WWE SmackDown results, review, grades: The Vision beat Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton before Crown Jewel

Seth Rollins gave his teammates, Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, the upper hand over Rhodes and Orton on SmackDown

Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins are tussling for momentum before WWE Crown Jewel. Rhodes teamed with Randy Orton in a failed effort against The Vision's Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed. Though Rhodes lost, Rollins eagerness to dish out extra damage came back to bite him.

Rhodes and Rollins headline Crown Jewel for the second annual men's Crown Jewel championship. The new tradition pits SmackDown and Raw's world champions against each other for supremacy. For the men's division, that pits undisputed WWE champion Rhodes against world heavyweight champ Rollins. Ahead of their clash, Rhodes found himself fending off Rollins' Vision lackeys.

SmackDown also featured a great entry into Sami Zayn's United States title open challenge, plus teasers for the return of "The Samoan Werewolf" Jacob Fatu.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati

Rollins bites off more than he can chew with Rhodes

SmackDown started with the traditional microphone battle preceding the main event. Rhodes kicked off the show but was quickly interrupted by The Vision's Paul Heyman, Breakker, and Breed. Instantly, Orton emerged to back up Rhodes. Heyman said his plan worked like a charm. He was here to speak with Orton, and cornering the undisputed WWE champion spurred his arrival. Heyman made a vague threat about Rhodes abandoning Orton, trying to sow seeds of doubt between the former Legacy teammates.

The Vision (Breakker & Reed) def. Rhodes & Orton via pinfall after Reed hit a tsunami splash on Orton. A competitive tag team main event went south for the fan-favorites after Rollins and Heyman got involved. Ringside, Breakker leapt off the apron and drove Rhodes through the timeskeeper's barricade. That left Orton to fend for himself once The Vision's remaining forces appeared. Heyman ran interference while Orton had Reed set up for an RKO. Rollins emerged and, with the referee distracted, flattened Orton with a curb stop. Reed climbed the top rope and crushed his helpless opponent with a giant splash. 

Post-match, Rollins tried to attack Rhodes but got caught with Cross Rhodes.

A paint-by-numbers opening segment and main event. These annual champion vs. champion showdowns are disappointing. They prioritize big matches at the expense of creativity. Such encounters should be rare. By booking them annually, they strip the potential for the rare, palpable atmosphere when such meetings happen by chance. The main event was solid for a TV tag match. Grade: B

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• United States Championship -- Sami Zayn (c) def. Aleister Black via pinfall with a Blue Thunder Driver. Pre-match, Carmelo Hayes and The Miz attacked Zayn. Post-match, Damian Priest put Black through the announcers' table.
• ZaRuca (Sol Ruca & Zaria) def. Alba Fyre & Chelsea Green via pinfall after Ruca hit Sol Snatcher on Green.
• Giulia and Kiana James interrupted the Crown Jewel contract signing between Stephanie Vaquer and Tiffany Stratton. The women's world champs drove Giulia and James away.
• Jacob Fatu starred in a pre-taped vignette.
• Rey Fenix & Je'Von Evans def. Los Garza (Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo) via pinfall after Fenix hit a Mexican Muscle Buster on Carrillo.