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There's a lot of intrigue at SmackDown, with current Universal Champion Roman Reigns being targeted by former rival Brock Lesnar, and Paul Heyman amidst the fire of his most recognizable assistants of recent years. Yet, according to reports from America, the whole affair could depend almost entirely on a third person.
This responds to none other than the name of The Rock. During the WWE Friday Night SmackDown episode on Friday night, as we know, Paul Heyman was interviewed by Kayla Braxton but the interview was interrupted by a phone call.
The cell phone rang with Brock Lesnar's music as a ringtone. Heyman answered the phone and the person on the line (presumably Lesnar) asked him to deliver a message to someone (presumably Roman Reigns). Later we discovered that it was, precisely, the presence of the Beast Incarnate in the next episode of SmackDown, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
This seems to be the preparation for a possible match between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns with the coveted Universal Championship at stake. However, it remains to be seen when this clash can actually take place.
Backstage news on The Rock
Dave Meltzer reported this week that he believes Lesnar vs Reigns may take place next year at WrestleMania, and that's because of The Rock.
The presence of the People's Champion, expected for years by fans in a "family clash" with Roman Reigns for now only theoretical, does not seem to have been hired for next year's show. According to the expert reporter, in other words, The Rock vs Reigns is more likely to be held at WrestleMania 39 in 2023.
However, this does not rule out that the Tribal Chief may face Lesnar even earlier than the next Grandaddy of Them All: as pointed out by various sources (including 'WrestlingNews.co'), WWE currently earns more from their shows that are held in Saudi Arabia, compared even to WrestleMania.
The WWE could decide to propose the clash between Reigns and Lesnar in the edition of Crown Jewel scheduled for next month. The fact remains that the feud seems to have been earlier than expected. And this, according to Meltzer, precisely because of the unavailability of a certain The Rock.
Paul Heyman responded to that question by saying that The Great One may not be invited to the table. “As for whether The Rock is a member of the table? I serve as Special Counsel to the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns," said Paul Heyman.
"That is not a subject Roman Reigns wishes to address publicly at this time, either in The Rock’s favour or to The Rock’s detriment, because The Rock may not be welcome at our table. Roman Reigns will let you know when it’s appropriate for Roman Reigns to let you know”.