Big Update On Roman Reigns' Next WWE Match

BY SACNILK

Solo Sikoa made a shocking decision on Monday’s episode of WWE Raw, refusing to fall back in line with Roman Reigns before turning against his former Bloodline leader. Sikoa then left the ring alongside LA Knight after helping take down Roman and The Usos. The segment had been set up by Jey Uso’s victory over Sikoa the previous week. As part of their agreement, Jey was supposed to deliver Solo to Roman Reigns, leading to the long-awaited meeting between the two family members on Raw. WWE had promoted the confrontation throughout the week. Roman eventually came face-to-face with Solo and made it clear that he expected Sikoa to return to his side. The situation broke down when LA Knight entered the picture, bringing the Usos and Jacob Fatu into the confrontation. Roman ordered Solo to deal with Knight, but Sikoa refused to follow the order. Instead, Solo hit Roman with a Samoan Spike, turning the confrontation against The Bloodline. Knight then joined Solo as the fight spread around the ring. Solo and Knight eventually cleared the ring and walked away together. Knight offered Solo a fist bump, which Sikoa accepted before telling him, “Thank you.” Jacob Fatu remained in the corner and did not help Roman or The Usos during the final moments. The ending leaves Solo Sikoa on his own rather than returning to Roman Reigns, while LA Knight now appears to have an unexpected ally against The Bloodline.

BY SACNILK

Jey Uso has one final piece of business to handle on tonight's episode of WWE Raw. After beating Solo Sikoa last week in a match that carried major consequences for Sikoa's future, Jey is now responsible for taking him back to Roman Reigns. With Reigns returning to Raw and Solo having spent weeks resisting his family's attempts to bring him back into The Bloodline, their meeting could quickly become something far more complicated than a forced reunion. The story has been building for weeks. Roman Reigns previously ordered Jacob Fatu to bring Solo back into The Bloodline, but Sikoa repeatedly rejected the invitation and made it clear that he wanted nothing to do with his family. WWE’s own storyline recap noted that Sikoa had openly refused to return, while Fatu and The Usos were tasked with getting him back into the group. That makes tonight particularly interesting. Jey has already done his part by defeating Solo, and the stipulation now puts Sikoa directly in front of Reigns. A direct reunion would be the obvious direction. But there are several ways WWE could turn this into something much bigger. 1. LA Knight Helps Solo Sikoa Turn the Tables on Roman Reigns LA Knight could be the most interesting outside factor in this story. Knight already has history with Solo and The Bloodline. WWE previously booked Knight alongside Sikoa and Royce Keys against Jacob Fatu and The Usos at SummerSlam, while the storyline also posted that Knight's relationship with The Usos had deteriorated as Jey and Jimmy aligned themselves with Reigns and The Bloodline. That gives WWE an easy way to connect Knight to tonight's situation. The idea would be simple: Roman expects Jey to deliver Solo, perhaps believing that Sikoa will finally fall back in line. Solo could play along for a moment before the situation changes. Knight then appears and attacks Reigns, giving Sikoa an opening to escape. This wouldn't necessarily mean Solo and Knight become permanent allies. It could simply establish that both men have a problem with Reigns. Knight also has a reason to get involved because Roman is currently the World Heavyweight Champion. WWE's title history lists Reigns as the champion since April 19, 2026, and Raw is already building toward the next challenger for his championship. A confrontation involving Knight and Reigns would therefore give WWE a way to keep their eventual title program moving while also giving Solo a fresh direction. 2. Oba Femi Could Enter the Roman Reigns Story Another possibility is Oba Femi. The King of the Ring winner has already been positioned as one of WWE's biggest rising stars. Femi defeated Jey Uso in the King of the Ring final, and WWE previously presented him as someone who could choose between challenging Roman Reigns or another world champion. His presence around this story would also make sense because WWE has already been building toward Femi becoming a major singles star. At SummerSlam, he defeated Brock Lesnar inside Hell in a Cell, with Lesnar himself declaring that Femi was the future. So imagine Solo refuses Roman's offer again. Before Reigns can deal with him, Oba Femi walks out. Femi doesn't necessarily need to help Solo. He could simply make it clear that Roman's attention is in the wrong place. The two could have a confrontation that establishes Femi as another man coming for the World Heavyweight Championship. That would give WWE a completely different direction. Instead of using Solo only to continue the Bloodline story, WWE could use tonight to put Roman in the middle of a growing title picture involving Femi and potentially LA Knight. 3. Zilla Fatu Arrives and Changes the Bloodline Story Zilla Fatu is the wild card. His WWE debut on NXT has already attracted attention because of his family connection. He's Umaga's son and belongs to the same extended wrestling family as Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa and Jey Uso. That makes tonight an interesting opportunity. WWE doesn't necessarily need Zilla to attack anyone. His appearance alone could send a message. Imagine Roman trying to convince Solo to return to the family when Zilla suddenly appears. Roman could look at him as another potential member of the next version of The Bloodline, while Solo could see the arrival as another sign that his place in the family is being replaced. There's also the possibility that Zilla chooses Solo's side. That would immediately give Sikoa someone younger and hungry to stand beside him, while creating a fresh family rivalry around Roman. It may be early for Zilla to become a full-time part of the main-event Bloodline story, but the timing is certainly interesting after his NXT debut.

BY SACNILK

WWE Raw is set to return tonight, August 17, 2026, from KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, with a loaded lineup featuring several matches and a major confrontation involving Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa and Jey Uso. The show will take place tonight and will air live on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. WWE's official preview confirms the five announced matches and segments for the episode. The night's biggest storyline will see Jey Uso deliver Solo Sikoa to World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns after defeating Sikoa under controversial circumstances last week. Chad Gable will also put the Intercontinental Championship on the line against Rey Mysterio, while Rey Fenix faces El Fiscal and Dragon Lee takes on El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. in the first round of the World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament. The tournament will determine who challenges Reigns when Raw heads to Mexico City on September 14. Sol Ruca will also go one-on-one with Lyra Valkyria following their confrontation last week. Monday Night Raw Results August 17, 2026 Stephanie Vaquer opened the show by calling out Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan and demanding a fight. Morgan arrived with Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez, and the numbers quickly became a problem for Vaquer. Becky Lynch came out to help, but tension between Lynch and Vaquer gave Judgment Day another opening. Morgan attacked Lynch, while Perez hit Vaquer with Pop Rox. Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Solo Sikoa were shown backstage. The Usos prepared to take Solo to Roman Reigns, with LA Knight briefly crossing paths with them. Je’Von Evans vs JD McDonagh( W/OG Cutter) Je’Von Evans battled JD McDonagh after getting involved with Dominik Mysterio and calling out Big Cass. McDonagh focused on Evans’ injured leg, but Evans managed to fight through the damage. Evans eventually caught McDonagh with the OG Cutter for the win. Big Cass attacked him again afterward, but Evans fought back and even challenged Cass before Dominik helped Cass regain control. Winner: Je’Von Evans via pinfall Rey Fenix defeated El Fiscal - World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender Tournament Rey Fenix defeated El Fiscal with the Mexican Muscle Buster to advance in the World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender Tournament. Fiscal gave Fenix a tougher fight than expected, but Fenix survived and moved into the semifinals. He will face the winner of Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Sol Ruca vs Lyra Valkyria Sol Ruca and Lyra Valkyria delivered a fast-paced match with both women getting strong stretches of offense. Valkyria nearly caught Ruca with her finishing move, but Ruca countered and eventually connected with the Sol Snatcher. Ruca picked up the victory in 10:50. Winner: Sol Ruca via pinfall Bron Breakker and Oba Femi Settle Their Argument Bron Breakker came to the ring and called out Oba Femi, insisting that Femi prove his claim that he is the future of WWE. Paul Heyman interrupted before things could turn into an immediate fight. Femi eventually appeared and told Breakker that even Brock Lesnar knows he is the future. Breakker wanted to fight him on the spot, but Heyman stopped the match from happening. Heyman revealed that he had already spoken with Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and arranged Bron Breakker vs. Oba Femi for WWE Sunday Night’s Main Event on September 6. The winner will have a chance to prove who WWE's future really is. Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Dragon Lee and El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. battled in a hard-fought tournament match, with both men exchanging offense throughout. Lee eventually caught Wagner with Operation Dragon to score the victory and advance to the semifinals, where he will face Rey Fenix. Winner:Dragon Lee via pinfall Chad Gable (c) vs. Rey Mysterio — Intercontinental Championship Chad Gable put the Intercontinental Championship on the line against Rey Mysterio in one of Raw’s featured matches. Mysterio used his speed to keep Gable under pressure, but the champion found a way to take control and shut down the challenger’s comeback. Gable eventually finished Mysterio to retain the Intercontinental Championship and continue his reign. Winner: Chad Gable Roman Reigns, Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline Roman Reigns arrived with Jacob Fatu and immediately demanded that Solo Sikoa be brought to him. Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso then brought Solo into the ring. Roman reminded Solo of their previous Tribal Combat match and questioned why Solo was still standing in front of him rather than showing him respect. The Usos attacked Solo, and Fatu applied the Tongan Death Grip before Roman told him to stop. Roman then placed black Ula Falas around Jey and Jimmy’s necks and praised them for what they had done. The focus returned to Solo, but LA Knight came out and confronted Roman. The Usos attacked Knight, while Fatu also got involved. Roman stopped Fatu from using the Tongan Death Grip on Knight before hitting Knight with a Superman Punch. Roman then ordered Solo to deal with Knight. Solo appeared ready to hit Knight with a Samoan Spike but turned and hit Roman Reigns instead. Solo then pulled out an air gun and confronted Jey. Knight hit Jimmy with a BFT, while Solo hit Jey with another Samoan Spike. Knight later hit Roman with a BFT of his own. Solo and Knight eventually left the ring together. Knight offered Solo a fist bump, which Solo accepted before saying, “Thank you.” Jacob Fatu remained standing in the corner and did not help Roman or the Usos.

BY SACNILK

AJ Styles believes LA Knight is ready for another opportunity at the top of WWE, insisting that “The Megastar” has all the qualities needed to become a world champion. Styles discussed Knight's current position in WWE during the latest episode of The AJ Styles Show, where he was asked about the possibility of Knight eventually facing Roman Reigns again. While Styles did not confirm that WWE has plans for another match between the two, he made it clear that he believes Knight is more than prepared for a world championship opportunity. Styles has previously shared the ring with both men, giving his assessment of Knight's potential some added weight. The former WWE Champion believes Knight has reached a point in his career where he should be seriously considered for the company's biggest championship. “I’ve never seen anybody more ready to be a champion right now than LA Knight,” Styles said. “I know I keep harping on this, but I can’t be the only one that thinks this way. He’s got all the tools. Give him the opportunity.” According to Styles, Knight understands what would be expected of him if he were to become a world champion. That includes not only defending the championship but also representing WWE outside the ring. “He knows what comes with being a champion. He’s got it. And I’m not just talking about holding the heavyweight championship around your waist,” Styles explained. “When it comes to interviews and what you got to do to represent the WWE, he has those tools to be able to get it done and I think he’d do it flawlessly.” Knight has also already experienced what it is like to challenge Roman Reigns for a world championship. The two faced each other at Crown Jewel in 2023, with Reigns retaining the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship after interference from The Bloodline. The match helped establish Knight as a legitimate main-event performer, even though he ultimately failed to capture the championship. Now, the possibility of another encounter has become interesting again. Reigns is currently the World Heavyweight Champion, while Knight remains involved in WWE's world championship picture. Recent WWE storylines have also kept the two names in the same conversation, with Knight's championship ambitions continuing to be part of his character.

BY SACNILK

WWE Monday Night Raw returns this week on August 17, 2026, live from the KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. The show streams live on Netflix in the United States starting at 8:00 PM ET, continuing the post-SummerSlam build as several ongoing storylines head toward their next chapter. The card is headlined by Chad Gable defending his newly won Intercontinental Championship against Rey Mysterio, alongside two first-round matches in the World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament, a Women's Intercontinental Championship match between Sol Ruca and Lyra Valkyria, and the long-awaited return of Roman Reigns, who is set to be on hand as Jey Uso delivers Solo Sikoa to him following weeks of Bloodline fallout. WWE Raw 8/17/26 Confirmed Match Card WWE Intercontinental Championship: Chad Gable (c) vs. Rey Mysterio Gable won the Intercontinental Championship at SummerSlam by defeating Penta, and he wasted no time lining up his first challenger. On the following episode of Raw, Gable approached Mysterio backstage and called him "the greatest luchador of all time," offering him a shot at the title as a sign of respect. Mysterio, who is currently juggling in-ring competition with his role as General Manager of AAA, accepted on the spot. Gable said he'd get Raw GM Adam Pearce to make it official, and Pearce has now confirmed the match for this week's show. It will be just the second-ever singles meeting between the two, with Mysterio winning their first encounter back in October 2022. Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria This one grows out of the increasingly tense dynamic in the women's division. Ruca has been chasing a rematch for the Women's Intercontinental Championship, while Valkyria — the first-ever holder of that title — has grown more erratic in recent weeks, repeatedly bringing up her attack on Bayley at Madison Square Garden. The two clashed backstage after Ruca and IYO Sky's tag win on August 10, arguing over who deserves the next shot at the title. That unresolved tension sets up this singles matchup, with both women looking to establish themselves as the top contender. Roman Reigns Returns Roman Reigns is advertised to make his return to WWE television this week, stepping back into the spotlight as the World Heavyweight Championship picture continues to take shape around him via the ongoing No. 1 Contender's Tournament. Jey Uso to Deliver Solo Sikoa to Roman Reigns This segment is the payoff to a stipulation match earlier on Raw, where Jey Uso defeated Solo Sikoa under terms that determined Sikoa's future with the Bloodline. Had Sikoa won, he would have been free of the group for good; instead, Uso's victory means Sikoa must fall back in line, and Uso is set to personally deliver him to Reigns on this show. World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament: Rey Fenix vs. El Fiscal One of two first-round matches set to determine who eventually earns a shot at Reigns' World Heavyweight Championship, pitting Fenix's high-flying lucha style against El Fiscal in a first-round showdown. World Heavyweight Championship No. 1 Contender's Tournament: Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. The second first-round tournament match of the night, continuing WWE's push to spotlight top lucha libre talent as part of the road to crowning Reigns' next challenger. Predicted Match Card Chad Gable retains the Intercontinental Championship in a competitive back-and-forth with Rey Mysterio, likely with some form of outside interference or a controversial finish, given how protective WWE has been of new champions so soon after a title change. Solo Sikoa doesn't go quietly when Jey Uso brings him in front of Roman Reigns — expect a chaotic segment, possibly with another Bloodline member inserting themselves, rather than a clean, peaceful resolution. Dragon Lee and Rey Fenix both advance in their respective tournament matches, setting up a lucha-heavy path toward the next World Heavyweight Championship contender. Where and When to Watch WWE Raw WWE Raw airs live in the United States on Netflix at 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT. United Kingdom & Ireland: 1:00 AM BST (Tuesday) on Netflix India: 5:30 AM IST (Tuesday) on Netflix Australia: 10:00 AM AEST (Tuesday) on Netflix Mexico: 6:00 PM CST (Monday) on Netflix

BY SACNILK

Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal has opened up about Roman Reigns' early days in WWE developmental, revealing that the two men actually started at Florida Championship Wrestling on the exact same day. While speaking with Denise Salcedo, Mahal recalled that Reigns was a very different person when he first arrived in developmental compared to the global superstar he eventually became. “Me and Roman started in FCW in developmental the exact same day,” Mahal revealed. The former WWE Champion said the future Tribal Chief was still finding his direction at the time after his football career had ended. “At first, like at that time, Roman, he was a little bit out of shape,” Mahal recalled. “He basically after football had gotten a job. I believe even moving furniture or something. And I think he was drinking and just unmotivated and unfocused.” However, Mahal said Reigns quickly began showing signs that he could become something special. He specifically remembered watching Reigns' first match against Joe Hennig, who later became known as Curtis Axel. “I also remember his very first match. It was against Joe Henning, Curtis Axel. And like his first match was really, really good for a first match. Like unbelievable.” Mahal said the wrestlers backstage immediately noticed something different about Reigns. “I remember watching it as it's happening. We had the little viewing area backstage and with a monitor where all the wrestlers watch it. I remember like everybody watching it like, ‘Wow, like this is his first match.’” According to Mahal, WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes was also among the first people to recognize Reigns' potential. Mahal recalled a promo class where Rhodes singled out Reigns, who was performing under the name Leakee at the time. “Actually Dusty Rhodes was the first person to call it,” Mahal said. “I remember it was promo class just on a random Wednesday and he said, ‘Out of this whole group, the guy here is Roman Reigns.’” Mahal said Rhodes specifically told the group that Reigns was the standout. “At that time his name was Leakee. He said, ‘Leakee is the guy.’” However, Mahal believes Reigns truly began to transform after suffering an ACL injury. “But that, like Roman or Leakee didn't come really into somewhat of a full form until he came back from that ACL surgery.” Mahal explained that fans can see a major difference when looking back at Reigns' early NXT footage. “If you go on YouTube and you see Leakee in early days of NXT, that's when he came with the black and gold, with the trunks, and he's in good shape and product in his hair and he's polished.” Mahal described it as a major transformation. “So it was a nice glow-up.” From there, Mahal watched Reigns evolve into one of WWE's biggest stars, first through The Shield and eventually into the Tribal Chief character. “And then just to see the evolution then onto Shield,” Mahal said. “Same time Shield started, 3MB started like one or two weeks apart.” Mahal pointed out that their respective groups represented completely different sides of WWE at the time. “We were the counterposition of the Shield. We're the complete opposite of the Shield.” Looking back at Reigns' journey from developmental to becoming WWE's dominant Tribal Chief, Mahal believes the transformation has been remarkable. “And then the next evolution into the Tribal Chief and then what he is today is incredible.”

BY SACNILK

Roman Reigns has once again become the subject of debate among wrestling fans, this time after Conrad Thompson described the former Undisputed WWE Champion as “probably the most overrated main event in WWE history.” Booker T, however, strongly disagrees with that assessment. During a recent episode of the Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T addressed Thompson’s comments and made it clear that he believes Reigns deserves far more credit for what he has accomplished at the top of WWE. “I mean, it’s like, you know, a mountain compared to a molehill. That’s how big of a, you know, a stretch this comment is as far as Roman Reigns,” Booker T said. The two-time WWE Hall of Famer then delivered his strongest endorsement of Reigns, explaining why he considers the former Tribal Chief the best wrestler in the world at this stage of his career. “Roman Reigns, I’ve said it once. I’ve said it a thousand times. Right now, at this stage of the game, Roman Reigns is the best damn wrestler in the world,” Booker T stated. Booker T argued that Reigns’ record in major matches speaks for itself. According to him, Reigns has repeatedly produced strong performances against different opponents, while also helping elevate the talent around him. “I know if a guy can make it in this business. If he get in my ring, I know if he’s going to have a chance at making it,” Booker explained. “And when I watch a guy like Roman, who’s had nothing but flawless matches with every guy that has stepped in the ring with him on the biggest stages there have been.” Booker also pointed toward Reigns’ ability to bring out the best in his opponents, insisting that the evidence can be found by simply going back and watching his matches. “Go pull them up. That’s all you got to do. The proof is in the pudding. All you got to do is the video. The video don’t lie,” Booker said. He went even further, claiming that Reigns has consistently helped his opponents deliver some of their best performances. “Every guy that has been in the ring with Roman Reigns, they’ve had their best match. Every one of them. Every guy that get in the ring with Roman, that’s the best match they’re going to have the year. All right. And that’s just fact,” Booker added. Brad Gilmore, Booker’s co-host, also pushed back against Thompson’s assessment. He pointed to Reigns’ WrestleMania matches against CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, as well as his recent clash with Seth Rollins, as examples of the level Reigns has consistently reached. Booker T then questioned who could realistically replace Reigns as WWE’s leading attraction. “I would love to know who would he put in Roman Reigns’ spot. That’s what I would want. Who do you put in Roman Reigns’ spot that’s going to go out there and carry that?” Booker asked. The WWE Hall of Famer also highlighted the enormous responsibility that comes with being positioned as a company’s top star. In his view, Reigns has demonstrated that WWE can trust him to perform when the pressure is highest. “The company do not put you in that spot unless they trust you to be able to do that,” Booker explained. “What I mean by being able to trust you is trust you to make every big event, trust you to be able to, you know, strap it up when you’re really not, you know, 100%.” Booker ultimately described Reigns as the complete package, pointing to his wrestling ability, storytelling, presence and star power. “If I had to draw up what the prototypical superstar will look like, it’d be Roman Reigns,” Booker T said. He later doubled down on his assessment, stating that Reigns’ years at the top and the pressure he has handled inside and outside the ring have been extraordinary. “This dude Roman Reigns is truly the real deal,” Booker said. “What he’s done over his time at the top, at that top level, with the pressure that he’s had inside and out of the ring, has been extraordinary. It really has been.” Booker T’s comments come as the debate surrounding Roman Reigns’ place among WWE’s all-time greats continues. While Conrad Thompson remains firm in his criticism, Booker clearly believes Reigns has already done enough to prove himself as one of the defining stars of his generation.

BY SACNILK

For over a decade, Joe Anoa'i — better known as Roman Reigns — has been at the center of WWE's biggest storylines, biggest matches, and biggest business decisions. Few performers in the company's history have carried the weight of the brand quite the way he has, headlining WrestleMania after WrestleMania while the product built itself around his character arc. What makes his story stand out isn't just longevity; it's the sheer range of it — a career that has moved through nearly every phase a wrestler can go through, from hated pretender to beloved hero to a villain the audience couldn't look away from. From a breakout member of The Shield to the "Tribal Chief" who headlined the industry's most dominant title reign in modern history, his journey is one of the most complete stories WWE has ever told. Here are the ten moments that built him into the company's cornerstone — the wins, the setbacks, and the reinventions that turned Roman Reigns into the undisputed face of WWE. 1. The Shield Storms In — Survivor Series 2012 Roman Reigns made his main-roster debut on November 18, 2012, ambushing the ring alongside Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to help CM Punk retain the WWE Championship. The Shield's arrival instantly reshaped WWE's landscape, and Reigns — the imposing enforcer of the trio — was immediately marked as a star in the making. 2. The Betrayal That Made Him a Singles Star — June 2014 On the June 2, 2014 episode of Raw, Seth Rollins turned on his Shield brothers, blasting Reigns with a steel chair and ending the faction. The split forced Reigns out of the group dynamic and into a singles push, setting him on the path WWE had been building toward: its next top guy. 3. Winning the Royal Rumble — January 2015 Reigns won the 2015 Royal Rumble Match, last eliminating Big Show, in a moment WWE clearly intended as a coronation. The reaction was famously divisive — fans openly rebelled against the push — but the match cemented WWE's commitment to making him the franchise's centerpiece, for better or worse. 4. Ending an Era — Defeating The Undertaker at WrestleMania 33 At WrestleMania 33 in 2017, Reigns beat The Undertaker in a No Holds Barred match, becoming only the second man ever to defeat the Deadman at WrestleMania. The Undertaker left his hat, coat, and gloves in the ring afterward — a symbolic passing of the torch that instantly raised Reigns' stature among the all-time greats. 5. The Torch-Passing Over John Cena — No Mercy 2017 In September 2017, Reigns defeated John Cena in a clean, hard-hitting match at No Mercy. Though it happened on a secondary pay-per-view, the bout is remembered as a definitive changing of the guard between WWE's dominant star of the 2000s–2010s and the man being groomed to replace him. 6. Finally Beating Brock Lesnar — SummerSlam 2018 After years of chasing him, Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar to win the Universal Championship at SummerSlam 2018. It was the validation moment fans had waited years for — proof that Reigns could beat the company's most dominant "conqueror" for the top title. 7. The Leukemia Announcement — October 2018 Weeks after winning the title, Reigns stunned the wrestling world on the October 22, 2018 Raw by revealing his leukemia had returned and relinquishing the Universal Championship to focus on his health. The raw, emotional moment humanized him overnight, transforming public perception and rallying the entire industry behind him. 8. The Reinvention — SummerSlam 2020 and the Birth of the Tribal Chief After stepping away for COVID-19 precautions and missing WrestleMania 36, Reigns returned at SummerSlam 2020 with a shocking heel turn, aligning with Paul Heyman and attacking Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman. This rebirth as "The Tribal Chief" — colder, more calculated, and unapologetically dominant — is widely regarded as the true beginning of his prime and the character work that finally won over the audience. 9. Breaking Brock Lesnar's Record — January 2022 On January 16, 2022, Reigns surpassed Brock Lesnar's 503-day reign to become the longest-reigning Universal Champion in WWE history. It was statistical proof of just how thoroughly he had taken over the company at the top of the card. 10. Unifying the Titles — WrestleMania 38 At WrestleMania 38 in 2022, Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar to also capture the WWE Championship, unifying it with his Universal Championship to become the first-ever Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. It was the culmination of nearly two years of storytelling and confirmed him, definitively, as the face of the entire promotion.

BY SACNILK

In an interview, WWE's Nick Aldis reflected on the early days of his run as SmackDown General Manager, revealing how a pivotal on-screen exchange with Roman Reigns helped shape the tone of his character — and recounting the chaotic backstage story behind his first meeting with Vince McMahon. WWE Superstar Nick Aldis spoke to Chris Van Vliet and described a now-famous couch segment with Reigns as a genuinely significant moment for him professionally. He praised Reigns as meticulous and deeply thoughtful about every detail of his on-screen presence, crediting Paul Heyman's influence for helping shape that approach. Aldis said he felt real gratitude toward Reigns, noting that Reigns didn't have to extend him that level of trust in establishing the GM character, but chose to. The interview then turned to a story from very early in his tenure — by his own estimate, just a month or six weeks into the job — involving Randy Orton's arrival on SmackDown. Aldis explained that strict staging instructions were coming down at the time about where he and Heyman should stand during a live segment. Just before they went live, word came through again insisting he stay in the background while Heyman took the foreground. He recalled Heyman being amused by the directive, and Aldis feeling he had no real choice but to comply with seconds to air. The segment reportedly went off well, with Paul "Triple H" Levesque doing the opposite of what was expected in a way that sold the moment. That day, Aldis said, turned out to be the first time he ever met Vince McMahon in person — who was there watching. Aldis admitted he spent the moments afterward dreading the encounter, assuming McMahon would be furious they'd deviated from instructions. Instead, he said McMahon was gracious and complimentary about the segment, which left Aldis feeling conflicted given how much credit he felt Heyman deserved. Asked about Reigns couch segment, Aldis explained it emerged from an improvised back-and-forth where Reigns needled him about his feelings, prompting him to fire back, "but I'm an executive. I don't have feelings, you know." He said the line was meant to establish his character as a cold, businesslike executive, citing shows like Suits and Succession as influences on that steely persona — cool, cutthroat, and, in his own description, ultimately someone who's emotionally shut off. At WWE SummerSlam 2026 (Night 1, August 1, in Minneapolis), Nick Aldis wrestled in a match despite his in-ring absence of almost three years,, taking on Gunther. He came up short against Gunther, succumbing to Gunther's sleeper hold submission. Despite the loss, it was described as a dream match turned nightmare, with fans firmly behind him throughout. Following the loss, Aldis reportedly tried to resign as SmackDown General Manager, but Triple H (Paul Levesque) wouldn't allow it, telling Aldis he respected what he did at SummerSlam and wanted him to remain GM. On future plans, it is being suggested that Aldis could wrestle in WWE again, with sources in the company not believing he was "one and done." Aldis was said to have been banged up coming out of the match, and no timeline has been confirmed for when he'd wrestle next.

BY SACNILK

WWE has released the first official promotional poster for Survivor Series: WarGames 2026, giving fans their first glimpse of the marketing campaign for the company's second-longest-running pay-per-view event. The newly revealed artwork features Roman Reigns standing alone as the centrepiece of the poster. No other WWE Superstars appear alongside him, with WWE choosing to spotlight the reigning World Heavyweight Champion as the face of this year's event. The decision has already sparked widespread discussion among fans about Reigns' potential role and opponent heading into November. While WWE has yet to announce any matches for Survivor Series: WarGames, the promotional image strongly suggests that Roman Reigns will be one of the event's biggest attractions. Whether he enters the Premium Live Event as champion or finds himself involved in another major storyline remains to be seen. Survivor Series: WarGames 2026 is scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 28, at Daikin Park in Houston, Texas. The event will mark the 40th edition of Survivor Series and the fifth consecutive year that the Premium Live Event has been presented under the WarGames branding. Tickets officially went on sale this week following WWE's announcement of the host venue. The poster arrives just days after SummerSlam, as WWE begins shifting its focus toward the remainder of the 2026 calendar. With Roman Reigns receiving the first major promotional spotlight, speculation is already building over who could stand across the ring from "The Tribal Chief" when Survivor Series: WarGames heads to Houston later this year. Houston, get ready 🔥 #SurvivorSeries tickets are on sale NOW!🎟️: https://t.co/tY4NNV7vhF pic.twitter.com/bbOT3lx3eU— WWE (@WWE) August 7, 2026

BY SACNILK

Dave Meltzer has released his star ratings for WWE SummerSlam 2026, with the highly anticipated clash between Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins emerging as the highest-rated match across both nights of the premium live event. The Night Two main event between Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins received a powered rating of 4.75 stars, making it the top-rated bout of SummerSlam 2026 and the only match to come within a quarter-star of the coveted five-star mark. Three other matches earned 4.25 stars, tying for the second-highest rating of the weekend. On Night One, Liv Morgan vs. IYO SKY and CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes both received 4.25 stars, while Chad Gable vs. Penta matched that score on Night Two. Meanwhile, several matches landed in the middle of the pack with 3.5-star ratings, including LA Knight, Solo Sikoa & Royce Keys vs. The Usos & Jacob Fatu, GUNTHER vs. Nick Aldis, Kevin Owens vs. GUNTHER vs. Sami Zayn vs. Finn Bálor, and Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar inside Hell in a Cell. At the other end of the spectrum, Danhausen vs. Dominik Mysterio in the "Human Monies on a Pole" match received the lowest rating of the weekend at 1 star. The Fatal Influence vs. Paige & The Bella Twins match was awarded 1.5 stars, while Baron Corbin vs. Trick Williams earned 1.75 stars. The Interim WWE Women's Championship Ladder Match received 2.25 stars. Dave Meltzer's WWE SummerSlam 2026 Star Ratings(Night One) Liv Morgan vs. IYO SKY - 4.25) LA Knight, Solo Sikoa & Royce Keys vs. The Usos & Jacob Fatu - (3.5) GUNTHER vs. Nick Aldis - (3.5) Fatal Influence vs. Paige & The Bella Twins - (1.5) CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes - (4.25) Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar (Hell in a Cell) - (3.5) Dave Meltzer's WWE SummerSlam 2026 Star Ratings(Night Two) Kevin Owens vs. GUNTHER vs. Sami Zayn vs. Finn Bálor - (3.5) Baron Corbin vs. Trick Williams - (1.75) Interim WWE Women's Championship Ladder Match - (2.25) Danhausen vs. Dominik Mysterio (Human Monies on a Pole) - (1.0) Chad Gable vs. Penta - (4.25) Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins - (4.75)

BY SACNILK

The 83 Weeks co-host didn't hold back after Reigns' SummerSlam win over Seth Rollins, comparing the Head of the Table to a wrestling version of a music industry plant. Conrad Thompson on Eric Bischoff's 83 Weeks podcast, took a scathing take on Roman Reigns, arguing that the current WWE World Heavyweight Champion doesn't deserve the reputation he's built over the past several years. Discussing Reigns' recent victory over Seth Rollins at SummerSlam 2026, Thompson didn't mince words, telling Bischoff he considers Reigns to be the most overrated main event star in company history. Borrowing a term from the music world, Thompson labeled Reigns an "industry plant" — someone elevated by the machine behind him rather than by genuine talent or fan demand. His core argument: WWE's business wouldn't skip a beat if Reigns vanished from television tomorrow. "I think Roman Reigns is probably the most overrated main eventer in WWE history. I know this isn't a wrestling term, it’s a music term, but Roman Reigns is what music would call an industry plant. I don’t think if Roman Reigns disappears tomorrow WWE’s fortune changes at all. Thompson leaned on a phrase Triple H has used to explain why the company holds back stars like Bron Breakker — that pushing someone too aggressively risks shoving them "down our throats." Thompson's contention is that this is exactly what happened with Reigns, who he says has been force-fed to the audience for years. He acknowledged The Bloodline storyline had real strengths, but suggested the faction has overstayed its welcome, comparing its current state to the "black and silver era" of the nWo — a once-groundbreaking angle that lingered long past its creative peak. Perhaps the sharpest part of Thompson's critique centered on legacy. He argued that unlike CM Punk or Cody Rhodes, Reigns has never been booked in a way that lets fans form an organic emotional connection to him — audiences have simply been trained to accept his spot at the top rather than earning it. Thompson challenged listeners to name a favorite Roman Reigns match or promo, suggesting few could. He also pointed out that Reigns doesn't carry the promotional workload that stars like Cody Rhodes or John Cena have shouldered, doing minimal press and media rounds compared to his peers. Thompson's most memorable line described Reigns' in-ring routine as formulaic: a long entrance, a slow-paced, similar-feeling match every time, and a win to close the show. He summed it up by comparing Reigns to Goldberg — but a version of Goldberg capable of working matches longer than ten minutes.