What if Braun Strowman beats Roman Reigns for the Universal title at Hell in a Cell?

#2 Drew McIntyre deferred

Drew McIntyre's push toward the top may be delayed if Braun Strowman takes the title

The rumor mill suggests that positioning Drew McIntyre and Dolph Ziggler against The Shield is not so much incidental booking as a purposeful way ultimately positioning McIntyre as a Universal Championship contender, and possibly even winning the title. This line of thought makes sense given McIntyre historical anointment as one of Vince McMahon’s “chosen ones” and another leak that McMahon has been hands-on in how McIntyre is booked since his return to the main roster.

McIntyre getting into the title mix, let alone winning, really only makes sense opposite Roman Reigns at this point to preserve face-heel dynamics without flip flopping Braun Strowman any further or having to turn McIntyre. Thus, if Strowman were to take the title at Hell in a Cell, it doesn’t shut down McIntyre’s chance at challenging for the title, but does suggest that the timeline for him might be getting pushed back further to build him up more, or that WWE is deferring his big push in favor of bigger things for Strowman in the immediate future.