WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Cody Rhodes stands tall over John Cena before WrestleMania 41 showdown

Rhodes and Cena had the audience glued to every word, but couldn't expand on the feud's burning questions

LAS VEGAS -- Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena will be intense if nothing else. On WWE SmackDown, Rhodes and Cena met one last time before their undisputed WWE title match on Night 2 of WrestleMania 41.

Rhodes and Cena brought their A-game in Friday's closing segments. The rivals spoke with conviction, honesty and sharp wit. They couldn't make sense of The Rock-sized gap in the story, but had the live audience riled up.

Friday's show also featured Randy Orton's WrestleMania open challenge, an appearance by Seth Rollins and a TLC match booked for next week.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Rhodes, Cena overdeliver on the mic but not the story

Rhodes and Cena's final face-to-face closed the show. Cena claimed people don't believe he'll retire this year because wrestlers notoriously renege on their retirements. Cena is different because he's not an insecure loser. Originally, Cena didn't believe he could beat Rhodes at WrestleMania. That changed the moment Rhodes refused The Rock's offer. Cena learned that Rhodes' obsession with the fans limits him. The Las Vegas crowd drowned Rhodes' every word in boos despite Cena constantly berating the audience. Cena quipped, "These are the people you're fighting for?"

Like a bolt of lightning, Rhodes tore Cena a new one with barbs that immediately turned the crowd to his side. "You're paler than Sting at Starrcade 97" was arguably his best line, though his claim that "you can't wrestle" sparked loud, dueling chants from the fans split on the matter. Cena cracked Rhodes over the head with a microphone, but his attempted Attitude Adjustment was countered with a Cross Rhodes. Rhodes stood over his slain foe with the undisputed WWE championship raised high.

I am sincerely conflicted about Rhodes and Cena's final war of words. The barbs were terrific. Both men elicited huge reactions from the crowd, who shifted in favor of both superstars before dividing evenly among them. That's a solid accomplishment. The actual subject matter was less enticing. Cena's anger towards the fans has given no clarity to the elephant in the room: why did Cena align with The Rock? Cena's finding confidence in Rhodes' denying The Rock's offer is such a flimsy patch job. Sunday's headliners excelled at building tension, but didn't meaningfully answer the story's important questions. Grade: B+

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• LA Knight attacked Tama Tonga during the show open, slamming his hand in between a car door. Tonga was taken to a medical facility.
• Seth Rollins criticized Roman Reigns and CM Punk's selfishness in a scathing promo.
• Carmelo Hayes eliminated Andrade to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. The final four included Shinsuke Nakamura (eliminated by Andrade) and Rey Fenix, who an interfering El Grande Americano tossed out.
• Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton promoted their WrestleMania match in separate sit-down interviews with Wade Barrett.
• Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Iyo Sky, Jade Cargill and Naomi brawled after a promo battle.
• WWE Tag Team Championships -- Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) (c) vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) ended in a no-contest after #DIY attacked them. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa fled with the titles.
• Street Profits vs. MCMG vs. #DIY in a TLC match was booked for SmackDown next week.
• Randy Orton issued an open challenge for WrestleMania Sunday.
• Zelina Vega def. Chelsea Green via pinfall with an avalanche Code Red.
• LA Knight and Braun Strowman def. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu via pinfall after Knight hit Sikoa with a BFT.
• Rey Fenix, Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee def. American Made (Chad Gable and The Creed Brothers) via pinfall after Fenix hit a meteora on Julius Creed. Mysterio, seemingly injured, was assisted backstage by medical staff.