Layin' da SmackDown - SmackDown recap for September 10, 2021

WWE looks back on the September 11th terrorist attacks from 2001, the building of One World Trade Center and their return to New York City almost twenty years later (and their first show in Madison Square Garden in two years).

Paul Heyman, Roman Reigns and The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) head to the ring to start tonight's show. Roman says that when it comes to sports entertainment, WWE owns New York City, and through Heyman, says he and the bloodline run WWE; therefore, he runs New York City and Madison Square Garden. He tells the fans of Madison Square Garden to acknowledge him, which they do, then Brock Lesnar shows up. Lesnar stares down Roman and The Usos, and Heyman asks Lesnar why he wants the WWE Universal Championship. Lesnar takes the microphone and asks Heyman why he didn't tell Roman he would be at SummerSlam. Roman confronts Heyman, who says he did not know, then takes the WWE Universal Championship and walks away alongside The Usos. Heyman reintroduces himself, then says for 20 years, he was the advocate for Lesnar. Lesnar says that the introduction was great and like old times, then asks Heyman to accept his challenge before Roman fires him: a shot at Roman Reigns and the Universal Championship. Lesnar then gives Heyman five seconds, but on two, he goes for an F5. Roman shows up and hits a Superman Punch on Lesnar, and when Lesnar gets Roman up, The Usos show up to superkick him only to get laid out.

Backstage, Kayla Braxton tries to get an interview with Paul Heyman, Roman Reigns and The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso). Roman and The Usos head to their dressing room, and Heyman says that Roman will answer Brock Lesnar's challenge when he feels it is appropriate.

Before the next match, Sami Zayn says he loves New York City, then says he has arranged for a special guest to be in their corner who knows what it takes to win in Madison Square Garden: Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, who used to play for the New York Knicks. Young is tremendously jeered as he makes his way to the ring.

King Nakamura, Rick Boogs, Big E, Rey Mysterio and Dominik Mysterio beat Dolph Ziggler, Robert Roode, Apollo Crews, Sami Zayn and Otis in a ten-man tag team match. During the match, Trey Young gets ejected after choking Rey Mysterio on the middle rope only to get caught by the referee. Another referee has to escort Trae Young to the back. After the match, Kayla Braxton interviews Big E, who says his team was one heck of a team like the New York Knicks, then says this may not be the last time the fans see him tonight. He says that whether it is Bobby Lashley or Roman Reigns, if they have what he needs, he is coming for their neck and they will feel his power.

WWE recognizes The FealGood Foundation, Tuesday's Children and 9/11 Day for their contributions to tonight's show.

Bianca Belair is in the ring with WWE officials Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce. Bianca Belair takes the contract for her WWE SmackDown Women's Championship against Becky Lynch at Extreme Rules, then addresses the fans. Bianca says she respects Becky as a competitor and a new mom, and used to respect Becky for her refusal to run from a fight, but says things have changed and that now, if they went toe-to-toe, things would be different. She says that she does not respect Becky as much as she used to, but at Extreme Rules, while Becky will not win back some of her respect, she will take back the SmackDown Women's Championship. She signs the contract, then Becky shows up. Becky says she knew she had Bianca's number at SummerSlam when she saw her face, and tells her to be a fan or to be "The Man." She also says she would give Bianca the match when she was ready, then ponders what would happen if she did not sign the contract. Bianca tells Becky to "sign the damn contract" and starts a "sign it" chant, but Becky says that she sat at home and heard the fans chant "We want Becky" only for this to be the thanks that she got for her unexpected return. She also says that she left her baby daughter at home only for the fans to root for "a flash in the pan" over her, then says "If you can't join 'em, beat 'em" and that this match will end the same way. She signs the contract, which she then tosses at Bianca before leaving.

Backstage, Paul Heyman is suddenly met by Shotzi and Nox, who drive away on Shotzi's tank. He then runs into Kayla Braxton, and says Roman Reigns will witness The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) defend the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships before answering Brock Lesnar's challenge. After asking Kayla if she loves a good cliffhanger, he then runs into Big E, who lifts up the Money In The Bank Briefcase as he stares at Heyman.

Seth Rollins beats Edge with a kick to the groin, three superkicks and The Stomp. After the match, referee Jessica Carr asks for medical assistance, and emergency medical staff show up to tend to Edge.

Backstage, Edge is placed into an ambulance. After the ambulance leaves, Seth Rollins is seen, and when interviewed, says he has no idea how to feel after beating and injuring Edge and that he may not feel anything at all.

Backstage, The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) meet with Roman Reigns, who says that they are "the ones" and that the opposition wants what they have, and that they run New York City and the WWE. The Usos say that they will make the family proud. Roman then address Paul Heyman, saying that he saved him, and asks why Heyman did not tell him about Brock Lesnar showing up at SummerSlam. Heyman does not have an answer.

The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) beat The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) by disqualification after Roman Reigns puts Montez Ford in a guillotine choke. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso) retain the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships. Afterwards, Roman Reigns says he will smash Brock Lesnar after he gets done smashing Finn Balor. All of a sudden, the arena goes dark and red lights flash across the arena. For the first time in over a year, Finn Balor shows up as The Demon and stares down Roman Reigns in the ring.

This week on Talking Smack: Big E, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan and Carmella!

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