WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Roman Reigns takes out The Bloodline, Cody Rhodes challenges Kevin Owens

Owens refused Rhodes' offer to challenge for the undisputed WWE title at Bash in Berlin

The head of the table is home. Roman Reigns returned to WWE SmackDown for the first time in months to remind Solo Sikoa who the original Tribal Chief is. The Bloodline wields the numbers advantage but Reigns has all the momentum.

Reigns returned at SummerSlam last Saturday -- his first appearance at WrestleMania 40 in April -- to extinguish Sikoa's hopes of becoming undisputed WWE champion. Sikoa might regret his hostile takeover of The Bloodline if Friday's episode of SmackDown is any indication.

SmackDown also set the stage for an undisputed WWE championship match between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens, a match that Owens shockingly refused. 

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Roman reigns over The Bloodline, Rhodes challenges his friend

SmackDown kicked off with Cody Rhodes. The undisputed WWE champion didn't get far on the microphone before Solo Sikoa interrupted him. Sikoa demanded a rematch, which Rhodes rejected. Rhodes noted Jacob Fatu's absence, claiming Sikoa's inability to fend for himself resulted in Fatu's seemingly legitimate injury at SummerSlam. The Bloodline advanced towards the ring but were intercepted by steel chair-swinging Kevin Owens. Sikoa told Rhodes he'd deal with him after The Bloodline found Reigns. Following The Bloodline's departure, Rhodes told Owens he had an awkward proposal. Rhodes thanked Owens for being an ally against The Bloodline and offered him a title shot at Bash in Berlin. Owens rejected the offer, arguing that title shots should be earned and Owens' recent win-loss record didn't justify the opportunity. Rhodes disagreed, describing Owens as a prizefighter in his prime. Rhodes said he would ask SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis to book the match.

The Bloodline returned to the ring at the end of the night. Sikoa told Reigns there was a new Tribal Chief in the WWE and demanded to see the man who cost him the WWE title at SummerSlam. Reigns' new theme song hit, drawing a huge reaction from the Tulsa crowd. Reigns stared down The Bloodline before storming the ring. Reigns took out Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa with steel steps before brawling with Sikoa. Loa pulled Sikoa to safety just as Reigns was setting up for a spear.

Reigns went to retrieve the Tribal Chief's Ula Fala necklace. The split focus allowed Tonga and Loa to get the pounce. Reigns regained the upper hand, spearing Loa in the ring and Tonga through the ringside barricade. Reigns walloped Loa with a steel chair before staring down Sikoa, the latter of whom had fled to the entranceway, to close the show.

A textbook follow-up to SummerSlam's dramatic conclusion fell short. Reigns' first SmackDown appearance in months didn't give much to dig into but this story will unfold over several months. It's not a severe criticism but there isn't much to discuss. Reigns aura is unmatched and it's great to have him back in the fold. The live crowd ate it up. Reigns must look strong, but The Bloodline looked pathetically outmatched despite a three-on-one advantage. Fatu's absence was felt tremendously, a reminder that he -- not Sikoa -- is the anchor of The Bloodline redux. I have mixed feelings about Rhodes vs. Owens. It's a sensible way to keep them away from The Bloodline storyline for now. Rhodes' offering his friend a title shot fits his character as a babyface-fighting champion. While I appreciate WWE's efforts to give their short-notice main event some substance, it's odd that a "prize fighter" like Owens would reject fighting for WWE's top prize. Grade: B+

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) def. A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) via pinfall after hitting Theory with a blockbuster doomsday device. Street Profits qualified for a match to crown No. 1 contenders for the WWE tag team titles.
  
• Chelsea Green and Piper Niven tried to play games with Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax.
• Jade Cargill def. Alba Fyre via pinfall after hitting Jaded. Blair Davenport and the Unholy Union (Fyre and Isla Dawn) attacked Cargill and Bianca Belair post-match. Naomi made the save.
  
• LA Knight's United States championship inauguration was interrupted by Legado del Fantasma.
• Santos Escobar def. Andrade via pinfall with a schoolboy pin and a handful of tights. Escobar is now No. 1 contender for the U.S. title.
• Former professional wrestler and WCW booker Kevin Sullivan was honored in a video package after his death on Friday.
  
• #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) def. Pretty Deadly (Elton Prince and Kit Wilson) via pinfall after hitting Meet in the Middle on Prince. #DIY qualified for a match to crown No. 1 contenders for the WWE tag team titles.