In the world of WWE SmackDown, a power struggle is brewing. Chief content officer Paul Levesque, also known as Triple H, stood firm in his decision to book Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes for WrestleMania 40. However, this decision has sparked tension, particularly with Triple H’s old foe, The Rock.
On a recent episode of SmackDown, Paul Levesque took the center stage to support Cody Rhodes’ rightful rematch against the undisputed WWE universal champion, Roman Reigns. Levesque didn’t shy away from taking shots at both Reigns and Dwayne Johnson, also known as The Rock, while defending his decision. This set the stage for a dramatic episode, as Paul Heyman, the special counsel for The Bloodline, revealed that both Reigns and The Rock would appear the following week to confront Triple H, or “The Game.”
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In addition to the power struggle between Triple H, Roman Reigns, and The Rock, SmackDown also introduced a men’s Elimination Chamber match to determine Seth Rollins’ challenger at WrestleMania. Over the next seven days on SmackDown and Raw, twelve superstars, including Randy Orton, Bronson Reed, Kevin Owens, Logan Paul, AJ Styles, The Miz, Bobby Lashley, Ivar, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, Dominik Mysterio, and LA Knight, will compete in qualifying matches. The ultimate winner of the Elimination Chamber will go on to face Rollins at WrestleMania.
Another focal point of the recent SmackDown episode was the implosion of Damage CTRL. The backstage tensions and conflicts within the group have reached a boiling point, culminating in a confrontation between Bayley and Dakota Kai. Kai, who had previously been aligned with Damage CTRL, sided with Bayley and saved her from the group’s attack. The fans in Charlotte didn’t seem convinced by Kai’s explanations, adding an air of uncertainty to her true intentions.
The main event of SmackDown featured a thrilling match between Randy Orton and Sami Zayn. This back-and-forth battle showcased Zayn’s agility against Orton’s power. Zayn utilized his agility to deliver impressive moves, including an Asai moonsault after being thrown into the barricade by Orton. However, it was Orton who emerged victorious, catching Zayn with an RKO. The match concluded with a post-match face-off between Orton and Drew McIntyre, hinting at a potential future feud.
The chaos surrounding the main event of WrestleMania has been a cause for concern in recent weeks. However, it seems that WWE is successfully pivoting to address the fans’ desires. The decision to make Reigns vs. Rhodes the main event, especially after Rhodes’ Royal Rumble win, was a necessary rectification. Additionally, turning The Rock into a heel in response to fan backlash was a smart choice. The union between Reigns and The Rock promises to create compelling programming in the coming weeks.
While the power struggle between Paul Levesque and Dwayne Johnson risks becoming convoluted and overly meta, it also holds potential due to the long history between the two men. The addition of the Elimination Chamber match to crown Rollins’ challenger adds straightforward and welcomed booking to the mix. The fact that Zayn and other top acts failed to qualify speaks to the current strength of WWE’s main event scene.
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Aside from the main events, several other notable moments occurred on SmackDown. Drew McIntyre secured his spot in the men’s Elimination Chamber match by defeating AJ Styles with a Claymore kick. Bianca Belair also qualified for the women’s Elimination Chamber match by defeating Michin with her signature move, the KOD. Dakota Kai’s unexpected alliance with Bayley added intrigue to the ongoing saga of Damage CTRL. Bobby Lashley, Street Profits, and B-Fab delivered a promo on The Final Testament, further fueling their ongoing rivalry. British Strong Style, consisting of Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate, defeated DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) to become the number one contenders for the undisputed tag team titles.
