Randy Orton and Alexa Bliss both returned to the ring on Thursday night at WWE’s live event at the SNHU Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire, wrestling their first matches in several months.
For Orton, it was his first match since WrestleMania 42 on April 18, where he challenged Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Rhodes won that match before Orton attacked him after the bell with a punt.
The two met again Thursday in a street fight that headlined the show.
Orton put Rhodes through a table and connected with an RKO, but Rhodes kicked out. Rhodes later sent Orton through a chair wedged between the ropes before hitting Cross Rhodes for the victory. Orton also used a low blow during the match.
While this was Orton’s first match since April, he returned to WWE television at SummerSlam on August 1. Orton interfered in Rhodes’ Undisputed WWE Championship match against CM Punk, hitting Rhodes with an RKO and allowing Punk to retain the title.
Orton has yet to explain his actions, although that could change soon. Punk, Rhodes, Orton and Kevin Owens are all advertised for Friday’s SmackDown.
Bliss also competed Thursday for the first time since suffering an arm injury during her July 10 match with Jade Cargill on SmackDown.
She teamed with Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton against Fatal Influence’s Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid. Stratton scored the pinfall to give her team the victory.
Like Orton, Bliss had already made her television return before getting back in the ring. She appeared on last week’s SmackDown, helping Flair during a confrontation with Cargill and introducing Tatum Paxley as their new ally.
Elsewhere on the show, R-Truth and Damian Priest retained the WWE Tag Team Championship in a three-way match against the MFTs and the War Raiders.
Baron Corbin successfully defended the United States Championship against Carmelo Hayes, Trick Williams and Ricky Saints in a four-way match. Corbin captured the championship from Williams at SummerSlam.
The Miz also appeared for a promo mocking the Manchester crowd before being interrupted and cursed by Danhausen. Miz attacked Danhausen until Kevin Owens made the save, but Owens then delivered a Stunner to Danhausen himself.
Owens is currently the number one contender to Punk’s Undisputed WWE Championship after returning from a 17-month absence at SummerSlam and defeating Sami Zayn, Finn Balor and GUNTHER in a four-way match.
The championship picture has become complicated by Punk publicly offering Rhodes another title match whenever he wants one. Nothing has yet been settled on television regarding whether Owens or Rhodes will receive the next opportunity.
Oba Femi and Bron Breakker also had another face-off during the Manchester event, continuing the recent tension between the two.
Attendance was described as approximately two-thirds of the building, with the upper bowl curtained off, while the crowd was reportedly lively throughout the show.
Orton is a 14-time world champion and has been with WWE for more than two decades. Bliss is a five-time Women’s Champion and has also held the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship with Flair.
Both are now officially back in action heading into Friday night’s SmackDown.
6-Woman Tag Match is set at #WWEManchester
Fatal Influence Vs Tiffy, Charlotte & Alexa Bliss
(📽️: Mattkempke, YT) pic.twitter.com/wOxzO4E2by
— Lainey Reid Fan 😈🤟🏽 (@LaineyFan436) August 14, 2026
