In the most recent turn of events that has stirred the WWE fan base, it has been reported that WWE’s Universal Champion and daresay one of the biggest wrestling superstars, Roman Reigns, has been pulled out of any WWE SmackDown advertisements. This shocking news has created a lot of assumptions about what the future holds for Reigns in WWE and what his absence would bring to the blue brand, which he has carried on his back for years. From possible changes in storylines to rumors concerning his health or career aspirations, things are stirring a lot of curiosity in the WWE Universe regarding what could possibly be going on there.
In this post, we’ll break down everything we know about Roman Reigns, why he is suddenly absent from WWE SmackDown advertisements, and how this could be relevant and possibly impact the future of WWE.
Who is Roman Reigns, and Why is His Absence Significant?
Roman Reigns, aka Leati Joseph Anoaʻi, has been the dominant force behind WWE SmackDown as the Tribal Chief since his return to the ring in 2020. He has wowed many with his winning roles as an unforgiving champion who has kept the Universal Championship title for one of the longest times known. His matches, characteristics, and extraordinary presence have made him one of the biggest attractions in WWE, thanks to the high ratings and viewership he has been bringing to the company. And it is the main reason why wrestling fans and pundits are intrigued by the news of Roman withdrawing from the SmackDown adverts.
Reigns has been pivotal in the WWE’s programming on SmackDown as its leading figure. His rivalries with superstars of a high pedigree, such as Brock Lesnar, John Cena, and more recently, members of his own family, The Usos, have engrossed the audience. With Reigns stepping out of the SmackDown frame, at least for the time being, WWE might have to look for paraphernalia around the SmackDown brand, to keep the audiences entertained.
Roman Reigns’ Absence from SmackDown Advertisements: Possible Explanations
Developing a Storyline: It could also be that the WWE simply did not include Reigns in the advertising i.e. his absence is due to a change in the script. The organization might well be planning a gimmick where the character will have to be off TV for some time before a re-introduction, which will not be him in a week or two after taking a break, making his return a sudden shock.
Injury or a Particular Health Problem: With that said, there is no evidence, yet there are rumors that Reigns could be suffering from an injury, health issue, or both. As fans are aware, the reason he paused in 2018 was due to his illness with leukemia; health is always an issue whenever he makes a return. This, however, has not been a case of WWE nor the Reigns himself giving any updates on the health status.
Adjustments in Contracts: Another conjecture has been advanced concerning Reigns’ non-appearance on SmackDown posters: it is about his WWE contract. Of late, many of the WWE superstars, including the likes of Reigns, who work in the most extreme conditions, have been vying for lighter workloads. He may, however, be appearing in the company on a limited basis, which includes cutting down on weekly appearances on the shows.
Participating in Other Films and Media: Reigns has much to offer, thanks to his status as a superstar. Some who have studied the case closely believe that he is only being taken out of the raw brand promotion as he is busy doing other things like filming or making guest appearances on TV.
Potential Consequences of Roman Reigns’ Absence from WWE SmackDown
The reign of Roman Reigns as the ‘Head of the Table’ and the SmackDown WWE Champion has been one of the highlights of the art content’s blue brand. The fact that he has been taken out of adverts for Smackdown means that he may not be around for more than a week or two, the implications of which will be both immediate and long-term as far as eyeballs and money to WWE’s Smackdown is concerned. Consider the following how his no-show may affect WWE programming in some ways:
Decline in Ratings: Reigns can pull the ratings upward, and his absence may cause a dip in the ratings. WWE might be forced to look for other individuals to fill the gap, but even that may prove challenging because of Reigns’ superstar status and personality.
Room for Other Superstars: With Reigns’s absence, it would be the right time for WWE to promote other superstars. People like LA Knight Kevin Owens, or even Cody Rhodes, for that matter, could take center stage and create a storm in terms of new rivalries and title contenders due to Reigns being away.
Possible Changes in WWE’s Storylines: If Reigns does indeed miss a great deal of time with injury, WWE may find it prudent to change the current storylines and may very well have to rethink its plans for championship reigns and feuds. This may result in new matchups or weird pairings, thus breaking the normal flow of the SmackDown storyline.
Consequences on Premium Live Events: Usually, Reigns sells most of the tickets for WWE premium live events. In the event he will not be available for some of the upcoming events, the promoters will need to create other headlining fights to maintain the fans’ attention on the big events.
What’s the Future Hold for WWE and Roman Reigns?
The fact that Roman Reigns is not included in the SmackDown promotions, of course, gives rise to a multitude of questions. However, it may as well provide WWE with a worthwhile opportunity to explore the ideas and talents they have been reserving. Whether this is a short-term absence or hints of something more long-term, it goes without saying that WWE will have to make a few changes in the weekly schedule of SmackDown.
That Reigns’ return is kept under wraps and that WWE would not expect this until the very last minute may signal that WWE is bracing for one of the most epic moments ever captured on screen. WWE has always had the spoiling and cowboys in danger trope to elongate the waiting period for the audience and create drama regarding that superstar’s return. This seems to be no different.
