WWE SmackDown Results (April 3, 2026)

Location: St. Louis, Missouri Announcers: Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett

The show opened with a look back at what happened at the start of Raw with Cody Rhodes and Stephanie McMahon.

Pat McAfee Revealed as Randy Orton’s Mystery Caller

Randy Orton came out to open SmackDown in his hometown of St. Louis. Orton said the next time the crowd sees him in this arena, he will have number fifteen firmly planted around his waist. He said he is not doing this for the fans. He is doing it for himself, for his family, and for the six people sitting in the front row. He said Cody Rhodes is going home from WrestleMania empty handed.

Orton referenced what happened on Raw with Stephanie McMahon and said Stephanie was right when she said Cody cannot beat him. “The voices are saying the same thing,” Orton said. “You are not a killer. What you have awoken inside of me, there is no putting back to bed.”

Cody Rhodes came out and the two traded punches, with Cody getting the advantage and backing Orton into the corner.

Pat McAfee then entered the ring and kicked Cody below the belt. McAfee and Orton exchanged a glance, confirming McAfee as the mystery caller. Orton retrieved a chair and attacked Cody while McAfee grabbed the microphone.

McAfee ripped the St. Louis crowd, saying the Rams left town, the Blues will not make the playoffs, and that the Blues are “ass.” McAfee said about a month ago he was doing a Q&A and was asked when he would return to WWE. He said he thought the business had passed him by and that the business he loved was “absolute shit.” He said Orton called him and told him it did not pass him by, it just went in a direction they did not like.

McAfee asked why anyone has to watch two “5-foot-5 guys do a 45-minute iron man match” for ten weeks when Randy Orton is there. He asked why tickets are still available for WrestleMania when Orton is around. He said SmackDown is coming off its worst ratings and has a champion that is “a puppet.”

McAfee said he was the one on the phone telling Orton he had to kill everything. “The business you are leading is terrible and Randy is going to save the fucking business,” McAfee said.

After the break, McAfee said “mission accomplished” and he and Orton drove away.

Rhea Ripley defeated Michin

Rhea controlled the early portion of the match with punches, a thrust kick, and a fallaway slam. Jade Cargill made her way down to ringside during the match, which distracted Rhea. Michin capitalized with a German suplex and took control, getting several near falls. B Fab attacked Rhea on the outside while the referee was distracted.

Rhea fought back with short arm clotheslines, a back heel kick, a face plant, and a Razor’s Edge followed by a running knee for a near fall. Michin hit a poisonrana and Eat Defeat for a near fall. Michin went for a second power bomb but Rhea reversed into a back body drop and locked in the Prism Lock for the submission.

After the match, Rhea refused to release the hold. B Fab attacked but Rhea fought her off. Jade got on the apron and Michin attacked Rhea from behind. B Fab held Rhea while Jade hit a back fist.

Iyo Sky’s music hit and she made the save. Iyo hit a shotei on Michin and sent B Fab’s foot into Michin. Rhea and Iyo hit stereo drop kicks to clear the ring.

Backstage Segments

Aleister Black and Zelina Vega confronted Matt Cardona. Black and Vega told Cardona he should have listened, noting that Randy went back to the old Randy. Cardona said he went to Nick Aldis for a match tonight. Black said Cardona likes to make bad decisions.

Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga argued over the lantern. Tama said the lantern has been nothing but problems for them, especially Solo. Solo told Tama to fight for it. Tama said he would handle it and was going out alone. Solo told Tama not to mess it up.

Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky reunited backstage. Rhea said Jade cannot do it on her own and that Jade did not know she had a backup plan. “Jade has followers. I have friends,” Rhea said. Iyo said she will always have Rhea’s back.

Uncle Howdy defeated Tama Tonga

Tama controlled much of the match with strikes, choking Howdy in the ropes, and sending him into the ring steps and ringside barrier on the outside. Tama worked a nerve hold and continued the attack with a sliding clothesline and strikes.

Howdy caught Tama with a mandible claw during a corner splash attempt, but Solo Sikoa came out with the lantern despite saying he would stay in the back. The distraction allowed Tama to break free, but Tama and Solo argued at ringside. Tama turned around into Sister Abigail for the three count.

After the match, Solo said he was trying to help. Tama said he did not need help. Tama took the lantern from Solo and placed it on the mat for Howdy to take. Howdy retrieved the lantern and Tama kept Solo from getting it back.

Backstage Segments

Miz and Kit Wilson walked backstage. Kit said he is worried about the curse. Miz told Kit there is no curse. R-Truth showed up and Miz challenged Truth to a tag title match. Truth accepted. Kit asked if they just got a title match.

Jacob Fatu cut a promo on Drew McIntyre. Fatu said his life has been a rollercoaster and that when you come from the gutter, you are forced to be a product of your environment. He said in an unsanctioned match, there are no rules, no one to stop him, and no one to tell him what he can and cannot do to “Drew’s punk ass.” Fatu said Drew is in his world and asked if Drew will make it out.

Trick Williams and Lil Yachty Interrupt Sami Zayn’s Celebration

Sami Zayn was about to come to the ring for a celebration when Trick Williams’ music hit. Trick came out with Lil Yachty. Trick said since they are bringing out all of the stars, he brought out his boy Lil Yachty. Lil Yachty congratulated Trick and called him a legend in the making.

Trick said there is nothing in the world he will not do to get the United States Championship. He called Zayn a “gingerbread man” and got on the turnbuckles to call for Sami’s pyro.

Sami came out and said the pageantry has never been his thing. He said he is more working class. Zayn said there will be 50,000 seats at WrestleMania and all of the fur coats and rap superstars will not mean anything because Trick will be in the ring with one of the best. “I will humble your ass,” Zayn said.

Trick said the only reason Zayn has the title and is going to WrestleMania is because of him.

Carmelo Hayes came out and said he cannot sit back and let this go down. Hayes said he carried SmackDown and the United States Championship on his back and that Trick took the title and ran it across the goal line from the one-yard line. Hayes told Zayn to give the people what they want and give him his rematch.

Zayn said he thinks the world of Hayes and that Hayes did carry SmackDown. He said Hayes can get a title match but it will be on the other side of WrestleMania. Trick convinced Zayn that Hayes has a point. Zayn agreed to give Hayes his rematch tonight. Zayn then clotheslined Trick over the top rope to the floor.

Drew McIntyre Promo on Jacob Fatu

Drew McIntyre said Shakespeare could not write it better. His family was going to see him walk out as champion and the moment was stolen again, this time by Jacob Fatu. Drew said he has heard excuses, justifications, and lies. He called Fatu “nothing more than a criminal and thief” and “a disgusting, dirty convict.” Drew said Fatu is only in WWE because of his family and called him “the Nepo Criminal of the family.” Drew said next week he will prove who Jacob Fatu really is and show that Fatu is “as guilty as charged.”

Aleister Black defeated Matt Cardona

Black targeted Cardona’s injured arm throughout the match, stomping the hand, working the wrist, and slamming the arm into the ringside barrier and ring post. Zelina Vega provided a distraction on the apron that led to Black hitting a leg sweep to drop Cardona onto the apron.

Cardona fought back and hit a missile drop kick and a Tiger Driver for a near fall. Black countered with a knee and brainbuster for a near fall. Cardona escaped an arm bar submission by rolling through. Black hit Black Mass for the three count.

Backstage Segments

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria were interviewed. Bayley said last year sucked but she is used to having her back against the wall. She said Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss are getting a taste of what will happen at WrestleMania. Lyra said if they went through what she and Bayley went through, they would not be friends. Lyra said they are doing it for Bayley.

R-Truth talked to Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae. Truth said he thought Johnny was dead. Candice said Johnny is wrestling for the NXT Championship tomorrow night at Stand and Deliver. Damian Priest asked Truth why he chose to face Miz and Kit. Truth said they are cursed. Priest told Truth the “little girl” he was talking about is Danhausen. Priest asked why he gave them a title match if they are cursed.

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria

Flair and Bliss controlled the early portion of the match, isolating Lyra with quick tags, chops, and strikes. Flair hit a flatliner into the turnbuckles and Bliss followed with a tornado DDT. Bliss and Flair continued working over Lyra with a reverse chin lock, chops, and a figure four head scissors.

This article will be updated as SmackDown continues.