WWE SmackDown results, recap, grades: Asuka aligns with Damage CTRL after main event turn

Asuka was thrilled to turn heel and align herself with former tag partner Kairi Sane

With Kairi Sane returning at Crown Jewel and immediately linking up with Damage CTRL, it was clear some of SmackDown's top women superstars would need to align to handle an increasingly dangerous group. That appeared to be exactly what was happening in Friday's SmackDown main event before Asuka turned and aligned herself with Damage CTRL.

Asuka teamed with Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair in a match that came about because Belair was upset over Sane's return leading to her loss in the women's championship match at Crown Jewel on Saturday. Asuka had bigger plans than working with Belair and Flair, however, and ended the night celebrating with her new Damage CTRL allies after spraying mist in Belair's eyes.

CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Asuka turns on tag partners to align herself with Damage CTRL

Damage CTRL addressed Kairi Sane's return at Crown Jewel with Bayley upset because 'she had a plan" for Iyo Sky to retain her women's championship against Bianca Belair and Sane was not part of it. Dakota Kai, Sky and Sane said they also had a plan and only brought Sane into the group to make them stronger. This brought out Belair, and then Charlotte Flair, and then Asuka, ultimately setting up a six-woman tag team match for the night's main event.

Damage CTRL vs. Bianca Belair, Asuka & Charlotte Flair ended in a no contest after Asuka turned on her team. A fairly straightforward match took an unexpected turn late when a desperate Belair was ready to make the tag to Asuka only for Asuka to pull her hand away, refusing to tag in. As Belair tried to figure out what was going on, Asuka blasted her in the face with mist before delivering a kick. From there, the beatdown was on as the bell rang. Shotzi Blackheart attempted to run in to make the save but also was taken out by Damage CTRL and their new ally before the show went off the air.

It appears SmackDown is on a path for the brand's War Games match at Survivor Series. Asuka turning to join up with her old friend in Sane makes complete sense and solidifies one side of a potential War Games match. Flair, Belair and Blackheart will need at least one more partner (two if WWE keeps the tradition of five-on-five alive). The match itself wasn't anything special but at least there was meaning for everything that happened. Grade: B

What else happened on WWE SmackDown?

• Rey Mysterio opened the show with a promo alongside the members of the LWO. Mysterio discussed losing the United States championship to Logan Paul at Crown Jewel, saying Paul couldn't have defeated him without using brass knuckles. Carlito then came to the ring and told Mysterio he was blaming the wrong person, pointing out that Santos Escobar left the brass knuckles on the ring apron for Paul to use. Escobar stormed off, furious, and with Mysterio trying to catch up to talk to him.
• Bobby Lashley def. Carlito via pinfall with a spear following repeated interference from The Street Profits. Lashley and the Profits continued their attack after the match and Escobar stood on the ring apron watching until Mysterio ran in for the save. Mysterio shoved Escobar and tended to Carlito before Escobar struck Mysterio in the back. The two traded words before Mysterio hit Escobar with a series of strikes. Escobar snapped and shoved Mysterio into the ring post and then smashed his knee between the post and ring steps, yelling that they were supposed to be family.
• Dragon Lee def. Cedric Alexander via pinfall with a DDT.
• LA Knight def. Grayson Waller via pinfall with a BFT. Before the match, the two exchanged words over Knight losing to Roman Reigns at Crown Jewel.