The April 10 edition of WWE SmackDown is set to air from the SAP Center in San Jose, California. It will be the penultimate edition of the blue-branded show before WrestleMania 42 next weekend, and will continue the build for the premium live event.
The match card has been finalized for the most part, but some changes could still be made with two weeks to go for the biggest show of the year. Tonight’s edition of the blue-branded show will also feature the fallout from the infamous segment last week, where Pat McAfee was revealed as Randy Orton’s surprise caller. The reveal deflated a significant amount of fans’ investment in the feud for the Undisputed WWE Championship with Cody Rhodes.
Thanks for the submission!
However, things could take a dramatic turn tonight as the Road to WrestleMania 42 heats up. With that said, here is a full preview of what fans can expect on tonight’s edition of the Friday Night Show.
#5. Could the United States Championship match at WrestleMania 42 still become a Triple Threat?
Last week, Sami Zayn defeated Carmelo Hayes to retain the United States Championship. The veteran won the title from Hayes the week prior after answering his open challenge. Fans have largely been against the decision to include Zayn in the title picture, after Hayes’ strong run with the gold leading up to WrestleMania 42.
With two weeks still left for the show, there is still a chance that Hayes could be added to the card. Whether or not it takes place on tonight’s episode of SmackDown remains to be seen. There is a chance that WWE could push the inclusion till next week, which would only get the fans behind Carmelo Hayes even more. Alternatively, they could also pacify them by including the former champion tonight itself.
#4. Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes will be on the show
Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes have both been advertised for tonight’s edition of SmackDown. The Undisputed WWE Champion will address the brutal beatdown he suffered from Orton and Pat McAfee last week, and will likely have strong words for both of them tonight.
After being taken out once again, it seems likely that Rhodes will respond with actions and not just words, and he could do so by attacking his challenger tonight. While Orton has had the upper hand so far, he could finally be placed on the back foot if Rhodes decides to raise his intensity and take the fight to his upcoming opponent.
#3. Danhausen could address Kit Wilson’s WrestleMania challenge
Kit Wilson and The Miz have a Danhausen problem on SmackDown. The two have been cursed by the recently signed star and have had a tough time. The A-Lister has been dealing with numerous mishaps over the last few weeks and is visibly perplexed.
On the other hand, Wilson lost to Jelly Roll on an episode of SmackDown in March and clearly has issues with the former AEW star. For those unaware, he recently challenged Danhausen to a Handicap Match at WrestleMania 42 against himself and The Miz.
Danhausen hasn’t responded to the challenge just yet, but will likely do so on tonight’s episode of SmackDown. The Very Nice Very Evil star has yet to make his in-ring debut for WWE, and WrestleMania 42 could be the best possible place to do so after first appearing in the company at the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event.
#2. Royce Keys finally makes his SmackDown debut
After months of absence, Royce Keys will finally make his SmackDown debut tonight. The former AEW star made his first and only appearance in WWE at the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event. However, he has been mysteriously absent ever since and has only been working dark matches on SmackDown.
As now announced by the Stamford-based promotion, Keys will finally make his in-ring debut tonight on the show. However, there is no information about who he will be facing. Traditionally, powerhouses have faced jobbers in squash matches when they are first introduced. However, Keys could be Danhausen’s mystery partner against Kit Wilson and The Miz, or he could be making quick work of another member of the roster to establish his dominance.
#1. Pat McAfee has a surprise planned for WWE SmackDown; could it backfire?
Fans have been extremely vocal about their disapproval of Pat McAfee being inserted into the feud between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. McAfee recently claimed that he had a surprise for fans on the upcoming episode of WWE SmackDown.
However, instead of being the one calling the shots, the surprise could simply be him getting written off television after being attacked by Cody Rhodes. WWE has reportedly gone back to the drawing board to discuss its plans for the storyline, and it could potentially fix its mistake by having the reigning champion attack McAfee in the same way Orton has taken him out for the past couple of weeks.
Edited by Arsh Das
