 Jimmy Uso def. Karl AndersonUso, Solo Sikoa and Paul Heyman started the show recapping what transpired at the end of last week's show and that John Cena was without a partner heading into Fastlane. Anderson has previously said that he was staying out of The Bloodline's business, but apparently them taking out AJ Styles was enough for him to step up. Unfortunately for him, he was quickly squashed by Uso, but it was the way this had to go down based on how he's been positioned since returning to the company. The Street Profits Confronted Bobby Lashley on The Grayson Waller Effect Hosted by Grayson WallerYou'd think we'd get some answers from Lashley here in regards to his alliance with the Profits or at least meaningful progression, but this was a whole lot of nothing. Lashley walked off when the Profits confronted him and that was it. Essentially, it was exactly what we saw from them backstage week. Although it was a disappointing segment, it served as the setup for what we got a little later on from Lashley and the Profits. Austin Theory def. Cameron GrimesGrimes got off to a solid start on SmackDown back in the spring, but he hasn't been featured in several weeks and it's clear he isn't someone they intend to focus on anytime soon. That's a shame, but Theory needed this victory as well. The pairing with Waller is the best possible use of him for now. Grimes scored some offense, but this was a fairly straightforward showcase for Theory otherwise. Post-match, Theory got in the face of Dragon Lee (who was sitting ringside), so they'll go one-on-one next week. United States Champion Rey Mysterio def. Santos EscobarThe last match these two had didn't have a chance to get going because of the abrupt finish as a result of Mysterio's injury, but this was given plenty of time and they had an excellent match. Just as compelling as the action was the story they told with Escobar being hesitant at certain points to inflict pain on his mentor, and it ultimately cost him in the end. There will be more matches to come between them, and although we didn't get the heel turn from Escobar here, it's definitely coming. The Profits emerged afterward and laid out the entire LWO (sans Zelina Vega, obviously), setting up a six-man tag team match for Fastlane. Dragon Lee is virtually guaranteed to be LWO's partner, but what if it was Carlito (who was rumored to return over the summer) instead? Charlotte Flair def. BayleyHas it really been three years since these two last went one-on-one? It doesn't feel like it at all. Obviously, they work well together and always have, but I'd be content if I never saw another Charlotte vs. Bayley match. This was an average outing from them and it became obvious Flair was winning when she announced her intentions beforehand of challenging for the WWE Women's Championship at Fastlane, which will now be a Triple Threat also involving Asuka. I'm sure it'll deliver, but it feels like a lazy rehash of the Triple Threat we got at SummerSlam (with IYO SKY replacing Bianca Belair). LA Knight Saved John Cena From Solo Sikoa and Jimmy UsoIf you pay attention to wrestling news online, this played out pretty predicably, but there's nothing wrong with that as it came off perfectly. Knight made the save for Cena before Uso and Sikoa could put Cena through a table and the crowd exploded. It made for an awesome moment to close out the show, and now Knight and Cena vs. Sikoa and Uso is confirmed for Fastlane. What an endorsement for Knight. Fingers crossed they hold off on Knight challenging Roman Reigns until the Royal Rumble and Reigns vs. Styles is the title match for Crown Jewel. Overall ShowThe storyline with Sikoa, Uso, Cena and now Knight is successfully carrying SmackDown in Reigns' absence. Don't get me wrong, Sikoa and Paul Heyman letting Uso hang around with them still makes no sense, but they're doing what they can to keep the audience's attention. The ongoing angle surrounding the United States Championship picture as well as Lashley and the Profits has also been interesting, but the WWE Women's Championship scene needs work. All in all, this was another thumbs-up episode from the blue brand.
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