The road to WrestleMania took a volatile turn on Friday night as an unexpected alliance formed to dismantle the Undisputed WWE Champion. In a segment that shifted the momentum of the title picture, Pat McAfee returned to SmackDown, not as a neutral observer, but as an active ally to Randy Orton in his quest to take down Cody Rhodes.
The SmackDown results: April 3, 2026, highlight a night defined by opportunistic victories and high-profile interruptions. Although the main storyline focused on the psychological warfare between “The Viper” and “The American Nightmare,” the undercard saw significant movement in the women’s division and a chaotic defense of the United States Championship.
For Cody Rhodes, the champion now faces a dual threat. The combination of Orton’s lethal precision and McAfee’s unpredictable energy creates a precarious environment for Rhodes as he prepares for his title defense on the grandest stage. This alliance suggests a strategic shift for Orton, who has long operated as a lone wolf but now possesses a loud, influential mouthpiece to aid his ascent.
Sami Zayn Retains United States Title Amid Celebrity Interference
The United States Championship scene continued its trend of high-drama chaos. Newly crowned champion Sami Zayn successfully defended his title against Carmelo Hayes, though the victory was far from clean. Zayn capitalized on a moment of distraction while the official was tending to Hayes’ injured leg, delivering a Helluva Kick to secure the pinfall.
The match was framed by the presence of Trick Williams and Grammy-nominated rapper Lil Yachty. The duo spent much of the segment stirring the pot, eventually goading Zayn into granting Hayes the rematch. While Zayn walked away with the belt, the celebration was short-lived. After the match, Yachty used the microphone to distract the champion, providing the opening Trick Williams needed to take out Zayn in a post-match assault.
This sequence establishes a complex triangle of antagonism. Zayn holds the gold, but the persistent pressure from Williams and the star power of Yachty suggest that the champion’s reign will be under constant siege leading into the WrestleMania event.
Women’s Division: Alliances and Ambushes
Rhea Ripley’s dominant performance against Michin served as a catalyst for further conflict in the women’s division. Ripley secured a decisive win after forcing Michin to submit to the Prism Trap, but the victory quickly devolved into a brawl. Michin was joined by WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill and B-Fab in a coordinated attack on “The Eradicator.”
The numbers game seemed to favor the champions until IYO SKY intervened, rushing to the ring to save Ripley from the onslaught. This intervention adds a layer of unpredictability to the division, as Ripley prepares to challenge “The Storm” at WrestleMania.
IYO SKY defends Rhea Ripley against WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill, Michin and B-Fab.
Simultaneously, the tag team landscape saw Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss secure a victory over Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. The duo utilized double Natural Selections to seal the win. However, the aftermath was a display of raw power as Nia Jax and Lash Legend—collectively known as the Irresistible Forces—attacked both teams. Jax and Legend are currently targeting multiple opponents they are scheduled to face at WrestleMania, signaling a strategy of physical intimidation.
Supernatural Elements and Cursed Officiating
The mid-card featured a clash of eerie personas as Uncle Howdy faced Tama Tonga. The match concluded when Howdy locked Tonga in the Mandible Claw. Solo Sikoa attempted to intervene on behalf of his MFT brother, but the distraction proved fatal for Tonga, who walked directly into the Sister Abigail. Following the bell, a frustrated Tama Tonga seized the lantern from Sikoa and returned it to Howdy.
In another striking encounter, Aleister Black dismantled Matt Cardona. Black focused his attack on Cardona’s previously injured arm, a calculated approach that culminated in a Black Mass for the victory.
Perhaps the most unusual segment of the night involved Damian Priest and R-Truth’s title defense against The Miz and Kit Wilson. The match was interrupted by Danhausen, who convinced a confused R-Truth to tag him into the contest. Danhausen allegedly “cursed” the referee, resulting in the official becoming unable to use his right arm to count a pinfall after The Miz hit the Skull-Crushing Finale.
The curse, however, did not extend to the left arm. When Damian Priest tagged in and delivered the South of Heaven, the referee used his left arm to count the three, allowing Priest and Truth to retain their championships through a mixture of chaos and supernatural coincidence.
Friday Night Summary: Key Results
| Match/Segment | Winner/Outcome | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes | Sami Zayn | Retained US Title via Helluva Kick |
| Rhea Ripley vs. Michin | Rhea Ripley | Victory via Prism Trap submission |
| Uncle Howdy vs. Tama Tonga | Uncle Howdy | Win via Sister Abigail |
| Aleister Black vs. Matt Cardona | Aleister Black | Win via Black Mass |
| Priest & Truth vs. Miz & Wilson | Priest & Truth | Retained titles; Danhausen interference |
| Flair & Bliss vs. Bayley & Valkyria | Flair & Bliss | Win via double Natural Selection |
With the roster now fully locked in for WrestleMania, the focus shifts to whether Cody Rhodes can survive the combined efforts of Randy Orton and Pat McAfee. The champion’s ability to navigate these psychological and physical traps will determine if he can maintain his grip on the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Official updates and match card changes for the upcoming premium live event can be found on the official WWE website.
Do you think the alliance between Randy Orton and Pat McAfee is enough to dethrone Cody Rhodes? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
