Cody Rhodes' Steel Cage Match against Solo Sikoa to kick off SmackDown premiere on USA

After Cody Rhodes overcame Kevin Owens at WWE Bash in Berlin, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis revealed that The American Nightmare will battle Solo Sikoa for the Undisputed WWE Championship. In order to keep the disruptive Bloodline out of the mix, that showdown will take place inside a Steel Cage.




Your announcers are Michael Cole and Corey Graves.

Paul Levesque makes his way to the ring.

He says it seemed like just yesterday that he was in this ring going one on one with the Rock. Now we are 25 years later. There is no better place to be than right here, right now, standing room only in Seattle. There is no better way than to start it off with an Undisputed Championship match between Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa inside a Steel Cage.


Steel Cage Match for the Undisputed WWE Championship
Cody Rhodes (c) vs Solo Sikoa

Cody and Solo circle each other at the start of the match. Cody with punches and drop down uppercuts. Solo with an elbow and he tries to send Cody into the cage but Cody blocks it. Solo with a punch. Solo with an Irish whip and a hip into the corner. Solo with an Irish whip but he misses an elbow and Cody with a bulldog but Solo pops up. Cody sends Solo into the cage many times. Cody with a punch and Solo back drops Cody into the cage. Solo with a splash to Cody against the cage and then Cody falls to the mat on the apron. Solo with a running hip to Cody against the cage. Cody with punches but Solo with a head butt. Solo puts Cody on the turnbuckles and he puts him in the tree of woe. Solo with a kick and a diving head butt. Solo sets for another diving head butt, but Cody pulls himself up and he climbs to the top of the cage but Solo stops him.

Cody kicks Solo away and Solo pulls Cody off the ropes to the mat. Cody is bleeding and Solo with kicks. Solo sends Cody into the cage. Cody with punches and he sends Solo into the cage. Solo with an elbow and he sends Cody into the cage again. Solo with head butts to Cody and then he points and rubs Cody's blood on his chest. Cody with a kick and he tries for Beautiful Disaster but Solo catches Cody and power bombs him into the cage two times. Solo sets for a power bomb and Cody gets to the cage and he starts to climb to the top. He kicks Solo away and then he hits a Cody Cutter off the cage for a near fall.

Cody climbs the cage but Solo grabs Cody as Cody almost gets to the top of the cage. Solo pulls Cody to the mat and Solo with a head butt. Solo climbs the cage and Cody stops him. They both make their way to the top of the cage and Cody sits on top. Cody sends Solo into the top of the cage and Cody is over the side but Solo grabs Cody and hits a Super Muscle Buster and both men are down. Solo gets a near fall. Solo asks for the door to be opened but Cody holds on to Solo's leg. Cody slaps Solo and Solo with a uranage and a second one for a near fall. Solo looks at his thumb and he sets for the Samoan Spike but Solo takes too long and Cody punches Solo. Cody with a flying forearm and Beautiful Disaster. Cody with a Cody Cutter for a near fall.

Cody sets for CrossRhodes and Solo sends Cody into the turnbuckles and Solo with a shoulder and a running hip into the corner. Solo with a Samoan drop and he goes to the turnbuckles for a frog splash for a near fall. Cody crawls into the corner and Solo sets for a running hip and Solo hits it. Cody pushes the door open and he crawls to the floor while Solo poses but Solo stops Cody. Cody lands on hs feet on a belly-to-back suplex attempt. Cody with CrossRhodes for a near fall. Cody staggers to the corner opposite the door and he starts to climb to the top. Cody with a cross body off the top of the cage for a near fall. Cody has the door opened and he makes his way to the door but Solo closes the door into Cody's head. Solo misses a Samoan Spike and Cody with CrossRhodes for the three count.

Winner: Cody Rhodes (retains championship)

After the match:
Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu make their way to ringside and they climb the cage. Solo with a Samoan Spike to Cody. Tama punches Cody. Tonga with a slam and Fatu with a double jump moonsault. Solo tells Jacob to go up top.

Roman Reigns' music plays and that freezes the members of the Bloodline Junior. Fatu climbs down the cage.

Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring and he enters the cage.

Roman shuts the cage and Roman punches Tama and Tonga. Tama goes for a splash but misses Roman and he hits his brother. Roman sends Tonga into the cage until Solo hits Roman from behind. Solo punches Roman. Solo sets for a running hip and Roman recovers and hits a Superman punch.

Roman sets for the spear and Fatu pulls Solo to safety.

Roman tells Fatu to enter the cage and Fatu gets on the steps and enters the cage.

Fatu is pulled to the floor by Solo.

Tama with a forearm to Roman's back and Tonga joins in and punches and head butts Roman.

Cody sends Tonga into the cage and hits CrossRhodes on Tama. Roman with a spear to Tonga.

Roman turns around to look at Cody.

Solo has his necklace put on by Fatu.

We go to commercial.

Backstage:
We are back and Cathy Kelley is with Nick Aldis. Nick says this was a chaotic start. Cody, Roman, and the Bloodline are being sequestered in their locker rooms. He says that Solo and Jacob have a challenge.


MIchin vs Piper Niven (w/ Chelsea Green)

They lock up and Michin sends Piper to the floor and then she hits a suicide dive. Green gets in Michin's face and Michin kicks Green. Michin breaks the count with Piper in the ring and Michin gets a kendo stick and hits Green with it. Piper with a cannonball off the apron. Piper sends Michin back into the ring and she kicks Michin in the midsection. Piper goes to the turnbuckles for a Vader Bomb but Michin stops Piper and she connects with forearm. Michin with a belly-to-back superplex. Michin with Eat Defeat for the three count.

Winner: Michin

After the match:
Green attacks Michin and she gets a trash can and Green with UnPrettiHer to MIchin onto the trash can.


We go to commercial.

We are back with a look at photos from the years on Smackdown.

Rob Van Dam, Vickie Guerrero, and Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser are in the crowd.

Backstage:
Kevin asks Waller and Theory what are the laughing at. Kevin says he wasn't his first choice but his partner couldn't make it. He says his partner is Ricky. Kevin is told that his partner is here so Ricky is given a stunner for his troubles.


Austin Theory and Grayson Waller vs Kevin Owens and Randy Orton

Owens with a kick and punches to Waller followed by kicks in the corner. Theory pulls Waller to the floor to avoid a cannonball. Orton with a clothesline to Theory and Waller sends Orton into the ring post. Owens sends Waller onto Theory and then into the announce table. Theory pulls Owens off the apron but Owens with a punch and he sends Theory into the announce table. Waller wtih a clothesline to Owens and he hits a back drop driver onto the announce table.

Theory with punches to Owens and he gets a near fall. Waller tags in and he sends Owens into the ring post. Waller with knees to the midsection and he sets for a suplex but Owens blocks it. Kevin with a suplex of his own. Theory punches Owens and then he knocks Orton off the apron. Theory forces Orton into the ring and the referee deals with him while Waller and Theory double team Owens. Waller with a springboard elbow drop for a near fall. Theory kicks Owens from the apron. Theory with a knee to Owens and Kevins with a reverse atomic drop and clothesline. Waller tags in and stops Owens from making the tag. Waller puts Owens on the turnbuckles.

Waller tries for a superplex but as Corey says, you don't superplex Owens ad Kevin head butts Waller to the mat. Theory tags in and punches Owens and tries the same thing Waller failed at. Owens with elbows and punches followed by a swanton. Waller pulls Orton off the apron when Kevin goes for the tag. Theory with a boot to the back. Waller tags in and they hit a double suplex for a near fall. Owens with a forearm to Waller and then to Theory. Waller with a jumping knee and he misses a sliding clothesline. Owens sends Waller into the announce table a few times. Owens sends Theory to the floor and Waller stops Owens from making the tag.

Theory tags in and Owens with punches but Theory backs Owens into the corner. Waller tags in and Owns with a boot to Theory and Waller. Kevin goes to the floor to make the tag and Orton with to clotheslines to Waller and he ducks one from Waller and hits a power slam. Orton with a power slam to Theory and then he goes for the IEDDT and Theory pulls Waller to the floor. Orton with punches and kicks to Waller and Theory. Theory gets a back drop driver onto the announce table and Waller gets one too. Orton sends Waller back into the ring and sets for the IEDDT. Owens stops Theory and we get stereo IEDDTs. They both punch the mat and Orton with an RKO and Owens with a stunner for the three count.

Winners: Kevin Owens and Randy Orton

After the match:
Kevin thanks Ricky.


Backstage:
Cathy Kelley is with Nick Aldis ad he has a contract. Nick says Solo has made a challenge for Bad Blood of Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu versus Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes. Nick says that Solo and Jacob have signed it. Cody shows up and he says he is done with the Bloodline. That is Roman's problem and he says he has no intention of signing it. Nick says he needs to speak to Roman.

Nia Jax makes her way to the ring.

We go to commercial.

We are back with more photos from the history of Smackdown.

Booker T and Sharmell are in the crowd. Sheamus is in the crowd too. Michael Hayes is in the crowd tonight.

We see footage of Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, and Pretty Deadly at Pike Place Market.

Nia says a year ago she returned to WWE and everyone knows why she is the irresistible force. She won Queen of the Ring and that was easy. She became Women's champion and it was even easier. Everyone fears her and has a good reason to fear her. Nia says she will be defending her title at Bad Blood. She says she does not know who her opponent is and does not care because they will suffer the same fate as her prior opponents.

Bayley's music plays and she makes her way to the ring.

Bayley says she will give Nia credit where credit is due. She had the best year of her career, but you didn't set the bar too high. Bayley says she is happy that Nia is feeling confident. Bayley says she wants her rematch.

Nia says that Bayley is in no position to demand anything from her. This isn't like last year when you were running behind Damage CTRL. Nia says she runs Smackdown and she doesn't need a posse.

Bayley asks about Tiffany and she says that she didn't need Damage CTRL to win the title but Tiffany helped you win the title.

Tiffany Stratton's music plays and she makes her way to the ring.

Tiffany says this is so pathetic. Nia knows better than to listen to Bayley. You are like everyone else and is jealous that Tiffany has the briefcase and doesn't have to beg for a match.

Bayley says she beat the youngest Ms. Money in the Bank last week.

Tiffany says it was because Nia got involved.

Bayley asks if it was Nia's fault that she lost.

Nia says that Bayley is good and she almost had her and almost had a prayer if she faced her again. You wouldn't have a chance if they beat her down right now.

Naomi makes her way to the ring.

Naomi says if you want a fight, they can fight. She won't let them attack Bayley. Naomi says it has been a time since she held the title and it is time she did it again. Naomi tells NIa to put her money where her big mouth it.

Nia says Naomi and Bayley want her title. Maybe you should have a match to see who faces her at Bad Blood.

Bayley says they can do a triple threat.

Nia says they can face her and Tiffany and whoever gets the win faces her at Bad Blood.

Naomi and Bayley accept.

Nia says when they win, whoever loses leaves Smackdown permanently.

Tiffany goes after Naomi and Naomi hits Tiffany with Rear View.

Nick Aldis is ambushed by Cathy Kelley. Nick says that Roman wants to address things in the ring after this match.


We go to commercial.

We are back with more photos.

Teddy Long and Ron Simmons are in the crowd. William Regal is in the crowd. Bobby Roode is in the crowd. Damian Priest is in the crowd tonight.


Match Five of the Best of Five Series
Andrade vs Carmelo Hayes

Hayes attacks Andrade from behind before the bell rings and he kicks Andrade.

The referee pulls Hayes off Andrade.

The referee starts the match and Hayes with punches and a chop. Andrade sends Hayes to the floor and Andrade goes up top for a moonsault to the floor. Hayes with a kick and he chops Andrade against the ring post. Andrade Irish whips Hayes into the ringside barrier and Hayes tries for a clothesline but misses. Andrade with a kick to Hayes. Andrade goes to the ringside barrier for a moonsault and Hayes goes to join him and they exchange forearms and uppercut. Andrade with a Spanish Fly off the ringside barrier to the floor. Andrade gets back into the rin and Hayes with a slingshot senton for a near fall. Hayes with a wrist lock and a knee to the arm. Hayes with an arm bar into a wrist lock.

Andrade with forearms and Hayes fires back. Andrade with chops. Andrade with an Irish whip but he misses a splash into the corner. Hayes with an elbow drop for a near fall. Hayes with a double wrist lock.and a body scissors. Andrade with a slam. Andrade with forearms and a flying forearm. Andrade sets for the running double knee strike and Hayes moves. Hayes with a springboard clothesline and he goes for a DDT but Andrade blocks it. Hayes with a rollup for a near fall and Andrade with a rollup for a near fall. Andrade goes for a one arm power bomb but Hayes escapes. Hayes with a Codebreaker but Andrade with a spinning back elbow for a near fall.

Andrade goes up top for the AndradeSault but Hayes gets his knees up. Hayes with La Mistica for a near fall. Hayes goes up top and he misses Nothin but Net and Andrade with a kick and he hits a Destroyer. Andrade with a running double knee strike into the corner and he gets a near fall when Hayes gets his hand on the rope to stop the count. Andrade goes up top for a split legged moonsault but he misses. Hayes puts Andrade on the turnbuckles. Hayes with a running kick to the head and Andrade blocks a Frankensteiner. Hayes with kicks. Andrade with a twisting butterfly DDT off the turnbuckles for the three count.

Winner: Andrade

After the match:
LA Knight makes his way to the stage. Knight wants to talk to ya. He congratulates Andrade and he says that Andrade is the next contestant for the US Championship. Knight says all you did was get a first class ticket to get dropped on his head next week. While you are trying to figure out who, what, and where you are, it won't be hard to figure out who is still the US Champion.


Next week, Andrade faces LA Knight for the US Title. .NIa Jax and Tiffany Stratton face Bayley and Naomi. If Bayley or Naomi win, they get the title match at Bad Blood but if they lose, the person pinned is gone from Smackdown.

Backstage:
Byron Saxton is with Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair. Bianca says they are excited to be here and they have their titles back. Jade says they are not going to let the titles go. Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton show up and NIa asks if they heard what happened to Naomi and she says if Naomi sticks her fat nose in her business again, something bad will happen. Nia reminds Jade and Bianca that she beat both of them to win Queen of the Ring and Smackdown is her kingdom.


Roman Reigns makes his way to the ring.

Nick Aldis joins Roman in the ring.

Roman does many laps in the ring while the commercials play in picture in picture.

Nick says he knows it has been a chaotic night. They have their history and with . . .

Roman holds out his hand for the microphone and the contract.

Roman says he doesn't want to confuse anybody. Something has changed, but not him. He says he doesn't need Aldis. He don't need some contract. This is family business. This is Bloodline business. He does not need a partner and he does not need Cody Rhodes. Roman says whether he has his family's ula fala or not, he is the Tribal Chief. He is not the original tribal chief, he is the only tribal chief. He says this is his ring and his show. He says this is his WWE.

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

Cody says this is Roman's WWE. It was, but it hasn't been since Wrestlemania.

Cody tosses the mic aside and so does Roman.

Solo Sikoa's music plays and . . .

Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa attack Cody and Roman from behind. Cody with a Cody Cutter to Tonga. Roman with a uranage to Tama.

Solo and Fatu watch from the floor.

Roman looks at the contract that he says means nothing and he signs it.

Cody asks for the contract and Roman reluctantly hands it to Cody.

Cody signs the contract.

End of show.