Tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown ended in chaos, as Aleister Black finally returned to the show. He did so in dramatic fashion, as he interrupted a WWE Intercontinental Championship match to attack a new foe. In the process, he helped Apollo Crews emerge victorious and retain his title.
The match – a Fatal Four-Way that saw Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Big E challenge Crews – was as chaotic as fans thought it would be. The four competitors went all out in their individual requests to win the gold. The bad blood between the rivals in the bout was also evident from the start.
SO. SO. CLOSE! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/ifPyDybri6
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 22, 2021
But the action came to a screeching halt toward the end of the match. After everyone but Big E had been taken out of the ring, the arena was filled with a blinding light. As Big E tried to figure out what was happening, Black slowly made his way down to the ring and out of the light. He then got into the ring to stare down Big E.
Only the strong will survive.
@WWEAleister #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/nK0px5Bbfc
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) May 22, 2021
Before Big E could respond, Apollo Crews slid into the ring and grabbed at his leg, and the distraction allowed Black to drop Big E with a brutal Black Mass. Crews quickly capitalized by pinning the former champion for the win.
