The post-WrestleMania 42 world continues to shake out on Friday night with the first episode of SmackDown since the two-night spectacle. WWE champion Cody Rhodes, who defeated Randy Orton in Night 1's main event, is scheduled to make an appearance on Friday to discuss what happened then and what comes next.

On the heels of WrestleMania 42 from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, WWE presented SmackDown, featuring appearances from the new women's champion, Rhea Ripley, and the winner of Saturday's Unsanctioned Match,

This is Wrestling Inc.'s live coverage of the "WWE SmackDown" following WrestleMania 42, emanating from Dickie's Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

WWE conducted a long series of roster cuts on Friday, including the release of a former Intercontinental and United States Champion. According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com, WWE veteran Apollo Crews is among the many superstars released from his contract. The 38-year-old had been with the company since 2015.

What was WWE's original plan for the Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes finish at WrestleMania 42?

Bryan Alvarez is reporting that Nikki Cross, Zoey Stark, Alba Fyre, and Joe Gacy have been released from the company. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp initially reported the releases that began on Friday afternoon, and is also reporting that Uncle Howdy (Bo Dallas) and Andre Chase have also been released.