WWE SmackDown Results & Winners (April 3, 2026): Pat McAfee revealed as Randy Orton's mystery caller, attacks Cody Rhodes; Trick Williams lays out Sami Zayn & more
(Courtesy : WWE.com)
Iyo Sky returns to aid Rhea Ripley; Tama Tonga returns the lantern & more!
The April 3, 2026, edition of WWE SmackDown emanated from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. For the show, WWE announced multiple appearances from major names, including Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Rhea Ripley, Drew McIntyre, and Jade Cargill, among others.
The show itself featured two title matches, along with singles action and a tag team match. It also featured the return of Pat McAfee, while Iyo Sky appeared on the Blue brand to save Rhea Ripley against Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin.
Get to know what happened this Friday on the Road to WrestleMania 42, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winners’ list for the 4/3 episode of WWE SmackDown.
WWE SmackDown Summary and Highlights
Randy Orton’s mystery caller revealed
Randy Orton picked up the mic asking the St. Louis crowd what they wanted to talk about. Orton stated that it was no secret the city was his hometown and that he still called it home. He added that the next time they saw him in the arena, he would have his 15th title firmly around his waist.
The Viper clarified that he wasn’t doing it for the fans, but for himself, his family, and his real home, pointing to five people (his family) in the front row. Orton then declared that after Mania, he would walk out as champion, while Cody Rhodes would leave empty-handed.
He added that Cody had given him the green light and that things weren’t personal between them, noting that Cody himself had told him to be the best version of himself. Orton said he could now “listen to the voices.”
Referencing Stephanie McMahon’s earlier promo, Orton claimed she was right, that Cody couldn’t beat him, and added that the voices in Cody’s head were telling him the same thing, insisting Cody wasn’t a killer and couldn’t suppress what was inside him.
This brought out the champion, Cody Rhodes. He entered the ring and immediately started brawling, unloading heavy strikes on Orton in the corner. Suddenly, Pat McAfee appeared and delivered a low blow to Rhodes. Orton then shoved Cody to the mat and greeted McAfee.
Orton grabbed a steel chair as McAfee continued stomping Rhodes. McAfee then picked up a mic while Orton attacked with the chair. Nick Aldis and security came out as McAfee told Adam Pearce to stay quiet, addressing the crowd’s confusion over his actions.
McAfee explained that while he had previously spoken about the business passing him by, Orton had reached out and told him it wasn’t passing him by, it was just heading in a direction he didn’t like. Meanwhile, Orton continued the assault on Rhodes as McAfee criticized Cody, calling him a puppet champion and taking shots at SmackDown’s ratings and ticket sales.
“You might wonder why I’m here, why I just kicked Cody Rhodes directly in the balls. About a month ago I was doing Q&A and was asked when I would return to WWE and I said I thought the business had passed me by. This business that I watched since I was a kid I could no longer watch because I thought it was absolutely shit!”
McAfee then told Orton to keep the attack going before revealing that he was the mystery caller, saying he aligned with Orton because the business under Cody was failing and that Orton would be the one to save it. Orton finally draped the title over Rhodes’ body and whispered something to him before leaving alongside McAfee.
“Cody, I’m the one on the phone telling Randy Orton he needs to kill everything and it’s not just for the 15th world title, it’s because the business you’re leading and HE is going to SAVE THE F*CKING BUSINESS!”
Grade: C
Insights & Backstage Moments:
- This has to rank among the worst reveals in WWE history, so underwhelming that some fans are still hoping it turns out to be a misdirection.
- McAfee’s promo was solid, but WWE ultimately fell short of meeting fan expectations.
- Backstage, McAfee and Orton drove off in a truck, leaving the arena.
Rhea Ripley vs Michin
In the first match of the show, Rhea Ripley battled Michin, with B-Fab ringside, and even Jade Cargill appeared during the match. Despite the momentary distractions, Rhea manages to lock in the Prism Trap, forcing Michin to tap out. B-Fab and Michin attack Rhea afterwards, and Cargill joins in to deliver another Jaded, when Iyo Sky arrives to aid Rhea and the two wipe out B-Fab and Michin, while Cargill retreats.
Winner: Rhea Ripley via submission
Grade: C-
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Backstage, Aleister Black and Zelina Vega approached Matt Cardona. Black remarked that Randy Orton hadn’t changed; he had simply returned to being himself, and the universe was now corrected. Vega noted that Cardona seemed to be the only one who hadn’t accepted it. Cardona responded that he would go to Nick Aldis and demand a match that night. Black commented that Cardona was a fan of making bad decisions and walked off.
- Backstage, Solo Sikoa was alongside the MFTs. He said he was set to face Uncle Howdy for the lantern but insisted he wouldn’t let it out of his sight and needed someone to step. Tama Tonga questioned why they were fighting over a lantern that had caused nothing but problems for everyone, especially Solo. Sikoa suggested Tonga should fight for the lantern himself. Tama agreed to handle Uncle Howdy on his own, and Solo warned him not to mess it up.
Tama Tonga vs Uncle Howdy
Tama Tonga battled Uncle Howdy without the MFT or Wyatt Sicks ringside. Howdy was able to take control of the match and lock in the mandible claw when Solo Sikoa appeared with the lantern, and tried to attack Howdy with the lantern, but the referee saw it and stopped Solo. Howdy capitalized with the Sister Abigail DDT to secure the win.
After the match, Solo and Tonga got into an argument, and Tonga snatched away the lantern, stating that he didn’t need it. Tonga put the lantern near the apron for Howdy to take, and he does as Tonga tries to tell Solo that it wasn’t helping them. “You don’t need this. It’s messing with your mind.”
Winner: Uncle Howdy
Grade: C+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Seems like the MFTs are going to turn on Tama Tonga, which would be at least one thing good that came out of this unnecessarily prolonged feud.
- Backstage before the match, Cathy Kelley interviewed RHIYO. Ripley said that week after week, Jade Cargill had shown she couldn’t succeed alone, noting that while Jade has followers, she has friends. Sky added that no matter what, she would always have Rhea’s back. Ripley echoed the sentiment, saying they were unstoppable together and declaring that she would walk out of WrestleMania as the new WWE Women’s Champion.
- Backstage, Kit Wilson and The Miz ran into R- Truth, who told them that there were no openings in Judgment Day. The Miz ranted at him for not showing proper respect, and Truth accepted his challenge for a tag title match that night, heading off to speak with Nick Aldis to make it official.
Carmelo Hayes gets his rematch
Sami Zayn ran into Nick Aldis backstage and checked on his pyro status, apologizing for last week. Aldis told him there was no need to apologize; Sami had done what he always does, and now he just needed to go talk to the people. Before Sami could leave, Trick Williams’s music hit.
Trick Williams walked out with Lil Yachty, stating that he was there to celebrate his first WrestleMania match and, since the celebrities are appearing ahead of Mania, he wanted to bring his brother, Lil Yachty. Williams clarified that he hadn’t brought Yachty just for an appearance and then asked him to be part of WrestleMania, to which the rapper accepted.
Williams then turned his attention to Sami Zayn, asking production to hit Sami’s pyros because Trick “runs SmackDown.” Sami Zayn walked out and told Williams he was getting ahead of himself by planning the celebration, adding that while it was fine, pageantry had never been his thing; his focus was on what happened inside the ropes.
Sami declared that once the bell rang at Mania, all the fur coats and stars wouldn’t save Trick, and he would humble him as one of the best to ever do it. Williams mocked Sami, claiming the only reason Sami held the US Title and was going to Mania was because of him. Carmelo Hayes then walked out, saying he couldn’t sit back and watch. He explained that while Trick would get his receipt first, he also needed to address Sami.
Hayes said that Zayn winning the title like that hadn’t sat right with him or the fans, who wanted him, not Sami. “WE WANT MELO!” chants erupted as Hayes asked Sami to listen to the fans and grant him a rematch. Sami acknowledged that Hayes had carried SmackDown for weeks but stated he had issued an open challenge and lost, meaning he would have to wait for a rematch after WrestleMania.
Williams chimed in, questioning Sami’s integrity and urging him to grant Hayes the rematch. Sami agreed, admitting that if Trick hadn’t interfered, he would have beaten Hayes. He said no one knew what could have happened and that he didn’t feel good about the outcome. Hayes told Sami to stop yapping and do the right thing.
Sami then announced he would give Hayes the rematch right there in St. Louis. He added that if Hayes won, it would set up Hayes vs Williams at Mania, but if Sami won, it would be Sami vs Williams. Williams mocked him again, and the US Champion snapped, sending Williams over the top rope with a clothesline.
Grade: C+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Before the segment, Jacob Fatu cut a promo, sending a stern warning to Drew McIntyre. Fatu recap[ed his journey, stating it comes down to survival, and every decision he has made comes down to the Unsancitoned match as there will be no one to tell him what he can and cannot do to his punk as*. Fatu added that at Mania, Drew will be in his world, and let’s see if he can survive.
- Backstage, Solo Sikoa was with the MFTs, scolding Tama Tonga for giving up the lantern.
- Tonga explained that he had no choice, as it was tearing them apart, and he wants to return to real business and take over SmackDown and all the titles. Solo admitted Tonga was right, saying they would finish dealing with the Wyatts first and then get back to business.
Matt Cardona vs Aleister Black
Following their backstage segment, Aleister Black and Matt Cardona battled in a singles match. Cardona, still feeling the effect of the injured arm, courtesy of the Viper, was able to get some offense going, but Black delivered the Black Mass out to pick up the win.
Winner: Aleister Black
Grade: B-
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Backstage, Cathy Kelley asked Bayley about missing last year’s WrestleMania. Bayley admitted that losing her opportunity had been tough, but said she had built her career fighting with her back against the wall. She added that Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair would pay for breaking up their match. Lyra Valkyria noted that Charlotte and Alexa’s friendship was at best superficial. She added that they were better friends than it appeared and said she planned to make up for last year by winning the tag titles alongside Bayley.
- Backstage, Damian Priest approached R-Truth, asking why he gave Miz and Kit Wilson a tag title shot. Truth said that it would be easy because they had been cursed by Asuka (Danhausen). Damian Priest questioned if he meant Danhausen instead, but Truth was adamant, pointing out that a little girl in a mask was the one cursing people, and that was Asuka. Priest added that, cursed or not, something bad was about to happen to Miz and Danhausen.
Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs Bayley & Lyra Valkyria
Ahead of their fatal four-way match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles, involving the Irresistible Forces and the Bella Twins, Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss battled Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. Flair and Bliss ended up with the win after delivering a double Natural Selection. However, the Tag Champion, the Irresistible Forces, once again appeared after the match, attacking the two teams, ahead of the Mania clash.
Winner: Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss
Grade: B
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Before the match, Drew McIntyre cut a promo addressing the unsanctioned match at WrestleMania against Fatu and responding to the promo from Fatu earlier.
- The commentary provided an injury update on Nikki Bella, with Tessitore noting that Nikki is undergoing rehab to make sure she is ready in time for Mania.
- Backstage, Kit Wilson and The Miz were warming up and Miz listed all the reasons they couldn’t be cursed. Danhausen appeared behind them, asking if someone had mentioned a curse. He offered to accompany them to the ring. Wilson called him a spooky goblin and labeled him toxic. Danhausen then offered to lift the curse; Wilson seemed open to the idea, but Miz told him to take his curse and shove it, but Danhausen had disappeared until then.
R-Truth & Damian Priest (c) vs The Miz & Kit Wilson – WWE Tag Team titles match
With an unexpected title shot, The Miz and Kit Wilson battled the WWE Tag Team Champs, R-Truth and Damian Priest. Danhausen arrived during the match and asked Miz for a tag. Referee Dan Engler tried to enforce the rules, but Truth tagged in Danhausen. Miz confronted Danhausen, leading him to curse the Miz, who pulled Engler in front of him.
Miz went for the Skull Crushing Finale as the lights went out and Danhausen ran away. Truth delivered AA on Wilson, but Miz was the official man as he laid out Truth with the Skull Crushing finale. However, Engler was unable to make the three count as his arm gave out (due to the curse). Priest then delivered a chokeslam to pin Miz and retain the tag titles amid chaos and confusion.
Winner & Still: R-Truth & Damian Priest
Grade: B+
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- This was undoubtedly the best segment of the entire show. Danhausen is more over than a handful of long-time active WWE stars.
- Sidenote, Danausen did lift the accidental curse on Dan Engler, free of charge.
Cody Rhodes’ promo
After the tag title match, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes suddenly appeared, taking down Wilson with the Cross Rhodes. He then picked up the mic, stating that fans had been waiting to see who Randy Orton’s mystery man was, and it turned out to be Pat McAfee, which he compared to Kevin Nash and Scott Hall’s third man in nWO being Disco Inferno, instead of Hulk Hogan.
He called Pat McAfee a “hat rack” who would get what was coming to him and told him he could “kiss his ass,” joking about whether that went too far or if he would get fired, noting that it sure worked for them the first time. He questioned if that’s what Orton really wanted for his legacy, his mentor and hero, while recalling that when John Cena was the angel on Orton’s shoulder, Orton had been the devil.
“That’s like if Scott Hall and Kevin Nash talked about the third man in the NWO and instead of Hulk Hogan, it was Disco Inferno. Pat, you stoner, grifter, Logan Paul without muscles, you’re gonna get your receipt!”
He noted that Orton kept insisting it wasn’t personal, and even Stephanie McMahon had told him he needed to go to a dark place and be a bad guy. He admitted he understood the point but, better than his usual excuses, wasn’t sure he still knew how to do that.
With two kids and his dream job, he felt the pressure, while McAfee pointed out signs that only existed because WWE was so hot at the moment. He mentioned all the records he’d set wrestling the likes of Roman Reigns, John Cena, and The Rock, but emphasized they had also been wrestling him.
He summed it up: it was just a wrestling match with twenty years of history, involving two of the best wrestlers ever. And yes, he finally heard the voices in his head, but what they had to say wasn’t something anyone wanted to hear.
Grade: B
Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Great promo by Cody, who showcased his ‘edgier’ side as multiple reports suggested after the Randy Orton beatdown.
Sami Zayn (c) vs Carmelo Hayes – U.S Title match
In the final match of the show, Sami Zayn defended the US title in a rematch against Carmelo Hayes, who tweaked his knee during a dive through the ropes. This injury spoiled Hayes’ chances, who, despite the pain, managed to put the Champion on the back foot, but a failed Nothing but Net attempt worsened the injury.
Sami capitalized when the referee was checking on Hayes to deliver the Helluva Kick and retain the title, securing his WrestleMania spot.
After the match, Lil Yachty stepped in with Trick Williams, hyping up Williams, who faced off with Sami. Yachty then introduced Sami, calling him the “gingerbread man.” This irked Zayn, who confronted Yachty, only for Williams to attack him, delivering the Trick Shot, before picking up the title to close out the show.
Winner & Still: Sami Zayn
Grade: B
Match Insights & Backstage Moments:
- Sami was being very loudly booed by the audience throughout the show.
- Just when you think WWE can’t top some of the worst SmackDown shows in recent memory, they hit us with an episode like tonight.
- Giulia and Tiffany Stratton, who were rumored for a match at WrestleMania, were nowhere to be seen on the show.
- The mystery caller angle built up a lot of hype, but the reveal left many fans disappointed, and some are still hoping WWE is swerving everyone and Pat McAfee isn’t the real mystery caller.
WWE SmackDown 4/3 Results
- Pat McAfee attacked Cody Rhodes & revealed himself as Randy Orton’s mystery caller
- Rhea Ripley defeated Michin by submission
- Iyo Sky returned to aid Rhea
- Uncle Howdy pinned Tama Tonga
- Aleister Black defeated Matt Cardona
- Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss defeated Bayley & Lyra Valkyria
- R-Truth & Damian Priest (c) defeated The Miz & Kit Wilson – WWE Tag Team titles match
- Sami Zayn (c) pinned Carmelo Hayes – U.S Title match
Who won in the main event of WWE SmackDown tonight?
Sami Zayn defeated Carmelo Hayes to pick up a win in the main event of tonight’s SmackDown and retain the U.S. title.
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.
Did WWE announce any matches for WrestleMania 42 on tonight’s show?
No, WWE did not announce any new matches for the 42nd edition of WrestleMania on tonight’s SmackDown in St. Louis.
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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.