WWE Friday Night SmackDown Results
April 16, 2021
Tampa, Florida (Yuengling Center)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Pat McAfee
Results by: Roy Nemer of Wrestleview.com
WWE SmackDown kicks off with clips of the Universal Championship from Sunday’s WrestleMania.
In the ThunderDome, Michael Cole welcomes Pat McAfee to the announce team.
Roman’s music hits and out comes the Universal Champion along with Jey Uso and Paul Heyman. Roman languidly strolls down to the ring raising his WWE Universal Championship. Heyman gives him a microphone and as Roman is about to speak, piped in “You suck” chants fill the ThunderDome. Roman says they put a lot of eyes on SmackDown. He says for the new viewer, why doesn’t Paul tell them about the men he defeated at WrestleMania.
Heyman runs down Edge’s accomplishments and Daniel’s accomplishments. Heyman says it was closer to a handicap match than it was to a triple threat match. Roman tells Paul he Babe Ruth’d it, he called it, he called his shot. He said he was going to stack them and win them and that’s what he did. Roman says it’s embarrassing, he would never want to be put in that situation. Nobody wants to face him, he calls them hall of famers. He pinned them and then they acknowledged him and if he’s doing that to them, who’s going to want it next? Nobody.
Roman says no one wants to put their reputation on the line, it’s not worth it. No one is on his level. They fulfilled their obligation, they opened his show SmackDown. He tells Paul to tell them to write up the check, fire up the jet and leave.
Cesasro’s music hits and out he comes to the ring. He goes face to face with Roman in the ring and looks at the Championship. Cesaro grabs a microphone as Roman, Jey and Heyman all leave the ring and head to the back. Cesaro throws the microphone and stares at them.
-Commercial Break-
Adam Pearce and Sonya DeVille are backstage and in comes Cesaro. They congratulate him and he asks them if they saw what Roman did to them. Cesaro says he’s stepping up to him but Roman doesn’t even have to put the belt on the line. Cesaro says he wants a match tonight. Sonya says she will talk to Roman Reigns and get back to him.
-Commercial Break-
We see a clip of Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins from WrestleMania.
Rey Mysterio with Dominik Mysterio vs. Otis with Chad Gable
The bell rings and we are under way. Otis runs through Rey taking him down. Otis with a right arm across Rey’s back. A gorilla press by Otis as he tosses Rey down. Otis grabs Rey and throws him to the outside. Rey back on the ring apron and right hands onto Otis as he hangs Otis up on the top rope. Rey climbs to the top but Otis trips him up and Rey in the tree of woe. Otis goes for a spear but Rey lifts up and Otis into the ring post.
Rey with a sitting senton. He goes for the cover but Otis kicks out. Rey tries to send Otis to the ropes but he can’t. Rey jumps off the second rope with a cross body but Otis catches him and slams him onto the mat. Otis climbs the second rope. He goes for the splash but Rey moves out of the way. Rey with a drop kick and Otis down on the second rope. Rey goes for the 619 and he hits it. Rey on the top rope but Otis up on his feet. Rey jumps and he lands on Otis turning it into a crucifix cover as he gets the pin.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
We see Kayla backstage with Paul Heyman as they mention that Heyman will answer Cesaro’s challenge up next.
-Commercial Break-
Kayla is backstage and asks Paul if Roman will accept Cesaro’s challenge. Heyman says that is what they do in WWE, they put smile on the faces of neanderthal’s, like Cesaro. He asks if she knows about Roman’s star power. He says on Saturday, it wasn’t a rain delay. It was the angels crying because of the beating Roman was going to give Edge and Bryan. He calls Cesaro a million dollar body with a 10 cent brain.
Heyman says Cesaro is an opponent but not an attraction, he calls Cesaro a joke. Heyman says tonight, live on SmackDown, Cesaro in the main event vs. the main event, Jey Uso.
We cut to Michael Cole and Pat McAfee as once more they show more clips of Cesaro’s win vs. Seth Rollins from WrestleMania.
Out comes Sami Zayn to the ring. He says Sami Zayn, once again, screwed. He asks where that headline is. Sami says WrestleMania was supposed to be his vindication. He had Logan Paul, his guest of honor, he was there. He was supposed to help him with the documentary. He was supposed to win but it didn’t happen. He says Logan Paul’s mind was poisoned by Kevin Owens, by the WWE Universe talking bad about Sami. He says it was poisoned by Michael Cole and WWE management. He says it got to Logan’s head.
Zayn says he was distracted by that during the match as he kept thinking if Logan was fine. And that is the only reason why Kevin Owens was able to get a win against him. He says he will not be denied his vindication, his revenge. He calls Kevin Owens out to the ring. Out comes Kevin Owens to the ring.
-Commercial Break-
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
The bell rings and we are under way. Sami slides to the outside of the ring. Kevin chases him as Sami slides back into the ring. Kevin fakes getting in the ring as Sami rolls out. Right hands by Kevin as he throws Sami onto the announce table. Kevin throws him in the ring. Chops to the chest by Kevin followed by right hands. A kick and a right hand by Sami but a clothesline by Owens. A running senton onto Zayn.
Owens goes for a cannonball but Sami rolls to the outside. Kevin goes near the ropes as Sami hangs him up on the ropes. Right hands by Sami as he stomps on Kevin in the corner. More right hands by Sami but a block by Owens and Zayn with a jawbreaker. A chop to the chest by Sami. Sami with a kick but Owens with a clothesline. Kevin lifts Sami up and throws him onto the top rope.
Kevin with a right hand and Sami in the corner. He places Sami on the top rope and a chop to the chest by Owens. A second chop to the chest. Kevin on the second rope but Sami with elbows to the neck. Sami with a sunset flip powerbomb. He goes for the cover but Kevin kicks out.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, a super kick by Owens. He goes for the cover but Sami kicks out. Kevin on the top rope and a senton. He goes for the cover but Sami kicks out again. He sends Sami to the ropes but Sami rolls to the outside. Sami crawls up the stage but Kevin grabs him and throws him into the barricade and back into the ring. Kevin goes for the pop up powerbomb but Sami with a leap frog. A back elbow by Owens. He lifts Sami up and drops him knee to the back of the neck. He goes for the cover but Sami kicks out.
Zayn rolls to the outside of the ring but again Kevin throws him back in. Owens goes for the stunner but Sami getse out of it and goes to the outside of the ring. Owens grabs Sami but a rake to the eyes by Sami who crawls up to the ramp. The referee counts to ten and Sami is counted out.
Winner: By count out, Kevin Owens
Kevin attacks Sami after the match. He throws Sami back into the ring and he hits him with the stunner.
Apollo Crews is backstage with Commander Azeez. He says he would give Big E a rematch tonight for the Intercontinental Championship but Big E is not here. We see a clip of their WrestleMania match. Big E introduces Commander Azeez, a former member of the Nigerian Elite Guard.
-Commercial Break-
Bianca Belair’s Victory Celebration
Balloons are at ring side and as are The Street Profits. Ford says it’s Friday night and he feels alright. Dawkins says and we are taking it back. They talk about how they will win the Tag Team Championships tonight. Ford says they received some inspiration at WrestleMania. It was a night to remember but there was one match in particular and that was the history making, glass ceiling shattering SmackDown Women’s Championship match.
We see a clip of the match from Saturday’s WrestleMania.
Dawkins says he has the feels. Ford tells him the champagne for the campaign isn’t about to stop just now. Saturday they shared a moment and tonight, they will share that same joy with the WWE Universe. Ford introduces the new SmackDown Women’s Champion, Bianca Belair to the ring.
Out comes Bianca Belair and all three are in the ring. Piped in EST chants fill the ThunderDome. Bianca says she feels like she has been floating since Saturday night and she feels blessed. And despite the setbacks and the struggles, she never stopped believing that this moment was possible. Bianca says her family has been making history for generations and they showed her that when you demand greatness from yourself, that no matter how hard things get, you can change the game.
Bianca said if you would have told her last year that she would be main eventing WrestleMania and winning the Championship, she would have said yes. But that’s not being cocky, that’s her being her. Everyone has EST in themselves and when you realize that you have that, there’s nothing wrong with looking someone in the face and telling them that you are the best. Because if you can dream it, you can do it.
Belair says it’s not just about her. She thanks Sasha Banks because there’s no one she would have wanted to share that spotlight with than her and they both made history. She says that was for the little girl’s at the stadium or the one’s watching at home. And Wrestlemania was magic but they are just getting started creating history.
Ford says to give him love as all three of them hug. She tells them it’s time to drop the red cups and the tissues away because they have to get the Tag Team Championships since they only wear gold in the house.
Kayla Braxton is backstage with Sasha Banks. We see the mark left on her ribs. Sasha is clearly angry, she doesn’t speak and walks away.
We see Cesaro spinning Seth Rollins from WrestleMania.
Bayley is backstage with Kayla. She says Bianca cried even before the match started on Saturday. And the only reason she was crying is because she thought that she can’t win. She calls Bianca arrogant and says that is not the type of champion you want. Bayley says it’s time for her to challenge Bianca and take her title.
-Commercial Break-
WWE SmackDown Championship Match – Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode vs. The Street Profits
The bell rings and we are under way. Ziggler and Dawkins start the match. A dropkick by Ziggler. He grabs Dawkins but a right hand by Dawkins and Ford is tagged in. They double team Ziggler. Ford goes for the cover but Ziggler kicks out. An arm bar by Ford and Dawkins is tagged in.
They double team Ziggler. An arm bar by Dawkins and again Ford is tagged back in. Another double team as Ford turns his attention to Roode. Ziggler with a kick and Roode is tagged in. They try to double team Ford but Ford turns the tables. Dawkins is tagged in and they throw Ziggler to the outside.
Dawkins with a bulldog on Roode and Roode falls to the outside.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, a jumping corkscrew elbow by Dawkins takes Roode down. Dawkins knocks Ziggler off the ring apron and Roode hits Dawkins with a spinebuster. He goes for the cover but Dawkins kicks out. Ziggler is tagged in and he knocks Ford off the ring apron. A neckbreaker by Ziggler. He goes for the cover but Dawkins kicks out and Roode is tagged back in.
Roode with a kick followed by a suplex. He goes for the cover but again Dawkins kicks out. Ziggler tagged back in. He taunts Dawkins and goes for a drop kick but Dawkins catches him and catapults him into the turnbuckle. Both men down. Roode and Ford are both tagged in.
Ford with a clothesline followed by another one. He throws Ziggler into the ring. A dropkick onto Roode and one onto Ziggler. Ford with a clothesline onto Ziggler. Ford with a back drop onto Roode followed by a standing moon sault. He goes for the cover but Roode kicks out. Roode onto the outside. Ford with a flying senton onto the outside as Dawkins is tagged in. Roode is thrown into the ring. A spine buster by Dawkins. Ford is tagged in. Ford with a frogsplash. He goes for the cover but Ziggler breaks it up.
Ziggler throws Dawkins to the outside. Ford knocks Ziggler to the outside. Right hands by Ford onto Roode. Ziggler tags himself in and Ford doesn’t see it. Ziggler with the Zig Zag on Ford. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.
Winners: And still WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode
Kayla is backstage with Cesaro. She asks him about Heyman’s comments from earlier. Cesaro says he thinks Heyman is right. He’s not the smartest guy in the world and he does look like a neanderthal. But he’s wrong because he does belong in the ring with Roman Reigns. And he will prove that tonight.
Roman Reigns is backstage and he’s not happy as Heyman is talking to him.
-Commercial Break-
We see a clip of Cesaro spinning Seth Rollins at WrestleMania.
Natalya vs. Shayna Baszler
The bell rings and we are under way. A waist lock by Natalyabut Shayna gets out of it. She goes for a running knee but Natalya blocks it and goes for the sharpshooter but Shayna grabs the ropes. Nia Jax pulls Shayna to the outside. Shayna gets back in the ring and Natalya brings her down.
Both women exchange reversals as Shayna gets the upper hand. She goes to stomp on Natalya’s arm but Tamina grabs Natalya and pulls her to the outside. Natalya on the ring apron as Nia gets close. A knee to the face by Shayna. She goes for the cover but Natalya kicks out.
Shayna runs towards Natalya but Natalya blocks it and hits her with a clothesline. She goes for the sharpshooter but Nia distracts her. She goes for the Club but Natalya gets out of it. She sends Shayna to the ropes but Shayna stops before she collides into Nia as Natalya rolls her up and gets the pin.
Winner: Natalya
Tamina knocks Nia Jax down after the match.
Once more, we see a clip of Cesaro spinning Seth Rollins at WrestleMania.
We cut backstage as Jey, Roman and Heyman are all sitting. Jey says Cesaro is a one hit move, king of spin, king of swing. He asks Cesaro if he can do that without any teeth. He says he disrespected the head of the table and now he crossed the main event.
Roman says you heard Jey and now he will show you.
-Commercial Break-
Jey Uso vs. Cesaro
The bell rings and Cesaro takes Jey down right away. Cesaro runs to the ropes, Jey jumps but Cesaro catches him and hits him with a backbreaker. Jey rolls onto the ring apron. Cesaro goes for a right hand but Jey blocks it and he slams Cesaro’s arm into the top rope. He goes for a kick but Cesaro blocks it and he knocks Jey down onto the outside.
Cesaro on the ring apron as he jumps but Jey hits him with a superkick.
-Commercial Break-
Back from commercial, both men are in the ring and a Samoan drop by Jey. He goes for the cover but Cesaro kicks out. A right hand by Uso as he continues to work on Cesaro’s arm. Jey goes for a suplex but Cesaro blocks it. Cesaro lifts Uso up and a vertical suplex. Cesaro on the ring apron and a right hand onto Jey. Cesaro climbs the top rope and a crossbody. He goes for the cover but Jey kicks out.
He grabs Uso but Jey attacks the arm and hits him with a superkick. He goes for the cover but Cesaro kicks out. Jey climbs the top rope but Cesaro hits him with a drop kick. Cesaro on the second rope, he goes for a suplex but right hands by Jey. An uppercut by Cesaro. He climbs the second rope and a gut wrench suplex. He goes for the cover but Jey kicks out. Cesaro with a corkscrew uppercut off the second rope. He goes for the cover but again Jey kicks out.
Jey kicks Cesaro away. Cesaro goes for an uppercut but a neckbreaker by Jey. He goes for the cover but Cesaro kicks out. Jey with right hands. He taunts Cesaro but Cesaro with a right hand. Cesaro with an uppercut. A spinning clothesline by Cesaro. He goes for the cover but Jey kicks out. Cesaro drops Jey and grabs him by the feet. He spins Jey around and as he is spinning him, out comes Seth Rollins who attacks Cesasro and the referee calls for the bell.
Winner: By disqualification, Cesaro
Seth starts yelling and he tells Cesaro he got lucky and this is not over.