By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,388)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at PPG Paints Arena
Simulcast live March 27, 2026, on USA Network and internationally on Netflix
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore was on commentary and narrated backstage/arrival shots of The Bella Twins, Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, Giulia and Kiana James, Tiffany Stratton, Kit Wilson, and Jelly Roll, who was with his son checking out the replica Stanley Cups. Tessitore, who was joined on commentary by Wade Barrett, said there were over 12,700 in attendance…
Powell’s POV: WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 12,212 with 11,423 tickets distributed. The last time WWE ran a television event at PPG Paints Arena was the June 30, 2025, Raw, which had 13,432 tickets distributed. The listed capacity is 19,758.
A video package recapped Randy Orton’s actions on last week’s Smackdown, which included taking out Matt Cardona…
Randy Orton made his entrance and was introduced by ring announcer Mark Nash. The fans sang along with Orton’s entrance theme. Orton recalled Cody Rhodes telling him two weeks ago that he needed to be the best version of himself that he could be.
Orton said Cody told him to listen to the voices in his head. Orton said he shut them out a long time ago, which drew some boos. Orton said Cody gave him his blessing. He said now that he’s listening to the voices in his head, he can’t be held responsible for what happens. Orton said there was one voice outside his head that he was listening to.
Matt Cardona’s entrance music interrupted Orton. As Cardona walked to the ring, Orton called for his music to be cut. Orton asked if Cardona wanted him to break his other arm. Orton said Cardona is lucky he still has a job in WWE. Cardona entered the ring and slammed a microphone over Orton’s head, which sent him to the floor. There were some “Randy” chants…
Powell’s POV: Gee, I can’t believe that Orton attacking Matt Cardona last week wasn’t enough to stop fans from singing his entrance theme and chanting his name. I continue to suspect that the creative forces are a step ahead and expect Orton to be cheered. I hope I’m not mistaken.
Backstage, Smackdown General Manager Nick Aldis finished giving a referee some instructions. Trick Williams showed up and said he knew Aldis had something to say. Aldis said he’s been impressed by Trick, and he hears the people supporting him. Aldis said he cares about business. Aldis told Trick that he was giving him a match at WrestleMania. Trick celebrated.
Sami Zayn showed up. Trick called Zayn “Gingerbread.” Zayn wondered what he would be doing at WrestleMania. Aldis told him that he doesn’t have a spot for him unless something changes. A dejected Zayn walked away, but then had an epiphany. Zayn turned and walked back toward Aldis and Trick, who pointed and said catering is that way. Zayn punched Trick. “Hey, I’m gonna have a match at WrestleMania,” Zayn excitedly said. “Just you watch”…
The Bella Twins made their entrance heading into the first commercial break… [C]
Backstage, an angry Randy Orton told Nick Aldis to make a match between him and Matt Cardona. Aldis said Cardona’s arm was broken. Orton said he knows because he’s the one who broke it. Orton said that the voices were talking, and something bad would happen if he didn’t get his match with Cardona. Aldis seemed to concede before telling Orton to go cool off…
Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss made their entrances. Just as the match was about to start, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend made their entrance and spoke while they were walking to the ring. Jax said there was still time to buy tickets to Raw, where they will defend their titles against Lyra Valkyria and Bayley. They insulted the teams in the ring…
1. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. Brie Bella and Nikki Bella. Nia Jax and Lash Legend sat in office chairs at ringside to watch the match. All four wrestlers ended up at ringside and bickered in front of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions before a picture-in-picture break. [C]
The Bellas performed a Hart Attack Clothesline on Bliss. Brie covered Bliss, but Flair pulled her off. Flair and Nikki fought to ringside. Brie and Bliss traded rollups for two counts. When Brie kicked out, it sent Bliss toward the ropes, and she was punched by Legend. Brie rolled up Bliss and got the three count.
Brie Bella and Nikki Bella defeated Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss in 9:35.
Afterward, the Bellas celebrated their win while the broadcast team said they didn’t think Brie saw what Legend did. Flair was upset with Brie. Jax and Legend entered the ring and roughed up all four wrestlers. Jax and Legend set up to hit their finisher on Bliss, but the sound of entrance music stopped them.
Bayley and Lyra Valkyria ran out and cleared Jax from the ring, and then Flair helped them shove Legend over the top rope to the floor. The three babyface teams stood together while the Bellas’ entrnace them played. Flair appeared to be bickering with Valkyria, and then turned and shoved Brie to the mat before leaving with Bliss…
Powell’s POV: Brie wasn’t in the camera shot when Legend punched Bliss, but the referee was. She clearly saw the punch, which should have triggered a DQ, but that wasn’t the planned finish, so she counted the pin anyway. The build to a big multi-team match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles continues for WrestleMania.
A brief video recapped Damian Priest and R-Truth winning the WWE Tag Team Titles on last week’s show…
Damian Priest found R-Truth talking with a guy wearing a construction helmet. Truth told him to put everything on Nick Aldis’s credit card. Priest wondered what Truth was doing. Truths said he was building the clubhouse because Judgment Day was back. “No, we’re not,” Priest said. Truth wondered if it was because they kicked out Priest.
Jelly Roll showed up and greeted the new champions. Truth said Jelly Roll looked different. Jelly Roll thanked him, assuming that it was because he’d lost weight. Truth said Jelly Roll shaved his mustache, which left Jelly Roll baffled.
Rhea Ripley showed up. “I knew it, Dom and Mami back together,” Truth said. He said Judgment Day was back. He added that they better hope Liv Morgan didn’t see them. Priest asked Truth what was wrong with him. Truth said they would have a hot tub in the clubhouse. Priest said that was cool, which earned him a slap on the chest from Ripley.
Jelly Roll spoke about how he believes in Ripley heading into her match with Jade Cargill at WrestleMania. Jelly Roll said he had to go take care of Kit Wilson. Truth followed and called him Dom. Ripley congratulated Priest on winning the tag team titles. Ripley said it was unexpected and told her to get hers at WrestleMania… [C]
Powell’s POV: Truth thinking Jelly Roll was Dominik Mysterio was cute.
The NXT Origins video on Tiffany Stratton aired… Tessitore hyped NXT Stand & Deliver for April 4, and mentioned that Johnny Gargano would challenge Myles Borne for the NXT North American Championship…
Backstage, the Bellas confronted Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss and asked what they were thinking. The teams argued. Nikki said she and Brie would do whatever it takes to win the titles. Bliss took Brie’s flannel shirt and threw it at her, and then Brie responded with a horrible mean face…
Rhea Ripley made her entrance while the broadcast team recapped Jade Cargill joining forces with Michin and B-Fab. Ripley said she didn’t expect integrity from Jade. She said she didn’t expect Michin and B-Fab to sink to Jade’s level. She said it’s fine if they want to play games and invited them to join her in the ring.
WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill’s entrance theme played. Jade walked onto the stage and was joined by Michin and B-Fab. They all had mics. Jade spoke first, and then Michin and B-Fab followed. B-Fab said Jade had a plan and they jumped at the opportunity. Jade said they spoke with Nick Aldis, and B-Fab wanted to step up. Ripley called for a referee before adding, “Let’s get this party started”… [C]
2. Rhea Ripley vs. B-Fab (w/Jade Cargill, Michin). The match was joined in progress. Jade climbed on the apron. Michin grabbed Ripley’s leg while the referee was focused on Jade. Ripley fought off B-Fab and Michin, but Jade hit her for the DQ.
Rhea Ripley defeated B-Fab by DQ in 0:50 of television time.
Afterward, Jade, Michin, and B-Fab roughed up Ripley. Jade put Ripley down with Jaded. Jade kissed her and then placed it on Ripley’s forehead…
Backstage, Kit Wilson told a rattled Miz that he would be unstoppable with him in his corner. Miz said no and showed Wilson that he had gum on one of his shoes. Miz said Wilson didn’t need him. Miz said he was going into a room with no sharp objects. Wilson said it couldn’t be because of the curse. Miz said there is no curse. He said a curse is when lightning strikes from above, not when you step in gum or drop your phone in a toilet. Miz made his exit.
[Hour Two] Danhausen showed up and wanted to mentor Wilson, saying he has machismo, great hair, and a great suit. Wilson cut him off and claimed to be good-looking and said he looks the part. “You are…” Wilson said before Danhausen stopped him. “Silence,” Danhausen said before telling Wilson that he was cursed… [C]
A video package recapped Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu brawling throughout last week’s show…
Drew McIntyre walked backstage with both arms wrapped to sell the effects of the brawling and the fall that he and Jacob Fatu took at the end of last week’s show. McIntyre told Cathy Kelley that he wasn’t there to fight because he was in no condition to, but he wouldn’t back down from Fatu. McIntyre blamed Fatu for taking away the WWE Championship and WrestleMania from him. McIntyre closed by talking about how danagerous a man is when he has nothing left to lose…
Jelly Roll made his entrance to a good reaction. Kit Wilson’s entrance while holding his poetry book. Wilson said he needed to defend the honor of his mother before they fought. Wilson read a poem about how Jelly Roll lied about the things he claimed he did to Wilson’s mother during their poetry battle. Wilson hit Jelly Roll with his book…
3. Jelly Roll vs. Kit Wilson. The referee made sure Jelly Roll was okay and then called for the bell to start the match. Jelly Roll cleared Wilson from the ring with a clothesline. A “Jelly Roll” chant broke out. Wilson grabbed his book and returned to the ring with it. Jelly Roll grabbed the book, but he was distracted when the referee took it from him, which allowed Wilson to land a cheap shot.
Wilson went to the ropes, and then Jelly Roll slammed him to the mat and covered him for a near fall. Wilson hit Jelly Roll with a shot to the throat. Jelly Roll grabbed the poetry book and tried to hit Wilson, who ducked it. Wilson picked up a near fall and then went for the same move again, but Jelly Roll stuffed it. Jelly Roll chokeslammed Wilson and pinned him.
Jelly Roll defeated Kit Wilson in 5:45.
Jelly Roll celebrated his first singles match win in WWE. He went to ringside and pulled his son over the barricade. Jelly Roll and then slapped hands as he and his son, who wore a Cody Rhodes t-shirt, made their exit…
Tessitore hyped a CM Punk and Roman Reigns recap… [C]
Powell’s POV: Wow, I’m surprised they had a match rather than the segment turning into an angle to set up something at WrestleMania. This was fine for what it was. They kept the match simple, and the live crowd rallied behind Jelly Roll. My only complaint is that WWE is making Jelly Roll’s appearances feel a little too routine.
A video package recapped the CM Punk and Roman Reigns segment from Monday’s Raw…
Backstage, Solo Sikoa held the lantern while telling Tama Tonga, Talla Tonga, Tonga Loa, and JC Mateo that everything he does for them is out of love. He said he’s hard on them because he knows how great they can be. Solo looked at Tama and said his job is to lead the family, but he can’t do that when everyone isn’t on the same page. Solo admitted that he was a little too much last week and apologized. He looked at Tama again while saying that Roman Reigns would never apologize.
Carmelo Hayes approached Tama after the others walked away. Hayes asked if Tama was finally going to take his shot at the U.S. Championship or wait until Solo tells him it’s okay. Hayes said he would be in the ring and then made his exit.
Shinsuke Nakamura showed up and spoke to Tama until Talla returned. Talla asked Tama if he was good. “Yeah, I’m good,” Tama said before walking away. Talla and Nakamura locked eyes before Talla walked away…
U.S. Champion Carmelo Hayes made his entrance for an open challenge… [C] Carmelo Hayes sat on the top rope and was surprised when Sami Zayn made his entrance. Hayes smiled and nodded approvingly. Zayn climbed the ropes before playing to the crowd for a mild reaction. Trick Williams made his entrance before the opening bell…
4. Carmelo Hayes vs. Sami Zayn for the U.S. Championship. Trick climbed on top of the broadcast table when the opening bell rang, but then he took a seat in a chair on the floor. Hayes was in offensive control before an early break. [C] Zayn sent Hayes to the floor and then performed a flip dive onto him. Zayn rolled Hayes back inside the ring.
Zayn went up top and jumped toward Hayes, who caught him with a dropkick before covering him for a two count. Zayn stuffed a First 48 attempt and countered with a sit-out powerbomb for a near fall. Moments later, Zayn performed a superplex that left both men down before a PIP break. [C]
Zayn went for his Helluva Kick finisher, but Hayes caught him with the First 48 and covered him for a great near fall. Hayes went to the rope sand was cut off by Zayn, but Hayes shoved him to the mat. Hayes went for Nothing But Net, but Zayn avoided it and hit a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall.
Trick stood up from his chair and grabbed the U.S. Championship from the podium it was on. Trick slid the belt in the ring. Zayn picked it up and let the referee take it. Trick climbed on the apron. Hayes moved Zayn toward the ropes while looking for a rollup. Trick threw a punch meant for Zayn, but he ducked it, causing Trick to hit Hayes. Zayn cleared Trick from the apron and then hit Hayes with a Helluva Kick before pinning him.
Sami Zayn defeated Carmelo Hayes in 16:25 to win the U.S. Championship.
Zayn celebrated his win while Trick looked unhappy at ringside…
Powell’s POV: The announcers sold the idea that Trick meant to punch Zayn rather than Hayes. Unfortunately, the first replay they showed made it look like Trick intentionally punched Hayes.
A hobbled Jacob Fatu was shown backstage. Cathy Kelley approached him and asked how he felt. Fatu said that was a good question. He said he didn’t come to Pittsburgh just to stay backstage. Fatu told Kelley respectfully that he would rather speak to the fans live. Fatu limped as he walked away to sell the effects of last week’s brawling with Drew McIntyre… [C]
Pittsburgh Steelers players were shown in the crowd. Two of them slammed beers like drunken fans at Lambeau Field…
Powell’s POV: In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve been one of those drunken fans at Lambeau, but I wasn’t cheering for the hometown team.
Sami Zayn was all smiles as he walked backstage with the U.S. Title belt draped over his shoulder. Zayn approached Nick Aldis and asked if he earned a WrestleMania match. Aldis congratulated him and said he would defend the U.S. Title against Trick Williams at WrestleMania…
Powell’s POV: I’m all for the match and would like to see Carmelo Hayes added, but it feels wrong for Aldis to reward Trick with a title shot just moments after he interfered and caused the same title to change hands. I wonder if Carmelo Hayes will be added. He has a lot of history with Trick from their NXT days, and his character should be in the match, given the way that Trick cost him the title.
[Hour Three] Jacob Fatu made his entrance. Once in the ring, Fatu said he was limping, busted open, and had cracked ribs. He said it was all because of Drew McIntyre, and then asked what the hell was wrong with him. Fatu said McIntyre was trying to take food off his children’s table, and spoke about how he would dog walk him.
A weary Drew McIntyre came out and spoke about how Fatu stole everything from him. McIntyre told Fatu to look into his eyes because he meant it from the bottom of his heart when he said, “Screw your damn kids.” Fatu got mad and was about to leave the ring.
Nick Aldis walked out and said enough, causing Fatu to stay in the ring. Aldis said he spoke with the medical team, and neither man was in any condition to fight each other tonight. Aldis said he had a feeling that they would be okay by April 18 for WrestleMania.
Aldis booked McIntyre vs. Fatu for WrestleMania. He said they’ve become liabilities to themselves and the company, so he and WWE won’t be held responsible. Aldis booked them in an unsanctioned match with no countouts or disqualifications. He said there would be a winner, and the referee would only be there to make the three count. McIntyre laughed and headed backstage, and Fatu smiled before holding up his arms…
Jelly Roll approached Matt Cardona and said he felt bad about what happened with Randy Orton last week. He said the Randy they know isn’t the guy who was there last week. Jelly Roll said Cardona and Orton have been friends for a long time, just as Orton and Cody had been friends for a long time.
Jelly Roll said Cody Rhodes was on his way. Cardona cut off Jelly Roll and told him to tell Cody not to get involved in his match with Orton. Cardona said he wanted to kick Orton’s ass. Jelly Roll said he would pray for Cardona and then made his exit.
Aleister Black and Zelina entered the picture. They spoke to one another as if Cardona weren’t there. Zelina said that Orton calling Cardona a mark and a stooge really got to Cardona. She said to imagine picking a fight that you can’t win. Black said to imagine if the fight had been with Orton, with no voices. He said maybe there would have been a chance. “What was that?” Cardona asked after they exited…
Powell’s POV: Jelly Roll has the gift of gab. He’s really good in these backstage verbal segments. It felt like Jelly Roll saying that Cody Rhodes was on his way should have been a bigger deal, given that he wasn’t advertised for the television audience, and because it’s his first time back since Orton attacked him.
Chelsea Green wheeled up to Tiffany Stratton and said they got off on the wrong foot. Stratton was going to kick her chair, but Alba Fyre showed up. Green said she felt she would be a great mentor for Stratton and cited her two Women’s U.S. Championship reigns. Stratton said that Green also lost the title twice, and then blew her off…
Women’s U.S. Champion Giulia and Kiana James made their entrance… An ad for Raw played up the show being at Madison Square Garden. The narrator said Brock Lesnar was looking to fire back at Oba Femi, while Roman Reigns and CM Punk would go off the rails… [C] Tiffany Stratton made her entrance…
5. Women’s U.S. Champion Giulia (w/Kiana James) vs. Tiffany Stratton in a non-title match. Stratton threw a dropkick in the corner that came up short. Giulia still sold it. Ugh. Barrett said it didn’t look like Stratton got all of the dropkick. The crowd was quiet as Giulia was at ringside with James before a break. [C]
Late in the match, Stratton performed a rolling senton. She hesitated before going to the ropes because James walked up the ring steps. Stratton went for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Giulia put her knees up and then pinned Stratton…
Women’s U.S. Champion Giulia defeated Tiffany Stratton in 9:45 in a non-title match.
Powell’s POV: I mistakenly listed this as a title match. I’m not sure why the title wasn’t on the line since Giulia went over. Pittsburgh live crowds have been notoriously quiet at times over the years, but they were a fairly lively bunch tonight until this match. I can’t blame them. Giulia just hasn’t clicked, and Stratton is miscast as a babyface.
Backstage, Cathy Kelley asked Bayley and Lyra Valkyria why they showed up on Smackdown. They spoke about letting Nia Jax and Lash Legend know they are their biggest threats, and their title match on Raw…
Backstage, Randy Orton spoke on his phone and said he would see the caller soon. A graphic listed Orton vs. Matt Cardona as the main event…
Tessitore hyped a look back at the latest Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi segment from Raw… [C] The Lesnar and Oba video aired… Tessitore and Barrett ran through the WrestleMania 42 lineup…
Tessitore excitedly recalled Jelly Roll saying that Cody Rhodes was on his way (that’s better)… Randy Orton made his entrance for the main event… [C] Tessitore hyped WWE Hall of Fame tickets, but there was no announcement regarding whether the ceremony would stream… Matt Cardona made his entrance to a flat reaction…
6. Randy Orton vs. Matt Cardona. Cardona slid on his stomach to enter the ring and was immediately kicked by Orton. Cardona wore a brace on his left wrist. Orton slammed it on the broadcast table. Orton dumped Cardona on the table, and he fell behind it.
Orton dominated the action back inside the ring and removed the brace from Cardona’s wrist before slamming his hand into the ring post casing twice. Orton suplexed Cardona and then stomped his left hand with his foot a few times. Orton eventually hit the RKO on Cardona before covering him for the three count.
Randy Orton beat Matt Cardona in 6:30.
Referee Charles Robinson raised Orton’s hand. The big screen showed Cody Rhodes’ tour bus arriving. Cody exited the bus and walked toward the building before a PIP break. [C] A couple of security guards entered the ring and tried to keep Orton calm, but he quickly tossed them to the floor.
Cody Rhodes’ entrance theme played, and he made his entrance. Nick Aldis and five security guards came out. Cody spoke to Aldis, who told the security guards to give Cody some space. Aldis asked Cody to think about WrestleMania. Cody said he just wanted to talk to Orton, and then he went to the ring.
Cody entered the ring and threw punches at Orton. Cody quickly took Orton to ringside and dumped him into the timekeeper’s area while security failed ot stop him. Orton picked up a chair, but Cody knocked it out of his hands. Cody and Orton fought on the floor. Cody gouged his thumbs into Orton’s eyes. Orton ended up lying on the broadcast table while Cody threw a couple of punches at him until security pulled him off.
Orton tossed one security guard into the barricade. Cody broke free and got the better of Orton again before they entered the ring. Security, referees, and producers separated Cody and Orton. Cody broke free and threw punches at Orton. “Randy, welcome to your worst nightmare,” Barrett said on commentary. Orton broke free momentarily before he was pushed back into a corner. Orton rolled to the floor.
Orton tossed a referee who looked like he was 12-years-old over the broadcast table and then took out a couple more people before Cody got to him. Coy and Orton fought their way back inside the ring and were pulled apart again. Barrett said it was going to be a long three weeks on Smackdown before WrestleMania.
Jelly Roll entered the ring and tried to talk to Orton and Cody. Orton broke free while Jelly Roll was talking to Cody. Orton dropped Jelly Roll with an RKO. Orton was all smiles as he left the ring. Orton sold mouth pain for a moment while staring at Cody. Orton was on the stage while Cody and others tended to Jelly Roll inside the ring as the executive producer credits were shown. Tessitore noted that there were just 22 days until WrestleMania 42…
Powell’s POV: WWE crowds have reacted favorably toward Jelly Roll, but it wasn’t surprising when many of these fans popped for Orton putting the celebrity down with an RKO. That was the only notable aspect of this otherwise standard pull-apart brawl.
On a side note, Jake Barnett had an interesting idea regarding Orton and the mystery person he’s been having phone conversations with. While I’ve speculated that it could be anyone from Orton’s father to The Rock to Orton’s wife to Shane McMahon, Jake suggested that Orton might be talking to the voices in his head, meaning he hasn’t been speaking with anyone during these phone calls. It’s not as satisfying as a big mystery reveal, but it’s a clever idea.
Overall, this was a newsworthy show thanks to Cody’s return, Orton putting Jelly Roll down with an RKO, the title change, and the WrestleMania match announcements. I will be back shortly with my weekly same-night audio review of Smackdown for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below. Have a great weekend.