WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Randy Orton brings back 'The Legend Killer' for John Cena match

Cena is the newest legend on Orton's hit list

John Cena and Randy Orton's rivarly runs deep. The generational stars have feuded for the world title numerous times. On WWE SmackDown, Orton added a new wrinkle to their Backlash encounter. For the first time, Orton will wrestle not only a contemporary in Cena, but also a legend.

"The Legend Killer" Orton is back in full force ahead of Backlash. Orton, who's gotten the better of Cena in recent weeks, added layers of context to their undisputed WWE championship match at Backlash.

SmackDown also featured Aleister Black's first WWE match in four years, significant progress in the United States title race and more.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

Randy Orton brings back 'The Legend Killer'

Orton was solely responsible for building interest in Backlash's main event. Orton credited Cena for capitalizing on WWE's PG era, portraying himself as a sponsor-friendly character. Orton said he's always been true to himself, unlike Cena, who he characterized as arrogant and selfish. Orton accused Cena of selling his soul for the last 20 years, adding a new color palette to his merchandise each month in pursuit of more sales. "The Legend Killer" said he was back, and he was prepared to add another legend -- record-holding 17-time world champion Cena -- to his hit list. Orton is locking and loading a punt with Cena's name on it.

The biggest hurdle to overcome with Cena's title reign is that he'll be absent for most of it. Orton did a great job painting Cena as a hypocrite. Cena's main event run as a white meat hero rubbed a lot of older fans the wrong way. Orton's tapping into that, painting Cena as a product of mass marketing. It's a far better angle than the weird parental angle Orton ran with last week. Grade: B+

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• LA Knight vs. Damian Priest ended in a no-contest after The Bloodline attacked them.
• Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) def. Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson) via pinfall after landing a Spanish fly and phoenix splash combination.
• Aleister Black def. The Miz via pinfall after hitting Black Mass.
• Zelina Vega def. Piper Niven via pinfall with a roll up.
• SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis booked a fatal four-way match for Backlash: Jacob Fatu vs. Knight vs. Priest vs. Drew McIntyre.
• Rey Fenix def. Santos Escobar via pinfall with a meteora.
• Jade Cargill and Tiffany Stratton def. Nia Jax and Naomi via pinfall after Cargill dropped Jax with a powerbomb. Post-match, Naomi stood over Cargill's body holding Stratton's WWE women's title.