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The first month of Roman Reigns' time as the Universal Champion has been great. He is completely rejuvenated as a character, with Paul Heyman by his side. The Big Dog successfully defended his title at Clash of Champions, destroying Jey Uso to the point where Jimmy Uso threw in the towel.
It seems like the story between Reigns and the Usos might be done, for now at least. We could see a new challenger step up to the 'Tribal Chief', perhaps in time for Hell in a Cell. Whoever is in the position, Roman Reigns will likely elevate them to a whole different level.
The Universal Champion is operating at the highest possible level, with every aspect of his being nailed perfectly. He has almost single-handedly made SmackDown the hottest brand in wrestling. The match Reigns had at Clash of Champions with Jey Uso was great. That being said, there are many other great matches waiting for him.
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Here are five WWE Superstars Roman Reigns could defend the Universal Championship against, now that Clash of Champions is out of the way.
#5 Otis could cash in against Roman Reigns (and fail)
As long as Otis holds the Money in the Bank briefcase, he will always remain an option to challenge for the Universal Championship. He is currently in a feud with The Miz and John Morrison over his prized possession. Instead of playing the heel's games, Otis could attempt to trade the briefcase for the Universal Title.
But the caveat here is that he would fail spectacularly. If Otis even sniffs a cash-in on Roman Reigns, he will instantly get obliterated by The Big Dog. There is no way he is going to entertain Otis' shenanigans.
If WWE is simply looking to get rid of the Money in the Bank briefcase for this term, Reigns would thwart any attempted cash-in by Otis. An extended beatdown on the beloved Superstar would further earn Reigns more heel heat from the WWE fans.
This wouldn't happen on a pay-per-view, as Otis isn't that serious of a star to warrant a spot alongside Roman Reigns. However, it would make for a fun segment on an episode of Friday Night SmackDown on FOX.
#4 Kevin Owens could get drafted from RAW and immediately challenge Roman Reigns
WWE finally announced the dates for their 2020 Draft during Clash of Champions, with the much-anticipated event happening across SmackDown and RAW, in two weeks time. While there are several potential challengers for Roman Reigns' Universal Championship already on SmackDown, the Draft could change things up.
Somebody from RAW could shoot himself straight into the main event scene after being drafted to the Blue brand. The one Superstar currently on RAW who would be an excellent opponent for Roman Reigns is Kevin Owens. It would be a role reversal from their Universal Title feud from almost four years ago.
The two wrestled a couple of great matches, including an absolute blinder at Royal Rumble 2017. If Reigns and Owens can recapture that magic, it would take the Big Dog's reign another notch higher. Aside from a WrestleMania victory over Seth Rollins, KO hasn't enjoyed much success in 2020.
A move to SmackDown, where the creative process feels much clearer, could rejuvenate Kevin Owens. He has proven to be a phenomenal babyface and would only grow alongside the dastardly Roman Reigns.
#3 Braun Strowman might not be finished with Roman Reigns
Aside from his venture to RAW Underground, Braun Strowman has been relatively quiet since getting pinned by Roman Reigns at Payback. He might not return to a main event spot in WWE for a while, but he should put the Big Dog over on his way slightly down the card. There is a readymade story in place as well.
Perhaps Reigns' greatest rival in WWE, the 'Monster Among Men' became a star thanks to their monumental feud. The two destroyed each other with intensity and brutality. Strowman said it best, yelling "I'm not finished with you" at Roman Reigns during one of his elaborate beatdowns on him. But now, the tide has turned.
Reigns would get the upper hand over Strowman if the two would face off. It would add a new twist to a rivalry for the ages if a heel Roman Reigns went up against a babyface Braun Strowman. The match would be great, as would the chaos.
They could possibly even have a Hell in a Cell match, especially since their Cell match was deemed a No Contest after Brock Lesnar interfered. WWE could do a lot worse than book Braun Strowman as the next challenger for Roman Reigns' Universal Championship.
#2 Matt Riddle's next feud could be against Roman Reigns
While he did lose to King Corbin on the last episode of SmackDown, Matt Riddle could still climb up the ranks. He could reach the top of the card to face Roman Reigns, even if only for a short program. Riddle and Corbin will surely have a blowoff match at some point in the coming weeks, which could possibly end up being a #1 Contender's Match.
The two Superstars were part of the last such match, won by Jey Uso, and they could go at it again with the same stakes. It makes sense for Riddle to be the next star to challenge Reigns for the Universal Championship if the Big Dog does not wrestle inside Hell in a Cell.
The 'Original Bro' has shown that he can take a loss, which is what would happen if he faces Roman Reigns. The two could have a great hard-hitting match at the next pay-per-view. It wouldn't be the Tribal Chief's greatest storyline, but it would serve a purpose for the time being.
WWE may want to save some of Roman Reigns' bigger opponents for bigger shows, like Royal Rumble and WrestleMania. If that's the case, Matt Riddle could be a shoo-in to face Reigns in October.
#1 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt could challenge Roman Reigns inside Hell in a Cell
In a moment that may have missed many viewers, the end of WWE's Hell in a Cell video package may have hinted at Roman Reigns' next Universal Championship match. Just after he was shown as the final image of the promo, The Fiend's laugh could be heard in the background. This may be the most subtle foreshadowing to a pay-per-view main event in recent WWE history.
Roman Reigns won the Universal Title from 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt at Payback, without pinning him, and there have been multiple teases towards a feud between the pair on SmackDown.
From Wyatt introducing a Paul Heyman-esque puppet to the Firefly Fun House, to Alexa Bliss staring a hole through Reigns on the stage, the fans have constantly been reminded that the two biggest stars on the Blue brand are on a collision course in the near future. But it seems unlikely that WWE would book the match so soon into the big Dog's title reign.
If the end of the Hell in a Cell promo was intentional, Roman Reigns will face The Fiend inside the Cell. However, after the disaster of last year, WWE will need to be creative in how they book Bray Wyatt inside the satanic structure.
Roman Reigns will almost certainly retain the Universal Championship if this match is indeed happening next month. If destroying his family member wasn't enough, pinning The Fiend would send the Tribal Chief over the edge as WWE's most hated villain.
Ex WWE writer blasts Liv Morgan HERE
