WWE SmackDown fans were treated to one of the most electrifying moments in wrestling history as The Rock made his much-anticipated return to the ring on February 21, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The legendary wrestler spiced up the evening not only with his undeniable charisma but also with the blockbuster announcement of WrestleMania 42.
With the excitement buzzing, The Rock stepped onto the stage, igniting the audience’s energy as they cheered on their childhood hero. Yet, this return was more than nostalgic; it was also pivotal for the current storyline involving WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Amid the fireworks and cheers, he made headlines not just for the event announcement but for his intriguing offer to Rhodes.
The Rock, sporting new entrance music featuring Lil Wayne, greeted fans and revealed where WrestleMania 42 will take place—right from the iconic Superdome, New Orleans. "I’m not just here to announce WrestleMania. I want to call Cody Rhodes out to the ring," he declared, setting the stage for what was to follow.
Once Cody made his way to the ring, The Rock and the WWE Champion shared a heartfelt exchange. The Rock proclaimed, "You’re their champion, but you should also be my champion," elaborately pitching his idea of eleviating Rhodes’ status within the wrestling world. The dynamic between the two stars abuzzed with excitement as The Rock expressed his desire to help Rhodes achieve unprecedented success. "I can make your dreams come true, Cody, and I want you to be more than just TKO’s champion," he concluded, leaving both Rhodes and the audience stunned.
The segment's odd tone shifted rapidly when The Rock added, "I’ll see you on March 1st at Elimination Chamber," which left fans wondering what was truly at stake. Was The Rock’s relationship with Rhodes strained? Was there something more personal behind his words? The cliffhanger only adds fuel to fans' imaginations.
Meanwhile, the evening's action was not solely focused on The Rock as WWE SmackDown presented its lineup of exciting matches, showcasing the talented roster. One highlight was the clash between Drew McIntyre and Jimmy Uso. Tensions had been flaring between the two for weeks, and the match did not disappoint. After several intense exchanges of moves, it was Uso who secured the win through a surprising roll-up pin. Yet, post-match, McIntyre unleashed his frustration, delivering a brutal Claymore kick to Uso, leading to officials rushing to separate the two.
Next up, the action heated with The Miz and Carmelo Hayes facing off against R-Truth and LA Knight. Initially posed as R-Truth's surprise partner, Knight puzzled the audience when it was revealed he wasn’t quite the Louisiana legend Truth had alluded to. No major legends, but nonetheless, the match showcased thrilling moments, culminating with Miz and Hayes forming the winning team after Shinsuke Nakamura’s surprise attack on LA Knight during the match.
Women’s wrestling also took center stage. Tiffany Stratton was on the verge of proving her point against Candice LeRae when, after securing the victory, chaos ensued with the arrival of Nia Jax, who attacked Stratton post-match. Trish Stratus valiantly tried to save the WWE Women’s Champion but, even her legendary experience could not thwart Jax’s assault, leaving Stratton and Stratus bruised on the canvas.
Another segment saw Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez attacking Naomi and Bianca Belair as they made their entrance, demonstrating raw aggression and setting up potential future matchups, raising questions about whether they are the true masterminds behind injuries inflicted on Jade Cargill.
The evening also featured a four-man tag team match, where Braun Strowman and Damian Priest took on Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa. The match was chaotic from the start, with both teams dishing out punishment. A turning point saw Fatu accidentally superkicking his partner, Sikoa, paving the way for Priest to pick up the victory with his signature South of Heaven chokeslam.
Concluding the episode, The Rock’s presence overshadowed the incredible matches, leaving fans buzzing over the grappling legend's proposals. His dynamic with Cody Rhodes is undoubtedly at the forefront leading to Elimination Chamber, and wrestling fans worldwide are anxious to see just what happens next. Will Rhodes accept The Rock's proposition? How will this influence the upcoming matches? Only time will reveal the twists and turns of this captivating storyline.