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Women's United States Champion Giulia will defend her title against Tiffany Stratton on tonight's WWE SmackDown. The championship match is scheduled to take place on Friday night's episode of the show.
Nikki Cross has announced her departure from WWE. Zoey Stark and Alba Fyre are also reportedly among the WWE departures being reported on Friday.
WWE has released Alba Fyre as part of their ongoing roster cuts, according to Sean Ross Sapp. Fyre, who previously held the NXT UK Women's Championship as Kay Lee Ray and later captured the Women's Tag Team Championships with Isla Dawn, was most recently part of Chelsea Green's Secret Service faction in 2025. Her release follows the recent departures of Nikki Cross and Zoey Stark as part of what appears to be a significant wave of roster changes.
WWE has released Zoey Stark while she was still recovering from a major knee injury suffered during the May 19 episode of RAW. Stark had torn her ACL, MCL, and meniscus, requiring surgery and extensive rehabilitation, but had recently shared positive updates about her recovery progress before the unexpected release.
WWE Wyatt Sicks member Nikki Cross announced her exit from WWE on April 24. Cross is a former multi-time champion during her tenure with the company.
Nikki Cross announced her departure from WWE on April 24, 2026, posting a farewell message on social media thanking the company, wrestlers, coaches, producers and backstage crew. Her announcement came amid reports of backstage concern about possible roster cuts, with talent reportedly worried about potential releases. Cross joined WWE in 2016 and captured multiple championships during her run, including the RAW Women's Championship and WWE Women's Tag Team Titles.
CM Punk will not face disciplinary action from WWE following a fan confrontation after WWE WrestleMania 42, according to a new report. WWE has reportedly decided against taking any action against Punk in relation to the incident.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that they were told to treat Brock Lesnar's WWE retirement as an angle. This provides an update on the status of whether Lesnar is actually retired from WWE.
WWE has officially confirmed that Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will appear on tonight's April 24 SmackDown episode. The show will also feature the WWE Women's United States Championship match between Giulia and Tiffany Stratton, and the World Tag Team Championship match with R-Truth & Damian Priest defending against JC Cobb & Tama Tonga. Tonight's SmackDown airs live from Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas at 8 PM ET on USA Network.
Pro Wrestling NOAH's Naomichi Marufuji has thanked WWE's Seth Rollins for crediting him with his Stomp finishing move. Marufuji has expressed interest in having a match with Rollins.
WWE is expected to introduce new talent during this week's SmackDown episode on April 24 in Fort Worth, according to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live. This follows recent main roster debuts including Ethan Page on RAW and Joe Hendry's upcoming move, with earlier reports suggesting Jacy Jayne as a potential addition to SmackDown after her recent NXT loss to Lola Vice.
Jade Cargill stated that Monday Night RAW would be a better fit for her schedule than SmackDown because Fridays are more family-oriented and she misses out on events with her family and kids. After losing the WWE Women's Championship to Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 42, Cargill said on the Battleground Podcast that her goals would remain the same regardless of which brand she's on, emphasizing her desire to take over WWE and earn a spot in the Hall of Fame.