WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Roman Reigns, LA Knight get physical, John Cena burns Solo Sikoa

It was a combustible night for the SmackDown superstars competing at Crown Jewel

Tensions are high ahead of WWE Crown Jewel. Friday's episode of WWE SmackDown featured many confrontations between the superstars competing in Riyadh on Saturday, including Roman Reigns, LA Knight, John Cena and Solo Sikoa.

SmackDown was anchored by a number of faceoffs between rivals ahead of Crown Jewel. Reigns and Knight exchanged words, Cena had choice words for Sikoa, Bianca Belair brawled with Iyo Sky and a weigh-in took place between Rey Mysterio and Logan Paul. It was a mixed bag but that was to be expected as WWE and its roster make the long journey to Saudi Arabia.

The blue brand presented a number of matches featuring popular superstars, including Kevin Owens and Charlotte Flair.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee.

Reigns and Knight miss the mark, but Cena shines

Knight kicked off the show by boasting how he's been a step ahead of Reigns at every turn. He was soon interrupted by the undisputed WWE universal champion. Reigns called Knight a redneck cosplaying as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Their braggadocious back-and-forth concluded with SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis and referees breaking up a shoving match.

A faceoff between Sikoa and Cena was scheduled for the evening. Heyman predicted Cena's doom but was cut off by The Bloodline's enforcer. Sikoa told Heyman not to waste his breath on the fans and that they were here to speak with Cena. Queue the 16-time world champion. Cena hit the stage, holding up his "Never Give Up" towel before passing it to a young fan. Sikoa had a message for Cena on behalf of Reigns. This was an opportunity for Cena to say goodbye to his fans before Sikoa put him down for good. Cena -- sporting a raspy voice following a Samoan Spike from Sikoa last week -- said he'd cook Sikoa in short order.

Cena accused Sikoa of nepotism, called him a "bargain bin Taz rip-off" and told Sikoa to wrap his thumb tight and shove his Samoan Spike up his own rear-end. That generated a loud pop from the crowd and Cena strolled off.

Backstage, Heyman warned Aldis to procure extra medical staff for Crown Jewel. Heyman said Reigns is the most savage he's ever been and Knight will need care after their main event match.

This week's episode of SmackDown was pre-taped following last Friday's show to accommodate the company traveling to Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel. It's hard to grade these pre-taped shows since they mostly operate as filler. The Reigns vs. Knight faceoff was textbook filler. It didn't add anything to the ongoing feud. By contrast, the faceoff between Cena and Sikoa was expertly done. Sikoa was intimidating in a rare promo. Cena sold the damage done by Siko last week but eviscerated him on the microphone. Good stuff to make up for the weak Reigns vs. Knight follow-up. Grade: B

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Kevin Owens def. Austin Theory via pinfall after hitting a stunner.
• Damage CTRL brawled with Bianca Belair backstage during an interview.
• Logan Paul, Bobby Lashley and Street Profits laughed about Paul attacking Rey Mysterio last week.
• B-Fab and Lashley left for a private meeting.
• Charlotte Flair and Shotzi def. Bianca Belair and Piper Niven via pinfall after Flair hit Green with a big boot to become No. 1 contenders for the WWE women's tag team championship.
  
• Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson) def. Brawling Brutes (Butch and Ridge Holland) via pinfall after a double powerbomb to Butch through a table in a Good Old-Fashioned Donnybrook match.
• Logan Paul (213 pounds) and Rey Mysterio (175 pounds) weighed in for their United States title match at Crown Jewel. Mysterio slapped Paul and hit him in the head with a microphone.
• Bianca Belair def. Bayley via pinfall after hitting KOD. Belair slammed Bayley through the announcers' table with a second KOD post-match.