WWE WrestleMania 35: Roman Reigns fans, this was for you

Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre are destined to win the Universal Championship, now held by a full-time champion in Seth Rollins, relatively soon, so this WWE WrestleMania 35 clash should have plenty of future implications.

Back in the ring, Roman Reigns is headed for his first singles match in six months, and he couldn’t be facing a nastier opponent in Drew McIntyre at WWE WrestleMania 35. On the Grandest Stage of Them All, Reigns will face a man who has insulted his family, attempted to break up The Shield for good, decimated Dean Ambrose, and embarrassed Kurt Angle.

McIntyre is in desperate need of comeuppance, but he needs a win maybe just as much in his quest for the gold. But he probably won’t find a “W” against Reigns, who is one of WWE’s most dominant superstars.

The two men had an intense staredown to begin the match, which was only surpassed by Reigns’ swift slap of the Scottish Psychopath. However, it didn’t take long for McIntyre to assume dominance, chopping and headbutting the former Universal Champion.

Reigns, however, outwitted McIntyre, dropping him to the outside after McIntyre, a former NXT Champion, went for a big move.

That said, McIntyre did start grinding down Reigns with some holds, but Reigns powered out of it and got the better of his opponent in another battle of strikes. Clearly, Reigns is the superior fighter and more experienced in big matches in WWE, but McIntyre’s hunger and raw power are dangerous in this match. That was clearly evidenced by his powerful suplex on Reigns to the floor!

After dominating the match, McIntyre got far too cocky and started talking trash to Reigns about The Shield, saying that The Big Dog means “nothing” to him. That was a huge mistake, as Reigns found his second wind, flipped the switch, and started destroying McIntyre, who had to retreat after being smashed around on the outside following a “Drive By”. Reigns hit him with a Samoan Drop for his troubles.

Not long after, Reigns decked McIntyre with a Superman Punch, and he speared McIntyre in half for a feel-good win in his return to singles competition. Honestly, McIntyre dominated the early portion of the match, but he didn’t give Reigns much of a fight afterwards.

And that’s not an indictment of McIntyre; this match was about more than just Reigns. This was set up as a win for everyone who has had to overcome something, and McIntyre simply didn’t have the power to win.

He’ll get his one day, though. I can feel it. But this win was for Roman Reigns and all of his fans in the #RomanEmpire.