WWE SmackDown results, recap, ratings: AJ Styles hints at retirement, brutally attacks Cody Rhodes

AJ Styles isn’t exactly phenomenal. Styles delivered an emotional promo on WWE SmackDown about his two decades in professional wrestling and his desire to be a father. What started as a farewell speech ended with a brutal attack on Cody Rhodes.

SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis had previously informed Styles that he needed to climb the rankings after losing an undisputed WWE title match to Rhodes at Backlash. Unwilling to take that long road, Styles planned an attack on the WWE Champion.

The Bloodline story also continued to develop as Paul Heyman became increasingly desperate and frightened under Solo Sikoa’s thumb.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from MVP Arena in Albany, New York.

Styles and OC, California have Rhodes in their sights

Styles’ retirement was hinted at from the beginning of the show. Former rivals LA Knight and Rhodes approached Styles backstage to pay their respects. Styles was accompanied to the ring by Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, his longtime friends in The OC. Styles reminisced about his 26 years of competition and that his son had recently graduated from high school. Styles hosted the graduation ceremony, which fueled his desire to be a phenomenal father as well as a phenomenal wrestler.

Styles called on Rhodes to join him. It was presented as a passing of the torch, but it was a ruse. Styles clotheslined Rhodes before knocking him down. Aldis and WWE officials tried to intervene as Styles slammed the champion’s head into the ring post. Anderson and Gallows served as a barrier between the two parties. Styles ended the merciless brawl by hitting a Styles Clash off the steel steps to the floor.

Earlier in the evening, Paul Heyman had pointed out to Sikoa that violence requires planning, something Roman Reigns understood well. Heyman accused Sikoa of using senseless violence. Heyman said it was paramount that The Bloodline had Rhodes in check when Reigns returned. Sikoa said the group already had Rhodes in check and the champion knew that. Before Heyman could ask why, Sikoa told him to take care of Kevin Owens, who was walking to the ring.

Heyman met Owens in the ring and begged him to back off. Heyman labeled Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa as criminals that Reigns did not want in the Bloodline. The Wiseman insisted that Sikoa and company were looking for an excuse to hurt Owens. Heyman’s warning fell on deaf ears. Owens accused Heyman of pulling the strings and moving from one cash cow to the next, as he always did. Owens said he had spent four years fighting the Bloodline – the real Bloodline – and had no interest in backing away from this new form.

A tearful Heyman said maybe he wasn’t trying to help Owens, but to save him. Heyman reminded Owens that they had met each other’s children. Heyman asked why he couldn’t redeem himself when Owens had done it countless times. The Bloodline attempted to storm the ring, but were intercepted by The Street Profits. The faces gained the upper hand in the brawl, which led to a previously scheduled tag team match between Tonga, Loa and The Street Profits.

The Bloodline (Tonga and Loa) defeated Street Profits (Ford and Dawkins) by pinfall after Tonga hit Ford with a jumping reverse STO.

SmackDown continues to be WWE’s pièce de résistance. The creative team does a great job of making the most of its two-hour program. Everything feels important and well-paced, which is something three hours of Raw struggles with. Rhodes’ first two title defenses lacked an engaging storyline. Styles’ fake retirement and the brutality of the attack instantly make a rematch more exciting. Rhodes and Styles had a great match at Backlash, but some big moments left something to be desired. Chances are the rematch will have more to offer physically and an emotionally driven storyline to liven it up. Heyman shot a desperate and incredibly believable promo clip. Sikoa’s nod to Rhodes also sets the stage for an important storyline with the champion after he settles his matter with Owens. A thoughtful episode of SmackDown that leaves breadcrumbs for the future. Class: A

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Nia Jax was crowned Queen of the Ring.
• Tommaso Ciampa defeats Austin Theory by pinfall with a rollup.
• Naomi and Blair Davenport had a verbal argument in the office of SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis.
• LA Knight challenged Logan Paul for a US championship game.
• Andrade defeated Apollo Crews by pinfall with a Butterfly Rolling Neckbreaker. Angel Garza interfered in the match to recruit Andrade to Legado del Fantasma. Andrade left the group after the match.
• Chelsea Green and Piper Niven defeat Bayley and Naomi by pinfall after Niven splashed on Naomi and Green before pulling Green over for the cover.