Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for September 13, 2024

WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque heads to the ring to start tonight's show. Triple H says it feels like only yesterday when he was facing The Rock in the main event of the first-ever episode, and now, 25 years later, he stands in the ring before "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes defends the Undisputed WWE Championship in a steel cage. He welcomes to the show, then pyro goes off at the stage before the steel cage lowers.

"The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes retains the Undisputed WWE Championship against Solo Sikoa in a steel cage match. After the match, the rest of The Bloodline (Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu) climbs into the ring, and Solo hits Cody with a Samoan Spike before The Bloodline goes on the attack. After a moonsault off the top rope, Jacob Fatu goes for another off the top of the cage at the behest of Solo. All of a sudden, Roman Reigns shows up. Roman gets in the ring and shuts the cage door before fighting off Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa with the greatest of ease. He is soon attacked from behind by Solo Sikoa. Solo goes for a running hip attack in the corner, but Roman counters with a Superman Punch. Jacob Fatu pulls Solo out of the cage as Roman calls for the Spear. Roman then dares Jacob to get in the ring with him, and Jacob gets in the ring and shuts the cage door behind him. As he is about to fight Roman, Solo pulls Jacob out, and Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa attack Roman again. At this point, Cody Rhodes gets back up and makes the save for Roman, hitting Tama Tonga with the Cross Rhodes so that Roman can hit Tonga Loa with the Spear. Roman and Solo have a staredown from across the ring.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews General Manager Nick Aldis says tonight is off to a rough start and that both Cody Rhodes and The Bloodline have been sequestered in their locker rooms. He also says that Solo Sikoa has proposed another match, then says that tonight is a long way from being over.

"Michin" Mia Yim beats Piper Niven. After the match, Chelsea Green attacks Michin, and Piper Niven hits Michin with an elbow drop before Chelsea produces a trash can and throws it into the ring. Chelsea then hits Michin with an Un-Pretty-Her onto the trash can.

We look back on past SmackDown moments.

Rob Van Damn, Katie Forbes, Vickie Guerrero, Gunther and Ludwig Kaiser are all seen in the front row.

Kevin Owens' tag team partner for the next match is revealed to be West Coast-area independent wrestler "Rockin'" Ricky Gibson. Kevin Owens states that his real partner could not show up in time and introduces Ricky Gibson as "Ricky," then the match starts before a ring worker gets Owens' attention and tells Owens that his real partner is here. Owens gives Ricky a Stunner, then Randy Orton shows up.

Kevin Owens and Randy Orton beat A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller and Austin Theory) with stereo draping DDT's followed by stereo RKO's.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews General Manager Nick Aldis, who has a contract in his hands. Aldis announces that Solo has proposed a tag team match at Bad Blood, with Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu facing Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. As he says that Solo and Jacob have already signed, Cody shows up and says he is done with The Bloodline. Cody says that The Bloodline is Roman Reigns' problem and that he has no intention of signing the contract. Aldis says he will have to speak with Roman.

We look back on more classic SmackDown moments.

Booker T, Sharmell, Sheamus and Michael P.S. Hayes are seen in the crowd.

Nia Jax heads to the ring. After the commercial break, Nia Jax says that ever since she has returned to the WWE, the women's division has realized why she is "The Irresistible Force" and has a good reason to fear her. She then announces that General Manager Nick Aldis has told her that she will be defending the WWE Women's Championship at Bad Blood, then says she does not know or care who her opponent is as they will suffer the same fate as the rest when she annihilates them. Bayley shows up and heads to the ring and gives credit where credit is due to Nia Jax before saying she is happy that Nia Jax is feeling confident, as she wants her rematch. Nia tells Bayley that she is in no position to demand anything, as she runs the women's division and does not need a posse to do it. Bayley says she did not need Damage CTRL to win the title, but Nia needed Tiffany Stratton to win. Tiffany shows up, saying this is pathetic coming from Bayley and that Nia does not need to listen to her, but Bayley reminds Tiffany that she beat her last week. Tiffany says it is only because Nia got involved, which almost gets Nia mad at Tiffany. As Nia says that Bayley does not have a prayer against her, especially in a two-on-one situation, Naomi shows up and says that if they want a fight, they can have a fight. Naomi says she is not letting this happen today, then says it has been a while since she held a title and that it is time that she does it again before telling Nia to put her money where her mouth is. Nia proposes that they have a match to see who faces her at Bad Blood in a tag team match, and whoever gets the win will face her at Bad Blood. Bayley and Naomi accept the challenge. Nia and Tiffany then raise the stakes as they leave, stating that if Bayley or Naomi get pinned, whoever gets pinned has to leave SmackDown permanently. Tiffany then goes for a cheap shot after Bayley insults her, but Tiffany runs right into a Rear View by Naomi and has to be helped out of the ring by Nia Jax.

Backstage, Cathy Kelley interviews General Manager Nick Aldis. Aldis says that Roman Reigns will address the current situation in the ring after the next match.

We look back on even more classic SmackDown moments.

Ron Simmons, Teddy Long, William Regal, Bobby Roode and Damian Priest are seen in the crowd.

Andrade beats Carmelo Hayes in their fifth match, with Andrade leading three wins to two, to become #1 contender for the WWE United States Championship. After the match, LA Knight shows up and congratulates Andrade on the win before telling him that he won the "hit it and quit it" sweepstakes and being dropped on his head.

Backstage, Byron Saxton interviews Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. Bianca says they are excited to be here tonight and even more excited to have the women's tag titles back, and Jade says that they will take on all comers anywhere. Bianca says they will continue to defend their titles, and Jade says they will continue to win. Nia Jax and Tiffany Stratton show up, and Nia says that if Naomi sticks her nose in their business, something bad will happen to her. Nia then reminds Bianca and Jade that she beat both of them to become Queen of the Ring and WWE Women's Champion.

Roman Reigns heads to the ring. After the commercial break, General Manager Nick Aldis is with him in the ring. As Aldis speaks, Roman just sticks out his hand. Aldis hands him the match contract, then Roman sticks out his other hand and Aldis gives him the microphone. Roman says some things change, but not him, and he does not need Aldis or a contact as this is Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jacob Fatu) business. He says he does not need a partner, not even "The American Nighmare" Cody Rhodes, and whether he has the ula fala or not, he is the Tribal Chief. He says that is not just the original Tribal Chief, but the only Tribal Chief, and that this is his ring, his show and his WWE. Suddenly, Cody Rhodes shows up and heads to the ring. Cody questions what Roman states is his, then says it was Roman's and has not been since WrestleMania. He then tosses his microphone aside, as down Roman, then Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu show up. Cody and Roman are suddenly attacked from behind by Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa, but Cody and Roman quickly clean house. Roman takes the contract and looks at it, then signs the contract. Cody then sticks his hand out for the contract, and Roman hands it to him so that he too can sign it.

This week on The SmackDown LowDown: Chelsea Green (and Vicki Guerrero and General Manager Nick Aldis)! LA Knight! Bayley and Naomi!

Here are the highlights from tonight's show!