4 Ups & 5 Downs From WWE SmackDown (Jan 8)
WWE crowned new champs, pushed Adam Pearce and showcased a dream match on SmackDown.
Kevin Owens isn't getting another crack at the Universal Title.
Instead, WWE decided to pull a new challenger completely out of left field on the latest SmackDown. Adam Pearce (of all people) has been deemed perfect to meet Roman Reigns at the 2021 Royal Rumble. Just think about that for a second - let it sink right in.
Elsewhere, Big E is already toiling as Intercontinental Champion. That's not his fault, but he is going to need some help from the writers if this second go-around as IC Champ has any chance of being more memorable than the first. Friday's episode was another upsetting speed bump for the new solo sensation.
On the plus side, WWE did end an agonising Tag-Team Title reign, and they even found time to book a sought-after dream bout during the airtime-hogging Gauntlet headliner. Those lovely positives weren't quite enough to offset the show's most glaring negatives though.
Here are all the 'Ups' and the 'Downs' from another slice of SmackDown 2K21. It's been a decidedly mixed start to the new year for the blue brand thus far...