Kevin Owens stood tall at the end of SmackDown (Picture: WWE)

WWE star Kevin Owens outsmarted The Bloodline and sent Roman Reigns crashing through a table at the end of SmackDown.

The Tribal Chief was at his most manipulative throughout the night but there is still some tension among his ranks and KO has made sure that looks set to continue.

Things were already fraught between Roman and Sami Zayn as the group arrived to the arena for Friday’s event one week after Zayn was left disappointed by the ending to his match with Owens.

Throughout this week’s show, the Honorary Uce was in and out of the Head of the Table’s locker room, trying to get forgiveness and protesting his own loyalty to the cause, with Paul Heyman urging Roman to keep Zayn as an ally.

In the end, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion told him to get The Usos and prepare their getaway while he, Solo Sikoa and Heyman took care of his contract signing with Owens.

However, it didn’t go to plan as Roman’s Royal Rumble opponent ambushed him, dispatching of Sikoa, the cavalry when Jimmy and Jey arrived, and then hitting a Stunner and then a Pop-Up Powerbomb through the table.

Zayn rushed down but it was too late as KO escape into the crowd, having already signed the contract as his longtime friend and rival looked shell shocked.

Jay Briscoe tributes, SmackDown Tag Team Title Contender Tournament begins and the Firefly Fun House returns

After a classy tribute to Jay Briscoe from Michael Cole, it was time to kick things off right away with the first of four matches in the SmackDown Tag Team Title Contender Tournament.

Sheamus and Drew McIntyre beat The Viking Raiders (who were wearing Dem Boys armbands) in an absolute banger of a bout with the intense physicality you’d expect from these for men.

In the end, a Brogue Kick from Sheamus to Ivar was enough for the relatively makeshift duo to progress to the semi finals.

LA Knight cut a great promo on Bray Wyatt before dispatching of a local talent in an incredibly one-sided match, even with his rival’s creepy imagery appearing on the titan tron.

After the bell, the Firefly Fun House returned complete with Abby the Witch, Huskus the Pig, Rambling Rabbit and Mercy the Buzzard as Wyatt taught everyone about fear, and how sensible it is to be scared.

Uncle Howdy appeared, warning ‘I told you so’, and adding: ‘All you needed was a little push’, with Bray hinting that something terrifying awaits Knight in their Pitch Black Match at the Royal Rumble,

Back in ring, the second first round tournament match of the night didn’t hit the same heights with Hit Row stealing a win over Los Lotharios to progress.

It was a decent sprint, but it didn’t quite get enough time for either duo to show what they can really do between the ropes, especially with Ashante Thee Adonis and Top Dollas needing a sneaky victory.

Charlotte Flair and Sonya Deville had a great exchange on the mic as the latter staked her claim for the SmackDown Women’s Title and described herself as a star deserving of a shot.

The Queen insisted she shouldn’t be demanding anything because other women backstage have also earned their own opportunities.

Flair made a challenge which Sonya refused to accept without the title on the line, but when Adam Pearce came out to calm things down she used the distraction to lay out the champion.

The third semi final gave the opener a run for its money with some brilliant action bell to bell.

Imperium pair Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci picked up the win over Brawling Brutes pair Ridge Holland and Butch.

Karrion Kross following the example of Braun Strowman and Raquel Rodriguez by hyping up his Royal Rumble chances, and took the opportunity to warn Rey Mysterio before their match next Friday.

In the final match of the night – and the last first round clash – Legado Del Fantasma beat Maximum Male Models in a fun showcase for Santos Escobar’s group, with Zelina Vega doing a great job on commentary.

WWE SmackDown airs Friday nights at 1am on BT Sport 1.

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