Nick Aldis Reveals April 18 SmackDown Will Kick Off Without Commercials

Just hours before WWE SmackDown hits the airwaves tonight, the company dropped a major update that has fans fired up.

At 4 PM ET, WWE posted new footage featuring SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis delivering the news: “The first hour of tonight’s SmackDown will be commercial-free.” The official WWE Twitter account followed that up with a promo caption that read:

“🚨🚨🚨 Just one night before #WrestleMania, @RealNickAldis breaks down everything you need to know for tonight’s #SmackDown including a commercial-free FIRST HOUR! 📺 8ET/7CT on @USANetwork.”

This last-minute announcement amps up the hype for the April 18 episode, which is the go-home show before WrestleMania 41 officially kicks off in Las Vegas. The stacked lineup already includes the return of John Cena, the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, and a WWE Tag Team Title clash between The Street Profits and Motor City Machine Guns.

Also on deck: Zelina Vega, Katana Chance, and Kayden Carter team up to face Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, and Alba Fyre in a six-woman tag. With Cena scheduled to speak just 48 hours before his title showdown with Cody Rhodes—and now a full hour of uninterrupted action—this show just became must-watch television.

The April 18 edition of SmackDown airs live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas at 8 PM ET on USA Network. International viewers can catch it on-demand or via Netflix.

WWE SmackDown April 18, 2025 Full Card

• WWE Tag Team Championship: The Street Profits (c) vs Motor City Machine Guns
• Six-Woman Tag Team Match: Zelina Vega, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance vs. Chelsea Green, Alba Fyre & Piper Niven
• Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
• John Cena Returns

Be sure to tune in live and follow along with Ringside News for full play-by-play coverage over in our SmackDown results section.