The final SmackDown episode before WWE’s flagship event, WrestleMania 41, aired live on April 19. The show was hosted live at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. It featured big updates for the Show of Shows.
Seth Rollins kicked off SmackDown by addressing his match at WrestleMania 41. Fans witnessed Randy Orton issue an open challenge to the WWE locker room.
The latest instalment of SmackDown also saw multiple superstars compete in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Towards the end of the show, John Cena and Cody Rhodes came face-to-face before their championship bout this weekend.
Seth Rollins addresses fans
Seth Rollins started the promo by introducing fans to Friday Night Rollins. The ex-World Heavyweight Champion questioned CM Punk’s motive for returning to the WWE. He asked if the Second City Saint returned for the fans or the money. Rollins then addressed his former Shield teammate, Roman Reigns. Rollins claimed he had to sacrifice time with his stepfather, who was suffering from cancer, to ensure the Tribal Chief lost to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40. The Architect then concluded he would end this bitter feud during his Triple Threat match at the Show of Shows.
Randy Orton issues open challenge to WWE roster
The segment started with Randy Orton revealing to the fans that he didn’t have a match for WrestleMania 41. Despite not being on the match card, Orton claimed he was excited as he had been on this road several times. The Viper added that he would be competing at the flagship event for the 20th time, should he find an opponent. Orton then issued an open challenge to anyone who wanted to answer his call.
John Cena and Cody Rhodes meet face-to-face
John Cena demanded that Cody Rhodes be quiet before he started speaking. The 16-time champion took a jibe at his opponent, claiming he wore a suit and had a neck tattoo to be somebody. Cena claimed he would make Rhodes realise he was still a kid on Sunday. The Undisputed Champion said that Cena was overrated and couldn’t wrestle. Cena then tried to attack Rhodes with the Attitude Adjustment, but the champion countered it with a Cross-Rhodes.
These are the results of all the fights on the latest episode of WWE SmackDown:
Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal – Carmelo Hayes won the battle royal by eliminating Andrade el Idolo.
Motor City Machine Guns vs Street Profits (c) for the WWE Tag Team Championship – The match went into a no-contest.
Chelsea Green vs Zelina Vega – Zelina Vega won the match by pinfall using the Avalanche Code Red.
LA Knight vs Solo Sikoa – LA Knight secured a disqualification victory.
Braun Strowman and LA Knight vs Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa – LA Knight hit Solo Sikoa with the BFT to seal a pinfall victory for his team.
American Made vs Latino World Order and Rey Fenix – Rey Fenix hit Julius Creed with an Avalanche Meteora to secure a pinfall win for his team.