The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal returned on the April 17 episode of SmackDown in Las Vegas, with a stacked field competing for momentum ahead of WrestleMania 42. However, the final moments told a very different story.
With 25 competitors filling the ring, chaos came early and often, setting the tone for a match that quickly turned into survival of the strongest — and smartest.
Royce Keys outlasts the field to win Andre the Giant memorial Bbattle royal
Royce Keys emerged as the last man standing, eliminating Talla Tonga in the closing sequence to secure the win. The finish came after Tonga attempted a chokeslam, only for Keys to escape, deliver a spinebuster, and follow up with a decisive clothesline. When the dust settled, Keys didn’t just stand tall — he stood alone.
The match itself moved at a rapid pace. Kit Wilson was the first to exit after tripping over Johnny Gargano, proving that sometimes the biggest elimination is your own footing — a slip that would make even a seasoned superstar lose their balance, literally and figuratively.
From there, eliminations came thick and fast. Aleister Black tossed out Joe Hendry, while Talla Tonga made his presence felt by eliminating multiple competitors, including Rey Fenix, with a mid-air chokeslam. Meanwhile, Keys quietly built momentum, taking out Psycho Clown earlier before eliminating Black to clear his path to the final stretch.
The closing trio — Keys, Tonga, and Otis — brought a heavyweight feel to the finish. Otis briefly surged, but a big boot from Tonga ended his run, leaving Keys to face the final challenge. That’s where Keys flipped the script, turning defense into offense in one smooth sequence.
Keys’ victory continues a strong start to his WWE run following his January debut and recent SmackDown win. Like the Andre trophy itself, this win carries weight — and Keys just lifted his stock along with it.
With WrestleMania 42 now on its way, this result positions him as a name to watch moving forward.
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