The Rock returned on WWE SmackDown in New Orleans to confront Cody Rhodes.
WWE SmackDown aired a very special episode with the surprise news that The Rock would be returning in New Orleans. The Rock posted a clip featuring a Rolex watch with the city of New Orleans as the backdrop.
“New Orleans, the Final Boss has arrived. This exact Rolex was the gift from our WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. To me, about 5 hours before our WrestleMania match at WM40. Its time.” wrote The Rock on Twitter.
The Rock, who was recently announced for a Martin Scorsese movie alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, returned to a warm reception and wasted no time cursing on air, teasing a big announcement. The Rock then said “Finally, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans,” officially announcing WrestleMania 42 live from the SuperDome.
Rock promptly turned heel, calling New Orleans STD-having trailer trash. He then called out WWE champion Cody Rhodes.
Rock said Cody is a great WWE champion. Rock reminded Cody that The Rock is on the Board of Directors at TKO. Rock said he wanted Cody Rhodes to be his champion. Cody said he wanted to be the fan’s champions. Rock continued to entice Rhodes to be his champion by saying he could make Cody’s dreams come true. Rock told Cody to think about his answer and give him the answer on March 1 at the Elimination Chamber.
It was a fantastic promo segment that left fans and analysts with more questions than answers as most great stories do. The WrestleMania plot thickens.
Last year, The Rock disputed a report from oft-disputed reporter Dave Meltzer, which suggested Rock would may not appear at WrestleMania. “Don’t believe any of that bulls—t,” wrote The Rock in response to an Instagram comment.
Rock dismissed another Meltzer report that there was a double standard in WWE which allows The Rock more leeway to curse on air. “This story is complete horses—t,” said The Rock on Twitter in another profanity laced response.
WWE SmackDown Results On February 21, 2025
- Jimmy Uso def. Drew McIntyre
- Melo Don’t Miz def. R-Truth and LA Knight
- Tiffany Stratton def. Candice LeRae
- Pretty Deadly vs. DIY Ends in a No Contest | WWE Tag Team Titles
- Damian Preist and Braun Strowman def. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu
WWE SmackDown Ticket Sales
- WWE SmackDown Venue: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans, La.)
- WWE SmackDown Tickets Distributed: 9,807
- WWE SmackDown Tickets Available: 576
WWE SmackDown Highlights, Winners And Grades
Jimmy Uso Def. Drew McIntyre
Backstage, Nick Aldis told Cody Rhodes that The Rock pulled Rhodes from the main event and would like to meet with him in the ring.
Jimmy Uso shockingly upset Drew McIntyre with a rollup. Drew immediately attacked Jimmy and insisted that this meant nothing to him. Given the fact that McIntyre destroyed Jimmy right after losing to get his heat back, Drew is right.
After WWE officials intervened, McIntyre sulked off. He then returned and hit Jimmy Uso with a Claymore and literally laughed off his loss.
Jimmy Uso vs. Drew McIntyre Grade: B
Melo Don’t Miz Def. R-Truth And “Louisiana” Knight
I have a fleeting feeling that the “Melo Don’t Miz” odd couple will be Carmelo Hayes’ ticket to the top of WWE’s sports entertainment TV show.
In another hilarious R-Truth mishap, Truth recruited hometown legend “Louisiana” Knight (LA Knight) as his tag team partner.
At this point, R-Truth’s John Cena comeback is getting just as big of a reaction as Cena’s actual comeback, if not bigger.
The Miz pinned R-Truth after Shinsuke Nakamura interfered and attacked LA Knight. Melo has padded his record with wins over lower card competition like Boise State does every year.
Melo Don’t Miz vs. LA Knight and R-Truth Grade: B-
Tiffany Stratton Def. Candice LeRae
Tiffany Stratton cut a promo saying everybody is obsessed with her, but she would hold the WWE Women’s Championship and dethrone Charlotte Flair as the Top Girl in WWE.
Nia Jax and Candice LeRae interrupted Tiffany Stratton and threatened to jump her. Referee Daphanie LaShaunn stepped in before SmackDown went to break.
After cooler heads prevailed, Tiffany and Candice began their match. Charlotte Flair interrupted early into the match as Stratton’s opps seem to be multiplying by the second.
Charlotte Flair, now on commentary, corrected Tiffany Stratton by calling herself the “Top Woman,” not the “Top Girl.”
Stratton completely missed Jax and LeRae with a moonsault in a true “didn’t get all of it” moment.
After a win with the PME, Nia Jax and Candice LeRae attacked Stratton. Stratton was saved, not by Charlotte Flair, but Trish Stratus who seems to be her only friend left standing. Nia squashed both Tiffany and Trish with a Banzai Drop.
Charlotte stood over a fallen Stratton yet again and pointed to the WrestleMania sign.
Tiffany Stratton vs. Candice LeRae Grade: C+
The Rock Announces WrestleMania 42 For New Orleans And Confronts Cody Rhodes
Liv Morgan vs. Naomi was not cancelled, contrary to reports, however Naomi was attacked by Liv and Raquel before the match began. So technically it was cancelled.
The Rock’s theme song had a Cash Money-themed hip hop interlude before it resumed to his standard theme music. Of course, he received a rousing reaction.
Babyface Rock (for now) picked up a fan’s phone, which they dropped on the floor, and returned it to the fan.
The Rock, who had to be bleeped out within his first few words, announced WrestleMania 42 for New Orleans. WWE had to bleep fans out as they chanted “holy s—t.”
Heel Rock then turned heel on New Orleans, telling fans to sit down, shut up and let The Final Boss sing When the Saints Go Marching In.
Heel Rock returned in full swing after calling New Orleans the largest collection of “STD-having trailer=park trash The Rock has ever seen.”
Tweener Rock gave Cody Rhodes a warm hug before speaking. Fans chanted loudly for Cody.
Rocky said he and Cody Rhodes became good friends over the past year as fans booed. Rock showed New Orleans a picture of Mama Rhodes and Mama Rock.
The Rock said he wanted Cody Rhodes to be his champion, but Rhodes said he wants to be their champion. The People’s Champion. Rock big-leagued Cody by saying he has half a billion IG followers vs. Rhodes’ millions.
The Rock continued to vacillate between Good Rock and Bad Rock by referring to himself and Cody as Mama’s Boys and Girl Dads. Rock then snapped on a fan and threatened to “slap the syphilis off their face.”
Rock said he always wanted a brother. He told Cody to think about his offer of being The Rock’s champion. The Rock said he didn’t want the WWE Championship. He wanted Cody’s soul. A truly incredible start to what seems like a main event WrestleMania angle.
The Rock return segment Grade: A+
DIY Vs. Pretty Deadly Ends In A No Contest
DIY had the impossible task of following The Rock and Cody Rhodes, but they were still able to get heat.
DIY told fans to rise to their feet for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly. Wade Barrett obliged, but fans loudly booed.
Shortly after the WWE Tag Team Championship match got underway, the Street Profits attacked both tag teams and the match ended in a no contest.
DIY vs. Pretty Deadly Grade: C
Priest And Strowman Def. Solo Sikoa And Jacob Fatu
Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu continued to tease tension in a backstage segment earlier in the show. Solo once again professed his love for Fatu.
A distraction from Fatu led to a nearfall for Solo after a Spinning Solo.
As Solo teed up the Samoan Spike, Priest teased a chokeslam. Fatu then accidentally superkicked Solo. Priest won with a South of Heaven.
