WWE SmackDown Live Results: Friday Night SmackDown Updates & Highlights (30th April 2021)

WWE SmackDown Results April 30th, 2021: Latest Friday Night SmackDown Winners, Grades, Video Highlights

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👀#SmackDown @WWERomanReigns @WWECesaro @WWEUsos @WWEDanielBryan @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/6XlRSsePAj
— WWE (@WWE) May 1, 2021

.@WWECesaro unleashes on @WWERomanReigns! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/tdlx3qwaB5
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

WHAT. A. MATCH! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/yrQOih7tuA
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

Not on @WWECesaro's watch!!!#SmackDown @WWERomanReigns @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/S4Hym9r6dh
— WWE (@WWE) May 1, 2021

Reigns, not done, grabs chairs and looks to send a horrific message to anyone who dares challenge him. Cesaro rushes the ring and uppercuts a chair into Reigns face. Reigns struggles to get away from the Swiss Superman, but is saved by Jey Uso. As Jey ties Cesaro in the ropes, Reigns cracks Bryan with a con-chair-to.

Daniel Bryan gets caught in the Guillotine, as Reigns transitions to his good hand. With nowhere to go, Bryan is put to sleep.

Roman Reigns defeats Daniel Bryan via submission.

Daniel Bryan gave it everything he had, but in the end, it's just not enough. Daniel Bryan is barred from SmackDown.

THIS. IS. AWESOME! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/UtgXCsndVc
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

Reigns powers out, slipping the hands over his head and goes to half-mount. Bryan can't block the elbows to the head, and a deadlift powerbomb leaves the challenger in a heap in the middle of the ring. Reigns goes for the mount again, battering Bryan with even more shots. Again, a deadlift powerbomb nearly crashes Bryan through the mat.

Reigns goes for the Guillotine, but Bryan slips out. An armbar is transitioned into the Yes Lock. Reigns crawls desperately towards the ropes, but Bryan pulls him over and back to the middle of the ring. This is dead center, Reigns can't get to the ropes.

THIS. MATCH. 🔥🔥🔥@WWEDanielBryan will not give up! #SmackDown #UniversalTitle @WWERomanReigns @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/FraUb6lNjd
— WWE (@WWE) May 1, 2021

We thought this was it! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/EOmOxIOJWv
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

Reigns hits the only counter he can, moving back for a pinfall. When Bryan kicks out, Roman cuts him down with a spear. That's gotta be it.
1-2-no, Bryan kicks out! Roman and Heyman are stunned silent.

Bryan counters a spear with the small package, and when Reigns kicks out, he's met immediately with Bryan's running knee. Had they not been near the ropes, that would've crowned a new Universal Champion. Bryan grabs Reigns arms and drags him away before stomping the head and neck of Reigns. After that, it's time for the Yes Lock.

When we return, Bryan is at the top and Roman is out on the canvas. As Paul Heyman begs his Tribal Chief to move, Bryan cracks him with the diving headbutt. Reigns has enough wherewithal, though, to counter the running knee with a Superman Punch. It's enough for the two-count.

WWE announces a special episode of SmackDown for next week

Is @WWERomanReigns' reign in trouble?!? #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/HU2VK3gOoJ
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

CAUGHT#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/zi9d1uSAFp
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

Bryan wears down the legs of the champ, but after a series of Yes kicks, Roman ducks the final shot and counters with a Samoan Drop. The Superman Punch is stopped when Bryan drives a roundhouse kick into the arm, leaving Roman writhing in pain. A running kick further injures that arm.

Reigns is trapped by a series of armbreakers but manages to escape. On the floor, he catches Roman mid-dive for an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. With Bryan dazed, Reigns goes in for the kill; a spear through the barricade. Bryan ducks out of the way, though, and Reigns crashes through by himself, seemingly knocking himself out as we cut to the final commercial of the night.

Bryan is struggling to stay conscious, let alone in this match. Roman Reigns has his challenger on the ropes, both figuratively and literally. Bryan manages to escape Reigns' punishment at the top and brings the Head of the Table down with an avalanche back suplex.

😱😱😱@WWERomanReigns has taken control with the #UniversalTitle on the line on #SmackDown! @WWEDanielBryan @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/EnKnRrgZTQ
— WWE (@WWE) May 1, 2021

Bryan drives Roman Reigns to the top of the turnbuckle, but his super hurricanrana is countered. Reigns turns it into a powerbomb, but somehow can't keep Bryan down for three.

Turned him inside out! 😬#SmackDown #UniversalTitle @WWERomanReigns @WWEDanielBryan @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/YglAjef3d6
— WWE (@WWE) May 1, 2021

Bryan tries to rally again only to fall to one stiff knee to the face. Reigns delivers a harsh back elbow, nearly knocking Bryan's head off as he bounces off the ropes.

.@WWEDanielBryan wasting absolutely no time in trying to become the new Universal Champion! How will @WWERomanReigns rally from this?! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/qnnV5EGAwL
— WWE (@WWE) May 1, 2021

Back from the break, and Daniel Bryan has Roman Reigns in agony in the ring. He's dropping some knees on the left arm of the Universal Champion and lands those flying dropkicks in the corner. However, one massive clothesline is enough to ruin Bryan's momentum and turn things 180 degrees.

.@WWEDanielBryan is ALL OVER @WWERomanReigns!#SmackDown #UniversalTitle @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/tvMqyOFpgT
— WWE (@WWE) May 1, 2021

Reigns escapes the Yes Lock but is hit on the floor with a wrecking ball dropkick and flying knee off the apron. Roman is rocked, and Daniel Bryan can do this!

Daniel Bryan rushes Roman Reigns as the bell rings, hitting a flying dropkick and some Yes kicks. Roman stands back up and rocks Daniel with a big uppercut. This is gonna be heavy-hitting, folks, and we've got thirty minutes left in the show.

Behold @WWERomanReigns' new entrance theme! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/p0Jq6T6dqM
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

"@WWEDanielBryan will NOT beat @WWERomanReigns." - @HeymanHustle #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/hXPuTchZOG
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

Whoa whoa whoa, Roman Reigns got rid of the Shield music. I repeat, Roman Reigns has new music, and it's definitely fitting!

LESSSS GOOOOOOOO! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/tUZjp5CCQf
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

Paul Heyman runs down the list of Daniel Bryan's accolades. From dominating the indies to conquering WWE and winning the top prize in the main event of WrestleMania, to having the greatest comeback story in all of sports entertainment. He's done it all, and everyone believes he can achieve the impossible tonight. But will he? No, no, no.

"Of course I'll take 'another swing' ... IT'S ME!"@WWECesaro accepts @WWERollins' challenge for a match next week on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/ruP4slXPhL
— WWE (@WWE) May 1, 2021

In a perfect world this would shut @SamiZayn up for good. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Yrb4a8CrNs
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

HELLUVAKICKOUTTANOWHERE@SamiZayn #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/sQrzAtpp7e
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

Big E won by DQ but @WWEApollo's rule as Intercontinental Champion is here to stay! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/khe9wZTbgb
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

"Almost Intercontinental Champion, yet again!" - @PatMcAfeeShow #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Ry50LW4SXv
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

Again, Crews halts the momentum, this time with a heavy big boot to the jaw. Big E responds with his patented corner uranage. Again, only a two-count. On the apron again, Crews manages to pick up Big E and spike him on the spine of the ring with a death valley driver. Back inside, the splash connects, but Big E kicks out.

The Big Ending connects, and Big E seems to have the night won. However, Commander Azeez finally interferes, yanking E off Crews and driving him into the ring post.

Big E defeats Apollo Crews via DQ.

After the match, Kevin Owens rushes the ring to geet revenge on Azeez and Crews. Big E joins the fight, and Apollo Crews bails to the floor. The two heavy hitters seem to have things under control, but Sami Zayn runs in and cracks KO with the Helluva Kick. Azeez is confused at first, but he and Crews understand that Sami is here for a reason.

That reason may have to do with the Intercontinental Championship, as Sami holds onto the gold a bit too long. Crews takes the title, and Zayn lifts the arms of both Crews and Azeez. Unfortunately, Crews sees through the ruse and issues the command. Azeez drives the Nigerian Nail into Zayn's throat.

Back from the break, E builds up fire with a series of over-the-shoulder belly-to-belly suplexes. Apollo cuts him off, though, with an enzuigiri on the apron. A moonsault off the apron connects as well. However, it's not enough to keep the big man down, as he avoids a splash on the inside and plants Apollo with another belly-to-belly. The big splash hits for a two-count.

Commander Azeez is seriously distraught.

.@WWEApollo's face says it all! #SmackDown #ICTitle @WWEBigE pic.twitter.com/yRe3Rax8dA
— WWE (@WWE) May 1, 2021

After a counter stun gun and a clothesline, Apollo Crews takes over. on the floor, a suplex drives E downward. Crews holds the momentum as we cut to commercial break.

Big E clobbers Apollo Crews early and drags him to the apron for a series of chest shots. The running apron splash connects as Commander Azeez stares on in disbelief.

Speaking of Big E, his New Day stablemates were asked about the main event. Xavier Woods believes that it is the man who works hardest that will be rewarded, going with Daniel Bryan. Kofi Kingston, on the other hand knows it won't be a real one-on-one fight and states that with Jey Uso in his corner, Roman Reigns will not lose.

.@WWEApollo puts the #ICTitle on the line against @WWEBigE NEXT on #SmackDown! @CommanderAzeez pic.twitter.com/RFmyhvo4hW
— WWE (@WWE) May 1, 2021

"I could help you. I could give you the keys to escape, but I won't." - @WWEAleister #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ovcLeTfu2T
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 1, 2021

It's time for the Intercontinental Championship. Can Big E become a three-time champion, or will Apollo Crews, with Commander Azeez, crush the hopes of the former champ?