WWE SmackDown (April 3, 2026): Preview, Match Card, News, Timings & Telecast Details The blue brand’s WWE SmackDown returns to St. Louis, Missouri, on Friday, April 3, 2026, at the Enterprise Center, a location with deep significance for Randy Orton. The episode marks a pivotal moment in the storyline surrounding Orton’s mysterious caller, whose identity will be revealed to the St. Louis audience. This event carries weight as WrestleMania 42 approaches, set for April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with outcomes from this week’s show likely influencing the grand spectacle. The episode follows a dramatic week on the blue brand, including Cody Rhodes’ return after a brutal beatdown, his ensuing brawl with Orton, and the controversial developments at the previous SmackDown. Sami Zayn reclaimed the United States Championship by defeating Carmelo Hayes in an open challenge, while GM Nick Aldis officially announced an Unsanctioned Match between Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre for WrestleMania 42. The Bella Twins secured a controversial victory over Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, and a 3-on-1 assault by Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin left Rhea Ripley incapacitated. These events set the stage for a high-stakes episode in St. Louis. Randy Orton’s mystery caller is the central focus of the night. Orton has teased the identity of the caller, with fans speculating that it could be Bob Orton Jr., his real-life father, given the “Royal Family” storyline. The reveal is expected to have immediate implications for Orton’s upcoming title match against Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42. The episode will also feature other superstars, including Cody Rhodes, Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, Solo Sikoa, and Drew McIntyre, who will be central to the action.#wrestlemania_42 #st_louis #randy_orton #enterprise_center #wwe_smackdown

St. Louis Blues Projected Lineup for March 26 Game Against San Jose Sharks St. Louis Blues head coach Jim Montgomery confirmed on Wednesday that Robert Thomas will miss the team’s game against the San Jose Sharks on Thursday due to an injury sustained during Tuesday’s matchup against the Washington Capitals. Thomas, who is listed as day-to-day, will not be part of the lineup for the contest at Enterprise Center. His absence will require adjustments to the team’s top line, with Dalibor Dvorsky stepping into the center role for the top unit. The lineup changes were outlined during a morning skate at the Enterprise Center, which was optional for players. Montgomery provided details on the expected formation for the game, noting that Pius Suter will take over the center position on the third line. Nathan Walker will join the fourth line as a wing, while Matthew Kessel will replace Justin Holl on the defensive side. Joel Hofer has been named the starting goaltender for the matchup. The Blues’ projected lineup includes Dylan Holloway, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Jimmy Snuggerud on the top line. Pavel Buchnevich and Jordan Kyrou will form the second line with Otto Stenberg, while Pius Suter and Jonatan Berggren will pair with Alexey Toropchenko on the third line. Nathan Walker will join Jack Finley on the fourth line. Defensively, Philip Broberg and Logan Mailloux will form one pair, with Theo Lindstein and Colton Parayko on the other. Matthew Kessel will join Cam Fowler on the blue line. The game is set for a 7 p.m. start at Enterprise Center, with fans able to watch the matchup on FanDuel Sports Network Midwest or listen on 101 ESPN. The Blues’ broadcast app will also provide coverage.#st_louis_blues #san_jose_sharks #enterprise_center #jim_montgomery #robert_thomas

Washington Capitals Begin Three-Game Road Trip in St. Louis The Washington Capitals kick off their final multi-game road trip of the 2025-26 season on Tuesday night in St. Louis, facing the Blues at the Enterprise Center. The team, currently sitting at 35-27-9, enters the contest on a five-game point streak (3-0-2) after a recent four-game homestand that ended in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Colorado Avalanche. The Caps led 1-0 heading into the third period but fell short, dropping to 26-1-2 in games where they held a lead entering the final 20 minutes. Coach Spencer Carbery acknowledged the frustration of the loss but praised the team’s overall performance. “It’s hard to say you let a game slip like that,” he said. “But we’re leading the game going into the third period, 1-0. So, in that sense [yes]. But when you look at the underlying numbers, they’ve got us out-chanced—not a significant [amount], but a little bit—and those games can go either way. You’re protecting a lead and you give one back, so it’s 1-1.” Despite the loss, the Capitals managed to secure a point, thanks to a power-play goal by captain Alex Ovechkin in the third period. The goal, his first of the season on home ice and his 923rd career goal, tied the game at 2-2 and forced overtime. Ovechkin’s strike also marked his first career assist for 19-year-old Cole Hutson, the only Caps player born after Ovechkin’s NHL debut in 2005. Ovechkin’s milestone brought his career total to 1,000 goals, combining his 923 regular-season goals with 77 playoff goals. Carbery reflected on the significance of the achievement, noting, “It’s just another accolade for him in his incredible career. And to get a thousand goals and to do it on home ice and do it in the way [he did], I like the way things are done.#washington_capitals #spencer_carbery #alex_ovechkin #enterprise_center #cole_hutson

Purdue Boilermakers Advance to March Madness Second Round The No. 2 Purdue Boilermakers secured their place in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament after defeating No. 15 Queens Royals by a score of 104-71 in the first round. The game, held in St. Louis on Friday night, saw Purdue dominate from the outset, building a 45-33 lead at halftime. Purdue guard Braden Smith made history by becoming the all-time leader in career assists in men’s Division I basketball during the contest. The Boilermakers’ commanding performance extended to a final margin of 33 points, showcasing their strength and depth. With the victory, Purdue will face No. 7 Miami in the Round of 32 on Sunday, March 22. The matchup is set to take place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, where the Boilermakers will aim to continue their strong run in the tournament. Purdue’s path to the second round was marked by their No. 2 seed in the West regional, a position that reflects their strong season performance. The team’s next challenge will be against the Hurricanes, who advanced by defeating No. 10 Missouri in their opening game. The 2026 March Madness tournament kicked off on March 17 with the First Four, and the first two rounds will span from March 19 to March 22. The tournament will conclude with the Final Four on April 4 and the National Championship game on April 6. For fans hoping to attend the Purdue-Miami matchup, the Enterprise Center will host the Round of 32 game. While limited tickets remain for the first weekend of the tournament, the Boilermakers’ next game is a key event in the bracket. Purdue’s schedule for the tournament includes their Round of 32 game against Miami, with the exact tip-off time yet to be announced. If the Boilermakers advance further, they would face the Sweet 16 in San Jose, Calif.#miami #braden_smith #enterprise_center #purdue_boilermakers #queens_royals
Missouri basketball vs Miami prediction: Our pick for 2026 NCAA bracket first round Missouri basketball will face Miami in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, with the matchup set for Friday night at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. The Tigers, ranked No. 10, will take on the seventh-seeded Hurricanes, marking a return to the tournament for Mizzou after a three-game losing streak. The game will serve as a de facto home game for Missouri, given the location. Miami, led by first-year head coach Jai Lucas, has transformed into a top-tier team this season, finishing third in the ACC and securing a spot in the Big Dance. The Hurricanes’ turnaround from a seven-win team last year has been remarkable, with their offensive prowess standing out. They rank among the nation’s best in scoring in the paint, trailing only Florida and Gonzaga in that category. Miami also excels in offensive rebounding, grabbing 37% of second-chance opportunities. Missouri, meanwhile, will need to overcome its recent struggles to make an impact. The Tigers’ effective field goal percentage is nearly on par with Miami’s, but their defensive efficiency ranks 167th nationally when adjusted for opponents. A key weakness for Miami is its poor performance against 3-point shooting, allowing opponents to convert 35.4% of attempts—a troubling stat for Missouri’s perimeter shooters. The Tigers will need to capitalize on this gap, particularly with players like Jayden Stone or Jacob Crews hitting from beyond the arc. The matchup between Malik Reneau and Mark Mitchell is expected to be a defining moment. Both players, standing 6-foot-9, average around 18 points per game and share similar shooting percentages from three-point range.#st_louis #enterprise_center #missouri_basketball #miami_basketball #jai_lucas
Purdue Basketball: How to Watch #2 Purdue (27-8) vs. #15 Queens (21-13) & Fan Discussion Purdue and Queens both secured their spots in the NCAA Tournament by winning their respective conference tournaments, setting the stage for a matchup between the two teams. Purdue, ranked No. 2 in the latest poll, advanced to the tournament after defeating Michigan in Chicago, improving to a No. 2 seed and heading to St. Louis for the first round. Queens, the No. 15 seed, earned their berth by overcoming Central Arkansas in their tournament finale. The game will determine which team advances to the second round, with Purdue needing to prove they can handle a lower-seeded opponent. Purdue’s history in the tournament against underdog teams has been mixed, with notable examples like Duke’s upset over a 16-seed and Wisconsin’s loss to High Point. These outcomes highlight that seedings do not guarantee success, and Purdue must earn their place in the round of 32 by defeating Queens. The Royals, while not a household name, have shown resilience in their tournament run, and their ability to compete will be tested against a top-tier team. The game is scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026, at 7:35 p.m. ET at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, which has a capacity of 18,096. Fans can tune in to the Purdue Global Radio Network for live coverage, with Rob Blackman and Bobby Riddell providing commentary. The atmosphere in St. Louis is expected to be electric as both teams vie for a spot in the next round. For fans, the game represents a critical moment in the tournament. Purdue’s path to the second round hinges on this matchup, and the outcome will shape their trajectory in the postseason.#st_louis #purdue_basketball #queens_basketball #enterprise_center #purdue_global_radio_network
