Don’t miss a moment of Talking Smack!

We’re past Fastlane, we’re on to WrestleMania, and that means superstars are going to be Talking Smack! Who will be here to throw some shade?

Paul Heyman welcomes us back to the show!

He introduces himself as the Special Counsel to the Reigns-ing, Defending, Undisputed, Uncontroverted WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion and THE main event of WrestleMania, Roman… Reigns. “The same Roman Reigns who now must defend the Universal Championship in that main event against not one but two former World Heavyweight Champions, Edge and Daniel Bryan.” Heyman seethes and sighs before continuing on. “There have been a lot of bad executive decisions in the world of sports entertainment. This one is the worst in history.”

In a 12 hour period where there have been a lot of bombshell announcements, and he also understands there’s one here to be made, which he will spoil now, you’re welcome. Adam Pearce will be a guest this week, and Heyman has so much to say to him. But in the meantime, he throws it over to Ms. Braxton. Kayla isn’t sure about Heyman’s Debbie Downer opener, but she brings the energy back up. This is the Talking Smack after Fastlane and the post-PPV SmackDown, so much to talk about! Things were shaken up, and can Heyman believe it? Of course not, after what he just said. We are two weeks away and matches are continuing to be made!

But Kayla will circle back to the Universal Championship match becoming a Triple Threat. Roman will be defending against TWO opponents, and Kayla hands it back to Heyman’s “morning rant.” Heyman stares quietly at her, and then says that with him in a miserable mood, she’s all jabbering and hyper. Does she not have any compassion? Any sympathy? She doesn’t, does she? Why would she? It doesn’t affect her livelihood! She says the show must go on. Then he’ll remember that. Heyman will finish his “rant” when Pearce arrives. He hands this back to Kayla and she thanks him.

Kayla takes us to the newest matches announced! Cesaro VS Seth Rollins will be Night One, 4/10/21! Will this be their last confrontation? And then on Night Two, 4/11/21, one more time around, the WWE Intercontinental Championship is on the line between Big E and Apollo Crews! Will this be the end of their confrontation? And after a very intense KO Show, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn will renew their rivalry, also on Night Two! The Prizefighter will be the first guest, after a quick commercial break.

Kevin Owens joins Talking Smack!

Kevin shakes Heyman’s hand, says hi to Kayla, and asks if they’re having a good time. They are. Kevin seems happy. He is. He is overjoyed, because what more can he ask for? “I don’t know if you saw, last night on SmackDown, it was made official that I’m going to be wrestling Sami Zayn and WrestleMania. Isn’t that exciting?” Kevin and Sami, their careers, “it’s really hard to put into words what it means to our careers.” Many fans surely know, these two have been joined at the hip since 2002, almost 20 years. They’ve been brothers, not friends. They didn’t choose to be friends. You don’t choose your family, you’re related to who you’re related to.

These two both being from Quebec, it was hard to get outside of the province and make a name for themselves in wrestling. But once they started getting this buzz, these independent companies were coming around, wanting them both. They’d drive together, 12 to 14 togethers, fly everywhere together, that’s how it worked out. And the last few weeks, few months, this Sami that’s been coming out is not the guy Kevin’s known for about two decades. Heyman wants Kevin to stop, Sami’s been a prick and Kevin knows it. Kevin says Heyman can ask him questions after he’s done. Kevin’s in a good mood, he’s going somewhere with this.

The guy Kevin’s known for the last two decades, because sure maybe he’s a prick per Heyman’s opinion, but Kevin’s “always respected the hell out of him.” No one, not even Heyman, can deny that in the ring, Sami’s one of the best. The problem is that these last few months, Sami’s conspiracy theory, alternate reality, it’s taken him away from that. And Sami’s blaming everyone else. Kevin isn’t sure how many times he’s blamed Heyman for stuff the last two years. And Heyman can ask about that in a minute, Kevin’s still not done. The thing is, Sami keeps blaming everyone else. Kevin tried to talk sense into Sami, it didn’t work out.

But now Kevin can beat sense into Sami at WrestleMania. If Kevin is to do that to his brother, than where better but Mania? And Kevin already knows Heyman’s going to ask about Logan Paul. Kevin has no opinion on Logan Paul. Whatever Sami and Logan have going on, that’s their issue. But in two weeks, WrestleMania, a dream come true, but a nightmare for Sami, too. But once it’s all said and done, Kevin will have beaten sense into Sami and they can straighten things out to a more “righteous” path. Kevin is so excited for Mania. Strip everything else away, this is still Kevin VS Sami at WrestleMania! The people who have followed their careers for those two decades are so pumped to see this happen. Their families, fans from back home, all of it, it’s a great feeling. Heyman then asks a question-

Kevin has a question first! Kayla says Heyman finally knows what it’s like not to get to talk. Kevin says that’s not what’s going on. Do you think after everything that’s gone on between them on Talking Smack, and with uh, how does he call Roman? Special Counsel and client? Boss? Wow, very nice. But Kevin isn’t here to mess with Heyman. He has a real question: Does Heyman think that Roman, after that big news that Heyman went on and on, Bryan in the match with Roman and Edge, will all that still allow Roman to walk out of WrestleMania as Universal Champion? Heyman, you don’t need to repeat the question, the fans heard it. Does Heyman think so?

No. He KNOWS so! Good one! Kevin knew that swerve was coming. Heyman says Roman will defend his title at Mania successfully over Edge and Bryan. That’s not just a prediction- IT’S A SPOILER! Kevin says that’s awesome. He loves that Heyman has his catchphrase ready. Oh, one more question, so sorry. Not even sure if Heyman’s the guy to ask but maybe he knows. That PPV, the one sometime after Mania, what’s it again? The ladders and the thing? Money in the Bank? YES! That’s the one. Kevin loves MITB. Ladders, the briefcase and the contract that you can cash in. Kevin says that’s one of his favorites. Okay, see you around.

Kevin gives Heyman one last stare down, then hands him his mic. Is the Prizefighter hoping to cash in on a big prize already? Talking Smack takes another break, and will return with the EST of WWE!

Bianca Belair joins Talking Smack!

The Women’s Rumble Winner, the challenger to the SmackDown Women’s Championship, is back! Bianca is becoming a regular guest, it feels like home. And we’re in the homestretch to Mania! What’s the excitement level? After SmackDown, feeling good, feeling great. She got her payback on Sasha Banks as the bigger person, so she can be the better person at Mania. She didn’t plan on smacking Sasha but she had to do what she had to do. But then Sasha hit back with a Backstabber… How is Bianca feeling? Bianca was excited to be here and Kayla has to bring that up. But it happened…

Yes, it happened, but the lesson here is Bianca has to keep her eyes on the prize. When she goes to Mania, her focus is to become champion. Bianca is learning every step of the way. Kayla says Bianca’s always been a strong competitor, but wining the Women’s Rumble has shown the WWE Universe more of an edge. Does Bianca give Sasha credit for bringing that out in her? Bianca won’t give Sasha too much credit. Knowing from Bianca in NXT, she already is the roughest and the toughest. But the Rumble win, all the exterior walls came down and Bianca was emotional, as she should’ve been.

But as historic as it all will be, it is two alpha females going after the same thing, that SmackDown Women’s Championship. Bianca wants what Sasha has, Sasha wants to keep that from her. Doesn’t it strike a nerve that Sasha throws the word “Rookie” around? It does. Bianca continues to prove herself, feels like she has to prove herself, everyone thinks she’s the underdog. The future is now, Bianca proved that when she won and Sasha knows that. That’s why Sasha’s getting at Bianca every second she can. But you can’t, Bianca’s proven that. Let’s get to Mania and let’s see what happens. Heyman says he has a different perspective. No one is ever done proving themselves.

If Sasha keeps throwing “rookie” at her, but Bianca is a rookie that’s pushed the seasoned veteran to her limits, a rookie that is going to main event WrestleMania going after Sasha’s title, that’s on Sasha. Congrats to Bianca being the most impressive rookie in WWE history. As Heyman tells Big E, this is just life at the top. So many people are so enthralled with the camaraderie in the business. But that bond is Bianca, her family, and the title, and her status as the top attraction at Mania. You have to give up the desire to be friends with anyone in that locker room. Sasha Banks has never been, will never be Bianca’s mentor, teacher, big sister or friend.

Sasha will be someone that, IF she wins at Mania, will know Bianca will come back for her. But if Bianca wins, Sasha will be coming back after her. And if Bianca returns to Talking Smack as the champion, Heyman knows this is where Bianca will understand “life at the top.” You always have to prove yourself. Heyman says that every Friday is an audition to be invited back with the Tribal Chief. With that wisdom, Heyman wants Bianca to return as SmackDown Women’s Champion. Then Sasha will have to be introspective about losing to the title to an athlete, the hottest commodity to come out of NXT in years. And if she’s going to say she lost it to a rookie, then Bianca can go be that rookie. Bianca appreciates all of that. Kayla wishes Bianca luck and hopes she returns a champion.

Adam Pearce joins Talking Smack!

The WWE official that made the decision and the announcement for the Universal Championship Triple Threat is here. Roman will now have to defend his title against- Heyman gets upset, why is she using his first name? How is she on a first name basis? Kayla apologizes and says Roman Reigns is facing Edge and Daniel Bryan. She knows Heyman was “excited” to have Pearce here to talk about that. Pearce offers a handshake, Heyman takes it, and Heyman takes his notes and folds it up to throw it away. Heyman wishes Pearce a good Pesakh (Passover) to him, though Pearce is not part of the congregation, as he is part of the WWE Tribe of which Roman Reigns is chief.

And on this holiday, Heyman will, all puns intended, pass over this mistake that Pearce has made. The main event of WrestleMania, Roman Reigns, “the single biggest superstar in sports entertainment, not just here on SmackDown, not just on Raw, not on NXT, not just confined to the WWE,” to defend his title against BOTH Edge and Daniel Bryan… Even if this was a Handicap match, Heyman wouldn’t be this upset. Pearce has made a fool of himself, and even an ass of himself, with this move. Heyman will happily shed the light of his brilliance on the darkness of Pearce’s ignorance. Pearce mockingly says he can hardly wait.

Heyman says in a 2v1, Roman would still mop the floor with both Edge and Bryan and force the entire WWE Universe, live in person and at home, to ACKNOWLEDGE him as the End All, Be All, the sun around which the universe orbits. But in a Triple Threat, throwing aside that it becomes No Disqualifications, Roman Reigns doesn’t even have to lose the match in order to lose the championship. That’s true. Bryan beats Edge, Roman loses. Edge beats Bryan, Roman loses. Those are also true. So Roman Reigns, after this period of dominance the likes of which no other champion in WWE has ever demonstrated, at least to this level, Roman Reigns’ title reign can be stopped, can end, without Roman Reigns even being part of the equation.

That means Roman Reigns cannot go out to the ring and give his WWE universe what they paid to see, which is Roman Reigns displaying the very dominance I just mentioned!” No, Roman has to be on the defense the entire time! He has to prevent Bryan from beating Edge and Edge from beating Bryan, LET ALONE the fact that Roman VS Edge would’ve been difficult enough! Roman VS Bryan would’ve been difficult enough! Roman wouldn’t tap but it would wear him down so Bryan could pull off a miracle, even if he prayed to God, and Heyman repeats that God won’t listen to Bryan on this one!

But NOW, not only Roman can’t display his dominance but he’s stuck on defense! This is not what the WWE universe is paying for! They’re paying for Roman Reigns, “the biggest star, the number one commodity, the biggest box office attraction in the WWE, the main event of WrestleMania,” and it should be just two man facing each other, finding out who the better man is. And since Roman is in it, it’ll be about the BEST man in sports entertainment. The problem with a Triple Threat, is that you never understand the greatness of the top star in the WWE, Roman Reigns. You have now placed Roman in an almost impossible scenario, and you’re keeping the fans from seeing what they paid for, which is the “all time greatness” of the Universal Champion and THE biggest box office attraction, Roman Reigns. Heyman leaves it at that, submitted for Pearce’s consideration.

Full disclosure, Pearce is blown away. he knew there’d be a sales pitch, but what Heyman just gave us, Pearce is basically speechless. But the fact is, Heyman, Pearce never saw it that way. Heyman says that means he’ll change the main event, right? “Not a chance in hell.” Kayla can’t help but laugh at that. Pearce hopes to see them at Mania. “See ya, wouldn’t want to be ya.” Kayla says, “Don’t you just love that guy?” Heyman says no. And neither should she, nor should the fans. Especially if you’re a fan of Edge, or a fan of Daniel Bryan.

Heyman says Edge was forced to retire once before. What makes you think if you back Roman Reigns into this corner, that he’s not capable of putting Edge right back into retirement? Daniel Bryan was also forced to retire once before. So what makes you think Roman Reign is not capable of putting Bryan right back there? “Do you think this is your typical champion? Do you think Roman Reigns is not man enough? Is not blatantly savage enough to take down both Edge and Daniel Bryan and put them back into retirement?” Edge and Bryan both look at Mania like this is their grand resurrection! Like this is their Easter Sunday! IT’S NOT!!

They’ve pushed Roman too far. Roman is not relinquishing the title. That title is everything to him. He doesn’t just feed his immediate family with that title, he feeds everyone! HE feeds Heyman, the cameramen, the director, the producer, and the McMahon family! Roman feeds WWE, it revolves around Roman, but you’re pushing him into a corner where he will show a side that will violate the PG rating. WrestleMania Sunday, Heyman says if you’re a fan of Roman, you’ll be happy when he walks out of their champion. Edge and Bryan aren’t walking out of there with anything but a retirement plan at the hands of the most savage, vicious, capable champion in the history of the WWE, Roman. Reigns. Heyman takes off his ear piece and is ready to storm off. Will Heyman still be this livid next week?

My Thoughts:

A very good Talking Smack, with Heyman being great both to start the show and basically end the show with Pearce. Pearce being amazed yet unaffected by the “sales pitch” was great, too. Heyman has a point but that’s why the Triple Threat will be really good. Roman has been allowed to be on offense, just going after his opponent, but now he has to try not to lose, and that could be all the difference. As I said for SmackDown last night, there’s a good chance it goes exactly as Heyman said, Edge beats Bryan and takes the title. But it is also a way for Roman to win without having to face Edge head-on. And Heyman pointing out No Disqualifications will surely mean Jey Uso gets involved again.

Heyman was also a great part of Kevin’s segment because Kevin was keeping Heyman from speaking for the longest time and it was getting on Heyman’s nerves. Kevin did a great job here helping fans understand the real build behind this match, which is the nearly 20 years both Kevin and Sami have been working to be at the top of the pro-wrestling world, and how they’re getting a Mania moment together. Kevin teasing MITB already might be looking too far ahead in both kayfabe and in the WWE’s planning, but I like that the seed has been planted. I also kinda hope Kevin and Sami finally become a tag team, because Kevin getting tag titles would make him a Grand Slam, and Sami has barely had much for how great he is, and it’d be even greater if his friend of 20 years was alongside him for a reign.

Bianca’s segment was also really good, Bianca had a little more to say than before since WWE is trying to make the turn from her just being the Women’s Rumble Winner to a contender to the SmackDown Women’s Championship. Heyman again was really good, he said what needed to be said about how Sasha keeps calling Bianca “rookie” when she isn’t, she spent her first few years in NXT like Sasha herself did, and then just happens to go to Raw/SmackDown, and has been at that point for roughly a year now, too. But Sasha looking down on Bianca will definitely be to Bianca’s advantage, especially in story for post-Mania and how Sasha might be reeling after losing.