Daniel Bryan vs. Jey Uso steel cage match set for WWE SmackDown

Daniel Bryan is getting another shot to earn a Universal Championship match against Roman Reigns.

On this week’s episode of Talking Smack, it was announced that Bryan will face Jey Uso in a steel cage match on SmackDown next Friday. If Bryan wins, he’ll challenge for Reigns’ Universal Championship at Fastlane. If Uso wins, Bryan has to acknowledge Reigns as the tribal chief, the head of the table, the best wrestler on the planet, the undisputed Universal Champion, and the main event of WrestleMania.

Paul Heyman said on Talking Smack that he had been authorized by Reigns to offer Bryan another match against Uso. Bryan agreed but wanted it to be a steel cage match. Bryan said that — if he loses to Uso — he’ll shake Reigns’ hand and acknowledge Reigns as the best wrestler he’s ever been in the ring with. Reigns agreed to make Bryan vs. Uso a steel cage match.

Last night’s SmackDown was headlined by Bryan vs. Uso. Bryan would have gotten a shot at Reigns’ Universal Championship if he won, but the match ended in a double countout. Reigns then attacked Bryan as Bryan had Uso in the Yes Lock after the match. Bryan put Reigns in the Yes Lock, but Uso gave Bryan a superkick. Reigns then hit a spear on Bryan and put him in a guillotine.

Bryan won SmackDown’s Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber this past Sunday but then immediately had to challenge for Reigns’ Universal Championship. Reigns broke out of the Yes Lock and quickly defeated Bryan with a guillotine.

It was said on last night’s SmackDown that the original tentative plans for Fastlane were Bryan & men’s Royal Rumble winner Edge teaming against Reigns & Uso. Edge didn’t seem happy with Bryan potentially getting a title shot before Edge challenges for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 37.

There was a backstage segment on last night’s SmackDown where Bryan said his chances of beating Reigns are better than Edge’s are. Bryan said that — with Edge’s ring rust and how much time he’s taken off — he doesn’t know if Edge has what it takes to defeat Reigns.

Fastlane is taking place on Sunday, March 21. It’s WWE’s final pay-per-view before WrestleMania 37.