WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: CM Punk reveals his favor, Rey Fenix dazzles in debut

Punk wants Heyman in his corner at WrestleMania 41

Paul Heyman has rejected his Tribal Chief. On WWE SmackDown, CM Punk cashed in his favor ahead of his WrestleMania 41 main event against Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. Punk wants Heyman in his corner in Las Vegas.

The Night 1 headliner continues to be WWE's most compelling feud. On SmackDown, Punk drove a wedge between Heyman and Reigns by evoking his deep friendship with Reigns' Wiseman. This took place as Seth Rollins gleefully cackled at the chaos ensuing.

SmackDown featured several pivotal moments. Renowned luchador Rey Fenix made his overdue WWE debut, Kevin Owens is out of WrestleMania with a neck injury and multiple title matches were added to the upcoming pay-per-view.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.

Heyman denies his Tribal Chief

The Chicago fans kicked off SmackDown with "CM Punk" chants. Their wishes were granted as the hometown hero's music hit. Punk celebrated his upcoming WrestleMania main event until Paul Heyman arrived. The friends took a trip down memory lane before Heyman got to his real agenda. Last week, Punk informed the world that Heyman still owed him a favor for aligning with Roman Reigns at Survivor Series: WarGames. Heyman wanted to know what the favor was. Punk's attitude shifted, and he told Heyman to bring Reigns to him so they could find out together.

Backstage, Heyman addressed Punk through the camera. Heyman promised to grant Punk whatever he wanted, but begged Punk for an answer because Heyman is in hot water with his Tribal Chief. Heyman pulled up to an SUV to greet Reigns. Rollins stepped out of the vehicle, mocking Heyman and asking if he expected the other Shield member.

Reigns arrived with 15 minutes to spare. "The OTC" stormed by Heyman without saying a word. Reigns' music blared over the arena without pomp or circumstance. Reigns powerwalked to the ring without pyrotechnics, discarding his usual drawn-out entrance. Reigns demanded that Punk reveal to him what favor was owed. He got Rollins instead. After some usual prodding from Rollins, Punk answered the call.

Punk reflected on his relationship with Heyman. He discussed how Heyman refused to fire Punk when upper management wanted him gone during ECW's revival in the mid to late 2000s. Punk also touched on the day Heyman left WWE. Punk was worried about his own future, but asked Heyman what he could do for him. Heyman said that the day Punk headlined WrestleMania, they'd stick it to the regime together. The old regime is gone, but Punk has not forgotten their shared promise. Punk's favor: to have Heyman in his corner at WrestleMania. 

Reigns laughed at the idea. After all, Heyman owes everything to Reigns. The Wiseman wouldn't abandon his Tribal Chief. But when asked to let Punk down, a tearful Heyman refused to break his promise to Punk. Reigns put his hands on Heyman, spurring Punk to pounce and lay out Reigns with a GTS.

Punk and Reigns fighting for Heyman's heart risks being tacky, but was well executed in their capable hands. It works because of the real shared history between Punk and Heyman. Heyman advocated heavily for Punk during Punk's early WWE run, especially when upper management didn't see his potential. To have them aligned at WrestleMania is a huge full-circle moment. Rollins was a great antagonist too. Grade: A

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

Rey Fenix def. Nathan Frazer via pinfall with a Michinoku Driver. The superstars engaged in a competitive, high-paced matchup packed with athletic feats. Fenix cracked Frazier with a crescent kick, ran the ropes for a penalty kick, and landed a spectacular outside dive. Frazer hit a superplex with a final cut follow-through and attempted a phoenix splash. There was a slip-up where Frazer's foot caught in the rope on a suicide dive, and Fenix attempted to pad his fall. Frazer kicked out of a devastating spiked fire thunder driver before faltering to the Michinoku Driver. 

• Berto demanded a match with Fenix next week.
• LA Knight def. Tama Tonga via pinfall after hitting the BFT.
• Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair traded barbs ahead of their WrestleMania 41 match.
• A tag team gauntlet next week will determine Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez's WrestleMania challengers.
• Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) def. vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) via pinfall with a schoolboy pin. MCMG are now No. 1 contenders for the WWE tag team championships.
• Naomi def. B-Fab via pinfall with a single-leg codebreaker. Post-match, security rescued Naomi from Jade Cargill's wrath. SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis booked Naomi vs. Cargill for WrestleMania.
• Kevin Owens pulled out of WrestleMania 41 with a neck injury requiring surgery. Orton hit Aldis with an RKO out of frustration.
• Jacob Fatu def. Braun Strowman in a Last Man Standing match. Fatu will challenge LA Knight for the United States championship at WrestleMania.