6 Ups & 3 Downs From WWE SmackDown (March 8 - Results & Review)

1. Cody Rhodes Slaps The Rock

The Rock had this receipt coming.

He smacked the taste out of Cody's mouth during the WrestleMania 40 press event in Las Vegas a short while back, but Rhodes got his revenge on SmackDown by slapping Dwayne as payback for The Tooth Fairy. No, wait, that wasn't it. He was slapping him because Rock slapped him. Sorry!

Seriously though, that show-ending skit was drenched in big time atmosphere. Being honest, it did feel like the guys were running short on time near the end, but that only created a sense of urgency for something huge to happen. Cody's slap was a banner moment in the build towards 'Mania.

Rhodes fighting back physically achieves two goals. One, it's what The Rock deserved for laying hands on him first. Second, it also shows that the heels are getting underneath Cody's skin the closer we get to crunch time. Rocky's sly smile post-slap sold that idea.

Stunning TV from all involved.

What did you think of this week's WWE SmackDown? For more wrestling, check out WWE 2K24: 15 Legends Who Must Be Included As DLC and WWE 2K24: 10 Things You NEED To Know Before You Buy!