WWE SmackDown Results – Apr. 23, 2021 – Apollo Crews vs. Kevin Owens

Apr 23, 2021

April 23, 2021
Tampa, Florida (Yuengling Center)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Pat McAfee
Results by: Roy Nemer of Wrestleview.com

Quick Match Results

Cesaro & Daniel Bryan defeated Jey Uso & Seth Rollins via running knee by Bryan on Uso after Rollins walked out of the match
Tamina defeated Nia Jax via superkick
Intercontinental Championship: Apollo Crews (c) defeated Kevin Owens via rollup after a distraction by Commander Azeez
Rey & Dominik Mysterio defeated Chad Gable & Otis via 619 and frog splash by Rey on Gable

In-Ring: Cesaro, Seth Rollins, Jey Uso, Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman

Live in the ThunderDome, Cesaro is in the ring. As he is about to speak, out comes Seth Rollins. He calls Cesaro the man of the hour. He says he came out to congratulate him because he did it. He reached and fulfilled his potential and that is because he was in the ring with Seth at WrestleMania.

Seth says he took Cesaro all the way to the promise land and he asks Cesaro where his thanks is because he hasn’t gotten it. He heard Cesaro talk about wanting to move on from him and to go after the Universal Championship. Seth says this is not over because nothing is over until he says that it’s over. And concerning WrestleMania, if mother nature and God himself hadn’t converged and created a rain delay, Cesaro would not have gotten the win. Seth says on his worst day and on Cesaro’s best, he couldn’t beat him again.

Cesaro says he’s having a great day and what would make it better is if Seth would step in the ring and he can prove to him that he can beat him right here and right now. Seth walks down the ramp and says maybe he should teach him a lesson.

Jey Uso’s music hits and out comes Jey to the ramp. He tells Cesaro that he should listen to Seth. He challenged the head of the table Roman Reigns and Roman brushed him off. He doesn’t deserve to be in the same ring as him, Roman or Seth again. He says if he didn’t get the message last week, he will show him tonight.

Seth tells Uso to back off and they can work together. They can strike together. Uso agrees.

Cesaro is in the ring as Jey and Seth circle the ring. Daniel Bryan’s music hits and out comes Bryan to the ring. He and Cesaro are in the ring. Bryan asks them where they are going. He says Cesaro came out because he wants a Universal Championship match. Seth came out because he is embarrassed and upset that Cesaro beat him at WrestleMania. And Jey came out because Roman told him to. But he came out to make sure Cesaro finally gets what he deserves.

Seth and Jey start to walk away. Bryan says he has an infinite amount of respect for Cesaro because he has worked harder than everybody. Harder than him, than Seth, than Jey and even Roman Reigns. The only reason Roman is at where he is at is because of family connections while Cesaro hasn’t gotten a break. Bryan asks if Roman will come out but probably not since Roman doesn’t like to wrestle. Roman will come out and the three of them will try to attack them and beat them to a pulp. Bryan says if someone wants to come out to fight, they can.

Roman’s music hits and out he comes with Paul Heyman. Roman says Bryan should be talking about the work he put on him at WrestleMania and he had even called it. Smash them, stack them, pin them. Roman calls Bryan a loser. And the fact that Cesaro is letting Bryan talk for him means that he is a loser. To everyone else, they are legit but to him, the tribal chief, they are losers. Bryan is a WrestleMania main event loser. Cesaro is like a casino loser, he is a loser with bad luck. But Bryan is just a stupid loser. He says Bryan is surrounded by people who want to beat his ass.

Cesaro & Daniel Bryan vs. Jey Uso & Seth Rollins

All four men are in the ring fighting. The referee is in the ring but the match hasn’t started just yet. The referee calls for the ball and we are under way.

Bryan with a suplex on Jey. He goes for the cover but Jey kicks out. Cesaro is tagged in. An elbow by Cesaro. He goes for the cover but Jey kicks out. Cesaro knocks Seth off the ring apron. He turns his attention back to Jey. He lifts Jey up and a vertical suplex. He goes for the cover but Jey kicks out. Seth tags himself in. An uppercut by Cesaro followed by right hands. He goes for a splash but Cesaro moves out of the way. A slingblade by Seth. He goes for the cover but Cesaro kicks out.

Seth throws Cesaro in the corner and Jey is tagged in. They double team Cesaro. A stomp by Jey and Seth is tagged in. Once more they double team Cesaro. A headlock by Seth as Cesaro tries to fight back. A boot to the face by Seth. He jumps off the second rope and but Cesaro catches him and a backbreaker by Cesaro. He tags Bryan in.

Bryan with a dropkick off the top rope. He knocks Jey off the ring apron. Bryan with the yes kicks. He goes for another one but Seth ducks. Seth goes for the overhead kick by Bryan catches him and a German by Bryan. He goes for the cover but Seth kicks out. Bryan goes for the running knee, Seth catches him as Jey catches him. The buckle bomb by Seth. Jey with the splash. He goes for the cover but Cesaro breaks it up.

Jey and Seth throw Cesaro to the outside and a double suplex on the outside.

Back from commercial, Seth has Bryan tied up on the bottom rope. He places Bryan on the ring apron and a kick to the head by Seth. He rolls Bryan back into the ring and goes for the cover but Bryan kicks out. Seth with a forearm to the back of the neck. He goes for the cover but again Bryan kicks out. Jey is tagged in and they double team Bryan. A right hand by Jey and Bryan in the corner. A Samoan drop by Uso. He goes for the cover but again Bryan kicks out. Seth is tagged back in.

He throws Bryan in the corner and a knee to the face by Seth. He taunts Bryan, he runs towards Bryan but Bryan moves out of the way and both men collide, going down. Cesaro and Uso are tagged in.

Cesaro with an uppercut followed by right hands. Cesaro with a spinning clothesline. He goes for the cover but Jey kicks out. A spine buster by Cesasro as he tries to swing Jey but Jey grabs the bottom rope. Cesaro flies off the second rope and a flying corkscrew uppercut. He goes for the cover but again Jey kicks out. Cesaro throws Jey in the air and an uppercut. He goes for the cover but Seth breaks it up.

Bryan gets in the ring as he and Seth fight . Seth is thrown to the outside and Bryan with a suicide dive onto Seth on the outside. Jey knocks Cesaro to the outside. Jey goes for a suicide dive but Cesaro with an uppercut. Cesaro climbs the top rope, he jumps but Jey hits him with a super kick.

Back from commercial, Cesaro with a sharpshooter on Seth but Jey with a superkick breaks it up. Jey climbs the top rope but Cesaro with an uppercut slows him down. Seth starts to walk away up the ramp. Jey on the ring apron as Cesaro hits a superplex off the top rope from the ring apron. Bryan is tagged in. He hits him with the running knee. Bryan goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winners: Daniel Bryan and Cesaro

Bryan grabs a microphone after the match and calls Roman out. Jey tries to attack them from behind but Cesaro knocks him down and swings him around. Jey slowly gets up and Cesaro hits him with an uppercut. Bryan tells Cesaro Roman might be afraid after all of those swings.

Cesaro grabs a microphone and says they are waiting. Bryan says this shows what kind of a champion Roman is and he won’t even save his own cousin. It shows everyone what kind of a family man Roman truly is. Bryan tells Roman to swing Jey again. Cesaro starts spinning Jey around again and drops him. Bryan says Roman still hasn’t come out. Bryan asks if Roman is afraid. he knows he couldn’t beat Kevin Owens without Jey’s help. He couldn’t beat him without Edge’s help. He couldn’t beat Edge without Jey’s help. And he can’t beat Cesaro.

Backstage: Adam Pearce, Sonya Deville, Apollo Crews

.@WWEApollo defends the #ICTitle against @FightOwensFight TONIGHT on #SmackDown! @ScrapDaddyAP @CommanderAzeez pic.twitter.com/qzMEHnapCC

— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

We cut backstage to Sonya and Adam Pearce. In comes Apollo who says this is nonsense, why does he have to defend his Intercontinental Championship tonight. He says he defeated Big E, he won’t defend it against him. Pearce says when Big E can, he will challenge Apollo Crews for the Championship. Either him or his opponent for tonight, Kevin Owens.

Backstage: Jey Uso

Jey is backstage and in comes Kayla. Jey says he feels sick and that’s enough disrespect by Cesaro. He says stepping up to the head of the table, he will get put down.

Nia Jax vs. Tamina

The bell rings and we are under way. Nia lifts Tamina up and slams her in the corner. A headbutt by Nia followed by a splash. Nia talking trash but Tamina with a right hand. Tamina takes Nia down and more right hands by Tamina.

Nia next to the ropes as Tamina tried to pick her up but Shayna holds onto Nia’s leg. Nia rolls to the outside and Tamina throws her into the barricade. Shayna gets in Tamina’s face. Tamina throws Nia back in the ring. Reginald on the ring apron, Tamina is distracted. Tamina kicks Shayna away who is next to the ring apron.

Tamina with a superkick on Nia. She goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winner: Tamina

Backstage: Kevin Owens, Big E

Kayla is backstage and she is with Kevin Owens. She asks him about his match tonight. Owens says it has been years since his last match for the Intercontinental title. He says he is more than thrilled, he is delighted. He says he wasn’t expecting this opportunity but he won’t turn it down. He will gladly be the one to knock Apollo down.

In comes Big E. He says Kevin jumped the line. They both know that this is his match and his title. Kevin says because of WrestleMania. Kevin says Big E is right, he should be getting a rematch but it won’t be tonight. Because tonight, it’s his opportunity. He says he will go win the belt and after that it will be his title. Both guys sarcastically laugh.

Backstage: Adam Pearce, Daniel Bryan

Adam Pearce is backstage and in comes Bryan. He asks Pearce if he will make the match between Roman and Cesaro. Adam says it’s not easy but he will try. Bryan tells him to do more than just try.

Intercontinental Championship
Apollo Crews (c) vs. Kevin Owens

The bell rings and we are under way. A leg take down by Owens in the middle of the ring. Owen switches into a side headlock. He gets Crews up and another headlock. Crews tries to turn it into a cover as Kevin lets go of it. Owens with another headlock in the middle of the ring. Crews sends Kevin to the ropes and a dropkick by Owens.

Apollo in the corner and a chop to the chest by Owens followed by right hands. The referee breaks it up and a kick by Apollo. He gets Kevin into a side headlock. Owens sends him to the ropes and a forearm by Owens takes him down. A senton by Owens followed by a clothesline taking Apollo to the outside. Kevin is about to go for a suicide dive but Azeez stands in his way. Kevin gets on the ring apron and Apollo trips him up.

Crews gets Owens back in the ring and a snap suplex by Crews. He goes for the cover but Apollo kicks out. Right hands by Crews and he throws Owens to the outside. Crews to the outside. He goes for a moonsault but Kevin moves out of the way and Owens hits him with a superkick. He throws Apollo back in the ring. Owens with a senton off the top rope. He goes for the cover but Apollo kicks out.

Sami Zayn’s music hits and out comes Sami down to the ring.

Back from commercial, Sami is on commentary. Apollo and Owens are fighting on the second rope. Apollo knocks Owens down. Apollo on the top rope, he jumps, Owens moves out of the way and Kevin hits him with a superkick. Owens goes for the cover but Apollo kicks out. A chop to the chest by Owens but Crews lifts Owens up and throws him on the top rope. A clothesline by Crews. He goes for the cover but Owens kicks out.

A kick by Apollo followed by a German suplex. A second German by Apollo followed by a third German suplex. He goes for the cover but Owens kicks out. Apollo goes for a big splash but Owens moves out of the way. Owens with a release German. A cannonball by Owens in the corner. A second cannonball by Owens. He goes for the cover but Apollo kicks out. Owens goes for the Stunner but Crews goes for the Olympic slam, Owens blocks it and a superkick by Owens. He sends APollo to the ropes and a popup powerbomb. He goes for the cover but Apollo kicks out.

Owens climbs the top rope but Apollo rolls to the outside. Owens with a frog splash onto Apollo. He throws Crews back in the ring. Azeez on the ring apron distracts Owens as Apollo rolls him up from behind for the pin.

Winner: Still WWE Intercontinental Champion, Apollo Crews

Owens hits Crews with the stunner. Azeez gets in the ring and knocks Owens down. Zayn gets in the ring after the match and dances around Kevin Owens.

Backstage: Paul Heyman

Kayla is backstage with Heyman. She asks him if Roman will accept Cesaro’s challenge tonight. Heyman says he likes Cesaro, he likes him. He respects him, he admires him, he loves him in a professional way. He says Cesaro made a name for himself using only one name like Drake, Madonna. He says Cesaro is his favorite Cesaro. Will Roman accept the challenge tonight, customer satisfaction is the number one priority on the island of relevancy.

Heyman says spoiler. By the end of tonight, everyone in the tribe will hear from their chief and he shall give his answer. A direct answer from Roman Reigns. He tells Kayla she did good and he is proud of her.

Backstage: Apollo Crews, Big E, Commander Azeez

Megan Morant is backstage and in comes Apollo Crews. He says he doesn’t just talk to anyone. He says to listen because that is the sound of his royal ancestors celebrating his victory. In comes Big E who attacks Apollo Crews. He throws him into equipment backstage as WWE officials break it up. Commander Azeez comes out and checks on Crews.

Video: Aleister Black

A video package of Aleister Black airs. He says most people are not honest but he will tell the truth. He opens a book and says Chapter 1, the dragon. He talks about these funerals he went to as a child. These celebrations of life that his father would bring him to. He was not taught how to defeat the dragon but how to become the dragon. He cuts a promo talking and attacking the viewers.

Backstage: Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, The Street Profits

Kayla is backstage with Ziggler and Roode. She congratulates them on their victory last week. Tonight it’s the Mysterios vs. The Alpha Academy. Ziggler says Rey is one of the best of all time but his son has some big Gucci shoes to fill. He predicts the Alpha Male’s to win.

In come The Street Profits. They said when they were champions, Roode and Ziggler got multiple chances against them and they want to be next in line.

Backstage: Bayley, Bianca Belair

In comes Bayley. She breaks it up. She says ding dong, hello Kayla. She is the role model and she is here to talk about her opponent for WrestleMania Backlash, Bianca Belair.

Bayley says she took Bianca’s hand and graciously gave her the chance to work with her when she joined the WWE. But Bianca never thanked her. She says Bianca is rude, selfish and spoiled. And at WrestleMania Backlash, she is taking back what is her and that is the SmackDown Women’s Championship. In comes Ford on his phone. He is talking to Bianca and says Bayley is really talking about her. Bianca laughs and says she will be right there.

After commercials, Bianca is backstage with Bayley. Bianca tells her to say what she said to her face. Bayley says she wanted to congratulate Bianca for making history at WrestleMania and she is honored to be her first opponent. And she keeps replaying her match in her mind. She said she wrestled Sasha many times and she knows it wasn’t easy and it will be an honor to face her at WrestleMania Backlash. Bayley walks away and comes back laughing. She laughs in Bianca’s face and walks away.

Rey & Dominik Mysterio vs. Chad Gable & Otis

The bell rings and we are under way. A shoulder block by Otis takes Dominik down. A running clothesline by Otis and again Dominik is out. Otis lifts Dominik up and slams him down onto the mat. Otis climbs the second rope but Rey grabs Dominik to the outside. Otis runs to the outside and hits both Rey and Dominik with a clothesline.

Back from commercial, Gable is in the ring with Dominik. Gable with a suplex. He goes for the cover but Dominik kicks out. Gable attacks Rey off the ring apron and Otis is tagged in. They double team Dominik. He sends Dominik to the ropes and double forearms takes Dominik out. A bodyslam by Otis. He throws Dominik in the corner and Gable is tagged in. They double team Dominik in the corner. Otis tags himself back in and a big splash onto Dominik. Gable tags himself back in.

Gable goes for the cover but Dominik kicks out. A belly to belly by Gable followed by a second. Gable goes for a German but Dominik lands on his feet. Dominik throws Gable onto the ropes and Rey is tagged in. Rey with right hands. A head scissor take down by Rey. He goes for the cover but Dominik kicks out. Rey on the top rope but Gable slows him down. Gable on the second rope, he places Rey on his shoulders but Rey with a hurricanrana.

Rey goes for the cover but Gable kicks out. Dominik is tagged in. Gable on the ring apron and they double team him taking him to the outside. Dominik throws Gable back in. Rey is tagged back in and he knocks Otis off the ring apron. They double team Gable. Dominik jumps over the top rope and he throws Otis onto the announce table. Rey with the 619 on Gable followed by the frog splash. He goes for the cover and gets the pin.

Winners: Rey and Dominik Mysterio

In-Ring: Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, Jey Uso

Both Cesaro and Bryan are in the ring as Cesaro tells Roman to come out. They want to hear his answer. Cesaro says he can either come out and give his answer or they can go to the back and get an answer.

Roman’s music hits and out he comes with Heyman and Jey Uso. All three men get in the ring as Roman lifts his WWE Universal Championship. Roman gets in Cesaro’s face. He says Cesaro wants to challenge him. He asks Cesaro who he is. He doesn’t deserve it, he hasn’t earned it. Roman says he is the tribal chief, the head of the table. His answer is no and it will always be no because Cesaro will never be on his level.

Reigns says the Universal Champion issues the challenges out here and the challenger is Bryan. Roman tells Bryan he doesn’t like him, he never liked him and he never will. But Bryan gets one more opportunity because that’s as close as he will ever get. Roman says next week on SmackDown, Bryan gets one more title opportunity.

Cesaro tells Bryan he has to take it. Roman says but if or when Bryan loses, he doesn’t want to ever see Bryan again. He wants him to vanish. He never wants to see him on SmackDown ever again. Bryan accepts as Roman Reigns leaves the ring.