WWE's Original Plans For The Fiend & Roman Reigns At WrestleMania 36 Revealed

Here's how WWE was going to get to Wyatt vs. Reigns.

Roman Reigns The Fiend
WWE

More of WWE's WrestleMania 36 plans came into focus on last week's SmackDown, with Roman Reigns stepping to Universal Champion Goldberg in the night's opening segment (amidst reports that a planned number one contender's Elimination Chamber match had been scrapped) and 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt confronting John Cena in the main event slot, prompting 'Big Match John' to go back on his claims that he'd be sitting this year's 'Mania out.

These aren't the matches WWE originally had in mind for Reigns and Wyatt, of course. Per several reports through January and February, a Universal Championship tilt was originally in the works for the duo, with 'The Big Dog' seemingly winning the Chamber after 'The Fiend' overcame Goldberg in Saudi Arabia.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer believes that WWE's original idea was to keep Bray dominant heading into Tampa. He'd have run through everyone else on the roster and deliberately kept away from Roman before 'The Showcase of the Immortals,' where they'd eventually face off for SmackDown's biggest prize.

Advertisement

Instead of taking this route, Vince McMahon changed his mind, put stock into Goldberg, and had 'The Fiend' falter at Super ShowDown 2020.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.