Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for May 14, 2021

Jey Uso is in the ring to start tonight's show. He says that Jimmy Uso disrespected Roman Reigns last week and left him and Roman no choice but to handle family business, then introduces Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns to the ring. Roman says he has some problems, one of them being Jimmy Uso, but he addresses Cesaro first, saying he likes him and that Cesaro is a top-tier talent and one of the best in the world, but Roman says he is more than a wrestler; he is the tribal chief. He says that with everything he does, Cesaro could not be able to fill all of his roles, and that WWE, Fox and SmackDown do not want Cesaro in his place. He says that Cesaro has never had a world title match in WWE, while he has had 39, according to Paul Heyman. Roman then addresses Jimmy Uso, saying that he got to see how it works before Jimmy shows up. Jimmy says that all he can hear is a tribal chief running his mouth while his brother stands next to him acting like his bitch, then tells Jey to join his team as he is not sure if Roman can beat Cesaro on Sunday. Jimmy says he is all about family when Jey tells him to show Roman respect, and when Roman says he has done everything for the family, Jimmy tells him he is not "all of the family." When asked by Roman, Jimmy makes it clear that Roman Reigns cannot beat Cesaro, then Roman asks Jimmy if he can fill his shoes. Jimmy says he cannot do it alone, but he can do it with Jey if they are tag team champions. Roman tells Jimmy that this is not how it works, as he has accomplished a lot in WWE and the only one who can handle all the responsibility, then laughs at Jimmy thinking he can "be the man around here" before daring him to do it by beating Cesaro tonight. Jimmy Uso then calls out Cesaro, telling him he has been gone for a year and is ready to lock it down, then Cesaro shows up. Cesaro accepts Jimmy Uso's challenge, then tells Roman that he will beat Jimmy tonight and beat him for the Universal Championship on Sunday.

Natalya and Tamina beat Nia Jax and "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler to become the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions after Nia Jax hits Natalya with a Samoan Drop only for Tamina to hit her with the Superfly Splash. After the match, Kayla Braxton interviews Natalya and Tamina. Natalya says tonight's victory is for anyone who has a dream and felt their dream has passed them by, and Tamina thanks the fans, saying "this is why we do this."

Jimmy Uso vs. Cesaro is official for later tonight.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Paul Heyman, who says he does not know if Jimmy Uso can defeat Cesaro tonight, then says that Roman Reigns can and will beat Cesaro on Sunday.

Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez are in the ring. Apollo says that since he has become Intercontinental Championship, the amount of "gnats" coming after his title have increased every week, and that Azeez has swatted them away and has helped him bring pride and honor to the title. Apollo says that his reputation has increased and that he will become Intercontinental Champion for life, and awards Azeez with the Nigerian Medal of Honor for his efforts. Big E shows up on the TitanTron and calls the ceremony a sham, then tells Crews not to get comfortable with the Intercontinental title because he has yet to feel his power. Sami Zayn then shows up and says this is "typical Big E" and that he likes a good medal ceremony, but Apollo feels disrespected. As Sami Zayn demands an Intercontinental title match so that he can reclaim the title as "champion of the people," Kevin Owens runs in. Apollo and Azeez attack Sami and Kevin, then Big E gets in the ring and jumps in, dodging the Nigerian Nail and sending Azzez over the top. All five men continue to brawl, and Sami gets a Stunner before Owens gets a Big Ending. Apollo almost gets the Big Ending, too, but Apollo escapes it and gets helped away from the ring by Azeez.

Rey Mysterio beats Dolph Ziggler with an inside cradle. After the match, Robert Roode tries to attack Rey Mysterio, but Dominik Mysterio stops him.

Backstage, Megan Morant interviews Cesaro. Cesaro says it means the world to him to compete for the Universal Championship and that he has dreamed of this for so long, then says he is not "bred for this business" like Roman Reigns and that he has had to earn things. After saying that Jimmy Uso will just be known as "Roman Reigns' cousin," he says he knows he can beat Roman for the Universal Championship.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Rey and Dominik Mysterio. Rey says he is about to make history with his son when Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode show up, and Dolph tells Dominik once again that he does not belong here. Robert Roode says that Rey got lucky tonight and that on Sunday, he will be beaten for good. Dominik tells Dolph and Roode they can call him all the names they want, but they will soon be calling him "baby champ."

Bianca Belair heads to the ring. Michael Cole interviews Bianca Belair, who says that people have doubted her throughout her life, then asks where Bayley is after last week. Bayley shows up on the TitanTron and says that she would have to be an idiot to be in the same ring with Bianca after Bianca attacked her, and that the next time they will be in the ring, she will be taking back the SmackDown Women's title. Bianca says Bayley must be funny thinking she can beat her, and when Bayley laughs at her again, Bianca says Bayley is mad because she was too busy being thrown down the ramp by The Bella Twins (Brie and Nikki Bella) while she was in the main event. Bayley says she sees the mirror of her own past when she sees Bianca, and tells her that her fairytale reigns will not end well and that she will end it for good.

King Corbin beats Shinsuke Nakamura after pinning Nakamura as he locks in the Triangle Hold. After the match, Nakamura lays out Corbin with a Kinshasa, then puts on his crown.

Backstage, Apollo Crews yells at WWE officials Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville for his medal ceremony being ruined. He ends up with a Fatal 4-Way match against Big E, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens with the Intercontinental Championship on the line.

Backstage, Shinsuke Nakamura is wearing King Corbin's crowd as he looks in the mirror.

Aleister Black reads a story called "The Lesson." He says that his father taught him he was wrong to fight his true nature, as he is a cruel made made of steel while others are made of dirty, and says he chose greatness while others chose mediocrity. After saying that it is easier to take a seat and watch the action rather than join in the fight, he says he could help the people, but he will not.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Jimmy Uso, who was expecting his first match in over a year to be a tag team match with his brother Jey Uso, and after watching from the sidelines in that time, he says Jey does not need Roman Reigns to succeed. He then says that Roman Reigns is about to see if he can succeed against Cesaro.

Cesaro beats Jimmy Uso by disqualification after he is attacked suddenly by Roman Reigns. After the match, Jimmy Uso tells Roman Reigns he had Cesaro and chews him out for making the match about him. As Roman says that it doesn't matter and that only the big matches do, Cesaro attacks Jey Uso, and Roman has to run into the ring to fight Cesaro. Roman and Jey tell Jimmy to get in the ring and help as they attack Cesaro, but Jimmy gets leveled off the apron and Jey gets a Neutralizer and Roman retreats with Paul Heyman. Cesaro then dares Roman to get in the ring before putting Jey in another Neutralizer.

Talking Smack: Natalya and Tamina share a heartfelt message for the fans.

Talking Smack: Paul Heyman pays tribute to New Jack, who passed away this afternoon from a heart attack at the age of 58.

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