WWE: 3 reasons why Roman Reigns vs. The Fiend should main event WrestleMania 36

Comeback story for both men

Roman Reigns’ comeback story is the most obvious of the two. He was forced to relinquish the Universal Title in the Fall of 2018 due to a battle with leukemia, and while he returned in time for WrestleMania 35, he hasn’t received any title opportunities since then.

That’s by design. First of all, WWE didn’t want to rush him back or take any chances. Secondly, they wanted to give Reigns some time to delve into other stories, such as a program with Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan and a storyline involving The Usos. And thirdly, Reigns’ eventual Universal Title triumph needs to be the most special moment possible.

What would be more special than Reigns winning the title in the main event of WrestleMania against the most wicked, twisted superstar in the company?

There’s something inherently awesome about watching a hard-working, bad-ass performer win a title they never lost, but that’s especially true if it’s a title they were forced to hand over due to an awful, painful disease. Reigns’ first Universal Title reign was supposed to be an all-timer, so his second should at least start off on the best note possible. It’ll be “The Biggest Acquisition in SmackDown History” officially returning to the top of the mountain.

As for Bray Wyatt, there’s something personal on the line for him, too. He’s earned a reputation for flopping in the biggest matches. He’s only had one good match as The Fiend, which occurred at Royal Rumble.

Worse yet, Wyatt has failed to make the most of his opportunities on the big stage before. His WrestleMania matches with John Cena and Randy Orton, for example, were poorly received, souring what had been memorable feuds to that point. The WWE Title match against Orton at WrestleMania 33, which had been building since the 2016 WWE Draft, had been particularly disappointing.

This is Wyatt’s chance to prove he belongs on the big stage, and there’s no bigger stage than the main event of WrestleMania in a match for SmackDown on FOX’s top male title.

It will all be on the line for Wyatt, but I wouldn’t bet against him having the match of his life. He knows the stakes, he knows it’s all been coming to this, he knows what the critics say, and, most of all, he has Reigns as his proverbial dance partner. And in a big match, there’s nobody you want in the ring more than Reigns, whose in-ring IQ, experience, ability to work with the crowd, selling, and overall athletic ability make him WWE’s most complete performer.