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4/3 WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT: THE LANTERN IS SAFE, RANDY COMES HOME, WHO WAS HE TALKING TO? . . . COULD THERE BE ANOTHER PERSON ON THE LINE?, TAG TITLE MATCH, AND GUESTS

By Richard Trionfo on 2026-04-03 22:00:00

Your announcers are Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett.

We take a look back at what happened at the start of Raw with Cody and Stephanie.

Randy Orton's music plays and he makes his way to the ring.

Randy asks St. Louis what do they want to talk about.  He says it is no secret it is his home town.  He says he still calls St. Louis home.  The next time you see him in this arena, he will have number fifteen firmly planted around his waist.  Make no mistake about it, he is not doing this for each and every one of you.  Randy says he is doing this for him.  He is doing this for his family and his real home that isn't St. Louis.  It is the six people in the front row who he is doing it for.  At Wrestlemania, he is going to walk out of Vegas with the title around his waist.  He might have it slung over his shoulder.  Cody Rhodes, no matter how he leaves Vegas, he is going home empty handed.  

Cody gave him his blessing and the green light.  Cody said he could be the Viper and do what he had to do.  Cody said he could listen to the voices.  Randy says he saw the voices talking to you on Monday.  Stephanie was right when she said you cannot beat him.  The voices are saying the same thing.  You are not a killer.  What you have awoken inside of him, there is no putting back to bed.

Cody Rhodes' music plays and he makes his way to the ring.

Cody and Randy throw punches and Cody with the advantage as he backs Randy into the corner.  Cody kicks and punches Randy again.

Pat McAfee comes into the ring and he kicks Cody in the ding ding.

Pat and Randy exchange glances and then Pat kicks Cody as Randy goes to the floor to get a chair.

Pat takes the mic from Randy and Randy hits Cody in the ribs with the mic.

Pat says the Rams left town, the Blues won't make the playoffs, the Blues are ass.  Randy said this isn't his home any more.  This isn't a good night for St. Louis.

Randy hits Cody with the chair.

Pat says you might ask why is he here.  About a month ago, he was doing a Q&A and he was asked when would he return to the WWE.  He said he thought the business passed him by.  He said the business he loved was absolute s***.  Randy called him and said it didn't pass him by and went in a direction that they didn't like.   Pat asks why do we have to see two 5 foot 5 guys do a 45 minute iron man match for ten weeks when Randy is there.  Why does he have to watch people in gorilla when Randy is around.  Why are tickets still available for Wrestlemania when Randy is around.  Smackdown, coming off its worst ratings has a champion that is a puppet . . . 

Pat tells Randy to kick Cody's ass.

Pat says he was the one on the phone telling Randy he had to kill everything.  Not just for the 15th world title.  The business you are leading is terrible and Randy is going to save the f***ing business.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Pat says Mission Accomplished.

Pat and Randy drive away.

Match Number One:  Rhea Ripley versus Michin

Rhea with punches and a thrust kick.  Rhea with punches in the corner followed by forearms and shoulders.  Rhea with a hard Irish whip and a shoulder into the corner.  Rhea with a fallaway slam.  

Rhea stops her assault as Jade starts her way down the aisle to the ring.  

Rhea with a fallaway slam and Jade gets closer to the ring.  Michin with a German suplex and punches to Rhea. Michin with a forearm and kicks.  Rhea with punches and forearms.  Michin with a clothesine and she gets a near fall.  Michin sends Rhea to the floor and B Fab with a forearm while Michin talks to the referee.  Jade stands over Rhea on the floor.  Michin goes to the floor and sends Rhea back into the ring and Michin gets a near fall.  Michin with a bow and arrow but Rhea escapes.  Michin with a kick and she sends Rhea into the turnbuckles and chokes her.  Michin with a chop in the corner.  Michin with an Irish whip but she misses a boot.  Rhea with a rollup for a near fall.

Michin with a shoulder tackle for a near fall.  Michin chokes Rhea in the ropes and chops her in the back.  Rhea with a back heel kick.  Rhea with a chop and Michin with forearms.  Rhea with a forearm but Michin with a drop kick for a near fall.  Michin with kicks to the chest and back.  Michin with a guillotine.  Rhea is able to turn it into a suplex.  Rhea and Michin exchange punches.  Rhea with short arm clotheslines and a back heel kick and a face plant.  Rhea with a drop kick to the head.  Rhea goes for a slam but Michin escapes.  Rhea with head butts to Michin and she hits a Razor's Edge and a running knee for a near fall.

Rhea goes for RipTide and Michin escapes and sends Rhea to the mat.  Michin with a round kick.  Michin misses a cannonball and Rhea with a round kick and she gets Michin on her shoulders.  Michin with a poisonrana and Eat Defeat for a near fall.  Michin argues with the referee.  Michin with a power bomb and she sets for a sescond one but Rhea with a back body drop and she goes for the Prism Lock and Michin taps out.

Winner:  Rhea Ripley

After the match, Rhea does not release the hold and B Fab attacks.  Rhea takes care of Fab.  Jade gets on the apron and Michin attacks Rhea from behind.  Fab holds Rhea and Jade with a back fist.

Iyo Sky's music plays and she makes her way to the ring.  Iyo with a shotei to Michin and she sends Fab's foot into Michin.  Rhea and Iyo with stereo drop kicks.  Iyo HAS EARS.

Matt Cardona says he is good to go and Aleister Black and Zelina Vega show up and they tell Matt he should have listened.  Randy went back to the old Randy.

Matt says if you want to take credit for what Randy did, go ahead, but he went to Aldis for a match tonight.

Black says Cardona likes to make bad decisions.

Solo Sikoa asks how could he be challenged for the lantern.  He is not letting it out of his sight.  Who steps up.

Tama asks why are they fighting for this lantern.

Solo wants to know what Tama said.

Tama says that lantern has been nothing but problems for them, especially Solo.

Solo tells Tama to fight for it.  

Tama says he will handle it and he is going out alone.

Solo tells Tama not to mess this up.

We go to commercial.

Iyo and Rhea are in the back and they are happy to see each other.

Cathy asks Rhea if Iyo is a proactive way to even the odds at Wrestlemania.

Rhea says Jade can't do it on her own.  Rhea says Jade didn't know she had a back up plan.  Jade has followers while Rhea has friends.

Iyo says she will always have Rhea's back.

Match Number Two:  Uncle Howdy versus Tama Tonga in a Tangentially Related Lantern Possessory Ownership Match (or maybe not)

Tama misses a clothesline and Howdy goes for the mandible claw but Tama blocks it.  Howdy with a knee to the midsection and he sends Tama into the turnbuckles.  Howdy with kicks and he runs into an uppercut.  Tama with punches and he chokes Howdy.  Tama with a headbutt and kicks.  Tama chokes Howdy in the ropes and he sends Howdy into the top rope.  Howdy goes to the floor.  Tama with a forearm while they fight on the floor.  Tama sends Howdy into the steps and stomps on the hand.   Tama returns to the ring to break the count and then he sends Howdy into the ringside barrier.  Tama with punches.  Tama with a forearm off the ring steps.  They return to the ring and Tama with punches.

Tama with a sliding clothesline.  Tama with punches to the back of the head.  Tama chokes Howdy in the ropes.  Tama with elbows in the corner and follows with a drop kick.  Tama with a nerve hold on to Howdy.  Howdy with elbows and punches but Tama with a clothesline.  Tama with double sledges to the back and then he kicks Howdy in the corrner.  Tama slides back into the corner and he goes for a splash into the corner but Howdy catches Tama with a mandible claw.

Solo comes out with the lantern (despite saying he would stay in the back).

Howdy is distracted and Tama sends Howdy into the ropes.  Tama and Solo argue and Tama turns into Sister Abigail for the three count.

Winner:  Uncle Howdy

After the match, Solo says he was trying to help and Tama says he didn't need help.  Tama takes the lantern from Solo and he puts it on the mat for Howdy to take.

Howdy gets the lantern and Tama keeps Solo from getting it back.

Kit Wilson and Miz walk in the back and Kit says he is worried about the curse.  Miz tells Kit there is no curse.

Truth says he is talking about the clubhouse.

Miz says Truth doesn't take anything seriously but things go his way.

Miz says he challenges Truth to . . . 

Truth accepts the challenge for a tag title match.

Kit asks if they just got a title match.

Jacob Fatu says this is what it is.  Me and you, one on one, at Wrestlemania.  You talking about unsanctioned.  He says his life has been a rollercoaster.  When you come from the gutter, you are forced to be a product of your enviornment.  It isn't about who is right and wrong.  Fatu says every day and decision brought him to this moment.  In this match, there are no rules.  There is no one to stop him.  No one to break it up.  There ain't no one to tell him what he can and cannot do to Drew's punk ass.  You are in his world.  Let's see if you make it out.

Sami Zayn walks in the back and he talks to Nick and asks if he has pyro for his celebration.

Nick says he didn't give Sami anything.  He made his own spot.

Trick Williams' music plays when Sami is about to go to the ring.

Trick is joined on his way to the ring by Lil Yachty.

Trick says he came out to celebrate his first match at Wrestlemania.  He couldn't help but notice that since we are bringing out all of the stars, it is only right that he bring out his boy Lil Yachty.

Lil congratulates Trick and he says that Trick is a legend in the making.

Trick says he didn't bring him out here to celebrate. Trick suggests that he come to Wrestlemania with him.  Trick says there is nothing in the world he won't do to get the US Title.  He isn't taking no lip off some gingerbread man.  Trick repeats himself.

Lil says Trick is being disrespectful and Trick says he can get more disrespectful.  Trick gets on the turnbuckles and calls for Sami's pyro.

Sami Zayn's music plays

Sami says you have the celebration ready and that is all well and good.  The pageantry has never been this thing.  He is a bit more working class.  He is about what happens when he steps between these ropes.  Sami says there will be 50,000 seats and they will be pointed at the ring.  All of the fur coats, rap superstars won't mean anything because you will be in the ring with one of the best.  He says he will humble Trick's ass.

Trick says ginger snaps is pretty upset.  Trick says there is something you failed to realize and mention.  The only reason you have that title is because of him.  The only reason you are going to Wrestlemania is because of him.

Carmelo Hayes' music plays and he makes his way to the ring.

Hayes says he cannot sit back and let this go down.  He tells Trick they have history and he will get his receipt and he will spin the block on him and he knows the best place to do it.  First, the way you did that last week didn't sit with him or anyone else.  Hayes says he carried Smackdown and the title on his back.  You took the title and ran it across the goal line from the one yard line.  If you listen to the people, they don't want Sami, they want Melo.

Hayes tells Sami to listen to the people and give them what they want.  He says he isn't asking, he is telling Sami to get him his reamatch.

Trick marches in the ring for some reason.

Sami says he thinks the world of Hayes.  You did carry Smackdown with the open challenges.  Sami says he takes nothing away.  Sami says you had an open challenge, he answered it and beat Hayes.  He says he didn't mean to do it that way.  You can get a title match but it will be on the other side of Wrestlemania.

Trick convinces Sami to give him a shot.

Sami says Trick has a point.  If Trick didn't get involved, would he have beaten him?  Maybe, but Trick got involved.  Sami says it happened to him too.  Sami talks about what he did with Cody.  The same thing happened here and it benefits him.  He is happy he is going to Mania, but he still has issues.

Hayes tells Sami to do it.

Sami tells Hayes if he wants his rematch, he gets it tonight.

Trick tells ginger snap they could have saved five minutes.

Sami clotheslines Trick over the top rope to the floor.

Solo asks Tama why did he do it.

Tama says he had to.  He says that stupid lantern was pulling them apart.  They need to get back to business and take all of the titles.

Solo says Tama is right.  After they are done with the Wyatts, they will get back to business.

Match Number Three:  Aleister Black versus Matt Cardona

Black with a single leg take down and Matt gets away from Black.  Matt with a kick and side head lock.  Black with an escape and Matt with an arm drag.  Matt with a kne tot he midsection.  Black goes after the injured arm and Matt escapes.  Matt with a forearm but he cannot get Black up for a flapjack.  Black stomps on the hand and he works on the wrist.  Matt with knees to get free.  Black with a top wrist lock.   Matt with a forearm to send Black to the floor and he hits a drop kick through the ropes.  Black misses a round kick and Matt with a forearm.  Matt sends black into the apron and then back into the ring.  Matt sends Black into the turnbuckles and Zelina lounges on the apron and Black with a leg sweep to drop Matt onto the apron.

Black with a kick to the arm and an uppercut to the injured arm.  Black sends Matt shoulder first into the ringside barrier and he follows with a kick to the arm.  Black slams the arm into the ringside barrier and the ring post.  Black is run into the turnbuckles and Black misses a move off the turnbuckles.  Black with a kick and a suplex for a near fall.  Black wraps the arm in the ropes and Matt sends Black to the floor.  Matt with a kick and he goes for a Tiger Driver but he cannot get Black up.  Black with a round kick for a near fall.  Black with an Irish whip and he rolls into a double wrist lock.  Black misses a clothesline and Matt with a power bomb.  Matt with a back elbow but he tries to block a punch with his injured hand and he shows the damage that he has endured.  

Matt with a face plant but he cannot hit a Tiger Bomb.  Matt counters a suplex attempt into a neck breaker because you don't suplex Matt Cardona.  Matt with a forearm into the corner for a near fall.  Black hot shots Matt and puts him on the turnbuckles.  Black sets for a superplex but Matt drops Black face first to the mat.  Matt with a missile drop kick and a Tiger Driver for a near fall.  Matt sets for a Woo Woo Kick but Black moves.  Black with a knee and brainbuster for a near fall.  Black with an arm bar submission but Matt rolls through to escape.  Black and Matt exchange forearms.  Black blocks a kick and Matt with a forearm.  

Black with Black Mass for the three count.

Winner:  Aleister Black

Cathy is with Lyra and Bayley and she asks about Bayley getting on the Mania card.

Bayley says last year sucked but she is used to having her back against the wall.  Charlotte and Alexa are getting a taste of what will happen at Mania.

Lyra says if they went through what her and Bayley went through, they wouldn't be friends.  She says they are doing it for Bayley.

We take a look at what happened between Brock and Oba.

Truth is with Johnny and Candice.  

Truth says he thought Johnny was dead.

Candice says Johnny is wrestling for the title tomorrow night.

Johnny says Johnny Wrestling is back tomorrow.

Priest asks why did he choose to face Miz and Kit.

Truth says Asuka cursed Miz and Kit.

Priest tells Truth the little girl he was talking about is Danhausen.  He asks why did he give a title match to Miz and Kit because they are cursed.

We go to commercial.

We are back and Drew says Shakespeare couldn't write it better.  His family was going to see him walk out as champion and the moment was stolen again.  This time by Jacob Fatu.  Drew says he heard excuses, justifications, and lies.  You are nothing more than a criminal and thief.  Drew says he has seen people change, but you are nothing more than a disgusting, dirty convict.  You are here because of your family and you are the Nepo Criminal of the family.  Next week, he will prove that you are as guilty as charged.  Drew says he will show who Jacob Fatu really is.

Match Number Four:  Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair versus Bayley and Lyra Valkyria

Flair with shoulders and chops to Lyra while Bayley and Bliss fight on the apron.  Lyra with a Thesz Press but Flair with a kick.  Lyra flips over Flair in the corner and Lyra with a spinning heel kick for a near fall.  Lyra with a cartwheel and an enzuigiri.  Alexa tags in and Flair with a flatliner into the turnbuckles.  Alexa with a tornado DDT.  Alexa sends Lyra into the turnbuckles and Flair tags in and she mocks Bayley.  Flair kicks Lyra in the corner.  Alexa tags in and she chops Lyra while Flair holds he.  Alexa gets a near fall.  Alexa with a reverse chin lock.  Lyra with forearms and Alexa sends Lyra to the mat.  Alexa sends Lyra into the ropes and chokes her.  Flair tags in and she chops Lyra.  Flair with an Irish whip and chop to Lyra and then she knocks Bayley off the apron.  Alexa tags in and kicks Lyra.  Flair tags in and snap mars Lyra.  Flair with a figure four head scissors and she rolls Lyra around the ring.  Alexa tags in and she hits a knee drop.   Alexa keeps Lyra from making the tag and Alexa sends Lyra to the mat.

Alexa with a double knee drop and she misses a somersault senton.  Flair tags in and she stops Lyra from making the tag.  Lyra with forearms but she cannot get away from Flair.  Flair with a chop and Irish whip.  Lyra with a cross boy and Bayley tags in.  Bayley with a clothesline and a belly-to-back suplex.  Bayley kicks Flair and Flair pushes Bayley away.  Bayley with a knee to the head and she puts Flair on the middle rope and Bayley follows with a knee drop.  Bayley with a sunset flip power bomb for a near fall.  Bayley goes up top and sets for the elbow drop but Flair stops Bayley with a forearm.

Flair with a chop on the turnbuckles and Bayley with a forearm.  Flair goes for a superplex but Bayley blocks it.  Lyra holds on to Bayley's leg and Flair goes to the mat.  Lyra sends Alexa face first into the mat and Bayley sets for the elbow drop and hits it.  Bayley gets a near fall.  Bayley gets Flair on her shoulders and Lyra with a swinging neck breaker off the turnbuckles for a near fall.  Flair pushes Lyra into the turnbuckles and Lyra with a kick.  Lyra goes for a missile drop kick but Flair catches her and hits the bridging figure four but Bayley makes the save.  Alexa with a drop kick to stop Bayley from pulling Lyra into her corner for a tag.  Lyra catches Alexa on a cross body attempt and Lyra goes for Night Wing but Alexa counters into Sister Abigail.    Alexa punches Lyra while Flair stops Bayley.  Flair with Natural Selection to Bayley while Alexa hits a Blockbuster on Lyra for the three count.

Winners: Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss

After the match, Lash Legend and Nia Jax attack Alexa, Charlotte, Lyra, and Bayley.  Nia and Lash with splashes to Lyra and Alexa.  Lash with a bear hug on Bayley and Nia with a leg drop off the turnbuckles.

Miz tells Kit the curse is a myth.  How could they have gotten a tag title match.

Danhausen shows up behind Miz and Kit.  

Dnhausen asks if someone said curse.  He says he will come to the ring with him to learn from them.

Kit tells Danhausen he is TOXIC.

Danhausen says he can reverse the curse and they can win the titles.  

Miz tells Danhausen he better not come to the ring.

Match Number Five:  R Truth and Damian Priest versus Miz and Kit Wilson for the Smackdown Tag Titles

Kit attacks Truth from behind and then he kicks Truth.  Kit with an uppercut and he misses a kick and Truth does some dancing.  Truth with punches. Kit with a kick and Irish whip followed by an elbow.  Miz tags in.  Miz with kicks.  Truth hits two flying shoulder tackles followed by a Blue Thunder Bomb.  Truth sets for the Five Knuckle Shuffle but Miz with a kick and Kit drops Truth on the top rope.  Kit with a flying corkscrew uppercut on Truth on the floor.  The referee stops Priest from going after Kit.  Miz runs Truth into the apron.  Miz works on the back and then backs Truth into the corner.  Kit tags in and they pose in their own special ways.  They hit a double Awesome Clothesline.  Kit gets a near fall.  

Kit with a front face lock and he tries to keep Truth from making the tag and Kit sends Truth to the mat.  Kit with elbow drops.  Kit chokes Truth in the ropes and then Miz drops Truth on the top rope.  Kit with punches.  Kit with a boot to the head.  Miz tags in and they make a wish on Truth.  Miz with a reverse chin lock.  Truth with a snap mare and he avoids Miz and tags in Priest.  Priest with a face plant to Kit and a leaping flatliner to Miz.  Priest with elbows to both men.  Priest goes Old School on Miz and hits the cross body.  Priest sets for the rebound clothesline and hits it for a near fall.  Kit with punches to Priest and Kit misses tourniKIT and Priest with a clothesline.  Priest comes off the steps to take care of Kit.

Miz and Truth both his clotheslines at the same time and both are down.

Danhausen's music plays and he comes to the ring.and he has his teeth with him.  Danhausen wants the tag from Miz and Miz is not happy.  The referee tells Danhausen to get off the apron.  Miz argues with the referee while both want the same result.  Truth decides to tag in Danhausen.  Danausen poses and Miz tells Danhausen he doesn't belong in here.  Danhausen winds up and Miz pulls the referee in the way of the curse.

The lights go out and they come back on and Danhausen runs up the aisle.  Truth with an Atttude Adjustment to Kit but Miz with a Skull Crushing Finale and the referee's arm cannot move for the three count.  Priest with South of Heaven for the three count.

Winners:  Damian Priest and R Truth (retain championship)

After the match, Cody hits CrossRhodes on Kit Wilson.

Cody takes a mic. He says we all got dressed up to find out who it was that Randy was talking to on the phone.  Then it was Pat McAfee.  That is the same as the third member of the nWo not being Hulk Hogan, but Disco Inferno.  He tells Pat he will get a receipt.  He tells Pat that him and everyone he is with can kiss his ass.

Are you going to fire him?  He wants that to be Randy's legacy for fifteen.  You said it wasn't personal.  Stephanie tells Cody he has to go to the dark place and become a bad guy.  He says he doesn't know if he knows how to do it any more.  He has two kids and his dream job.  Cody mentions how they have set records over he last four years.  He was wrestling John Cena, Roman Reigns, and the Rock.  They were also wrestling him.

Two of the best wrestlers will face off.  Cody says he has been hearing those voices in his head.  You don't want to hear what they have to say.

We go to commercial.

We are back with a look at CM Punk and Roman Reigns because this is the Raw Recap show.

Trick Williams has arrived in Full Trick Mode at the announce table.

Match Number Six:  Sami Zayn versus Carmelo Hayes for the Men's United States Championship and a Spot in the match at Wrestlemania

They lock up and Sami with a clean break.  Hayes with a side head lock and a waist lock.  Sami wtih an elbow and Hayes with a drop kick.  Sami with chops and he goes to the turnbuckles for punches.  Hayes pulls Sami onto the turnbuckle face first and Hayes with his own punches.  Sami with a clothesline for a near fall.  Sami gets a few more near falls.  Sami works on the shoulder.  Hayes with a springboard clothesline and a splash into the corner.  Hayes stops Sami and puts him in the ropes and hits a kick to the back and hits a springboard leg drop for a near fall.  Sami goes to the floor and Hayes with a flip dive and Hayes appeared to have hurt his left knee and lower leg.

Hayes sends Sami back into the ring while Hayes tries to get some feeling back in his leg.  Hayes with chops.  Sami with a kick and punches.  Sami kicks Hayes.  Sami with a chop.  Sami with an elbow drop and he gets a series of near falls.  Hayes gets a near fall.  Sami with cross faces.  Hayes with a chop and Sami with a back elbow.  Sami goes to the turnbuckles and he kicks Hayes.  Sami sets for a tornado DDT and hits it for a near fall.  Sami with chops and forearms.  Hayes with a forearm to try to fight back.  Sami with chops.  Sami with another chop and Hayes falls to the mat.  Hayes with forearms.  Sami misses a clothesline and Hayes with La Mistica but he lands on his knee and can only get a near fall.   Sami blocks First 48.

Sami goes for the exploder in the corner but Hayes counters with a victory roll for a near fall.  Sami hits the exploder into the turnbuckles.  Sami sets for the Helluva Kick but Hayes with a super kick.  Hayes goes up top and he hits a frog splash but he can only get a near fall.  Sami with a crucifix for a near fall.  Hayes with a side head lock.  Sami goes for the Blue Thunder Bomb but Hayes blocks it and hits First 49.  Hayes comes off the turnbuckles and lands on his feet and he collapses under the pain.   The referee checks on Hayes and he pulls Sami away.  Sami sets for a Helluva Kick and hits it for the three count.

Winner:  Sami Zayn (retains championship)

After the match, Yachty comes into the ring and says he guesses Sami is going to Wrestlemania to face Trick Williams.  Lil calls him Gingerbread Man and Sami goes after him but Trick hits him from behind.  Trick with a running knee to Sami.  

We go to credits.

 

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