WWE SmackDown: New Matches Announced – Titles on the Line, WrestleMania Contract Signing (March 13, 2026)
PHOENIX, AZ – WWE SmackDown is set for a compelling night on , emanating live from the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The card boasts a championship defense, a high-stakes contract signing, and several intriguing matchups as the road to WrestleMania 42 continues to unfold.
Headlining the evening’s announcements is the contract signing for the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania 42, pitting Cody Rhodes against Randy Orton. The build-up to this encounter has been simmering, and the formalization of the bout promises to add another layer of intensity. The November 7th SmackDown saw Rhodes address his recent victory over Drew McIntyre, dismissing McIntyre as self-sabotaging and opening the floor for a new challenger. That moment led to a chaotic confrontation with Aleister Black and Zelina Vega, ultimately resulting in the Rhodes-Black match that night, which ended in a no contest.
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship will be on the line as champions Nia Jax and Lash Legend, known as The Irresistible Forces, defend their titles against the formidable duo of Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair. This match is a significant one, given Jax’s recent success. On , Jax defeated Charlotte Flair in Greenville, South Carolina, via her signature Annihilator maneuver in a match lasting just over ten minutes. The web search results indicate a match between the two on November 7, 2025, with Flair briefly gaining an advantage before Jax took control.
Adding to the night’s action, Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga will go head-to-head with Uncle Howdy and Erick Rowan. This pairing presents an interesting dynamic, blending established stars with those looking to make a significant impact.
Jade Cargill will also be in action, facing Michin. Cargill continues to build momentum as a rising force in WWE, and this match provides another opportunity to showcase her skills.
Rounding out the announced lineup is the return of Miz TV, with Jelly Roll as the special guest. Miz TV consistently delivers compelling interviews and often serves as a platform for building storylines, and Jelly Roll’s appearance is sure to draw significant attention.
The November 7th SmackDown also featured a United States Championship match where Ilja Dragunov defeated Johnny Gargano via H-Bomb in a ten-minute and fifty-five-second contest. Chelsea Green secured the Women’s United States Championship with a roll-up victory over Giulia in a remarkably quick match lasting just one minute and thirty-seven seconds. Talla Tonga defeated Rey Fenix via Chokeslam in a nine-minute and thirteen-second bout. These results highlight the diverse range of talent currently showcased on SmackDown.
The show also saw some backstage maneuvering, with Tama Tonga approaching Ilja Dragunov, and Tommaso Ciampa attempting to challenge Dragunov for the United States Championship, only to be bypassed in favor of Johnny Gargano. These moments underscore the competitive nature of the WWE roster and the constant pursuit of championship opportunities.
With the contract signing for the WWE Championship match and the Women’s Tag Team Championship defense taking center stage, this Friday’s SmackDown promises to be a pivotal episode as WWE continues its build towards WrestleMania 42. The presence of established stars like Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, Charlotte Flair, and Nia Jax, alongside rising talents like Jade Cargill and Solo Sikoa, ensures a night of compelling action and storyline development for the WWE Universe.