Image: WWE
On last night’s SmackDown, WWE set up a big Universal Championship match for next week.
It was announced that Roman Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against Daniel Bryan on SmackDown next Friday. If Bryan loses, he’ll be banished from SmackDown.
Cesaro had wanted to be Reigns’ next challenger and Bryan advocated for Cesaro to get the title shot. Bryan & Cesaro also teamed together to defeat Jey Uso & Seth Rollins last night.
Paul Heyman promised that Reigns would respond to Cesaro’s challenge by the end of the night. But Reigns told Cesaro that the answer is no and will always be no. Reigns said Cesaro isn’t at his level. Reigns instead issued a challenge to Bryan and said he was going to give him one more title shot.
Bryan seemed hesitant to get the title shot instead of Cesaro, but Cesaro told him that he had to take the opportunity. When Bryan was about to respond to Reigns, Reigns said their Universal Championship match will also have another stipulation. When Bryan loses, Reigns doesn’t want to see Bryan on his show again. Bryan accepted the challenge.
More coverage from last night —
Speak Now: Aleister Black returns, WWE SmackDown recap 4/23
WWE 205 Live results: August Grey vs. Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis
Tag team rematch, Lashley appearance set for WWE Raw
Aleister Black returns to WWE TV on SmackDown
Universal and IC title matches set for next week’s WWE SmackDown
Mickie James issues statement following trash bag incident
WWE front office changes continue with more departures
SmackDown Women’s title match set for WWE WrestleMania Backlash
WWE SmackDown live results: Apollo Crews’ first IC title defense
WWE SmackDown video highlights —
Daniel Bryan saves Cesaro from Seth Rollins and Jey Uso
Daniel Bryan & Cesaro vs. Jey Uso & Seth Rollins
Tamina vs. Nia Jax
Big E isn’t happy with Kevin Owens jumping the line for an Intercontinental title shot
Apollo Crews vs. Kevin Owens for the Intercontinental title
Big E attacks Apollo Crews during a backstage interview
Aleister Black returns, reads from “Tales of the Dark Father”
Montez Ford informs Bianca Belair of Bayley’s trash-talking
Rey & Dominik Mysterio vs. Chad Gable & Otis
Roman Reigns responds to Cesaro, issues a challenge to Daniel Bryan
SmackDown fallout: The Mysterios will do whatever it takes to make history together
SmackDown fallout: Chad Gable & Otis refuse to be interviewed after their loss
SmackDown fallout: Natalya & Tamina issue a warning