SmackDown Results: The Rock Threatens Cody’s Mother, Matches Added to Mania

March 15, 2024 John Kleinchester NEWS, Show Reports
Photo Courtesy: WWE

March 15, 2024
FedEx Forum – Memphis, TN

By: John Kleinchester

 

Hollywood Rock Returns

SmackDown kicked off with The Rock coming down to the ring. This time, his theme music transitioned from his usual to the old, slower-paced “Hollywood” Rock music circa 2003. 

Despite completing his turn to the dark side, The Rock got on the mic and called Memphis home. He then introduced two musicians who stood on the announce table and said he would sing a song. The song was about what would happen to Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania. The song included references to Stardust and harping on Rock’s point from last week that his existence was a mistake, as well as Grizzlies player Ja Morant.

Rock then replayed the footage of Cody slapping him last week as the crowd booed, and then played a clip of Cody crying this past week on Raw. He then turned his attention to Cody’s mother and said he was going to hit her with his belt which got a “whoop that trick” chant. He produced a Rock branded weight belt and said that once it was full of Cody’s blood he would hand it to her and whisper in her ear “What can I say except ‘you’re welcome'”, referencing Moana. 

LWO vs. Legado del Fantasma

Before the first match of the night began, an on-screen lower third graphic referred to LWO’s Humberto as merely “Berto”. This was explained to be a WrestleMania Tag Team Championship Qualifying match. Cruz del Toro and Joaquin Wilde won with a pop-up Pelé kick. Fantasma would then face the winners of New Catch Republic and Pretty Deadly. 

LA Knight Spots the Marks

Next, Kayla Braxton interviewed LA Knight at the top of the stage and Knight called out AJ Styles to come out and humble him but Styles was nowhere to be found. Knight then challenged Styles to a match at WrestleMania. Suddenly, Styles ran out and hit Knight from behind with a chair and then accepted the challenge.

Jimmy Responds to Jey

Kayla Braxton approached The Bloodline and asked if they had a response to Jey Uso’s challenge. Jimmy Uso cut an impassioned promo and officially accepted with a “Yeet”. 

Paul & Aldis, Orton & Waller

Logan Paul approached Nick Aldis in his office and asked what his plan was to punish Randy Orton for ruining their big Prime mat sponsorship reveal last week. Aldis suggested Paul ask Orton for an apology in person but then Paul retorted that Aldis couldn’t find him an opponent for WrestleMania. This led directly to Grayson Waller taking on Randy Orton. Just as the match was about to start, Logan Paul came out and joined the commentary team as Grayson Waller got the jump on Orton from behind. Orton won with an RKO despite interference from Austin Theory. After the match, Theory started attacking Orton as Paul was about to join in. This brought out Kevin Owens who fought off the heels. Owens went to help Orton up and almost got RKO’d himself but the faces got on the same page with Orton hitting an RKO on Theory. This brought out Nick Aldis who confirmed at WrestleMania it would be Logan Paul defending his US title against both Randy Orton and Kevin Owens in a triple-threat match.

Damage CTRL

Kayla Braxton interviewed Dakota Kai and Kai said that this was all her fault and said that Bayley and anyone in the women’s locker room was on notice. 

Santos Escobar vs. Dragon Lee

Next up was Santos Escobar taking on Dragon Lee. Escobar won in under two minutes thanks to a distraction from his henchman. This brought out Carlito who fought the heels until the numbers game was too much for him. This then brought out Rey Mysterio who slowly marched to the ring despite Carlito getting destroyed. Mysterio got on the mic and challenged Escobar to a one-on-one match next week.  

New Catch Republic vs. Pretty Deadly 

Next was the second of two WrestleMania Tag Team Championship qualifying matches with Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate taking on Pretty Deadly. NCR won with a Double Burning Hammer in just over eleven minutes and will go on to face Legado del Fantasma with the winners of that match going to the Six Pack Ladder Match Challenge at WrestleMania.

Bayley vs. Dakota Kai

The main event of the evening was Bayley coming out solo to take on Dakota Kai who was flanked by Damage CTRL. This played a big hand in the match with Damage CTRL interfering at any opportunity. Eventually, Damage CTRL just jumped in and caused the DQ. The heel began to attack Bayley when Naomi came out to help but was also dropped. Damage CTRL stood tall to end the show.

 

Announced for Smackdown Next Week in Milwaukee:

  • Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar
  • WrestleMania Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match: Street Profits vs. Authors of Pain
  • WrestleMania Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match: The OC vs Grayson Waller & Austin Theory
  • Face-to-Face: Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes

Friday Night SmackDown Results:

  • WrestleMania Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match: Legado del Fantasma over LWO in 9:11
  • Randy Orton over Grayson Waller in 7:34
  • Santos Escobar over Dragon Lee in 1:58
  • WrestleMania Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match: New Catch Republic over Pretty Deadly in 11:14
  • Bayley over Dakota Kai via DQ in 7:33
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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