Priest and Waller open the match. Waller fires off punches, slips out of a slam attempt, and Priest blocks the O’Connor Roll. Priest boots Waller in the face, shoves him into the corner, and unloads with punches and an uppercut.

Truth tags in. He hits a corkscrew flying forearm while Priest hits a side Russian leg sweep beside him. Truth follows with punches in the corner. Waller drops Truth throat‑first on the top turnbuckle. Kofi tags in, and Waller knocks Priest off the apron with a forearm.

Truth fires back with the splits and punches to both Kofi and Waller. Waller pulls the ropes down, sending Truth crashing to the floor while Kofi distracts the referee. Waller mocks Truth, but Priest grabs him from behind — until Kofi wipes Priest out with a baseball slide.

Kofi rolls Truth back into the ring and kicks him repeatedly. He hits a dropkick in the corner and covers for a near fall.

Waller tags back in and drills Truth with a forearm. He follows with a snap mare and a dropkick to the back. Waller knocks Priest off the apron again with another forearm. He adds an elbow drop, and when Priest tries to get the referee’s attention, the distraction prevents the count.

Waller chokes Truth in the ropes. Truth fires punches, but Waller cuts him down with a dropkick to the legs. Kofi tags in and kicks away at Truth. He clamps on a waist lock to keep Truth from crawling to Priest. Kofi trips Truth, and Truth loses a shoe in the process. Waller casually drops the shoe to the floor.

Kofi comes off the turnbuckles with a chop for a near fall. Waller tags in and kicks Truth. Truth blocks a suplex and nearly steals it with an inside cradle. Waller answers with a rolling elbow, and Kofi tags back in.

Kofi hits the Fameasser, and Waller follows with a springboard elbow drop — but Waller makes the cover even though he isn’t the legal man, so it only results in a near fall.

Kofi boots Truth in the chest. Waller makes a blind tag, and Kofi is visibly annoyed by it. Truth sends Kofi into the turnbuckles and finally creates space. Priest tags in and unloads with forearms and kicks. He drives elbows into the corner and follows with a flatliner to Kofi.

Priest heads to the ropes and hits the Old School–style crossbody. He winds up for the rebound elbow, but Waller blocks it. Waller swings for a rolling elbow and misses, and Priest connects with the rebound clothesline for a near fall.

Truth gets on the apron, reaching out, and Kofi instinctively tags him. Truth “tags” in and fires up — two flying shoulder tackles, then a Blue Thunder Bomb. Priest slams Waller. Truth and Priest hit a double Five Knuckle Shuffle.

They finish it with an assisted Flatliner to Waller, and that’s enough for the three‑count.

Winners and STILL SmackDown Tag Team Champions: Damian Priest & R‑Truth

We will return after a break with more results from the April 17, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown.

Jade Cargill Confronted by Rhea Ripley

Jade Cargill makes her way to the ring, joined by Michin and B‑Fab. Before Jade can speak — or demand to be acknowledged — Rhea Ripley interrupts.

Rhea steps onto the apron and tells Jade she wanted to come out before Jade wastes everyone’s time. She says she’d love to lay Jade out right now, but she doesn’t want to give her an excuse at WrestleMania. Rhea admits she isn’t a patient person, and Jade is lucky she isn’t stepping into the ring to kick her ass. Jade hasn’t given her a chance to be face‑to‑face because she’s scared. Rhea says she can’t wait to embarrass Jade at WrestleMania.

B‑Fab fires back, saying the only person who should be embarrassed is Rhea. She keeps coming for Jade, and she keeps failing — “fail fail fail fail.”

Rhea says she hasn’t had the chance to come for Jade. Since winning the Elimination Chamber, Jade has done nothing but hide — behind her entourage, behind social media, behind anything that keeps her from facing Rhea directly. Rhea tells Jade this is her last chance to say anything to her… alone.

Jade steps forward and says she’s got this.

Jade asks if she’s supposed to be scared of a “cosplay goth kid with insecurities.” She says she’s everything Rhea wishes she could be — a real bitch. Rhea only gets her way because of a weak locker room. Jade says she’s sparing Rhea, but at WrestleMania she’ll bring belt to ass and beat her down.

Rhea laughs at the idea she’d ever want to be like Jade. She says she’s been fighting people like Jade her entire career. Her insecurities don’t hold her back — they made her who she is. She’s a multi‑time world champion. If Jade wants to make it quick at WrestleMania, they can do that. It won’t end in Jade’s favor. Rhea calls her a narcissistic bitch.

Jade leaves the ring without another word.

Backstage — Solo Sikoa & the MFTs

Solo stands with the MFTs and says they worked together as a team tonight. Tama sarcastically agrees, clearly not buying it.

Solo tells Talla to win the battle royal and bring the trophy back to them. He adds that he’s going to talk to Nick Aldis about getting the tag titles back.

Results for WWE SmackDown on April 17, 2026 continue after a commercial break.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Jordynne Grace — No. 1 Contender’s Match for the Women’s U.S. Title

They shake hands before locking up. Grace takes control with a side headlock, but Tiffany escapes with a leapfrog. Grace lifts Tiffany, but Tiffany counters into a sunset flip for a near fall. Tiffany misses a roundhouse kick. They lock up again, Grace lands a forearm, and Tiffany answers with back handsprings. Grace goes for a hip toss, but Tiffany counters into a face‑buster for another near fall.

Grace backs Tiffany into the turnbuckles and hits a pair of clotheslines. Tiffany avoids the next one, but Grace hoists her onto her shoulders, hot‑shots her across the top rope, and follows with a clothesline for a near fall. Tiffany blocks a pump‑handle slam, but Grace fires knees and a short‑arm clothesline.

Grace chops the back of Tiffany’s neck, then hits clotheslines to the throat and back of the neck. Tiffany fires back with a running back elbow. She sends Grace into the turnbuckles and kicks her down. Tiffany hits a suplex, floats over, and gets a near fall. She chokes Grace in the ropes, then hits a running hip attack to the back for another near fall.

Grace shoves Tiffany away, but Tiffany answers with kicks and forearms. Tiffany lands a back elbow and covers for a near fall. Grace turns the tide with an Irish whip, a standing powerslam, and a Vader Bomb for a near fall. Grace unloads with forearms in the corner.

Tiffany kicks her away and tries for a suplex into the corner, but Grace lifts Tiffany onto the turnbuckles. Grace hits a superplex, rolls through — but Tiffany counters mid‑transition with a DDT.

Tiffany and Grace trade forearms and chops in the center of the ring. Tiffany lands a kick and a headbutt, then goes for the double stomp, but Grace counters into a sunset flip. Tiffany fires another headbutt and follows with a dropkick for a near fall.

Grace kicks Tiffany and skins the cat back to the apron. She delivers headbutts through the ropes, then hoists Tiffany and hits a rolling Death Valley Driver. Grace follows with a package sit‑out powerbomb, but Tiffany survives the cover.

Grace sets up for the Vertebreaker, but Tiffany slips free and hits a handspring cutter. Tiffany follows with a Finlay Slam, then ascends and connects with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the three‑count.

Winner: Tiffany Stratton

After the match, Tiffany has words for Giulia, making her intentions clear.

Results for the April 17, 2026 episode of WWE SmackDown continue following a commercial break.

Trick Williams Confronts Sami Zayn

We return from break and Trick Williams makes his way to the ring — but he says he’s stranded at sea without his Yachty. He even drops the Booker T interjections from his entrance music.

Trick says he usually comes out smiling, joking, playing games. Not tonight. He has something to get off his chest, and they’re going to talk about it. Sami crossed the line last week. We see footage of Sami interfering in Trick’s match with Matt Cardona.

Trick says Sami hit Lil Yachty with a Helluva Kick. He hit his friend with a Helluva Kick. Last week, he hurt his friend with a Helluva Kick. Trick says he doesn’t know when Yachty will be back. But Sami did something worse than hurting his friend — he hurt Trick’s WrestleMania entrance. Trick says they aren’t waiting until Sunday. They’re settling it tonight.

Sami’s music hits… but instead of Sami, a person in a gingerbread man costume walks to the ring.

Trick says he’s supposed to be angry at Sami, but he can’t be. Were there no die‑hard Sami Zayn fans in San Jose? Any in Vegas? Maybe not. Maybe all the die‑hard Sami fans are in Drury Lane. When life gives you lemons, you put on your— and mind your own business when grown folk are talking. This is his first WrestleMania, his chance to win the U.S. Title, and he’ll do whatever it takes.

Sami Zayn finally comes out. He says it’s great, it’s funny. He’s glad Trick is having fun and taking his first WrestleMania seriously. Sami wishes he was having as much fun, but he hasn’t been happy for a long time. He’s the champion going into WrestleMania, and he isn’t having a good time. The fans don’t seem to be having a good time either. Sami says he doesn’t know what he did wrong — and he doesn’t care. He’s doing this for the ride‑or‑die Sami Zayn fans.

Sami says there are plenty of ride‑or‑die fans watching at home and in Vegas, and they’ll be in his corner. Since Trick showed up on SmackDown, everyone talked about him. Sami tells the gingerbread man to move.

Sami says Trick showed up and everyone called him the future — and Sami agreed. But Trick hasn’t shown him much. He’s got a great entrance, a catchy catchphrase, and he can drop a diss track. But he hasn’t shown Sami he can do anything in the ring. Sami says he doesn’t see the future anymore. All he sees is a little punk rookie walking into WrestleMania with one of the best to ever do it. Trick will realize he bit off more than he can chew. He walked into the biggest match of his life with no plan.

Trick says he is the plan. He’s been here four months. Sami lost himself. Sami doesn’t know how to find Sami Zayn anymore. He’s one of the most respected guys in the locker room, he’s done it all — but he threw it away because this rookie got in the game. Trick tells Sami to look at him. Trick says he’s the one who’s going to get the job done.

Sami asks if Trick thinks he’s in his head. This is the master plan? Standing in the ring two days before WrestleMania with a gingerbread man?

Trick says he’s standing in the ring with two.

Sami punches Trick. Trick fires back. They trade shots until Trick gains the advantage. Sami clotheslines Trick over the top rope to the floor.

Sami turns around — and the Gingerbread Man wants no part of him. Sami blasts the Gingerbread Man with a Helluva Kick. Trick slides back in with a jumping knee to Sami and picks up the U.S. Title belt.

The show heads to a commercial break. More WWE SmackDown results from April 17, 2026 are coming up next.

Women’s Tag Team Championship Showcase — Video Package

We get a video package highlighting all the teams involved in the Women’s Tag Team Title match, setting the stage for the chaos to come.

Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss

Flair bounces off the ropes and knocks Lyra off the turnbuckles before the bell even rings, and Lyra immediately fires back with forearms. The referee calls for the start.

Lyra hits a spinning heel kick on Flair, and Bayley gets sent into the ring steps.

Nia Jax suddenly hits the ring and crushes Lyra with a splash. Lash Legend attacks Alexa. Lash drills Flair with a bicycle kick. Nia and Lash both splash Bayley. Lyra tries to fight back with a forearm to Lash, but Nia sends her crashing to the mat.

No Contest

Lash clamps Lyra in a bear hug while Nia climbs the ropes and drops a leg across her.

Video Package — Oba Femi & Brock Lesnar

We shift to a look at Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar, highlighting the collision course between two powerhouses.

Results for WWE SmackDown on April 17, 2026, continue after a commercial break.

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Gargano is laid out on the mat as Kit Wilson gets eliminated by Joe Hendry after tripping over Gargano. Frazer hangs on at the ropes and kicks Sabin. Axiom sends Sabin to the apron, Sabin hoists Frazer up, and they trade punches. Frazer lands a thrust kick, Sabin boots him, and Frazer barely hangs on. Hill and Otis fight on the ropes, and Gargano sends Frazer to the floor. Axiom eliminates Sabin.

The Grandes start fighting each other, and Talla Tonga eliminates both. Hendry kicks Fenix while Ilja chops Hill. Hill punches back, but Ilja sends him to the apron and boots him off for the elimination. La Parka unloads on Garza and Humberto, hits a knee on Garza, but Garza and Humberto team up to eliminate Parka — then dance. Fenix dropkicks Humberto off the apron. Clown hits a tilt‑a‑whirl backbreaker and a pop‑up punch to Angel. He headbutts Garza, but Royce Keys eliminates Clown.

Axiom kicks Gargano, but Gargano hits a slingshot DDT on the apron to eliminate Axiom. Rey eliminates Shelley. Fenix dropkicks Gargano out of a slingshot spear attempt. Crews gets sent to the apron and Nakamura eliminates him. Joe hits a fallaway slam, then catches Gargano off the turnbuckles for another fallaway slam. Joe does the MEME turn, and Aleister Black eliminates Hendry.

Wilde and Cruz try to gang up on Talla, but Talla sends Cruz to the apron. Talla slings Wilde over the top rope, then shoves Cruz off to eliminate him too.

A crowd swarms Talla, but he shoves them all away. Talla hits uppercuts and clotheslines. Fenix kicks him repeatedly, but nothing lands. Talla puts Fenix on the turnbuckles, catches him off the ropes, and choke slams him onto the apron to eliminate him. Nakamura steps up, but Black eliminates Nakamura. Ilja hits a knee on Black, gets sent to the apron, punches back, but Black kicks him off the turnbuckles to eliminate him. Tozawa hits a German suplex on Black, but Black answers with Black Mass and eliminates Tozawa.

Otis is furious with Black. He hits Danny Bonaduce–style clotheslines and slams Angel. Otis splashes Angel and Gargano in the corner. Garza is eliminated, and Gargano goes back to “napping” on the mat. Otis hits the Caterpillar and eliminates Gargano. He counters a Rough Ryder with a powerbomb and eliminates Matt.

We are down to Otis, Aleister Black, Talla Tonga, and Royce Keys.

Otis clotheslines Black, but Black fires back with Black Mass. Black knees Keys, but Keys rebounds and clotheslines Black over the top rope to eliminate him. Otis shoulder tackles Keys and Talla. Otis slams Keys, but Talla boots Otis and eliminates him.

Final Two: Talla Tonga and Royce Keys

Talla grabs Keys for a chokeslam, but Keys escapes, hits a spinebuster, and clotheslines Talla over the top rope to the floor.

Winner: Royce Keys

– We have a video package for the World Title match.

Cody Rhodes Addresses Las Vegas

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring. He asks Las Vegas what they want to talk about.

He says they’re not going to talk about the last three WrestleManias or the conspiracy theories about people needling him — whether it’s the Final Boss, Travis Scott, or someone he won’t name but who should go home. Tomorrow is simple. It’s about two men in a contest fighting for the biggest prize in the game. He’ll be fighting his friend, Randy Orton.

Cody says he doesn’t buy into the conspiracy theory. Randy talked about Cody “taking.” That’s an interesting choice of words, because Randy has never taken responsibility for himself. Cody says Randy burned everything in his path in 2009… and then he lost. As good as Randy has become, he is now associated with a word most—

CM Punk’s music hits.

CM Punk interrupts and makes his way to the ring.

Cody asks Punk — champ to champ, friend to friend — if they shake hands and hug, will Punk kick him in the balls and turn on him.

Punk says there are plenty of people who deserve to be kicked in the balls, but Cody isn’t one of them. He says he might have a little advice, and he wants to make sure Cody doesn’t waste time talking about a tourist who doesn’t deserve their attention. Punk asks if Cody is wearing a bow tie.

Cody says they have the Hall of Fame tonight, and Punk looks dapper.

Punk says the last time he wore a suit in a WWE ring might have been Teddy Long’s wedding.

Punk says they always talk about their paths, and he wanted to relish the fact that both of them are standing in the middle of a WWE ring as friends and champions headlining WrestleMania. They’re beyond Punk giving Cody advice — Cody has done things Punk has never done. Punk tells Cody to focus on Randy. Cody learned from Cena and from his father. Punk doesn’t know what will happen this weekend, but on Monday Cody will be here, Punk will be here, and Cody helped build this. Punk asks the people to be with them on their next adventure.

Punk says he is proud of Cody. He tells him to get the job done — and have some fun.

Cody tells Punk to stay in the ring. There’s something he wants to share with him. He knows who Punk is up against. Punk is facing a man they made terms for. He’s facing the most dominant in the business. Punk wasn’t born into this — he came into it because he loved it. He trained with Harley Race, hung out with Terry Funk. He was gone for ten years, but they still chanted his name, and they chanted it loudly.

Cody says Punk could have come back, waved his hat, hit the greatest hits, and coasted — but instead he came back better than ever. Cody brings up Shawn Michaels returning after five years from injury. Punk is back too. Maybe Punk will be the new Mr. WrestleMania.

Cody tells Punk he’s one of the few people who can say this. He thanks Punk for teaching him and for sharing this moment. Cody says someone Punk took a great deal of counsel from… Cody’s father… would be proud of Punk.

They shake hands. They hug.

We go to credits.

–– Here is what’s in store for WWE SmackDown on April 17 ––

• Randy Orton segment
• MFTs vs Wyatt Sicks
• Jacob Fatu promo
• Damian Priest and R-Truth vs Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller
• Jade Cargill segment
• Number one contenders match for the United States Championship: Jordynne Grace vs Tiffany Stratton
• Trick Williams segment
• Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs Bayley and Lyra Valkyria
• Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
• Cody Rhodes segment

WWE SmackDown Preview – April 17, 2026

With WrestleMania 42 just one day away, tonight’s SmackDown serves as the final stop before the biggest weekend of the year — and the annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is set to headline the evening. No participants have been officially announced as of airtime, but history looms large: last year, Carmelo Hayes outlasted the field and eliminated Andrade to claim the 2025 trophy. Tonight, a new winner will etch their name into WrestleMania weekend tradition.

The long‑simmering war between The Wyatt Sicks and MFT reaches its breaking point tonight in an Eight‑Man Street Fight. The Wyatt Sicks have spent weeks hunting down Bray Wyatt’s stolen lantern, while MFT have repeatedly crossed paths with them in tag team battles. MFT briefly held the WWE Tag Team Titles after dethroning The Wyatt Sicks in January, only to lose them to Damian Priest and R‑Truth. Last Friday, Tama Tonga finally returned the lantern by leaving it on the apron, signaling that the endgame had arrived. Tonight, both factions look to settle their score once and for all.

Before all four teams collide in tomorrow’s Fatal Four‑Way Women’s Tag Team Championship Match, Bayley and Lyra Valkyria will face Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss in tag team action. Bliss pinned Bayley last Friday thanks to a timely distraction from Flair, while Valkyria returned the favor on Monday’s Raw by defeating Flair with help from Bayley. With The Bella Twins and The Irresistible Forces waiting at WrestleMania, tonight’s match is the final momentum shift before championship gold is on the line.

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will also appear tonight with a message for Randy Orton, just 24 hours before Orton challenges him for the title at Night One of WrestleMania 42. Their rivalry has escalated dramatically in recent weeks, and Rhodes is expected to address Orton directly before the two finally meet on the grand stage.

Additionally, Jacob Fatu will speak ahead of his Unsanctioned Match against Drew McIntyre tomorrow night — a showdown fueled by weeks of violence, chaos, and personal animosity.

WWE SmackDown Results – April 17, 2026

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