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Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar are still vying for Paul Heyman’s services on WWE SmackDown. The main event triangle continued on Friday on a night that also cemented Seth Rollins as Reigns’ Royal Rumble opponent.
It appears that Heyman’s wish-washy allegiance will continue to be a focal point on the Road to WrestleMania and an expected champion vs. champion match between Reigns and Lesnar. Elsewhere on the card, The Usos defended their WWE SmackDown Tag Team championship in a street fight against New Day, and a swath of legends were announced for the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble match.
CBS Sports was with you all night with recaps and highlights of all the action from Mohegan Sun Area in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Roman Reigns returned for the first time since testing positive for COVID and missing the Day 1 event. The universal champion insisted he did not want to see Brock Lesnar or Paul Heyman ever again. That desire was quickly ignored as Lesnar’s music hit. “The Beast Incarnate” made his way to the ring with Heyaman did his best impression of Heyman’s introduction, earning praise from his advocate. The WWE champion poked fun at the universal titleholder by riffing on Reigns’ “acknowledge me” phrase before challenging Reigns to a title vs. title match.
Reigns refused to do business with Heyman, eliciting an emotional response from his former special counsel. Heyman, on the verge of tears, expressed how he worshipped Reigns and was assaulted for his allegiance. An irate Lesnar told Heyman to shut up. Reigns then took advantage of the spat between the two and floored Heyman with a superman punch.
Later in the evening, Adam Pearce informed Sonya Deville that he was instructed to to determine a WWE universal title challenger for Reigns at the Royal Rumble. Pearce entered Reigns’ locker room prior to the main event, informing the champion that a challenger had been chosen. Reigns could not care less and asked Pearce to leave so “The Tribal Chief” could watch his cousins in peace.
Following the conclusion of The Usos vs. New Day, Raw superstar Seth Rollins entered Reigns’ locker room cackling, which pointed to Reigns vs. Rollins at the Royal Rumble. The Reigns-Rollins booking at the Rumble was later confirmed on social media.
Reigns’ and Lesnar’s bids for Heyman’s services have been a focal point of their feud, but this was a little too on the nose. Heyman’s groveling decree of love for Reigns, and Lesnar’s subsequent jealousy seem better suited for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series than WWE’s marquee rivalry. Additionally, Reigns’ assault on Heyman and the manager’s reunion with Lesnar should have been the end of that story thread. Expect Reigns and Lesnar to headline WrestleMania in what amounts to a Paul Heyman on a pole match. Grade: D+
EXCLUSIVE: Who wants an opportunity against @MsCharlotteWWE at #WrestleMania? 👀#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/RkDRvcUgQH
It’s … @WWERollins!!!!@WWERomanReigns#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/6TFyQxD1s3
😮#SmackDown @WWERomanReigns @WWERollins pic.twitter.com/luRLozWoPt
☝️🅳!!!#SmackDown #AndSTILL @WWEUsos pic.twitter.com/TruxyJL8TK
Trouble in Paradise!#SmackDown @TrueKofi pic.twitter.com/REGpaedE5p
BRILLIANT strategy, King @AustinCreedWins! 👑@BretHart would be proud of that one.#SmackDown#StreetFight pic.twitter.com/YgIP7I3tJA
that’s what the helmet is for, jey#SmackDown @AustinCreedWins @WWEUsos pic.twitter.com/H2a8OBbPKe
The #NewDay is laying it all on the line!#SmackDown @TrueKofi @AustinCreedWins pic.twitter.com/GYaFbiHoOn
Just posted a photo https://t.co/Gpjm6CziAu
#KingWoods just got OBLITERATED!#SmackDown @WWEUsos @AustinCreedWins pic.twitter.com/U26mYEkaRr
It’s falling with style!#SmackDown @TrueKofi pic.twitter.com/NtDuml6UlL
🗣 LET’S GO!!!#RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/W5F7c0mSil
.@ScrapDaddyAP has chosen @WWERomanReigns‘ #RoyalRumble opponent. Who will it be?#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/MVSRezwDLh
NEXT on #SmackDown! @WWEUsos @AustinCreedWins @TrueKofi pic.twitter.com/ozQ6NhumyR
The duo of @MadcapMoss & @BaronCorbinWWE collide with @Erik_WWE & @Ivar_WWE on #SmackDown in tag team action! pic.twitter.com/mf5AZKF9Uu
You know, @DMcIntyreWWE, since #WWEDay1 … there’s something different about you.@MadcapMoss@BaronCorbinWWE#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/1qH3sn9KX7
unbelievable#SmackDown @MadcapMoss @DMcIntyreWWE pic.twitter.com/t5uy6Brenq
.@ScrapDaddyAP needs to choose @WWERomanReigns‘ #RoyalRumble opponent by the end of the night?!#SmackDown @SonyaDevilleWWE pic.twitter.com/hPSSumTdvR
Looks good on you, @PatMcAfeeShow.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Cxz8kzn1Tp
This’ll be… somethin’
A Special Edition of #HappyTalk is NEXT on #SmackDown@BaronCorbinWWE @MadcapMoss pic.twitter.com/lcC3Wu0pl2
With more than a little influence from @SonyaDevilleWWE, @MsCharlotteWWE takes down @NaomiWWE on #SmackDown. pic.twitter.com/0vY0aYYa7y
The Opportunity connects!#SmackDown @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/kCbstqycJW
Here comes @SonyaDevilleWWE right on time!@NaomiWWE continues to contend with #SmackDown‘s resident authority figure as well as #SmackDown #WomensChampion @MsCharlotteWWE. pic.twitter.com/6erELoaxg9
Here we go! #royalrumble2022 @WWE pic.twitter.com/xJWeqcgHHo
Blockbuster off the barricade!#SmackDown @NaomiWWE @MsCharlotteWWE pic.twitter.com/xhG86JcNoV
Well, well, well….what do we have here!?! ROYAL RUMBLE 2022💪🏽
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REAL TALK….that title looks flawless on me!😜#honored #blessed #grateful #mamastillgotit #flawless 💙🙏🏽 https://t.co/4SOBDWwrCg
What has @NaomiWWE done to “deserve” a match with @MsCharlotteWWE? #SmackDown
How about this? pic.twitter.com/fvoAIs0itf
STAR. STUDDED. 🤩#SmackDown #RoyalRumble pic.twitter.com/7QxPG5SXPi
Impact Knockouts World Champion @MickieJames will be in the #RoyalRumble Match! #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/TXH0jm6QgE
Was that a tuppence? #SirKofi #KingWoods#SmackDown @TrueKofi @AustinCreedWins @KaylaBraxtonWWE pic.twitter.com/PnBYb5LvHb
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