WWE SmackDown results, highlights (Feb. 21): The Rock confounds with utterly bizarre promo
Friday's episode of "WWE SmackDown" shook things up with the teased return of "The Final Boss," Dwyane "The Rock" Johnson. (This guy is like the Apollo Creed of WWE when it comes to nicknames.) It was Rock's first appearance on WWE programming since the Jan. 6 "Raw" debut on Netflix.
Aside from Rock making major business and major kayfabe announcements, "SmackDown" featured five matches, including a main event showdown that further showed the cracks in Solo Sikoa's faction.
Here's how everything played out in New Orleans on Friday.
The big tease leading into "SmackDown," as mentioned above, was The Rock's return. Rock was in babyface/business mode as he played the hits and announced that WrestleMania 42 will take place at the Superdome in New Orleans on April 11-12 next year. But then things quickly shifted as he channeled his "Final Boss" persona, insulting the crowd and calling out Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
What followed was prolonged and bizarre, even by pro wrestling standards. Rock praised Rhodes and then tempted him with promises of greatness and achieving wealth and fame similar to what he has as one of the biggest celebrities in the world. There was even a photo of Rhodes and Johnson's mothers shown on the 'Tron. Rock closed with literally asking Rhodes — who he wants to be "his champion" — for his soul. He expects an answer next Saturday at Elimination Chamber.
"We've actually become good friends!"Things have certainly changed since last year's #WrestleMania... 👀#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/xyqrGwDLC5
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
"Cody, be my champion!"What will @CodyRhodes answer be? Will he be @TheRock's champion?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/fHYbaXREmE
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
"I want your soul." 😳@TheRock will be expecting an answer from @CodyRhodes at #WWEChamber...#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/cN9f6cHzC7
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
Considering it's Rock and Rhodes involved here, I'm going to have some faith that this will inevitably make some sense, but this was a rare "L" for both the Undisputed WWE Champion and "The Final Boss."
Jacob Fatu loves Solo Sikoa, we know that. Sikoa also proclaimed his love for Fatu on Friday night, seemingly smoothing over last week's mishap that cost the Samoan Werewolf a spot in the Elimination Chamber. The interesting thing about the initial interaction between the two — and Tama Tonga — was how deferential Sikoa was to Fatu, a sentiment that carried over into the main event of the night, which pitted the two against Damian Priest and Braun Strowman.
"Glad we're all on the same page."Are they though? 😬 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/1exViM8bQw
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
ALL GAS, NO BRAKES! 😤Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa are ready to face Braun Strowman and Damian Priest RIGHT NOW!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/i7Z9i9CIMi
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
Rather than have Sikoa directly cost his team the loss, Fatu inadvertently delivered a superkick to Sikoa and allowed Priest to hit the South of Heaven chokeslam and secure the win. The main Bloodline Saga may be over or on hold, but this Fatu vs. Sikoa side quest (sticking with the loose video game theme of "Final Boss") is intriguing and should lead to a WrestleMania 41 match.
Braun Strowman and @ArcherOfInfamy pick up the win! 💪#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/D1B8X3W3gf
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
Unrelated, Strowman looked pretty hobbled as the show closed, possibly suffering an injury when he took out Fatu and Tonga with his running shoulder tackle outside the ring.
I wouldn't argue with anyone who says Drew McIntyre should win the Elimination Chamber and take on Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41. At the very least, you could say he presents the same level of intrigue and upside from a promo and in-ring perspective as John Cena, CM Punk or Seth Rollins.
That said, I don't think he punches his WrestleMania ticket next Saturday, but he should almost certainly be the next in line for Rhodes or whoever walks out of Las Vegas with WWE's top title. McIntyre is the total package and is deserving of a long-term, non-pandemic reign.
McIntyre showed all of this off in the opening match of SmackDown against Jimmy Uso. It was a very strong TV match, which ended with a sudden Uso counter of an Alabama Slam which allowed the OG Bloodline member to pick up the win. McIntyre snapped afterwards and left Uso battered in the center of the ring, which begs the question — what did this result really accomplish? Is Uso really any better off with a win and a beatdown? This was a perfect spot for a win to further build McIntyre into this monster heel/threat.
"You mean NOTHING to me."@DMcIntyreWWE is UNHINGED 😱#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/QUZFG3s9QS
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
Also, we saw a really cool-looking Alabama Slam from McIntyre on Uso, sending the latter head-first into the steel steps during the match. I wish this would have been saved for the post-match beatdown for extra effect.
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn has the potential to steal the show next weekend in Toronto. On Friday night, Owens' pre-taped promo was the best thing on the show. WWE rarely breaks out the "heel in the house" angle, but it hits home — pun intended — when they do.
Come on, @FightOwensFight!You're crossing the line 😡#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/D2WiiCgu8u
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
What a fun angle WWE has built up with Mix and Carmelo Hayes. It's not necessarily uncharted territory by having the Hollywood A-Lister team up with an unexpected tag-team partner and create magic, but WWE should take this ball and run with it.
Melo and Miz — the latter wants them called "Melo Don't Miz," which I fully endorse — teased some tension as they entered the ring for a tag match against R-Truth and LA Knight, but by the end they looked to be very much on the same page, even with a combined finisher.
"Melo don't Miz!"Ngl has a nice ring to it 😅 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/HU15tEGAsd
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
R-Truth taking the pin doesn't impact his standing at all, which says a lot about just how popular he remains as the master of the comedic aspect of professional wrestling.
There was a major downside to this match, as United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura blindsided Knight after emerging from the crowd. When you compare each brand's mid-card titles, it's hard to look at SmackDown and not feel like there's been a massive whiff on both the reboot of Nakamura's character and the whole United States Championship picture as a whole.
.@ShinsukeN strikes again! 😱#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/1t7WaqyItL
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte Flair was absolutely the right move for WrestleMania 41, even if the road there is going to be a bit bumpy.
Friday night was a perfect example of that. Stratton's promos continue to straddle the line of her old character and the natural babyface she has become since her championship win last month. It was a bit clunky and was interrupted by Nia Jax and Candice LeRae, who she'll face alongside Trish Stratus in a tag-team matchup at Elimination Chamber.
.@tiffstrattonwwe is coming for your crown @MsCharlotteWWE 😤#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/P3l8e6uOeK
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
Bell to bell, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone on the WWE roster definitively better than Stratton, which she illustrated against LeRae on Friday. However, we got a mid-match interruption from Flair, who joined the commentary desk and the post-match angle left Stratus and Stratton laid out and Flair jumping into the ring to stand tall over the champion again.
There's only one thing on @MsCharlotteWWE's mind... #WrestleMania!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Sa2x08zf06
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
There's almost no chance Stratus and Stratton lose in the WWE legend's hometown of Toronto next Saturday and it would be a major disservice to deviate from Stratton-Flair at WrestleMania — even this far out. Stratton needs some reps and working across from Flair should help improve her mic skills over the next two months.
1. Street Profits upended another WWE Tag Team Championship match, decimating DIY, Pretty Deadly and Motor City Machine Guns in the process. It's a refreshing new angle for the talented team and the division as a whole. Oh, and Montez Ford still has the best frog splash in the business.
What the?!The Street Profits are causing CHAOS! 😱#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/OUbQjHZYlc
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
2. Chelsea Green was limited to a brief backstage interaction with her "Secret Her-vice" Piper Niven and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. Green was great, as usual, and will be in action next Friday against a mystery challenger. I'm only surprised she didn't bring up Canada's 4 Nations Face-Off OT win over the United States on Thursday night.
1. After Naomi vs. Liv Morgan was teased for most of the night, the match never happened after Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez ambushed Naomi and Bianca Belair, kind of furthering the "Whodunit" angle involving the attack on Jade Cargill, but not really.
YIKES! 😳@RaquelWWE & @YaOnlyLivvOnce just attacked @BiancaBelairWWE and Naomi!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/dTyyEm8TkH
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
There wasn't anything truly spectacular about this week's SmackDown, but outside of the aforementioned Rock-Rhodes segment, nothing was really bad. 👑 6/10. 👑
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