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The unthinkable happened! Goldberg defeated The Fiend at WWE Super ShowDown. Although we knew this was a possibility, we didn't believe it would happen.
However, as per the events that unfolded at the recently concluded PPV, Goldberg is our new Universal Champion and Roman Reigns has now stepped up to challenge him for the title. The 53-year old wrestler was confronted by the 'Big Dog' on SmackDown after he won the Universal Title. Reigns went on to challenge him and he sincerely accepted it.
Also read: 5 Superstars who became Double Champions over two different major promotions
The plan, for now, is for Goldberg to put Reigns over at WrestleMania. He'll become the new champion but we wonder what will happen after his memorable victory at 'Mania. Here we present five major things that can happen if Roman Reigns becomes the new Universal Champion.
Before we begin with the list, gear up by listening to the latest Dropkick DiSKussions episode, where our experts Tom Colohue and Korey Gunz address the hottest WWE news and rumors!
#5 Goldberg retires from in-ring competition
Goldberg, as we all know, is past his prime. He won't last in the ring for the next few years (he's already 53 years old!). One of the things that could happen at WrestleMania after Goldberg loses his match is him announcing his retirement for the second time.
While we know that Vince McMahon will approach Goldberg for another Saudi Arabia special, don't be surprised if the current champion takes retirement from in-ring competition.
Roman Reigns 'retired' The Undertaker at WrestleMania 33 but The Deadman returned to in-ring competition after a while. This has already happened with Goldberg. He announced his retirement after losing to Brock Lesnar at the same 'Mania, although it was a temporary one. This scenario could repeat once again in 2020. Goldberg is a part-time wrestler and he'll probably disappear from WWE after a face-off against Reigns.
#4 The WWE Universe turns against Roman Reigns
If you watched this week's SmackDown then you must've observed when Roman Reigns and Goldberg were in the ring, the boos were louder than cheers for both Superstars. Apparently, the WWE Universe is no longer a fan of Goldberg after he beat The Fiend in Saudi Arabia. Many felt this was the end of Bray Wyatt's character but since he'll be facing John Cena at WrestleMania, we argue it.
Roman Reigns will win the Universal Championship from Goldberg -- it's the likeliest thing to happen. Another thing that would probably happen is the negative reaction of the WWE Universe towards the new champion.
WWE wants Goldberg to put Reigns over at WrestleMania. The Hall of Famer can try his best to do exactly that but it all comes down to the fans. They'll decide whether or not to accept the 'Big Dog' as a champion.
One of the things WWE management probably fears is the inconsistency of fan support towards Reigns. Right now, the fans are cheering him. But they could turn on him once he wins the Universal Championship and ascends himself back to the main-event scene.
#3 The title gets defended regularly
The only thing, we think, matters to the WWE Universe is how many times a champion is defending his title. When The Fiend was champion, he would defend his title on almost every pay-per-view. And even perform in dark matches sometimes (but not that much).
However, we know that Goldberg won't wrestle on SmackDown and even on pay-per-views except for Saudi Arabia specials and the big four shows of WWE. This means that neither the WWE Championship nor the Universal Championship will be defended at Elimination Chamber since both champions are part-time workers.
When Roman Reigns will defeat Goldberg at WrestleMania, he will make sure to defend the title regularly. Last time, he wasn't the champion long enough to defend it every week. But this time, the case could be different. Reigns is a fighting champion, we know it and the fans do too.
The WWE Universe wants to see title matches on RAW and SmackDown and most probably, this problem will be solved next month. Because Drew McIntyre and Reigns are likely going to become new World Champions of WWE.
#2 Roman Reigns gets a lengthy title reign
Roman Reigns is WWE's 'golden boy'. Others could be stripped off their championship belt in minutes but that's an unlikely case for Reigns. After all, he's the one who replaced John Cena as the face of WWE.
If Goldberg loses his match at WrestleMania, it'll allow Reigns to have a lengthy title reign. Last time when he won the Universal Championship from Brock Lesnar, the 'Big Dog' kept it only for 63 days before relinquishing it because of his battle against leukemia. He was triumphant against the disease and since his return, he has been kept out of the title scene until now.
Reigns has beat cancer once again. And it's unlikely that he'd lose it to someone any time soon. This means that the former Royal Rumble winner can keep his title for a long time before someone else takes it from him. Who'll be the one to beat him for the Universal Championship, you're probably wondering? Well, it could be someone who's recently experienced how it's like to be a champion...
#1 The Fiend vs Roman Reigns
If the 'Big Dog' becomes the Universal Champion at the 'Grandest Stage of Them All', the Fiend vs Roman Reigns is the likeliest thing that WWE would consider after WrestleMania.
Currently, Bray Wyatt is locked in a feud with John Cena. He'll likely defeat the 16-time WWE Champion at the Grandest Stage of Them All. This is probably a lot better than having to lose the title at WrestleMania, which would've happened had he never lost his title to Goldberg.
After 'Mania ends, WWE will shake up their roster. This will allow Roman Reigns to feud with fresh faces before The Fiend turns his attention towards him. A WrestleMania 37 match between Wyatt and Reigns is what we think should happen because it is the show where iconic matches like this should be booked.
However, if WWE doesn't want to wait for a year, they could book The Fiend vs Roman Reigns at SummerSlam too. Both of these pay-per-views are a great fit for this match. But do you think WWE will allow The Fiend to recapture the Universal Championship in such a short time? It'll certainly affect Reigns' character.
