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WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Tiffany Stratton wins WWE women's title, Solo Sikoa stands tall

It's Tiffy time! Stratton's six-month stint with the Money in the Bank briefcase ended on Friday after she finally cashed in her title opportunity. Stratton pulled a fast one on former ally Nia Jax to win her first WWE women's championship on WWE SmackDown.

Former WWE women's champion Jax unexpectedly pulled double duty on Friday night. Stratton aided Jax in her title defense against Naomi but jumped at the opportunity to pin Jax herself.

The first three-hour episode of SmackDown also saw developments in The Bloodline Civil War, the WWE tag team title race and the ongoing feud between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Stratton wins WWE women's title, The New Bloodline thrives

WWE Women's Championship -- Tiffany Stratton def. Nia Jax via pinfall to become champion after hitting the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Stratton fooled Jax by helping her defeat Naomi in a WWE women's title match. Stratton turned on Jax and her lackey Candice LeRae immediately after Jax's first title defense of the night. Bianca Belair, who was ringside supporting Naomi, hit Jax with KOD. Stratton cashed in her Money in the Bank briefcase, threw Belair to the ground and finished off Jax.

The Wiseman Paul Heyman addressed Solo Sikoa's hostile takeover of The Bloodline earlier in the evening. Heyman and Roman Reigns were preparing Sikoa to become Tribal Chief. Instead of waiting his turn, Sikoa impatiently struck after Reigns' loss to Rhodes at WrestleMania 40. Heyman claimed Sikoa took out Reigns' Bloodline because no one would vouch for Sikoa.

Sikoa interrupted Heyman but was surprisingly non-hostile. Sikoa acknowledged that Heyman would never disrespect the family. As such, Sikoa asked Heyman to hold the Tribal Chief's garland during Monday's Tribal Combat match between Sikoa and Reigns. Sikoa promised to acknowledge Reigns if he loses but expects Heyman to serve as Sikoa's Wiseman should he beat Reigns. Heyman nodded in agreement.

Later backstage, Carmelo Hayes confronted Sami Zayn. Hayes claimed he would have beaten Zayn last week if not for Braun Strowman's interference. Hayes piped down once The Usos showed up to flank their "Honorary Uce" Zayn.

The Bloodline (Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa) def. Sami Zayn and The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso) via pinfall after Sikoa struck Jey with a Samoan Spike. Sikoa has momentum behind him heading into Tribal Combat against Roman Reigns on Monday. The six men went back and forth in a spirited affair. Jey appeared to have the match won after covering Fatu but was unaware that Sikoa was the legal superstar. Sikoa surprised Jey with a Samoan Spike to close the show.

The previous WWE regime had an awful habit of booking women's cash-ins immediately after winning the briefcase. Stratton's slow-burn title win was terrific. Stratton turning on Jax was fantastically executed and the match's placement in the middle of the show made it more surprising. Stratton has been a standout performer since graduating from NXT. Her first main roster title reign could not come soon enough. The Bloodline plot developments were minor but Sikoa and Heyman did a good job of building to Monday Night Raw. Grade: A

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

  • Kevin Owens attacked Cody Rhodes after Rhodes' verbal confrontation with Drew McIntyre.
  • Shinsuke Nakamura def. Andrade via pinfall after hitting Kinshasa. LA Knight attacked Nakamura post-match.
  • SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis reprimanded Pretty Deadly and #DIY for lying about who attacked the Street Profits.
  • Michin def. Piper Niven via pinfall after landing Eat Defeat.
  • WWE Tag Team Championship -- #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) vs. Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) ended in a no-contest after Pretty Deadly and Los Garzas interfered.
  • WWE Women's Championship -- Nia Jax (c) def. Naomi via pinfall with the A-Nia-lator to retain the title after Tiffany Stratton clocked Jax with the Money in the Bank briefcase.
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