'%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)
Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe were part of the main event at Backlash 2018. Needless to say, the crowd wasn't too thrilled. As one would expect, Reigns stood tall at the end of the match. The question is... where does Reigns go next?
In this article, I shall suggest 5 ways for The Big Dog to proceed following Backlash. Let me know what you think is next for him, in the comments below. Let's get a conversation going, folks!
WWE needs to pull a rabbit out of its hat following the dud that was Backlash. I'm certain that Roman Reigns features big-time into those very plans.
Here's how I think WWE could book Roman Reigns, starting with RAW this week.
#5 Feuding with a heel Finn Balor
Roman Reigns was in the main event of Backlash even though he was not booked in a Championship match. At the same time, Finn Balor did not make it to the card at all.
This is despite the fact that he was heavily praised as recently as last week, for putting on an incredible match with Rollins. Could this be an impetus to tap into Balor's dark side?
There have been various rumblings about Balor going heel on various internet portals. I can absolutely see Balor tapping into the darker side of his persona very soon. And I totally wouldn't be opposed to seeing a program between Balor and Reigns down the line.
The only problem with this storyline is that fans would cheer for Balor and boo Reigns, come what may. Therefore, in the following pages, I shall explore four other interesting possibilities.
#4 Competing in the Money in the Bank match
Money in the Bank takes place in Rosemont next month in the Allstate Arena. I'm not yet certain how the format will work because of the pay-per-view not being brand specific (whether there will be one match or two).
Whatever the case may be, I'm fairly positive that WWE could find a place for Roman Reigns in the mix.
Like him or not, he's one of the company's top stars right now. At the same time, I'm not sure that WWE will actually have him win the Money in the Bank briefcase yet. There may be other WWE superstars who need the case far more than he does.
Yet, I can see the Money in the Bank ladder match being the predominant theme for Roman Reigns in the weeks that follow. This is, of course, if the following development is not on the cards.
#3 Extended feud with a heel Dean Ambrose
Everyone expects Dean Ambrose to come back as the babyface they know and love. However, there have been rumblings about Ambrose turning heel as well.
I would personally like to see Ambrose portray a heel on television. Truth be told, a lunatic character lends better to a heel persona than a babyface one.
This would also be a fresh, new coat of paint for The Lunatic Fringe. He's portrayed pretty much the same old babyface character since his initial heel run with the Hounds of Justice. He needs this heel turn desperately.
This can be a nice way to keep Reigns out of the Universal Championship picture until his next dance with the Beast Incarnate.
#2 Universal Championship match against Brock Lesnar
WWE has made it clear that Lesnar did not deserve to win the Universal Championship match at the Greatest Royal Rumble pay-per-view. After all, his feet hit the ground first. Moreover, the win at Backlash could make him the Number 1 contender for the Universal Championship.
Will Money in the Bank be Lesnar's last stand with the Universal Championship? Will we see a full-time Universal Champion being crowned at last? Will the WWE Universe be happy to see Reigns with the title?
More details should be made clear on RAW. I'm certain that the Lesnar-Reigns saga is not done and there will be yet another chapter in the rivalry.
#1 Intercontinental Championship program with Rollins
Rollins is clearly the most over babyface on RAW currently. Reigns has been pushed as the company's top babyface thus far, but somehow the crowd has never bought into the idea of him as the top guy.
Could we see Reigns go heel at long last? Despite the fact that Reigns gives it his all every week, the crowd keeps on booing 'The Guy'.
A program between a babyface Reigns and a heel Rollins is money. The two men are phenomenal workers and always deliver on the big stage. They could have a great few matches.
Moreover, this would allow someone like Braun Strowman to defeat Lesnar for the Universal Championship, like the crowd wants. Strowman should have had his moment a really long time ago.
This is my assessment; tell me yours in the comments below.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
