WWE Network Review: WWE Talking Smack for 3/27/21
Welcome to this week’s WWE Talking Smack review. It airs on Peacock/WWE Network on Saturday mornings. I am filling in for the regular Talking Smack recapper Aneil. Let’s get to it.
The show began with Paul Heyman staring into the camera reminding us that he is the Special Counsel of Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Heyman said that there have been a lot of bad executive decisions in sports entertainment and this is the worst in history. Heyman said that WWE Official Adam Pearce will be there this morning, but in the meantime, Miss Braxton the floor is yours. The lovely Kayla Braxton said that was a “Debbie Downer” way to start Talking Smack. Kayla noted that Fastlane was exciting with things getting shaken up and WrestleMania is just two weeks away. Kayla spoke about how the Universal Championship Match is a triple threat match: Roman Reigns vs. Edge vs. Daniel Bryan. Heyman mocked Kayla for not having any compassion or feelings that he is in a bad mood. Heyman said anything he has to say in his rant, he’ll say it to Adam Pearce’s face.
They went over some WrestleMania matches that were made on Smackdown:
Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins
Intercontinental Champion: Big E vs. Apollo Crews
Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn
A commercial aired for Raw on Monday.
The first guest was Kevin Owens, who shook Heyman’s hand. Owens said he was overjoyed because it’s official that he’ll be wrestling Sami Zayn at WrestleMania. Owens said that it’s hard to put into words what it means in their careers. Owens said that they have been joined at the hip since they met in 2002 and they are more like brothers than friends. Owens said where they came from in Quebec, it was hard to get out of the province and get your names in wrestling. Owens said that these independent wrestling companies would bring the two of them, so they’d have to drive and fly everywhere together. That’s why he’s more of a brother than a friend. Owens said that over the last few months, that Sami Zayn is not the guy he has known. Heyman: “Oh stop it. He’s always been a prick and you know it!” That was funny. Owens stopped Heyman from interrupting him. Owens said maybe he’s always been a prick like Heyman said because in that ring, he is one of the best, but the problem is this conspiracy theory stuff has taken him away from what he can do. Owens said in the last two years he has blamed everybody else and he tried to talk sense into him, but it didn’t work out, so at WrestleMania, he’ll beat that into him. Owens said he can’t think of a better place to do it at WrestleMania. Owens said he has no opinion on Logan Paul and all he cares about is WrestleMania in two weeks is him against Sami Zayn. Owens said it’s a dream come true, but when it’s all said and done, he can straighten things out to get on a more righteous path. Owens said that people have followed their careers for 20 years, people like their families and the fans, they are excited to see it happen. Owens interrupted Paul, which led to Kayla laughing about it. Owens had a question. Owens asked Paul if Roman Reigns is going to walk out of WrestleMania as the Universal Champion? Heyman said “no” and then said “I know so.” Heyman told Owens that he’ll leave as the Universal Champion and that’s not a prediction with Owens said: “It’s a spoiler!” Owens mentioned the pay-per-view that happens after WrestleMania, the one with the ladders and Heyman mentioned Money in the Bank. Owens said he loved Money in the Bank with the ladders, cashing in the title anytime anywhere, cashing in the contract and he tapped Heyman on the shoulder. Owens handed Heyman the microphone and left.
TJR Thoughts: That was fun. Owens always has good chemistry with Heyman since they are two of the best talkers in WWE. Owens was right to talk about his history with Sami Zayn and how it means a lot to their families as well as the fans. I’m certainly excited about it. Owens mentioning Money in the Bank was a way to tease the idea that if he wins Money in the Bank then he can cash in the contract on Universal Champion Roman Reigns, who KO was feuding with for several months.
Next Friday on Smackdown: Sami Zayn’s Red Carpet Premiere with special guest Logan Paul.
A commercial aired about getting COVID-19 vaccinations.
The next guest was Bianca Belair, who will challenge Sasha Banks for the Smackdown Women’s Title at WrestleMania. They commented on how Belair is a regular guest on the show. They do put her on the show too much. Belair said that she wasn’t planning on smacking Sasha Banks, but she did what she had to do. Braxton asked how Belair felt after Banks hit her with a Backstabber after Bianca’s win over Natalya. Belair said it was her goal to get to WrestleMania and she knows she has to watch her back with Sasha. Belair gave Banks credit, but said that they are two Alpha Females going after the same prize – the Smackdown Women’s Championship. Belair said it strikes a nerve when Banks calls her a “rookie.” Belair said that the future is now. Belair said she’s the new kid on the block, but she’s of proving herself and she wants to see what happens at WrestleMania. Heyman congratulated Belair for one of the most impressive rookie years in sports entertainment. Heyman said that you have to give up the desire to be friends with anyone in this industry and said that Sasha will never be your mentor or friend. Heyman said if Banks wins at WrestleMania then Belair will keep going after her and if Belair wins then Banks will go after her. Heyman said that you always have to prove yourself. Heyman said that every Friday is his audition to be invited to be brought back for the next episode of Smackdown with Roman Reigns. Heyman wanted Belair to come back on the show as the Smackdown Women’s Champion. Heyman called Belair an athlete, the hottest commodity to come out of NXT in years and somebody that Banks calls a rookie then Belair should be that rookie. Belair told Paul she appreciates that.
TJR Thoughts: It was okay. I like Belair a lot and her confidence is what helps me believe that she is a star. It was smart of Belair to say she didn’t like Banks calling her a rookie. The whole “rookie” thing is silly anyway since Belair has been wrestling for several years, but it is the first full year of Belair on the main roster, so I guess that’s why Banks does it. Heyman’s advice to Belair to not be friends with Banks is what I liked the most. That story should be about who is better and they don’t have to act like friends. I’d like to see the intensity cranked up a bit in that rivalry.
A commercial aired for WrestleMania on April 10 and April 11.
The last guest for the week was WWE Official Adam Pearce. Heyman had his head in his hands looking angry about Pearce making an appearance. Braxton said Paul was excited and Pearce laughed about that. Pearce shook hands with Heyman. Heyman said on this holiday (Passover for the Jewish people), he wanted Pearce to pass over this egregious mistake that he made. Heyman called Reigns the single greatest superstar in sports entertainment and reminded us he has to defend the Universal Championship against Edge and Daniel Bryan. Heyman said that even if this was a Handicap Match he wouldn’t mind this as much. Heyman said in a Handicap Match, Reigns mops the floor with both guys and force the WWE Universe to acknowledge the Tribal Chief as the sun that the WWE Universe orbits. Heyman said that in a triple threat match, Reigns doesn’t have to lose the match to lose the championship. Pearce said that was correct. Heyman went over the scenarios. Heyman said that Roman Reigns after this period of dominance that no other champion has demonstrated to this level, his title change can end without getting pinned. Heyman said that the WWE Universe pays to see Roman Reigns’ dominance. Heyman said that Reigns has to prevent Bryan and Edge from beating eachother. Heyman kept on complaining about how Reigns had to play defense against Bryan and Edge. Heyman kept going on. Heyman said that the WWE Universe is paying for Roman Reigns as THE main event of WrestleMania. Heyman said that we should find out who the best man is by having Reigns face one man. Heyman said that the problem is that Pearce doesn’t understand the greatness of top star Roman Reigns. Heyman said that Pearce is not allowing the public to see what they are paying for – Roman Reigns. Heyman said that was the best he’s got. Pearce replied saying he was blown away right now. Pearce said that what Heyman just gave the WWE Universe made Pearce nearly speechless. Pearce told Heyman he never looked at it that way and Heyman wondered if Pearce would rescind his decision. Pearce: “Not a chance in hell.” Kayla laughed. Pearce said see ya at WrestleMania and left. Braxton: “Don’t you love that guy?” Heyman: “No. I don’t. And neither should you.”
TJR Thoughts: It was the usual Heyman promo with Pearce only chiming in at the end. It was funny at the end at least.
Heyman did another promo staring into the camera saying that Edge was forced into his retirement once before. Heyman wondered what makes you think that Reigns is not capable of putting Edge right back into retirement. Heyman reminded us that Daniel Bryan was forced into retirement once before and he said the same thing about Reigns being capable of making Bryan retire. Heyman reminded us that Reigns is not our typical champion. Heyman said that they have pushed Reigns too far and that Reigns is not going to relinquish that title. Heyman claimed that Reigns doesn’t just feed his immediate family, he feeds Heyman, the cameraman, the director, the producer and the McMahons. Heyman said that WWE revolves around Reigns. Heyman said that at WrestleMania, Reigns will walk out of there with the championship while Daniel Bryan and Edge will walk out with a retirement plan at the hands of the most savage and capable champion in the history of WWE…Roman Reigns. Heyman took his microphone off and Braxton ended the show.
TJR Thoughts: More of the same from Heyman. It’s not a complaint at all. It just felt repetitive since that was most of the show this week.
That’s all for me. Thanks for reading.