Overview
- WWE SmackDown, which aired Friday from Tulsa’s BOK Center, ran at 8 p.m. ET on USA Network with Netflix streaming internationally, including a 5:30 a.m. IST start in India.
- Cody Rhodes returned and announced he was medically cleared, then defeated debuting Ricky Saints in an impromptu match.
- Gunther attacked Rhodes after the bout by choking him out, signaling a push toward the Undisputed WWE Championship.
- Jacob Fatu intensified his program with Roman Reigns by confronting Solo Sikoa’s group and dropping new member Talla Tonga, reaffirming their Backlash title match on May 9 in Tampa.
- Charlotte Flair submitted Jacy Jayne, halting Fatal Influence’s early surge one week after the faction’s multi-woman attack on SmackDown.