5 ways WWE can book John Cena and Finn Balor in the Universal Title picture on the road to SummerSlam 

#2 Roman Reigns defeats Finn Balor on SmackDown and faces John Cena at WWE SummerSlam

.@JohnCena wants to know... Whose team are you on?! #SmackDown #TeamCena or #TeamRomanReigns? ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/pSO0wb6Z2v

— WWE (@WWE) July 24, 2021

As we just saw, John Cena can face Roman Reigns at WWE SummerSlam even after Finn Balor's challenge was accepted. There are a few creative ways of reaching that point in the story. Another possible way would see Reigns defending the Universal Championship against Balor before the pay-per-view.

The Tribal Chief could defeat him on SmackDown before Cena comes out and confronts him. However, this outcome isn't the greatest idea. Roman Reigns' feuds are usually built on long-term stories, so him taking care of Finn Balor in the coming weeks would waste a potentially compelling feud for him.

It would further build Reigns up before his big SummerSlam match with John Cena, though. The Prince should be used more than a quick diversion for a swerve.

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#1 Finn Balor stuns Roman Reigns and wins the Universal Title before (or at) SummerSlam

In the past year I’ve learned to pick my spots and seek opportunities. Cena’s rejection became my opportunity. Now that my challenge was accepted, prepare yourselves to see the best version of Finn Bálor right here on SmackDown. A soon to be 2x Universal Champion! pic.twitter.com/zjX5gexlHm

— True Blue. ✖️NOT @FinnBalor (@PRlNXE) July 24, 2021

If WWE wants to pull a major shocker this summer, none would be bigger than Finn Balor winning the Universal Championship. As mentioned above, he might get a shot at Roman Reigns on SmackDown before John Cena steps in again. But what if he wins the title? It would turn SummerSlam upside down.

Balor was the first-ever Universal Champion, but never got a proper reign with the belt. He had to vacate it due to injury, just one night after winning. This would present WWE the opportunity of pushing Balor to the moon once again, tying into the potential triple threat at SummerSlam.

Whether he walks into the match with the Universal Title or not, Finn Balor leaving SummerSlam with a win over John Cena and Roman Reigns would be a major statement from WWE. Perhaps, he could bring back 'The Demon' to defeat two of the company's biggest modern stars.