WWE SmackDown April 18 Results, Winners, Grades, and Analysis 

WWE has entered Las Vegas, the ultimate destination for WrestleMania 41. The go-home home show of SmackDown took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. John Cena and Cody Rhodes met for the last time before their main event match on Night Two of WrestleMania 41. WWE presented the traditional Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Motor City Machine Guns challenged The Street Profits for WWE Tag Team Championships. Let’s discuss in detail the WWE SmackDown April 18 Results.  

Seth Rollins on SmackDown! 

The show opened with Seth Rollins as he made his entrance to the ring. The fans chanted and Rollins sat cross-legged in the ring. He talked about CM Punk and claimed that Punk didn’t come back to wrestling because of the fans, he came back because of a fat price check. Seth also mentioned that Punk didn’t come back to WWE initially. Later, he came to a WWE ring still for money, not the fans. Rollins called Punk a liar and a coward. 

The Visionary then targeted his former Shield brother Roman Reigns. He said that Reigns knows nothing about sacrifice and cares about himself only. He was Roman’s shield and then he himself brought his empire down last year at WrestleMania. Rollins said that he’d make any sacrifices at WrestleMania 41 to ensure that WWE moves in the right direction. He ended the promo by saying “That’s not a prediction, that’s a spoiler”. 

Grades: B+ 

Analysis: It was a solid segment to kick off WWE SmackDown. Seth Rollins did good work in exposing his WrestleMania opponents in a short time. Also, there were signs of him maybe turning heel. He might be the one to walk out of WrestleMania 41 Saturday with a win alongside Paul Heyman. You can check out WWE WrestleMania 41 Saturday Predictions.  

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal 

The first action-packed match of the night was Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Some big names in there were The Miz, Andrade, Carmelo Hayes, Shinsuke Nakamura, Rey Fenix, Austin Theory, and Chad Gable. R-Truth ate Carlito’s apple before eliminating him in a hilarious moment. Cutting the chase short, we got Andrade, Shinsuke Nakamura, Carmelo Hayes, and Rey Fenix as the final four. Andrade eliminated Nakamura with a dropkick.  

Rey Fenix walked on the top rope for Goodbye Amigos Kick but was eliminated when El Grande Americano tripped him. Remember, Fenix eliminated Chad Gable earlier in the match. Hayes and Andrade were the final two. Carmelo eliminated Andrade and became the winner.  

Winner: Carmelo Hayes 

Grades: B 

Analysis: It was a fun battle royal. WWE has reduced its significance by not rewarding the winner and doing it on a stage other than WrestleMania for the past few years. This year’s winner Carmelo Hayes can use it effectively, at least to boast in the coming weeks. Other than that, Rey Fenix can be a little part of WrestleMania 41 as an interference in the Rey Mysterio vs El Grande Americano match.  

Triple Threat Madness 

Rhea Ripley came to the ring and talked about how she lost the Women’s World Championship to Iyo Sky because of Bianca Belair’s distraction on the Raw March 03 episode. However, she insisted the getting back her title at WrestleMania instead of crying over the past. Iyo Sky made her entrance quickly followed by Bianca Belair’s entrance. The EST promised to walk out of WrestleMania as champion.  

Naomi came out and wanted to talk to Bianca. She said that Belair had been ignoring her texts. Belair didn’t want to speak to the matter right now. Jade Cargill walked down to the ring and Naomi hid behind Belair. Naomi left the ring and attacked Jade from behind. This initiated a brawl with everyone involved. In the end, Iyo Sky laid out everyone with an Over The Moonsault.  

Grades: B+ 

Analysis: WWE has done a commendable job in the triple threat feud and the Jade Cargill/Naomi feud. There is real hype surrounding these bouts on the Grandest Stage of Them All. It looked good story-wise that WWE focused on detailing how Belair should have interacted with Naomi while she was on the blue brand. 

The Street Profits (c) vs Motor City Machine Guns – WWE Tag Team Championships 

Motor City Machine Guns attacked the Street Profits during the entrance. The bell rang and the Machine Guns double-teamed Ford for a quick two-count. Ford bounced back with clotheslines and Dawkins hit a clothesline of his own. Ford and Dawkins caught Sabin and delivered a Doomsday Blockbuster. Shelley interfered to prevent the three-count. Later, Chris Sabin landed a hurricanrana and a missile dropkick to Montez. 

At ringside, Montez took out everyone with a flying senton. DIY interfered causing the match to end. Gargano and Ciampa grabbed the tag titles and walked away. Backstage, the three teams argued. Nick Aldis had a solution, and he set up a TLC match next week on SmackDown between DIY, Street Profits, and Motor City Machine Guns for the WWE Tag Team Championships. 

Result: No contest. 

Grades: C 

Analysis: WWE’s tag team division has been boring in the last few months. These two or three teams have battled repeatedly on a weekly basis. However, we do think that the TLC match should have been on WrestleMania 41 card. These teams have the potential to deliver a banger TLC match.  

Randy Orton’s WrestleMania Status 

Randy Orton came out and said that he has no opponent as Kevin Owens’ injury pulled him out of WrestleMania. The Viper said that it is an important time for him as he’ll be competing in his 20th WrestleMania. He wants to do it for the fans and his family. Orton issued an open challenge. He said that he’d be on WrestleMania 41 Sunday with his gear on and ready to go. He said that he wants someone to step up but anyone who does will suffer RKO.  

Grades: B+ 

Analysis: Wow! Things are interesting for Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41 Sunday card. It looks like Nick Aldis won’t be his opponent on the Grandest Stage of Them All. It will likely be one of the rumored names like Aleister Black or Rusev.  

Chelsea Green vs Zelina Vega – Non-Title Match 

Chelsea’s US Title wasn’t on the line in this one-on-one match. Aldis banned Green’s faction the Secret Hervice from ringside. In the match, Green slammed Vega to the mat but Zelina replied quickly with a face kick. At ringside, Vega sent Green into the timekeeper’s area. Both women somehow arrived back in the ring before the referee ten-count. In the end, Vega landed a Super Code Red from the second rope for the victory. 

Winner: Zelina Vega 

Grades: C- 

Analysis: It was a short match. The women’s mid-card titles are looking unnecessary currently. Even Chelsea Green has lost the charm after winning the title. Her segments were entertaining before all this.  

LA Knight vs Solo Sikoa 

LA Knight told Fatu that he’ll keep his US Title and that Fatu has seen nothing like Knight. He said that he attacked Tama Tonga backstage which was confirmed by commentators who said that Tonga is in a local medical facility. Knight said that it’s time for Solo now and he’ll sideline The Bloodline from his WrestleMania 41 match. Solo made his entrance, and the fight began at ringside. Sikoa slammed Knight into the ring post.  

Knight delivered a neckbreaker and a clothesline. A DDT by the US Champion and he climbed to the ropes. Jacob Fatu tripped him, and the match ended in disqualification. Braun Strowman came to Knight’s aid and landed a crossbody on Fatu and Sikoa. Knight sent Fatu to the outside with a clothesline. Nick Aldis came out and made a tag team match right there.  

LA Knight and Braun Strowman vs Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa 

After the break, we joined the match in progress and Strowman laid out Fatu with Strowman Express. Jacob replied with a superkick and a DDT for a two-count. Braun fought back and hit a side slam. Solo and Knight tagged in, and the US Champion delivered a Russian leg sweep. Knight followed it up with a powerslam. On the outside, Strowman laid out Fatu with the Express followed by a baseball slide from Knight. Back in the ring, it was Solo who suffered a BFT for a three-count.  

Winners: LA Knight and Braun Strowman 

Grades: B- 

Analysis: It was a fun match. It was there to hype the US Title Match between LA Knight and Jacob Fatu at WrestleMania 41. It is bad to see Solo Sikoa getting treated like this after a good 2024 and a great start to 2025 as Roman Reigns’ opponent on WWE RAW’s debut episode on Netflix.  

Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and Rey Fenix vs The American Made 

Fenix started off with a hurricanrana on Brutus. Dragon Lee tagged in and landed face kicks and a hurricanrana of his own. Lee landed a senton on Julius to the outside followed by a flying crossbody inside for a near fall. Gable entered and delivered a German suplex to Lee. All three members of The American Made hit flying headbutts on Dragon. In the ending sequence, Fenix landed a Goodbye Amigo Kick onto Julius. Lee hit the Operation Dragon followed by Fenix’s meteora for the win.  

Winner: Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and Rey Fenix 

Grades: B 

Analysis: It was a fun match with Lee and Fenix’s athleticism on full display. Rey Mysterio remained off the camera and was constantly checked by the doctors at ringside. We hope he’s okay or his match with El Grande Americano at WrestleMania 41 will be in jeopardy.  

John Cena and Cody Rhodes exchanged words before WrestleMania 41 

Cody Rhodes made his entrance and the fans sang, “Cody, Cody Rhodes”. Before he could speak, John Cena’s music hit, and he came to the ring. Cena straight told Cody to shut his mouth and called him a kid. John said that it’d be his 20th WrestleMania and 12th title match at the Grandest Stage of Them All. Also, it’d be his last WrestleMania, and he would end his career like no one else got to do. Cena said that Cody can’t prepare himself to face a man who’s going to die.  

Cena also targeted the fans who claim that there’s nothing like a wrestling retirement. He said that the wrestlers who come back after retiring are the ones who want the attention and the limelight as they live a pathetic life. On the other hand, Cena has love and worth in his life and he has no need of the fans. Cena reminded Cody that he told him last year that this title gets heavier every day and at WrestleMania, it’d be too heavy for Cody.  

Cena said that the winners write the history, not the fans. He claimed that either you can win, or you can care about the fans. John said that Cody is too weak to understand that fans don’t matter. Cena said that Cody does everything, wearing suits, and tattoos to be somebody. But he doesn’t have the balls of the last real champion. He’s not the captain or quarterback of this company; he’s just a kid.  

Cody started to speak and the fans booed. He called Cena overrated and out of touch. The American Nightmare brought Cena’s naked awards show appearance and said that John Cena still can’t wrestle. The fans chanted you can’t wrestle, and Cena called them idiots. Cena tried to attack Cody but suffered a Cross Rhodes off the hands of the Undisputed WWE Champion. Rhodes raised the title as SmackDown went off the air.  

Grades: A+ 

Analysis: Another premium promo segment in the history books. John Cena was at his best in there, but Cody got the last laugh. Interestingly, the fans booed Cody for a while. We are all pumped up this match. Will Cody Rhodes retain his title, or John Cena get his hands on the 17th World Title, we’ll find out in the main event of WrestleMania 41 Sunday. 

Overall, SmackDown’s go-gome edition was fun. Cena and Cody’s segment stole the show and created the last bit of hype for WWE WrestleMania 41. What are your thoughts on WWE SmackDown April 18 Results?