WWE SmackDown: 5 Biggest news stories - Seth Rollins brings back old theme song, Roman Reigns' next title defense announced (February 12, 2021)

#3 Adam Pearce wanted Roman Reigns to defend the WWE Universal Title inside Elimination Chamber, but Paul Heyman manipulated the circumstances on SmackDown

"I'm the Sun. Everything orbits me. You're here because of me."#SmackDown @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/wICAwoajdt

— WWE (@WWE) February 13, 2021

This week's WWE SmackDown kicked-off with another power struggle segment between Roman Reigns and Adam Pearce.

Just like Drew McIntyre, Pearce wanted Reigns to defend his World Title inside the Elimination Chamber. As expected, The Tribal Chief did not want to be ordered by another authority figure, which is when Paul Heyman stepped in and worked his magic as the special counsel.

Roman Reigns' WWE contract states that he has to defend the Universal Championship at the Elimination Chamber event, and not specifically inside the Elimination Chamber structure. Heyman said that instead of directly taking part in SmackDown's Elimination Chamber match, Reigns would face whoever wins the multi-man contest on the same night.

But Pearce didn't go down without a fight, as he revealed that two of the Chamber match's participants would be Kevin Owens and Jey Uso.

.@ScrapDaddyAP adds Jey @WWEUsos and @FightOwensFight to the #SmackDown Elimination Chamber Match at #WWEChamber! 👀@WWERomanReigns @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/slUJ5rrGtV

— WWE (@WWE) February 13, 2021

It was a smart move on Heyman's part not to overexpose Roman Reigns in a volatile contest like the Elimination Chamber match. Owens was expected to be a part of the match, but Uso's addition turned out to be the more interesting angle.

Will Jey Uso do his cousin's dirty work, or will he genuinely try to step up against The Tribal Chief at Elimination Chamber?