Bengaluru, Jan 16: The Universal Champion Roman Reigns has now received a new Royal Rumble opponent to defend his title. As seen on SmackDown, Reigns forced WWE Producer Adam Pearce to become his new number-one contender for a title match at the upcoming pay-per-view. It was then noted that the match was converted to a No Disqualification Match.
The champion didn't like the stipulation and he wanted to make it a Last Man Standing Match, instead. The main event segment of this week’s SmackDown witnessed Pearce and Reigns put their signs on the contract in the middle of the ring to make the match, official.
Moving on, Pearce swerved Reigns by declaring that he is dealing with a knee injury once the contract was already signed. Pearce then brought out a replacement for him in the form of Kevin Owens who signed the contract, right away. Owens then taunted Reigns to close the show.
.@FightOwensFight challenges @WWERomanReigns for the #UniversalTitle in a #LastManStanding Match at #RoyalRumble! https://t.co/wzIAy9otwH pic.twitter.com/zHLVAsLSVb
— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2021
WWE Title Match: Bill Goldberg vs. Drew McIntyre (c)
Last Man Standing Match for the WWE Universal Title: Kevin Owens vs. Roman Reigns (c)
30-Man Royal Rumble Match: Daniel Bryan, WWE United States Champion Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Otis, The Miz, Jey Uso, Cesaro, 22 Superstars TBA
Winner earns a title shot at WrestleMania 37
30-Woman Royal Rumble Match: Nia Jax, WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Charlotte Flair, Bayley, Bianca Belair, Mandy Rose, Dana Brooke, 24 Superstars TBA
Winner earns a title shot at WrestleMania 37
As it can be seen Jey Uso and Cesaro are the latest entries to the Men’s Rumble, Randy Orton is rumoured to be taken off the contest as WWE reportedly plans a Firefly Fun House Match at the pay-per-view against The Fiend Bray Wyatt. An update from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter suggests that Orton's Rumble announcement was a 'red herring' as everything is open to change.
Monday's RAW will also witness the in-ring return of Alexa Bliss who will be in non-title action against Asuka, the current RAW Women's Champion and one half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions. This would be Bliss' first match since defeating Nikki Cross on the November 23 RAW episode.
NEXT FRIDAY on #SmackDown ⤵️#ICTitle @WWEBigE @WWEApollo pic.twitter.com/ifzfPMCCfH
— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2021
Next week's SmackDown will also see Bayley challenging Bianca Belair in the Ultimate Athlete Obstacle Course. Bayley premiered the "Ding Dong, Hello!" talk show segment, with Belair as the first guest. Their verbal argument ended with Bayley challenging Belair to the obstacle course challenge that was accepted on the spot.