WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: The Rock joins The Bloodline, blames fans for ruining WrestleMania 40

The Bloodline is bigger and badder than ever. The Rock officially joined forces with Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman on Friday’s episode of WWE SmackDown.

If it wasn’t clear already, Reigns vs. The Rock is off the table for WrestleMania 40. The powerhouse cousins appeared to align at the WrestleMania 40 press conference last week. They cemented it on SmackDown. Dwayne Johnson fully embraced his inner villain by becoming a full-fledged member of The Bloodline.

SmackDown featured four matches that impacted either the men’s or women’s Elimination Chamber matches. Logan Paul and Naomi were among those trying to qualify for next week’s titular matches in Perth. Elsewhere on SmackDown, a new superstar was officially welcomed to the blue brand.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

Can you smell what The Bloodline is cooking?

Reigns described the evening as historic because it marked The Rock’s first appearance as a member of The Bloodline. The Rock made his entrance wearing a very, very loud Versace shirt. The Brahma Bull started by referring to the crowd as inbreds before leaning into a more interesting angle. The Rock told fans they blew the biggest match in WrestleMania history — Reigns vs. Rock — by complaining about Cody Rhodes getting screwed over. He reduced Rhodes’ story to a loser’s pity lap and called the fans “spoiled, entitled little crybaby bitches.” The Rock promised to do everything in his power to ensure that Reigns defeats Rhodes for the second consecutive WrestleMania. The Rock closed the show by saying, “If you smell what The Bloodline is cooking.”

SmackDown’s closing segment was trippy if uninspired. Seeing The Rock as a full-fledged member of The Bloodline feels like something out of an alternate timeline. It was also refreshing to have The Rock commit to being a heel. His opening insults were predictable and outdated but got far more interesting when he shunned the fans for forcing a change in the creative direction of WrestleMania. It’s entirely possible the backlash to Rock vs. Reigns spurred WWE to pivot back to Reigns vs. Rhodes. It was a great stroke of heel work because it’s egotistical but also probably true. There is a legitimate motive for The Rock to be upset. It’s a bummer The Bloodline didn’t interact with Paul Levesque as teased by Heyman last week. Grade: B+

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?