Report: Why WWE Altered SmackDown's Plans At Elimination Chamber 2021

WWE Elimination Chamber 2021 is set to see six SmackDown Superstars step into the Elimination Chamber for an opportunity to challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship, although reports initially indicated that the plans would be slightly different.

Prior to last Friday's episode of SmackDown, it had been suggested that champion Reigns would defend his title inside the steel structure himself; a concept that was touched upon at the start of SmackDown before the decision was made to give six potential challengers the match instead. 

According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, the change to the plans for the SmackDown Elimination Chamber match came because WWE officials decided they did not want to follow the same direction as was being taken on Monday Night Raw. 

WWE Champion Drew McIntyre is set to defend his title inside the Elimination Chamber this Sunday against AJ Styles, Sheamus, Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy and The Miz, and it appears the company have decided against having both their main champions competing inside the structure. 

Instead, Roman Reigns will watch Daniel Bryan, Kevin Owens, Jey Uso, Cesaro, Baron Corbin and Sami Zayn compete for the right to face him straight after for the title.