In a highly anticipated episode of SmackDown, wrestling fans were treated to a thrilling face-off between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. This was their first encounter since Rhodes emerged victorious in his second Royal Rumble match. While Seth Rollins made a compelling argument for Rhodes to challenge him at WrestleMania, it is widely speculated that Rhodes will ultimately choose to challenge Reigns for the title.
Excitement was in the air even before SmackDown aired, with reports circulating about the presence of wrestling legends The Rock and CM Punk backstage in Alabama. The sold-out crowd in Birmingham was buzzing with anticipation.
One notable appearance on the show was made by social media personality Logan Paul. The controversial figure wasted no time in stirring up controversy by declaring that he didn't want to be there and claiming that Kevin Owens had inflicted more damage on him than boxing legend Floyd Mayweather. Despite facing some backlash from the audience, Paul continued to taunt injured Superstars like CM Punk and Seth Rollins, labeling himself 'unbreakable' despite sustaining injuries in 2022.
As Logan Paul took a seat on commentary, Corey Graves, who was in the play-by-play role, found himself in an awkward position of remaining neutral. Both commentators navigated through the segment, but it was evident that it was a challenging task for Graves early on.
Another standout moment in the show came from Austin Theory, who continues to impress with his skills week after week. This time, he found himself in a match against Kevin Owens, who learned from past encounters and resorted to using brass knuckles to secure his victory. Owens cleverly hid his cheating tactics from the referee's view, proving that he's willing to go to any lengths to win.
The show also featured a Fatal 4-Way tag team match, with a vignette showcasing Santos Escobar leading a toast to 'eradicate' LWO (Los Wagners Obsesion). The high-flying action ensued with Joaquim Wilde daring his opponents to go viral. The thrilling display ended with Wilde and Del Toro taking out their opponents, aided by Zelina Vega, who then turned her attention to Elektra Lopez. The match concluded with Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate emerging victorious, advancing to the finals to face the winners of the WWE Raw Fatal 4-Way tag team match.
Fans were also treated to a surprise when Bayley, the winner of the women's Royal Rumble, made her way into the ring to declare her opponent for WrestleMania 40. However, it seemed that the face-turn and feud with Iyo Sky may have been rushed, as the storytelling felt hurried. Despite this, Bayley confronted Damage CTRL backstage, revealing that she understood their disparaging remarks about her in Japanese. She then challenged Iyo Sky, leading to a chaotic altercation between the two factions.
An intense brawl between Bobby Lashley, the Street Profits, and the Final Testament further heightened the excitement of the evening. The return of B-Fab injected new energy into Team Lashley, saving them from the onslaught of their opponents.
In a surprising move, Tiffany Stratton, a highly athletic gymnast, made her debut on the main roster. While it may seem early for her to compete at this level, her undeniable skills ensured that she held her own in the ring. It will be interesting to see how she continues to evolve and adapt to the challenges she will undoubtedly face.
The main event of the evening saw Roman Reigns deliver a scathing verbal attack on Seth Rollins. Reigns began by dismissing the lack of enthusiasm around Rollins' name, referring to him as his 'little brother.' He mocked Rollins' fashion choices, claiming he couldn't be called 'the man' when he was dressing in his wife's clothes. Reigns then went on to criticize Rollins' track record, suggesting that he had failed to carry WWE Raw and even mimicking his limping gait. Clearly frustrated by suggestions that he was a part-timer, Reigns emphatically asserted that he works less than Rollins but earns significantly more money. This promo was widely regarded as one of the best of Reigns' career, further solidifying his status as a dominant force.
As the show reached its conclusion, fans eagerly chanted 'Cody!' as Rhodes made his way to the ring. Rhodes wasted no time in declaring his intent to challenge Reigns for the title but made it clear that he had a different plan regarding when and where it would happen. That's when the legendary figure of The Rock, a beloved icon in the wrestling world, made his dramatic return. The Rock and Reigns locked eyes, leaving fans on the edge of their seats as SmackDown went off the air.
It was an action-packed, drama-filled episode of SmackDown that left fans eagerly looking forward to the upcoming developments in the world of professional wrestling. With the WrestleMania season in full swing, the anticipation for epic showdowns and unforgettable moments is reaching its peak.
