Highlights

  • The Bloodline's promo is interrupted by Karl Anderson, leading to a personal feud between them. Jimmy Uso is ready for a fight.
  • Jimmy Uso makes quick work of Karl Anderson in their match, but Anderson attacks Uso post-match.
  • Rey Mysterio successfully defends the WWE United States Championship against Santos Escobar in an intense and high-quality match, setting up a future match with The Street Profits.

WWE SmackDown was live from the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Tonight's episode featured Bayley battling "The Queen" Charlotte Flair, Rey Mysterio defending the United States Championship against his LWO stablemate Santos Escobar, and so much more!

The blue brand really squeezed a lot of content into tonight's episode, which was full of action as well as important announcements regarding the Fastlane premium live event in October. On September 29, 2023, wrestling fans found out who would be John Cena's partner to battle The Bloodline, and they were not disappointed.

Let's review the winners and losers from tonight's episode of SmackDown!

Winner: The Bloodline promo is interrupted by Karl Anderson

The Bloodline's Solo Sikoa, Paul Heyman, and Jimmy Uso kicked off SmackDown! Heyman opens up their in-ring segment on the microphone with a promo, acknowledging The Tribal Cheif and heaping praise on Roman Reigns. Heyman would also speak on last week's beating of John Cena, while also calling him "the second greatest of all time" behind Roman Reigns. Heyman's promo would segue into a video package, giving fans a recap of the developing storyline leading into Fastlane.

Heyman, as always, is highly entertaining on the microphone. WWE, to their credit, also has a knack for producing high-quality vignettes for their major storylines. Jimmy Uso would be the next to speak, telling the audience that John Cena is scared and that's why he isn't in the arena. Uso would then start talking smack about AJ Styles, leading to Karl Anderson blindsiding The Bloodline and going in on the attack. Anderson cleared the ring and told the trio that now it's personal between them for what they did to Styles. Solo Sikoa would then tell Jimmy to handle Anderson or he'll handle him personally. Jimmy appeared ready for a fight against one-half of The Good Brothers.

Jimmy Uso vs. Karl Anderson is on! This is arguably the best WWE has utilized Anderson since his return last year. Everyone in this segment delivered.

Loser: Jimmy Uso Makes Quick Work Of Karl Anderson

SmackDown returns from a commercial break and the match has already started between Karl Anderson and Jimmy Uso. Anderson dominated the early portion of the counter, but Jimmy turned the tide by raking Karl's eyes. A blinded Anderson was hit with a superkick followed by a top-rope splash. Jimmy won the bout, but Anderson attacked Uso post-match, leading to him being overwhelmed by The Bloodline. Solo floored Anderson with a Samoan Spike. As the Bloodline are making their exit, they see "Michin" Mia Yim at the top of the entrance ramp. Yim surprised Jimmy with a slap, flooring Uso.

While Anderson looked dominant in the previous segment and the early portion of the match, the bout seemed a bit too short, particularly for those watching at home since the break brought the audience back mid-match. The match was followed by a backstage interview with Santos Escobar and then a backstage segment with The Bloodline bullying personnel.

Later on that night, after Theory vs. Cameron, there's another backstage segment featuring The Bloodline, this time with Jimmy and Solo randomly assaulting Ashante "Thee" Adonis. Jimmy Uso is really beginning to distinguish himself as a top heel. Anderson is also looking the strongest he's looked all year, but he would have arguably benefitted from a longer outing with Jimmy on live television.

Winner: Grayson Waller's Alliance With Austin Theory

Before Theory vs. Grimes, the WWE Universe was treated to a short but sweet edition of The Grayson Waller Effect. This segment was used to further the storyline involving The Street Profits and Bobby Lashley, while also giving a platform to the always-entertaining Grayson Waller who hypes his friend Austin Theory.

Theory and Cameron Grimes had a solid match. Grimes dominated the beginning. The Now turned the tide following Waller's distraction. Theory would defeat Grimes, but he'd still look strong in defeat. Dragon Lee and Theory would have an altercation following the match. It's clear that WWE has a lot of content to squeeze into SmackDown's two-hour timeslot.

Winner: Rey Mysterio successfully defends the WWE United States Championship against Santos Escobar

The much-anticipated battle between Mysterio and Escobar was given a much more significant amount of time compared to the other bouts so far. During the match, the audience is shown a short video of Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa randomly attacking WWE personnel in the backstage area. Rey imposes his will on Escobar during the early portion of the match, but Escobar mounts a comeback and dominates the masked luchador. Meanwhile, Escobar and Mysterio put on the performance of the night.

Santos tried to wear down Mysterio with his dominating offense, but Rey won't give up. The climax is highlighted by a 619 followed by a few breathtaking near falls. Rey rolled up Santos after Escobar attempted a Phantom Driver, gaining the victory and retaining the WWE United States Championship.

The Street Profits performed a surprise attack on Rey and Escobar following the match. Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford were looking to prove their worth to Bobby Lashley by ambushing Mysterio and Santos. Joaquin Wilde and Cruz Del Toro try to intervene, but they're quickly taken down by Lashley and the Profits. Lashley took down Wilde with a back elbow while Angelo and Ford beat down Del Toro in the ring. Meanwhile, Dragon Lee was being held back by security. Following the segment, Rey and Santos announced that they'll be facing The Street Profits at Fastlane.

Before the main event can begin, we're shown that John Cena has arrived in the parking lot with his Fastlane contract in hand.

Winner: Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley

WWE headlined tonight's SmackDown with two of the best women's wrestlers under contract. Before the match could kick off, Charlotte cuts a promo attempting to sow division between Bayley and Iyo Sky while also announcing her intention to face Sky for her WWE Women's Title at Fastlane after beating Bayley.

Bayley began the match with a dominant performance over The Queen, making Charlotte pay for her arrogance. However, Flair regained control by the time SmackDown returned from a commercial break. Bayley mounted a comeback, but that's not enough to put down The Queen who won with a devastating spear.

Bayley and the rest of Damage CTRL attempt to attack Charlotte following the match, but Asuka would come to the defense of The Queen. Asuka cut a short promo in Japanese, which Bayley seemed to think was Asuka's way of demanding a triple-threat match for Fastlane. Bayley accepted that match for the premium live event, and Sky doesn't seem thrilled that she'll have to fight Charlotte and Asuka at Fastlane.

Winner: LA Knight comes to the rescue of John Cena

John Cena assured the audience that he'd be fighting Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa at Fastlane, but The Bloodline would arrive to try and take out Cena before the premium live event. Solo and Jimmy beat down Cena and were ready to put the leader of Cenation through the commentator's table. However, LA Knight would come out to even the odds and save Cena.

It's official that LA Knight will team with John Cena to take on Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa at Fastlane. The fans were very invested in this segment, and it's clear that it's time to push Knight as a main-event player in WWE.