The Bloodline's tentacles reach 'SmackDown,' Cody Rhodes confronts Sami Zayn as Gunther sets title match

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."

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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.

Knight took a victory lap, showing that he was right about The Bloodline and its little proxies getting involved in the King of the Ring match. Little did he know, just how involved they would get. As Knight and Keys went to the outside of the ring, Jimmy Uso and Sikoa appeared.

Balor was in control toward the end of the match, nailing his finisher on Jimmy Uso. Keys got distracted by Sikoa and Knight took control. It looked like Knight was going to get the win.

Keys got hit with a big boot, causing referee Charles Robinson to check on him. Sikoa hit a Samoan Spike on Knight when his back was turned. Keys hit a spinebuster on Knight as Jey Uso went to the top rope for the frog splash. Uso pinned Knight to steal the win.

It appeared Sikoa was trying to help Keys, but instead he gave The Bloodline a win. Uso will take on Je’Von Evans in the semifinals. Oba Femi and Dominik Mysterio will meet in the other semifinal.

Sami Zayn and Cody Rhodes’ confrontation

Sami Zayn wanted to let the crowd in Providence know that he was, in fact, the "last real good guy" in wrestling. He was a little taken aback by the reaction in the city and noted how his "ride or die" fans showed up in "full force" for him in Europe.

Zayn called out Rhodes, and the "American Nightmare" obliged. Zayn was hoping to clear the air with Rhodes after weeks of unfortunate accidents. He rehashed the series of incidents, including last week’s suicide dive from Rhodes that was meant for Gunther. Zayn asked Rhodes for the "truth," as fans chanted, "Sami sucks."

Rhodes flashed back to the moment where Zayn was in the ring celebrating the championship win at WrestleMania 40. Zayn asked Rhodes of the names he listed – CM Punk, Kevin Owens, John Cena, Randy Orton – how many of those guys were still his friend and whether Rhodes was the problem? Rhodes said he didn’t need to be "honest" with them the way he needed to be honest with Zayn. Zayn, then, begged for Rhodes’ honesty.

"You want me to be honest with you? You want me to be honest? I’m standing out here for this. I’m taking all this fire, listening to this BS," Rhodes said. Here’s me being honest with you: They (the fans) are booing you. They are chanting, ‘Sami sucks!’ And the reason is, because lately, you do suck. You’re whining. You’re crying.

"You’re not the Sami Zayn they fell in love with. You’re not the Sami Zayn they took a ride with. You’re not my Sami Zayn. You’re something else. If anything, you are desperate. Let’s not pretend that it’s about anything, anything between you and I other than the WWE Championship. And I owe you an apology, I am sorry. I’m sorry that I have this and that means you never will."

Zayn slapped Rhodes after the sharp words. Zayn started to apologize while anger started to build in Rhodes.

Rhodes then slapped Zayn across the face.

"Are we good?" Rhodes yelled at Zayn, who exited the ring and grabbed a chair. Zayn threw it down and walked away.

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Gunther sets his stipulation for Undisputed WWE Championship rematch

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 injury update

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."

Queen of the Ring Tournament moves along

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.

SmackDown match results:

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.