WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Roman Reigns returns, Theory plays mind games with the champion

A planned No. 1 contender's match between Drew McIntyre and Sheamus proved inconclusive

Roman Reigns suddenly has a number of potential suitors for his undisputed WWE universal championship. The Bloodline returned in full force on Friday's episode of SmackDown.

Reigns, accompanied by his special counsel Paul Heyman, addressed the WWE universe ahead of his Last Man Standing against Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. Money in the Bank winner Theory was sure to remind everybody that Lesnar is not the only threat to Reigns' supremacy. The question also remains as to who will challenge for the championship at Clash at the Castle: Drew McIntyre or Sheamus?

Elsewhere on the show, newly crowned SmackDown women's champion Liv Morgan had her victory lap cut short and a special stipulation was teased for The Usos vs. Street Profits tag title rematch.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.

Roman Reigns has Brock Lesnar in his sights and Theory lurking around the corner

SmackDown opened with The Bloodline. Undisputed WWE universal champion Reigns oozed confidence ahead of his Last Man Standing match against Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. Reigns asked Heyman why the special counsel appeared nervous and expressed no interest in rehashing their past debates. Heyman argued that Lesnar is at his most dangerous when backed into a corner. Heyman insisted that Reigns must pull out all the stops to put Lesnar down for good. Theory, wielding the Money in the Bank briefcase, interrupted Reigns and company. He did a lap around the ring before taking off. 

Later in the evening, Theory reminded interviewer Kayla Braxton that he is the youngest Money in the Bank winner in WWE history. Theory wanted Reigns to know that he is a constant threat and teased cashing in his title shot at SummerSlam. Theory also proclaimed that he would recapture his United States championship against Bobby Lashley at SummerSlam. Enter Madcap Moss, who expressed a desire to shut Theory up.

McIntyre was also interviewed backstage. McIntyre insisted that Lesnar, Reigns and Theory were secondary thoughts. He refused to look past Sheamus with a shot at the undisputed universal championship on the line.

Sheamus, flanked by Brawling Brutes cohorts Butch and Ridge Holland, arrived for his No. 1 contender's match against McIntyre. Sheamus faked a cough and said he could not compete tonight. He sent Butch to battle McIntyre instead.

Drew McIntyre def. Butch via pinfall after clocking him with the Claymore kick. SmackDown commentator Michael Cole informed the audience after that no No. 1 contender had been crowned. Post-match, McIntyre grabbed his claymore sword Angela and swung at Sheamus. McIntyre cut through the top ring rope as fire blasted from the four ring corners.

Talk about a deflating ending. The advertised No. 1 contender's match was swapped out for a short squash match. The pyro made absolutely no sense. Things were shaping up well with several moving parts to the main event title picture: Reigns, Lesnar, Theory, McIntyre and Sheamus were all involved -- as well as subplots involving Moss and Lashley. Unfortunately, the only match in Friday's story did not happen. That is a major bummer. It would be forgivable if there was some sort of emotional response to the delay or if it was exchanged for something of equal value but that did not happen. The audience was simply stripped of their main event match. Grade: C

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• The Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar) def. Jinder Mahal and Shanky via pinfall after planting Mahal with a double powerbomb. The New Day (Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston) saved Shanky from a post-match beatdown but were laid out by the Raiders.
• Gunther and his associate Ludwig Kaiser refused to have the "Ring General" defend his intercontinental championship in a scheduled open challenge. They described any champion who would fight a mystery opponent as foolish. Enter Shinsuke Nakamura who challenged Kaiser instead. 
• Shinsuke Nakamura def. Ludwig Kaiser via pinfall after nailing him with the Kinshasa knee. 
• Newly crowned SmackDown women's champion Liv Morgan celebrated her win over Ronda Rousey at Money in the Bank. She was interrupted by Natalya and Rousey.
• Ronda Rousey def. Natalya via submission after applying a grapevine ankle lock.
• Max Dupri unveils the 2022 Tennis Collection modeled by Maximum Male Models talent ma.ce and man.soor.
• Lacey Evans punched out tag team partner Aliyah ahead of their scheduled tag team match against Shayna Bazler and Shotzi. Evans shunned the crowd for not giving her a warm reception despite her opening up about her life struggles for their benefit.
• The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) def. Los Lotharios (Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo) via pinfall after landing the 1D on Carrillo.
• The Usos maintained that they defeated The Street Profits clean at Money in the Bank, despite Montez Ford's shoulder being up. They (rightfully) blamed the referee for the error. Braxton let Jimmy and Jey in on a rumor that a special guest referee is being discussed for their rematch against Ford and Angelo Dawkins at SummerSlam.
• Morgan vs. Natayla is booked for next week. Natayla will receive a SmackDown women's championship opportunity should she beat the champion in this non-title match.