SmackDown before WrestleMania Backlash: 6 WWE Superstars who stole the show – Roman Reigns gets reality check, big title change to fuel betrayal? (May 14, 2021)

#3 Roman Reigns asserts his dominance on WWE SmackDown

Roman Reigns delivered a captivating performance on WWE SmackDown this week

Roman Reigns has established himself as the biggest heel not just on SmackDown but in the entire WWE. He is set to defend his Universal Championship against Cesaro at WrestleMania Backlash. The two superstars engaged in a brutal altercation in the show's closing moments that ended with the challenger gaining the upper hand.

Reigns was brilliant in his promo right at the beginning of this week’s SmackDown. There was a subtle hint of vulnerability to an otherwise arrogant champion when his cousin, Jimmy Uso, was challenging his authority. Reigns was brilliant at adding more authenticity to the ongoing title feud and deserves a lot of credit for remarkably improving as a performer.

Roman Reigns also saw a glimpse of Cesaro’s potential when the latter was brutalizing both his cousins. He delivered two devastating Neutralizers on Jey Uso in the middle of the ring while Reigns looked at the ramp.

The fact that he didn’t help his cousin when Jey was responsible for almost all of Reigns’ title defenses would not sit well with Jimmy. The Tribal Chief has done so well in carrying a complicated storyline on SmackDown, and it will be interesting to see what’s in store for him on the Blue brand.