WWE: Randy Orton refuses to face Bray Wyatt at WrestleMania 33
Randy Orton will not fight his 'master' Bray Wyatt; Smackdown battle royal to determine WWE Champion's WrestleMania opponent
By David Ruse
Last Updated: 15/02/17 11:12am
Randy Orton has turned WrestleMania 33 on its head - by refusing to challenge his 'master' Bray Wyatt for the WWE Championship.
The Viper dropped the bombshell on Smackdown Live - moments after Wyatt had retained the belt by beating John Cena and AJ Styles in a Triple Threat - despite earning a guaranteed title shot at The Show of Shows by winning the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match in January.
Orton's decision means a battle royal will now be held on next week's edition of the blue brand to determine who Wyatt defends the championship against at WWE's premier event in Orlando on April 2.
Wyatt pinned Cena in Anaheim on Tuesday after hitting a Sister Abigail to keep hold of the strap he had won from The Cenation Leader inside the Elimination Chamber at the weekend - the Eater of Worlds edging Cena and Styles despite being attacked by Luke Harper before the bout.
Baron Corbin, meanwhile, continued to punish Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose for eliminating him from Sunday's WWE Title showdown.
The Lone Wolf smashed Ambrose through a pod and hit him with End of Days after he was pinned inside the Chamber, allowing The Miz to swiftly eliminate The Lunatic Fringe from the six-man main event.
Corbin was not content with that mauling, however, and jumped Ambrose backstage on Smackdown before nailing him with a Deep Six though electrical equipment.
Elsewhere, Mickie James feigned a shoulder injury before conquering Becky Lynch with a Mick Kick as she gained revenge for her loss to the Dubliner at Elimination Chamber.
Naomi legitimately injured her knee while winning the Smackdown Women's Title from Alexa Bliss on Sunday night - but received no sympathy from the wrestler she dethroned.
Bliss interrupted Naomi to deliver an ultimatum - that the champion had a week to prepare for their rematch or she would simply beat the Florida-born star down and take back her title.
Nikki Bella and Natalya will definitely square off next week, with Smackdown General Manager Daniel Bryan sanctioning a Falls Count Anywhere between the warring women after they engaged in another brawl.
Plus, Tag Team Champions American Alpha conquered The Ascension - Chad Gable and Jason Jordan blasting Viktor with Grand Amplitude - before being approached by The Usos.
Don't miss next week's Smackdown as Wyatt's WrestleMania 33 opponent is determined and Bella and Natalya face off. The show is live at 1am on Sky Sports 5 on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning.
You can catch a repeat of this week's show at 10pm on Thursday on Sky Sports 5.
