5 things WWE SmackDown got right this week - Former Universal Champion returns; Cesaro shows some jealousy

#1 Kevin Owens returns to WWE SmackDown

.@ScrapDaddyAP has signed on the dotted line...#SmackDown #RoyalRumble @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/TVEfuAlfWf

— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2021

Cue the electric guitars. Kevin Owens returned to WWE SmackDown this week after taking a couple of weeks off following a brutal attack by Roman Reigns and Jey Uso. However, the build-up to his return was decent, to say the least.

Fans expected a bait and switch, and that’s exactly what they got on this week’s SmackDown. Adam Pearce was put in a difficult position by Roman Reigns and his associates last week, and he decided to play along.

Pearce was first given a No Disqualification Match for the Royal Rumble against the Universal Champion. However, Reigns changed his mind and wanted a Last Man Standing Match instead.

At the end of the night, Reigns bullied Pearce into signing the Last Man Standing Match contract for the Royal Rumble before taking his place at the head of the table. Reigns signed the contract, and Pearce revealed that he’d been waiting all night for The Tribal Cheif to do that.

WAIT A MINUTE! It's going to be @FightOwensFight and @WWERomanReigns at #RoyalRumble! pic.twitter.com/Cel7q7m3an

— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2021

Pearce feigned a knee injury and revealed that the card is subject to change. He then introduced Owens and allowed him to take his place for the match. The entire thing was beautifully done and it allowed SmackDown to build a top match for the Royal Rumble.