SmackDown took place in London and aired internationally on Netflix. It will air at the usual time slot in the US later tonight. Below are the results.
– Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes kicked off the show and was interrupted by Randy Orton. Fans sang both men’s theme song loudly. Orton said he remembers a young Cody working harder than everyone and not being happy with his position in the company. Orton praised Cody for leaving and accomplishing everything he did:
“That took some big a$$ balls to leave this company and do what you did.”
Orton said WWE’s current financial success is 99% due to Rhodes and Rhodes got emotional. Orton noted:
“I am very, very proud of you.”
Orton also reminded everyone of Cody wrestling inside Hell in a Cell with a torn pec 3 years ago, and said Cody did it for the fans. However, Orton turned his attention to business and said he wants to go for World Title #15, but doesn’t want Cody to worry about being kicked in the balls, as he respects Cody and said Cody has achieved more than him. Orton said he will tell Cody face-to-face when he comes for the title. For now, Orton wants to beat the crap out of Cena at WrestleMania 41. Drew McIntyre came out and questioned what exactly Orton has done since his big return in 2023 to demand a title shot. McIntyre said Orton looks great on the outside, but from the inside, he knows Orton’s back in hanging by a thread. McIntyre said he warned Cody about Cena, but Cody didn’t listen. Drew said the WrestleMania 41 main event would’ve been him vs. Cody for the Undisputed Title, but it’s not due to “Temu Taker” Damian Priest. Drew threatened to take out Orton, but Cody hit him with a kick and a punch, before Drew retreated.
– The Street Profits (c) def. Pretty Deadly to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship.
– Like UFC, WWE has started to induct matches into the Hall of Fame under “Immortal Moment”. Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart from WrestleMania 13 is the first inductee. Both Austin & Hart will be at this year’s ceremony for the induction.
– Piper Niven & Alba Fyre def. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter
Chelsea Green, Piper & Alba continued attacking Katana & Kayden after the match. Zelina Vega ran out to make the save, but got taken out as well. The name of Piper & Alba’s team is “The Secret Hervice”.
– Braun Strowman def. LA Knight (c) via DQ afte Jacob Fatu interfered, Knight retains the United States Championship
After attacking Strowman, Fatu attacked Knight as well.
– In a backstage segment, Solo Sikoa asked Jacob Fatu what the hell was that. Jacob said he doesn’t have to explain anything to nobody. Solo told Jacob to watch his tone with him. Jacob said alright, and noted that when it comes to Braun Strowman – he’s going to be the Last Man Standing, and he’s bringing the US Title to the family – with or without Solo.
– Naomi advised Jade Cargill to proceed with caution in a vignette. Michin & B-Fab told Cargill to do what she has to do to deal with Naomi.
– Michin & B-Fab went to the ring for a match, but Naomi attacked both of them. Jade Cargill came out to make the save, but Naomi escaped. When B-Fab was being helped to the back by a trainer and Jade, Charlotte Flair came out for her match and had a brief face-off with Cargill.
– Charlotte Flair def. Michin via Submission
– WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton said he has nothing to lose at WrestleMania 41, because if she loses, she loses to a legend. However, if Charlotte loses, then Charlotte loses to a 25-year-old undeserving, unoriginal rookie, which Charlotte called her last week.
– Drew McIntyre def. Randy Orton after a distraction from Kevin Owens
After the match, Owens attacked Orton and was looking to hit a Piledriver on top of the announce table, but Orton fired back. Randy was looking to hit a Punt Kick, but Kevin escaped.
– WWE announced that Rey Fenix will make his debut on next week’s SmackDown.
– Jimmy Uso def. The Miz
– Drew McIntyre met Lewis Capaldi backstage. McIntyre then told Jackie Redmond that Damian Priest doesn’t even have the balls to confront him. Priest was standing outside the arena, waiting for McIntyre. Priest attacked McIntyre and chokeslammed him on a car’s windshield. Since McIntyre called Priest ‘Temu Undertaker’ earlier, Priest took one of Deadman’s catchphrases and said “Rest in Peace, jacka$$”.
– Nick Aldis called Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins the biggest Triple Threat Match in WrestleMania history. Reigns came out first to a huge pop and fans began singing his name. Reigns said he likes it and Paul Heyman sang too. Reigns then called himself the biggest star on the planet and signed the contract. Seth Rollins then came out and asked Roman why he’s in a hurry to leave. Seth reminded Roman that they came in a Helicopter to this arena 12 years ago and powerbombed The Undertaker through the announce table, but a lot has changed in 12 years. Rollins said they accomplished their mission to change WWE. Roman said “we” died a long time ago, it’s only been “me”. Roman said he did all the work and got the company billion dollar TV deals and the Netflix deal. Roman asked what Rollins has done. Rollins said it’s Roman’s “me” attitude that results in him screwing Roman again and again. Rollins said Roman can’t see the danger in CM Punk. Rollins said he’s here to clean up Roman’s mess again. Punk comes out and begins reading the contract and Roman tells him to hurry up, this is TV, junior. Heyman tells Punk that he knows what Punk is looking for and it’s in it. Heyman then kissed Punk and said:
“You are closing the show at WrestleMania. CM Punk – you are a WrestleMania main eventer.”
Punk got emotional and Rollins lost it, saying WrestleMania main event is sacred and Punk doesn’t deserve it. Punk thanked the fans, but Roman said Punk should be thanking him for making this happen. Roman told Punk to thank him and Punk did. But in the end, Punk said this wasn’t the favor he’s owed. SmackDown ended with Roman being confused and Heyman regretting that Punk brought it up.
Also Read: Cody Rhodes Gets A New Nickname By WWE
