4 Mistakes WWE made on SmackDown (March 13, 2026)

Cody Rhodes expected his Undisputed WWE title contract signing on SmackDown to be a friendly exchange with WrestleMania opponent Randy Orton.

The Viper had other ideas as he gave in to the voices in his head by brutally attacking The American Nightmare to close out the show. Tiffany Stratton beat Kiana James while Danhausen cursed the Miz.

Jade Cargill and Michin finally squared off with the champion predictably winning. She then tried to claim she wasn’t afraid of Rhea Ripley before retreating when confronted by Mami.

Drew McIntyre quit to open the show only to return later. Despite a great ending and overdue heel turn, WWE made the next four mistakes on SmackDown.

#4. Why is this match happening and not a title defense?

Instead of Damian Priest and R-Truth getting their WWE Tag Team title shot, fans got to see another round between the MFTs and Wyatt Sicks.

The MFTs cost Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy their spot in the gauntlet, which Truth and Priest won last week. Shouldn’t the champions defend their belts?

They haven’t done so since winning them in January. Priest and Truth competed later on SmackDown against Los Garza.

#3. The Bellas get a title shot without winning a tag team match in years

Brie Bella returned to WWE in the 2026 Women’s Royal Rumble. The Bellas then came out on the ensuing RAW to say they were the original tag team in the women’s division, so they deserved a title shot.

Both women have been absent from programming since that day until the latest SmackDown. They interrupted Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss before their title match with Nia Jax and Lash Legend.

As expected, the Bellas got involved after a ringside altercation. Nick Aldis then handed them a title shot for next week after not having teamed up in the ring in years.

Yup, that makes sense in this era of WWE. Expect Flair and Bliss to return the favor with interference to set up a triple threat for WrestleMania.

#2. A full Jelly Roll/Miz segment on SmackDown

Instead of Rey Fenix wrestling, more from Aleister Black, or a US Championship Open Challenge, fans were given a MizTV segment with Jelly Roll as the guest.

WWE still hasn’t booked Royce Keys since his debut in the Royal Rumble, but found time to prominently feature the musician.

It seems like it’s leading to a potential match at WrestleMania since Kit Wilson and Danhausen were also involved. If that wasn’t enough, Jelly Roll tried to stop Orton from furthering his attack on Rhodes.

#1. Jacob Fatu is pinned again

Jacob Fatu went unpinned for nearly his first two years in WWE. That has been completely thrown out the window this year. Drew McIntyre returned after quitting earlier in the show to attack Fatu during his match with Trick Williams.

While it sets up next week’s match with the former WWE Champion, the same outcome could have been achieved differently.

The Scottish Warrior could have interfered and attacked one or both men to cause a disqualification to somewhat protect The Samoan Werewolf. With his loss on SmackDown, Fatu has now lost his last two matches.