Summary

WWE SmackDown on March 27 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh closed with Randy Orton beating Matt Cardona, then immediately brawling with Cody Rhodes as the show went off the air. Earlier in the night, Sami Zayn won the WWE United States Championship in an open challenge, while several division feuds continued across the card.

Results

  • The Bella Twins (Nikki and Brie Bella) defeated Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair.
  • Rhea Ripley defeated B-Fab via disqualification.
  • Jelly Roll defeated Kit Wilson.
  • Sami Zayn defeated Carmelo Hayes (c) in a WWE United States Championship open challenge to win the title.
  • Giulia (with Kiana James) defeated Tiffany Stratton.
  • Randy Orton defeated Matt Cardona.

Key show developments

Randy Orton opened the show with a promo but was attacked by Matt Cardona, setting up their later match. After Orton's win in the main event, Cody Rhodes and Orton fought as producers and Jelly Roll tried to separate them, and Orton dropped Jelly Roll with an RKO to end the broadcast.

Elsewhere, Nick Aldis addressed Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre, then announced they will face each other next week after another in-ring confrontation.

How Sami Zayn and Randy Orton shifted SmackDown's direction

Sami Zayn taking the United States Championship from Carmelo Hayes immediately changes the title picture, and Trick Williams watching at ringside keeps another contender connected to that scene. In the same episode, the closing Orton and Cody Rhodes fight raises the stakes around two of the brand's biggest names heading into next week's follow-up.

Sources

As reported by Fightful.