For the first time since Wrestlemania 38, Roman Reigns will defend his title as he faces Riddle on Smackdown next week. Reigns has only competed in one televised match since Wrestlemania 38. At Wrestlemania Backlash, he had teamed up with The Usos to take on RK-Bro and Drew McIntyre in a non-title match.
The Head of the Table hasn’t been on TV for three weeks now and he will make his much-awaited comeback next week. Before his title defense against Riddle, Reigns sent a message to the former Tag Team Champion on Twitter and wrote: “Now I have to leave the private island …jump on the private yacht….and then board the private jet just to smash this idiot on #Smackdown Tribal Chief problems.”
Riddle had earned the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship opportunity with a win over Sami Zayn in the main event of Smackdown. As per the stipulation, Riddle would have been barred from the blue brand had he lost the match. And a win would have earned him a title match. This will be the first time when the duo will square off in a one-on-one match.
Riddle isn’t the favourite going in the match and Reigns looks all but set to retain his titles. As per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Radio, Reigns is likely to face Randy Orton at SummerSlam 2022, which is scheduled to take place on July 30th. Riddle and Orton were Tag Team Champions in May.
Even if Riddle loses, his rivalry with Reigns might not end as Orton is likely to come into the title picture. The Viper is out of action since losing the Tag Team Titles to the Usos. Reigns isn’t slated to defend his titles at Money in the Bank. But he is confirmed to appear at Clash at the Castle which takes place in Cardiff on September 3.
