WWE SmackDown live results: The Rock returns

After posting a lengthy promo on social media addressing Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, and WrestleMania, among other things, The Rock is scheduled to appear on tonight’s SmackDown from Glendale, Arizona.

The Rock will likely respond to the challenge Rhodes issued during the Grayson Waller Effect at last weekend’s Elimination Chamber. Rhodes said he wants to face The Rock in a singles match, but Seth Rollins told Rhodes that there’s no such thing as one-on-one against The Bloodline.

Rhodes is slated to wrestle Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40. Reigns will be appearing alongside The Rock tonight.

Dakota Kai returns to the ring for the first time since May 2023 when she teams with Bayley against The Kabuki Warriors tonight. Kai was apparently the victim of an attack by Damage CTRL last Friday.

After weeks of feuding, Legado del Fantasma’s Santos Escobar and the LWO’s Carlito will square off in a street fight tonight. Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton is also set.

Our live coverage starts at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– The show began with a video package recapping what happened at Elimination Chamber last weekend. 

– Corey Graves welcomed everyone into the show and Roman Reigns’s music hit. Reigns walked out with Solo Sikoa, Paul Heyman and Jimmy Uso. 

The Bloodline segment

Ladies and gentlemen, the first 39 minutes of WWE SmackDown on Friday, March 1, 2024. Wow, that was a lot. Did anyone else have issues with the show cutting out, both with audio and visual elements? Anyway, this was fantastic. I love the stipulation that if Cody and Seth lose the tag match on night one, we have a no-rules match between Roman and Cody on night two. It all but promises that Seth and Cody will lose, but I’m here for it because that means the ending of WrestleMania 40 will be pure anarchy. The Rock continues to walk a very tiny line, but this time out was probably the best of his talking segments since he’s been back. You can tell he has a fun time playing into the cheers when they come and getting the boos back when he has to. Plus, the Solo Sikoa line really was kind of funny, when you think about it. Watch him mess around and find out Sikoa has the voice of an angel. Either way, this took up 3/8ths of the show, but I’m OK with saying it was worth it. The star power from everyone involved kept it must-see TV. This is getting more fun by the week.

Roman soaked in the crowd noise for quite a while until he asked Glendale, Arizona, to acknowledge him. As is custom, the crowd did just that. Reigns said things used to be louder and blamed the fans for it. Reigns came back by saying “Phoenix, Arizona, acknowledge me,” which was kind of funny. Either way, it worked and the crowd response was a little louder. Reigns still wasn’t happy with it and said he’d try it one more time and if the crowd didn’t step up, he’d leave. Reigns went back to Glendale and the crowd popped louder than before. Reigns wasn’t having it and said he was done. 

Heyman stepped in and said they can’t leave yet because “he’s coming out.” The crowd started the “Hey, hey, goodbye” song. Heyman said in just a moment, The People’s Champ would be out there live. Reigns looked nonplussed. Heyman said The Rock would be out “after this commercial break,” and in a wild twist, the show actually went to a commercial break. When the proceedings returned from said break, The Rock’s music hit instantly and out, he came. The Rock toyed with a sleeve on his jacket, but couldn’t seen to unbutton something and thus the goosebumps spot was left out despite Rock still patting his forearm under the jacket. 

Roman looked less than thrilled as Rock stood across the ring. The crowd chanted “Rocky!” so it looks like not all of the wrestling world is against the guy these days. Rock teased speaking and paused as the crowd turned to boos. The Rock asked the crowd if it was sure it wanted to boo The Rock. The Rock said he had good news to share and he said Glendale is 10 miles away from Phoenix. The Rock said the No. 1 city in America for cocaine and meth use is Phoenix and the crowd got all types of fired up. The Rock grinned. 

The Rock said “finally, your life has meaning because you cactus-loving crack-heads have something worth shooting in your veins.” He followed that gem up with the whole “The Rock has come back to Arizona” bit. The Rock said he was in a good mood and everyone in the Bloodline is in a good mood. The Rock said they were in a good mood because professional wrestling is cool, exciting and electrifying once again. The Rock touted how all the shows have been sold out. Roman still looked annoyed. 

The Rock asked everyone who isn’t cool. He answered by saying Cody Rhodes. The Rock said he heard Cody’s challenge and The Rock declined the challenge. The Rock said “every women in this arena” wants to go one-on-one with the rock and some shrieks were heard. Rock called the ladies “crack-head Karens” and claimed he had “22 inches of heaven” and the Attitude Era has never been more back. The Rock said Cody can’t go one-on-one with The Rock. Eventually, The Rock counter-offered Cody’s challenge by saying on Night 1 of WrestleMania, it could be Cody & Seth Rollins vs. The Rock & Roman Reigns. The Rock followed that up by saying if Cody & Seth win on Night 1, the Bloodline will be barred from ringside on Night 2. 

From there, on the other hand, if Roman & Rock beat them, on Night 2, it will be Bloodline rules, which means anything goes. Rock said perhaps Jimmy would be the referee and Solo would sing the National Anthem under Bloodline rules. The crowd, funnily, started a loud “Solo” chant after Rock harped on solo potentially singing the National Anthem. Rock said Cody and Seth need to meet them next week in Dallas to give them their answer. 

Rock said if they don’t accept their challenge, The Rock will do everything in his power to make sure Cody doesn’t win Roman’s title. The Rock pulled the whole “nobody can stop me because I’m on the board and I’m the boss” card. The crowd, predictably, chanted “Triple H.” The Rock tried to do the “If you smell …” line, but Roman stopped him. Roman was given a microphone from Heyman and Roman said he needed something from Rock. Roman said he’d do anything for his family, but he needs one thing. Roman looked at Rock in the eyes and said, “Acknowledge me.” 

The Rock took off his sunglasses. Rock said, “Roman Reigns, my family, I acknowledge you as my Tribal Chief.” The Rock stuck out his hand and Reigns grasped it. The two then hugged. A “You sold out!” chant began. The Rock said they were family and everyone should go home and smoke more crack before starting the “If you smell …” line. Rock gave the microphone to Roman, who said, “What the Bloodline is cooking.” Mercifully, the segment ended. 

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– Austin Theory and Grayson Waller were talking backstage and LA Knight walked into the frame to ask them where AJ Styles was. Knight left and Randy Orton appeared in the background. Waller and Theory were watching video of Logan Paul using the brass knuckles on Orton. Orton mocked Waller and Theory for thinking it was funny. Orton challenged Waller or Theory for a match later tonight. Waller said Theory would do it and Theory wasn’t particularly happy about that. 

Tiffany Stratton defeated Naomi [8:11]

Hey there! I’ve been whining about Stratton missing that finishing moonsault the last few weeks, but this one tonight was almost perfect. Good on her. And good on Naomi. She’s in a position to help elevate Stratton and it’s working. In the meantime, this was a pretty good television match, with good action back and forth that was unfortunately lost to about two minutes of commercials. Such is life in the era of Live TV With The Rock. Still, the women worked hard and had nice chemistry. I wouldn’t mind seeing this turn into a longer program. Also of note: Outside of the Chamber match, this is the best Stratton has looked on the main roster and the crowds aren’t showing any signs of stopping their adulation for Tiffy Time. 

Naomi’s entrance was not televised, which was surprising, so let the “Bloodline segment ran way too long” reports surface in the next few days. A “Tiffy Time” chant broke out early on. Stratton and Naomi traded gymnastic spots before Naomi had control and landed a low dropkick for a two-count. Naomi hit a face-buster for a two-count and Stratton rolled to the outside. The show then went to a commercial break. 

Back from that break, Stratton landed a double-stomp for a two-count. Naomi fought back and planted Stratton for a two-count. The two women exchanged strikes until Stratton hit a spine-buster for a two-count. Stratton raked Naomi’s eyes as the ref looked the other way. From there, Stratton hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the win.

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– A video package recalling the Damage CTRL drama aired.

Bayley & Dakota Kai fought Asuka & Kairi Sane to an apparent no-contest [4:30]

You know, they’re really trying to heat up this Bayley/Damage CTRL thing, so I’m not mad at the predictable Dakota Kai turn here. But I also can’t figure out why it’s not quite working. On one side of the WrestleMania card, you have arguably the two biggest women stars in the company in Ripley and Lynch. On this side, though, you have the potential for a really good match that culminates a really good story. Why there doesn’t appear to be any heat on it is baffling. Anyway, the match was less a match than an angle, but it was fine while it lasted. Kai, SKY, Asuka and Sane are a very good faction; here’s hoping they are presented as such as all of this continues to unfold. 

Asuka and Sane attacked Bayley to start the match after Kai and Bayley ran to the ring fired up. Bayley went to the top early, but Sane hit Bayley from behind, sending Bayley to the mat. Bayley tried to fight back, but Asuka threw Bayley into Kai and that sent Kai to the ground on the outside of the ring. Bayley tried to fire up as the crowd got behind her. Sane tagged in a worked a couple tag team moves on Bayley. Asuka tagged back in, but Bayley ran the two into each other. Bayley cleaned house on the Warriors and Kai returned to the apron, but as Bayley tried to tag out, Kai jumped off the apron. 

Bayley was left alone against the Warriors and Bayley took them down before attacking Kai on the outside. Asuka and Sane rescued Kai and rolled Bayley back into the ring. The crowd loudly chanted “Bayley!” IYO SKY got into the ring and hit a running knee to the back of Bayley. Damage CTRL taunted Bayley and toyed with her as the match ended in an apparent no-contest. 

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– Damage CTRL were shown walking backstage and they ran into Jade Cargill. Nick Aldis stepped in and said he needed to talk to Cargill. 

Bron Breakker defeated Xyon Quinn [0:07]

I like the presentation of Breakker on the main roster, but why wasn’t he wearing his NXT tag title belt to the ring?

Breakker speared Quinn. That’s it and that’s all. 

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– A vignette showcasing Carlito and Santos Escobar’s story aired. 

– A graphic in memory of Virgil was shown. 

Carlito defeated Santos Escobar in a street fight [11:12]

This was a lot of fun. Actually, all told, this is one of the better SmackDowns in a good while. I digress. The Rock said they might be crackheads, but damn, this crowd has been up for everything and it’s helped the show tremendously. Building towards the table spot, knowing the crowd would chant for tables … and on top of that, having Rey return … and on top of that, having Carlito go over … chef’s kiss, as they say. It’s kind of silly to bill something as a street fight in WWE because WWE street fights aren’t ever all that street fight-y, but there’s nothing wrong with working overly safe. I wonder if this will be the blow off of the LWO/Fantasma feud or if we’re going to get one more with Rey and Santos. Whatever it ends up being, this was pitch perfect. 

Both factions went backstage before the match began. It was a pretty basic brawl to start things out. Action spilled to the outside, where Carlito ran Escobar into the ring steps. The crowd chanted “We want tables” and Carlito immediately went under the ring and pulled out a table. Escobar took advantage of that and tried to attack Carlito, but Carlito fought back and went back under the ring, where Carlito grabbed a Kendo Stick. Carlito then found an apple and the crowd was happy until Escobar leapt over the top rope to take Carlito out. From there, the show went to a commercial break. 

Back from the break, a trash can was over Carlito’s head. Escobar hit Carlito with a knee and a pin that ended in a two-count. Escobar ran for a splash on Carlito, but Carlito had a chair and hit Escobar in the head with it. Carlito then had control with some clotheslines before hitting Escobar with the trash can. Carlito put the trash can on Escobar’s head and hit the trash can with a chair repeatedly. Carlito landed a reverse Crossroads onto a chair and got a nice near-fall out of it. Carlito pulled a table into the ring, but Escobar cut Carlito off with a knee. The two went to the top, but Carlito crotched Escobar on the top rope. 

Out of nowhere, Angel and Humberto showed up and beat Carlito down. Fantasma hit their triple-team finishing power-bomb, but Escobar got only a two-count out of it. The LWO ran to the ring and fought Humberto and Angel off, until Humberto and Angel dispatched of them. But … wouldn’t you know it … Rey Mysterio’s music hit and Rey walked out with crutches. Escobar laughed at him. Fantasma walked towards Mysterio, but it turned out Mysterio wasn’t injured anymore and Mysterio worked Angel and Humberto over with the crutch. Mysterio hopped onto the apron and into the ring. Carlito then spit an apple into Escobar and hit a backstabber. Mysterio followed that up with a 619 on Escobar. Carlito then put Escobar through the table and got the win. 

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– Next week, Bobby Lashley will go up against Karrion Kross. Also set for the show, Logan Paul will return. 

– Backstage, Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate talked to Nick Aldis. They made their case for another shot at the tag titles against Judgment Day. Aldis said an announcement on the tag titles will come soon. Aldis was distracted, though, by LA Knight looking for AJ Styles backstage. Aldis told Knight that he told Styles to not come to the show. Knight noted how Styles flew across the world to screw him. Knight threatened to find Styles at his home. Knight was fired up as he left the scene. 

– Kevin Owens’ music hit and KO came out to do special commentary on the main event. 

Randy Orton defeated Austin Theory [9:16]

A fine TV main event. Nothing surprising, nothing particularly enticing, nothing noteworthy. But the crowds love Randy Orton and Randy Orton loves the crowds. So play the hits, send people home happy and give Waller and/or Theory yet another loss. Death, taxes, and all that. It capped a very good and newsworthy episode of SmackDown, so no complaining from me. But of all the matches, this was kind of just there. 

Theory ran at Orton, but Orton caught him and worked Theory over with a series of strikes. Orton went to slam Theory on the commentary desk, but Grayson Waller pulled Theory away. From there, Theory slammed Orton onto the commentary table. Theory did the Orton pose on the second rope as the show went to its final commercial break. 

The show returned and Theory had control back inside the ring. Theory went to the top rope, but Orton cut him off. Orton slipped during an attempt for a super-plex, but Theory went through with the move and kudos to Theory for that because Theory still took the bump. From there, Orton landed the hits, including a power-slam. The action spilled outside and Orton slammed Theory on the commentary table. Orton then slammed Waller onto the commentary table. Back inside the ring, Orton landed a draping DDT, but Theory came back with a rolling Blockbuster for a surprisingly good near-fall. Naturally, it wasn’t long, though, until Orton hit an RKO after Theory tried another rolling Blockbuster, despite some late-match offense from Theory, and got the win. 

After the match, Waller attacked Orton, but Owens broke the attack up. Theory and Waller turned their attention to Owens, but Owens hit a Stunner on Theory and Orton hit an RKO on Waller to have the babyfaces stand tall to end the program.