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Welcome to the things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown after SummerSlam. It was an eventful episode that didn't look back on The Biggest Party Of The Summer too much.
We saw the fallout from SummerSlam, which was always more important as SmackDown had key moments at the pay-per-view.
Starting with Universal Champion Roman Reigns, here's what WWE subtly told us on SmackDown after SummerSlam.
#5 Roman Reigns' post-SummerSlam challenge on SmackDown
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The entire episode of SmackDown was tense from the main event perspective. Paul Heyman seemed to be shunned out of Roman Reigns' locker room.
The Usos accused Heyman of knowing that Brock Lesnar would return at SummerSlam, but The Special Counsel insisted he had nothing to do with it.
It was all tense, of course, until Reigns actually arrived on the show. The Universal Champion, when he finally appeared backstage on SmackDown, asked Paul Heyman what he was doing outside the locker room.
Roman Reigns didn't seem to have any issues with Paul Heyman, trusting his role. There was a celebration on SmackDown to end the night, but it was cut short when Finn Balor came back to reclaim the Universal title match that he didn't get.
Ultimately, Balor said he didn't want to wait and challenged Roman Reigns to a title match on SmackDown next week. It's a pay-per-view quality match-up, but it will be on free TV.
Finn Balor launched an assault but was double-teamed by The Usos. The Street Profits came in for the save, indicating that they're next in line for the SmackDown Tag Team titles.
It was a good ending that started two feuds. However, for Roman Reigns, Finn Balor is one of four possible Universal Title challengers on SmackDown. As good as Balor is, the chances of him winning the Universal title are almost nonexistent at the moment.
Either way, The Prince and Roman Reigns have always had good matches, so this should be a great one as well.
#4 All the miscellaneous happenings on SmackDown
There were a few interesting things to note from all the other parts of SmackDown. Edge cut a promo indicating that he is sticking around. After overcoming Seth Rollins at SummerSlam, he said that he wants to challenge for the Universal Championship again.
Seth Rollins acknowledged Edge soon after and said he wants to build his way back up to Universal title contention as well. If you include Balor, Edge, Rollins, and Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns has four Universal title challengers post-SummerSlam.
Naomi moved to SmackDown but was completely overlooked by Sonya Deville, who didn't even know she was a part of the brand. She criticized Naomi and said that she wouldn't measure up to the roster. However, the former Women's Champion will be booked for a match next week.
Cesaro, meanwhile, continued his feud with the Alpha Academy. He faced Chad Gable on SmackDown, with Otis interfering yet again. It's been a big fall for Cesaro on the blue brand.
In the Intercontinental title picture, Apollo Crews indicated being in the mix. King Nakamura and Rick Boogz defeated the former SmackDown Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode, with Boogz getting the pinfall.
#3 The SmackDown Women's title fallout from SummerSlam
The Man and new SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch opened the show. It was going to be interesting to see how the crowd reacted to the fallout of SummerSlam.
A couple of things seemed clear - the crowd wasn't ready to accept Becky Lynch as a heel yet, but the SummerSlam match finish was admittedly controversial. Which is why it was good to see Bianca Belair getting a genuine reaction from the crowd on SmackDown when she came out.
The crowd seemed to acknowledge Bianca Belair for all that she has done in 2020 on SmackDown, which is a good sign. However, even Belair was cut short by Zelina Vega and Carmella before Liv Morgan entered the fray.
While The EST Of WWE wanted her rematch with Becky Lynch on SmackDown, The Man walked off and said "not tonight," seemingly confirming her heel turn.
The four women who walked out had a Fatal Four-Way Elimination match. Zelina Vega and Carmella were soon eliminated, after which the sentimental favorite Liv Morgan came close.
However, Bianca Belair challenging for the SmackDown Women's title made more sense, so it was always going to be her winning. It's close yet so far for Morgan, who will hopefully have her time one day.
#2 Happy Corbin's riches to rags to riches story on SmackDown
Baron Corbin's luck on SmackDown has drastically changed post-SummerSlam. It seems as though Corbin was in Las Vegas longer than the rest of the WWE roster, spending his time in casinos.
35 dollars turned into 100, and that multiplied into thousands. Corbin entered SmackDown in an expensive Bentley, leaving his window open and walking away as any smart person would. He's wearing fancy suits and even has a theme song again.
Going by "Happy Corbin," he came out on SmackDown to tell his riches to rags to riches story. Kevin Owens was on commentary duty to fill in for Pat McAfee (as was Corey Graves) and pointed out that Corbin owes him $100, which he doesn't expect back.
Corbin called out Big E and admitted that it was unlike him to steal the Money in the Bank briefcase. He first offered $20,000 for the briefcase and then went to $50,000 before finally offering a $100,000.
Big E didn't accept any offer and made it clear that the briefcase wasn't for sale. It seems like a proper Corbin-Big E feud is starting on SmackDown.
#1 Dominik Mysterio restarts his singles journey on SmackDown
After failing to capture the SmackDown Tag Team Championships at SummerSlam 2021, it seems like Dominik and Rey Mysterio's time in the tag team division is over for now.
Backstage on SmackDown, Dominik was told by his father that they have time for tag team success, but for now, he wants his son to branch off on his own.
Rey Mysterio pushed for him to be in a singles match against an unknown opponent, after which he only accompanied Dominik to the entrance. The mystery opponent on SmackDown turned out to be none other than Sami Zayn.
Rey Mysterio was seen ringside after the break mouthing off to Zayn. Eventually, it was the veteran who won the match on SmackDown after a Helluva Kick. Dominik Mysterio refused to take his father's hand and walked away from SmackDown a frustrated man.
Rey Mysterio tried telling his son that there are such days and to pick himself up, but Dominik wasn't hearing any of it. It will be interesting to see how WWE handles Dom's singles journey on SmackDown.
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