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Roman Reigns reclaims Universal Championship at WWE Payback

Archie Blade
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Roman Reigns reclaims Universal Championship at WWE Payback

Roman Reigns reclaims Universal Championship at WWE Payback. The Big Dog triumphed over Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt in the main event.

Roman Reigns won his 2nd Universal Championship after pinning Braun Strowman at WWE Payback. The Big Dog entered very late in the match. By then Bray Wyatt and Strowman had already wrestled a chaotic fight that left them with very little left to resist Reigns’ challenge.

Also read: Rusev on whether he dislikes WWE or just Vince McMahon

Reigns has been the talk of the town since his surprise return at SummerSlam last week. He came off as edgier and more violent than usual arousing suspicions of a heel turn. This was confirmed on the latest episode of SmackDown when he aligned with Paul Heyman.

With most of the match over, the Big Dog walked in with his new manager. He signed the contract and made his participation official. Reigns attempted two pin both of his fallen opponents but they somehow managed to kick out.

He then mauled Strowman with several chair shots before attempting another pin. Much to his surprise however, Strowman managed to kick out once again. Wyatt then jumped Reigns and struck him with the mandible claw. However, Reigns broke free with a low blow. He then speared Strowman who stayed down for the three count this time.


It will be interesting to see where the characters go from here. Both Strowman and Wyatt could legitimately feud with Roman for the title. However, with the Alexa Bliss storyline waiting to happen on the sides, it is possible that Wyatt could be phased out from the title picture for now.

Strowman on the other hand has just come out of a feud where he failed to overcome his opponent. To go after another and fail would solidify his place in the hierarchy as the top guy just below the actual top guys. However, if not any of these two then who?

Who on SmackDown could face Roman Reigns and convince the audience that he actually stands a chance?

AJ Styles is a heel, Sami Zayn and Jeff Hardy are involved in the Intercontinental title picture. Big E is still not credible enough. Rumours previously suggested that Roman would eventually drop the title to King Corbin. However, the heel turn has made it unlikely.

At this point we can only wait and watch.

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About the author

Archie Blade

Archie Blade

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Archie is a WWE and UFC Editor/Author at the SportsRush. Like most combat sports enthusiasts, his passion for watching people fight began with WWE when he witnessed a young Brock Lesnar massacre Hulk Hogan back in 2002. This very passion soon branched out to boxing and mixed martial arts. Over the years he fell in love with the theatrics that preceded the bell and the poetic carnage that followed after. Each bruise a story to tell, each wound a song of struggle, his greatest desire is to be there to witness it all. His favorite wrestler is Shawn Michaels and he believes that GSP is the greatest to ever step foot inside the octagon. Apart from wrestling, he is also fond of poetry and music.

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