Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for March 1, 2024

The Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa) head to the ring to start tonight's show. Roman keeps demanding that the crowd acknowledge him three times in order to get the necessary crowd volume before threatening to leave, and he soon becomes disappointed and says The Bloodline is done here. Paul Heyman reminds Roman that they have some other business, then announces to the crowd that The Rock will be out here live after the commercial break. After the commercial break, The Rock shows up and heads to the ring. The Rock asks the fans if they are sure they want to boo the rock only to get booed, then says he has some good news to share: Glendale, Arizona is ten miles away from Phoenix, which is the number one city for cocaine and meth use. He says the fans' lives have meaning and that the "cactus loving crackheads" finally have something worth shooting into their veins. The Rock says that for the first time in a long time, professional wrestling is cool, exciting and electrifiying again because of The Bloodline and that every city they head to will sell out. He then says that Cody Rhodes is not cool, and says that he will not have a one-on-one match with Cody tonight just because the fans tonight want it, but says that the world wants to go one-on-one with him, especially the women. The Rock then says that none of the women in the crowd are ready for his "22 inches of Heaven" that he will wrap around Cody, and says Cody is not ready for Roman, let alone him. He says The Bloodline looked at Cody's challenge and laughed, then states that they have a counter-offer for him: a tag team match where Cody and Seth Rollins face him and Roman Reigns at Night 1 of WrestleMania. He also says that if the two of them can beat him and Roman at Night 1, then Cody's championship match on Night 2 will be free of The Bloodline. However, if he and Roman win on Night 1, it will be "Bloodline Rules," meaning anything goes and The Bloodline can do anything they see fit, and it will be perfectly legal. The Rock says Cody has a lot to think about before he meets them in Dallas, Texas and gives them his answer. He also says that if they do not accept the challenge, then the world will know that he will do everything to make sure Cody does not become champion. He also says that nobody will be able to stop him, and that he and Roman will tragically end Cody's story. Roman stops The Rock before he can finish his promo, then tells The Rock that he will do anything for his family and that he needs one thing from him: acknowledgment from The Rock. The Rock takes off his sunglasses and tells Roman Reigns that he acknowledges him as his Tribal Chief. Both men then shake hands and hug. The Rock then tells the fans that this is family, and that he and Roman will do anything for family before telling the fans to go home and smoke some more crack before letting Roman finish his outro.

Backstage, Austin Theory and Grayson Waller watch footage from Elimination Chamber when LA Knight shows up carrying a metal folding chair looking for "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, saying he has a souvenir for him. Knight leaves, then Orton shows up, plays along, and proposes that he faces one of them. He ends up facing Theory when Grayson throws Theory under the bus and basically volunteers Theory as Orton's opponent.

Tiffany Stratton beats Naomi.

The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) vs. Bayley and Dakota Kai ends in a no-contest. During the match, Dakota Kai refuses to let Bayley tag her in, revealing that she was in league with Iyo Sky and The Kabuki Warriors all along, and all four of them attack Bayley.

Backstage, Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky and The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka and Kairi Sane) are celebrating when they run into Jade Cargill. General Manager Nick Aldis shows up and tells them now is not the time.

Bron Breakker beats Xyon Quinn in seconds with a Spear.

In memory of Michael Jones "Virgil", 1951 - 2024.

Carlito beats Santos Escobar in a Street Fight. During the match, Rey Mysterio returns on crutches, and he reveals that he is no longer on crutches when he attacks Angel and Humberto as they rush at him. Rey then gets in the ring with Escobar, and Carlito spits the apple mist into Escobar's face before putting him through a table for the win.

Backstage, New Catch Republic (Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne) meets with General Manager Nick Aldis, wanting to do whatever it takes for a tag team title shot at WrestleMania 40. Aldis says he has spoken with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and that they will make an announcement soon. Soon, LA Knight is heard looking for "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, and Aldis tells Knight that he told Styles not to be here tonight. Knight says he will find Styles and hit him with a chair and he will do whatever it takes to do it.

Kevin Owens guests on commentary for the next match.

Randy Orton beats Austin Theory. After the match, Orton is attacked from behind by Grayson Waller, but Kevin Owens leaves the commentary table and fights Grayson. Theory attacks Owens from behind, but Owens is able to fend them off. Theory gets a Stunner, and Grayson gets an RKO. Both men fist bump afterwards.