Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for April 23, 2021

Cesaro is in the ring to start tonight's show, but he is immediately interrupted by Seth Rollins. Rollins congratulates Cesaro for reaching and fulfilling his potential, saying it was all because he was in the ring at WrestleMania with him. He says he took Cesaro from the bottom, gave him the performance of his life and took him all the way to the promised land, then laughs at Cesaro's refusal to thank him and moving on from him to the Universal Championship, saying it is not over until he says it is. He says that if a rain delay did not throw him off his game at WrestleMania, he would have won and that Cesaro could not defeat him on his best day. Cesaro asks Rollins how his day is before telling him to get in the ring so he can beat him right now. As Rollins heads to the ring to teach Cesaro a lesson, Jey Uso shows up and tells Cesaro that he cannot beat him, Rollins or Roman Reigns. As Jey approaches the ring, Rollins proposes they ambush Cesaro, which they do, but Daniel Bryan shows up. Rollins and Jey Uso slowly walk away, but Daniel Bryan says that Jey Uso and Rollins are upset that they didn't get to do what they came out to do and that he is here to make sure Cesaro gets a Universal title shot. Daniel Bryan says that Jey Uso is only where he is due to family connections while Cesaro has worked hard to get to where he is, then predicts that Roman Reigns will show up so he, Jey Uso and Rollins can beat them up. After Daniel Bryan says that he is more than happy to stand with Cesaro in such a fight, Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman show up. Roman Reigns says that Daniel Bryan should be talking about the beating he gave him at WrestleMania, then calls Daniel a loser and also calls Cesaro a loser for letting Daniel talk for him, saying they are "top tier losers." He says that Cesaro is a "casino loser" with a lot of bad luck while Daniel is a "stupid loser" for having a big mouth while surrounded by people who want to beat him up. Roman and Heyman then leave.

Cesaro and Daniel Bryan beat Seth Rollins and Jey Uso after Seth Rollins walks out of the match, saying that he has had enough. After the match, Daniel Bryan calls out Roman Reigns. Jey Uso tries to attack from behind, but Cesaro catches him and puts him in the Cesaro Swing. All the while, Daniel Bryan asks Roman if he is afraid of getting a Cesaro Swing, then he and Cesaro decide to see what kind of family man Roman is by having Cesaro swing Jey again. Cesaro does this, and Daniel tells Roman if he is a real family man, he will save Jey. Roman fails to show, and Daniel Bryan asks Roman if he is scared, saying that Roman could not win when it mattered and cannot beat Cesaro without help, and says Roman is afraid that he will lose the Universal Championship if he faces Cesaro.

Backstage, Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez confront Adam Pearce over Big E getting another shot at the Intercontinental Championship. Pearce says Big E will get it when he is ready, then tells Apollo he will face Kevin Owens tonight.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Jey Uso, who does not care about Seth Rollins and says that if Cesaro stands up to Roman Reigns, he will be put down.

Tamina beats Nia Jax after Nia is distracted by "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler, who is blaming Reginald for getting kicked in the back of the head by Tamina.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Kevin Owens. Owens since it has been years since his last match for the Intercontinental Championship and that he is delighted. As he says he will knock Apollo off his royal perch, Big E shows up and says this is his match and his title. Owens tells Big E he is right and should be getting the rematch, but tonight is his opportunity, and when he wins, he will be the one having fun because it will be his title.

Backstage, Daniel Bryan makes with Adam Pearce. Pearce says he is doing what he can but cannot make it happen instantly, but he will try. Daniel tells him "Do more than try."

Apollo Crews retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Kevin Owens with a stack-up pin following the distraction by Commander Azeez. During the match, Sami Zayn shows up to guest on commentary. After the match, Owens hits Apollo with a Stunner, but gets hit with the Nigerian Nail by Commander Azeez. Sami Zayn then dances in front of a downed Owens.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Paul Heyman. Heyman says he likes Cesaro, and says that by the end of the night, everyone will hear from Roman Reigns, who will give his answer to Cesaro's challenge.

Backstage, Megan Morant interviews Apollo Crews. Apollo Crews says that Commander Azeez is cleaning Kevin Owens' tears from the royal lance and that his ancestors are celebrating his victory over Kevin Owens, then he is suddenly attacked by Big E before officials and referees rush in to keep Big E away. Commander Azeez shows up and checks on Apollo.

We hear from Aleister Black for the first time in many months. He says most people are not honest, then reads the first chapter from the Tales from the Dark Father: The Dragon. He talks about a child whose father took him to burnings of other people, where he learned not how to defeat the dragon, but to become the dragon. He says people are weak-minded and turn their children into bigger monsters than them. He says that people should be scorched from the earth to make room for more fertile things, then smoke covers the room.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode. Ziggler thinks that Chad Gable and Otis will win tonight, but as he and Roode says it does not matter who is next, The Street Profits show up and they are next, but Ziggler tells them to go to the back of the line. Bayley then stands between both teams, who leave, then calls Bianca Belair "an ungrateful rookie" after taking Bianca's training wheels off and never got a "thank you" for it, and says that she will make her wregret that at WrestleMania Backlash. Montez Ford then returns with Bianca Belair on the phone, who says she will be right there.

Backstage after the break, Bianca Belair confronts Bayley, who says that she wants to congratulate Bianca for beating Sasha Banks and that it will be an honor to face her, then leaves, returns and laughs at her.

Rey and Dominik Mysterio beat Chad Gable and Otis. After the match, Cesaro and Daniel Bryan show up and congratulate Rey and Dominik as they make their way to the ring.

Daniel Bryan and Cesaro are in the ring awaiting Roman Reigns' answer, and gives Roman the choice of either coming to the ring to give his answer or staying backstage so they can get it out of him. Roman Reigns, Jey Uso and Paul Heyman show up. Roman tells Cesaro he has not earned the right to challenge him, and says that the answer will always be "no," as Cesaro will never be at his level and he issues the challenges around here. Roman then says the challenge has chosen Daniel Bryan, and after Daniel Bryan he has never liked him, he will give him one more title opportunity next week. Cesaro tells Daniel he has to take the opportunity. Roman tells Daniel that if he loses, he does not want to see him on SmackDown again. Daniel accepts.

Raw Talk: Sami Zayn and Paul Heyman hug it out.

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