Tonight’s WWE SmackDown, airing February 21, 2025, promises an action-packed night live from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The show will see “The Final Boss” The Rock make his return to the blue brand. Plus, Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest and “The Monster Of All Monsters” Braun Strowman will face Solo Sikoa, “The Samoan Werewolf” Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga in a 6-Man Tag Team Match.
The show kicks off at 8:00 PM ET on the USA Network and is available for international fans on streaming platforms like Netflix. Ringside News will provide live, match-by-match updates and highlights throughout the night. Stay tuned to this page, refresh for the latest results as the action unfolds, and join the conversation in the comments below!
The show opens up with Joe Tessitore welcoming us as a skyline shot of New Orleans, Louisiana is shown. Tessitore then hypes The Rock’s appearance and a “Final Boss Returns” graphic is shown. We then see the arrivals of WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton, WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Naomi and Bianca Belair and Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes to the arena.
We then see Cody Rhodes run into SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. Aldis shakes hands with Rhodes and tells him that he was removing the Undisputed WWE Champion from the 6-Man Tag Team Match later tonight. Rhodes wasn’t happy about it, but Aldis told Rhodes it came from The Final Boss and he wanted to see Rhodes later in the ring.
Drew McIntyre then makes his way down to the ring for the first match of the night as he is being introduced by ring announcer Lilian Garcia. Jimmy Uso is then shown walking backstage. Jimmy looks into the camera and addresses McIntyre. Jimmy questions whether McIntyre will win the Elimination Chamber Match and go on to win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. Jimmy says he could answer that and then motions no before the crowd says “yeet.” Jimmy Uso then makes his way down to the ring.
The match starts off with Jimmy Uso delivering some strikes on Drew McIntyre. Jimmy then hits an enzuigiri on McIntyre from the apron, then follows it up with a crossbody off the top. McIntyre then responds with a belly-to-belly suplex on Jimmy, but Jimmy hits a tope suicida on McIntyre through the middle rope. McIntyre then responds by slingshotting Jimmy into the ring steps face first with an Alabama Slam.
McIntyre then nails Jimmy inside the ring, then wears him down with a submission hold and delivers some right hands on his spine as both men teeter on the ropes. Jimmy then hits a corkscrew on McIntyre off the ropes, then follows it up with an Open Palm Strike and a Samoan Drop. McIntyre then responds with a spinebuster on Jimmy and both men exchange right hands with one another before McIntyre looks to fly off the top. Jimmy then intercepts McIntyre with a superkick and a spear, then goes for a pin but McIntyre kicks out.
McIntyre then nails Jimmy with a neckbreaker, then kips up and calls for the Claymore Kick. Jimmy then prevents McIntyre from hitting the move, but McIntyre berates him in the corner and delivers some strikes on him. McIntyre then sets up for a second Alabama Slam, but Jimmy counters it into a roll up for the win.
The winner of the Singles Match, Jimmy Uso!
After the match, McIntyre delivers some right hands on Jimmy and sends his head repeatedly bouncing off the mat. McIntyre then drags Jimmy over to the ring post and stares him down, but officials make their way down to the ring to stop McIntyre before he can do anything else. Some of the officials then escort McIntyre up the ramp as the rest check on Jimmy, but McIntyre breaks free and hits a Claymore Kick on Jimmy inside the ring.
We then get some video footage from last week’s main event. A vehicle is then shown pulling up outside the building and Solo Sikoa exits the vehicle. Sikoa then runs into Tama Tonga and Jacob Fatu. Sikoa says what happened to Tonga last week was an accident. Fatu then says if it wasn’t an accident Sikoa wouldn’t be standing there right now. Sikoa then says he will be in Fatu and Tonga’s corner later and Fatu corrected him and says it will be Sikoa and Fatu teaming in the main event. Sikoa then says that’s why he loves Fatu. Sikoa then says he is going to talk to Nick Aldis.
We then get an ad for RAW hyping Bianca Belair and Naomi vs. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles and Lyra Valkyria vs. Dakota Kai for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship.
We then get a video package highlighting the Men’s Elimination Chamber participants.
We then get video footage from earlier today and it featured Carmelo Hayes running into R-Truth. Truth says they have a Tag Team Match later tonight. The Miz then reveals himself as the person who made the match. The Miz then says he and Hayes will team as “Melo Don’t Miz” and then asks Truth who his partner will be. Truth says he has a Louisiana legend. The Miz then tries to get Hayes to say “awesome.” When Hayes leaves The Miz hanging, Truth returns and tells Hayes that The Miz wanted him to say “awesome” and Hayes says no.
Carmelo Hayes and The Miz then make their way down to the ring for the next match of the night.
We then get a clip from WWE LFG that showed WWE Hall of Famer Bubba Ray Dudley giving advice to a trainee.
We then get a video vignette on Zelina Vega. Vega says people have judged her based on her size throughout her carer. Vega then says she has never had it easy and had to scratch and claw for everything. Vega then speaks about how moving to Smackdown is a fresh start. Vega then says her dreams are bigger than her measurements and a shot of the WWE Women’s Championship is shown).
R-Truth’s music then hits and he makes his way down to the ring. Truth says his partner is a local legend. Truth then introduces LA Knight as Louisiana Knight. Knight then makes his way out and looks confused. Truth then gives Knight some beads and a Po Boy sandwich. Knight then eats the sandwich and gives away the beads on his way down to the ring.
The match starts off with R-Truth calling for The Miz to face him in the ring, but Carmelo Hayes tells The Miz that he’ll take his place instead. Hayes then nails Truth with a shoulder tackle and Hayes rolls up Truth. Truth then kicks out and hits an arm drag on Hayes. Truth then tags in Miz, thinking that he is his tag team partner, opening the door for Hayes to knock him off the apron.
Miz then nails some kicks on Truth’s chest, then tags in Hayes. Hayes then goes for a pin on Truth, but Truth kicks out and wears down Hayes with a submission hold. Truth then hits a Stun-Dog Millionaire on Hayes, then tags in Knight as Miz tags in on his side. Knight then hits Miz with a flying clothesline, then follows it up with an elbow drop.
Hayes then tags in and hits Knight with a superkick, then sets up for The First 48. Knight then avoids it and sets up for BFT, but Hayes escapes. Truth then tags in and hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle on Hayes. Truth then sets up for the Attitude Adjustment, but Hayes escapes. Truth then nails Hayes with a right hand and locks in an STF on Hayes. Miz then breaks the hold, but Knight sends him crashing into the barricade.
Shinsuke Nakamura then appears out of nowhere and attacks Knight while the referee is distracted, opening the door for Miz to tag in and hits a Skull Crushing Finale-First 48 combination with Hayes for the win.
The winners of the Tag Team Match, Carmelo Hayes and The Miz!
After the match, Hayes cuts in front of The Miz twice while they were posing for the crowd.
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton is then shown walking backstage while a graphic lists her match with Candice LeRae coming up next.
We then get a video vignette on 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble Match winner “The Queen” Charlotte Flair. Flair says The GOAT doesn’t have to call herself The GOAT. Flair then says she has crafted a legacy that no one can touch. We then see video footage of Charlotte Flair winning the Royal Rumble and then choosing to challenge Tiffany Stratton at WrestleMania.
WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton then makes her way down to the ring for the next match of the night. Wade Barrett says Tiffany Stratton and Trish Stratus vs. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae is official for the Elimination Chamber event. Stratton then says everyone has been obsessed with her since she won the championship. Stratton then speaks briefly about how she and Stratus will stop Jax and LeRae at Elimination Chamber. Tiffany then turns her focus to Charlotte Flair and talks about the angle with her last week. Tiffany says nobody loves to kick a girl when she’s down quite like Charlotte Flair does. Tiffany then says she’s coming for Charlotte Flair’s spot as the top girl in the WWE.
Nia Jax’s music then hits and Jax makes her way out with a microphone in hand and Candice LeRae by her side. Jax says it is cute to think Tiffany could have beat her last week. Jax then says Tiffany won’t even see WrestleMania because she will be coming back for her WWE Women’s Championship. Tiffany then tells Jax to give it up because the title isn’t her’s. Jax and LeRae then steps into the ring and says they will both take Tiffany out now. A referee then enters into the ring and doesn’t let it happen.
The match starts off with both women locking up. They then take turns in locking each other in submissions, but LeRae sends Stratton’s head bouncing off the mat and locks in a Half Boston Crab on her. Stratton then escapes with a series of kicks, then hits LeRae with a couple of shoulder tackles.
Charlotte Flair’s music then hits and she makes her way down to the ring as LeRae hits a Blockbuster on the mat. Stratton then climbs to the top rope and hits a moonsault on LeRae and Jax on the outside, but LeRae responds with a dropkick off the middle rope back in the ring on Stratton. Stratton then hits a handspring back elbow on LeRae and follows it up with a spinebuster before Stratton looks to hit a Swanton Bomb off the top on LeRae.
LeRae then avoids it, but Stratton sets up for Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Jax then pulls LeRae out of the ring before she can hit the move, but Stratton nails Jax with a dropkick and hits an Alabama Slam on LeRae on one of the barricades. Stratton then follows it up with Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the win.
The winner of the Non-Title Match, WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton!
After the match, Jax blindsides Stratton but WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus comes to her aid. LeRae then hits a chop block on Stratus and Jax hits a headbutt on her. Jax then stacks Stratus on top of Stratton and hits an An-Nia-Lator on both of them. Flair then stands over Stratton and points to the WrestleMania sign.
We then head to the back, where Cody Rhodes runs into Damian Priest and Priest asks Cody why The Rock is there. Cody then says he doesn’t know, but he is sure it will be interesting. Priest then says after the Elimination Chamber he will be coming for Cody’s title. Cody then says he wouldn’t have it any other way. Braun Strowman then shows up after Cody walks out. Strowman says if it wasn’t for Solo Sikoa the Elimination Chamber will look a lot different. They then joke for a second and Priest asks Strowman if they will handle business later. Strowman then says they will because it’s the only thing he cares about.
We then get a video package highlighting the Women’s Elimination Chamber participants.
We then see Byron Saxton interviewing WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Naomi and Bianca Belair. Naomi says she knows Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez are the ones responsible for attacking Jade Cargill. Belair then says they are going to get revenge on Liv and Raquel and move on to the Elimination Chamber next weekend. Naomi then says Liv especially will feel it later tonight.
We then get a video vignette on Alexa Bliss. Bliss says while she was away, there was a lot of change that happened to her. Bliss then says when she looks around this place is still the same. Bliss then says the names and faces may be different, but the desperation and insecurities remain the same. Bliss then says she will turn the Elimination Chamber into a playground of her own. Bliss then says she knows and loves the Chamber and has won the match before. Bliss then says it will be a hell unlike the other five women have never seen before. Bliss then says it’s her division and she is in charge. Bliss then smiles and says, “See you soon” to close.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Naomi and Bianca Belair then made their way down to the ring for Naomi’s singles match against Liv Morgan. Naomi and Belair is posing on the apron when they are attacked by Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Belair starts to get the better of Rodriguez until Morgan clips her knee. Rodriguez then hits Belair with a Tejana Bomb. Morgan then hits Naomi with the Oblivion. A group of referees then run in and the heels make their exit as the match has been called off.
The Rock’s black Ford truck pulls up into the parking area. Joe Tessitore says The Final Boss is in New Orleans and is up next.
We then head to the back, where SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis is talking to Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Aldis tells them to get the hell out of the building and they laugh at him while making their exit. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven then shows up and Green says she and Niven are ready to take Belair and Naomi’s places in the Chamber. Aldis then says Naomi and Belair will still be in the Chamber and Green pouts. Aldis then says Green will have an opponent not at the Chamber, but at SmackDown next week.
“The Final Boss” The Rock’s music then hits and he makes his way down to the ring.
Loud “Rocky!” chants started to break out. Someone then threw a microphone at The Rock from outside the ring and he catches it. The Rock then teases talking, but his music keeps playing and more “Rocky!” chants breaks out. The Rock then asks the fans if they feel it and everyone started to yell. The Rock then says he was going to drop something, which was bleeped out and the fans cheer. The Rock then does his “Finally …” schtick and the fans love it. The Rock then says, “And finally, WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans.” Pyro then goes off and next year’s WrestleMania graphic appears on the video screens, with the event taking place on April 11th and April 12th. “Holy sh@#” chants then breaks out.
The Rock then starts to sing “When The Saints Go Marching In” and The Rock tells the fans to shut up so he could sing. The Rock then sings the rest of the refrain with the fans and The Rock calls the fans “STD-having trailer-park trash.” The fans then quickly turns on him and boos The Rock. The Rock then says he is also there to call somebody out – someone who he respects and admires: Cody Rhodes. Cody’s music then hits and he makes his way down to the ring.
Both men then hug in the middle of the ring while Cody’s music is still playing and The Rock kisses Cody. The Rock then tells Cody, “They love you, man” and Cody turns to the fans to say, “I love you, too.” The Rock then says since last year’s WrestleMania the two of them have become good friends. The Rock then references the first RAW on Netflix. The Rock then thanks Cody again for being an incredible champion. The Rock then notes how they drank some tequila together at that RAW. The Rock then says their moms have become good friends and The Rock shows a picture of Mama Rhodes and Mama Rock together at last year’s WrestleMania.
The Rock then says he called Cody out to tell him he’s been a great champion, but he is on the board of TKO and TKO owns WWE. The Rock then reminds everyone he is the director of the Board of TKO. The Rock then talks about how he’s the most powerful man in WWE. The Rock then says Cody is a great champion, but he wants Cody to be something more than a great champion; he wants Cody to be his champion. Cody then says he didn’t expect they will be friends, but he was wondering what The Rock meant because he is not his champion, he is the fans’ champion and turns toward the fans. The fans then chant Cody’s name.
The Rock then says he is talking about something bigger than just this. The Rock then says he knows Cody’s No. 1 goal is to bring as much joy and happiness to as many people around the world. The Rock then talks about Cody’s social media statistics and says The Rock has half a billion social followers. The Rock then says if Cody becomes his champion, he can open up possibilities for Cody that he never knew existed. The Rock then says if Cody becomes his champion, he could make all Cody’s dreams come true. The Rock then says he could make Cody’s baby’s dreams come true and he just needs Cody to be his champion.
The Rock then says Cody is a lucky man and he has it all. The Rock then tells a crowd member to shut their mouth and everyone reacts. The Rock then says the one thing he’s always wanted that he’s never had is a brother and the fans boo. The Rock then says that’s what Cody could be. The Rock then says last year his goal was to face Roman Reigns for the WWE Title, but when he came back he tried to demand a match with Roman and Cody f***ed it up. The Rock then says Cody slapped him and that’s why Cody is special. The Rock then says these are the reasons why he said Cody should be his champion. The Rock then says Cody could think about it and talk to his wife about it. The Rock then says he will meet Cody at Elimination Chamber and he wants Cody’s answer at that event next weekend.
The Rock then thanks the crowd for being hot ass. The Rock then says the one thing he wants more than anything in the world is that and he points at the title. Cody then asks Rock if all he wanted was the title. The Rock then says that wasn’t the title instead, he Rock wants Cody’s soul. The Rock then says he will see Cody at the Chamber on March 1 in Toronto and threw the microphone out of the ring. The Rock then steps out of the ring to boos and Cody looks confused inside the ring. The Rock then turns back after walking away and takes his glasses off. The Rock then grins as he walks to the back. Cody looks distraught in the ring and the segment ends.
WWE Tag Team Champions #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) then make their way down to the ring with microphones in hand. Ciampa says tonight has been electrifying, but he wants everyone to be somber for a second. Ciampa then says two weeks ago Pretty Deadly embarrassed them and tonight #DIY will return the favor. Ciampa then asks everyone to rise to their feet and remove their baseball caps and bow their heads for a moment of silence for Pretty Deadly. The crowd then boos and Ciampa shakes his head. Pretty Deadly’s music then hits and they make their way down to the ring for the WWE Tag Team Title match. Pretty Deadly then attacks #DIY and their music keeps playing. Pretty Deadly then poses underneath the big disco ball and the match is underway.
The match starts off with Ciampa continuing to beat Prince down, then tags in Johnny Gargano. Ciampa then sends Prince crashing into both of Gargano’s boots and Gargano delivers some right hands on him. Ciampa then tags back in and hits a backbreaker on Prince and #DIY deliver some right and left hands on Prince in the corner. Gargano and Prince then tag in, but The Street Profits appear out of nowhere to cause the disqualification.
The winners and still the WWE Tag Team Champions, #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa)!
After the match, The Profits continue beating #DIY down until The Motor City Machine Guns make their way down to the ring and brawl with The Profits, but The Profits take down the Motor City Machine Guns nailing Sabin with a sit out powerbomb-neckbreaker combination.
We then get a video vignetter on 16-time World Champion John Cena.
We then get video footage from Sami Zayn’s promo on RAW followed by a Kevin Owens promo from X earlier in the day. Owens speaks about how Zayn couldn’t let it go. Owens then says Zayn wants to hurt him and end his career, which will hurt his family. Owens then asks about Zayn’s family. Owens then turns the camera and gets a shot through a window of Zayn’s home where Sami was hanging out with his wife and son. Owens then asks what will happen to Zayn’s family and the nice house when it’s all gone. Owens then says Zayn is selfish for making him do this to them. Owens then says he will never forgive Zayn for this. Owens then tells Zayn he will see him in Toronto and tells him to remember that he asked for this. Owens then tells Zayn it’s all your fault.
Damian Priest then makes his way down to the ring for the main event of the night. Braun Strowman makes his way down to the the ring next. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu are then shown walking through the backstage area towards the ring and Fatu cuts off Sikoa’s promo in favor of his own. Fatu then tells them to play his music and Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa, alongside Tama Tonga make their way down to the ring for the main event.
The match starts off with all four men staring one another down. Priest and Sikoa then locks up before they trade strikes with one another. Strowman then tags in and hits a splash on Sikoa in the corner, then punches a chair out of Tama Tonga’s hand. Fatu then takes advantage and sends Strowman crashing over the barricade near the timekeeper’s area, then nails Strowman with a headbutt. Strowman then sends Fatu crashing into the ring steps, then sends him back inside the ring.
Fatu and Sikoa then tag in and out as they continue to wear down Strowman and Fatu hits a splash off the middle rope on Strowman when he tags back in. Fatu then hits a senton on Strowman, then tags Sikoa back in. Sikoa then hits a Hip Attack on Strowman in the corner. Fatu then tags back in and hits a Hip Attack on Strowman, but Strowman intercepts Fatu with a kick when he charges at him and nails Fatu with a spinebuster.
Priest then tags in and runs over Sikoa, then hits a back elbow on him in the corner. Sikoa then hits Priest with a superkick, but Priest hits Sikoa with a kick of his own and follows it up with an elevated flatliner. Sikoa then places Priest on his shoulders, but Priest escapes and hits a kick on Sikoa. Fatu then looks to hit a superkick on Priest, but accidentally hits Sikoa. Priest then hits Sikoa with a clothesline and follows it up with South of Heaven for the win.
The winners of the Tag Team Match, Damian Priest and “The Monster Of All Monsters” Braun Strowman!
After the match, Priest and Strowman celebrate their win as the producer credits are shown. Priest then stands on the middle rope and looks at the WrestleMania sign as the show comes to a close.