SmackDown before WrestleMania Backlash: 6 WWE Superstars who stole the show – Roman Reigns gets reality check, big title change to fuel betrayal? (May 14, 2021)

#3 Roman Reigns asserts his dominance on WWE SmackDown

Roman Reigns delivered a captivating performance on WWE SmackDown this week

Roman Reigns has established himself as the biggest heel not just on SmackDown but in the entire WWE. He is set to defend his Universal Championship against Cesaro at WrestleMania Backlash. The two superstars engaged in a brutal altercation in the show's closing moments that ended with the challenger gaining the upper hand.

Reigns was brilliant in his promo right at the beginning of this week’s SmackDown. There was a subtle hint of vulnerability to an otherwise arrogant champion when his cousin, Jimmy Uso, was challenging his authority. Reigns was brilliant at adding more authenticity to the ongoing title feud and deserves a lot of credit for remarkably improving as a performer.

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Roman Reigns also saw a glimpse of Cesaro’s potential when the latter was brutalizing both his cousins. He delivered two devastating Neutralizers on Jey Uso in the middle of the ring while Reigns looked at the ramp.

The fact that he didn’t help his cousin when Jey was responsible for almost all of Reigns’ title defenses would not sit well with Jimmy. The Tribal Chief has done so well in carrying a complicated storyline on SmackDown, and it will be interesting to see what’s in store for him on the Blue brand.

About the author

Shruti Sadbhav is a WWE writer at Sportskeeda Wrestling. With a triple major in Journalism, English Literature, and Psychology, she has always been drawn to writing. As an avid sports lover, writing about sports was the finest way to combine her passion with her prowess.

Whenever she writes, Shruti puts herself into the shoes of fans to see how she would appreciate an honest account of anything related to something she follows wholeheartedly with engaging and relevant information to cater to the readers' needs.

Shruti has seven years of experience. She previously worked as a content manager at Fox Sports Asia and as an assistant manager and digital marketer at Kickstart FC. Shruti previously worked in multiple roles in Sportskeeda, where she was a WWE features writer, editor, and content manager. She has over 40 million+ reads across all her writer profiles, giving her an immensely diverse audience across WWE and football.

When it comes to pro wrestling, Shruti does not particularly remember the first match she watched. However, she recalls accompanying her brother and getting hooked when she saw The Undertaker – a fascinating wrestler that she, like thousands of others, believed in.
Her views on pro wrestling evolved as she grew older and understood the intricacies of the business. This allows her to appreciate those who dedicate themselves to the craft and, once in a while, it does become what it has always been touted to be – magical. Her favorite wrestler is Finn Balor due to his persistence.

When she is not working as a writer, Shruti loves to read, enjoy a good cup of coffee, and let Manchester City dictate her weekend plans.

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Edited by Kaushik Das