retain the titles, while Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley faced off for the final time.
On the other hand, Tiffany Stratton defeated Jordynne Grace in the Women’s US title number one contenders match and had a fierce face-off with the reigning champion, Giulia, afterwards. Sami Zayn and Trick Williams had another promo battle, which ended in a brawl with Williams standing tall with the title.
Meanwhile, the tag team match between the team of Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair andBayley & Lyra Valkyria ended in disqualification as Nia Jax and Lash Legend attacked, taking down the challengers before WrestleMania.
The main attraction for the go-home show was undoubtedly the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in Memory of Andre the Giant, which was won by Royce Keys after eliminating Talla Tonga last.
In the closing moments of the show, Cody Rhodes came out to address the fans one final time. World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk interrupted the promo, and the two had only nice things to say about each other, while reminding each other of the challenger that awaits them at Mania.
WWE SmackDown 4/17 Results
- The MFTs (JC Mateo, Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga, & Tama Tonga) defeated Wyatt Sicks (Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, & Uncle Howdy) – Eight-man Street Fight
- Damian Priest & R-Truth (c) defeated Grayson Waller & Kofi Kingston – WWE Men’s Tag Team titles match
- Tiffany Stratton pinned Jordynne Grace – Women’s United States Championship #1 Contender’s match
- Trick Williams laid out Sami Zayn
- Bayley & Lyra Valkyria defeated Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair via DQ as Nia Jax & Lash Legend attacked
- Rocye Keys won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
- Cody Rhodes & CM Punk closed out the go-home show
Who won in the main event of WWE SmackDown tonight?
Royce Keys eliminated Talla Tonga to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in the final match of the show.
When and where will WrestleMania 42 take place?
The 42nd edition of WWE WrestleMania will take place as a two-night event on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.