WWE SmackDown live results: The Rock returns
The road to WrestleMania could take a turn with The Rock appearing on tonight’s WWE SmackDown in New Orleans.
The Rock will be on WWE programming for the first time since January. In a social media post, he teased that he’ll have a “big beautiful gift” for the city of New Orleans. Rock also stated that he has someone in his sights, but he did not declare who that might be.
Also tonight, the WWE Tag Team Titles will be on the line when champions DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) defend against Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince). Pretty Deadly defeated DIY last week in a non-title match.
A six-man tag team match has been advertised with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes teaming with Damian Priest & Braun Strowman to take on Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga.
Plus, after a backstage confrontation last week, Drew McIntyre will go one-on-one with Jimmy Uso.
Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone to the show as a skyline shot of New Orleans aired. From there, Tiffany Stratton was shown walking around the arena. Ditto for Naomi, Bianca Belair and Cody Rhodes, who ran into Nick Aldis, who told Cody that he was removing Cody from the six-man tag later. Cody wasn’t happy about that, but Aldis told Cody it came from the Final Boss, who wanted to see Cody later in the ring. Drew McIntyre then made his entrance for the first match. Jimmy Uso, meanwhile, cut a promo while walking backstage towards the ring for the first match.
Jimmy Uso defeated Drew McIntyre [11:17]
I’m a fan of starting the show with a wrestling match, especially in WWE because so often, we get a long promo from one of the program’s main stories and it becomes grating after a while. This was a good match to open the show with, especially considering the upset win Jimmy pulled out. McIntyre acting a little too comfortable and cocky before and throughout the match kind of tipped off the finish, but it still packed a punch when Jimmy finally got the 1-2-3. As for Sikoa and Fatu teaming later in the main event … you have to wonder if this is part of a pivot because of The Rock’s return, if this was always the plan Rock or no Rock, or if they are stalling because the creative minds are scrambling to rewrite their plans. Chaos in pro wrestling both in front of and behind the scenes is just the best.
McIntyre teased Yeeting to start the match and then mimicked flipping Jimmy off. As a result, Jimmy fired up and had the upper hand early. Jimmy’s momentum ended when McIntyre caught Jimmy and hit a pair of belly-to-belly suplexes. The action spilled outside, where McIntyre threw Jimmy into the crowd barrier. Back inside the ring, Drew yelled “No Mania for you,” and promptly received an enziguri, who knocked McIntyre back outside, where Jimmy hit a dive. Drew came back and hit an Alabama Slam on Jimmy into the ring steps. McIntyre posed on the commentary desk as the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and McIntyre was working on Jimmy with a series of punches on the second rope. Jimmy worked his way out and connected with a splash from the top to reset the match. Jimmy followed up with a Samoan Drop and a two-count. Jimmy set up for a super-kick, but McIntyre cut him off with a flying headbutt and a spinebuster for a two-count. McIntyre set up for a Future Shock DDT, but Jimmy countered and eventually threw McIntyre onto the apron. McIntyre went to the top, but jumped into a super-kick. Jimmy followed that up with a spear, which led to a near-fall.
Jimmy went to the top for a splash, but Drew countered and set up for a Claymore, but Drew ran into a super-kick. McIntyre jawed at Jimmy and tried another Alabama Slam, but Jimmy rolled through and rolled McIntyre up for the win. Right after the match, McIntyre attacked Jimmy inside the ring and jawed at Jimmy. Drew set Jimmy’s head against the ring post and was going to kick him, but officials ran out to pull Drew away. Drew eventually got away from the officials, ran back into the ring and Claymore’d Jimmy.
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– Footage from last week’s main event aired. A vehicle was shown pulling up outside the building and Solo Sikoa exited said vehicle. Sikoa ran into Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu. Sikoa said what happened to Tonga last week was an accident. Fatu said if it wasn’t an accident, Sikoa wouldn’t be standing there right now. Sikoa said he’d be in Fatu and Tonga’s corner later and Fatu corrected him and said it will be Sikoa and Fatu teaming in the main event.
– A video package highlighting the Elimination Chamber participants aired.
– Footage from earlier aired and it featured Carmelo Hayes running into R-Truth. Truth said they have a tag match later tonight. The Miz was revealed as the person who made the match. Turns out, it will be Miz & Melo (Miz kept saying “Melo don’t Mizz” in an attempt to sell Melo on all this) vs. Truth and a mystery partner.
– A Zelina Vega vignette aired. It looks like she’s getting a reboot.
– R-Truth made his entrance and said his partner is a local legend. Truth then introduced LA Knight as Louisiana Knight. Knight walked out and looked confused. Truth then gave Knight some beads and a Po’boy. Knight ate the sandwich and gave away the beads on his way to the ring.
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes defeated LA Knight and R-Truth [10:03]
This was kind of fun for what it was. I still can’t get past not figuring out who the hell LA Knight angered to get to where he is on the card some weeks. If he doesn’t end up regaining that U.S. title, my guess is we’ll see him in the Impact Zone by Memorial Day. Truth’s schtick can be entertaining; I find it more of a “Am I in the mood to laugh at this right now” situation each time he appears, but I understand the appeal to the masses. Melo and Miz, meanwhile, might actually have something as partners in a situation where one is really into it and the other kind of/sort of isn’t … until he actually is. Will that happen with Melo? We’ll have to see.
The crowd chanted Knight’s name as Melo and Truth started the match. Truth hip-tossed Melo and counted to two … even though nobody had Melo covered, which earned a laugh from the live crowd. Knight tagged in briefly before Truth came back into the fold. Melo and Truth ran into each other and Truth tagged Miz, who was not his partner, into the match. Melo then sent Truth to the outside. The show then went to a break.
The show returned and Melo had control, working on Truth. Melo went for a suplex, but Truth countered into a Stunner. Truth then got the hot tag to Knight, who came in and cleaned house. Knight eventually tried something with Miz, but it didn’t quite work and Melo tagged in. Melo went for a First 48 on Knight, but Knight countered and Truth tagged himself in. Truth then did his Cena spots on Melo, which fired the live crowd up. Truth worked and STFU on Melo, but Miz broke it up. Knight took care of Miz and they fought to the outside, where Nakamura appeared and attacked Knight. Inside the ring Miz tagged in and Melo and Miz hit a First 48/Skull-Crushing Finale combo at the same time on Truth for the win.
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– A Charlotte Flair vignette aired, and that was two women’s vignettes in the first hour of the show, so someone in the back must have read those reports regarding some of the women in WWE earlier this week.
– Tiffany Stratton stood in the ring after making her entrance. She had a microphone. “Tiffy Time!” chants began. Tiffany said everybody has been obsessed with her since she won the WWE Women’s Title. Tiffy said at the Chamber, she will make the Unstoppable Force come to a Definitive End. Tiffy then pivoted to Charlotte and said talked about the angle with her last week. Tiffy said nobody loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair does. Tiffy said she’s coming for Charlotte’s spot as the “top girl in the WWE.” Nia Jax’s music hit and Jax walked out with a microphone, Candice LeRae by her side. Jax said it was cute to think Tiffy could have beat Jax last week. Jax said Tiffy won’t even see WrestleMania because Jax will be coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Tiffy told Nia to give it up because the title isn’t her’s. Jax and LeRae stepped into the ring and said they’d both take Tiffy out now. A referee popped into the ring and didn’t let that happen. The show then went to a commercial break.
Tiffany Stratton defeated Candice LeRae [9:57 of TV time]
LeRae got a ton of shine here, but it didn’t feel like it because of the long break in the middle of the match along with the mere presence of Charlotte. Speaking of that, something felt off with Charlotte. Maybe it was how unnatural it felt to hear Wade Barrett asking Charlotte questions while Tessitore seemed to want no part of it. Maybe it was because Charlotte sounded more annoyed than usual and didn’t care to say much when she was asked to say anything at all. I don’t know. Either way, her presence didn’t fit. The match itself was fine, but Tiffy still doesn’t fully commit to being a babyface, and that hurts her more each week. Crowds want to love her, but the crowds feel like they are becoming less vocal each time she appears and I think she’s complicit in that. Maybe tagging alongside Trish Stratus at the Chamber will help all of this.
The match was joined in progress and LeRae had control. Tiffy quickly fired up and dropkicked LeRae. Charlotte Flair’s music then hit and Charlotte walked out in the middle of the match. LeRae took control of Tiffy losing her focus and went to work on Tiffy’s neck. Charlotte put on a headset and joined the commentary team. Charlotte told the commentary team she is the top woman in WWE. Inside the ring, LeRae kept control until she was the victim of a dropkick. LeRae went to the outside and Tiffy went to the top to attempt a moonsault on both Jax and LeRae, but she almost entirely missed, despite the heels selling contact. Tiffy smiled, got up, and yelled “Tiffy Time!” Tiffy returned to the ring and pointed at the WrestleMania sign. The show then went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Tiffy hit a series of clotheslines on LeRae. Tiffy followed that up with a spinebuster, which was good enough for a two-count. The two battled on the top until Tiffy knocked LeRae off and went for a Swanton, but LeRae moved and rolled Tiffy up for a near-fall. Stratton rebounded quickly and set up for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever, but Jax pulled Stratton to the outside. Stratton took out Jax and LeRae and looked at Charlotte while pointing at the Mania sign. Back in the ring, Tiffy connected with the PMS for the win. After the match, Jax immediately attacked Tiffy. Trish Stratus’s music hit and Trish ran out for the save, taking care of Jax and LeRae … until the heels fought back. Ultimately, Jax hit her finisher on Stratus and Tiffy while Charlotte looked on from commentary.
Everybody but Tiffy left the ring and Charlotte walked into it. Charlotte then stood over Tiffy and pointed at the Mania sign.
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– Cody ran into Damian Priest backstage and Priest asked Cody why The Rock was there. Cody said he didn’t know, but he was sure it’d be interesting. Priest said after Chamber, he will be coming for Cody’s title. Cody said he wouldn’t have it any other way. Braun Strowman walked in after Cody walked out. Strowman said if it wasn’t for Solo Sikoa, the Chamber would look a lot different. They joked for a second and Priest asked Strowman if they would handle business later. Strowman said they would because it’s the only thing he cares about.
– A vignette highlighting the women’s Chamber participants aired.
– Naomi and Bianca Belair were interviewed in the back by Byron Saxton. Naomi said she knows Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez were the ones responsible for attacking Jade Cargill. Belair said they are going to get revenge on Liv and Raquel and move on to Chamber next weekend. Naomi said Liv, especially, will feel it later tonight.
– An Alexa Bliss vignette aired. Bliss felt kind of like a heel in it and said she’s going to turn the Chamber into a playground of her own.
– Naomi made her entrance alongside Belair, but Liv and Raquel attacked them before a match could start. Liv hit Oblivion on Naomi and the heels then left. As such, the match between Morgan and Naomi was called off. Thanks, Rock.
– Speaking of Dwayne, a truck pulled up outside the arena. Tessitore said the Final Boss was up next.
– Aldis was talking to Liv and Raquel backstage and told them to get the hell out of the building. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven then walked in and Green said she and Niven were ready to take Belair and Naomi’s places in the Chamber. Aldis said Naomi and Belair will still be in the Chamber and Green pouted. Aldis said Green will have an opponent not at the Chamber, but at SmackDown next week.
The Rock segment
This was sort of interesting, even if the ambiguity of it all turned me away from it on some level. Rock wants a brother, a champion. Cody put on his best “I’m shook” face in response to Rock’s proposition. In a lot of ways, I’m ready to say to hell with it all, pull the trigger on a Cody heel turn and let’s see him and Rock run through all of WWE until next year’s WrestleMania. That’s probably not going to happen, but it sure would be a lot of fun. With Rock turning up at next weekend’s Chamber, one has to think that he’s going to be around a little more often now, right? Or, if not, and Cody turns and works as a heel against a presumed John Cena at Mania, perhaps … ahh, there’s no use in fantasy booking. Anyway, the segment was good and packed a lot of punch. I’m awfully intrigued to see what happens next and that was obviously the point.
The Rock made his entrance. Once he got to the ring, loud “Rocky!” chants broke out. Someone threw a microphone at Rock from outside the ring and he caught it. He teased talking, but his music kept playing and more “Rocky!” chants rose up. Rock asked the crowd if they felt it and everyone yelled. Rock said he was going to drop some … whatever it was, the language was blanked out, and the crowd cheered. The Rock did his “Finally …” schtick. The crowd loved it. Rock then added, “And finally, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans.” Everyone responded accordingly. Pyro went off and next year’s Mania graphic appeared on the video screens. The event will happen on April 11 and April 12. “Holy sh@#” chants broke out.
The Rock started to sing “When The Saints Go Marching In,” and Ricky … no I’m kidding. Rock told the crowd to shut up so he could sing and Rock sang the rest of the refrain with the crowd and then called the crowd “STD-havin trailer-park trash.” Oh, Dwayne, it’s so fun to have you back. Everyone turned on him quickly and the boos started. The Rock then said he was also there to call somebody out – someone who he respects and admires: Cody Rhodes. Cody’s music hit and the champ made his entrance.
The two embraced in the middle of the ring while Cody’s music was still playing and Rock kissed Cody. The crowd was hot for Cody. Rock said, “They love you, man,” and Cody turned to the crowd to say, “I love you, too.” Cody was extra smile-y. Rock said since last year’s Mania, the two have become good friends. Rock referenced the first Raw on Netflix. Rock thanked Cody again for being an incredible champion. Rock noted how they drank some tequila together at that Raw. Rock said their moms have become good friends and Rock showed a picture of Mama Rhodes and Mama Rock together at last year’s Mania.
Rock said he called Cody out to tell him he’s been a great champion, but the Rock is on the board of TKO and TKO owns WWE. Rock reminded everyone he is the director of the Board of TKO. Rock talked about how he’s the most powerful man in WWE. Rock said Cody is a great champion, but he wants Cody to be something more than a great champion; he wants Cody to be Rock’s champion. Cody said he didn’t expect they’d be friends, but he was wondering about what Rock meant because he’s not Rock’s champion; he’s “their” champion, and turned toward the crowd. The crowd chanted Cody’s name.
Rock said he was talking about something “bigger than just this.” Rock said he knows Cody’s No. 1 goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to as many people around the world. Rock rattled off Cody’s social media statistics and said The Rock has half a billion social followers. Rock said if Cody becomes Rock’s champion, Rock can open up possibilities for Cody that he never knew existed. Rock said if he becomes Rock’s champion, he could make all Cody’s dreams come true. Rock said he could make his baby’s dreams come true – he just needs Cody to be his champion.
Rock said he’s a lucky man and he has it all. Rock told a crowd member to shut their mouth and everyone popped. Rock said the one thing he’s always wanted that he’s never had is a brother. The crowd booed. Rock said that’s what Cody could be. Rock said last year, Rock’s goal was to face Roman Reigns for the WWE title, but when he came back, he tried to demand a match with Roman and Cody “f@#” it up (I think that’s what Rock said; the audio was cut). Rock said Cody slapped him and that’s why Cody is special. These are the reasons Rock said Cody should be Rock’s champion. Rock said Cody could think about it and talk to his wife about it. Rock said he’d meet Cody at Elimination Chamber and he wants Cody’s answer at that event next weekend.
Rock thanked the crowd for being “hot ass.” Rock said the one thing he wants more than anything in the world is “that,” and he pointed at the title. Cody asked Rock if all he wanted was the title. Rock said that wasn’t the title; instead, the Rock wants Cody’s soul. “Sell your soul!” chants broke out. Rock said he’d see Cody at the Chamber on March 1 in Toronto and threw the microphone out of the ring. Rock stepped out of the ring to boos and Cody looked confused inside the ring. Rock turned back after walking away and took his glasses off. Rock grinned as he walked to the back. Cody looked distraught in the ring and the segment ended.
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– #DIY made their entrance and had microphones with them. Ciampa said tonight has been electrifying, but he wants everyone to be somber for a second. Two weeks ago, he said, Pretty Deadly embarrassed them and tonight, #DIY will return that favor tonight. Ciampa asked everyone to rise to their feet and remove their baseball caps and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly. The crowd booed and Ciampa shook his head. Pretty Deadly’s music then hit and out, they came for the tag title match. Pretty Deadly attacked #DIY and their music kept playing. Pretty Deadly posed underneath the big disco ball and the match weirdly started soon thereafter.
#DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) defeated Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson & Elton Prince) to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles via DQ [6:16]
I don’t know why, but I keep forgetting that the Street Profits are back and out there, ready to wreak havoc on everybody. Because of that, I’m constantly surprised and impressed whenever they reappear to take everyone out. This feels like it’s going to be one, big, get-everyone-on-the-card tag title match at Mania featuring, literally, all of the tag teams on SmackDown, but maybe it’ll be turn out all right. As for this match, there isn’t much to say because it never had a chance to find a groove. Pretty Deadly have been showing good fire, though, and that pre-match bit about everyone bowing their heads that Ciampa has worked in seems to be gaining traction. There is something to be said for that.
#DIY took immediate control and Gargano super-kicked the hell out of Prince on the floor. The show then went to a commercial break. Back from the break, Gargano was working over Prince in the middle of the ring and eventually tagged in Ciampa. Prince fired up a little and Prince and Ciampa hit a cross-body on each other, resetting the match. Wilson and Gargano tagged in and Wilson took care of Gargano and Ciampa. Wilson clotheslined both Ciampa and Gargano and tagged in Prince.
Things broke down and Wilson landed a Codebreaker on Gargano. Prince went for a pin and got a two-count. Prince hit a wild back suplex on Ciampa and out of nowhere, the Street Profits showed up and took Pretty Deadly out, causing a DQ win for #DIY. Montez Ford hit a high frog splash on Ciampa. Motor City Machine Guns’ music hit and MCMG ran out to help, but the Profits did away with them fairly easily.
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– A John Cena vignette aired. It involved old Elimination Chamber footage.
– Footage from Sami Zayn’s promo on Raw aired. From there, the Kevin Owens promo from X earlier today aired. You know the one – it involved Owens speaking from outside Zayn’s house.
– Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu were shown walking through backstage towards the ring and Fatu cut off Sikoa’s promo in favor of his own. Fatu told them to “play his music” and Fatu and Sikoa – alongside Tama Tonga – walked to the ring for the main event.
Braun Strowman & Damian Priest defeated Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu [12:32]
A fine TV main event, but this isn’t going to be what anyone is talking about coming out of this edition of SmackDown. In that way, I feel bad for the wrestlers involved because they worked hard and they are clearly trying to tell a story with Sikoa and Fatu, but it’s just not getting the spotlight they probably thought they’d get, say, four weeks ago. Still, it’s another step towards what has to be a Fatu/Sikoa breakup, which I’m all for because it sure does feel like the fans want to get behind Fatu in a big way, and I’m all for giving him a top tier opportunity. If nothing else, this week proved the following reality: When The Rock decides to come around, SmackDown instantly becomes must-see. When The Rock doesn’t bother, the show moves from an A-to-B grade to a C-to-B grade. Thankfully, he showed up this week to breathe some life into the Blue Brand, if only for a night.
Sikoa and Priest began the match. The two traded blows and Sikoa briefly had the upper hand, but Priest came right back with some strikes and tagged in Strowman, who walked over and had a few staredowns with Fatu. Strowman ran into an elbow from Sikoa and Fatu tagged in. Strowman ran over Fatu and the action spilled outside. Strowman tried his run-around-the-ring thing, but Tonga interrupted him and Fatu capitalized by tackling Strowman into the timekeeper’s area. The show then went to its final commercial break.
Back to the action, Fatu was working over Strowman in the ring. Sikoa tagged in and the crowd booed loudly. Sikoa hit a hip attack on Strowman in a corner. Fatu tagged in and the crowd cheered loudly. Fatu went for a hip attack and hit it. He went for a second one, but Strowman got a boot up. Strowman followed it up with a Spinebuster and got the hot tag to Priest. Sikoa also tagged in.
Priest went to work on Sikoa, complete with a back elbow in a corner. Priest hit a spinning back kick on Fatu. Priest ran into a super-kick from Sikoa, but Priest came back with a kick and a Flatliner for a two-count. Priest took Sikoa’s hand and walked the top rope into a splash, ala Undertaker’s Old School. Priest set Sikoa up for a Razor’s Edge, but Tonga distracted Priest. Fatu interfered and Sikoa hit a Spinning Solo for a nice near-fall. Sikoa set up for a Samoan Spike, but Priest countered and Fatu accidentally super-kicked Sikoa. Strowman took out Fatu and Tonga on the outside. Inside the ring, Priest hit South Of Heaven on Sikoa and got the win. The show ended with Priest looking at the WrestleMania sign.