WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa steel cage match booked for next week

The undisputed WWE title will be defended under a dangerous stipulation

Cody Rhodes and Solo Sikoa are running back their SummerSlam main event in a steel cage. Next week's undisputed WWE title match is the big news from Friday's episode of WWE SmackDown.

Rhodes is cerebral on the microphone and tried to cause friction between Sikoa and his enforcer Jacob Fatu. Rhodes' efforts were unsuccessful on Friday, but it remains to be seen if cracks will emerge in The Bloodline. The champion will have seven days to prepare for a grueling cage match after reigniting his rivalry with WWE's most dangerous family.

SmackDown also featured a match involving all four members of The Bloodline, plus appearances by United States champion LA Knight and recent undisputed WWE title challenger Kevin Owens.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.

The Bloodline dominates, steel cage title match set for next week

Last week, Sikoa claimed he was coming after whoever left Bash in Berlin as undisputed WWE champion. Rhodes kicked off SmackDown this week by acknowledging The Bloodline's Tribal Chief. Rhodes invited the entire Bloodline to meet with him. Sikoa claimed he'd be champion if Reigns hadn't interfered at SummerSlam. Rhodes agreed that a title match was appropriate for next week's season premiere. Rhodes lauded The Bloodline's feral enforcer as a deserving contender who overshadowed the Tribal Chief. Sikoa assumed Rhodes was talking about him. No, Rhodes was referring to Fatu. "The Samoan Werewolf" reaffirmed his commitment to Sikoa as Sikoa boasted that Rhodes couldn't sow dissent among The Bloodline. 

The Bloodline rushed the ring to attack Rhodes but were intercepted by #DIY and Street Profits ahead of an eight-man tag team main event. SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis arrived to restore order and booked a steel cage match next week between Rhodes and Sikoa for the undisputed WWE title.

The Bloodline (Fatu, Sikoa, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) def. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) and Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) via pinfall. The chaotic eight-man match featured several memorable spots, including Ciampa superplexing Tonga into the remaining superstars ringside. Fatu's viciousness stood out. He nailed Ford with a nasty impaler DDT before tagging in Sikoa. The Tribal Chief finished off the scraps with a pair of Samoan Spikes to seal the victory.

SmackDown set the stage for a huge season premiere next week. Rhodes vs. Sikoa in a steel cage is a big-ticket match to put on television. The real intrigue surrounding next week's undisputed WWE title match is what role Reigns might play. Rhodes' mind games were expertly executed because they contained elements of truth. Many believe Fatu has the highest ceiling of The Bloodline 2.0 members and the faction has a history of in-fighting. The eight-man tag team match was solid fun, especially since it's so rare to see all four Bloodline members compete together. Fatu continues to shine. Grade: A-

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Bayley def. Tiffany Stratton via pinfall after hitting a Roseplant.
• Apollo Crews def. Giovanni Vinci via pinfall with a crucifix pin in a shockingly short match.
• Kevin Owens def. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller via pinfall after catching Theory with a stunner in this triple threat match. A-Town Down Under laid out Owens post-match.
  
• LA Knight hit Carmelo Hayes and Andrade with BFTs after some verbal sparring.
• Chelsea Green def. Michin via pinfall after a distraction by Piper Niven allowed Green to hit her finisher.