It's that time once again for the weekly WWE blue brand program on FOX.
WWE returns from the ThunderDome inside of Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida this evening with this week's edition of Friday Night SmackDown on FOX.
On tap for tonight's WWE on FOX show is the latest developments from the blue brand as they prepare for WWE Fastlane 2021 with the official contract signing between Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan for their Universal Championship contest on the pay-per-view, as well as Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks on The KO Show.
Featured below are complete WWE Friday Night SmackDown results for March 12, 2021.
WWE FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN RESULTS (3/12/2021)
This week's show kicks off with a recap of last week's steel cage match that saw Daniel Bryan earn a Universal Title shot against Roman Reigns at WWE Fastlane.
ARE YOU READY?!
The theme for the weekly WWE on FOX program plays as the camera pans around the ThunderDome inside Tropicana Field as the commentary team led by Michael Cole welcomes us to the show.
Edge & Daniel Bryan Kick Off SmackDown
From there we hear the familiar sounds of the entrance theme song of "The Rated-R Superstar" as Edge makes his way down to the ring to kick off this week's show.
Edge's music fades down and "The Rated-R Superstar" says there are a few things he needs to address after briefly mentioning tonight's contract signing between Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan.
After that, he addresses the Universal Champion himself. He claims Reigns and Paul Heyman are great spin doctors. He brings up Reigns saying to acknowledge him. He says that led him to make his choice for which title he will challenge for at WrestleMania -- him.
He then claims Reigns back-tracks and makes a trip down Daniel Bryan Blvd., noting "The Head of the Table" got played. He then brings up Daniel Bryan's claims to deserve the main event spot at WrestleMania more than him because he loves this and he has been more active lately.
Edge says he needs to remind everyone who the hell he is. He says while Reigns and Bryan may have been wrestling once a week, he spent a time frame of over four decades wrestling a laundry list of legends -- which he says by name -- five, six or seven times a week. He takes exception to those saying they love this more than him.
Before Edge can say anything else, he is interrupted by the familiar sounds of Daniel Bryan's theme song. The leader of the "Yes!" movement makes his way down to the ring as the fans on the ThunderDome screens break out into a "Yes!" chant.
Bryan says Edge may have bought into things more than those he claims did. He makes it clear that he respects all that Edge has done and he has seen how hard he has worked to get back to doing this. He says he has to be honest though. When he challenges Roman Reigns it isn't about him. He admits he was demoralized when he saw Edge point to the WrestleMania sign.
Not because of how few matches Edge may have had before getting there, but because it might be his own last WrestleMania and he's got to do everything he can to be in the main event. He says Edge already has his spot in the main event of WrestleMania. He says if he wants to, he has to go to Fastlane and he has to beat Reigns and win the Universal Title and that is why he went into business for himself.
Edge claims Bryan using air quotes when referencing going into business for himself doesn't make everything ok. He tells Bryan that Reigns has already beaten him. He says he earned his spot by beating 29 other Superstars in a Royal Rumble that he was also in, by the way. Edge says he likes and respects Bryan but he doesn't like how he handled this. He says he's good but he's not better than him. He drops the mic and walks off as his music plays again and the commentators react to everything they just said.
The Street Profits, Rey Mysterio & Dominik Mysterio vs. Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, Otis & Chad Gable
After the opening segment wraps up, we get the first entrances for our opening match in the ring, which will be eight-man tag-team competition.
The Street Profits -- Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford -- make their way out to the top of the stage and wait for their partners. Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio then come out and join them.
As the four men are heading down to the ring, they are attacked from behind by their opponents for this opening contest as we head to a commercial break.
We return from the break and we see the babyface foursome jump off into the offensive lead here in the early goings. Dominik tags in and has a good showing, taking it to Gable before he tags out and the big man, Otis, comes in.
Mysterio tries using his quickness and high-flying style to continue his dominant early showing, however the size and strength of Otis doesn't allow it. He catches Dominik coming off the ropes with a double ax handle smash and then he slams him down before tagging in Gable.
Gable comes in and goes to work on Dominik, expanding the heel lead in the offensive control of the contest. He tags Roode in and the two start to focus their attack on the leg of Dominik, which Corey Graves notes on commentary is smart because it limits if not cuts off completely the high-flying style used by Mysterio.
Dominik hits a tornado DDT off the ropes and tags in Dawkins. Otis also tags in. Dawkins takes it to the big man and then tags in Ford. Ford and Dawkins are both attacked with a cheap shot as we head to another mid-match commercial break as the action continues.
We return from the break and we see Ziggler controlling the action as Ford is the legal man for his team. Ford shows signs of life but Ziggler hops on his back with a sleeper-hold and squeezes the life back out of him as he fades back down to the mat. The fans rally behind The Street Profits member and he makes it to his corner to tag in Dawkins.
The referee didn't see the tag, however, as he was dealing with Roode in the other corner. After he restores order we see Ford being worked over by the three men on the apron in the heel corner as Roode enters the ring off a tag. He goes to work on Ford for a moment or two and then tags Otis back into the bout.
Otis comes into the ring and whips Ford into the corner with great authority. He goes to follow-in with a clothesline, however Ford moves and finally makes the tag to the legendary Rey Mysterio.
Rey Rey enters the ring like a man possessed, flying all over the place and taking out any-and-everyone in sight, including those on the apron. Gable ends up the legal man for his team, however he becomes just another victim on Mysterio's fast-paced onslaught. Mysterio sets Gable up for the 6-1-9, but Roode tags him while he's laying on the ropes and catching Rey Rey running and hits a big sidewalk slam.
All hell breaks loose with multiple interferences. We see both Mysterio's hit a 6-1-9 on Roode in the ring before they both hit dives on their opposition on the floor. Ford tags in and hits a big dive off the top-rope onto Roode for the pin fall victory.
Winners: The Street Profits, Rey Mysterio & Dominik Mysterio
Backstage: Jey Uso & Paul Heyman
After a quick video package for Molly Holly's induction into the WWE Hall Of Fame, we shoot backstage where we see Jey Uso walking up to Roman Reigns' locker room.
He is stopped by Paul Heyman who has the task of keeping Uso away from the room. He tells Uso that Reigns is busy and Uso acts like he's got stuff to do and will return a little later.
Heyman says he'll be ready to see him then. Uso walks off and Heyman lets out a sight of relief as we head back to another commercial break.
Seth Rollins Is, Or Might Be Done With "Waste Of Talent" Cesaro
When we return, we are backstage where Seth Rollins is standing by with Kayla Braxton. She brings up what happened two weeks ago with Cesaro doing the Cesaro Swing to him.
Rollins asks why she brought that up and brings up the fact that he went out there to help him and for the last two weeks he's gotten nothing but mocked by Cesaro and all of social media.
He proclaims that he is done with Cesaro, calling him the biggest waste of potential in history. Braxton informs Rollins of a rematch that Cesaro will be having tonight which seems to reengage his interest.
Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler Takes Reginald On A Shopping Spree
The commentators show highlights of recent weeks involving Reginald getting fired by Carmella and then appearing by the side of Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler on Raw earlier this week.
We return live and we are sent to a video package that shows Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler taking Reginald on a shopping spree at a nice clothes place. Reginald tries off different outfits as Jax enjoys things and Baszler seems completely disinterested and annoyed.
Jax ends up taking pictures with Reginald. Things get steamy between the two and then the segment wraps up and we return inside the ThunderDome where the commentators react to the segment and promote The KO Show segment later tonight.
From there, the familiar theme song of "The Swiss Superman" plays as Cesaro makes his way down to the ring for our next match of the evening.
As Cesaro settles in the ring, Cole and Graves plug tickets for WrestleMania 37 as a graphic flashes across the bottom of the screen. They inform us that Cesaro vs. Murphy the rematch is up next when we return. On that note, we head to another commercial break.
We're back from the break and we're treated to the ring entrance of Murphy. The bell sounds and we're off-and-running with our next bout of the evening here on this week's WWE on FOX program.
Immediately we see Rollins seated at the top of the entrance ramp watching on with vested interest. Murphy brawls well early on, however it isn't long before "The Swiss Superman" completely takes over the offensive driver's seat. He blasts Murphy with a big vicious boot to the face.
Murphy hangs out on the floor to recover afterwards and when Cesaro goes out after him, he runs right into a jumping kick from the Australian Superstar. He heads to the top-rope but Cesaro catches him with a kick. He hits a superplex from the ring apron on Murphy off the middle-rope.
This wakes the crowd up. Cesaro blasts Murphy with uppercut-after-uppercut in opposite corners of the ring. Murphy goes for a spot but Cesaro counters into the swing. Rollins hits the ring and ambushes Cesaro from behind as he was in mid-swing on Murphy. He beats the hell out of Cesaro as the ref calls for the bell, ending the match.
Winner via DQ: Cesaro
After The Match: Sequence Of Stomps
Once the post-match scene unfolds with Rollins grounding-and-pounding away at Cesaro, he stands back and hits a big stomp on him. He waits for him to get up and then runs over and blasts him with another stomp.
Rollins goes out to the floor and brings a steel chair into the ring. He lays it on the mat and puts Cesaro's head through it. He screams that Cesaro isn't on his level and has let him down twice now. He goes to hit a stomp on him with his head through the chair, however a bunch of officials hit the ring and prevent it.
As the segment wraps up, we see Shinsuke Nakamura watching on.
Backstage: Sami Zayn Approaches Kevin Owens
We see Kevin Owens walking backstage with his tie on and a bunch of note cards in his hands, as it's almost time for The KO Show with Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks.
As he makes his way to the entrance area, he is stopped by Sami Zayn and his camera crew. Zayn tells Owens he wants him to be part of his new documentary. Owens tells him he'll think about it and walks off as we head to another commercial break.
Backstage: Edge & Jey Uso
When we return we see Edge walking backstage as he approaches Jey Uso. Edge talks about knowing him since he was a kid. He talks about seeing him running around the ring with his dad years ago.
He says he wants to talk to him like a man, not a second class citizen in his own family. He asks him about how he's being treated and tells him that he helped wake him up and make him love WWE again.
Uso ends up losing his cool and telling Edge not to act like he knows him. He says nothing good is waiting for him at WrestleMania when he squares off against Roman Reigns. Edge walks off.
The KO Show With Bianca Belair & Sasha Banks
From there, we hear the familiar sounds of Kevin Owens' theme song as he makes his way down to the ring for the advertised The KO Show segment.
He walks about the roller coaster ride he's been on and then brings up his guests for tonight, first introducing the EST of WWE -- the winner of the women's 2021 Royal Rumble -- Bianca Belair.
Belair's music hits and she makes her way down to the ring to join Owens on the set of The KO Show in the ring as the fans chant "EST! EST!" She takes a seat as Owens introduces his segment guest.
On that note, the theme of "The Legit Boss" plays as WWE SmackDown Women's Champion Sasha Banks makes her way down to the ring. She poses as pyro goes off and then takes a seat.
Owens jokes about Banks' pyro and thanks her for all of the checks and then gets the show underway. He brings up how they will be facing off against each other at WrestleMania but at Fastlane they could make it an even more historic showdown, as they could become the WWE Women's Tag-Team Champions and walk in as tag champs and opponents for the singles title.
He brings up how they already had that opportunity but it didn't work out well. They both make faces so Owens acknowledges that he touched a nerve. He speculates that there is underlying tension between the two. Owens speculates that Belair maybe has issues with Banks and Reginald. Banks cuts him off and says it's not her fault she looks this good and that Reginald likes what he sees.
Belair tells her that he's nothing but a distraction. Banks says she can't be distracted, calling herself the Michael Jordan of the women's division. She says maybe one day Belair can become the LeBron James of the women's division. She mocks Belair's catchphrase. Belair takes exception to that and corrects her. She says she didn't help her win the Royal Rumble match. Banks says because she wasn't in it. Belair says she would've won either way.
Banks says she'll become 2 Belts Banks regardless at Fastlane. Belair goes to respond but before she can say much, she is interrupted by Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler and Reginald. As they come out this apparently abruptly ends the segment.
Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair vs. Natalya & Tamina
We then hear the theme of Natalya as she comes out with Tamina by her side prepared to compete in the next match of the evening. We see Nia Jax joining in for guest commentary for our next match of the evening, as Michael Cole takes us into a commercial break.
When we return from the break, we see the action has already gotten underway and as Banks and Nattie are going at it in the ring as Nia Jax answers questions from the commentators about Reginald. Baszler gets annoyed and tells them it's enough, only for Nia to urge Reginald to show off his clothes as he dances on the commentary desk.
Meanwhile, back in the ring, Nattie is now taking it to Banks, who is looking to make it to her corner to make the tag to Belair. Baszler again complains about the lack of commentary focus on the action in the ring. Belair finally gets the tag, and she comes in and immediately goes to work on Nattie. Reginald ends up hopping on the apron, where the distraction has an affect on the match.
This leads to the momentum in the ring shifting. Just as it seems things are calming down, all hell breaks loose at commentary with Banks getting in Reginald's face as he shows off his clothes on the commentary desk again. This results in a bunch of interference and distracted focus on the floor resulting in Tamina scoring the pin on Belair in the ring.
Winners: Natalya & Tamina
After The Match: Belair Upset With Banks
After the match, Belair flips out on Banks telling her that she doesn't lose and that this is on her, as it's her fault. She storms off as Banks looks in the ring at Reginald blowing kisses sarcastically at her and waving as he stands beside Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler.
Backstage: Banks & Belair Bicker
We return from the break to see Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair backstage and they are still bickering.
Belair talks about warning Banks about the triffling style of Reginald. Banks brings up Belair saying to get rid of him. Belair says she said to get rid of him not slap him.
She again tries to put the loss on Banks, but "The Boss" cuts her off and says she's not taking all the blame for that. She calls Belair a rookie and walks off.
Big E. Is Back
From there, we head back inside the ThunderDome where Big E.'s music hits and he makes his way out to the top of the entrance stage.
The commentators talk about Big E. making his return for the first time since being savagely attacked by Apollo Crews. Big E. emerges with a neck brace and bandages on himself in various spots.
Big E. tears off the neck-brace and the bandages and makes his way down to the ring. He gets on the microphone as his music fades down and cuts off.
He addresses the attack he received from Apollo and brings up having to get biblical. He blames him getting in this mindset on Apollo. He vows to give him what he deserves and says they don't need to wait.
He tells him to bring his behind down to him and get the opportunity you have been waiting for. Nothing happens. Big E. says that's what he thought. He says he brought his ring attire and title for nothing. He decides he did not, extending an open challenge with his Intercontinental Championship on-the-line.
WWE Intercontinental Championship (Open Challenge)
Big E. (c) vs. Sami ZaynKing Baron Corbin's music hits and he makes his way out in a suit with his crown on. He admits he's not in the proper attire but could make an exception if Big E. is willing to put the title on-the-line.
Before he can accept the challenge, however, Sami Zayn comes out and immediately says he accepts the challenge. Corbin says he's out here accepting it right now. Zayn says he's not and they've got it on tape, pointing to his documentary crew.
Big E. calls them both fools and says whoever can get in the ring first gets the shot. Zayn sprints down the ramp and dives into the ring. Big E. attacks him and dumps him back on the floor. Corbin approaches Zayn at ringside as we head to a commercial break with Big E. taking his title off and being poised and ready to defend it.
We're back from the break and we see the Big E. vs. Zayn open challenge match for the I-C title is in progress, with the former member of The New Day dominating the action wiuth ease thus far.
Finally we see Zayn pull ahead after capitalizing on a mistake made by the I-C champ as the commentators talk about Zayn's claims that re-capturing the I-C title tonight would be the perfect end to his documentary. With that said, we see the documentary camera crew at ringside recording the match.
Zayn gets in a little offense, however it isn't long before Big E. is using his size-and-strength to control the action. He gets Zayn out on the floor and starts pounding on him with big forearms. He turns his attention to the back and yells out for Apollo to show himself. He then goes for a splash on Zayn on the ring apron outside of the ring ropes, however Zayn rolls in the ring.
Big E. misses and bounces out to the floor as Zayn gets back to his feet inside the ring. On that note, we head to another mid-match commercial break as the action continues.
When we return from the break, we see the culmination of the match, as Zayn gets too overzealous and worried about his documentary crew, allowing Big E. to take back over control of the offense. He hits his Big Ending and makes the pin fall to pick up the victory and retain his I-C title in this impromptu open challenge in his return to SmackDown.
Winner and STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion: Big E.
After The Match: Apollo Returns And Attacks
Once the match wraps up, Big E. starts shouting for Apollo again and then the theme music for the Superstar begins playing. Finally, Apollo emerges, but from behind Big E. in the ring.
Apollo attacks Big E. once again, laying the I-C champ out and firing away at him with punches. He hits his finisher on him and then takes him out to the floor, whipping him into the ring steps and using them as a weapon as he brutalizes the I-C champ in yet another savage attack.
Backstage: Reginald Has A Good Idea For Nia Jax
We head backstage where Kayla Braxton is standing by with Nia Jax and Reginald. Nia Jax compliments Reginald again and credits him with making an affect earlier in the evening in the women's tag-team match.
From there, Reginald brings up an idea that the women's tag-team champion likes, as he suggests she should challenge Sasha Banks to a match and defeat her so that she can head into the PPV as a double-champion.
Nia compliments him on the good idea and then starts making eyes for him before telling Kayla Braxton to read the room and that three is a crowd.
WWE Fastlane Contract Signing For Universal Championship Match
Now we are back inside the ThunderDome in Tropicana Field where the familiar sounds of the entrance theme music of the reigning WWE Universal Champion plays.
"The Head of the Table" himself, Roman Reigns, emerges with his special council Paul Heyman by his side. Jey Uso is also out with them. The three make their way down to the ring for the advertised contract signing for the Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan match at WWE Fastlane for the Universal Championship as we head to a commercial break.
We're back from the break and the commentators again plug tickets going on sale for this year's WrestleMania 37 two-night extravaganza starting next Tuesday night. We are then told that Sasha Banks will defend her title against Nia Jax on next week's SmackDown.
From there, we see Daniel Bryan wrapping up his ring entrance, already in progress, as he leads the WWE Universe in a big "Yes!" chant on the turnbuckle as his music plays. It fades down and then Daniel Bryan takes his spot across from Reigns, Uso and Heyman.
Adam Pearce begins things by telling everyone why they are here this evening. He says if they are ready to sign the papers, the contracts are positioned on the table with chairs they can take a seat in when they are ready to sign them and make their match at the final PPV before WrestleMania 37 officially signed and sealed.
Reigns gets in Pearce's face briefly to intimidate him and then takes his seat. Bryan does the same across the other end of the table. Reigns takes the mic and begins speaking.
The Tribal Chief tells Bryan that he doesn't really want to do this. He says last week he was feeling one way but this week he's not. He claims he's not going to sign these papers. He's not willing to give him a shot anymore.
Bryan says he's excited and he signs his contract. He then tries to taunt Reigns, saying he never knew he wasn't a man of his word. He says he's always heard that he was better than him, but he never thought Reigns believed it because he's got self-confidence. He says last week, however, he did something Reigns could never do and that's make Jey Uso quit. He says maybe Reigns is afraid. He says Daniel Bryan is the new self-proclaimed head of the table, ruler of the island and he's the man in the Samoan family.
Reigns has finally heard enough and he grabs the pen and signs the contract. Bryan says that's good because now he's going to make him quit just like he made Jey Uso quit last week. Uso loses his cool and flips the table over. He then grabs the mic and says what the match needs is an unbiased special enforcer for the Reigns-Bryan match at Fastlane.
Before anyone can say anything, Edge's music plays and "The Rated-R Superstar" makes his way down the ramp with a microphone. He offers to compete for the first time in years in a one-on-one match against Jey Uso next week to determine who the special guest enforcer will be for the Reigns-Bryan Universal Title match at Fastlane. Adam Pearce makes it official for next week's SmackDown.
Edge then sprints down to the ring and he and Bryan begin attacking Reigns and Uso. They take those two out and then Bryan takes out Edge and stares down at him with a serious look. He leads the fans in a "Yes!" chant as he poses on the turnbuckle and Reigns stares him down from the entrance ramp. The commentators take us off the air on that note. Thanks for joining us here for coverage of this week's SmackDown.
WWE SMACKDOWN REACTION & DISCUSSION (3/12/2021)
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