Tag: wwe video highlights

WWE Raw video highlights: The Rock & Roman Reigns stand tall

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The Bloodline has all of the momentum on their side heading into WrestleMania 40.

For the second straight week, Raw ended with The Rock beating down and whipping Cody Rhodes. This time, Roman Reigns joined in on the fun as he and Rock laid out both Rhodes and Seth Rollins.

Raw went off the air with The Rock and Reigns standing tall. After the show ended, Rock had the following message for his WrestleMania opponents:

F*ck them.

The main event of Raw was Rollins vs. Solo Sikoa in a Bloodline Rules match. The match was announced when Rollins confronted The Rock and Reigns at the start of Raw. Rollins was ready for a fight and challenged Rock or Reigns to face him. He said they could even name the stipulation. But neither Rock nor Reigns accepted the challenge. Instead, Sikoa revealed that he would be Rollins’ opponent.

This was Rollins’ first time wrestling on television since the knee injury that he suffered in January. Rollins was about to defeat Sikoa after putting him through a table and hitting a stomp, but the match ended up having no definitive finish. Jimmy Uso got involved before Rollins could go for the pin.

Jey Uso then made his entrance and brawled with Jimmy. But The Rock took out Jey by slamming him against the stage.

The Rock set his sights on Rollins, but Rollins and Rhodes had a plan. Rhodes ran out and fought off Rock, briefly getting some revenge for last week’s attack. Rhodes and Rollins were going to put Rock through a table until Reigns stopped them.

Reigns had claimed earlier in the night that he was leaving the building. He instead worked together with The Rock to whip Rhodes and Rollins with an American Nightmare weight belt. Rock posed with the weight belt and Reigns posed with the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship as Raw ended.

It will be Rock & Reigns vs. Rhodes & Rollins in the main event of WrestleMania 40 night one this Saturday. Reigns vs. Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship then headlines night two.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

Seth Rollins interrupts The Rock and Roman Reigns

The New Day & DIY vs. The Judgment Day

Gunther disrupts Sami Zayn vs. Bronson Reed rematch

Legendary rapper Lil Wayne will be at WrestleMania 40

Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri vs. Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell

Drew McIntyre gives a eulogy mocking Seth Rollins and CM Punk

Ricochet vs. Ivar

Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley brawl before WrestleMania

Shayna Baszler, Zoey Stark & Tegan Nox vs. Damage CTRL

Bloodline Rules match: Seth Rollins vs. Solo Sikoa

The Rock and Roman Reigns stand tall heading into WrestleMania

Raw fallout: Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri react to their victory

Raw fallout: Ricochet is feeling confident after four wins in a row

Raw Talk: Drew McIntyre, Gunther, The Judgment Day appear

WWE SmackDown video highlights: The storm has arrived

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Jade Cargill has arrived on SmackDown – and we already know her plans for WrestleMania.

Cargill made her first appearance as a member of the SmackDown roster last night. It was revealed that she’ll be teaming with Bianca Belair & Naomi in a six-woman tag match against Damage CTRL’s Asuka, Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai at WrestleMania 40.

At the end of SmackDown, Cargill helped Belair & Naomi even the odds against Damage CTRL. Belair had defeated Kai in the main event before Damage CTRL launched a post-match attack. Damage CTRL beat down Belair & Naomi until Cargill’s music hit. She took out Asuka, Sane & Kai on her own and then stood side-by-side with Belair & Naomi.

The six-woman tag match was confirmed for WrestleMania after SmackDown went off the air.

Earlier in the night, there was an in-ring segment where Cargill officially signed her SmackDown contract. She issued the following message to the women’s division:

We have one of the best female rosters in the world, but they’re not Jade Cargill. They’re not the headline. They are not a once-in-a-lifetime superstar. And let me give you another weather update: The storm has arrived.

Cargill signed with WWE after departing AEW last September. Her WWE in-ring debut took place in the women’s Royal Rumble match earlier this year.

More coverage from last night —

WWE SmackDown video highlights —

Logan Paul helps Pretty Deadly upset Randy Orton & Kevin Owens

Logan Paul runs away from Randy Orton

Bayley attacks IYO SKY during interview at the WWE Performance Center

Jade Cargill declares that the storm is here

WrestleMania qualifying match: Street Profits vs. Grayson Waller & Austin Theory

Rey Mysterio issues WrestleMania challenge to Santos Escobar & Dominik

WrestleMania qualifying match: New Catch Republic vs. Legado del Fantasma

WWE recaps The Rock’s beatdown of Cody Rhodes

Paul Heyman reveals Roman Reigns ordered The Rock’s hit on Cody Rhodes

LA Knight disguises himself to attack AJ Styles

Bianca Belair vs. Dakota Kai

Jade Cargill helps Bianca Belair & Naomi even the odds against Damage CTRL

SmackDown fallout: The old version of Bobby Lashley is coming back

SmackDown fallout: The Final Testament taunt Lashley & The Street Profits

SmackDown fallout: Pretty Deadly react to defeating Randy Orton & Kevin Owens

WWE Raw video highlights: The Rock, CM Punk appear

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Less than two weeks away from WrestleMania, CM Punk and The Rock both made appearances on a standout episode of WWE Raw.

Punk returned to WWE television in his hometown of Chicago last night. It was revealed that, even though Punk is out of action with a torn triceps, he’ll still be playing a role at WrestleMania. Punk will be joining the commentary team for Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre’s World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 40 night two.

Punk, McIntyre, and Rollins all traded insults during their segment on last night’s Raw. The Chicago crowd chanted that they wanted Punk to be the special guest referee for Rollins vs. McIntyre at WrestleMania, but Punk admitted that he couldn’t be “objectively fair with these two dipsh*ts.”

The segment even included a veiled reference to Vince McMahon. McIntyre said everyone is starting to realize that Drew McIntyre has always been the chosen one. Punk responded by sarcastically asking what “paragon of good virtue” chose McIntyre to be that:

Chosen one? Who chose you? Who? What was his name? You got the balls to say you’re the chosen one, tell me what paragon of good virtue chose you?

At the end of the segment, Rollins laid McIntyre out with a stomp while McIntyre was focused on mocking Punk.

But McIntyre got revenge later in the night when he dropped Rollins with a Future Shock DDT. The main event of the show was Jey Uso defeating Shinsuke Nakamura. Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa tried to interfere in the match but were cut off by Cody Rhodes and Rollins. McIntyre took advantage of the opportunity and attacked Rollins.

As Rhodes and Jimmy Uso were fighting in the backstage area, The Rock launched a blindside attack on Rhodes. He beat down Rhodes and left him bloody to close the episode. The Rock continued to taunt Rhodes’ mother, revealing a custom “Mama Rhodes” weight belt that he had made. Just as he’s promised to do at WrestleMania, The Rock smeared Rhodes’ blood on the weight belt.

The Rock wasn’t advertised to appear on Raw last night. He made a surprise appearance by interrupting Rhodes at the start of the show.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

The Rock makes a surprise appearance, whispers something in Cody Rhodes’ ear

Ricochet vs. JD McDonagh

CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, and Seth Rollins trade insults

Ivy Nile vs. Candice LeRae

The Judgment Day beat down their WrestleMania competition

Andrade vs. Giovanni Vinci

Becky Lynch punches Dominik Mysterio, brawls with Rhea Ripley

Sami Zayn vs. Bronson Reed

Jey Uso vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

The Rock bloodies Cody Rhodes

Raw fallout: CM Punk is a five-tool player

Raw fallout: Bronson Reed is taking over in 2024

Raw fallout: Miz & R-Truth are going to take Judgment Day’s most prized possession

Raw fallout: Candice LeRae has an ultimatum for Indi Hartwell

Raw fallout: Andrade reacts to his victory over Giovanni Vinci

Raw Talk: Ricochet, New Day & DIY, Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri appear

WWE SmackDown video highlights: Roman Reigns-Cody Rhodes confrontation

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Roman Reigns tried to set a trap for Cody Rhodes last night, but Rhodes was one step ahead of him.

While much of the focus lately has been on The Rock, WWE turned its attention to the WrestleMania 40 night two main event as Reigns and Rhodes met for a face-to-face confrontation on SmackDown. Rhodes had brokered a deal with Paul Heyman earlier in the week that, if Rhodes showed up alone, Reigns wouldn’t have any other members of The Bloodline by his side.

Reigns and Rhodes both attempted to play mind games during the segment. Reigns questioned if Rhodes can really trust Seth Rollins. Rhodes questioned if Reigns can trust The Rock.

Reigns said Rhodes is “the greatest number two of all time,” but that’s all he’ll ever be – because Reigns is number one:

That’s all you do is promise this, promise that, promise this. But you don’t ever deliver. You don’t ever keep these promises. You told these people all these lies and nothing ever comes to fruition. And you want to know why? Because you’re number two. No, no, no – I mean that with respect. You all [the crowd] would be lucky to be a number two, but you’re not even close. This is the greatest number two of all time. But that’s all you will ever be is number two. Because I’m number one, forever.

Rhodes admitted that Reigns will probably be seen as the face of this generation. But at WrestleMania, Rhodes will be the one to take the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship from him:

Let’s get real here. You grew up in this industry same as I did. You were probably a little kid looking in the mirror wanting to be the next – the face of a generation. The biggest superstar to come along. The biggest pro wrestling star. We’re talking Bruno, we’re talking Flair, we’re talking Hogan, we’re talking Rock, we’re talking Austin, we’re talking Cena. I have conceded to the idea that the generation that follows us, our kids, will probably grow up wanting to be the next Roman Reigns. That is your destiny. But I feel that you are unfamiliar with mine. I’m the greatest number two? Huh, the greatest number two? Well, when it comes to WrestleMania, when it comes to who defeats you for this championship that you’ve held for all this time, I’m not number two – I’m the one.

Rhodes then offered Reigns a handshake. Instead of accepting, Reigns backed away and exited the ring. After Reigns snapped his fingers, Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso entered through the crowd. But Rhodes had backup in the form of Rollins and Jey Uso. SmackDown went off the air with Rhodes, Rollins & Jey staring down Reigns, Sikoa & Jimmy.

More coverage from last night —

WWE SmackDown video highlights —

Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar

WrestleMania qualifying tournament: Gallows & Anderson vs. Waller & Theory

IYO SKY vs. Naomi

Damage CTRL use their numbers advantage to lay out Naomi and Bianca Belair

Jade Cargill is the newest member of the SmackDown roster

LA Knight shows up at AJ Styles’ house, gets arrested 

WrestleMania qualifying tournament: The Street Profits vs. Authors of Pain

Roman Reigns & Cody Rhodes face-to-face

SmackDown fallout: A win is a win to Santos Escobar

SmackDown fallout: Damage CTRL are going to keep standing tall

SmackDown fallout: The OC are turning their focus to the NXT Tag Team titles

SmackDown fallout: Scarlett has an idea that calms down Karrion Kross

WWE Raw video highlights: Cody Rhodes responds to The Rock

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On Raw last night, Cody Rhodes offered his first response to The Rock’s concert from SmackDown.

Rhodes called out The Rock for crying behind the scenes and trying to influence the TKO Board of Directors. Rhodes said The Rock may be a lot of wonderful things, but he’s also a “whiny bitch.”

Rhodes said Rock’s buddies on the TKO Board are yes people and enablers.

They are yes people. They are enablers. They don’t tell you like it is — so I’m going to. Rock, damn my man, you’re a lot of things. You’re a lot of wonderful things. You are the Brahma Bull. You are The Great One. Hell, I got a pair of tennis shoes with your logo on it, Rock. You are the only guy that I will ever stand across from in the ring that I can honestly say is a Mount Rushmore wrestler.

But Rock, you are also a terrible salesman, a carny succubus. And for those who don’t know what that means, you’re a whiny bitch.

Rhodes refused to go as low as The Rock did. Instead of insulting The Rock’s mother, Rhodes put over Ata Johnson as being a wonderful lady. Rhodes said his mother Michelle Rubio is not afraid of The Rock.

While Rhodes may not know how things are going to go at WrestleMania, he isn’t sure how The Rock can be confident. Rhodes attempted to get under The Rock’s skin by pointing out that Rock hasn’t been in the ring for real-time action in years.

But Dwayne, what do you know? How can you be so sure of your own self? Because you keep forgetting you haven’t been in the ring in years in real-time action. And April 6, the bell is going to ring. And what happens, Rock, when the bell rings? Are you going to bring The Great One? Are you going to be the hero that I had growing up? Are you going to have all that Big Dwayne Energy? Or is it just going to be LDS: Little Dick Syndrome?

Rhodes doesn’t think The Rock will be The Final Boss at WrestleMania. He’ll just be Roman Reigns’ side chick.

Paul Heyman then made his way out to broker a deal for Roman Reigns’ face-to-face with Rhodes on SmackDown this Friday. Heyman claimed that, if Rhodes shows up alone, no one from The Bloodline will be there with Reigns besides Heyman. Rhodes agreed to those terms.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso confrontation

Cody Rhodes saves Jey Uso from Jimmy Uso & Solo Sikoa’s beatdown

WrestleMania qualifying match: DIY vs. The Creed Brothers

Judgment Day will have their eyes on Andrade’s match next week

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell vs. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter

Video package recaps The Rock’s concert from SmackDown

Cody Rhodes responds to The Rock

Paul Heyman brokers a deal for Roman Reigns-Cody Rhodes face-to-face

Ricochet vs. Dominik Mysterio

A look back at Sami Zayn’s gauntlet match journey

Chad Gable doesn’t believe that Sami Zayn can beat Gunther

Gunther-Sami Zayn WrestleMania contract signing

WrestleMania qualifying match: Awesome Truth vs. Indus Sher

Seth Rollins says Drew McIntyre fumbles the ball when the lights get bright

WrestleMania qualifying match: New Day vs. Alpha Academy

Last Woman Standing match: Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax

Raw fallout: DIY have been waiting their entire lives for this WrestleMania moment

Raw fallout: Awesome Truth are ready for WrestleMania

Raw fallout: It’s time for The Creed Brothers to start delivering

Raw fallout: Alpha Academy react to their loss

Raw fallout: Ivy Nile stands up to Candice LeRae

Raw fallout: Ricochet wants to end things with JD McDonagh next week

Raw fallout: Dominik Mysterio needed Rhea Ripley by his side against Ricochet

Raw Talk: New Day, Bronson Reed, Ivy Nile appear

WWE SmackDown video highlights: Rock Concert

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With SmackDown taking place from Memphis last night, The Rock got in touch with his musical side and brought back the Rock Concert.

Memphis is where The Rock spent time wrestling after first signing with the WWF in the 1990s. Because of that, he was nicer to the crowd than he’s been in recent weeks. But The Rock had plenty of ammunition for Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, and the Cody Crybabies. He performed a blues song directed at them during last night’s opening segment.

Rock sang about Rhodes:

Dusty’s youngest son was just what he feared. He tried to raise him right, but he turned out too weird [Stardust picture appears on the video screen]. That’s when Dusty said with total frustration, that drugs and cheap condoms was a bad combination. I know it keeps Cody awake, to know he wasn’t planned and he was a mistake.

He then turned his attention to Rollins:

Cackling and dancing is all that you do. No wonder that your wife’s more popular than you. You’re so damn desperate to make them all cheer, but The Rock is going to make that title disappear. You’re simply an embarrassment, son. Just like [Memphis Grizzlies star] Ja Morant when he’s waving a gun.

To conclude the song, Rock addressed Rhodes’ “crybaby” fans:

This one’s for you, Cody Crybabies. You’re all so entitled, obnoxious, and brash. Some of you have sex, but you have to pay cash. Your hero is going to bleed and need some stitches, so whine about that you crybaby bitches. There’s some lines you just don’t cross. You all can kiss the ass of The Final Boss.

The concert was a throwback to The Rock’s Hollywood Rock character. He used the Hollywood Rock theme for a portion of his entrance last night.

After the song, Rock cut a promo similar to the one he posted on social media earlier in the day. He directed a message at Rhodes’ mother, promising to whip Rhodes with his weight belt at WrestleMania. Rock said he’ll then present that bloody belt to Mama Rhodes.

Referencing his “You’re Welcome” song from the Disney movie Moana, Rock said:

The Rock is going to walk right over to you, Mama Rhodes. And he’s going to hand you this belt. He’s going to hand you this belt right here. And he’s going to put it in your lap. And you’re going to be crying just like your son. And that’s ok. Because then, The Rock is going to whisper in your ear, Mama Rhodes. And with all the blood on your son’s belt here and your tears on that belt, The Rock is going to whisper in your ear, he’s going to wipe your tears away, and he’s going to say, Michelle, ‘What can I say except you’re welcome?’

More coverage from last night —

WWE SmackDown video highlights —

The Rock returns to Memphis for a Rock Concert

WrestleMania qualifying tournament match: LWO vs. Legado del Fantasma

AJ Styles accepts LA Knight’s WrestleMania challenge

Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso is official for WrestleMania

Randy Orton vs. Grayson Waller

Triple threat United States title match announced for WrestleMania

Dragon Lee vs. Santos Escobar

WrestleMania qualifying tournament match: New Catch Republic vs. Pretty Deadly

Bayley vs. Dakota Kai

SmackDown fallout: Legado del Fantasma are one step closer to WrestleMania

SmackDown fallout: Rey Mysterio will get payback on Santos Escobar next week

SmackDown fallout: Michin can’t get through to AJ Styles

WWE Raw video highlights: Sami Zayn runs the gauntlet

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Sami Zayn is headed to WrestleMania for a showdown with Gunther.

Zayn will attempt to end Gunther’s historic Intercontinental title reign at WrestleMania 40. Zayn earned the title shot by winning a number one contender’s gauntlet on Raw last night.

The gauntlet match took place in the main event of Raw and featured Zayn, Chad Gable, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bronson Reed, Ricochet, and JD McDonagh.

Zayn entered the gauntlet fourth. Though he was able to eliminate Reed, Zayn was immediately put at a disadvantage when Reed attacked him and laid him out with a Tsunami.

Nakamura entered next but was eliminated by Zayn after a desperation Helluva Kick. It then came down to Zayn vs. Gable.

Gable could have capitalized on the situation with Zayn down after pinning Nakamura, but Gable allowed Zayn to recover and get to his feet. Gable wanted to beat Zayn fairly. The two battled until Zayn reversed an ankle lock into a pin to get the victory.

Zayn consoled a disappointed Gable following the match. Gunther then made his way out to the stage for a staredown with Zayn.

On commentary, it was mentioned that Zayn competed in the gauntlet match after fasting for the first day of Ramadan.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

Drew McIntyre refuses to be provoked by Seth Rollins

Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan

Becky Lynch is at her best when people doubt her

Adam Pearce & Nick Aldis announce Tag Team title ladder match for WrestleMania

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell vs. Ivy Nile & Maxxine Dupri

Cody Rhodes gets emotional during sit-down interview

Nia Jax blindsides Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan

Kabuki Warriors vs. Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark for WWE Women’s Tag Team titles

R-Truth vs. Damian Priest

Jey Uso issues WrestleMania challenge to Jimmy Uso

IC title contender’s gauntlet match

Raw fallout: Chad Gable reacts to his gauntlet match loss

Raw fallout: Nia Jax is ready for next week’s Last Woman Standing match

Raw Talk: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, DIY, Damage CTRL appear

WWE SmackDown video highlights: Cody Rhodes slaps The Rock

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With WrestleMania just four weeks away, The Rock, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and Seth Rollins all shared the ring together on SmackDown last night.

It was made official that The Rock & Reigns vs. Rhodes & Rollins will headline WrestleMania 40 night one. Rhodes & Rollins accepted The Bloodline’s challenge for the match and agreed to the stakes that come with it.

If Rhodes & Rollins win the tag team bout, The Bloodline will be barred from ringside for Reigns vs. Rhodes at night two of WrestleMania. But if The Rock & Reigns win, Reigns vs. Rhodes becomes a Bloodline Rules match, meaning that anything goes and The Bloodline will be able to interfere as much as they want.

The Rock said he’ll do everything in his power to make sure that Rhodes doesn’t win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship from Reigns. The Rock said that, if Rhodes doesn’t finish his story by beating Reigns at WrestleMania, he’ll never get another shot at the title again.

The show ended with Rhodes getting a receipt on The Rock for slapping him at last month’s WrestleMania 40 press conference. After The Rock called Cody’s birth a mistake, Rhodes responded by slapping him in the face.

More coverage from last night —

WWE SmackDown video highlights —

Logan Paul announces WWE-Prime deal, KSI gets RKO’d by Randy Orton

Randy Orton & Kevin Owens vs. Grayson Waller & Austin Theory

Randy Orton steals Logan Paul’s brass knuckles

Bayley sit-down interview

Bianca Belair doesn’t feel bad for Bayley

Bobby Lashley vs. Karrion Kross

Michin vs. Tiffany Stratton

AJ Styles calls LA Knight an overachieving, under-talented, loudmouth

Dragon Lee vs. Angel, Legado del Fantasma beat down Dragon Lee

Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins accept The Bloodline’s WrestleMania challenge

SmackDown fallout: Alternate angles of Randy Orton’s RKO on KSI

SmackDown fallout: Karrion Kross suggests The Pride needs a new leader

SmackDown fallout: Michin doesn’t know how to get on the right track

SmackDown fallout: Dragon Lee says Legado del Fantasma are cowards

WWE Raw video highlights: Drew McIntyre lays out Seth Rollins

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With his attention divided, Seth Rollins was left laying at the end of last night’s Raw.

Rollins got dropped with a Claymore by Drew McIntyre on Raw last night. The show then went off the air with McIntyre delivering a message to Rollins. McIntyre warned that, if Rollins keeps focusing his attention elsewhere, this is how their title match at WrestleMania 40 will end. McIntyre told Rollins to stop tainting the World Heavyweight Championship by focusing on The Rock and Roman Reigns.

“Do not be selfish,” McIntyre said. “Do not taint this title. Don’t do it. Do the right thing.”

McIntyre had defeated Jey Uso in last night’s main event after involvement by The Bloodline. When Solo Sikoa appeared, Cody Rhodes fought Sikoa off and brawled with him through the arena. But Jey still had to deal with his twin brother Jimmy Uso. A distraction by Jimmy led to McIntyre winning with a Claymore.

Jimmy went to attack Jey with a steel chair after the match, but Rollins ran out to make the save. In doing so, Rollins ran right past McIntyre on the stage. Rollins took care of Jimmy but was then laid out by McIntyre.

McIntyre posted the following video mocking fans after Raw:

Rollins also appeared in last night’s opening segment, where it was confirmed that Rhodes & Rollins will confront The Rock & Reigns on SmackDown this Friday night. On SmackDown, they will officially accept Rock & Reigns’ challenge for a tag match at WrestleMania 40 night one.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

Seth Rollins has a new nickname for The Rock

Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins will confront The Rock & Roman Reigns this Friday

Gunther vs. Dominik Mysterio

Katana Chance & Kayden Carter vs. Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark

Liv Morgan disrupts Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax

Andrade vs. Apollo Crews

The Judgment Day vs. Imperium

Drew McIntyre says the World Heavyweight title deserves better than Seth Rollins

Sami Zayn vs. Ivar

Bronson Reed hits Sami Zayn with a Tsunami

Jey Uso vs. Drew McIntyre

Raw fallout: Sami Zayn is going to devour the opportunity he’s getting next week

Raw fallout: No one is going to stop Andrade from reaching his destiny

Raw fallout: Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark have a message for The Kabuki Warriors

Raw Talk: Ricochet, JD McDonagh, Nia Jax interviews

WWE SmackDown video highlights: The Rock acknowledges Roman Reigns

Posted on by Joseph Currier

The stage is officially set for The Rock’s first real match in more than a decade.

On SmackDown last night, The Rock & Roman Reigns challenged Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins to face them in a tag team match on night one of WrestleMania 40. It’s a high-stakes match that will have implications for Reigns vs. Rhodes at night two. If Rhodes & Rollins win, The Bloodline will be barred from Reigns vs. Rhodes. But if The Rock & Reigns win, Reigns vs. Rhodes will be a Bloodline Rules match. The stipulation means that anything goes.

Rhodes & Rollins will be on SmackDown next week to officially give Rock & Reigns their answer to the challenge.

The Bloodline’s appearance kicked off last night’s show and lasted for nearly 40 minutes of television time. Before the conclusion of the segment, WWE started to lay the groundwork for some tension between Reigns and The Rock. Reigns interrupted The Rock and said he needed one thing from him. Reigns wanted The Rock to acknowledge him:

Reigns: I need something from you. I’ll do anything for my family, but I need this one thing: Acknowledge me.

The Rock and Reigns had a brief staredown before Rock responded:

The Rock: Roman Reigns, my family, I acknowledge you as my Tribal Chief.

When the crowd called him a sellout, The Rock explained why he acknowledged Reigns:

The Rock: Let The Rock explain something to you idiots. This is family. And we will do anything for family.

More coverage from last night —

WWE SmackDown video highlights —

The Rock & Roman Reigns issue WrestleMania 40 tag match challenge

Grayson Waller volunteers Austin Theory for a match against Randy Orton

Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton

Dakota Kai betrays Bayley, sides with Damage CTRL

Jade Cargill comes face-to-face with IYO SKY and the rest of Damage CTRL

Bron Breakker vs. Xyon Quinn

Rey Mysterio returns during Carlito vs. Santos Escobar street fight

Nick Aldis informs LA Knight that he told AJ Styles not to be at tonight’s show

Randy Orton vs. Austin Theory

SmackDown fallout: Santos Escobar promises to end Rey Mysterio

SmackDown fallout: Lashley challenges Kross to face him next week

WWE Raw video highlights: Cody Rhodes is hunting The Bloodline

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Paul Heyman showed up on Raw last night with a warning for Cody Rhodes, but things didn’t go quite how he expected.

After Rhodes defeated Grayson Waller in last night’s main event, Heyman made his way out flanked by security. Heyman claimed that they were suspended NYPD officers.

Heyman told Rhodes that he needs to take The Rock’s name out of his mouth. Heyman urged Rhodes to withdraw the challenge that he issued to The Rock at Elimination Chamber — or else.

Rhodes responded:

Or else? Or else what, Mr. Heyman? You want to know why I haven’t rained holy terror on this microphone about your new boy Dwayne? You want to know why I haven’t trashed him in the media? It’s simple. Myself, like almost everyone in here tonight, we were fans of The Rock. How could you not be? Put yourself in my shoes, I come from a family that every meal [was] determined by tickets sold. And nobody sold more tickets than The Rock. But I am done. I am absolutely fed up being nice. If it’s a Bloodline setup like I said, come and get me.

But no other members of The Bloodline appeared. Instead, Rhodes was surrounded by Heyman’s security team. Rhodes used a steel chair to fight all of them off.

Heyman then got on his phone to call Roman Reigns and The Rock. Rhodes told Heyman that he had a message for them:

Go ahead, Mr. Heyman. Call them. Because The Bloodline isn’t hunting me, I’m hunting The Bloodline.

The Rock will be on SmackDown this Friday to respond to the challenge that Rhodes issued.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

Rhea Ripley-Becky Lynch confrontation

Nia Jax attacks Becky Lynch

Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Raquel Rodriguez vs. Chelsea Green

The Judgment Day target Gunther’s Intercontinental title

Street fight: The New Day vs. Imperium

Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell vs. Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark

Drew McIntyre tells Seth Rollins to back off the Cody Rhodes & Bloodline situation

Becky Lynch disrupts Liv Morgan vs. Nia Jax

Cody Rhodes vs. Grayson Waller, Paul Heyman has a warning for Rhodes

Raw fallout: Cody Rhodes helps a couple with their gender reveal after the show

Raw fallout: Raquel Rodriguez will find her way to WrestleMania

Raw fallout: Candice LeRae tells Indi Hartwell they need to start winning now

Raw Talk: Liv Morgan, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark, Drew McIntyre appear

WWE SmackDown video highlights: Final Elimination Chamber build

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Just hours away from Elimination Chamber, a pre-taped edition of SmackDown aired on Friday night.

Randy Orton has momentum on his side ahead of the men’s Elimination Chamber match. A brawl between the Chamber participants broke out after Friday’s Drew McIntyre vs. LA Knight main event ended in a disqualification. Bobby Lashley took out Knight with a spear, Kevin Owens gave Logan Paul a stunner, Lashley speared Owens, and Drew McIntyre then dropped Lashley with a Claymore. It appeared that McIntyre would end the show standing tall, but Orton laid him out with an RKO.

Lashley took part in the brawl despite having his arm brutalized with a steel chair by Karrion Kross earlier in the show. Lashley enters Elimination Chamber at a disadvantage following the attack.

Roman Reigns met with Grayson Waller on SmackDown, but we don’t know what was said. Reigns said he had something to tell Waller that was for Waller’s ears only. Waller is hosting a Grayson Waller Effect segment with Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins at Elimination Chamber.

Tiffany Stratton and Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate also scored victories in advance of their matches on Saturday.

More coverage from SmackDown —

WWE SmackDown video highlights —

Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton

If McIntyre loses on Saturday, his career will be as useless as CM Punk’s WWE return

Roman Reigns sets up a meeting with Grayson Waller

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gTW6v28EGM

Bron Breakker makes his SmackDown in-ring debut

Legado del Fantasma ambush Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro

Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate vs. Dominik Mysterio & JD McDonagh

Paul Heyman summons Grayson Waller to meeting with Roman Reigns

Dakota Kai gets helped to trainer’s room after apparent attack

Street Profits vs. AOP, Karrion Kross attacks Bobby Lashley’s arm with steel chair

Bayley and Dakota Kai are going to make Damage CTRL pay

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jlab0rXNsk

Roman Reigns has something to tell Grayson Waller — for his ears only

LA Knight vs. Drew McIntyre, pre-Elimination Chamber brawl breaks out

SmackDown fallout: Grayson Waller stays quiet about meeting with Roman Reigns

SmackDown fallout: The Final Testament are the new best thing on SmackDown

WWE SmackDown video highlights: The Rock officially joins The Bloodline

Posted on by Joseph Currier

On SmackDown last night, the new heel version of The Rock was on full display.

The Rock and Roman Reigns stood side-by-side in the main event segment of last night’s show. Reigns called it a historic night, officially introducing The Rock as a member of The Bloodline.

A throwback to his Hollywood persona of the early 2000s, The Rock insulted the Salt Lake City crowd throughout his promo, calling them inbreds and trailer park trash. The Rock said we haven’t seen this side of him in a while, but it’s a side that’s been here all along. The Rock blamed the fans for ruining what should have been the biggest WrestleMania main event in history between him and Reigns.

The Rock promised that he’s going to do everything in his power to make sure that Cody Rhodes loses to Reigns at WrestleMania 40. Rock said he and Reigns are the most dominant duo in sports and entertainment:

Cody Rhodes, make one thing perfectly clear: The Rock is going to do everything in his power to make sure that you walk out of WrestleMania what you are — which is a loser. Everything in his power to make sure that happens.

Cody, your story is just ending. Our story is just beginning. The Bloodline — the most powerful, dominant duo in sports, in entertainment, and of course in the WWE. If you smell… what The Bloodline is cooking.

While Reigns vs. Rhodes is official for WrestleMania, WWE hasn’t confirmed what The Rock will be doing at the show yet. It appears that a tag match with The Rock & Reigns facing Rhodes & Seth Rollins is being built for night one of WrestleMania.

More coverage from last night —

WWE SmackDown video highlights —

Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Kevin Owens vs. Dominik Mysterio

LA Knight is sick of Drew McIntyre’s complaining

Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Tiffany Stratton vs. Zelina Vega

AJ Styles slaps Karl Anderson

Damage CTRL have a warning for Bayley and Dakota Kai

The Authors of Pain vs. Javier Bernal & Beau Morris

Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Logan Paul vs. The Miz

Jade Cargill isn’t happy that her big business meeting got interrupted

Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Naomi vs. Alba Fyre

Dakota Kai needs Bayley to help protect her from Damage CTRL

Bron Breakker is the newest member of the SmackDown roster

The Rock officially joins The Bloodline

SmackDown fallout: Logan Paul, Kevin Owens, Dominik Mysterio, Miz interviews

SmackDown fallout: Naomi, Tiffany Stratton, Zelina Vega, Alba Fyre interviews

WWE Raw video highlights: Seth Rollins offers to be Cody Rhodes’ shield

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Seth Rollins is offering Cody Rhodes help on the road to WrestleMania.

On Raw last night, Rhodes cut a promo responding to The Rock’s actions from the WrestleMania 40 press conference. Rhodes warned The Rock that he has a receipt coming for slapping him.

I recognized the look in Rock’s eyes. That was no longer the people’s energy. It was malevolence. The Rock and Roman Reigns together? That’s the perfect storm. But please, please, please make no mistake about it – Rock, you put your hands on me. Rock, you slapped me across the face. And what that means is I’m going to hit you back.

Rollins then joined Rhodes in the ring. Rhodes thanked Rollins for coming to his aid at the press conference.

Rollins told Rhodes that he understands why Rhodes is challenging Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. Rollins urged Rhodes that he needs to finish his story by defeating Reigns – because it might be the last chance anyone has to beat him.

You need to finish your story for yourself, for your dad, for me, for every single person here tonight. And I’ll tell you why: because if you do not beat Roman Reigns at WrestleMania and take the WWE Undisputed Championship from him, the landscape on the other side of WrestleMania is very, very dark. You’ve got the most powerful champion of the modern era. Roman Reigns. He gets more power. He gets more leverage, which means he shows up less. He defends his title less. That glass ceiling, it gets thicker. Those brass rings, they get higher. This is probably the last real chance that any of us has to take that title, to take that power, and to give it to the people.

Pointing out that Rhodes got screwed out of winning the title at WrestleMania last year, Rollins said the deck is even more stacked against him now. This time, Rhodes has to deal with The Rock. Rollins said Rhodes doesn’t have to fight this battle alone. Rollins said he’s sick and tired of people like The Rock and Reigns always throwing their weight around and getting what they want.

Rollins admitted that he’s partially responsible for making Reigns the person that he is, but he never could have imagined the monster Reigns would become. Rollins said it’s now a two-headed monster with Reigns and The Rock.

When it comes to fighting The Bloodline, when it comes to fighting The Rock, when it comes to fighting Roman Reigns, there is only one man on Earth who is uniquely suited to be your shield. I’ll give you a hint – he was once an Architect, he is now a Visionary, he is a Revolutionary, he is Seth Freakin’ Rollins.

It appears that we’ll be getting a Rhodes & Rollins vs. Reigns & The Rock tag match on night one of WrestleMania, but that has not been announced yet. Rhodes challenging Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship is official for the night two main event.

Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre is set for next Monday’s Raw. McIntyre threatened that, if Rhodes shows up for the match, he may not make it to WrestleMania.

The show-closing angle of last night’s Raw was Rhodes saving Sami Zayn from a beatdown by McIntyre and Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura defeated Zayn in the main event after McIntyre caused a distraction.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

Jey Uso & The New Day vs. Imperium

Andrade needed to leave WWE in 2021 to remember who he was

Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Bobby Lashley vs. Bronson Reed

Shinsuke Nakamura interrupts Sami Zayn’s interview

Seth Rollins offers to be Cody Rhodes’ shield

Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Liv Morgan vs. Zoey Stark

The Judgment Day plan on eliminating R-Truth

R-Truth vs. JD McDonagh, DIY save R-Truth from Judgment Day attack

Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch work together to take out Nia Jax 

Elimination Chamber qualifying match: LA Knight vs. Ivar

Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

Cody Rhodes saves Sami Zayn from Nakamura and Drew McIntyre’s beatdown

Raw fallout: Unlike Jey Uso, Gunther has achieved everything on his own

Raw fallout: Liv Morgan feels really good about her Elimination Chamber odds

Raw fallout: Bronson Reed feels like he’s let down all of Australia

Raw fallout: No one is safe on Ivar’s voyage to WrestleMania

Raw Talk: LA Knight, Lashley, Street Profits & B-Fab, LeRae, Hartwell appear

WWE Raw video highlights: Drew McIntyre attacks Cody Rhodes

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Monday’s WWE Raw didn’t provide any answers about the WrestleMania 40 main event picture.

The show opened with World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins calling Cody Rhodes out to the ring. While Rollins was happy about the possibility of facing Rhodes at WrestleMania, the fans were vocal that Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns is what they want. They chanted “We want Cody” and “Rocky sucks.”

We never got to hear from Rhodes during the segment. Drew McIntyre interrupted it, urging Rhodes that he needs to finish his story against Reigns (only so McIntyre can challenge Rollins at WrestleMania). McIntyre said Rhodes can’t let the fans, his family, and his late father Dusty Rhodes down. When McIntyre cheap-shotted Rollins with a headbutt, Rhodes fought off McIntyre.

Rhodes may not have addressed Reigns or The Rock last night, but he did send out the following tweet: “Appreciate the passion, God bless y’all…but Trust me”

In the main event of Raw, Rhodes and Shinsuke Nakamura renewed their rivalry in a bull rope match. Rhodes got the victory but was attacked by McIntyre immediately after. McIntyre attacked Rhodes from behind, beat him down, and laid him out with a Claymore.

We’ll officially find out what WWE’s plans for WrestleMania are when the company hosts a media event in Las Vegas this Thursday. Rhodes, Reigns, and The Rock will all be in attendance.

More coverage from last night —

WWE Raw video highlights —

Drew McIntyre urges Cody Rhodes to face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania

Fatal four-way tag match (winners face Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate on SmackDown)

Elimination Chamber qualifying match: Becky Lynch vs. Shayna Baszler

Rhea Ripley demands a match against Nia Jax

Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri vs. Ivar & Valhalla

The Miz vs. JD McDonagh

Jey Uso interrupts Gunther’s 600-day celebration

The Kabuki Warriors vs. Chance & Carter for the WWE Women’s Tag Team titles

Sami Zayn sit-down interview

Bull rope match: Cody Rhodes vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, McIntyre attacks Rhodes

Raw fallout: Sami Zayn saves Cody Rhodes from post-show beatdown

Raw fallout: Becky Lynch can’t fail on her road to WrestleMania

Raw fallout: DIY are the best tag team in the world today

Raw Talk: R-Truth & The Miz, Jey Uso & New Day, Zoey Stark appear