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After a wild brawl between Braun Strowman and 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt at Payback, Roman Reigns swooped in and won the Universal Championship. He did so as a heel, with Paul Heyman by his side. The Big Dog has been the talk of the town over the past week, ever since he made a shocking return at SummerSlam.
Reigns is now back on top, with a completely different attitude. This is a positive change to his character, with things looking up for the main event scene on SmackDown.
Excitement is higher than ever regarding Roman Reigns, who has a variety of opponents to defend his Universal Title against. He is set to have a long run as the Champion, one that has alluded him in his WWE career so far.
It looks like nothing can stop Reigns from having the run of his career as SmackDown's top Champion, with Heyman as his advocate. He can have some excellent matches against a variety of opponents.
Here are five WWE Superstars who could challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship.
#5 Otis could cash in against Roman Reigns (and fail)
After winning the Money in the Bank Ladder Match, it seemed like Otis would be elevated as a singles star en route to a surprising world title victory. But now, surprising may have turned into impossible. There is no way Otis can cash his contract in and win the Universal Title from Roman Reigns, but it is likely that he will be obliterated by the Big Dog.
That would be a waste of the briefcase, but WWE has their hands tied with Otis. Other options include a move to RAW or Otis being tricked into trading the briefcase for a giant steak. As things stand, the latter is the likely option.
Anyway, it seems like Otis might end up failing his cash-in to a destructive Roman Reigns. It would serve to make the Universal Champion even stronger, with him surviving a Money in the Bank cash-in by winning clean.
#4 Braun Strowman could have a rematch against Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns entered the triple threat match at Payback after Braun Strowman and 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt utterly destroyed each other, as well as the ring. He proceeded to win with relative ease, pinning the Strowman to win the Universal Championship. This indicates that the Big Dog is probably not finished with either man.
However, a singles match between Reigns and The Fiend would be a bad idea, as Wyatt's monstrous alter-ego has suffered a dramatic loss in momentum over the past few weeks. This culminated in his title reign coming to an end after just seven days. Another defeat could irreparably damage the former Universal Champion.
Braun Strowman is somebody who can afford to lose. This was demonstrated with him getting pinned by Roman Reigns at Payback. The two of them have had some violent battles in the past, with both Reigns and Strowman attempting to kill each other at various points of their insane rivalry.
This would be a role reversal, with Strowman as the face and Reigns as the heel. A welcome switch to what could be the next chapter of their intense saga. These two might never be finished with each other. Braun Strowman would be a great first challenger for Roman Reigns to properly vanquish, without The Fiend anywhere in sight.
#3 AJ Styles could rekindle some magic with Roman Reigns
This is solely contingent on whether AJ Styles and Paul Heyman would be willing to work together, after the Phenomenal One claimed that Heyman was a liar and that he played a part in the firing of the Good Brothers from WWE. If not, then it is likely that the 2-time WWE Champion will move back to RAW. That would be a shame, considering the in-ring chemistry Styles has with Roman Reigns.
But if the two can co-exist in a storyline together, there is visible money to be made. Styles and Reigns have only ever faced each other twice, but both matches were absolutely brilliant. The former leader of The OC sold like a madman for the Big Dog, who proved his excellence as a wrestler during this series of matches after WrestleMania 32.
Heel Roman Reigns vs babyface AJ Styles could be a phenomenal feud, especially if WWE plays into the real-life heat between Styles and Paul Heyman. It would only make for more compelling TV. A hot angle followed by an excellent match makes for a great feud.
There are many arguments for Roman Reigns and AJ Styles to feud over the Universal Championship, but the one argument against it might be enough to ensure it does not happen. Hopefully, WWE can book this program amidst the issues between Styles and Heyman. But it would be understandable if it doesn't happen.
#2 Brock Lesnar could feud with Roman Reigns over Paul Heyman
Speaking of Paul Heyman being the center of attraction in one of Roman Reigns' feuds, we could see the Universal Champion be met by a very familiar foe, in Brock Lesnar. The Beast Incarnate might have a problem with the recent development of Heyman aligning with the Big Dog.
Much like a possible feud with Braun Strowman, this could lead to a different take on an old rivalry. Lesnar could be the babyface looking to avenge Heyman for quietly betraying him, by trying to take down Roman Reigns. The action between the two men has always been good, even when the story was off most of the time.
This feud could also spark from both Reigns and Lesnar competing to be the superior 'Paul Heyman Guy'. It would certainly lead to the most intriguing installment of their multi-year storyline, which has headlined two WrestleManias in the past.
A program between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns would be the big money sports-centric angle on SmackDown that FOX paid WWE for. This is the only way for it to happen, without risking fan apathy. Maybe the two could even reignite the fire that they started at WrestleMania 31, the site of their one truly great match.
#1 Big E could be the one to dethrone Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns just became the Universal Champion, but there is one Superstar who the WWE fans want to see dethrone him. It is the man who has been making waves with his passionate promos on Talking Smack, Big E. This is a match made in heaven. The perfect main event.
The New Day member has just begun his singles run after over five years of teaming with Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, earning some impressive victories so far. WWE seems to be slowly building Big E up and grooming him for an eventual title shot.
That title shot should not come until the company is ready to pull the trigger on him. Having Roman Reigns as the dominant and dastardly heel Champion, with Paul Heyman by his side, would require a universally loved babyface to dethrone him, whenever that may be.
Nobody would be as popular as Big E, in that respect. Both Superstars are all about getting to the top in their own ways. Reigns won the Universal Title by taking advantage of a chaotic scene and feasting on the scraps. Big E wants to retain his goofy persona, while maintaining a level of seriousness throughout his singles run.
Despite the two different paths, the goal is the same. Be on top of the WWE mountain. The Big Dog is at that point now, but Big E will be looking to push him off. As things stand, he is the best choice to eventually beat Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship.
WWE has set things up perfectly for this to happen. If they play their cards right, Roman Reigns vs Big E for Universal Title could main event WrestleMania 37.
