One week after Cody Rhodes & Roman Reigns pledged to have each other’s backs when they take on The Bloodline at Bad Blood, Solo Sikoa will return to SmackDown tonight.
Last week, Sikoa was absent while the rest of The Bloodline went to a no contest with The Street Profits & Kevin Owens in a six-man tag match. It will be Sikoa & Jacob Fatu vs. Rhodes & Reigns at Bad Blood on Saturday, October 5.
Also on tap for SmackDown, Bayley and Naomi will go one-on-one to determine who will challenge Nia Jax for the WWE Women’s Championship at Bad Blood. Jax & Tiffany Stratton took on Naomi & Bayley last week and lost as Naomi & Bayley pinned Jax at the same time, setting up tonight’s bout.
Carmelo Hayes and Andrade will extend their series to six matches tonight. Andrade currently leads the series at 3-2. He lost to LA Knight in a U.S. title match on last week’s show. Afterwards, Hayes confronted Andrade backstage and the two brawled.
Michin and Piper Niven will wrestle as well ahead of Michin and Chelsea Green’s dumpster match on SmackDown next Friday.
Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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– Michael Cole welcomed everyone into the show and instantly, Randy Orton’s music hit. Orton then walked out.
The Randy Orton/Cody Rhodes/Bloodline segment
The slow burn between Owens, Orton and Cody is sort of fun, but I do worry that it has a short shelf life. Does this also mean that Orton and Owens ultimately turn heel? It was nice to see Orton back on SmackDown – the show has missed his star power and he instantly makes any TV show he’s on more intriguing, if only because it’s hard ever 100-percent trust him in any situation. Also of note: Sikoa has gotten a lot better on the mic since settling into this role as the leader of The Bloodline 2.0. He feels a lot more comfortable getting heat on the mic and he feels more and more like an actual player as each week passes. It might not come in large doses, but incrementally, he deserves a lot of credit for growing into this role.
Orton started by saying it’s been a minute and he’s missed being in a SmackDown ring on Friday nights. Orton then formally welcomed everyone into Friday Night SmackDown. The crowd chanted “Randy!” Orton said he could count the amount of people he trusts in this business on one hand, but Cody Rhodes is one of those people he can trust. Orton said it’s interesting that Cody is teaming that Roman at Bad Blood and it doesn’t sit right with him. As a result, Orton asked Cody to come out and give Orton an explanation. Cody’s music hit and Cody made his entrance.
The crowd chanted “Cody!” after Cody joined Orton in the ring. Cody then asked Oklahoma City and Randy Orton what they wanted to talk about – but not until after the crowd broke into a “Randy!” chant. Cody said he might look like a fool by teaming with Roman Reigns, but Cody then asked Orton if he’d rather be a fool or a coward. Cody talked about how Roman gave Cody his word multiple times and he hasn’t lied yet. As such, Cody said he’s going to take Roman at his word. Cody said the fans will also take Roman at his word. “OTC!” chants broke out.
Cody noted how he’s standing there with The Apex Predator and The Legend Killer and because of that, Orton should understand because it’s time for the legend of the Bloodline to be killed. Cody said he hopes it’s not a problem for Orton and extend his hand. Orton shook Cody’s hand. Orton said it’s not a problem – unless Cody makes it a problem. On cue, Kevin Owens’s music hit and Owens made his entrance wearing an RKO shirt. Before Owens could speak, Solo Sikoa’s music hit and the Bloodline made their entrance.
Sikoa had a microphone and spoke while standing in the entrance way. Sikoa started by telling Oklahoma City to acknowledge him. In response, everyone booed. “OTC!” chants followed those boos. Sikoa said he knows Roman gave Cody his word and Cody should trust Roman because Cody will need Roman. Sikoa said Owens and Orton won’t be any good for Cody at the end of the day. Sikoa rightfully pointed out that each time Cody tried to take out The Bloodline alongside Orton and Owens, they couldn’t take The Bloodline out. Sikoa said the reason Cody will team with Reigns is because Owens and Orton always let Cody down.
Owens chimed in and told Sikoa to “shut his stupid face.” Owens challenged The Bloodline to a team match. Cody tried to make it a six-man tag, but Owens said no to that, stopping Cody from talking and issuing the challenge. Owens’s music hit without Sikoa responding and the segment ended.
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– Nia Jax and Tiffany Strattong were backstage and Jax was annoyed. Jax said she doesn’t understand how they didn’t get rid of either Bayley or Naomi last week. Jax grabbed Stratton by the neck and Stratton apologized for last week. Jax said if it ends bad for Jax, it will end really, really bad for Stratton. Jax then smiled and said they could be friends again after the intensity lessened. The camera stayed on Stratton’s face long after Jax left and Stratton looked angry.
Bayley defeated Naomi to become the No. 1 contender for the WWE Women’s Championship. [10:01]
This was a good match and I’m glad they got 10 minutes. The post-match stuff with Naomi has me thinking we’re on our way to a turn, and it’ll be welcome because Naomi has been spinning her wheels since coming back as a babyface. Maybe a heel turn could give her act a spark that kicks things into gear. The Jax/Bayley rematch combined with the elongated Stratton angry face from her segment with Jax makes me believe we might be getting that Stratton cash-in sooner than later, which is another good thing, too, because I have officially lost all patience for all things MITB, even though we’re only a few months removed from it. Anyway, lots of good stuff all around.
Naomi went for an early pin, but Bayley thwarted it. Naomi kept trying until Bayley almost went to punch Naomi but stopped herself because the two are friends. Naomi pushed Bayley repeatedly until Bayley pushed back. Bayley eventually landed a clothesline for a two count. Bayley went for a running knee, but Naomi countered with a bulldog. Naomi super-kicked Bayley and Bayley rolled to the outside, where Naomi hit a corkscrew plancha before the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Bayley hit an Elbow on Naomi to reset things. Bayley followed up with a back suplex and a suicide dive onto Naomi, who was on the outside of the ring. Back in the ring, Naomi hit a Rearview for a nice near-fall. The two got to their feel and traded blows until Naomi kicked Bayley in the head twice. Naomi planted Bayley for a two count. “This is awesome” chants began. Naomi kicked Bayley and went to the top for a Blockbuster. Naomi tried to follow it up with a suplex, but Bayley countered into a suplex of her own. Bayley then sunset-flipped Naomi into the bottom turnbuckle, but it didn’t quite go as planned. Still, Bayley got a two count out of it.
Bayley went for a Bayley to Belly, but Naomi countered and Bulldogged Bayley into a turnbuckle. Naomi went to the top and missed what she was going for. Bayley then hit the Bayley to Belly. Bayley rushed to the top and landed her signature elbow, which was good enough for the win. After the match, Naomi looked upset as she walked to the back.
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– Footage of the weird post-match stuff between LA Knight and Andrade aired. Andrade was walking backstage and ran into Knight. Andrade said real men shake hands to show respect and as such, Knight lost Andrade’s respect. Out of nowhere, Carmelo Hayes took Knight out and Andrade looked confused. Hayes told Andrade, essentially, to meet him in the ring.
Carmelo Hayes defeated Andrade [16:48]
Boy, this was great. I feel like each week, I say it’s my favorite in their series, but … well … I think this was my favorite in their series. Plus, they got nearly 17 minutes. Great stuff. A clever finish, too, because it felt like Melo had to get the win to even the series, but these guys had already pulled out all the stops. So, how does he do it? LA Knight with an accidental distraction. I’ll say this right now: Game 7 will need at least a half hour, so put that on a PLE and get out of the way, Hunter. Please? I half wonder if that weird post-match moment from last week between Knigth and Andrade was never scripted, but took on a life of its own, so they thought they’d lean into it this week. Perhaps we’ll never know. Either way, this was a great match and I have to think it’ll end up being the match of the night. Maybe even the match of the week in WWE. These guys are just so good together.
Andrade had control to begin things and went for a double-knees, but Hayes moved and draped Andrade over the second rope. Amazingly, Hayes ran at the draped Andrade and Andrade pulled off a powerslam while being draped on the second rope onto the apron. Hayes sold back pain and the show went to a picture-in-picture. The show returned and Hayes had the upper hand with a springboard clothesline. Hayes worked a chin lock. Andrade worked his way out of it and chopped Hayes, but Hayes responded with punches of his own. The two eventually hit simultaneous clotheslines to reset the match. “This is awesome!” chants began.
Back on their feet, the two traded blows. Andrade ultimately landed a dragon-screw leg whip, but Andrade quickly ran into a First 48 from Hayes for a two count. Hayes was bleeding from the mouth. Hayes went for a double-knees, but Andrade moved and hit a leaping forearm to take back control. Andrade then landed a double-knees for a good near fall. Andrade went for The Message, but Hayes countered into somewhat of a springboard DDT for another good near fall. The show then went to a second commercial break during the match.
The show returned and Andrade climbed to the tope rope, but Hayes cut Andrade off. Hayes tried to set up for a super-plex, but Andrade headbutted Hayes to the canvas. Andrade then commenced the double-try moonsault spot and he connected enough for a two count. “This is awesome!” chants broke out. Andrade set up for a suplex, but Hayes countered with a Facebuster and some sort of cutter and Hayes nearly got the victory. Hayes went to the top, but Andrade cut Hayes off. Andrade set up for a super-plex, but instead, Hayes turned things into a neck-breaker/cutter from the top for a very good near-fall. “Holy s%$@!” chants started.
Hayes went for a Nothing But Net, but Andrade moved and hit a spinning back elbow that caused Hayes to roll to the outside. With Hayes on the outside, LA Knight’s music hit and Knight ran out, but Andrade stopped Knight from attacking Hayes. Hayes took advantage of that and rolled Andrade up for the win. Hayes ran to the back after the win and Andrade and Knight exchanged words inside the ring. Knight extended his hand for a handshake, but Andrade walked away and the crowd booed.
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– Owens and Orton were talking in the locker room. Cody Rhodes walked in and asked Owens to talk, but Owens said he couldn’t at the moment because they were getting ready for their match. Owens stood up and told Cody to not interfere in their match later on. Orton said if they need the help, Orton would love Cody to help and he’d talk to Owens to let him know Orton gave Cody the OK to help.
– An AJ Styles vignette aired. Turns out, he’ll return next week.
Michin defeated Piper Niven [8:58]
Hey, it was a lot better than that three minute match these two had a couple weeks ago. The right person went over, considering how Michin is the one competing next week in the Bad Blood go-home edition of SmackDown. It being a Dumpster Match, I do wonder how much of a role Niven might play, but maybe Michin will bring some help of her own. The creative minds have done a good job building this program between Michin and Green. It isn’t often WWE takes time to develop things with their mid-card women, but things appear to have turned a corner in that respect, and that’s great. Next week’s showdown between Green and Michin should be a lot of fun.
Michin ran at Niven to start the match, but Niven fought back and ultimately shoulder-blocked Michin to the ground. Niven ran into a boot from Michin. Niven came back with an attempted splash, but Michin rolled to the outside where Chelsea Green distracted Michin and Niven hit a Cannonball on Michin. The show went to a commercial break. The show returned and Niven shoulder-blocked Michin through the air. Niven followed it up with a Cannonball in the corner and got a two-count.
Niven went for a splash, but Michin moved and hit a ton of kicks and chops. Michin hit a Crucifix Bomb and that was enough for a two count. Michin ran the ropes and Niven caught her for a Sidewalk Slam. Niven dragged Michin to a corner and went for a Niven Bomb, but Michin moved. It didn’t matter because Niven came back with a Michinoku Driver and earned a near-fall. Michin went to the rop, but Niven cut her off with a slap to the head. Green distracted the referee and Michin kicked Green off the apron. Niven, in the meantime, missed a Cannonball attempt on the outside. Niven returned to the ring and Michin hit Eat Defeat for the win.
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– Next week, AJ Styles returns. Also on tap, #DIY, The Street Profits and The Bloodline will compete in a triple threat ladder match for the WWE Tag Team Championship. Plus, the Dumpster Match between Green and Michin will go down.
– Naomi was walking backstage and Bayley apologized for beating her earlier. Naomi said Bayley wasn’t sorry, but it was OK, because if Naomi would have won, she wouldn’t be sorry either. Naomi said they’ll run it back someday eventually. Naomi kept walking and Stratton walked into the picture. Stratton said Naomi will have a good view of Jax beating down Bayley. Naomi then said she’d go to GM Nick Aldis to make a match between Naomi and Stratton for next week.
– A recap of the cinematic angle between Cody and Roman aired before the main event.
The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu) defeated Kevin Owens & Randy Orton [15:05]
Lots of nonsense to finish this thing up, but the Bloodline had to win to give them credibility going into their showdown with Roman and Cody next weekend. I love the way Fatu is booked in WWE. At some point, I thought they’d cool him off as they built the new Bloodline, but they really haven’t. Instead, he’s the only guy who won’t sell the suplex onto the commentary table from Orton. Instead, he’s the one who bounces right back from big moves from big-name wrestlers. It works and I wonder where he’ll be in six months. I also kind of wonder why this didn’t main event the go-home edition of SmackDown next week. Maybe they have something better planned, but it felt like this would have been a good way to set up the PLE if they weren’t going to have Roman on the show. That said, I probably just answered my own question because my guess is Roman pops up next week to finish the build. Anyway, a good main event. Chaotic for a WWE main event, but that’s not a bad thing, especially considering how monotonous this show has become in recent months.
Owens and Fatu started the match and Fatu took Owens down quickly, but Owens came back with an elbow and a Senton. Sikoa tagged in and ran into a bunch of Owens’s strikes. Sikoa quickly rebounded and took Owens down. As a result, Owens tagged in Orton, much to the delight of the live crowd. Fatu wanted the tag because of that and Fatu tagged in. “Solo sucks!” chants began. Orton kicked Fatu, but Fatu fought back and clotheslined Orton over the top rope to the floor. Fatu followed Orton to the outside, but Orton caught Fatu and dropped Fatu onto the commentary table, but Fatu no-sold it. Orton, ever the professional, proceeded to drop Fatu on the table three more times to make his point. Orton then did the same to Sikoa and the show went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Sikoa was working over Owens inside the ring. The two fought on the top rope and Sikoa fell off the top, so Owens went for a Swanton, but Sikoa got his knees up. Fatu tagged in and Fatu whipped Sikoa into Owens in a corner before Fatu followed it up with a hip attack of his own on Owens in a corner. Fatu whipped Owens into a corner and before long, Fatu ran Owens into the heel corner and tagged Sikoa into the match.
Sikoa jawed at Owens and stomped on him. Fatu hit Owens while the referee had his back turned and Orton got mad and ran into the ring, but the ref sent him back to his corner. Sikoa ran the ropes, but Owens caught him. Eventually, Owens punched his way out of a lock up with Sikoa and Orton received the hot tag. Orton came in and cleaned house, complete with a snap powerslam on Sikoa and Fatu. Orton hit his draping DDT on Sikoa. Orton set up for an RKO, but Fatu tried to intervene. It was enough for Sikoa to follow up with a Samoan Drop on Orton.
Sikoa went to the outside and Owens got up on the apron, asking for a tag. Owens became the legal man and Owens ran around the outside of the ring, clotheslining and Swanton-ing everybody. Owens landed a frog splash on Fatu on the outside. Owens went to the top and hit a Swanton on Sikoa inside the ring, but it was good enough for only a near-fall. Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa ran to ringside and as a result, Sikoa landed a Spinning Solo on Owens for a near-fall. Cody’s music hit and Cody came out and took care of Loa and Tonga. Tonga found himself in the ring and Orton gave Tonga an RKO.
Things broke down and the heels threw Cody into the referee, which kept the referee from counting after Owens hit a Stunner on Sikoa. Owens was angry about that and then turned into a bunch of super-kicks from Fatu. Sikoa pinned Owens for the win. After the match, Cody tried to say he was sorry, but Owens was very mad and Orton tried to reason with everyone. Ultimately, Owens hugged Cody as the “Executive Producers – Paul Levesque/Lee Fitting” graphic came up to end the show.