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WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT
MARCH 27, 2026
PITTSBURGH, PA. AT PPG PAINTS ARENA
AIRED LIVE ON USA NETWORK
REPORT BY WADE KELLER, PWTORCH EDITOR
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Mark Nash
Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of today 10,754 tickets were distributed so far. The arena has a capacity of 19,000 spectators when configured for basketball.
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by ProWrestling.net’s Jake Barnett to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpostshow@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
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[HOUR ONE]
-Joe Tessitore introduced the show as they showed a scene of the Pittsburgh skyline. Then they showed the stadium hosting WrestleMania. Then they showed wrestlers backstage including The Bells, Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair, Tiffany Stratton, Giulia, Kit Wilson, and Jelly Roll. Tessitore noted Jelly Roll was showing his son Stanley Cup replicas for the Penguins and that he’d wrestle his first singles match ever tonight.
-A video package aired on Randy Orton’s promo in the ring last week. They highlighted Orton saying the smile he put on kids’ faces was the emptiest feeling he’s ever held, and he wants his legacy to be about the championship gold he’s held. They added boos. Then they played back Orton saying Cody Rhodes made the decision easy for him to be the person he needed to be in order to beat Cody when Cody told him he expects to face the man with the voices in his head. Then they went into the Orton-Matt Cordona segment where he called him an indy nerd and stood. Then the Jelly Roll interactions, followed by Orton’s show-closing attack on Cardona.
-Orton made his ring entrance to his music wearing the “RKO Everybody” t-shirt. They showed him looking up at the WrestleMania sign. Orton struck his signature pose in the corner as Wade Barrett said Orton traded a long-term friendship with Cody in order to “get an edge” in their showdown at WrestleMania.
Orton said two weeks ago he stood in the next to Cody, who looked him in the eye and told him he needed him to be the best version of himself he could be. He said he then went on to say the fans want that too. Fans cheered, some stood and applauded with enthusiasm. He said Cody said he wanted him to be The Viper and listen to the voices in his head. He said he’s shut them out a long, long time ago. Fans booed. (They boo that?) He said for the past few years, he was thinking a lot about number 15 and his legacy that he’ll leave behind when he’s done. He said out of nowhere, Cody gave him his blessing.
He said now that he’s listening to those voices in his again, he needed to let everyone know he can’t be held responsible for what happens next. Fans cheered. He said it’s the voices outside of his head that is the problem including the fans. He said there is one person’s voice who he is listening to. Matt Cordona interrupted Orton. (He could have waited for Orton to reveal who he is speaking to!)
Orton yelled for his music to be cut and told Cardona that he’s lucky he has a job “in this place.” He asked if he had something to say to his face. Cardona hit Orton with the mic. The crowd did not pop or cheer, but some scattered boos were heard. Fans then started a “Randy! Randy!” chant.
(Keller’s Analysis: The headwind to get fans to boo Orton is as strong as I predicted, and they’re doing a terrible job showing they were prepared to deal with it. Even if you were to assert that it’s no big deal if fans cheer Randy, it’s clearly not what WWE was hoping for with this booking and it shows how disconnected they are from what fans actually want to cheer. That’s a problem larger than this situation specifically. They should be embarrassed and step back and assess what about their booking, their decisions on how they decide who to cast as heels and faces, and the overall broader culture of the presentation of their product is contributing to this.)
-Backstage, Smackdown G.M. Nick Aldis was speaking with a referee off-mic. Then Trick Williams walked up to him. Aldis said he’s been very impressed with Trick, and the fans seem to be too. He said he is “awarding him the ultimate spot in this busiiness” – a match at WrestleMania. Trick said he has to call his family. In walked Sami Zayn. Trick said, “Trick Williams is going to WrestleMania! Let’s talk about it!” Sami asked if that’s true. Aldis said it is. Sami asked what it takes to be part of WrestleMania. Aldis said he’s a major asset to WrestleMania, but he hasn’t been winning. He said unless something changes, he doesn’t have a spot for him. Trick said, “Better luck next year. See you soon.” Trick asked how many comps he gets in his suite at WrestleMania. The camera stayed with Sami as he walked away. Sami then turned around and punched Trick. Aldis held back Sami. Sami said he’s going to have a match at WrestleMania. “Just you watch,” he told Aldis.
-The Bellas made their entrance.
-A new commercial for Roman Reigns vs. C.M. Punk at WrestleMania showed them playing poker all dressed up in a classy setting. [c]
-Tessitore plugged WWE World on WrestleMania weekend.
-Orton was in a rage yelling at Aldis that he was looking everywhere for him. He demanded a match with him tonight. Aldis said his arm is injured. Orton said if he doesn’t make the match, the voices will take over and something real bad will happen. Aldis caved in and gave him the match, but he had to go cool off somewhere on his own in the mean time.
(1) BRIE & NIKKI BELLA vs. CHARLOTTE FLAIR & ALEXA BLISS
After Charlotte and Bliss made their entrance, Lash Legend and Nia Jax walked out. Jax said there is still time to buy tickets for Raw next week to see them face Bayley & Lyra Valkyria for the Women’s Tag Team Titles. She said in the mean time, the wanna-be contenders are going to try their best against each other. She said it wouldn’t make sense for them not to be out there since they are the stars of the division. Lash took shots at the Bellas, saying they’re hotter than them. She said Charlotte and Alexa have a “fake, phony ass friendship.” She said they are fighting each other to try to get a shot at what they have, the tag belts.
The bell rang 24 minutes into the hour. After everyone took turns getting in some offense, Brie trapped Bliss between the ring apron and the edge of the ring. All four argued at ringside with the ref as they cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
During the break, Nikki threw Blissinto the laps of Jax and Lash who were sitting at ringside. Back from the break, Bliss caught the Bellas with a double DDT as they were setting up a double-suplex.
For the finish, Lash stood and slapped Bliss hard across her face as she hit the ropes and then Brie rolled her up for a three count.
WINNERS: The Bellas in 9:00.
-Afterward, Lash and Jax cleared the ring of the Bellas and Charlotte, then set up Bliss for a guillotine legdrop. Bayley and Lyra ran out and made the save.
-They went to Barrett and Tessitore at ringside. Barrett said Brie might not know that Lash got involved in helping her win, but she can “watch it back on tape afterwards.” (On “tape” How old is Barrett anyway!?)
-A sponsored recap aired of he Damian Priest & R-Truth winning the WWE Tag Team Titles last week.
-Backstage, Priest asked Truth what he was doing talking with a construction worker about building a new set for The Judgement Day. Truth told Priest, “The Judgment Day is back!” Priest said that’s not true. Truth asked if he’s still mad they kicked him out. Jelly Roll walked in and said hi to Truth. Truth said he looks different and said he shaved his mustache, although he still had a mustache. Rhea Ripley walked in and Truth said Rhea is back with Dom, thinking Jelly Roll is Dom. Truth said he hoped Liv Morgan didn’t see that. Truth told Priest he’s adding a hot tub to the Clubhouse. Jelly Roll told Ripley that Jade Cargill is mean, violent, and strong, but they believe in her. Jelly Roll said he has to go kick Kit Wilson’s ass. Rhea stayed to chat with Priest and asked if Truth really thinks Jelly Roll is Dom. She congratulated Priest for winning the tag titles. He said he expects her to get hers at WrestleMania. [c]
-An NXT Origins video showed with Tiffany Stratton saying NXT “helped me develop my character so it’s me, but it’s over the top.” She said winning the NXT Title took her from “the new girl to the future of the business.”
-Tessitore plugged NXT Stand & Deliver. He said Johnny Gargano would be facing Myles Borne at that event.
-The Bellas yelled at Bliss and Charlotte. Charlotte said they didn’t stand a chance without Nia and Lash. Brie said they didn’t want then out there, so they can’t blame them. Nikki said they’ll do whatever it takes to become tag champs. Bliss yanked Brie’s flannel and then threw it back at her.
-Rhea Ripley made her ring entrance. They cut to clips of Jade Cargill with help from Michin and B-Fab attacking Ripley last week. Ripley said she didn’t expect integrity from Jade. She said she didn’t expect Michin and B-Fab to be so desperate to step down to her level. She said it’s fine because it’s WrestleMania season. She invited them to join her in the ring.
Jade, B-Fab, and Michin walked onto the stage. Jade said she sounds real slick for someone who got dropped last week. As B-Fab talked, fans booed. Ripley said she couldn’t hear her over the boos. Michin said she’s been grinding for decades just like Ripley. She complained that Ripley gets “all the love and attention.” B-Fab said they jumped at the opportunity to join Jade because with her, “what you see is what you get.” Jade said Ripley’s going to learn tonight. Jade said Ripley is a guest on Smackdown. She said they already spoke to Nick Aldis and B-Fab has a match against her. Ripley said actions have consequences. She said Jade can’t protect B-Fab from her tonight. She called for a referee. “Let’s get this party started!” she said.
(Keller’s Analysis: This is an example of casting a babyface who fans actually want to cheer against a heel fans actually want to boo. The crowd didn’t need any insider comments. Everything there was storyline-related and canon without any insider references or social media references, and it worked with crowd responses aligned with the actual story they were telling. More of that, please.)
(2) RHEA RIPLEY vs. B-FAB (w/Jade Cargill, Michin)
The bell rang 56 minutes into the hour. Jade stood on the ring apron after an early flurry by Ripley. Michin grabbed Ripley’s boot. Ripley kicked her into the stairs. B-Fab then went after he, but Ripley headbutted her. Jade then threw Ripley into the ringside steps. The ref called for the bell, DQ’ing B-Fab.
WINNER: Ripley via DQ in 1:00.
-Ripley set up a Rip Tide on Jade in the ring when B-Fab and Michin interfered. Jade gave Ripley a Jaded. Barrett said it’s a new week, but the same view from the mat for Ripley.
[HOUR TWO]
-Kit Wilson told Miz he’s unstoppable with him in his corner. Miz held up his shoe and showed he stepped in gum. He told Kit he can do it alone. Miz said he’s going to go in a room without sharp objects and take notes. Kit said that’s not a results of a curse. Miz said his phone fell in a toilet. He said there’s no disinfectant in Pittsburgh and called it disgusting. He then almost walked into a light stand. Danhausen told Wilson he had machismo and great suits. Kit said he’s good looking and he looks the part. Danhausen said Wilson is now cursed. Wilson brushed it off. [c]
-Tessitore threw to a recap of what happened with Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu last week.
-Cathy Kelley interviewed Drew as he arrived. She asked if it was smart for him to be there. Drew said he can still feel the glass in his hands from ripping off the windshield, and he said he is in no condition to fight. He said if Jacob Fatu wants to start something, he’ll finish it. “When a man has nothing to lose, that’s when he’s most dangerous.”
(3) JELLY ROLL vs. KIT WILSON
They engaged in another verbal battle before the match. Kit attacked Jelly Roll from behind with his poetry book. The bell rang 12 minutes into the hour. Jelly Roll made a comeback after avoiding a dropkick. He then legdropped Kit between his legs. Barrett said that was one way to neuter Kit and said it wasn’t a masculine trait. Kit stood and took a swing at him. Kit pulled himself back into the ring. Jelly Roll clotheslined him back to the floor. Fans chanted, “Jelly Roll!”
Kit took Jelly’s poetry book. Jelly yanked it away. The ref took it from Jelly. Kit then attacked Jelly, landing a flying elbow in the corner. He bowed and taunted Jelly who was on his back selling pain. Kit punched Jelly in the head. Jelly avoided a corner splash and landed a Jelly-to-Belly suplex. Both were down and slow to get up. Jelly stood and punched away at Kit as the crowd cheered along. Jelly set up a chokeslam, but Kit escaped. Jelly caught a flying kit with a powerslam for a two count. As Kit complained to the ref, Jelly picked up his poetry book and swung at Kit. Kit ducked and then gave Jelly a Turn-E-Kit for a near fall. Fans chanted, “Let’s Go Jelly!” Kit set up another Turn-E-Kit, but Jelly blocked it and then he gave Kit a chokeslam for a three count. Barrett said that was the most shocking result they’ll see this year.
WINNER: Jelly Roll in 6:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Jelly Roll is a natural. He’s not a great wrestler, of course, but for a non-wrestler, he did well and didn’t embarrass himself or disrespect the business. He sold the win with genuine seeming shock. The crowd was behind him.)
-They showed Cardona warming up in the back. [c]
-Highlights aired of the C.M. Punk-Roman Reigns segment from Raw.
-Backstage, Solo Sikoa addressed his MFTs. He said he’s so hard on them because he know how great they can be. He said they all need to be on the same page. He apologized for taking things too far last week, though. He told Tama Tonga that Roman Reigns would have never apologized. Carmelo Hayes approached Tonga and asked if he was going to take a shot at his title or wait for Solo’s permission. Hayes left. Shinsuke Nakamura walked up to him and asked if he’s going to fight Hayes. Tama asked Loa if he’s good. Tama said he is good.
-Hayes made his ring entrance. [c]
(4) CARMELO HAYES vs. SAMI ZAYN – U.S. Title Open Challenge
Sami revealed he was the challenger this week. They showed Hayes smiling and nodding. Tessitore said they’ve been monitoring the emotions of Sami lately. Barrett said Sami opened this whole Open Challenge process. The lights went dark when Sami arrived. Then Trick Williams made his entrance and fans sang along to his theme. The bell rang 36 minutes into the hour. They cut to a break at 2:00 with Hayes in control. [c]
Sami clotheslined Hayes over the top rope to ringside. He then landed a flying flip onto Hayes at ringside at 6:00. Hayes caught a flying Sami with a dropkick out of mid-air for a near fall. Sami countered a First 48 into a sitout powerbomb for a near fall. They cut to a double box break. [c/db]
Tessitore said Sami found out earlier there weren’t plans for him to be at WrestleMania, and he was trying to change that with a win here. At 14:00, Sami knocked Hayes off balance on the top rope. Sami avoided a Nothing But Net and landed a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Trick stood and grabbed the U.S. Title belt and walked around ringside. He threw the belt to Sami. The ref took the belt from Sami. Trick distracted Sami from the ring apron. Hayes shoved Sami toward Trick. Sami ducked and Trick hit Hayes inadvertently. Sami then hit a Helluva Kick for the win.
WINNER: Sami Zayn in 16:00 to capture the U.S. Title.
(Keller’s Analysis: I get the involvement of Trick for a couple of reasons – to create a moral dilemma for Sami taking advantage of his interference and to set up their match at WrestleMania. The match was good.)
-Kelley approached Jacob Fatu and asked how he was feeling after last week. Fatu said he didn’t come to Pittsburgh to stay backstage. He said instead of talking to her now, he wanted to speak to the people live in the ring. [c]
-They showed some Pittsburgh Steelers in the front row.
-Sami approached Aldis and asked if he earned a match at WrestleMania. Aldis congratulated him. He said he got a spot at WrestleMania. He said he’ll defend his title against Trick. Sami laughed and said, “Beautiful.”
[HOUR THREE]
-Clips aired of the Drew-Fatu brawl last week in the parking lot.
-Fatu stood mid-ring as fans chanted for him. He talked about being busted open and having cracked ribs. He said it’s all due to Drew. “What the hell?” he said. “What the hell is wrong with you, huh? You try to take me out? You try to end my career?” He said he was trying to take food off his kids’ table. He said he can’t keep him down. He said throwing him off the side of a building won’t hold him down. He winced as he talked. “You did all that, but I’m still standing; I’m still here.” He said as long as he has air in his lungs, every week he’s going to dog walk his punk ass. Drew’s music then played.
Drew made his way out onto the stage, also limping gingerly with his right arm and wrist wrapped. Drew eyed Fatu and said Fatu is playing the victim but he’s not the victim. He said Fatu is straight guilty because he’s a damn criminal. He said he committed the crime and did the time, but since then he’s stole his title and WrestleMania and everything from him. Drew said the food he accuses him of taking from his family is his food. He told Fatu he meant this from the bottom of his heart: “Screw your damn kids!”
Fatu made his way out of the ring, but Aldis told everyone to stay in place. He said it’s obvious to him neither of them are in any condition to fight tonight, but he has a feeling they’ll be ready to fight on Apr. 18 at WrestleMania. He said they have become liabilities to themselves in the company. He said there will be no DQ’s and no countouts, and the ref will only be there to count a pin or call a submission. He said their match will be unsanctioned.
(Keller’s Analysis: Good segment. Fatu and Drew played their parts well.)
-Jelly Roll gave Cardona a pep talk backstage. He said Cody Rhodes is on his way. Cardona told Jelly Roll to let him fight on his own, so tell Cody to stay away. Jelly Roll said he was praying for him. Jelly left. Zelina Vega and Aleister Black walked in. Zelina said, “Imagine picking a fight you know you can’t win just to fix your damn ego.” Black said a few words and laughed with Zelina. Cardona didn’t understand what Black said at the end.
-They showed Tiffany Stratton backstage when Chelsea Green rolled up to her and said they got off on the wrong foot. Alba Fyre joined in. Green offered to work with her. Tiffany said she won the U.S. Title twice, but also lost it twice, “so thanks, but no thanks.” Green said that was so rude. [c]
(5) TIFFANY STRATTON vs. GIULIA (w/Kiana James) – U.S. Title match
They cut to an early break. [c]
Tiffany countered Giulia and landed a rolling senton. James stood on the ringside steps. Tiffany paused, then went for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Giulia lifted her knees and then scored a three count on Tiffany.
WINNER: Guilia in 11:00 to retain the U.S. Title.
-They cut to Bayley and Lyra backstage when Kelley approached them and asked what brought them to Smackdown. Bayley said they wanted to let them know they’re going after the tag titles. She said the whole tag division is on notice and they’ll win at MSG on Monday.
-Orton was the phone with the mystery person (whom we would have found out about if not for Cardona’s selfish timing!) He said he’d see them soon. [c]
-Tessitore and Barrett ran through the WrestleMania line-up.
-Orton made his entrance [c]
(6) RANDY ORTON vs. MATT CARDONA
Cardona charged into the ring. The bell rang 41 minutes into the hour. Cardona had his “broken wrist” in a cast. Orton took it to Cardona at the start, but Cardona used it as a weapon at the start. Barrett said that should be illegal. Orton dropped Cardona on the announce desk. He threw the chair aside and rammed Cardona’s wrist on the desk. Orton beat up Cardona in the ring, at ringside, up the entryway toward the stage, and then back in the ring. He threw Cardona shoulder-first into the ringpost, then bent his exposed wrist backwards. He then hit an RKO. Barrett said, “Mercifully, it is over.” Fans chanted, “One more time!” Orton made the cover and scored a three count.
WINNER: Orton in 7:00.
-Cody Rhodes showed up in his bus. He walked into the arena looking determined. Jelly Roll had a few words for him as he passed by. They cut to a double-box break. [c/db]
-Cody came out this entrance theme. Aldis talked to him in the aisle. Cody walked past him and stepped onto the ring apron. Orton stood ready, staring him down. Cody charged and punched away at Orton. Orton took one swing and then rolled to the floor. Cody went after him. Security tried to stop him. Orton swung a chair at Cody, but Cody blocked it and hit Orton. Cody dug his thumbs into Orton’s eyes.
Orton tried to flee, with Aldis, producers, and security getting between them at ringside. Cody went after Orton again and threw him into the ringpost and then back into the ring. Security and officials entered the ring and pulled Cody off. Fans booed. Cody of course leaped out of the corner and jumped Orton in the other corner. After they were separated, Orton burst free. and attacked Cody. A “Randy!” chant could be heard. Orton beat up security who took some nice bumps over the announce desk. Cody then went back after Orton, pounding away at him on the announce desk. He stood tall and cheers rang out. He gouged Orton’s eye socket again.
Cody entered the ring. Orton rolled into the ring too. They kept fighting and then were separated again. Jelly Roll entered teh ring and tried to talk Cody down. Tessitore said he was playign mediator. Orton broke free and gave Jelly Roll an RKO. He then left the ring and smiled with glee. “A Viper strike on Jelly Roll,” said Tessitore.
(Keller’s Analysis: The crowd didn’t erupt with cheers for Cody as you’d hope if you’re WWE. They were into it, but not in a way that matched the intensity and duration of the brawl. The duration of the brawl felt like they had 90 extra seconds to fill they weren’t planning for. Cody and Orton did the pullapart brawl by the book well in terms of execution. The mystery remains who the secret person is advising Orton.)
JOIN US LIVE ON YOUTUBE TONIGHT FOR THE VIDEO-FORMAT OF OUR LIVE POST-SHOWS…
PWTorch editor Wade Keller will be joined by ProWrestling.net’s Jake Barnett to review WWE Smackdown LIVE on YouTube. We’ll be incorporating live viewer comments into the show so join us LIVE!
Email our post-show at wadekellerpostshow@gmail.com with your comments and questions about Smackdown. We’ll read your emails live during the post-show.
If you can’t join us live on YouTube, stream the show on demand later at YouTube or listen or stream later on a podcast app. Subscribe to all of our free podcasts by searching “wade keller” and “pwtorch” in your podcast app of choice including Spotify and Apple Podcasts and most other iOS and Android apps.
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