The Tribal Chief will go face-to-face with his Royal Rumble opponent.
On the January 8 episode of SmackDown, Roman Reigns questioned Adam Pearce's managerial decisions, namely giving Kevin Owens a match with Jey Uso the week prior, and set out to prove that he is the one who runs the show. Paul Heyman pulled some strings and had Pearce entered into number #1 Contender Gauntlet Match that closed the show.
After an impressive run by Shinsuke Nakamura that saw him eliminate Rey Mysterio, Baron Corbin, and Daniel Bryan, Reigns and Uso accompanied Pearce to the ring and laid waste to the only man standing in Pearce's way. After being knocked out himself, Pearce was thrown on top of Nakamura, winning the match and a title opportunity at the Royal Rumble event.
Pearce shared his first remarks on what transpired earlier today on Twitter.
I enjoyed my two decade ride; I honestly loved it. And at the end, I was ready and happy to ride off into the sunset. The “Head of the Table” put the keys back in my hand and forced me to take the wheel. And so, we ride again... https://t.co/0SdPH3VIN4
— Adam Pearce (@ScrapDaddyAP) January 9, 2021
During today's NFL Playoff coverage, FOX advertised Roman Reigns confronting Pearce, once again, on the January 15 edition of Friday Night SmackDown. The two are scheduled to do battle for the Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble.
Also announced for next week's show is a match between Shinsuke Nakamura and Jey Uso.
To relive all the action from SmackDown, visit Fightful's live coverage.
Sean Ross Sapp and Jeremy Lambert's Post-Show Review can be found here.
