WWE Pulls Title Match from April 17 SmackDown

WWE has made a late change to tonight’s SmackDown, and it involves pulling a championship match from the card.

The company confirmed that the previously scheduled Women’s United States Championship match between Giulia and Tiffany Stratton has been removed from the April 17 episode of Friday Night SmackDown. Instead of competing for the title, Stratton will now face Jordynne Grace in a number one contender’s match.

The winner of that match will earn a future shot at Giulia’s Women’s United States Championship, shifting the focus from a title defense to setting up the next challenger.

No reason was given for why the championship match was pulled, but the change is a big one, especially this close to the WrestleMania 42 go-home show. Stratton was originally scheduled to challenge Giulia for the title, but now she’ll have to get past Jordynne Grace first if she wants another shot.

Grace stepping into the match gives her a huge opportunity to jump straight into the title picture. With a future championship match on the line, the stakes remain high even without the title being defended tonight.

Here is the updated lineup for WWE SmackDown on April 17, 2026:

• Jordynne Grace vs Tiffany Stratton — No. 1 Contender’s Match for the Women’s United States Championship
• Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair vs Bayley & Lyra Valkyria
• Cody Rhodes Responds to Randy Orton
• Jacob Fatu Breaks Silence After Drew McIntyre Attack
• Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
• Street Fight: Wyatt Sicks vs The MFTs

Pulling a title match this close to the show definitely stands out, especially with WrestleMania 42 just around the corner and the women’s division continuing to heat up.

Do you think WWE made the right call pulling the Women’s United States Title match, or should Giulia have defended the championship tonight? Let us know what you think.