Roman Reigns: ‘I Am The Only Tribal Chief’

Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa-Steel Cage Match

Triple H, coming out first was a great tone-setter and delivering the previously booked championship steel cage match between Cody Rhodes (c) and Solo Sikoa—leader of The Bloodline.

The match was solid, and it felt like starting the show with the match gave it a cushion with the fans that greatly benefited. Of course, we all knew Cody would put on a show and do something worth the price of admission, but it was Solo that performed better than expected. There was a ref in the steel cage to also give pinfall/submission as another method of winning, and Cody used the ref to claim a decisive victory. However, the end was only the beginning, as The Bloodline came out to put a beatdown on Cody. As it seemed inevitable that Jacob Fatu was focused on delivering the most damage possible, he climbed to the top of the cage. But before he could land anything on Cody, Roman Reigns’ music hit.

Roman was successful for a moment, but the numbers were overwhelming. The returning ‘face’ neutralized the numbers, and it was just Roman and Fatu standing face to face. Just as it seemed we would get this advanced showdown, Solo pulled Fatu from the ring and out of the cage. WWE is still saving this moment, and it is the right decision.

Eventually, Roman needed Cody to return the favor to help with the number disadvantage, and that led to a fantastic shot of Roman in focus with Cody in the background. You could see Roman Reigns sensing his rival just behind him, and the storyline has narrowed a subplot that we expected. Great segment to kick off SmackDown on USA—this felt like a party to celebrate what is to come in the ‘Triple H Era.’ The show’s story used the “main event” to kick off the narrative, which was at play the rest of the night. When we returned from break, GM Aldis informed us that Solo had a challenge for Cody and Roman, one that was ‘too good to resist.’

Then, towards the end of the 2nd-hour halftime, we discovered that we would hear from Roman Reigns himself. With something so huge, and without Paul Heyman, it had to be held for the night’s end—and it was. Roman Reigns’ music hit for the 2^nd time tonight, but this time, he got his ‘face fireworks.’ After Aldis started on the mic, Roman quickly took it over with a simple hand gesture. Roman said he did not need Aldis or a contract but that this was family business. He said this was his ring, his show, and his WWE.

That is when Cody’s music hit, and the tension between Roman’s words and Cody’s current world are real, but then The Bloodline came in, forcing the faces to work together. After taking out the Tongas, Cody with a Cutter and Roman with a ‘Rock Bottom,’ Roman picked up the contract to sign the tag match, handing it to Cody next, who then put his signature on paper. This makes Solo and Jacob Fatu vs. Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes official for Bad Blood, a show living up to its name.

Tiffy Time

Nia Jax was rather good on the mic tonight and did not overplay her role. Baley came out and did not add much until it was ‘time for Tiffy.’ Stratton had the crowd, and she has the most intriguing long-term booking in the company as her “turn/no-turn” narrative continues to build her up properly with fans. Naomi came out, and a number one contender match was set as a tag team match. It is a really good idea—Naomi and Bayley will be on one team, and whichever pins, Tiffy or Jax, gets the shot at the title. This dynamic keeps friends competitive, and at the same time, if they lose, then the one that gets pinned must ‘leave SmackDown.’

Kevin Owens & Mystery Partner vs. A-Town Down Under

Ricky “Midnight Heat” was set to be the MOST OVER thing on TV today when Kevin Owens announced this unknown “jobber-looking” wrestler with a hairy chest and, somehow, even hairier back, sporting bright sky blue and pink trunks with matching boots. KO grabbed the mic and said “Ricky” was not his first choice, but his original partner had travel issues, but that is when a crew member arrived ringside to inform KO that his partner was ‘here.’ KO delivered a ‘Stunner’ to Pretty (hairy) Ricky, and “The Apex Predator’s” music hit and the crowd went nuts. The faces got the win.

LA Knight-Andrade Next Up?

Andrade picked up the win against Carmelo Hayes in their summer-long feud, but he did it when it mattered most, as it was to determine the number one contender for LA Knight’s US title. Knight came out after the match and set the tone for this feud.