Royce Keys Wins Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania Go-Home Show

Cody Rhodes and CM Punk share a moment of mutual respect ahead of their WrestleMania title matches

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:09am

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A cubist-style painting depicting the intense action of the Battle Royal and the emotional exchange between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk, with sharp, fragmented geometric shapes and planes representing the dynamic movements and powerful emotions of the wrestlers.The chaotic energy and high stakes of WrestleMania weekend captured in a cubist masterpiece.Las Vegas Today

On the final SmackDown before WrestleMania, the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal took center stage, with Royce Keys emerging victorious after a hard-fought battle. Meanwhile, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and CM Punk shared a rare moment of camaraderie, acknowledging each other's accomplishments and the significance of their respective WrestleMania title matches.

Why it matters

The Andre the Giant Battle Royal is a prestigious annual tradition at WrestleMania, and Keys' win sets him up for a potential push. The interaction between Rhodes and Punk also highlights the deep respect between two of WWE's top stars, adding an emotional layer to their championship aspirations at the biggest event of the year.

The details

The Battle Royal featured a number of WWE's top stars, including Ilja Dragunov, Aleister Black, and Otis. In the end, it came down to Royce Keys and the imposing Talla Tonga, with Keys ultimately prevailing and eliminating Tonga to claim the victory. In the main segment, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was interrupted by CM Punk, who offered words of advice and praise for Rhodes' journey. The two men shared a heartfelt embrace, acknowledging each other's accomplishments and the significance of their respective WrestleMania title matches - Rhodes against his mentor Randy Orton, and Punk against the dominant Roman Reigns.

  • The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal took place on the April 17, 2026 episode of SmackDown, the go-home show before WrestleMania.
  • Cody Rhodes and CM Punk's interaction occurred later in the same episode of SmackDown.

The players

Royce Keys

A rising star in WWE who emerged victorious in the prestigious Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, positioning himself for a potential push at WrestleMania and beyond.

Talla Tonga

A dominant big man who put up a strong showing in the Battle Royal before being eliminated by Royce Keys.

Cody Rhodes

The current WWE Champion, who is set to defend his title against his mentor, Randy Orton, in the main event of WrestleMania.

CM Punk

A former WWE Champion who returned to the company and is now challenging Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania.

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What they’re saying

“I'm here to give a little advice and remind Cody that Pat isn't worth anyone's time.”

— CM Punk

“Cody has learned from the best including Randy but no longer. I don't know what will happen at Mania, but I know they'll both be here on Monday, and I can only hope the fans show up on Monday for whatever happens.”

— CM Punk

“Five years after a debilitating back injury we got the best of HBK, now Punk might be turning into Mr. WrestleMania for this generation. If it means anything, Dusty would be extremely proud of Punk.”

— Cody Rhodes, WWE Champion

The takeaway

The Battle Royal victory for Royce Keys and the emotional exchange between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk have set the stage for an exciting WrestleMania weekend, with both men looking to cement their legacies at the biggest event of the year. The mutual respect between Rhodes and Punk adds an intriguing layer to their respective title matches, as they both aim to leave their mark on WWE history.