WWE Backlash: 5 potential finishes to the Roman Reigns vs Samoa Joe match

Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe are two of the marquee talents in WWE and are on a collision course at Backlash. The initial build-up to this match saw Joe rub in the fact that Reigns lost to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.

He continued in this direction, and Reigns' loss at Greatest Royal Rumble gave him more ammunition. Joe being moved to Smackdown Live made it more difficult, though not impossible, to have face-to-face confrontations between the two.

Prior to this, Joe was out, recovering from an injury that caused him to miss his second consecutive WrestleMania since joining the main roster. And now he berates Reigns week after week for his losses in Universal championship matches.

Could this be the time when we see Reigns abandon his quest to do what is right, and do what is right for now? This may very well be a case where a win for Reigns isn't just a win, but one that helps to eliminate how polarizing he seems to be. Here are five potential finishes for Roman Reigns versus Samoa Joe at Backlash 2018.

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#5 Reigns gets himself disqualified after losing his mind

Reigns could end up going to a place fans haven't seem him go before. Images courtesy of mykhel.com

While a heel Reigns appears to be a very plausible effect of his match against Joe, we could see a case where he is not listening to the rules and is pushing the envelope of what is and isn't allowed.

A situation could play itself out where a frustrated Roman Reigns doesn't attempt to pin or make Joe tap or pass out but rather goes into an uncontrollable rage, one where no one is safe, especially Joe. He could beat down Joe while refusing to break the referee's count, or turn and knocks out the referee.

This action would certainly be uncharacteristic of Reigns, as he usually focuses his anger on his opponent, but this could be a culmination of his frustration at not being valued, and him saying to hell with all of you, this is what I really think.

Reigns could use any object to swing at Joe after he's been disqualified. Since Joe is leaving for SmackDown Live, it would certainly send a message to the rest of the Raw locker room, 'Look what I did to Samoa Joe, imagine what I will do to you'.

#4 Roman Reigns cheats to get the better of Joe

A win is a win regardless of how it is achieved and Reigns could prove that this Sunday.

The old adage of if you can't beat them, join them may prove to be true here. Reigns has often said how he comes to work, does his job, and shows how reliable and dependable he is as a member of the Raw roster.

However, we could finally see a moment in which he receives jeers for different reasons. While he has not been one to bend the rules since being a member of the Shield, this could be that instance in which fans can see Reigns cheat to win.

Unlike the late Eddie Guerrero, it wouldn't be consistent with his face persona, but rather be a heel tactic that would cause some to cheer and others to jeer. Reigns could portray frustration at what he is forced to do, but he may have to resort to it as a means of succeeding. Reigns has often toyed with a heel persona, but this could be the time that a cheat to win mentality is on the horizon.

#3 The match ends in a double-DQ

It could be a case where both men lose control in this matchup

Their animosity has never truly seemed settled. They have faced one another many times, though wins and losses appear to be of no major consequence as nothing was on the line in their previous battles with one another. This time, however, it could be a case where everything finally comes to a head.

Joe is clearly jealous of how the younger Reigns has had opportunity after opportunity, all of which, he argues, have been 'squandered.' In contrast, Joe argues that he has had next to no opportunities in comparison, and is the uncrowned champion. This could very well be a case where both men won't stop their attack on one another. They have shown that they are capable of doing anything to lay a beating on their opposition.

We could see steel chairs, steel steps, and tables play a part in this match, along with both men being unable to break the referee count. A double disqualification could very well be the eventual ending.

#2 Samoa Joe defeats Roman Reigns due to outside interference

Joe could end up saying 'I told you so' and ultimately defeat Reigns

After his defeat at WrestleMania, the feeling projected by Reigns the following night on Raw was one of dejection, even as he was jeered by those in attendance in New Orleans. As mentioned previously, Samoa Joe made his return and verbally dissected Reigns and his performance the night before.

This is Reigns' chance to bounce back, but a potential outcome that could very well play out is outside interference by someone, in particular, Brock Lesnar or Paul Heyman.

Reigns' match with Lesnar at Greatest Royal Rumble ended in controversial fashion, and he has a case that he was the real winner. Perhaps an angry Beast will find this embarrassing, and will not rest until the Big Dog is himself embarrassed. It could very well be a case where Joe defeats the big dog in the most unscrupulous of ways.

#1 Roman Reigns pins Joe clean

A clean win by Reigns closes the chapter on this feud between the two

As mentioned, the day after WrestleMania and before the superstar shakeup, Joe came out to address Roman Reign's losses to Brock Lesnar. He was trying to discredit Reigns' heart, his effort, and his character. His effective promos ensured that fans would jeer everything Reigns would say and do.

It is understood that it was Joe's role to discredit Reigns, but what shouldn't be ignored is that, during this entire time, the recipient of the barbs would sit silently and listen to everything Joe would say.

The following week, Reigns had all he could take and told Joe to come to the ring, put his threats into action and do something about it. After teasing a physical confrontation, Joe ultimately walked away, leaving the Big Dog in the ring-hungry for more.

It would do Reigns a great service to have him walk away from the victor against Joe, and would be best if he doesn't just win but wins cleanly.