WWE SmackDown: 5 Biggest news stories - Roman Reigns gets tricked, huge alliance for Apollo Crews? (January 15, 2021)

#2: Apollo Crews teased an alliance with Roman Reigns on WWE SmackDown

"Stay... You can learn from this."#SmackDown @WWERomanReigns @HeymanHustle @WWEApollo pic.twitter.com/mc3qoI4tcr

— WWE (@WWE) January 16, 2021

Apollo Crews displayed a new attitude on WWE SmackDown not too long ago. He has been involved in a storyline with Big E, where Crews has gradually been painted as somewhat of an antagonist, over time.

This week, Apollo Crews joined Roman Reigns in a backstage segment. It looked as if Reigns was giving Crews some advice. Paul Heyman joined the duo soon after. Heyman brought a no disqualification match contract to Reigns, which had already been signed by Adam Pearce for their WWE Royal Rumble clash.

The Tribal Chief told Crews to stay in his position, perhaps to show him a lesson. Reigns then quickly assumed control of the situation, telling Heyman that he wanted a Last Man Standing match instead.

The stipulation change itself wasn't the major takeaway here. The main takeaway was the subtext of the segment, where Reigns wanted to display his authority and power in front of Apollo Crews.

"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

In the same episode of WWE SmackDown, Crews would also defeat Sami Zayn by scoring the pin while grabbing Zayn's tights. It was a sly move on Crews' part that fell in line with the ideology of doing whatever it takes to win. This way, Crews added more legitimacy to his rivalry with Big E, as the storyline between the two WWE Superstars seems far from over at this point.