WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: The Bloodline lay out Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes in brutal assault

Rhodes is on the back foot ahead of a proposed match with Solo Sikoa at SummerSlam

Undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes will need a new plan to leave SummerSlam with his title. Solo Sikoa and his iteration of The Bloodline picked up where they left off at Money in The Bank, standing tall over Rhodes and Randy Orton on WWE SmackDown.

Rhodes and Orton found themselves light on manpower with the absence of Kevin Owens but still decided to meet The Bloodline head-on. It was a stubborn call that left Rhodes and Orton out for the count.

SmackDown also featured a WWE tag team title match, meaningful movement toward a United States champion Logan Paul vs. LA Knight at SummerSlam and Tiffany Stratton's celebration after becoming Ms. Money in the Bank.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts

The Bloodline stand tall over Rhodes, Orton again

Orton and Rhodes convened partway through the night. Orton told Rhodes he'd watch over him but warned they'd be outnumbered by The Bloodline, particularly since Owens was home with his family. Orton promised to look out for Rhodes even after their business with The Bloodline was over.

The Bloodline closed out SmackDown by addressing WWE fans. Sikoa used Jimmy Uso and Paul Heyman as examples of what happens when you don't acknowledge him. Sikoa also suggested that Reigns would acknowledge Sikoa as Tribal Chief upon his return. Sikoa next turned his attention to Rhodes, prompting the undisputed WWE champion to hit the stage.

Rhodes welcomed the possibility of defending his title against Sikoa at SummerSlam but said he'd prefer to fight Sikoa now. Rhodes unwisely darted to the ring to brawl with The Bloodline. Orton tried to make the save but the former Legacy stablemates were overwhelmed by The Bloodline's number advantage. The Bloodline took out Rhodes before putting Orton through the announcers' table with a triple powerbomb.

This week's SmackDown didn't feature the most inspired build to a major pay-per-view match but not every week can. I can appreciate Rhodes' mentality as a fighting champion but trying to fight The Bloodline one-on-four makes the often cerebral star look like a fool. It also put Orton in the disadvantageous position of participating in a losing battle. The Bloodline taking out #DIY was a nice way to start the segment, a natural flow out of the tag team title match that added to the group's brutality. Grade: B

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Nia Jax def. Mia Yim via pinfall courtesy of a banzai drop. Pre-match, Yim saved Bayley from a two-on-one attack by Jax and Tiffany Stratton. Stratton teased cashing in her Money the Bank briefcase on Bayley before Jax gave her a cold look.
  
• Legado del Fantasma (Angel and Berto) def. Apollo Crews and Baron Corbin via pinfall after Angel hit Wing Clipper on Crews. Santos Escobar assisted Angel and Berto in securing the win.
• LA Knight showed off a contract for a U.S. championship match against Logan Paul at SummerSlam. Knight and SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis had already signed the documents, meaning only Paul's signature is missing.
• Naomi def. Blair Davenport via pinfall with a Gedo clutch. Davenport later attacked Naomi backstage.
  
• WWE Tag Team Championship -- #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) def. A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) via pinfall after hitting Meet in the Middle on Waller to retain the tag team titles. The Bloodline attacked #DIY post-match to set up their closing segment.