WWE SmackDown Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from April 3

The Road to WrestleMania has come to an end. Friday Night SmackDown aired its final episode before WrestleMania 36.

The April 3 show promised big final statements and a few important moments that could make the unique situation for this year's WrestleMania truly special.

John Cena promised to appear to address Bray Wyatt after the latest Firefly Fun House segment and had to decide whether he wanted to truly battle The Fiend in a Firefly Fun House match.

Goldberg was set to face Roman Reigns directly, but recent events have led to a change. This show needed to announce to everyone who would be next to step up in The Big Dog's absence.

The New Day and The Usos were invited to Miz TV to talk with The Miz and John Morrison ahead of a Triple Threat SmackDown Tag Team Championships bout at The Show of Shows.

This show did not have to build much beyond answering a few questions and increasing the hype of the weekend.

The New Day and The Usos nearly started brawling on Miz TV before The Miz and John Morrison arrived. They made fun of their WrestleMania competition, and a true brawl broke out. Using nearby ladders, the SmackDown tag team champions stood tall.

Grade

B-

Analysis

This was short, sweet and to the point. It was a good segment, though it did not do much beyond just remind everyone of the match on the Grandest Stage of Them All.

While recent events are likely not going to lead to the promised Triple Threat tag team title match, the hype was certainly set up for this bout. It feels like the best tag teams are all clashing over the gold.

In a preview for WrestleMania, Naomi went off in this match and showed off her athleticism. However, after Sasha Banks took out Lacey Evans, Bayley took out Naomi on the rope. Tamina hit a superkick for the win.

Afterward, The Role Model shook hands with Tamina, only for the veteran to superkick her. Tamina then hit a Samoan Drop on The Legit Boss.

Result

Tamina def. Naomi and Evans by pinfall.

Grade

B

Analysis

Given recent history with WWE, this was about as good a match as fans can expect to get from SmackDown. Each woman was used well. Naomi showed off her athleticism. Evans played ring manager. Tamina stayed in the ring and hit big moves when needed.

If this is how the Fatal 5-Way match is going to go, it was a good sign that these women can make the title match fun.

In a replay from WrestleMania XXIV, Ric Flair fought for his career against Shawn Michaels, who was reluctant to end the career of his friend. After a tough fight where hesitation by HBK kept The Nature Boy in the fight, Michael finally hit a superkick and then Sweet Chin Music to win.

Result

Michaels def. Flair by pinfall to end The Nature Boy's career.

Grade

B+

Analysis

While it had no relevance to WrestleMania 36, it was nice to watch an incredible match again from two legends. This contest was not technically brilliant, but it was incredibly emotional.

The Nature Boy especially gave his last defining performance. He made sure the whole crowd felt every moment as he fought on and ultimately retired from WWE.

Dolph Ziggler dominated Tucker and then seemed to lose track of the match as he decided to punish him. He got disqualified after a Zig Zag on the steel steps, and then Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville had to stop him from smashing Tucker with the steps.

A hacker took over the feed as Otis arrived and announced he would reveal the truth. He showed how Deville and Ziggler conspired to screw the big man out of his date with Rose. Otis ran off The Showoff as Rose walked away from her best friend disgusted.

Result

Tucker def. Ziggler by disqualification.

Grade

A-

Analysis

This was a surprising moment to throw on the show before WrestleMania. It might have landed more on The Grandest Stage of Them All, but it was still an effective segment that revealed everything after months.

While the end result was expected, the way it was all revealed was a surprise. While his identity was kept secret, the symbol of the hacker was the same as the light on Mustafa Ali's gloves. It is highly likely he is the man behind the reveal.

Ali is a talented performer in need of an opportunity. A fresh character gives him that needed opportunity, especially given this feels like a role that only emphasizes what makes him unique.

Daniel Bryan and Shinsuke Nakamura got physical from the opening bell. In particular, they landed devastating kicks back and forth. Just as The Planet's Champion had locked The Artist in the LeBell Lock, Cesaro got involved to cause a disqualification.

Sami Zayn, who was on commentary, jumped in too, and the trio laid out Drew Gulak and Bryan.

Result

Bryan def. Nakamura by disqualification.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was a great preview match for what we can get with Nakamura and Bryan fighting. The two were absolutely motivated to deliver. This is the match The Artist wanted when he first signed, and it showed even in an empty arena.

This was great work from two of the best men in WWE when they are motivated. It also proved that The Planet's Champion is ready to steal the show on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

John Cena came out confident, making clear he was ready to fight Bray Wyatt even in a Firefly Fun House match. He was ready for any uncertainty.

The puppets of the Firefly Fun House cheered from ringside for Cena staying in the Firefly Fun House forever. The Fiend appeared on the podium after the lights went out and then appeared right behind The Champ. The lights went back on, and they were all gone.

Grade

B+

Analysis

This was another simple and effective segment to hype WrestleMania. Cena cut a signature impassioned promo about being ready for anything and knowing he could defeat Wyatt. The Fiend and his friends then showed The Champ he might not be quite ready.

While the match to come will be weird and likely bizarre, WWE deserves some credit for committing to it all. This has been a well-told, tightly knit story from the start.