SmackDown Results: The Rock Confronts Roman Reigns, Bayley Picks IYO

[john_kleinchester]

Originally published at SmackDown Results: The Rock Confronts Roman Reigns, Bayley Picks IYO

February 2, 2024

Legacy Arena – Birmingham, AL

By: John Kleinchester

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The Graves & Barrett Experiment Begins

SmackDown kicked off with a bunch of footage of Superstars arriving at the arena: first was Roman Reigns and The Bloodline, then there was a Royal Rumble recap video. Then shown arriving was Cody Rhodes with his dog Pharoh, and finally we saw Bayley and Damage CTRL walking into the empty arena earlier in the day with Corey Graves saying that tonight had a bunch of Wrestlemania implications.   

Hey there, @StuBennett and @WWEGraves 👋#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/R00fo5krrN

— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2024

Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and Kevin Owens 

Logan Paul was out and said he underestimated Kevin Owens but he was still the champ. Paul then mocked the “brittle” roster including Punk and his torn triceps. Paul was then interrupted by Kevin Owens. Owens insulted Paul and said it felt better to knock the hell out of Logan but he still wanted to restore prestige to the United States title. Paul said he wasn’t giving Owens a rematch and he should focus on his match with Austin Theory. Theory’s music hit and we were jumping right into the match. 

.@FightOwensFight wants a rematch for the #USTitle, but @LoganPaul has other ideas…#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/SwzWYUemkl

— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2024

Kevin Owens and Austin Theory had a long, competitive match as Logan Paul sat in on commentary and hurled insults at Owens. Waller tried to get involved which allowed Paul to get up and pass the brass knuckles to Austin Theory. Owens was able to intercept the ‘knucks and use them on Theory and Waller to pick up the win. Owens then chased Logan Paul off through the crowd. 

👊👊👊@FightOwensFight wasn't going to get fooled this time, @LoganPaul!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/UUUNK1gTbj

— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2024

Another Arrival

Next, we were treated to yet another arrival, this time being WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley. 

 

 

Naomi, Michin, and Tiffany Stratton

Naomi was seen coming out of Nick Aldis’ locker room with a signed Smackdown contract and celebrated with Bianca Belair, Michin, and Shotzi. Tiffany Stratton appeared and said that she was the center of the universe and also signed a Smackdown contract and wanted applause. She got in Bianca Belair’s face and said she wasn’t afraid of standing up to the toughest woman in WWE and then turned and slapped Michin in the face.

 

Aldis, Paul, and Belair

Bianca Belair said that when later tonight Bayley chooses to face Rhea for the World Title, what was going to be done to allow her to face IYO for the WWE title. Aldis said that he’d been talking to Adam Pearce about that and would have an answer for her very soon. Logan Paul interrupted complaining that he was being called a “Part-timer” and wanted a challenger. Belair called Paul rude and Paul said to get his show under control.

Maverick meets The EST@BiancaBelairWWE @LoganPaul #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/6gS6gOekgy

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) February 3, 2024

Legado Familia Reunited

A pre-produced video was shown with Legado del Fantasma out to dinner celebrating their full family reuniting with Elektra Lopez rejoining the faction. Santos Escobar said they must eradicate Rey Mysterio’s LWO to preserve the legacy of lucha libre. 

 

Fatal 4-Way Championship Qualifier

Next was a match with four tag teams competing for a chance to get a title shot against Judgment Day at Elimination Chamber in Perth. Early in the match, Joaquin Wilde recreated his NXT spot of launching off the second rope with crazy height thanks to Cruz del Toro and Pete Dunne.

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's @joaquinwilde_!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/QQDPcZFmNZ

— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2024

It didn’t take long for Elektra Lopez to get involved in the match which prompted Zelina Vega to take her out. Pretty Deadly attempted to use “twin magic” to get a roll-up win but Dunne was able to kick out. Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate picked up the win with a double under-hook slam. Corey Graves then explained that Dunne & Bate would go on to face the winners of a Fatal 4-Way that would be occurring on Raw this coming Monday and the winner of that match would face Judgment Day at Elimination Chamber. 

.@ZelinaVegaWWE got her payback! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/RfQJBXRzLP

— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2024

“Bayley’s Done Tonight”

Damage CTRL was in the locker room and IYO said “Bayley’s done tonight” as the group laughed. The camera panned as they left to reveal Bayley having overheard them laughing about her. 

Uhhhhh???#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/MSGdwQu1Fn

— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2024

Bayley’s Decision

Both “Managers General” as Corey Graves put it were in the ring as Bayley was out with Damage CTRL in tow. Bayley said that with Wrestlemania she’s practically done it all but this year was special and Damage CTRL was family. IYO, Asuka, and Kairi laughed at Bayley literally behind her back multiple times. Bayley asked if they were done laughing and then started speaking in Japanese saying that she picked it up from hearing them talk behind her back. Bayley was then jumped by all three women and suddenly pulled a pipe from behind the ring steps, fighting off Kairi and Asuka but stopping before hitting IYO. Bayley then officially declared her opponent at Wrestlemania to be IYO Sky.  

Damage CTRL no more#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/T3XLdOlyZp

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) February 3, 2024

"Iyo! I'll see you at WrestleMania!"@itsBayleyWWE #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/2kKgip5aKz

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) February 3, 2024

 

B-Fab Returns

A scheduled match between The Final Testament and Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits never happened as both teams started brawling and no bell was ever rung. After Scarlett got involved in the brawl, B-Fab appeared out of nowhere and joined up with Lashley and The Profits.

Well, well, well…@TheVibeBri just evened the odds for @fightbobby and The #StreetProfits! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/T78FlCUlKF

— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2024

Bron Breakker and Jade Cargill, Free Agents

Nick Aldis was in the back trying to get Bron Breakker to sign a Smackdown contract when Adam Pearce interrupted and told him to come Monday to see what he has to offer. Jade Cargill then entered in all blue and Aldis kicked Pearce out of his office. 

.@bronbreakkerwwe?! @Jade_Cargill?!

The battle for free agents between @ScrapDaddyAP and @RealNickAldis is heating up 🔥🔥🔥#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/pXNvjoXeGO

— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2024

Tiffany Stratton vs. Michin

The main event of the evening was Tiffany Stratton’s main roster debut taking on The OC’s Michin. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows escorted Michin out onto the stage but left her on her own to take on Stratton. Stratton defeated Michin in just under eight minutes after hitting “The Prettiest Moonsault Ever”. 

Prettiest. Moonsault. Ever. @tiffstrattonwwe is sending a message to the entire #SmackDown Women's Roster 😳 pic.twitter.com/POMu4Xhzy4

— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2024

Cody’s Decision

Roman Reigns and The Bloodline were out first and Reigns ran down Seth Rollins and the World Heavyweight title and called it the “loser bracket title”.

.@WWERomanReigns has some words for @WWERollins… 😬@HeymanHustle #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/acWCTZRxhY

— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2024

Cody Rhodes came out and said that the Universal title was still the one he wanted; the one that was put into his father’s hands and swiftly taken away. Cody said that “Finishing the Story” was taking everything from Reigns and that he was coming for that title but not at Wrestlemania. Rhodes mentioned “council” that he had talked to that knew Reigns very well. With that, The Rock appeared and came down to the ring shook hands, and hugged Rhodes, whispering something into his ear. And with that, Cody walked to the back nodding at The Rock. 

NO. WAY.@TheRock is here on #SmackDown!!!! pic.twitter.com/AbES50dO43

— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2024

Goosebumps.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/FoXPnDoyAx

— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2024

THIS. IS. SURREAL. @TheRock and @WWERomanReigns in the same ring on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/Rb9KA6Pbs1

— WWE (@WWE) February 3, 2024

 

 

The Rock and Roman Reigns stared each other down as the show went off the air promoting a Presse Event in Las Vegas Thursday at 7pm.

 

Announced for Smackdown Next Week in Charlotte:

• Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate vs. The Winner of Raw 4-Way
• Nick Aldis Announces Logan Paul’s Next Challenger

Friday Night SmackDown Results:

• Kevin Owens over Austin Theory in 10:53
• Fatal 4-Way Championship Qualifier Match: Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate over Cruz del Toro & Joaquin Wilde, Pretty Deadly, and Angel & Humberto in 8:44
• Tiffany Stratton over Michin in 7:45

[TAnthonyAuld]

@john_kleinchester

Cody said that “Finishing the Story” was taking everything from Reigns and that he was coming for that title but not at Wrestlemania.

This is Royal Rumble 2008 vibes all over again.

[TheBenjamin]

Why did Cody win the rumble? Should have just had Rock as a surprise entrant and win it. Just some hhh-orendous creative

[kliq]

Well, that was not something I expected.

After really thinking about this, I think doing what they did tonight was genius. I know many will disagree with me, and I understand why and can respect it, but here is why I think they made the right call with the booking tonight.

1. There has been a logic gap since the creation of the new title, John and Wai bring it up all the time and its “why is Cody not going for it”. Well, this week they explained its because he has been blinded by last years Mania loss, and it was that excellent promo by Seth on Raw that got him to see the flaw in his thinking. The line of “do you want the Hogan title…or do you want the Dusty title” was perfect.

2. The Rock will not be available to do Mania every year, if he’s available this year and willing to be in a match, I think you need to take advantage of it as this opportunity may never happen again. If you can both crown Cody a Champion AND have the Rock vs Roman, you need to do it.

3. It elevates the World Championship. By having the Rumble winner choose that title, it does place the title in a higher light. Now, will it be at the same level as Romans? No, but its a hell of a lot closer today then it was a week ago.

4. If they do a champion vs champion match where they combine the titles, its going to matter much more then it would have before they did this. The World Title started off feeling like a secondary title such as the IC or US title, and while it still has a ways to go, I think now it feels like a legit world title to the majority.

I really do think that this could be one of those decisions that some will loathe in the short term, but in a few years when we look back we will see it was the right call.

Now I could also be wrong, and I acknowledge (pun intended) that this in the long term could make Cody look stupid and hurt his development to that next level, but if its done right I think everyone involved and business will come out better because of it.

I look forward to waking up tomorrow and seeing how many people rip my take lol.

[Rated_R_Poster]

@kliq

and I acknowledge (pun intended) that this in the long term could make Cody look stupid and hurt his development to that next level

Image he gets annoyed over all of this and doesnt end up resigning and goes back to AEW. That would be a laugher. I dont think too many people thought that 2 years into his WWE return, he still wouldnt be a champion. I doubt it, but I also didnt see him returning to WWE when he did.

[MarkP]

@kliq

I really do think that this could be one of those decisions that some will loathe in the short term, but in a few years when we look back we will see it was the right call.

[RedRaider07]

@TAnthonyAuld

@john_kleinchester

Cody said that “Finishing the Story” was taking everything from Reigns and that he was coming for that title but not at Wrestlemania.

This is Royal Rumble 2008 vibes all over again.

I actually thing that would be the best approach. Cody’s not going to use his Royal Rumble win to challenge Reigns at WrestleMania. Instead he “can’t wait that long” like Cena in 08 and faces Reigns at Elimination Chamber in Australia.

Rock is in Cody’s corner vs Reigns and the Bloodline. Cody finally beats Reigns.

Then at WrestleMania they can do Reigns vs Rock. And a Cody championship match. Maybe Cody vs AJ styles for the universal title.

Just some fun fantasy booking. Realistically it does seem more likely it’s Cody vs Rollins 4 to fill in for CM Punk being injured.

[kliq]

Keep in mind, he still would be champion, he’s just the raw champ rather then the SD champ.

[kliq]

In fairness, you clearly didn’t watch or see how anything actually played out, and the examples you’re using are all different situations. If they didn’t have a second world title, I wouldn’t be saying what I am saying.

The entire point of my post was how they were elevating the world title. In this case he will be “the face” of Raw after Mania and he will main event one of the nights. He’s not being pushed too the mid card.

In all your scenarios, they didn’t elevate two things at once. Bret/Hogan/yoko just gave Hogan a random 5th title run for a month, Punk just simply did an unnecessary job, Del Rio has the trigger pulled too late (in hindsight who cares), the streak was someone in creative trying to take a new stars shine, Kofi was simply squashed and pushed to the mid card. Context matters.

[kliq]

Agreed. I assume its going to be Rhodes vs Rollins at Mania and then Rhodes vs Reigns at Summerslam.

[TheBenjamin]

https://x.com/heyheyitsconrad/status/1753856730641899993?s=46&t=JWp1FDcxOniaaPmFyvmyrg

[Rated_R_Poster]

Speak for yourself, Brock beating Kofi and Nash beating Goldberg were both great.

[TheBenjamin]

I equate it more to Sting/Hogan. Long build up and terrible pay off. And the decision in both those cases was a no-brainer that the promotion flubbed

[MarkP]

To me Starrcade 97 = Mania 39.

[kliq]

I feel this comment would have more validity in a year. Right now we have no clue how it all plays out.

It would be like saying sting/hogan was a flop before starcade even happened.

[TheBenjamin]

Just watched the segment, what makes it even worse is Roman shitting all over Rollins and the other title. It was funny and a lot of it was true but Cody looks like a total goober for then wanting that title.

What a complete and total burial of Cody

[MarkP]

Huh?

We know how the last year played out.

[TheBenjamin]

[kliq]

Oh shit sorry, I assumed you were talking about Mania 40.

[RocketKing]