Following the 2026 Royal Rumble, WWE once again positioned Roman Reigns in a headline spot at WrestleMania, marking his 11th time main-eventing the event—an unusual feat given the depth of talent now on the roster. As one of the company’s biggest draws, Reigns remains central to WWE’s biggest stage, but this move has sparked debate and illuminated long-standing challenges within WWE’s booking strategy. The focus keyword Brock Lesnar WWE 2026 ties directly into this ongoing transitional period, where new stars are urgently needed.
Veteran Stars Are Phasing Out, Creating a Talent Void
CM Punk recently highlighted on RAW that many stars from his era, including John Cena and AJ Styles, are stepping away or suffering setbacks. In the last year, Gunther has convincingly defeated legends such as Goldberg, Cena, and Styles, signaling a generational shift. There are growing concerns Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, and Rey Mysterio may retire within the next two years. Despite this, WWE has continued to rely heavily on the same few established performers instead of elevating fresh talent like LA Knight, Sami Zayn, and Bron Breakker to carry the mantle at marquee moments like WrestleMania.
Seth Rollins’ Talent Is Undeniable but Injuries Impact Momentum
Seth Rollins is arguably one of WWE’s most valuable performers, capable of smoothly transitioning between hero and villain personas while delivering top-tier in-ring performances. In 2025 alone, he was involved in critical storylines and twists, such as aligning with Paul Heyman, feigning injuries, and dramatic expulsions from factions. However, Rollins has suffered two injuries during his title reigns, which disrupts continuity. This underlines the need for WWE bookers to invest in a broader pool of rising stars who can shoulder the championship burden without constant reliance on a handful of individuals.
Past Attempts to Build New Main Eventers Have Struggled
Efforts to push newer champions like Damian Priest and Jey Uso to the World Heavyweight title have yielded underwhelming responses, failing to generate sustained excitement. Gunther’s character stands out as distinct and effectively detested, yet Solo Sikoa’s push stuttered before reaching top status, often losing to names like Rhodes and Reigns. Similarly, Sami Zayn frequently finds himself booked to lose, and despite tremendous fan support, LA Knight remains unable to secure major victories. The problem is compounded by WWE’s failure to elevate multiple new stars simultaneously throughout the year, missing opportunities—such as having LA Knight or Bron Breakker defeat Cena at SummerSlam—that could have softened subsequent losses.
Expanding Championship Holders Strengthens Brand Diversity
The phrase
“variety is the spice of life”
aptly describes the value of having multiple stars capable of leading WWE’s brands. Crowning different popular wrestlers as major champions diversifies the main-event scene, preventing over-reliance on a few names. LA Knight exemplifies this potential, excelling in promos, in-ring work, and fan engagement. If WWE had positioned Knight or Sami Zayn on SmackDown similarly to how they promoted Jey Uso on RAW, it would have reduced the blow caused by the decline of big names like Styles and Cena. Expanding the number of credible champions helps sustain interest and competitive storytelling across WWE’s programming.
The Part-Time Star Challenge and the Need for New Leaders
The reliance on part-time performers has become a significant factor in WWE’s booking decisions since Brock Lesnar’s 2012 return, where he sporadically appeared yet captured numerous titles, limiting opportunities for full-time talent. Roman Reigns has recently filled this role, holding a long championship run, which while impressive, overshadows other top stars’ efforts throughout the year. Although part-timers play an important role when managed properly, as exemplified by John Cena’s gradual transition to part-time status while elevating newer talents like Solo Sikoa, the current landscape requires Reigns and Lesnar to similarly support rising stars such as Bron Breakker, Gunther, and Oba Femi, providing them with crucial exposure and credibility heading into the future.
