This week’s SmackDown on FOX closing segment witnessed Finn Balor confronting Roman Reigns, challenging him to a title match on next Friday’s edition. Balor attacked Reigns and got triple-teamed by SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos and Roman until The Street Profits made the save. Reigns watched from the stage as The Usos were taken out by the babyfaces inside the ring.
Once the show went off the air, WWE has officially announced Balor vs. Reigns for next week’s SmackDown. Furthermore, PWInsider also confirmed that word is going around that Balor is also the next scheduled rival for Reigns and not Brock Lesnar. Many believed Lesnar to be present backstage but he wasn’t there for the show in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
Brock Lesnar Reportedly Under WWE Contract Until 2023
It was noted in the report that Balor vs. Reigns is planned for Extreme Rules while Lesnar vs. Reigns would take place at the October 21 Crown Jewel special from Saudi Arabia, or the November 21 Survivor Series pay-per-view from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. There’s no update on when Lesnar might finally appear on SmackDown following his monumental return at SummerSlam 2021.
A lot is going on Smackdown over the Universal Title
There’s no update on what Balor vs. Reigns will go down next week on SmackDown but it should lead to a stipulated match between the two at Extreme Rules. It’s interesting how Balor’s promo included a line on how he has some unfinished business with John Cena, teasing an upcoming match between the two.
Balor pointed out how it was Cena who cost him the SummerSlam title match with Reigns where Cena came up short. He also confirmed that he will deal with Cena in due time. While Cena is done with the WWE storylines, for now, he is scheduled to work the Super SmackDown from Madison Square Garden on September 10. There’s an assumption that Cena will only perform in a dark match on that night.
SmackDown on FOX also saw Seth Rollins and WWE Hall of Famer Edge appearing in separate promos on how they are focused to be back on the Universal Title. Edge said that the chapter with Rollins is over at SummerSlam while his adversary mentioned that he needs to be a little bit more like Edge to get closer to the Universal Title. A rematch between the two is expected at Extreme Rules with a stipulation.
