SmackDown airs tonight (Apr. 24) with a live show emanating from Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. This is the first episode of SmackDown during the three week build to Backlash, which takes place on May 9.
The WWE Draft is dead
It’s the week after WrestleMania 42, and WWE roster changes are plentiful. This mostly comes in the form of NXT call-ups. For example, we saw Ethan Page and Sol Ruca wrestle matches on this week’s Raw, with a Joe Hendry concert announced for next week.
However, SmackDown stars Jacob Fatu and the
Street Profits also made a huge impact on Raw. Jacob closed out the show in the main event segment by interrupting a Bloodline reunion and trying to book himself in a match against World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns. Meanwhile, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins returned to WWE programming for the first time since October to pick a fight with World Tag Team Champions Logan Paul and Austin Theory.
It would seem that Fatu and the Profits have to keep showing up on Raw to continue the story with the show’s champions. The main takeaway I get from these appearances is that the concept of the WWE Draft is dead, or at least won’t be back any time soon, which is consistent with the most recent rumor about its status for 2026. That’s probably for the best seeing how bad some of those draft shows have been, especially the last time WWE did it in late April 2024.
Does SmackDown get anything in return for the Profits and Fatu showing up on Raw? I have no idea, but we should learn more by the end of tonight when this wave of roster changes hits the blue brand. Potential NXT call-ups include Jacy Jayne, Ricky Saints, and Blake Monroe. As far as non-NXT changes go, there is a rumor that Hall of Fame Deadbeat Dad Rey Mysterio might be on his way to the SmackDown roster.
What big roster changes and surprises does WWE have in store for SmackDown following WrestleMania 42, with zero matches currently announced for the show? Tune in tonight to find out.
Other stuff to keep an eye on
– Paige returned at WrestleMania 42 and teamed up with Brie Bella to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship. Are The Irresistible Forces hot on their trail for an immediate rematch? Will Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss continue on their journey to reclaim the titles, or is it time for a change after their latest failure?
– Royce Keys eliminated Talla Tonga last week to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Did Royce inadvertently pick a fight with the entire MFT stable by tossing out their big man and posing next to the Andre trophy?
– Tiffany Stratton defeated Jordynne Grace last week to become the number one contender for Women’s United States Champion Giulia. Is Stratton vs. Giulia taking place at Backlash, or will WWE book it on an episode of 3 hour SmackDown before then?
– WWE Champion Cody Rhodes suffered a brutal eye injury during his successful title defense against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42, but that didn’t stop the American Nightmare from appearing on Raw to let CM Punk know that he can fight him for the gold whenever he wants. In the meantime, will Orton come looking for a rematch after punting Cody’s head off, or does The Viper need time off due to a bad back?
– Speaking of time off, will we see Drew McIntyre any time soon after he lost against Jacob Fatu in an Unsanctioned match at WrestleMania?
– WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley is focused on being the face of SmackDown after saying goodbye to IYO SKY on Raw this week. Will she be confronted by an NXT call-up tonight, or does it take more than one win to get Jade Cargill off her back?
– United States Champion Trick Williams likely won’t stop trash talking Sami Zayn after beating the Gingerbread Man’s ass to win the belt at WrestleMania. Will Sami Hogan blame all the fans who turned their backs on him for reasons he still doesn’t understand? Is Carmelo Hayes ready to get back in the title mix and challenge the man who screwed him out of the title and out of a WrestleMania match?
– Damian Priest and R-Truth have successfully defended the WWE tag team championship against Kofi Kingston & Grayson Waller, as well as The Miz & Kit Wilson. Is it time to add teams like Fraxiom and Motor City Machine Guns to the list in the coming weeks?
– Do the Wyatt Sicks get any TV time tonight after losing their feud against MFT? Were they cursed by Danhausen months ago without realizing it?
– Where the f*** is Chelsea Green? I don’t believe she has appeared on SmackDown television thus far in April.
What will you be looking for on SmackDown?
