5 Things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown: 7-time Champion set for stunning character change, Unexpected alliance forms after main event (August 28th, 2020) 

#1 Adam Pearce's importance on SmackDown

Adam Pearce has come a long way

Adam Pearce never had a significant run in the WWE, but his role as a backstage producer on SmackDown has been more prominent. After testing positive for COVID-19, he eventually returned to WWE TV and he's always a figure we see when brawls have to be broken up or injured Superstars need to be attended to.

However, his role on SmackDown was far more prominent. Upon Vince McMahon's instructions, he needed to get Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, and Roman Reigns to sign a contract for their No Holds Barred Match at Payback.

#Smackdown starts RIGHT NOW on @FOX8tv! #MrMcMahon needs signatures from @WWERomanReigns, @BraunStrowman and #TheFiend @WWEBrayWyatt! #WWEAustralia pic.twitter.com/aKpiqUxqXx

— WWE Australia (@WWEAustralia) August 29, 2020

Surprisingly, getting Bray Wyatt to sign was the easiest and Adam Pearce appeared as a postman on the Firefly Fun House to deliver the contract to the Universal Champion and get it signed.

NOW | Postman Pearce has gotten @WWEBrayWyatt's signature for #WWEPayback! #SmackDown #WWEAustralia pic.twitter.com/5L8nATI2ND

— WWE Australia (@WWEAustralia) August 29, 2020

For Braun Strowman, it was a bit odd. Drew Gulak smashed Strowman's back with a steel chair for no good reason and handed the chair to Pearce. While Pearce convinced Strowman that it was Gulak who did that, Strowman said he'd only sign the contract after taking care of the former Cruiserweight Champion - which he did, with ease.

It was only at the end did he manage to get Roman Reigns to sign, which is when we saw his alliance with Paul Heyman form. What is the meaning of all of this? Why was Adam Pearce given such an important role? What's going to be the fallout of it all? Tune into our coverage of Payback, RAW, and SmackDown to find out!