Welcome one and all to Rajah.com's SmackDown live results coverage. Your host is the tornado-dodging and smack-talking jabroni, Mike "Hulk" Hogan! Our Rajah.com official preview is up. We'll see Edge versus Jey Uso to determine the Special Enforcer for the Universal Championship match this weekend between Slow Walker and Yes Man. We'll also see the SmackDown Women's Championship put on the line as Nia Jax challenges Sasha Banks just two days ahead of their tag team championship bout this Sunday. We'll have all this and more tonight. Update 5:50pm EST: we had a late update that informed us that Big E will have a sit-down interview alongside Apollo Crews, with Michael Cole in role of interviewer.
All this and more, tonight on the final SmackDown before Fastlane! So with all that said, let's get things started! For those of you who want just the results and not the novella, click here!
WWE Friday Night SmackDown Live Results (3/19/2021) - ThunderDome II (Tropicana Field), St. Petersburg, FL
Show Opener: Welcome to the ThunderDome!
Michael Cole and Corey Graves welcome us to the Road to WrestleMania, which runs through this weekend's Fastlane. We're informed that for the first time in a decade, Edge will take on Jey Uso in our main event tonight to determine the special enforcer.
Backstage with Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair
We immediately cut to the back. Bianca is giving Sasha flak for agreeing to take on Nia Jax just nights before their tag team title shot. Bianca and Banks exchange words as the animosity between the two WrestleMania opponents starts to heat up. Belair warns Banks that she won't be coming out there to save Banks.
Smackdown Women's Championship Match: Sasha Banks(c) vs Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler
Banks heads out as Michael Cole hypes up Belair and Banks' date at WrestleMania, as well as their match together against Jax & Baszler this Sunday at Fastlane. Out next is Jax, accompanied by Shayna Baszler. We're informed that Reginald the Sommelier was given a spa day by Nia Jax, and see a pic of him with cucumber slices on his eyes. Our official announcements are made and we ready up for this title bout. The bell rings and both women clash aggressively. Jax chases Banks to the ropes. From the outside apron, Banks vaults a shoulder into Jax and fights her back. Banks partially goes up the ropes, extends her legs and grabs Jax's head. Banks rams Jax face-first into the turnbuckle. Banks gets a few strikes in before Jax shuts her down with a big slam. Jax pulls Banks up and holds her high above Jax's head, Military Press style, and holds Banks there for several moments before dropping her down. Jax covers but only gets a two. Jax with a running elbow drop and a two count. Jax whips Banks into the ropes and lets Banks bounce off Jax's body. Jax says "this is it," as she pulls Banks up to her feet and scoop slams her. Bianca Belair comes out as Banks rolls out of the ring, off the distraction caused to her opponent. Belair squats beside Banks and begins to give her advice as we go to break.
Back from the break and Jax has Banks wrapped up from behind in an abdominal hole. Banks throws back elbows and attempts to whip Jax into the ropes. Jax doesn't budge. Banks runs at the corner again, looking for the same move as earlier, but Jax grabs a hole of Banks and slams her down. Jax begins a dominating streak in the ring, pummeling the champ. Jax grabs Banks by the feet and swings her hard into the turnbuckles. Jax takes her time locking in a neck lock. Jax breaks it and putsBanks in an anchor hold. After a few moments, Banks attempts a hurricanrana. Jax counters with a modified backback driver. Banks moves as Jax leaps up for a leg drop. Banks comes off the ropes and hits a reverse Meteora. Banks attempts to take control. Nia one-handed throws Banks out of the ring, buying herself a few moments. Banks comes in and Jax is looking for something, but Banks slips free and counters by rolling Jax into the Bank Statement! Baszler comes into the room, looking to cause a distraction. Belair comes in after her and in the hoopla, Baszler accidentally kicks her own partner, Jax, without the ref seeing. Belair quickly takes Baszler out of the ring. Banks flips over Jax, grabbing the legs and picking up the pinfall. Replays show that Baszler's kick might not have been "accidental."
Your Winner and STILL Smackdown Women's Champion, Sasha Banks!
Backstage Interview: Kayla Braxton with Edge
Kayla welcomes Edge. She tells him that for many years, he was SmackDown. She questions what its like to come back after a decade. Edge reminisces over big moments on SmackDown, such as defeating the Undertaker for the WWE Championship and giving his retirement speech. Edge goes on to forgive Daniel Bryan for hitting him with the running knee last week, and he's eager to get his hands on Jey.
SmackDown 19 Years Ago
We get a quick video package highlighting SmackDown "19 years ago." They focus on the match when Edge and Hogan teamed up to win the WWE Tag Team Championships. We're reminded that Titus O'Neil and Hulk Hogan are hosts of WrestleMania.
Backstage with Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler
Baszler apologizes to an upset Jax about hitting her on accident. Jax tells Baszler that if Baszler messes up again and costs them their titles this weekend, she's coming after her. Shayna apologizes again, and Jax says she doesn't want to hear "I'm sorry"--she wants to know what Baszler is going to do about it. Baszler tells Jax that she's going to talk to management about getting a match against Belair.
In the Ring Promo: Seth Rollins
The Friday Night Friar, Seth Rollins, makes his way out to the ring as our commentary team hype WrestleMania tickets, which are now on sale. We go to a break. When we return, Seth goes on a speech about how when he returned, the roster surrounded the ring. They all disrespected him and left. But one person--Cesaro--stayed out there by himself. He stood at ringside, he looked Rollins in the eyes, then humiliated, disrespected, and embarrassed Seth. Rollins now knows why, though! Cesaro is jealous of Rollins, his success, everything he does, the fact that he (Rollins) is loved everywhere he goes, and Cesaro is especially jealous of the fact that Rollins is a WrestleMania main eventer whereas Cesaro is an "abject failure." Rollins asks to see a clip from last week, and we see Cesaro swinging in his match last Friday until Rollins attacked him, delivering a pair of stomps. Rollins, real time, laughs in the ring and stumbles around, mocking Cesaro who stumbled and had issues standing after the ambush last week. Rollins goes on a joke spree, mocking Cesaro and asks if his inability to stand is from reaching from the brass ring and failing constantly. Rollins continues to insult and run down Cesaro when Shinsuke Nakamura comes out! Rollins yells at Nakamura as he comes down to the ring, screaming for Nakamura not to disrespect him, to not come down. Nakamura continues on with his artsy dance and gets in the ring. Rollins continue to go on and on about how he knows Nakamura is a better man than Cesaro. Nakamura easily snatches the mic away and tells Rollins to "Shut up!" Rollins swings at Nakamura. Nakamura dodges. Nakamura goes for a roundhouse but Rollins avoids it--only to eat a modified Enziguri! Nakamura posts up in the corner, calling for the Kinshasa. Rollins rolls out of the ring. Nakamura teases a suicide dive and Rollins backs up. Nakamura backs up and eggs Rollins on. Rollins enters the ring again and takes a Kinshasa for his troubles!
Tag Team Match: the Street Profits vs the Mysterios
The Street Profits come out after a quick promo for the Hall of Fame. Their opponents are Rey and Dominic (RominicK? Drey?), who make their way out as we're treated to clips from last week when these two teams worked together. Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode are special guests on commentary. We start with Dominic and Montez Ford. Dom holds Ford's arm, but Ford uses his impressive athleticism to escape. Ford starts to run and Dom cuts his legs out from under him with an arm. They engage in a counter and reverse sequence for a few moments, with both men ending on their feet in the ring. They shake hands in a sign of respect, then Ford kicks Dom in the gut and taps the side of his head. Ford whips Dom and doesn't see Rey make the blind tag. Dom whips Ford into the opposite ropes, drops down and as Ford leaps over him, Rey plans Ford with a dropkick. Dawkins comes in and the pace picks up as they're obviously ready to wrap up. Ford and Dom are both legal as Rey and Dawkins lay on the apron. Ford with a decapitating clothesline that flattens Dom. Ford is looking to put this one away. Ford tags in Dawkins, looking for a double team move. Rey takes Ford out of the ring. Dom counters a move by Dawkins and rolls him up, stealing the win!
Your Winners, the Mysterios!
After the Match: Alpha Academy Encounter
The Alpha Academy make their way to the ring. Chad gets on the mic and tells the Mysterios that "we already embarrassed you and your little son!" He tells them that the Alphas should get a tag title shot first. This spirals into the Mysterios and Alphas brawling as we go to break.
Tag Team Match: the Mysterios vs the Alpha Academy
The Street Profits have joined Ziggler & Roode and the commentary team. This match started during the break. Chad Gable and Rey Mysterio fight in a corner. Gable looks for something off the top but Rey shoves Gable back and takes him down. Mysterio sends Gable onto the middle rope and connects with the 619! Rey climbs up top, looking for the Frog Splash, but Gable climbs up on the apron and shoves Rey off. Gable tags in Otis. Otis with a set of speedy, powerful scoop slams. Otis holds his hand up in the air, smiling at his partner Tucker Chad Gable, who continues to offer advice. Our guests on commentary bicker, and Ziggler continues to make NCAA sports jokes. Otis slaps Rey in a bear hug, squeezing him in the middle of the ring. Rey appears to bite Otis on the head while the ref can't see. Otis drops him but hits another snap scoop slam. Rey hits a desperation strike to take down Otis. Both men make hot tags to their partners. Dominic comes in hot on Gable. Gable attempts a submission but Dom avoids it. Dom off the middle rope and onto Gable, covering him only for Otis to stomp Dom off his partner. Otis and Rey begin to brawl outside, with Otis strongly whipping Rey into the barricade. Gable takes control in the ring. Gable tags in Otis, hits a snap German Suplex, then holds the legs of a prone Dominick in the middle of the ring so that Otis can climb up the turnbuckles. Otis flies and splashes down on Dom. Otis picks up the win for the pin. Afterwards, Ziggler & Roode, Gable & Otis, and the Street Profits talk smack to each other.
Your Winners, the Alpha Academy!
Backstage with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens
Zayn is going on and on to his documentary crew, complaining that he has a match against King Corbin and how it's all a conspiracy. Up walks Kevin Owens. Zayn asks Owens if he's had time to talk about joining his documentary. Owens reminds Zayn that he's known him a long time, and points out the documentary stuff is kind of...crazy. He's never seen Zayn deny whenever he loses fairly. Zayn goes on a rant about how "they" are trying to screw him over. Owens asks Zayn who "they" are? Zayn tells Owens he's blind and can't see what's in front of him. They agree that Owens will sit at ringside during Zayn's match, and if Owens doesn't see anything weird going on, Zayn will drop the documentary.
In the Ring Promo: Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan makes his way out to the ring, and we're told we'll be back with the leader of the "Yes Movement" after this break. When we return, Bryan pumps up Edge's first match on Smackdown in a decade. He's also excited to see if Edge can win as special enforcer for the Universal title this Sunday. Bryan claims that Reigns has to lean upon his family to help him get things done, and he (DB) knows why it would be bad if Jey Uso were the special enforcer. He then goes on to claim that Edge doesn't want DB to win this Sunday, because Edge wants to face Reigns at WrestleMania because Edge "knows he can't beat" DB. Bryan goes on a bit about how he'll tap Roman out. Roman Reigns makes his way out with his special counsel. They stay at the top of the ramp, and Heyman hands Roman a mic. Roman laughs at the thought of DB tapping him out. He tells Bryan, "You can't tap me out! You don't have a chance!" He tells Paul that DB has a better chance of "shooting lightning out of his ass than tapping me out" and calls him a little man. He remind Bryan that no one in Reigns' entire career has made him tap out, and he'd rather lose his arm than tap out to anyone. He'd rather die in the ring than "tap out to somebody like you." Daniel tells him that's rather dire and pretty strong. He tells Reigns to make no mistake: all the things Reigns has told himself, about being tribal chief and head of the table, etc, they're all lies he's told himself. Bryan continues, telling Reigns that everyone things they're unbeatable until they lose, everyone thinks that they won't tapout til they do. Bryan promises to break Reigns Sunday night. "I hope you don't die...but if you tap out, or if you don't tap out, I am beating you for the Universal Championship at Fastlane!" Bryan's music plays and he goes along with the virtual crowd in a Yes chant. Reigns doesn't look too happy and walks to the back with Heyman.
Coming Up: Funny Zayn/Corbin Promo
A narrator speaks over a very short, but funny, promo video. "Now it's time for the least-anticipated match in the history of SmackDown! The Irritating Force meets the Unlikable Object in a match nobody asked for." A set of graphics cards come up. Funny bit.
Match: Sami Zayn vs King Corbin
Kevin Owens joins the commentary team. Corbin starts off, slamming Zayn down to the mat. Sami fights back early, and uses the ropes to his advantage. Corbin shuts down Zayn's offense with a whip and a clothesline. Zayn stumbles into the corner, and Corbin hits a running clothesline that drops Zayn to the mat. KO continues to talk to commentary about how disturbed Zayn has been lately. Zayn attempts to hide behind the ref, then pokes Corbin in the eyes when the ref steps aside. Zayn rolls up Corbin and attempts to pin, his legs up on the middle ropes. The ref catches him and warns him. Zayn goes into the corner and focuses on untying a turnbuckle cover. Corbin walks up from behind, hits the End of Days, and picks up the win in a short, easy match.
Your Winner, King Corbin
After the Match: Zayn & Owens
Zayn comes up to the announcer's table and asks Owens if he saw what just happened. Owens tries to calm him and tells him that it was good officiating. Zayn flips out and screams at him, then walks off to his documentary team after Owens implies he needs help. As Owens talks to Graves, Zayn hits Owens with a Helluva kick out of nowhere! Zayn yells about taking Owens' eyes and throws the chair on him. Zayn moves up the ramp with his documentary crew and asks if they saw it. We go to break but up next: Crews/Big E sit-down interview!
Match Added to Fastlane
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Seth Rollins has been added to our card for this weekend. We also will have Strowman vs Shane McMahon, Alexa Bliss vs Randy Orton, and others.
Video Package: Last Friday, Crews & Big E
We get scenes from last week in which Crews viciously beat Big E with steel steps, leading to Big E to challenge Apollo for Sunday.
Live Via Satellite: Sit-Down Interview w/ Big E and Apollo Crews
Cole asks Big E if there's any chance for them to settle their differences. Big E sounds upset, like he's about cry. He tells Cole that it's too late for that. All he wants to talk about is vengeance. He tells Crews that he has two days until Fastlane, and he encourages Crews to take those two days to enjoy the crisp March air, the use of his limbs, and enjoy his present because his new future is dark and bleak. Big E says there is no equestion that he will retain Sunday. And Crews is going to get everything that he deserves. Finally its Crews' time to speak. Apollo Crews has apparently swapped bodies with 2002 Kofi Kingston as he has a Jamaican accent (I think). He tells us an old proverb that "if you fill your mouth with razor, you spit blood." He promises to crack Big E's face and we will see the "Nigerian Warrior within me!" (Okay, Nigerian accent I guess?) Crews says that what he deserves, and what will happen this Sunday, is that Crews will become the new Intercontinental Champion. Big E takes off his ear piece and heads out into an arena. He starts driving a golf car around an empty arena, screaming for Apollo. He continues to yell for Crews. Crews walks in a different area backstage, screaming for Big E. Finally they see each other and Crews avoids being run over. Both men brawl in the back, and Big E beats Crews with a trash can. Big E whips Crews into the wall twice, then stomps him repeatedly when he's down. Big E yells something at Crew, punches him, then whips him into one wall, then the other, then the first one again! Big E pulls Crews' shirt over his head and Adam Pearce & Officials show up to hold Big E back. Crews gets in the golf cart and drives off.
Match: Bianca Belair vs Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax
Bianca comes out first as our commentary team hype WrestleMania tickets, and we get our introduction for Belair...then a commercial break. Afterwards, Baszler comes out accompanied by Jax. Sasha Banks comes out to support her teammate, yells "You got this, Bianca, I'm gonna watch from the back!" then heads to the back. Okay. The bell rings and Belair starts off with Baszler. Baszler with a great heel roll. Baszler easily handles the Royal Rumble winner and slings her outside, where she crashes into a pile at Jax's feet. Jax walks off from the ring, and Baszler releases Bianca to call after her partner. Jax continues up the ramp without looking back. Without warning, Natalya & Tamina attack Shayna Baszler and Bianca Belair both! This one ends in a no contest.
No Contest
After the Match
Naatalya and Tamina are in similar street clothes. They continue to beat down Belair and Baszler until they've had their fill. Graves explains that they're upset that they do not have a WWE Women's Tag Team Championship opportunity.
Flashback Friday: Edge's Retirement
We get a short package highlighting Edge's retirement ten years ago.
Special Enforcer Selection Match: Jey Uso vs Edge
Edge makes his way out as Michael Cole reminds us that "Edge is live in action for the first time in ten years, next!" and we go to a commercial break while completely forgetting about all those matches he's had over the last year. Uso makes his way out and finally the match gets under way with Daniel Bryan as our guest commentator. Edge starts it off by using a wrestling takedown. Edge works the left shoulder briefly, whips Jey into the ropes and drops him down. Edge dives down and goes for the Crossface, but Jey quickly scrambles free. Edge with an Irish Whip pull-back clotheslines. Edge takes his time with Jey, striking him in the back with kicks and punches. Edge wraps Jey's arm behind Jey's back and over the bottom rope, and uses it as the ref counts a warning. Edge goes for a second Crossface, then oddly rolls out of the ring and favors his ribs. Uso comes out and works over the supposedly wounded ribs. Uso whips Edge into the steel steps. Juso goes back into the ring, patiently waits and lines it up, then hits a Suicide Dive onto Edge, ramming the Rated R Superstar into the announcer's table as we go to break!
When we return Uso is in control, stomping away at Edge. Edge throws a pair of punches in an effort to fight back, but Uso drops him with a fist of his own easily. Uso lifts Edge up for a suplex, then drops him across the middle ropes. Uso with a running strike to knock Edge off the apron and onto the ringside floor. Jey heads outside and pulls Edge up, then throws him in the ring. Edge continues to favor his right side and right hip. Edge tries to rise; Uso with a kick to the back of the head. Uso runs, whipping Edge down onto the mat and ribs-first into the ring post. Uso heads outside and grabs an arm and leg on Edge, then leans back, using his weight to wrench Edge's body around the ring post as the ref warns him! Edge tries to fight back with a pair of chops. Edge attempts to whip Jey but his ribs cause him to flinch. Uso tries to take advantage of it, but Edge runs off the rips and hits the running crossbody! Both men are down as Graves questions if Edge did more damage to his ribs. Both men rise; Uso charges in and eats a boot from Edge. Edge throws Uso into the turnbuckle, then climbs up onto the middle rope. Edge with a diving knee strike to Uso's shoulder that he's been working on all night.
Uso mount some offense, hitting Edge with a Samoan Drop and covering for a close two. Uso climbs the ropes backwards, but Edge catches him as he attempts to go to the top. Edge with a strike then a top-rope hurricanrana! Edge covers Jey and gets a close two. We get replays of the hurricanrana. Both men rise. Uso goes for a superkick; Edge blocks it, kicks Uso and converts it into a DDT! Graves questions if Edge can keep Uso down for the three due to his ribs. Edge posts up in the corner and starts off with a spear--only to be caught with a superkick by Uso! Jey goes up top and hits a Frog Splash! Uso lands on his injured shoulder and can't cover right away. When he does cover, he only gets a two.
Uso pulls Edge up, but Edge slams Jey to the mat by his arm, runs to the nearest ropes and hits a spear as he comes off. Edge covers for the win.
Your Winner and Special Enforcer for Fastlane's Universal Championship Match, Edge!
After the Match: Reigns Strikes!
As Edge celebrates, Roman Reigns comes out of nowhere and takes him out with a spear! He goads Daniel Bryan to come at him. Uso attacks Bryan and whips him into the ring. Roman hits Bryan with a spear when he rises. Our program ends with the Universal Champion standing tall over his fallen challengers.
In Closing
Thanks for tuning in! Don't forget, Fastlane is this Sunday and will be exclusively on the Peacock network as it's absorbing the WWE Network for the next five years. I hope you all have a great weekend! Stay frosty, stay safe, and see you all Monday for Raw!
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