This week’s WWE SmackDown featured The Rock making an offer to Cody Rhodes, Braun Strowman teaming with Damian Priest in the main event, and more.
It was SmackDown at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana with Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett on commentary.
The WWE Champion Cody Rhodes walked up to SmackDown GM Nick Aldis, who informed Cody that he was out of the six-man tag team match. Cody asked who changed things and Nick said that this was coming from The Final Boss (The Rock) and he wanted to see Cody in the ring.
Match #1: Jimmy Uso defeated Drew McIntyre by pinfall. Jimmy countered the reverse Alabama Slam and sat on top of Drew with a rollup while grabbing the legs for the pinfall win.
After the match, Drew hit a forearm to knock Jimmy down. Drew rammed Jimmy’s head into the mat repeatedly. Drew told Jimmy that this meant nothing to him and Jimmy meant nothing to him. Drew teased kicking Jimmy’s head into the ring post, but WWE Officials and referees went to ringside to stop Drew before he did it. Drew ran back into the ring, he ran the ropes and Drew hit a Claymore Kick to knock Jimmy down. Drew was laughing about it.
Solo Sikoa was shown arriving at the building when Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga confronted him. Solo said what he did to Tama last week was an accident. Jacob said that they knew that and that’s why Solo is still standing. Solo wanted to be at ringside for their match, but Jacob told Solo that Solo was teaming with Jacob and Solo agreed to it. Solo said he was going to talk to GM Nick Aldis. Solo left.
Carmelo Hayes was shown walking backstage when R-Truth walked up to him saying they had a match. Truth said he never met him before and Melo said that he had a match with Truth last week. The Miz walked up to say that they were Melo Don’t Miz and Miz asked who his tag team partner was. Truth said his partner just got here, so he left. Miz tried to pitch “Melo Don’t Miz” and Melo didn’t like it. Truth told Melo that Miz wanted him to say “Awesome” and Melo left instead.
R-Truth did a promo saying his tag team partner was born in New Orleans and Truth called him Louisiana Knight. Wade interrupted to say that Knight is from Maryland, but he moved to Hollywood so that’s why he’s LA Knight. LA got a good pop and he joined Truth for the match.
Match #2: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes defeated LA Knight & R-Truth by pinfall. While Knight was on the floor, Shinsuke Nakamura showed up to kick Knight into the ring post. The referee never saw it. Miz tagged in and Miz held Truth in a Skull Crushing Finale while Melo hit The First 48, so Miz pinned Truth for the pinfall win. Miz was happy about the win while the announcers put over the idea that Miz & Melo might make a great team.
A video package aired about Charlotte Flair. She said that the GOAT doesn’t have to call herself the GOAT. Flair said she has crafted a legacy that no one can touch and she’s back. They showed Flair’s Royal Rumble win. At WrestleMania 41, Charlotte Flair will challenge Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women’s Title.
The WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton made her entrance for a match. Stratton said that ever since she’s won the title, everybody has been so obsessed with her. Stratton said she had Nia Jax beat until Candice LeRae had to help her meal ticket. Stratton said that at Elimination Chamber, Stratton and Trish Stratton will make sure the unstoppable force comes to a definitive end. Stratton moved on to talk about Charlotte Flair since Flair chose to face Stratton as her WrestleMania opponent. Stratton said her dreams came true. Stratton said that no one likes to kick a girl when she’s down like Charlotte Flair. Stratton said that at WrestleMania, she is coming for the spot that Flair covets the most – as the top girl in WWE.
Nia Jax and Candice LeRae interrupted. Jax said it’s really cute that Stratton thought she would beat Jax last week. LeRae said that Stratton wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for Trish Stratus. Jax claimed that Stratton won’t even see WrestleMania because after Jax & LeRae win at WrestleMania, Jax is coming back for her Women’s Championship. Jax claimed that Stratton wasn’t going to see the grandest stage of them all. Stratton bragged about beating LeRae. Jax suggested they take out Stratton right now, but the referee stopped them so the match could start.
Match #3: Tiffany Stratton defeated Candice LeRae (w/Nia Jax). Charlotte Flair went to ringside to join commentary during the match. Stratton hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the win.
After the match, Nia Jax hit Stratton in the back with a forearm. Jax went for more, but Trish Stratus made the save. Trish kicked Jax to knock her down. Trish hit a spinebuster on LeRae. Trish punched Jax a few times, but LeRae hit Trish with a chop block to the left leg. Jax knocked down Stratton. Jax headbutted Stratus onto Stratton. Jax went to the turnbuckle and Jax hit an Annihilator splash onto Stratus, who was on top of Stratton. That looked like a very gentle Annihilator by Jax.
Charlotte Flair went into the ring while Stratton was alone on the mat and selling a rib injury. Flair pointed at the WrestleMania sign while Stratton remained down in the ring.
Cody Rhodes was backstage and he walked up to Damian Priest for a handshake. Priest asked why is The Rock here. Cody said it’s the time of year and said that your guess is as good as mine, but he’s sure it will be eventful. Cody congratulated Priest on getting into the Elimination Chamber. Priest mentioned that last year they both walked out of WrestleMania as World Champions. Priest told Cody that after Chamber, he’s coming after Cody’s title. Cody said he wouldn’t have it any other way. Cody left.
Braun Strowman congratulated Damian Priest on winning last week. Braun said that if it wasn’t for Solo, he would have Jacob Fatu dead to rights and he would have been in the Chamber. Priest said that you’re sounding like Drew McIntyre with the excuses. Priest said that was last week and Priest wondered if they would handle business as a team. Braun said that they would and all he cared about was getting his hands on those two tonight. Priest said you will.
The Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair & Naomi were interviewed by Byron Saxton in the backstage area. Naomi said that she knew Liv & Raquel were the ones who attacked Jade Cargill. Belair said they’ll get revenge on Liv & Raquel on Raw for what they did to Jade. Belair said that one of them would win Elimination Chamber and go on to face Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania. Naomi said that they’ll feel the glow on Monday and Liv will feel the glow tonight.
Alexa Bliss was featured in a video package saying she was gone, but this place is still the same. Bliss said that the names are different but the insecurities are the same. Bliss said she knows the Elimination Chamber, she loves the Chamber and she’s won the Chamber. Bliss said it’s her division and she is in charge. Bliss laughed: “See ya soon.” During the promo, there were some scratchy parts to it to tease the Wyatt Sicks alliance.
Naomi and Bianca Belair made their entrance. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez attacked them on the apron. Belair got into a fight with Raquel. Liv made the save with a chop block on Belair. Raquel hit a Texana Bomb on Belair. Liv hit Oblivion on Naomi. Referees showed up to stop that, so there was no match.
Following a break, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez were getting yelled at by Smackdown GM Nick Aldis for what they did. Nick told them to get off their show. Liv and Raquel laughed and left. Chelsea Green, the Women’s US Champion, arrived with Piper Niven to try to claim the spots of Bianca & Naomi at Elimination Chamber, but Nick said Bianca and Naomi would be fine. Green complained to Nick about not being on Elimination Chamber in Toronto. Nick told Green to pack her gear because she’ll be in action in Toronto on Smackdown next week. Nick told Green it would be a good one, Nick left and Green said she needed more details.
The Rock did an in-ring promo confirming WrestleMania 42 in 2026 will be live from the Superdome in one of the greatest cities on Earth…New Orleans, Louisiana. There was a pyro display by the entrance. The graphic said it was on April 11 & April 12, 2026. There was a “holy s**t” chant from the crowd. The Rock was singing “When The Saints Go Marching In” and the fans joined in, so Rock admonished them saying it was his turn to sing. The Rock called out Cody Rhodes.
The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes joined The Rock in the ring. The Rock told Cody that has to feel amazing and he said that the fans love him. Cody told the fans that he loved them. Rock said since last year’s WrestleMania, they have become good friends. Rock mentioned the last time they were in the ring together was the Raw on Netflix debut and Rock credited Cody for carrying this company. Rock talked about how they drank tequila and they had a good time. Rock told Cody that he’s a great WWE Champion while Rock said that their moms have become good friends. They showed a picture of their moms hanging out after last week’s WrestleMania. The Rock said he’s on the board of TKO and TKO owns WWE. The Rock said that he is a Director of The Board of TKO, so fans booed that and Rock said don’t boo that. Rock said that Ari Emanuel owns everything and Ari told Rock that he owns WWE. Rock said that he doesn’t own WWE, but he knows he is the most powerful. Rock told Cody he wants him to be something more than a great champion. Rock told Cody he wants him to be The Rock’s champion.
Cody said he didn’t expect them to become friends or their moms to become friends. Cody said regarding being Rock’s champion, Cody said he is the champion of the fans. Rock responded saying he is the People’s Champion. Rock said that they were born into this business. Rock said he knows Cody’s number one goal is to bring joy and happiness to people around the world. Rock said he knows Cody is that dude. Rock said that Cody has millions of Instagram followers and Rock has half a billion. Rock said he’s the most followed man in the world and he wanted Cody to be his champion. Rock told Cody he could open up doors that he never knew existed. Rock told Cody that every dream of his, every dream of his wife and every dream of his baby. Rock mentioned Cody went to Moana 2, Rock met his family and Rock thanked the fans for helping that movie make billions. Rock said he just needs Cody to be his champion. Rock said he’s a lucky man who has it all. Rock said that they are mama’s boys and girl dads. Rock trashed a fan for interrupting. Rock said that the one thing that he has never had that he has never had more than anything is a brother. Rock told Cody that’s what he can be. Rock said that last year his goal was to face his cousin Roman Reigns for the WWE Title. Rock said that he talked to Triple H and Nick Khan to make Rock against Reigns happen, so what did Cody do? Cody told them “f**k that” and Cody stood up to them. Rock said that Cody slapped Rock as well. Rock told Cody that no one does that and gets away with it. Rock said that’s why Cody is special, he should be Rock’s champion and Rock will make sure every dream and desire comes true. Rock said that their dads were friends. Rock told Cody not to answer him tonight. Rock said that he will meet him at Elimination Chamber in Toronto on March 1st and Cody can give him his answer there. Rock said that the one thing he wants more than anything in this world is that. Rock pointed at the WWE Championship.
Cody said that this WWE Championship – is that what this is about? Rock said no. Rock said that he doesn’t want that. Rock said he wants your soul. Rock said he’ll see Cody in Toronto on March 1st at Elimination Chamber. Cody said nothing while Rock left and the fans booed Rock as he left the ring. The Rock stood in the aisle, took his sunglasses off, and stared at Cody in the ring. Cody had a confused look on his face. The Rock looked back at Cody from the entrance area while Cody remained in the ring unsure about what Rock said.
Match #4: WWE Tag Team Championships: Pretty Deadly – Elton Prince & Kit Wilson defeated #DIY – Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano by disqualification when The Street Profits attacked Pretty Deadly. The titles remain with #DIY since titles don’t change on a disqualification.
Kevin Owens was shown talking on a phone saying that Sami Zayn wants to end his career, which would hurt KO’s family. Owens wondered about Zayn’s family. Owens was outside the window at Sami’s house where we saw Zayn with his wife and his young son. Owens wondered if Zayn’s family knew what Zayn was about to put them through when Owens ends his career in Toronto. Owens talked about the nice house and shelter that will be gone because Zayn is proud. Owens called Zayn selfish because he’s going to make Zayn do this to Zayn’s family. Owens said he’ll never forgive him for that. Owens told Zayn he’ll see him in Toronto, but remember you asked for this and it’s all your fault.
Selfish. pic.twitter.com/E53gYAdLhD
— Kevin (@FightOwensFight) February 21, 2025
The graphic for Cody Rhodes and The Rock at Elimination Chamber asked this question: “Will Cody Accept The Final Boss’ Offer?”
Who Won The WWE SmackDown Main Event?
There was a tag team match in the main event. It was the fifth straight week that Jacob Fatu was in the SmackDown main event.
Match #5: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman defeated Jacob Fatu & Solo Sikoa (w/Tama Tonga) by pinfall. Strowman took out Fatu and Tama on the floor with a running shoulder tackle over the commentary table. Priest hit South of Heaven on Solo for the win.
Damian Priest and Braun Strowman celebrated their win. That was the end of the show.
That’s all for this week. Thanks for reading.