WWE SmackDown April 24 2026: Match Card, Start Time, Location And First SmackDown After WrestleMania 42

WWE SmackDown April 24 2026 heads to Fort Worth, Texas for the first Friday Night SmackDown after WrestleMania 42, with the blue brand’s championship landscape completely reshaped following an eventful two-night spectacle in Las Vegas. As fans search for the SmackDown April 24 2026 match card, start time, location, and how to watch, here is everything confirmed and expected for this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown — updated as new matches are announced.

This is the first SmackDown after WrestleMania 42, and the SmackDown roster looks dramatically different. Rhea Ripley arrives as the new WWE Women’s Champion after defeating Jade Cargill at WrestleMania. Trick Williams is the new United States Champion. Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship but suffered an eye injury that has left his status uncertain. And Randy Orton’s post-match Punt Kick on Rhodes has set up the most heated rivalry on the blue brand heading into WWE Backlash on May 9 in Tampa.

For Monday night’s show, including Roman Reigns’ response to Jacob Fatu and Joe Hendry’s Raw debut, see our WWE Raw April 27 2026 match card and start time.

What Happened On SmackDown Last Week And At WrestleMania 42

The April 17 WrestleMania go-home SmackDown from Las Vegas was the last episode before the biggest weekend of the year. Here is a recap of the key SmackDown-relevant results from the go-home show and WrestleMania 42 itself:

SmackDown April 17 2026 Results:

Royce Keys won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, eliminating Aleister Black, Otis, and Talla Tonga among others to take the trophy. MFT defeated The Wyatt Sicks in an Eight-Man Street Fight, with Solo Sikoa hitting a Samoan Spike on Uncle Howdy for the win — leading to a tense staredown between Tama Tonga and Sikoa. Damian Priest and R-Truth retained the WWE Tag Team Championships against Kofi Kingston and Grayson Waller. Tiffany Stratton defeated Jordynne Grace to become the number one contender for the Women’s United States Championship. Randy Orton delivered a final beatdown to Cody Rhodes to close the show.

Looking for what happened? See our full SmackDown results April 24 2026.

WrestleMania 42 SmackDown-Relevant Results (April 18-19):

Cody Rhodes (c) defeated Randy Orton to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship on Night 1, but Orton attacked him post-match with a Punt Kick, causing a severe eye injury. Rhea Ripley defeated Jade Cargill (c) to win the WWE Women’s Championship on Night 2. Trick Williams defeated Sami Zayn (c) to win the United States Championship on Night 2. Jacob Fatu defeated Drew McIntyre in an Unsanctioned Match on Night 1. Paige and Brie Bella won the Women’s Tag Team Championship. Finn Balor defeated Dominik Mysterio in a Street Fight on Night 2.

On the Raw After WrestleMania, Jacob Fatu challenged Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash, and several NXT call-ups debuted — but those developments primarily affect the Raw roster. For SmackDown, the key Raw crossover moment was Cody Rhodes appearing with a gruesome black eye to tease a future match with CM Punk.

The post-WrestleMania roster cuts also hit SmackDown hard — see the complete list of every WWE superstar released in 2026 for the full breakdown.

WWE SmackDown April 24 2026 Match Card

The official WWE SmackDown April 24 2026 match card will be updated throughout the week as WWE confirms matches. Below are the expected storylines and segments based on WrestleMania 42 fallout.

Expected matches and segments for SmackDown April 24 2026:

Rhea Ripley’s first SmackDown as WWE Women’s Champion — This is the biggest story on the blue brand. Ripley won the WWE Women’s Championship from Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42 Night 2 and was confirmed as a SmackDown superstar during the Raw After WrestleMania, where she shared a loaded exchange with Liv Morgan before departing Raw. Ripley arrives in Fort Worth as the top champion on SmackDown. Her first challenger could emerge tonight — Jade Cargill has already said publicly that she is eyeing a second reign with the title, meaning a rematch could be on the table as early as Backlash. With the Asuka vs IYO SKY match pulled from the WrestleMania card and rescheduled for Backlash, the women’s division on SmackDown is wide open for new feuds. Tiffany Stratton, who won a Women’s United States Championship number one contender’s match before WrestleMania, is also lurking. There is also speculation that two-time NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne could make her main roster debut tonight in Fort Worth — following the Sol Ruca template from Raw After WrestleMania by stepping up to challenge the champion on her first night.

Cody Rhodes addresses Randy Orton’s attack — will the Undisputed WWE Champion appear? — Rhodes retained his championship at WrestleMania but suffered a gruesome eye injury and was placed in concussion protocol. He appeared on Raw After WrestleMania in a promo-only role, sporting a severe black eye. His status for SmackDown in Fort Worth is unclear — he is advertised for the show, but may be limited to a non-physical segment. The bigger question: is Rhodes healthy enough to defend the championship at Backlash, and will Orton’s pursuit of a 15th world title intensify tonight?

For the complete breakdown of what happened across both nights, see our full WrestleMania 42 results.

Randy Orton’s next move — Orton lost the WrestleMania match but won the post-match. He stole the championship belt, cracked Rhodes with it, delivered the Punt Kick, and RKO’d his own ally Pat McAfee — severing that partnership and sending McAfee out of wrestling per the match stipulation. Orton enters SmackDown April 24 2026 as the most dangerous man on the blue brand, and his path to the Undisputed WWE Championship at Backlash could become clearer tonight.

Trick Williams’ first SmackDown as United States Champion — Williams captured the US title from Sami Zayn at WrestleMania with rapper Lil Yachty in his corner, hitting the Trick Shot for the biggest win of his career. His first SmackDown as champion in Fort Worth will establish how WWE plans to book the US Championship picture heading into Backlash. Will Zayn invoke his rematch clause, or will new challengers step forward?

Drew McIntyre’s next chapter — The Scottish Warrior came up short against Jacob Fatu in their Unsanctioned Match at WrestleMania and is advertised for tonight’s SmackDown in Fort Worth. McIntyre’s feud with Fatu consumed months of SmackDown television, and with that rivalry now concluded, the question is where McIntyre goes next. A pivot toward the Undisputed WWE Championship picture — or a new rivalry entirely — could begin tonight.

Jacob Fatu’s next chapter — Fatu defeated Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania and challenged Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash during Raw After WrestleMania. While the Reigns-Fatu match is a Raw-branded feud, Fatu is a SmackDown superstar, meaning his appearances on Friday nights remain central to his character. Expect Fatu to address the Backlash challenge and his WrestleMania victory.

Tiffany Stratton and the Women’s United States Championship — Stratton won a number one contender’s match on the WrestleMania go-home SmackDown. With the post-WrestleMania period traditionally a time for new programs, Stratton’s challenge for the Women’s US title could be officially announced for Backlash tonight.

Solo Sikoa and MFT fallout — MFT won the street fight against The Wyatt Sicks on the go-home SmackDown, but the tension between Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga was the real story. With WrestleMania in the rear-view mirror, the internal MFT dynamics could come to a head in Fort Worth.

Damian Priest and R-Truth — WWE Tag Team Champions — The tag team champions retained before WrestleMania and now enter the Backlash build period. Potential challengers could emerge tonight.

Royce Keys follow-up — Keys won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and had a backstage encounter with Solo Sikoa before WrestleMania. The Fort Worth show is an opportunity to continue building the promising newcomer’s SmackDown profile.

What Time Does SmackDown Start Tonight?

For fans searching what time does WWE SmackDown start tonight, the SmackDown April 24 2026 episode from Fort Worth airs at 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT / 5:00 PM PT on USA Network in the United States. For those asking where is SmackDown tonight — the show takes place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. Doors open at 6:30 PM local time, with dark matches beginning before the live broadcast.

International viewers asking what time is Friday Night SmackDown tonight can find their local start time in the country-by-country breakdown below. In India, SmackDown starts tonight at 5:30 AM IST on Saturday, April 25. In the UK, the show begins at 1:00 AM BST on Saturday, April 25. In Pakistan, tune in at 5:00 AM PKT on Saturday morning.

Why Has The SmackDown April 24 2026 Match Card Not Been Officially Announced?

WWE has not officially announced any matches for SmackDown April 24 2026, and that is entirely normal for the first SmackDown after WrestleMania. The post-WrestleMania period operates differently from the rest of the WWE calendar. During the Road to WrestleMania, match cards are often confirmed days in advance because the storylines are already locked in and the creative team is building toward a known destination. After WrestleMania, the opposite is true — the slate has been wiped clean, new feuds are being established, and WWE deliberately keeps the card unannounced to preserve the element of surprise.

This is consistent with how WWE has handled post-WrestleMania SmackDowns in recent years. The first episode after the biggest event of the year is designed to feel unpredictable, with surprise appearances, roster shakeups, NXT call-ups, and new storylines launching without advance notice. Announcing the card early would undermine that sense of freshness.

WWE typically begins pre-announcing SmackDown matches again by the second or third week after WrestleMania, once the new feuds have been established and the Backlash card starts taking shape. For now, the storylines listed above — Rhea Ripley’s first SmackDown as Women’s Champion, the Orton-Rhodes fallout, and Trick Williams’ US Championship reign — are the confirmed directions based on WrestleMania outcomes and the Raw After WrestleMania. Specific matches will likely be confirmed by Thursday or on the day of the show itself.

This page will be updated as soon as WWE officially announces any matches for SmackDown April 24 2026.

WWE SmackDown April 24 2026 Start Time

In the United States, WWE SmackDown April 24 2026 airs live on USA Network in its regular Friday night time slot:

• 8:00 PM ET (Eastern Time)
• 7:00 PM CT (Central Time)
• 5:00 PM PT (Pacific Time)

SmackDown April 24 2026 Start Time by Country

For international viewers searching for the SmackDown April 24 2026 start time in their region, here is a complete breakdown:

WWE SmackDown April 24 2026 Location

WWE SmackDown April 24 2026 takes place at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas — the first SmackDown after WrestleMania 42.

Dickies Arena is a 14,000-seat multipurpose venue that opened in 2019 and has become a regular stop on WWE’s touring schedule. Located in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, the arena has hosted major events across WWE, UFC, PBR, and concert tours. Fort Worth is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, one of the largest media markets in the United States, and WWE consistently draws strong crowds in the region.

Venue: Dickies Arena Address: 1911 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, TX 76107 Doors Open: 6:30 PM local time

Tickets for WWE SmackDown April 24 2026 at Dickies Arena are available via Ticketmaster and AXS.

Where To Watch SmackDown April 24 2026

Fans searching for where to watch SmackDown April 24 2026 or what channel SmackDown is on tonight can follow these viewing options:

• United States: Airs live on USA Network and is available via cable providers, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and other streaming services that carry the channel.
• India: Available on Sony LIV and Sony Sports Network, airing early Saturday morning IST.
• Bangladesh: Available on Sony Sports Network.
• United Kingdom & Ireland: Streaming live and on demand via Netflix.
• Canada: Available on Netflix for live and replay viewing.
• Australia: Available on Netflix with local time zone adjustments.
• Middle East & UAE: Streaming on Netflix.
• Europe (selected markets): Netflix availability depending on region.
• Africa (Nigeria, South Africa): Available on SuperSport and Showmax.
• China: Available on iQIYI.
• Southeast Asia (Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia): Netflix or country-specific broadcast partners.

How To Watch SmackDown April 24 2026 In India

Indian fans searching for how to watch SmackDown April 24 2026 in India can tune in on Sony LIV (streaming) or Sony Sports Network (TV broadcast). The show airs at 5:30 AM IST on Saturday, April 25, making it an early morning watch. A replay is typically available on Sony LIV later in the day.

Key Storylines To Watch On SmackDown April 24 2026

Rhea Ripley Arrives As WWE Women’s Champion

The biggest addition to SmackDown’s roster heading into the Backlash era is Rhea Ripley. The Eradicator won the WWE Women’s Championship from Jade Cargill at WrestleMania 42 and has been confirmed as a SmackDown superstar. Her first appearance as champion in Fort Worth sets the tone for the entire women’s division on the blue brand. Cargill has already publicly stated she wants a second reign with the title, making a Backlash rematch the most likely immediate direction. But the post-WrestleMania period is also prime time for NXT call-ups — Jacy Jayne, a two-time NXT Women’s Champion, has been speculated as a potential debut opponent following the Sol Ruca blueprint from Raw After WrestleMania. Ripley’s WrestleMania ally IYO SKY is expected to remain a part of her storyline, with the Asuka-SKY rivalry scheduled for Backlash. How Ripley navigates the SmackDown women’s division — and whether Cargill, Stratton, Jayne, or someone else emerges as the next challenger — begins tonight.

Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton — The Rivalry That Won’t End

Randy Orton lost the match at WrestleMania but inflicted far more damage than the man who won. The Punt Kick left Rhodes with a genuine orbital injury, and Orton’s destruction of the McAfee partnership showed he is willing to burn every bridge to get the Undisputed WWE Championship. With Backlash two weeks away, tonight’s SmackDown in Fort Worth could see Orton demand a rematch or escalate the rivalry further. Rhodes’ physical condition will determine whether this remains a talking segment or turns physical.

Trick Williams — The New Face of the US Title

Trick Williams’ WrestleMania moment was one of the most emotional of the entire weekend. His celebration with his parents at ringside and the partnership with Lil Yachty gave his US Championship win a crossover appeal. The question for SmackDown April 24 2026 is who steps up first. Sami Zayn has a rematch clause. But the post-WrestleMania period is known for new challengers emerging — and with NXT call-ups and roster shakeups, the US Championship picture could look very different by the end of tonight’s show.

With the WWE SmackDown April 24 2026 match card set to grow as WWE confirms segments for the Fort Worth show, this first SmackDown after WrestleMania promises to reset every storyline on the blue brand and begin the road to Backlash on May 9 in Tampa, Florida.

This article will be updated as WWE confirms additional matches and segments for SmackDown April 24 2026. Bookmark this page for the latest lineup information.

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