The Universal Title match at the Royal Rumble has its stipulation... and participants.
Adam Pearce won the opportunity to challenge Roman Reigns for his Championship after the Tribal Chief and his cousin, Jey Uso, beat-down Shinsuke Nakamura at the end of January 8's #1 Contender Gauntlet Match. Reigns took issue with Pearce booking the match, insisting that he is smart enough to pick his own opponent and that he is the only person who runs SmackDown.
This evening, Pearce and Reigns took part in a contract signing for their Royal Rumble match. The show began with Reigns mulling over the document. Paul Heyman suggested adding a stipulation and got Pearce to sign off on a No-Disqualification match, knowing full well that he benefits in no way. The Universal Champion, however, refused and demanded his Special Council make the change from a No-DQ to a Last Man Standing match.
"He's gonna go for it because you're gonna make him."@WWERomanReigns wants a Last Man Standing Match with @ScrapDaddyAP at #RoyalRumble! @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/aJMk2x235u
— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2021
During the main event segment, Pearce sat down with Reigns and both men signed the contract. Before leaving the ring, Pearce told Reigns, "I've been waiting all night for you to do that." With the Champion looking on confused, Pearce stood at the top of the ramp and reminded his opponent that all WWE contracts use the same wording and that every card is "subject to change." As a WWE Official, he can declare himself unfit and name a suitable replacement of his choosing, which is exactly what he does, bringing out Kevin Owens.
Roman Reigns had been feuding with Kevin Owens, defeating him at both TLC and on the Christmas Day episode of SmackDown, but seemingly removed him from the equation after throwing him off of the ThunderDome stage and through a table on New Year's Day.
KO signed the contract, officially taking Pearce's place in the Universal Title match. The show went off the air with Reigns and his entourage seeming frustrated and stunned.
And like that, @ScrapDaddyAP has officially turned the tables on @WWERomanReigns heading into #RoyalRumble!#SmackDown @FightOwensFight pic.twitter.com/bmLda4oK48
— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2021
You can see full SmackDown results and highlights here.
Fightful's Post-Show review can be found here.
