Why Vince McMahon Won't Push Roman Reigns

The huge matches and moments heavily promoted this week speak to WWE's somewhat noble attempt to diversify their cards over the last year or so.

SmackDown's vitally important Fox debut delivered huge segments. The Rock opened alongside Becky Lynch and Baron Corbin, Tyson Fury and Braun Strowman teased a dust-up, Cain Velasquez and new WWE Champion Brock Lesnar actually had one, whilst Raw Women's Champion Lynch, Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks and blue brand titleholder Bayley made yet more history opening the show with another quality doubles effort. Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon played into their respective pasts as violent weapons warriors in a quality ladder/prop brawl that saw 'KO' finally see off 'Shane-O-Mac' to give him some much-needed momentum. And Roman Reigns yet again tangled with Rowan in an excuse to dump everybody on the show masquerading as a Lumberjack Match.

'The Big Dog' pinched the win with the help of strange bedfellow Daniel Bryan, bonding them just enough to get through their Hell In A Cell tag team match against the former Bludgeon Brothers, but it was pointedly placed in the traditionally tranquil mid-second hour spot. This was weirder still, considering that it was one of only three matches announced just 48 hours before the event itself.

Unfancied on the major television show. Unpromoted for the pay-per-view slot. Why on earth would now - of all times - be the period in which Vince McMahon pulls back?

CONT'D...