The road to WrestleMania 42 officially took a violent turn during the March 20, 2026, episode of Friday Night SmackDown. The evening was defined by a major title change, the formation of a surprising new alliance in the women’s division, and a physical conclusion that saw two top stars plummet from an arena ledge.
The broadcast began with a retrospective of Randy Orton’s recent assault on Cody Rhodes, which left the Undisputed WWE Champion bloodied following a contract signing. Commentators Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett labeled the actions “heinous,” though the live audience in Raleigh, North Carolina, would later suggest otherwise. Before the show could even reach the ring, a brawl erupted in the parking lot as Drew McIntyre attacked Jacob Fatu in his vehicle.
McIntyre and Fatu Ignite Bitter Rivalry With High-Stakes Brawl
An irate McIntyre eventually stormed the ring, claiming his actions were a direct result of being robbed of a WrestleMania main event. General Manager Nick Aldis interrupted, calling McIntyre “self-sabotaging” and noting that his behavior had cost him his scheduled match for the evening. McIntyre responded by insulting Aldis’s son, Donovan, prompting a physical retaliation from a recovering Jacob Fatu.
The two brawled around ringside, where Fatu eventually gained the upper hand. In a massive display of athleticism, Fatu hit a splash from the timekeeper’s table, crushing McIntyre through the commentary desk. The rivalry continued throughout the night, culminating in a shocking finale where the two men were seen brawling on a high ledge in the arena. The broadcast concluded as both McIntyre and Fatu took a significant tumble off the ledge, leaving their status for next week in question.
Damian Priest and R-Truth Dethrone The M.F.T.s for Tag Team Gold
The WWE Tag Team Championship was on the line as Damian Priest and R-Truth challenged The M.F.T.s (Tama Tonga and J.C. Mateo). Priest utilized his power early with a Flatliner, while Truth channeled his “inner Ron Cena” with signature shoulder tackles and a Five-Knuckle Shuffle. The champions regained control through double-team tactics and a chokeslam on the apron to Truth.
The match reached a turning point when The Wyatt Sicks appeared, sparking a brawl at ringside. Uncle Howdy intercepted Solo Sikoa with the Mandible Claw, while J.C. Mateo attempted to protect the Wyatt lantern. Amidst the chaos, Priest leveled Tama Tonga with a lariat, allowing R-Truth to hit the Attitude Adjustment (AA) on Mateo for the pinfall victory. R-Truth and Damian Priest are officially the new WWE Tag Team Champions, successfully extracting the titles from the ongoing Bloodline and Wyatt Sicks conflict.
Randy Orton Addresses “Empty” Legacy Amidst Continued Fan Support
Randy Orton entered the ring to address his betrayal of Cody Rhodes, but despite his heel actions, the crowd continued to sing along to his theme music. Orton sat in the chair he used to brutalize Rhodes, stating that while he appreciated the fans’ love, the “smile” it put on his face was the “emptiest feeling” he had ever felt. He declared that his legacy should be defined by world titles, not fan approval, as he sets his sights on Title No. 15.
Later in the show, Orton called out Matt Cardona to apologize for an earlier backstage incident. After Cardona accepted, Orton suckered him into a low blow and an RKO. He proceeded to stomp on Cardona’s arm while it was wrapped in a steel chair. Despite the blatant villainy, the Raleigh fans chanted “one more time,” highlighting a growing dilemma for management as Cody Rhodes’ crowd reactions continue to sour ahead of their WrestleMania clash.
Carmelo Hayes Retains United States Title in High-Impact Encounter
In what was widely considered the match of the night, Carmelo Hayes successfully defended the United States Championship against Ilja Dragunov. The contest featured high-velocity offense, including a Constantine Special from the challenger and a Fosbury Flop from the champion. Dragunov nearly secured the win with a surprise H-Bomb and a Torpedo Moscow, but Hayes managed to kick out of both.
The closing sequence saw Hayes intercept a second Torpedo Moscow attempt with the “First 48” strike. As Dragunov attempted a powerbomb, Hayes transitioned the move into a sunset flip powerbomb to secure the three-count. Hayes and Dragunov continue to deliver “must-watch” performances, solidifying the U.S. Title as a primary attraction on the blue brand.
Jade Cargill Forms New Alliance While Women’s Tag Match Ends in DQ
WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill addressed her WrestleMania challenger, Rhea Ripley, stating she was “not here to make friends, but to make money.” While Ripley offered to let Cargill take the first shot in the ring, the champion declined, stating she would do it on her “own time.” As Cargill exited, she was joined by B-Fab and Michin, who surprised the audience by aligning with the champion to deliver a three-on-one assault on Ripley.
The in-ring action concluded with a Women’s Tag Team Title match between The Irresistible Forces (Nia Jax and Lash Legend) and The Bella Twins. The match ended in a No Contest after Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss interfered, leading to a massive six-woman brawl. Jax and Legend eventually stood tall, echoing the finish of last week’s broadcast.
WWE SmackDown (3/27) Updated Lineup:
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Singles Match: Kit Wilson vs. Jelly Roll
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WWE Women’s US Title: Giulia (c) vs. Tiffany Stratton
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Tag Team Match: Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair vs. The Bella Twins
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