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Roman Reigns is currently atop the SmackDown mountain, with his run as Universal Champion nowhere near its finishing point.
The Tribal Chief has been dominant during his 250 days with the title and his pay-per-view track record during this reign has been stellar. Almost every match of his has delivered as the best match on its respective show, owing to the high level of storytelling and inspired choice of opponents.
Reigns has defeated some of SmackDown's biggest stars, including Daniel Bryan and Kevin Owens. Cesaro could be next on that list after his Universal Championship match at WrestleMania Backlash.
The match will be great, but the result isn't in any doubt. Roman Reigns will likely stand tall over the valiant European. This could be the case with pretty much every match Reigns has for the Universal Title this year, with his reign possibly extending until WrestleMania 38.
WWE should limit all of Roman Reigns' feuds to a single pay-per-view match, to allow the SmackDown main event scene to constantly remain fresh. This way, more Superstars can get the rub of facing the biggest star in recent WWE history while not losing too many matches against him.
While some potential challengers could step up to The Tribal Chief on SmackDown, a few popular names might not get the opportunity to. This list will only focus on current full-time stars on the blue brand so don't expect Brock Lesnar or Edge, both of whom could challenge Reigns later this year.
Here are three SmackDown Superstars who may get a Universal Championship match against Roman Reigns this year, and two who may not.
#5 Jimmy Uso's return on SmackDown may have planted the seeds for a future Universal Title match
Jimmy Uso made his return on this week's Throwback edition of SmackDown, having missed over a year of action due to a knee injury. He joined up with his brother, Jey, alongside Roman Reigns. But there seems to be some tension brewing within the family.
The returning Uso stood up to his dominant cousin and threatened to leave the "family" but before he could do so, Cesaro took both Usos and Reigns out. This issue could be an underlying story on SmackDown for a few months before Jimmy finally snaps and challenges The Tribal Chief to a Universal Championship match.
It could happen as soon as WWE's next pay-per-view, or this story could be played out towards a conclusion during the fall of this year. Either way, we may see Jimmy Uso get a Universal Title shot against Roman Reigns in the coming months.
The feud would play out similarly to Jey Uso's pursuit of his cousin's belt last year, with the added tension of The Usos possibly conspiring against Reigns. Of course, following this match, Jimmy would fall in line and become a proper part of The Bloodline.
#4 SmackDown's booking of Shinsuke Nakamura indicates he will not get a title match against Roman Reigns
At the start of the year, it seemed like Shinsuke Nakamura was heading for a push on SmackDown. He turned babyface during a gauntlet match on a January episode, which seemed to indicate exciting things in his future. However, nothing much has changed for former IC and US champ.
The spot was made for Cesaro, but he was in the middle of contract negotiations with the company at the time which is why Nakamura stepped in on that episode of SmackDown. Aside from a change in his theme song, there were no plans for the Japanese star to follow that stellar performance.
Fans had hoped he would step up and challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship, but it doesn't seem like that will be happening any time soon. WWE had a chance to elevate Shinsuke Nakamura back to the main event scene, albeit for just one program, but he remains a midcarder.
It seems unlikely for the 2018 Royal Rumble winner to go beyond his current position on SmackDown, which is unfortunate. A match between him and Reigns over the Universal Title would have been great, even if there wouldn't have been any doubt over the victor.
#3 Seth Rollins could turn face and feud with Roman Reigns on SmackDown
This week's Throwback edition of SmackDown saw Cesaro defeat Seth Rollins to get a shot at the Universal Championship at WrestleMania Backlash. Jimmy Uso cost 'The Messiah' the match, which laid the basis for his tension with Roman Reigns.
The Universal Champion also had a backstage interaction with Rollins on SmackDown, which could be the start of a huge story. The four-time WWE world champion could soon target Jimmy Uso, which could play into a title shot for both of them.
In fact, with Uso somewhat as a face and Seth Rollins being a heel, WWE could execute a double turn between the pair on SmackDown, once Jimmy is established as a part of The Tribal Chief's crew. Rollins could do well as a babyface opposite his former Shield brother.
Their history together and against each other lends to a fascinating story WWE could tell between Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. None of their matches have had Rollins as the face and Reigns as the heel, which only adds to the intrigue. It could be one of the best feuds on SmackDown in the entirety of 2021.
#2 Aleister Black might not reach the top of the card on SmackDown
After six months away from our screens, Aleister Black returned to SmackDown in April. So far, it has only been through vignettes. He has been repackaged into a dark storyteller of sorts, reading from "Tales of the Dark Father."
It remains to be seen just how well WWE will book Black once he is back competing in the ring. The presentation of his new character has sparked some intrigue and there looks to be a plan in place for his run on SmackDown. However, it's unlikely that The Dutch Destroyer will reach the top of the card.
For starters, he is definitely playing a heel now. Black may not turn babyface for a long time, essentially ruling him out as an opponent for Roman Reigns in 2021.
Also, the dark nature of his vignettes indicates that he will be kept far away from The Tribal Chief, whose story is based more on realism. This is why The Fiend was kept far away from Reigns once he won the Universal Championship.
Aleister Black could be a constant presence just below the world title picture, with the Intercontinental Championship being a more likely prospect for him after Apollo Crews loses it.
#1 Big E could become SmackDown's biggest babyface by the end of 2021
One of the favorites to defeat Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship, Big E is currently in the Intercontinental Title scene on SmackDown.
The former New Day member lost the belt to Apollo Crews in a Nigerian Drum Fight at WrestleMania and is looking to get it back, although it does not look like he will be any time soon. Big E is not alone in his IC Title pursuit, with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens in the mix as well.
He may lose a multi-man match without getting pinned, which would allow an ascension up the card on SmackDown. Big E could rack up a few big wins against the likes of Cesaro and Seth Rollins, en route to a Universal Title program against Roman Reigns over the summer or fall of 2021.
The core matches of The Tribal Chief's reign will likely feature bigger names like Edge and Brock Lesnar but if neither of them challenges him at SummerSlam, Big E would be the perfect name to step in. He seems ready to ascend to the main event level, with his singles run on SmackDown being a success so far.
Big E does not even need to win his first match against Reigns if he does face the Universal Champion in 2021. It would be a great showcase of the two-time Intercontinental Champion's abilities as a top-tier superstar, while further building him up to dethrone Roman Reigns in 2022.
