Women’s US Title Match Pulled From WWE Smackdown, #1 Contenders Match Announced

WWE has changed up the card for tonight’s WWE Smackdown, pulling the announced Women’s United States Title match in favor of a #1 contenders match for the show. As previously noted, WWE had announced that Giulia would defend her championship against Tiffany Stratton on Friday night’s show. That is no longer the case, with WWE removing the match from their official preview for the episode.

Instead, the company announced that Stratton will face Jordynne Grace in a #1 contenders match for the US Championship. The announcement on Twitter reads:

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

No word on why the change was made to the card. Grace made her return following an ankle injury on this week’s episode of WWE Main Event, defeating former Women’s US Champion Zelina Vega.

WWE Smackdown takes place from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show airs live on USA Network and Netflix internationally. It will be followed by the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony at Dolby Live at Park MGM, which will air immediately after on ESPN Unlimited and YouTube internationally starting at midnight ET/9 PM PT.

* Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal: Competitors TBA.
* Street Fight: The Wyatt Sicks vs. MFTs.
* WWE Women’s United States Championship #1 Contenders Match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jordynne Grace
* Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria.
* Cody Rhodes to speak.
* Jacob Fatu responds to Drew McIntyre.

411 will have live coverage of Smackdown and the Hall of Fame.

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

📍: Las Vegas
🎟️: https://t.co/KQ3Cm5D2Jg
📺: 8 ET/7 CT on @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/3vpMFeFJbD

— WWE (@WWE) April 17, 2026