Backstage, Heyman tells Pearce that he pulled a few strings and Pearce is now in the gauntlet match. Pearce is visibly upset. Heyman says this is a gift from Reigns.
Backstage, Billie Kay asks to join the Riott Squad. Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan say no. Kay starts to cry. Morgan says it’s not that they don’t want her but… Kay says she is so happy to be part of the group! Morgan and Riott are super confused. Kay skips away.
Number One Contender’s Gauntlet Match: Adam Pearce vs. Rey Mysterio w/Dominik vs. Sami Zayn vs. King Corbin vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Mysterio and Zayn are first up. Zayn says he asked to be in this match and he was conveniently made the number one entrant in the match. He has the lowest odds out of anyone to win and it’s a conspiracy against him. Zayn brought a camera crew who is filming a documentary about the conspiracy against him. As the bell rings, Mysterio dropkicks Zayn into the ropes. Mysterio hits the 619, followed by Dropping the Dime for the pinfall.
Sami Zayn has been eliminated
Shinsuke Nakamura is next. Nakamura shoulder blocks Mysterio. Mysterio rolls through on a sunset flip. Mysterio kicks Nakamura in the face. Mysterio sends Nakamura out of the ring. Mysterio attempts a sliding sunset bomb but Nakamura rolls through and destroys Mysterio with a running knee. Mysterio kicks out. Nakamura sits Mysterio on the top rope. Nakamura tries a superplex. Mysterio puts on the breaks. Mysterio headbutts Nakamura off the top rope. Diving senton by Mysterio. Mysterio reverses a powerbomb into a facebuster. Mysterio hits the 619. Mysterio tries another splash but Nakamura gets his knees up. Nakamura rolls Mysterio into an armbar. Mysterio taps out.
Rey Mysterio has been eliminated
King Corbin runs down to ringside and attacks Dominik. Corbin sends Nakamura into the ring post. Corbin picks up Mysterio and chokeslams his head into the top turnbuckle.
(cont.)
Just like that! @reymysterio advances!
He takes on @ShinsukeN NEXT on #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/TiEBLofJee
— WWE (@WWE) January 9, 2021
KNEE. 2. FACE. ?#SmackDown @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/GJUQDcIFyE
— WWE (@WWE) January 9, 2021
.@reymysterio has to tap! @ShinsukeN advances to take on #King @BaronCorbinWWE! #SmackDown #GauntletMatch pic.twitter.com/9bh3aP21TM
— WWE (@WWE) January 9, 2021
Completely uncalled for, #King @BaronCorbinWWE. #SmackDown @reymysterio pic.twitter.com/7M0cIlbgb9
— WWE (@WWE) January 9, 2021
