5 Ups & 4 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Feb 2 - Results & Review)

The Rock replaces Cody Rhodes; Bayley calls out Damage CTRL; SmackDown signs new stars.

by Jamie Kennedy
The Rock Cody Rhodes
WWE.com

Well, this has split opinion hasn't it?

The Rock returned on Friday's episode of SmackDown and seemingly replaced Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 40. Rhodes voluntarily stepped aside for 'The Great One', and there's probably more to this than meets the eye, but many people are seriously p*ssed that a part-timer swanned in like this.

You've got to give Triple H credit for one thing: SmackDown's conclusion was newsworthy, and this is The Rock we're talking about. He's one of the biggest stars on the planet. Also, WWE doesn't really have many chances to get this match in the ring, so it's no surprise they're going for it. Another twist may be coming though.

Elsewhere, Bayley dropped Damage CTRL in a strong segment, NXT stars debuted on the main roster, and the blue brand's new commentary team smashed it. Spare a thought for The Final Testament mind - they're already struggling to convince, and booking this week didn't help them.

Here's all the good and bad from an action-packed edition of SmackDown that had WrestleMania in mind and the men's Rumble in the rear view mirror.

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Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.