Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for March 15, 2024

The Rock makes his way to the ring to start tonight's show, and this time, he comes out to the "Hollywood Rock" theme. The Rock talks about how he usually torches and scorches every city that he is in, then says tonight is different, as this city - Memphis, Tennessee - is different. He talks about how he got started in professional wrestling in Memphis every Saturday morning on Channel 5 and every Monday night at the Big Top Flea Market as "Flex Kavana," then declares that he has come back home. The Rock says that it has been years and that everyone is going to have some fun, then proceeds to perform a song. He brings out two local artists for instrumental accompaniment, then sings about what he will do to "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes and Seth "Freakin'" Rollins at WrestleMania. He also makes fun of how Cody Rhodes was born (and the Stardust gimmick), compares Seth Rollins to Memphis Grizzlies player Ja Morant waving a gun, and makes fun of Cody's fans. The Rock then addresses Cody slapping him last week, saying Cody finally manned up and took a swing at him before making fun of him for crying while talking about his mother. He then addresses Cody's mother, saying he knows she is watching and that she will know him in ways she had not, and that Cody took something from him and that he will make him and his entire family. He says that he and Roman Reigns will beat Cody and Rollins at Night One, then says that the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship will stay on Roman's waist before Cody's mom gets The Rock's belt: a leather weight belt with a brahma bull head on it. The Rock says he will beat Cody with the belt and make Cody bleed as he tears his flesh and whips him like a dog over and over, and that Cody's blood will be on the belt before he hands it over to his mother and leave her crying when he and Roman are done. He then says that he will whisper "What can I say except you're welcome?" into Cody's mother's ear.

Legado del Fantasma (Angel and Humberto) beat The Latino World Order (Joaquin Wilde and Cruz del Toro) to advance in the first SmackDown bracket for the 6-Pack Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships.

Kayla Braxton interviews LA Knight on the stage. Knight addresses "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles stating that he needs to be humbled, then says that Styles is speaking his language and dares Styles to humble him right now. Styles does not show up, and Knight says Styles is "not big enough for this ride" and has made nothing but empty threats, and while he attacked him in Australia, he cannot even drive to Memphis to face him. He says that instead of X marking the spot, LA Knight spots the marks, and if Styles doesn't have the guts to show up on SmackDown, he can show up at WrestleMania. He says he may not own SmackDown even though he may walk around like he owns the place, but he will own Styles' ass, and that Styles will find out it is his game at WrestleMania. Suddenly, Knight is attacked from behind with a chair by Styles. Styles accepts Knight's challenge as he sits down on the chair to press it against Knight's throat, and officials have to get Styles to stop.

Backstage, Logan Paul meets with General Manager Nick Aldis, wanting to know what Aldis has in store for Randy Orton after his actions last week. When Logan wants an apology from Orton, Aldis tells Logan to get it from him in person. Logan says that should be Aldis' job, then asks how Aldis can do his job when he cannot even find him a WrestleMania opponent.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Paul Heyman. Jimmy Uso jumps in and mentions his history with "Main Event" Jey Uso, then accepts Jey's challenge.

Two time Grammy Award nominees The War and Treaty are seen in the crowd.

Logan Paul guests on commentary for the next match.

Randy Orton beats Grayson Waller after making Austin Theory pay for getting involved with a draping DDT. After the match, Austin Theory gets behind Orton and hits him with a chop block. Theory then holds Orton down so that Logan Paul can punch Orton, but Kevin Owens shows up and clears both Theory and Logan out of the ring. Orton almost hits Owens with an RKO, but they both see Theory coming, and Owens hits Theory with a Stunner before Orton lays Theory out with an RKO. General Manager Nick Aldis then shows up to get back with Logan Paul regarding their backstage meeting from earlier, then tells Logan that he will face Kevin Owens and Randy Orton in a Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky, Asuka, Kairi Sane). Dakota Kai says Bayley will not be able to take them all out before WrestleMania, then tells Bayley that she will break her and that anybody who feels sorry for Bayley has lost their mind, as this is all Bayley's doing. She says that Damage CTRL had to cut Bayley loose to become stronger, then tells the women's locker room that they run the show.

Santos Escobar beats Dragon Lee. After the match, Legado del Fantasma attack Dragon Lee, then Carlito runs into the match and cleans house. Escobar soon gets the better of Carlito, but Rey Mysterio shows up. Rey Mysterio gets Escobar in position for the 619, but Escobar is able to roll out of the ring before he can hit it. Rey asks Escobar why he is running, then tells Escobar he will give him what he wants next week with a one-on-one match. Rey also promises that he will slap the stupid, arrogant smile off of Escobar's face.

New Catch Republic (Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne) beat Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince) to advance in the first SmackDown bracket for the 6-Pack Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships.

Bayley beats Dakota Kai by disqualification after Dakota Kai grabs Bayley the ankle so that Iyo Sky can strike Bayley as Bayley and Iyo have an in-ring confrontation. After the match, Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Iyo Sky, Asuka, Kairi Sane) attack Bayley, but Naomi runs into the ring to make the save. The numbers game catches up to Naomi, and Damage CTRL continue to gang up on Bayley to end the show.

This week on The SmackDown LowDown: New Catch Republic (Tyler Bate and Pete Dunne)! Grayson Waller and Austin Theory! Dakota Kai and Iyo Sky!

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!