5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (6 March - Results & Review)

3. Randy Orton’s Multi-Purpose Promo

Mr. RKO's promo was really strong, and it proved to be a good way to open the show. Orton never used to be a great promo guy, but he’s at the top of his game on the mic nowadays because he keeps things simple and leans on his legacy. Maybe that’s what having so many miles in the rearview mirror does for somebody.

Randy spoke about working 20 WrestleManias but only headlining twice. That’s why he won’t take this year’s event for granted. Good point well made. He then went on to give Friday's main event some last minute gloss, and dropped an interrupting Trick Williams with an RKO. Trick sold that move brilliantly, for the record. The man looked like he’d just been knocked out of his “lemon pepper steppers”.

Oh yes, good stuff here, and the Williams issue will give Orton someone to work with/elevate whether he wins the WWE Title in Las Vegas or not. That's a real compliment to Trick. It's inevitable that he turns babyface (the former NXT Champ is just too entertaining and has crowds in the palms of his hands whenever he shows up or opens his mouth), but there's no reason why we can't burn through a match with Randy before then.

Orton's speech had several goals. Firstly, talk about how proud he is to be headlining 'Mania in 2026. Second, tease that either outcome (Drew McIntyre or Cody Rhodes) was exciting to him. Third, keep Williams in the frame with some major players on the blue brand without having him taste defeat in a match just yet.