WWE SmackDown Results: The Rock Gets Personal With Cody Rhodes, Mentions His Mother

WWE once again ends the week with another episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
Fans inside the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee will witness an appearance from "The Great One" The Rock. Earlier today, "The People's Champion" issued another warning to Cody Rhodes, vowing to smear "The American Nightmare's" blood on a belt and hand it to his own mother on night one of WrestleMania 40. What will The Rock have to say tonight?
Plus, there are four announced matches on tap for the blue brand this evening, and two of those bouts have WrestleMania implications.
WWE News: Shocking Match Ending on WWE TV Reportedly Caught Many Off Guard Backstage
The 2024 women's Royal Rumble winner Bayley will take on her former Damage CTRL stablemate Dakota Kai. Bayley has found herself short on friends due to her previous actions with Damage CTRL, but could she have an ally in Naomi, who tried convincing Bianca Belair that the former faction leader could use some help?
Also on tap for the show tonight will be "The Viper" Randy Orton in singles action against Grayson Waller. Plus, two tag team matches for a chance to move on in a tournament for a shot at gold on "The Grandest Stage of Them All" will take place. The winners of New Catch Republic vs. Pretty Deadly and LWO vs. Legado Del Fantasma will move on in their bracket for a spot in the 6-Pack Ladder Match at WrestleMania 40 for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship held by Damian Priest and Finn Balor of The Judgment Day.
Friday Night SmackDown will get started at 8 p.m. ET. Be sure to keep refreshing this page for updated results and video highlights throughout the show.
WWE SmackDown Results (March 15, 2024)
A recap of last Friday's episode of WWE SmackDown played to get the show started.
Previously on #SmackDown!
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 16, 2024
📺 @FOXTV pic.twitter.com/YXR6A9lBmO
The Rock then made his way out. His song transitioned to the Hollywood Rock theme from 2003.
IF YA SMELL...
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
WHAT @TheRock...
IS COOKIN'
Love the new entrance theme! ⚡️⚡️⚡️#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/mFs0iBbABw
The Rock talked about starting his wrestling career in Memphis. He laughed at his first wrestling name, which was Flex Kavana. The Rock has a song for us tonight.
The Rock brought up Cody's gimmick as Stardust during the song. He once again called "The American Nightmare" a mistake by the Rhodes family.
This song goes out to @CodyRhodes and @WWERollins courtesy of @TheRock! 🎶🎤#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/9WloQroeop
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 16, 2024
It's getting personal! 🎶@TheRock #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/YHE8c3Xhrk
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 16, 2024
The Rock made fun of Cody for crying on Monday Night Raw about only having one of his parents left. Dwayne Johnson had a message for "Momma Rhodes," vowing to make her and her son pay. He said he will give Rhodes' mother his own belt with Cody's blood.
👏👏👏@TheRock's hilarious song for his #WrestleMania opponents, @CodyRhodes and @WWERollins, deserves to be viewed in its entirety!
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
Here's the FULL song! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/7t7z2KhFM3
"You want your son to finish that story so bad... but that ain't gonna happen." @TheRock has a message for @CodyRhodes' mother. 😳#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ff06pdQ04B
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
"Mama Rhodes, your son's blood is gonna be on this belt!"@TheRock paints a brutal picture for @CodyRhodes and his family of what's to come at #WrestleMania XL. 👀😬#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/x7VqRvG42E
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
Legado Del Fantasma was backstage getting ready for their tag team title qualifier against the LWO going into the first commercial break.
Legado Del Fantasma (Angel & Berto) vs. LWO (Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde)
Del Toro landed a hurricanrana on Berto. A double team kick on Berto landed, followed by stereo dropkicks on Angel. LWO landed stereo dives onto their opponents on the outside.
Back from the break, Angel knocked Wilde off the ring apron. Angel and Berto lifted Del Toro off the top rope and slammed him down to the mat.
Who's moving one step closer to the 6-Pack Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship at #WrestleMania? 🔥🪜
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
Legado Del Fantasma or The LWO? 👀#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/KhduYEaAa0
Wilde was tagged in and landed a tornado DDT on Angel, but Berto made the save on the pin. Legado Del Fantasma picked up the win after Berto lifted Wilde and Angel delivered a vicious kick to the sternum for the three.
Winners: Legado Del Fantasma
The arrival of Damage CTRL and Bayley were shown before another ad break.
Kayla Braxton was on the entrance way and she welcomed LA Knight. Wade Barrett was marking out on commentary. Knight dared AJ Styles to humble him. He challenged Styles to a singles match at WrestleMania 40.
LA Knight wants a piece of @AJStylesOrg@RealLAKnight #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/J8H0cXOoPJ
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 16, 2024
Styles attacked Knight from behind with a steel chair and accepted his challenge.
"I ACCEPT!"@AJStylesOrg #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/OAppHAdeCN
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 16, 2024
Logan Paul demanded that Nick Aldis forces Randy Orton to apologize for ruining his in-ring sponsorship announcement last week. Aldis suggested he make Orton apologize himself. Paul questioned Aldis' performance as a GM due to not having a match booked for him at WrestleMania.
Jimmy Uso accepted Jey Uso's challenge for WrestleMania 40.
"You want me? YEET!"@WWEUsos @KaylaBraxtonWWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/tnTZUGvBas
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 16, 2024
Randy Orton vs. Grayson Waller
Paul made his way out before the match began to join the commentary booth.
"GRAYSON GET UP!"#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/qO9qA5C2Sm
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 16, 2024
Orton went for an RKO on Waller, but Austin Theory pulled his buddy out of the ring. Orton pulled Theory on the ring apron for the draping DDT. Randy nailed Waller with the RKO for the win.
Did you see that @LoganPaul?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ZwUVKuHf4v
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 16, 2024
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Theory clipped Orton's knee from behind. Logan entered the ring and was going to punch "The Viper," but Kevin Owens made his way out for the save.
Owens helped Orton up, but Randy was going to RKO him not knowing who was picking him up. Owens avoided the move. Owens hit Theory with a Stunner, and then Orton hit the RKO on Theory.
Rate this Stunner and RKO combo 🤯#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/YbuLJhhEPd
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 16, 2024
Nick Aldis announced that Logan Paul will defend his United States Championship against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens at WrestleMania XL.
🚨 TRIPLE THREAT MATCH FOR THE #USTITLE AT #WRESTLEMANIA! 🚨#SmackDown GM @RealNickAldis just announced that @LoganPaul will defend his US Title against @RandyOrton and @FightOwensFight on The Grandest Stage of Them All! 🇺🇸#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/2ruXbYLRF2
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
Dakota Kai was interviewed backstage, and she said that in order for Damage CTRL to continue to grow, they had to drop Bayley from the faction.
Santos Escobar vs. Dragon Lee
Lee hit a dive to Escobar on the outside early in the match. He hit a sitdown powerbomb for a two-count. Lee hit a hurricanrana on Del Toro onto Angel. Escobar took advantage of the distraction and pinned Dragon Lee.
Winner: Santos Escobar
After the match, Legado Del Fantasma attacked Dragon Lee. Carlito made the save, hitting a Backstabber on Angel, and a spinbuster to Angel on Berto. Escobar then attacked Carlito before Rey Mysterio made his way out.
Mysterio sent Escobar to the middle rope and went for a 619, but Santos got out of the ring. Rey grabbed a mic and challenged Santos Escobar to singles match on next week's episode of SmackDown.
"I WILL SLAP THAT STUPID, ARROGANT SMILE OFF YOUR FACE!" 😤💥@reymysterio just challenged @EscobarWWE to a one-on-one match next week on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/8Hlj6dOo89
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
New Catch Republic vs. Pretty Deadly
Bate hit an exploder suplex on Kit Wilson, followed by a standing moonsault. He then caught Elton Prince in an Airplane Spin.
The #WrestleMania 6-Pack Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Tournament continues! 🔥
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
Who ya got for this one? 👀
New Catch Republic or Pretty Deadly? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/JFuk5Cm09Y
Dunne had an armbar on Elton Prince, but Prince turned it into a pin and only got a two-count. Pretty Deadly hit a double team elevated bulldog on Bate, who kicked out at two.
Birming-Hammer connects for New Catch Republic and they advance in the WrestleMania tag team title tournament.
Winners: New Catch Republic
Bayley vs. Dakota Kai
Bayley landed a suplex on Dakota to the outside going into a commercial break.
Bayley is on a mission!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/eZs0oaIhlJ
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 16, 2024
Asuka got involved, hitting Bayley when the referee wasn't looking. Bayley hit a cutter on Dakota. She went up the top turnbuckle before Dakota cut her off and went for a superplex. Bayley knocked her off and hit the Elbow Drop for a two-count.
Damage CTRL got in the ring and attacked Bayley, forcing the disqualification.
Winner via DQ: Bayley
Naomi made her way out and spiked Kairi's head on the apron. The numbers game got the better of Naomi, however. "EST" chants rained down, but IYO SKY hit Bayley with the moonsault to end the show.
The New Damage CTRL shows no mercy#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/d04PcNBEPF
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 16, 2024
Stick with MMA Knockout for more daily coverage of the UFC, MMA, WWE, and AEW.

Fernando has over a decade of combat sports news writing experience. He currently covers MMA, boxing, and pro wrestling. Fernando joined MMA Knockout as the Lead Writer/Editor when it was founded in 2023.