Welcome to eWrestling.com’s LIVE results coverage for the Friday, May 7th, 2021 edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown which airs LIVE on the FOX TV Network from the ThunderDome II at Yuengling Center, Tampa, FL.
As advertised for the Friday, May 7th edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown, Cesaro takes on Seth Rollins the highly anticipated WrestleMania Rematch on a special Throwback episode of SmackDown, tonight at 8/7 C on FOX.
All that and more, tonight at 8/7 C on FOX! , tonight at 8/7 C on FOX.
Featured below are complete results of the Friday, May 7th, 2021 edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown which airs live at 8/7C on the FOX TV Network! The following report was written by eWrestling’s longest running female reporter, Jamie Rush. Follow Jamie on Twitter @JamieRush312.
WWE FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN RESULTS (05/07/2021)
Pre-Show Opening
The Friday, April 30th, 2021 edition of WWE Friday Night SmackDown opens with the recently updated WWE… Then… Now… TOGETHER opening sequence to play us into tonight’s show airing on FOX Network.
Inside The ThunderDome
As we kick off the Friday, May 7th special Throwback Edition of WWE SmackDown on FOX we get the opening with a throwback-style intro video. Next we cut to a classic opening video with The Rock and other former WWE Superstars featured in the video package.
At this point we are LIVE from the WWE ThunderDome at the Yuengling Center in Tampa, Florida as pyro goes off. There’s throwback theme music and graphics surrounding the arena and shared on screen. The SmackDown fist is also there on an updated set. Next, Michael Cole welcomes us to the show and he’s at ringside with Pat McAfee, who is dressed like a young WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon. They lead us to a look back at the August 26, 1999 SmackDown main event between The Rock and Triple H, which was the first main event of SmackDown. They tout how there have been 1,133 SmackDown episodes in a row. Cole says we will make more magic tonight.
In-Ring – WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns
– We go to the ring and out comes WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman and Jey Uso. Greg Hamilton does the introductions as they stop on the stage and Reigns raises the title to pyro.
Progressive “Look Back” Video Clip
At this point we head into the Progressive-sponsored look back at how Reigns defeated Daniel Bryan in last week’s Career vs. Title match.
Back Inside The Ring
As the video comes to an end, we return to the ring just as Reigns raises the title in the ring now as more pyro goes off. Next, his special counsel, Heyman, gets on the mic and says Reigns has asked him to eulogize the career of Bryan, which we will do so with a ten-bell salute. Heyman tells the time-keeper that his help is not needed as they will do this their way. Heyman, Uso and Reigns bow their heads as Heyman “dings!” 10 times. Fans boo as they proceed to chant “you suck!” at the heels.
Reigns then continues on to state that, unlike Bryan, he’s a man of his word and did what he said he would do. He puts everything on his back and carries it, and because of this we should acknowledge him, celebrate him, thank him, because he always gives everyone what they want… the fans, FOX, SmackDown, even Bryan. Reigns says Bryan didn’t want to be here so he smashed him, pinned him and got rid of him. Reigns goes on and says we’ve replaced Bryan, with someone who will certainly acknowledge him. The music hits and out comes Jimmy Uso making his return from injury.
Jimmy Uso Returns!
As his entrance theme sounds, we see Jimmy Uso make his way to the top of the stage. Uso then makes his way down the ramp and hits the ring and celebrates with his brother, then Reigns, even Heyman.
Cesaro Interrupts
The celebration is cut short as it is interrupted by Cesaro. Cesaro makes his way to the stage and begins by stating that Jimmy could NEVER replace Bryan, (no offense to Jimmy). Cesaro then continues as he says he has no time tonight for Reigns because he has to focus on the match with Seth Rollins, which is more important than… Rollins suddenly attacks from behind and they brawl to the ringside area. Producers and officials come down to break things up.
WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long Interrupts
Suddenly the entrance music hits and out comes WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long to interrupt… playa. Long announces that Adam Pearce has granted him some power, and if Cesaro can beat Rollins tonight, he will earn the title shot against Reigns at WrestleMania Backlash. Holla, holla!
Reigns Attacks Cesaro Heading To Break
Suddenly, Reigns attacks Cesaro from behind from the ring, and Rollins follows up by tossing Cesaro into the steel steps. Rollins brings Cesaro in the ring and beats him down in the corner as fans boo and we head to the first commercial break of the evening.
Return From Commercial Break
As we return from the first commercial break, we get an old-school ad for ICOPRO.
Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins
As the ad comes to an end, we return to the ring where both Cesaro and Seth Rollins are already in the ring, prepared to get the first match-up of the evening officially underway. The referee signals for the bell, the bell rings, and we kick off the first match of the evening! To start the action, Cesaro and Rollins meet up in the center of the ring to begin their brawl for the victory! Seth Rollins gets the upper-hand early in the match as he unloads on his opponent, Cesaro. We see that at ringside, Jimmy and Jey Uso are watching the match intently as it continues. Rollins maintains control as the match continues.
Rollins then hits a Slingblade on Cesaro for the cover. Cesaro is able to kick out at the two, continuing the match as he makes his way back to his feet to continue. At this point, Rollins goes for a flying knee for another pin-fall attempt. Cesaro again is able to kick out for a close 2 count. Back to their feet and Rollins sends Cesaro out to ringside. Rollins then joins his opponent on the outside of the ring as he throws Cesaro into the barriers. (We see WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman watching backstage on a monitor).
At this point, Cesaro tries to mount offense back in the ring now but Rollins kicks the knee out and keeps control for another pin attempt. Cesaro ends up overpowering Rollins with a big suplex of his own. Cesaro then follows up with big uppercuts from corner to corner. After that, Cesaro attempts to hit The Neutralizer, but Rollins is able to evade, forcing Cesaro to then look for the Cesaro Swing which Rollins is again able to block as the match continues on! At this point, Seth Rollins successfully sends Cesaro to the apron on the outside of the ropes off another block. Rollins get closer to Cesaro who immediately takes Rollins down.
Cesaro then proceeds to head to the top turnbuckle. Suddenly from ringside, we see Jey Uso cause a distracts from the apron, allowing Rollins to run up to the top, nailing a huge Superplex, holding it into a Falcon Arrow. Rollins quickly follows up with a cover, for a close 2 count in the middle of the ring. At this point we get some more back and forth with Cesaro fighting back and staying in it as we go to commercial break.
As we return from the commercial break, we head back to the ring where Cesaro slams Rollins for a cover of his own. Rollins is able to kick out at the 2. Instead of getting back to his feet, Rollins quickly counters and rolls him over for a close 2 count of his own. Cesaro with the Sharpshooter applied now. He goes to turn it into the Crossface but Rollins counters with a neckbreaker. Rollins goes for the Stomp but Cesaro avoids it. Rollins comes right back and levels Cesaro for another close 2 count.
At this point, we continue the match with Cesaro delivering more offense to Rollins to continue the match-up between the two. He goes for a super Gutwrench suplex from the top but it’s blocked. Rollins follows up with a Buckle Bomb but Cesaro comes out of the corner with a big clothesline and they both go down. Cesaro with strikes as The Usos look on. Rollins fights back but Cesaro uppercuts him. Rollins launches Cesaro over the top rope to the floor.
We watch as Rollins rolls out of the ring just as Jimmy Uso distracts the referee. Rollins tells Jey Uso he’s not Reigns so stay out of his business. This leads to Rollins heading back to the ring as he rolls Cesaro back in and then drops Jey. Jimmy comes over and superkicks Rollins. Cesaro launches himself from the ring to the floor, taking Uso down. Cesaro brings Rollins back in and hits the Neutralizer in the middle of the ring for the pin to win and earn the title shot at WrestleMania Backlash.
Winner and New #1 Contender to the WWE Universal Title: Cesaro
After the Match
Immediately following the match, both Jimmy and Jey Uso are clearly upset at ringside as Cesaro begins to celebrate. We see Reigns and Heyman watching backstage. Cesaro continues celebrating as we go to our next commercial break.
Backstage – Seth Rollins
As we return from the commercial break, we head backstage where Seth Rollins is seen yelling at the WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. Rollins states that he needs to know if he should be mad at Jimmy Uso or Reigns himself. Reigns informs Rollins that he will handle his family. Rollins responds that Reigns needs to or he will.
Video Clip (Throwback)
Next we head into yet another “Throwback” clip that highlights Stone Cold Steve Austin’s grocery store assault on Booker T from 2001.
Backstage – Sonya Deville
At this point we head backstage where we see Sonya Deville with Long. Long thanks Deville for the great stipulation idea for the Cesaro/Rollins match earlier. Adam Pearce isn’t here tonight.
Sami Zayn Interrupts
Suddenly out of nowhere, Sami Zayn comes charging in and states that he is happy Long is here since he isn’t part of the conspiracy against him. Zayn wants an IC title shot. Long first books Zayn in a tag match with Apollo Crews. Zayn says no that doesn’t work. Long then books Zayn in a one-on-one match with The Undertaker. Zayn tells Long Undertaker retired. Long says ok and puts Zayn in a ten-man tag match later tonight. Zayn isn’t happy but Long gets him to dance with him anyway. Deville joins in, playa.
Backstage – The Usos and Roman Reigns
At this point we again head backstage and into the locker room of WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns where we see his twin cousins, Jimmy and Jey Uso. We then see Roman Reigns berate Jimmy for being back for an hour and screwing things up. No Reigns has to clean up Jimmy’s mess. Jimmy says, first off, Reigns ain’t gonna be talking to him any kind of way like he does his brother Jey. Jimmy tells Reigns he ain’t nobody’s bitch. Jimmy storms off. Reigns tells Jey to handle it. Jey goes after Jimmy.
Ruby Riott w/Liv Morgan vs. Carmella
We return to the ring where the next match up between Riot and Carmella is ready to begin following their ring entrances. The referee signals for the bell. The bell rings and the match is officially underway. To start the match, Riott misses a clothesline. Carmella moonwalks away. Riott floors Carmella with a shoulder block. Carmella counters Riott’s suplex attempt with a head slam. Riott surprises Carmella with deadly nightshade. Riott gets a near fall after an STO. Riott goes up top. Carmella traps Riott’s head in the turnbuckle and superkicks her in the face. Carmella tries to pin Riott with her feet on the ropes. Morgan alerts the referee. Carmella kicks Morgan in the face. After a series of pin attempts, Carmella traps Riott in the Code of Silence. Riott taps out.
Winner- Carmella
Video Clip – Edge
Next we head into a video clip that shows Edge winning the tag titles together with noted racist Hulk Hogan back in 2002.
In-Ring – Bayley
As we return to the ring inside the ThunderDome as Bayley’s entrance theme sounds and she makes her entrance to send us to commercial break.
Video Clip – Throwback
As we return from commercial break, we get a video recap highlighting the time that Big Show and Brock Lesnar collapsed the ring with a superplex back in 2003.
In-Ring – Bayley
As the video returns, Bayley is here to hype up some of the women’s champions across WWE history (and explain how they fall short compared to her), including Alundra Blayze, Jacqueline, Lita, Trish Stratus, Beth Phoenix, Molly Holly, and Bianca Belair, who of course gets a nice long segment dedicated to running her down.
Bianca Belair Enters
At this point the music theme plays for Bianca Belair. Belair makes her way out as she begins by stating that her confidence is powered by all of her fans and thanks Bayley for her concern but says she should worry about herself because she’s about to become the longest-reigning champion in SmackDown women’s history. Bayley cackles and tries to take her down with a double leg but Bianca blocks and puts her in the corner for strikes!
Big hip toss, lining her up, dropkick connects, kip-up! Bayley grabs her by the earring and throws her into the corner before choking her on the mat and dropping her with the Roseplant!
Backstage – Jey Uso
We again head backstage where Jimmy Uso is confronted by his twin brother Jey over his words earlier and Jimmy tells him that he’s been fighting all of Roman’s battles for him. Jey says he’s family and Reigns being champion makes them all strong, but Jimmy says he needs Jey and they need each other right now. You wanna talk about family, picture this— Roman Reigns Universal Champion, and the Usos as SmackDown Tag Team Champions, that’s representing the family right there.
Ring Entrance – Rey Mysterio
As we head to the commercial break, we get the ring entrance for Rey Mysterio as his music plays him down the ramp and into the ring.
Video Clip – Throwback
As we return from the commercial break, we are sent into a video clip throwback highlighting a Kurt Angle historical moment.
Promo – Dolph Ziggler
Next we head into a promo highlighting Dolph Ziggler and the match switches to Dominik Mysterio.
Dolph Ziggler vs. Dominik Mysterio
As we return to the ring, we prepare for the next match up of the evening. The referee signals for the bell, Ziggler in control early but Mysterio blasts him with a dropkick that sends him to the floor! Dolph trips him up on the apron, body slam on the floor, back inside, cover for two off of a neckbreaker. Back and forth, Dominik snaps one off…
Winner: Dominik Mysterio
Backstage Interview
Next we head backstage where Reginald is interviewed in Gorilla next to Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler. He takes issue with Tamina and puts his pals over as the best tag team in the world before saying he’s going to break Tamina’s spirit before cleansing his tongue with spirits. We head to commercial break.
Video Clip – Throwback
As we return from the commercial break, we get an old school ad for WWF Ice Cream Bars, starring “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, as well as a video of an Arnold Schwarzenegger appearance on SmackDown in 1999.
Roman Reigns asks Paul Heyman to bring him his cousin. Paul makes the mistake of asking which one, Roman glares at him, and Heyman tells him he understands before running off to do just that.
Reginald vs. Tamina
Next we head back to the ring as we prepare for the next match up of the evening. Following ring entrances, both competitors are inside the ring and the referee signals for the bell. The bell rings and our match is officially underway. As the match begins, the action kicks off with Reginald showing off as he flips away from the superkick and takes a breather on the floor briefly. He fakes out getting back in, before sliding in and flipping away from Tamina’s strikes! Up top, baiting her in, before flipping over her and landing on his feet! He takes a moment too long to celebrate and Snuka drops him with a big boot!
She goes up top, Shayna shoves her down and that’s the end, I assume.
Unannounced Winner: Tamina (By DQ)
After the Match
Immediately following the match, the two teams begin to brawl.
Backstage – Apollo Crews
Next we head backstage where Apollo Crews is hanging out with his teammates tonight, and he talks up their powers and abilities and what they’ll achieve under his leadership, five fingers on one hand.
Promo – Big E
Big E gets an equal and opposite promo for his own team and we go to break.
Apollo Crews, King Baron Corbin, Chad Gable, Otis Dozovic, & Sami Zayn vs. Big E, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura, & Street Profits
We get the ring entrances for The Street Profits members Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford as well as Crews, Corbin, Gable and Otis. Also to the ring are Zayn, Big E, Owens, and Nakamura. Phew. After all that, the referee signals for the bell. The bell rings and this match is officially underway. To start the action, Dawkins and Gable to start, a bit of light mat grappling, Ford tags in and turns the heat up. Crews gets the tag and turns the tables, working Montez over, a change of tags eventually and E and Corbin hoss it up for a bit. The match breaks down into chaotic brawling and we go to break.
As we return from the commercial break, we’re still working our way through the matchups, Nakamura and Zayn at it, a knee goes through Sami’s dome but Baron breaks it up! The match goes into “everybody do something cool” territory, Owens hits a Stunner on Crews, Gable German suplexes him on the floor, Dawkins pounces him, Dozer freight trains him, Ford with the tope con giro!
At this point Sami Zayn blocks the Kinshasa, Corbin tags in and hits End of Days on Nakamura for the win!
Winner: Apollo Crews, King Baron Corbin, Chad Gable, Otis Dozovic, & Sami Zayn
Backstage – Roman Reigns
Next we head backstage where Roman Reigns is talking with Jey Uso, saying they need to find out where Jimmy stands, after the break.
In-Ring – WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns
As we return from commercial break, the WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns gets on the microphone to state that this isn’t how he envisioned his night going. He figured he’d bring Jimmy Uso back in—
Enter Jimmy Uso
At this point, Reigns’ cousin Jimmy Uso makes his way out and he gets on the mic and talks about Jey being in the I Quit match and refusing to quit until Roman dragged him out there and choked him out, and then Jey quit for him, because he loves him and didn’t want to see him get hurt. He plays a recap of Hell in a Cell and tells Jey not to get hot at him but if it were him he’d never have said “I quit.”
Roman asks if he’s still stuck on the past before saying he and Jey have moved forward and he’s not gonna go back and forth with Jimmy. It’s simple— fall in line, stand with them, and acknowledge him, or take your ass home and explain to your kids why you’re watching at home. Jimmy turns around and leaves the ring but stops on the ramp to have a think. Jey slides out after him and tries to talk him into acknowledging Roman so they can do their thing.
Cesaro Sneak Attack!
Suddenly out of nowhere, Cesaro attacks Reigns just as Jimmy tries to hold Jey back but Uso breaks away from his brother and makes the save on his cousin! Cesaro beats Jey down but Jimmy finally has had enough and comes to his brother’s aid! SWISS DEATH TAKES HIM OUT! Kick to the midsection, Gotch Neutralizer on Jey! The Swiss Superman hits one on Roman as well!
That’s the show, folks.
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