Roman Reigns made his return to the ring on Friday night in Delaware, two days before his Triple Threat main event match at Battleground against Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins. He looked every bit as rough and rugged before he was suspended for violating WWE’s wellness policy.
Reigns is at a disadvantage, not having been part of the promotional machine, but don’t think for a second his inclusion in this monumental game-changing event isn’t lost on WWE or its fans.
This may be the last time any of us see all three former Hounds of Justice in the ring together with Rollins and Reigns remaining with Raw and Ambrose jumping over to Smackdown.
This is the type of match that is WrestleMania worthy, the matches between Rollins and Ambrose have been captivating, and where Reigns fits in is to be determined.
Reigns returned to action in Delaware, making a surprise appearance at the end of the match between his two opponents. The reaction was mixed, to say the least.
Regardless of fan perception and the month-long hiatus, I get the feeling Reigns walks out of Battleground with the title – hopefully as a heel – and finally getting over with the fans who are still on the fence or flat out don’t like him.
Now that Raw and Smackdown have new rosters and WWE is embarking on a new era in the business, what kind of lasting impression will this have on all of us? Here are five booking options for Sunday night?
Rollins Wins Clean
This is the most unlikely of all the choices, but one that has to be explored.
When Rollins began to distance himself from The Authority, he proved he could take the ball and run with it. Rollins is the best heel on the roster, the one who can draw the most heat and the guy who will take any shortcut to win a match.
He also can win clean and has the ability night after night to showcase his talent. Rollins is a poor man’s Shawn Michaels in this era. Stephanie McMahon wants him to hold company gold and become the lead dog once again.
Rollins could win clean, but it wouldn’t set up well for a return engagement with Reigns, should that be the next match in this dance.
Ambrose Retains the Title
As soon as Rollins was the first pick of the WWE Draft and Ambrose was drafted by Smackdown, I knew two things. First the WWE Title would never be the focus on the Tuesday night program. Second, I have a better chance of winning the lottery than Ambrose walking out as champion.
This match is one of those where the champion doesn’t have to be pinned to drop the strap, which sets up the feud between Rollins and Reigns we have all wanted to see. We got a taste of it at Money in the Bank.
Ambrose has been a popular champion, and forcing him to drop the belt a month after winning does nothing but say he was a transitional champion.
If Ambrose wins, I would be shocked. But as you know, stranger things have happened in the WWE.
Reigns Wins Back His Title
It’s hard to imagine someone who has won the company title three times in the first seven months of 2016 is such a bitter choice with the fans, but that is exactly what has happened with Reigns.
When was the last time we were so consumed with seeing someone lose a world title?
Reigns’ image has been tarnished, but it is still salvageable with the right kind of booking and some help from the McMahons. Will there finally be some connection between Reigns and the McMahons should he get the victory? Highly unlikely.
The potential for another long and drawn out feud with the Big Dog and his employer could ensue. We shall see how this is played out. First, Reigns has to beat both men in one match.
Moving Forward to SummerSlam
In some odd way, regardless of the brand split and Ambrose moving to Smackdown, I can see this becoming the headliner for SummerSlam. Unfinished business that is finally decided once and for all in the second biggest night in WWE’s list of pay-per-view events.
Personally, there should have been more build to this confrontation – given the fact Reigns has been a de-facto participant. It only seems right to continue to battle one more money-making event.
There is a possibility there is no winner – or a huge cloud of controversy at the end of this match. If the match on Monday night was any indication, expect this to be part of the master plan for the feud to continue.
Maybe the title is held up, which then creates the second world title that was rumored to be part of Smackdown’s new look.
The X-Factor
I cannot get out of my head that in some way Rollins is linked to another faction. It might be one of those nightmares I keep having, but here is the scenario.
If Finn Balor makes his way to the main roster and turns on AJ Styles with Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows, it means the end of Styles as a heel and the creation of a new order of heel faction. But what if The Club isn’t done there? What if they are expanding like Styles alluded to?
The worst part of Tuesday’s Draft was the elimination of the Styles-Gallows-Anderson connection. Balor has to be included in Sunday night’s shenanigans, with yet another twist.
What if The Club helps Rollins win the title, which brings the Architect into the fold as the leader of the band? If that were the case, things just got a whole lot of exciting and whole lot of complicated all at once.
