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Despite various creative changes made to the product, WWE hasn't really seen a notable boost when it comes to TV viewership for RAW and SmackDown.
One obvious change since the pandemic has been that the company started relying on several performers who could fill the gap left by Roman Reigns' absence.
Although WWE's profits during this quarter have quadrupled, the same cannot be said for viewership numbers every week. Over the years, Roman Reigns has been the only star who could almost reach the bar of popularity set by legends like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock, and an unexpected return during this period could certainly shake things up for the better, albeit temporarily.
Here are 5 ways WWE could bring back Roman Reigns.
#5: Roman Reigns appears on WWE NXT to boost ratings
Things have considerably changed for WWE NXT over the years. Somehow, it went from being a developmental brand to a show that now competes head-to-head with AEW Dynamite every Wednesday.
Even though both NXT and Dynamite have been putting on good shows lately, viewership numbers tend to be a controversial topic of discussion between Pro-Wrestling fans. This has even translated further in terms of actual content, where Chris Jericho calls himself the "Demo God" on AEW Dynamite every week.
Could you imagine what would the conversation be if Roman Reigns makes his WWE return on NXT instead of RAW or SmackDown?
The numbers won't just go up temporarily, but Reigns would find himself in a completely different territory, where top NXT stars such as Keith Lee may get an opportunity to face The Big Dog in singles competition.
If Reigns does appear on WWE's third brand, which NXT competitor would you like to see square up to The Big Dog?
#4: Roman Reigns calls out the Universal Champion
This may be the most obvious direction for Roman Reigns when he returns to WWE.
Reigns may be a four-time World Champion, but he has only held the Universal Championship once throughout his entire WWE career.
If you remember, Reigns didn't lose that title to any particular member from the roster. Instead, he was obligated to drop the Universal Championship upon announcing his returning battle against leukemia during the October 22, 2018, edition of WWE RAW.
After making a triumphant return to WWE, Reigns never won the title back. However, he was supposed to face Goldberg for that very Championship at this year's WrestleMania.
We know how the pandemic changed everything, and instead of a Roman Reigns title reign, Braun Strowman is now the current Universal Champion.
So it only makes sense that upon The Big Dog's eventual WWE return, the first thing he has to do is go after whoever holds the aforementioned title on SmackDown.
Judging by how things are currently, the title holder could be either Braun Strowman or Bray Wyatt in the near future.
#3: Roman Reigns returns to destroy the "big plan" of Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins has done some evil things lately, and to top them all, he is responsible for 'blinding' Rey Mysterio during their "Eye for an Eye" Match at WWE Extreme Rules.
Thankfully, Rey Mysterio won't be permanently blinded for the rest of his WWE career, but it's going to be a while until the legendary luchador makes his successful comeback.
In the meantime, Dominik, the son of Rey Mysterio, is determined to avenge what The Monday Night Messiah did to his father. Seth Rollins has been hinting towards his "big plan" for the future of WWE for months.
It doesn't look like he is going to be stopped anytime soon. If there is an endgame to this long-term storyline, why not have Roman Reigns be the one to stop Seth Rollins' plan?
That could certainly be an engaging storyline for Reigns when he returns to WWE, as we all know the history both men have as Shield brothers.
#2: Roman Reigns specifically appears on WWE RAW to face an unstoppable Drew McIntyre
If there is anyone who has been dominating WWE since Roman Reigns opted to stay at home, it has to be Drew McIntyre.
The current WWE Champion defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36, and since then, McIntyre has been booked as an unstoppable Champion on Monday Night RAW.
There are many common parallels between Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre here. Both men have been dominant babyfaces in their respective careers, and Roman Reigns could very well try to reclaim his position as the top dog by facing McIntyre when he returns to WWE.
Although both of them have faced each other at WrestleMania 35, McIntyre wasn't as unstoppable then as he is now. Maybe The Chosen One will win in a rematch this year, and whether WWE decides to go ahead with this idea or not, it would certainly be an intriguing battle at a time where almost no one has been strong enough to dethrone Drew McIntyre from the top.
#1: "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt attacks Roman Reigns
Bray Wyatt and Roman Reigns have faced each other several times in WWE, and that is a fact.
Ever since Bray Wyatt re-packaged himself as The Fiend, it's almost as if both Reigns and Wyatt have been purposefully kept apart from each other.
The ramifications of such a huge matchup may have stayed with us for a long time, so it makes sense why WWE didn't want to execute this idea right away.
But that doesn't mean The Fiend and The Big Dog's paths won't cross anytime soon. Both of them are on WWE SmackDown, and whenever Reigns decides to come back, The Fiend will always be lurking in the shadows.
Even if Bray Wyatt doesn't go after Reigns, both of them will inevitably clash if Wyatt becomes the Universal Champion in the near future. Roman Reigns has a strong motive to challenge for that title, and it doesn't matter whom he may have to face in order to become the new Universal Champion.
Either way, this new incarnation of Bray Wyatt doesn't forget, so it's likely that he may come after the one WWE Superstar who has dominated the "old" Bray Wyatt for years.
