10 New WWE Directions After Extreme Rules 2017

3. Roman Reigns Enters The Intercontinental Hunt

Samoa Joe Bray Wyatt Seth Rollins Finn Balor
WWE.com

Extreme Rules 2017’s biggest highlight was unquestionably its main event, with Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Bray Wyatt, and Samoa Joe stealing the show in their five-way number one contender’s bout. Joe emerged victorious, but each of the performers looked strong throughout, and there are plenty of fresh booking options coming out of the fight.

It looked like Reigns was about to be pinned by Balor prior to Joe’s intervention in the closing stretch, but he wasn’t involved in the eventual decision. With a potential Braun Strowman rematch and a WrestleMania 34 headlining spot on the horizon, there’s a clear need to protect Roman at the moment, and the outcome did just that.

Thus, Reigns’ next feud will likely be one that allows him to look strong throughout, which makes an Intercontinental Title program with The Miz a good option. The duo have never feuded before, so it's fresh, and it’d be relatively easy to produce an outcome that not only keeps the belt on Miz, but protects Roman too. A Strowman interruption (assuming the “six months” he’s set to miss is a work) would do the job, or, failing that, some blatant cheating from Miz and Maryse, leading to a screwy title defence.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.