WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: The Rock wants the soul of Cody Rhodes to be his 'corporate champion'

The Rock requested Rhodes to be his corporate champion in an odd encounter

On Friday, Dwayne Johnson dangled his position of power in front of undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes. The Rock's last-minute arrival to WWE SmackDown raises more questions than answers ahead of Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania 41.

The Rock was added to SmackDown's lineup on Thursday. It sparked questions and rumors about how his return would impact WWE's creative direction. While it's unclear what direction their story is headed in, it seems The Rock and Rhodes will be entangled on the Road to WrestleMania.

Speaking of WrestleMania, The Rock also formally announced WrestleMania 42 in New Orleans next year. Friday's show also featured the WWE tag team champions, Drew McIntyre, Jimmy Uso and The Bloodline in action.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans.

The Rock makes Rhodes an unusual offer

Rhodes complained to SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis about being pulled from the main event six-man tag team match. Aldis informed Rhodes that The Rock made the decision, adding that The Rock wanted to see Rhodes in the ring.

Backstage, Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu discussed what had happened the previous week. Sikoa insisted that he struck Tama Tonga unintentionally last week. Fatu believed him but warned there would be problems if it were intentional. Sikoa wanted to be in The Bloodline's corner for tonight's amended tag team match, but Fatu preferred to team with Sikoa directly.

Later in the evening, The Rock made his highly anticipated walk to the ring. The Rock's appearance sparked intrigue and speculation online considering how abruptly he was added to the show. The Rock started by announcing to the New Orleans crowd that WrestleMania 42 will take place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on April 11 and April 12 next year. He then invited Rhodes to the ring. 

The Rock bragged about his seat on the board of TKO Group Holdings, WWE's parent company. The Rock claimed he runs the show, and requested Rhodes to serve as his corporate champion. In return, The Rock would help Rhodes become as successful and influential as him. The Rock told Rhodes to save his answer for The Elimination Chamber on March 1. When Rhodes asked if this was all about the title, The Rock shook his head. The Rock said he did not want Rhodes' title, he wanted Rhodes' soul.

Damian Priest and Braun Strowman def. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu) via pinfall after Priest landed the South of Heaven chokeslam on Sikoa. The competitive, hard-hitting match fell apart for The Bloodline after a major miscommunication. Fatu accidentally struck Sikoa with a superkick. Priest threw Fatu out of the ring, setting up Strowman to tackle Fatu and Tama Tonga. Sikoa, discombobulated by the kick, stumbled directly into Priest's finisher.

I'm not sure how to grade The Rock's return to SmackDown. It's hard to gauge the corporate champion storyline without seeing the idea fleshed out, but it at least sparks curiosity. It's also comforting that -- for now -- WWE didn't repeat last year's mistake of having The Rock swoop in and insert himself into WrestleMania's main event at the expense of another superstar. Whatever WWE is working towards between Rhodes and Rock is a step up from rehashing Rhodes' rivalry with Solo Sikoa. Grade: A-

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Jimmy Uso def. Drew McIntyre via pinfall with a victory roll. McIntyre attacked Uso post-match.
• Carmelo Hayes and The Miz def. LA Knight and R-Truth via pinfall after a Codebreaker and Skull Crushing Finale combo. Shinsuke Nakamura attacked Knight during the match.
• Tiffany Stratton def. Candace LeRae via pinfall with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Post-match, Nia Jax laid out Stratton and her Elimination Chamber tag team partner Trish Stratus.
• Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez attacked Bianca Belair and Naomi before their match, leading to its cancellation.
• WWE Tag Team Championships -- #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) (c) vs. Pretty Deadly (Elton John and Kit Wilson) ended in a no-contest after the Street Profits attacked both teams.