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WWE Smackdown would open this week with The Rock making his way to the ring. There was not a word spoken until 8 or 9 minutes into the program. The Rock eventually presented a country song centered around beating Cody Rhodes with a comedy aspect. The song, like the intro, felt a little too long and drawn out. The song would also take stabs at Seth Rollins. When finished, The Rock would show the clip of Cody Rhodes slapping him in the face at the of Smackdown last week. He would make fun of Cody’s appearance on the subsequent episode of Raw, making fun of how he was brought to tears, crying about his family. He would finish by directing sentiments to Cody’s mother, saying he would whip Cody with his belt so badly it would be covered in her son’s blood, and he will enjoy handing it to her at ringside at WrestleMania.
👏👏👏@TheRock's hilarious song for his #WrestleMania opponents, @CodyRhodes and @WWERollins, deserves to be viewed in its entirety!
Here's the FULL song! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/7t7z2KhFM3
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
Next, we had a WrestleMania Tag-Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier. Legado del Fantasma would take on LWO. With the recent history these teams have, it’s no wonder they put on a good match. Largely lucha libre in style, with great pace and reversals to accompany high spots and close falls. Legado del Fantasma would ultimately end up asvantancing to the title shot at WrestleMania.
Legado Del Fantasma moves one step closer to #WrestleMania! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Ep0MGYd08x
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
LA Knight would have an interview segment discussing AJ Styles. LA Knight would take digs at AJ being too scared to show up and even work in some short jokes. AJ Styles would blindside Knight with a steel chair, booked to look good on this episode of Smackdown. The two will settle their differences at WrestleMania.
IT'S GOING DOWN! YEAH! 🔥@RealLAKnight is tired of the talkin' and challenged @AJStylesOrg to a one-on-one match at #WrestleMania! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Zg2nYI3xrh
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
Logan Paul would try to demand that Smackdown manager Nick Aldis make Randy Orton apologize to his partner for the RKO out of nowhere on the Prime logo last week. Nick basically told Logan to demand the apology himself. Logan would walk away saying he can’t even find himself a WrestleMania opponent; of course, he is incapable of this. The segment did leave some question, the big one for me – will it be Randy Orton and Logan Paul for the WWE United States Championship at WrestleMania? We will have to wait and see.
With the help of @_Theory1, @LoganPaul gets @RandyOrton right where he wants him… 👊😏#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Fx5yeqDKee
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
Grayson Waller would face ‘The Viper’ Randy Orton in the next match. Before the match started, Logan Paul would make an unannounced appearance at the commentary table. Randy would be in control for most of the match, including multiple slams onto the announce table. An Austin Theory distraction would not even work as Randy could not be fooled. Randy Orton would hit an RKO and point at Logan Paul before getting the pinfall victory. Austin Theory would blindside Randy after that match and hold him still while it appeared Logan Paul was setting up to punch Randy Orton out. Kevin Owens would save the day, and the two would take turns hitting a Stunner and an RKO. Kevin and Randy would be celebrating, and Logan would be on his way up the ramp when Nick Aldis appeared to make an announcement. It will be a triple threat at WrestleMania for his United States Championship against Kevin Owens and Randy Orton.
🚨 TRIPLE THREAT MATCH FOR THE #USTITLE AT #WRESTLEMANIA! 🚨#SmackDown GM @RealNickAldis just announced that @LoganPaul will defend his US Title against @RandyOrton and @FightOwensFight on The Grandest Stage of Them All! 🇺🇸#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/2ruXbYLRF2
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
Santos Escobar would take on Dragon Lee in a match of two of the greatest Luchador’s. There was certainly no lock-up to start this match as they started at a fever pace. This match deserved more time as Santos won quite quickly. I am only assuming it was cut short due to other long segment, but it’s possible it was booked this way. After the match Legado del Fantasma would jump Dragon Lee, but both Carlito and Rey Mysterio would come to the aid. In the end, Santos would narrowly avoid a 619 from Mysterio. Mysterio would challenge Escobar 1-on-1 next week on Smackdown.
"I WILL SLAP THAT STUPID, ARROGANT SMILE OFF YOUR FACE!" 😤💥@reymysterio just challenged @EscobarWWE to a one-on-one match next week on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/8Hlj6dOo89
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
New Catch Republic would take on Pretty Deadly in a tag-team match. New Catch Republic would dominate for a large period, Pete Dunn really standing out and laying it in there. To my surprise, Pretty Deadly made a nice comeback and the two teams had some nice back and forth. It would not be enough and New Catch Republic would win the match.
The #WrestleMania 6-Pack Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Tournament continues! 🔥
Who ya got for this one? 👀
New Catch Republic or Pretty Deadly? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/JFuk5Cm09Y— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
The main event of Smackdown saw Bayley taking on Dakota Kai, of course accompanied by Damage Control. Bayley would start fast and early, drawing from the anger of her recent faction backstabbing her. Bayley would hit Dakota Kai with a flying elbow drop, but Kai would somehow kick out. The match would ultimately get thrown out, as Damage Control couldn’t wait for the end of the match and used their numerical advantage to jump Bayley. Smackdown would end with Iyo Sky hitting a moonsault onto Bayley as the credits hit.
Is #DamageCTRL too POWERFUL to overcome? 👀
Even with help from @TheTrinity_Fatu, @itsBayleyWWE stood no chance. Is this a sign of what's to come at #WrestleMania? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/kzwf82HAFz
— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2024
That wraps up AEW Dynamite for this week. Stay tuned to Greenville Sports Media for more of my regular wrestling articles.
Howe Fresh (of The Wrasslin Corner on The Real Fresh Channel)
for Greenville Sports Media
and check out my weekly opinionated podcast “The Wrasslin Corner”
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