The blue brand made a triumphant return to its traditional two-hour format this week, delivering a packed episode that showcased exactly why less can be more in sports entertainment. Taped at Pittsburgh’s PPG Paints Arena immediately after Monday’s RAW, this SmackDown proved that compelling storytelling doesn’t need extra time to hit hard.
Championship Gold Opens the Show
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes stepped through the ropes to address the WWE Universe, but his promo got cut short in classic fashion. The American Nightmare barely had time to settle into his rhythm before Randy Orton’s music hit.
The Viper delivered a moment of rare vulnerability, admitting he couldn’t follow through with that devastating punt kick on Rhodes. Orton’s respect for the champion became crystal clear as he extracted a promise from Cody to defeat John Cena at SummerSlam.
Drew McIntyre had other plans, storming out to mock the mutual admiration between the two former champions. The Scottish Warrior’s attempt to create friction backfired spectacularly when Orton planted him with a picture-perfect RKO, sending a clear message about where loyalties lie.
Flair and Bliss Form Unlikely Alliance
Backstage politics took an interesting turn when General Manager Nick Aldis pitched an intriguing partnership to Charlotte Flair. The Queen found herself presented with an opportunity to chase tag team gold alongside Alexa Bliss, with Secret Service standing in their path.
After some deliberation, Charlotte agreed to the arrangement, setting up what would become one of the evening’s most significant developments. The pairing represents a fascinating blend of technical excellence and high-energy charisma that could reshape the women’s tag division.
Triple Threat Tag Action Delivers
The newly formed duo of Charlotte and Alexa faced their first test in a three-way tag encounter against Secret Service and the team of Michin & B-Fab. Bliss secured the victory for her team, capping off the win with a brief but meaningful embrace with her temporary partner.
This result positions Charlotte and Alexa as the number one contenders, though questions remain about the longevity of their partnership heading into bigger matches.
Wyatt Sicks Continue Their Dominance
The mysterious faction maintained their undefeated streak in an eight-man showcase against a collection of established stars. Facing off against Berto, Johnny Gargano, Montez Ford, and Chris Sabin, the Wyatt Sicks once again proved their collective strength.
Erick Rowan delivered the decisive blow, pinning Chris Sabin to secure another victory for the group. Their continued success suggests bigger plans lie ahead for this reimagined version of the Wyatt legacy.
Evolution Announcement Shakes Women’s Division
Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton commanded attention with a dual-purpose promo that addressed both immediate and future title defenses. While confirming her SummerSlam clash with Jade Cargill, Tiffy Time dropped a bombshell about defending her championship at WWE Evolution.
The real surprise came when Stratton revealed her Evolution opponent wouldn’t be the obvious choice of Jade Cargill. Instead, seven-time Women’s Champion Trish Stratus emerged to accept the challenge, creating an intergenerational dream match that has fans buzzing.
The confrontation between the current champion and the Hall of Famer set the stage for what promises to be a defining moment in both women’s careers.
Tag Team Division Showcases Depth
Fraxiom stepped into the ring against the high-flying combination of Andrade and Rey Fenix in a display of international wrestling excellence. The match highlighted the incredible depth currently existing in SmackDown’s tag team ranks.
Andrade and Fenix ultimately claimed victory, continuing to build momentum as one of the division’s most exciting duos. Their chemistry and athletic ability make them serious contenders for future championship opportunities.
Tensions Rise Between Former Allies
Backstage drama unfolded when Damian Priest attempted to mediate the growing conflict between R-Truth and Aleister Black. The Archer of Infamy found himself in the uncomfortable position of defending Truth’s actions while trying to maintain peace.
The conversation quickly escalated, revealing cracks in what appeared to be a solid relationship between Priest and Black. Their scheduled match for next week promises to settle these mounting tensions inside the squared circle.
Main Event Delivers Shocking Clean Finish
The evening’s marquee match pitted Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso against Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo in a battle that would define the current state of the Bloodline civil war. What transpired exceeded all expectations in terms of storytelling and in-ring action.
“In a stunning turn of events, Jacob Fatu pinned Solo Sikoa completely clean, with no interference or shenanigans to muddy the waters.”
The clean victory sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe, as Fatu definitively proved his dominance over the self-proclaimed Tribal Chief. However, the celebration proved short-lived as post-match chaos erupted.
Numbers Game Shifts Control
Fatu’s attempt to put Solo through the announce table got interrupted when Hikuleo rushed to his stablemate’s aid. Tonga Loa quickly joined the fray, turning the tide through sheer numbers advantage.
The trio delivered a devastating Shield-style Triple Powerbomb to Fatu, leaving him laid out as Solo’s faction stood tall to close the broadcast. The visual sent a clear message that despite Fatu’s individual superiority, the war for Bloodline supremacy remains far from over.
Crowd Gets Special Treatment
After cameras stopped rolling, the Pittsburgh faithful received an exclusive bonus as Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso rushed to Jacob Fatu’s aid. The impromptu save created a feel-good moment for the live audience, sending them home on a high note.
This type of dark segment demonstrates WWE’s continued commitment to making live attendance special, creating memories that exist only for those present in the arena.
SmackDown’s return to its traditional two-hour format proved that focused storytelling trumps extended runtime every time. With Solo’s faction regaining momentum despite Fatu’s clean victory, how will this Bloodline civil war evolve when the cameras roll again next week?
