Solo Sikoa came out first, without any of his fellow Bloodline members. After Cody Rhodes agreed this would be a “Bloodline Rules” match on SmackDown, Tama Tonga, Jacob Fatu and Tonga Loa would undoubtedly get involved.
Rhodes entrance began in his trailer, and as he exited he was met by his dog Pharaoh. Rhodes was then met by wrestling legend Arn Anderson, who teased some help coming for Rhodes during the match. Rhodes was given his American Nightmare jacket and a winged eagle skull mask as he went through Gorilla and emerged.
Rhodes and Sikoa circled before engaging in a collar-and-elbow tie-up — the first such start of a match tonight. Sikoa looked powerful early, unfazed by a couple of shoulder tackles and thwarting Rhodes’ patented drop-down slap. While Sikoa’s power was evident in the early stages, Rhodes’ speed and wit was on display.
Action spilled outside the ring as Rhodes landed a Disaster Kick and suicide dive on Sikoa, but the challenger was not down for long, as he met a second dive attempt with a blow to the head before both men returned to the ring.
As Rhodes went for his scoop powerslam, Sikoa faked him out, unveiling another layer of his ring psychology. Sikoa kept up the offensive with a pair of near-falls and teasing the Samoan Spike, but Rhodes countered with two kicks and a Cody Cutter. Rhodes stayed on the offensive, sending Sikoa outside the ring briefly.
After some quick offense, Rhodes played the hits, landing his drop-down slap and the Bionic Elbow before a Disaster Kick attempt was countered with a powerbomb and near-fall from Sikoa. The momentum swung back into the Tribal Chief’s favor, who landed a huge running maneuver on Rhodes in the corner and a spinning uranage for yet another near-fall.
Sikoa tied Rhodes up in the Tree of Woe and connected on a pair of flying headbutts. Sikoa taunted before going for a third headbutt, allowing Rhodes to evade the maneuver and land a top-rope cross body. Rhodes’ brief rally was snuffed out by another spinning uranage. Sikoa took his time, taunting as he went to the top rope, allowing Rhodes to recover for a massive superplex.
Both men exchanged blows as they battled to their feet. Rhodes gained the upper hand and landed a CrossRhodes. This brought out the first interference on behalf of the Bloodline, as Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa emerged to assault Rhodes. Sikoa attempted to make the cover, but Rhodes kicked out. As the Bloodline attack continued, Kevin Owens rushed to Rhodes’ aid.
Owens briefly battled the Bloodline but was overwhelmed, drawing out Randy Orton. Orton swung things back into the babyfaces’ favor, as him and Owens took out all three members of the Bloodline. Rhodes recovered to hit a CrossRhodes on Sikoa, but the challenger kicked out at two. The four interlopers exited, battling through the crowd.
Rhodes tossed steel steps into the ring, using them to hit Sikoa in the head twice, but the challenger was held up by the turnbuckle. As Rhodes with for a third blow, Sikoa delivered a huge spear for a near-fall. Sikoa set up the steel stairs and went for another rear-view on Rhodes against the stairs. The champion moved out of the way and began to set up a triple CrossRhodes. After the second finisher, Jacob Fatu broke into the match and took out Rhodes.
Fatu dragged Sikoa to cover Rhodes, but the champion kicked out at two. Fatu continued his assault on Rhodes outside the ring, setting up Rhodes on the announce table. Fatu climbed to the top turnbuckle and landed a frogsplash on Rhodes through the table. Sikoa put Rhodes back into the ring and hit a frogsplash of his own, but Rhodes was resilient as ever, kicking out again.
Rhodes rebounded with a superkick and a top-rope Cody Cutter. As both men were laid out in the ring, Roman Reigns’ music hit and the former champion and Bloodline leader emerged for the first time since losing to Rhodes at WrestleMania 40.
Reigns ran into the ring and delivered a Superman Punch and spear to Sikoa before staring down and nodding at Rhodes. Reigns then exited without saying a word. Rhodes, not taking his eyes off Reigns, delivered CrossRhodes to Sikoa and pinned him to retain his title.
Cody Rhodes def. Solo Sikoa in 29:13 to retain the Undisputed WWE Championship.