WWE SmackDown on April 24 took place in Fort Worth, and featured a singles match between Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa.
The first SmackDown after WrestleMania 42 saw some new faces called up, such as Fatal Influence, and teasers for others to come, like Blake Monroe and Ricky Saints. We saw Danhausen haunt The Miz at his own home, and then pull off another pyro curse to beat him in a singles match. Cody Rhodes sent a veiled message to TKO, saying they’re 0-3 in trying to ruin his Mania plans. Brie Bella and Paige’s first match as tag champs was against Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, but was ruined quickly by Fatal Influence.
This show came after the announcement of multiple talent releases, which included a few surprises.
The first match of the night produced a more significant result in the ring than anything on the Raw after Mania. Tiffany Stratton challenged Giulia for the women’s United States Championship and was successful.
Stratton was dominated for most of the match. Giulia hit a nasty neckbreaker from the ring apron to the floor, and continued to pour on the offense from there. However, when it came time for Giulia to go for her finisher, Stratton reversed it with an Alabama slam and hit a Prettiest Moonsault Ever to score the pin.
#ANDNEW WOMEN'S UNITED STATES CHAMPION!!! 😤@tiffstrattonwwe pic.twitter.com/Vj2WuRmfPA
It always felt like a matter of time before WWE put the US title on Stratton, and here we are, immediately after Mania. We’ll see if Stratton gets better booking this time around, as creative has seemingly struggled with booking its women’s champions as of late.
It seemed as if title changes could be the theme of this week's show, as a reset of sorts after Mania. However, R-Truth and Damian Priest weren't ready to give up their tag titles just yet.
Even though the MFTs had the numbers game and the renewed focus of capturing gold for the family, Tama Tonga and JC Mateo couldn't get the job done. Truth channeled his inner Ron Cena, Priest brought his power moves, and overcame outside interference from Tonga Loa. They hit their Rise Up double team move to retain the titles.
ALL RISE!! 🤘@ArcherOfInfamy and @RonKillings RETAIN the Tag Team Titles! pic.twitter.com/oLRyHmiBuS
This really seemed like a spot where the MFTs would get the gold back, especially since the Wyatt Sicks were released from the company. We'll see what comes next for both groups.
It was time for Trick Williams to celebrate his United States Championship win, and he brought Lil Yachty and the gingerbread man mascot along with him into the ring decked out with ballons and booze.
There were a couple of announcements here: Lil Yachty said he would essentially be Williams' hype man going forward, making regular appearances, and Williams shut the door on the US Title Open Challenge. Both are interesting for different reasons, but losing the Open Challenge, which was the best in-ring action every week on SmackDown, is a letdown.
A celebration fit for a CHAMP!! 😎@_trickwilliams | @lilyachty pic.twitter.com/aS80y1WZNh
After all the mic work was done and the pyro celebration was on, the gingerbread man attacked, revealing it was Sami Zayn in the costume the whole time.
THE GINGERBREAD MAN 😱@samizayn sneak attacks Trick Williams and Lil Yachty! pic.twitter.com/fp1SpQhCIF
Zayn then looked confused about the boos, but embraced those cheering him on, too. All in all, this segment was fantastic.
The trio of Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid made their arrival on SmackDown very memorable. First, the group attacked during the Paige-Bella vs. Bliss-Flair tag match, causing an early disqualification. The fans didn't like that, but they ate it up.
FATAL INFLUENCE?!?! @jacyjaynewwe, @lainey_wwe and @FallonHenleyWWE just RUINED this Tag Match!! pic.twitter.com/cRpOVHQh1R
Later in the show, Rhea Ripley got on the mic and issued an open challenge of her own to anyone willing to "step to Mami." Who answered? None other than Jayne with her backup. The heat they got was incredible. The boos drowned out anything she tried to say on the mic. This was worse than Dominick Mysterio during his early Judgment Day run. Worse than Logan Paul ever got. It was incredible.