Easter Sunday Friday Night Smackdown Review. 5.4.2026.

Intro.

I having to start with another apology, this is due to the fact this review is coming out late. My plan was to have this out on Saturday,  but due to the fact that my day job needed me. I had no other option but to delay this piece. I had plans to cover the UFC fight Night Apex card as well, and that unfortunately will now be out tomorrow. You guys know that I hate having to do this, but if i'm needed elsewhere, then whether it's family, friends, or my day job, that has to come first.

Superstars Seen Showing Up To Work.

Rhea Ripley. Michin. Bfab. Jade Cargill, and. Team Blair were all seen showing up to work.

Randy Orton Segment.

Randy Orton kicked off the broadcast, and he went straight to business by imitating Cody, he said that the reason that he's going after title number 15 is the same reason that Cody is holding onto his belt, at this point he pointed to his family who were sat at ringside. He said that Cody doesn't have that killer instinct, because Cody isn't a killer. This brought out The American Nightmare, and just like that it happened, before Cody could lay a hand on Randy. Pat Mcafe came out and kicked Cody in the family jewels. Pat took to the mic, and proceeded to waffle on insulting the fans intelligence, complaining about the product, whilst highlighting how bad WWE is at the moment. This was who Randy Orton was on the phone too. All of this was completely tone def, and painfully excruciating to watch. This was beyond bad, it was a slap in the face to fans who've watched for decades, and spent their hard earnt money on this company. It was reported by Cassidy Haynes over at Bodyslam.net, that this call came from the head of TKO Ari Emmanuel, so this wasn't a Nick Khan, or HHH call. This was later confirmed by Sean Ross Sapp at Fightful Select. I get why WWE would do this, but in this form of a segment Celebrity endorsement doesn't work, and this fell into that heavily. It was also later reported by Cassidy Haynes, that Cody was legit pissed off with this. I don't blame him. He answered this back later on.

Rhea Ripley vs Michin.

I felt sorry for these ladies, because they had to follow the garbage that became beforehand. This Match was highly predictable, the overall feel of this Match was off, and it all came from the prior segment. The fans sounded like they weren't into this, and it's not the fault of the ladies. Both Rhea, and, Michin were working hard to get fans on side, and not even having Bfab, and. Jade Cargill at ringside could save this. Rhea got the win. You could get the sense that fans had been taken aback from the opening segment. Iyo Sky made the save. I sense an Iyo Sky heel turn. I can just sense it.

Alestair Black Segment.

Is anyone up for Alestair Black vs Matt Cardona. No one I hear. Oh well were in for a treat later on.

Tama Tonga vs Uncle Howdy.

Thank God the battle of the Lantern is now over. Tama beat Howdy, and then pissed off Solo by giving Howdy back the lantern. Solo wasn't happy, and neither was I, because my god this was awful.

R Truth Segment.

God bless this man, and his utter cluelessness. He accidentally booked him and Priest in a Tag Team Championship Match, against Kit wilson, and. The Miz. Kit Danhausen is not Toxic, you are. Also R Truth was robbing Nick Aldis blind.

I Love Jacob Fatu.

I've got to admit it. The Mania Match i'm looking to seeing most Is the Drew and Jacob Unsanctioned Match. These had solid vingnettes last Friday.

Sami Zayn Segment.

This was way too long, and didn't get to the point quick enough. From Trick Williams hanging out with his mate Lil Yachty, him taking Sami's pyro, and him ghoading Sami into giving Carmelo Hayes a rematch for the United States Championship. The Promotrain between Sami. Trick. Yachty, and. Carmelo was exhausting, and it felt it had zero pacing. Sami agreed to give Carmelo another shot at the WWE United States Championship.

Alestair Black vs Matt Cardona.

Alestair Black, beat. Matt Cardona in what was a fairly flat, and boring TV Match. So far this Broadcast has stunk.

R Truth Segment.

Truth is now getting confused With Asuka, and. Danhausen, and Priest isn't happy with being put in a suprise Tag Team Championship Match. Don't ever change Truth.

Team Blair vs Bayley And Lyra Valkyria.

This arguably the best Match on the card, but given the show has been very below par. The bar wasn't exactly high. I liked the chemistry that was on display from both teams, and the physicality played into the near falls with pure ease. Team Blair got the win, and were then beaten bown by The Irresistable Forces.

Team Damien Truth vs Kit Wilson and The Miz. WWE Tag Team Championship Match.

Was this Match any good, if i'm being honest, no, but I did have fun watching it, because it was just so silly. I mean a ref getting cursed by Danhausen, and just like that the Match was done. Team Damien Truth got the win.

Cody Rhodes Segment.

I've said all that I want to say about the hole Randy Orton/ Pat Mcafe story, so i'm just going to say this. Ugh sigh.

Sami Zayn vs Carmelo Hayes WWE United States Championship.

On a broadcast that was beyond poor, this Match wasn't bad, however it felt incredibly forced, and rushed overall. Don't get me wrong I like both competitors, and I don't blame them for how this Match was booked, but lets just look at it this way. If you were in a fast food restaurant and your order came out to quick, what would you think. I would this was made to quickly. This was the problem with this match. sami got the win, and is going into Mania as The WWE United States Champion.

Overview Of This Weeks WWE Friday Night Smackdown.

This broadcast. I mean those are the only words that are coming out of my mouth at this point, because my head hurts. This weeks WWE Friday Smackdown wasn't all round bad, it was more like a brain fart on the rd to WrestleMania.

This weeks WWE Friday Night Smackdown is a low by WWE Standards 3/10.