Roman Reigns made his first appearance on WWE RAW since WrestleMania, immediately setting his sights on Bron Breakker, who spearheaded him to solidify a new alliance with Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman. This development signals a looming high-stakes tag team match featuring Reigns and Jey Uso against Breakker and Bronson Reed at SummerSlam 2025. Planning for Seth Rollins’ involvement has been complicated by Rollins’ injury, which has disrupted original SummerSlam arrangements.
Known for his sporadic WWE appearances, Reigns is expected to vanish again after SummerSlam. However, a group of six contenders stands ready to challenge his dominance and potentially conclude his distinguished reign as “The Tribal Chief.”
Bronson Reed and the Auszilla’s Role in the SummerSlam Rivalry
Bronson Reed, also known as the Auszilla, aligned with Seth Rollins after Breakker and Rollins forced Reigns into his last hiatus. Despite Reed’s recent arrival after WrestleMania 41, his attempt to confront Reigns was swiftly thwarted during Reigns’ RAW return. This escalating conflict between these factions is expected to intensify in the lead-up to SummerSlam.
In past storylines, WWE bookers have used Reed’s assaults as a device to temporarily remove stars like Rollins, Sami Zayn, Braun Strowman, and LA Knight from television. Given Reigns’ likely post-SummerSlam disappearance, Reed stands as a prime candidate to send Reigns away once again, having previously opposed him at Survivor Series: WarGames.
CM Punk’s Fractured Relationship with Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns publicly holds others responsible for his setbacks, including CM Punk for eliminating him from the 2025 Royal Rumble. While the battle royale is every wrestler for themselves, WWE consistently scripts moments where rivalries flare through elimination conflicts. Reigns’ reluctance to partner with Punk at WarGames further deepened this tension.
Paul Heyman’s betrayal of Punk at WrestleMania was rooted in their friendship, despite Heyman’s service under Reigns, who often exerted harsh control over him. Reigns’ decision not to assist Punk after Punk saved Jey Uso from Reed and Breakker may result in Punk targeting Reigns, potentially fracturing their uneasy alliance.
Karrion Kross as a Threat to Reigns’ Dominance
Karrion Kross emerged as a challenger to both Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre upon rejoining WWE in 2022. Despite Reigns’ ongoing status as the main villain and championship holder at that time, Kross’ targeting of top names elevated his own profile. Now, with Reigns presenting himself on RAW and vulnerable, Kross might turn his focus to Reigns, especially if issues with Sami Zayn persist.
A high-profile clash with “The Head of the Table” would significantly boost Kross’ standing. While Reigns is cheered by fans, his attitude remains mercenary and self-serving, often rescuing family members only when convenient. Kross could exploit this flaw by challenging Reigns and using pointed promos to highlight weaknesses ahead of a future match.
Potential Return of Brock Lesnar for a Major Showdown
If Brock Lesnar reenters the WWE ring, he is expected to confront Roman Reigns once again. Their rivalry has been marked by intense battles, with Lesnar dominating initial encounters but Reigns reclaiming momentum with victories such as their historic WrestleMania 38 title unification match. Heyman’s past association with Lesnar gives WWE a ready narrative bridge for reigniting this feud.
Should Lesnar not appear at SummerSlam, a post-event disruption on RAW remains a possibility, providing an opportunity for another explosive encounter without a title at stake. This ongoing feud between two iconic performers continues to captivate WWE audiences.
Brock Lesnar’s Protégé Bron Breakker Set for a Major Push
Bron Breakker has been carefully built up as the successor to Roman Reigns, a newcomer capable of carrying WWE’s future. Paul Heyman’s shift from Lesnar to Reigns to Breakker underscores the trajectory of aligning with dominant figures. Heyman’s split with Reigns at WrestleMania 41 left a void now potentially filled by Breakker, who fits the “unstoppable monster” mold perfectly.
WWE leadership frequently suggests Breakker represents the company’s future, making it symbolically appropriate for him to topple Reigns before the latter’s next hiatus. This passing of the torch storyline carries emotional weight and sets up Breakker as a credible new face of WWE excellence.
Injury Status of Seth Rollins and Its Impact on SummerSlam
Confirmed by both Triple H and Rollins himself, Seth Rollins is currently sidelined with an injury, thought to be knee-related. Despite some public appearances on crutches, the precise severity of the injury remains unclear, raising speculation about WWE’s long-term plans for The Visionary. This ambiguity could be part of a larger storyline designed for Rollins to make a dramatic return at SummerSlam.
Reigns was unable to get revenge on Rollins during RAW, but if the injury is less serious than believed, Rollins may seize the opportunity to retaliate at SummerSlam. This could lead to Rollins eliminating Reigns during the event and triggering the next chapter in the ongoing saga of WWE’s top stars.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is WrestleMania or SummerSlam bigger?
A. SummerSlam is a yearly professional wrestling show that started in 1988. It’s put on by WWE, the largest wrestling company in the world. Known as “The Biggest Party of the Summer,” it is seen as WWE’s second most important event, right after WrestleMania.
