WWE SmackDown Live Results: Friday Night SmackDown Updates & Highlights (23rd April 2021)

WWE SmackDown Results April 23rd, 2021: Latest Friday Night SmackDown Winners, Grades, Video Highlights

Thanks for following along with us, folks. We'll see you next week for Monday Night RAW.

"if, when, you lose, I don't ever want to see your face again. I don't want to see you on my show again." - @WWERomanReigns w/ @HeymanHustle

"I accept!" - @WWEDanielBryan

It's Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan for the Universal Title next week on #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/YNH88g5m25
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 24, 2021

"The answer is no. It will always be no, because you are not at my level." - @WWERomanReigns w/ @HeymanHustle to @WWECesaro #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/k0Z0hPiBys
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 24, 2021

"The challenge goes to you." 👀#SmackDown @WWERomanReigns @WWEDanielBryan @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/4YvBRBnIVz
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

Here. We. Go.#SmackDown @WWERomanReigns @WWECesaro @WWEDanielBryan @HeymanHustle @WWEUsos pic.twitter.com/xCqFBHm4eE
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

Roman gets in Cesaro's face, stating that Cesaro hasn't earned a shot at the Universal Champion, and he's never been on his level. The champ issues the challenges around here, and tonight the challenge goes to Daniel Bryan. Next week, Bryan gets one last shot. Reigns says he doesn't like Bryan, that he's never liked Bryan.

Bryan is hesitant, but Cesaro tells him that he has to take the shot. Reigns lays down another stipulation. If Roman wins, Bryan must leave SmackDown for good. Bryan doesn't take too long to think about it, accepting and stepping up to the Head of the Table.

Cesaro and Daniel Bryan, once again, call out the Tribal Chief. Roman Reigns is, as always, flanked by Paul Heyman and Jey Uso.

What a move by @DomMysterio35!!#SmackDown @reymysterio @WWEGable @otiswwe pic.twitter.com/R0fyOf1yK6
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

.@reymysterio continues to defy the laws of time and gravity!#Smackdown pic.twitter.com/BYaDRAXi0P
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

The Mysterios team up to take out Gable, with Dom sliding under the ropes for a slingshot powerbomb into the barricade. WIth Otis knocked to the floor, Otis takes him out by driving him into a table. Rey rocks Gable with the 619 and the splash, earning another big win in the tag team division.

Rey and Dominik Mysterio defeat Alpha Academy via pinfall.

After the match, Cesaro and Daniel Bryan make their way to the ring. The two men congratulate Rey and Dom on their way down.

Dominik has been unable to get to his father for several minutes. Between Otis and Chad Gable, he's getting torn to shreds. Gable hits a pair of belly-to-belly suplexes and sets up for the German. Dom escapes that final suplex and gets to Rey, who comes in like a house on fire. A Code Red plants Gable for the two-count.

DOZin'! 😳#SmackDown @otiswwe @DomMysterio35 pic.twitter.com/Rh9WlILfKL
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

Just when you thought @itsBayleyWWE had a change of heart...@BiancaBelairWWE doesn't seem surprised.#Smackdown pic.twitter.com/g3gOWZXmZl
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

It's time for tag team action. Alpha Academy takes on The Mysterios. Dominik starts things off, and Otis is excited to get his hands on the young WWE Superstar. Otis lays out the high-flyer with a massive clothesline. A World's Strongest Slam flattens Dom into the mat, and as Rey pulls his son to the floor they're both laid out by the Dozer.

Bianca meets Bayley face to face backstage, trying to get Bayley to say everything she said a few moments before. Bayley went down a different path and says she'll be honored to be the first one to challenge for Bianca's title. Of course, she comes back into frame to laugh in the champ's face. Never change, Bayley. Never change.

Whatever @WWEAleister has planned...it doesn't seem good.#Smackdown pic.twitter.com/osCDof17Hc
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

Bayley talks trash about Bianca Belair, the woman she'll be challenging at WrestleMania Backlash. Te SmackDown Women's Champion's husband, Montez Ford, comes in with his phone on speaker. On the other line, Belair hears Bayley's words and states she's on her way to shut up the Role Model.

A vignette of Aleister Black is shown, as the former NXT Champion reads a fairy tale to the WWE Universe titled "The Dragon." When Black was younger, he was raised to become the dragon and dismiss the common thinking of sheep. Black calls us all vile, claiming we should be scorched from the Earth. That's uh...a little rude, but I get it.

This is not a drill! Aleister Black is back!

Apollo Crews is seen celebrating by the men's locker room, believing he's made his ancestors proud for putting an end to Kevin Owens' title aspirations. Crews is blindsided by Big E, who lays him out before Commander Azeez can make the save.

Paul Heyman meets Kayla Braxton backstage to drop a bombshell. By the end of tonight, Roman Reigns will address Cesaro's challenge. After all, the Tribal Chief is all about giving the people what they want.

Absolute legend. @SamiZayn #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/FQ3FbhsnI6
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 24, 2021

What's the status of "Justice for Sami"? @SamiZayn explains. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/pFMVpJGbdA
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 24, 2021

😱👀😱👀#SmackDown #ICTitle @CommanderAzeez @FightOwensFight @WWEApollo pic.twitter.com/z0FqEhACGn
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

How did @WWEApollo kick out of that?!?!#SmackDown #ICTitle @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/ucxvnTD8uP
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

The cannonball connects for a close near fall. Sami complains that the referee's counting too quick for Owens. A sit-out powerbomb plants the Intercontinental Champ in the ring. As Owens looks for his stunner, Azeez distracts him, allowing Crews to roll him up for the win.

Apollo Crews defeats Kevin Owens via pinfall.

Immediately after the match, Owens drops Crews with a stunner. Commander Azeez gets revenge with the Nigerian Nail, much to the delight of Zayn.

Back from the break and Sami has joined the commentary team. Apollo Crews and Kevin Owens fight at the top, with Crews getting the better of his challenger, if only for a moment. A superkick from Owens drops Crews for another two-count.

What is @SamiZayn doing out here? 👀🙄#SmackDown #ICTitle @FightOwensFight @WWEApollo pic.twitter.com/aPg9XDYUG1
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

.@FightOwensFight had that one scouted! 💥#ICTitle @WWEApollo pic.twitter.com/ILgBanv3Xy
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

Owens responds with a superkick and lands a picture-perfect Swanton Bomb for a two-count. Sami Zayn makes his presence known, dancing around the stage while Apollo recovers.

Apollo breaks away but is crushed with a running senton. KO sends him to the floor with a big clothesline. As Owens sets up for a dive, Commander Azeez steps in the way. Crews takes advantage of the distraction, laying KO out on the apron.

.@WWEApollo defends the #ICTitle against @FightOwensFight RIGHT NOW on #SmackDown! @CommanderAzeez pic.twitter.com/JvJIHuS0Oc
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

Kevin Owens takes the champ to the mat, putting a tight vice around Apollo with a side headlock.

Apollo is accompanied to the ring by Commander Azeez. Can KO overcome the talent of the champion and his giant bodyguard in this title bout?

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/xPxFUH2Svv
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 24, 2021

"You jumped the line, you HABITUAL LINE JUMPER." #SmackDown #ICTitle @WWEBigE @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/e4UA5GmAYc
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

Kevin Owens is preparing for his title match when he's met by Big E, upset that the Prize Fighter is managing to cut in line. E claims that the Intercontinental Championship is his, but KO promises him that by tonight Apollo won't be holding the gold anymore. They stare down before KO leaves.

A KO/Big E feud for the belt while having to chase Apollo? Yeah, yeah that sounds like a lot of fun. This is gonna be great.

.@TaminaSnuka pins one half of the @WWE Women's Tag Team Champs, @NiaJaxWWE! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/DWb6fgF7XQ
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 24, 2021

.@TaminaSnuka takes down @NiaJaxWWE on #SmackDown! @NatbyNature @QoSBaszler @ReginaldWWE pic.twitter.com/e7QBAEU4Nc
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

Nia doesn't expect Tamina's aggressive onslaught out the gate, and has to get some help from Shayna to prevent a suplex. Tamina shrugs off the interference, taking Nia to the floor and driving her into the barricade. Shayna and Nattie stare each other down while Tamina gets the better of Nia.

Reggie tries to get involved, but thanks to that we see Tamina kick Baszler in the back. Baszler takes her aggression out on Reggie, distracting Nia and allowing Tamina to get a roll-up victory.

Tamina defeats Nia Jax via pinfall.

Nia Jax, Shayna Baszler, and Reginald are out next. Jax will face her cousin Tamina Snuka in singles competition. Nattie is also in Tamina's corner.

Backstage, Jey Uso is asked about Seth Rollins abandoning him. Uso says he doesn't care about that, he's more upset about Cesaro disrespecting the Head of the Table.

.@WWEApollo defends the #ICTitle against @FightOwensFight TONIGHT on #SmackDown! @ScrapDaddyAP @CommanderAzeez pic.twitter.com/qzMEHnapCC
— WWE (@WWE) April 24, 2021

Backstage, Apollo Crews is furious that he has to defend the Intercontinental Championship and assumes he'll be facing Big E. Adam Pearce reveals that it won't be Big E, though he does deserve another chance. Tonight, he'll be taking on Kevin Owens.

"I think he might be afraid." - @WWEDanielBryan to @WWECesaro about @WWERomanReigns w/ @HeymanHustle #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/NykVYwmZGj
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) April 24, 2021

Cesaro puts Jey in another cyclone of spins while Bryan calls out The Head of the Table. Still, he refuses to save his cousin. Bryan reminds Roman that he hasn't been able to beat his last few challengers without any kind of help. In fact, he knows if he faces Cesaro one-on-one for the title, he'll lose.

Bryan gets a Yes chant going for Cesaro as the two celebrate. Roman won't be happy about this.