WWE SmackDown Results, Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights From April 10

Welcome to Bleacher Report's live coverage of WWE SmackDown on April 10.

We're just over a week away from WrestleMania 42, so WWE needs to do as much as possible to make the show feel like a must-see PLE.

Here's a look at what was advertised for Friday's show:

Pat McAfee addresses his return

Drew McIntyre promises to expose Jacob Fatu

Rhea Ripley addresses Jade Cargill attacking Iyo Sky

Sami Zayn looks for payback on Trick Williams and Lil Yachty

Royce Keys makes his SmackDown debut

Let's take a look at what happened on this week's SmackDown.

The Eradicator Speaks

Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images

The show opened with a recap of Pat McAfee attacking Cody Rhodes with Randy Orton during last week's episode. Outside the arena, Rhodes was told by Nick Aldis that he had strict orders not to touch McAfee or Orton. Jelly Roll showed up and was told the same thing.

When we went live in the arena, Rhea Ripley came out to talk about Jade Cargill going after Iyo Sky. She called out Jade for a fight, but Sky showed up instead. She told Ripley that since she gets Jade at 'Mania, she wants to face the champion tonight to get revenge. Aldis booked it for the main event.

This was a short segment, but that was to its benefit. Ripley did not need to speak for 10 minutes about a feud that has been going on for weeks. This was good without overstaying its welcome.

Grade: B-

Notable Moments and Observations

Jelly Roll did a good job hyping Rhodes up without sounding disingenuous.

Ripley might be in the best shape of her career, which is saying something because she has always been in great shape.

Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley

Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: Bayley defeated Lash Legend (Raw, April 6), Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair defeated Bayley and Lyra Valkyria (SD, April 3)

Before they compete for the tag titles at 'Mania, Bayley and Alexa Bliss met for a singles match this week.

These two know each other well after both being in WWE for several years, so they have the kind of chemistry that comes with a lot of experience working together. Charlotte Flair and Lyra Valkyria watched from ringside as Bayley took control heading into the break.

Bayley had control for most of the first half, but Bliss began building some momentum after the break.

The tag title feud has helped feature a lot of great performers, but it was nice to see two of them get a chance to shine in a one-on-one contest. Since both were babyfaces, there were no heel shenanigans or interference spots.

Bliss ended up scoring the win with a roll-up after Bayley got distracted by Flair and Valkyria outside the ring. The ending protected Bayley while giving Bliss a mostly clean win.

Result: Bliss defeated Bayley

Grade: B+

Notable Moments and Observations

Bayley has been hitting stiffer strikes lately. It's a nice upgrade for her character.

Bliss is one of the more underrated sellers in WWE. When she takes a hit, she makes it look like it rocked her hard.

Bliss hit an inverted twisting arm drag during the picture-in-picture portion that looked great.

Royce Keys vs. Berto

Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: Royce Keys lost the Rumble (Royal Rumble PLE), Los Garzas lost to R-Truth and Damian Priest (SD, March 13)

A video package for Royce Keys highlighted his journey to WWE, minus his time in AEW due to the unavailability of the footage. Following a break, he made his way to the ring for his SmackDown debut against Berto

Berto tried to play some mind games by going behind Keys and slapping his head a few times, but the powerhouse immediately nailed a clothesline to take him down before picking him up off the ground for a slam in one fluid motion.

Angel pulled his cousin out of the ring to help him, and it allowed Berto to shove Keys into the ring post to gain control for a moment. This was not a complete squash, but Keys definitely dominated 90% of the action to help establish him.

This was short, but what we saw looked good. Keys hit a big spinebuster for the win. Let's hope WWE puts some effort behind his initial push since it took months to use him after his Rumble debut.

Result: Keys defeated Berto

Grade: C+

Notable Moments and Observations

Jacob Fatu has a backstage segment with Solo Sikoa and the MFTs. It led to Tama Tonga and Fatu agreeing to a singles match tonight.

Keys' entrance music was decent. It was certainly better than a lot of themes newer stars have been given over the past couple of years.

The way Keys yanked Berto off the mat into a powerslam was awesome.

Pat McAfee Speaks

Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images

Pat McAfee came out and immediately insulted the San Jose crowd by calling the town a s--thole. He called himself a hero and said stars like CM Punk are spineless bums. It almost felt like they are building to a Punk vs. McAfee match after both men addressed each other in promos.

This was as heelish as a promo gets. He was insulting individual fans, too. The crowd gave him a little heat, but it seemed like most were just not into it.

Eventually, Rhodes came out to issue a response. He said everyone wants to see Orton at 'Mania, but nobody wants to see Pat, and told him to go home and stop being a play wrestler.

Cody was about to leave when Pat insulted him one too many times and he started heading back to the ring. Orton appeared on the big screen and showed that he had attacked Jelly Roll backstage.

McAfee distracted Rhodes so Orton could attack him from behind. The Viper planted The American Nightmare with a draping DDT.

This could have been a good segment, but either McAfee was given some bad lines to say, or he chose them on his own. Regardless of which one it was, it didn't work. McAfee could be so valuable, but WWE is dropping the ball. Cody and Orton were alright, but it wasn't enough to save the segment.

Grade: C-

Notable Moments and Observations

Jelly Roll confronted McAfee backstage, but Aldis stepped in to prevent it from turning into a fight.

Keys gave an interview after his match with Cathy Kelley. Sikoa approached him and offered his help with anything Keys needs.

McAfee mocking fans who can't afford 'Mania tickets was such a dumb move.

Calling Punk fat when he is in the best shape in years was also a bad choice.

Pat made a reference to AEW while insulting Rhodes.

Jacob Fatu vs. Tama Tonga

Craig Ambrosio/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: Trick Williams defeated Jacob Fatu (SD, March 13), Uncle Howdy defeated Tama Tonga (SD, April 3)

Jacob Fatu was out first for his match against Tama Tonga. As usual, Tonga was flanked by the rest of the MFTs.

Fatu backed Tonga to the corner and made a clean break, but Tama kicked him and started an exchange of strikes. There was a time when Fatu would have dominated Tonga, but they are on a more even playing field now that Tama has put on a lot more muscle.

Fatu and Tonga had a solid back-and-forth fight. It never really felt like either guy was in control for too long, so it felt more competitive.

Fatu got the victory with his trademark moonsault, and surprisingly, the MFTs did not rush the ring to attack him like they usually would after any other match, but that is only because Drew McIntyre showed up to attack him.

He took out the longest pair of handcuffs ever made and used them to whip Fatu into the ring post. He tried to use them to tie Fatu to the ring post, but it didn't exactly work as planned. One of the cuffs kept releasing.

Result: Fatu defeated Tonga

Grade: C+

Notable Moments and Observations

Aldis booked Kit Wilson vs. Danhausen in a backstage segment. The Miz was pretty funny in this.

Fatu's handspring moonsault looked fine, but if Tama was a couple of feet further away from the ropes, Fatu would have had more room and made it look better.

Tonga's modified Cross Rhodes looked really good.

Sami Zayn Doesn't Know What He Did Wrong, Trick Williams vs. Matt Cardona

Bradlee Rutledge/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: Trick Williams defeated Jacob Fatu (SD, March 13), Matt Cardona lost to Aleister Black (SD, April 3)

Sami Zayn came out and tried to appeal to the crowd. He was getting some boos, but he said he would never turn on the fans who have supported him.

He asked the crowd why they were booing since he didn't know what he did wrong, but then he said he didn't care because the ride-or-die fans are still there for him.

Trick Williams and Lil Yachty came out to insult the United States champion. The crowd was way more behind Trick Willy than Zayn.

Zayn said the crowd might like Trick, but they don't love him yet. He promised to give Williams the fight of his life at WrestleMania. This was a solid exchange that helped hype up their match. Before the break, Matt Cardona came out for a match with Williams.

They got started during the picture-in-picture section. While the match itself wasn't too bad, the result being so obvious ahead of time made it hard to care. Williams was not about to lose to Cardona this close to WrestleMania.

They fought through another break, so they had a good amount of time to work and make this feel like more than a throwaway despite the predictability. Williams got the win, but Lil Yachty was taken out by a Helluva Kick before the win.

Result: Williams defeated Cardona

Grade: B-

Notable Moments and Observations

Danhausen, Truth and Priest had a funny segment backstage. Ripley took out B-Fab at the end of the segment.

Lil Yachty was wearing a shirt with a gingerbread man on it. It was some good trolling.

WWE needs to pair Cardona with Chelsea Green when she is healthy. They're too good together to not be used as a couple.

Zayn taking out Lil Yachty with a superkick during the match was great.

Danhausen vs. Kit Wilson

Craig Melvin/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: Kit Wilson and The Miz lost to Damian Priest and R-Truth (SD, April 3), This was Danhausen's in-ring debut for WWE

Danhausen finally made his in-ring debut for WWE this week, and his first match was against Kit Wilson. The Miz accompanied Wilson to the ring.

Wilson puffed up his chest as he had a standoff with Wilson and hit a dropkick and a Northern Lights suplex for a quick two-count right away.

As Wilson was on the top turnbuckle preparing for a move, Danhausen cast a curse that caused the pyro to go off and hit Wilson below the belt.

The painted man took advantage of the moment and scored the win. As The Miz prepared for a sneak attack, Danhausen escaped when the lights turned off.

Some matches are designed just for comedy, and this was one of them, but they did a good job with it. Wilson and The Miz had great facial expressions and reactions to everything. The match won't win awards, but it was enjoyable.

Result: Danhausen defeated Wilson

Grade: C+

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Notable Moments and Observations

These two men have two of the funniest entrance songs in WWE.

The Miz is so underrated. When he retires, he will be remembered for being one of the guys WWE could rely on to do anything. He makes small moments feel bigger by having such animated reactions.

Jade Cargill vs. Iyo Sky

Rich Wade/WWE via Getty Images

Last time in action: Jade Cargill defeated Michin (SD, March 13), Iyo Sky and Ripley defeated B-Fab and Michin (Raw, April 6)

The main event got started with about eight minutes left in the show, so Jade Cargill and Iyo Sky wasted no time getting right into the action.

Iyo was the star here, but Cargill looked like she has continued working on her game and improving. She looks more confident than ever in her movements, but she still has some rough edges that need sanding down.

They did a good job making this a competitive fight with limited time. Cargill got the win with Jaded, but Ripley was there in a heartbeat to prevent her from attacking Sky with a chair.

Result: Cargill defeated Sky

Grade: C+

Notable Moments and Observations

Cargill found Michin backstage after she had clearly been attacked by Ripley.

Having a commercial in the middle of the main event that was only given eight minutes is ridiculous.

Sky's springboard moonsault was a thing of beauty. Unlike some people who just hit their opponents with their arm on the way down, Sky throws her whole body at her opponents, and Jade caught her and bumped perfectly.

The Final Word

Melina Pizano/WWE Via Getty Images

Friday's SmackDown was a slight improvement over last week's episode, but it still felt like it spent too much time on certain things and not enough on others.

McAfee's promo was ill-advised and is likely to lead to more fan backlash, but Rhodes and Orton did well in the segment.

Royce Keys finally getting his first singles match was a long time coming, and he made a great second impression following his Rumble debut. The same can be said for Danhausen, but for different reasons.

A lot of WrestleMania stories were addressed, we got a couple of decent matches, and there were some funny moments, but this episode still left a lot to be desired.

Let's hope next week's go-home show does better to get fans excited for the biggest PLE of the year.

Grade: C+