Talking Smack has The Boss and “The Great Liberator!”

SmackDown has big plans for the Elimination Chamber, and despite his claims of conspiracy, Sami Zayn is part of them! What will he (and Paul Heyman) have to say about it?

Kayla Braxton welcomes us back to the show!

The Road to WrestleMania is heading to Elimination Chamber and SmackDown locked in a lot for that PPV! Thanks to Roman Reigns, we learned that he will be facing the winner of the Elimination Chamber match that same night! Kayla wants to talk that over with Paul Heyman, especially how one of those six is Jey Uso! What are Heyman’s thoughts that jey could end up facing Roman again? He doesn’t want to talk about that. But if Jey wins, he will be facing Roman for the title. Figured that out all on your own, Kayla? Well, will Jey just throw the match? Like a predetermined outcome? Finger Poke of Doom? Too soon? Too long ago? It must be so nice to be 19 years old and pretty so she can just be on TV. Let’s talk about something interesting.

So Heyman doesn’t want to discuss the chances of Jey winning? Asked and answered, move on. Then what about Kevin Owens being in the match? Heyman would rather talk about Jey over that. Then how about their first guest, another entrant in the Chamber match, the Great Liberator!

Sami Zayn joins Talking Smack!

And of course, he has his documentary crew. Sami finds it amazing that Kayla asks Heyman what to talk about, when they could talk about anything, forgetting the fact that they have Sami as a guest! They could talk about anyone and who do they want? Jey? Kevin? Sami is right here! Sami earned his way, “against the odds, against the corporate powers that be,” into the Chamber match! But Kayla was going to wait until Sami was on the show. Heyman stops Kayla here and needs to “shoot from the hip” with Sami. Sami says no one wants to talk about him, but Heyman did. Heyman says Kayla shouted down the idea in pre-production.

Sami is not surprised. He appreciates Heyman’s sentiment, but this isn’t personal or anything. Heyman finds himself playing to Sami’s crew rather than the WWE crew. Sami says this isn’t personal to Kayla, but she is a shill. But that’s how people thrive in the WWE, it’s how they have jobs here for years, decades even. That is what Sami is working against! Again, not personally attacking. Kayla asks if Sami really is still blaming the powers at be when he won here? Why the air quotes, Kayla? And why is she saying it “agaynst?” Is that making fun of Sami being Canadian? But the air quotes are obviously an insinuation that Sami is delusional and narcissistic.

But with these unbiased documentarians here, Sami has video footage beyond speculation here! It’s concrete, hard fact showing that there are constant efforts to undermine Sami and his championship reigns! Kayla needs to shift from that to the Chamber match and how Sami could win and face Roman that same night. And interesting to note, Sami and Roman have never faced off in singles competition. Sami’s faced a lot of talented superstars, but would he be biting off more than he could chew taking on Roman? Sami says he and Heyman agree on many things, but they will have different opinions on Sami VS Roman. That is fine.

Sami has a lot of respect for what Roman has become. This talk of “corporate poster boy,” that was Roman once upon a time. Roman knew where his bread was buttered. But then Roman realized WWE breaded their butter with Roman Reigns. Roman played the WWE instead of being played. Roman is carrying himself as he should be, and perhaps thanks to his Special Counsel. And despite his past as the poster boy, Sami can’t take away from the fact Roman is one of the very best. Sami isn’t going to sit here and talk about getting in the ring with the dominant champion that it’d be a walk in the park or something. Man to man, head to head, on any given night, it could go either way. But this is the closest Sami has gotten in a long, long, LONG time, because of the conspiracy against him.

Kayla isn’t sure how to respond, but knows Heyman probably shouldn’t respond. If it’s above his pay grade, then it must be Roman’s or Vince’s. Kayla congratulates Sami and Sami asks if she means that. She does. Heyman wishes Sami luck. Sami wants a quick zoom in on Kayla, then he leaves, holding onto the mic. Heyman wants to say that the WWE wants to keep Sami from stars like Roman, but there is no one like Roman. Roman is the number one box office attraction in the WWE. Sami is right, there is a conspiracy, and Heyman should know because when he was behind the scenes on Raw, he was against Sami because he doesn’t actually like him.

And third, well, there isn’t a third. Heyman could’ve just left it at that. Oh wait! The golden goose poster boy stuff. Roman was the golden goose, until he realized the goose controls the distribution of the eggs. So as Adam Pearce is learning, the WWE will learn the power really lies with the goose, Roman Reigns. Is Heyman ready to move on? Yes. Then Talking Smack welcomes the SmackDown Women’s Champion!

Sasha Banks joins Talking Smack!

The Legit Boss shows off the dance moves and she wants Heyman to try. Heyman has no hips, flat feet and is Jewish, he can’t dance. Unless it’s Hava Nagila. Sasha is back and Kayla jumps right into it: Bianca Belair. The EST has yet to name a WrestleMania opponent but Sasha feels it needs to be the two of them. Sasha would love it! Sasha wants that match because SHE is the best in the WWE. Bianca is up-and-coming, brand new, great. The strongest, the toughest, but not the best yet. Bianca has a long way to go, and Sasha will help her be the star she needs to be.

Then to put even more positive spin, they’re both impactful women, they’ve both made history, but here’s more history: If Bianca chooses Sasha, it will be the first time in the WWE that two African American females faced off in a main event title match at WrestleMania. It is Black History Month, so what does that factoid mean to Sasha? Sasha’s heart is beating. It would be another first time ever she is part of. Sasha has done everything she has wanted to do in the WWE. To main event Mania is still on the list. Sasha has been putting it out there, she is ready to create more magic. And whether it’s Sasha VS Bianca or Sasha & Bianca, that is magic. Especially when they were tossing out Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler!

Yes! Those two want to show up on SASHA’S show? She is the leader of SmackDown, the first-ever Women’s Tag Team Champion, and a two-time champion at that! So if those two want to show up on her show, she’ll send them back to Raw. That easy! Kayla also wants to list off other things, such as outside the ring. Tomorrow, 2/14, Sasha is the honorary starter for the 63rd Daytona 500! Sasha is so excited for that. Sasha doesn’t know NASCAR outside of VROOM VROOM, but she will love to wave the flag all around. And then Elimination Chamber is coming, and- Heyman, stop, Kayla wants to get the information out. Well fine, go ahead.

Kayla also says Sasha has a Broken Skull Sessions with Stone Cold, debuting right after the Elimination Chamber PPV on 2/21/21. “Give me an ‘Oh, Hell, Yeah~!'” And Sasha is in the Mandalorian, too. Heyman takes over now and says he is a great admirer of her talents and her success. Part of that comes from the fact that she came here and understood that being champion, “paranoid” is an accurate assessment going into Mania. Everyone on the roster wants to be her. Why shouldn’t they? She’s a champ, the main event, the one people have to come to for a chance to live her lifestyle.

Bianca is, from all accounts, including Heyman’s own assessment, “the most formidable challenger,” a true threat to the title reign. Now, Sasha is ruthless, and would say, “Anything that I have to do to turn back this challenge is fair game.” Bianca is trying to take history from Sasha. And seeing Sasha talk about Bianca, all he sees is respect and admiration for someone coming up as fast as she did. The good thing is, there is no paranoia. Bianca is too righteous. She won’t attack from behind.

But if Bianca chooses Sasha as the one she wants at WrestleMania, and they have to step into the ring together, then does Sasha think Sasha won’t jump Bianca from behind? Get every single advantage imaginable? Isn’t that who Bianca is expecting? Because if not, the outcome of Sasha VS Bianca, unlike Sasha’s other matches, is not 100% clear. Bianca is that good, and is that much like Sasha. Sasha says Bianca better choose her so we can find out. Sasha leaves the mic, takes her title, and Kayla says it was that simple. Heyman says that was a great answer. We have not seen Sasha this confident, but she’s never not been confident.

Heyman asks the production shmuck to take Sasha’s mic for her. Sasha doesn’t have to, she’s The Boss. Heyman still says that the old, ruthless Sasha is what is needed to beat the worthy challenger in Bianca. But wait, there’s a surprise third guest! It’s the Swiss Cyborg!

Cesaro joins Talking Smack!

Cesaro and Heyman shake hands, and Cesaro gets settled into his chair. Heyman is glad Cesaro is back because the last time he was on, they didn’t get to talk as much as Heyman would’ve liked. The last segment of Talking Smack has become Heyman laying it on the line for the guest, which Heyman also just did for Sasha. But Heyman wants to do the same for Cesaro. Cesaro says he’s been waiting to say something, too. There’s a question that’s been on Cesaro’s mind ever since he got here. He asks Kayla, as the host of the show, if it’s okay. She says it is, and is glad someone sees her as the host for once.

There’s a bit of tension from Heyman, and Heyman feels there’s something being set up. They can’t cut to commercials, this is on the Network. Cesaro asks Heyman if he’s seen Cesaro’s tag partner from tonight, Daniel Bryan, since SmackDown. If not, Cesaro has another surprise for him! Heyman’s “favorite,” Daniel Bryan, also joins Talking Smack~! Hard pats to Heyman’s back. Bryan says they could ask Otis to come back and use them hips. No, that’s fine. Bryan asks Heyman if he saw that great win for Bryan and Cesaro. They’re BOTH in the Elimination Chamber now! So exciting! And if one of them wins, they’ll be challenging Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship! So exciting!!

Bryan says he has infinite respect for Heyman. But is Heyman’s deal with all of his guys about getting them to do as little work as possible? Sure seems like it was the master plan to have Roman wrestle the winner of the Elimination Chamber match, when everyone knows that the Chamber is the most grueling match in the WWE. He’s going to face someone who goes through all of that, and only then is he willing to defend the title. When was the last time Roman wrestled on SmackDown TV? Christmas? Has he even wrestled this year besides Royal Rumble? Did Heyman get Roman the Brock Contract?! That’s amazing! That’s the deal! The jam!

Bryan asks Cesaro if he wants a Brock Contract. Cesaro isn’t sure, because he actually likes wrestling every week. Oh, of course! Duh! Heyman doesn’t know what it’s like to work with someone who loves wrestling! Imagine how different Heyman’s life would be if he worked with someone like a Cesaro or Bryan. Oh but wait, he kinda did with Cesaro. But what happened? What was wrong? Did Cesaro like wrestling too much? Is that why Heyman didn’t want anything to do with Cesaro? Heyman says his strategy has always been to work less, get paid more. That comes from being raised Jewish, and Bryan adds that’s also because he grew up with money.

Money is the end all be all, and you don’t have to earn it by being the best, just being in the right place at the right time and manipulate your way to opportunities. But what Bryan likes about Cesaro, who he’s known for over 15 years, is after being attacked by Seth Rollins, he still got up. Do you know how many opportunities Cesaro has gotten in the WWE? No… They could probably count it on one hand. And do you know how many years Cesaro has wrestled more matches than anyone else in the WWE? No. At least 5 years that Bryan’s been here.

So if Roman wants to defend his title against the winner of the Chamber, do you think Cesaro, who has wrestled 230 matches in one year, is worried about going through the Elimination Chamber to finally get a shot at a title he’s never gotten? Do you think Bryan is concerned about it, either? Now, Kevin Owens might not have the stamina, Baron Corbin might not have the stamina for that, and Sami Zayn DEFINITELY doesn’t have the stamina for that. But Cesaro and Bryan, “we can go all night, Paul.”

Well interesting that they say this. Heyman has a question for them. In the Elimination Chamber, what happens when it comes down to Bryan and Cesaro and only one can win? That man will move on to the opportunity of becoming Universal Champion, at the expense of Roman Reigns, and main events WrestleMania AS champion. What happens then when it comes down to Cesaro VS Bryan? We saw that a couple weeks ago: Cesaro wins. Bryan lets that go and tells Heyman he sees what’s going on here. Bryan has a steadfast belief in himself. But Bryan would be absolutely honored to have it come down to him and Cesaro, who he has known for 15 years, and who has more heart than anyone else in the WWE today, and fight like they’ve never fought before, just for a chance that Cesaro has never gotten once!

If Bryan loses, fine! If Bryan wins, then Roman’s in trouble!! Bryan’s gotten his chance to run his mouth, build himself up and say what he’ll do! Do you know how many times he’s gotten his chance? TONS! So if Bryan wins, we know what happens. But you know who hasn’t gotten that chance? Bryan leaves it to Cesaro to speak his piece. Bryan leaves, Cesaro looks to Heyman, and says, “You wanna get personal, Paul? Honestly, I couldn’t think of a better man to stand in the ring with me at the end of the Elimination Chamber than Daniel Bryan.” Cesaro has a lot of respect for Bryan. And if Bryan wins, or when Cesaro wins, they will beat Roman Reigns for that Universal Championship. And Heyman of all people should know that best.

Cesaro knows that Heyman knows Cesaro can and will beat Roman, and that is why Heyman was playing mind games. Heyman fears the possibility of them being the last two, because no matter what, it won’t go well for Heyman, or his Tribal Chief client Head of the Table whatever his nickname is. And do you know why? Cesaro can’t remember the last time he’s had a shot at a singles title, and he’s still going because he believes hard work pays off. Everyone watching that believes in him and has believed in him since he came to the US, since he came to the WWE, because he didn’t come to the WWE right away, no. He worked his way up the hard way, every single day, to be here. And Cesaro loved it because that is who he is!

Cesaro tells the world: If you are out there working hard, believing that what you’re doing is right, no matter what others says or believes. If you are doing it the right way, with the right motives in mind, that matters! Your work matters, your actions matter! Every single thing you do matters, no matter what anyone else says or thinks! What you believe in in your hear tis what matters! Believe in yourself and your success! That is why CESARO will be our WWE Universal Champion, given the chance. Heyman knows that, Cesaro knows that, Kayla knows that, the locker room knows that, the cameramen, Bryan and everyone at home in the #CesaroSection knows it!

Cesaro appreciates the fans and what they believe in, and that is why he fights every single day! And he LOVES it! Cesaro LOVES wrestling, and love always wins! “Cesaro, your next Universal Champion, out!” Cesaro mic drops and Heyman just stares into the camera. Is there a scheme already forming in Heyman’s mind?

My Thoughts:

Now this was a great episode of Talking Smack! I like that Heyman was refusing to talk about how Pearce got the better of him with putting Jey and Kevin in the match, and what that meant for the possible outcomes. Sami had a good segment, and while the documentary camera crew bit is getting annoying, Sami’s talk of Roman being the poster boy was really clever. If there was anyone a Heel could come off as a Face against (outside of Corbin), it is against this current Roman Reigns. Sami’s schtick could be seen as Face against just how powerful of a Heel the Tribal Chief is being.

Sasha has a fun segment, though it was mostly to plug things Sasha does. But Heyman’s part of that was the good part, because he implied Sasha might have to go back to Heel Sasha if she’s to defeat Bianca Belair. And that’d be pretty great, because Sasha does a great job as either Face or Heel, but she does her best stuff as Heel. And the last segment being Cesaro as a surprise, and then Bryan as an extra surprise, and just everything, was the best thing perhaps all week in the WWE! Bryan’s energy was great, and how he was getting on Heyman about the “Brock Contract” and all of that was hilarious.

Cesaro’s part was so strong, emotional, probably even genuine, and it really struck me. I really hope this is how WWE is showing us we are getting Cesaro VS Roman at the end of Elimination Chamber. Even if Cesaro doesn’t win, just the fact that he wins the Elimination Chamber match, then gets his shot, is so important! Even if Cesaro doesn’t win the title at Chamber, it means he’s finally in the top title scene, and he could easily get a YES Movement or KofiMania style swell from the fans who have been along for the ride and want to see him succeed. It may not be at WrestleMania 37 because of rumored plans already in motion, but SummerSlam 2021, WrestleMania 38, I would hope Cesaro is back to this spot and THAT is when he takes the belt!