The latest episode of WWE SmackDown aired from the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana on February 21, 2025, and it did not disappoint fans eager for drama and action, especially with the anticipated return of The Rock. The evening kicked off with commentators Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett welcoming everyone to the show, followed by backstage happenings involving Cody Rhodes, who learned he had been removed from the night’s main event by Nick Aldis at the behest of The Final Boss, sparking intrigue and tension.
The first match of the evening pitted Drew McIntyre against Jimmy Uso. It was a fast-paced encounter, showcasing both competitors’ athletic abilities. Unlike what officials might expect, it was Jimmy Uso who took home the victory by executing a surprising roll-up on McIntyre. This unexpected outcome enraged McIntyre, leading him to retaliate immediately after the match, attempting to deliver his signature Claymore Kick to Uso. Official interventions were frantic, but McIntyre managed to land the kick, leaving Uso reeling.
While tensions simmered from the earlier bout, backstage, Solo Sikoa met with Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga, explaining last week’s mishap involving Tama as just an accident. Fatu seemed to accept this but made it clear he wasn’t buying any excuses. Solo insisted he would be eyeing the ring action later, hinting at his involvement with the main event.
R-Truth was next seen with his tag team partner who turned out to be none other than LA Knight, humorously titled ‘Louisiana Knight’ for the night. They faced The Miz and Carmelo Hayes, who recently joined forces. The match ended with The Miz delivering his devastating Skull-Crushing Finale on R-Truth, aided by Hayes, earning the victory and marking the dynamic duo as formidable contenders.
The night’s action continued as Tiffany Stratton made her way to the ring, filled with confidence from her recent title win, but immediately faced Nia Jax and Candice LeRae. Despite pre-match banter and threats, Stratton managed to secure victory over LeRae with her signature Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Afterwards, the atmosphere escalated quickly as Nia Jax attempted to take down Stratton, only for Trish Stratus to intervene. But Jax and LeRae eventually overwhelmed Stratus, adding more tension to their feud as Charlotte Flair observed from the commentary table.
Meanwhile, backstage interactions revealed more rising conflict. Damien Priest approached Rhodes, wondering about The Rock's unexpected presence. Rhodes, confused yet intrigued, had no clear answers but did encourage Priest, acknowledging their shared history with championship gold from the previous WrestleMania.
The highlight of the night came when The Rock entered the arena with palpable energy, spurring excitement among fans. He was there not just to revel but to share monumental news: WrestleMania 42 is set to take place at the Superdome on April 11 and 12, 2026. But what followed was even more captivating – The Rock made his intentions clear with Rhodes. He implored him to become ‘his champion’ - a concept Rhodes seemed bewildered by. The Rock's insistence on Rhodes needing to think about the choice stirred curiosity about the potential shift of top characters within WWE.
Even among this high-octane promotional atmosphere, the chaos continued to unfurl through conflicts. The anticipated tag match between DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) and Pretty Deadly erupted as The Street Profits interfered, causing disqualification and extending the night’s tumult with brawls breaking out across the ring.
Rounding out the evening was the main event: Damian Priest and Braun Strowman found themselves across the ring from Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. It showcased incredible athleticism but was marred by another accident, resulting from miscommunication as Sikoa mistakenly took a Superkick destined for Fatu. The concluding moments saw Priest pinning Sikoa with his South of Heaven move, ending the night with cheers but unfurling the narrative of conflict rampant between these groups within the Bloodline.
SmackDown closed out with tentative celebrations among the victors—Priest, Strowman, and their fans—setting the stage for the next chapter leading up to Elimination Chamber. Fans left buzzing with excitement but left to wonder: would Cody Rhodes accept The Rock's intriguing invitation by the time of the Elimination Chamber?