Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for January 22, 2021

Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman head to the ring to start tonight's show. Roman says Kevin Owens will not be sending him a message because he will not be here tonight, because he said so. He also says Owens and Adam Pearce did not outsmart him, as that kind of thinking is beneath him and that Pearce is scared. He says that he does not miss an appearance and that he puts in a work, and that it took his health being at risk during a pandemic to cause him to miss an appearance. Roman then mocks Pearce again for mentioning his own injuries and says his back hurts from carrying WWE for years. Pearce shows up, saying Roman and Heyman have gone too far and out of control, but Roman says Pearce is out of control for putting Owens back in the main event and favoring him and has the audacity to mention his own injuries when he is standing next to him. Roman says that his injuries have never stopped him from reaching him the top, and says that Pearce never made it to the top of WWE because he is weak. Heyman laughs, but Pearce tells him that while he will take this from Roman, he will not take it from him. Roman tells Heyman that Pearce has disrespected him and in turn disrespected Roman and tells Heyman to put Pearce in his place, and when Heyman says he will whup his ass before proposing a match between him and Pearce after saying that a verbal agreement is legal and binding in the state of Florida. Pearce shakes his hand, and tells him his challenge - and verbal agreement - is accepted.

Sami Zayn handcuffs himself to the barricade and carries a "#JusticeForSami" sign while his documentary camera crew records what is going on. After the commercial break, Sami Zayn says he is entering the men's Royal Rumble Match before proclaiming that he was screwed out of the Intercontinental Championship last week. He is then interrupted by Charlotte Flair and Asuka.

Charlotte Flair and Asuka beat The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan) after Billie Kay's distraction attempts backfire.

Backstage, Billie Kay apologizes to The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan), then tells them that she has gotten them into the women's Royal Rumble Match. Ruby Riott says The Riott Squad was better when it was just the two of them, then she and Liv Morgan leave.

Daniel Bryan heads to the ring. Daniel says he is excited for the Royal Rumble and says that the many things and feelings about it makes him feel alive despite the risks and uncertainties, as the winner gets to main event WrestleMania. Daniel says he is proud of his career and has accomplished a lot, but he has never won a Royal Rumble match. Suddenly, Cesaro shows up. Cesaro says he thought he beat some sense into Daniel, but Daniel is talking about winning the Royal Rumble match. He tells Daniel that he is winning the Royal Rumble, not Daniel, and Daniel proposes they put the microphones down and fight. Cesaro says no and says that he is tired of proving himself doing the same thing over and over again, then issues an open challenge to anyone else who has declared for the men's Royal Rumble match. Dolph Ziggler shows up and says he has been in a lot of Royal Rumbles and that he can go all night long, and aside from himself and Robert Roode, nobody can go toe to toe with him except Cesaro. Ziggler says he wants to win the Royal Rumble and get paid, and tells Cesaro to consider his challenge accepted.

Daniel Bryan guests on commentary for the next match.

Cesaro beats Dolph Ziggler.

Sasha Banks beats a very acrobatic Reginald with the Banks Statement.

Backstage, Paul Heyman tells Roman Reigns that he is brilliant and that they got Adam Pearce, but Roman tells Heyman that he wanted him to tear Pearce apart verbally and not physically, and tells him to be a man and handle his business. Heyman is shocked.

Apollo Crews beats Big E by disqualification after Sami Zayn - who has been handcuffed to the barricade all show - un-cuffs himself and hits Apollo with a Helluva Kic. Big E retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship. After the match, Big E also gets a Helluva Kick and says that he is the true Intercontinental Champion.

It is announced that Roman Reigns has left the arena. We then hear from Kevin Owens, who says that he could not enter the arena because Roman Reigns pulled some strings so he could not enter. Owens tells Roman there will be no more strings to pull at Royal Rumble when they settle things once and for all. He tells Roman that he cannot stop fighting, as Roman has yet to beat him like he claims he has while Owens has strong family members - both alive and deceased - to fight for.

Backstage, The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) are carrying a fruit basket when they see Sonya Deville. Before they give her the fruit basket, they ask for a SmackDown tag team title rematch. Sonya Deville then mentions that Montez Ford is still recovering from a leg injury, and tells The Street Profits to take some time off and keep doing their funny segments before getting back in the game.

Michael Cole introduces Bianca Belair and Bayley for Bayley's Ultimate Obstacle Course. Bayley takes the microphone and briefly explains the rules and layout. Bayley then goes first. Bayley goes around the ramps rather than over them, but she beats the course in 1:12 (one minute, twelve seconds). Bayley then makes the course harder on Bianca, making the hurdles bigger. Bianca then finds out she has to lift Otis for the Fireman's Carry instead of Chad Gabe, and Bayley plays defense at the basketball course only to fail miserably. Bianca wins with 17 seconds to go. After the competition, Bayley hits Bianca in the gut with the basketball and attacks her before throwing her into the basketball hoop.

Backstage, Dominik Mysterio tells his father Rey Mysterio that he's got things handled in his match with King Corbin tonight. Rey says they will do things Dominik's way, but if things don't go well, Dominik will be listening to him next time.

King Corbin beats Dominik Mysterio.

Before the next match, Paul Heyman trips on his way up the ring steps. He then says "Card subject to change," then Roman Reigns shows up to fight Adam Pearce. As Roman attacks Pearce, a man in a black hoodie shows up and attacks Roman. This is Kevin Owens, and Roman and Owens fight. Their fight ends up in the ring, where Owens counters a superman Punch with a Stunner. Officials show up to try in vain to keep Owens away from Roman, but Owens keeps attacking Roman and hits him with another Stunner. Owens then puts Roman through the announce table with a pop-up powerbomb to end the show.