WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Kevin Owens gives Cody Rhodes a scare ahead of Bash in Berlin

Owens looks rejuvenated ahead of his undisputed WWE title match against Rhodes

Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens' friendship took a stress test on WWE SmackDown. The longtime allies are set to compete for the undisputed WWE championship at Bash in Berlin. Their match is built on respect but it seems doubts are creeping into the champ's head.

Grayson Waller and Austin Theory -- tag team partners with their own baggage -- didn't manage to drive a wedge between Rhodes and Owens on Friday night, but they did sow the seeds for further dissent. It'll be interesting to see how Rhodes and Owens' friendship develops with nine days before their title match.

This week's SmackDown also featured a pair of title matches. The Bloodline defended their WWE tag team championships for the first time, plus the United States title was on the line.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

Owens outshines a hesitant Rhodes

SmackDown opened with "The Grayson Waller Show" and special guest Rhodes. Waller tried to drive a wedge between Rhodes and Kevin Owens ahead of their undisputed WWE title match at Bash in Berlin. Waller hilariously put together a video package detailing the many, many times Owens has turned on his friends. Rhodes retorted by reminding Theory how Waller repeatedly sacrificed his partner to save his skin. 

Owens and SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis joined the conversation, leading to a tag team main event.  A brawl broke out between the two teams with Waller shoving Owens into Rhodes, sparking a brief moment of miscommunication between the friends.

Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens def. A-Town Down Under (Theory and Waller) via pinfall after Owens hit Waller with a pop-up powerbomb. Rhodes performed well but Owens sealed the deal for his team. Owens ran through A-Town Down Under after a hot tag, hitting Waller with a swanton bomb before putting him away with the powerbomb. It looked like Owens would hit Rhodes with the undisputed WWE title post-match, but he instead shoved the title into the champion's hand. Rhodes looked concerned while a fired-up Owens talked smack at his opponents. Owens raised Rhodes' hand in victory to close the show.

The short build to Rhodes vs. Owens makes it hard to be deeply invested. Still, everyone involved deserves credit for trying to craft a story that's more compelling than champion fights challenger. Waller got into Rhodes' head despite the champion's best efforts to trust. Owens is a chronic traitor and he played the closing segment perfectly. His body language toed the line wonderfully. Most professional wrestlers aren't going to win Academy Awards. Spots like this are often far too over-dramatic. Owens' body language made it difficult to gauge whether or not he planned to strike Rhodes. It gives the champion a reason to doubt his friend's intentions while giving Owens plausible deniability. Solid work. Grade: B+

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• United States Championship -- LA Knight (c) def. Santos Escobar via pinfall after hitting BFT. Knight announced he'd defend his title in an open challenge at Bash in Berlin.
  
• Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill and Naomi def. Unholy Union (Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn) and Blair Davenport via pinfall after Naomi hits a spit-legged moonsault on Davenport.
• WWE Tag Team Championships -- The Bloodline (Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa) def. Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) via pinfall after Tonga hit a sliding reverse STO on Dawkins. #DIY tried to make the save post-match but The Bloodline beat them down.
  
• Nia Jax sent Chelsea Green running in a backstage segment.