WWE: Roman Reigns is rounding into top form as FOX debut nears

Billed as the biggest acquisition in the history of SmackDown Live, Roman Reigns is heading into a major program with Daniel Bryan as the weeks tick off before WWE’s Blue Brand debuts on FOX.

WWE has wisely taken things slow with Roman Reigns since his return from defeating leukemia, though it did feel weird seeing Reigns as a foil to Shane McMahon instead of partaking in a heated rivalry with another elite superstar. After disposing of Drew McIntyre with ease at WrestleMania and taking a backseat at SummerSlam, Reigns is ready for a marquee rivalry with Daniel Bryan.

It’s entirely obvious that Bryan and Rowan were behind the heinous attack on Reigns, in which WWE’s “Big Dog” was nearly killed by Rowan in a crash. Bryan and Rowan have been a formidable duo on Tuesday nights in 2019, as not even Kofi Kingston’s incredible WrestleMania 35 victory could humble the so-called “Planet’s Champions”.

Wrestling fans have dreamed of a rivalry between Reigns and Bryan for quite some time, and WWE seem to be ready to deliver in the biggest way possible by creating an angle involving attempted murder. Bryan vs. Reigns would sell itself as a rivalry, but WWE have gone the extra mile in building this up, potentially as the SmackDown brand’s top storyline for the highly-anticipated move to Friday nights on FOX.

But beyond the rivalry with Bryan, Reigns has been able to return to his absolute best form in the ring. WWE and Reigns have taken things slowly in his return, but his match against Buddy Murphy last week on SmackDown Live was a reminder of the athleticism and attention to detail that Reigns brings in his matches.

Murphy became a star in defeat and went on to get a meaningful win over Bryan this week, but Reigns rightfully earned just as much praise for his selling. Arguably the most giving top star in WWE history, Reigns made Murphy look like a championship-caliber threat in their television match. He was in top form on that night, putting the crowd in the palm of his hands like only an elite performer can.

One week later, Reigns had a repeat performance on Raw against an opponent with more experience but less momentum in Dolph Ziggler. Yet the result was the same. The crowd was on the edge of its seat, Reigns delivered some high-powered moves, he sold some close nearfalls from Dolph, and he finished off his opponent with a thunderous spear.

Reigns has consistently been one of WWE’s top five wrestlers over the past couple of years, and his matches against Murphy and Ziggler were undoubtedly of that caliber. Therefore, fans can only imagine what Reigns will be capable of in a series of matches with Bryan to close 2019, including a potential Oct. 6 barnburner inside Hell in a Cell when the FOX move swings into effect.