WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa lay out Jey Uso a week before SummerSlam

Uso may have Reigns' number, but the undisputed champion has an ace up his sleeve

Jey Uso is going to need some help. "Main Event" Jey Uso has proved to be a formidable solo act, but he could not overcome the combined might of Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa on Friday's episode of WWE SmackDown. 

SummerSlam is fast approaching and Jey Uso is sorely missing his twin brother, Jimmy Uso. Recent encounters suggest that Jey Uso may be the single most formidable superstar among the fractured Bloodline family, but he could not overcome the two-pronged assault of Reigns and Sikoa on SmackDown.

Friday's show also crowned a new No. 1 contender for the United States championship, formally introduced a SummerSlam battle royal and more.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Jey Uso sorely needs backup against The Bloodline

Reigns took credit for The Usos' popularity and described his cousin as a jealous second-in-command with selfish aspirations. Jey Uso denied the allegations, saying that he fully encouraged Reigns' leadership before the undisputed champion's actions drove a wedge in the family. Reigns continued to paint Jey Uso as a leech who left his injured twin brother Jimmy Uso behind a few years ago in pursuit of a solo title. Reigns tried to push Jey Uso's buttons by questioning how the challenger could possibly overcome one of the most dominant world champions in WWE history. Jey Uso's self-confidence could not be compromised after the tag team specialist handed Reigns his first pinfall loss in three-plus years at Money in the Bank.

Grayson Waller predicted Uso's shortcomings at SummerSlam. Uso retaliated by smacking Waller in the face. Later in the evening, authority figure Adam Pearce booked a match between Uso and Waller.

Jey Uso def. Grayson Waller via pinfall after hitting an Uso Splash. Uso generally got the better of Waller early in the match. The tide changed after The Bloodline appeared ringside. The distraction allowed Waller to capitalize and take over. Waller maintained control of the match until his showboating -- a poor man's interpretation of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's People's Elbow -- allowed Uso to counter. Uso took a psychological edge in his war with Reigns by running through Waller with Reigns' signature spear. An Uso Splash sealed the deal for Uso.

Sikoa attacked Uso post match. Uso ducked a Samoan Spike, cracked his younger brother with a super kick and then took out Reigns with a spear. Uso got overzealous with a planned Uso Splash, allowing Sikoa and Reigns a window to retaliate. The Bloodline duo took out Uso with a combination spear and Samoan Spike. The live crowd infuriated Reigns with chants of "you got pinned" which spurred Reigns and Sikoa to deliver a second combo to Jey Uso.

The opening segment was strong if a little underwhelming compared to recent weeks. The Bloodline has done a tremendous job of weaving elements of real life into its storyline. The strongest storytelling contribution this week was Reigns harkening back to Jimmy Uso's injury during the pandemic, which spurred Jey Uso's solo run. Jey Uso continued to look like a main event player in the closing segment and the two-on-one assault foreshadows Jimmy Uso's return next week to even the odds. Grade: A-

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Santos Escobar def. Rey Mysterio via referee stoppage to win the U.S. Championship Invitational.
• LA Knight def. Ashante Adonis via pinfall after hitting BFT.
• Bianca Belair and Charlotte Flair def. Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville via pinfall after Flair clocked Deville with a big boot.
• Asuka and Iyo Sky had a verbal confrontation backstage.
• Adam Pearce booked LA Knight and Sheamus in a singles match next week and added them to a battle royal at SummerSlam,
• Karrion Kross def. Karl Anderson via pinfall after hitting a pump handle lift DDT. The O.C. saved Anderson from a post-match beatdown.