This Friday’s SmackDown from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh has seen a notable change to its advertised card, with the Women’s United States Championship match between Giulia and Tiffany Stratton being changed to a non-title showdown, while Randy Orton is set to appear looking for his next target following recent attacks on both Cody Rhodes and Matt Cardona.
The Giulia versus Stratton match was originally announced as a title contest, but WWE.com is now advertising it simply as a non-title bout, leaving the reason for the change unexplained at this time.
Orton’s appearance is being teased with WWE.com asking which superstar will be his next ambush victim. The Legend Killer has been on a destructive path in recent weeks, launching savage attacks on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and most recently on Rhodes’ SmackDown ally Matt Cardona. With WrestleMania 42 approaching rapidly, Orton’s presence on SmackDown is expected to further heat up his title program with Rhodes.
General Manager Nick Aldis will also address the condition of both Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre following the dramatic show-closing brawl last week that saw both men crash off a ledge. Though not yet officially announced, a match between Fatu and McIntyre is expected to be added to the WrestleMania 42 card in the coming days. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss will also be in tag team action against the Bella Twins as the Women’s Tag Team Championship picture continues to develop heading into WrestleMania weekend.
SmackDown airs tonight at 8 p.m. EST on the USA Network.
WWE SmackDown Match Card | Friday, March 27 | PPG Paints Arena | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Who will Randy Orton attack next?
- Non-title match: Women’s United States Champion Giulia vs. Tiffany Stratton
- Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss vs. The Bella Twins
- Nick Aldis gives an update on the condition of Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre
- Jelly Roll vs. Kit Wilson
