Overview of 'WWE SmackDown' Season 21

Episode 1 - January 1, 2019 (Pittsburgh, PA)

Release Date: 2019-01-01

On a monumental New Year’s Day SmackDown LIVE, AJ Styles unleashed the newfound aggression he showed Mr. McMahon last week on four other Superstars en route to earning a WWE Championship Match against “The New” Daniel Bryan at Royal Rumble. Plus, John Cena came face to face with The Man in his return to Team Blue.

Episode 2 - January 8, 2019 (Jacksonville, FL)

Release Date: 2019-01-08

Becky Lynch, Charlotte Flair and Carmella squared off in a Triple Threat Match to determine who would challenge SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka at Royal Rumble. Elsewhere, WWE Champion “The New” Daniel Bryan felt pressure from all sides as his recent actions began to come back and haunt him.

Episode 3 - January 15, 2019 (Birmingham, AL)

Release Date: 2019-01-15

When The Bar crashed The Miz’s “Bestie Birthday Bash” for Shane McMahon, it led to an impromptu match between Miz and Sheamus that saw The Bar covered in cake. Elsewhere, SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka and Becky Lynch attempted to one-up each other as their Royal Rumble title clash approaches.

Episode 4 - January 22, 2019 (Wichita, KS)

Release Date: 2019-01-22

Rey Mysterio and Andrade brought the house down in another instant classic, this time a 2-out-of-3 Falls Match, but Samoa Joe and Randy Orton stole some headlines by match’s end. Elsewhere, the issues between SmackDown Women’s Champion Asuka, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair intensified as all three look to dominate at the Royal Rumble event this Sunday.

Episode 5 - January 29, 2019 (Phoenix, AZ)

Release Date: 2019-01-29

WWE Champion “The New” Daniel Bryan looked to evade every single threat to his title on SmackDown LIVE, but he instead received news that he would have to face five of them inside the dreaded Elimination Chamber in three weeks. Elsewhere, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair got into a wild brawl.

Episode 6 - February 5, 2019 (Everrett, WA)

Release Date: 2019-02-05

”The New” Daniel Bryan and Jeff Hardy squared off in the main event of SmackDown LIVE, but all six WWE Title Elimination Chamber Match participants couldn’t help but get involved by the end of the bout. Elsewhere, Becky Lynch confronted a McMahon Family member for the second consecutive night, going face-to-face with Triple H.

Episode 7 - February 12, 2019 (Toledo, OH)

Release Date: 2019-02-12

A highly competitive Gauntlet Match determined who would be last to enter the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match this Sunday, a bout that now also has a new entrant. Elsewhere, Charlotte Flair spoke with elation on being chosen to replace Becky Lynch against Raw Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 35.

Episode 8 - February 19, 2019 (New Orleans, LA)

Release Date: 2019-02-19

Following a huge Six-Man Tag Team Match, the challenger for “The New” Daniel Bryan’s WWE Championship at WWE Fastlane was revealed. Elsewhere, NXT Superstars continued to shine bright as Tommaso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Aleister Black and Ricochet brought their best to the blue brand.

Episode 9 - February 26, 2019 (Charlotte, NC)

Release Date: 2019-02-26

Mr. McMahon dropped a bombshell when he announced that Kevin Owens would replace Kofi Kingston as “The New” Daniel Bryan’s challenger for the WWE Championship at WWE Fastlane. However, matters complicated even more when the returning Owens suggested that he and Kingston team up against Bryan & Rowan in the main event of SmackDown LIVE.

Episode 10 - March 5, 2019 (Wilkes-Barre, PA)

Release Date: 2019-03-05

Charlotte Flair personally invited Becky Lynch to SmackDown LIVE and matters quickly turned physical between the two WWE Fastlane opponents. Also, tension between WWE Champion “The New” Daniel Bryan and Kevin Owens reached a fever pitch as their title clash approaches this Sunday.

Episode 11 - March 12, 2019 (Dayton, OH)

Release Date: 2019-03-12

Kofi Kingston’s WWE Championship opportunity future was decided when Mr. McMahon made a major announcement regarding what The Dreadlocked Dynamo would have to do to face off against Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania. Elsewhere, Shane McMahon held nothing back in his explanation of why he betrayed The Miz at WWE Fastlane.

Episode 12 - March 19, 2019 (Indianapolis, IN)

Release Date: 2019-03-19

Kofi Kingston attempted to secure his place in the WWE Championship Match at WrestleMania, but just when he thought he was en route to The Grandest Stage of Them All, Mr. McMahon dropped a bombshell that would completely change The Dreadlocked Dynamo’s road to the title yet again.

Episode 13 - March 26, 2019 (Uncasville, CT)

Release Date: 2019-03-26

After New Day threatened to quit WWE, Mr. McMahon gave Kofi Kingston one last chance to challenge for the WWE Title at WrestleMania … except his fate wouldn’t be in his hands. The Chairman decreed that if Kofi’s New Day brethren could prevail in a Tag Team Gauntlet Match, then The Dreadlocked Dynamo would get his WWE Championship Match on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

Episode 14 - April 2, 2019 (Baltimore, MD)

Release Date: 2019-04-02

WWE Champion “The New” Daniel Bryan railed on Kofi Kingston’s good name one too many times, as a passionate Kofi finally lashed out verbally just five days before challenging The Planet’s Champion for the title on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

Episode 15 - April 9, 2019 (Brooklyn, NY)

Release Date: 2019-04-09

Kofi Kingston’s WWE Championship celebration was cut short when The Bar & Drew McIntyre crashed the party, challenging The New Day to a Six-Man Tag Team Match in the main event of SmackDown LIVE. Elsewhere, The Usos and The Hardy Boyz battled for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles, but the winners would not be able to enjoy the victory, as Lars Sullivan emerged to wreak havoc.

Episode 16 - April 16, 2019 (Montreal, Canada)

Release Date: 2019-04-16

Night Two of the Superstar Shake-up seen on SmackDown LIVE with many surprises that include the arrivals of Roman Reigns, Finn Bálor, Bayley, Ember Moon and many more. Elsewhere, The New Day appoints a new honorary member of the group after appearing on “The Kevin Owens Show.”

Episode 17 - April 23, 2019 (Lincoln, NE)

Release Date: 2019-04-23

It seemed the makeshift New Day of WWE Champion Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods and Kevin Owens was flourishing … but then the newly dubbed “Big O” shocked the WWE Universe with a jaw-dropping attack. Elsewhere, Roman Reigns faced steep repercussions for his Superman Punch to Mr. McMahon.

Episode 18 - April 30, 2019 (Columbus, OH)

Release Date: 2019-04-30

The dilemma between The New Day and Kevin Owens intensified, as Owens continued to target WWE Champion Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Elsewhere, the SmackDown LIVE representative’s in the Men’s and Women’s Money in the Bank Matches were announced.

Episode 19 - May 7, 2019 (Louisville, KY)

Release Date: 2019-05-07

The “Wild Card Rule” brought Raw’s AJ Styles and Sami Zayn to SmackDown LIVE, but WWE Champion Kofi Kingston upped the ante when he challenged both Superstars to a Triple Threat Match with WWE’s most prestigious prize on the line. Elsewhere, new SmackDown Tag Team Champions were crowned, but not in the way Shane McMahon intended when the “Wild Card Rule” struck again.

Episode 20 - May 14, 2019 (London, England)

Release Date: 2019-05-14

With WWE Champion Kofi Kingston as the scheduled guest on “The Kevin Owens Show,” it seemed likely that the two WWE Money in the Bank opponents would trade blows only five nights before their WWE Title Match … which they did, but no one could have predicted how it materialized, thanks to Mr. McMahon’s Wild Card Rule.

Episode 21 - May 21, 2019 (Providence, RI)

Release Date: 2019-05-21

Roman Reigns took on Elias in a Money in the Bank rematch, with it clear that Shane McMahon would be doing everything in his power to slow The Big Dog down prior to WWE Super ShowDown … including using the Wild Card Rule to his advantage. Elsewhere, Big E returned to SmackDown LIVE … but so did Dolph Ziggler, and he made it clear he is coming for WWE Champion Kofi Kingston.

Episode 22 - May 28, 2019 (Tulsa, OK)

Release Date: 2019-05-28

R-Truth’s journey as 24/7 Champion took another interesting turn when he accidentally interrupted Shane McMahon Appreciation Night. The mishap briefly cost him the 24/7 Title, but Truth’s fortunes changed when he teamed with Roman Reigns to take on Elias & Drew McIntyre in the blue brand main event.

Episode 23 - June 4, 2019 (Laredo, TX)

Release Date: 2019-06-04

Goldberg’s first-ever appearance on SmackDown LIVE brought the WWE Universe even more than they bargained for when his WWE Super ShowDown opponent The Undertaker arrived to create a one-of-a-kind moment. Elsewhere, WWE Champion Kofi Kingston and Dolph Ziggler mixed it up prior to their title match in Jeddah.

Episode 24 - June 11, 2019 (Sacramento, CA)

Release Date: 2019-06-11

With Big E finally being cleared for in-ring competition, The New Day brought their best to the trio of Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in the SmackDown LIVE main event. Elsewhere, Shane McMahon attempted to make an example out of The Miz as his Super ShowDown victory tour continued.

Episode 25 - June 18, 2019 (Ontario, CA)

Release Date: 2019-06-18

WWE Champion Kofi Kingston & Universal Champion Seth Rollins teamed up to take on Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn in a blockbuster 2-out-of-3 Falls Match main event on SmackDown LIVE. Elsewhere, the growing tension between SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley and Alexa Bliss finally boiled over in a tumultuous “Moment of Bliss” that would see fists fly.

Episode 26 - June 25, 2019 (Portland, OR)

Release Date: 2019-06-25

WWE Champion Kofi Kingston and Dolph Ziggler amazed the WWE Universe with an incredible 2-out-of-3 Falls Match, wherein The Showoff could earn his way into the WWE Title Match at Extreme Rules with a win. Elsewhere, another 2-out-of-3 Falls bout took centerstage as The Miz squared off against Elias.

Episode 27 - July 2, 2019 (San Antonio, TX)

Release Date: 2019-07-02

After a chaotic set of circumstances, Kevin Owens & Dolph Ziggler collided with Heavy Machinery, and the winning team would earn their way into the SmackDown Tag Team Championship Match at WWE Extreme Rules. Elsewhere, Samoa Joe made a chilling proposition to Kofi Kingston, but the WWE Champion would not blink in the face of The Samoan Submission Machine.

Episode 28 - July 9, 2019 (Manchester, NH)

Release Date: 2019-07-09

Kevin Owens finally exploded on Shane McMahon, verbally assaulting The Best in the World at the start of the night and dropping him with a Stunner at the end of it, massively altering the main event between Roman Reigns and Dolph Ziggler.

Episode 29 - July 16, 2019 (Worcester, MA)

Release Date: 2019-07-16

The beef between Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon continued, first with Shane-O-Mac’s Town Hall Meeting quickly going south when KO abruptly arrived and then again in the main event when Owens tussled with Dolph Ziggler, but the conclusion would be altered when Shane hit the scene with some backup clearly aiming to take KO out.

Episode 30 - July 23, 2019 (Miami, FL)

Release Date: 2019-07-23

Shane McMahon thought he had backed Kevin Owens and Roman Reigns into a corner when he pitted the two in a match against one another, as Drew McIntyre, Elias and Shane were all present for it. However, the tides quickly turned on “The Best in the World” when Owens and Reigns made it clear that they were more interested in tussling with Shane-O-Mac and company than each other.

Episode 31 - July 30, 2019 (Memphis, TN)

Release Date: 2019-07-30

Tonight on SmackDown LIVE, WWE Champion Kofi Kingston overcame United States Champion AJ Styles in a non-title Champion vs. Champion Match with the members of The O.C. and The New Day at ringside. Plus, Roman Reigns was denied the opportunity to make a SummerSlam challenge when a pile of scaffold and metal fell down upon him, and Charlotte Flair emerged to challenge Trish Stratus to a match at The Biggest Event of the Summer.

Episode 32 - August 6, 2019 (Detroit, MI)

Release Date: 2019-08-06

“The New” Daniel Bryan & Rowan made a statement at the conclusion of their tag team main event against Xavier Woods & Big E, and Roman Reigns got some information out of Buddy Murphy, who implicated Rowan as the culprit in his recent misfortunes.

Episode 33 - August 13, 2019 (Toronto, ON)

Release Date: 2019-08-13

The New Day engaged in a drag-out battle with Randy Orton & The Revival in a major Six-Man Tag Team main event on SmackDown LIVE, but the makeshift trio’s victory over the WWE Champion and SmackDown Tag Team Champions was only half the story. Also, the mystery surrounding who is responsible for the recent attacks on Roman Reigns took several more twists and turns.

Episode 34 - August 20, 2019 (Sioux Falls, SD)

Release Date: 2019-08-20

”The New” Daniel Bryan & Erick Rowan reveal who they believed to be the culprit behind the series of attacks on Roman Reigns – a man with almost identical facial features to Erick Rowan. Elsewhere, the WWE Champion Kofi Kingston proved he would not back down in the face of Randy Orton’s onslaught towards him and his New Day brothers.

Episode 35 - August 27, 2019 (Baton Rouge, LA)

Release Date: 2019-08-27

Roman Reigns finally got the answer he was looking for when he confirmed that Erick Rowan was indeed responsible for attacking him. The reveal set “The New” Daniel Bryan into a frenzy, exploding on Rowan and attempting to explain to The Big Dog that he had no knowledge of Erick’s motives … but Reigns wasn’t exactly having it.

Episode 36 - September 3, 2019 (Norfolk, VA)

Release Date: 2019-09-03

Erick Rowan brutalized both Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan, firmly admitting to being Reigns’ attacker and then seemingly cutting ties from his former friend Bryan when he decimated him and viciously put him through a table.

Episode 37 - September 10, 2019 (New York, NY)

Release Date: 2019-09-10

Shane McMahon thought he had it all figured out when he inserted himself into the King of the Ring Tournament Semifinals against Chad Gable and appointed Kevin Owens as the special guest referee with promises of lifting Owens’ $100,000 fine. However, Gable wouldn’t quit in the face of Shane-O-Mac, prompting Shane to fire KO.

Episode 38 - September 17, 2019 (Atlanta, GA)

Release Date: 2019-09-17

In the wake of WWE Clash of Champions, the reunited Erick Rowan & Luke Harper took out Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns in an all-out destructive assault. Plus, Brock Lesnar made a surprise return to challenge WWE Champion Kofi Kingston to a title match at the FOX Friday Night SmackDown premiere on Oct. 4, and Chad Gable left King Corbin’s coronation in shambles.

Episode 39 - September 24, 2019 (San Francisco, CA)

Release Date: 2019-09-24

Shane McMahon’s attempt to resolve Kevin Owens’ lawsuit resulted in KO challenging Shane-O-Mac to a high-stakes Ladder Match with each of their WWE futures on the line. Elsewhere, Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan came together in their attempts to vanquish Erick Rowan & Luke Harper.

Episode 40 - October 4, 2019 (Los Angeles, CA)

Release Date: 2019-10-04

Kofi Kingston’s incredible journey as WWE Champion came crashing to a screeching halt when Brock Lesnar defeated him in mere seconds to win the title, however Lesnar’s night would take an unexpected turn when Rey Mysterio arrived with a blast from The Beast’s past in Cain Velasquez.

Episode 41 - October 11, 2019 (Las Vegas, NV)

Release Date: 2019-10-11

Bayley arrived on Friday Night SmackDown with a new look and new demeanor, but she left Las Vegas as the new SmackDown Women’s Champion after withstanding Charlotte Flair’s best to regain the coveted title. The WWE Draft also got underway with Raw and Friday Night SmackDown both bolstering their rosters with major talent acquisitions.

Episode 42 - October 18, 2019 (Indianapolis, IN)

Release Date: 2019-10-18

Following King Corbin’s interference in the Intercontinental Title Match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Roman Reigns that incited Daniel Bryan to come to The Big Dog’s aid, Bryan and Reigns teamed up to take on Corbin & The King of Strong Style in an unexpected main event on Friday Night SmackDown.

Episode 43 - October 25, 2019 (Kansas City, MO)

Release Date: 2019-10-25

With Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair watching from ringside, members of Team Hogan and Team Flair collided in the main event of Friday Night SmackDown when Roman Reigns, Shorty G & Ali clashed with Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, King Corbin and Cesaro in a massive Six-Man Tag Team Match.

Episode 44 - November 1, 2019 (Buffalo, NY)

Release Date: 2019-11-01

Adam Cole defended the NXT Championship against Daniel Bryan in an instant classic to conclude a night of surprises as the black-and-gold brand claimed a resounding victory over SmackDown in the first battle on the march toward Survivor Series.

Episode 45 - November 8, 2019 (Manchester, UK)

Release Date: 2019-11-08

Roman Reigns and Baron Corbin collided in Manchester, England, but The Big Dog would ultimately have to deal with a lot more than just The King of the Ring by match’s end. Also, Tyson Fury and Braun Strowman came face-to-face yet again in a WWE ring, this time with a potentially even more shocking conclusion.

Episode 46 - November 15, 2019 (Philadelphia, PA)

Release Date: 2019-11-15

During an appearance on “Miz TV,” Daniel Bryan’s verbal altercation with Bray Wyatt and the Firefly Fun House leads to a Universal Championship showdown at Survivor Series. Plus, as the battle for brand superiority at Survivor Series draws closer, NXT continued to knock at the door of the blue brand.

Episode 47 - November 22, 2019 (Chicago, IL)

Release Date: 2019-11-22

The battle for brand supremacy took several final shocking twists on Friday Night SmackDown, including appearances by Rhea Ripley, The Undisputed ERA, Seth Rollins and Triple H’s NXT army, which literally arrived ready for war.

Episode 48 - November 29, 2019 (Birmingham, AL)

Release Date: 2019-11-29

SmackDown ended in unsettling fashion with “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt dragging Daniel Bryan underneath the ring. Elsewhere, The Big Dog sent an emphatic message to King Corbin, and The New Day defended the SmackDown Tag Team Titles in an open challenge.

Episode 49 - December 6, 2019 (Fayetteville, NC)

Release Date: 2019-12-06

Roman Reigns prevailed over Dolph Ziggler in the main event of Friday Night SmackDown, but The Big Dog got more than he bargained for when King Corbin & Ziggler handcuffed Reigns to the ring post and proceeded with one of the most humiliating attacks in WWE history.

Episode 50 - December 13, 2019 (Milwaukee, WI)

Release Date: 2019-12-13

On the final Friday Night SmackDown before WWE TLC, an “unchained” Roman Reigns lays waste to everyone in sight as he prepares to battle King Corbin in a Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match. Plus, the characters of the Firefly Fun House come out to play with The Miz’s daughter, Monroe.

Episode 51 - December 20, 2019 (Brooklyn, NY)

Release Date: 2019-12-20

On a special holiday edition of Friday Night SmackDown, the unlikely team of Daniel Bryan & The Miz teamed up against King Corbin & Dolph Ziggler, Heavy Machinery overcame The Revival in a Miracle on 34th Street Fight, Sasha Banks drew the ire of Lacey Evans when she taunted her daughter at ringside, and much more.

Episode 52 - December 27, 2019 (Detroit, MI)

Release Date: 2019-12-27

Following several twists and turns, Daniel Bryan prevailed in a Triple Threat Match against both The Miz and King Corbin to earn another opportunity at "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt's Universal Title at Royal Rumble next month. Following Bryan’s victory, however, Wyatt immediately appeared with an ominous question for his next challenger.