WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans, emanating from the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
How will Cody Rhodes respond to the assault by Randy Orton and Pat McAfee?
Drew McIntyre promises to expose the real Jacob Fatu
Sami Zayn is out for payback on Trick Williams
Royce Keys makes his SmackDown debut
Randy Orton is gonna save the business for future generations of wrestling fans. That’s so incredible to think about.. Very rarely do these types of obviously monumental moments happen in our lifetime.
My daughter and baby boy on the way are gonna have a WWE that is thriving.. a… pic.twitter.com/B3XpvhMZFx
There’s some encouraging news coming out of WWE regarding Liv Morgan and Roxanne Perez after their scary-looking backstage incident on this week’s episode of Raw.
The moment in question saw Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer launch a surprise attack on Morgan, blindsiding her and inadvertently sending her crashing into Perez during a backstage segment. The spot looked rough, and Morgan later shared a photo on social media showing a noticeable welt on her head, which only added to the concern among fans.
Initial reports indicated that both Morgan and Perez were placed in concussion protocol following the segment. However, the latest update suggests the situation isn’t as serious as first feared.
According to WrestleVotes Radio via Fightful Select, there’s growing optimism within WWE that both Morgan and Perez will be medically cleared in time for WrestleMania 42, set for April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. That’s a key development, especially with Morgan currently slated for a major title opportunity.
The report also notes that Vaquer has not picked up any backstage heat over the incident, which suggests officials view it as an unfortunate in-ring (or in-segment) mishap rather than negligence.
As it stands, Perez isn’t advertised for a WrestleMania match, though her return to Raw is still fresh after undergoing surgery to remove a benign mass from her back earlier this year. Morgan, on the other hand, has a huge opportunity ahead of her, having won the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble to earn a shot at Vaquer’s Women’s World Championship.
If Morgan is able to compete and capture the title at “The Grandest Stage of Them All,” it would mark her third world championship reign in WWE.
For now, all eyes are on WWE’s medical team as they monitor both stars heading into one of the biggest weekends of the year.
Former WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio, also known as Alberto El Patron, is currently being held in custody following his recent arrest on domestic violence charges in Mexico.
According to reports, Rodriguez—whose real name is Alberto Rodriguez—appeared before a judge on Thursday in La Pila, where he remains detained. The hearing was conducted behind closed doors, reportedly to protect the privacy and well-being of his children. His wife, Mary Carmen Rodriguez Lucero, was in attendance as the judge ruled that Rodriguez will stay in preventive detention while the legal process moves forward.
La audiencia de este día del Patrón ante un juez de control fue a puerta cerrada, para cuidar sobre todo la integridad de sus hijos, el juez determinó que el Patrón permanezca en prisión preventiva y fue puesto a disposición de la Fiscalía General del Estado de San Luis Potosí
The arrest stems from an incident earlier this week in which Rodriguez is accused of both verbal and physical abuse. Authorities were alerted after his wife contacted emergency services, and responding officers from the State Civil Guard reportedly arrived while the situation was still unfolding. Officials stated that visible injuries were found on Lucero’s arms and face, leading to Rodriguez being taken into custody at the scene.
The case is now being handled by the Attorney General’s Office of San Luis Potosí, with prosecutors continuing to gather evidence. It has also been assigned to a specialized unit that focuses on crimes involving women, family violence, and sexual offenses. Under local law, the charges Rodriguez faces could carry significant prison time, depending on how the case is ultimately classified.
This is not the first time Rodriguez has faced serious legal trouble. Back in 2020, he was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, on charges of sexual and aggravated assault. That case stretched into late 2021 before ultimately being dismissed when the accuser did not appear in court.
In addition to his legal issues, Rodriguez’s wrestling career has seen its share of turbulence in recent years. He parted ways with AAA after being suspended following an incident involving fans in Tijuana.
As the situation develops, more details are expected to emerge regarding both the case and Rodriguez’s future in the wrestling industry.
According to Mexican reporter Gabriel Cuevas, “And now this story is coming to light—that El Patrón, apparently—and I repeat this—yesterday intended to kill Marie Carmen.”
AEW has been dealt a tough blow as TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher is officially stepping away from the title due to injury.
Tony Khan broke the news during his pre-show livestream ahead of AEW Dynamite on X, revealing that Fletcher is dealing with a meniscus injury along with other physical setbacks. According to Khan, the damage is significant enough to keep “The Protostar” sidelined for several months, with an in-ring return now expected sometime in 2026.
Khan didn’t hold back when addressing Fletcher’s run, praising him as one of the greatest TNT Champions in AEW history. Still, with recovery now the priority, Fletcher has no choice but to vacate the championship.
With the title now up for grabs, AEW is wasting no time in reshaping the picture. A Casino Gauntlet Match has been announced for this Sunday’s AEW Dynasty pay-per-view in Vancouver, where a new TNT Champion will be crowned.
Momentum heading into that match is already shifting. On Dynamite, former TNT Champion Tommaso Ciampa picked up a key victory over Mascara Dorada, earning the coveted number one entry spot in the Gauntlet. That advantage could prove crucial in what’s expected to be a chaotic and high-stakes contest.
While Fletcher’s absence leaves a major void in the division, Dynasty now has even higher stakes as AEW prepares to usher in a new TNT Champion under unpredictable circumstances.
AEW is adding a unique twist to its Collision lineup next month with the announcement of a themed special titled “Fairway To Hell.”
The company confirmed that AEW Collision: Fairway To Hell will take place live on Saturday, May 9 from the SoFi Center in West Palm Beach, Florida. The venue itself is a notable choice, described as a high-tech indoor golf facility—hinting that AEW is going all-in on the golf-inspired concept.
According to the official announcement, early access premium seating will be available shortly, with general ticket sales opening on April 13. Fans can also register through AEW’s ticketing site for presale opportunities.
The “Fairway To Hell” branding has actually been in the works for some time. AEW filed to trademark the name back in June 2024, and Tony Khan later spoke about the idea as part of a larger concept. At the time, Khan pitched a charity golf event—potentially titled “Fairway to Heaven”—featuring wrestlers, athletes, and celebrities, followed by a themed episode of Dynamite or Collision under the “Fairway to Hell” banner.
It looks like that vision is now becoming reality. Reports indicate that AEW plans to incorporate golfers and social media influencers into the event, blending wrestling with a crossover sports-entertainment feel.
With Collision continuing to experiment with themed shows, Fairway To Hell could end up being one of the more unique presentations AEW has produced—especially given the unconventional setting. Fans will be watching closely to see how the company mixes in-ring action with the golf-themed atmosphere.
As reported by the @MiamiHerald, AEW is heading to West Palm Beach in Florida for #AEWCollision: Fairway to Hell LIVE from the SoFi Center on Saturday, May 9!
Early Access Premium Seating starts tomorrow; tickets on sale 4/13. Sign up to be an AEW Insider for presale access and… pic.twitter.com/3VFJzkZrto
Pat McAfee’s involvement in the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton feud heading into WrestleMania 42 is reportedly causing some quiet tension behind the scenes.
According to PWInsider, several WWE talents feel the rivalry between Rhodes and Orton already had more than enough built-in history, making McAfee’s addition feel unnecessary. The two have a deeply rooted storyline dating back years, and some within the locker room reportedly believe the match didn’t need an extra element to elevate it.
There’s also said to be some confusion over how the decision came together. Previous reports indicate McAfee’s role was pushed by higher-ups within TKO Group Holdings, rather than coming directly from WWE’s creative team led by Triple H. That distinction has only added to the perception that the storyline shift wasn’t entirely organic.
McAfee’s recent SmackDown appearance—where he delivered an unscripted promo tied into the feud—reportedly drew a mixed response backstage. While some appreciated the energy he brings, others weren’t sold on how the segment meshed with the ongoing WrestleMania build.
Another layer to the situation is the pressure it may be putting on Cody Rhodes. While there’s no indication Rhodes himself has spoken out, there is said to be some sympathy internally, with the belief that the added spotlight and expectations could complicate an already high-profile match.
As it stands, Rhodes vs. Orton is locked in for Night 1 of WrestleMania 42. Whether McAfee’s involvement ultimately enhances the story or proves to be a distraction remains to be seen, but it’s clearly a talking point within WWE as the biggest show of the year approaches.
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