A heated rivalry took another turn on the March 27 episode of WWE SmackDown, as Matt Cardona appeared ready to compete despite claims of a broken arm — though how “broken” things really are remained part of the intrigue.
The situation unfolded during a tense segment involving Randy Orton, whose mindset heading into WrestleMania season seems as dangerous as ever.
Matt Cardona faces Randy Orton despite a broken arm on SmackDown
Orton opened the show reflecting on recent words from Cody Rhodes, who encouraged him to embrace his darker side.
The former WWE champion admitted he had suppressed “the voices” for years, but now — with that restraint fading — he warned that he couldn’t be responsible for what comes next. In other words, the Viper may be shedding his skin again.
That warning didn’t go unanswered. Cardona interrupted the segment, only to be met with immediate hostility. Randy Orton threatened further damage, referencing Cardona’s already injured arm, but before things escalated, Cardona struck first — smashing Orton with a microphone and leaving him laid out at ringside.
The attack added fuel to a rivalry that has quickly turned personal. Just one week earlier, Orton had ambushed Matt Cardona under the guise of an apology. He delivered a brutal beatdown that reportedly left Cardona with a broken arm.
Now, the tables have turned — or at least been flipped with a mic shot heard around SmackDown.
Later in the night, Orton confronted Nick Aldis, demanding a match. Aldis initially hesitated. The SmackDown GM cited Cardona’s injury. However, he relented after Orton’s warning that things could spiral if he didn’t get what he wanted.
During their match, Randy Orton dominated by ruthlessly and systematically targeting Matt Cardona’s injured arm. Despite a brief rally and a Rough Ryder from Cardona, Orton completely dismantled him, tore off his cast, and finished the one-sided bout with an RKO for the pinfall victory.
This feud looks over for now, giving Randy Orton a complete heel persona ahead of WrestleMania 42.
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