WWE Smackdown results – 01/01/2021 (Roman Reigns’ special request, Sonya Deville returns)

The first Smackdown episode of 2021 kicked off with a graphic paying tribute to Jon Huber “Luke Harper”.  Highlights from last week’s steel cage match were shown. Reigns defeated Owens to retain his Universal Championship.

Roman Reigns’ segment

The Universal Champion walked down to the ring with Paul Heyman and Jey Uso. He wished everyone a Happy New Year. Reigns mentioned that 2020 was a tough year, but as the face of the company he made it work. He complimented Heyman for being the most genuine man.

Reigns mentioned that because of him Uso had the best year of his career. Kevin Owens’ music hits. Roman ordered to turn the music off. He says Owens has already experienced the Island of relevancy. Reigns ensured that Owens got a giant payday, but now he wants him to leave.

Kevin Owens agreed that it is embarrassing for Reigns and Uso that Owens is still standing. But Owens will request the management for a match with Uso. When he is done with Uso, he will come after Reigns again.

Kevin Owens walked up to Adam Pearce, and demanded a match with Uso. But Pearce said he only took orders from Reigns and Heyman. He said Owens can get a match with anyone on the roster but Uso. Owens then demanded a match against Roman Reigns. After deliberation, Pearce agrees for Owens’ match against Jey Uso.

Big E def. King Corbin

Sami Zayn was on commentary for this match. Big E defeated Zayn last week to become the New WWE Intercontinental Champion. As the match began, Big E went into an attack mode followed by a pin. Corbin countered and went for the cover too.

Big E soon started dominating in the match. He went for the cover but Sami Zayn interfered. The referee called for the bell and Big E won via disqualification. The Knights of Lone Wolf joined Zayn as they attacked Big E. Apollo Crews came out and took out the Knights of Lone Wolf.

Big E and Apollo Crews def. Sami Zayn and King Corbin

Crews and Zayn started off the match. Crews was dominating the match, but lost the momentum when Corbin interfered. Corbin kept distracting the referee, as the Knights of Lone Wolf attacked Crews outside the ring.

Sami Zayn tried do the same thing. He distracted the referee, but this time the Lone Wolves did not attack Crews. Zayn got angry and started arguing with Corbin.

The argument led to Corbin and the Knights to leave. Zayn was left alone. Crews hit a step up inzighuiri, followed by a sit down powerbomb as he picked up the win.

The Riott Squad def. Natalya and Tamina

Billie Kay accompanied Natalya and Tamina to the ringside. As the match was progressing, Kay started arguing with Tamina. Tamina was tagged in, Billie Kay got on the apron to give some advice to Tamina. As she was distracted, Liv Morgan rolled her up and won the match for her team.

Carmella and Bayley def. Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair

Bianca and Carmella started the match. Belair completely dominated, and even attacked Bayley. Banks and Belair were comfortably on their way to win the match. But Carmella’s assistant interfered in the match.

Carmella tried to capitalize on the advantage, but Banks managed to kick out. Banks goes to attack Carmella’s assistant, but Carmella hit a Mella Buster to get the win via pinfall.

Sonya Deville is shown walking backstage.

The Street Profits’ segment

The Street Profits were in the ring with champagne. They mentioned that 2020 was not a bad year for them. The duo won the Raw and Smackdown Tag Team Championships. They even won two Slammy Awards. But 2021, will be even bigger.

They revealed a drum set. Dawkins played the drums and mentioned that a new shirt is being made available on the WWE shop. It’s the shirt which they had given to Sami Zayn last week. They even predict that Ziggler will earn the nickname of Heartache Kid in 2021.

Ziggler and Roode attack them. The duo mentioned that they want the Smackdown Tag team Championship.

Daniel Bryan and Otis def. Cesaro and Shinsuke Cesaro

This was a classic wrestling match, with some great back-and-forth action. All the four wrestlers came out looking strong in this match. Chad Gable accompanied Otis to the ringside.

Bryan hit a wonderful running knee onto Cesaro, but Nakamura rolled him up. Bryan managed to to reverse the cover into a Yes Lock as Nakamura tapped out.

Kevin Owens def. Jey Uso

Owens viciously attacks Uso with hands, elbows and stomps. A clothesline and senton followed. He started attacking Uso’s leg. Owens hits a Stunner and picks up the win via pinfall.

Uso did not have a single attack throughout the match, barring a kick.  After the match got over, Owens called out Reigns after hitting another Stunner. He handcuffed Uso to the top rope. Owens climbed to the top of the barricade, but the Universal Champion attacked him from behind.

Jey and Reigns attacked Owens with steel chairs. Reigns threw Owens from the top of the barricades and through a table, as the show ended.

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