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This week's episode of WWE SmackDown was a bit of a letdown. Although it definitely wasn't a bad episode, there wasn't really a lot that happened on this show.
We did get an Intercontinental Championship match between Apollo Crews and Kevin Owens. We also saw a fun match between the Mysterios and Alpha Academy.
There was also the ongoing saga between WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Cesaro. SmackDown ended with Roman Reigns answering the Swiss Cyborg's challenge.
Cesaro kicked off WWE SmackDown
WWE SmackDown started with Cesaro in the ring. As he tried to speak, the Swiss Superman was interrupted by Seth Rollins.
Rollins addressed what happened at WrestleMania 37, saying he took Cesaro from the bottom of the totem pole all the way to the top, helping him give the performance of a lifetime.
The Messiah then blamed the rain delay at WrestleMania for throwing him off his game. Cesaro invited Rollins down to the ring. As Seth started to make his way to the ring, Jey Uso's music hit.
Jey said that Cesaro didn't have it in him to beat either Seth Rollins or Roman Reigns. As Uso and Rollins were ready to get in the ring and attack Cesaro, Daniel Bryan came out to level the playing field.
Bryan got inside the ring and took the mic, saying that he was there to make sure Cesaro got what he deserved. He also said that Roman Reigns was in the position he was in because of his family's connections.
Roman Reigns' music hit after this as he came out with Paul Heyman. Jey Uso joined Roman Reigns and Heyman as Rollins watched. Reigns taunted Daniel Bryan for what happened in the main event of WrestleMania 37.
Reigns called Cesaro and Daniel Bryan "losers", saying that they were surrounded by people who wanted to beat them down.
Daniel Bryan and Cesaro vs Jey Uso and Seth Rollins on SmackDown
Rollins and Cesaro started brawling on SmackDown while Jey Uso went at it with Daniel Bryan.
The bell finally rang to start the match with Daniel Bryan and Jey Uso as the legal men. The action started off at a fast pace with the babyfaces dominating the early stages.
Seth Rollins managed to distract Daniel Bryan from the announcer's desk to get an opening for his team. A lot of the match was back and forth between the four superstars.
Cesaro came in with the momentum behind him and he was all over Jey Uso. The Swiss Cyborg went for the Swing but Jey countered with an enziguiri.
The former US Champion hit back with a trademark pop-up European uppercut. Cesaro headed to the top rope but it turned out to be a bad decision. Jey Uso caught him with a superkick on the way down.
Back from the commercial break on SmackDown, Cesaro had the Sharpshooter locked in on Seth Rollins. Jey Uso came in and hit Cesaro with a superkick to break the submission.
A frustrated Rollins started to walk away from the ring and headed to the back. Cesaro tagged in Daniel Bryan who hit Jey Uso with the Running Knee Strike and pinned him for the win.
Result: Cesaro and Daniel Bryan def. Seth Rollins and Jey Uso
Grade: A
Daniel Bryan called out Roman Reigns after the match while Cesaro hit the Swing on Jey Uso. Bryan implored Reigns to come out and save his cousin. When Reigns didn't come out, Daniel called him out for being afraid.
Apollo Crews was backstage with Adam Pearce on SmackDown. Crews was not happy about having to defend his title later on in the night.
Nia Jax vs Tamina on SmackDown
Nia Jax overpowered Tamina early on in the match on SmackDown and forced her back into the turnbuckle.
Tamina tried to hit back with a bodyslam but Shayna Baszler caught her leg from outside to stop it. At this point, there was confusion at ringside as Reginald accidentally struck Shayna Baszler.
While Nia Jax was distracted by Baszler and Reginald, Tamina hit her with the superkick and rolled her up for a win.
Result: Tamina def. Nia Jax
Grade: C
Kevin Owens addressed his IC title match on SmackDown
Kevin Owens said that he was happy for the opportunity to face Apollo Crews and said he'd love to leave SmackDown as the new Intercontinental Champion. He was interrupted by Big E.
E accused Owens of jumping the line and taking his opportunity. KO sort of agreed.
He told Big E that this was his night and his opportunity, and said he would claim the title as well. Both men then stared at each other for a few seconds and there was definitely an underlying sense of hostility between them.
Intercontinental Championship Match on SmackDown: Apollo Crews (C) vs Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens took control early in the match on SmackDown, grounding Apollo Crews in a side-headlock.
Crews forced the break but KO got right back to the headlock. Owens followed it up with a dropkick before hitting a series of right hands in the corner.
Apollo went for a side-headlock of his own but KO took him down with a back elbow followed by a running Senton.
Crews rolled out to ringside and Commander Azeez stood in front of KO to block any further offense. Crews used this opportunity to trip Owens.
Apollo was on top of proceedings for a brief moment. But KO caught Apollo with a superkick while they were on the outside and rolled him back into the ring.
Owens then hit a Swanton from the top rope but Crews kicked out at two. Sami Zayn's music hit at this point as we cut to commercial.
Back from the break on SmackDown, Sami Zayn was at ringside at the announcer's table. Owens caught Apollo with another superkick but it wasn't enough for a three count.
Crews replied with a Stun Gun against the top rope before following up with a clothesline. The Champion then hit an impressive triple German Suplex but it wasn't enough to end the match.
Crews missed a running splash in the corner and ended up eating a German suplex himself. KO followed it up with a couple of canonballs in the corner. He then hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb but the champion somehow kicked out.
KO headed to the top rope at this point but Apollo rolled out onto the floor. Owens hit a Frog Splash onto the floor before rolling Apollo back into the ring. Commander Azeez got on the apron again. KO took his eye off the ball for a second and it cost him as Apollo Crews rolled him up for the win on SmackDown.
Result: Apollo Crews def. Kevin Owens
Grade: A
KO hit Apollo with a Stunner after the match. Commander Azeez then came in and hit Kevin Owens with the Nigerian Nail to lay him out on SmackDown.
Kayla Braxton was backstage with Paul Heyman. Heyman said that he liked and respected Cesaro. He added that by the end of the night, Roman Reigns would give his answer to Cesaro's challenge on SmackDown.
Apollo Crews got attacked backstage on SmackDown
Apollo Crews was backstage on SmackDown being interviewed by Megan Morant. Apollo sent a warning to all his future challengers before being attacked by Big E. Referees and officials separated the two and dragged Big E away as Commander Azeez checked on Apollo Crews.
Aleister Black returns to SmackDown
After a hiatus, Aleister Black returned to SmackDown and delivered a cryptic message to the WWE Universe.
Bayley is set to face Bianca Belair at WrestleMania Backlash next month. The former SmackDown Women's Champion was backstage with Kayla Braxton for an interview.
She said that she was the veteran of the SmackDown women's division before addressing her ungrateful opponent at WrestleMania Backlash, SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair.
Bayley said that she was ready to win her title back at next month's PPV.
Bianca Belair's husband Montez Ford came into frame at this point in the interview. He had Bianca on the phone and told her what Bayley had said.
Bianca Belair joined Bayley in the back after the commercial break. Bayley had changed her tune now and told Bianca that it would be an honour to face her. Bayley then bursy out laughing and walked away.
Rey Mysterio and Dominik vs Alpha Academy on SmackDown
Otis and Chad Gable started the match really well on SmackDown. Otis took down both Mysterios at ringside with a big clothesline as we headed into an early commercial break.
Back from the break, Gable was in control of Dominik. Chad hit a German Suplex for a two-count before tagging Otis in.
The Blue Collar brawler hit a couple of clubbing blows, punishing Dominik further. Otis followed it with an elbow drop. The Alpha Acdemy traded tags as they continued to work on Dominik who was isolated in their corner.
Gable targeted Dom's shoulder and arm. Dominik was back on his feet but didn't go for the tag immediately and it turned out to be a tactical error.
Gable hit a couple of belly-to-belly suplexes but Dominik finally made the tag to his father.
Rey Mysterio was on fire as he came in, taking Gable down with a Code Red for a near fall. Mysterio then sidestepped Gable as he charged, sending the Olympian shoulder-first into the corner.
This was followed by some great teamwork by Rey and Dominik. Rey hit a 619 on Chad Gable and followed it up with a Frog Splash for the win on SmackDown.
Result: Rey Mysterio and Dominik def. Chad Gable and Otis
Grade: B+
Roman Reigns responded to Cesaro's challenge on SmackDown
Cesaro and Daniel Bryan came out on SmackDown to hear Roman Reigns' answer.
Cesaro took the mic and said that if Roman would not come down, he and Bryan will get an answer out of the WWE Universal Champion by meeting him backstage.
Roman Reigns' music hit at this point and he came out flanked by Jey Uso and Paul Heyman.
Reigns was surprised at Cesaro having the audacity to challenge him. He said that The Swiss Cyborg hadn't earned or deserved the right to challenge him before adding that it was the Universal Champion who makes the call.
Reigns turned away from Cesaro and challenged Daniel Byran instead for a match on next week's SmackDown. He said that he did not like DB and this would be his last title opportunity.
Cesaro insisted that Daniel Bryan should accept the challenge. Reigns added that when Bryan lost, he didn't want to see his face on SmackDown ever again. Needless to say, Daniel Bryan accepted the challenge.
Reigns then walk out of the ring as SmackDown went off the air.
Episode Grade: B+
We finally got to see Aleister Black on SmackDown while KO and Crews stole the show with an incredible match. Roman Reigns has raised the stakes for his match next week and it could very well be the last time we see Bryan on the blue brand.
