Is This The Last Chance For Roman Reigns As WWE Torch Bearer?

On Monday night, we witnessed yet another change in the direction of WWE and its quest to make Roman Reigns the top babyface on Raw. As the fans in attendance and on television watched Braun Strowman take a walk toward the dark side, a rivalry was renewed.

Strowman may have been the most over babyface this side of Seth Rollins, but his heel persona as a man who cannot be stopped by any performer – including the current Universal Heavyweight Champion – is one the fans should embrace and the company should push harder than Randy Orton’s newest incarnation on SmackDown Live. Simply put, Strowman was the best choice to make a character change. There is no one on the current roster who would draw enough heat and potentially help the Reigns cause as WWE still has delusions that the man wearing the red belt will finally become the accepted champion by choice, not by forcing him down everyone’s throats.

I would have liked to have seen WWE work an angle with Dean Ambrose and Reigns. The Lunatic Fringe has lost opportunities on several occasions to hoist gold above his head because of his “brother.” It’s a storyline the fans would accept. It was believed Ambrose would turn on Rollins after he won the Intercontinental Title. Since that did not play out, why not create the next best thing?

WWE is doing the right thing by created The Shield and its holy union with Monday Night Raw’s top two belts in their possession. But what happens with storylines and creating more drama when it is needed most?

Kevin Owens announced he “quit” Monday night after losing to Rollins and a chance to claim the Intercontinental strap. It’s obviously a storyline, possibly with Paul Heyman part of the connection. Wouldn’t an Owens-Reigns program work? At some point, Drew McIntyre deserves a shot at a singles title. Why would he and Reigns create magic in the ring?

Owens and McIntyre have the ability to become top heels. Both do solid promo work. and both sell well in the ring.

Still, WWE wants to renew a rivalry that may not get the traction it wants. Fans have grown tired of the reinvention of this wheel unless Strowman somehow wins the title in the end. Dropping the title for Reigns may be the end of any experiment the company plans to use with him in the future.

After four runs as champion, would it be too much of a risk?

For better or worse, WWE has the feud it wants. Watching the “Monster Among Men” battle The Shield does have some intrigue. Maybe Heyman finds his way toward Strowman’s corner in the future. For now, it is the most “even” three-on-one confrontation in wrestling history.

Fans will get behind the Strowman heel move, but they won’t continue to applaud it if he doesn’t take down Reigns and finally grab the Universal Title. That wouldn’t be best for business and it would most likely weaken the big man as a fan favorite.