Fans had to have expected a ton of promo work in the first episode following SummerSlam, and those fans would have been proven right. The August 9 episode of Friday Night Smackdown was the opportunity. Nia Jax and LA Knight are fresh champions, but Jax sent her representative Tiffany Stratton while Knight made it to the ring. Of course fresh off his defense of his title Cody Rhodes started the show, and just like SummerSlam, Roman Reigns ended it.
Here's how all the promos and matches went over.
Cody Rhodes promo w/ Solo Sikoa, Kevin Owens: B-
Cody opens the show welcoming Tulsa back into the universe and it wasn't too long before Solo was interrupting to relive SummerSlam and demand a rematch. Rhodes reminded Sikoa that he cost Jacob Fatu a healthy knee, brought Roman Reigns back and then took the L. Rhodes said it ain't happening, so what's there left to talk about. The Bloodline went to enter the ring and jump Rhodes, but Kevin Owens entered from the back of the ring with two chairs to even the score. The Bloodline departed, swearing revenge "after I find Roman Reigns".
Afterwards, Rhodes called a departing Owens back into the ring to offer a title match at the next PLE, Bash in Berlin. Owens refused, saying his win/loss record over the past year isn't worthy. Rhodes goes on a diatribe and will insist.
Boo.
A-Town Down Under vs Street Profits: B
Nothing major to start in a Tag-Team #1 qualifying match, Tez Ford barely missed diving out the ring down to the floor. Flying clothelins, a FlatJack, Belly-to-Back and a standing moonsault led to a pin attempt. A Superkick outside led to a Super Blockbuster and Crawford pinning Theory for teh win.
Rhodes, Owens and Nick Aldis: C+
Aldis responds to the bickering by saying he intended to talk to Roman Reigns about the Rematch Clause and getting him back in the title picture. Owens goes off about how he doesn't deserve it, supposedly convincing Aldis that Owens is indeed ready. Somehow.
Jade Cargill vs Alba Fyre: B
Cargill's first televised solo match since May when she was unjustly DQd vs Nia Jax.
Her strength is unmatched, lifting Fyre up overhead with one arm, but Fyre gets off a tornado DDT. No pin, and a weird0looking submission hold that Cargill seems to have been able to just fall backwards out of, but whatever. Cargill reversed it with a side slam, splash in the corner and then a Jaded for the quick win. The start of the Cargill solo tour appears upon us.
For the second week in a row, Blair Davenport gets involved but this time Naomi is on her heels to even things up. Beatdown ensues.
LA Knight Promo with Santos Escobar: A-
The pop was amazing to the point Knight couldn't even climb up the turnbuckle without slipping. Lou Ferrigno in the house. The LA Knight chants were thunderous. "Let me talk to ya!" He's been a marked man since he walked into SmackDown with a chip or not. He hit it and quit it, apparently. Santos Escobar and Co. interrupts to simultaneously say congrats and Knight sucks. Escobar said we don't believe you, you need more people. He wants everybody saying Es-co-bar-Si! Knight in a mic battle is undefeated and he proceeded to flame Escobar and his "goof troop".
Giovanni Vinci announcement: C
Real smart, an Italian promo with subtitles in barely readable text.
Andrade vs Santos Escobar: B-
US Champion #1 Contender Match. High flying Andrade off the bat, jumping over the top rop to perfectly land on Escobar. After Berto and Angel jump Andrade, Baron Corbin and Apollo Crews come out to even the score. Tilt-a-Whirl backbreaker by Escobar keeps the tide rolling. The two climbed to the top rope where Escobar was denied a Superflex and reverse it to a second-turnbuckle PowerBomb.
Poisonrata still couldn't get the pinfall for Escobar. Superkick by Escobar, drop kick by Andrade. The missed Moonsault flip splash almost got Andrade the win, but now.
Carmelo Hayes is out, but Andrade sees him and decks him before Escobar attacks from the back. The Andrade elbow comes out but can't convert the pin. Andrade goes for the double knee but Hayes drags Escobar out the way, who then rolls up a fistful of tights for the win.
#DIY vs Pretty Deadly: B+
Another #1 Contender Qualifying Match. A lot of high flying aerials from DIY, as usual. THey're great wrestlers with zero charisma. Double Power Bomb was tremendous. PD nailed a double-chicken wing, top-rope bulldog. Shatter Machine and then the Meet in the Middle gets the pin.
Solo Sikoa, Roman Reigns promo: A
Sikoa commands the Tulsa crowd acknowledge him, before telling Reigns who the real tribal chief is and if he wants the flare he's gotta come get it from him.
Cue the (new) music.
Reigns starts down the ramp and flattens Tama Tonga before sending Tonga Loa into the stairs. Stairs in play, both Tongas get the beating they deserve. It took a minute but the crowd got their act together chanting OTC for Original Tribal Chief. It's on... Superman Punch and before the spear can be laid down, Tonga pulled Sikoa out the ring. But he left behind the goods, The Sacred Ulafala.
Distracted, Reigns gets jumped but recovers to deliver double Superman Punches and then catches Loa with a spear. He exits the ring and catches Tonga with a spear as well before ripping off the annunce-table cover, grabbing a chair and hitting Loa six times with the chair.
Sikoa taunts him with the Ulafala, but Reigns just keeps beating on Loa instead.
It's on.