Randy Orton & LA Knight vs. The Bloodline added to WWE SmackDown
Randy Orton and LA Knight are set to team up for the first time ever.
WWE has announced that Orton & Knight will face The Bloodline’s Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa in a tag team match on this Friday’s SmackDown. It’s a special episode of the show branded as Tribute to the Troops 2023.
Orton and Knight have a common enemy in The Bloodline. Last Friday, Knight came to Orton’s defense following an attack by Uso and Sikoa. After Knight and Sikoa brawled to the back, Orton laid out Uso with an RKO.
There was an angle last week where SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis and Raw general manager Adam Pearce both wanted to sign Orton to their brand. Orton ultimately decided to sign an exclusive SmackDown contract.
Orton recently returned to the ring at Survivor Series. He had been out of action since May 2022 due to a career-threatening back injury. Orton underwent double fusion back surgery last year.
Orton was feuding with The Bloodline before the back injury forced him out of action. In storyline, Orton blames The Bloodline for causing his injury.
It appears that Orton will be a future challenger for Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. After signing his SmackDown contract last week, Orton delivered a message to Reigns.
“Hey Paul [Heyman], you can call Roman Reigns,” Orton said. “And you can tell him: Daddy’s back.”
Friday’s SmackDown is taking place from the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island. Here’s everything that’s been announced for the show:
- CM Punk returns to SmackDown
- Randy Orton & LA Knight vs. Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa
- Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka
- United States Championship number one contender’s tournament first-round match: Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross
- United States Championship number one contender’s tournament first-round match: Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar
- The War and Treaty will perform live
