On March 13, 2026, the WWE SmackDown episode at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, delivered a dramatic turn when Jelly Roll unexpectedly betrayed Randy Orton during the WWE Title contract signing. This surprising development adds new intensity to the looming clash between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, making the “Randy Orton WWE contract signing” a must-watch moment in the road to WrestleMania 42.
Jade Cargill and Michin Resume Heated Rivalry in Non-Title Bout
Jade Cargill, the reigning champion, squared off against Michin in a non-title match, reigniting their tension from 2025 that had been paused due to Michin’s injury. Cargill had been dominating backstage interactions, bullying Michin and B-Fab, prompting Michin to fight back with renewed vigor. Despite Michin’s return, she remains an unlikely contender for the WWE title as her recent momentum is insufficient compared to others in the division. Many fans have voiced concerns about Cargill’s lack of title defenses, but she has remained active through feuds with several competitors, including Michin.
Given the upcoming championship showdown between Cargill and Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania, it is expected that Cargill will maintain her winning streak. Any loss before that event could diminish the perceived prestige of their title match, which has already faced criticism for its promotional build-up. Keeping both competitors strong ensures their WrestleMania confrontation is taken seriously despite recent underwhelming promos.
Contract Signing Turns Sour as Jelly Roll Sides Against Randy Orton
Following Cody Rhodes’ recent victory over Drew McIntyre to reclaim the WWE Championship, attention turned to the contract signing for Rhodes’ upcoming WrestleMania title defense against Randy Orton. The segment was highly anticipated, especially given the history between Rhodes and Orton as former Legacy stablemates. However, the event took an unexpected twist when Jelly Roll, initially expected to support his SummerSlam tag partner Orton, betrayed him by siding with Rhodes instead.
This dramatic act has intensified the rivalry, adding a layer of betrayal that caught fans off guard. The backstage animosity between these wrestlers has been brewing, with Jelly Roll’s bitterness over losing his SummerSlam debut match to Orton fueling his change in allegiance. The shift complicates the dynamics ahead of WrestleMania and suggests that further conflicts will emerge leading up to the event.
McIntyre’s Future and Jacob Fatu’s Rising Challenge After WrestleMania
Drew McIntyre, who lost the WWE title to Cody Rhodes thanks to Jacob Fatu’s interference, is rumored to be stepping away from WWE following WrestleMania to focus on filming duties for Highlander. This likely means he will be written off the storyline through a loss to Fatu at WrestleMania, setting the stage for Fatu to catapult his career by defeating a former champion.
Jacob Fatu is motivated by a personal vendetta against McIntyre and views WrestleMania as an opportunity to secure revenge and elevate his status in the main event scene. Both men have longstanding grievances that promise a fiercely contested match and could reshape WWE’s future rivalries depending on its outcome.
The Wrestling Landscape Shifts as Storylines Heat Up
The betrayal of Randy Orton by Jelly Roll during the contract signing adds a significant twist to the narrative heading into WrestleMania 42, amplifying tension and uncertainty about upcoming matches. Jade Cargill’s continued dominance reinforces her position as a top champion, building anticipation for her clash with Rhea Ripley. Meanwhile, the evolving rivalry between McIntyre and Fatu could mark a passing of the torch depending on WWE’s booking decisions. All these developments contribute to a charged atmosphere on the road to WWE’s biggest show of the year, promising fans a night filled with surprises and high-stakes encounters.
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