WWE Friday Night SmackDown
March 5, 2021
Tropicana Field
St. Petersburg, Florida
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Transcription by Josh Lopez
Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, and Jey Uso Segment
Michael Cole: Ladies and gentlemen, as you just saw, the main event of WrestleMania may be, Roman Reigns vs. Edge for the Universal Championship or maybe not, especially if my guest tonight has anything to say about it. Please welcome, the man who invented The YES! Movement and defeated two hall of famers in the main event of WrestleMania 30, Daniel Bryan. Daniel, welcome, and you got quite the night. In our main event tonight on Friday Night SmackDown, you face Roman Reigns’ unhinged cousin, Jey Uso, inside a Steel Cage. Now, if you win tonight, you earned an opportunity at Roman Reigns and the Universal Championship, two weeks from Sunday at the Fastlane PPV, streaming live on the WWE Network and Peacock. Now, that would throw a wrench in the plans we were gonna have at Fastlane. It was gonna be a tag team match. And in this tag team match at Fastlane, Daniel, you were scheduled to team with Edge against the Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Jey Uso, so I’ve got to ask you the question. Why did you forgo an opportunity to have that main event tag team match? Why all the sudden you turned your focus to Roman Reigns and the Universal Title?
Daniel Bryan: Michael, you’re making a lot of assumptions there. The biggest assumption was that anybody even ever asked me if I wanted to take part of that tag match. Not a single person came up to me and they said, Daniel Bryan, we got this great idea for Fastlane, you and Edge are gonna team up against Roman and Jey Uso, it would be great. Nobody once said that. They didn’t feel the need to run anything by me because they know me, they know Daniel Bryan just roll with the punches, he’ll just do whatever we ask of him, he’ll show up and work his butt off. So I understand why Edge didn’t asked me. He’s the Rated R Superstar, The Ultimate Opportunist. I understand why Roman Reigns didn’t bother to ask me, because everybody knows, Roman Reigns doesn’t want to defend his Universal Championship at Fastlane.
But here’s the thing, Michael, I’m making a change, I’m not gonna be the old Daniel Bryan anymore. So, I know, they got this dream match, they’ve got Edge vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship, they’ve got that idea for their main event of WrestleMania. And I get it, Attitude Era vs. The Thunderdome, something everybody wants to see, and the only person who doesn’t want to see it is me. And I am going to do everything I could to make sure that doesn’t happen. So, Michael Cole, if you’ll excuse me, I could take it from here, but I’ve got a package that I want to throw to, myself, hit it. So, I’ve lost a lot in my career. I’ve gotten beaten up a lot in my career, so you would think after winning my third Elimination Chamber Match, winning the Elimination Chamber for the third time and fighting as valiantly as I could against Roman Reigns, you would think it wouldn’t be such a big deal. But when I rolled to floor, and Edge rolled into the ring and he speared Roman Reigns and pointed at the WrestleMania Sign, never in my life have I felt like such a failure.
Because here’s the thing, a lot of people don’t know this about me, but I don’t have a ton of ambition, that’s what they say. WWE did these personality test, years ago, where they tested a bunch of different superstars on their personalities, and the lady called me in and she said, Daniel Bryan, this is the lowest ambition score I had ever seen, how is it possible that you’re successful? I don’t know, the only answer I could give her is, because I love this. And if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life, and I don’t feel like I ever had to work a day in the last 21 years. And it rings true a little bit, because for the last year, I had in the back of my head, I’m a step more towards being a full time dad and less of a full time wrestler, so I decided to put myself on the back burner for the last year. Put other talent, first. When there was an opportunity, I would say, hey, maybe this guy deserves it, he’s our future, not me. So when I rolled to the floor, and Edge pointed at the WrestleMania Sign and I felt like an absolute failure, it’s because I’ve failed myself.
Because I put myself on the back burner, only then in that moment, did I realize that I had a lot more ambition than that personality test could ever show, because as I sat there, I looked up at the WrestleMania Sign, and I knew that me, that I should be in the main event of WrestleMania, not Edge, not Roman, me. And do you know why I got upset that those two men were in the main event of WrestleMania? It’s because I love this. And do you know how you could tell I love this? Because in the last three weeks, I’ve wrestled more matches than Roman and Edge have in the last three months. Between the two of them, they’ve wrestled three matches this year. I come out here every single week, and I wrestle every single night that I can, because I love what I do. And then I realized, by putting myself on the back burner, I did a disservice to myself, because I know what I can be. And what I can be is the absolute best. So, tonight, I step into a steel cage with Jey Uso. And if I beat him, I get a chance to go on to face Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at Fastlane, and that is the only way, by beating Roman Reigns at Fastlane for the Universal Championship, that is the only way I will main event WrestleMania, and this could be my last chance.
Roman Reigns: I’m looking at the same guy, but you don’t sound like the same guy. The way you’re talking is confusing. And if it confuses me, I know it confuses our audience. Daniel Bryan is ambitious now, he’s driven, no. You’re the underdog, you’re a little guy, you’re a lotto winner, you’re the guy who waits on an opportunity and sometimes it works out. You’re not ambitious. Men like me, and there’s not many, we’re ambitious. You see, since I was a little boy, I’ve been driven. If I want it, I take it. And then you’re also out here talking about how much you love this business, I love wrestling.
You don’t love this, you need it. You have nothing else, you need this, that’s not love. Love is not based off of needs, love is based off of service, what you would do for others, that’s love. Take me for an example. I love this. I love this business. I don’t need it, I do it because everybody needs me, SmackDown needs me, the roster needs me, the crew need me, that camera man right there, he needs me, Paul needs me, Jey needs me, you need me. And after Jey whoops your ass tonight, you’re gonna understand the facts, you’re gonna understand it, you’re gonna know in your heart that you need me. And once you know that, you’re gonna acknowledge me.
– Jey Uso snatches the microphone out of Bryan.
Jey Uso: Don’t worry about the Universal Championship, uce, this is as close as you’re gonna get to it. You got to go through me, first, and that ain’t gonna happen. You called for this cage match, to keep Roman away from you. You didn’t lock him out, you locked me in. The Road to WrestleMania for you ends tonight, and now I got to get you.
Bryan delivers a Judo Throw. Bryan launches Jey over the top rope. Bryan stares at Reigns to close the segment.
First Match: King Corbin w/Sami Zayn vs. Montez Ford w/Angelo Dawkins
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Corbin drives his knee into the midsection of Ford. Corbin with the irish whip. Ford showcases his athleticism. Ford with two dropkicks. Ford ducks a clothesline from Corbin. Corbin hits The SpineBuster for a two count. Corbin argues with the referee. Corbin talks smack to Dawkins. Corbin with heavy bodyshots. The referee admonishes Corbin. Corbin whips Ford into the turnbuckles.
Corbin with a Twisting Belly to Back Suplex. Corbin is playing mind games with Ford. Ford applies The Sleeper Hold. Ford thrust kicks the midsection of Corbin. Ford kicks Corbin in the chest. Ford dropkicks Corbin. Ford with a 360 Lariat. Corbin goes for The Pop Up Haymaker, but Ford counters with The DDT. Ford pops back on his feet. Ford with The Standing MoonSault for a two count. Ford is distracted by Zayn. Ford with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Corbin connects with The End Of Days to pickup the victory. After the match, Corbin heads to the backstage area.
Winner: King Corbin via Pinfall
Second Match: Sami Zayn vs. Angelo Dawkins w/Montez Ford
This match started during the commercial break. Dawkins slams Zayn’s head on two turnbuckle pads. Dawkins grabs the left leg of Zayn. Dawkins backs Zayn into the ropes. Zayn kicks Dawkins in the gut. Zayn applies a side headlock. Dawkins whips Zayn across the ring. Dawkins drops Zayn with a shoulder tackle. Zayn drops down on the canvas. Leapfrog Exchange. Dawkins ducks a clothesline from Zayn. Dawkins dropkicks Zayn for a two count. Dawkins is trying to pull Zayn off the bottom rope. Zayn kicks Dawkins in the gut. Zayn with a straight right hand. Zayn slams Dawkins head on the ring apron. Zayn rolls Dawkins back into the ring. Zayn clotheslines the back of Dawkins neck for a two count. Zayn kicks Dawkins in the face. Zayn with forearm shivers. Zayn puts his knee on the back of Dawkins neck. Zayn talks smack to Ford.
Zayn whips Dawkins across the ring. Zayn clotheslines Dawkins for a two count. Zayn with desperation covers. Zayn argues with the referee. Zayn tees off on Dawkins. Zayn whips Dawkins across the ring. Dawkins with two clotheslines. Dawkins ducks a clothesline from Zayn. Dawkins with a Corkscrew Elbow Strike. Dawkins with The 360 Stinger Splash. Dawkins follows that with The Running Bulldog for a two count. Zayn denies The Exploder Suplex. Dawkins connects with The Silencer for a two count. Dawkins tugs on Zayn’s hair. Zayn slams Dawkins head on the top rope. Dawkins denies The Exploder Suplex. Zayn avoids The 360 Stinger Splash. Zayn with The Exploder Suplex into the turnbuckles. Ford has a conversation with Zayn’s documentary crew. Dawkins rolls Zayn over for a two count. After the match, Zayn attacks his own documentary crew.
Winner: Angelo Dawkins via Pinfall
– WWE Intercontinental Champion Big E will return next week.
Third Match: Chad Gable w/Otis Dozovic vs. Dominik Mysterio w/Rey Mysterio
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Gable with two waist lock takedowns. Gable applies a front face lock. Dominik sends Gable tumbling to the floor. Dominik with a deep arm-drag. Dominik applies an arm-bar. Wrist Lock Exchange. Gable grapples around Dominik. Gable with a drop toe hold. Gable slams the left knee of Dominik on the canvas. Gable with a Dragon Screw Leg Whip. Gable continues to drop his weight on the left leg of Dominik for a two count. Gable applies a leg lock. Dominik repeatedly kicks Gable in the face.
Dominik with a Step Up Enzuigiri. Gable puts Dominik on the top turnbuckle. Dominik kicks Gable in the face. Dominik with The Flying Hurricanrana. Dominik sends Gable face first into the middle turnbuckle pad. Gable denies The Tornado DDT. Gable ducks a clothesline from Dominik. Gable hits The Bridging Tiger Suplex for a two count. Gable drags Dominik to the corner. Gable goes for The MoonSault, but Dominik ducks out of the way. Gable rolls Dominik over for a two count. Dominik connects with The La Magistral to pickup the victory. After the match, Rey delivers The Baseball Slide Dropkick to Dozovic. Rey with a Flying Seated Senton into the announce table.
Winner: Dominik Mysterio via Pinfall
Fourth Match: Bianca BelAir w/Sasha Banks & Reginald Thomas vs. Shayna Baszler w/Nia Jax
Collar and Elbow Tie Up. Baszler applies a double wrist lock. BelAir goes for a Bodyslam, but Baszler lands back on her feet. Baszler applies a side headlock. BelAir reverses the hold. Baszler with the irish whip. BelAir dives over Baszler. BelAir drops Baszler with a shoulder tackle. BelAir taunts Baszler. BelAir cartwheels over Baszler. Baszler swats away a dropkick from BelAir. BelAir avoids The Ankle Lock. BelAir rolls Baszler over for a one count. BelAir kicks Baszler in the chest. BelAir with The La Magistral for a one count. Baszler applies a wrist lock. Baszler works on her joint manipulation game. Baszler fights out of the fireman’s carry position. Baszler kicks the left shoulder of BelAir. BelAir regroups in the corner. Baszler with a Rising Knee Strike for a one count.
Baszler works on the left shoulder of BelAir. Baszler delivers The Sacrifice. BelAir side steps Baszler into the turnbuckles. BelAi bodyslams Baszler. BelAir with a forearm smash. BelAir with clubbing shoulder blocks. BelAir repeatedly stomps on Baszler’s chest. BelAir with a Snap Vertical Suplex. BelAir pops back on her feet. BelAir whips Baszler across the ring. BelAir with a Back Body Drop. Baszler denies The Glam Slam. BelAir sends Baszler tumbling to the floor. BelAir shoves Thomas. Baszler with a Running Knee Strike. Jax floors Sasha with a running shoulder tackle. Baszler applies The Kirifuda Clutch. BelAir connects with The KOD to pickup the victory. After the match, BelAir tells Sasha to fix the Reggie problem. Sasha slaps Thomas in the face. Sasha tells Thomas to stay out of her business.
Winner: Bianca BelAir via Pinfall
Fifth Match: Cesaro vs. Buddy Murphy
Seth Rollins joins the commentary team for this match. Cesaro with a waist lock takedown. Cesaro with a GutWrench Suplex for a one count. Murphy decks Cesaro with a back elbow smash. Cesaro hits The Tilt-A-Whirl BackBreaker for a two count. Cesaro grabs the left leg of Murphy. Murphy reaches the bottom rope which forces the break. Murphy dumps Cesaro out of the ring. Murphy with a Wrecking Ball Dropkick.
Murphy lands The SomerSault Plancha. Murphy rolls Cesaro back into the ring. Murphy drops Cesaro with The Flying Meteora for a two count. Murphy drives his knee into Cesaro’s back. Murphy kicks Cesaro in the back. Cesaro shoves Murphy into the turnbuckles. Murphy kicks Cesaro in the face. Cesaro uppercuts Murphy in mid-air. Cesaro delivers The Uppercut Train. Cesaro with a Running Boot. Cesaro connects with The Cesaro Swing. Cesaro makes Murphy tap out to The Sharpshooter.
Winner: Cesaro via Submission
Apollo Crews Promo
Updated WWE Fastlane 2021 Match Card
1.) Roman Reigns (c) w/Paul Heyman vs. Daniel Bryan For The WWE Universal Championship
2.) Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax (c) vs. Sasha Banks & Bianca BelAir For The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship
Sixth Match: Daniel Bryan vs. Jey Uso w/Roman Reigns & Paul Heyman In A Steel Cage Match. If Daniel Bryan Wins, He’ll Battle Roman Reigns For The WWE Universal Championship At WWE Fastlane
Rockers Punches after the bell rings. Bryan uppercuts Jey. Bryan kicks the left hamstring of Jey. Jey throws Bryan into the steel. Jey repeatedly drives Bryan face first into the steel. Jey tells Bryan to acknowledge Reigns. Jey starts walking towards the cage door. Bryan grabs the left leg of Jey. Jey is raining down haymakers. Jey uppercuts Bryan. Jey starts climbing up the cage. Bryan gets crotched on the top rope. Jey with a vicious uppercut. Jey sends Bryan face first into the turnbuckle bar. Bryan repeatedly slams Jey’s head on the top turnbuckle pad and the steel. Bryan delivers The Missile Dropkick. Bryan kicks the left shoulder of Jey. Bryan with three arm-ringers. Bryan repeatedly drives Jey shoulder first into the steel. Jey reverses out of the irish whip from Bryan. Bryan dives over Jey. Bryan ducks a clothesline from Jey. Jey has Bryan perched on the top turnbuckle.
Jey repeatedly stomps on the left knee of Bryan. Jey gets Bryan tied up in the tree of woe. Jey heads to the top of the cage. Bryan with clubbing blows to Jey’s back. Bryan HeadButts Jey. Jey with an Avalanche Samoan Drop. Bryan and Jey are trading back and forth shots on the top of the cage. Bryan with clubbing YES! Kicks. Jey SuperKicks Bryan off the top rope. Jey hits The SpringBoard USO Splash for a two count. Jey crawls towards the cage door. Bryan stops Jey in his tracks. Jey with a Spinning Enzuigiri. Bryan with The RoundHouse Kick. Jey connects with The SuperKick for a two count. Jey is displaying his frustration. Bryan with The Rolling Crucifix for a two count. Bryan with clubbing elbow smashes. Jey transitions into a ground and pound attack. Jey catapults Bryan face first into the steel. Jey heads to the top of the cage. Bryan with Two HeadButts. Jey pulls Bryan back into the cage. Bryan with a forearm smash. Bryan repeatedly drives Jey back first into the steel. Bryan with an Avalanche Butterfly Suplex. Bryan makes Jey tap out to The YES! Lock.
Winner: Daniel Bryan via Submission
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