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SummerSlam 2018 is just a few days away, and perhaps the most anticipated match on the card is Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship.
Whether you would like to admit it or not, the situation of the Universal Championship is far more intriguing than any other match on the night, and that is likely due to the very ambiguous route WWE took when building up this match.
As fans are not sure whether they will see the Universal Championship stay an ocasional attraction on Brock Lesnar’s shoulder, will Braun Strowman cash in his Money In The Bank briefcase, or will Kevin Owens complete his goal of reclaiming the title he lost in a mere twenty-two seconds? Regardless of whatever theory fans think would come to fruition, the safe bet is that Roman Reigns will walk out the new Universal Champion.
As this has been a coronation that WWE has been building towards since 2015, now would be the best time to do so--especially given that the WWE Universe now wants to see Reigns topple Lesnar and reign supreme in the Universal Title scene.
Moreover, with rumors circulating that WWE has some shocking twist planned for this match, it could be a safe bet to say that whatever the swerve is, the end result would be Reigns walking out of Brooklyn the World Champion. Therefore, the question arises as to how many possible ways could a Roman Reigns victory go down in--
#5 Roman Reigns squashes Brock Lesnar
The best possible option for the booking of Reigns vs. Lesnar IV is possibly one of the most surprising and outlandish solutions which is to have Reigns squash Lesnar. And while some fans might disagree with that option, as it would just portray Reigns as the prototypical 'WWE superman' figure fans have come to hate him for, it still ranks as one of the best options as regards this match and for many reasons.
One of those reasons is the fact that both these men don’t have to go a good twenty minutes trying to put on a classic match that just isn't going to work out.
Therefore, to prevent this fourth match in their long-running series from becoming stale, a short explosive squash match would prevent a raucous crowd from turning on this match--as WWE wouldn't want the crowd to ruin the viewing experience of the pay-per-view with their unrelated chants and beach balls.
Moreover, Reigns beating Lesnar in such quick fashion could finally signal that the Universal Championship scene is about to pick up steam, as Reigns embracing his role as an unbeatable force would be the best route WWE could take his character.
Particularly considering how the sympathetic babyface option for Reigns is something WWE must now avoid.
#2 The New Paul Heyman guy
When Paul Heyman was assaulted by his a client Brock Lesnar many in the WWE Universe were convinced that Heyman would be the one to eventually cost Lesnar the Universal Champion at SummerSlam.
In fact, not many could blame the fans for taking the bait set by WWE, as Heyman delivered one of the most emotional interviews of all time just a week after he got attacked by Lesnar, and that really sold fans on his disappointment with Lesnar’s actions.
However, the entire 'Lesnar turns on Heyman' angle was just a ruse, as this week on Monday Night Raw, Heyman blindsided Reigns to give Lesnar the opportunity to pounce on the Big Dog, and deliver a vicious beatdown.
While it may seem as if Lesnar and Heyman are still in cahoots with one another, Heyman’s subtle lack of enjoyment at watching Reigns getting his ass kicked and the mysterious letter he handed Reigns before he pepper sprayed him in the eyes, could indicate a plot twist at SummerSlam.
Reigns rejected Heyman’s offer to serve as the former's advocate for him in the future, but seemed generally moved by the passionate words that came out of Heyman’s mouth. Moreover, Heyman being the man to turn on Lesnar to join Reigns would truly be best for Reigns' brand, as what Reigns needs right now is a mouthpiece who could elevate his career to the next level--akin to what Heyman did for Lesnar.
#3 Money In The Bank doesn't get in the way
The first time Reigns and Lesnar met in singles action was at Wrestlemania 31, and to be completely honest that might have been the best match in Lesnar’s second run in the WWE, as the Reigns and Lesnar pairing was fresh, unlike now. Anyway, the nature of that match produced one of the greatest moments in WrestleMania history, which was Seth Rollins' heist of the century.
Now at SummerSlam, there is another platform for another memorable cash in, as either Kevin Owens or Braun Strowman could cash in the Money In The Bank contract on the night, and become the new Universal Champion.
However, the problem with that decision is that its very predictable. That said, sometimes predictable wrestling isn’t necessarily terrible, and Strowman or Owens cashing in the Money In The Bank contract in between the Universal Championship match would be a risky but logical decision WWE could possibly take.
As the problem with the Universal Championship match is that Lesnar’s contract with the WWE is still up in the air, with no one being sure whether Lesnar would leave for the UFC permanently or he extend his WWE contract.
On that note, if WWE gets Lesnar to stick around, WWE would want to protect him, and should WWE would want to put the Universal Championship on Reigns, they could do that without hurting either men's momentum.
Unfortunately, the best way WWE could get what they want and protect both their top draws is to have Strowman or Owens cash in only to be the superstar that eat the pinfall from Reigns.
It’s a decision that may make some fans angry, but it could be a possibility for WWE considering the Lesnar situation right now. Moreover, if Owens or Strowman are on the losing end of the stick it could allow them to be once again booked as the relentless aggressors they once were, as their comedic shtick right now is just plain terrible.
#4 The Shield reunite
When Dean Ambrose returned to WWE this week on Raw, fans went into a frenzy as the former WWE Champion looked like he had a redefined purpose, a new profound aggression and perhaps a yet-to-be-revealed reason for completely changing his physical appearance.
And as you might know by now, that could only mean Ambrose is in line for a heel turn. Now while an Ambrose heel turn is the best possible direction to take his character right now, WWE probably wouldn't want to sabotage Ambrose’s white-hot popularity and his babyface pop right now.
The one thing that feels inevitable at this point is a Shield reunion on Raw, as the last time Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns were a unit their run was plagued with problems. Hence, a rerun will only be the most logical route WWE will go, as the drawing power of The Shield could be great for Monday Night Raw.
If WWE wants to make the Shield the hottest property in WWE once again, they need to book their reunion return in the best way possible. What better way than to have them reunite at the biggest party of the summer?
The first being Ambrose does not turn on Rollins and Heyman doesn't turn on Lesnar, as Lesnar and Heyman have already shown that they are more than willing to use underhanded tactics to jump Reigns.
However, Reigns could send for his Shield brethren to prevent that from happening at the event--thereby, allowing Reigns to beat Lesnar and become the new Universal Champion.
