• RAW Star Left SmackDown Because He Was Tired Of Working With Solo Sikoa
LA Knight requested a move from SmackDown to RAW last year because he was tired of working with Solo Sikoa. Knight had been locked in a long feud with Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline on SmackDown. The storyline lasted many months with repeated matches and segments.
Self Made Pro reported that Knight felt the rivalry had run its course. He asked for a fresh start on the other brand during creative planning. WWE granted the request.
Knight is known for speaking up loudly when he thinks something in his booking doesn’t work. He has been very direct with WWE’s creative team about his frustrations.
• Why Royce Keys Skipped NXT
Royce Keys (fka Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW) debuted in WWE at Royal Rumble 2026 but skipped NXT entirely. He went straight to the main roster (expected on SmackDown) instead of starting in developmental.
There are some rumors that Keys made it clear during contract talks that he wanted to join the main roster right away instead of going to NXT first. However, that’s not the case.
According to Fightful Select, WWE officials wanted Keys on the main roster instead of debuting on NXT. Keys has only worked dark (untelevised) matches before shows since his Royal Rumble debut, but his TV return might be near.
Bodyslam recently reported that WWE wants to do Royce Keys and Jelly Roll vs. The Miz and Kit Wilson at WrestleMania 42. WWE wants to book an angle where Jelly and Royce bond over stories of their real-life hardships, which is one of the reasons WWE heavily promoted Royce’s appearance on Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast.
Also Read: LA Knight Wasn’t Happy On RAW
• Why WWE Turned Randy Orton Heel
Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton met in the ring for their WrestleMania 42 contract signing in the main event segment of last week’s SmackDown. Cody talked about having his WWE debut match against Orton in 2007. Cody said he has always been proud to be Randy’s boy. Cody signed the contract, but Randy hesitated.
Randy said he needs the WrestleMania main event and the WWE Title. Cody said he’ll always love Randy. Randy signed the contract and then turned heel by launching a brutal attack on Cody.
Cody got busted open. Randy even attacked Nick Aldis and Jelly Roll. Randy sat in a chair with the WWE Championship in his lap to end SmackDown.
According to the Wrestling Observer, WWE booked Orton to turn heel because they didn’t want a Babyface vs. Babyface match between them. They already did that at Night of Champions 2025, where Rhodes defeated Orton to become King of the Ring.
It was also noted that WWE officials are fully aware that fans will still cheer for Orton despite his heel turn.
