WWE SmackDown Results: Massive WWE Superstar Makes His Return From Injury

Another Friday means a new and live episode of WWE SmackDown, but this time, The Rock and The Bloodline return to respond to Cody Rhodes.
It was at the Elimination Chamber 2024 PLE where Rhodes challenged The Rock to a one-on-one match. In the following episode of Monday Night Raw, "The Wiseman" Paul Heyman strongly advised Cody to stand down from his challenge to Dwayne Johnson. "The American Nightmare" was having none of it and he laid out Heyman's security team.
Cody Rhodes will be in attendance tonight, but it seems he's only in a dark match. It had been reported by PWInsider that World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins would also be on the show. Rollins did not end up showing up on TV either.
WWE Tonight: Huge Friday Night SmackDown Match Added On Road To WrestleMania
Bayley's drama with Damage CTRL continues tonight, as she will team with Dakota Kai to take on the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors. Is it all a ruse, or is Dakota actually on Bayley's side?
A faction war between the LWO and Legado Del Fantasma will break out tonight. It'll be Carlito taking on Santos Escobar in a Street Fight. It's safe to assume that members of both stables will find a way to get involved.
A late addition to tonight's show will see Naomi go one-on-one with Tiffany Stratton. The two began to have some beef after Stratton pinned the former two-time WWE SmackDown Women's Champion during the women's Elimination Chamber match last month.
Hit the refresh button on your browser for up-to-date live results and video highlights starting at 8 p.m. ET.
WWE SmackDown Results (March 1, 2024)
The show opens with the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns along with Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, and Jimmy Uso.
☝️☝️☝️#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/kzg8qntvGv
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
Roman wasn't pleased with the fans in Glendale for failing to acknowledge him. Cody chants rained down. Reigns threatened to leave, but Heyman reminded "The Tribal Chief" that The Rock would be making his way out after the commercial break.
Acknowledge YOUR Tribal Chief damnit!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/66sQfhX75g
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 2, 2024
😳😳😳@WWERomanReigns is not messing around tonight...@HeymanHustle #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/iwVpVHAizL
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
The Rock did indeed make his way out after the break in another expensive silk shirt.
FINALLY...@TheRock has arrived to #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/TRpotaklky
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
The Rock mentioned that Phoenix is ranked the number one city for cocaine and meth use. He then called them cactus loving crackheads. The Rock declined Cody Rhodes' challenge for a singles match.
.@TheRock is UNHINGED tonight 😱#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/hmrugyFnPj
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
The Rock laid out a counter offer for a tag team match on night one of WrestleMania 40. He suggests teaming with Roman to take on Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. If Cody and Seth win, then The Bloodline will be barred from Rhodes' Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match on night two.
Ladies Man Rocky#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Ypw2J1mQzM
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 2, 2024
But, if The Rock and Reigns win the tag team match, then Cody vs. Roman will be "Bloodline Rules." Before The Rock could finish his catchphrase, Roman Reigns interrupted. Roman asked The Rock to acknowledge him.
Woah! @TheRock and The #Bloodline just challenged @CodyRhodes & @WWERollins to a Tag Team Match at #WrestleMania! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/RQjOZLxlpP
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
Dwayne Johnson took his sunglasses off, looked at Roman and said, "Roman Reigns, my family, I acknowledge you as my Tribal Chief." Chants of "You sold out" poured in.
"Roman Reigns... I acknowledge you as my Tribal Chief"@TheRock just acknowledged @WWERomanReigns 🤯#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/FGfsIhN64a
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
CINEMA#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/0yWFprqGt9
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 2, 2024
In the locker room, LA Knight asked Austin Theory and Grayson Waller where AJ Styles was. He then walked off with the broken chair that AJ used on him at Elimination Chamber. Randy Orton caught Theory and Waller making fun of him getting punched with brass knuckles by Logan Paul in the men's Chamber match. It'll be Orton vs. Theory tonight after Grayson claimed "All Day" wanted a match with him.
Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton
Naomi kicked Stratton in the corner and landed a dropkick. Tiffany kicked out at two. From the apron, Naomi leaped over the top rope and landed an X-Factor for another near fall. Later on, Naomi used her legs to slam Tiffany's head on the "hardest part of the ring."
Naomi and @tiffstrattonwwe are doing WHATEVER it takes tonight 😳#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/iA9nnOSgrG
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
Stratton raked the eyes, threw Naomi into the post and hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the win.
A MASSIVE win for @tiffstrattonwwe on the road to #WrestleMania XL! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/xkoXMtU31W
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
Bayley & Dakota Kai vs. The Kabuki Warriors
What a sight to see 🙌
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
Welcome back, @ImKingKota!@itsBayleyWWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/MqvgZyofGw
Asuka and Kairi Sane attacked Bayley before the bell rang. Bayley briefly had an advantage, but Kairi sent Bayley crashing to the mat. Asuka threw Bayley into Dakota, who was knocked off the apron.
Bayley went to tag Dakota, but Kai jumped off the apron. It was indeed a ruse. Dakota is still a member of Damage CTRL.
NO! Dakota why?!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/VytDYJuA9n
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 2, 2024
All members of the faction laid out Bayley in the middle of the ring.
We are officially #TeamBayley! 💔#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/C8LSEvVjuB
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 2, 2024
Bayley & Dakota Kai vs. The Kabuki Warriors Ended In No Contest
Backstage, Damage CTRL ran into Jade Cargill. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis separated them.
.@Jade_Cargill 🤝 @Iyo_SkyWWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/7utmbvX1k5
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
Bron Breakker vs. Xyon Quinn
This one ended in a matter of seconds when Breakker hit the Spear.
Did not expect that 😳@BronBreakkerWWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/YnvkoqzwHO
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 2, 2024
Winner: Bron Breakker
Carlito vs. Santos Escobar - Street Fight
Carlito looked under the ring and eventually found an apple. The fun didn't last long, as Escobar capitalized with a suicide dive.
Give the people what they want 🍎#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/dGSMjok48T
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) March 2, 2024
Legado Del Fantasma interfered and put the boots to Carlito. Rey Mysterio then returned from injury. Rey ducked a clothesline from Escobar, and Carlito spat an apple at Santos. After a 619 to Escobar, Carlito put his opponent through a table and pinned him. The LWO celebrated inside the ring.
REY MYSTERIO IS BACK!!!
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
And he just pulled a fast one on Legado Del Fantasma 🤯@reymysterio #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/RLk0xwd3NV
THIS IS AWESOME 👏👏👏
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
The #LWO is back in full force!!!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/uND6lWH3BW
Winner: Carlito
New Catch Republic was in the back with Nick Aldis. They wanted an Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship rematch at WrestleMania 40. Aldis said he and Raw General Manager Adam Pearce will have an announcement to share soon.
LA Knight asked Aldis where AJ Styles is. The SmackDown boss said he told AJ not to come to Glendale. LA Knight said Aldis can't do anything about what he plans on doing to Styles.
😬😬😬@RealLAKnight just sent a message loud and clear to @AJStylesOrg! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/n0342GLTc0
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
Kevin Owens made his way out as a special guest commentator for the main event.
Randy Orton vs. Grayson Waller
Orton landed backdrops onto the announce table on both Theory and Waller. Randy landed a draping DDT. After throwing Orton into the post, Theory landed a Blockbuster for a two-count.
"Did you see him bounce?!"@FightOwensFight is having the time of his life watching @RandyOrton 😂#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/0zpYgf9pUN
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
Orton hit an RKO when Theory was going for his slingshot rolling dropkick. This one was over.
OH. MY. GOD.
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
What an RKO from @RandyOrton 🤯#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/AdKcXSWRXH
Winner: Randy Orton
After the match, Waller attacked Orton, leading to Kevin Owens helping Randy. Owens hit a Stunner on Theory, while Orton nailed Waller with an RKO. The show went off the air with Orton and KO standing tall.
.@FightOwensFight 👊 @RandyOrton
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2024
The unlikely duo just put a STOP to @GraysonWWE and @_Theory1's attack to end #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/nPn9l9qyeM
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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.