WWE SmackDown Notes: Results, New Commentary Team, Naomi & Tiffany Stratton Joins SD, Bron Breakker & Jade Cargill Appears, Bayley Picks IYO SKY’s Title, Cody Gives Up Mania Rematch for Rock

WWE SmackDown Results – Feb. 2, 2024

February 2, 2024
Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena
Commentary – Corey Graves and Wade Barrett

Quick Match Results

  1. Kevin Owens defeated Austin Theory via Brass Knuckles Punch (pinfall)
  2. Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Fatal Four-way Qualifier match – Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne defeated Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince & Kit Wilson), Legado Del Fantasma (Angel & Humberto), and LWO (Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro) via Double Team Tyler Driver ’97 (pinfall)
  3. The Final Testament (Karrion Kross & Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar) vs. Bobby Lashley & Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) went to a No Contest
  4. Tiffany Stratton defeated Michin via Prettiest Moonsault Ever (pinfall)

Corey Graves & Wade Barrett Revealed as New Commentary Team for SmackDown

As noted before, WWE removed Kevin Patrick as the lead commentator for their SmackDown brand this past January and was released from the company shortly afterwards. This past Monday’s RAW show featured Pat McAfee replacing Wade Barrett as the new color commentator for RAW leaving Barrett’s commentary future in the company unknown at the time. Corey Graves and Barrett were expected to become the new commentary team for the SmackDown brand going forward.

At the start of tonight’s SmackDown show in Miami, it was revealed that Graves and Barrett are the new official commentary team going forward for SmackDown shows with Graves as the new lead commentator and Barrett remaining as a color commentator.


Naomi & Tiffany Stratton Officially Joins SmackDown Brand

Friday’s SmackDown show featured the announcement of Naomi and NXT talent Tiffany Stratton officially joining WWE’s SmackDown brand.

During a backstage segment, Naomi was seen walking out of SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis’ office with a SmackDown contract in her hand. Naomi told Bianca Belair, Michin and Shotzi who were waiting outside that she signed a deal with SmackDown leading to them all celebrating. This celebration was quickly interrupted by Stratton who showed up with a SmackDown contract in her hands as well and took offense over the lack of celebration over her signing with the brand as well. Stratton stated that she will remember this and slapped Michin before running away. This led to Aldis coming out of his office to see what all the ruckus was about and was confronted by an angry Michin who demanded a match tonight against Stratton to get her payback.


Damage CTRL Turns on Bayley & Bayley Chooses IYO SKY’s Title for WrestleMania 40 Match

Friday’s SmackDown show also featured this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble winner Bayley choosing IYO SKY’s WWE Women’s Championship for her title match at WrestleMania 40.

This was setup following an in-ring promo segment and brawl involving Bayley and Damage CTRL. After Damage CTRL walked to the ring to be joined by RAW General Manager Adam Pearce and SmackDown General Nick Aldis, Bayley reflected about WrestleMania stating that she has almost done it all but this year will be different and special. Bayley stated that it is different because she did not get here on her own and had a lot of ups and down. Bayley also stated that she was not in it alone because she had her girls in Damage CTRL and mentioned how Damage CTRL is family. This led to Asuka, IYO SKY, and Kairi Sane laughing behind Bayley’s back.

Bayley then stated that when she thinks about WrestleMania, she thinks about matches, moments, and being the best and called out Rhea Ripley. Bayley then stated that she can also fight a different fight because sometimes its not all about holding a title and instead it is more personal. Bayley stated that sometimes it comes down to what is in your heart and proving people wrong and how people who you thought were your friends, sometimes you have to prove them wrong. Bayley then turned her attention towards Damage CTRL and told them if they were done laughing and spoke in Japanese which led to Asuka, SKY, and Sane being in shock. Bayley stated that she picked it up after all the times they talked about her behind her back. Bayley brought up how they constantly talk about her and how all she wanted was for Damage CTRL to be the best and take it to WrestleMania and do it together. Bayley then confronted SKY and asked her what happened to this, which led to Asuka and Sane attacking Bayley from behind. Sky joined in on the attack and sent Bayley to the corner. This led to Bayley grabbing a steel pipe from under the ring while they were not looking and attacked back sending Kairi and Asuka out of the ring and a brief standoff with SKY before SKY left the ring. Bayley then grabbed the microphone and stated that she made her choice and she will see IYO at WrestleMania 40.

Following the segment, it was confirmed that this match was made official for the event.


Bron Breakker & Jade Cargill Make Surprise Appearances at Friday’s SmackDown Show

Friday’s SmackDown show also featured Bron Breakker and Jade Cargill making surprise appearances.

In a backstage segment, Breakker was seen with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis in his office in the process of preparing to sign an official contract for the SmackDown brand. Before anything could happen, RAW GM Adam Pearce interrupted and managed to persuade Breakker to hold off on his decision until next week and invited him to show up at next week’s RAW show. This led to Breakker telling Aldis that he is going to hold off on making his decision on which brand to sign with.

Following Breakker leaving, Cargill walked in and greeted Aldis asking him if it was the right time to talk. Aldis responded stating that it was and asked Pearce to leave, which he did.


Cody Rhodes Declines Match with Roman Reigns for WrestleMania 40 & The Rock Makes Surprise Appearance

Friday’s SmackDown show also featured this year’s Men’s Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes choosing for his title match at WrestleMania 40.

This was setup following an in-ring promo segment involving The Bloodline and Rhodes. Roman Reigns proceeded to verbally destroy Seth Rollins and his WWE World Championship claiming that there were things said at this past Monday’s RAW show that they can not just let slide. Reigns stated that he had beat everyone who competed for Rollins title and claimed that would make them all the number twos’ and that should be the loser bracket title. Reigns took issue with Rollins’ claims of him being “The Guy” stating that Rollins can’t run around in his wife’s clothes for two years and say he is the guy. Reigns also took offense to Rollins’ claims of him being the work horse and proceeded to mock Rollins for being hurt and imitated his limp asking if workhorses walk like that. Reigns also took offense to Rollins’ attacking his work schedule stating that he works 10 times less than Rollins but still makes 10 times more than he does. Reigns asked the crowd if they want to Rollins’ money or the Tribal Chief’s money. Reigns then turned his attention to Rhodes and called him an idiot. Reigns stated that Rhodes has values and all of that and does not care about the money. Reigns then stated that he will not beg to him like Rollins did and said that Rhodes can either be the very best number two in the industry or he can take a crack at number one again.

This led to Rhodes coming out to the ring. Rhodes stated that he wanted to have a talk with Reigns alone in the ring, which led to Reigns motioning for the rest of the Bloodline to leave. Rhodes stated that he had talked to friends, family, and legends and he knows Reigns cheated him the last time they met. Rhodes then stated that Rollins made a lot of great points but he disagreed with Rollins claim that Reigns’ title is the “Hollywood title.” Rhodes then brought up all the legends who have held Reigns title and stated that he still wants that title. Rhodes then asked Reigns what is finishing the story since all he has heard is how this is all Roman’s from the ring, canvas, the ropes, the camera, the announce desk, and the people all belong to Reigns. Rhodes stated that is finishing the story taking that title away from Reigns or is it taking everything away from him. Rhodes then stated that he he is moving his own goal posts and while he still wants that title but this will not happen at WrestleMania. Rhodes stated that he mentioned taking council and one of the people he spoke to knows him very well.

This led to The Rock’s music playing and him coming out to the ring. The Rock and Rhodes stared at each other and shook hands. The Rock then whispered something in Rhodes’ ear leading to Rhodes smiling in response and hugged. Rhodes then left the ring leading to The Rock turning his attention towards Reigns and the two engaged in a staredown as the crowd went wild over it.