Ever since rumours emerged that Roman Reigns was one of two potential opponents for Brock Lesnar at the upcoming Money in the Bank pay-per-view, fans have been furious that yet again, The Big Dog could get a Universal Championship match.
Reigns has had two attempts at competing for the red strap; he failed at WrestleMania 34 while The Beast emerged victorious again at the Greatest Royal Rumble during their steel cage match which ended in controversial circumstances.
NEW FEUD
However, with Braun Strowman booking his place in the Money in the Bank ladder match, fans instantly assumed that with The Beast defending the title in Chicago, Reigns would get that opportunity.
Fans probably won’t know how to react to the news that Lesnar is no longer booked to compete at Money in the Bank. While they’ll be glad Reigns is getting another immediate opportunity, fans are still annoyed at their Universal Champion not regularly competing and another absence means he could next defend the title at Extreme Rules or SummerSlam.
As we saw on Monday Night RAW, Reigns was unable to advance to Money in the Bank thanks to an interference from Jinder Mahal, and fans haven’t been too happy that a feud between Reigns and The Modern Day Maharaja is set to kick off.
Now, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has revealed why they are going to be feuding. While many assumed it’s to get Reigns cheered as Mahal is also despised, the real reason is because Mahal is simply going to be used as a filler opponent because Lesnar won’t be at the event.
If Lesnar was competing, Reigns would have then been the opponent and there would be no need to feud with Mahal.
FILLER
According to Ringside News, he said: “It was interesting we’re going to get a Roman Reigns/Jinder Mahal feud, that was unexpected.
“I think the thing is that show [Backlash] really sucked on Sunday night - it was one of the worst pay-per-views in a long time. It was a new day, it was another day, it wasn’t like people were mad at WWE.
“Roman Reigns was booed but it’s not like he was booed anymore. It’s not like he walked out of his match, it was just a normal [RAW].
“Roman Reigns being taken out [of the MITB ladder match] doesn’t mean they’re going to put him with Brock Lesnar.”
Eventually, though, Lesnar and Reigns are going to cross paths. So, WWE’s way of keeping Reigns busy is by feeding him Mahal until WWE does decide to bring Lesnar back to face and, potentially, drop the Universal Championship to him at last.
What do you make of the reason why WWE has booked Roman Reigns in a feud with Jinder Mahal? Have YOUR say in the comments section below.