Layin 'da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for February 26, 2021

Roman Reigns, Jey Uso and Paul Heyman head to the ring to start tonight's show. Roman Reigns says that SmackDown and the Elimination Chamber needed him, and that he answered the call and "smashed Daniel Bryan in the most exciting ass-whuppin' of the year, or maybe the decade." He says that if anybody else was in his shoes, they would have been boasting and bragging, but he does not do that because he operates at a higher level. He says if it is not perfect, it is not him, and it was not perfect because of one man: Edge. He says that Edge got one on him and Speared him on his night and made it official by pointing at the WrestleMania sign, and tells Edge "You don't want it, you don't need that in your life, Edge." He gives Edge the opportunity to walk away and go home to his family. He says that Edge is a father and a husband and does not want to hurt him, and that he likes what Edge stands for and represents. Roman also says a man like Edge does not stand a chance against a man like him. Suddenly, Daniel Bryan shows up and agrees with Roman Reigns on his Universal Championship defense being nearly perfect, then says he has heard some rumblings about some people who think Roman's defense was cowardly. He then says that he is not one of these people who want to come out and complain, but he admits he is baffled by Roman Reigns defending his championship in the second match and not the main event. Daniel Bryan tells Roman how he saw how talented he was when he first saw him, and to ensure that there are no comparisons between the two of them, he proposes Roman end it all by defending the Universal Championship against him one more time at Fastlane. Jey Uso takes the microphone from Daniel Bryan and says he lost and that all he is hearing is excuses, and if he wants Roman Reigns, he must go through him. Roman then asks Daniel Bryan if he really wants him to hurt him again, then Jey hits Bryan with a cheap shot. Roman, Jey and Heyman leave after Jey sends Daniel Bryan over the barricade.

Backstage, Edge meets with Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville concerning Daniel Bryan wanting to face Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship at Fastlane.

Backstage, Jey Uso tells Roman Reigns that he could not let Daniel Bryan disrespect him and apologizes, but Roman says there is nothing to apologize for if he gets the job done.Backstage, Edge meets with Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville. Pearce says the Fastlane Universal Championship challenge fell in his lap, and says that such a match would make for a bigger attraction at Fastlane should it happen.

Before the next match, Chad Gable brags about Rey Mysterio being squashed by Otis last week as the second rope splash on Rey is replayed.

Otis and Chad Gable beat Rey and Dominik Mysterio.

Before the next match, Apollo Crews says the fans know nothing about him and that he has been nice, humble and respectful for far too long but has not received that same respect. He says that with who he and his family is, that is unacceptable, then says he is from Nigeria and that he is "a real African-American" whose ancestors are like Nigerian royalty, one of whom was a feared king with five wives who ruled over some of the richest lands in Nigeria and whose word was law and whose power was feared. He says that his colors stand for wealth, dominance and power, and that Big E found out the hard way that those who defy him will be shown the steel, then speaks in an accent as he says Big E will not disrespect him again and that Shinsuke Nakamura will suffer the same fate. When Shinsuke Nakamura shows up for the next match, Apollo hits him with a cheap shot before the bell rings, and the referee has to stop him from striking Nakamura with the ring steps.

Apollo Crews beats Shinsuke Nakamura after pulling at his scarf into the corner, which sends Nakamura face-first into the top turnbuckle.

Backstage, Paul Heyman tells Roman Reigns that he just saw Adam Pearce, who has made it so that if Daniel Bryan wins tonight, he will get a Universal Championship match at Fastlane.

Tamina beats Liv Morgan.

Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville introduce Bianca Belair - who is about to make her WrestleMania decision - to the ring. Bianca says that her choice will define her legacy in WWE, and as she is about to announce who she will face at WrestleMania, Reginald shows up and says that if she faces Sasha Banks at WrestleMania, her dream will dissolve into a nightmare. As Bianca is about to hit Reginald with her hair, Sasha shows up and moves Reginald out of the way before telling Bianca that she is more than a champion and that she is the standard, and that if Bianca wants people to talk about her, she should face her. Sasha says that she is the best as champion while Bianca is second-best, but Bianca tells Sasha she will make her eat her words at WrestleMania, take her title and prove she is the best. She then points at the WrestleMania sign and tells Sasha it's on.

Backstage, Sami Zayn interviews King Corbin concerning the conspiracy against him. Corbin says he wants to know why they are a tag team, and Sami says this was his idea and that they have chemistry even though they hate each other. He says that he needs a win tonight after what he has went through, and that if they work together with his strategy and Corbin's strength, they could beat The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford). Corbin tells Sami not to tell him what to do and tells his crew to stop recording him.

The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) beat Sami Zayn and King Corbin after Corbin shoves one of Sami's documentary crew members, causing him to argue with Sami and allowing The Street Profits to get the win.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Daniel Bryan. Daniel Bryan says his chances of being WrestleMania spoiler are good, and that his chances of beating Roman Reigns are better than Edge's. He says that he respects Edge for what he has done, but Edge has taken a lot of time off. Edge shows up and says asks Daniel who will win at WrestleMania if he makes it that far. Daniel keeps the answer to himself, then leaves.

Seth Rollins heads to the ring. Rollins says that his complaint to WWE management got a "huge, monumental response" on social media, then Cesaro suddenly shows up. Rollins asks Cesaro to hear him out, as they go back a long way, and says what happened two weeks ago was an accident and will not happen again. He also says that he did not call Cesaro a loser, and that social media blew that out of proportion. He then tells Cesaro to stay in the middle of the ring like the star that he is, saying that he can break the glass ceiling, then asks Cesaro why he always seems to come up short and asks Cesaro what is missing before telling him he can give him a killer instinct. Rollins says he returned to SmackDown to lead the future, and says that he can start leading with Cesaro if Cesaro lets him give him the ability to take the brass ring, saying that if they teamed up, they would be unstoppable. Rollins also says that if he listened to him two weeks ago, he could have won on Sunday and become WWE Universal Championship, then tells Cesaro that it is never too late to start again and that all he has to do is embrace the vision. Rollins then gives Cesaro a week to think it over, and that he will be waiting for his answer. Cesaro grabs Rollins by the legs and swings him around before laying him out with a European uppercut.

Jey Uso vs. Daniel Bryan ends in a double count-out. After the match, Daniel Bryan puts Jey Uso in the Yes Lock, but he is pummeled by Roman Reigns. Bryan puts Roman in the Yes Lock, but Jey saves Roman with a superkick to Bryan. Roman Spears Bryan, then puts him in a guillotine choke.

Talking Smack: Daniel Bryan agrees to a steel cage rematch against Jey Uso next week. If he wins, he gets a Universal Championship match at Fastlane. If he loses, he must acknowledge Roman Reigns as the tribal chief and the head of the table.

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