3 Ups & 6 Downs From WWE SmackDown (18 Apr - Results & Review)

This week's SmackDown risked creative burnout before WrestleMania 41.

WWE obviously viewed Friday's show as a means to add some last-minute garnish on incoming Las Vegas treats, but the three hour run time felt double that length due to several nothing promos that took ages to get going then had paltry payoffs for fans tuning in. Worse, Triple H just insulted an entire hardworking division and fans caring about it in one fell swoop!

Worryingly, some of 'The Game's' decision making in the lead up to the biggest weekend of 2025 has been all over the place. He should be real thankful there's so much interest in top stars like Cody Rhodes and John Cena's heel turn/retirement, because otherwise this 'Mania build would have some fuming. Truthfully, if you glance around online, there are people scratching their heads by the complete lack of The Rock since Elimination Chamber; he's too big a part of Cena's heel turn to leave out, but WWE have been doing just that thus far.

Back on the plus side, there were momentum boosting moments for Carmelo Hayes and LA Knight on the episode. The usual Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal is never going to win any 'Match Of The Year' awards, but it might give Melo's biggest fans some hope for the coming summer. Meanwhile, Knight has done everything in his power to keep the US Title scene ticking.

Here's all the good and bad from WWE's final TV stop before the brightest of bright light cascade down and WrestleMania 41 begins.