'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
With reports stating that Roman Reigns vs. The Rock may be primed for WrestleMania 39, WWE needs to come up with a strong opponent for The Tribal Chief at next year's Show of Shows. Several options could step up.
Reigns is likely to hold on to the Universal Championship heading into WrestleMania 38. While a match against The Brahma Bull remains a good idea for 2022, The Head of the Table can face off against some other worthy challengers instead.
These names range across the WWE umbrella from SmackDown and RAW to NXT and even free agency. They are all capable of headlining WrestleMania against Reigns, with some of them already having a built-in story with him.
Here are five possible opponents for the Universal Champion at WrestleMania 38, other than The Rock. Who do you want Reigns to face at the event? Let us know in the comments below.
#5 WWE SmackDown's Drew McIntyre may dethrone Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 38
Out of the current SmackDown roster, only one superstar can feasibly challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 38. Drew McIntyre is the sole main event babyface on the Blue brand, which should prompt WWE to create new stars.
Anyway, The Scottish Warrior seems like the perfect man to defeat Reigns and win the Universal Championship. He could do so in April 2022, or potentially at SummerSlam if it is in the United Kingdom.
McIntyre's two WWE Title reigns happened without any fans around, which is a shame. The second one kicked off with a Champion vs. Champion match against The Tribal Chief at Survivor Series 2020, which can form the basis of the feud between the two stars.
The story can be told around Drew McIntyre's inability to defeat Roman Reigns, even as far back as WrestleMania 35. Of course, WWE may very well opt for a superstar not currently on the SmackDown roster. There are several contenders beyond the Blue brand.
#4 Big E should win the Royal Rumble and challenge Roman Reigns if he loses the WWE Title
Despite Big E and Roman Reigns being on separate brands, WWE can pit the two against each other at WrestleMania 38. However, for this to happen, the New Day member would have to lose the WWE Championship and win the Royal Rumble Match.
Big E is set to face Reigns at Survivor Series, which can lead to further animosity between the pair. He would want to avenge his potential defeat while reuniting with The New Day in the process.
If Big E moves to SmackDown, the company can pull the trigger on a full-blown program between The New Day and The Bloodline without any interruptions. This is another great option if Reigns is to lose the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 38.
#3 Seth Rollins can return to SmackDown for a WrestleMania 38 feud with Roman Reigns
Speaking of RAW stars moving back to SmackDown, Seth Rollins is a very intriguing opponent for Roman Reigns. The two have a lot of history together and have teased a title match for a while, despite both being heels. Their eventual confrontation will be epic.
With the Red brand stacked with top stars, that confrontation may come sooner rather than later. Rollins may win the Royal Rumble Match and challenge The Tribal Chief, moving back to SmackDown.
The Architect can play the anti-hero against Reigns, who is the ultimate super-villain. Few main events would deliver better in the ring than Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns finally going at it.
#2 WALTER is a wildcard option for the main event of WrestleMania 38
What if Roman Reigns' opponent for WrestleMania 38 is not even on the WWE main roster yet?
WALTER is one of the most believable stars in the company and with his record-breaking NXT UK Title reign ending in August, he is free to move to RAW or SmackDown. The Austrian can step up to Reigns at WrestleMania, with a match between the two just seeming explosive.
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T says WALTER is one of two stars who should dethrone the Universal Champion, which proves his legitimacy. While a title change is a long shot, a Reigns vs. WALTER bout is a potential classic. It would be one of the most unique main events in WrestleMania history.
#1 Brock Lesnar might not be finished with Roman Reigns after WWE Crown Jewel
Roman Reigns' current rival may end up being his rival at The Grandest Stage of Them All. He and Brock Lesnar are currently in a compelling angle, with Paul Heyman being the focal point. They will face off at Crown Jewel, where The Tribal Chief is likely to retain the Universal Championship.
Whether or not he retains Heyman's services, though, is another question entirely. Either way, we can expect Lesnar to come back for a rematch with Reigns. What if that rematch comes at WrestleMania 38?
The Beast Incarnate can return to WWE in the Royal Rumble Match and dominate his way through the field, before setting up a big-money rematch against The Head of the Table. He would be a bigger threat to Roman Reigns' title run next April than he currently is.
