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WWE Removes Title Defense From SmackDown, Adds Tag Team Match Between WrestleMania Opponents

By John Canton • Published Apr 17, 2026 15:10 EDT
WWE Smackdown Logo Arena WWE.com
WWE Smackdown Logo Arena - Source: WWE.com

A title match that was set for WWE SmackDown before WrestleMania has been replaced by another match.

There were reports in the lead-up to WWE WrestleMania 42 that Tiffany Stratton would challenge Giulia for the Women’s US Title at WrestleMania 42. There were also rumors that Jordynne Grace would be part of it, but she was injured for a few weeks.

As the weeks went on, WWE stopped teasing the match, and the US Title scene hasn’t been featured on SmackDown.

During this week’s WWE Main Event broadcast, it was mentioned that Giulia would defend the Women’s US Title against Tiffany Stratton on the April 17th SmackDown in Las Vegas.

There has been a change in those plans because WWE announced on social media that Stratton would face Grace instead in a #1 contender’s match for a shot at the Women’s US Title held by Giulia.

. @tiffstrattonwwe and @JordynneGrace will battle it out in a Women’s United States Championship No. 1 Contenders Match TONIGHT on #SmackDown!

WWE Adds Women’s Tag Team Match To SmackDown

At WWE WrestleMania 42 Saturday, The Irresistible Forces team of Nia Jax & Lash Legend will defend the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles against Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss, Bayley & Lyra Valkyria and The Bella Twins – Nikki & Brie Bella.

On the SmackDown before WM42, WWE announced that Flair & Bliss will face Bayley & Valkyria in tag team action.

Here’s a full rundown of the SmackDown lineup for April 17th in Las Vegas

  • Cody Rhodes has a message for Randy Orton one night before WrestleMania
  • How will Jacob Fatu respond to Drew McIntyre’s brutal attack before WrestleMania?
  • Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal returns
  • Tiffany Stratton faces Jordynne Grace to determine the next challenger for the Women’s US Title
  • The Wyatt Sicks battle The MFTs in an Eight-Man Tag Team Street Fight
  • Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss team up to face Bayley & Lyra Valkyria

Two two-night WrestleMania 42 lineup is below.

Saturday, April 18 Matches

  • WWE Undisputed Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Randy Orton
  • WWE Women’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer (c) vs. Liv Morgan
  • Seth Rollins vs. Gunther
  • Women’s Intercontinental Championship: AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch
  • Women’s Tag Team Championships: Irresistible Forces – Nia Jax & Lash Legend (c) vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. The Bella Twins – Nikki & Brie Bella vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria
  • Unsanctioned Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu (Match Will Also Air On ESPN 2 In First Hour)
  • LA Knight and The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso vs. The Vision – Logan Paul & Austin Theory and IShowSpeed (Match Will Also Air On ESPN 2 In First Hour)

Sunday, April 19 Matches

  • WWE World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk (c) vs. Roman Reigns
  • WWE Women’s Championship: Jade Cargill (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
  • United States Championship: Sami Zayn (c) vs. Trick Williams
  • “Demon” Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio
  • Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match: Penta (c) vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Dragon Lee vs. Rusev vs. JD McDonagh vs. Rey Mysterio (Match Will Also Air On ESPN In First Hour)
  • Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar (Match Will Also Air On ESPN In First Hour)

WrestleMania 42 will STREAM LIVE Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19, 2026, at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on ESPN in the United States and Netflix everywhere else.