WWE Friday Night Smackdown Live Coverage - March 27th, 2026
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Who will Randy Orton attack next on The Road to WrestleMania?
Just one week after savagely attacking his former friend and brother, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton unleashed another vicious assault on Matt Cardona. Which Superstar will The Legend Killer ambush next?
:smackdown:
— The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie), Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair, Giulia & Kiana James, Tiffany Stratton, Kit Wilson, and Jelly Roll with his son are all shown backstage before the show. We then cut to clips from last week's SmackDown.
— Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore greet audiences at home as Randy Orton makes his way to the ring.
Orton says he stood across from Cody Rhodes in the ring two weeks ago, and Rhodes told him that Orton needed to be the best version of himself for the fans. He says Rhodes told him to listen to the voices in his head, but he shut those voices out a long time ago.
Orton says he's been thinking a lot about his 15th World Championship over the past few years, and says now he's listening to the voices in his head once again, he can't be held responsible for what happens next. He says the voices aren't the problem, but the voices outside his head that are the problem.
Matt Cardona storms down to the ring and hits Orton with his microphone. He dares Orton to hit him as Orton processes the voices in his head.
— We head backstage, where Nick Aldis informs Trick Williams that he's decided to give him a match at WrestleMania 42. Sami Zayn approaches and asks Aldis what he's doing at WrestleMania 42, but Aldis tells Zayn that things haven't been going his way and says there's no spot for Zayn on the WrestleMania 42 card unless something changes. A contemplative Zayn slowly walks off, but he suddenly gets an idea and heads back towards Aldis. He levels Williams with a right hand as Williams continues to gloat, then promises Aldis that he will have a WrestleMania 42 match.
— Back at ringside, Nikki Bella and Brie Bella make their way out. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss follow.
— Randy Orton yells at Nick Aldis backstage. Orton wants a match with Matt Cardona tonight. Orton if he doesn't make this match happen something bad will happen. Aldis agrees to the match for tonight.
— Before our first match, The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax & Lash Legend) appear at the entryway. Jax trash talks the teams in the ring and says on Monday they'll take out Bayley and Lyra Valkyria. Legend says they're hotter than The Bellas and better than Flair and Bliss.
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Nikki Bella and Brie Bella
Flair and Nikki begin the action. The bell rings and Flair lands a shoulder tackle on Nikki. Nikki levels Flair and tags out to Brie. Brie delivers a double ax handle to Flair off the middle rope and connects with a chop on her chest, but Flair whips Brie into the corner face first and lands a chop on her.
Bliss tags in and Flair assists her in landing a shotgun dropkick on Brie. Brie connects with a Russian Leg Sweep on Bliss and pins her, but Bliss kicks out. Bliss levels Brie with a shotgun dropkick and looks to fly out of the ring, but Brie traps Bliss in the ring apron and Nikki rocks Bliss with a forearm. The Bella Twins then get into Flair and Bliss' faces on the outside.
During the commercial break, Brie wears down Bliss' arm with a submission hold inside the ring. Nikki tags in and lands a kick on Bliss' arm, then continues to wear it down and sends Bliss crashing into the mat. She sends Bliss crashing into the corner and tags Brie back in.
Brie and Nikki land a double flapjack on Bliss and pin her, but Bliss kicks out. Flair tags in back from the break and fires off chops on both Nikki and Brie, then delivers a clothesline to Nikki and points to the WrestleMania 42 sign. She then lands a suplex on Brie and a T-Bone suplex on Nikki before she kips up and gives the D Generation-X signature gesture to Lash Legend.
Bliss tags back in and lands a blockbuster on Nikki. She goes for a pin, but Brie breaks the fall and tags in. Nikki and Brie land a clothesline-spinebuster combination on Bliss and Brie then pins her, but Flair breaks the fall.
Brie rolls up Bliss, but Bliss reverses the fall. Brie kicks out, but Legend clocks Bliss while the referee is distracted. This opens the door for Brie to roll up Bliss for the win.
Winners: Nikki Bella and Brie Bella
— After the match, Flair is upset and gets in The Bellas' faces. Jax and Legend come into the ring and start beating everyone up. The Bellas are disposed of first, and then Flair is taken out. Legend grabs Bliss and shakes her like a ragdoll. Lyra Valkyria and Bayley show up out of nowhere and start beating up Legend and Jax. Legend and Jax are kicked out of the ring by Valkyria, Bayley, Flair, Bliss and The Twins. Flair pushes Brie to the mat as she leaves the ring.
— Damian Priest approaches R-Truth backstage. Truth says he's building a ClubHouse and Priest says they're not. Jelly Roll comes up to them and Truth mistakes him for Dominik Mysterio. Rhea Ripley shows up and Truth is excited that Mami and Dom are together again. Everyone is confused. Jelly Roll gives Ripley advice for her match against Jade Cargill at WrestleMania. Jelly Roll leaves to get ready for his match and Truth follows him. Ripley congratulates Priest for the tag team gold and Priest tells Ripley to handle Cargill.
— Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair talk backstage. Nikki and Brie come by and ask them why they attacked them after the match. Bliss tells them it isn't over and she and Flair leave. Brie and Nikki are pissed.
— Back in the arena, Rhea Ripley makes her way to the ring.
Ripley says she didn't expect integrity from Jade Cargill and says she was fully under the impression Cargill would do what she would have to in order to not get her hands dirty. She says the one thing she didn't expect was for B-Fab and Michin to be desperate enough to stoop down to Cargill's level, but it's fine if that's the game she wants to play because she'll do what she has to before WrestleMania 42. She says she's dressed for a fight and calls B-Fab and Michin to the ring.
Cargill's music hits, and she makes her way to the ring along with B-Fab and Michin. Cargill says Ripley sounds slick for someone who got dropped last week, then asks the fans if they think that herself, B-Fab, and Michin care for the boos of the fans. B-Fab says Ripley would take down anyone and anything before WrestleMania 42, and Ripley is willing to hurt anyone she needs to. Michin says she's been grinding for decades like Ripley, but Ripley gets all the love and attention. Cargill says if Ripley wants a fight, she can be their guest and says Ripley has all the fans fooled. Cargill says Ripley will learn tonight in a match with B-Fab, and Ripley accepts.
Rhea Ripley vs. B-Fab (w/ Jade Cargill and Michin)
The match is underway as we come back from a commercial break. Ripley slams down B-Fab and kicks her on the mat. Cargill gets on the apron and distracts Ripley and Michin grabs Ripley's leg. Ripley takes out Michin outside the ring and goes for Cargill but B-Fab runs out and Ripley headbutts her. Cargill attacks Ripley and the ref calls for the bell.
Winner by Disqualification: Rhea Ripley
— After the match, Cargill attacks Ripley. Ripley fights back and then Michin and B-Fab come in and attack Ripley. Michin and B-Fab hold Ripley and Cargill grabs her and hits Jaded on Ripley again like last week. B-Fab, Michin and Cargill stand above Ripley.
— Kit Wilson talks to The Miz. The Miz is pissed he stepped in gum and tells Wilson to get this done on his own. The Miz says Wilson can take Jelly Roll on his own and The Miz needs to be isolated. Wilson says this isn't because of Danhausen's curse. The Miz leaves and Danhausen is behind Wilson. Danhausen wonders why he isn't being mentored and Wilson is. Wilson says it's because he's not ugly and Danhausen curses Wilson.
— Jelly Roll makes his way to the ring. Kit Wilson follows.
Kit Wilson vs. Jelly Roll
Wilson grabs a microphone and says he has to defend the honor of his mother after his slam poetry battle with Jelly Roll last Friday. Wilson reads another slam poem that he wrote, but Jelly Roll says he's not talking.
Wilson blindsides Jelly Roll from behind, and the bell sounds. He lands an uppercut on Jelly Roll in the corner and looks to deliver a shotgun dropkick, but Jelly Roll stops his momentum and lands a leg drop on Wilson. Jelly Roll sends Wilson crashing out of the ring over the top rope, but Wilson blindsides Jelly Roll from behind when he gets back in the ring and continues to wear him down.
Wilson fires off right hands on Jelly Roll, but Jelly Roll lands a belly-to-belly suplex on Wilson. The two men then exchange right hands with one another and Wilson looks to fly off the middle rope, but Jelly Roll catches Wilson with a scoop powerslam and goes for a pin. Wilson kicks out.
Jelly Roll spots Wilson's poetry book and looks to hit Wilson with it. Wilson ducks out of the way and lands a twisting neckbreaker on Jelly Roll. He goes for a pin, but Jelly Roll kicks out and lands a chokeslam on Wilson for the win.
Winner: Jelly Roll
— After the match, Jelly Roll pulls his son from the crowd and brings him backstage with him.
— Matt Cardona warms up backstage and we cut to a commercial break.
— Back from break, Solo Sikoa talks to MFTs backstage. Sikoa says he's hard on everyone because he knows how good they can be. He talks about them all being on the same page and he apologizes for being too much last week and says Roman Reigns never apologizes. They all leave, and Tama Tonga stands alone. Carmelo Hayes comes up to him and tells him to take his shot and leaves. Shinsuke Nakamura comes to talk to Tonga and Talla Tonga comes by and asks Tama Tonga if he's good. He says he is and leaves. Talla and Nakamura lock eyes before we cut to ringside.
— Carmelo Hayes makes his way to the ring. Sami Zayn follows to answer the call for the US Open Challenge, and Trick Williams takes a seat at ringside to watch the upcoming match.
:ustitle2:
WWE United States Championship Open Challenge Match: Carmelo Hayes (c) vs. Sami Zayn
The bell rings and the two lock up. Zayn fires off a couple chops on Hayes' chest and levels him with a clothesline, then fires off more chops on him in the corner. Hayes rocks Zayn with an enzuigiri and a springboard leg drop to him off the middle rope, but Zayn rains down right hands on Hayes in the corner during the commercial break.
Hayes pins Zayn, but Zayn kicks out and Hayes connects with a springboard DDT on him. He wears down Zayn with a submission hold, but Zayn fires off right hands on Hayes back from the break and clotheslines him out of the ring.
Zayn dumps Hayes back in the ring and ascends to the top rope, then looks to fly. Hayes intercepts Zayn with a dropkick mid-air and pins him, but Zayn kicks out and Hayes looks to land The First 48 on him. Zayn catches Hayes and lands a sit-out powerbomb on him, then goes for a pin but Hayes kicks out.
Zayn sets up for a Helluva Kick on Hayes, but Hayes avoids it and ascends to the top rope. Zayn joins Hayes and connects with a superplex on him before the two men exchange right hands with one another and Zayn delivers a Michinoku Driver to Hayes and pins him. Hayes kicks out.
Hayes and Zayn teeter on the ropes, but Zayn lands a Sunset Flip Powerbomb on Hayes and pins him. Hayes kicks out once again, then rocks Zayn with a superkick and sets up for a Helluva Kick on Hayes. Hayes intercepts Zayn with The First 48 and pins him, but Zayn kicks out and lands a powerbomb on Hayes.
Williams stands up from his seat at the announce desk and slides the United States Championship belt in the ring for Zayn to use. Zayn hands the referee the title as he immediately decides against using it. As the referee disposes of the United States Championship, Williams looks to interfere. Zayn fights off Williams and lands a Helluva Kick on Hayes for the win.
Winner and NEW WWE United States Champion: Sami Zayn
— After the match, Williams leaves ring side upset as Zayn celebrates in the ring and Hayes lies there all confused.
— Jacob Fatu is walking backstage and Cathy Kelley finds him and asks him how he's feeling. Fatu says he'd rather speak to the crowd than Kelley who is harassing everyone the second they enter the building.
— Sami Zayn walks backstage all happy. He approaches Nick Aldis and asks Aldis if he has a match on WrestleMania now. Aldis says he does and he'll battle Trick Williams.
— At ringside, Jacob Fatu comes out to the ring.
Fatu wastes no time calling out Drew McIntyre and asks what's wrong with him. He says McIntyre tried taking him out and ending his career, then says he tried taking food off his kids' table and says McIntyre was naive if he thought he could keep him down with the events of their long brawl last Friday. Fatu says McIntyre gave him everything last Friday, but he's still standing and will dog walk him every week.
McIntyre's music hits and he makes his way out. He says Fatu is playing the victim when he's the real victim and reminds Fatu that he accused him of a crime that he didn't commit. He says Fatu stole his Undisputed WWE Championship and WrestleMania 42 from him, then says the food that Fatu feeds his kids is his food.
The two men look to brawl with one another, but Nick Aldis appears and says neither McIntyre or Fatu is in any condition to brawl. He says he suspects both men will be ready in time for WrestleMania 42 in an Unsanctioned Match, but says WWE will not be held responsible for anything that happens.
— Jelly Roll talks to Matt Cardona backstage. Jelly Roll tells Cardona that Randy Orton has changed and says Cody Rhodes is on the way. Cardona says he'll kick Orton's ass tonight and if Rhodes shows up and asks Jelly Roll to tell Rhodes to stay out of his match. Jelly Roll leaves and Aleister Black and Zelina show up and try to get in Cardona's head.
— Tiffany Stratton walks backstage and she's approached by Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre. Green tells Stratton she's beneficial to her since she's a two time champ. Stratton declines the partnership.
— Back at ringside, Giulia and Kiana James make their way to the ring. Tiffany Stratton follows.
Tiffany Stratton vs. Giulia (w/ Kiana James)
The bell rings and the two lock up. Stratton sends Giulia crashing into all four corners face first, but Giulia rolls out of the ring and regroups with James on the outside.
Stratton looks to drag Giulia inside the ring, but Giulia fights her off during the commercial break and rocks her with a right hand. She wears down Stratton with a submission hold, but Stratton levels Giulia with a shoulder tackle back from the break.
Giulia wears down Stratton with a submission hold, but Stratton levels Giulia with a pair of clotheslines and lands a handspring back elbow on her in the corner. She connects with an Alabama Slam on Giulia, but Giulia lands the Arrivederci Knee on Stratton and goes for a pin. Stratton kicks out, but Giulia fires off stomps on her.
Stratton and Giulia teeter on the ropes, but Stratton fights off Giulia and lands a Swanton Bomb on her off the top. She sets up for Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but James distracts Stratton. This opens the door for Giulia to pin Stratton for the win.
Winner: Giulia
— Bayley and Lyra Valkyria are leaving and Cathy Kelley asks them why they're here. They say they're here to tell the Women's Tag Division that they're a threat in the division and they're putting the tag division on notice.
— We then head to another area backstage, where Randy Orton tells someone on the phone that he appreciates them and will see them soon. He then makes his way to the ring, and Matt Cardona follows.
Randy Orton vs. Matt Cardona
The bell rings before Orton sends Cardona's face bouncing off the announce desk on the outside. He traps his injured arm in the logo nameplate on the announce desk and stomps on it. The pair return to the ring, and Cardona catches Orton with Rough Ryder. He goes for a pin, but Orton kicks out.
Orton and Cardona land back on the outside, and Orton fires off right hands on Cardona up the entrance ramp. He sends Cardona's injured arm crashing into the ring post, then sends him crashing into the ring post shoulder first back in the ring and wrenches back on his injured arm. He snaps Cardona's fingers and sends him crashing into the ring post repeatedly, then wears him down with a submission hold and sends him crashing into the ring post shoulder first once again. Orton then catches Cardona with an RKO for the win.
Winner: Randy Orton
— After the match, We see Cody Rhodes' trailer pull up outside the PPG Paints Arena. Rhodes exits and enters inside the building, then heads to the ring as a couple of security guards follow him. Jelly Roll wishes Rhodes luck on his way to the ring, and two security guards attempt to hold Orton back.
Orton attacks the two guards and sends them crashing out of the ring, then awaits Rhodes' arrival. Rhodes' music hits and he makes his way out, but Nick Aldis and several security guards try to stop him before anything can happen. Rhodes passes them and hops up on the apron. He stares down Orton, then gets in the ring and begins brawling with him.
Orton rolls out of the ring, but Rhodes follows and beats him down. Security tries stopping Rhodes, but Rhodes takes them out and sends Orton crashing into the timekeeper's area. Orton tries throwing a chair at Rhodes, but Rhodes sees it coming and lands a right hand on it to send it crashing back into Orton.
Rhodes rakes Orton's eyes and continues brawling with him, but more officials run out to set Rhodes and Orton separated.
Rhodes breaks free and attacks Orton, but security pries him off Orton. Orton breaks free and sends several security guards over the announce desk. Rhodes finds Orton and rains down right hands on him, then continues brawling with him in the ring.
Security gets the two men separated once more, but Rhodes breaks free and attacks Orton in the corner. Jelly Roll appears and talks to both men, but Orton breaks free and takes out several security guards. He delivers an RKO to Jelly Roll and retreats up the entrance ramp as Rhodes stares him down and the show goes off the air.
