Friday Night SmackDown Review - March 1, 2024

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

The Bloodline Challenged Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth "Freakin" Rollins to a Tag Team Match on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40

Aside from the feed and the audio constantly cutting out, this was an excellent opening segment. Check out The Rock's full video he posted on social media earlier in the day for his full explanation for why he's frustrated with Rhodes, but this was still a fantastic follow-up. He wasn't in Attitude Era Rock mode as much and kept it pretty straightforward in addressing Rhodes and Rollins by officially challenging them to a tag team match at 'Mania. I'm not super high on that idea, but at least the stipulations give it meaning. What I also appreciated about this was Roman Reigns' reactions while Rock was talking and how he told Rock to acknowledge him, which he did. The subtle teases of tension were needed to ensure Reigns wasn't overshadowed. Yes, this ate up a ton of television time, but it's hard to complain when it's compelling television.

Tiffany Stratton def. Naomi

Stratton's entrance was shortened and Naomi's entrance wasn't televised at all, but I assume that's because the opening segment went long and not because Naomi is getting the jobber treatment already. These two had a nice match in the time they were allotted and Stratton made more sense to go over. She's gradually getting over and it's awesome to see. Interestingly, Bianca Belair wasn't on this episode, putting my idea of her facing Stratton at WrestleMania in doubt.

Bayley and Dakota Kai vs. WWE Women's Tag Team Champions The Kabuki Warriors Ended in a No Contest (Non-Title)

Kai turning on Bayley was perhaps the most predictable thing to happen on this show, but I thought this was well done, nonetheless. Kai never tagged in, but she did get physical with Bayley at ringside, so she seems to be completely cleared. The match wasn't anything special, but it was a necessary angle to get heat back on Damage CTRL and establish that Kai is still with them. Who will come to Bayley's aid to even the odds before she challenges IYO SKY for the WWE Women's Championship?

NXT Tag Team Champion Bron Breakker def. Xyon Quinn

I was legitimately just thinking about Quinn the other day in regards to how he was a free agent coming out of last year's WWE Draft and has barely shown up anywhere since. That's why he was the right person for this role in being immediately squashed by Breakker, who came off like a total beast. Needless to say, sky is the limit for him on the main roster. Now the question is how he factors into the WrestleMania build. Perhaps he wins the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, but it'd be better for him to be on the actual card.

Carlito def. Santos Escobar in a Street Fight

We just got a Street Fight on Monday's Raw between The New Day and Imperium and while this wasn't much different, the crowd thoroughly enjoyed it, nonetheless. This was fun stuff and Rey Mysterio's return was perfectly executed. He's been off television for four months, so he got a big pop. The stage is set for Mysterio vs. Escobar one-on-one at WrestleMania and I hope they don't turn it into some sort of a tag team match with the other members of The LWO and Legado del Fantasma.

Randy Orton def. Austin Theory

Earlier in the night, Orton caught Theory and Grayson Waller backstage watching the video of Logan Paul causing Orton to be eliminated at Elimination Chamber and that was the setup for this match. Similar to Rhodes vs. Waller from Monday's Raw, this wasn't main event material, but Orton is so over that the crowd didn't seem to mind. They had a quality contest and Theory sold that RKO from Orton beautifully. It looks like it will be Paul vs. Orton vs. Owens in a Triple Threat for the United States Championship at WrestleMania.

Overall Show

I had high hopes for this post-Elimination Chamber edition of SmackDown and it definitely delivered. I loved what we got from The Bloodline in the opening segment, Kai betraying Bayley and Mysterio returning were notable, Breakker and Stratton were showcased, and more seeds were planted for potential WrestleMania matches. A strong show from start to finish tonight that left me looking forward to the rest of the road to WrestleMania on the blue brand side.

SEE MORE: SmackDown Reviews