Drew McIntyre vs. Karrion Kross looks to be a focal point of WWE SmackDown programming in the coming weeks. The feud between the two is simmering and close to boiling over following the events of Clash at the Castle. 

McIntyre was hellbent on revenge after losing to undisputed WWE universal champion Roman Reigns in Cardiff, Wales. The Scotsman kicked off Friday night by challenging The Bloodline’s newest member, Solo Sikoa. The night took a different turn as Kross and Scarlett lunged on a vulnerable McIntyre.

The latest installment of the blue brand also featured a must-watch match between intercontinental champion Gunther’s Imperium stable and Sheamus’ Brawling Brutes, plus Ronda Rousey’s return to the title scene.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

Kross and Scarlett attack McIntyre after weeks in their crosshairs

The Usos and Sami Zayn officially welcomed Sikoa, the younger brother of Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso, into The Bloodline on Friday night. Sikoa graduated from NXT at Clash as the Castle by interfering in the main event, ultimately costing McIntyre the world title in his match against Reigns.

McIntyre did not forget about Sikoa’s actions. The furious Scotsman stormed the ring with a steel chair in hand. Zayn continued to make a habit of sticking his neck out for others, absorbing a Claymore Kick for Sikoa. The segment closed with McIntyre challenging Sikoa to a match later in the evening.

Sikoa thanked Zayn for looking out for him during a locker room rendezvous. Sikoa insisted that he did not need help against McIntyre but would lean on Zayn if necessary. Their cohesion drew the ire of Jey, who has repeatedly shown hostility towards Zayn. The Bloodline agreed they would all accompany Sikoa to his match with McIntyre.

During a backstage interview later that night, McIntyre promised to make Sikoa pay for his interference at Clash at the Castle.

Drew McIntyre def. Solo Sikoa via disqualification after McIntyre was blindsided by Kross. McIntyre and Sikoa exchanged heavy blows in what was a hard-hitting affair. McIntyre repeatedly had his momentum stalled by interference from The Usos and Zayn. The tide finally turned when the Street Profits arrived and cleared out The Bloodline. McIntyre clocked Sikoa with a Claymore Kick that sent him out of the ring. The broadcast abruptly turned black-and-white as Kross, accompanied by Scarlett, locked in a choke and put McIntyre to sleep.

SmackDown was shaping up to be rather uneventful in the moments preceding its conclusion. WWE has been on a roll week-to-week with its storytelling. By contrast, there was very little plot development by the time SmackDown’s main card kicked off on Friday night. Kross’ interference in the main event was the jolt of life it needed as WWE looks to pull the trigger on a McIntyre-Kross feud after weeks of teasing. Sikoa looked solid in the ring and will serve well as muscle for The Bloodline whenever Reigns is absent. The black-and-white shot during Kross’ assault was abrupt and jarring. Credit to WWE for trying but maybe save it for Kross’ entrance and pre-taped vignettes. Grade: B-

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• 
  Imperium (Gunther, Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci) def. The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus, Butch and Ridge Holland) via pinfall after Vinci and Kaiser planted Holland with a double team move.
• Raquel Rodriguez and Aliyah def. Toxic Attraction (Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne) via pinfall after Rodriguez slammed down Jayne with her trademark Texana Bomb.
• Ronda Rousey def. Sonya Deville, Lacey Evans, Xia Li and Natalya in a Fatal Five-Way elimination match to determine the No. 1 contender for Liv Morgan’s SmackDown women’s championship. Rousey eliminated all four opponents in the match.
• Rousey and Shayna Bazler embraced backstage. Rousey promised to get revenge on Morgan for Bazler’s loss at Clash at the Castle.
• Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) and Hit Row (Top Dolla and Ashante Adonis) def. Los Lotharios (Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo) and Maximum Male Models (ma.ce and man.soor) via pinfall after Hit Row struck Mansoor with the Heavy Hitter.
• Braun Strowman flattened Otis with a Jackknife Powerbomb after laying out Chad Gable.