Backstage Notes On WrestleMania 38's WWE Title Match
Who will new WWE Champion Bobby Lashley face after beating Brock Lesnar at Royal Rumble 2022?
WWE put the wheels in motion for its long-rumoured WrestleMania 38 Universal Title program at last night's Royal Rumble 2022, as Brock Lesnar's victory in the titular men's bout placed Roman Reigns back in his crosshairs.
Unfortunately, things aren't looking so clear for WWE's other world champion, Bobbly Lashley, who captured his new belt from Lesnar (via Reigns assist) last night. WrestleVotes reports that WWE currently has no idea what it's going to do with Bobby and his WWE Championship at WrestleMania:-
Lesnar had to be the winner here. I’m told they legitimately have no idea what the WWE Title match at Mania is going to be at this point. Avoid the ol pigeon hole.
Advertisement— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) January 30, 2022
Lashley's second reign with Raw's top belt began when his big beefy battle with Lesnar devolved following a referee bump. Reigns interfered, putting Brock down when he was in control of the match, then completing the screwjob by re-aligning with Paul Heyman. Transitioning back from Lesnar's 'Advocate' to Roman's 'Wise Man' is a story beat most fans had called when Reigns "fired" Heyman back in December.
The events described above left Lesnar helpless, allowing Lashley to score the win.
Rather than using the Rumble itself to determine Lashley's challenger, WWE booked a scorned Lesnar to win, with Brock throwing the returning Drew McIntyre out last to win.