Just because everyone figures something is going to happen doesnt mean its a sure thing, and sometimes it means that its the perfect opportunity to go in a different direction. But the foregone conclusion going into Sundays Money in the Bank match was that Roman Reigns was going to win the briefcase and then either cash in on Seth Rollins or possibly turn on newly minted champion Dean Ambrose. Instead, Reigns had his hands on the briefcase, only for Bray Wyatt to do his best Big Boss Man impersonation and prevent Roman from winning. Despite the announcers crowing about Reigns having an incredible past year (Superstar of the Year, 2015 Royal Rumble winner, WrestleMania main event), this is yet another occasion where Reigns choked in the spotlight (storyline-wise). Consider that Reigns Rumble win wasnt well-received at all, he was pinned in the Mania main event, he lost the fatal fourway title match at Payback and now he lost the MITB match due to screwy circumstances. It all harkens back to Lex Luger, who gained a reputation (whether deservedly or not) for not being able (or booked) to win the big match. He was regarded as someone who was on the periphery of the championship, but choked when the lights were brightest. None of this is meant to criticize Reigns as a performer. This is solely directed at how hes being booked. If WWE is hellbent on making Roman champion, then do it. If the company is apprehensive above the backlash, then keep him away from the title picture for a bit. Putting him in matches like this where he falls short just makes it look like he cant seal the deal. It doesnt do his character any favors.
Scott is a former journalist and longtime wrestling fan who was smart enough to abandon WCW during the Monday Night Wars the same time as the Radicalz. He fondly remembers watching WrestleMania III, IV, V and VI and Saturday Night's Main Event, came back to wrestling during the Attitude Era, and has been a consumer of sports entertainment since then. He's written for WhatCulture for more than a decade, establishing the Ups and Downs articles for WWE Raw and WWE PPVs/PLEs and composing pieces on a variety of topics.
