WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Randy Orton hits John Cena with one last RKO before Backlash

Orton has all the momentum heading into Saturday's pay-per-view

Randy Orton has made the undisputed WWE champion look like a chump every week. Friday's episode of SmackDown was no different. Orton slithered into striking range and laid out John Cena with one more RKO before their match at Backlash.

Orton and Cena likely end their legendary, two-decade rivalry at Backlash. On Friday, Cena grabbed the microphone and attempted to get into Orton's head. The champ's efforts were fruitless as Orton struck again, like he had in weeks past, dropping Cena before Saturday's match.

The blue brand also featured the return of Alexa Bliss, appearances by Aleister Black and Rey Fenix, and a surprising upset in the tag team division.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Wright State University Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio.

Orton strikes one last time before Backlash

Cena has been a step behind Orton at every turn. Friday's show was no different. The undisputed WWE champ closed the show, volleying insults at his Backlash challenger. Cena diminished Orton's status as a third-generation superstar, questioning if his father and grandfather did anything of note. Cena accused Orton of coasting for the majority of his 25-year run, repeatedly getting injured and cashing checks. His saucy line was when he said Orton would fail on Saturday, just like Orton's 2006 drug test.

Suddenly, a masked man slid into the ring and attempted to RKO Cena. The champ -- having been caught off guard in previous weeks -- countered with an Attitude Adjust. However, Orton slid into the ring, revealing the masked individual to be someone else. Orton mocked Cena with the latter's "You can't see me" gesture before laying him out with an RKO.

Cena vs. Orton sells itself. That truth seems to spur lazy writing. Every Cena-Orton encounter since WrestleMania has ended with Orton RKOing his rival. The segment gets a demerit for repetitive booking, but it's salvaged by Cena's skills on the microphone and the allure of seeing two all-time greats lock up one last time. The fake out was a nice touch, but the highlight was far and away the fan who threw a plastic beer bottle at Cena. Grade: B+

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• LA Knight and Damian Priest def. Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa via pinfall after Knight hit Sikoa with a BFT. Post-match, Fatu laid out his opponents before McIntyre hit him with a Claymore Kick. McIntyre raised the United States title while standing over his Backlash foes.
• Alexa Bliss and Zelina Vega def. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven via pinfall after Bliss landed a Sister Abigail DDT on Green. Bliss was Vega's surprise partner for the match. 
• Charlotte Flair and Bliss had a private conversation after Flair threw a tantrum for being booed.
• Nia Jax def. Jade Cargill via pinfall with a Banzai drop. Jax is the No. 1 contender for the WWE women's championship. Tiffany Stratton and Naomi interfered during the match.
• Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) def. Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) via pinfall after hitting Catapulta Infernal.
• Aleister Black def. Carmelo Hayes via pinfall with a small package.
• Andrade and Rey Fenix def. Angel and Berto via pinfall after Andrade hit The Message on Berto.