This week's edition of WWE SmackDown featured The Rock's return with an offer for Cody Rhodes and a gift for New Orleans, alongside some intriguing in-ring action and an explosive main event.
WWE SmackDown presented the February 21st edition of the show from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was a night of a blockbuster announcement by the shocking emergence of The Rock and explosive in-ring bouts leading up to the WWE Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event.
Drew McIntyre vs Jimmy Uso
The match was made after tensions brewing between Drew McIntyre and Jimmy Uso for weeks. The action spilled across the entire ringside as both men hit each other with the best in their arsenal. McIntyre had the upper hand, but Jimmy Uso used a surprise roll-up to pick up the win. Following that, McIntyre, in his rage, attacked Jimmy in a huge post-match beatdown.
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes vs R-Truth & LA Knight
LA Knight was revealed as R-Truth's surprise partner for his tag team match, whom he teased as a Louisana legend, but that was not the case. Regardless, the tag team match was an exciting showdown. In a surprise twist, Shinsuke Nakamura appeared out of nowhere and attacked LA Knight outside the ring. This led to Miz and Melo connecting the First 48 move on Truth to pick up the one.
Tiffany Stratton vs Candice LeRae
Tiffany Stratton addressed his WrestleMania 41 opponent, Charlotte Flair, before the match, which led to Nia Jax and her opponent of the night, Candice LeRae, coming out. As the match began, Flair also came down to the ring and joined the commentary booth. The match went back and forth and Stratton took out Nia Jax outside the ring. In the end, she executed the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to pick up the win. But Jax came back to attack her, only to be saved by Trish Stratus for a few moments before Nia took both of them out with one Annihilator. Following the assault, Charlotte Flair came into the ring to pose over a fallen Tiffany Stratton.
Liv Morgan vs Naomi
The match never started, as Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez attacked Naomi and Bianca Belair while they were making their entrance. Morgan and Raquel overpowered the duo and left them beaten in the ring.
The Rock's segment with Cody Rhodes
The Rock made his entrance to a mixed rap of his Final Boss music. He made the announcement that WrestleMania 42 will take place in the Superdome in New Orleans next year to a huge ovation by the fans. The Rock then turned his attention towards the Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes, and called him out. Rhodes came down, and both embraced. The Rock revealed that he and Rhodes were now friends and offered him to become his champion and reach unprecedented heights of success like him. He gave Cody time till the 2025 Elimination Chamber and left the scene with Rhodes in shock and The Rock staring him down.
Pretty Deadly vs DIY
This match was for the WWE Tag Team Championships between the challengers, Pretty Deadly, and the champions, DIY. However, just a few minutes into the match, The Street Profits attacked both teams. The Motor City Machine Guns came out to fend off the attack, only to be taken down by Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins as well.
Damien Priest & Braun Strowman vs Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu
This was the main event match for the night. It was an explosive sight of in-ring action and a chaotic affair as the action spilled all over ringside. Both teams hit each other with the best in their arsenal. Towards the end, Jacob Fatu accidentally took out Solo Sikoa with a superkick and was himself taken down by Braun Strowman outside the ring. Inside, Damien Priest connected with a South of Haven Chokeslam on Solo Sikoa to pick up the win for his team.
Also read: The Rock Returns to WWE SmackDown with a Lucrative Offer for Cody Rhodes