WWE Reportedly Reworked Plans for Feb. 21st SmackDown Show for The Rock’s Appearance
As noted before, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is currently scheduled to be making an appearance at tonight’s WWE SmackDown show at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
WrestleVotes reported that their sources stated that WWE officials have reworked their plans for tonight’s SmackDown show following the announcement of The Rock’s appearance.
It was reported that the current rumors going around within WWE is that the previously planned Naomi vs. Liv Morgan match and the Cody Rhodes, Damian Priest, & Brawn Strowman vs. The Bloodline Six-Man Tag Team match for the show have been pulled.
The previously announced match of Jimmy Uso vs. Drew McIntyre reportedly is still scheduled to take place for tonight’s show.
Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that his sources confirmed that WWE officials have made major changes to their original plans for tonight’s show. Those spoken to reportedly stated that these changes were something that was a very late situation to most within the company.
The Rock Promising to Deliver “Big Beautiful Gift” to New Orleans on Friday’s WWE SmackDown Show
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson announced on Instagram that he will be delivering a “big beautiful gift” to New Orleans as part of his appearance for tonight’s WWE SmackDown show in the city.
“The Final Boss is coming to handle business, deliver a big beautiful gift to the city of New Orleans and f*ck up a certain someone’s life with the Final Boss gospel.”
The Rock offers more insight into his WWE SmackDown appearance pic.twitter.com/Uhx4ZYYu2w
— Fightful Wrestling (@Fightful) February 21, 2025
WWE has been rumored for some time to currently be considering plans for New Orleans to be the official host city for next year’s WrestleMania 42 event.
WWE Reportedly Holding Press Conference Following Friday’s WWE SmackDown Show
WrestleVotes reported that WWE will be holding a special press conference following tonight’s WWE SmackDown show on their YouTube and social media channels.
Source states WWE will be holding a post SmackDown Press Conference tonight at 11pm eastern across all platforms.
— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) February 21, 2025
This upcoming press conference is currently rumored to be WWE officially announcing the location for next year’s WrestleMania 42 event and likely in New Orleans.

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