WWE SmackDown Results 4/3 - Drew McIntyre And Jacob Fatu Both Appear, Rhea Ripley Faces Michin

Welcome to Wrestling Inc.'s live coverage for "WWE SmackDown" on April 3, 2026, coming to you live from the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri!

After brawling with Drew McIntyre throughout much of the duration on the March 20 episode of "SmackDown", Jacob Fatu appeared on last Friday's edition of the show and sent a message to McIntyre. This prompted McIntyre to make his way to the ring to send a message of his own directly to Fatu himself, but just moments before things could become physical between the two men, "SmackDown" General Manager Nick Aldis appeared to make an Unsanctioned Match between McIntyre and Fatu official for WWE WrestleMania 42 on April 18 and 19. Following such, both McIntyre and Fatu are advertised to appear on tonight's show.

2026 Women's Elimination Chamber winner Rhea Ripley will be in action as she goes head-to-head with Michin. With Ripley preparing to challenge Michin's ally Jade Cargill for the Women's Championship at WrestleMania 42, Cargill, Michin, and their ally B-Fab found themselves involved in a verbal confrontation with Ripley last Friday. This led to a match between Ripley and B-Fab, which Ripley quickly won via disqualification when Cargill became involved and attacked Ripley.

Before he defends his Undisputed WWE Championship against 2026 Men's Elimination Chamber winner and former mentor Randy Orton at WrestleMania 42, Cody Rhodes will be making an appearance on tonight's show with something on his mind to share. After Orton said that he couldn't be held accountable for what the voices in his head told him to do last Friday, Rhodes confronted him later that same night after Orton had scored a win against former friend turned foe Matt Cardona. Rhodes and Orton proceeded to have a brawl with one another that lasted for several minutes, with security and country singer Jelly Roll eventually managing to get things calmed down.

Sami Zayn became a two time United States Champion last Friday when he dethroned Carmelo Hayes and put an end to his 98 day reign. Now that he's preparing to defend his newly won title against Trick Williams at WrestleMania 42, Zayn will be making an appearance on tonight's show with something on his mind to share.

Additionally, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss will be going head-to-head with Bayley and Lyra Valkyria before both teams and The Bella Twins challenge The Irresistible Forces' Nia Jax and Lash Legend for the Women's Tag Team Championship in a Fatal Four-Way Match at WrestleMania 42.

We are live! Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore greet audiences at home before we head over to a video of the conversation between Cody Rhodes and Stephanie McMahon from Monday's episode of "WWE Raw".

Randy Orton then makes his way out to the ring.

Orton asks St. Louis what they want to talk about, then says what he's doing is for himself and his family. He promises to walk out of WrestleMania 42 as Undisputed WWE Champion, then says Cody Rhodes will leave Las Vegas empty handed whether he walks, crawls, or is carried out. He says things between himself and Rhodes aren't personal because Rhodes gave him permission to listen to the voices in his head, then says there's no putting back to bed what Rhodes opened up.

Rhodes' music hits, and he makes his way out. He begins brawling with Orton and fires off right hands on him in the corner, but Pat McAfee appears out of nowhere and low blows Rhodes.

Orton grabs a chair from the ringside area as McAfee fires off stomps on Rhodes. McAfee begins ragging on St. Louis as Nick Aldis and officials make their way out and Orton places the Undisputed WWE Championship on his shoulder. Orton cracks a chair across Rhodes' spine as McAfee explains he was asked a month ago when he'd return to WWE. He says he did say he thought the professional wrestling business had passed him by, then says when he turns on WWE TV, he has to see two 5'5" guys have an Iron Man Match for no reason. He questions why he's watching that when Orton is around, then reveals he was the one on the phone with Orton telling him that he was going to save the professional wrestling business. McAfee then leaves the ring with Orton.

Rhea Ripley then makes her way to the ring. Michin and B-Fab follow. 

The bell rings and Michin charges at Ripley. Ripley fires off right hands on Michin, then whips her into the corner and lands a shoulder on her midsection. She lands a Fallaway Slam on Michin.

Jade Cargill makes her way out to the ring as Ripley lands a second Fallaway Slam on Michin. Cargill distracts Ripley, opening the door for Michin to land a German suplex on Ripley and rain down right hands on her. Michin dumps Ripley out of the ring during the break, and B-Fab fires off a right hand on her as Michin distracts the referee.

Michin wears down Ripley with a submission hold back in the ring, but Ripley lands a kick on the side of Michin's head back from the break. She sends Michin crashing into the mat and lands a dropkick on her, then connects with a running knee on her and goes for a pin. Michin kicks out.

Ripley gets Michin up in an Electric Chair position, but Michin reverses into a hurricanrana. She connects with Eat Defeat on Ripley and goes for a pin, but Ripley kicks out and cinches in the Prism Trap on Michin. Michin taps out.

Winner: Rhea Ripley

After the match, Michin, B-Fab, and Cargill beat down Ripley. IYO SKY's music hits and she runs down to the ring to come to Ripley's aid. Ripley and SKY hug in the ring, standing tall as Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin are forced to retreat up the entrance ramp.

Tama Tonga then makes his way to the ring. Uncle Howdy is already waiting inside. 

The bell rings and Howdy fires off stomps on Tama in the corner. Tama sends Howdy crashing into the top turnbuckle face first, then sends his hand bouncing off the ring steps on the outside during the commercial break and dumps Howdy back in the ring.

Tama fires off stomps on Howdy in the corner, but Howdy cinches in the Mandible Claw on Tama. Solo Sikoa emerges at ringside to distract Howdy with The Wyatt Sicks' lantern, opening the door for Tama to attack Howdy from behind.

Tama and Sikoa begin arguing after Tama had told Sikoa to stay in the back earlier. This opens the door for Howdy to land Sister Abigail on Tama for the win.

Winner: Uncle Howdy

After the match, Tama continues arguing with Sikoa. Tama tells Sikoa he doesn't need The Wyatt Sicks' lantern and grabs it from his hand, then places it on the ring apron. Tama lets Howdy take The Wyatt Sicks' lantern back and stops Sikoa from trying to take it back.

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