SmackDown delivered a heavy dose of nostalgia and action this week, as Randy Orton and John Cena’s rivalry took center stage once again. With Backlash looming, tensions ran high, setting the stage for a fierce showdown between the two veterans.

Orton vs. Cena: Rivalry Reignited

Randy Orton returned to WWE television to confront John Cena, leading to an intense exchange of strikes and insults. Cena, who is set to defend his undisputed championship at Backlash, took the mic to provoke Orton, dragging his rival’s family legacy into the spotlight. He went so far as to mock Orton’s injury history and bring up a failed 2006 drug test, claiming Orton was handed opportunities throughout his 25-year career.

But Orton wasn’t backing down. After Cena tried to ambush him with a sneak attack, The Viper countered with a perfectly timed RKO. Just as tensions peaked, a masked man entered the scene, attempting another RKO on Cena—only to be countered with an Attitude Adjustment. Orton denied any connection to the mystery attacker and added insult to injury by mocking Cena’s signature taunt before delivering yet another RKO.

Returns, Rivalries, and Tag Team Action

Meanwhile, Alexa Bliss made a much-anticipated return, teaming with Zelina Vega in a high-energy tag match against Chelsea Green and Piper Niven. Bliss sealed the win for her team with a brutal Sister Abigail DDT on Green, drawing a surprised but impressed reaction from Vega.

The Street Profits faced off against the high-flying duo of Nathan Frazer and Axiom. The latter secured a decisive win using their signature Catapulta Infernal finisher, reinforcing their place in the tag team hierarchy.

Other Key Matches & Momentum Shifts

In singles competition, Nia Jax overpowered Jade Cargill with a dominant pinfall victory, using the crushing Banzai Drop. Despite outside interference attempts from Tiffany Stratton and Naomi, Jax reaffirmed her spot as a top contender for the WWE Women’s Championship.

Elsewhere, LA Knight and Damian Priest took on Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa. Knight maintained control early, and the duo clinched the win after Knight dropped Sikoa with a BFT. Post-match, Drew McIntyre stormed in to halt a retaliatory attack, landing a Claymore Kick on Fatu and flashing his United States title to a roaring crowd.

Additional match results included:

As Backlash draws near, the WWE landscape continues to shift. With legendary feuds rekindled, returning stars, and rising talent making waves, SmackDown has set the tone for what promises to be a high-stakes pay-per-view.

For more updates and match previews, visit the official WWE SmackDown page.