4 Ups & 2 Downs From WWE SmackDown (9 Aug - Results & Review)
Roman Reigns wrecks The Bloodline and Cody Rhodes gets a surprise challenger on WWE SmackDown.
This second Roman Reigns babyface run is off to a great start.
The "Original Tribal Chief" returned to a monster pop at SummerSlam, and attention quickly turned to his first SmackDown appearance since WrestleMania 40 season. On Friday, Roman didn't let everyone down. Crucially, he didn't get all smiley or spew guff about how Solo Sikoa is a "snivelling little suck-up sellout full of sufferin' succotash, son" either.
Roman has an edge to him. It's the same edge that made his 'Tribal Chief' rebrand so compelling for four excellent years, and fans are already here for it. Now, WWE's big task will be making sure Solo can hold up his end of the bargain, but maybe that's why he's surrounded by his own Bloodline.
SmackDown wasn't all about Reigns. Well, it kinda was, but Cody Rhodes also handpicked a shock title challenger for Bash In Berlin (that match is official), and LA Knight's first United States Title opponent was confirmed too. Elsewhere, there was some serious treading water in the tag-team scene.
Here's all the good and bad from the blue brand's SummerSlam fallout.