Roman Reigns and Jey Uso risk everything at SummerSlam. The terms of the engagement gave way to family tradition when Reigns and Uso faced off on SmackDown.
Uso set the challenge for a one-on-one match at SummerSlam last week. The estranged cousins sat down Friday night to agree on the terms of their undisputed WWE Universal Title match. Ultimately, family traditions took precedence over contractual obligations.
SmackDown also determined the finals of the United States Championship Invitational. LA Knight, Rey Mysterio, Sheamus and Cameron Grimes fought over who would face Santos Escobar in the finals. US Champion Austin Theory was in action, as was Dominik Mysterio, who spontaneously defended his newly won NXT North American title.
CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of the action at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
Tradition takes over trash talk and contract terms
Reigns asked Jey Uso if he wanted to go through with it. Jey Uso said matters were sealed after The Bloodline hospitalized Jimmy Uso. Reigns reduced Jey Uso to a soldier and a pawn before signing a match contract for SummerSlam. Jey Uso tore up the contract and instead proposed “Tribal Combat” as her elders had suggested. Jey Uso described “Tribal Combat” as a no-disqualification fight where anything is possible. Heyman encouraged Reigns to decline and walk away, but Reigns hugged Jey Uso in a solemn agreement. Sikoa attempted to catch Jey Uso by surprise with a Samoan Spike, but Reigns intervened and inadvertently set Sikoa up for a Jey Uso signature superkick. Commentator Michael Cole hinted that both the title and status of Reigns as “tribal chief” are at stake at SummerSlam.
I’m not particularly familiar with the history of Tribal Combat, and I can’t imagine the WWE Universe being either, if it even exists. The result could have been a meaningless, action-driven rebranding of a game with no disqualification or fall count anywhere. Luckily, Jey Uso and Roman Reigns are impeccable performers and did a fantastic job of breaking the tie. The rare show of respect between Reigns and Uso symbolized how much weight the tradition of “tribal combat” supposedly carries. Sikoa’s disagreement and Reign’s inadvertent endorsement of Jey Uso is another carefully executed step in The Bloodline’s slow demise. Grade: A
What else happened on WWE SmackDown?
- Defeated Rey Mysterio. Cameron Grimes, LA Knight and Sheamus via pinfall to advance in the US Championship Invitational. Mysterio meets fellow LWO player Santos Escobar in next week’s finals.
- Charlotte Flair defeated. Iyo Sky by pinfall after hitting a natural disaster in a competitive game. Asuka attacked Flair after the game.
- Santos Escobar defeated. Austin theory about pinfall after landing the Phanta Driver.
- Bobby Lashley hooked up with NXT superstars Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams
- NXT North American Championship – Dominik Mysterio defeated. Butch by pinfall after interference from Rhea Ripley.