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The WWE Universal Title match at SummerSlam showcased everything that is right with the current crop of top-tier Superstars that the WWE has today. The four big men involved had a surprising amount of chemistry and put on a memorable display that won't be forgotten in a hurry.
Samoa Joe, despite not having too much by way of offence, didn't look weak by any means, threatening with the Coquina Clutch on numerous occasions. Brock Lesnar showed bucket loads of heart to fight back from a devastating beating to retain his Universal Title, but it was Braun Strowman who stole the show with his reality-suspending feats of brutality and strength.
It was one of those encounters where all the men came out looking stronger than they did going in.
But where to for Roman Reigns from here?
The Big Dog looked like he forced himself into the reckoning to win in the latter stages, but was unfortunate to eat the pin that decided the match at the end.
Bearing in mind that he's the one earmarked to finally vanquish the Beast at WrestleMania 34, how does the WWE build him up before April from here on out?
Here are 5 ideas how.
#1 A feud against Finn Balor
After a solid showing against Bray Wyatt at SummerSlam, Finn Balor seems to have secured a promotion back up the food chain for all intents and purposes.
The Demon King looked like a million bucks and came across as a legitimate threat, especially in the way he took Bray Wyatt out of his element to usher in the finish of the match.
Could a program against Roman Reigns next up seal his top-tier status for good?
Despite fully expecting Reigns to win, there would be no dearth of action in the ring when these two go at it, not to mention cementing Finn Balor as a regular top-of-the-line draw by the time the storyline is done.
And given the WWE's proclivity for promoting talent of late, this one seems to be a no-brainer.
And remember, Balor was the 2nd person to pin Roman Reigns clean in singles matches, defeating him on his RAW debut
#2 Confronted by the Undertaker
IWC was sent into quasi-meltdown when pictures of the Undertaker boarding a flight to New York City surfaced and were later confirmed by Dave Meltzer.
And given that he didn't interfere at SummerSlam like many thought he would, could it be that the WWE were withholding him until Monday Night Raw?
What better moment for him to confront Roman Reigns than when the Big Dog is reeling from the loss that was handed to him the previous night?
It may let them work a program and have Reigns go over strongly with time to spare before WrestleMania 34. Semi-retired and haggard though he may be, a win over Undertaker still does wonders in building up any Superstar.
#3 A Samoan affair
Although Roman Reigns has had his hands full with Braun Strowman, the tension between him and Samoa Joe has been palpable.
And despite squaring off intermittently, they haven't worked an intensive program the likes of which he's involved in against the Monster Among Men.
With both of them coming off SummerSlam on the losing end, this could be the perfect time to address that.
Joe's a great promo who can carry the feud on the microphone and the ring work between them promises to be off the hinges.
Moreover, Joe can put Roman over and make him look strong without losing any credibility himself too.
#4 Unfinished business with Braun Strowman
After the manner in which Braun Strowman manhandled Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, there isn't any doubt who the most imposing Superstar in the WWE is anymore.
Thinking back, Roman Reigns hung in there with him through all of their back and forth vehicle-ripping, chair-hurling, barricade-bursting moments.
So much so that everyone is eager for these two to continue their bruising rivalry.
On some level, it doesn't even matter who actually wins the matches as long as they get their hands on one another. They keep the WWE Universe thoroughly entertained and truth be told, they're as close as it gets to our generation's version of Stone Cold and The Rock.
What's there not to like?
#5 Makes a beeline for Brock Lesnar
No superstar likes taking a clean loss, even if it is at the hands of the most athletically gifted freak-athlete that has graced the squared circle.
And this holds especially true if the Superstar in question is weighed down by a humongous chip on his shoulder like Roman Reigns is.
Roman Reigns was pinned clean by Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. That just doesn't do.
Being the insanely competitive person that he is, it wouldn't even be that big of a surprise if he heads straight at Brock Lesnar in a revenge-minded frenzy.
The WWE Universe, for one, would be only too happy to egg him on.
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