Roman Reigns has held the Universal Championship for well over 800 days and has been recognised as the Undisputed Champion since defeating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38. It’s a run of dominance that is almost unparalleled in the modern era, and has seen the star defeat Hall of Famers, former World Champions and some of the very best that the world has to offer.
Naturally, with every victory comes the question who’s next? One man who appeared to be in the running for a shot at Roman Reigns was Austin Theory. When holding the Money In The Bank briefcase the star teased chasing-in on the Tribal Chief on multiple occasions, but was always thwarted before putting his plan into action. Instead he cashed-in on United States Champion Seth Rollins, but was unsuccessful. However, he quickly earned a measure of revenge at Survivor Series when he won United States gold.
Austin Theory Heading For Clash With Roman Reigns?
Upon failing with his Money In The Bank cash-in Theory underwent a slight character change, performing with a new serious edge. Speaking in a new interview with City News, Theory discussed this change, commenting that he’s now being built as someone who could potentially challenge Reigns’ run of dominance.
“The cocky, arrogant, douchy persona just really gets under people’s skin and it did its purpose. Having the Money in the Bank contract and the way that character was, there’s a little bit of a ceiling there just because when you look at Roman Reigns being so unstoppable and everything. Whoever is going to beat Roman Reigns it’s gotta be someone that is really going to beat Roman Reigns and not just by some luck and I think the chapter that Austin Theory is headed now, is setting him up to build to being that qualifier to stand toe to toe with Roman Reigns,
It was recently reported that Roman Reigns could be heading for a clash with Kevin Owens at the Royal Rumble before taking on Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber a month later.