WWE SmackDown Notes: R-Truth & Damian Priest Wins WWE Tag Titles, Randy Orton Addresses His Attack on Cody Rhodes & Attacks Matt Cardona, B-Fab & Michin Turn Heel on Rhea Ripley & Aligns with Jade Cargill, 3/27 Show Card

WWE
Mar 20, 2026

R-Truth & Damian Priest Wins WWE Tag Titles

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina featured R-Truth & Damian Priest defeating The MFTs (JC Mateo & Tama Tonga) to become the new WWE Tag Team Champions.

This was R-Truth and Priest’s first ever WWE Tag Team Championship victory as a team, Priest’s third ever WWE Tag titles victory, and R-Truth’s first ever WWE Tag titles victory in their WWE careers.

Randy Orton Addresses His Attack on Cody Rhodes & Attacks Matt Cardona

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured Randy Orton addressing his attack on Cody Rhodes at last week’s show and his reasons for it.

During the show, Orton came out to the ring and grabbed a chair and microphone. Orton placed the chair in the ring and sat on it and proceeded to talk about how for years when his entrance music hit, everyone would sing along. Orton continued talking about the love the fans and kids have had for him and how he tries to return it. Orton talked about how that puts a smile on his face .. and that smile is the emptiest feeling that he has felt in his entire life. Orton then talked about how he has been doing this a long time and he doesn’t want his legacy to be the smiles he puts on their faces but wants his legacy to be how many World Championship gold he has put around his waist.

After some words about his Men’s Elimination Chamber victory and Cody Rhodes being the champion, Orton stated that he didn’t know if he can be who he needs to be to beat Cody. Orton continued stating he loves Cody like a brother but last week, Cody took that burden off his chest. Orton stated that Cody took that weight off his shoulders when he told him that he needed him to be the best version he can be and he needs him to be the viper, to listen to the voices. Orton continued stating that the problem with listening to the voices is that he is not always in control. After some more words, Orton stated that he needs to add number 15 to his legacy. Orton then talked about how he hears the voices and the voices tell him that he will beat Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship and he is going to do it at the main event of WrestleMania.

In a follow-up segment, Orton got into a confrontation with Matt Cardona backstage that ended up with Orton mocking Cardona calling him a “mark ass stooge” and an “indie nerd” before laying him out with a forearm strike.

In another follow-up segment, Jelly Roll had a chat with Damian Priest and R-Truth and after Priest and Truth walked away, Orton walked up to Jelly Roll and apologized to him over his actions towards him last week. Jelly Roll responded back telling Orton that he is worried about him over what he did to Rhodes and not wanting him to go down the bad guy route he has been going. Orton responded back stating that he knows he was wrong and will apologize to Cardona in the ring to do the right thing. This led to Jelly Roll and Orton hugging before the two left their separate ways.

In another follow-up segment, Orton came out to the ring and stated that he has an apology to give to Cardona. Orton then called for Cardona to come out, which Cardona did. Orton proceeded to apologize for the insults he made towards him and his attack earlier. Orton and Cardona then shook hands and hugged. Orton then extended his hand out one more time for another handshake but this turned out to be a ruse and Orton attacked Cardona again hitting a low blow and RKO.

Orton then proceeded to attack Cardona on the outside and prepared to strike him with the steel steps before being stopped by WWE security and officials. As it looked like Orton was settled down, he attacked Cardona again and tossed him into the ring. Orton then placed a chair around Cardona’s arm and attempted to stomp on it only to be initially stopped by WWE officials. Orton teased being done with Cardona only to then stomp on the chair on his arm and left the ring as WWE officials managed to finally separate the two and tended to Cardona.

B-Fab & Michin Turn Heel on Rhea Ripley & Aligns with Jade Cargill

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured B-Fab and Michin turning heel on Rhea Ripley and aligning themselves with WWE Women’s Champion Jade Cargill.

Following a heated insults filled in-ring promo segment between Ripley and Cargill, Ripley told Cargill that they had enough talking and for her to do something. Ripley told Cargill that she would even give her the first shot. This led to Cargill rejecting the offer and proceeded to leave the ring.

Cargill was stopped by Michin and B-Fab who came out to confront Cargill. This turned out to just be a ruse and Michin and B-Fab gave a smiling grin and stood alongside Cargill. All three surrounded the ring and proceeded to attack Ripley leading to Ripley being laid out.

Current Card For Next Week’s Show

Friday’s WWE SmackDown show also featured three new matches announced for the card of next week’s show on March 27th at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Current card for March 27th WWE SmackDown show:

  • WWE Women’s United States Championship – Tiffany Stratton vs. Giulia (c)
  • Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. The Bella Twins (Nikki & Brie Bella)
  • Kit Wilson vs. Jelly Roll
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