Smackdown Results: The Rock Wants Cody’s Soul

February 21, 2025 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

February 21, 2025
Smoothie King Center – New Orleans, LA

By: John Kleinchester

WWE Smackdown Results

  • Jimmy Uso over Drew McIntyre via Roll-Up in 11:15
  • The Miz & Carmelo Hayes over LA Knight & R-Truth via The First 48/Skull-Crushing Finale in 10:05
  • Tiffany Stratton over Candice LeRae via Prettiest Moonsault Ever in 12:00 (estimated – match began in ad break)
  • WWE Tag Team Championship: Pretty Deadly over DIY via DQ in 6:14
  • Damian Priest & Braun Strowman over Jacob Fatu & Solo Sikoa via South of Heaven in 12:33

 

TKO Board Member Changes Card

Smackdown from New Orleans kicked off with Nick Aldis informing Cody Rhodes that he was out of the 6-Man Tag Team Match and that this was coming from “The Final Boss” who wants to see him in the ring tonight instead. 

Drew McIntyre vs. Jimmy Uso

After the brief Cody segment, Smackdown jumped right into Drew McIntyre taking on Jimmy Uso after last week’s fisticuffs backstage. McIntyre dominated the early portion of the match, including hitting Uso with an Alabama Slam onto the ring steps. After an ad break, Jimmy began to mount his comeback, countering a Claymore with a superkick. McIntyre started screaming that this was the closest Jimmy would get to Wrestlemania and went for another Alabama Slam, which Jimmy countered with a roll-up for the win. He then beat down Jimmy after the match, again screaming in Jimmy’s face that he was going to Wrestlemania and that this loss meant nothing to him. McIntyre was going to Claymore Jimmy’s head into the ring post when officials ran down and stopped him. McIntyre then broke free of the officials and hit a Claymore on Jimmy Uso in the middle of the ring. 

Solo Arrives

Solo Sikoa was shown arriving at the arena when he was stopped by Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga. Sikoa explained that what happened to Tama last week was an accident and Fatu said if it wasn’t an accident, Solo wouldn’t be standing there right now. Sikoa said they were on the same page and he would be in their corner tonight. Fatu said that instead Sikoa would be his partner tonight and Sikoa agreed, saying that’s why he loves Fatu and went to talk to Nick Aldis. 

Zelina Vega Promo

A promo package was shown with Zelina Vega talking about her accomplishments despite her size. Vega said that she had something to prove. 

 

Hayes & Miz vs. R-Truth and ???

Footage from earlier in the day was shown with R-Truth telling Carmelo Hayes that they had a match tonight and Miz appeared saying that they were “Melo Don’t Miz”. R-Truth said he had a partner who was a Louisiana Legend. 

After the break, R-Truth revealed his partner to be “Louisiana Knight” and Truth gave Knight a Po Boy and Mardi Gras beads as they headed to the ring to face Miz & Hayes. Truth was up to his usual antics in this match with him counting a pinfall attempt by no one on Hayes and then attempting to tag in his former partner Miz.

The match continued with Truth finally giving LA Knight a hot tag with Knight taking over, beating down both Hayes and Miz. Knight botched a spot and Truth blind-tagged in and once again did John Cena’s full move set. Truth failed to execute the Attitude Adjustment and then applied the STFU. Action spilled to the outside when Shinsuke Nakamura appeared attacking Knight behind the referee’s back. The Miz and Hayes then double-teamed R-Truth, hitting The First 48 combined with the Skull-Crushing Finale for the win.

Charlotte, Stratton, Jax & LeRae

Much like in the weeks leading up to her Royal Rumble return, we had another in what felt like a continuation of her promo packages, this time ending with footage of Charlotte informing Tiffany Stratton that she picked her for Wrestlemania. This led to Tiffany Stratton coming out and getting on the mic and talking about how she had Nia Jax beat last week until Candice LeRae interfered. She said that she and Trish Stratus would take out Jax & LeRae at Elimination Chamber next week from Toronto. She then turned her attention to Charlotte and said that she was coming for the “top girl” in the WWE. This brought out Jax & LeRae who said that Stratton won’t be making it to Mania. This led directly into Stratton vs. LeRae.

After a commercial break, the match was already underway when Charlotte Flair came out, distracting Stratton. Flair joined Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett on commentary. Stratton then overshot a moonsault onto LeRae on the outside as the show match went to another commercial. 

Stratton had LeRae set up for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever when Nia Jax pulled her to safety. This brought Stratton face-to-face on the outside with Charlotte but nothing happened. Stratton simply rolled LeRae back in and hit the Moonsault for the win. Nia Jax then jumped Stratton and was about to hit the Annihilator when Trish Stratus ran down and took out Jax and LeRae. Jax and LeRae recovered however and then Jax hit the Annhilator on both Stratus and Stratton simultaneously. Charlotte then entered the ring and stood over Stratton, pointing to the Mania sign. 

 

Priest, Rhodes, and Strowman

Backstage, Damian Priest asked Cody Rhodes what was up with The Rock being there and Rhodes said he didn’t know. Priest then brought up how last year they both walked out of Wrestlemania as champions and this year, after the Chamber he was coming after Rhodes’ title. Cody said he wouldn’t have it any other way. Braun Strowman then appeared and he said that if weren’t for Solo he would have had Fatu last week. Strowman said the only thing he cared about was getting his hands on Sikoa & Fatu tonight. 

Alexa Bliss Promo Package

Alexa Bliss things have changed while she was away but at the Elimination Chamber, she’s going to turn it into her playground. 

 

Belair & Naomi Get Jumped

Backstage, Byron Saxton asked Tag Champs Naomi and Bianca Belair said they were going to take out Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez on Raw. Belair said that Jade has been recovering and therefore she couldn’t text them back. Unless she’s in a coma, that seems unlikely. Naomi was out next to take on Liv Morgan but Morgan and Rodriguez jumped the tag champs. The heels hit the Tahana Bomb and Oblivion, leaving them lying and no match would occur. 

Afterward backstage, Nick Aldis was admonishing Morgan and Rodriguez for their actions and they just laughed it off. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven appeared and said they could replace Naomi and Belair in the Chamber. Aldis said that wasn’t necessary but instead, they would have a match next week and it “would be a good one”. 

 

The Final Boss Arrives 

The Rock’s music hit but then went right into some other music with New Orleans graphics, only to have it go back into Heel Rock’s theme. 

Finally, The Rock got on the mic and was immediately bleeped so much that it was impossible to know what was said. With that, Rock announced Wrestlemania 42 would be at the Superdome in New Orleans in 2026. Rock then seemed to curse again which was bleeped as he started singing “When the Saints Go Marchin’ In” but then turned on the crowd for singing along with him. He then called out Cody Rhodes.

Rhodes came out and hugged The Rock and Rock said that the two have become good friends since last year’s Wrestlemania and after the Raw on Netflix debut, they drank tequila together for hours. Rock called Cody a great champion but Rock is a director of the board of TKO, which owns WWE. Rock namedropped Ari Emanuel who he claimed said that The Rock owns WWE. Rock then went on to say that he wanted Cody to be his champion. Cody seemed to hesitate a bit but responded by saying that he was the fans’ champion.

Rock said that he wanted Cody to get on his level so he could open doors for him and make his dreams come true. Rocky then said that he asked last year to move Cody aside so he could face Roman Reigns but Cody said no and slapped him. Rock said to think about it and they’ll meet at Elimination Chamber for his answer. The Rock clarified that he didn’t want the WWE title, he wanted Cody’s soul. With that, Rock left and Cody looked like he had seen a ghost. All of this took twenty-seven minutes,

Tag Team Championship

Next, DIY defended their Tag Team Championship against Pretty Deadly. Before the match, DIY cut a promo about crushing Pretty Deadly’s dreams of ever being champions and held a moment of silence that was booed and interrupted by Prince & Wilson. Pretty Deadly charged the ring and attacked DIY as their music played and the disco ball still spun. That didn’t last long as DIY immediately took control as the bell rang heading into commercial. After the break, the Street Profits appeared attacking Pretty Deadly causing the disqualification. This brought out Motor City Machine Guns who ran down and started brawling with the Profits as the crowd remained mostly silent. The Profits decimated MCMG as well, standing tall as the segment ended.

Kevin Owens, Trespasser

A Kevin Owens phone video was shown where he responded to Sami Zayn getting their unsanctioned match at Elimination Chamber. Owens then moved the phone and revealed he was outside of Zayn’s house and showed his wife and son. Owens called Zayn selfish and said he’d never forgive him. 

The Main Event

The main event of the evening was Damian Priest and Braun Strowman taking on Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa. Fatu and Sikoa were shown walking in the back and Sikoa started cutting a promo before being interrupted by Fatu taking over and then demanding for his music to be played.

Early in the match, Strowman attempted his run around the ring but when he got near Tama Tonga he brandished a chair which Strowman promptly punched out of his hand. Then Fatu blindsided Strowman and both men went into the timekeeper’s area nearly taking out Lilian Garcia. After the break, the two teams went back and forth until Sikoa attempted to hit the Samoan Spike on Damian Priest. Priest countered and Fatu accidentally superkicked Sikoa in the process. Strowman then steamrolled Fatu and Tama Tonga onto the announce table. Damia Priest then hit South of Heaven on Sikoa for the victory.

 

Final Thoughts

Twenty-seven minutes to ask for a soul. Borderline insanity. A long Rock entrance with inexplicable musical interlude within his theme, a Mania 42 announcement that everyone knew was coming, a long Cody entrance only to lead to Rock asking for his Soul and the real story to be revealed at Elimination Chamber? Harumph. Also, the Women’s Division writing has been absolutely dreadful. Do better, Hunter. Smackdown continues to be a slog. 

 
About John Kleinchester 217 Articles
John Kleinchester is a wrestling reporter from New Jersey, covering the sport since 2022. He is a graduate of Ithaca College and can be reached at jkleinchester@gmail.com.
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