Updated WWE SmackDown preview for March 27

Randy Orton WWE SmackDown

WWE has made a couple of new announcements — and an apparent adjustment to the card — for this week’s episode of SmackDown.

– SmackDown is taking place from PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh this Friday night. WWE has announced that Randy Orton will appear on the show, with the company teasing that Orton will be looking for a new target after his recent attacks on Cody Rhodes and Matt Cardona. Orton is now just a few weeks away from challenging Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 42.

WWE.com wrote:

  • Just one week after savagely attacking his former friend and brother, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton unleashed another vicious assault on Matt Cardona. Which Superstar will The Legend Killer ambush next?
  • Don’t miss all the action of SmackDown, Friday at 8 ET/7 CT on USA. 

– Though not official yet, a match between Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre is expected to be added to the WrestleMania card soon. The build to that will continue on SmackDown with general manager Nick Aldis addressing the status of both wrestlers after last week’s show-closing angle where Fatu and McIntyre crashed off of a ledge while brawling.

– It was initially announced that Tiffany Stratton would challenge Giulia for the Women’s United States Championship on SmackDown. That looks to have changed with WWE.com now advertising Giulia vs. Stratton as a “non-title showdown.”

Here is the full preview for the show:

WWE SmackDown (Friday, March 27) —

  • Who will Randy Orton attack next?
  • Charlotte Flair & 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
  • Non-title match: Women’s United States Champion Giulia vs. Tiffany Stratton
Joseph Currier
Joseph Currier

Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.

In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.