Who is truly the Head of the Table?

Roman Reigns returned at SummerSlam to make sure Solo Sikoa did NOT become WWE Champion. And now, the #OTC, the One True Chief, returns to SmackDown!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match Qualifier: A-Town Down Under VS The Street Profits;  The Profits win and advance to the contender’s match.
• Jade Cargill w/ Bianca Belair VS Alba Fyre w/ Isla Dawn; Jade wins.
• WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Andrade VS Santos Escobar; Santos wins and will challenge LA Knight for the title.
• WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match Qualifier: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly; DIY wins and advances to the contender’s match.

PLAY BY PLAY

Cody Rhodes is here!

Tulsa, Oklahoma is fired up for The American Nightmare as he is STILL Undisputed WWE Champion! The fans sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” and Cody gets his pyro. Cody high-fives fans and signs autographs. Cody then goes to the ring, “WHOA~ OH~!” and gets more pyro before he gets the mic. The fans cheer more, and Cody hears them out. Then he asks Tulsa, “Whadda we wanna talk about? I don’t want to delve into the past, I want to do something perhaps unexpected in this moment. As wonderful, as epic, as truly grand as SummerSlam was, all eyes are what’s on what happens next.

“This right here, if you play our game, is the North Star of the industry. It is the Undisputed WWE Championship.” The fans cheer that! Cody says he has been thinking about who he would like to defend his championship against, at Bash In Berlin! “This guy-” Solo Sikoa interrupts! The fans boo but Cody smiles through the disrespect as the man who would be Tribal Chief makes his way out here, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa flanking him. Solo has a mic to tell Cody that he’ll stop Cody right there. Solo doesn’t care what Cody wants to talk about, or what the people want to hear. “Shut your mouths, Tulsa!”

What Solo wants to talk about is SummerSlam. Solo says if not for a certain someone, SOLO would be champion! So before Cody says or does anything else, Cody WILL give Solo a rematch for the title. The fans boo but Cody says he didn’t wanna talk about the past. But if Solo wants to, then let’s talk about SummerSlam! The very SummerSlam where Solo could NOT get the job done on his own, and he even caused Jacob Fatu to get hurt! The same SummerSlam where he set Roman Reigns on a warpath because Solo is cosplaying as Tribal Chief! The same SummerSlam that Cody beat Solo right here in the damn center of the ring!

That means Solo absolutely, 100%, unequivocally DELUSIONAL if he thinks he has claim to a rematch! The fans fire up with that! Cody asks Solo what else does he want to talk about. The Bloodline storms up to the ring, but wait! In steps Kevin Owens, with chairs! The fans are thunderous as Cody & Kevin take swings! The Bloodline backs off, and Solo says he’ll deal with this later, after he finds Roman Reigns. Cody says he’ll be waiting for it! But then Cody has the music stop so he can talk with Kevin. He doesn’t wanna make this awkward, but he wants to talk with Kevin about something. Kevin steps back into the ring and the fans rally up.

Cody tells Kevin that he is sure this will be awkward, uncomfortable, and Kevin might even say no. But earlier, before Cody was interrupted, he was talking about who he’d like to face for the championship. So Kevin… Cody would like to face you. The fans fire up and Kevin has a mic to say as much as he appreciates that, he doesn’t deserve such a match. He doesn’t. Title matches needed to be earned, but Kevin hasn’t earned it. Look at his singles record lately. He appreciates the offer, but he’s not the guy. The fans rally for Kevin that “You Deserve It!” Cody knows Kevin can hear that. Cody feels Kevin does deserve it.

Cody hasn’t forgotten, the people haven’t forgotten, all the sacrifices Kevin has made. When Cody needed someone by his side, Kevin was in the trenches with him. Kevin is still The Prizefighter in the prime of his career, and he may be Cody’s close friend, but Cody is ready to talk with Nick Aldis and tell Aldis all the reasons Kevin should face Cody at Bash In Berlin! Cody is pretty sure Aldis will see what Cody sees, what all the fans see, and hopefully after that, the only thing left to say is, “I’ll see you at Bash In Berlin.” Kevin is humble but Cody wants to reward that, will we see these two battle for the gold in Germany?

WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match Qualifier: A-Town Down Under VS The Street Profits w/ B-Fab!

Jacob Fatu’s injury does bring into question who even are the champions right now for The Bloodline. But with that in the background, the top teams of SmackDown are going to battle their way through a mini-tournament! Will Austin Theory & Grayson Waller be one step closer to getting those belts back? Or will Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins show they want the smoke?

SmackDown returns as Byron Saxton interviews The Profits at gorilla position. We know The Bloodline are the new tag team champions, and that Ford & Dawkins are eager to get- B-Fab stops him there. “Tez & Dawks are way more than eager. They’re motivated, determined, and on point.” Ford says Bloodline is shaking in their boots. Sure they won the titles, big congrats. But ever since the REAL Tribal Chief showed back up on the scene, those guys can’t get it together. So you better believe The Profits will take full advantage. Dawkins says it has been three YEARS, and they are back on the road to gold. A-Town Down Under just happens to be in the way.

B-Fab says The Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! The team makes their entrance, are they going to get fired up on that path back to the top?

The teams sort out and Dawkins starts against Theory. They circle, Waller grabs at Dawkins but Dawkins DECKS him for it! Theory CLUBS Dawkins, fires hands, and Waller gets up. The ref counts, Waller tags in at 4, and Theory sends Waller in to ELBOW Dawkins! Waller CLUBS Dawkins, tags Theory, and now Waller whips Theory, only for Theory to whip Waller at Ford! Waller slides to trip Ford and send him into barriers! But Dawkins DECKS Theory now! Dawkins fires hands in the corner and the fans fire up! Dawkins whips corner to corner, runs up and CYCLONE SPLASHES! Dawkins whisp again, but Theory dodges this time, and Dawkins POSTS himself!

Waller tags in, he mocks the fans with the drop steps. Waller runs, slides, and LARIATS Dawkins down! ATDU tell B-Fab to join their team, but Ford FLIES in! The fans fire up as Ford takes down both Theory and Waller! The Profits stand tall, the fans rally with “We Want The Smoke!” and SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Dawkins reverses a whip. But Theory drop toeholds him into buckles! Then he goes to the apron, slingshots and somersaults, SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Theory says that’s all day! Waller tags in and Theory is a bit surprised, but Waller says to do a combo move. Theory fireman’s carries Dawkins, Waller goes up, but Dawkins slips free! Dawkins shoves Theory at Waller, Waller leaps over, but into a HAYAMKER! Dawkins then catches Theory for a FALL AWAY SLAM! The fans fire up while ATDU and Dawkins are all down! Dawkins crawls, hot tag to Ford! Ford goes up to CROSSBODY Waller!

Ford DECKS Theory, LARIATS Waller, and then dodges Waller to run and LARIAT! Theory is back up but Ford FLAPJACKS him! Waller back suplexes, Ford lands out! Ford hits a BIG back suplex, then kips right up! The fans are thunderous, and Ford flexes before the STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Waller stays in this but Ford goes up top! Ford aims, to FROM- NO, he has to bail out as Waller moves! Waller CLBOBERS Ford into the corner! Tag to Theory, DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!! Ford survives that nasty sandwich but Theory stays on Ford. Theory suplexes Ford slips free and ELBOWS Theory!

Theory distracts the ref, and Waller drags Ford out of the ring! Ford dodges to SUPERKICK! Dawkins runs up to POUNCE Waller into the timekeeper’s area! The fans are thunderous again but Theory reaches for Ford! Ford GAMANGIRIS him away! Ford hurries in, but Theory fireman’s carries! Dawkins tags in, and Dawkins saves Ford from A-Town Down! Ford goes up as Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts Theory! BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY!! Cover, Profits win!!

Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (advance to the #1 contenders match)

The fans are erupting for Ford & Dawkins because they got that smoke! They’re moving on to the next round, will they soon have those golden tickets to a title match?

Cody and Kevin talk with Aldis.

The champion wants the SmackDown General Manager to make the match but the Prizefighter keeps insisting someone else should get this shot. Cody says Randy Orton went over to Raw to get a World Heavyweight Championship match, how is this different? Kevin says it’s because Randy deserves it. Plus, the King of the Ring controversy. Kevin doesn’t feel he deserves it. Aldis says it is a moot point because he’s waiting to discuss a championship match with… Roman Reigns. Whoa, whoa, whoa. What? Aldis has to be kidding. He’ll give a match right to Roman?

Kevin says he’s man enough to know he doesn’t deserve this match, but Roman? Well, Roman was champion for 1,316 days. Kevin says it doesn’t matter how long he was champion! Four years, but so many times during those four years, Kevin had Roman beat! Cody had Roman beat! A LOT of people had Roman beat! But Roman always had someone watching his back. And Kevin gets it, a champion does whatever it takes to keep the title, but seriously? Rematch clauses haven’t been used in YEARS. Kevin sure never got his rematch, so why does Roman? Get the hell out of here with that.

Let’s talk about someone who deserves this match more than Roman Reigns. Go to the locker room, open the door, and just look inside! Aldis says no need, he sees a guy right here. Cody sees it, the fans see it, and now Aldis sees it. Bash In Berlin, Cody VS Kevin, it’s official. Kevin says he really will see Cody in Berlin. Seems Cody got what he wanted for Kevin after all, will these two tear it up for a huge Summer finale in Germany?

Tiffany Stratton talks with production.

She wants pink balloons, a pink carpet, and everything needs to be perfect for Queen Nia’s celebration next week. Y’know what? Let her handle it. She brings out her pink clipboard and writes down everything she just said. And then “Yes, Girl~!” Pretty Deadly walks in to say this party sounds so good. She’s got the pink and the pizazz, though Elton Prince would’ve gone with a fuchsia but that’s just him. Kit Wilson suggests that when Pretty Deadly wins the WWE Tag Team Championships, she can be their party planner, too. Oh, wait! Pretty Deadly the Musical! They’re casting, what is her vocal range?

Because they need like a Sabrina Carpenter meets One Direction. Tiff says she’s busy, gotta go. And here come Chelsea Green & Piper Niven. And The Hot Mess says, “Well aren’t you just the prettiest princess at the state fair.” So are these Tiff’s plans for Nia’s celebration? Because if the party is anything like Tiff’s abysmal outfit, she should let the classy ones take over. Doesn’t Chelsea have a ladder to fall off of? Uh, well, Nia doesn’t even like pink! If Tiff was really Nia’s friend, she’d know that. These two see through “Tacky Time” and know it is a ploy to get close to Nia and cash in! “Fibbany!” Oh my goodness, they really are right!

Chelsea really is arrogant, oblivious, and delusional! She can do it all! Tootles. Tiff flips her hair at Chelsea, and Piper helps her cool off. Mean Girls fighting Mean Girls, who will end up the Queen Bee of SmackDown when the dust settles?

Jade Cargill w/ Bianca Belair VS Alba Fyre w/ Isla Dawn!

After the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match last week was thrown out because of one Blair Davenport, The Storm is coming to wash away the Firekeeper in 1v1 action. Will the StrongEST Duo just have to take the long way back to the titles? Or will something wicked this way come once again?

SmackDown returns and the Unholy Union makes their entrance. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and Fyre kicks low! Jade just scowls as she circles with Fyre. Fyre gets around to waistlock, but Jade wrenches out and knuckle locks. Jade overpowers Fyre with just one hand, then gives her a Straight Arm Lever! But fyre slips free to sunset flip! Only for Jade to PUNCH her down! The fans fire up and Jade drags Fyre right up, to ROCK her again! Jade runs in at a corner, Fyre dodges! Fyre SUPERKICKS, but Jade still comes back! Fyre wrenches and TORNADO DDTS! Cover, TWO! Fyre rains down fists on Jade!

The fans rally, Jade fights up, but Fyre ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl, for an IRON OCTOPUS! Jade endures but she drops to a knee! Isla reaches out but Bianca runs over there! Isla backs off, and Jade powers out to gut wrench SLAM! Fyre flounders to a corner, Jade runs up to ELBOW her! And then SUPERKICK! Jade chicken wings Fyre for JADED! Cover, Jade wins!

Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall

One champion down, and Bianca stands tall with Jade! Will nothing stop Jade & Bianca- WAIT! Blair jumps in again! She and Isla fire off on Bianca & Jade while the fans boo! Fyre gets up to help out, but here comes Naomi! Now things are even, and Naomi dodges Blair to DECK Isla! Naomi BOOTS Blair, and REARVIEW for Fyre! THESZ PRESS and fast hands for Blair! Fyre & Dawn drag Naomi up, but now Jade BOOTS Fyre! And Bianca pops Dawn up for a SPIENBUSTER! Naomi runs, DROPKICK for Blair! Blair flounders, Naomi LARIATS her up and out! Blair tumbles, Fyre & Dawn help her up!

The fans fire up as #TheBig3 are reunited, will they make sure this spooky trio does a lot more than just #FeelTheGlow?

LA Knight is here!

Tulsa is immediately fired up for the NEW WWE United States Champion and that new take on his theme song. The Mega Star is so fired up himself, he almost falls off the corner when he first hops up there. Knight then gets a mic, and after hearing the fans, he says, “LEMME TALK TO YA!” SummerSlam has come and gone, and with all the answers, one question still remains. They ask Knight, it had to feel extra sweet to beat Logan Paul in his hometown, right? “YEAH!” The fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Knight says who deserves it? Logan deserved getting stomped out and that’s what he got, YEAH! “YEAH!”

But Knight didn’t care about winning in Logan’s hometown. Knight only cares about that he stood over there (on stage) not too long ago, and he said they can call him what they want, but sooner or later, you will call him, “Champ.” And at long last, he has arrived! The fans cheer that! Knight says he is a FRESH United States Champ. Why? Because he makes it that way! So what’s that mean? He understands that this belt makes him a marked man. But understand something, he’s been that since he walked into SmackDown! All this means is the game is the same. SummerSLam, Knight hits it ‘n’ quits it, and on to the next.

And with the next, he’ll hit it ‘n’ quit it! And what’ll he do with the next one after that? Hit it ‘n’ quit it! Knight cannot stop his kevorka, he can’t stop being US Champion, with everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” But wait, here comes The Emperor of Lucha and his Legado Del Fantasma. Santos has a mic to tell Knight, “Congratulations. Felicidades. Hey, I mean it. I mean it!” The fans boo but Santos tells them they suck, and that Knight sucks! But seriously, truly, it’s not every day a guy like Knight finally gets his taste of gold. But let’s be honest, this whole “LA Knight as a champion” thing? Nah, Santos doesn’t buy it. Not a good fit.

Knight’s time in the spotlight will be good, but it will be a fleeting moment. His chase, his grind, his battle, and ultimately, his glory will be nothing but an opening act to Santos’ reign. You listen up to this: that’s not just the truth, but a fact of life! Because Santos is the one that deserves to be THE United States champion, with everybody saying, “ES-CO-BAR! SI!!” The fans boo Santos’ lame ripoff, and Knight says he wasn’t listening to a damn thing Santos said because Tulsa was saying Santos sucks. The fans cheer that!

But that word, “deserve.” What Santos deserves is getting the brakes beat off of him one more time! Santos has to be sick of getting that from Knight, but Knight will do it again if he has to. But if we’re talking about what everyone knows, from Knight to Santos to Tulsa, to get a shot at the title, Santos has to earn it. A certain someone will be out here in a minute, but if it’s that guy, Santos or someone on Santos’ goof squad, ain’t none of them are taking this title off Knight. Not because they’re not good enough, but because Knight won’t let ’em! With everybody saying, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!!” Mic drop from The Mega Star, and here comes El Idolo!

Andrade is just as hungry to get a championship back around his waist, and if he settles things with the leader of Legado, that’s just icing on the cake. Will this be Andrade’s time? Or will Santos earn one more shot at Knight? We find out, after the break.

Giovanni Vinci speaks.

In Italian, he tells us, “The best part about the past… is that it’s behind you. There are no losses, only lessons. Nobody should think success is a given, but I know it is my destiny. I have become the man I was always meant to be. A Man who knows no limits and accepts no shortcuts. Skiing the Italian Alps, or speeding on the track, I do it with style. Soon, I will bring that same relentless drive to SmackDown. Veni, Vidi, Vinci!” When and where will The Pride of Italy make his return?

WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Andrade VS Santos Escobar!

SmackDown returns and this match is already going! Santos powers out of a headlock but Andrade runs him over! The fans cheer, things keep moving, and Santos hurdles. Andrade rolls off Santos’ back to rebound and LARIAT! The fans cheer and Andrade stalks Santos. Santos goes to the apron so Andrade PLANCHAS! Down goes Santos and the fans fire up! Andrade stands Santos up, puts him in the ring, but Santos distracts the ref! Angel & Berto trip Andrade up, then SUPERKICK him down! Angel & Berto put Andrade back in for Santos to KNEE down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Andrade while Legado coaches Santos.

But wait, Baron Corbin & Apollo Crews go after Angel & Berto! #ACBC DUMP those two over barriers and the fans fire up! The brawling continues into the crowd and Santos is furious! Andrade GAMANGIRIS Santos down! Then Andrade climbs, but Santos CLUBS him down! Andrade hits post then falls to the floor! Santos hurries out after Andrade while that brawling continues in the background. Santos says Andrade is not going to steal his moment! Santos POSTS Andrade, puts him back in the ring, then covers, ONE!! The fans rally for Andrade but Santos just laughs it off. Santos stands Andrade up to whip, tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER!

Andrade sputters but Santos bends one of his arms back. The fans rally as Andrade endures, but Santos also digs his knee in. Andrade fights up, fires body shots, but Santos throws him down! Andrade stands to CHOP Santos! Andrade is in a corner, Santos runs up but into a BOOT! Andrade goes up but Santos CHOPS back! And GAMANGIRI! Santos climbs up after Andrade, fires hands, but Andrade hits back! They’re on the very top now, for a SUPER- NO, Andrade fights with body shots! They go to the second rope, Andrade SUPER SUNSET BOMBS!! Both men are down, Tulsa is thunderous again, and SmackDown goes to break!

SmackDown returns as Santos grinds Andrade down with a CAMEL CLUTCH! Andrade endures, fights up, and the fans rally. Andrade fires body shots, runs, and CLOBBERS Santos! Santos is up, Andrade blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Andrade then runs, has to dodge a haymaker, and then he CLOBBERS Santos! The fans fire up as Andrade kips up! Santos crawls to a corner, Andrade storms over, and the fans rally with ‘SI! SI! SI!” Andrade goes corner to corner and back again, but santos bails out. Santos wags his finger, but Andrade goes up, up and ASAI MOONSAULTS! Down goes Santos and the fans are thunderous!

Elektra Lopez is worried as Andrade puts Santos in. Andrade climbs again, and he CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! Santos is still in this, to La Madrina’s relief. Andrade stalks Santos, drags him up, and reels him in. The fans fire up with the Latino Heat, Uno Amigo! And then Dos Amigos! And then THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO! Santos survives the tribute to Eddie Guerrero, but Andrade stays focused. Andrade puts Santos in a drop zone, goes back up the corner, and the fans fire up. But Santos rolls to the apron! Andrade ROCKS Santos first, then brings him up the ropes! But Santos fights the suplex!

Santos throws body shots, then he and Andrade brawl up top! Santos ROCKS Andrade, stands on the very top, SUPER DUPER POISON-RANA!! Cover, TWO?!? Andrade survives and Lopez is furious! Santos is fuming, but Tulsa tells him, “You Still Suck!” Andrade goes to a corner, Santos says we’ll see who sucks! Santos runs in, Andrade dodges! Andrade runs, Santos SUPERKICKS! Santos runs, into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Andrade drags Santos to the drop zone. Andrade goes up, to MOONSAULT DOUBLE! Cover, TWO!! Santos survives and Andrade is stunned! But “This is Awesome!’ as Andrade waits on Santos.

Santos rises, Andrade kicks, but MELO is here!? Andrade DECKS H1M, but Santos KNEES Andrade! Fireman’s carry, but Andrade slips free! SHADOW ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!?!? Santos survives again and Andrade is furious! The fans rally as Andrade pounds the mat, and Santos is in the corner. Andrade goes corner to corner, but now Lopez is in the way! Andrade still runs, but Melo helps Santos! The knees hit buckles, Santos rolls Andrade with tights! Santos wins!!

Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE US Championship)

Melo grins as he gives Santos the assist. Santos insists he is going to own this game, but will he just fail to stop LA Knight again? And as for Melo, is he going to make Andrade deal with H1M in one more match?

WWE mourns the loss of Kevin Sullivan.

An innovative mind who helped shape the landscape of pro-wrestling, Kevin burst onto the scene in the 1970s and never looked back. Tough and stout from the bad streets of Boston, his “dark and manic behavior” made him into a sinister presence, and a “Taskmaster” for the business that he loved. A major villain to some of the greatest heroes, such as Sting, The Road Warriors, Dusty Rhodes, and even Hulk Hogan, he was also a creative mind behind the scenes, remembered for his innovation, dedication, and profound love for the industry. He was a man ahead of his time, a great friend, and a loving family man. His passion for the craft and his impact on those around him will never be forgotten.

DIY walk ‘n’ talk.

Tommaso Ciampa says he and Johnny Gargano knew coming to SmackDown meant walking into Bloodline territory, Bloodline Rules. They seem to run things a little differently around here. And last week in Cleveland, they stole those tag team titles. Johnny Wrestling lost in his hometown, in front of his family and his two-year-old son, and that is something they will never forget. So they are going to show they will do whatever it takes to get back their WWE Tag Team Championships. That starts with Pretty Deadly. This isn’t a musical, this is Day One of the DIY Redemption Story! Tulsa, it’s game time!

A-Town Down Under visits Aldis’ office.

Waller calls to “Nichoals~” as he and Theory step in. Did Aldis have a good time at SummerSlam? Because THEY didn’t! They get attacked by Jelly Roll for absolutely no reason, then Aldis sends them to Monday Night Raw to save that show but also work on their day off, and then they had to qualify for a tag title match? That’s ridiculous! Apparently, if you complain in here, you get whatever you want, so that’s what they’ll do. Theory says that seems to be how simple it is around here. Like, you just ask for Waller VS Kevin Owens, and it happens. Whoa, wait, who and Kevin Owens?

Aldis stands up and says that’s a great idea! Thanks, Theory! Next week, Waller VS Kevin, 1v1! Waller asks what Theory was doing. Theory says trust him, he’s got Waller’s back like Waller has his. Right, yeah, of course. Kevin, what a ridiculous idea, Nick- Wait, where’d he go? Waller is left alone, but will Theory really help him bring down The Prizefighter?

WWE Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Match Qualifier: #DIY VS Pretty Deadly!

SmackDown returns and #YESBOY, Pretty Deadly makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Gargano starts against Kit Wilson. They tie up, go around, and Kit puts Gargano in the Pretty Deadly corner. Elton Prince tags in, but Gargano dodges Kit. Pretty Deadly runs up but Ciampa jumps in. The teams have a standoff, Pretty Deadly take a swing! DIY dodge, fire hands, then whip. Pretty Deadly reverses but DIY avoid the dropkicks! Then Gargano TOSSES Elton while Ciampa has Kit by the legs. Ciampa CATAPULTS Kit up and out onto Elton! The fans fire up, DIY build speed, but Pretty Deadly DOUBLE UPPERCUT!

Pretty Deadly say “Pretty Deadly, The Musical~! Yes Boy~!” But then DIY DOUBLE DROPKICK them down! Then DOUBLE PLANCHA! The fans fire up with DIY as they clap and pat themselves on the back, and Smackdown goes to break.

SmackDown returns and Gargano dodges so that Kit CRASHES in the corner! Gargano crawls, the fans rally, but Elton anchors his legs! Gargano fights up to ENZIGIRI free! Hot tag to Ciampa! The fans fire up as Ciampa rallies on Elton with LARIAT after LARIAT! Kit gets a LARIAT, too! And another! Ciampa LARIATS Elton in a corner, then runs to LARIAT Kit in a corner! And repeat! Pretty Deadly take a swing, Ciampa dodges and he DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans are thunderous as Ciampa then REVERSE DDTS Kit! Elton runs up, he gets a ripcord ROLLING ELBOW! Tag to Gargano, and DIY BACK SUPLEX BOMB! Cover, TWO!

Elton survives, goes to a corner, and Gargano runs up. Elton puts Gargano on the apron, Kit is there but Gargano SUPERKICKS him first! Gargano SLINGSHOT SPEARS into a KNEE! Ciampa tags in, Gargano dodges Elton! But Kit TACKLES Gargano, Elton sunset flips Ciampa with tights! TWO!! Ciampa escapes but Elton UPPERCUTS him down! Kit goes up, Elton chicken wings, BULLDOG GLAM SLAM COMBO! Cover, Gargano breaks it! Gargano fires hands on Elton, but Kit runs up to ROCK Gargano! Gargano rebounds, Elton shoves Kit aside to take the SUPERKICK! Kit yoyos back to LARIAT Gargano!

Ciampa CHOPS Kit! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Kit swings, into another ripcord! But Kit half nelsons then UPPERCUTS! Tag to Elton, Pretty Deadly hoist Ciampa up, but Gargano SLINGSHOT SPEARS Elton down! Ciampa sunset flips Kit! Kit rolls through but Ciampa KNEES him down! Elton staggers around, Gargano tags back in! SHATTER MACHINE!! Elton flounders to center, DIY says MEET IN THE MIDDLE!! Cover, DIY wins!!

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to the #1 contenders match)

Pretty Deadly want a musical but Ciampa & Gargano got a revival! They’re coming for those titles, but will they make it through The Profits to get there?

Solo Sikoa is at gorilla position.

Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa report in. They’ve been waiting all night on Roman Reigns, but he’s still not here. Solo says don’t worry, Roman will be here. The Bloodline goes to the ring, because they’re going to wait on THE Tribal Chief. However, Solo still wears the red ula fala, so clearly he still questions Roman’s right to the throne. Solo, Tama & Loa raise up the ones, as well as both tag team titles, and if Roman is still to appear, we’ll see him appear, after the break.

SmackDown returns once more as Solo has the mic. He tells Tulsa, Oklahoma, “ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans boo, there’s some censoring going on, and fans also chant, “WE WANT ROMAN!” Solo tells Roman Reigns, “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m the Tribal Chief now.” The fans boo that in disagreement. But Solo says if Roman calls himself The Tribal Chief and he wants the ula fala back, then come take it from Solo! The fans are rowdy as Solo waits, and yes! Here comes THE Head of the Table, the ONE TRUE CHIEF, Roman… Reigns! Tulsa is electric as Roman stands on stage, and the pyro is unleashed!

Roman stares down Solo, Tama & Loa, and then he steps forward. Solo tells his men to step up, so Tama runs up, to get a LARIAT! Roman beats Tama down but Loa rushes in! Roman RAMS Loa into steel steps! The fans are thunderous as Roman pulls the steps apart, to JAM Loa up! And then SLAMS the steps on Tama! The fans are losing their minds for the “O T C! O T C!” Now Roman only has Solo left to deal with. Roman steps up to the apron, and Solo takes off his suit jacket. Chief stares down chief and the fans are thunderous! Roman runs up, and he fires hands on Solo! The fans are electric but Solo BOOTS Roman!

Solo runs, into a SUPERMAN PUNCH!! The fans are erupting as Roman aims from a corner! All together, “OOOAH~!!” But Loa & Tama get Solo outta there! But Solo forgot the ula fala! Roman steps over to it, picks it up, and the fans are electric again, until Tama & Loa CLOBBER Roman! They beat Roman down, and Tama hurries to get the ula fala back to Solo. Loa RAMS Roman into the corner again and again, and then Tama hypes him up. Loa runs, into a SUPERMAN PUNCH! SUPERMAN PUNCH for Tama! Roman glares at Solo, reloads in the corner, “OOOAH~!!” SPEAR for Loa!!

The fans are thunderous all over again as Roman stands tall. Roman steps outside, and he grins as he sees another target. “OOOAH~!” and Roman runs in, to SPEAR Tama through barriers!! The fans are going nuts, Roman grabs a chair, and he brings it back to Loa! To SMACK him on the back! And again! And again! And again! Solo watches as Roman tees off on Loa! Solo taunts Roman with the ula fala because that is what Roman wants! Roman JAMS the chair into Loa again and again and again! Solo still insists HE is the chief, but he’s without his henchmen. There can only be one, and will THE one be none other than Roman Reigns?

My Thoughts:

A great follow-up episode to SummerSlam here, and Tulsa was definitely the right crowd for it. Tulsa was pretty much red hot from start to finish, especially for Roman’s return. Really good opening segment from Cody to give Bloodline an excuse to be out there, which was then an excuse for Kevin Owens to be out there. It’s fitting that while Randy is going for the World Heavyweight Championship on Raw, Kevin gets a match with Cody for the Undisputed WWE Championship. And I do appreciate that Roman Reigns was used as the way to goad Kevin into accepting this opportunity. With the match made, I feel there is a strong possibility Kevin turns Heel through feelings of being undeserving, yet also his desire to become champion again.

And Solo Sikoa of course called out Roman tonight. Roman put himself on a new power level as he soloed Solo & The Guerillas of Destiny. We’ve still got a ways to go before Survivor Series WarGames 2024 and what is most likely Bloodline Civil War, but Solo’s Bloodline will certainly have split focus because of the tag titles. We got great tag team matches to head towards a contenders match, but quite the surprising move to have both Face teams win out. ATDU complaining to Aldis and being self-aware that complaining gets stuff was a good promo, and I feel like maybe, just maybe, Theory is setting Waller up and we’re closer to the ATDU break-up.

DIY has another solid walk ‘n’ talk promo, a great main event with Pretty Deadly, and now that we’re getting DIY VS Profits, that is very intriguing. Now, we saw Loa holding onto the tag title in Jacob Fatu’s place, so maybe The Bloodline is going to play some kind of Freebird Rules here? That’d make sense on some level, and honestly, we do need Guerillas of Destiny VS DIY and Guerillas of Destiny VS Street Profits to happen. Also, may I say that as logical as it was for Kevin and Randy to help Cody at SummerSlam, the way DIY was talking tonight, why couldn’t DIY have gotten involved? They have beef with Bloodline, they want the tag titles, they could’ve been a nice surprise for “Team Cody” that night.

That same logic is clearly going on in the other title stories on SmackDown. Jade of course beat Fyre in quick fashion, but of course Blair rushed out there to help Fyre & Dawn beat up Jade & Bianca, and then Naomi rushed out there to help Jade & Bianca. As we’ve been seeing on both Raw and SmackDown, the Women’s Division is forming up factions, we’ll definitely get a Six Woman Tag over here to parallel the Six Woman Tag building on Raw. And after a great promo from Knight with Santos, we got an awesome match of Andrade VS Santos. Good of Corbin & Crews to clear out Angel & Berto, but also it made sense for Melo to screw Andrade over. We’ll definitely get more out of all those match-ups, and Knight VS Santos will be a great first defense for Knight.

And while I was sure some sort of championship celebration was advertised for tonight, it seems they’ll worry about it next week. That gave Tiff a good promo to have with Pretty Deadly but also Chelsea & Piper. Between these interactions and Tiff being aimed at the title thanks to the MITB briefcase, it feels like Tiff could end up a Face (or essentially a Tweener) and take that title at some big event and the fans would be more than accepting of it. But maybe we get a tag match of Nia & Tiff VS Chelsea & Piper first, that feels like a really good match.

My Score: 8.7/10