The next iteration of The Bloodline’s story seeped into the throes of "Friday Night SmackDown" in Providence, Rhode Island, as Jacob Fatu appeared in the locker room as Jey Uso was getting prepared for his King of the Ring Tournament match with his brother, Jimmy.
There seemed to be a number of moving parts. Fatu said he was at SmackDown to speak to Solo Sikoa – who broke away from Roman Reigns and formed the MFT. Meanwhile, Jey Uso also received a pep talk from Cody Rhodes.
"When I do it, I’m coming after that WWE championship at SummerSlam," Uso told Rhodes before the match. "Just business, Uce. Just business."
Rhodes said he hoped Uso does come after the Undisputed WWE Championship. He added that he hoped it was his decision and not because Roman Reigns told him to.
Palace intrigue was at an all-time high.
Fatu found Sikoa in the locker room. He said he had a message from Reigns and that the "Original Tribal Chief" wanted Sikoa to "come home." Sikoa, one former prominent Bloodline member, laughed.
"Home? He wants me to come home? That’s what your ‘Tribal Chief’ said? That ain’t home, Jacob," Sikoa said. "That’s a doghouse, and you’re his lap dog. You know what? I don’t understand this. What the hell happened to you? You used to be a killer. A man that everyone was afraid of. The ‘Samoan Werewolf.’ A man who was this close to beating Roman. And now? You’re just his background. And you know I’m right because I am still standing here and you’ve done nothing but come here and deliver a message from who? Your ‘Tribal Chief?’
"Listen to me, Roman has done nothing but embarrass you, humiliated you and make you kneel down like a dog in front of the whole world and in front of our family, Jacob. And that right there is not how you treat somebody that you love. But he wants me to come back? I’m not going back there. So, tell Roman, he can go to hell."
Fatu said he understood where Sikoa was coming from but he already made his decision and if Reigns wants him to go get him, then he was coming for Sikoa.
Sikoa said if Reigns wanted him back home, "then he can come and get me."
The tentacles of The Bloodline didn’t end there. While Jey Uso got ready for the match, Sikoa was in Royce Keys’ ear. Uso, Keys, LA Knight and Finn Balor met in the King of the Ring Tournament. Sikoa said he didn’t want Keys to be a "casualty" in Reigns’ war.
Gunther got what he wanted in order to get a rematch against Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. He told SmackDown GM Nick Aldis that he will choose the referee for the match, after an error cost him the title at Clash in Italy.
Gunther explained to Aldis later he needed to choose someone with the proper knowledge of pro wrestling rules but also needed to take the "human factor into consideration."
He chose Zayn as his special guest referee – much to the chagrin of Aldis.
So, next week it will be Rhodes defending his title against Gunther with Zayn calling the shots.
Rhea Ripley appeared on last week’s "SmackDown" with a brace around her knee and it didn’t appear she was ready to compete in any matches. Jade Cargill and Michin ended up defeating Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton.
SmackDown broadcaster Wade Barrett shed some light on Ripley’s recovery.
"The knee injury happened in Italy last week," Barrett said. "Now, we are evaluating the knee injury as we speak and based on how that knee responds to the treatment, it should give us a better idea on the ETA for the return of Rhea ‘Bloody’ Ripley. Obviously, we all have our fingers crossed for a swift return for the champ."
Cargill said that she hoped Ripley was resting because she was going to get her "lick back."
The latest semifinalist for the Queen of the Ring Tournament was revealed on Friday night as Cargill, Charlotte Flair, Sol Ruca and Lyra Valkyria fought for a spot in the next round.
Cargill had hoped that winning the Queen of the Ring for a second consecutive year would have brought her back to the top of the women’s division. However, it was the savvy veteran in Flair who took advantage of the younger field.
Valkyria tried to pin Flair but as she was in shock, Flair took advantage. Ruca hit Valkyria with a thrust kick as she went to put Nightwing on Flair. She then gave Ruca a big boot and got Valkyria locked into the Figure Eight Leglock. Valkyria tapped out and Flair had her hand raised.
Flair will take on Liv Morgan in the semifinals. Iyo Sky will take on Raquel Rodriguez in the other semifinals matchup. The winners will square off at Night of Champions.
Charlotte Flair def. Lyra Valkyria, Jade Cargill and Sol Ruca to advance in the Queen of the Ring Tournament.
Paige and Brie Bella def. Fallon Henley and Lainey Reid.
Rey Fenix def. Axiom to retain the AAA Cruiserweight Championship.
Michin and B-Fab def. Tiffany Stratton and Chelsea Green.
Jey Uso def. LA Knight, Royce Keys and Finn Balor to advance in the King of the Ring Tournament.