WWE SmackDown Results: Shocking Conclusion With Cody Rhodes & The Rock
WWE SmackDown makes a crucial stop in Dallas for what could be the announcement of the night one main event for WrestleMania 40.
Friday Night SmackDown tonight will take place inside the American Airlines Center. Fans inside the arena and watching at home will witness back-to-back men's Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins answer the counteroffer from The Rock.
During last week's episode of SmackDown, "The Great One" refused "The American Nightmare's" challenge for a singles match on night one of WrestleMania 40. Instead, The Rock suggested that he team with the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. The tag match has a big stipulation. If Cody and Seth win, then Rhodes' night two WrestleMania rematch with Reigns will be free of The Bloodline. If Rhodes and Rollins fall short, then the night two Mania headliner will be "Bloodline Rules."
Will Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins accept?
SmackDown also has some key matches to sink your teeth into, as well as the return of a current champion. A tag team match featuring Randy Orton and Kevin Owens taking on Austin Theory and Grayson Waller was announced mere hours before the show.
So, what does that mean for a returning titleholder?
WWE United States Champion Logan Paul is set to appear on the blue brand tonight, and he could be getting involved in the business of Orton and Owens once again. After being eliminated via an RKO from Orton in the men's Elimination Chamber match, Paul nailed "The Viper" with a brass knuckle laced punch. This allowed Drew McIntyre to pin Orton and earn a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania Sunday.
There will also be the continuation of Bobby Lashley's feud with Karrion Kross, as the two will go one-on-one.
Be sure to keep refreshing your browser for live WWE SmackDown results throughout the evening. We'll be bringing you updated coverage, including video highlights right here beginning at 8 p.m. ET.
WWE SmackDown Results (March 8, 2024)
Footage of The Rock, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and Seth Rollins arriving at the arena aired following a recap of last week's episode.
WWE United States Champion Logan Paul then made his way out. Paul said he had a surprise for Dallas after rattling off his accomplishments. He then showed off a Prime bottle logo in the middle of the ring. He said it'll start at every WrestleMania and "every PLE from now on."
He then welcomed KSI to the ring. Paul asked for a photo with KSI, but Randy Orton's music hit. Orton snuck in the ring and went for an RKO, but Logan escaped.
KSI remained in the ring, and Orton nailed him with an RKO. Orton drank a bottle of Prime, then poured the rest on KSI's body.
Randy Orton & Kevin Owens vs. Austin Theory & Grayson Waller
Waller begged Owens not to tag in Orton. "KO" did indeed tag in "The Viper." Randy thumbed Waller in the eye in the corner. Orton then nailed Waller with nine punches, and then one for Theory that knocked him off the apron.
Theory and Owens were in. Theory popped Owens with his slingshot dropkick. Waller then clotheslined Owens on the outside going into the break.
Waller mocked Orton and went to give Owens an RKO, but he was shoved into Theory. Orton was tagged in and landed a snap powerslam. He went for his draping DDT, but Theory saved him. Owens landed a senton on Theory on the outside.
Orton pulled Waller back on the ring apron and hit his draping DDT. Orton went for an RKO, but Theory distracted him. Waller rolled Orton up, but only got a two-count.
Owens hit Waller with a Stunner. Orton and Owens then debuted the Pop-Up RKO double team finisher for the win.
Winners: Randy Orton and Kevin Owens
After the match, Paul attacked Orton and KO. He then grabbed brass knuckles and went to hit Orton, but Randy grabbed the knucks. He almost hit KO by accident when Logan ducked his punch.
A recap of Dakota Kai betraying Bayley last week aired. After the video played, Bayley was interviewed by Kayla Braxton. Bayley admitted she was hanging on by a thread. Bayley said everything she's built with Damage CTRL is backfiring on her. She vowed to do everything she can to break the faction she created.
Naomi was with Bianca Belair backstage. Belair questioned why Naomi feels bad for Bayley.
Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross
Lashley landed an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. He then clotheslined Kross to the outside. Lashley threw Kross into the barricade and went to send him into the post, but Scarlett covered the post. This allowed Kross to attack "The All Mighty" and he threw him into the post instead.
Later on in the match, Lashley was able to send Kross' head crashing into the post. He went for the Spear, but Kross got out of the way. Kross landed a modified Death Valley Driver for a two-count.
Authors of Pain interfered, putting an end to the match. As AOP were attacking Lashley, The Street Profits ran out for the save. AOP caught Montez Ford on a dive, but Angelo Dawkins hit a splash on AOP. B-Fab attacked Scarlett.
Eventually, Kross and AOP of The Final Testament got the better of Lashley and The Street Profits to stand tall.
Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross ends in No Contest.
Dragon Lee was backstage. Santos Escobar, Elektra Lopez, and the rest of Legado Del Fantasma interrupted him and shoved him to the floor.
Tiffany Stratton vs. Michin
Michin got in some chops early on. Stratton pretty much took over from there before hitting the Prettiest Moonsault Ever.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
A video played of AJ Styles explaining why he attacked LA Knight in the men's Elimination Chamber match. He said LA Knight doesn't even deserve to share the locker room with him. He claims Knight stole his spotlight.
Knight responded by smashing a TV with a steel chair ... yeah!
Dragon Lee vs. Angel Garza
Angel faked an injury to get the upper hand on Dragon Lee going into the break. Dragon Lee took out Angel and Humberto with a dive. Lee pinned Angel with a hurricanrana.
Winner: Dragon Lee
After the match, Dragon Lee was attacked and laid out by Legado Del Fantasma.
Dakota Kai mocked Bayley for not having any friends due to her past actions with Damage CTRL.
Backstage, Nick Aldis was furious with his security team for allowing Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins to leave their dressing room.
Roman Reigns made his entrance with Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, and Jimmy Uso, followed by The Rock. Roman urged fans to acknowledge all of The Bloodline.
Cody Rhodes' music hit. "The American Nightmare" made his way out through the crowd, along with Seth Rollins before the commercial break. Cody asked The Rock if he needed permission from his "Tribal Chief" Roman Reigns for the WrestleMania challenge.
Diarrhea chants poured in while The Rock was talking. Seth told The Rock to "shut the hell up" and called him "Mr. Midlife Crisis." Rollins accepted the challenge for WrestleMania 40.
The Rock called Cody a mistake to the Rhodes family. Cody slapped The Rock as the show went off the air.
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