WWE SmackDown in Fort Worth to Address WrestleMania 42 Fallout and Backlash Developments

Apr 24, 2026, 06:39

Introduction

The upcoming episode of WWE SmackDown, scheduled for April 24, 2026, at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, is expected to address the aftermath of WrestleMania 42 and set the stage for the Backlash event on May 9 in Tampa, Florida.

Main Body

The broadcast, which will air on USA Network at 8 p.m. ET, will feature a roster of advertised performers including Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Charlotte Flair, Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa, Jade Cargill, Tiffany Stratton, and Sami Zayn. Rhea Ripley is notably absent from the advertised list. The event is being promoted as the first post-WrestleMania SmackDown, following the April 19 event in Las Vegas. Cody Rhodes is currently in concussion protocol after sustaining a head and eye injury at WrestleMania 42, and there is no confirmed timetable for his return to in-ring competition. Randy Orton, who delivered a punt kick to Rhodes after their match, has not made public statements since the incident. Analysts suggest the episode may feature verbal exchanges between the two rather than a physical confrontation. In the men''s division, Trick Williams recently won the United States Championship from Sami Zayn at WrestleMania. Carmelo Hayes is expected to enter the championship picture, which could lead to a match at Backlash. The situation among Williams, Hayes, and Zayn remains unresolved. Regarding the Samoan family storyline, Jacob Fatu issued a challenge to Roman Reigns on the post-WrestleMania Raw. The April 17 SmackDown ended with Solo Sikoa performing a Samoan Spike on Tama Tonga, followed by a tense staredown. This suggests possible instability within the group known as the MFT. The relationship between Sikoa and Fatu may be re-evaluated as the story continues. In the women''s division, Tiffany Stratton has become the number one contender for the Women''s United States Championship, with a potential match against Giulia at Backlash. Charlotte Flair is reportedly being encouraged by Ric Flair to return to singles competition, which could begin with this episode. WWE has also hinted at a response from Rhea Ripley to a recent attack by Jade Cargill, even though Ripley is not on the advertised roster.

Conclusion

The Fort Worth SmackDown is expected to clarify several ongoing storylines, including the status of Cody Rhodes, the direction of the United States Championship, and the alignment of the Samoan faction, as the company moves toward the Backlash pay-per-view event.

Vocabulary Learning

address

To deal with or discuss a matter or issue處理或討論某個問題或議題

Example:The upcoming episode of WWE SmackDown is expected to address the aftermath of WrestleMania 42.

fallout

The negative consequences or results of an event or situation事件或情況的負面後果或結果

Example:The show will focus on the fallout from WrestleMania 42 and set up future storylines.

number one contender

The top-ranked challenger for a championship title in sports or entertainment在體育或娛樂項目中排名第一的冠軍挑戰者

Example:Tiffany Stratton has become the number one contender for the Women's United States Championship.

roster

A list of people, especially performers or players, available for an event or team名單，尤指可供活動或團隊使用的表演者或選手名單

Example:The broadcast will feature a roster of advertised performers including Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton.

set the stage for

To create the conditions or prepare for something to happen為某事創造條件或做好準備

Example:This episode will set the stage for the Backlash event on May 9 in Tampa, Florida.

Sentence Learning

This sentence uses a non-defining relative clause ('which will air...') to add extra information about the broadcast without changing its core meaning. It helps organize the idea by first identifying the event and then providing details about its time and channel.呢句句子用咗非限定性關係子句（'which will air...'）嚟補充廣播嘅額外資訊，唔會改變句子嘅基本意思。佢幫手組織想法，先講活動係乜，再補充時間同頻道嘅細節。

The event is being promoted as the first post-WrestleMania SmackDown, following the April 19 event in Las Vegas.

This sentence uses the passive voice ('is being promoted') to focus on the event itself rather than who is promoting it. It helps organize the idea by stating the event's status and its timeline relative to another event.呢句句子用咗被動語態（'is being promoted'）嚟強調活動本身，而唔係邊個推廣佢。佢幫手組織想法，講出活動嘅地位同佢相對於另一個活動嘅時間順序。

Cody Rhodes is currently in concussion protocol after sustaining a head and eye injury at WrestleMania 42, and there is no confirmed timetable for his return to in-ring competition.

This sentence uses the linking word 'after' to show the cause-and-effect relationship between the injury and the concussion protocol. It also uses 'and' to add a second related fact about the uncertain return. This structure helps organize the idea by explaining the situation and its consequence.呢句句子用咗連接詞'after'嚟展示受傷同腦震盪協議之間嘅因果關係。佢亦用咗'and'嚟補充第二個相關事實，即回歸時間未定。呢個結構幫手組織想法，解釋情況同佢嘅後果。

Charlotte Flair is reportedly being encouraged by Ric Flair to return to singles competition, which could begin with this episode.

This sentence uses the passive voice ('is being encouraged') to focus on Charlotte Flair receiving the encouragement rather than who is encouraging her. It also uses a relative clause ('which could begin...') to add a possible outcome. This helps organize the idea by presenting the reported action and its potential result.呢句句子用咗被動語態（'is being encouraged'）嚟強調Charlotte Flair受到鼓勵，而唔係邊個鼓勵佢。佢亦用咗關係子句（'which could begin...'）嚟補充一個可能嘅結果。呢個結構幫手組織想法，呈現報道嘅行動同佢嘅潛在結果。

WWE has also hinted at a response from Rhea Ripley to a recent attack by Jade Cargill, even though Ripley is not on the advertised roster.

This sentence uses the linking phrase 'even though' to show a contrast between WWE's hint and the fact that Ripley is not listed. This helps organize the idea by presenting two opposing pieces of information and highlighting the unexpected nature of the hint.呢句句子用咗連接詞組'even though'嚟展示WWE嘅暗示同Ripley冇喺名單上呢個事實之間嘅對比。呢個結構幫手組織想法，呈現兩個相反嘅資訊，並突出暗示嘅意外性。