Cody Rhodes defends his Undisputed WWE Title inside the vicious Steel Cage against Solo Sikoa on the premiere of SmackDown on USA. Catch WWE action on Peacock, WWE Network, USA Network, Sony India and more. #SmackDown
Veteran NFL writer and Pat McAfee Show contributor Mark Kaboly breaks down SmackDown’s USA Network premiere with 20 quick-hitting thoughts.
Big fight feel
There have been more than 1300 episodes of SmackDown over the past 25 years, but it’s hard to remember one that had this kind of vibe. It had the star power, the atmosphere, the bloodshed and the results of what you would expect from a PLE.
Reigns or Rhodes?
Roman Reigns hasn’t had a match since WrestleMania XL and has only been seen a handful of times since his return. He doesn’t have a title or a faction around him now, but my feeling based on everything that happened during SmackDown is that Reigns surpassed Cody Rhodes in terms of being No. 1 with the fans … or at least close.
Solo Sikoa's dilemma
For such a powerful leader of the top faction in WWE, Solo Sikoa sure doesn’t win many matches. His only title reign was with the WWE NXT North American Championship, which was two years ago and lasted only a week. The lack of winning is strange to me.
Low-key performance of the night
Even though Sikoa lost again, he put together a strong and powerful Cage Match against Rhodes. Sikoa controlled a lot of this match and hit some big spots with my personal favorite being a tossup between the suplex off the top rope and the powerbomb into the cage.
Can’t get enough of Jacob Fatu
Where do I start here? Jacob Fatu is so good at … well, everything. I was going to say being the heavy for Sikoa, but there isn’t anything he isn’t knocking out of the park these days so it’s unfair to label him as just one thing.
The Samoan Werewolf can wrestle
Fatu hit the moonsault and was on the top of the cage when Reigns’ music hit during the after-match beatdown. I was actually surprised Fatu didn’t follow through with what he was originally going to do just for the heck of it. We’ve seen many excellent matches involving Fatu and his tag match at Bad Blood with Sikoa against Rhodes and Reigns will be at the top.
One more thing about Fatu
Watching Fatu staring at Sikoa at the end of the show with his hands together, drinking in every single word like he was looking at his deity was both fascinating and eerie. Even though Sikoa has now screwed Fatu in some way three weeks in a row (giving the title belt to Tonga Loa, denying a title match with Rhodes and yanking Fatu out of the ring when he was about to fight Reigns on Friday), Fatu isn’t about to turn his back on his Tribal Chief.
Reigns vs. Fatu?
When Reigns pointed to the middle of the ring wanting Fatu to come and confront him, that was as powerful an image you will get any place. If these two ever face off in singles competition, it is going to be a brutal match. I think that’s something that we all want to see.
Move of the night
The Cody Cutter off the cage was something unique. Rhodes adapted one of his signature moves to take advantage of the kind of match he was in. On an unrelated note, I am a softie for Cage Matches ending when they climb over and both feet hit the ground and not by a run-of-the-mill pinfall.
Line of the night
Michael Cole about the hairy back of Kevin Owens’ short-lived tag partner Ricky: “Is that George ‘The Animal’ Steele’s son?”
KO never fails
Kevin Owens always delivers. You can count on that every single time he steps in the ring and he owned the match with Randy Orton against A-Town Down Under.
All wrestling
The first hour of the program barely had a promo other than a quick backstage with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and that was necessary to set up the end of the show. No promos for half a show was unusual, but also gave it a PLE feel.
Sucker for nostalgia
Hey, some may have thought it was corny, but seeing past Superstars at ringside was a nice touch that gave SmackDown an even bigger feel. Seeing Legends like Rob Van Dam, Booker T, and Vickie Guerrero is never a bad thing.
Bad vibes
Rhodes saying that The Bloodline isn’t his issue and refusing to sign the contract to join Reigns in facing Sikoa & Fatu (something everybody wanted to see) and then telling Reigns that it hasn’t been the OTC’s ring since WrestleMania was very non-Cody-like. Is The American Nightmare morphing into something a little more ruthless? Just something to ponder.
Going overtime
SmackDown going six minutes past 10 p.m. ET reminded me of the old days. Hopefully, that’s not a one-time thing.
R-KO
Owens & Orton didn't have the most technical match of their careers. It appeared that they were just out there having fun and doing some unconventional things to amuse themselves. Let’s be honest, when you bring out Ricky as your partner to start, it’s difficult to turn it into a serious match after that.
Best of five
Carmelo Hayes and Andrade wrestled for the fifth time in recent months, which is unique. Considering we’ve seen these two compete multiple times, they did a good job of freshening it up and bringing the energy to make it work.
Golf clap for Austin Theory
I am a sucker for overselling Stunners. I enjoy it. Theory may have just entered my all-time list on that Stunner Owens administered.
A Ricky return?
At least one more time. Why not?
Smart move
Having your biggest SmackDown stars start and end the show gave you no choice but to stick around for the duration. Top to bottom, SmackDown delivered one of its most complete shows of the year, blending storytelling with big-time players and a good in-ring product.