'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The latest episode of SmackDown was essential viewing with several notable developments that made the episode a cut above your average two hours of pro wrestling television. A shocking challenger for Roman Reign's Universal title emerged, while a huge championship change also took place on this week's SmackDown.
On the other hand, a veteran Superstar who was lost in the shuffle stepped up to put up a memorable showing in the main event of the show. Big E was also able to successfully retain his Intercontinental Championship in a controversial match.
So without any delays, let's dive in and discuss the major talking points from this week's SmackDown that have already gotten the WWE Universe buzzing. Do share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.
#5 Adam Pearce to face Roman Reigns at Royal Rumble 2021 after winning the Gauntlet match on SmackDown
Roman Reigns delivered one of the best promos of his career in the opening segment of this week's SmackDown, and that's considering he has been consistently incredible on the mic since his return in August. The way he terrorized Adam Pearce and blamed him for Kevin Owens' fate was brilliant. From his composure to subtle rage to eventually letting Pearce go away for booking a Gauntlet match in the main event, The Tribal Chief was as entertaining as despicable here.
Later in the show, when Paul Heyman told Adam Pearce that he will be competing as a participant in the Gauntlet match, it became clear that it was Reigns who was calling the shots on SmackDown. Roman Reigns and Jey Uso ensured Pearce came on top by the end of the match, and things transpired just the way they wanted to.
The Gauntlet match on SmackDown begun with Sami Zayn being hilariously eliminated in a matter of seconds by Rey Mysterio after he questioned the injustice done to him by giving him a disadvantageous position. Shinsuke Nakamura was the next to enter the match, and he had quite a fun back and forth with Mysterio until Nakamura successfully vanquished away the Lucha Libre legend.
King Corbin was the next participant, and yet again, Nakamura was able to come on top by eliminating The Lone Wolf. Next came out Daniel Bryan and just the prospect of these both going all out against each other was mouth-watering. As expected, the two men tore the house down and had an electric interaction that resulted in The King of Strong Style coming on top.
The final participant in the match was Adam Pearce, and he had it easy with Reigns and Jey Uso destroying Nakamura. Though Pearce was visibly hesitant, Uso delivered a superkick to him and put him on top of Nakamura to secure the pinfall. Yes, it's Adam Pearce vs. Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at Royal Rumble 2021.
While nobody can take away Pearce's accomplishments in the ring as a former five-time NWA World Champion, he wrestled his last bout back in 2014, and suddenly he has been put under the spotlight. Either this could turn to be a surprisingly good match or an abject failure.
#4 Shinsuke Nakamura turns face on SmackDown, has an incredible showing in the gauntlet match
Shinsuke Nakamura had an incredible showing in the gauntlet match this week on SmackDown, and he brought back the memories of the time when he was the biggest Superstar in Japan, and then in NXT. Since his transition to the tag-team division on SmackDown, he had done nothing of note, but today's developments were fantastic.
His face turn has created a lot of chatter among the fans, and they believe he might finally be getting the run he deserves in WWE. Several people have termed Nakamura's misuse on the main roster as one of the biggest mistakes WWE has done in recent times, but things may take a turn for the good now.
Though Adam Pearce has booked his ticket to take on Reigns at Royal Rumble 2021, WWE still has the time to take the story into a seemingly different direction on SmackDown with The King of Strong Style somehow finding his way to the top.
Even if that doesn't happen, Nakamura can be booked to win the Rumble match, which will be the smoothest and most logical way to take him towards a WrestleMania against The Tribal Chief.
#3 Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler become the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions after defeating The Street Profits
Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler became the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions after defeating The Street Profits in a really good match on SmackDown. It's hard to pinpoint how many times these teams have faced each other in recent weeks, but this was their best match by some margin.
Ziggler and Roode successfully restricted The Street Profits from unleashing their fast-paced offense by wearing down both Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins in the ring. Never for a moment, it felt the champions were in the position to retain their titles. It was a thorough and convincing win, though Ford did display some tremendous babyface fire in the ending stages of the match.
While a match or two can be still be expected from these two tandems, WWE would be wise enough to let Ziggler and Roode come on top by the time the rivalry culminates, as it would allow fresh fan-favorite contenders to step-up. Alpha Academy might just be the right duo to take on the newly minted champions once they finish up their business.
#2 Big E retains his Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown in a controversial match
Big E defeated Apollo Crews for the Intercontinental Championship on SmackDown in a match riddled with controversies. Just a couple of minutes into the bout, it felt like Crews had come on top by securing a pinfall. The former US Champion celebrated his win, but the replays showed both the men's shoulders were down on the mat.
Though the referee announced the match was a draw with the championship not changing hands, Crews was visibly displeased. He returned Big E's handshake of respect with a slap, which compelled the champion to restart the match.
While this gave the match a streak of aggression, it didn't last very long, with Big E convincingly coming on top by the end of it. It was quite an intriguing development, as not many had expected it to be so one-sided.
However, the seeds for a possible heel turn by Crews were laid here, and it would not come as a surprise if we see him taking down Big E in the coming weeks on SmackDown to set up another match between the two.
#1 Quite a few interesting developments emerge in the SmackDown women's division
While it was quite surprising to see the women not getting any ring time today on SmackDown, the show did have some backstage segments that progressed a few storylines.
Bianca Belair announced herself as an entrant in the Women's Royal Rumble match, with Bayley taking shots at her for not winning the last year's Rumble even though she had the most number of eliminations in the bout - eight. With Bayley also entering the Rumble, she and Belair will surely take forward their feud into the Rumble itself.
On the other hand, Carmella took a dig at SmackDown Women's Champion Sasha Banks for topping the Sports Illustrated's list of 'Best Pro-Wrestlers of 2020'. Saying Banks topped the list because she wasn't around for most of the year, Carmella was fantastic in the short promo and came across as a deplorable entitled princess.
And last but not the least, Sonya Deville joining Adam Pearce as his assistant was an intriguing development, and could play into the ongoing storyline that Pearce is engaged in with Roman Reigns.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
