This week’s WWE SmackDown featured The Rock & Roman Reigns issuing a big WrestleMania 40 challenge.
It was SmackDown at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona with Corey Graves & Wade Barrett on commentary.
Roman Reigns and The Bloodline’s Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa were in the ring for a promo. Reigns did his “acknowledge me” bit and the fans booed heavily. Reigns was frustrated, so he wanted to leave and Heyman said they can’t leave because The Rock was coming out next after a commercial break.
The Rock did a lengthy promo with The Bloodline in the ring. The Rock insulted the Phoenix area for being the number one city in America for cocaine and meth use, which some fans cheered. After having fun with the crowd, The Rock mentioned that Cody Rhodes challenged him to a match, which led to Rock saying no to that challenge.
The Rock had a counter-offer for Night 1 of WrestleMania 40 with The Rock & Roman Reigns against Cody Rhodes & Seth “Freakin” Rollins. Rock said if Cody’s team wins then Cody’s match with Reigns at WrestleMania 40 will be free of The Bloodline. However, if Rock & Reigns win then The Bloodline then it’s Bloodline Rules at WrestleMania for Roman & Cody’s match. Rock suggested that he could be an announcer, Jimmy could be a referee and even Solo could sing the national anthem, which led to a shocked Solo face. The fans chanted “Solo” for that. The Rock said that he could take his chair and bash Cody’s brains in and it will be legal. The Rock told Cody that he and his walking clown show Seth Rollins have a lot to think about, so Rock told Cody & Seth to come to Smackdown next week to give their answer.
The Rock was about to end the promo with “if you smell” but Reigns put his hand on Rock’s wrist to stop it. Reigns said that he needed something from The Rock and Reigns told The Rock to acknowledge him. The Rock took his sunglasses off. The Rock: “Roman Reigns, my family…I acknowledge you as my Tribal Chief.” They shook hands and hugged. The Rock said that they are family and they will do anything for family…now go home and smoke some crack. The Rock: “If ya smell…” and he handed Reigns the microphone: “What The Bloodline is cooking.” The Bloodline held their hands up to remind us they were “The Ones” to end it.
Grayson Waller and Austin Theory were laughing about Logan Paul costing Randy Orton the Men’s Elimination Chamber with a cheap attack. Orton was behind them, so he challenged one of them to a match.
Match #1: Tiffany Stratton defeated Trinity by pinfall. Stratton hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever (triple jump moonsault) off the top rope for the win.
Match #2: Kabuki Warriors – Asuka & Kairi Sane (w/IYO SKY) vs. Bayley & Dakota Kai ended in a No Contest. When Bayley tried to tag in Kai after several minutes, Kai refused and it was apparent Kai turned on Bayley. The referee left the ring.
After the match appeared to be over, the Damage CTRL foursome of Asuka, Sane, Kai and Sky beat up Bayley. Kai slapped Bayley in the face and Sky hit Bayley with a running knee.
Dakota Kai was shown walking backstage with Iyo Sky, Asuka & Kairi Sane. Jade Cargill was standing there and had a staredown with the group. Nick Aldis, the Smackdown GM, spoke to Jade saying he wanted to talk to her as a tease of Cargill possibly signing with Smackdown. Sky and friends didn’t say anything.
Match #3: Bron Breakker defeated Xyon Quinn by pinfall. The bell rang and Bron Breakker hit a Spear. Bron pinned Quinn to win.
Match #4: Carlito defeated Santos Escobar by pinfall in a Street Fight. Escobar got some help from his Legado Del Fantasma group members Angel & Humberto, but then Carlito got help from LWO’s Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde. Rey Mysterio made his return with crutches, but then he beat up Angel & Humberto with the crutches to show he was healthy. Rey helped Carlito attack Escobar, which led to a 619 by Rey and Carlito gave Escobar a spinebuster through a table for the pinfall win.
Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne spoke to Smackdown GM Nick Aldis about trying to get another Tag Team Title match at WrestleMania 40. Aldis said that he’s been talking to Raw GM Adam Pearce about the Tag Team Titles and they’ll have an announcement they can share soon.
LA Knight was shown walking around with a steel chair and GM Aldis saw him, so Knight wondered if Aldis knew where Styles was. Aldis said he told AJ Styles not to be there tonight. Knight said he’ll find Styles at home if he has to and he has a gift for him – a steel chair. Knight said that there’s nothing anybody can do about it. Aldis: “Oh yeah?” Knight: “Yeah.”
Match #5:Randy Orton defeated Austin Theory (w/Grayson Waller) by pinfall. Kevin Owens was on commentary. Orton won with an RKO when Theory went for a leaping attack into the ring and Orton countered it with the RKO for the pinfall win.
After the match, Waller hit Orton with a forearm to the back to knock Orton out of the ring. Owens went into the ring to fight off Theory and Waller. Owens hit a Stunner on Theory and Orton hit an RKO on Waller. Orton touched fists with KO to celebrate. Orton did his posing on the ropes to end the show.
Next Week On WWE SmackDown
Here is what WWE has advertised so far for the March 8th episode of Smackdown.
* Bobby Lashley will face Karrion Kross.
* United States Champion Logan Paul returns.
That’s all for this week.