WWE SmackDown live results: Two title matches, Roman Reigns speaks

Following his return to the ring at Bad Blood, the Original Tribal Chief is set to appear on tonight’s WWE SmackDown.

Roman Reigns teamed with Cody Rhodes to defeat Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu last Saturday night. After the match, The Rock made a surprise return and stood in the entrance way, staring down both Reigns and Rhodes. We’ll see if Reigns has a message for The Rock when he speaks tonight.

Also tonight, LA Knight is set to defend his United States title against Carmelo Hayes. Hayes is coming off a win over AJ Styles last week. Hayes also recently evened his series with Andrade at three victories apiece.

The WWE Women’s Tag Team titles are being defended as well. Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair are facing off against the NXT team of Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend, who challenged the champions in a backstage segment on Tuesday.

Join us for live coverage starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time.

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– Michael Cole welcomed everyone in as shots of Greenville, South Carolina, were shown. Cole then set up a video package recapping the Bad Blood main event.

– Jimmy Uso’s music hit and Jimmy walked out. It turns out, he will be wrestling Solo Sikoa later in the show.

The Roman Reigns/Jimmy Uso segment

This was weird. They clearly worked in spots where they expected the crowd to respond a lot differently than the way the crowd actually responded in real time. No real reaction to the Paul Heyman reference. A anticlimactic end to the segment. This was kind of a mess, which is very unusual for any Roman Reigns segment over the last few years. I almost blame the crowd as much as I blame the writing, but maybe the live feed just doesn’t have the crowd mic’d up all that well. Whatever it is, this was the logical next move. Jimmy was right when he said Roman is a chief without a tribe; it’s clearly time to get the band back together.

The crowd chanted “Uso!” before Jimmy spoke. Jimmy then welcomed everyone into SmackDown. Jimmy said he had been out of action for six months because he put on the shelf by Solo Sikoa. Jimmy noted how Solo jumped him from behind. Jimmy said tonight will be about big bro vs. little bro and he plans on kicking Sikoa’s a … Jimmy was interrupted by Roman Reigns’s music. Reigns walked out.

The crowd chanted “OTC!” Once in the ring, Reigns put up his finger and the crowd followed suit. Jimmy gave Roman his microphone. Roman walked around the ring and the crowd cheered for him before offering up more “OTC!” chants. Roman said tonight he was going to change things up a little bit and told Greenville to join him in acknowledging Jimmy. The crowd cheered. Reigns asked them again to acknowledge “Big Jim.” The crowd cheered louder.

Jimmy grabbed a microphone of his own and Roman said he understood where Roman was coming from. Roman said he’s not an older brother, so he doesn’t understand revenge. Roman also said he’s not a wise man, paused, and it weirdly got little to no reaction. Roman said he is a Tribal Chief and that means he takes what is his. Roman said they had it all – the money, power and respect – not that long ago. Roman recalled how he once told Jimmy to buy all the houses. Roman said he doesn’t like where they are at right now – being out of position, being out of control. Roman said he is the greatest of all time and he wants everyone to know that when they step foot in the ring, “The GOATs are here.” Roman said they were “the ones.”

Jimmy chimed in and said they aren’t, though. The crowd chanted “Yes, you are.” Jimmy said he sees a chief with no tribe when he sees Roman now. Jimmy said he came back because Roman needed him. Jimmy said he and Roman need help and the crowd chanted “Yeet!” Jimmy said he knows one person they can get help from and the crowd continued its “Yeet! chant. Roman said “No yeet,” and it was funny. Jimmy said Roman will forever be his Tribal Chief, but Jimmy is the only one in the family who still acknowledges Roman. Jimmy then left the ring while Roman looked dejected in the center of the ring. That was the end of the segment and it fell flat.

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– Cole touted the WWE legends in the crowd at Bad Blood.

LA Knight defeated Carmelo Hayes [9:01]

This was fine for what it was, albeit predictable. With Hayes and Andrade tied at 3 victories apiece in their series, there was no way Melo was going to get the win – especially after Andrade already took a loss to Knight. But Hayes and Knight worked hard and Hayes continues to feel more and more like a lasting fit on the main roster with each passing week. Does this lead to a triple threat for the U.S. title? Or does this lead to the ultimate series-ended between Hayes and Andrade?

Knight had the upper hand early, complete with a clothesline over the top rope. With Hayes on the outside, Andrade showed up at ringside and Hayes argued with Andrade. Knight took advantage with a dropkick through the ropes. The two battled on the outside as the show went to a commercial break. The show returned and Hayes was working a headlock inside the ring until Knight suplexed Hayes to even things out.

Knight hit an inverted atomic drop followed by a clothesline, a pop-up powerslam and an elbow for a two-count. Knight stomped on Hayes, but Knight then ran into a super-kick from Hayes. Even so, Knight backdropped Hayes and the two traded pin attempts before Knight landed a neck-breaker. Knight went to the second rope and jumped to the top to then hit an elbow from the top for a nice near-fall. Knight went for a BFT, but Hayes countered with an axe kick and a pop-up cutter for a near-fall.

Hayes went to the top rope and briefly hesitated while looking at Andrade, but he still went for Nothing But Net. It didn’t matter because Knight moved and the two traded move attempts. Ultimately, the sequence ended with a BFT from Knight and that was good enough to get the win. After the match, Andrade said something to Hayes before leaving ringside.

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– Jimmy Uso and Cody Rhodes ran into each other backstage. Cody thanked Jimmy for last Saturday. Jimmy said he respected Cody for handling business on his own and walked away.

– A video package for Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend aired.

– Jackson and Legend tried to make their entrance, but Kevin Owens, complete in a Dusty Rhodes shirt, ran out from the crowd and grabbed a microphone, trying to tell the crowd that Cody turned on Owens and not the other way around. They cut off Owens’s mic so Owens went to a broadcast headset, but they cut that, too. Cody then walked with purpose to the ring. Officials ran out to separate everyone and included in that was Randy Orton. Orton got inside the ring, where Owens was, and Owens shoved Orton. Orton then hit Owens and the two looked unhappy with each other. Cody, meanwhile, was still in the entranceway. Owens left through the crowd.

– The show went to a commercial break, but luckily for Jackson and Legend, they were still in the ring and the women’s tag title match was still on. Trick Williams, meanwhile, was shown in the crowd. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven were also shown, just sort of hanging out at ringside.

Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair defeated Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend [2:11]

I have to think this had time cut from it (probably because of the opening segment running long – great to have you back, Roman!) because they sure did pack a lot into this in a short amount of time. So much so, in fact, that it was quite impressive. Set up the Meta Girls and Green/Niven. Give the Meta Girls some shine, hitting all their biggest and best moves on the champs. Offense looked great from the Meta Girls. Ultimately, tag champs retain. A very good showing for Jackson and Legend and I hope they stick around, if only because they deserve more than the two minutes they got here. Good stuff, even if it was laughably short.

Legend and Jackson jumpstarted the match and Legend worked over Belair for a pin attempt. From there, Jackson flipped off Legend’s shoulders onto Belair for a two-count. Jackson then hit a running neck-breaker on Belair for a two-count. Cargill and Legend had a brief moment, but Cargill was disposed to the outside. The rest of the action spilled outside and Legend kicked Green over the commentary table. Belair got a hot tag to Cargill after this and the champs hit their finish on Jackson for the win.

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– Cody was shown by his bus with Nick Aldis and Orton. Orton told Cody to leave because he was going to talk to Kevin and everyone needed to calm down. Aldis talked about how he needed Cody to beat Gunther at Crown Jewel. Orton said he’ll fix it as Cody got on his bus. Aldis said, “Randy Orton, voice of reason. Who would have thought?”

The Nia Jax/Naomi segment

Jax opened the segment by saying Bayley put up one hell of a fight at Bad Blood. Jax got the “What?” treatment from the crowd as she said nobody on the planet could beat her – especially Liv Morgan. Jax called Morgan a “little girl.” Jax said she will annihilate Morgan at Crown Jewel and become the first-ever Crown Jewel Champion. Jax said after all that, Tiffany Stratton, who was out there with Jax, will be able to cash in on Liv Morgan. Naomi’s music hit and Naomi made her entrance. Naomi said they all know the only reason Jax is still the champion is because the “Brokedown Barbie” helped, referring to Stratton.

Naomi entered the ring and Jax said it took two to pin Jax the last time, referring to her match with Naomi and Bayley. Naomi said she doesn’t need anybody to help her beat Jax. Jax said she was sick of Naomi’s face. Naomi said she could beat Jax right here, right now. Jax asked for a referee and it appeared as though a match was on the horizon. A referee ran out … but Liv Morgan’s music hit and Morgan walked out with Raquel and Dirty Dom. Morgan said they came to make an example out of Jax, but instead, they are going to watch along as Jax loses to Naomi – just like Jax will lose to Morgan at Crown Jewel. Jax pushed Naomi and the show went to a commercial break.

Naomi defeated Nia Jax in a non-title match [9:49 of TV time]

Good for Naomi. That was fun. Once Cole noted heavily that it wasn’t a title match, it felt like Naomi was going over, but no matter the shenanigans, it’s still a big win for Naomi. My opinions on brand interactions change by the minute, but I kind of like the surprise of Morgan, her crew and Ripley showing up on SmackDown. Since we’re combining brands for Crown Jewel anyway, why not have fun with that in the walkup to the event? Naomi now has wins over Stratton and Jax – and both matches were very good, to boot. You love to see it. As for the LDF/Aldis segment … this means Shelley and Sabin are showing up next week, right?

The match was shown in progress and Naomi was kind of toying with Jax until Jax overpowered her and worked Naomi’s back. Jax ran Naomi into the ring post and posed on the apron before running Naomi’s head into the ring post. Jax then worked a chin-lock. Naomi worked out of it and planted Jax, but Jax rolled under the bottom rope, where Naomi hit her split-leg-drop. Jax walked on the outside of the ring and Naomi dropkicked Jax into the ring post. Naomi hopped onto the barricade, but Jax caught her and hit a Samoan Drop on Naomi on the outside. Jax then told Morgan and Dom they were nasty and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Jax had control until she missed a Senton. Naomi followed up with a series of kicks and a running bulldog into the second turnbuckle. Naomi then landed a cross-body from the top for a good near-fall. Naomi hit a springboard kick to the head and then landed a corkscrew plancha on Jax, who was on the outside of the ring. Stratton tried to attack Naomi, but Raquel stopped Stratton and Naomi kicked Stratton. Naomi went to the top, but Jax cut her off and set up for her finisher. Raquel distracted the referee and Morgan hit Jax with the MITB briefcase. From there, Naomi hit a running powerbomb on Jax and got the win.

After the match, Rhea Ripley’s music hit and Ripley attacked Raquel. Morgan retreated into the ring, where Jax grabbed Morgan. Ripley took out Jax and Morgan and Dom and the heels retreated back up the entranceway.

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– Carmelo Hayes was walking backstage with an ice pack and ran into Aldis. Melo said Andrade screwed Melo out of the U.S. title. Aldis brought up Game 7 between Andrade and Hayes with the winner getting a U.S. title shot. Legado Del Fantasma showed up. Santos Escobar told Aldis that Melo and Andrade seem to have a permanent spot in his title lineup. Aldis said Escobar came up short in his shot at the U.S. title. Aldis said next week, Los Garza will face a special team and if Los Garza win, they will receive a tag title shot.

– Solo Sikoa was shown in a dark room and said Jimmy might be big brother, but tonight, Sikoa is his Tribal Chief and Jimmy will acknowledge him.

– Cole reminded everyone that in two weeks, WreslteMania tickets will go on sale.

– A video package highlighting last week’s tag-team triple threat match aired.

– The Street Profits and #DIY were shown talking to Aldis backstage. Aldis said a new team will be in next week and all the members of the teams yelled. Out of nowhere, Aldis looked concerned and Aldis ran over to Kevin Owens, who was stomping on Randy Orton outside of the venue. Officials ultimately broke things up, but Orton sold the attack.

– Cole mistakenly called Kevin Owens Kevin Dunn while talking from the desk. So, there’s that. Cole then set up a video recap of the Punk/McIntyre Hell In A Cell match from Bad Blood.

– A recap of Sikoa turning on Jimmy from April aired before the main event.

Solo Sikoa defeated Jimmy Uso [13:57]

Well, in terms of Uso brothers matches in the year 2024, this was certainly a step up from Jimmy vs. Jey at WrestleMania. It was good to see Jimmy back and it looked like he didn’t have too much rust – especially for someone who hasn’t wrestled in six months. They told a very good story with Jimmy being unsettled at how outnumbered he was and the Bloodline ultimately getting the best of the situation because of it. Who do we think is the person Jimmy is talking about? Jey? Sami? Maybe even Heyman? It should be fun to see how it plays out. Meanwhile, what, exactly, is up with The Rock?

The bell rang and Jimmy looked to the outside of the ring, where Sikoa’s Bloodline stood. Jimmy looked concerned and Sikoa told Jimmy he is his Tribal Chief. Jimmy looked flustered. Jimmy teased acknowledging Sikoa and instead attacked Sikoa. It wasn’t long before Sikoa ran at Jimmy, but Jimmy moved and Sikoa went to the outside. From there, Jimmy hit a suicide dive through the ropes and the crowd chanted “Uso!”

Back in the ring, Jimmy came off the top, but Sikoa countered with somewhat of a spike to Jimmy’s throat. Jacob Fatu hit Jimmy, who was draped over the bottom rope. Sikoa toyed with Jimmy until Jimmy ran Sikoa’s head into a series of turnbuckles. Jimmy went for a suplex, but Sikoa blocked it and clotheslined Jimmy on the apron. Sikoa then punched Jimmy off the apron and Fatu attacked Jimmy again on the outside. Sikoa put his finger in the air and the show went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Sikoa landed a hip attack on Jimmy. Jimmy smacked Sikoa and fired up, but it didn’t really matter because Sikoa came back with a spinning heel kick. For the third time, Fatu hit Jimmy while the referee wasn’t looking. Sikoa lifted Jimmy, but Jimmy got out of it and landed a DDT to even things out. Jimmy chopped the hell out of Sikoa, but Sikoa came back with a Spinning Solo for a good near-fall.

Sikoa hit another hip attack and posed for the crowd, who booed him. Sikoa went for yet another hip attack, but he ran into a super-kick from Jimmy. After a few failed attempts, Jimmy landed a urinage and went to the top to hit a cross-body for a two-count. Fatu and the rest of the Bloodline hopped on the apron and Jimmy fought them off. Jimmy then hit a Samoan Drop on Sikoa for a two-count. Jimmy went to the top, but Tama Tonga distracted the referee and Fatu pushed Jimmy off the top. Sikoa then hit the Samoan Spike and got the pin as a result of it.

Roman’s music hit and it took him a minute, but Roman walked/ran to the ring and took everyone out with a bunch of Superman Punches. Roman was left alone with Sikoa. “OTC!” chants broke out. Roman and Solo exchanged punches, but Fatu attacked Roman. Jimmy tried to help, but Fatu took Jimmy out, complete with a moonsault. Sikoa hit a Samoan Spike on Reigns and Reigns sold the hell out of it. Sikoa and his Bloodline left the ring as his music played. Jimmy mouthed to Roman, “We need him, we need help,” off mic as they both sold pain in the ring. The show closed with Sikoa and his Bloodline standing tall and Roman and Jimmy selling the effects of their attack.