WWE holding post-SmackDown press conference in New Orleans

WWE will be holding a post-show press conference after what promises to be a newsworthy episode of SmackDown tonight.

Dave Meltzer has confirmed that there will be a press conference following tonight’s SmackDown episode, which is being held in New Orleans. News of the press conference was first reported by WrestleVotes. It will have an 11 p.m. Eastern start time on WWE’s digital platforms.

The Rock is returning to SmackDown tonight — and he teased that he’ll have a gift for the city of New Orleans. It’s heavily rumored that The Rock will be announcing New Orleans as the host city of WrestleMania 42 in 2026.

While The Rock’s status for WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas this April remains unconfirmed, we should get clarity on that tonight. He shared a social media video this afternoon featuring the Rolex watch that Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes gave him before they faced in their tag match last year at WrestleMania.

NEW ORLEANS, the Final Boss has arrived ✈️

This exact Rolex was the gift from our @WWE Champion @CodyRhodes to me, about 5 hours before our Wrestlemania match at WM40.

Its time. #smackdown #live #tonight @usanetwork 8ET/7CT pic.twitter.com/mulKbgYc19

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) February 21, 2025

A Tiffany Stratton vs. Candice LeRae match has been added to the card for SmackDown. Here is the advertised lineup:

• The Rock appears
• WWE Tag Team Champions DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) defend against Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson)
• Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest & Braun Strowman vs. Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga
• Jimmy Uso vs. Drew McIntyre
• Non-title match: WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Candice LeRae