5 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (3 April - Results & Review)

1. Even Fired Up Cody Couldn’t Save This

Cody Rhodes cut an impassioned promo after the tag title match on SmackDown. He aimed fire at Pat McAfee, WWE management, Randy Orton and even Disco Inferno caught a stray - Rhodes said that Orton calling Pat was akin to Kevin Nash and Scott Hall choosing Disco as the nWo's third man instead of Hulk Hogan. Ouch!

Here's the deal: Cody is normally great when he’s ticked off like this, but the material is weak and the story backing it is flimsy. Having Rhodes aim most of his venom at Pat bloody McAfee a mere 2 weeks out from WrestleMania is certainly something. Gee, it's almost like WWE don't really know where they're going here and there was a corporate scramble/panic about lower-than-expected 'Mania ticket sales. So, they've decided to throw something at the wall to find out if it sticks.

Right now, they're praying it does, because we're too close to Las Vegas to back out now.

Previously, fans would've roared their approval for 'fired up Cody' grabbing a mic and ranting on everybody, but he feels less-than as a babyface in April 2026. People are screaming for a bit of a refresh when it comes to his character. Rhodes acknowledged that during his mic time, but said he was coming right for McAfee. Not...Randy? Y'know, the biggest threat to your WWE Championship.

The panicky nature of WWE/TKO's booking has threatened to topple what should've been a lay up of a storyline. Orton and Rhodes have bags of history to lean into, so why the hell do they need an announcer rocking back up to act all tough? It's a bit odd.