Tag: SmackDown

News on WWE Releases of JC Mateo and Tonga Loa

More details have emerged regarding the WWE departures of JC Mateo and Tonga Loa following reports that both stars are no longer with the company.

According to PWInsider, the exits of Mateo and Loa are officially being handled as roster cuts and releases rather than mutual departures. The report also notes that, as of now, these are expected to be the only WWE roster exits scheduled for today.

Both men had recently been featured as part of Solo Sikoa’s MFT faction on WWE programming. JC Mateo joined WWE last year and quickly became involved in the group alongside Solo, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa. Meanwhile, Loa had returned to WWE in 2024 after previously competing for the company years earlier.

Mateo’s final WWE match came shortly after WrestleMania 42 on an episode of Friday Night SmackDown. Teaming with Tama Tonga, he challenged Damian Priest and R-Truth for the WWE Tag Team Championships but came up short in the title match.

Tonga Loa last competed on the RAW episode leading into WrestleMania 42, where he teamed with Mateo and Solo Sikoa in tag team action.

The two stars also made what now appears to be their final WWE television appearance on the April 24 edition of SmackDown. During the segment, Jacob Fatu attacked both Mateo and Loa after defeating Solo Sikoa, further escalating tensions within the MFT storyline.

There is currently no word on what is next for either performer following their WWE departures.

WWE SmackDown Preview 5/1/2026

WWE SmackDown live tonight on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix international from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will open the show
  • Ricky Saints main roster debut
  • Jayce Jayne vs. Charlotte Flair

WWE SmackDown Expected To Revert Back To Two-Hour Format Again

WWE may be hitting the reset button on Friday Night SmackDown sooner rather than later.

After kicking off 2026 with an expanded three-hour format, new reports suggest the blue brand won’t be sticking with the longer runtime for much longer. According to Bodyslam+, WWE is planning to scale SmackDown back down to its traditional two-hour format within the next few weeks.

The shift would mark yet another adjustment in what has become a bit of a recurring experiment for the company. Earlier this year, there were already rumblings that WWE could follow a similar pattern to 2025—using the first few months of the year to run three-hour episodes before eventually trimming things back. Last year, that transition didn’t happen until July, but this time around, the change could come significantly earlier.

The original move to three hours was reportedly designed to strengthen network programming by providing a longer lead-in for other shows. However, the extended format hasn’t exactly been a hit across the board. Some within the wrestling world, including WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray, have been vocal about their belief that three hours is simply too long for a weekly wrestling show to maintain consistent quality.

For comparison, WWE Raw—now airing on Netflix Monday nights—clocks in at around two and a half hours including commercials, offering a slightly shorter but still substantial viewing experience.

If the reports hold true, SmackDown returning to two hours could be welcome news for fans who prefer a tighter, more focused weekly show.

NXT Trio Fatal Influence Called Up To SmackDown, Made A Huge Statement To The Roster

Friday night’s episode of WWE SmackDown turned into a statement show for one of NXT’s most talked-about factions, as Fatal Influence officially arrived—and they didn’t come quietly.

While much of the buzz heading into the night centered around Paige’s long-awaited return to the blue brand after more than eight years, the spotlight quickly shifted once the chaos began during a high-profile women’s tag team match. Paige teamed up with WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Brie Bella to take on Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, but the match never reached a proper conclusion.

Jacy Jayne—making her own presence felt in a big way—stormed the scene and yanked Paige off the apron just as a tag was about to be made. From there, things unraveled fast. Jayne sent Paige crashing into the steel steps, while the rest of Fatal Influence—Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid—hit the ring and dismantled both Flair and Bliss. The trio stood tall over all four women before heading up the ramp, making it clear with both their actions and words that SmackDown was now their territory.

The group wasn’t finished for the night, either. Later in the show, Fatal Influence crossed paths with WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, setting up an impromptu showdown between Ripley and Jayne. The match ended in another disqualification after Henley and Reid once again got involved, but the numbers game allowed Jayne to get the last laugh by dropping Ripley with her Rolling Encore finisher.

Jayne’s move to the main roster had been heavily speculated in the days following WrestleMania 42, especially after what looked like a farewell moment at the WWE Performance Center on NXT programming. What wasn’t clear at the time was whether Henley and Reid would be making the jump alongside her—but after Friday night, that question has been answered.

With a dominant debut and immediate impact on SmackDown’s top stars, Fatal Influence has officially entered the mix—and if their first night is any indication, the women’s division just got a lot more unpredictable.

WWE SmackDown Preview 4/24/2026

WWE SmackDown live tonight at 8pm ET on USA Network and Netflix internationally from the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

  • Fallout from WrestleMania 42
  • New Women’s WWE Tag Team Champion Paige returns to SmackDown
  • Call ups from NXT are expected
  • New WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley expected to appear
  • New Men’s United States Champion Trick Williams expected to appear

WWE Reportedly Eyeing SmackDown Changes, Possible Roster Moves in the Works

WWE could be gearing up to make some subtle adjustments to Friday Night SmackDown, though fans shouldn’t expect a complete makeover.

According to recent reports, there have been internal discussions about freshening up the overall presentation of the blue brand. That said, the core look and feel of SmackDown is expected to stay the same. There are currently no plans to swap out the show’s theme music, redesign the stage, or introduce a new logo — suggesting this would be more of a light refresh than a full-scale reboot.

Alongside those production tweaks, there’s also talk of potential roster movement.

One name reportedly being discussed is Jacy Jayne. The former NXT standout recently competed at NXT: Revenge, where she came up short before delivering an emotional address to the crowd — the kind of sendoff that often signals a transition to the main roster. While nothing has been confirmed, the timing has certainly raised eyebrows.

Another interesting name linked to SmackDown is Rey Mysterio. The WWE Hall of Famer has primarily been featured on Raw in recent months, but he’s remained active across multiple promotions, including appearances in AAA. A move to SmackDown could help freshen up matchups and storylines, especially given his veteran presence and continued popularity.

As of now, there’s no official word on when — or even if — these changes will take place. Still, the idea of minor adjustments combined with a few roster shakeups could be WWE’s way of keeping SmackDown feeling fresh without straying too far from what’s already working.

WWE Reportedly Scaled Back Pat McAfee Angle Following Fan Backlash

With WrestleMania now in the rearview, attention has quickly shifted to the fallout from WWE’s biggest event of the year—and it looks like Pat McAfee may be one of the first major pivots coming out of the weekend.

Leading up to WrestleMania, the reveal that McAfee was the mystery person Randy Orton had been referencing didn’t exactly land the way WWE may have hoped. Instead of excitement, many fans were left scratching their heads. That confusion only grew after McAfee delivered a pair of promos that were widely criticized, including comments that seemed to take aim at the product itself.

Fan reaction turned negative in a hurry, and according to Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer, that response may have forced WWE to rethink its plans in real time. While McAfee was generating buzz, it reportedly wasn’t the kind of heat the company was aiming for. Meltzer noted that WWE ultimately “backed off” the storyline, suggesting that whatever direction was originally planned got scrapped once it became clear the audience wasn’t buying in.

There had been talk of a tag team match at Backlash featuring Cody Rhodes and celebrity guest Jelly Roll teaming up against Orton and McAfee. However, Meltzer indicated there were no clear signs at WrestleMania that such a match was still on track, reinforcing the idea that the company pulled back on the angle altogether.

Despite the pivot, McAfee’s involvement did bring extra attention to WrestleMania, which may have been part of WWE’s initial goal. Still, the situation highlights how quickly plans can change when fan reaction doesn’t align with expectations.

Injury concerns may have also played a role in the shifting landscape. Orton was reportedly dealing with some level of physical issues heading into the event, though the severity remains unclear. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes appeared worse for wear after his match, with noticeable swelling around his eye. That injury has already impacted his schedule, as a planned fan appearance was canceled, and his in-ring status moving forward is uncertain.

All in all, WrestleMania’s aftermath is already proving to be unpredictable, with WWE seemingly adjusting on the fly—starting with the sudden cooling of the McAfee storyline.

WWE SmackDown Preview 4/17/2026

WWE SmackDown live tonight at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT on the USA Network in the United States and Netflix for international fans from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

  • Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
  • WWE Women’s United States Championship Match: Giulia (c) vs. Tiffany Stratton
  • Street Fight: The Wyatt Sicks vs. MFT
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has a message for Randy Orton one night before WrestleMania
  • How will Jacob Fatu respond to Drew McIntyre’s brutal attack last week on SmackDown as The Samoan Werewolf prepares to battle The Scottish Psychopath in an Unsanctioned Match at WrestleMania.

WWE SmackDown Preview 4/10/2026

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.

Backstage Reaction Mixed to Pat McAfee’s Role in Rhodes vs. Orton Storyline

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.