Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for May 21, 2021

WWE official Sonya Deville is in the ring as all SmackDown champions except for the WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns are on stage. Sonya announces that WWE will leave the Thunderdome and return to live crowds in July. She then welcomes the SmackDown parade of champions: tag team champions Rey and Dominik Mysterio, Women's Tag Team Champions Natalya and Tamina, and Intercontinental Champion Apollo Crews. When Sonya says that Apollo Crews will be defending his title, Apollo Crews takes exception to being in the match before stating that he will be retaining his title after unleashing total destruction on Big E, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens. He says they will all fall one by one and once again become victorious. The SmackDown parade of champions continues with Women's Champion Bianca Belair, then Sonya introduces Reigns. Paul Heyman shows up and calls the parade "a parade of title holders" and calls Roman is "the pre-eminent champion" of all sports entertainment. He then says that Roman will be part of a real parade of championship later tonight at his own pleasure, then leaves. Sonya then asks the fans to give all the champions on stage a hand, then Bayley slides into the ring. Bayley says she is the longest reigning SmackDown Women's Champion in history and a double champion during that reign, and says she should be thanked for putting the company on her back. She then insults all the champions on stage except for Apollo Crews. As she does this, she calls Bianca Belair a cheater and "a damn criminal" for using her ponytail to beat her on Sunday, and says Bianca should be stripped of her championship and placed around her waist. Bianca then gets in the ring, telling Bayley that if she wants the title, she had better come and take it. Bayley says "it's not time," and as she leaves the ring, Bianca is attacked by Nia Jax and "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler. Natalya and Tamina run into the ring to even the odds, but even they get overpowered.

Bayley, Nia Jax and "The Queen of Spades" Shayna Baszler beat Bianca Belair, Natalya and Tamina with a Kirifuda Clutch from Baszler to Natalya.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Big E. Big E says that tonight, he will stand in the ring with dogs who future hall of famers and world champions, and that this iron will sharpen his iron. He says he will leave no doubt that he is the rightful Intercontinental Champion.

We hear from Aleister Black, who says that the pain his father taught him serves a purpose, as it is honest and it is truth. We then see Aleister Black's tattoos as he says that the people live proudly in their cesspool of sings and denial as it is all they are. He also says that the people are sick and dying animals and that it is time to separate the weak from the strong and to cull the herd.He also says that the people are sick and dying animals and that it is time to separate the weak from the strong and to cull the herd.

Before the next match, King Corbin calls Shinsuke Nakamura taking his crown the most disrespectful thing he has ever seen, as Shinsuke is not a real king despite being "The King of Strong Style" because a real king owns expensive material things. He then says that he will grind Nakamura against the mat with the heel of his boot before having the crown cleaned, then calls out Nakamura. Suddenly, a man shows up playing guitar. He says his name is Rick Boogs, and that he is here to rock with "the real king of SmackDown," Shinsuke Nakamura. Rick Boogs - who is played by Eric Bugenhagen, who also plays The Night Panther on the Old Spice advertisements - then plays guitar to Nakamura's theme as Nakamura comes out in a robe and wearing Corbin's crown.

Shinsuke Nakamura beats King Corbin with an inside cradle following the guitar solo distraction from Rick Boogs.

Backstage, Jimmy Uso meets with WWE official Sonya Deville. Jimmy says he and Jey Uso are ready to "do it big" against The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford). Sonya makes the match for next week.

We hear from Kevin Owens, who says that he won more titles in his first two years in WWE than most people do in their entire careers, and says that he intends on being a three-time Intercontinental Champion.

Roman Reigns, Jey Uso and Paul Heyman head to the ring. Roman says he believes himself to be a humble man and takes every moment he can to teach his sons about humility, and while he does not like to brag on live television, he will let Paul Heyman celebrate him. Heyman calls this "a unique surprise" and acknowledges Roman Reigns and his accomplishments since his return to WWE and calls him the most pre-eminent champion in WWE as well as sports entertainment. Heyman then tells Roman his wish is his commands, and asks him if he wants anything else. Roman asks for Jimmy Uso to be brought to him, but Cesaro shows up again, this time with his right arm in a sling. Cesaro says he could not find Seth Rollins, then says he kept hearing Roman Reigns talk and says he wants to face Roman again for the Universal Championship at Hell in a Cell. Suddenly, Cesaro is attacked from behind by Seth Rollins. Referees and officials have to pull Rollins away from Cesaro and force him to the back as Cesaro is checked on. Rollins suddenly runs back down the ramp and attacks Cesaro again. This time, Rollins hits Cesaro with The Stomp, then fakes leaving a second time before hitting Cesaro with The Stomp again, this time on the ramp. A stretcher has to be brought in for Cesaro.

Backstage, Seth Rollins is being interviewed when he sees Cesaro being stretchered out of the arena. Seth then grabs Cesaro and screams at him.

Before the next match, Robert Roode tells Dominik Mysterio not to let Sunday's win get over his head, as his father Rey Mysterio did all the work, then says "bring your son to work day" is over and that he will prove that Dominik does not belong in WWE.

Dominik Mysterio beats Robert Roode after Dolph Ziggler's interference attempt fails.

Backstage, Jey Uso is met by Jimmy Uso, who tells him about their tag team match with The Street Profits. Jey Uso is upset that Jimmy put him in a match without telling him and now has to tell Roman Reigns, even as Jimmy says it is about them and not Roman.

Backstage, Jey Uso tells Roman Reigns about Jimmy Uso booking him in a tag team match next. Roman tells Jey that Jimmy is being selfish right now and that everything the two of them do represents the family.

Backstage, The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) make fun of the current Roman Reigns family situation before saying there will be nothing cute about what they will do to The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso).

Backstage, Kayla Braxton interviews Sami Zayn, who accuses Kayla of trying to minimize him like everyone else and that he will never forget the conspiracy against him, and no matter what anyone thinks or say, he will take back the Intercontinental Championship.

Apollo Crews retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship against Big E, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a Fatal 4-Way Match after Aliester Black suddenly shows up and kicks Big E with the Black Mass as Apollo Crews holds Big E down by his feet.

Talking Smack: Apollo Crews addresses Aleister Black's involvement in tonight's Fatal 4-Way Match.

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