Carmelo Hayes Claims Victory in Thrilling Andre the Giant Battle Royal

LAS VEGAS, Nevada — In a thrilling episode leading into WrestleMania 41, WWE SmackDown delivered intense matchups and electrifying moments at the T-Mobile Arena. Highlights included Carmelo Hayes winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and fiery confrontations between champions John Cena and Cody Rhodes.

The show opened with Seth Rollins taking center stage, delivering a scathing promo targeting CM Punk, stating, “He came back to wrestling, not for the fans, but for a big, fat check.” Despite the crowd’s mixed reactions, Rollins highlighted his sacrifices in the industry, hinting he would leave everything in the ring during his triple threat match at WrestleMania.

The first match of the night was the highly anticipated Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, featuring 26 competitors. The final four, Rey Fenix, Shinsuke Nakamura, Andrade, and Carmelo Hayes, captivated fans with their skills. Hayes ultimately emerged victorious, eliminating Andrade for the win, earning him prestigious recognition ahead of WrestleMania.

In women’s action, Rhea Ripley confidently declared her intentions to reclaim the Women’s Championship at WrestleMania, igniting a brawl with fellow competitors Naomi, Jade Cargill, and Iyo Sky. The segment showcased the fierce rivalry among the wrestlers, highlighting the stakes as they prepared for the championship bout.

The Street Profits faced off against The Motor City Machine Guns in a WWE Tag Team Championship match that ended in a no contest after DIY intervened, setting the stage for a chaotic TLC match next week. A backstage segment with Nick Aldis confirmed that all three teams would compete for the titles in this upcoming match.

John Cena appeared alongside Rhodes in one final showdown before their WrestleMania matchup. Cena warned Rhodes that he could retire from wrestling after the event, chastising him for needing the fans’ approval. The intensity built as both superstars exchanged barbs, gathering palpable anticipation leading into their title match on Sunday. The segment culminated with Rhodes hitting Cena with his signature Cross Rhodes, leaving fans eager for what is to come.

Quick match results:

• Carmelo Hayes wins the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
• Street Profits vs. Motor City Machine Guns ends in no contest
• Zelina Vega def. Chelsea Green
• LA Knight def. Solo Sikoa by disqualification
• LA Knight and Braun Strowman def. Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa
• Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee def. American Made

As SmackDown came to a close, anticipation for WrestleMania 41 reached new heights, promising an unforgettable showdown between champions and competitors.