Who is next for Roman Reigns and the Universal Title?

Roman Reigns did exactly what he said he would do at WWE WrestleMania 37: He showed up and he won.

Together, Reigns, Edge, and third wheel Daniel Bryan put on a show, delivering on sky-high expectations in a fantastic main event to cap off WrestleMania’s second night. The match was frenetic, brutal, and downright nail-biting. But in the end, the favorite won, as Reigns retained his Universal Championship by spearing Edge and literally piling the “Rated R Superstar” on top of Bryan so that he could securely pin both.

The match itself was exceptional, but it left a lot of wrestling fans wondering, what’s next for the Universal Champion? Who is going to try and step up to Roman Reigns after ‘Mania?

We might not have an immediate answer on the SmackDown after WrestleMania, but let’s first take a look at the chances of Reigns’ opponents on Sunday getting another shot.

Could Edge face Roman Reigns in a one-on-one match?

First, Bryan. He has a way with words and used his verbal prowess to sway Adam Pearce into giving him the title opportunity at WrestleMania. While he can try to plead his case after being pinned under Edge, the fact of the matter is that he has no case anymore. He’s whiffed on the opportunity he practically begged for, having already squandered a couple of chances. Yes, Bryan was in an unfair position in those previous matches, but this is honestly it for him.

Edge, on the other hand, has more room to push for a one-on-one match with Reigns. If he argues that the Triple Threat match hurt him and that Jey Uso’s involvement was what screwed him over, Reigns can say, “Well, I speared and pinned you.” Then again, Kevin Owens, Jey Uso, and Daniel Bryan all got multiple opportunities, so it would make sense for the Royal Rumble winner to get a one-on-one, “Spear vs. Spear” dream match against Reigns.

WWE might want to save Edge’s title triumph for a later date, perhaps for the WWE Title itself or even after a well-placed Money in the Bank cash-in that brings prestige back to the belt. But do we want to see a non-up-and-comer win the briefcase?

So if not Edge or Bryan, who else on the SmackDown roster is a candidate to take on the “Tribal Chief” after WrestleMania?

WWE should save Big E and Cesaro for the future

Big E and Cesaro are two standout candidates. They are two of the most beloved and respected wrestlers in the business. Cesaro just scored the biggest win of his singles career over Seth Rollins at the “Show of Shows”. Considering Rollins’ WrestleMania record, that is a HUGE achievement. Meanwhile, E dropped the Intercontinental Title after Dabba-Kato’s surprise involvement in the match to help Apollo Crews steal one, so his schedule is free for a ‘Mania run.

I think WWE should save E for a WrestleMania 38 triumph over Reigns, since they waited on ‘Mania 37. Whoever faces Reigns next is not winning the feud. For that reason, I’d also prefer to wait on Cesaro, since it is still conceivable for him to get a Universal Title run in the future (though E is more likely). Now, it’s plausible for one of these two men to lose to Reigns first and then eventually win in a year, but that’s doubtful.

There is one final name I’d like to toss out there. Remember that Gauntlet Match? You know, the one in January before the Royal Rumble that Roman Reigns and Jey Uso rigged in the end so that Adam Pearce, of all people, would win? And Kevin Owens ended up facing Reigns once more at the PPV?

Yeah, that one. Remember how much fans were behind Shinsuke Nakamura when he went on an absolute tear through the Gauntlet and reminded fans how damn good he is?

I wouldn’t mind seeing a little feud between Nakamura and Reigns. We’d get Reigns, currently on one of the greatest title runs in WWE history (yes, it’s that good!), against a man who is one of the greatest champions in NJPW history (IWGP Heavyweight or Intercontinental). Now that’s what I call a post-WrestleMania treat.