WWE SmackDown live results: The Rock appears

After enduring a slap from Cody Rhodes last Friday, The Rock is set to appear on tonight’s SmackDown from Memphis, Tennessee.

The Rock offered his first response to the slap in a social media promo earlier today. We’ll hear more from Rock when he shows up on SmackDown tonight.

Also set is a grudge match between Bayley and Dakota Kai. It comes after Kai betrayed Bayley two weeks ago to rejoin her stablemates in Damage CTRL. Kai has claimed that she was always the brains in Damage CTRL, not Bayley.

Qualifying matches for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team title six-pack ladder match at WrestleMania 40 will begin tonight. New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate vs. Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson) and The LWO (Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro) vs. Legado del Fantasma (Angel & Humberto) are tonight’s qualifiers.

Randy Orton vs. Grayson Waller and Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar have been announced for tonight as well. Plus, Rey Mysterio will make an appearance.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– The show opened with a video package recapping what happened between the Bloodline, Cody and Seth Rollins last week. 

– Corey Graves welcomed everyone into the show. He was joined by Wade Barrett on commentary. The Rock’s music hit and and out, The Great One came. 

The Rock Concert Segment

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to say that perhaps some of us expected more from the return of the Rock Concert. In all, this was a lot of what The Rock said on social media in his now-traditional Friday social media promos, one of which was posted earlier today. The belt. Cody’s mom. Cody’s blood. We get it. Still, the first half of this was a blast and the crowd ate it up. Once Rock got serious, the crowd … well, the crowd didn’t really appear to want to get serious with him (it also might be telling that the biggest response he got came from a shot at Ja Morant, which still makes me laugh). At the end of the day, this was pedestrian by Rock’s standards. Started like a shooting star; ended with a puff of smoke. 

The crowd cheered at first, but those cheers turned to boos before Rock started to speak. Then “Rocky!” chants broke out. Rock said he usually scorches every city he’s in, but tonight, it’ll be different because Memphis is different. The Rock reminded everyone that he started his wrestling career in Memphis. The crowd erupted in “Rocky!” chants again. The Rock did the “Finally, The Rock has come back …” bit and the crowd ate it up. 

The Rock Introduced Yella P and someone from The War & Treaty, who were set to help him perform. The musicians launched into the music and The Rock sang. His lines included shots at himself for wearing a fanny pack and shots at Cody for crying to his mama. The Rock went on to say Cody turned out “too weird” and an image of Stardust appeared on the screen, which was funny. The verse ended by Rock reiterating Cody was a mistake. Rock’s attention then turned to Rollins. 

Among the issues Rock addressed was Becky Lynch being more popular than Seth and, believe it or not, a shot at NBA star Ja Morant, which led to tons of boos. He then made fun of the Cody Crybabies. Rock repeated his final stanza, which ended with Rock calling himself “The Final Boss.” Once he was done, the crowd went nuts with “Rocky!” chants. 

With the song over, The Rock set up the clip of Cody slapping Rock last week. From there, The Rock set up the clip of Cody crying on Monday while talking about his mother. The Rock actually said, “You gotta be sh—‘in me” when referencing how Cody cried. He followed that up by saying he wanted to talk to Mama Rhodes. Rock spoke to her and said he’s going to make Cody and his family pay by beating Cody and Seth at Night One of Mania. Rock said the belt will stay on Reigns after Mania and as a result, Mama Rhodes will get The Rock’s belt, which turned out to be his weight belt. 

Rock said he’s going to “beat the sh–” out of Cody and whoop him like a dog “over and over again.” He said Cody’s blood will be on that belt. He then said Mama Rhodes will be handed the belt after the match and she’ll be crying just like her son. Rock sang what he said he’s going to say to Mama Rhodes, which is, “What can I say, but you’re welcome.” The thing ended with him saying, “If you smell what the Final Boss is cooking.” The crowd had a hard time finding energy by the time it was over.

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Legado Del Fantasma (Berto & Angel) defeated LWO (Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde) to advance in the tournament for the six-pack tag team title match at WrestleMania [9:12]

This exceeded my expectations, which, to be fair, weren’t that high anyway. But the teams worked hard and the action never really settled down, which is a testament to both teams. The LWO team had some nice hope spots and they hit their flashy offense better than they have on main roster TV in recent memory. Berto and Angel, meanwhile, are coming together nicely as a team back in the mix. Both teams looked better coming out of it, which was not an easy task, considering what they had to follow in The Rock’s half-hour opening-show segment. Kudos to everyone involved. 

The LWO didn’t get a televised entrance. Thanks, Rock. Fantasma had control early, taking turns working over Del Toro until Del Toro fired up and tagged in Wilde. From there, the two hit a double super-kick on Berto. With Fantasma on the outside, Del Toro and Wilde hit stereo suicide dives. It felt like the show was headed to commercial, but instead, Berto quickly got back in the ring and LWO kept control. Del Toro landed a long springboard moonsault and got a two count because of it. From there, the show did go to commercial break. 

Back from that break, Berto was working over Del Toro (aside: What happened to the “Hum” part of the guy’s name?). Eventually, Angel and Berto landed a double slam from the second rope for a two count on Del Toro. Berto ran at Del Toro, but Del Toro hit a Spanish Fly before grabbing the hot tag to Wilde, who hit a double dropkick on the heels after he entered the ring. Wilde hit a series of fiery moves, including a Tornado DDT on Angel, for a near-fall. Del Toro tried to enter the proceedings, but Fantasma caught him. From there, Angel and Berto hit their finisher for the win.

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The LA Knight segment

This was fine. If anything, it was nice to see Knight get some substantial TV time because watching him roam around backstage, beating up TVs got old quick. Knight is a curious case right now. He was the hottest thing in the world no less than six months ago, but WWE have somehow achieved cooling him off. I’m not sure the Mania match does much for me at this point.

Kayla Braxton welcomed Knight to the entry way. Braxton asked Knight if he’s had any success trying to find AJ Styles. Knight took the microphone from Braxton and delivered his “Let me talk to ya!” line. Knight mentioned how Styles said Knight needs humbled and Knight welcomed Styles to “come out and humble” Knight. Styles didn’t show up and Knight called him out for it. Knight said Styles wasn’t big enough to come out. Knight mentioned how Styles went all the way to Australia, but he couldn’t come to Memphis. 

Knight called Styles a mark and said if Styles won’t show up at SmackDown, he knows Styles will want to show up at WrestleMania. Knight took off his glasses and said he’s going to own Styles’s ass at Mania. Knight closed things with the “LA Knight Yeah!” gimmick, but Styles ran out and attacked Knight with a chair from behind. Styles grabbed the microphone and said he accepted the Mania challenge as officials ran out to pull Styles away. 

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– Logan Paul went to talk to Nick Aldis and Paul wanted Aldis to suspend or fine Randy Orton for what Orton did last week. Aldis said he thought Paul should ask Orton for an apology himself. Paul said it’s Aldis’s job to make that happen. Paul teased Aldis for not finding a challenger for Paul for Mania yet and the segment ended. 

– Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa were walking backstage and they were interrupted by Braxton. Jimmy started to yell a lot and long story short, Jimmy answered Jey’s Mania challenge by saying the match is on. 

Randy Orton defeated Grayson Waller [7:34]

Orton comes out and plays the hits each week, and I don’t know that I necessarily have a problem with it. If he’s having fun and the crowds are eating it up, what’s the problem? Waller and Theory have become good fodder for this kind of stuff, but I do have to wonder when A) they’re going to split up and B) when either or both are going to get some actual booking love. That’s for another day. As for this, it was formulaic, but good nonetheless. The triple threat for the U.S. title kind of surprises me and I don’t know why. If anything, it suggests Paul will actually walk out of Mania with that belt, but I don’t think any of us had on our BINGO card. Time will tell. 

The crowd was hot for Orton, who took his time before starting things. Logan Paul’s music then hit and Paul walked out before the bell rang. Waller jumpstarted the match by attacking Orton as Paul walked to the commentary desk. Waller worked Orton over with some punches until Orton turned the tables. The action spilled outside and Orton threw Waller into the timekeeper’s area. Paul stood up and Waller snuck up to slam Orton’s face onto the commentary table. The show took a break after that. 

Coming back, Waller had control until Orton sprung out of a corner and hit a series of clotheslines and a powerslam. Orton set up for the draping DDT, but Waller body-dropped Orton over the top to the outside. Orton came back and slammed Waller onto the commentary table. Orton did it a second time. Back in the ring, Austin Theory hopped onto the apron and Waller accidentally collided with Theory. Orton followed that up by landing the draping DDT on Waller. 

Orton pointed and Paul and the crowd went crazy with “RKO!” chants. Theory pulled Waaller out of the ring, so Orton hit the draping DDT on Theory. Then, wouldn’t you know it, Orton successfully executed the RKO on Waller to get the win. After the match, Theory clipped Orton’s knee and invited Paul into the ring. Paul set up to hit Orton, but Kevin Owens’s music hit and Owens ran out to clean house. Orton almost accidentally RKO’d Owens, btu instead, Owens Stunned Theory, who popped into taking an RKO from Orton, which was impressive. Aldis walked out with a microphone and asked Paul if he got that apology. Aldis then said he has determined Paul’s opponents for Mania – Owens and Orton in a triple threat for the U.S. title. 

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– Damage CTRL was interviewed by Braxton. Dakota Kai called out Bayley and said she is going to break Bayley. Kai said it’s all Bayley’s doing because Bayley was jealous of IYO SKY. Kai then said Damage CTRL runs the show. 

Santos Escobar defeated Dragon Lee [1:58]

Oh boy. Dragon Lee is getting beat in less than two minutes? Yikes. Thanks, Rock (again). Or, hopefully it’s Thanks, Rock, at least, because if this is a sign of things to come for Dragon Lee, he might want to reconsider that decision to come to WWE in the first place. But I digress. I’m surprised they aren’t holding off on Escobar vs. Mysterio until Mania, but perhaps next week will be more of an angle than a match. Either way, it’s always good to see Rey back in the fold. 

Escobar’s entrance was not televised. Lee came out with some fire and worked over Escobar with a series of strikes. Lee lifted Escobar, but Escobar fought out of it until Lee landed a series of super-kicks. Lee hit a sit-out powerbomb for a two-count. The rest of Fantasma tried to interfere, but Lee took care of them. The result of that, though, was Escobar hitting the Phantom Driver for the win. 

After the match, Fantasma attacked Lee, but Carlito ran out for the save, until Escobar cut Carlito off and ran him into the ring post. Rey Mysterio’s music hit and Rey walked to the ring. Mysterio started pounding away at Escobar until he set up for the 619, but Escobar rolled to the outside to break it up. Mysterio grabbed a microphone and asked Escobar why he ran away. Mysterio said next week, he wants Escobar one-on-one. Mysterio said he will “slap that stupid arrogant smile off” Escobar’s face. 

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New Catch Republic (Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne) defeated Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) to advance in the tournament for the six-pack tag team title match at WrestleMania [11:13]

This was good even if the outcome felt inevitable. I like that Bate and Dunne are getting a mini push on the main roster and wouldn’t that be something if they actually ended up winning tag team titles at WrestleMania? I wonder what happens to Pretty Deadly from here on out. They can’t even get out of the first round of a tournament that’s held to determine match participants. When they first showed up on SmackDown, it felt like they were a priority. These days – and since the injury – not so much. But these four click very well together and this was the better of the two tag matches of the night (not to say anything discouraging about the first tag match, either, because that was pretty good, too). In all, I’m glad these guys got 11 minutes to shine. 

No entrances were televised. Thanks again, Rock. Dunne had control early and smashed Wilson’s hand. Dunne then kicked Wilson’s arm. Dunne went for the finger spot, but Prince interfered and Pretty Deadly took control. Prince tagged in and ran into some chops from Dunne. Wilson tagged in, but it wasn’t long before Dunne started chopping Wilson. Dunne landed a dragon-screw leg whip and got the tag to Bate. 

Bate hit a series of running forearms on both Pretty Deadly members. Bate then caught Wilson in midair and hit a suplex and standing shooting-star press. Bate then spun Prince around via an airplane spin. After Bate dropped Prince, the show went to a commercial break. Back from that break, Bate lifted Wilson for a long vertical suplex. Prince tagged in, but Dunne got the hot tag and Dunne landed a series of enziguris. Dunne worked an arm bar on Prince and then stomped on Prince’s fingers. 

Bate tagged in and they hit a double dropkick on Prince. Bate went for a pin, but Wilson broke the pin attempt up. Things broke down a little and all four guys were in the ring. Bate ran into a boot to the face from Wilson and Pretty Deadly ran Bate and Dunne into the ring post. Pretty Deadly hit a double-team bulldog, but Bate kicked out. Dunne tagged in and Bate and Dunne hit the Burning Hammer for the win.

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– Next week, we get Mysterio vs. Escobar. Also on tap will be AOP vs. Street Profits and The OC vs. Waller & Theory as part of the tag team tournament. Finally, Cody and Roman Reigns will go face to face. 

Bayley defeated Dakota Kai via DQ [7:34]

I really don’t like these types of finishes. Yes, we knew all of Damage CTRL would be at ringside, and yes, we knew there was probably going to be some shenanigans. But, damn, man. Do you have to be so lazy? SKY just rolled into the ring. Spent a few seconds teasing something. And then actually hit Bayley to actually end the match. Meh. Anyway, it was fine while it lasted, I suppose. Kai looked good for her first real match back and Bayley showed good fire throughout (though I do wonder how Bayley gets to the next level as a babyface because things don’t seem to be connecting the way they should be as a top star currently). Does this mean Bianca Belair will eventually show up to save the day in this program? Or does this mean Bianca Belair will become the newest leader of Damage CTRL? Food for thought.

Bayley went right at Kai to start things. Kai slapped the hell out of Bayley and Bayley lifted Kai and ran her into a corner. A “Whoop That Trick” chant broke out. Bayley slammed Kai onto the apron and suplexed Kai onto the outside floor. The show went to its final commercial break as the rest of Damage CTRL surrounded Bayley. When things returned, Bayley landed a running knee and the two women were down. 

Asuka tried to interfere, but Bayley avoided it … only to run into a double stomp from Kai. Asuka hit Bayley while Kai distracted the referee and got a two count out of it. Bayley eventually came back with a modified draping neck-breaker/Stunner. Bayley went to the top and connected with a flying elbow drop for a two-count. Kai hit a Pele Kick to gain back control. Bayley and SKY got into it a little, but Kai broke it up with a knee to Bayley’s head. Bayley then caught Kai and hit a powerbomb. 

SKY got into the ring and laid down the women’s title between her and Bayley. SKY then attacked Bayley and that was enough of that. Naomi ran down and attacked Damage CTRL to even things out. SKY landed a strike on Naomi, though, to make sure Damage CTRL kept control. SKY went to the top rope and hit a gnarly Over The Moonsault on Bayley. Damage CTRL stood tall to end the show as it went off the air.