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WWE SmackDown has quickly become one of the most critically acclaimed shows that WWE hosts on a weekly basis. The Blue brand over the last year has redeemed itself and has gone back to the quality of its run in 2016 after the WWE Draft.
Following Roman Reigns’ return and a WWE Draft to shake things up, SmackDown changed completely and for a while now the storylines have been quite interesting.
Now, the Blue brand regularly hosts amazing matches on a weekly basis. However, some matches, in particular, have been better than anyone expected they would be this year. Be it Roman Reigns, Big E, Seth Rollins, Cesaro, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura, Sami Zayn, or Apollo Crews, everyone has put on amazing shows.
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In this article, we will be taking a look at the best men’s matches on SmackDown so far in 2021.
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#5 WWE SmackDown (April 23): Apollo Crews vs Kevin Owens
Apollo Crews found a new lease in his career on WWE SmackDown in 2021. Being paired with Commander Azeez helped him a lot to get in a better place in his WWE career. Azeez helped Crews to win the Intercontinental title from Big E and then retain it when he was challenged.
But when Kevin Owens faced him, things looked tough for Crews. Soon after WrestleMania, Owens challenged Crews and with Sami Zayn at ringside, looked to win the title. Unfortunately, Azeez and Zayn’s presence at ringside was enough to cause a distraction for Owens, as he was rolled up by Crews.
He lost after an incredible match but took his revenge by taking out Crews with a Stunner. He would eat a Nigerian Nail himself, but the match was one of the best in recent memory on SmackDown.
The improvement in Apollo Crews as a character since Commander Azeez was added to his side was showcased perfectly in the match as well.
#4 WWE SmackDown (January 15): Cesaro vs Daniel Bryan
In many ways, this year has been the resurrection of Cesaro on WWE SmackDown. In fact, it started early. When Daniel Bryan faced Cesaro in January, it was one of the best matches of all time.
Cesaro’s later feuds with Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns would see him cast in the spotlight. However, his match against Bryan in early January was an indication of things to come. Both SmackDown superstars were more than ready to put on a display that no one would forget.
Their technical superiority made this a match that no one forgot.
#3 WWE SmackDown (June 18): Roman Reigns vs Rey Mysterio (Hell in a Cell Match)
One of the most recent SmackDown matches on this list, Roman Reigns and Rey Mysterio did an amazing job of taking things to another level when they stepped inside the Hell in a Cell structure. Mysterio played the part of an anguished angry father brilliantly, looking not for the win, but to exact revenge on Roman Reigns.
Rey Mysterio managed better than most as he hurt Reigns and focused on different parts of the champion, using every weapon in his arsenal.
Unfortunately, by the time the match ended, it was of no use. Roman Reigns overpowered Mysterio, hitting him with a powerbomb on the cell. The SmackDown Tag Team Champion was then placed in a submission hold, and that was it, as he had no option but to tap out.
This match was also significant for being the first-ever Hell in a Cell Match to take place on SmackDown.
#2 WWE SmackDown (January 8): Adam Pearce vs Shinsuke Nakamura vs Daniel Bryan vs King Corbin vs Rey Mysterio vs Sami Zayn
On WWE SmackDown, Shinsuke Nakamura showed just how good he could be despite the questionable booking he has received on the main roster. Although Adam Pearce won the match for storyline purposes, this was technically Shinsuke Nakamura’s best match in a long time.
It felt like the Japanese superstar was completely rejuvenated and fans got to see a different side of him from his usual comedic approach to matches. He impressed everyone in attendance throughout the gauntlet match on SmackDown. He defeated star after star and lasted until the last opponent.
Unfortunately for him, Roman Reigns wanted to face Adam Pearce and made sure he got that match, by taking out a tired Nakamura.
#1 WWE SmackDown (April 30): Roman Reigns vs Daniel Bryan (Championship vs Career Match)
Roman Reigns does not ordinarily wrestle on SmackDown that often. However, when he does it’s usually by far the best performance of the night.
Over the year, Reigns has perfected his character to be one of the best heels on the roster. However, the heel energy he brought to this match, where Daniel Bryan’s very career on SmackDown was on the line, was at another level.
Reigns managed to showcase exactly why he is the Universal Champion once again through an amazing display. When everything was done, Reigns had beaten Bryan despite it looking like Bryan might get the win several times during the bout.
By far, it was the best SmackDown match so far this year.
