SmackDown Results: The Rock Confronts Roman Reigns, Bayley Picks IYO

February 2, 2024 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

February 2, 2024
Legacy Arena – Birmingham, AL

By: John Kleinchester

 

The Graves & Barrett Experiment Begins

SmackDown kicked off with a bunch of footage of Superstars arriving at the arena: first was Roman Reigns and The Bloodline, then there was a Royal Rumble recap video. Then shown arriving was Cody Rhodes with his dog Pharoh, and finally we saw Bayley and Damage CTRL walking into the empty arena earlier in the day with Corey Graves saying that tonight had a bunch of Wrestlemania implications.   

Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and Kevin Owens 

Logan Paul was out and said he underestimated Kevin Owens but he was still the champ. Paul then mocked the “brittle” roster including Punk and his torn triceps. Paul was then interrupted by Kevin Owens. Owens insulted Paul and said it felt better to knock the hell out of Logan but he still wanted to restore prestige to the United States title. Paul said he wasn’t giving Owens a rematch and he should focus on his match with Austin Theory. Theory’s music hit and we were jumping right into the match. 

Kevin Owens and Austin Theory had a long, competitive match as Logan Paul sat in on commentary and hurled insults at Owens. Waller tried to get involved which allowed Paul to get up and pass the brass knuckles to Austin Theory. Owens was able to intercept the ‘knucks and use them on Theory and Waller to pick up the win. Owens then chased Logan Paul off through the crowd. 

Another Arrival

Next, we were treated to yet another arrival, this time being WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley. 

 

 

Naomi, Michin, and Tiffany Stratton

Naomi was seen coming out of Nick Aldis’ locker room with a signed Smackdown contract and celebrated with Bianca Belair, Michin, and Shotzi. Tiffany Stratton appeared and said that she was the center of the universe and also signed a Smackdown contract and wanted applause. She got in Bianca Belair’s face and said she wasn’t afraid of standing up to the toughest woman in WWE and then turned and slapped Michin in the face.

 

Aldis, Paul, and Belair

Bianca Belair said that when later tonight Bayley chooses to face Rhea for the World Title, what was going to be done to allow her to face IYO for the WWE title. Aldis said that he’d been talking to Adam Pearce about that and would have an answer for her very soon. Logan Paul interrupted complaining that he was being called a “Part-timer” and wanted a challenger. Belair called Paul rude and Paul said to get his show under control.

Legado Familia Reunited

A pre-produced video was shown with Legado del Fantasma out to dinner celebrating their full family reuniting with Elektra Lopez rejoining the faction. Santos Escobar said they must eradicate Rey Mysterio’s LWO to preserve the legacy of lucha libre. 

 

Fatal 4-Way Championship Qualifier

Next was a match with four tag teams competing for a chance to get a title shot against Judgment Day at Elimination Chamber in Perth. Early in the match, Joaquin Wilde recreated his NXT spot of launching off the second rope with crazy height thanks to Cruz del Toro and Pete Dunne.

It didn’t take long for Elektra Lopez to get involved in the match which prompted Zelina Vega to take her out. Pretty Deadly attempted to use “twin magic” to get a roll-up win but Dunne was able to kick out. Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate picked up the win with a double under-hook slam. Corey Graves then explained that Dunne & Bate would go on to face the winners of a Fatal 4-Way that would be occurring on Raw this coming Monday and the winner of that match would face Judgment Day at Elimination Chamber. 

“Bayley’s Done Tonight”

Damage CTRL was in the locker room and IYO said “Bayley’s done tonight” as the group laughed. The camera panned as they left to reveal Bayley having overheard them laughing about her. 

Bayley’s Decision

Both “Managers General” as Corey Graves put it were in the ring as Bayley was out with Damage CTRL in tow. Bayley said that with Wrestlemania she’s practically done it all but this year was special and Damage CTRL was family. IYO, Asuka, and Kairi laughed at Bayley literally behind her back multiple times. Bayley asked if they were done laughing and then started speaking in Japanese saying that she picked it up from hearing them talk behind her back. Bayley was then jumped by all three women and suddenly pulled a pipe from behind the ring steps, fighting off Kairi and Asuka but stopping before hitting IYO. Bayley then officially declared her opponent at Wrestlemania to be IYO Sky.  

 

B-Fab Returns

A scheduled match between The Final Testament and Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits never happened as both teams started brawling and no bell was ever rung. After Scarlett got involved in the brawl, B-Fab appeared out of nowhere and joined up with Lashley and The Profits.

Bron Breakker and Jade Cargill, Free Agents

Nick Aldis was in the back trying to get Bron Breakker to sign a Smackdown contract when Adam Pearce interrupted and told him to come Monday to see what he has to offer. Jade Cargill then entered in all blue and Aldis kicked Pearce out of his office. 

Tiffany Stratton vs. Michin

The main event of the evening was Tiffany Stratton’s main roster debut taking on The OC’s Michin. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows escorted Michin out onto the stage but left her on her own to take on Stratton. Stratton defeated Michin in just under eight minutes after hitting “The Prettiest Moonsault Ever”. 

Cody’s Decision

Roman Reigns and The Bloodline were out first and Reigns ran down Seth Rollins and the World Heavyweight title and called it the “loser bracket title”.

Cody Rhodes came out and said that the Universal title was still the one he wanted; the one that was put into his father’s hands and swiftly taken away. Cody said that “Finishing the Story” was taking everything from Reigns and that he was coming for that title but not at Wrestlemania. Rhodes mentioned “council” that he had talked to that knew Reigns very well. With that, The Rock appeared and came down to the ring shook hands, and hugged Rhodes, whispering something into his ear. And with that, Cody walked to the back nodding at The Rock. 

 

 

The Rock and Roman Reigns stared each other down as the show went off the air promoting a Presse Event in Las Vegas Thursday at 7pm.

 

Announced for Smackdown Next Week in Charlotte:

  • Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate vs. The Winner of Raw 4-Way
  • Nick Aldis Announces Logan Paul’s Next Challenger

Friday Night SmackDown Results:

  • Kevin Owens over Austin Theory in 10:53
  • Fatal 4-Way Championship Qualifier Match: Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate over Cruz del Toro & Joaquin Wilde, Pretty Deadly, and Angel & Humberto in 8:44
  • Tiffany Stratton over Michin in 7:45
About John Kleinchester 197 Articles
New Jersey born and raised. Wrestling fan since Lex slammed Yokozuna on the deck of the USS Intrepid. Favorite Wrestler of all time is Owen "The Rocket" Hart.
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