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Big E stated that he feels like one specific match on the WrestleMania 42 card was booked specifically for him. He did not identify which particular match he was referring to.
WWE SmackDown aired April 17, 2026 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas as the go-home show for WrestleMania 42. The show featured several scheduled matches including Jordynne Grace vs. Tiffany Stratton for a WWE Women's United States Championship #1 contender's spot, an Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, and an 8-man tag team street fight between MFT and The Wyatt Sicks. Randy Orton opened the show with a promo expressing frustration with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, saying Rhodes only takes in their friendship while Orton gives, and criticizing Rhodes for giving him "permission" to be himself ahead of their WrestleMania match.
WWE SmackDown's April 17, 2026 episode will feature several matches including MFTs vs Wyatt Sick6, Damian Priest and R-Truth vs Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller, and Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. The show will also include a number one contenders match for the United States Championship between Jordynne Grace and Tiffany Stratton, an Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, and segments featuring Randy Orton, Jacob Fatu, Jade Cargill, Trick Williams, and Cody Rhodes.
Trick Williams released a diss track targeting Sami Zayn alongside rapper Lil Yachty ahead of their upcoming Intercontinental Championship match at WWE WrestleMania.
The Undertaker has praised late WWE legend Bray Wyatt, stating that Wyatt had "only begun to scratch the surface of how great he was gonna be."
The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is planned as the final match for tonight's April 17 WWE SmackDown, with a Cody Rhodes promo scheduled to close the show. Rhodes is advertised to respond to Randy Orton ahead of their WrestleMania 42 clash.
Paul Heyman has confirmed that Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns and Bron Breakker vs. CM Punk were planned to main event WWE WrestleMania 42. Heyman also addressed misconceptions about his previous comments regarding these planned matches.
Randy Orton hinted during an interview with Wade Barrett that his backstage phone calls on WWE SmackDown may not have been to Pat McAfee. This suggests the calls were directed to someone else, contrary to what viewers may have assumed.
The current plan for WWE SmackDown on April 17 is for Randy Orton to open the show ahead of the WrestleMania 42 go-home episode. An additional tag team match featuring R-Truth and Damian Priest versus Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller is expected to take place during the episode, though WWE has not publicly promoted the bout. The lineup also includes a No. 1 Contender's Match between Jordynne Grace and Tiffany Stratton for a future Women's United States Championship opportunity against Giulia.
Nikki Bella stated on "The Nikki & Brie Show" that she will be wrestling at WrestleMania 42. This comes despite reports indicating she is not medically cleared to compete.
Alberto Del Rio/El Patron is looking to continue his wrestling career after settling for his freedom from domestic violence charges. The former WWE star has resolved his latest legal issues and appears set to return to wrestling.
Roman Reigns told Michael Cole in an interview that if he loses to CM Punk at WWE WrestleMania 42, his work in WWE is "done."