{"id":158345,"date":"2026-04-14T18:55:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-14T22:55:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=158345"},"modified":"2026-04-14T18:55:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T22:55:31","slug":"wwe-wrestlemania-smackdown-predictions-danhausen-will-curse-the-andre-the-giant-battle-royal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2026\/04\/14\/wwe-wrestlemania-smackdown-predictions-danhausen-will-curse-the-andre-the-giant-battle-royal\/","title":{"rendered":"WWE WrestleMania SmackDown Predictions: Danhausen Will Curse The Andre The Giant Battle Royal"},"content":{"rendered":"

WWE SmackDown Predictions\u00a0are here for April 17, 2026. This week\u2019s episode is taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, as WWE is on the last pit stop on the road to WrestleMania 42. The biggest talk in town seems to be Pat McAfee<\/a> disrupting the WrestleMania program between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes<\/a> with his antics. It seems that McAfee was strategically utilized as a mechanism to drive heel heat for Orton and babyface sympathy since Orton was being cheered and Rhodes was being booed as a face.<\/span><\/p>\n

In other news, both Danhausen and Royce Keys won their in-ring debuts last week against Kit Wilson and Berto. Although it is questionable that Carmelo Hayes<\/a> is not included in the U.S. Title Match between “Gingerbread Man” Sami Zayn and “KFC Enthusiast” Trick Williams at WrestleMania, the program has been entertaining. The feud between Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre<\/a> even got more personal after McIntyre called back to Fatu’s criminal history and handcuffed him to the steel post.<\/span><\/p>\n

On this episode, it will be interesting to see if Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill<\/a> have a face-off after taking down each other’s allies in Michin, B-Fab, and Iyo Sky. Speaking of Iyo Sky, will WWE add any more women’s matches to the WrestleMania 42 card<\/a>, like Iyo Sky vs. Asuka vs. Kairi Sane or even Giulia (c) vs. Tiffany Stratton for the U.S. Title? It would be a shame if the U.S. Title is not defended on yet another PPV since being introduced. Even Damian Priest and R-Truth’s Tag Titles are not being defended on Mania this year.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This week on SmackDown, two matches have been officially scheduled: The Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal and Wyatt Sicks vs. MFTs in a Street Fight. Without further ado, here are the official SmackDown Predictions for April 17, 2026.<\/span><\/p>\n

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal [Over-The-Top-Rope Battle Royal]<\/h2>\n

Every year, it can be quite difficult to ascertain the storyline reasons and stakes for this battle royal. It merely comes off as a battle royal for mid carders and hot tags who are not on the WrestleMania card. And, when they do win, it leads to nothing. Most of the past Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal Winners, like Cesaro, Baron Corbin, Mojo Rawley, Big Show, Matt Hardy, Madcap Moss, Braun Strowman, and Bobby Lashley are not even in the WWE anymore. That says a lot about how meaningless this battle royal is.<\/p>\n

Henceforth, there is really no substantial logic that can be applied to predicting the winner to this match. This battle royal is cursed, which is exactly why Danhausen should win it this year. Danhuasen has truly been a pleasure to watch on television. His comedic role on TV is necessary for WWE storylines.<\/p>\n

His debut in the box did not seem promising at first, as many fans were expecting a bigger star at the time. However, he has gradually grown on the fanbase<\/a> and his debut victory is a good indicator of his positive momentum.<\/p>\n

Prediction: Danhausen<\/strong><\/p>\n

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You can’t see @DanhausenAD<\/a>! \ud83d\udc4b@ScrapDaddyAP<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ie6LDlBDkw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 WWE (@WWE) April 14, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n