WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Randy Orton returns; Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles get heated

Rhodes and Styles got personal one day before their 'I Quit' match at Clash at the Castle

What's sure to be a fantastic rematch between Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles is getting more and more personal. The rivals cranked up the heat on their undisputed WWE championship feud ahead of an "I Quit" match at Clash at the Castle on Saturday.

Rhodes and Styles' first match at WWE Backlash was a barnburner. Their rematch is expected to deliver in the ring. It also benefits from a feud that has grown more personal with each passing week. Rhodes and Styles went face to face one last time on WWE SmackDown before their undisputed WWE title match.

Friday Night SmackDown also featured the return of Randy Orton who rescued his friend Kevin Owens from another Bloodline beatdown.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from OVO Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland.

Rhodes and Styles get personal, Orton is the great equalizer

Rhodes hit the ring to address Styles before their "I Quit" match at Clash at the Castle. Rhodes said it was impossible to make him say the words, which the crowd shouted on his behalf. That's when Styles' music hit. Styles laughed at how easily he got under Rhodes' skin but could hardly get a word out with how loudly the Scottish fans chanted for the "American Nightmare."

Styles was amused by Rhodes' claims that he'd never say "I quit." The challenger pointed to how Rhodes asked for his WWE release in 2016 before accusing him of quitting New Japan Pro Wrestling, Ring of Honor and All Elite Wrestling -- the last one not mentioned by name. Rhodes argued that he did not quit but bet on himself. The WWE champ fired his own volley, accusing Styles of performing a poor version of Mark Henry's fake retirement to weasel into a second title shot.

Elsewhere, Street Profits informed Owens they'd have his back if The Bloodline interfered in Owens' match with Sikoa. Later, Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa attacked Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins backstage. Owens informed a backstage correspondent the Street Profits were not medically cleared to support him in Friday's main event but that he'd handle "the bootleg Bloodline" on his own. SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis directly informed The Bloodline that Tonga and Loa were barred from ringside due to their actions. Heyman stressed to Sikoa that losing to Owens would damage his leadership, but Sikoa countered that a loss would compel Sikoa to come after the Wiseman.

Solo Sikoa def. Kevin Owens via pinfall after hitting two Samoan Spikes. Owens immediately took the fight to Sikoa, dropping The Bloodline leader outside and flattening him with an apron frog splash. Owens had the match won after a stunner but Heyman draped Sikoa's leg over the bottom rope to break the fall. Owens grabbed Heyman who begged for mercy, claiming he had no choice. The distraction allowed Sikoa to land a pair of Samoan Spikes for the victory.

Tonga and Loa hit the ring immediately after the match. Owens was helpless in the three-on-one assault with no help coming from the injured Street Profits. The Glasgow crowd erupted as Orton's music hit and he took out all three foes.

The promo between Styles and Rhodes was fantastic. Rhodes' 2016 release crossed my mind when he claimed he'd never quit. It was surprising to hear NJPW and ROH named, particularly since AEW president Tony Khan owns the latter. It's nice to see WWE continue to shed the identity that they're the only show in town. The ongoing rivalry with The Bloodline was featured prominently throughout the show but it's a surprise they were left off Saturday's PPV. Candidly, I'm a little confused with the group's direction but Heyman excels in his role and it's great to see Orton back in the mix. Grade: A-

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Naomi def. Chelsea Green via pinfall with a rollup. Piper Niven and Green later attacked Bayley and Naomi backstage.
  
• Vignettes aired involving the superstars competing in Saturday's WWE women's tag team title match.
  
• #DIY tried to drive a wedge between A-Town Down Under and want to challenge for the WWE tag team titles.
• Santos Escobar def. Apollo Crews via pinfall with a rollup following distracted by Elektra Lopez. Baron Corbin, who was talked down to by Legado del Fantasma pre-match, tried to assist Crews throughout the match.
• Nia Jax def. Michin via pinfall with a crushing banzai drop.
• Logan Paul kicked LA Knight out of his home pool in a pre-taped segment. They promised to see each other on SmackDown next week.
• Carmelo Hayes clowned Knight before announcing he was booked for a Money in the Bank qualifier match.