The Bloodline continued to make their mark on the July 19 edition of WWE SmackDown.
With Kevin Owens finding himself as target yet again, it’s clear that anyone associated with Cody Rhodes is now being taken out by Solo Sikoa and company.
The Bloodline Dominates Again
Solo made it clear that anyone linked to Cody Rhodes is going to suffer the consequences.
With Cody consistently in their crosshairs for the past few years, The Bloodline is systematically removing his allies on the road to Solo trying to defeat Cody for the WWE Undisputed title at SummerSlam.
Last week it was Randy Orton, and this week, Kevin Owens faced a brutal attack from Jacob Fatu.
Kevin Owens vs. Jacob Fatu?
There’s speculation that this could be setting up a possible match between Kevin Owens and Jacob Fatu.
Given the extent of the attack on SmackDown, it’s not clear if this will happen immediately, but fans can expect Owens not to take this lying down since that wouldn’t match with his personality.
Will we see a showdown at SummerSlam between the two?
Cody Rhodes Is Alone and Outnumbered
The central storyline here is Cody Rhodes possibly heading into the match at SummerSlam alone.
By targeting his allies, Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline are setting the stage for Cody to face a numbers disadvantage. Even more compelling, Cody himself expressed a desire to go it alone during a backstage encounter with Nick Aldis.
Of course, that’s the perfect scenario for a returning superstar.
The Importance of Support
Cody’s insistence to fight alone might be his greatest strength or his biggest weakness.
By taking out Orton and Owens, The Bloodline is ensuring that Cody is isolated. This sets up a thrilling narrative where Cody’s resilience will be tested, and fans are left wondering who might step in to support him.
Could it be Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, or even the returning Jimmy Uso?
The Anticipated Return of Roman Reigns
A key highlight was the crowd chanting for Roman Reigns as SmackDown concluded.
The return of The Tribal Chief looms large, adding another layer of excitement and anticipation heading into the Solo vs. Cody match.
That undoubtedly is the spot for the potential face-off between Reigns and Solo.
Other SmackDown Highlights
Michin’s Upset Victory
Michin scored an unexpected win over Tiffany Stratton, which sets up a tag team match next week with Bayley and Nia Jax included.
While some fans are skeptical about the briefcase holder losing, this loss shouldn’t hurt Stratton since the finished protected her.
LA Knight and Logan Paul: Contract Signed
Another major storyline development was the official contract signing for the United States title match between LA Knight and Logan Paul at SummerSlam.
This match promises to be a marquee event on the card, especially with Logan Paul fighting in his hometown of Cleveland.
Could this finally be LA Knight’s moment to shine by winning his first championship?
Andrade vs. Carmelo
Andrade’s victory over Carmelo was another standout moment.
The match was about more than just the win—commentary highlighted that it’s all about rising to the occasion as SummerSlam approaches.
What’s next for both Andrade and Carmelo remains to be seen, but their future stories seem filled with potential.
The Women’s Division: Setting Up Future Matches
Bianca Belair’s win over Chelsea Green was predictable but necessary.
Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn made it clear they’re not offering a rematch just yet to Belair and Jade Cargill, though that match is on the way sooner rather than later.
Fans are speculating on whether Belair and Cargill could turn on each other, but it seems like we’re in for a longer build before any major shifts happen in their friendship.
Final Thoughts on This Week’s SmackDown
The overarching theme of this week’s SmackDown was the dominance of The Bloodline and the growing anticipation for Roman Reigns’ return.
The show masterfully built up tension and excitement for upcoming events, especially as we inch closer to SummerSlam.
What did you think of this week’s SmackDown? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Watch the video below for my FULL WWE SmackDown 7/19/24 review with thoughts on The Bloodline flexing their dominance!
For more of my wrestling columns, visit the Wrestling Reaction homepage!