Adam Pearce Becomes WWE Universal Title Contender On SmackDown

SmackDown "GM" Adam Pearce named Roman Reigns' opponent at Royal Rumble.

by Jamie Kennedy
Adam Pearce Roman Reigns Paul Heyman
WWE.com

Yes, Adam Pearce.

SmackDown's sort of/kinda'/almost General Manager has been installed as the next challenger for Roman Reigns' Universal Title at the 2021 Royal Rumble. Pearce accidentally won a lengthy Gauntlet bout on Friday's episode - he was knocked out and then placed on top of a downed Shinsuke Nakamura to score the win.

This came after Roman taunted him about making bad decisions on the show lately.

Advertisement

The whole thing is rather John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis, but there are some differences. Firstly, the roles are reversed; Roman, unlike Cena, is playing heel and Pearce is the sympathetic figure. Secondly, WWE has removed the comedic aspect it usually books for these Wrestler vs. Authority Figure angles.

Reigns vs. Pearce has been made official for the Rumble.

Advertisement

Some fans on social media don't like the decision, and it is odd to see someone like Pearce in such a featured spot on one of the biggest pay-per-views of the year. Nobody could've guessed that WWE's 'Road To WrestleMania 37' would kick off with this kind of match.

SmackDown ended with a confused Pearce coming to and realising that he's the new number one contender.

Advertisement
In this post: 
Adam Pearce
 
Posted On: 
Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.