Randy Orton’s Heel Turn and Chaos on WWE SmackDown

The road to WrestleMania 42 intensified on the March 21, 2026, episode of WWE SmackDown, marked by Randy Orton’s continued aggression and escalating feuds. The show featured a chaotic brawl between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu, a recent tag team championship reign and further developments in the build-up to WrestleMania.

Orton’s Aggression Continues

The fallout from Randy Orton’s brutal attack on Cody Rhodes during their WrestleMania 42 contract signing continued to be a central focus. Orton, now firmly established as a heel, has demonstrated a willingness to use extreme tactics, leaving Rhodes injured and signaling a more ruthless approach to their championship match. The attack occurred on the March 13, 2026, episode of SmackDown and has been a major talking point in the wrestling world.

Brawl Between McIntyre and Fatu

A heated rivalry between Drew McIntyre and Jacob Fatu boiled over into a physical altercation. The chaos began with McIntyre crashing his car into Fatu’s vehicle in the parking lot, leading to a brawl that spilled into the arena. Fatu, bleeding from the forehead, continued the assault on McIntyre, sending him through the commentary table. This intense confrontation suggests a potential match between the two at WrestleMania 42.

New WWE Tag Team Champions Crowned

Damian Priest and R-Truth emerged as the new WWE Tag Team Champions, defeating The MFTs (Tama Tonga & JC Mateo) in a match influenced by interference from The Wyatt Family. The victory was unexpected, adding a new dynamic to the tag team division and potentially setting up an eight-man tag team match against The Wyatt Family at WrestleMania 42.

Other Notable Moments

• The Bella Twins exchanged words with Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss, setting the stage for a potential tag team match.
• Jelly Roll offered Randy Orton a pep talk, urging him to reflect on his legacy.
• Ilja Dragunov defeated Carmelo Hayes in a hard-fought match, with interference from Trick Williams.
• Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley continued to build their rivalry with a heated exchange and a subsequent attack on Ripley by Cargill and her associates, Michin and B-Fab.

Looking Ahead to WrestleMania 42

With WrestleMania 42 approaching, the storylines on SmackDown are becoming increasingly intense. The confirmed matches include CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Undisputed Championship, Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan for the WWE Women’s World Championship, Jade Cargill vs. Rhea Ripley for the WWE Women’s Championship, and Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar. The next episode of SmackDown promises to add further clarity to the WrestleMania card, with Kit Wilson scheduled to face Jelly Roll.