By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Smackdown (Episode 1,331)
New Orleans, Louisiana at Smoothie King Center
Aired live February 21, 2025 on USA Network
[Hour One] Joe Tessitore checked in on commentary while a shot aired of the host city. Tessitore hyped The Rock’s appearance and a “Final Boss Returns” graphic was displayed. Backstage and arrival shots aired of WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Naomi.
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was shown walking backstage. Smackdown general manager Nick Aldis appeared and shook hands with Cody. Aldis informed Cody that he was out of the scheduled six-man tag match. Aldis said it was out of his control and then informed Cody that the decision was made by The Final Boss, who wants to see Cody in the ring later…
Tessitore and Wade Barrett checked in from the broadcast able. Barrett said something about tearing up the script because of The Final Boss appearing…
Drew McIntyre made his entrance and was introduced by ring announcer Lilian Garcia. Jimmy Uso was shown walking backstage. Jimmy looked into the camera and addressed McIntyre. Jimmy questioned whether McIntyre would win the Elimination Chamber match and go on and win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. Jimmy said he could answer that and then motioned before the crowd said “yeet.” Jimmy made his entrance…
1. Drew McIntyre vs. Jimmy Uso. Tessitore said McIntyre and Jimmy had been in the ring together 38 times before, but this was their first singles match. Jimmy hit McIntyre with a suicide dive. McIntyre came right back and reverse Alabama Slammed Jimmy on the ring steps heading into a picture-in-picture break. [C]
Jimmy caught McIntyre leaping from the ropes with a superkick. Jimmy followed up with a spear for a near fall. McIntyre avoided a double stomp and then put Uso down with a neckbreaker. McIntyre kipped up and then counted down for a Claymore Kick, but Jimmy superkicked him. McIntyre immediately hit a Glasgow Kiss and then jawed at Jimmy. McIntyre went for another reverse Alabama Slam, but Jimmy rolled him into a pin and got the three count.
Jimmy Uso defeated Drew McIntyre in 11:10.
After the match, McIntyre expressed disbelief and then attacked Jimmy. McIntyre told Jimmy that this meant nothing to him and Jimmy means nothing to him. McIntyre placed Jimmy’s head next to the ring post casing. McIntyre set up for a kick, but a group of producers and referees intervened. McIntyre teased leaving and then ran back to the ring where he hit Jimmy with a Claymore Kick. McIntyre leaned against the middle rope and laughed while the producers barked at him…
Tessitore hyped the new main event of Damian Priest and Braun Strowman vs. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu…
Powell’s POV: I guess the Final Boss wants to talk to Tama Tonga too? Okay, probably not. It was nice to get an upset in the opening match. McIntyre got his heat right back and one can only assume that this will lead to a rematch.
Solo Sikoa arrived at the building in a black SUV. Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga were waiting for Solo, who said what happened to Tonga last week was an accident. Fatu said that if it wasn’t an accident, Sikoa wouldn’t be standing there. Solo said he would be at ringside during Fatu and Tonga’s match. Fatu said he and Solo would run the play instead. Solo said that’s why he loves Fatu. Solo said he was going to talk to Nick Aldis…
Tessitore hyped the return of The Final Boss… An ad for Raw hyped Bianca Belair and Naomi vs. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez for the WWE Tag Team Titles, and Lyra Valkyria vs. Dakota Kai for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship… [C]
Powell’s POV: A local ad aired for AEW Dynamite on March 26 in St. Paul, Minnesota with tickets starting at $20.
Tessitore hyped the Elimination Chamber Kickoff for next Friday at 5:30CT/6:30ET and said it will be hosted by Michael Cole… A men’s Elimination Chamber video package aired…
Footage aired from earlier in the day of Carmelo Hayes was walking backstage when R-Truth approached him and told him that they have a tag team match. Hayes asked who made the match. “Him,” Truth said. Truth nodded to someone behind Hayes. The Miz entered the scene and said he was “him.” Miz said he and Hayes would team as “Melo Don’t Miz” and then asked Truth who his partner would be. Truth said he had a Louisiana legend. Miz tried to get Hayes to say “awesome.” When Hayes left him hanging, Truth returned and told Hayes that Miz wanted him to say “awesome.” Hayes said no…
Carmelo Hayes and The Miz made their entrance… [C]
Powell’s POV: Will former WWE Tag Team Champion Nicholas from WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans make his triumphant return as Truth’s partner?!?
A clip aired from WWE LFG that showed Bubba Ray Dudley giving advice to a trainee…
A Zelina Vega vignette aired. She said people have judged her based on her size throughout her carer. She said she’s never had it easy and had to scratch and claw for everything. She spoke about how moving to Smackdown is a fresh start. Vega said her dreams are bigger than her measurements (a shot of the WWE Women’s Championship was shown)…
R-Truth made his entrance and sang a verse of his song while standing on the stage. He gave the cut sign and then said his partner was born and bread in Louisiana. Truth introduced “Louisiana Knight.” LA Knight came out. Truth gave Knight a Po Boy sandwich…
2. LA Knight and R-Truth vs. Carmelo Hayes and The Miz. Truth tagged in Miz at one point and then went to the apron while the broadcast team explained that he and Miz are former partners. Hayes knocked Truth off the apron heading into a break. [C]
Truth tagged himself in after Knight and Hayes avoided the other’s finisher. Truth hit the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Hayes. Truth put Hayes in the STFU (and somehow showed even more light than John Cena does). Miz broke it up. Knight clotheslined Miz to ringside and followed. Knight ran Miz into the barricade.
Shinsuke Nakamura appeared in the timekeepers area put Knight down with a kick. Nakamura ran Knight into the ring post. In the ring, Miz set up for the Skull Crushing Finale, and then Hayes stepped in and hit a combo First 48 on R-Truth, which led to Miz pinning Truth.
Carmelo Hayes and The Miz beat LA Knight and R-Truth in 10:05.
After the match, Hayes cut in front of Miz twice while they were posing for the crowd…
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton was shown walking backstage while a graphic listed her match with Candice LeRae for after the break… [C]
Powell’s POV: Nicholas would have taken out Nakamura. Anyway, the Louisiana Knight gag was cute.
Tessitore hyped Mike Tyson taking part in the WWE World fan fest event that will be held in Las Vegas during WrestleMania week…
A Charlotte Flair video package aired. She said The GOAT doesn’t have to call herself The GOAT. She said she has crafted a legacy that no one can touch. Footage aired of Charlotte winning the Royal Rumble and then choosing to challenge Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania…
[Hour Two] Tiffany Stratton made her entrance. Barrett said Stratton and Trish Stratus vs. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae is official for the Elimination Chamber event. Stratton said everyone has been obsessed with her since she won the championship.
Stratton spoke briefly about how she and Stratus would stop Jax and LeRae at Elimination Chamber. She recalled looking up last week while Charlotte Flair chose her as her WrestleMania opponent. Stratton said the rumors are truth that Flair loves to kick a girl while she’s down.
Nia Jax and Candice LaRae made their entrance. Jax said it was cute that Stratton thought she was going to beat her last week. Jax spoke about getting her title back. Stratton told her to give it up because the title isn’t hers anymore. Stratton said once she beats LeRae, Jax won’t have anyone to do her bidding anymore. Jax said she and LeRae could take out Stratton now. The heels entered the ring, but the referee stepped in front of them… [C]
3. WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton vs. Candice LeRae (w/Nia Jax) in a non-title match. The match was joined in progress. Stratton was in offensive control when Charlotte Flair made her entrance and joined the broadcast team on commentary.
LeRae went on the offensive briefly and then a “Tiffy Time” chant broke out. Stratton hit a seated LeRae with a dropkick and covered her for a two count. Moments later, Stratton went up top and performed a moonsault that grazed Jax and LeRae on the floor heading into a PIP break. [C]
Powell’s POV: Stratton didn’t miss Jax and LeRae with that moonsault to the floor unintentionally. She was clearly paying homage to Charlotte Flair. Or something like that.
Stratton hit her handspring elbow and then followed up with a spinebuster for a near fall. Moments later, LeRae avoided a Swanton and then covered Stratton for two. Stratton avoided a springboard moonsault. Stratton performed a rolling senton and was setting up for her finisher when Jax pulled LeRae to the floor.
Stratton took out Jax with a kick at ringside and then performed a clunky Alabama Slam on LeRae against the barricade. Stratton looked at Flair and then pointed at the WrestleMania sign. Back in the ring, Stratton hit the Prettiest Moonsault Ever and scored the pin.
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton defeated Candice LeRae in 9:45 of television time in a non-title match.
After the match, Jax attacked Stratton. Trish Stratus ran out and put down Jax and LeRae. Jax came back for more. LeRae clipped the back of Stratus’s leg. Jax stacked Stratus on top of Stratton and hit them with the Annihilator.
Charlotte Flair entered the ring while Stratton was down. Flair stood over Stratton and smiled while pointing at the WrestleMania sign. Flair simulated wiping her feet on Stratton before exiting the ring…
Powell’s POV: It felt like there was a little more going on here than necessary. They put a little heat on Jax and LeRae heading into next weekend’s tag team match, but then they also had Flair stand tall over Stratton. There’s just under two months until WrestleMania, so I think that they would have been better off putting all of the focus on Jax and LeRae tonight, partly because they run the risk of having the build for the WrestleMania match peak too soon.
Backstage, Damian Priest asked Cody Rhodes why The Rock was at Smackdown. Cody told him to look at the time of year it is and said that Priest’s guess was as good as his. Cody said he was sure it would be eventful.
Cody congratulated Priest on qualifying for the Elimination Chamber match. Priest recalled how they both stood tall with world championships last year. He said it’s too bad there could be only one this year. Priest said he respected Cody and told him he’d be coming for him after the Elimination Chamber. Cody said he wouldn’t have it any other way and then made his exit.
Braun Strowman showed up and congratulated Priest for winning the Elimination Chamber qualifier last week. Strowman said he had Jacob Fatu dead to rights and blamed Solo Sikoa for losing. Priest joked that Strowman sounded like Drew McIntyre with the excuses. Strowman laughed.
Priest said he just beat Strowman to the punch. Strowman said he would have done the same thing. Priest asked if they were going to do business tonight. Strowman said it’s the only thing he cares about tonight is getting his hands on Fatu and Solo. Priest told him that he will… [C]
A women’s Elimination Chamber video package aired…
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Naomi were interviewed by Byron Saxton, who recalled the duo thinking that Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez are responsible for attacking Jade Cargill. Naomi said she doesn’t think they are responsible, she knows they are. They hyped a singles match between Naomi and Morgan for tonight in addition to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Title match on Raw…
Tessitore hyped WWE Evolve premiering March 5 on Tubi in the United States and via YouTube internationally… [C]
Powell’s POV: It feels like they’ve had having more commercial breaks than usual tonight, perhaps because they are preparing for a lengthy Rock segment.
The Elimination Chamber schedule was listed with the countdown special starting at 4CT/5ET and the main card at 6CT/7ET. There will also be a post show…
An Alexa Bliss video aired. She said that while she was away, there was a lot of change that happened to her. She said that when she looks around “this place is still the same.” She said the names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurities remain the same. She said she will turn the Elimination Chamber into a playground of her own. She said she knows and loves the Chamber and has won the match before. She said it will be a hell unlike the other five women have never seen before. She said it’s her division and she is in charge. She smiled and said, “See you soon” to close…
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Naomi made their entrance for Naomi’s singles match against Liv Morgan. The duo was posing on the apron when they were attacked by Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Belair started to get the better of Rodriguez until Morgan clipped her knee. Rodriguez hit Belair with a Tejana Bomb. Morgan put Naomi down with Oblivion. A group of referees ran in and then the heels made their exit…
The Rock’s black Ford truck sped into the parking area. Tessitore said The Final Boss was in New Orleans… [C]
Backstage, Nick Aldis barked at Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez, saying he didn’t know what type of crap they can pull on Raw, but it wasn’t happening on his show. Aldis told them to leave and then they laughed at him while making their exit.
Women’s U.S. Champion Chelsea Green and Piper Niven entered the picture. Green said they would take Bianca Belair and Naomi’s place at Elimination Chamber. Aldis said that wouldn’t be necessary. Green said it was a travesty to not have the greatest Canadian export on a Canadian show. Aldis told Green to pack her gear because she will be in action next week on Smackdown…
The lights went out and then the opening line The Rock’s entrance theme played. The Rock walked out as a hip hop song played and the video wall had New Orleans imagery. The music changed to the Final Boss entrance theme and then Rock headed to the ring. A Rocky chant broke out.
“Oh, you feel it, don’t you?” Rock asked. Rock said the fans knew that if he got on his bird and flew all the way there that he was dropping some (censored). “Let’s get this show on the road,” he said. Rock set up for his “Finally” line and then looked at a fan in the crowd and told him to hold on because he was doing it.
Rock started to deliver the line and then let the fans fill in the first. Rock told the fans that “finally, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans.” Rock said WrestleMania 42 will be held in the Superdome. Pyro shot off on the stage and then the WrestleMania 41 signs on the stage listed WrestleMania 42 for April 11-12.
Rock sang “When the Saints Come Marching In.” Rock stopped and told the fans that it’s not singalong with The Final Boss. He told them to shut their mouths while he sang the song. Rock said it was an amazing duet with The Rock and the largest collection of STD having trailer park trash that he’s ever seen.
Rock said he wasn’t there just for the WrestleMania announcement. Rock said he was going to call out a man that he respects and admires, and said we all admire. Rock introduced “our WWE Champion” and said it was a privilege before adding, “Come on down, Cody Rhodes.”
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance. Once in the ring, Cody and Rock hugged. Rock said the crowd reaction that Cody received had to feel good. Rock said people don’t know that he and Cody became good friends after last year’s WrestleMania. He spoke about hanging out after the Raw on Netflix premiere and drinking tequila together.
[Hour Three] Rock said Cody is a great WWE Champion. Rock said their moms have become good friends and had a photo of the two appear on the big screen. Rock said it’s been a pleasure to become Cody’s friend. Rock said Cody has been a great champion, but he needs him to understand something.
Rock said he’s a on the TKO board of directors. Rock explained that TKO owns WWE and noted that Ari Emanuel is the man in charge. Rock said Emanuel told Rock that he owns WWE. Rock said he doesn’t know if he owns WWE, but he is the most powerful. Rock said he wants Cody to be more than a great champion. “I want you to be my champion,” Rock said.
Cody said it’s been great becoming Rock’s friend, but he questioned the line about being Rock’s champion. “I’m their champion,” Cody said while looking to the fans, which drew a Cody chant.
Rock said Cody has millions of Instagram followers, whereas he has half a billion followers. Rock said he wants that for Cody. He said that if Cody becomes his champion, he can open doors he didn’t know existed. Rock said he could make every dream come true for Cody, his wife, and his daughter.
Rock mentioned he met Cody’s family at the Moana 2 premiere and thanked the fans for the success of the movie. Rock barked at a fan and threatened to slap the syphilis off the fan’s face. Rock turned his attention back to Cody and said the one thing he’s wanted is a brother.
Rock recalled his goal of facing Roman Reigns last year. He said he spoke with Triple H and Nick Khan and said they are both his friends and Cody’s friends. Rock said he told them to talk to Cody Rhodes about moving aside so that he and Reigns could have the biggest match ever.
Rock said told them “F— that.” Rock said Cody stood up to him and slapped him. Rock said that’s why Cody is special and that’s why he will elevate him. Rock told Cody he didn’t need to answer him tonight. He told him to go home and talk to his wife and hold his baby.
Rock said he would meet Cody at Elimination Chamber and wanted Cody’s answer then. Rock said the one thing he wants more than anything else in the world is “that.” Cody assumed he was talking about the WWE Championship. Rock told him no.
“My brother, I want your soul,” Rock said. Rock put his hand on Cody’s face and told him that he would see him at Elimination Chamber. Cody had a shocked look on his face while Rock exited the ring. Once at ringside, Rock looked back at Cody and smirked. Rock walked up the entrance aisle, stopped again, removed his glasses, looked back at Cody, and smiled again. Once on the stage, Rock turned back and looked at Cody once more time…
Powell’s POV: Wow. We went from the expected WrestleMania 42 announcement to a completely unexpected statement from Rock that he wants Cody’s soul. He’s essentially asking Cody to sell his soul and he’ll give him everything he could ever ask for. I’ve said since Cody’s run in AEW that he will make a tremendous heel at some point. It would be a shocker if that time is now, which some might say makes it the right time to do it. If Cody says no, it’s the ultimate babyface move to reject the offer, but the question is what comes next and how it affects WrestleMania. Either way, they just made Elimination Chamber feel huge.
Tessitore hyped a post Smackdown press conference featuring The Rock for YouTube and other WWE social media channels…
WWE Tag Team Champions “DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa made their entrance. Gargano spoke as they walked to the ring. Once in the ring, Ciampa said it’s been an electrifying night. “But if we could please be somber for a second,” he said.
Ciampa said Pretty Deadly embarrassed them two weeks ago and they will return the favor tonight and crush their hope and dreams of ever becoming WWE Tag Team Champions. They called for the fans to stand up and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly.
The entrance music of “Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson interrupted the moment of silence and then they headed to the ring. DIY attacked Pretty Deadly once the challengers entered the ring, but Pretty Deadly battled back and cleared DIY from the ring.
4. “DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa vs. “Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson for the WWE Tag Team Titles. Ciampa knocked Prince off the apron with a knee strike. Gargano kicked Prince from the apron. [C] The challengers were on a roll when “The Street Profits” Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins ran in and attacked both teams to end the match.
“DIY” Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa fought “Pretty Deadly” Elton Prince and Kit Wilson to a no-contest in 6:15 in a WWE Tag Team Title match.
After the match, the Profits continued to work over both teams and put them both down. “Motor City Machine Guns” Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin ran out and were putdown by Ford and Dawkins…
Tessitore said they would share a video that Kevin Owens sent in… [C]
Powell’s POV: I assume they are setting up a four-way tag team title match, perhaps as soon as next weekend.
The weekly fan sign segment took place… Still shots aired of John Cena retaining the WWE Championship in the 2010 Elimination Chamber, but then being forced to face Batista, who beat him for the title… A John Cena video package aired… Highlights aired from Raw of Adam Pearce granting Sami Zayn an unsanctioned match against Kevin Owens…
A Kevin Owens video aired from an undisclosed location. He spoke about how Zayn couldn’t let it go. He said Zayn wants to hurt him and end his career, which will hurt his family. Owens asked about Zayn’s family. Owens turned the camera and got a shot through a window of Zayn’s home where Sami was hanging out with his wife and son. Owens asked what would happen to Zayn’s family and the nice house when it’s all gone. Owens said Zayn is selfish for making him do this to them. Owens said he’d never forgive Zayn for this. He told Zayn he would see him in Toronto and told him to remember that he asked for this. “It’s all your fault,” Owens said to close…
Powell’s POV: Another gem from the unstable Owens character. I thought everything would feel pretty trivial after the Rock and Cody segment, but that wasn’t the case with this chilling video.
The broadcast team spoke about WWE Elimination Chamber and hyped Owens vs. Zayn in the unsanctioned match, along with the question of whether Cody Rhodes will sell out to The Rock…
Damian Priest made his entrance for the main event… [C] Footage aired of Undertaker and Mickie James instructing trainees on WWE LFG… Braun Stromwan made his entrance, and then the team of Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa made their entrance with Tama Tonga…
5. Damian Priest and Braun Strowman vs. Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa (w/Tama Tonga). Priest jumped from the apron and hit Solo on the floor. Strowman went to ringside and punched a chair out of Tonga’s hand. Fatu tackled Strowman into the timekeepers’ area, causing Lilian Garcia to scramble out of the way going into a PIP break. [C]
Late in the match, Solo set up for his finisher, but Priest blocked it. Fatu threw a superkick that Priest avoided, which took out Solo. Priest tossed Fatu to ringside and then clotheslined Solo. Strowman ran at ringside and plowed over Fatu and Tonga. Back in the ring, Priest put Solo down with the South of Heaven chokeslam and then pinned him.
Damian Priest and Braun Strowman defeated Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa in 11:45.
The babyfaces celebrated their win as the producer credits were shown. Priest stood on the middle rope and looked at the WrestleMania sign to close the show…
Powell’s POV: A decent television main event with the interesting development of Fatu accidentally superkicking Solo. Overall, this was a memorable show thanks to the intriguing Rock and Cody Rhodes segment. They left us with a lot to unpack, and I look forward to breaking it down with Sean Plichta during tonight’s Smackdown audio review, which will be available for everyone as this week’s Pro Wrestling Boom podcast. Let us know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
Am I the only one who just realized wrestlemania is on Easter Sunday. Also 420 day lol note also my anniversary! 1st time that’s happened to me.
No, there’s been plenty of talk about it. But I do think it’s a little rude that Jesus picked 4/20 Day and your anniversary when he had 364 other days to choose from.
Happy early anniversary! It’s my first anniversary with my wife as well. What a crazy day this year.
When did Rock become so boring? That was the most tedious self-indulgent rubbish I’ve seen in years. I know the man has always had an ego, but taking that much time to basically say nothing? Argh. Now we have to sit through all of that again at Elimination Chamber? It better be going somewhere.
Personally, the Rock is out-of-touch and has no idea how to evolve.
pretty pathetic that you need the rock to sell elimination chamber….and people actually care about this decision at chamber lmao….ho far wwe has fallen…no wonder ratings are down bahahahahahaha
Overall a decent show but that Rock segment was just terrible on so many levels …The red herrings going into Rumble were fantastic and creative, and did what they were supposed to do..this however is low brow poor story telling that wasn’t overly creative..but that’s what you get when you book on the fly and change directions at the last minute.
“that’s what you get when you book on the fly and change directions at the last minute”
THIS is why the Rock’s appearances have stood out over the last couple of years. Post-Vince, the E has found direction. It plans ahead and it generally sticks to the plan. Everyone seems to be on the same page. Except for the Rock, who just comes in and wings it and knows he can get by with it due to his status. He is an unwelcome disruption, and it brings down everyone around him.
Like Sheamus, Kevin Owens is a gold standard in the sport, one of the best. Like Sheamus, he should be a household name. It’s just interesting to me who breaks through, especially in the modern era. In the previous eras, everyone on the planet knew Hogan, Macho, Bret, Andre, Flair and Heenan.
I don’t think The Rock said “You’re a great champion” enough times. He could have fit in a dozen more.
Awful show, and that dwayne segment, what a load of rubbish. Made elimination chamber feel huge my arse. Non sensical rubbish like most of worst wrestling entertainment