Sun Feb 23 16:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Rock Returns to WWE, Challenges Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 42
**NEW ORLEANS, LA** – In a shocking return to WWE SmackDown, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson ignited the Superdome with a fiery promo, challenging WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to a monumental showdown at WrestleMania 42, also confirmed for New Orleans.
The Rock’s appearance, teased earlier with a cryptic social media post featuring a Rolex gifted by Rhodes, was met with a thunderous ovation. However, the People’s Champion quickly transitioned from beloved babyface to heel, unleashing a profanity-laced tirade against the New Orleans crowd. He then shifted gears, offering Rhodes a proposition: become *his* champion.
The Rock, leveraging his considerable influence within WWE (he’s on the board of directors at TKO), attempted to entice Rhodes with promises of fulfilling his championship dreams. Rhodes, however, asserted his desire to remain “the people’s champion,” leaving the decision hanging until the Elimination Chamber event on March 1st.
The unexpected turn of events overshadowed other SmackDown highlights, including Jimmy Uso’s upset victory over Drew McIntyre (quickly reversed by McIntyre’s post-match attack), and a chaotic tag team match ending in a no contest after an interference by the Street Profits. Elsewhere, Tiffany Stratton’s championship aspirations were interrupted by Nia Jax and Candice LeRae, leading to a multi-woman brawl, and Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez attacked Naomi, effectively canceling her scheduled match with Morgan.
The show also saw continued tension between Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu, culminating in Priest’s victory over Sikoa after Fatu’s accidental interference. R-Truth’s ongoing comedic antics continued with a hilarious tag team partnership with LA Knight.
The Rock’s unexpected heel turn and the high-stakes challenge to Cody Rhodes have set the stage for a potentially explosive WrestleMania 42 main event, leaving fans buzzing with anticipation.
First Piper 