Welcome back everyone to Rajah.com's live results coverage of Friday Night SmackDown. Your host is the most electrifying name in sports entertainment live results today, Rajah's smack-talking jabroni, Mike "Hulk" Hogan and with WrestleMania:BackLash just under 48 hours away, tonight should be a riveting show! With the Women's Tag Team Championship on the line, well, yep.
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 (5/14/2021) -- ThunderDome III (Yuengling Center), Tampa, FL
In the Ring: Jey Uso, Roman Reigns, and Paul Heyman
We immediately begin with Jey Uso in the ring as Michael Cole welcomes us to the ThunderDome. Jey speaks. "They call me the right hand man, 'main event' Jey uso. You know this. Last week, my brother Jimmy disrespected the head of the table--our cousin. This week, he leaves us no choice but to handle some family business. With that being said, I bring to you the head of the table, the Tribal Chief, the man who's gonna take care of Cesaro this Sunday at WrestleMania: BackLash, my cousin the Universal Champion, Roman Reigns!" Universal Champion Roman Reigns comes out with a new intro to his music. Roman takes enough time to walk down the ramp that I literally had time to type up Jey's speech, word for word. Cole and Pat Mac recap the recent history with Cesaro and Reigns, including clips from when Reigns defeated Daniel Bryan and banished him from SmackDown. We continue to get clips from last week's SmackDown and the conflict rising between Jimmy Uso and Roman Reigns, with Jey finding himself caught between the two family members.
Five minutes later, Roman is finally shown in the ring. He hands his belt to Paul Heyman. The digital crowd loudly voice their internet hate with loud "you suck" chants. Roman paces, then finally speaks. He tells Jey Uso that he (Roman) will address Jimmy in a few moments, but right now he wants to address Cesaro. He praises Cesaro's ability and work ethic and skill, and tells us that the boys backstage look up to him. Roman then pivots and tells us that no one wants to see Cesaro take on Reigns. Reigns asks Heyman as to how many world titles Cesaro's won. Heyman responds, "zero," and Roman laughs, stating Heyman read his mind. He asks Heyman how many titles he (Roman) has won, and they claim 39. It has to include tags, IC, US, NXT titles, I presume. Roman turns his attention to family business and out comes Jimmy Uso.
Jimmy wears a shirt with "Nobody's Bitch" written on it. Jimmy addresses Jey, calling him Roman's bitch. He asks Jey if he likes Jimmy's new shirt, and says he's got one for Jey in the back. Jimmy asks Jey about loyalty and says that he (Jimmy) isn't even sure Roman can get past Cesaro this weekend. Jey comes to the defense of the champ, reminding Jimmy he's their cousin and head of the table. Roman asks Jimmy, "You don't think I can defeat Cesaro? That how you feel?" Jimmy states that, since Roman is asking, "No. I don't think you can beat Cesaro." Reigns asks if Jimmy can defeat Cesaro, if Jimmy can fill Roman's shoes. Jimmy says that he can't fill Roman's shoes but he and Jey could go win the tag titles and be the heads of the table. Roman angrily snaps back, taking full credit for the family's success and trying to establish his dominance. Roman pauses, then laughs at Jimmy, exclaiming "you really think you can do what I do, huh?" Roman tells Jimmy to show the whole world that he can defend the title against Cesaro, if he were in Roman's spot. He then asks if Jimmy can even beat Cesaro. Jimmy grins broadly and turns to look up the ramp, hollering for Cesaro. He issues a challenge to Cesaro, to prove Roman wrong, then turns to Roman and asks "Is that good? Is that good?" Roman is not a happy camper. And out comes Cesaro! Cesaro tells Jimmy the challenge is accepted. He tells Roman that he (Cesaro) will beat Roman's cousin tonight, and then he'll defeat Roman Sunday.
Previously on Days of Our SmackDown Lives...
We get hype for the women's tag title match, coming up next, and we're reminded that Tamina has never won a title in the WWE. We go to break!
Women's Tag Team Championship Match: Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler(c) w/ Reginald the Sommelier vs Natalya & Tamina
We return from the break with our tag team champs on their way out, accompanied by Reginald. The digital audience boos during the belt presentation. Out next are the challengers, Tamina and Natalya who's sporting a new outfit. We start with Nia Jax and Tamina. Jax takes an early lead, overpowering her cousin and shoving her into the corner. Jax tags in Baszler. Baszler fails to contain Tamina, who comes out of the corner swinging, battling Baszler back. Natalya tags in and catapults Shayna up into the air, where Tamina catches her on her shoulders and turns it into a Samoan Drop! Reginald attempts to distract and the ref banishes him from ringside. Jax and Tamina battle outside the ring, with Jax sending Tamina through the barricade for the second week in a row. Back in the ring, Shayna whips Natalya down and attempts a cover. We go to break.
Back from the break. Jax drops an elbow on a prone Natalya and attempts a cover for two. Jax, frustrated, slams Natalya's head into the mat. Jax sends Natalya into the heel corner and tags in Baszler. Baszler attempts a cover. Our champs are doing a great job in cutting the ring in half, keeping Nattie on their side. Baszler stands on then stomps Natalya's elbow. Tamina is still down outside the ring. Jax tags in and holds Natalya up for Baszler to hit with a running boot. Tamina hits the ring, finally, and scoop slams Baszler on top of Jax to break a pin attempt. Baszler and Tamina in their corners, arms extended, both women taking the hot tag! Baszler goes for the Kirifuda clutch but Tamina ducks under, renbounds off the ropes and hits a beautiful crossbody before making the "Superfly" hand signs her dad did. Tamina attempts to follow it up with a splash in the corner; Baszler moves. Baszler attempts to pull a ascending Tamina off the ropes but Tamina kicks her off and slams her down. Tamina climbs up again but Baszler is up quick and hits a rope-assisted high kick. Jax is tagged in and climbs up on the middle ropes. Jax is looking for hte Superplex! Tamina blocks, and blocks again! Tamina with a series of headbutts that drop Jax down. Baszler attempts to interfere on the apron but Natalya takes her out of the ring and down. Jax appears confused and hits a side slam on Natalya, allowing Tamina to come in from behind, connects with the Superfly splash, and picks up the win! This is Tamina's first championship in the WWE. Afterwards, Kayla Braxton interviews them and both women are emotional.
Your Winners and NEW Women's Tag Team Champions, Natalya Neidhart and Tamina Snuka!
Backstage: Kayla Braxton w/ Paul Heyman
Kayla asks Heyman a hypothetical--if Roman loses his title, but the Usos someday capture the tag titles, would they become heads of the table? Heyman won't even entertain the idea and blows off the question, insisting Reigns defeats Cesaro Sunday.
In the Ring: Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez
We cut to the ring, where Azeez's giant-arsed self stands on top of a medal podium, towering over Crews. Crews talks about the bravery of Commander Azeez, and with his help he's brought honor to his home of Sacramento Nigeria. He praises Azeez more then pulls out a medal and places it around Azeez's neck. Big E interrupts on the tron. Big E asks Crews what kind of shanky business is this, and compares it to being as shady as "Mackleroy winning best rap album." He tells Crews not to get too comfortable because Crews will feel Big E's powah! Sami Zayn comes out on mic. He tells everyone that he loves a good awards ceremony, throwing back to his Sami Awards earlier this year. Crews yells at Sami for interrupting. Crews and Azeez throw props out of the ring. Zayn states that if Crews is a man of his honor, he'll give Zayn a shot because the title is rightfully his. Kevin Owens comes out. Zayn flees into the ring and out as Owens chases. Azeez and Crews beat down KO until Big E hits the ring to make the save. After a brawl, KO hits a superkick on Big E, then one to Apollo Crews. KO with a Stunner to Zayn. Big E is up and hits the Big Ending on KO.
Match: Rey Mysterio w/ Dominik Mysterio vs Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode
The Mysterios make their way down as we go to break. After the break we get things under way. Mysterio and Ziggler lock up in the corner but the ref forces the break. Rey wraps up Ziggler from behind and again, the ref breaks it as they push against the ropes. Ziggler circles around, ducks under a Mysterio grapple and wraps him up from behind. Dolph stretches the abdomen before switching to a side headlock. Rey with a punch to the rips and whips Ziggler off; Ziggler runs over Mysterio on the rebound. Ziggler's cockiness and arrogance are on full display. Both men approach to grapple again, and again Ziggler grounds Mysterio with a side headlock. Again, Rey with a punch to the sides, again Rey whips Ziggler into the ropes and, again, Ziggler runs over Rey. Ziggler with a neck lock, using working holds to slow down Rey and keep him grounded. A fast sequence engages as Ziggler and Mysteiro go off opposite ropes, and Ziggler's sent to the outside. Mysterio with a baseball slide to take Dolph out as we head to break!
Back from the break. Ziggler takes control back when Mysterio misses a springboard crossbody. Ziggler pulls on Rey's face as the ref warns him. Ziggler with a beautiful inverted side suplex for a close two. Ziggler keeps Mysterio grounded, again resorting to headlocks and working holds. Ziggler drops Rey with a running forearm uppercut. Ziggler covers for two. Ziggler with a modified bow and arrow submission. Rey finally reaches the ropes. Ziggler whips Rey into the corner and struts around the ring. Dolph charges in and right into Rey's boot. He charges again, this time into an elbow from Mysterio. Ziggler goes once more and Rey counters into a DDT. Both men are up slow. Rey charges the corner but Ziggler moves. Rey pops over the top turnbuckle and lands on the apron, then hits a middle rope shoulder thrust to Ziggler. Rey attempts to go up top but Ziggler pursues. Ziggler's looking for the Superplex but Mysterio finds him off with headbutts. Ziggler stands just in time for a top-rope senton by Rey. Rey with a kick to Ziggler's face and a very close two. Rey sets Dolph up for the 6-1-9 but Ziggler moves and counters with a Famouser! Rey just kicks out! Ziggler sets up in the corner and goes for what Cole calls a "superkick" even though it was at knee-level. Rey tries to capitalize on the gaffe, using a drop toehold to place Ziggler across the middle ropes. Rey goes for the 6-1-9 again but Ziggler, again, dodges it and flattens Rey with a proper Superkick. Ziggler with a scoop slam, yelling to the ref to get ready to count. Ziggler looks for a scoop slam but Rey rolls through and rolls up Ziggler, stealing the win! Roode attempted to attack Rey but Dominik hit the ring immediately.
Your Winner, Rey Mysterio!
Backstage: Sarah with Cesaro
A brief interview in which Cesaro informs us he's the little enginge that could, because he always tells himself "I think I can." He promises not to take Jimmy Uso lightly in their match tonight, but points out that Jimmy has to choose whether he's Jimmy Uso or Roman's bitch like his brother. Cesaro proclaims he'll walk out of Sunday as the new Universal champion.
In the Ring: SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair
We cut back to the ring and out comes Bianca, ahead of her match with Bayley this Sunday. We head to break as the crowd loudly chants "E-S-T!" Back in the ring after the break, Michael Cole interviews Belair. He puts in the obligatory "380 days record-holding" history of Bayley, and asks Belair her thoughts on this Sunday. Belair says that she doesn't listen to haters or doubters, and then asks where Bayley's at. We get a video from last week, showing Bayley cutting a promo on Belair and their confrontation. Bayley appears on the tron after the video, laughing at Belair's earrings. Bianca tells Bayley to come out so Belair can show her her new braids, and sports her hair whip taht is nearly as tall as she is. Bayley claims she'll take the title back Sunday. Belair tells Bayley that she talks a good game, and Belair knows Bayley will do everything she can to win but this Sunday Bayley finds out Belair is the toughEST, lots of -ESTS. Bayley continues to laugh at Belair. Belair tells Bayley that Bayley's mad that she was busy being thrown down the ramps by the Bellas at WrestleMania, whereas Bayley was in the main event and won the SmackDown Women's Championship. Bayley turns serious. She tells Bianca that when she sees Belair out there, it reminds Bayley of her own past. She warns Belair that her fairy tale ends for good this Sunday.
Backstage: the Mysterios & the Dirty Dawgs
The Mysterios are celebrating backstage when Ziggler and Roode walk up. They call Dominik "baby doll" and yell that they're the champs. Dominik says Sunday they'll be calling him "baby champ." Good grief
Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs King Corbin
We get a quick clip of King Corbon polishing his crown then just cut to Nakamura's entrance. Corbin is out next. Nakamura, in a pre-recorded promo, reminds Corbin that Nakamura is the King of Strong Style. And tonight their kingdoms will crash, but only one kingdom will survive: "mine." Back from the break. This match is under way. Corbin starts off strong as the former Golden Gloves winner relies on his strikes to floor Nakamura. Nakamura attempts a comeback but is caught with a knee. Corbin with stiff kicks to the grounded Nakamura. Corbin pulls up Nakamura and whips him into the ropes, looking for a lariat. Nakamura ducks under, rebounds off the opposite ropes and takes Corbin down. Nakamura starts his comeback, using a series of strikes that culminate in a kick to the ear, dropping the King. Nakamura attempts to whip Corbin, but Corbin reverses it. Nakamura again sends Corbin into the ropes but Corbin slides out, looking for his Misdirection clothesline. Nakamura rolls through with it and locks in an arm bar. Corbin tries to lift Nakamura up for a Powerbomb, but instead adjusts position so that Nakamura's shoulders are down while he holds the submission on. Corbin steals the win in a surprising and short fashion. After the match, Nakamura laid out Corbin with a Kinshasa then steals Corbin's crown, placing it on his own head as the crowd goes wild, digital and ThunderCrowd. Nakamura poses with it a few moments.
Your Winner, King Corbin!
Backstage: Adam Pearce, Sonya Deville, Apollo Crews & Commander Azeez.
Adam and Sonya are talking when Crews comes up, complaining about what happened earlier tonight. Pearce tells Apollo he should focus on whomever he will face next week. Apollo, shocked, claims that they shouldn't reward bad punishment. Sonya then butts in, and states that Crews is lucky Pearce isn't making Crews defend it in a four-way match. Pearce cuts her a glance, then makes it official--fatal four-way for the Intercontinental Championship next week! We go to break.
Backstage: King Shinsuke Nakamura
We return from the break and see Shinsuke backstage, trying on Corbin's crown and smiling.
Video Promo: Aleister Black
Another gothic video of Black sitting in his chair, surrounded by mist and candles, with his "Tales of the Dark Father" book. Black says that "father" taught him about the cruelty of life. Father taught him "the lesson. This is what Father taught me. I was wrong, fighting my true nature. I am a cruel man because you have deemed it so. I was cut from steel while you were made from dirty, because I was chosen. I saw greatness and I chose it while you chose mediocrity....Stand up and fight through it. I could help you. I could teach you the lesson. But I won't. You don't have the discipline, you're a spectator.
Backstage: Kayla Braxton w/ Jimmy Uso
Kayla asks Jimmy's thoughts as this is his first match in over a year. Jimmy didn't think his first match back would be like this--he thought it'd be with Jey. Jimmy tells Kayla that Roman says he doesn't need Jey to succeed; Jimmy feels Jey and himself don't need Roman to be successful.
Main Event Match: Cesaro vs Jimmy Uso w/ Jey Uso
Jimmy Uso is out first as we get a rundown of Sunday night's WrestleMania: BackLash card. It looks to be a potentially solid event. Back from the break and this match starts. Cesaro yells "welcome back, Use!" We're reminded that Jimmy's last match, over a year ago, shows his resilience as he fought half an hour with a torn muscle, and completed the match. Uso off the ropes but Cesaro catches him and easily slams him. Uso with a kick. Cesaro floored, and Uso rains forearms on him before slapping on a--you guessed it!--side headlock! After a few moments, Uso pounds Cesaro with forearms and attempts a supelx. Cesaro puts the brakes on and counters. Control seems to go back and forth as neither man can firmly take lead. Uso attempts a superkick; Cesaro counters with a European uppercut. Cesaro spears the ring post as Jimmy moves. Uso follows it up with a running clothesline to send Cesaro outside. Uso runs off the ropes and hits his first suicide dive in over a year, wiping out Cesaro. Jimmy immediately begins to hold his knee as we go to commercial break.
Back from the break. Cesaro hammers Jimmy Uso in the corner, rapidly firing off body shots as the ref counts, using every second to land every hit he can. Cesaro with a pin attempt. Cesaro looks for the Neutralizer but Uso escapes; Cesaro tries to counter with a springboard crossbody but Uso catches Cesaro in the gut with a superkick! Uso with a two count. Uso climbs up top, but Cesaro pops up and charges the corner. Uppercut from Cesaro to Uso to stop his momentum. Cesaro climbs up and hits a textbook Superplex! Cesaro covers for barely a two. We get replays of the leaping uppercut Cesaro preceded the Superplex with. The action spills outside, and Cesaro runs along the apron to Cannonball Jimmy outside the ring. Cesaro sends Jimmy into the ring, ready to follow up. Roman Reigns comes out from nowhere and attacks Cesaro, followed by Jey Uso, causing the disqualification.
Your Winner by DQ, Cesaro!
After the Match
Jimmy asks Roman what the hell he's doing. Jimmy's pissed at Roman's interference and heads up the ramp, walking away as Roman chastises him. Jimmy says he's done with it. Suddenly Jey is under attack in the ring by Cesaro, and the Tribe make the save. Cesaro goes for a Neutralizer on Roman but Jey dives over to make the save. Cesaro yells "this is going to be you this Sunday" to Roman and hits the Neutralizer on Uso. Cesaro grins from the ring, yelling "do something!" HE picks up Jey again, yelling "C'mon, do something!" HE smiles and hits another NEutralizer on Uso! Cesaro yells "this is your cousin!" as he executes the move. Cesaro continues to smile and taunt Roman as the champ looks down t he ramp angrily, his cousins laid out by his opponent this weekend. We end with a last bit of hype for their match.
In Closing
That does it for tonight's SmackDown! Don't forget to check back with us Sunday for live result coverage of WrestleMania: BackLash. Y'all stay cool, stay frosty, and stay safe out there.
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