WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens butt heads, The Bloodline win

Rhodes and Owens' friendship is hanging by a thread

Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens' friendship is struggling. The tension between them is not only impacting their relationship but also their success in the ring. The Bloodline capitalized on their poor communication in WWE SmackDown's main event.

Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu succeeded in a tandem test run ahead of their tag team match against Rhodes and Roman Reigns at Bad Blood on Oct. 5. The Bloodline duo overcame Owens and Randy Orton on Friday night, with an unintended assist from Rhodes.

SmackDown also hosted a No. 1 contender's match for the WWE women's championship, promised the return of a former WWE champion and set the stage for a triple threat ladder match for the WWE tag team titles next week.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

Orton plays peacekeeper between Owens and Rhodes

Orton opened SmackDown by asking to speak with Rhodes. Orton told his former Legacy pupil it didn't sit right with him that Rhodes was teaming with Reigns. Rhodes entered the ring. The undisputed champion told his former mentor he'd rather be a fool than a coward and that Reigns is a man of his word, despite his flaws.

Owens was next to enter but was interrupted by The Bloodline before he could get a word out. SIkoa suggested Rhodes was better off with Reigns. The Bloodline's new Tribal Chief said that Orton and Owens have repeatedly failed Rhodes in the champ's endless feud with the faction. Owens cut off Sikoa, demanding a tag team match against The Bloodline. Rhodes said it was a great idea, but  Owens interrupted again. Owens said Rhodes had a tag team match at Bad Blood to worry about and that Owens wanted a match with Orton against Sikoa and Fatu. Rhodes was noticeably miffed by how his friend dismissed him.

Later backstage, Rhodes attempted to talk things out with Owens. Rhodes pointed to the obvious tension between them. Owens said they could talk later and snapped when Rhodes pushed the issue. Owens told Rhodes not to interfere in tonight's match. Once Owens left, Orton told Rhodes he'd love to have his support tonight and would speak with Owens.

The Bloodline (Sikoa and Fatu) def. Owens and Orton via pinfall in a competitive match. The final few minutes saw Sikoa hit Owens with Spinning Solo following a distraction by Tanga and Loa. Rhodes arrived to help the heroes despite Owens' protests. Rhodes took out Tanga and Loa but his presence did more harm than good. Fatu pushed Rhodes into the referee, interrupting Owens' pinfall on Sikoa and causing a distraction. Fatu nailed Owens with a pair of superkicks while the official was occupied, allowing Sikoa to score the cover.

A shoving match occurred between Owens and Rhodes post-match. Owens was heated but Orton managed to de-escalate the situation. Owens and Rhodes had a half-hearted hug.

WWE is doing a great job of telling stories on two fronts. Rhodes is occupied with The Bloodline but that story is more about Reigns and Sikoa than the WWE title. The creative team is doing a great job of building on the Rhodes vs. Owens match from Bash in Berlin, slowly working towards a complete disintegration of their friendship. It was also important that Sikoa and Fatu win the match ahead of Bad Blood. Grade: A-

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Nia Jax grabbed her ally Tiffany Stratton by the neck, demanding she do better after the pair lost their tag team match last week against Bayley and Naomi.
  
• Bayley def. Naomi via pinfall with a diving elbow drop. Bayley will challenge Nia Jax for the WWE women's championship at Bad Blood.
• Carmelo Hayes def. Andrade via pinfall with a schoolboy pin. Hayes ties their series three apiece. Andrade and LA Knight bickered post-match.
• AJ Styles will return to SmackDown next week.
• Michin def. Piper Niven via pinfall after hitting Sole Food.
  
• The Bloodline (Tonga and Loa) will defend the WWE tag team titles against #DIY and Street Profits next week in a triple threat ladder match.
• Naomi challenged Stratton to a match next week.