In case you missed it, The Rock has been a busy man. As in, cut a 21-plus minute promo ahead of tonight’s show busy. But while The People’s Champ said many amusing things during said promo, he left out one particular point of interest for tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown from Glendale.
That, of course, is whether he will accept the challenge laid down recently by Cody Rhodes. Still smarting psychologically from The Rock smacking him at WrestleMania XL Kickoff, the American Nightmare said he’s love to fight The People’s Champion any time, any place.
The time is not going to be tonight and the place is not going to be Glendale. Which is too bad, since yours truly has a good friend in the audience tonight. But it could be soon, as in either on the Road to WrestleMania … or at WrestleMania itself.
See, a common fan theory is that we end up with Rhodes and Seth Rollins battling The Rock and Roman Reigns on night 1 in Philly before everyone attends to their business on night 2 (including Rhodes vs. Reigns). Let’s see if tonight’s SmackDown points us in that direction or a different one. We’re excited to see what’s in store regardless.
WWE SmackDown results from Glendale:
(please scroll down for more details on any match or segment in bold)
- We open with highlights from Elimination Chamber Perth, lest we forget that this is the first SmackDown since that show
- The Bloodline is on the same page, including The Rock, and they have a counteroffer for Cody Rhodes (and Seth Rollins)
- Austin Theory and Grayson Waller are mocking Randy Orton’s fate at Elimination Chamber, but in classic fashion, he’s right behind them, which is bad for Theory since he gets volun-told to face Orton later tonight
- Tiffany Stratton def. Naomi by pinfall
- Kabuki Warriors vs. Bayley and Dakota Kai is a no contest (we think) after Kai turns on Bayley mid-match, helping the Warriors and IYO SKY beat her down
- Damage CTRL seems pretty pleased walking backstage, but their smiles disappear when Jade Cargill appears, on hand to talk with Nick Aldis
- Bron Breakker def. Xyon Quinn in about three seconds after a spear
- A memorial graphic is displayed to honor the late Mike “Virgil” Jones
- Carlito def. Santos Escobar by pinfall in a Street Fight, due in large part to assistance from a returning Rey Mysterio
- New Catch Republic talks to Aldis about how they can earn another title shot at WrestleMania, and he says there will be an announcement about those titles soon; Aldis next runs into LA Knight searching furiously for AJ Styles, and he says there isn’t anything anyone can do to stop him from getting some payback
- Randy Orton def. Austin Theory by pinfall, then gets help from Kevin Owens, who was on guest commentary, to fight off Theory and Grayson Waller as the show closes
The Rock acknowledges Roman Reigns, has a counteroffer for Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins
We’re wasting no time tonight, as Roman Reigns and The Bloodline head to the ring in the first segment. The Rock is not with them, and the fans start one chant that has to be blanked out, then start another for Cody Rhodes.
Reigns asks people to acknowledge him twice since the first crowd reaction isn’t enough for him, but that ends up in another “Cody” chant. Third time’s the charm? It better be or else Reigns says he’s leaving.
He wants to do just that, but Paul Heyman says they can’t because “he’s coming out” if they just give Heyman a moment. Yes, he means The Rock. But apparently he’s not coming until after commercials.
Reigns seems unhappy about having to wait, but after the ads, sure enough, it’s The Great One. He asks, perhaps rhetorically, if the fans are sure they want to boo The Rock. But he has some good news to share. Well, not really as he accuses people from nearby Phoenix of being heavy drug users.
Finally proceeding, The Rock says everyone in The Bloodline is happy because wrestling is cool again. He also shoots down Cody’s request for a match, saying you don’t just go one-on-one with The Great One just because you want to.
As businessmen, however, Rock and Reigns have a counteroffer for Rhodes. And it’s an interesting one: Rock and Reigns vs. Rhodes and Seth Rollins. If the good guys win, Rhodes vs. Reigns will be free of Bloodline presence as they’ll be banned from ringside. However, if the bad guys win the tag team match, the night 2 match will be Bloodline Rules, meaning anything goes.
The Rock says Rhodes now has a lot to think about, but if he doesn’t accept the challenge, he and Reigns will end Cody’s story tragically. He says they expect an answer next week and is about to do the “If you smell … ” bit, but he’s stopped by Reigns.
Roman says he needs something from his cousin: He needs The Rock to acknowledge him.
It appears that won’t go well, but Rock does acknowledge Reigns as his Tribal Chief and they hug, even as “you sold out” chants rain down. This is family, The Rock explains, and he proves it by letting Roman finish his most famous catchphrase.
Dakota Kai shows her true colors, turns on Bayley
Though the Warriors look like they want no part of their former teammates before the bell, they also rush Bayley as soon as the match officially begins. Kairi Sane is able to push Bayley off the top rope while the ref’s back is turned, so the champs are already a step ahead of their foes.
Kai gets knocked off the apron, leaving Bayley solo against both of their opponents and allowing Sane to score a near fall. Bayley is finally able to knock down both Warriors, but when the Role Model heads over for the tag … Kai jumps off the apron.
Knowing she’s been betrayed, Bayley goes after Kai on the floor, but now it’s a three-on-one battle. IYO SKY laughs in the corner, then gets into the act by smacking Bayley with a knee to the back of the head. SKY can only laugh at Bayley’s plight, and the four members of Damage CTRL leave together.
Carlito gets a massive LWO assist to beat Santos Escobar in a Street Fight
The announcers point out how Carlito came up through the ranks in the Puerto Rican wrestling scene from a young age, so he’s very prepared for a match like this. He tries to find some weaponry under the ring early on, but he settles for running Escobar into the steel stairs as fans chant for apples.
Carlito is in trouble through a commercial break, but he’s able to use a chair and a trash can to mount a strong rally. Both of them together work very nicely indeed.
A move onto the steel chair gets Carlito a two count, and he hears the crowd and drags a table into the ring too. Escobar is ready with a step-up knee shot, but he gets crotched on the top rope right before Angel and Humberto of Legado Del Fantasma invade the ring.
A three-man powerbomb has the end looking near, but Carlito kicks out at two, mystifying Escobar. Angel and Humberto set up the table only to be rushed by Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro.
But there’s one more person who enters the fray: a returning Rey Mysterio, who comes out on crutches but reveals he doesn’t need them. Rey hits the 619 on Santos, and Carlito puts Escobar through a table to seal the victory.
Randy Orton takes out Austin Theory, gets some KO help after the bell
Kevin Owens joins the announcers for guest commentary, and he’s always a delight in this role. Orton charges across the ring when the bell rings and lands corner punches at will, followed by a European uppercut.
Out to the floor they go, where Owens begs Orton to slam Theory on the desk. Grayson Waller’s timely distraction allows Theory to gain the upper hand, and it’s Randy bouncing off the desk before a commercial break.
Orton is mounting a rally after we return, using clotheslines to set up a powerslam. Theory is sent out to the floor, where KO is delighted to see Theory dropped back first on the announce table. Waller gets the same treatment, with KO pointing out how he bounces.
Vintage Orton is next, and he wants an RKO but is sent into the post instead. A rolling blockbuster by Theory is on target, but Orton kicks out at two.
Theory chop blocks Orton and nails him with a forearm shot, hooking the leg but getting only two again. Theory tries to do his own version of the draping DDT but gets thrown to the floor. He rolls back in looking for a cutter, but Orton counters with an RKO to win it.
After the bell, Waller tries to attack Orton but gets quickly met by Owens. KO stuns Theory, Orton hits an RKO on Waller, and the fans go home happy, we’d think.