WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso agree to 'Tribal Combat' at SummerSlam

SmackDown concluded with a rare show of respect between Reigns and Uso

Roman Reigns and Jey Uso are putting it all on the line at SummerSlam. Terms of engagement gave way to family tradition when Reigns and Uso came face-to-face on SmackDown.

Uso laid down the challenge last week for a one-on-one match at SummerSlam. The estranged cousins sat down on Friday night to agree on terms of engagement for their undisputed WWE universal title match. Ultimately, family traditions took priority over contractual obligations.

SmackDown also determined the finals of the United States Championship Invitational. LA Knight, Rey Mysterio, Sheamus and Cameron Grimes fought to determine who would meet Santos Escobar in the finals. U.S. champion Austin Theory was in action as was Dominik Mysterio in an impromptu defense of his newly won NXT North American title.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.

Tradition takes over trash talk and terms of engagement

Reigns asked Jey Uso if he still wanted to go through with this. Jey Uso said the matter was sealed once The Bloodline hospitalized Jimmy Uso. Reigns reduced Jey Uso to a soldier and a pawn before signing a match contract for SummerSlam. Jey Uso tore up the contract and instead suggested "Tribal Combat" as their elders had suggested. Jey Uso described "Tribal Combat" as a no-disqualification, anything-goes match. Heyman encouraged Reigns to decline and walk away, but Reigns embraced Jey Uso in a ceremonial agreement. Sikoa tried to blindside Jey Uso with a Samoan Spike but Reigns intervened, inadvertently setting up Sikoa for one of Jey Uso's trademark super kicks. Commentator Michael Cole suggested that both Reigns' title and status as "Tribal Chief" were at stake at SummerSlam.

I'm not particularly familiar with the history of "Tribal Combat" and I don't imagine the WWE Universe is either if it even exists. The outcome could have been a meaningless, plot-driven rebranding of a no-disqualification or falls count anywhere match. Fortunately, Jey Uso and Roman Reigns are immaculate performers and did a fantastic job of giving the stipulation levity. The rare show of respect between Reigns and Uso symbolized just how much weight the tradition of "Tribal Combat" supposedly holds. Sikoa's dissension and Reigns inadvertent aiding of Jey Uso is another carefully executed step to the slow-burn demise of The Bloodline. Grade: A

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Rey Mysterio def. Cameron Grimes, LA Knight and Sheamus via pinfall to advance in the U.S. Championship Invitational. Mysterio meets fellow LWO member Santos Escobar in next week's final.
• Charlotte Flair def. Iyo Sky via pinfall after hitting Natural Disaster in a competitive match. Asuka attacked Flair post-match.
• Santos Escobar def. Austin Theory via pinfall after landing the Phanta Driver.
• Bobby Lashley met with NXT superstars Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams
• NXT North American Championship -- Dominik Mysterio def. Butch via pinfall following interference by Rhea Ripley.