In the build up to this year’s WrestleMania one of the marquees matches on the SmackDown Live side of the card was going to be Roman Reigns vs. Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship. When night one of the WrestleMania two-night spectacular came, we did not get Reigns vs. Goldberg, but Braun Strowman vs. Goldberg is the match that happened. The match of Strowman vs. Goldberg came as a surprise to most as the WWE did not really announce the change. In fact, the final decision to change the match did not come until the night before WrestleMania.
In the Coronavirus pandemic that we currently live in the WWE gave their wrestles the option to not compete if they feel that health and safety is at risk. Roman Reigns is one such wrestler whom choose not to compete at WrestleMania. Reigns has had two battles with cancer, one in 2011 and most recently in late 2017- early 2018. For this reason, Reigns pulled out of his championship bout at the showcase of the immortals. With Roman’s past medical history, he felt that his health and safety was more important than winning a title. That’s a seemingly reasonable decision to make, especially when the company gave him the option. Apparently Reigns decision to sit out of Mania did not sit well with the McMahon in charge. As the “Big Dog” has not been seen of or even mentioned on WWE TV since the SmackDown before WrestleMania. This has been reported as an executive decision from Vince McMahon. This decision comes as WWE has made some rash decisions such as continue to produce live TV and made mass staffing cuts, detailed pervious in this article https://worldwidesportsradio.com/what-the-hell-is-wrong-with-wwe/.
It turning out the Reigns’ decision to protect his personal health has created some heat for him backstage. It seems that McMahon is mad at Reigns as pulling out of the universal championship match as the SmackDown main event scene for the next few months has to be rewritten. Reigns was supposed to regain the title he never lost and be the SmackDown headliner for the next few months. Now that Reigns has been effectively written off TV for now the question is what does the future hold for Roman Reigns. Chances is are that any heat between Reigns and backstage officials will go away and he’ll be back on tv in no time. Though this heat could lead to a bigger falling out between the two parties that could end with Reigns parting ways with the wrestling promotion.
If it comes to Reigns leaving the WWE there are many paths Reigns could take. He could continue to wrestle in other promotions, such as major competitor AEW or smaller promotions like TNA, ROH, or New Japan. Or there is a more likely path once Reigns leave WWE, joining his cousin “The Rock” in Hollywood. Reigns has publicly expressed his interest in acting after wrestling. Reigns has even started his acting career by playing a small role in the recent blockbuster Hobbs and Shaw. If Reigns leaves for the Hollywood route it is likely to have the same effect that “The Rock” and John Cena had when they left at their respected times. Roman Reigns debut on main roster WWE in 2010 as part of the Shield and for the last five years has been a main event singles star. For these last five years of main event status, Reigns has been a face of the company and a locker-room leader for which ever brand he has been on weather it has been RAW or SmackDown. If Reigns leaves WWE not only will the company be losing a top talent and box office draw, but also a head of the locker room. There would be a huge hit in morale of the locker room and cause a further disconnect between the talent and management. These events could lead to a massive flood of talent to loss all faith in the WWE and leave the company. There is much to look forward to in the upcoming month as WWE seems to continue to self-destructs admits the global health crisis.
0 Comments