Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for September 29, 2023

The Bloodline (Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso) head to the ring to start tonight's show. Paul Heyman says they acknowledge their Tribal Chief after John Cena took a beating he has not taken in over a decade last week, then we see the events leading up to that beating. Heyman then says a little birdy has told him that Cena has had some transportation issues as of late, then says the fans cannot John Cena because he is not here tonight. He also says that "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles is not here because he is lying in a hospital bed, then Jimmy Uso takes the microphone and says Heyman is "too kind" before stating that Cena is not here because he is scared of him. He then warns John Cena to stay far away from The Bloodline before they take care of him like they did Styles. As Jimmy Uso mocks AJ Styles, Solo Sikoa is attacked from behind by Karl Anderson, who then attacks Jimmy before saying it is personal and that he wants Jimmy in the ring. Heyman whispers in Solo Sikoa's ear, and Sikoa tells Jimmy to handle Karl Anderson before he handles it for him.

Jimmy Uso beats Karl Anderson. After the match, Karl Anderson still wants to fight Jimmy Uso, and Solo Sikoa has to take Anderson out. As The Bloodline (Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso) leaves, "Michin" Mia Yim runs out to check on Karl Anderson, and on the way there, she slaps Jimmy Uso in the face. Jimmy Uso is aghast.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews Santos Escobar. Escobar says he is staying focused even though he has butterflies, then says tonight's match is about heart and that facing Rey Mysterio with a championship on the line has been his dream he has worked his whole life for. He says he will never stop fighting for his dreams and that Rey is in the fight of his life before saying "May the best man win."

Backstage, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa mess with backstage workers as Paul Heyman follows and calls Roman Reigns.

It's time for The Grayson Waller Effect. Tonight's guest is Bobby Lashley. Lashley says he made a mistake and thought The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) had what it took, and says it is back to the drawing board. Grayson Waller proposes the tag team of himself and Austin Theory, but Lashley is not interested. As Waller tells Lashley about how Theory has changed, The Street Profits show up. Lashley tells them that he does not want to hear excuses or reasons, and if they want something out of him, they will have to prove it. Waller then brings Theory out as "The 150 Million Hit Man" to "bring the crowd back." Theory shows up as Lashley leaves.

We see a video package for Dragon Lee before seeing him in the crowd. Austin Theory is seen yelling at the commentary team regarding Dragon Lee's video package.

Austin Theory beats Cameron Grimes following the distraction from Grayson Waller. After the match, Theory shoves Dragon Lee at the front row, and the referee has to force Theory to head to the back.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Rey Mysterio. Rey says The Latino World Order has been and will always be family, and he has nothing but love for Santos Escobar. He then says to be careful what you wish for, as he expects the best of his opponents and he will bring his best as well before saying he will give Escobar the fight of his life. He then says "May the best man win."

Backstage, Jimmy Uso is seen attacking Ashante "Thee" Adonis despite B-Fab's protests. Officials have to hold Jimmy Uso back, but Solo Sikoa shows up from behind Adonis and puts him through a table.

Rey Mysterio retains the WWE United States Championship against Santos Escobar with an inside cradle. During the match, Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso are seen attacking security guards backstage. After the match, Rey and Escobar are suddenly attacked by The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford). Bobby Lashley shows up to applaud them, then sees Joaquin Wilde running at him and blocks him, knocking him down. Dragon Lee tries to jump the barricade but is stopped by security as The Street Profits hit the Cash Out on Wilde. Lashley then celebrates with The Street Profits.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Santos Escobar and Rey Mysterio in the trainer's room. Rey challenges Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) to a match at Fastlane.

It is announced that Jade Cargill has been signed to a multi-year deal with WWE.

John Cena is seen entering the arena backstage after flooring it on the way to the metal detectors.

We see part two of Elton Prince's road to recovery in another montage. The Brawling Brutes (Ridge Holland and Butch), meanwhile, cannot believe what they have watched and wished that Elton Prince broke his leg.

Before the next match, Charlotte Flair says Bayley is now happy to hold Iyo Sky's title for her and that she has become a stepping stone while she is still the greatest, and that she will beat her and challenge Iyo Sky for the WWE Women's Championship.

Charlotte Flair beats Bayley with a Spear as Bayley mocks Charlotte. After the match, Bayley says that if Charlotte Flair thinks she can skip the line to the WWE Women's Championship, then Damage CTRL (Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai) will end her. As Damage CTRL surrounds the ring, Asuka shows up, and Damage CTRL retreats. Aska says something in Japanese, then Bayley says that if Asuka wants a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Women's Championsip at Fastlane, she's got it. Iyo Sky then says that Asuka never said that.

John Cena heads to the ring. Cena says that he came back to compete and that he wanted a match, but The Bloodline (Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso) did not take kindly to that and left him knocked out. He also says that they left him with a signed contract. He then says there is a big problem: he does not have a tag team partner. Cena says tonight is very important because he has a choice of either ripping up the contract and acting like this never happened or he can stand and fight. Cena says that he will honor this contract, and if he does not find a partner by Fastlane, he will fight The Bloodline on his own in a two-on-one handicap match. Suddenly, The Bloodline show up. Jimmy Uso tells John Cena that The Bloodline is going to eat him up and that he will not make it to Fastlane. Cena knocks Jimy off the apron, then dares Solo Sikoa to fight him. Cena goes for the Attitude Adjustment but gets superkicked. Jimmy and Solo gang up on Cena, then clear out the commentary table. As Solo goes up to the top rope, however, LA Knight show up and fights The Bloodline. After Cena helps LA Knight finish the job, LA Knight signs the contract before handing it back to Cena.

This week on The SmackDown LowDown: Austin Theory (and Grayson Waller)! Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford)! Damage CTRL (Bayley, Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai)!

Here's the top ten moments from tonight's show!