After having a chance to become the number one contender for the Roman Reigns Universal Championship, Shinsuke Nakamura will face Reigns’ cousin, Jey Uso.
It was announced in this week’s episode of Talking Smack that Nakamura vs. Usage will take place at SmackDown next Friday. Nakamura made it to the final two of the number one contender’s gauntlet fight on this week’s SmackDown before being attacked by Reigns and Uso.
Authority figure Adam Pearce won the challenge after being forced to fight for Reigns. In the story, Reigns was upset with Pearce for doing the main event Kevin Owens vs. Last week’s use and this week’s challenge. Paul Heyman was said to have pulled some sticks to get Pearce added to the challenge.
Pearce reluctantly left the ring with Reigns, Uso and Paul Heyman as the final participant in the gauntlet fight. After Reigns and Uso dropped Nakamura, Reigns threw Pearce in the ring and Uso hit Pearce with a superkick. Usage then placed Pearce on top of Nakamura and the referee counted the pin.
Nakamura defeated Daniel Bryan, Baron Corbin and Rey Mysterio during the gauntlet fight. Sami Zayn also participated in the match.
As the winner of the gauntlet fight, Pearce is currently in line to challenge the Reigns’ Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble on Sunday, January 31.