Trending Now - Royce Keys Claims Victory in Andre the Giant Battle Royal

WHO:

Cageside Seats - Royce Keys is a WWE newcomer and a former AEW star.

Sportskeeda - Royce Keys won the 2026 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Cageside Seats - The match featured more than 25 participants, including Aleister Black, Joe Hendry, Shinsuke Nakamura, Ilja Dragunov, Akira Tozawa, Otis, and Talla Tonga.

WHAT:

Cageside Seats - The match included more than 25 participants, but only Royce Keys and Joe Hendry received televised entrances.

Cageside Seats - Last year's winner, Carmelo Hayes, was absent from the match.

Sportskeeda - Royce Keys won the 2026 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on WWE SmackDown.

Cageside Seats - Aleister Black eliminated several competitors, including Joe Hendry, Shinsuke Nakamura, Ilja Dragunov, and Akira Tozawa, before reaching the final four.

Cageside Seats - The final four competitors were Royce Keys, Aleister Black, Talla Tonga, and Otis.

Cageside Seats - Royce Keys eliminated Aleister Black and Talla Tonga to secure his victory.

WHERE:

Sportskeeda - The event took place on WWE SmackDown.

Cageside Seats - The match was part of the WrestleMania 42 event.

WHEN:

Cageside Seats - The match was part of the WrestleMania SmackDown event on April 17th, 2026.

Sportskeeda - The match occurred on April 17th, 2026.

Cageside Seats - This was the 12th Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

WHY:

Cageside Seats - The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is a traditional event leading up to WrestleMania, showcasing WWE talent.

Cageside Seats - The match is a traditional event leading up to WrestleMania, showcasing WWE talent.

HOW:

Cageside Seats - Royce Keys eliminated Aleister Black and Talla Tonga using a spinebuster to secure his victory.

Cageside Seats - Royce Keys used a spinebuster to eliminate Talla Tonga for the victory.

(UPDATED April 18, 2026 15:11 UTC)

At the WrestleMania SmackDown event on Friday, WWE newcomer Royce Keys, a former AEW star, triumphed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which featured over 25 participants. While only Keys and Joe Hendry received televised entrances, last year's winner, Carmelo Hayes, was notably absent from the match. Keys secured his victory by eliminating Aleister Black and Talla Tonga with a powerful spinebuster.

--

(UPDATED April 18, 2026 13:19 UTC)

Royce Keys emerged victorious in the 2026 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, which took place on WWE SmackDown as part of the WrestleMania 42 event on Friday. The match featured over 25 competitors, with Aleister Black making a strong showing by eliminating several wrestlers before reaching the final four alongside Keys, Talla Tonga, and Otis. In a decisive moment, Keys used a spinebuster to eliminate Talla Tonga and secure his win.