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Roman Reigns is undoubtedly the most popular star in WWE from the current roster, judging by his run as The Tribal Chief so far.
Many believe that Reigns will hold on to his Universal Championship for a long time, maybe even past WrestleMania 37. Speaking of WrestleMania, there are a lot of rumors floating around regarding potential plans for The Tribal Chief at the Grandest Stage of them All.
Out of all possible opponents, Big E and The Rock's names have popped up quite a few times. This fantasy booking article will be taking a look at how WWE should build up potential storylines for Reigns against the two aforementioned candidates and an additional third pick, John Cena.
Although Cena vs. Reigns has already happened, there is a huge opportunity to book a WrestleMania feud between the two of them next year. Without any further ado, let's take a look at different ways how WWE could book Roman Reigns' run to WrestleMania 37.
Option #1: Big E vs. Roman Reigns - The underdog story at WWE WrestleMania 37
-WWE Royal Rumble 2021
- In the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match, Big E is among the first ten entrants.
In next year's 30-Man Royal Rumble Match, why not have Big E survive for a long time as one of the last two or three remaining participants? Most fans are aware of potential plans regarding Big E's future push on WWE SmackDown, which is why everyone will be hoping for him to win the 2021 Royal Rumble, in case he ends up surviving till the very end.
However, at the very last second, Big E must be eliminated to create more conflict because he would have missed a huge opportunity by a very close margin.
In this scenario, the winner of the 2021 men's Royal Rumble Match must challenge the WWE Champion over on RAW so that all focus surrounding the Universal Championship can be shifted to Elimination Chamber.
-WWE Elimination Chamber, 2021
- Roman Reigns' potential Universal Championship feuds against Daniel Bryan or Kevin Owens should wrap up before or at Elimination Chamber.
To determine the challenger for the Universal title at WrestleMania 37, it only makes sense for WWE to book an Elimination Chamber Match between six men, including Big E, who could earn a spot in this match based on his impressive performance in the Royal Rumble.
But it shouldn't be a cakewalk for the New Day's powerhouse star by any means. There is a greater conflict if Big E hangs on by the skin of his teeth after entering as one of the two first participants in the Chamber. Unlike Kofi Kingston, Big E manages to win the Elimination Chamber Match, even if he manages to do so with much effort. (Continued in next slide)
Big E vs. Roman Reigns - The underdog story at WWE WrestleMania 37 (Continued)
-Secondary feud: Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods vs. The Usos (Tag Team Titles Unification Match at WWE WrestleMania 37)
It has been reported that Jimmy Uso could return to action anytime between November 2020 and January 2021. So The Usos should be the one to dethrone Street Profits as the SmackDown Tag Team Champions to further strengthen Roman Reigns' faction.
Given how thin the tag team division has been on RAW and SmackDown, a permanent solution to this problem would be for the company to unify both the Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 37.
After Big E earns the opportunity to face Roman Reigns at next year's WrestleMania event, it would make sense for Kofi & Xavier Woods of the New Day to protect him against the threat of The Usos on SmackDown. This could be the catalyst for the aforementioned Tag Team Titles unification match.
So not only does Big E get a huge opportunity, but WWE can also solve their tag team division problem as a result of this storyline.
-Big E attempts to prove that he's no underdog against Roman Reigns
Unlike Kofi, Big E is a powerhouse that can take down larger opponents with ease. To shatter the myth of this underdog storyline, Big E could subject himself to a gauntlet-style fight against numerous Superstars on WWE SmackDown a few weeks before WrestleMania 37.
The catch here is that Roman Reigns could pull a lot of strings backstage thanks to Paul Heyman, which is why Big E's road to WrestleMania should be a tough challenge riddled with insurmountable obstacles laid down by The Tribal Chief.
Big E would overcome all of those challenges with a lot of effort.
-Roman Reigns defeats Big E at WrestleMania 37; Big E eventually becomes the Universal Champion at SummerSlam
WWE's overwhelming success with a heel Roman Reigns is something that only happens once in a blue moon, so The Tribal Chief could very well reign as the Universal Champion beyond next year's WrestleMania.
The match should be booked like a very close one-on-one contest, and a loss wouldn't hurt Big E given how much he could accomplish in this scenario, starting from Royal Rumble 2021. SummerSlam 2021 could be the right stage for Big E to finally overcome his biggest obstacle by becoming the new Universal Champion.
The Usos could also win against The New Day at WrestleMania to establish a true dominance of the Anoa'i family at WWE's Grandest Stage of them All.
Option #2: John Cena vs. Roman Reigns - The battle of egos at WWE WrestleMania 37
- What if Superman grew up as a toxic personality? What if John Cena became a narcissist with his reputation as 'Super Cena' in WWE?
John Cena last appeared in a surreal Firefly Fun House match against Bray Wyatt at WWE WrestleMania 36, and he is expected to return on the road to WrestleMania 37.
John Cena's personality could likely be changed when he comes back as a result of having crossed paths with Bray Wyatt's evil alter-ego, The Fiend.
If there is an interesting premise to rehash Roman Reigns and John Cena's previously concluded feud under a different context, Cena must return as a cynical version of the 'Superman of WWE' gimmick he has been portraying for years.
-WWE Royal Rumble 2021
John Cena returns as a surprise entrant in the latter half of the 2021 Royal Rumble match, but he looks far more serious than before. Cena doesn't care if anyone blocking his path is a heel or babyface, he beats up anyone he can.
It's as if John Cena has suddenly become a serious threat without a moral compass, which is a more dangerous combination than him being the toughest hero bound by moral obligations.
Cena goes on to win the 2021 Royal Rumble Match, but he doesn't celebrate at all. Instead, he grabs a microphone and immediately challenges Roman Reigns to a match at WrestleMania 37.
-John Cena starts pulling backstage strings on the same show as Roman Reigns
Since aligning with Paul Heyman, Roman Reigns has been playing backstage politics to establish his influence as the top dog in WWE. John Cena has been one of the most protected WWE Superstars in history, and there have been alleged instances of Cena playing backstage politics in the past.
In this scenario, it would be wise to blur the lines between fiction and reality so as to build up John Cena as the Superman of WWE motivated by the wrong intentions in mind. Just like how a comic-book character like Homelander is a cynical take on Superman, the new version of John Cena should be a cynical take on his own heroic personality.
Cena's backstage pull would naturally pose a threat to Roman's position on WWE SmackDown, which could create backstage chaos in the context of this storyline. (Continued in next slide)
John Cena vs. Roman Reigns - The battle of egos at WWE WrestleMania 37 (Continued)
-WWE Elimination Chamber 2021
- Roman Reigns is forced to defend the Universal Title inside Elimination Chamber, thanks to John Cena's backstage pull.
If more control slips away from Roman Reigns' hands, more conflict is created and the possibility of The Tribal Chief losing the WWE Universal Championship becomes greater.
By forcing Reigns to defend the title inside Elimination Chamber, it sends the message that The Tribal Chief shouldn't have stepped on John Cena's toes.
However, Reigns manages to retain the Universal Championship at WWE Elimination Chamber, but not without some shenanigans.
-John Cena runs through lower card talent, recalls the time he buried Roman Reigns on the microphone
While Reigns is busy preparing for Elimination Chamber 2021, it would be a sinister move for Cena to bury lower card Superstars in short matches on SmackDown each and every week, all in the context of blurring the lines between fiction and reality.
Cena may also bring up the time he verbally destroyed Reigns during the build-up to their 2017 match at No Mercy, just to rub more salt in Roman's wounds.
Roman Reigns is a different and more interesting character than he ever was as a babyface, so it would only be natural for him to remain unfazed by Cena this time around, for the most part.
In a nutshell, Roman and Cena's storyline should be a heel vs. heel feud for the Universal Championship, as well as a battle for supremacy in WWE.
-Roman Reigns defeats John Cena at WrestleMania 37
It's only natural for stars of the current generation to win over part-time Superstars at this stage. But Roman's victory would kickstart a brand-new era where backstage pull becomes the center stage for complete dominance in WWE, and pure heroism becomes a rarity.
Option #3: The Rock vs. Roman Reigns - Family warfare at WWE WrestleMania 37
Daniel Bryan and Kevin Owens are rumored to face Roman Reigns in a match sooner rather than later, possibly after WWE Survivor Series concludes. It's only fair to book a Rock vs. Reigns feud that indirectly includes all of the Anoa'i family, including Jey Uso.
-WWE TLC 2020
- Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Daniel Bryan & Kevin Owens (Tables, Ladders, and Chairs Match)
It's fair to say that Reigns & Uso could put on a match of the night candidate at TLC, and they will ultimately prevail as the victors over Bryan & Owens in a hard-fought battle.
-Jimmy Uso returns to WWE TV, doesn't agree with Jey Uso siding with Roman Reigns
While Jey Uso fell in line with Roman Reigns as part of the stipulation, Jimmy Uso is also bound by that stipulation for the sake of ensuring that his family remains a part of the overarching Anoa'i family.
But in this storyline, it becomes apparent that Jimmy isn't as good as his twin brother in following Roman's orders, which is why The Tribal Chief gives the following orders:
Jimmy and Jey will wrestle each other at WWE Royal Rumble 2021. Jimmy will be banished from the Anoa'i family if he loses and still doesn't accept Roman Reigns as The Tribal Chief.
Fallout: Jimmy Uso loses. A few moments after the pay-per-view is over, WWE releases a semi-kayfabe documentary highlighting all aspects of the Anoa'i family and their history. In the documentary, The Rock subtly hints towards the fact that he isn't exactly a fan of Roman Reigns as The Tribal Chief of their family.
On the Royal Rumble fallout episode of WWE SmackDown, it's time for Jimmy to accept Roman Reigns as The Tribal Chief. However, Jimmy Uso says he doesn't need to "fall in line" or worry about being banished from the family, as the true Tribal Chief of the Anoa'i family is The Rock. The Rock comes out as he and Jimmy Uso confront Roman Reigns and Jey Uso in a segment for the ages.
If Jimmy Uso isn't cleared to compete, WWE could nix plans for Jey vs. Jimmy and simply jump forward to the aforementioned segment whenever The Rock's schedule clears up.
Roman Reigns could either face Kevin Owens or Daniel Bryan and retain his WWE Universal title in what will most likely be a great match (judging by the participants) at Royal Rumble.
In this scenario, it is also assumed that whoever wins the 30-man Royal Rumble will challenge for the WWE Championship over on RAW. (Continued in next slide)
The Rock vs. Roman Reigns - Family warfare at WWE WrestleMania 37 (Continued)
-The Anoa'i family pick sides: Roman Reigns or The Rock at WWE WrestleMania 37?
Since Roman Reigns vs. The Rock will most likely be the apex of the Anoa'i family storyline, it would be great if other members of the family could reveal their allegiances in the weeks leading up to WWE WrestleMania 37.
Jimmy Uso and his wife, Naomi, will side with The Rock. Jey Uso, along with The Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika), could side with Roman Reigns. It would be interesting if the young generation of this family like Lance Anoa'i (who wants to join WWE) and Simone Johnson could get involved as well, along with other Samoan stars like Nia Jax and Tamina.
The Rock may revert to his Samoan roots instead of his Hollywood image to assure that beating Roman Reigns at WrestleMania is a serious premise for him in WWE.
-WWE Super ShowDown 2021/Elimination Chamber 2021
- The Rock & Jimmy Uso vs. Roman Reigns & Jey Uso
It would be a good idea for The Rock to get back into the ring before WrestleMania if he gets clearance from the insurers in time. Since Roman Reigns winning makes sense at the Grandest Stage of them All, The Rock & Jimmy Uso could pick up the victory here, with The Great One gaining some momentum by pinning Jey Uso for the win.
-Roman Reigns defeats The Rock at WrestleMania; All members of the Anoa'i family must acknowledge Reigns as The Tribal Chief
The sole purpose of booking Rock vs. Reigns is to mark a true passing of the torch and to establish the heel version of Reigns to a higher level of supremacy in WWE. After the match, The Rock could acknowledge Roman Reigns as the Anoa'i family's true Tribal Chief.
The consequences include that Jimmy Uso and others who supported The Rock must fall in line at last, and a great final touch would be for The Tribal Chief to sit on his rightful throne at the very end of next year's WrestleMania.
The Rock vs. Roman Reigns is what everyone wants to see happen at WrestleMania 37, but there are various factors like insurance and the presence of a live crowd that affect the chances of it actually going down next year. This is why multiple options have been provided for Roman Reigns' run to WrestleMania 37 in this article.
Fantasy booking is subjective. Do you agree or disagree with these options? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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