WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - March 13th, 2026
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Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton to sign contract for WrestleMania Title Match
After Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship last week on SmackDown, The American Nightmare and Elimination Chamber winner Randy Orton will sign the contract for their match at The Showcase of the Immortals.
:smackdown:
— The show kicks off with a video recapping the events of the Undisputed WWE Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre last Friday.
— Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore then greet audiences at home.
We see Nick Aldis reviewing Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton's WrestleMania 42 contract backstage, but he hears McIntyre at ringside calling him out as he vents his frustrations with Aldis being the reason he had to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship in the first place. Aldis appears and reminds McIntyre that he landed a Glasgow Kiss on the referee, then says McIntyre is looking for someone to blame with the consequences of his actions. McIntyre calls Aldis a corporate stooge, and Aldis becomes frustrated. He reminds McIntyre that he screwed Rhodes out of Undisputed WWE Championship matches twice at WWE Royal Rumble and WWE Elimination Chamber, then says he now understands McIntyre did that given that Rhodes beat him.
McIntyre storms in the ring and gets in Aldis' face, then demands that Aldis make things right. Jacob Fatu's music hits and he makes his way out, telling McIntyre that he evened things between them last Friday to cost him the Undisputed WWE Championship. He says things aren't about McIntyre or Rhodes, then says McIntyre is blaming everyone but himself. He admits to costing McIntyre the Undisputed WWE Championship last Friday and asks McIntyre what he's going to do about it. McIntyre then says he's done with everything and quits WWE.
— Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair & R-Truth hanging out backstage. We also see shots of Lash Legend & Nia Jax and The Miz backstage.
— We cut to a MFT promo. Solo Sikoa tells Tama Tonga to watch the lantern as he and Talla Tonga are going to fight The Wyatt Sicks. The MFTs leave and Tonga stays back with the lantern. Shinsuke Nakamura comes by and asks Tonga when he'll do things for himself. Sikoa comes back onto the screen and tells Nakamura to stay away from his family before he gets hurt.
— Nick Aldis talks to Jacob Fatu backstage. Trick Williams comes by and tells Aldis to do his job. Fatu says the only job here is him kicking Williams' ass. Fatu says he won't be disrespected anymore and leaves. Williams asks Aldis if he's going to let Fatu disrespect him like this. Aldis says Williams can battle Fatu tonight. Williams is pissed.
The Wyatt Sicks (w/Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy & Nikki Cross) vs. MFTs (w/Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & JC Mateo)
Talla and Rowan begin the action. The bell rings and the two lock up. Talla beats down Rowan, then tags out to Sikoa. Howdy tags in on his side, but Sikoa fires off right hands on Howdy in the corner. Talla sends Howdy crashing into the ring apron and announce desk face first, then sends him crashing into one of the barricades spine first.
During the commercial break, Talla sends Howdy crashing into the announce desk spine first and dumps him back in the ring. Sikoa levels Howdy with an uppercut and connects with Spinning Solo on him, then goes for a pin but Howdy kicks out. Howdy catches Sikoa with a back suplex when the commercial break ends, then tags in Rowan.
Rowan lands a DDT on Talla, but Howdy tags back in and sets up for Sister Abigail on Sikoa. Sikoa escapes and lands the Samoan Spike on Howdy, then goes for a pin but Rowan breaks the fall. Talla then lands a clothesline on Rowan on the outside as JC Mateo and Tonga Loa stare down Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy. All four men and Tama Tonga brawl on the outside, but Nikki Cross spots the lantern on the outside and takes it back from MFT. She runs around the ring with it and dangles it in front of Sikoa, opening the door for Howdy to land a Sister Abigail on Ikea for the win.
Winners: Uncle Howdy and Erick Rowan
— After the match, Cross gives Howdy the lantern and Howdy celebrates in the ring with the lantern. Tama Tonga runs in and hits Howdy with The Cutthroat and takes the lantern.
— R-Truth and Damian Priest talk backstage. Truth confuses MFT with The Judgement Day. Los Garza come in and tells Priest and Truth they did all the hard work in the gauntlet match. Priest suggests they have a tag match tonight.
— Kiana James & Giulia are backstage and they talk smack about Tiffany Stratton and James says she'll beat Stratton later tonight.
— Jade Cargill makes her way to the ring. Michin follows.
Jade Cargill vs. Michin
The bell rings and Michin rains down right hands on Cargill's spine. She delivers a shotgun dropkick on Cargill's midsection, then flies through the middle rope to level Cargill on the outside and dumps her back in the ring. Cargill runs over Michin with a pump kick and follows it up with a bodyslam, then sends Cargill crashing out of the ring through the middle rope and delivers a kick to her chest off the ring apron.
Michin looks to land a crossbody on Cargill off the ring steps, but Cargill catches her and lands a Fallaway Slam on her. Cargill jams her knee into the back of Michin's neck inside the ring during the commercial break, then fires off stomps on her and continues to wear her down.
Back from the break, Cargill sets up for Jaded on Michin. Michin escapes and lands a Tornado DDT on Cargill, then goes for a pin but Cargill kicks out. Michin then lands a Pele Kick on Cargill, then follows it up with a Sliced Bread out of the corner and lands Eat Defeat on Cargill.
Michin looks to fly off the apron on the outside, but Cargill runs over her and powerbombs her on the barricade near the timekeeper's area. She dumps Michin back in the ring and mockingly licks her face, then connects with a chokeslam and Jaded on her for the win.
Winner: Jade Cargill
— After the match, Cathy Kelley tries to get a word from Cargill. Cargill snatches the mic from Kelley and puts the women's roster on notice. Cargill says when she walks by the roster goes quiet but the world wants her to be scared of Rhea Ripley. Cargill says Ripley isn't a threat and she isn't afraid of Ripley. Ripley's music hits and she marches out to the ring. Ripley gets in the ring and Cargill quickly exits the ring. Ripley tells Cargill that she runs her mouth but runs when Ripley comes out to talk to her face to face. Ripley tells Cargill that Cargill says she's that bitch, but after WrestleMania, Cargill will be her bitch and drops the mic.
— Nick Aldis is on the phone backstage. Cody Rhodes comes by and asks about Drew McIntyre. Aldis tells Rhodes to worry about his contract signing and leaves. Sami Zayn comes by and congratulates Rhodes and says he's rooting for Rhodes. Rhodes says Zayn said the exact same thing to Randy Orton. Rhodes asks Zayn if he wants a title shot and if that's why he's doing this. Zayn says he said that to Orton because he looks up to Orton and says he doesn't look up to Rhodes because he and Rhodes are friends and friends should be equal. Zayn says Rhodes doesn't get to talk down to him and Rhodes says he's Zayn's cheerleader so he doesn't know what he's talking about. Rhodes tells Zayn to not look up to him but just look at his belt. Rhodes leaves and Zayn crashes out. Zelina and Aleister Black approach Zayn after Rhodes leaves and Black asks Zayn if he's meant for this. Zayn tells Black and Zelina to stay away from him.
— Michin and B-Fab talk backstage. Rhea Ripley comes by and tells Michin she's proud of her. Michin tells Ripley she should be up for the title. B-Fab tells Ripley that Michin needs a second and they leave. Ripley is confused why Michin was so abrasive.
— The Bella Twins come out to the ring after Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss come out to their match. Brie says it's good to be back on SmackDown in their hometown. Nikki says they're here not to wish Bliss & Flair good luck and Brie says they're here to say they're next in line for the Tag Titles. The Bellas will be sitting at ringside to eye up their competition.
— The Irresistible Forces make their way down to the ring.
:womenstag:
WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Match: The Irresistible Forces (c) vs. Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair
The bell rings and Jax and Legend blindside Bliss and Flair from behind. Jax jams her boot into Bliss in the corner as Legend wears down Flair, but Flair and Bliss manage to send both Jax and Legend crashing out of the ring. Bliss looks to land a cannonball on Jax off the ring apron, but Jax catches Bliss and sends her crashing into the ring apron face first. Flair then lands a crossbody on Jax over the top rope, but Legend runs her over with a pump kick.
During the commercial break, Bliss fires off right hands on Jax back in the ring and tags out to Legend. Legend lands a splash on Bliss' spine and pins her, but Bliss kicks out and Legend tags in Jax.
Jax accidentally hits The Bella Twins on the outside back from the break, prompting Brie to rain down right hands on Legend inside the ring to cause the disqualification.
Winners by Disqualification: Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair
— After the match, The Bella Twins, Flair, Bliss, and The Irresistible Forces begin brawling with one another. Legend traps Nikki in a Bear Hug, and Jax lands a leg drop on Nikki off the middle rope. Legend and Jax are left standing tall in the ring.
— R-Truth and Jelly Roll talk backstage. Damian Priest comes by and tells Truth they have to go and leave. Randy Orton comes by and he and Jelly Roll congratulate each other on their successes. Orton tells Jelly Roll to whip The Miz's ass if he talks too much and leaves Jelly Roll.
— Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair and The Bella Twins argue backstage. The Bellas says they have a title shot next.
— Damian Priest and R-Truth make their way out. Los Garza follow.
Damian Priest and R-Truth vs. Los Garza
The bell rings and Truth and Priest overpower Angel and Berto. Angel lands a running knee on Truth as Berto lands a kick on Truth's spine before tags in Berto. Berto then pins Truth, but Truth kicks out. Los Garza then land moonsaults on Priest and Truth off the ropes to take them out on the outside.
Back from the break, Priest lands a back elbow on Berto in the corner before Truth lands an Attitude Adjustment on Berto and Priest delivers South of Heaven to Angel at the same time. Both men then pin Angel and Berto for the win.
Winners: Damian Priest vs. R-Truth
— Johnny Gargano is laying on a crate. Candice LeRae tells Alex Shelley she doesn't know what to do anymore. Shelley says they need to get back to basics and LeRae wheels Gargano out. Chris Sabin comes by and asks Shelley why he's wasting his time with Gargano. Sabin says he got them a match next week against Fraxiom and he's unsure Shelley is committed to the team and tells Shelley to prove it.
— The Miz is walking backstage. Danhausen comes by and says since The Miz is his mentor, he has a Danhausen shirt for him. The Miz doesn't like that Danhausen already has merch. Danhausen gives The Miz pointers on The MizTV show and The Miz doesn't like it so Danhausen curses him.
— We come back from a commercial break and The Miz is in the ring for MizTV.
The Miz welcomes fans to "MizTV" and introduces Jelly Roll. Jelly Roll makes his way out, and The Miz welcomes him to "MizTV". Jelly Roll says there was no way he was going to miss Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton main eventing WrestleMania 42.
The Miz proposes tagging with Helly Roll at WrestleMania 42, but Jelly Roll declines to do so and points out that The Miz turns on everyone of his partners. The Miz tries taking credit for Jelly Roll's redemption arc, but Jelly Roll stands up for himself and promises to beat The Miz. The Miz tells Jelly Roll to understand who he's in the ring and claims to be a locker room leader. Jelly Roll responds by calling The Miz a locker room loser.
Kit Wilson makes his way out and says Jelly Roll is the problem, but Jelly Roll says he likes Wilson and does Wilson's signature dance. Wilson becomes fired up and says Jelly Roll doesn't inspire people, then calls him toxic. Jelly Roll and Wilson stare one another down, but Wilson shoves Jelly Roll. The Miz holds Wilson back and looks to land a right hand on him, but Wilson ducks out of the way and ends up hitting The Miz.
We then head backstage to a conversation between Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov. Hayes shares that he feels like his US Open Challenge has become a burden to him, and Dragunov opens up a little bit to Hayes. Hayes tells Dragunov that he thinks there's something more to why he doesn't want to fight him, and Dragunov admits that he can't find Hayes.
— Apollo Crews and Ilja Dragunov make fun of The Miz being punched out. Carmelo Hayes comes by and asks if he can speak to Dragunov. Dragunov says Hayes doesn't understand him and that he doesn't know peace. Hayes tells Dragunov to lock in and doesn't know why Dragunov won't fight him. Dragunov says he can't fight Hayes while he's fighting himself.
— Tiffany Stratton is backstage and she calls out Giulia. Chelsea Green wheels by in her wheelchair and Stratton pushes her away and continues to tell Giulia that she'll show her what time it is.
— The Miz and Kit Wilson talk backstage. Wilson tells The Miz he'll talk to Nick Aldis and teach Jelly Roll a lesson. Danhausen comes by and says if he was out there he could have helped. The Miz tells Danhausen to get lost after Danhausen suggests The Miz become his mentor to remove the curse put on The Miz.
— Tiffany Stratton makes her way to the ring. Kiana James and Giulia follow.
Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James (w/ Giulia)
The bell rings and Stratton lands a Sunset Flip on James. She goes for a pin, but James kicks out and Stratton sends her crashing into adjacent turnbuckles face first. James catches Stratton with the Deal Breaker and sends Stratton crashing into the ring apron spine first on the outside, then sends her crashing into the barricade spine first.
Back from the break, Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre make their way to the ring as Stratton sends James crashing into the mat and pins her. James kicks out and sends Stratton crashing into the mat with a Falcon Arrow, but Stratton sets up for Prettiest Moonsault Ever on James. Giulia pulls James out of the ring, but Stratton flies to level James on the outside.
Green stands up from her wheelchair and looks to hit Stratton with a pipe-shaped pink object. Giulia stops her from doing so and hops up on the apron, but James accidentally sends her crashing off the apron with a boot. Stratton then takes advantage and delivers Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the win.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
— Cathy Kelley catches up with Trick Williams backstage. Williams says Nick Aldis had no business making this match and vows to beat Jacob Fatu. Sami Zayn comes by and tells Williams he hasn't done anything he promised because Williams runs his mouth and can't back it up. He says Williams is embarrassed and he should be. Williams says Zayn is lucky he has a match tonight or he'd drop Zayn right now. Zayn says he's easy to find and is here every week so he'll see Williams around.
— Jacob Fatu makes his way to the ring. Trick Williams follows.
Jacob Fatu vs. Trick Williams
The bell rings and the two lock up. Fatu fires off right hands on Williams, then clotheslines him out of the ring over the top rope. Williams sends Fatu crashing into the announce desk face first on the outside during the commercial break, but Fatu sends Williams crashing into the barricade on the outside.
Williams rains down right hands on Fatu back in the ring and wears him down with a submission hold, then sends Fatu crashing into the mat and lands a flapjack on him back from the break. He follows it up with a uranage and goes for a pin, but Fatu kicks out.
Williams calls for the Trick Shot on Fatu, but Fatu intercepts him with a superkick and follows it up with a Samoan Drop. He connects with a Hip Attack on Williams and ascends to the top rope, then delivers a Swanton Bomb to Williams and goes for a pin. Williams kicks out.
Drew McIntyre appears out of nowhere and sends Fatu crashing into the ring post as the referee is distracted by Williams. McIntyre dumps Fatu back in the ring, where Williams is waiting with the Trick Shot to him for the win.
Winner: Trick Williams
— After the match, McIntyre Claymores Fatu leaving him laid out in the ring.
We return from break, Nick Aldis is in the middle of the ring and introduces Orton and Rhodes, they both make their way to the ring.
Nick Aldis leaves the ring as Rhodes says he came to WWE in 2007 and his first match was against Orton. He recalls watching Orton become a Royal Rumble winner and main event WrestleMania, then thought about wanting to do the same. He says when he left, Orton said that Rhodes would be a World Champion and while he came back to WWE alone, he still had Orton. He says he's not Orton's son or brother, but he's his boy and signs the contract.
Orton hesitates to sign the contract and says he doesn't think Rhodes understands he needs the Undisputed WWE Championship and the WrestleMania 42 main event. He says this was supposed to be easy with Drew McIntyre, but Rhodes cuts him off and says this is the best that Orton has been. He hypes Orton up, and Orton signs the contract.
Orton sends Rhodes' head bouncing off the announce desk and rips up Rhodes's shirt, then sends Rhodes crashing over the announce desk and rains down right hands on him as Rhodes begins to bleed. He places Rhodes' head in the ring steps as Rhodes still lays on the announce desk and clocks Jelly Roll as officials make their way out. Orton heads to the back as Rhodes is checked on, but reemerges with a chair in hand and uses it to hit Rhodes with his head still wedged in the ring steps.
Orton grabs the Undisputed WWE Championship belt and stares at it in his lap as Rhodes is being checked on and the show goes off the air.
