5 Things WWE subtly told us on SmackDown: Main event push for underrated star, Former Champion not a babyface anymore? (February 12th, 2021)

#1. The Roman Reigns situation on SmackDown and the Elimination Chamber

More manipulation from Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman - but did Adam Pearce comply?

Roman Reigns has been butting heads with RAW/SmackDown authority figure Adam Pearce for a while now. It began months ago, and they were close to facing off at the Royal Rumble.

Adam Pearce, like any normal authority figure, informed Roman Reigns on SmackDown that he would be defending his Universal title inside the Elimination Chamber. Instead, Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman had a different idea - that six competitors from SmackDown face-off, with the winner getting a Universal Championship opportunity later that same night.

.@WWERomanReigns will defend the #UniversalTitle against whoever wins the #SmackDown Elimination Chamber Match on the very same night at #WWEChamber!@ScrapDaddyAP @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/vCcRgcm0XB

— WWE (@WWE) February 13, 2021

So the opening match of Elimination Chamber will presumably be this. Adam Pearce, in a moment of slight revenge, booked Reigns' cousin Jey Uso in the match, and Kevin Owens as well.

.@ScrapDaddyAP adds Jey @WWEUsos and @FightOwensFight to the #SmackDown Elimination Chamber Match at #WWEChamber! 👀@WWERomanReigns @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/slUJ5rrGtV

— WWE (@WWE) February 13, 2021

King Corbin, Sami Zayn, Daniel Bryan, and Cesaro will now make up the rest of the field. It's a major disadvantage, and Roman Reigns is virtually guaranteed a victory - and he will likely return to SmackDown still Universal Champion.