WWE To SCRAP Roman Reigns Vs. Adam Pearce From Royal Rumble 2021 Card?

Despite last week's SmackDown, Roman Reigns vs. Adam Pearce might not happen at Royal Rumble 2021...

Adam Pearce Roman Reigns Paul Heyman
WWE.com

Don't put money Roman Reigns vs. Adam Pearce at WWE Royal Rumble 2021, as obvious as the Universal Title match's outcome may seem.

Why? Because there's a chance the bout might not even happen.

This is according to Dave Meltzer, who spoke about the situation on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, stating that WWE may opt to swap Pearce for Reigns' more established rival Kevin Owens, as the current bout "seems like a strange match to make."

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Adding to this, Meltzer gave his opinion that going for the change "tells you that [WWE] literally have no ideas at all."

Owens has already fallen to Reigns in twice recently. His first failed Universal Title challenge went down at TLC 2020, where he lost in one of the titular bouts, before dropping another bout with 'The Head of the Table' on the following week's episode of SmackDown. Both contests were well-received by fans and critics alike, continuing Roman's run as one of WWE's most acclaimed acts.

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Pearce, a former NWA World Champion, hasn't wrestled in six years. He currently plays an authority figure on WWE television and scored this opportunity by "winning" a gauntlet match on last week's SmackDown, with Reigns and Jey Uso placing him over a downed Shinsuke Nakamura after Uso had knocked Pearce out with a superkick.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.