WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: AJ Styles teases retirement, brutally attacks Cody Rhodes

Rhodes vs. Styles II is shaping up to be more personal than their acclaimed first encounter

AJ Styles is not being phenomenal. Styles cut an emotional promo on WWE SmackDown about his two decades in professional wrestling and his desire to be a present father. What started as a retirement speech ended with a brutal attack on Cody Rhodes.

SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis previously informed Styles that he'd have to climb the ladder after losing an undisputed WWE title match to Rhodes at Backlash. Unwilling to take the long road, Styles orchestrated an attack on the WWE champion.

The Bloodline story also developed as Paul Heyman grows increasingly desperate and terrified underneath Solo Sikoa's thumb.

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Styles and The O.C. have Rhodes in their crosshairs

Styles' retirement was teased from the beginning of the show. Former rivals LA Knight and Rhodes both approach Styles backstage to pay their respects. Styles was accompanied to the ring by Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, his longtime friends in the O.C. Styles reflected on his 26 years of competition and how his son recently graduated high school. Styles hosted the graduation party. It spurred his desire to be a phenomenal father more than a phenomenal wrestler.

Styles called for Rhodes to join him. It was presented as a passing of the torch, but it was a ruse. Styles clotheslined Rhodes before beating him down. Aldis and WWE officials tried to intervene as Styles smashed the champ's head into the ring post. Anderson and Gallows served as a barrier separating the two parties. Styles ended the ruthless beatdown by hitting a Styles Clash off the steel steps onto the floor.

Earlier in the evening, Paul Heyman advised Sikoa that violence requires planning, something Roman Reigns understood well. Heyman accused Sikoa of enacting mindless violence. Heyman said it was paramount The Bloodline had Rhodes in check by the time Reigns returned. Sikoa said the group already has Rhodes in check and the champion knows it. Before Heyman could ask why, Sikoa told him to deal with Kevin Owens, who was walking to the ring.

Heyman met Owens in the ring and begged him to back off. Heyman described Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa as criminals that Reigns refused to have in The Bloodline. The Wiseman insisted that Sikoa and company were looking for an excuse to hurt Owens. Heyman's warning fell on deaf ears. Owens accused Heyman of pulling the strings, moving from one cash cow to another like he's always done. Owens said he's spent four years fighting The Bloodline -- the real Bloodline -- and has no interest in cowering from this new iteration.

A tearful Heyman said maybe he wasn't trying to help Owens but instead save him. Heyman reminded Owens they'd met each other's children. Heyman asked why he couldn't redeem himself if Owens had countless times. The Bloodline tried to swarm the ring but was cut off by The Street Profits. The faces got the better of the brawl leading to a previously scheduled tag team match between Tonga, Loa and The Street Profits.

The Bloodline (Tonga and Loa) def. Street Profits (Ford and Dawkins) via pinfall after Tonga hit Ford with a jumping reverse STO.

SmackDown continues to be WWE's shining programming. The creative team excels in making the most of their two-hour programming. Everything feels important and well-paced, something three hours of Raw struggles with. Rhodes' first two title defenses have lacked an intriguing story. Styles faux-retirement and the brutality of the assault immediately makes a rematch more intriguing. Rhodes and Styles had a terrific match at Backlash but held off on some big moments. Chances are the rematch has more in store physically and an emotionally-driven storyline to buoy it. Heyman cut a desperate and incredibly believable promo. Sikoa's tease about Rhodes also sets the stage for an important storyline with the champ after he settles business with Owens. A thoughtful episode of SmackDown that's leaving breadcrumbs for the future. Grade: A

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Nia Jax was coronated as Queen of the Ring.
  
• Tommaso Ciampa def. Austin Theory via pinfall with a rollup.
• Naomi and Blair Davenport had a verbal confrontation in SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis' office.
• LA Knight called out Logan Paul for a United States championship match.
• Andrade def. Apollo Crews via pinfall with a butterfly rolling neckbreaker. Angel Garza interfered in the match to enlist Andrade in Legado del Fantasma. Andrade blew off the group post-match.
• Chelsea Green and Piper Niven def. Bayley and Naomi via pinfall after Niven splashed on Naomi and Green before pulling Green over for the cover.