Tonight’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown is live from the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Michael Cole welcomes us and joined at ringside by Corey Graves. WWE announced The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns return, Braun Strowman will go one-on-one against Otis, Ridge Holland and Butch will challenge The Usos for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles and more.

– Tonight’s WWE SmackDown opened with The Bloodline – Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos, Solo Sikoa, Paul Heyman and Sami Zayn, making their way to the ring. We see footage of last Saturday’s press conference where Logan Paul vs. Reigns was announced for WWE Crown Jewel, specifically where Reigns shoved Paul after Heyman ran the YouTuber down on the mic.

The Bloodline enters the ring and hold their titles up and everyone stands with Reigns as the boos and cheers get louder. Heyman hands Reigns the mic. Reigns calls on Salt Lake City to acknowledge him and they do. Heyman takes the mic and gets some local heat, then says there are many items on The Bloodline’s checklist tonight. Heyman first points to how Reigns is still champion after defeating Drew McIntyre at Clash at The Castle earlier this month. 

Heyman goes on about how it didn’t matter if McIntyre was on his home turf, because the only home turf is what Reigns is sitting on – The Island of Relevancy. Heyman says now that Drew has a new bridge to “Kross” let’s talk about Solo. Heyman says he wishes he could brag that this was his own decision, but Solo’s debut wasn’t his idea, it wasn’t Reigns’ idea, and he looks at Sami when he says some people would like to take credit for what Solo did, but the truth is… Heyman says Solo was sent by the elders of the Samoan Dynasty because someone has to stop these conspiracies against Reigns and if you thought The Bloodline was unstoppable before, they are even stronger now and they have an enforcer to ensure Reigns’ title reign continues.

Heyman then addresses Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos and how they are continuing their pursuit of mortality. Jey Uso hypes tonight’s title defense and guarantees they will leave as champions. Jimmy Uso goes to hype the match as well but Reigns looks down and The Usos stop talking.Reigns calls Solo’s name and Solo steps forward. Reigns says the elders may have sent Solo but he answers to Reigns now. Reigns tells Solo to acknowledge him. Solo looks Reigns up and down briefly, but then says he acknowledges his Tribal Chief. Reigns hugs Solo Sikoa.

The Bloodline goes to leave the ring but Sami asks if they can cut the music for one moment. Sami apologizes as Jey starts to yell at him. Fans chant for Sami. Sami says he knows he’s not technically blood but the way they’ve taken him in as a family, he wanted to show them gratitude and also publicly acknowledge The Tribal Chief. Reigns motions for Sami to hand him the mic. Reigns laughs now and stares at Sami as a “Sami!” chant starts up. Reigns says he likes Sami but what is Sami talking for right now, why is he saying anything right now? Reigns gets it but why does Sami have their t-shirt on? 

Jey is seething behind Reigns now. Reigns asks Sami again why he has their shirt on, why is he tagging along with them, what does he want, what is this all about? Reigns wants Sami to take the shirt off. Jey yells at Sami to take it off while fans boo. Sami doesn’t know if Reigns is kidding or not and if this has to do with what happened with Logan last week, he’s sorry and he hopes Reigns doesn’t make any harsh decisions. Reigns brings up how Sami disrespected Heyman last week with Logan. Reigns isn’t going to tell Sami again – take the shirt off now. 

Jey is still yelling at Sami while Jimmy and Solo look on. Jey rips the shirt off Sami as the boos continue. Sami backs against the ropes and puts his hands up. Reigns says he needs Sami to listen for once – he doesn’t want to see Sami in that shirt ever again, he will never wear a Bloodline t-shirt again. Reigns says Sami will never wear the shirt again because… he got Sami a new one. Reigns tosses Sami a t-shirt. Sami unfolds it and it says “Honorary Uce” on the front. Fans pop but Jey isn’t happy. 

Sami puts on the shirt as fans chant his name. Sami is thrilled now, doing his handshake with Jimmy. Reigns is also smiling but Jey isn’t. Reigns asks Sami if he wants to say anything. Sami says yes there is – I acknowledge you, Tribal Chief. Sami hugs Reigns and Reigns hesitates but then hugs Sami back. Jey shakes his head. Sami continues to thank Reigns as Cole declares The Bloodline is stronger than ever.

– The SmackDown Women’s Champion Liv Morgan defeated Lacey Evans via pinfall. After the match, Liv takes the title and stood tall. Then, Liv grabs the kendo stick and stares at Evans as the referee exits the ring. Liv drops the kendo stick and Graves says she doesn’t have what it takes to get extreme. Liv changes her mind, picks the stick back up, and unloads on Evans with it. 

Liv takes the fight to ringside and yells at Evans about how she can get extreme, then drives Evans into the LED board on the barrier. Fans cheer Liv on as she brings a table from under the ring. Liv places Evans on the table, then goes back to the top turnbuckle. Liv stands up as fans cheer her on. She then flies from the top, putting Evans through the table at ringside. Liv looks into the camera and sends a warning to Ronda Rousey ahead of Extreme Rules. Liv returns to the ring and she’s limping, but she poses for the crowd. 

– Hit Row at backstage at some sort of party they have going on. They talk about tonight’s main event when The Street Profits enter to join in on a toast. The Street Profits thank Hit Row for inviting them. Shinsuke Nakamura appears next and he also joins in on a toast.

– W see Sami Zayn using his new Honorary Uce status to order around a staffer over catering. Ricochet and Madcap Moss appear, and they say Sami has changed. He disagrees. They say Sami has always been obnoxious and unbearable, and he still is, but just on a whole new level. They say this is what happens when you put your head all the way up Roman Reigns’… Sami interrupts and says if they want to disrespect him that’s fine but it’s not just Sami they’re disrespecting now, it’s the entire Bloodline. 

Ricochet is about to insult Sami Zayn again but Solo Sikoa suddenly attacks from out of nowhere and destroys Moss and Ricochet, telling them to try and say something now. Sami pulls Solo Sikoa away and says they understand not to mess with The Bloodline now. Sami says he was just about to do what Solo did. Sami and Solo walk off.

– Cole sends us to a video package looking at The Usos’ title reign to hype tonight’s title defense against The Brawling Brutes. The video is narrated by Paul Heyman.

– We got a Royal Rumble Classic video that shows WWE Hall of Famer & Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels winning the 1995 Royal Rumble. Cole plugs tickets for the 2023 Rumble at The Alamodome in San Antonio, TX going on sale next Friday.

– The New Day defeated Maximum Male Models via pinfall.

– Braun Strowman defeated Otis via pinfall. After the match, Braun Strowman stood tall but clutches his lower back and plays to the crowd for more cheers.

– The Brawling Brutes are at backstage with Kayla Braxton. They are hyped up for Fight Night and the main event. Sheamus talks about how The Bloodline has an uphill battle tonight because The Brawling Brutes were made to fight, just ask WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther. Sheamus talks about his rematch at the SmackDown season premiere on October 7 and promises to take the title from Gunther, but tonight is about Butch and Ridge Holland winning the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles. Sheamus goes on and says when they step into the ring, fans know they’re going to get banger after banger after banger after banger. Butch runs off as Sheamus continues with his bangers.

– Drew McIntyre makes his way to the ring and he has a leather strap around his fist. Drew takes the mic and wants to hear Salt Lake City scream, and they do. Drew says as long as he’s been in WWE, there are a few things everyone knows about him – he doesn’t like playing games and if you have an issue with him, you can step in the ring and they will figure it out. He says it seems Karrion Kross never got that memo and instead of facing him like a man, he’d rather keep jumping Drew without any repercussions. 

Drew has bad news for Kross. Drew says he went to the top of the company and now Kross will have his first big match at Extreme Rules, against Drew McIntyre. Drew says this won’t be an ordinary match. He points to the strap wrapped around his fist and says this match is designed to make sure you can’t run away, and to inflict maximum pain. Drew confirms that they will face off in a Strap Match at Extreme Rules next month but the music interrupts and here comes Scarlett.

The screen goes black & white as Scarlett walks down the ramp and stops. Drew looks on. Kross tries to attack from behind in the ring but Drew quickly turns around and fights him off. They brawl but Drew takes control and sends Kross shoulder-first into the ring post. Drew ties the strap to Kross’ arm, then wraps it around his own fist. Drew pulls Kross into a big boot. Drew then whips Kross around the ring with the strap. Kross goes to the floor but Drew still has him tied to the strap. Drew whips him again. 

Kross comes back in but Drew continues to whip him around the ring. Scarlett rushes in and throws herself onto her husband, blocking another shot from Drew. Fans boo as Drew stops in his tracks. Drew turns back around and approaches but Scarlett sprays a fireball in his face. Kross attacks and unloads on Drew but Drew gets the upperhand. Scarlett comes from behind with a low blow, bringing Drew to the mat. Kross stands over Drew and unties the strap, throwing it down on him.

Kross and Scarlett exit the ring while Drew sells the low blow on the mat. Kross comes back over and applies the Kross Jacket submission, bringing Drew to the mat with it. Drew starts fading as Kross accepts the challenge and says he will see Drew at Extreme Rules. Kross says this is exactly what they wanted and Drew fell for it. Kross laughs and tells Drew to let it go, let it go… Drew starts fading. Kross breaks the hold and stands tall with Scarlett.

– Raquel Rodriguez defeated Dakota Kai via pinfall with some help of Shotzi. After the match, Shotzi is attacked by Bayley and IO SKY, and sent into the barrier. Damage CTRL triple teams Raquel now. Shotzi rushes back into the ring and helps Raquel clean house. Damage CTRL regroups at ringside as Shotzi stands tall with Raquel.

– We go to backstage Hit Row’s party. Angel and Humberto return after being told to leave earlier. They quickly superkick Ashante “Thee” Adonis, then they superkick “Top Dolla” AJ Francis. Los Lotharios rush out of the room. The Street Profits and Drew Gulak hold Hit Row back from chasing them.

– WWE announcers hype Sheamus vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Gunther for the SmackDown season premiere on October 7, plus three matches for next week – Hit Row vs. Los Lotharios, Shotzi vs. Bayley, Madcap Moss and Ricochet vs. Solo Sikoa and Sami Zayn.

– The Usos defeated Butch and Ridge Holland via pinfall and successfully retained their Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles. After the match, The Bloodline gathers in the ring. The Usos take their titles. Jimmy kneels down to regroup, while staring at Butch, who is recovering. The Bloodline’s Jimmy, Jey, Solo and Sami stood tall in the middle of the ring as Friday Night SmackDown goes off the air.