Cody Rhodes vs Solo Sikoa Booked in Steel Cage Title Match for 9/13 WWE SmackDown

WWE is ramping up the fallout from Bash in Berlin on SmackDown, and this time, they’re bringing the action to Canada. The blue brand’s final week on FOX took place at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta. Unsurprisingly, The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes, was a focal point throughout the night.

On the September 6 episode of WWE SmackDown, Cody Rhodes addressed Solo Sikoa’s challenge for the Undisputed Championship. Sikoa, who now leads the new version of The Bloodline, is hungry for another shot at Cody’s gold. This challenge comes on the heels of Sikoa’s recent loss at SummerSlam in Cleveland Browns Stadium, where he missed out on the title, a defeat that seemed to push him further from contention. Despite the setback, Sikoa remains determined to work his way back to the top and reclaim his spot as a legitimate threat for the championship.

Cody opened the show by engaging the crowd in Edmonton, asking them what they wanted to talk about. He quickly mentioned his victory over Kevin Owens at Bash in Berlin, which ignited a “KO” chant from the audience. Cody then took a moment to welcome Michael Cole back to SmackDown, sparking another chant—this time for Cole.

With the crowd warmed up, Cody extended an invitation to The Bloodline. Solo Sikoa wasted no time, heading straight to the ring, accompanied by the rest of the new Bloodline. Fans were quick to boo Sikoa as he claimed he would have beaten Cody at SummerSlam if not for Roman Reigns. Frustrated and eager to prove himself, Sikoa demanded a rematch.

Cody, never one to shy away from a challenge, suggested that next week’s SmackDown, which marks the show’s premiere on the USA Network, should feature an Undisputed Title match. He acknowledged Solo as a worthy opponent but shifted the spotlight to Jacob Fatu, challenging him to step up. The tension in the ring was palpable as Fatu expressed his loyalty to Solo, calling him his Tribal Chief before stepping back and declining the match.

With Fatu out of the picture, Solo agreed to the title match for next week. He also gave Cody credit for attempting to turn his enforcer against him. As the tension in the ring grew, The Bloodline surrounded Cody, but he wasn’t alone for long. The Street Profits and DIY rushed to the ring, ready to back Cody up. Just as things were about to escalate, Nick Aldis stepped in, urging everyone to calm down and booking a match for later in the night. He also made the Undisputed Title match next week on SmackDown a steel cage match.

Looking ahead, WWE’s next premium live event, Bad Blood, is set to take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. While the card is still under wraps, a Hell in a Cell match seems like a strong possibility. Cody’s heavy involvement in the promotional materials for the event, alongside Metro Boomin, has certainly raised some eyebrows.

What’s your take on Cody Rhodes’ current direction in WWE? Do you think his title reign has the potential to rival Roman Reigns’? Let us know in the comments!