To kick off the season premiere of “WWE SmackDown” on USA, Cody Rhodes successfully defended his Undisputed WWE Championship inside a steel cage against Solo Sikoa. The match saw a brutal exchange between the two, with both wrestlers repeatedly slamming each other against the cage walls, leading to Rhodes being cut open.
They each made attempts to escape the cage, trying to climb over or exit through the door. A moment came when Sikoa executed what seemed to be an accidental Brainbuster as they climbed the cage, causing Rhodes to land awkwardly on his head.
Despite suffering from numerous impactful moves like Spinning Solos and Cody Cutters, Rhodes managed to fight back. As he was on the verge of escaping, Sikoa caught him and dragged him back into the ring. Rhodes eventually climbed to the top of the cage, not to escape but to execute a lateral press onto a standing Sikoa. When they resumed their battle, Rhodes countered Sikoa’s attempt at a Samoan Spike with a Cross Rhodes, securing his victory.
The post-match chaos saw The Bloodline scaling the cage to attack Rhodes. As Sikoa instructed Fatu to join the assault, Roman Reigns made his entrance, targeting Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga.
Sikoa attacked Reigns from behind, but Reigns retaliated with a Super Man Punch. Fatu helped Sikoa escape through the cage door before further damage could be inflicted. In the middle of the melee, Reigns speared Tonga while Rhodes took out Loa. The segment concluded with Rhodes and Reigns facing off as Fatu assisted Sikoa outside the cage.