SmackDown Results: Rhodes/Rollins vs Rock/Reigns for Mania Night 1

March 1, 2024 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

March 1, 2024
Desert Diamond Arena – Glendale, AZ

By: John Kleinchester

 

A 39+ Minute Opening Talking Segment

SmackDown kicked off with The Bloodline coming down to the ring sans their newest member. Roman started by doing his “acknowledge me” bit but threatened to leave after he wasn’t satisfied with the Glendale crowd’s response. Paul Heyman said they couldn’t leave as The Rock was coming out… after the commercial break. Upon returning from break, The Rock came out and said that the number one city for cocaine and meth use was Phoenix, AZ which was only ten miles away from Glendale. Rock proclaimed that pro wrestling was cool again because of himself, Roman Reigns, and The Bloodline and then turned down Cody Rhodes’ challenge that he made at Elimination Chamber.

The Rock then counter-offered with a tag team match, Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins vs. The Rock & Roman Reigns at Night 1 of Wrestlemania with the stipulation that if the faces win, The Bloodline will be banned from ringside on Night 2. If Rock & Reigns win, then the Championship match will be “Bloodline Rules” and anything goes. Rock then told Rhodes & Rollins to meet them on Smackdown next week and give them their answer. Rock went to do his “If Ya Smell” bit and Reigns stopped him and said he needed The Rock to acknowledge him. The Rock obliged and they shook and hugged on it. 

 

 

RKO and Waller/Theory

Backatsge Grayson Waller & Austin Theory were watching a video of Orton getting knocked out by Drew McIntyre when Orton interrupted and challenged either of them to a match later tonight. Waller said that Theory had said earlier that he wanted to fight him and the match was on for the main event as Theory complained that Waller has thrown him under the bus twice now. 

Tiffany Stratton vs. Naomi

The first match of the night started 45 minutes into the show and featured Tiffany Stratton taking on Naomi, the latter of which didn’t even get an entrance. Stratton won after raking Naomi’s eyes behind the ref’s back and hitting The Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the victory. 

Kabuki Warriors vs. Bayley & Dakota Kai

Next up was Royal Rumble Winner Bayley along with the returning Dakota Kai taking on WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors. This was Kai’s first match since May 12th of last year. That was all for naught however as Kai never tagged in and jumped off the apron when Bayley went for the tag. Bayley then jumped Kai but was ultimately overwhelmed and left lying. No bell ever sounded and the referee disappeared, seemingly throwing the match out. After the match, the heels ran into Jade Cargill, and Nick Aldis intervened before anything happened. 

Bron Breakker 

The next match was Bron Breakker taking on NXT’s Xyon Quinn. Breakker hit a spear on Quinn and won in seven seconds. 

Street Fight

Next another Legado del Fantasma promo aired with them in the same wine restaurant from the last time, saying that they need to destroy what’s left of the Rey Mysterio’s LWO. This led directly to Carlito taking on Santos Escobar in a Street Fight. At one point in the match, Angel & Humberto joined in, and the three triple-teamed Carlito. Cruz del Toro and Joaquin Wilde were out shortly thereafter to help even the odds but were taken out themselves. This brought out the returning Rey Mysterio who came out on crutches. Humberto and Angel went to take him out but he revealed he was faking still being injured and attacked the heels with his crutches. Mysterio got in the ring and helped Carlito beat Escobar after putting him through a table. The full LWO celebrated with Mysterio on their shoulders.  

One More Chance?

Backstage, Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate were pleading their case for one more chance against Judgment Day at WrestleMania. Aldis said that he and Adam Pearce have been talking about the Tag Titles and would have an announcement soon. A commotion distracted Aldis and it turned out to be LA Knight who was looking for AJ Styles. Aldis revealed that he told Styles not to be there tonight. Knight said he was going to take him out with a chair the next time he sees him.

Main Event: Orton vs. Theory

Kevin Owens came out as special guest commentator for the main event of the evening, Randy Orton vs. Austin Theory. Orton picked up the win with an RKO in just over nine minutes. Grayson Waller jumped Orton after his victory which prompted Kevin Owens to run in and the two faces fought off Waller & Theory and fist-bumped to end the show. 

 

Announced for Smackdown Next Week in Dallas:

  • Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross
  • Logan Paul Returns

Friday Night SmackDown Results:

  • Tiffany Stratton over Naomi in 8:10
  • Bayley & Dakota Kai / Kabuki Warriors – No Contest in ~ 4 Minutes
  • Bron Breakker over Xyon Quinn in :07
  • Street Fight: Carlito over Santos Escobar in 11:12
  • Randy Orton over Austin Theory in 9:16
About John Kleinchester 204 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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