What does the future hold for the blue brand?

While the WWE United States and WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships are on the line, Roman Reigns addresses his future here on SmackDown!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Carmelo Hayes; Knight wins and retains the title.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson; Bianca & Jade win and retain the titles.
• Nia Jax w/ Tiffany Stratton VS Naomi; Naomi wins.
• Jimmy Uso VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Bloodline; Solo wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jimmy Uso is here!

Greenville fires up as the Prodigal Uce makes his return to SmackDown and goes right to the ring. Jimmy is just as fired up, but also has chills as the fans chant “USO! USO!” Jimmy grabs a mic to say, “I missed y’all, too. And for the past six months, I’ve been waiting to say this. Welcome to Friday Night SmackDown!” The fans cheer, and Jimmy says sheesh! Six MONTHS, ya boi been on the shelf. Out of action for six months. The fans chant, “Welcome Back!” and Jimmy smiles. And he was put on the shelf by little brother Solo Sikoa. The fans boo Solo, and Jimmy says he was thinking that that fool didn’t even have the balls to do it face to face! Solo did it from behind!

Jimmy says it was Solo’s crew, Solo’s Bloodline, Solo’s “brothers.” So tonight, here in Greenville, South Cacky Lacky, it is about Big Bro VS Lil Bro! And Jimmy plans on doing what he’s been doing his whole life. He is kicking Solo’s ASS! But wait! Here comes OTC! The fans put up the ones as Roman Reigns makes his entrance. The fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” as he makes his way to the ring. Roman grabs a mic of his own, and says, “Your OTC usually likes to run it systematically out here, but tonight we’re gonna change things up a little bit. Greenville, South Carolina…! JOIN me, and acknowledge him!” AKA Jimmy Uso.

The fans cheer and Roman says hold on, we don’t do this often so turn it up. Join Roman and ACKNOWLEDGE BIG JIM! The fans really fire up and start up an “USO! USO!” chant. Jimmy holds out a hand, modeled after Roman asking for a mic, and Roman gives him a low-five! Now moving on, Roman gets it. He understands where Jimmy is coming from. He’ll get to that in a minute. But you have to understand, Roman’s not an older brother so he doesn’t understand this revenge. And we have to understand Roman is not a Wise Man. Yet. But he doesn’t come up with the creative plans, no, that’s not him.

Roman is the Tribal Chief. The fans cheer that! And that means Roman takes what is his! And for four YEARS now, that has been what they did, they just took what was theirs. Roman wasn’t messing around, he called his shots, and he delivered. They had it all! The money, the power, and the respect! They ran around here, and everyone feared them! They had championships around their waists, and money coming outta the pockets! They talked about buying a new house, Roman told Jimmy he could buy ’em all, it didn’t matter. But Roman doesn’t like where they are right now. He doesn’t like his position, doesn’t like being out of control.

Roman told us he is the Greatest of All Time, and he meant it. The fans cheer that, too. Roman says when they step foot in the arenas, he wants us all to know, THE GOATS are here! When they step in this ring, he wants us to know! When they put the ones up, he wants us to know they ARE The Ones! The fans cheer that, too! Jimmy says, “But we not, though.” The fans chant “Yes You Are!” Jimmy asks how. In this ring, he sees a chief with no tribe. No ula fala around the neck. At Bad Blood, Jimmy came back because Roman needed him. Roman didn’t ask, but he needed help. And Jimmy says they both need help.

Fans chant “YEET! YEET!” and Jimmy says he knows one person that they can get help from. The “YEET!” continues, but Roman says, “No Yeet.” Jimmy wants Roman to listen. Roman will forever be Jimmy’s Tribal Chief, but Jimmy is the only one in the family that still acknowledges him. Jimmy pats Roman on the shoulder and heads out. Will Roman have no choice but to see things Jimmy’s way? Will they need to YEET if they want to beat Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline?

WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Carmelo Hayes!

The Mega Star told H1M that if he defeated the Phenomenal One, then maybe this match would happen. AJ Styles’ unfortunate injury gave Melo the win and gave him this opportunity, will Melo not miss on this title shot? Or will Knight “hit it ‘n’ quit it” with a B F T?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see LA VS Boston play out!

The bell rings, the fans fire up for LA, and he counter punches Melo again and again! Melo staggers, Knight whips but Melo ducks ‘n’ dodges to roll off Knight’s back. Knight still LARIATS Melo! Knight storms up but Melo YANKS him into ropes! Melo runs up now, but Knight dodges to LARIAT Melo up and out! The fans fire up, “YEAH!” and Melo talks trash on the fans. But Knight WRECKS Melo with a dropkick! Wait, Melo was shouting at Andrade! El Idolo is hanging out in the front row, but Knight puts Melo in the ring. Knight wants Andrade to watch this, and he CLUBS Melo against apron while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Knight brings Melo around, but Melo stops the bump off the desk! Melo kicks low, tells Andrade to watch this, but Knight still SMACKS him off the desk! And again, and again, and again! Melo falls over, but Knight says one more time! Knight winds up to SMACK Melo right off the desk! Melo goes into the ring, Knight dares Andrade to shake his hand now. Andrade leaves him hanging, and Melo CLOBBERS Knight from behind! Melo mocks the “YEAH!” and RAMS Knight into the apron! Melo then runs up to LARIAT Knight down! Melo soaks up heat, puts Knight in the ring, then storms up for a LEG DROP! Cover, TWO!

Melo keeps cool and stalks Knight to a corner. Melo stomps Knight, even as the ref counts. Melo stops at 4, backs up, and then stomps Knight again. But Knight blocks one! Melo ENZIGIRIS! Cover, TWO! Knight stays in this but Melo talks more smack on the fans. Melo whips Knight but Knight KICKS him and LARIATS! Knight whips Melo to ropes, Melo springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Knight is still in this but Melo keeps on him. Melo CHOPS Knight off his feet, scuffs him, and mockingly spells it out, “L! A! KNIGHT, SUCK IT!” Melo drags Knight up, but Knight fires body shots! Knight backs Melo down with haymakers!

Knight whips, Melo reverses, but knight KNEES Melo first! Knight whips, Melo reverses to kick and CLUB Knight down! Cover, TWO! Melo is annoyed but he clamps on with a chinlock, and SmackDown returns to single picture. The fans rally, Knight fights up, and El Idolo watches closely as Knight manages a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Knight goes to ropes, drags himself up, and he storms up to JAB! JAB! JAB! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Melo kicks, Knight blocks and spins Melo. Atomic drop! Then a LARIAT! Melo staggers up, Knight whips him, and scoops, POP-UP POWERSLAM!

The fans fire up as Knight runs, JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Melo toughs it out but Knight stays cool. Knight storms up in a corner to stomp Melo, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” The ref counts, Knight stops at 4, and he gets space ot run in. Melo SUPERKICKS Knight down! The fans are torn as Melo reels Knight in. Melo mocks AJ Styles, and fans boo. Knight backdrops free! Melo sunset flips but Knight sits, TWO! Melo has the flip, TWO! Knight is in a corner, but he dodges Melo to then JUMP NECKBREAKER! Knight hurries up the corner while Melo flounders. Knight smirks and fans fire up for “L! A! KNIGHT!” DOUBLE JUMP MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO!!

Melo survives and Knight is a little frustrated. Knight stands, paces around, and he waits for Melo to stand. Knight then kicks and cravats, B F- NO! Melo handstands out to SCISSOR KICK! Then the suplex, CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives and Melo can’t believe it! The fans rally up and Melo goes to the corner. Melo climbs, Andrade shakes his head, but Knight avoids the three pointer! But Melo stops the BFT! Backslide, TWO! Knight escapes, fights off the suplex, and shoves Melo. Melo rebounds, back suplex, but Melo lands out! INTO A B F T!! Cover, Knight wins!

Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)

Andrade and Melo may be 3-3 with each other, but now they’ve both lost to LA Knight! And Andrade rubs that in Melo’s face! Will El Idolo settle the score with H1M before either can become a champion?

Jimmy Uso encounters Cody Rhodes backstage.

The American Nightmare says hey to “Big Jim,” and Jimmy says hey to “C-Dog. ” Cody says thanks for Saturday. Jimmy says consider that a favor. But don’t expect any more of those. Cody says Jimmy expects to fight Solo Sikoa, but he’s not the same man since Jimmy left. Jimmy says yeah, but it’s family business. Though it looks like Cody can handle business on his own. Respect. Jimmy heads out, will he be ready for the man the Usurper of the Table has become?

Meta Four speaks.

Lash Legend says SKRRRR~! If you didn’t know, she is Lash Legend, The Bougie Bully. And this is Jakara Jackson, aka Miss Jackson. But what you might already know is that they handle their business in NXT. So now they have earned a chance to get gold around their waits. They’re here tonight to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. So if you wanna underestimate them, they’ll show you just what they’re about. So Bianca, Jade, listen close, because you know that they’re about that action. Can the ladies of Meta Four bring down the StrongEST Duo in WWE? Or will they learn they have much to learn before they graduate NXT?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson!

SmackDown returns as the challengers make their entrance, but then whoa, wait, Kevin Owens hijacks the ring? Kevin has a mic, and he apologizes to everyone. But he was specifically told NOT to come here, and that is crap! He cannot let that happen! Kevin asks why he turned on Cody Rhodes last Saturday, but Kevin says it is CODY RHODES who- Well, someone turned off the mic. Producers hurry out here to tell Kevin to stop, and Michael Cole lets us know Kevin was quietly suspended and fined. But then Kevin takes Corey’s headset! Kevin says Cody turned on Kevin! People think Kevin’s in the wrong for this?

But wait, here comes Cody Rhodes! The fans fire up but producers keep Cody from going to the ring. Kevin dares Cody to try, but now security rushes in to stop all of this. Nick Aldis hurries out to talk Cody down, and then Randy Orton hurries out here! Randy reasons with Cody, and then he goes to the ring to do the same for Kevin. Kevin wants to go after Cody but Randy keeps him back! Kevin ELBOWS Randy away! So Randy DECKS Kevin! The Viper is furious, but he keeps himself from doing anything worse. Kevin meanwhile seems stunned that Randy would hit him. Kevin gets out of the ring, and leaves through the crowd. Does KO no longer have a friend on SmackDown?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill VS Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson! (Take Two)

SmackDown returns and the show is back on track. The fans cheer as Trick Williams is here to watch this match in person, but uh, so are Chelsea Green & Piper Niven. The StrongEST Duo makes their entrance now, and we see in picture in picture that The Hot Mess questioned why they would throw out championship opportunities to everyone else except her and “P.” Jade says it’s simple: Chelsea stinks. Piper says no, Chelsea doesn’t stink. But something does smell fishy, and it’s that Bianca & Jade always duck them. Bianca says girl, uh-uh. They have work to do, so the closest Chelsea & Piper will get to these titles is if they sit out there and watch.

Well clearly that is what Chelsea & Piper chose to do, so here we are. The introductions are made, and the belts are raised, and we see who leaves Greenville with gold!

The teams sort out, but Meta Four just attacks! Jakara DROPKICKS Bianca while Lash CLUBS and POSTS Jade! Jade falls out, Jakara hits a NECKBREAKER DROP on Bianca! Tag to Lash and Chelsea & Piper love it! Lash fireman’s carries to WIDOWMAKER! High stack, TWO! Bianca toughs it out but Lash tags Jakara. Jakara hops up on Lash’s shoulders, to VICTORY ROLL SENTON! Cover, TWO! Bianca is reminding us she’s the toughEST, but Lash tags back in. Lash wheelbarrows Bianca, Jakara runs, WHEELBARROW CUTTER! Cover, Jade breaks it! The fans fire up and Jade glares at Lash.

Lash and Jade stand, and Lash ROCKS Jade! Jade tumbles back out, Lash TOSSES Bianca, then tag to Jakara. Jakara chicken wings Bianca, Lash storms up, but Chelsea is too close for comfort. Lash BOOTS Chelsea over the desk! But then Bianca BOOTS Lash! Bianca ELBOWS Jakara away, slides in, hot tag to Jade! The fans fire up as Jade BOOTS Jakara! And SUPERKICKS Lash! Bianca brings Jakara up, WHEELBARROW DDT into the STORM PLEX! Cover, StrongEST Duo wins!

Winners: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

Chelsea is furious, but she should’ve known better. In the end, Jade & Bianca hold onto the gold, will they be the ones to clean up the Hot Mess?

Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton are backstage.

The Queen of the Ring is not even looking at Miss Money in the Bank as they head for gorilla, how will she address the maybe cash-in attempt by Tiffany?

Randy Orton and Nick Aldis talk with Cody Rhodes backstage.

Orton tells Cody to calm down, get on his bus and go. Randy can talk with Kevin, he’s been in this position before. Aldis says in three weeks, it is Cody VS Gunther at Crown Jewel. So Aldis needs Cody focused on that so he can win that Crown Jewel Championship. Randy promises, he’ll talk with Kevin, but we all need to cool down. Randy gives Cody his title, has him get on the bus, and promises to fix this. Cody does as said, and Aldi sis impressed. Randy Orton: Voice of Reason. Who’d have thought? Randy himself seems surprised, but can he get Kevin to get over whatever is going on?

Nia Jax & Tiffany Stratton go to the ring.

The Irresistible WWE Women’s Champion and Miss MITB make their way out, fans booing as they do. Nia grabs a mic to say, “As your Women’s World Champion, I have a very busy agenda. So let me knock this out one by one. I am here first off, to give credit to Bayley. Bayley, you put up one hell of a fight last week. I even broke a sweat! You’re a very worthy contender. And just like every worthy contender that’s faced me, you ended up on your back, realizing that nobody on this planet can beat me. Not you, not anyone in the locker room, and especially not my counterpart at Raw, Liv Morgan.”

Nia says lil’ Liv wants to face THE Women’s Champion at Crown Jewel. Now here’s what’s gonna happen there: Nia will A-NIA-LATE Liv like she has everyone else. And when she’s done and becomes the first-ever WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Champion, Nia headlocks Tiff to say “It’s TIFFY TIME~!” Tiff is unsure what she means, but then Nia tells Tiff that is the moment she cashes in on Liv Morgan. But wait! Here comes Naomi! The fans fire up for The Glow, and Naomi tells Nia, “You and I both know that the only reason that championship is still sitting on your shoulder is because that little broke down Barbie of yours helped you again.”

The fans are torn but Naomi says Nia cannot win without her sidekick! And as a matter of fact, Tiff’s not even a good one, cuz Naomi pinned Tiff last week, just like Naomi pinned Nia. Or does Nia not remember that? Naomi steps in the ring and Nia says what she does remember about that, is that it didn’t take one of them to pin her, it took two. Now is Naomi challenging her 1v1? Or is she going to get a partner so Nia can take her revenge out on both of them? Naomi will say this to Nia’s face right here: Naomi doesn’t need anyone to beat Nia. Nia says she is sick of Naomi’s face. Naomi says as a matter of fact, she could win right here and now!

The fans fire up, but Nia laughs that off. If Naomi thinks so, then all Nick Aldis needs to do is send a ref out here! Nia wants to A-NIA-LATE Naomi here and now and make it official! Well, here comes a ref! But also, here comes Liv Morgan! Raquel Rodriguez & Dirty Dom are with Raw’s champion, and Liv says, “Aww… I’m actually a little bit upset right now. We came all the way over here just to make an example out of you, Nia. But it actually seems like you have your hands a little bit full right now, so I think what we’re gonna do is, we’re gonna go down ringside, and we’re gonna watch along with everyone else as you lose your match tonight!

“Just like you’re gonna lose to me at Crown Jewel.” Liv laughs, and Nia SHOVES Naomi! Nia is clearly in no mood for any of this, will she leave everyone crushed beneath her feet? Or will Naomi make her #FeelTheGlow?

Nia Jax w/ Tiffany Stratton VS Naomi!

SmackDown returns and the match is under way! Nia fireman’s carries, fans taunt Dom, but Naomi throws elbows. Naomi is free, Nia shoves her to a corner, but Naomi goes up and over! Naomi goes corner to corner, goes up and over Nia, stands on her then jumps away! The fans cheer, Nia runs up, but Naomi ROCKS her! Nia swings, Naomi dodges, then slides under! Naomi mule kicks, gets moving, and she sunset flips! Nia stays up, Naomi avoids a stomp, then KICKS from below! Nia blocks a whip, whips Naomi in stead, and SPLASHES in a corner! Nia whips and CLOBBERS Naomi, then covers, TWO!

Naomi stays in this, Liv isn’t impressed by Nia, but Tiff is worried. Nia has Naomi in a motorcycle stretch but Naomi endures. The fans rally, Naomi fights up, but Nia RAMS her into buckles! Nia POSTS Naomi, then goes to the apron. Nia aims, soaks up some heat, and then runs up, HIP ATTACK against post! Naomi flops back, Nia covers, TWO!! Naomi survives and the fans rally. Nia drags Naomi into a chinlock and squeezes tight! Naomi endures, the fans rally up, and Naomi powers up. Naomi stands, pries at the hold, and fires body shots. Nia HEADBUTTS Naomi, snapmares, bu tNaoim handsprings through! Mule kick!

Naomi hooks Nia up, SPIKE-RANA! But Nia flounders away to ropes! Naomi goes to the apron, and SPLIT LEG DROPS! The fans fire up but now Nia tumbles to the floor. Naomi stays cool, and she lines up a shot. Naomi runs up to WRECK Nia with a dropkick! Nia staggers around, Naomi goes to the apron again, and runs up to DROPKICK Nia down! The fans fire up, Naomi hurries after Nia, and she headlocks. Nia stops a bulldog by putting Naomi in the timekeeper’s area! But Naomi comes back to ROUNDHOUSE! Naomi goes up onto the barriers, but Nia yanks her into a fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DROP to the floor!

The fans boo as Nia taunts Dirty Dom as greasy and nasty, but Liv says you don’t talk about her man like that. Nia goes back for Naomi, but SmackDown goes to break.

SmackDown returns again and Naomi fires body shots. Nia scoops and SLAMS Naomi, then runs, but Naomi avoids the senton! Nia writhes from the crash landing and Liv loves it! Naomi goes to a corner, drags herself up, but Nia blocks her boot. Naomi rebounds with the ENZIGIRI! Then a wrench and SUPERKICK! Naomi hurries to BUCKLE BULLDOG! Nia staggers, Naomi climbs, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Naomi is growing frustrated but Tiff is relieved. Naomi storms up, but Nia shoves her away. Naomi ducks ‘n’ dodges, and FLYING CHUCKS! Nia flops out of the ring! Naomi hurries to PLANCHA! Down goes Nia again!

The fans fire up, Tiff is worried again, but Naomi drags Nia up and into the ring. The ring count is 5 of 10, but Tiff runs up to KICK Naomi! Nia is distracting the ref! Tiff takes aim, but Raquel snatches the briefcase from her! Tiff shouts at Big Mami Cool, but Naomi ROUNDHOUSES Tiff! Naomi hurries back, HOTSHOTS Nia, then climbs a corner! But Nia ROCKS Naomi first! Nia TOSSES Naomi down, then goes up! A-NIA- WAIT! Raquel distracts the ref! Liv SMACKS Nia with the briefcase!! Naomi hits a SUPER POWERBOMB!! High stack, NAOMI WINS!!

Winner: Naomi, by pinfall

Naomi was right, Nia couldn’t win without Tiffany! And in a twist, Liv and crew made sure things were even! Now Naomi has a big win on the WWE Women’s Champion, will she be cashing in her own golden ticket after Crown Jewel? WAIT! RHEA RIPLEY IS HERE! The fans fire up as Mami runs out there and goes right after Raquel! Rhea throws Raquel around and then stands over her! Liv & Dom are afraid, they go running! Only for Liv to run into Nia! Rhea BOOTS Nia!? Because she wants to beat up Liv herself! Dom shouts at Rhea, but Rhea runs him off! Judgment Day regroups and retreats, will Rhea make sure Liv doesn’t make it to Crown Jewel?

Melo has an icepack.

He finds Aldis and says after Melo beat AJ Styles “fair and square,” Andrade can just be out there to screw him up? Make that make sense! Aldis says last time he checked, and if the math is right, which it is, Melo and Andrade are 3-3. So therefore, there’s only one solution: Game 7! And the winner of that may just find themselves another US Championship shot. Oh, and Melo. Don’t miss. Melo storms off, who finally finishes the series? As for Aldis, Legado Del Fantasma walks over. Santos Escobar has to say, he sees a pattern here. Carmelo, Andrade, they seem to have permanent spot in the line-up. Por que, why?

Aldis says speaking of opportunities, Santos had his shot, and came up short. Aldis has just been waiting for Santos to bounce back. Oh, bounce back? “Nicholas, I’m not just talking about me. What about Elektra? What about Los Garza?” Aldis is glad they brought it up. Because next week, Los Garza has a match against a team, a very special team, one that Aldis has hand selected just for them. And take it from him, if Los Garza can get through them, then they are worthy of a shot. See? How hard was that? Aldis won’t regret this. Legado heads out, and Aldis says sure, he won’t regret it. But Santos might.

Just who is Aldis going to put up against Angel & Humberto as an obstacle to gold?

Solo Sikoa speaks.

“My big brother Jimmy is looking for revenge tonight. But he ain’t gonna get it. See, he may be Big Brother, but tonight, I’m the Tribal Chief. And he will acknowledge me.” Solo is prepared, but will he need his Bloodline to back him up on that? Or can he do this solo?

A dynamic duo is about to arrive.

The video of Motor City is hinting at something big. Will SmackDown be ready for what’s coming?

The Street Profits argue with DIY.

Aldis is there and has them all settle down. He says the ladder match was unbelievable, but that was also their shot. The SmackDown Tag Division is growing, there’s a new team coming in next week. The argument starts anew over this, and it clearly sounds like DIY and Profits want to have it out 2v2. Aldis sighs, but he also spots something going on past them. Did something just happen in the parking lot?! KEVIN OWENS IS ATTACKING RANDY!! Aldis tells Kevin to stop but he won’t, so security pulls Kevin away! Kevin gets loose, KICKS Randy in the side, and says Randy chose the wrong side! The security finally gets Kevin out of here, and Randy needs medical attention!

The Prizefighter has absolutely snapped! Will no one be safe with him enraged like this?

Jimmy Uso VS Solo Sikoa w/ The Bloodline!

Big Brother VS Little Brother, The OTC’s side VS The Usurper, but clearly Solo isn’t doing this alone. Will Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa make sure “Big Jim” has no chance of having his revenge?

SmackDown returns and Jimmy makes his entrance. The bell rings and the brothers stare down. The fans rally for “USO! USO!” but Jimmy becomes very aware that he’s surrounded. Solo tells Jimmy to acknowledge him as the TRUE Tribal Chief. Solo raises the finger to the sky but the fans boo. Jimmy looks around at Tama, Loa & Jacob. Jimmy says yeah okay, and he UPPERCUTS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Jimmy clinches, but Solo puts him in the corner. Jimmy UPPERCUTS, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! Solo TOSSES Jimmy to another corner, but runs into a BOOT! Jimmy winds up but Solo ELBOWS first!

Solo seethes, Jacob says, “I LOVE you, Solo!” Jimmy flounders to ropes, Solo whips him across the way, but Jimmy stops himself. Solo runs up but Jimmy DUMPS him out! Jimmy then DIVES, and down goes Solo at the ramp! The fans fire up with Jimmy and he hurries to bring Solo up. Jimmy grins as he puts Solo in, then goes up a corner. Jimmy aims, CROSSBODY, into a HAYMAKER! Solo stands tall while Jimmy sputters. Solo says he’s not little no more! Solo CHOKES Jimmy on ropes, but he lets off as the ref counts 4. The fans rally for Jimmy, but Jacob gets a cheap shot in! The fans boo but Solo soaks up the heat.

Solo watches Jimmy crawl to the apron, and then storms up to HEADBUTT! Jimmy wobbles, Solo taunts him, and then runs him side to side. Jimmy blocks the buckle bump! Jimmy bumps Solo off buckles, and then runs him to the other side for another! Solo staggers, Jimmy storms up, and he tries to suplex! Solo blocks, then he fires body shots. Jimmy sputters, and Solo LARIATS him down! Solo soaks up more heat, Tama mocks Jimmy, but Jimmy rises back up. Jimmy GAMANGIRIS Solo! Then RAMS into him! Jimmy slingshots, into an UPPERCUT! Jimmy falls to the floor, Solo soaks up more heat, and Jacob CLOBBERS Jimmy!

The fans boo but The Bloodline continues to use the numbers advantage. Solo stands on a corner, raises his finger up, and soaks up the heat while SmackDown goes picture in picture.

Solo smirks as he hops down and watches Jimmy. The ring count climbs, Solo soaks up more heat, but Jimmy rises at 5 of 10. Jimmy rolls in but Solo stomps away! The ref counts as Solo digs his knee in, and Solo lets off at 4. Another cheap shot, this time from Loa! The ref wants The Bloodline to back off, and Solo fishhooks Jimmy’s face! Solo makes Jimmy smile, but he stops as the ref reprimands. Another cheap shot as Jacob HEADBUTTS Jimmy! Solo taunts the fans, then stalks Jimmy back to ropes. Solo taunts Jimmy, stands him up, but Jimmy counter punches! And counter punches again!

Jimmy fires more shots, runs, but into a HEADBUTT from Solo! Cover, TWO! Jimmy toughs it out but Solo stays focused. Solo stalks Jimmy, puts him in a corner, and then mocks the “UCE! OH!” chant. Solo runs corner to corner as SmackDown returns to single picture, HIP ATTACK! Solo mocks the hollering, raises the one, and soaks up more heat. Solo continues to taunt Jimmy, and the fans rally for “USO! USO!” Solo says Jimmy should’ve stayed home. Jimmy SLAPS Solo! The fans fire up but now Solo is mad. Solo swings, but Jimmy fires more counter punches! Solo shoves, Jimmy SMACKS him off the mat!

But Solo’s right back up!? Solo fires up, and he WHEEL KICKS Jimmy down! The fans boo but Solo has a sinister look in his eyes. The fans rally for Jimmy but Solo stalks him to ropes. Solo CHOKES Jimmy again, fishhooks him more, but lets go as the ref counts. Jacob gets one more cheap shot in! The fans boo but Solo says Jimmy should just acknowledge him. Solo HEADBUTTS Jimmy down, then dares him to stand back up. Solo brings Jimmy up by his beard! Solo asks if this is all Jimmy’s got! Solo fireman’s carries, but Jimmy slips free! Kick, and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down!

Jimmy stands, and he again counter punches! And he CHOPS! And CHOPS! But Solo clinches! URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! Jimmy survives and Solo is growing frustrated. Jimmy crawls to a corner while the fans rally up. Solo seethes, stands back up, and lines up a shot. Solo skips the chanting to run corner to corner, HIP ATTACK! Jimmy sputters in the corner, but Solo soaks up more heat. Solo reloads, grins, and he raises the one to the sky. Solo runs up again, but into a JUMPING SUPERKICK!! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Solo and Jimmy stir, Solo’s Bloodline upset with Jimmy again.

Jimmy rises, he SUPERKICKS! And UPPERCUTS! And mule kicks! Jimmy fireman’s carries, but Solo slips free! Solo blocks a kick, but not the DRAGON WHIP! Solo goes to a corner and the fans rally up! Jimmy runs in, but Solo puts him on the apron. Jimmy GAMANGIRIS in return! Jimmy climbs, leaps, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! Solo stays in this but Jimmy stays focused. But Jacob gets on the apron! Jimmy DECKS him, then DECKS Loa! Tama stays back but it’s enough to distract! Solo grabs Jimmy by the neck! SAMOAN- UPPERCUT from Jimmy! And then SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally for Jimmy and he hurries to a corner. Jimmy climbs up, but now Tama distracts the ref! Jacob YANKS Jimmy down! Solo drags Jimmy up for a SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, Solo wins!

Winner: Solo Sikoa, by pinfall

And as if it wasn’t enough to make this 4v1, Tama & Loa beat Jimmy down! But wait! Here comes Roman! The fans fire up as The OTC storms in, SUPERMAN PUNCH for Jacob! HOTSHOT for Loa! Roman DUMPS Tama out, then SUPERMAN PUNCHES Loa! SUPERMAN PUNCH for Tama! Now Roman has Solo all alone! The fans are all fired up for the OTC, but Solo runs up! The hands start flying, but Jacob joins in! The fans boo but the Samoan Werewolf beats Roman down! HIP ATTACK in the corner! But Jimmy’s back up! Jimmy fires hands, but Jacob SUPERKICKS him down! Then BEST MOONSAULT EVER!

Tama & Loa beat Roman down, stomp him in a corner, then stand him up for Solo! Solo gives Roman a SAMOAN SPIKE!! The fans boo as Solo’s Bloodline stands tall! Jacob brings the ula fala over to Solo, and Tama says they are dominant in this ring! Jimmy regroups with Roman, and he says like it or not, they need help. Will Roman swallow his pride and ask you know who? Will he even want to help the OTC?

My Thoughts:

A great SmackDown here to follow Bad Blood, but I feel like they could’ve done a bit better on parts. Namely, the Women’s Tag Team Championship story. Very good promo from Chelsea & Piper with Bianca & Jade to tease this as the SmackDown title story, but then the match with Lash & Jakara was really short. In its defense, Lash & Jakara got a very good showing for going as quick as they were. Plus, Lash booting Chelsea over the desk was hilarious. But of course Jade & Bianca retained tonight, they have DMG CTRL on Monday. And depending on how that goes, Jade & Bianca probably return with the titles to face Chelsea & Piper. With Crown Jewel and Survivor Series coming up, I kinda hope they arrange a bigger title match so all brands are involved.

Of course, part of the issue was also time constraints. I did like how sudden Kevin showing up was, and everything with Kevin, Randy and Cody is great, but it did quite literally take time away from the women’s tag title match. But Kevin is going full Heel now that he’s turned on Randy, those two are going to have an awesome match, and I’m thinking Kevin wins out to have one more title match with Cody. It might also be something with a wild stipulation akin to Cody VS Styles in their I Quit match. And speaking of Styles, a real shame that his injury angle story turned into a real injury, so now Styles is out of action again.

The US Championship story is also good, though perhaps a bit predictable. Knight of course won against Melo, but Andrade being ringside was a nice touch. We all knew Game 7 was happening, so they used tonight as the set-up for that. Santos & Legado wanting their opportunities was a nice touch, too. And given the timing, Los Garza is being fed to Motor City Machine Guns in their WWE debuts. We did get a logical promo of Profits and DIY arguing, because the MCMG will definitely jump them in the line to the tag titles. MCMG VS Guerrillas of Destiny is going to be great stuff, and I wouldn’t be surprised if MCMG just won the titles first try.

Very good crossover with the women’s champions to help build the Crown Jewel match. Naomi goads Nia into a non-title match, and they bring Liv, Dom & Raquel out to stir things up a bit. Naomi gets a great win, and I wonder if Naomi tries to have her title match before Crown Jewel. Well, that might be a waste if Tiffany is meant to cash in. But Nia telling Tiff to cash in at Crown Jewel after Nia destroys Liv is also a fitting detail. Tiff would have easy pickings, but then that’d send her over to Raw and I don’t think that’s happening. Tiff might try to cash-in during or after Nia VS Naomi. After all, third time’s the charm.

And as usual, Bloodline story bookends the night. Very good opening segment from Jimmy and Roman to show Roman is turning over a new leaf. He isn’t as domineering with Jimmy anymore, he wants to raise Jimmy up. But it was also a good move from Jimmy to say they need reinforcements. Fans automatically went with Jey Uso, and Roman did, too. It does make sense, but clearly with how the rest of the night went, it is about convincing Roman that he should reach out to Jey. The main event match and following brawl established that, too, and you can bet they stretch this out to make it to Survivor Series.

My Score: 8.8/10