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WWE confirmed that Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38 will be a title unification match, with the winner merging the WWE and Universal Championships. This has interesting consequences, some of which are minor while others will have lasting effects.
It's up to WWE to lessen the negative impacts that may follow as there will be one men's world champion from April onwards. But what will these problems be?
Let's take a look at five things that can happen when Roman or Brock unify both world titles at WrestleMania 38. Give us your thoughts on this bold booking decision in the comments section below.
#5. WWE debuts a new title design at WrestleMania 38
The immediate change should see a new design for WWE's men's world title. The current titles have had the same look since 2014, and an upgrade will be nice. Something more creative than just a large company logo.
WWE has the opportunity to freshen up the world title's look, and will be smart to present it to the winner of the WrestleMania 38 main event. It does remain to be seen what the unified world title will be called.
#4. Roman Reigns floats between RAW and SmackDown as the sole world champion
Roman Reigns will likely defeat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38 because the winner of the match will have to appear on both RAW and SmackDown. The Beast Incarnate is doing the same, but there isn't another male world champion to cover for his inevitable absence.
Anyway, The Tribal Chief is set to feud with superstars on both RAW and SmackDown. This increases his pool of potential contenders following WrestleMania 38, which will boost his record-breaking title reign.
Roman's impending status as a floating champion might leave either RAW or SmackDown without a world title feud, which should lead to the United States and Intercontinental Championships being elevated.
#3. The Women's and Tag Team titles eventually get unified
Once the WWE and Universal Championships are merged at WrestleMania 38, it'll seem like a matter of time before the company decides to unify the women's and tag team belts on RAW and SmackDown.
Ronda Rousey and Bianca Belair will likely leave the event with the women's championships, so a mega match between the two can be built for an event like SummerSlam.
Similarly, the RAW and SmackDown Tag Team titles should get unified soon after WrestleMania 38. It'll boost the main roster's tag team division as a whole.
#2. WWE ends the Brand Split
Slowly but surely, it seems like Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar will be the first step towards the end of the brand split. If WWE follows up by unifying the women's and tag team titles after WrestleMania 38, it'll eventually happen.
While keeping two separate rosters for RAW and SmackDown is the ideal scenario, WWE might be better off merging them once again. Several top names have left or been released, which has affected the depth of the blue brand's roster.
As a result, the brand split may come to an unfortunate end after being in effect for six years. Whether the roster is handled well afterward is another topic. It can get pretty lonely for Roman Reigns at the top.
#1. A lot fewer stars become main eventers
Whether or not the brand split comes to an end, this is the biggest consequence of the WWE and Universal Championships becoming one title. For starters, the opportunities will be slashed by half. With the way Roman Reigns is being booked, he looks set to stay on top for much longer.
WWE hasn't shown much regard for how The Tribal Chief's title rivals fare after feuding with him. Kevin Owens, Cesaro, and Finn Balor have all not received decent follow-ups to their Universal title programs.
Also, WWE crowned two first-time WWE Champions during Roman Reigns' current run. Will the likes of Bobby Lashley and Big E remain main eventers without any world title wins?
This could lead to rigid booking and potentially waste future Money in the Bank and Royal Rumble winners. Roman Reigns needs to drop the title not too long after WrestleMania 38. As good as he is, the product will be much better for it.
