WWE SmackDown Results for April 23, 2021

Coming to you live on Friday Nights, it’s WWE SmackDown and Ringside News has got you covered with live results.

Start time for SmackDown is 8:00 PM EST Match-by-match highlights and results from the show will take place on this very page. Feel free to leave any reactions in the comment section below.

As of writing this there the only confirmed part of the show is Apollo Crews defending his Intercontinental Championship, the challenger has not been named as of writing this.

WWE’s social media accounts have also teased an appearance from former SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks as well as a possible confrontation between Banks and current champion Bianca Belair.

It should be interesting in seeing how things play out on tonight’s show.

SmackDown

SmackDown starts off with a recap of last week’s show. Roman Reigns is shown in ring where he said that nobody wants to challenge him anymore before Cesaro came out to confront him. Last week’s main event between Cesaro and Jey Uso was shown that ended in a disqualification after Seth Rollins attacked Cesaro.

Live in the Thunderdome Cesaro is standing in the ring where before he can speak, Seth Rollins comes out to interrupt him. Rollins says he wants to congratulate Cesaro on finally fulfilling his potential, and Rollins says that he is the new Mr. WrestleMania and that he gave Cesaro the performance of his life and that he brought Cesaro to the promised land. Rollins again tells Cesaro that it isn’t over and that nothing is over until he’s says it’s over. Rollins then goes on to say that the rain delay threw him off his game and that is to blame fore his defeat. Cesaro responds by inviting Rollins to come to the ring so he can show everyone he can beat Rollins any night.

Jey Uso then comes out to ringside and says that Cesaro couldn’t beat himself, Roman Reigns or Seth Rollins. Rollins then stops Uso from running after Cesaro and plans an attack on Cesaro. As Uso and Rollins surround the ring, Daniel Bryan makes his way out and joins Cesaro in the ring, which causes Rollins and Uso to start to walk away. Bryan grabs a mic and says that Rollins is embarrassed and upset and that Uso came out because Reigns told him to. Bryan says he came out to make sure Cesaro finally gets what he deserves. Bryan says he has an infinite respect fro Cesaro because he has worked harder than everyone, himself included. Bryan makes a comment about how he wants to stand and fight alongside Cesaro. Roman Reigns then comes out with Paul Heyman and Heyman hands a mic to Reigns. Reigns says he told everyone exactly what would happen at WrestleMania and shows off his new T-shirt showing Reigns pinning both Edge and Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania. Reigns calls Bryan and Cesaro “main event losers”, Reigns then heads to the back as Uso and Rollins remain at ringside.

*Commercial break*

Cesaro & Daniel Bryan VS Seth Rollins & Jey Uso

Bryan and Uso begin in the ring. Cesaro is tagged in and him and Bryan hit a double team suplex and Cesaro covers for a two count. Cesaro hits Uso with a delayed vertical suplex and covers for a two count. Rollins tags in and gets hit with an uppercut immediately. Rollins bounces off the ropes and hits a sling blade for a two count. Rollins works over Cesaro in the corner as Uso tags back in. Uso hits a series of strikes to Cesaro on the mat and puts him in a leg submission as Rollins is tagged in and hits a knee drop on Cesaro. Cesaro catches Rollins in mid air and hits him with a backbreaker and Bryan is tagged in and hits the Yes Kicks on Rollins. Rollins dodges the final kick and attempts a Pele kick which Bryan catches and puts Rollins in an ankle lock. Bryan goes for the running knee but is caught by Rollins, Rollins hits Bryan with a buckle bomb and Uso hits a frog splash and makes a cover that is broken up by Cesaro at two.

*Commercial break*

Back live with Rollins hitting a big boot to Bryan on the apron for a cover and a two count. Rollins stares at Cesaro and Bryan is down on the mat. Rollins strikes with a forearm to the back of Bryan’s head. Uso is tagged in and hits a stomp to Bryan’s stomach, as the ref is distracted, Rollins attacks Bryan from the outside. Bryan attempts a comeback but his momentum is stopped by a Samoan Drop from Uso who makes a cover for a two count. Rollins is tagged in and works over Bryan’s head in the corner. Cesaro and Uso are both tagged in as Cesaro gains the momentum, off a spinning lariat Cesaro makes the cover for a two count. Cesaro hits a corkscrew uppercut from the middle rope and hits a pop up uppercut and Rollins runs in to break up the cover. Bryan throws Rollins to the outside and hits a dive to Rollins on the outside. Uso throws Cesaro and attempts a dive but is hit with an uppercut from Cesaro. Cesaro attempts a dive that Uso counters with a super kick.

*Commercial break*

Back live with Cesaro and Rollins in the ring. Rollins attempts a necbreaker, Cesaro counters into a swing attempt that Rollins counters with a roll up for a two count. Cesaro puts Rollins in the Sharpshooter and Uso breaks up the hold. Uso tags in an hits an uppercut to Uso on the top rope. Rollins is seen walking up the ramp away from the ring where he says he doesn’t need this. Bryan is tagged in and he hits a running knee and covers for the three count.

Winners: Cesaro & Daniel Bryan

After the match, Bryan picks up a mic and calls out Roman Reigns, Uso attempts to attack Cesaro, Cesaro catches him and swings Uso around as Bryan counts the number of swings and then Bryan addresses Reigns again as Cesaro hits an uppercut on Uso. Bryan instructs Cesaro to swing Uso again to draw Reigns out to the ring. Bryan continues to taunt Reigns as Cesaro swings Uso around, Bryan implies that Reigns is afraid and says Reigns couldn’t beat anyone without help and that Reigns knows that he can’t beat Cesaro. Bryan leads the Yes chant as Cesaro’s music plays.

Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville are seen talking backstage as Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews confronts them complaining about having to defend the championship as Pearce reveals the challenger for tonight’s championship match to be Kevin Owens.

*Commercial break*

Nia Jax VS Tamina

The match begins with Jax slamming Tamina to the corner and driving her shoulder into Tamina. Jax hits a headbutt to Tamina, Jax taunts Tamina as Tamina gets up and strikes Jax and takes Jax down to the mat. Tamina attemts to slam Jax as Baszler hold Jax down to avoid the slam. The fight spills to the outside as Tamina throws Jax into the barricade. Tamina rolls Jax back into the ring,a distraction from Baszler causes Jax to strike Tamina from behind. Tamina catches Jax with a surprise roll up for the three count.

Winner: Tamina

Kevin Owens is interviewed backstage, Owens says it has been years since his last opportunity at the Intercontinental Championship, he says he has been waiting for this opportunity and says that he will be glad to take the title from Crews. Big E confronts Owens backstage and says that this is his match and his title. Owens says that Big E is right and that he deserves a match, but tonight is his opportunity.

*Commercial break*

Back live as Daniel Bryan approaches Adam Pearce backstage as Pearce says he is trying his best to get a match between Roman Reigns and Cesaro.

Intercontinental Championship

Apollo Crews VS Kevin Owens

The match begins with a lockup, Owens executes a single leg take down and puts Crews into a side headlock. Crews rises up and Owens immediately takes Crews back down as the headlock continues. Crews manages to roll into a pin attempt forcing Owens to break the hold. As both men get to their feet Owens hits a standing drop kick and hits Crews with chops and punches in the corner. Owens hits an elbow off the ropes and follows it with a senton, Crews is thrown to the outside and Commander Azeez prevents Owens from diving outside. Crews takes advantage of the distraction and hits a snap suplex on Owens for a two count. Crews throws Owens to the outside, Owens moves out of the way of a moonsault and hits Crews with a super kick, Crews is rolled back to the ring as Owens hits a swanton for a two count. After the pin attempt, Sami Zayn makes his way to ringside.

*Commercial break*

Back live as Owens and Crews are fighting on the top rope. Owens hits an elbow and attempts a superplex before Crews fights off with a series of headbutts to send Owens to the mat. Owens dodges a dive attempt and hits Crews with a super kick and cover for a two count. Crews connects with a big lariat and gets a two count. Crews hits with three consecutive German Suplexes and covers for a two count. Owens hits a release German Suplex and follows through with two consecutive cannonballs to the corner and gets a two count. Crews escapes a Stunner attempt before Owens hits with a pop up powerbomb for a two count. Owens hits a frog splash to Crews on the outside. Comander Azeez distracts Owens as Crews rolls up Owens for the three count.

Winner: Apollo Crews

After the match Owens hits Crews with a Stunner as Commander Azeez runs in and hits Owens with the Nigerian Nail. Zayn runs into the ring to dance over Owens while he is down on the mat.

Paul Heyman is interviewed backstage and is asked if Reigns will accept Cesaro’s challenge. Heyman says that he respects Cesaro and even loves him from a professional standpoint. Heyman says that by the end of the night everyone will her from Reigns where Reigns will answer Cesaro’s challenge.

*Commercial break*

Back live with Apollo Crews being interviewed, where he says his royal ancestors are celebrating. Big E runs in to attack Crews as authorities hold Big E back as Commander Azeez runs in to check on Crews.

A video package is aired showing Aleister Black sitting in a candle lit room reading from the first chapter from a black book called “Tales of the Dark Father” Black calls out the viewers and says that he is nothing like them, and that they are nothing more than monsters who should be condemned.

SmackDown Tag Team Champions Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode are interviewed asking about the upcoming match between the Mysterios ans the Alpha Academy. The Street Profits interrupt the champions and say that they are next in line for a title shot. Bayley runs in to separate the two teams. Bayley hypes up her championship match with the “ungrateful rookie” Bianca Belair. Bayley calls Belair rude and selfish and that she will take back her title and the top spot in the division she built. Montez Ford interrupts with Belair on the phone where Belair says she will be right there.

*Commercial break*

Back live with Bayley and Bianca Belair backstage, Bayley says she wants to congratulate Belair for making history at Wrestlemania and that she is honored to be her first challenger. Bayley says she has one more thing to say before she begins laughing at Belair as she walks off.

Dominik & Rey Mysterio VS The Alpha Academy

The match begins with Dominik and Gable before Otis immediately tagged in. Otis hits a big shoulder tackle to start. Dominik goes for a moves off the ropes as Otis hits with a lariat. Otis hits Dominik with a slam to the mat. Otis climbs to the top as Rey pulls Dominik outside the ring. Otis runs to the outside and hits a double lariat on both Mysterios.

*Commercial break*

Back live with Gable and Dominik in the ring. Dominik rolls up Gable but the ref is distracted preventing a pin fall. Gable holds Dominik up as Otis is tagged in to hit Dominik with strikes. Otis hits a body slam to Dominik Otis Irish Whips Dominik to the corner and hits a running splash to Dominik. Gable tags in and goes for a cover for a two count. Gable puts an armbar on Dominik. Dominik is able to break the hold but runs into a belly to belly suplex from Gable. Dominik manages to tag in Rey. Rey hits a head scissors and rolls Gable up for a two count. Rey avoids Gable charging into the corner causing Gable to hit the post with his shoulder. Dominik is tagged in and Gable is thrown outside as Dominik hits a baseball slide into a sunset flip powerbomb into the barricade. Rey hits a 619 and frog splash to Gable and covers for the three count.

Winners: Dominik & Rey Mysterio

As the Mysterios make their way back, Cesaro and Daniel Bryan come out to the ring in anticipation of Reigns answering Cesaro’s challenge.

*Commercial break*

Back live as Cesaro says they’re waiting on Reigns to answer. Reigns makes his way out with Jey Uso and Paul Heyman with him. Reigns says that Cesaro doesn’t deserve to challenge him and that he hasn’t earned it and his answer is no and that Reigns is the one who issues the challenges, and his challenge is to Daniel Bryan. Reigns says that he has never liked Bryan and that he will give him one more title opportunity next week on SmackDown. Cesaro encourages Bryan to take the opportunity, Reigns says that when Bryan loses, he never wants to see Bryan again, and that he never wants him on his show again. Bryan accepts the challenge and the two stare each other down.

The match is made official and advertised for next week’s show as SmackDown goes off the air.

That’s it for this week’s SmackDown. Let us know what you thought and we’ll see you back here next Friday for more SmackDown coverage. Until then, stay safe!