Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for January 15, 2021

Backstage, Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman are reading a contract for Royal Rumble. As Heyman says the contract is like the others before, Heyman tells Roman needs a stipulation for his match that teaches Adam Pearce fear and respect. Heyman asks Roman to hand him the contract, then tells Roman to consider the matter handled as he leaves.

Before the next match, Jey Uso calls SmackDown "The Bloodline Show" because he and Roman Reigns run the show, and tells Adam Pearce he will wish he put the suit back on after Royal Rumble before saying the locker room should thank Roman for everything they have. He then says that he is getting his and that he is entering and winning the men's Royal Rumble match and facing Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship, as his family is the entirety of WWE. Jey then says he has business with Shinsuke Nakamura, saying that Shinsuke did well at adapting and surviving, but was out like a light when they said "not tonight." He tells Shinsuke he should thank Roman for allowing him to survive, but he wants to fight. He then wants to know how strong Shinsuke is, saying he will be leaving in a stretcher before tonight is over, then Shinsuke shows up. Shinsuke says that if Roman is a big dog, then that makes Jey Uso "his little puppet." He then kicks Jey in the face.

Shinsuke Nakamura beats Jey Uso with a Kinshasa as Jey Uso argues with the referee after being caught using the ropes for leverage during a pinfall attempt. During the match, Cesaro shows up to guest on commentary, where he announces that he is entering the men's Royal Rumble match.

Backstage, Sonya Deville tells Adam Pearce he has a good chance of beating Roman Reigns. As Adam Pearce says he is not the wrestler he once was, Paul Heyman shows up with the Royal Rumble match contract. Heyman tells Pearce he has not only a chance at Roman Reigns and a world title in WWE, but that he has the rules tilted in his favor as it will be a no-disqualification match. Pearce says he knows Heyman wants him injured, then signs the contract anyway.

Backstage, Jey Uso is still arguing with referee Charles Robinson over his loss and tells him to do his job, as he is about to get fired after disrespecting Roman Reigns.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford). Ford says he and Dawkins are never scared, because they were tag team champions for 312 days and beat all challengers, and disrespecting Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode would be like disrespecting every other challenge. Dawkins says that they will be laying out tag teams on the way back to championship gold.

Backstage, Roman Reigns is talking with Apollo Crews when Heyman returns the contract. Roman tells Heyman he does not want to do a no-disqualification match; instead he wants a Last Man Standing Match. Heyman says Pearce will not go for such a match, but Roman says he will because he will make him go for it.

Billie Kay accompanies The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan) to the ring and guests on commentary for the next match.

Natalya beats Liv Morgan after Billie Kay runs across the ring to get away from Tamina, inadvertently distracting Liv Morgan and allowing Natalya to win with a roll-up.

Dominik Mysterio guests on commentary for the next match.

King Corbin beats Rey Mysterio after punching Dominik Mysterio - whom he has taunted throughout the match - in the face and egging Dominik on to get in the ring only for Corbin to push Rey into Dominik and hit End of Days for the win.

Backstage, Adam Pearce is met by Paul Heyman again. Heyman says Roman Reigns did not sign the contract, and says that the match will be a Last Man Standing Match. He also says Pearce can address anything in the ring with Roman tonight if he signs.

Backstage, Rey Mysterio tells Dominik Mysterio he is being smart about facing King Corbin, as one does not fight a big man without a plan. He then says they know the guy to talk to if Dominik wants to face Corbin.

It is time for the very first episode of Ding, Dong, Hello!, hosted by Bayley. Bayley's guest tonight is Bianca Belair. Bayley congratulates Bianca Belair on being a guest and her upcoming episode of WWE Chronicles on the WWE Network, then interrupts Bianca when she talks about her "EST" nickname, leading Bianca to propose a rematch. Bayley says she has nothing to prove, but then proposes an obstacle course challenge. Bianca accepts the challenge.

In footage from earlier today, Daniel Bryan and Otis train with Chad Gable, then Kayla Braxton interviews Daniel Bryan, who considers his training with Alpha Academy effective. As he says he has respect for Shinsuke Nakamura and does not mind losing to him, Cesaro shows up and says he speaks for Nakamura, not Daniel, and after Cesaro says that Otis and Gable make terrible training partners, Daniel proposes they have a match.

Cesaro beats Daniel Bryan.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Carmella, who says that Sasha Banks cannot touch her in terms of natural talent, then says Sasha hasn't been seen in two weeks because she has proven she is better than her in every way. Suddenly, Sasha Banks shoves Carmella but is stopped by Reginald. Sasha then tells Reginald that Carmella can have her title match if she can have a match with him first.

Big E guests on commentary for the next match while lounging on a white couch at ringside.

Apollo Crews beats Sami Zayn by grabbing the tights during a schoolkid pin, which Sami Zayn got caught doing to Apollo by the referee during the match. Sami is livid. After the match, Apollo Crews takes the Intercontinental Championship and looks at it before handing it to Big E.

Next week: Apollo Crews vs. Big E for the WWE Intercontinental Championship! Bayley's Obstacle Course Challenge!

Roman Reigns, Jey Uso and Paul Heyman show up. Adam Pearce shows up soon afterwards with the contract. Pearce signs the contract, then hands it to Roman, who also signs. As Pearce walks up the ramp, he then says that all contracts reserve the right to a suitable replacement after a knee injury nags him, then says he has found a suitable replacement in the Universal Championship match in Kevin Owens, who shows up and signs the contract to end the show.

Here are the top ten moments from tonight's show!