If only Roman Reigns could have a do-over. The Big Dog was soaring through the air, ready to deliver a knockout superman punch, but Samoa Joe skirted out of way just in time.
Now, in a mid-air conundrum, Reigns was unable to fully pull back his devastating blow, instead unintentionally striking partner Seth Rollins in what was the turning point of their tag-team match in Monday Night Raw's main event. Joe immediately corralled a shaken Rollins in a Coquina Clutch with enough force that the referee called for the bell.
Stunned and enraged at the result, Rollins unleashed a few choice words at Reigns, with the Big Dog subsequently shaking his head in both contrition and confusion.
The backdrop, an upcoming Extreme Rules fatal five-way match in less than two weeks' time between Reigns, Rollins, Joe, his Monday partner Bray Wyatt, along with Finn Balor, would never allow for complete cohesion with these four competitors. But the rift between the former Shield members opens up an interesting question to ponder:
Would they be better off reuniting or beginning another heated feud down the road?
Reigns and Rollins, along with Dean Ambrose, had a long, successful partnership famously known as The Shield. The faction was a devastating team, one of the most popular in the history of the WWE. At one point, all three held titles at the same time. But we know how these things go: Every great stable eventually needs a shakeup and a fresh narrative. Well, maybe not Breezango, but I digress.
Immediately after Monday's match, Kurt Angle, in a backstage discussion with Balor, announced that next week, Rollins and Reigns will go head to-head, implying a reconciliation is not a possibility, at least for now. But it's hard not to wonder whether that match is merely a building block to the pay-per-view on June 4 or the potential start to big-time feud between the two.
A year ago, after Reigns successfully defended his title against AJ Styles at Extreme Rules, Rollins made a surprise return from a seven-month knee injury to attack Reigns. But the ensuing rivalry was short-lived. Only twice since that incident did Reigns and Rollins square off in a singles match. Perhaps the decision was to allow each his own path to further establish bona fide singles careers.
Still, the overall popularity of The Shield is something that hasn't been replicated by any team since its split three years ago. More recently, a handful of storylines, including moving Ambrose to Raw, have suggested that Version II of this tandem is a thought that continues to percolate with the creative decision-makers.
But there are problems, er, a problem -- The Roman Problem.
Everyone knows his deal, so we'll spare you any explanation of his polarizing existence, the exhausting push, etc. Still, his makeup and highly criticized booking seems like it would make it nearly impossible to pair him up on a permanent basis with anyone whom fans dig, like Rollins, especially if a team with any semblance of respect and gravitas is expected.
Further, if Reigns continues to live in limbo between good and evil, that alone would make it difficult to have a visceral feeling of love or loathing for any team he's involved with. Unless, say, Rollins were to turn heel again. We've been down that road, and many believe his historically slippery character is better served as an antihero.
Imagine this, and bear with us as we peer into the future and dream a little: It's April 8, 2018, and we're in the Superdome in New Orleans. Reigns is main-eventing what feels like his 17th straight WrestleMania, this time against the nearly unbeatable Brock Lesnar. The Beast delivers suplex after suplex. The crowd is losing its mind, because what's better than a beaten-down Reigns? Brock goes for the pin. One, two ... Suddenly, Rollins' music hits, and out he comes as the ref has his back to the in-ring competitors. A low blow from Reigns to Lesnar incapacitates the current champ.
Reigns follows up his nefarious tactic with a superman punch. This time he connects with the right opponent. The match ends, and Reigns hoists his new belt in delight. Rollins joins in, and moments later Dean Ambrose runs to the ring to celebrate as the triumvirate simultaneously continues to pummel Brock. The Shield is back -- and they're bad guys.
After all the failed attempts, the fans finally cheer for Roman Reigns. Problem solved.
Hits and misses
Impressive Monday Night Raw debut from Elias Samson, who showed power and agility, including a devastating leaping knee, and then, after The Miz interfered, a sweet swinging neck-breaker against Ambrose. Though Samson, a Hacksaw Jim Duggan doppelganger, could take some singing lessons from Aiden English.
Surprise, surprise, no Brock Lesnar Monday night, but Paul Heyman made his return to spew some fighting words at the Beasts' possible opponents for the Universal Championship. Heyman took aim at Finn Balor, predicting he will win. It was a smart play to build Balor, given the Demon King's loss to Roman Reigns a week earlier. Balor would go on to beat former club member Karl Anderson.
Bray Wyatt claims he's the face of fear in the WWE, but Alexa Bliss should take exception. Seriously, where did she learn to roll her eyes with such evil conviction? Hard to say whether the kendo stick attack against Mickie James after a hasty win or the hateful glares Bliss gave her afterward hurt more.
"Are you implying that's not a beautiful face, Cole?! That's a goddess!" - @WWEGraves #RAW @AlexaBliss_WWE pic.twitter.com/zsLNTXMUlF
- WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) May 23, 2017
Sasha Banks, maybe more than anyone, has been hurt by the recent roster moves. For the third straight week, she faced Alicia Fox, who has been more or less irrelevant for the past five or so years. This is a far cry from Banks' battles against Charlotte, most notably their main-event match at Hell in a Cell last October.
Is there a better finishing move today than Kalisto's Salida Del Sol? I could watch a compilation of them all day. Kalisto used the move to beat Apollo Crews, but watching them in the ring made me wonder if they'd be better served by teaming up instead. Each is a talented performer, but both are missing a dynamic they could find by joining forces.
Hardy Boyz and a steel cage? Yes, please. With his win against Sheamus in singles competition, Matt, along with brother Jeff Hardy, got to pick the stipulation for their upcoming match at Extreme Rules, with the brothers deciding on a cage. Renowned for their ladder matches, the Hardys have had only a handful of cage battles in their time in WWE. Nonetheless, they are bound to defy gravity come two weeks' time.
Another solid win by Austin Aries against Tony Nese, but the story in this one was further unraveling of Neville, who attacked Nese afterward. He doesn't get the same bad-guy reaction from the crowd as Braun Strowman or, of course, Roman Reigns, but Neville manages to become a better heel by the week.