WWE SmackDown 4/17 Results: Royce Keys wins Andre the Giant Battle Royal, Punk and Cody prepare for WrestleMania

April 17, 2026 Jason Ounpraseuth NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

T-Mobile Arena — Paradise, NV

Results

  • Street Fight: The MFTs (Solo Sikoa, Talla Tonga, Tama Tonga & JC Mateo) def. The Wyatt Sicks (Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy & Uncle Howdy) (14:36)
  • WWE Tag Team Championship: Damian Priest & Truth def. The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Grayson Waller) (9:24)
  • United States Women’s Championship No. 1 contendership: Tiffany Stratton def. Jordynne Grace (9:02)
  • Bayley & Lyra Valkyria def. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss via DQ (0:35)
  • Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Royce Keys wins, last eliminating Talla Tonga (10:01)

SmackDown opened with a WrestleMania montage, including multiple WWE stars, celebrities, and fans talking about their favorite moments.

Randy Orton promo

After watching stars walking into the building, Randy Orton and Pat McAfee came in riding a pickup truck. Nick Aldis handed McAfee a contract, and McAfee said he had it handled as a “self-made billionaire.” Orton made his way to the ring as McAfee signed the contract for the WrestleMania 42 match.

Orton was greeted with “Randy” chants. He admitted he doesn’t need Pat McAfee; he wants him because he’s the only “straight-shooter” in WWE. He tells him what he needs to hear: “Just be me.” The crowd booed whenever Cody Rhodes’ name was mentioned. He said he didn’t need Cody’s permission to be himself. He said in friendships there is give and take, but that all Cody did was “take, take, take.” He called back to WrestleMania 40, and how when Cody needed a friend, he called Seth Rollins. He noted he had Cody’s back against Solo Sikoa and the MFTs, and all he got was taken through a table. He then noted that Cody had a match against his former friend, Kevin Owens, and that Orton tried to help Cody. Then, Owens gave him a piledriver and almost ended his career. He said McAfee has “done more for my career and my legacy than half of a lifetime,” reiterating that all Cody does is take. He ended by saying he’ll take down Cody with an R-K-O.

McAfee is in the truck, ready to drive Orton off. He told Aldis, “That’s what a WWE superstar looks like.” McAfee added that he’d “put in a good word” to the higher-ups and that tomorrow, “life’s about to get better.”

Street Fight: The Wyatt Sicks vs. The MFTs

The Wyatts didn’t waste time and got in the ring and took everyone out until only Talla Tonga was left in the ring. After he’s dispatched, Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis dive to the outside. Erick Rowan teased a dive, but Tonga Loa, who technically isn’t a “legal” member of the match, cut him off. He was thrown into the barricade, but Talla Tonga grabbed the top part of the steel steps, took on Lumis and Gacy, and threw it at Rowan.  Gacy and Lumis land tag-team moves on different members of the MFTs until JC Mateo starts suplexing everyone. Talla Tonga then gave everyone a Samoan Drop. He couldn’t get Rowan up, and after dropkicking him to the outside, Rowan hit a tope suicida. A bunch of weapons were introduced as the teams use them on each other. Finish saw Tama Tonga save Sikoa from Sister Abigail, and Tama was going to go for Cutthroat, but Sikoa hit Uncle Howdy with the Samoan Spike for the win. Tama stared at Solo in confusion as the MFTs celebrated.

R-Truth-New Day

We got some painfully bad comedy with R-Truth mistaking different members of the New Day, including Grayson Waller. He even confused Asuka with Danhausen, and he revealed to Damian Priest that they have a tag title match later in the night.

Miz-Maryse renew vows

There was a segment with The Miz and Maryse renewing their vows with Kit Wilson as the priest. Danhausen appeared behind Maryse and said he was the ring boy, best man and bridesmaid. The Miz tried to hurry up the ceremony, but Kit accidentally said, “You may curse the bride,” which led Danhausen to curse Maryse, whose face fell into cake after the boys were fighting.

Royce Keys video

A Royce Keys video package played, where he got emotional over the fact that his mother died before she could see him debut in WWE. There were other interviews with his sister and his mentor, Mark Henry.

Jacob Fatu’s message to Drew McIntyre

A police car entered the arena, and Fatu came out from the backseat. He stood on top of the car to send a message to Drew. He said he’s not ashamed of the past Drew keeps bringing up. He said he doesn’t live that life anymore. He asked if Drew thought he embarrassed him by putting him in handcuffs in front of his family (he repeated this line because he didn’t say “embarrass” clearly). He moved to the unsanctioned match, where there will be no Nick Aldis, no police, no army, no navy, and not even the SWAT team can save Drew. Fatu called for the camera to come closer and noted that Drew tried to put him back in a jail cell, but he put that in the rearview, and that’s what he’ll do with Drew.

Friendship rift?

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair were preparing for their match backstage. Bliss said that they needed a win tonight to get momentum for their WrestleMania match. However, they’ll still be best friends no matter what. Charlotte wasn’t as in sync, as she stressed how they needed to win the titles again.

The New Day vs. Damian Priest & R-Truth

Grayson Waller and Kofi Kingston were in control throughout until Waller blind-tagged Kofi, which Kofi wasn’t happy about. Hot tag to Priest led to him walking the ropes and hitting a crossbody, then going into a lariat after bouncing off the ropes, but Kofi made the save. R-Truth started a “New Day” chant, and Kofi tagged Truth, who thought it was a real tag. He goes into John Cena’s 5 Moves of Doom. Priest bodyslammed Waller next to Kofi, and Truth teased a double “You Can’t See Me” spot. After the crowd’s motivation, Priest obliged, and they hit a stereo five-knuckle shuffle, followed by a 3-D for the win.

A video package for Cody and Randy’s title match played, followed later by Rhea Ripley’s WrestleMania 39 match against Charlotte.

Jade-Rhea face-to-face

Rhea Ripley came out before Jade Cargill could speak. Rhea said she would love nothing more than to take out Jade, but she didn’t want to give her an excuse. Rhea thinks Jade is scared, and she can’t wait to embarrass her at WrestleMania. B-Fab responded by saying that Rhea keeps coming at Jade, but continued to fail. Rhea said she hasn’t had the chance because Jade has been hiding behind B-Fab and Michin, behind in the locker room, and behind social media. She gave Jade a chance to say one last thing one-on-one. Jade said she isn’t scared of a “cosplay goth kid with insecurities.” She said she’s everything Rhea wishes: A real bitch. She wanted to spare Rhea, and at WrestleMania, she’ll put belt to ass and make their match quick. Rhea said she didn’t want to be like Jade because she’s been fighting people like her her whole life. Her insecurities don’t hold her back. They’ve made her who she is and made her a multi-time women’s champion. She ended by calling Jade a “narcissistic skank-ass bitch.”

MFTs tension

The MFTs were celebrating backstage, with Solo claiming The Wyatts are finished. He said it was because of their teamwork, but Tama questioned that. Solo moved on, telling Talla Tonga to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal while he went to Nick Aldis to get them a tag title match.

Jordynne Grace vs. Tiffany Stratton

The closing stretch of the match featured Grace hitting consecutive headbutts while hanging on the second rope. She followed up with a Death Valley Driver into a package powerbomb for a two-count. Stratton escaped a Vertebreaker and hit a handspring stunner. That led to Prettiest Moonsault Ever, as she stared down Giulia, who was sitting ringside with Kiana James.

Sami, Trick and Gingerbread Man

Trick Williams came out and said that Sami Zayn crossed the line last week. He admitted that he doesn’t know when Lil Yachty will return, which means Sami hurt his interest in WrestleMania. He demanded that Sami come out so they could settle things now. That’s when a person in a Gingerbread Man costume came out. Trick laughed and mocked the diehard Zayn fans in Drury Lane. Sami came out and told Trick that he agreed with people who said Trick was the future of the business when he debuted on SmackDown four months ago. But now, he doesn’t see that anymore. He credits Trick for having a great entrance, a catchphrase, and a diss track, but he hasn’t shown anything in the ring. He sees a “little punk rookie.” He said Trick doesn’t have a plan at WrestleMania, but Trick claimed he’ll get the job done. They started brawling in the ring, and Sami took Trick out. He hit a Helluva Kick on the Gingerbread Man, twisting his head, but Trick came in with a Trick Shot and held the United States title up high.

Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss

A video package featuring the four teams in the Women’s Tag Team Title match was shown. Brie Bella cut a promo on her own and said her sister is rehabbing and will make the match. PWInsider reported that Nikki Bella hasn’t been cleared due to her ankle injury and is expected to miss WrestleMania.

The tag match was a waste of time. Lyra went after Charlotte to start the match. Bayley got thrown into the steel steps, and that’s when Nia Jax went in and attacked Lyra. The ref technically didn’t even ring the bell for the disqualification, at least I didn’t hear it, and just ran off. Nia and Lash Legend cleared the ring and set up Lyra for a second-rope leg drop from Nia, with her and Lash standing tall.

A video package for Oba Femi versus Brock Lesnar played

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Royce Keys and Joe Hendry (no one said his name) were the only ones who got real entrances with a bunch of wrestlers already in the ring, including a planking Johnny Gargano, Psycho Clown, La Parka (the newest one), and Shiloh Hill. The Original Grande Americano got eliminated along with Grande Americano II, whom he was trying to unmask. Psycho Clown tore his mask off and got more than La Parka, but Royce Keys eliminated him. Rey Fenix also got some shine with eliminations. Hendry tossed some guys around and posed before Aleister Black eliminated him. Talla Tonga played the monster role, getting a series of eliminations, and everyone else ganged up on him. Fenix ate a chokeslam from Talla on the side apron to get eliminated. Tozawa got a big pop, but Black earned more eliminations. Otis was next to play the monster role (Royce has mostly been chilling in a corner). Otis hit the worm on a planking Gargano, eliminating him. Otis countered a Rough Ryder and took out Zack Ryder.

The final four were Otis, Black, Royce, and Talla. The crowd was behind Otis, but Black shut him down with a Black Mass. Royce finally came alive and eliminated Black. Otis hit running splashes on Talla and Royce, but Talla caught him with a boot and eliminated him. Royce caught Talla with a spinebuster and eliminated Talla to win.

A video package for CM Punk and Roman Reigns’ match was played.

Cody Rhodes and CM Punk prepare for WrestleMania 42

Cody came out and said he doesn’t want to talk about the “conspiracy” behind the last three WrestleManias. He doesn’t want to talk about the “Final Boss,” Travis Scott, or someone he won’t name, but “should go home this year.” He acknowledged Randy, saying all he did was take, but he noted that Randy doesn’t take responsibility. He looked back at prime Orton in 2009, who burned everything in his path only to lose at WrestleMania. He was about to mention McAfee, but CM Punk came out. Cody joked that he hoped Punk wouldn’t give him a low blow and that Punk wore a suit for the Hall of Fame. Punk noted that he and Cody go a long way back, and they talked about who was chasing who, but they are standing now as champions who will each main event WrestleMania. He said he won’t give Cody advice because Cody hasn’t yet accomplished what he has. But he knows that whatever happens at WrestleMania, he and Cody will be at the next show on Monday. He told Cody that he built this and that he is proud of him. Cody offered his words about Punk’s match against Reigns. He noted that Punk wasn’t born into the business like he and Reigns. He fought to get where he was, and even after leaving for 10 years, people still chanted his name. He came back better than ever, and that, along with Macho King and Shawn Michaels, CM Punk could be Mr. WrestleMania. Cody thanked Punk for everything he taught him, and while fighting emotions, he said his dad would have been extremely proud of him, as they hugged. Punk got the last word and said he won’t cry on Friday, but on Sunday after he beats Reigns and can celebrate with the people.

About Jason Ounpraseuth 81 Articles
Jason Ounpraseuth is a journalist from Massachusetts. He writes and reports about New England and Boston sports and professional wrestling.
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