WWE SmackDown Predictions: Adam Pearce Will Suspend Roman Reigns
By Mark Justice
2.) Bianca Belair vs. Bayley [Royal Rumble ShowCase]
On last week’s WWE SmackDown, Bianca Belair defeated Bayley in an entertaining obstacle course segment. As expected, the obstacle course was a means of reminding everyone of Belair’s track experience, which has been indicative of her athletic prowess inside the ring. She won the obstacle course to solidify her noteworthy attributes, and Bayley played the typical heel shtick of being a sore loser about the result and attacking Belair afterward.
Both superstars are in the Rumble, so they could just continue the feud in that match by eliminating each other. However, Belair still needs her babyface comeuppance after losing to Bayley in their first bout. She should defeat Bayley on this episode of SmackDown in order to regain her momentum for the Women’s Royal Rumble, of which she is a betting favorite. This victory will bring her one step closer to a title match against Sasha Banks at WrestleMania 37.
Prediction: Bianca Belair
1.) Roman Reigns & Paul Heyman vs. Kevin Owens & Adam Pearce [Tag Match]
Former SmackDown GM Teddy Long would be proud of this tag team match for the main event of SmackDown. On last week’s WWE SmackDown, Adam Pearce was scheduled to battle Paul Heyman in a match. However, the card was once again subject to change because Heyman feigned an injury to allow Reigns to replace him and wrestle Pearce. Thankfully, Pearce was saved by Kevin Owens, who finally got the upper hand on Reigns in their two-month program.
That ending to SmackDown planted the seeds for this tag team match. This match will give Owens the opportunity to fully regain his momentum for his upcoming Universal Title match against Reigns at the Royal Rumble. Most fans already know that Reigns will retain the championship this Sunday, so booking Owens and Pearce to pick up a tag team victory here would convince some to think differently. Owens needed an ally to topple The Bloodline, and Pearce has been that ally.
Prediction: Kevin Owens & Adam Pearce
Special Go-Home Angle: Will Roman Reigns Be Suspended?
Braun Strowman head-butted Adam Pearce and got suspended. It is questionable why Roman Reigns not yet been suspended for Superman Punching Pearce for the past two weeks. Pearce could slyly suspend Reigns at the last minute to give Owens the upper hand at the Royal Rumble. Reigns would be forced to relinquish the Universal Title after getting suspended. As the Tribal Chief, he will evidently find a way out of the suspension, but it would be neat to implement this angle in order to make the fans believe that Reigns’ title reign is actually in jeopardy.
As for the Rumble this Sunday, WWE Backstage confirmed that it will announce the 30th entrant in the Men’s Royal Rumble. Many fans have speculated that it could be Edge, Braun Strowman, or even Brock Lesnar. However, it seems more likely that Seth Rollins will be number 30 in the Men’s Royal Rumble. He was supposed to return on the New Year’s episode of SmackDown, but his return was nixed. It could have been nixed in order to postpone his announcement in the Rumble.
Next. Was Adam Pearce Replaced Too Soon?. dark
While Rollins could be number 30 in the Men’s Royal Rumble, Daniel Bryan remains the betting favorite to win it all. Despite the mediocre build to this year’s event, there will certainly be plenty of surprises in store for the WWE Universe. This go-home episode of SmackDown is the last stop to the Royal Rumble. Daily DDT will be with you this Rumble weekend with results, highlights, grades, and analysis. Stay Tuned.