The landscape for SummerSlam may have been drastically altered during Saturday Night’s Main Event, after a legitimate injury to Seth Rollins forced a sudden change to the show’s plans and ignited speculation about the return of Roman Reigns.
During his match against LA Knight in Atlanta, Georgia, Rollins landed awkwardly on his right knee while executing a moonsault. Visibly in pain, Rollins clutched his knee and crawled to the corner. Following discussions with the referee, ringside doctor, and Paul Heyman, the match was quickly brought to a close. LA Knight capitalized, hitting the BFT for an abrupt pinfall victory. According to a report from PWInsider, the original plan was for Rollins to win the match, but the injury necessitated the unplanned change in outcome.
With Rollins’ status for “The Biggest Party of the Summer” now uncertain, his injury could create an opening for a major return. On his NotSam Wrestling podcast, Sam Roberts suggested the situation might pave the way for Roman Reigns.
“If we don’t have Seth Rollins for SummerSlam, you could do, like Roman Reigns vs. Bron Breakker, or you could have Roman Reigns return at SummerSlam,” Roberts stated. “The fact that he didn’t return tonight on Saturday Night’s Main Event, he could return at SummerSlam proper. Not have Roman Reigns have a match; have him return as a surprise at the end of SummerSlam and go forward maybe with Gunther? Maybe he gets involved in the John Cena-Cody Rhodes story; maybe you set up a singles thing between Roman Reigns and CM Punk.”
Reigns has not appeared on WWE programming since the episode of WWE RAW following WrestleMania 41, where he was attacked by both Rollins and Bron Breakker.