If you weren’t feeling the WrestleMania buzz before, this week’s SmackDown definitely turned the volume all the way up. With just weeks left until the biggest event of the year, WWE is locking in rivalries and ramping up the drama — and Friday’s show from Seattle was a prime example of that.

Right out the gate, Cody Rhodes set the tone. He opened the show with a passionate promo that reminded everyone why he’s the WWE Champion — and why he’s not about to let John Cena write the final chapter of his story. There’s something about Rhodes on the mic that makes you believe every word he says, and this back-and-forth with Cena is quickly becoming one of the most emotionally charged builds heading into WrestleMania 41. Cody keeps saying he wants to finish the story, but with Cena in the picture, it feels like the next chapter could be the hardest one yet.

The tag team scene had some serious heat too. Randy Orton and LA Knight teamed up to take on Solo Sikoa and the newly introduced Tama Tonga. Now, let’s be real — this wasn’t just about settling scores. Orton is still fuming from that fine Nick Aldis handed down, and he’s clearly on a mission. They picked up the win, but Jacob Fatu’s surprise attack on Knight after the match reminded everyone that The Bloodline is still as dangerous and unpredictable as ever. That post-match chaos? Classic Bloodline. It’s clear WWE isn’t done telling this story, and it’s only going to get more intense heading into ‘Mania.

The women’s division had a big night too. Bayley and Lyra Valkyria ran the gauntlet (literally) to become the new #1 contenders for the Women’s Tag Titles. It was one of those matches that felt like it had real stakes — like both teams were fighting for more than just a win. With Bayley’s veteran instincts and Lyra’s athleticism, they could seriously challenge Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Expect that match to end up on the WrestleMania card.

Oh, and speaking of drama — Tiffany Stratton vs. Roxanne Perez was a solid match, but what really got people talking was Charlotte Flair showing up afterward to lay out Stratton. That surprise attack was Flair doing what she does best: making a statement and putting the entire division on notice. This could be the sleeper feud of WrestleMania season if they let it build right.

Overall, this episode did exactly what it needed to do: crank up the tension, move storylines forward, and make WrestleMania feel like it’s the can’t-miss event on the calendar. We’ve still got a couple of weeks to go, but if SmackDown keeps this energy, we’re in for a wild ride to April 27.