WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Nick Aldis threatens to strip Cody Rhodes of undisputed WWE title

Rhodes is walking a fine line on SmackDown as he continues to hunt for Drew McIntyre

Cody Rhodes might want to remember who runs WWE SmackDown. On Friday, general manager Nick Aldis threatened to strip Rhodes of the undisputed WWE championship if Rhodes continued undermining his authority.

Rhodes does not respect Aldis' authority. That much is clear after Rhodes attacked Drew McIntyre at McIntyre's home and shrugged off Aldis' disciplinary threats. The undisputed WWE champion is walking a fine line that could jeopardize his rule as champion.

Speaking of champions, SmackDown's main event featured a title at stake. The Wyatt Sicks defended their WWE tag team championships against Solo Sikoa's MFTs in a meeting of SmackDown's top factions.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Rhodes, Aldis butt heads over McIntyre

The heated rivalry between Rhodes and McIntyre was a focal point of this week's show. Earlier this week, Rhodes stormed McIntyre's property and started a brawl. This happened while SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis met with McIntyre to facilitate his return to the show. McIntyre refused to appear, claiming an unsafe work environment. 

On Friday, Aldis scolded Rhodes for attacking McIntyre at his residence. By doing so, Rhodes validated McIntyre's claim that SmackDown was unsafe. Aldis revealed that he reached an agreement with the Scotsman. McIntyre must apologize for attacking a referee and pay a fine. In exchange, Rhodes cannot touch McIntyre, or he'll be stripped of the undisputed WWE title. Rhodes scoffed at Aldis' threat, claiming that he was the law. 

WWE Tag Team Championships -- The Wyatt Sicks (Joe Gacy & Dexter Lumis) (c) vs. The MFTs (JC Mateo and Tonga Loa) ended in a no-contest, leading to a large brawl between both factions. The Wyatt Sicks stood tall to close the show.

There's not much to say about this week's show. Fair enough, it was pre-taped to allow the superstars a holiday break. Rhodes and Aldis' conversation was textbook but well-executed. The main event continued a concerning stretch of inconclusive finishes. Grade: C+

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Aleister Black put Damian Priest through a table. Later, Black attacked Priest a second time.
• Nia Jax and Lash Legend def. The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) via pinfall in a non-title match. Post-match, Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair attacked Jax and Legend, before holding up The Kabuki Warriors' women's tag team titles.
• Giulia def. Albya Fyre via pinfall in a short match.
• Ilja Dragunov and Carmelo Hayes def. #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) via pinfall after Dragunov hit Ciampa with an H-Bomb, allowing Hayes to cover him. 
• Michin attacked Jade Cargill with a kendo stick, injuring Cargill's arm.